Photo credit: Claire Demos
lee@bigshouldersrealty.com
(773) 255-6347
My name is Lee Diamond and I am the Broker of Big Shoulders Realty. I’ve been doing mortgages and/or Real Estate in one form or another since 2002, and while it isn’t the career I ever imagined I would have earlier in life, accidentally stumbling into this career has somehow become my life’s calling.
I have had an amazingly vast number of jobs and careers thanks in part to an indecisive youth, a strong work ethic and a series of accidents. As of this moment, and/or in my past, I have sold blinds, worked in and eventually owned a record store, worked in record distribution, wrote for various publications, wrote, sold and or otherwise directed business conferences, built cabinets and furniture, managed a coffee house, flipped burgers and doled out hot-dogs at a food-stand, worked at countless fairs in various food-service roles, cleaned up in a cafeteria, delivered newspapers, played in bands everywhere, brokered and banked mortgage loans, owned a record label, booked music at a club and for a collective as well as at least 3 incidents of babysitting in the past that did not involve relatives.
All of it has served me well. I still play the drums, I still do a little carpentry, though mostly for our house at this stage, and I have managed to incorporate much of what I have learned in a variety of ways to enhance my career in Real Estate. While I feel equipped to handle many situations, I have several areas of interest and emphasis.
My interest in Historic Preservation is born of my father who was heavily involved in the Cleveland Historical Society when I was growing up. I can remember the joy of running through soon-to-be demolished buildings with my dad and a crowbar too big for me to use effectively. I also remember my family’s frustration with a house and garage full of architectural artifacts of dubious worth. Nonetheless, the importance of preservation is ingrained in me. With all the talk of green construction, the most important thing we can do for our environment is to not create more waste, and preservation not only reduces landfill waste, but minimizes use of materials. I am very eager to assist in the preservation of our architectural past and believe that the past methods of building and construction offer unparalleled excellence. I like old things. My wife has called me grampa since I was in my late twenties.
I like helping first time buyers as well. I think that the knowledge of both real estate and my past career in mortgage financing makes this easier. Buying your first home is serious business and it is important to understand what is happening while you are doing it. I enjoy helping people learn about the process at a pace that they are comfortable with. I have always advocated making sustainable decisions and I think it is especially important when considering a real estate decision in such a volatile and mysterious marketplace.
I also have a very strong interest in helping teachers, as my wife was a teacher for many years and no one is less appreciated in our country than a teacher. Especially these days.
I seek to assist families who have members with special needs including the assessing of living space for accessibility. I know the challenges a family faces with these concerns because my son has severe disabilities and I have more experience than I ever thought I would, and the utmost desire to help people in similar positions in their search.
I am an avid cyclist and also operate the website Chicago Velo and a series of architectural bike tours of the city called the Chicago Neighborhood Bike Tours. I live in a bungalow in Evanston with my wife Chaney, son Jackson, daughter Zoe and cats Lulu, Ruby, Opal and Slinky.
