THE DMG BUYER’S GUIDE
FLORIDA
ILLINOIS
ABOUT THE DMG
Recognized by The Wall Street Journal RealTrends as a top 20 mega team in the country and No. 1 mega team in the Midwest, Naples, FL and Park City, UT, the Dawn McKenna Group (DMG) is a carefully selected team of top local real estate advisors, delivering unmatched sophistication, energy, and expertise.
Dawn McKenna — one of the most successful, creative, and sought-after luxury real estate agents in the U.S. — doesn’t just follow trends; she stays several steps ahead, consistently setting pace in the industry. She leads her team with inimitable energy and style, inspiring them to leverage their diverse backgrounds and experiences while driving them to be leaders in their respective markets. While DMG’s numbers are impressive, it’s the team’s expertise, enthusiasm and collaborative efforts that truly sets them apart. When working with a DMG advisor, you will have access to the collective knowledge and resources of the entire team.
DMG represents clients throughout all stages of life — from their first city apartment to a house in the suburbs to a vacation home. With a deep understanding of each client’s unique needs, DMG advisors consistently surpass industry averages, outperform competitors, and, most importantly, exceed client expectations.
DAWN MCKENNA
DMG DIFFERENCE DMG Difference
The Dawn McKenna Group (DMG) has transformed the industry by establishing a powerful team presence across multiple states. This strategic positioning allows DMG to leverage the strengths of Coldwell Banker while providing boutique-level, personalized service.
Committed to the art of what’s possible, DMG doesn’t just seek opportunities, but creates them through deep connections and trusted relationships. With invaluable support from in-house marketing and design teams, DMG has redefined excellence in real estate.
Through an extensive personal network, exclusive memberships to invite-only affiliate organizations and teams located in Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Utah and Wisconsin, DMG is uniquely positioned to:
1 Direct connections to the most powerful global real estate professionals.
2 Gain visibility to exclusive off market listings.
3 Access qualified buyers with the most discerning preferences.
4 Procure a significant portion of buyers for DMG listings.
Local Expert, Connector, Referral Source
We’re more than your local housing experts; we’re the conduit to everything our communities have to offer.
Community Dynamics | Cultural Experts
Economic Factors | Local Activities
Preferred Partners & Vendors | Recreational Resources
Schools And Education | Transportation and Infrastructure
Volunteering & Local Charitable Organizations
AFFILIATES Global Affi liates
Dawn McKenna is a founding member of the International Luxury Alliance (ILA). ILA is an elite network of over 75 real estate professionals from Coldwell Banker, The Corcoran Group and Hamptons International in 36 key markets in the U.S. and abroad, who are actively working with ultra-high net-worth buyers. This group closes over $9 billion annually and has an average sales price of $3 million. Through this exclusive alliance, DMG gives buyers like you access to premier properties beyond the Midwest, Naples, and Park City — including elite listings in global hubs like New York and London. Thanks to Dawn’s personal relationships with top agents in these cities, our team can connect you with some of the most sought-after homes available to a truly exclusive clientele worldwide.
Collective by Luxury Presence (collective.luxurypresence.com) is a premier digital, invitation-only network connecting top real estate professionals from a variety of agencies and cities worldwide. As a founding member in 2015, Dawn McKenna and the DMG team hold exclusive representative for Illinois and Naples, Florida.
DMG Lifestyle
DMG LIFESTYLE
While the Dawn McKenna Group has a deep-rooted history in Chicago and its western suburbs, our expertise encompasses several sought after destinations across the United States. We’re everywhere our clients want to be — connecting you to places that offer diverse lifestyles tailored to your desires.
Naples, Florida | Experience coastal elegance with pristine beaches, upscale dining, and a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere.
Harbor Country, Michigan | Enjoy the charm of Harbor Country with its scenic shorelines, boutique shopping, and tranquil retreats.
Chicago | Immerse yourself in the dynamic urban lifestyle, with world-class dining, entertainment, and cultural landmarks.
Chicago’s North Shore | Reside in prestigious neighborhoods known for their historic homes, excellent schools, and proximity to Lake Michigan.
Western Suburbs of Chicago | Discover top-rated schools, vibrant downtowns, and a community-focused lifestyle — all just outside the city.
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin | Dive head first into lake life, offering boating, golf, and a rich cultural heritage.
Park City, Utah | Embrace the mountain lifestyle with world-class skiing, hiking, and a vibrant arts scene.
At DMG, we are committed to matching your lifestyle aspirations with the perfect home, no matter where that may be.
