Paul Tsakiris is a leading figure in Chicago’s real estate community. He has appeared as an expert guest on Stock Market Observer, Chicago Real Estate Council and is frequently quoted in such publications as the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun Times, and Crain's Chicago Business. Mr. Tsakiris has also written articles for Chicago Realtor Magazine. Mr. Tsakiris founded First Western Properties, Inc. in 1999.
His extensive real estate background includes:
Development of Retail and Medical facilities both locally and abroad
Acquisition and Turn Around of under-performing retail properties
Acquisition and Rehab of over 1,000 decimated apartment units resulting in 4 GoodNeighbor Awards; an award given to projects that have the greatest positive impact on a community.
Award Winning Brokerage results; having won numerous sales awards for number of
closed transactions and total dollar amounts including: the gold award for top Multi-family Sales by the Chicago Association of Realtors in 2006. In 2008, he was awarded the gold award for top Retail Leasing by the Chicago Association of Realtors and was recognized in the Wall Street Journal.
Receivership and REO Advisory to a wide range of debt investors from local community banks to large, institutional clients.
Mr. Tsakiris belongs to a number of real estate and community organizations including: Board member of Chicago’s Sister Cities-Athens Committee, Commercial Forum, ICSC, Chicago Real Estate Council, Chicago Association of Realtors and the Chicago Restaurant Brokers Association.
Fahim Lakhani works on a wide range of commercial transactions including retail sales, multi-family sales, tenant representation for retail leasing, landlord representation for retail leasing and industrial sales. He was recently awarded the silver award for Rookie of the Year by the Chicago Association of Realtors. Mr. Lakhani's exceptional analytical skills and work ethic allow him to consistently close deals and ensure that his clients receive the best possible price. Prior to joining First Western in December 2006, Mr. Lakhani worked as an Investment Analyst in fixed income investments at Prudential Capital Group. Prior to Prudential, Mr. Lakhani worked as a Global Operations Intern at Citadel Investment Group LLC. He first joined First Western Properties in 2003, as a Finance Intern, while attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Mr. Lakhani graduated from the University of Illinois with a BS degree in Finance and a BS degree in Accountancy.
Leo Solarte is the Vice President of Investment Sales for First Western Properties, Inc., a leading Chicago full service commercial brokerage house. Mr. Solarte is responsible for all First Western sales activities including acquisitions and dispositions along with landlord and tenant representation. Previous to First Western, Mr. Solarte was the Executive Vice President of Lending for Bass Financial Corporation, a mortgage broker and direct lender to the residential real estate market. While at Bass, Mr. Solarte was key in instituting and growing the direct lending business. In 2010, Mr. Solarte was awarded two Top Producer Awards from the Chicago Association of Realtors CommercialForum. Mr. Solarte received the Gold level for Gross Lease and Silver level for Leased SF. His achievements were announced in the Chicago Association of Realtors' magazine.
Mr. Solarte is an active CCIM candidate and earned his Master's of Science in Real Estate at Roosevelt University where he was a Joseph Freed Tomorrow's Leader in Real Estate Scholarship recipient. In 2009, Mr. Solarte received his BSBA in Finance with a minor concentration in Economics from Roosevelt University. Mr. Solarte is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, National Association of Realtors, Chicago Association of Realtors, and former member of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, and holds active Illinois licenses in both Real Estate and Mortgage Lending. Mr. Solarte is also active in volunteering through several Illinois Masonic charities.
Mr. Rago earned his bachelor’s degree at Saint Norbert College with a double major in International Business and Spanish. Mr. Rago has been managing his family’s investment portfolio for most of his career and has played a key role in strategically growing the profitable portfolio over the years. Throughout his professional career, Mr. Rago has effectively performed in various industries holding leadership positions that have included selling, marketing and management consulting roles.
Mr. Rago has strongly developed analytical skills and the ability to quickly understand business concepts. His valuable skills and knowledge, combined with his attention to detail and drive for success, are just a few reasons his clients give as to why they prefer having Mr. Rago represent them in their corner every time. Mr. Rago adds value to every transaction with his customer-focused approach and attention to detail. His entrepreneurial background has allowed him to develop his ability to thoroughly understand the needs of his clients and their businesses. Mr. Rago says, “The key to closing deals is to understand the needs of all of the parties involved; and when it’s all said and done, that they are all satisfied and happy to work with you again.”
For over two decades, Lon Evans has been a leading investment broker in the Chicago area focusing on Multifamily Properties. Lon is focused on providing superb service and representation to buyers. In representing buyers, Lon uses his extensive market knowledge and data to ensure that buyers are getting the best possible value for the current market conditions. In representing sellers, Lon brings aggressive development style marketing and salesmanship at the point of sale to bear. Lon has a reputation for figuring out innovative ways to get deals done. He has an extensive background in acquiring, developing and marketing multifamily properties.
He has been actively involved in the ownership and management of hundreds of unit and handled commercial acquisitions of over 100 million dollars. His role encompasses not only sales and marketing but acquisition, underwriting, project management and finance. Some of Lon’s many accomplishments include: Two Time Chicago Association of Realtors Commercial Broker of the Year for 2002 and 2004; 2002 and 2004 Top Producer in Volume and Units Sold for Southshore, Hyde Park, Chatham, and Kenwood; 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 Top Producer in Volume and Units Sold for Auburn Gresham and Bronzeville; Property Manager Since 2001 for Dozens of Large Apartment Buildings; Conventional and Fha Loan Expert for Commercial and Residential Loans; Building Financial Analyist and Bpo Appraiser for Multi-Family and Mixed-Use Properties. Lon holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Northern Illinois University. "I AM ALWAYS AVAILABLE FOR MY CLIENTS."
John Tsiaousis has over 10 years of Property Management, Leasing and Appraisal experience. He has significant work experience in the valuation of multi-family and mixed-use properties. Having the benefit of being an experienced investor, Mr. Tsiaousis understands the need for a quality analysis completed in a timely manner. Mr. Tsiaousis has worked primarily in private practice settings and is an expert in the valuation, leasing, and management of properties. As a lifelong resident of the Chicagoland area, Mr. Tsiaousis has a good understanding of its communities.
Jacqueline Lopez is responsible for managing the day to day operations of the First Western Properties office. Ms. Lopez has previously worked as a property manager, successfully managing 300 plus units with the Section Eight, Market, and Tax Credit programs within the West Suburban Chicago area. Ms. Lopez is also a Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS) –(National Center for Housing Management) and has obtained a certificate of completion awarded by the Institute of Real Estate Management.
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George is responsible for marketing activities at First Western. He assists in creating marketing strategies for all commercial listings. George’s prior experience includes a management/marketing internship at Sam Wu International in Hong Kong. He is currently a senior at the DePaul University studying Finance and Real Estate. His hobbies include playing all sorts of sports, traveling and watching movies.
First Western Properties provides commercial real estate investment services including dispositions, acquisitions, lease negotiations and advisory services for retail and multi-family properties across Metropolitan Chicagoland and the tri-state area. We are currently seeking qualified personnel to add to our dynamic team. Please click on the following links to learn about our current opportunities:
