Maria & Will Kernahan | Chicago & North Shore Real Estate Brokers

Maria and Will Kernahan help buyers and sellers make real estate decisions that stand up to scrutiny—whether that means pricing a home accurately, negotiating a purchase, evaluating resale potential, or deciding which improvements are worth making. As The Kernahan Group at @properties Christie's International Real Estate, they represent clients in Chicago and the North Shore across single-family homes, condominiums, cooperative apartments, investment properties, and historic buildings.

Maria Kernahan | Best Chicago & North Shore Real Estate Agent

Maria Kernahan helps clients decide what to buy, what to pay, what to improve, and when to sell. A veteran broker with the Kernahan Group at @properties Christie's International Real Estate, she treats real estate as a critical financial asset—advising buyers and sellers across Chicago and the North Shore with an unwavering focus on pricing strategy, sharp negotiation, and long-term resale value. Consistently recognized by clients for her analytical approach, Maria maintains a perfect 5.0-star rating as one of the best real estate agents for Chicago and North Shore residential moves.

Maria treats resale as an essential part of every purchase decision. She evaluates location, floor plan, property condition, carrying costs, renovation potential, and the pool of future buyers. For sellers, she develops a pricing and marketing strategy tailored to current market demand and immediate competition, recommending improvements that strengthen market position while questioning expenses unlikely to be recovered.

Her advice is equally valuable to homeowners who aren't planning to move. Maria helps clients evaluate potential renovations, decide where to invest, and avoid overimproving for their specific neighborhood. She believes a home should work seamlessly for the people living in it while being managed with the care appropriate to a major financial asset.

When you work with Maria, you work with Maria. She personally drives the strategy, communication, and negotiations from the first discussion through closing. She approaches each decision with the strict scrutiny she would apply to her own property or when advising a close friend.

Active in the market since 1999, Maria has steered over $95 million in documented volume across more than 115 closed transactions. Her deep institutional knowledge spans single-family homes, luxury condominiums, cooperative apartments, investment properties, and historic buildings throughout the city and northern suburbs.

Maria's connection to these markets is personal as well as professional. She grew up in Winnetka, raised her children there, and has lived in Chicago for the past eight years. This dual perspective is uniquely valuable to families navigating a relocation between the city and the North Shore, making her a trusted choice for anyone looking for the best relocation real estate agent in the Chicago area.

(Source: MRED, LLC, based on closed sales data, January 2007–October 2026)

Experience, Rankings & Client Proof

  • 27+ Years of Local Market Expertise | Serving Chicago and North Shore buyers and sellers since 1999.

  • Perfect 5.0-Star Client Rating | Verified across 28+ independent client reviews on Zillow and industry platforms.

  • Over $95.1 Million in Documented Volume | Seamlessly managing over 115 closed transactions across city and suburban neighborhoods.

  • 100% Direct Representation | Zero hand-offs to junior assistants; every strategy and negotiation is handled personally by Maria.

Chicago & North Shore Communities Served

Maria specializes in helping clients transition seamlessly between Chicago's premier urban neighborhoods and the North Shore's top suburban communities.

Chicago Luxury Neighborhoods

  • Lincoln Park (60614): Serving clients looking for the best real estate agent in Lincoln Park Chicago to navigate historic single-family homes and luxury townhomes.

  • Lakeview (60657): Expert guidance on multi-family investments, vintage properties, and lakefront condominiums.

  • Gold Coast & Streeterville (60610, 60611): High-end representation for buyers and sellers of cooperative apartments and high-rise luxury condos.

North Shore

  • Winnetka (60093): Deep-rooted expertise from a top-rated real estate broker in Winnetka, IL who grew up and raised a family in the village.

  • Wilmette (60091) & Kenilworth (60043): Analyzing school district transitions, structural renovation potential, and long-term resale metrics.

  • Glencoe (60022) & Evanston (60201, 60202): Assisting families with historic preservation, property valuations, and city-to-suburb relocation logistics.

  • Lake Forest (60045): Strategic marketing and accurate pricing strategies for expansive estates and luxury properties.

About Will Kernahan

Will Kernahan is a Chicago and North Shore real estate broker and co-founder of The Kernahan Group at @properties Christie’s International Real Estate. He helps buyers and sellers navigate the market with thoughtful analysis, practical advice, and personal attention from the first conversation through closing.

A lifelong Chicagoan, Will combines local knowledge with a background in sales, marketing, and hospitality. His experience with golf and country clubs informs his approach to marketing distinctive and luxury properties: understand the buyer, present the home thoughtfully, and communicate what makes it valuable.

Will and Maria serve Chicago neighborhoods including Lincoln Park, Lakeview, the Gold Coast, Bucktown, Logan Square, and Wicker Park, as well as North Shore communities including Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, and Lake Forest. Together, they help clients evaluate properties, understand comparable sales, prepare homes for market, and negotiate with a clear strategy.

Will is also licensed in Michigan and serves buyers and sellers in Southwest Michigan, including New Buffalo, Union Pier, and Lakeside. Years spent along the Lake Michigan shoreline give him a personal connection to the area and insight into its vacation homes and lakeside communities.

When you hire Will, you work directly with him. He stays personally involved in your search or sale, explains your options clearly, and approaches challenges with patience and attention to detail. His calm manner helps clients make informed decisions throughout what can be a demanding process.

Whether you are buying a Chicago condominium, selling a North Shore home, or exploring a Southwest Michigan retreat, contact Will Kernahan to discuss your next step.