FLORIDA | ILLINOIS | MICHIGAN | WISCONSIN | UTAH
DMG x Juniper Holiday + Home
Owning a second home or vacation property in your dream destination has never been easier. Through our exclusive partnership with Juniper Holiday + Home, we make owning and managing a luxury vacation home effortless.
DMG helps you find the perfect property — whether it’s a ski retreat in Park City, a beachfront escape in Naples, or a serene lakeside getaway in Lake Geneva or New Buffalo. Then, Juniper Holiday + Home provides full-service property management, handling everything from guest bookings to maintenance and housekeeping. This seamless, white-glove approach ensures that your investment is not only stress-free but also maximized to its full potential.
No matter where you choose to call home — full-time or part-time — Juniper Holiday + Home makes luxury living and vacation home ownership as effortless as it is rewarding.
Let Our Network Work For You
We create lifestyles in desirable markets — everywhere you call home. Let us help you build your legacy one home at a time. Cities |
HINSDALE
LAKE FOREST
LAKE GENEVA
CHICAGO
NAPLES NEW BUFFALO
PARK CITY WINNETKA
DAWN MCKENNA
THE DMG TEAM
Naples, Florida Team
Park City, Utah Team
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin Team
New Buffalo, Michigan Team
When buying a home, you need a dedicated expert to guide you through every step of the process. Your DMG advisor will ensure you don’t miss opportunities, make costly mistakes, or lose out on your dream home.
HERE’S HOW WE HELP:
Finding the Right Home Without Missing a Beat
• Your DMG advisor ensures you don’t miss opportunities — including MLS listings, offmarket properties, and exclusive pocket listings — so you don’t miss the perfect home.
• DMG will help you find a home within your timeframe, keeping your goals and deadlines in mind.
Protecting Your Investment
• Your advisor guides you through inspections, disclosures, and due diligence, ensuring you don’t buy a home with hidden problems.
• Alongside your lender, your DMG advisor will help you understand exactly how much you’ll need to purchase your dream home, giving you financial clarity before you make a move.
Creating Winning Strategies for Competitive Markets
• DMG is here to help you design a winning offer strategy, making sure you know what it takes to secure the home you love.
• Your DMG advisor will communicate with the listing agent to understand the seller’s priorities, giving you a competitive edge.
• Your DMG expert will leverage our expert negotiation skills to ensure you hit all key points of your offer to get the best possible terms.
Managing the Transaction from Start to Finish
• Buying a home involves countless moving parts; your advisor acts as your transaction manager, keeping everything on track.
• From offer to closing day, your DMG advisor makes sure every step is handled smoothly, so you close on time with no surprises.
When you work with the Dawn McKenna Group, you’re not just buying a house — you’re making a confident, well-informed investment.
The Buying Process
1 Get Pre-Qualified
The first step on the road to homeownership is getting pre-approved for a mortgage loan. Your DMG advisor will connect you with a trusted mortgage broker, who will determine how much the bank will lend you based on your income and credit history. This will help to solidify the price range for your home search.
4
Explore Your Options
Once you’ve narrowed down the neighborhoods and homes you’re most interested in, your DMG advisor will schedule appointments to view properties based on your availability. With DMG’s access to off-market properties, the possibilities are endless. If you don’t see your dream home online, we might have it in our back pocket.
7
From Contract to Closing
Once your offer has been accepted, the closing process begins. Your DMG advisor will guide you through submitting your initial deposit, scheduling a home inspection, and completing the loan application. Upon the issuance of the loan commitment by the bank, you will conduct the final walkthrough with your DMG advisor at your side through closing.
2
Exclusive Buyer Representation Agreement
This legal document outlines the relationship between a buyer, agent, and brokerage, ensuring exclusive representation of the buyer’s interests. It ensures dedicated support and advocacy throughout the home-buying process.
5
Review Comps
When you’ve found a property you have a serious interest in, we will conduct an Equity Assessment for you. This analysis provides insight into the value of the property compared to similar properties in the area and serves as a basis for building your offer.
8
Review with Your Representation
Leverage your representation to review the contract of sale and lending documents.
During this time, you will finalize any requests or credits, as well as get questions answered about the home from the seller to better prepare for closing.
3
Build Your Wish List
Determine your non-negotiables, needs, and wants. Your DMG advisor will conduct a search based on your criteria and present you with properties that match your preferences.
6
Offer & Negotiation
Once you’ve decided on “the one,” your DMG advisor will draft and place your offer. In some transactions, there are multiple offers and/or counter offers. Your DMG advisor will provide advice based on their previous experience and market knowledge to help negotiate your offer. They often serve as a buffer between you and the seller/seller’s agent.
