John Rochford
Real Estate Consultant
A little bit about me...
John’s interest in real estate grew naturally through his own experiences renting and helping friends navigate the Chicago market. Through those experiences, he saw firsthand how overwhelming the process can feel without someone knowledgeable, honest, and truly invested in your best interests. That realization, combined with strong mentorship from experienced agents, solidified his decision to build a long-term real estate career rooted in trust, relationships, and local expertise—especially in a competitive city like Chicago.
Coming from a background as a firefighter and paramedic, John is no stranger to high-pressure situations, clear communication, and putting people first. Those skills translate seamlessly into real estate, where clients are often making major life decisions and need calm guidance, transparency, and confidence throughout the process. Although newly licensed, John has spent the past year working closely with an experienced mentor while building his business, bringing with him several years of professional experience in high-responsibility, client-facing roles.
John specializes in Chicago, with a strong focus on downtown and near-north neighborhoods including West Loop, South Loop, Streeterville, River North, Gold Coast, Wicker Park, Bucktown, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Wrigleyville, and surrounding areas. He primarily works with renters, first-time buyers, and clients relocating to the city, helping them understand neighborhoods, pricing, and the overall process so they can make confident, informed decisions. What sets John apart is his work ethic, responsiveness, and commitment to doing things the right way from day one. Clients appreciate his clear communication, availability, honesty, and his willingness to go the extra mile without pressure.
Originally from the southwest suburbs of Chicago, John now resides in Wicker Park. Outside of real estate, he continues to serve his community as a firefighter and paramedic for a town in the southwest suburbs. He enjoys staying physically fit, eating well, playing ice hockey in the winter, and fishing in Wisconsin’s north woods during the summer. John is also passionate about great food and loves exploring Chicago’s incredible restaurant scene. A lifelong learner, he enjoys reading books focused on personal growth, business, and becoming a better man, brother, and overall person. His faith and values guide him daily, shaping both his personal life and professional approach.
John’s dedication to service, integrity, and community safety defines who he is—both in public service and real estate. We’re proud to have him as part of The Forward Group and excited to watch him continue to grow and serve clients across Chicago.
Favorite quote:
“Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.” — Marcus Aurelius
Reviews
“Phenomenal group of realtors! Very professional and easy to work with from the first phone call to needs after the sale. Always available and had time for anything we needed, even the smallest questions we had. We never had to plan anything ahead or anticipate anything as they were always one step ahead of our needs. A very well oiled machine, had us offers within a day and sold in under a week. Highly recommended!!”
“Very good experience! 1st place looked at I now own ❤️ Collen is GREAT!”
“Choosing and working with Kim Neill has been a very positive experience. I’ve never sold a home before and Kim guided me every step of the way. The process was seamless and I’m very pleased with the outcome! Thanks and God bless you Kim. 😊”


