Where Leadership Meets Personalized Service.....about us
Co-Founders, The Forward Group at Real Broker
The Forward Group at Real Broker is a dynamic, full-service real estate team with over 24 years of combined expertise in residential and commercial transactions. Co-founded by Colleen and Bart Basinski, the group is dedicated to providing exceptional service, innovative solutions, and unparalleled market knowledge to clients across Illinois, Indiana, Florida, and now Colorado.
Colleen Basinski
With a remarkable 24-year career in real estate, Colleen Basinski is a licensed professional in Illinois, Indiana, and Florida. She is a nationally recognized real estate speaker, trainer, and coach, with a passion for empowering agents and clients to achieve their goals. Colleen’s leadership has transformed real estate offices, growing them from 46 agents to over 1,000 across multiple states, including California, Illinois, Indiana, and Florida, while turning financial losses into profitability.
Colleen’s extensive experience includes mentoring and recruiting hundreds of agents, building wealth-building opportunities, and coaching leadership teams across the U.S. and internationally. As a certified Career Visioning instructor and licensed pre-license instructor for Illinois, Colleen has trained future leaders in the industry and continues to coach agents, helping them grow their businesses and achieve success. She has also served on numerous Realtor boards and committees, including government affairs, professional standards, and professional development, demonstrating her commitment to elevating the real estate profession.
Bart Basinski
Bart Basinski brings over 17 years of real estate expertise and a strong background in construction, making him a valuable resource for clients navigating complex transactions. Bart is a certified Heroes Welcome Home specialist, dedicated to serving veterans with tailored solutions. His collaborative approach with business partner Ubaldo Diaz has helped build a team of professionals who excel in marketing, buyer representation, listings, and investor relations.
Together, Colleen and Bart lead a powerhouse team of specialists whose expertise spans Certified Staging, Negotiation Consulting, and resources for Short Sales and Foreclosures. Bart’s dedication to veterans is inspired by his father’s service, as well as Colleen’s brother and grandfather, who proudly served in the armed forces. Their combined knowledge ensures that clients receive tailored support for every aspect of their real estate journey, with a deep respect for those who have served.
What Sets The Forward Group Apart
The Forward Group is committed to making every real estate transaction seamless and efficient. Combining superior customer service with cutting-edge technology, they deliver results that exceed expectations. The team’s recent expansion into Colorado reflects their dedication to meeting the needs of clients in even more markets.
Their services include:
Comprehensive marketing strategies that leverage state-of-the-art tools
Access to exclusive off-market and pre-market opportunities through their VIP Buyer Program
Expertise in staging, negotiating, and closing complex deals
Specialization in residential, commercial, and investment properties
Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a seasoned investor, or looking to sell your home, The Forward Group’s mission is to provide you with expert guidance and personalized service. Their track record of success, combined with a deep understanding of the market, ensures that clients achieve their real estate dreams with confidence.
Our Vision
At The Forward Group, we believe in making the home buying and selling process simple and enjoyable for everyone. With trusted guidance, industry-leading technology, and a relentless commitment to client success, we’re here to turn your real estate goals into reality.
Contact us today to experience the difference of working with The Forward Group at Real Broker – your trusted partners in real estate.
Reviews
“I had a very good experience purchasing a home with the help of The Forward Group! Cory and Ubaldo provided excellent customer service and explained the process in a way that made it feel very approachable. My family was relocating from Texas, so they were very mindful of our time constraints and arranged showing schedules that very efficiently allowed us to see all of the houses we were interested in. Once we entered the contract stage, they promptly provided updates to ensure we were aware of the current status and explained all deliverables that were required and helped us have a smooth closing. I can't emphasize enough how much I enjoyed working with them and would gladly work with them again!”
Michael & Gabriella Wallace
“My husband and I started looking for homes 3 years ago but only really wanted to live in certain school districts with Lemont being our #1 choice. We needed a fast, smart motivated realtor. After a few showings we were having difficulty finding a realtor fast enough to get us a house in the neighborhood we wanted in our price range. A friend recommended Katie Kelly to us. We had our first showing with her and she was positive, smart and most important for us FAST. Sure enough, Katie found us our dream home in Lemont. I noticed on Facebook groups people were discussing how they wanted to go for a showing at our home but their realtor couldn’t get them in yet. At that point we already had an offer in thanks to Katie. If it wasn’t for her we would not have our dream home. Katie worked extremely hard to get us closed before 30 days. Katie was out for our best interest and extremely caring- we have 3 children 3 and under and we were in a rush to get settled. She’s not only the best realtor but a genuine wonderful person. I can promise you will not find a better realtor period.”
“Colleen Basinski recently helped to sell my childhood home, and her professionalism, market expertise, and compassion made a very emotional process so much easier. Thanks to her knowledge of the market and marketing strategy, received multiple offers in a short amount of time. This is not the first time I have worked with Colleen. I have worked with her through every major real estate step—buying my first home, selling it, and purchasing my current one. Each time, she’s been responsive, knowledgeable, and supportive. I'm so thankful for the handwork she has done and can’t recommend her highly enough!”
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