9
Closing
Your DMG advisor will work closely with you, your lender, representation, and the seller’s agent to ensure a smooth closing process. Prior to closing, your lender will forward all loan documents to the title company and let you know the amount required to close. You will be responsible for bringing the balance of your down payment and closing costs, in the form of a cashier’s check or wire transfer, to the closing. Your team will guide you through the documents you’ll need to sign, including the bill of sale, deed, and affidavit of title. Once all is settled, congratulations on owning your new home!
Your Rights as a Buyer
Seller Disclosure:
State law often mandates that sellers provide buyers with a residential real estate property disclosure form. This disclosure outlines any known material defects in the property that the seller is aware of, such as issues with flooding, a leaking roof, foundation cracks, malfunctioning HVAC systems, plumbing concerns, or disputes over property boundaries. Federal law often requires sellers to disclose information about potential lead-based paint hazards in a property. Sales contracts must include a federal form addressing lead-based paint, and buyers are given time to conduct an inspection for lead hazards.
By disclosing any known property defects in this report, the seller is not required to make repairs. However, if you have already signed a purchase agreement and later receive information about property defects, you may have the right to cancel the contract within
the timeframe specified in your agreement. However, it’s recommended to consult your representation to understand any ability to cancel the contract.
Based on the contract terms, buyers are given a due diligence period to perform any inspections deemed necessary. While this list covers standard inspection items, additional specialized inspections (e.g., mold, radon, or pests) may be recommended based on the property’s condition or location.
A professional home inspector may also offer tips on home maintenance and recommend improvements to consider after purchasing the property. We believe it’s essential to make an informed decision about your investment, and hiring a professional home inspector provides you with an objective evaluation to help you do just that.
Inspections
As a homebuyer, your real estate purchase contract will usually include a provision that allows you to have the property professionally inspected. We highly recommend investing in this impartial visual assessment of the property’s structure and systems as they currently appear and function during the inspection.
A standard home inspection usually includes, but is not limited to:
ROOF
– Shingles, tiles, flashing, and signs of leaks or damage
– Chimneys, gutters, and downspouts
EXTERIOR
– Siding, stucco, or brick for cracks, damage, or deterioration
– Windows and doors, including seals and frames
– Drainage and grading around the foundation
– Decks, porches, and balconies
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
– Service panel, circuit breakers, and wiring
– Outlets, switches, and light fixtures
FOUNDATION, BASEMENT, AND CRAWLSPACES
– Visible cracks or settling
– Moisture issues or water intrusion
PLUMBING SYSTEM
– Pipes, faucets, and water pressure
– Water heater and signs of leaks or corrosion
– Drainage and waste disposal systems
APPLIANCES
– Built-in appliances like ovens, dishwashers, and garbage disposals
– Laundry connections
STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS
– Walls, ceilings, and floors for integrity and signs of damage
– Beams, posts, and other support structures
HVAC SYSTEM
– Heating and cooling systems, including ductwork
– Thermostats and filters
ATTIC AND INSULATION
– Insulation levels and ventilation
– Signs of moisture or pests
INTERIOR
– Walls, ceilings, and floors for visible damage
– Stairs, railings, and handrails
WINDOWS AND DOORS
– Functionality, alignment, and seals
– Screens and weatherstripping
SAFETY FEATURES
– Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers
#3 IN THE NATION WITHIN COLDWELL BANKER1
The proof is in the numbers
#1 IN ILLINOIS2
#1 IN SOUTHWEST/ FLORIDA3
#1 IN PARK CITY & UTAH4
$5.6+ BILLION IN SALES
450+ YEARS COMBINED EXPERIENCE IN REAL ESTATE
Ranked Top 20 Mega Team
AMONG ALL BROKERAGES BY WSJ REALTRENDS
Source: 1. #3 Mega Team within Coldwell Banker by closed volume ranked by RealTrends, as advertised in The Wall Street Journal 2024. 2. #1 Mega Team in Illinois & Midwest among all brokerages by closed volume ranked by RealTrends, as advertised in The Wall Street Journal 2024. 3. #1 Large Team in Southwest Florida within Coldwell Banker Realty based on closed volume 01/01/2023–12/31/2023 in Southwest Florida MLS. 4. #1 Mega Team in Park City & Utah among all brokerages by closed volume ranked by RealTrends, as advertised in The Wall Street Journal 2024.
3,000 WORLDWIDE OFFICES
43 COUNTRIES & TERRITORIES
94,300 AFFILIATED AGENTS
$240 BILLION SALES VOLUME (U.S.)
$658 MILLION IN SALES EACH DAY (U.S. )
684,981 CLOSED UNITS IN TRANSACTION SIDES
DMG is Backed by the #1 Real Estate Brokerage in the United States
Our clients benefit from our status with the nation’s largest and most powerful real estate firm, Coldwell Banker.
