Meet Our Brokers and Agents

Susan McKenna, Broker/Owner

  Susan McKenna is the Founder and Managing Broker/Owner of Third Meridian Realty, LLC (TMR), located at 1306 Chicago Avenue in Evanston. TMR is an established, independently owned and operated firm handling both residential and commercial sales. Her firm specializes in sales of condominiums, single family homes of new or older construction, condominium conversions and all types of resales within a 30 mile radius of Chicago.  The firm is a member of the North-Shore Barrington Board of Realtors and the Evanston Chamber of Commerce. Susan was a top producing agent at the former Cyrus Realtors, once the leading real estate presence in Evanston, until 1997 when she left to open Third Meridian. Since then, Susan consistently ranks among real estate top producers in the multi-million dollars of sales on all types of residential property. Each year since 1994, she has received an award from the Illinois Association of Realtors President's Club for Outstanding Sales Performance. She has personally sold over 150 condos, and her overall career sales volume is at $60 million dollars.

She particularly enjoys helping first time buyers to purchase with confidence, ensuring a smooth and peaceful transaction. With a solid buyer representative at their side, buyers can avoid the stress of the process. About half of the firm's sales are from representing developers & architects, those professional sellers who rely on TMR again and again for its honesty & thorough knowledge of new construction.  Susan works closely with many developers, making her an expert in new construction.

People often ask about the firm's name: Third Meridian Realty. Susan chose this name to reflect the firm's solid grounding and its exclusive Illinois presence. Every legal description defining an Illinois property location is precisely measured from east or west of the Third Principal Meridian which runs vertically roughly through the middle of the state. If you look at your home's legal description, you'll see the term "Third Principal Meridian" repeated several times.

Third Meridian Realty's philosophy is to be down-to-earth, yet innovative; meticulously accurate, yet flexible; and honest above all, even if this means recommending against a contract or sale. For these reasons, Third Meridian Realty's ethics & service sets this firm apart. Although Susan & many of her sales associates have had very successful careers in large corporations, you won't find anything "corporate" about our approach.

In 2003, we opened a beautiful storefront office at a new location, 1306 Chicago Avenue, in Evanston in celebration of the firm's sixth year in business. This office is on the west side of Chicago Avenue, three doors north of Dempster Street. Please stop in to see us.

Susan has a B.A. in English Literature from Rosary College in River Forest, IL.  Susan lives in Evanston & has a wonderful husband who is a designer & builder of fine homes and townhomes in Evanston.  Susan is an enthusiastic tennis player, likes cross-country skiing, reading, being with her granddaughter Alex, hosting parties, helping people and is world-traveled.  Real Estate is her third career.  Prior to that, she was a Vice President at the former First National Bank of Chicago where she managed projects in International Banking and was a Strategic Planner.  Her first career was in data processing, working as a programmer & systems consultant.  Susan's son, William, wife Melissa & daughter, Alex, also live in Evanston in an historic home renovated by Oakton-Custer Partners, LLC.

Susan's cell phone is 847.772.1117. Or, you may use email thirdmeridianrealty@yahoo.com

Phil Bentley, Realtor Phil has been a Realtor since 1988.  He also maintains strong business ties in Evanston. One special avocation is being a pastor of a long-standing congregation that helps him keep in touch with the very heart beat of the area. He specializes in residential real estate in Chicago, Evanston and surrounding suburbs. You can count on Phil. Phil got his start in real estate with Century 21 in Skokie, and achieved significant success & recognition when he moved to Baird & Warner, Evanston in 1984. He joined Third Meridian in 2008. Phil is a long-time resident of Evanston and the surrounding area. He has been married to wife, Joan, for over 28 years. They have two daughters who are his pride & joy, including one who is currently a student at Northwestern University.  Phil was born in Jamaica; we think you will have "no problems" with him at your side in your real estate transaction.

Phil can be reached at 847.475.0148, ext. 7 or, on his cell phone at 847.877.8690.

E-mail: phillip.a.bentley@gmail.com
         

Judy Hultzen, Realtor

Judy Hultzen is a full-time Sales Associate who was raised and currently resides, with her husband Carl, on the 4500 block of Mozart Street in the beautiful Ravenswood Manor area of Chicago. Not only is she experienced in the sale of all types of residential properties in Evanston, she is particularly knowledgable about the broader Albany Park/Ravenswood/Lincoln Square, the Edgewater/Andersonville areas of Chicago, and of Chicago in general. Patient, kind and resourceful, Judy is a great asset to Third Meridian Realty, and a great asset to our clients!  She is caring, thoughtful and diligent; clients never have to wonder "Is my Realtor taking care of this?"  Judy not only knows just the right thing to do, but she also does it!

Judy has professional resources on the cutting edge of design who can help decorate, and even transform, your home to make it most marketable to today's buyer. Judy took her undergraduate degree in mathematics at Illinois Institute of Technology and worked in the field of computer systems for many years. Judy enjoys her family & grandchildren, classical music and dance in her off hours.

She can be reached on extension #6 at our office 847.475.0148, or at her home office 773.866.0785, or on her cell phone 773.793.2002. Her email address is judytmr@yahoo.com.