• Recently ranked as the #1 Brokerage in the Nation by The Wall Street Journal Real Trends.
• Our properties are instantly exposed to the world’s largest group of real estate professionals and reach buyers around the world.
Estimated Range of Closing Costs
DAWN MCKENNA GROUP
Hear From Our Clients
TESTIMONIALS
DMG provided exceptional service throughout the process of selling our condo in Lincoln Park and assisting us in transitioning to a new home in the Western Suburbs.
From the very beginning, her COMPREHENSIVE MARKET
ANALYSIS and expert advice helped us set an appropriate listing price for our condo which helped us tremendously in a volatile market. DMG’s marketing strategies, including HIGHQUALITY photos, video, and compelling property descriptions, showcased my condo’s unique features and attracted a steady stream of interested buyers.
DMG’s NEGOTIATION SKILLS were outstanding, ensuring we received a fair price for our property with favorable terms.
We were referred to the DMG by friends who had used them and then built a house in The Moorings. We knew very little about Naples, and the team spent our first two trips down there FAMILIARIZING us with the various communities and clubs throughout the area. Because the housing inventory was small, we probably TOURED and met with as many clubs (at least a dozen) as we saw houses. Once we honed in on a club and community that we LOVED, they then worked patiently with us as we finally found our new home. Never once did we feel anything other than a SINCERE desire for us to find the perfect community and home. The DMG team are true pros...they know the areas well, they are CONNECTED to other realtors, and they are driven by a desire for clients to be happy. We consider them great friends!
I couldn’t be happier with the outcome and attribute much of my SATISFACTION to DMG’s expertise and dedication. If you’re in search of a real estate professional who combines market knowledge, exceptional service, and a GENUINE commitment to clients, look no further. I recommend DMG for anyone looking to buy or sell property in the southwest Michigan and northwest Indiana areas.
We highly recommend Dawn and the DMG team. They deliver as advertised!
DMG’s LOCAL EXPERTISE was especially invaluable when it came to relocating our family to the suburbs while simultaneously selling our condo in the city. DMG’s EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE of the suburban real estate market helped us find a new home (off market!) that perfectly matched our family’s needs and preferences.
DMG’s dedication to our real estate needs has made a SIGNIFICANT IMPACT on this new chapter in my family’s life and we are forever grateful for their support.
DMG’s dedication, professionalism, and expertise truly made the journey seamless and they did a phenomenal job taking on a lot of the work and difficult (i.e. time consuming!) aspects of selling a home.
DMG does not hesitate to go the EXTRA MILE to ensure your transaction is on track and PATIENTLY explains anything you need to clarify. The team was always HELPFUL and an excellent resource throughout our home buying process.
Simply put, the Dawn McKenna Group is the best.
I recently had the pleasure of working with DMG who truly went ABOVE AND BEYOND in helping me navigate the competitive markets of New Buffalo, Michigan, and Michigan City, Indiana. From the moment I engaged her services, DMG’s DEDICATION and expertise were evident.
THANK YOU DMG!!! We could not be happier with our new home. You are in great hands with DMG and we highly RECOMMEND them for all your real estate needs.
After a previous attempt to sell my condo, the Dawn McKenna Group was RECOMMENDED to me by an agent here in Annapolis, MD. I spoke with the team on the phone and felt CONFIDENT they would do a great job relaunching and selling my property. We listed the condo in November of 2024 and received an offer the very next day! The team was very PROFESSIONAL and extremely COMMUNICATIVE. Since I was not local, DMG handled everything. they were absolutely AMAZING. I would highly recommend them!
LOCATIONS
ILLINOIS
CHICAGO
GOLD COAST
676 N. Michigan Avenue
Suite 3010
Chicago, IL 60611
312.750.9333
CHICAGO
LINCOLN PARK
1910 N. Clybourn Avenue Chicago, IL 60614
312.750.9333
HINSDALE
8 E. Hinsdale Avenue
Hinsdale, IL 60521
630.686.4886
LAKE FOREST
675 Forest Avenue Lake Forest, IL 60045
847.737.4775
WINNETKA
45 Green Bay Road Glencoe, IL 60022
847.807.3660
FLORIDA NAPLES
550 5th Avenue South
Naples, FL 34102
239.316.3883
MICHIGAN
NEW BUFFALO
10 N. Whittaker Street
New Buffalo, MI 49117
269.256.6600
UTAH
PARK CITY
1153 Center Dr. G200
Park City, UT 84098
435.523.4453
WISCONSIN
LAKE GENEVA
226 Broad Street Lake Geneva, WI 53147
262.649.9530
