Some Press Coverage

New Home Source | February 7, 2020

The Tear Down Option: Is it for You?

Want to build a new home in an established neighborhood? Tear downs and infill homes may be a viable option for you.... [ read on ]

The chicago Agent Magazine | August 24, 2015

Teardowns: An Evolution within the Housing Marketby Rachel Mazanec

Brian Hickey, the founder of teardowns.com, an online marketplace geared towards the redevelopment of properties, likes to think of teardowns as part of an “evolution not a revolution” within the housing market... [ read on ]

The Wall Street Journal | November 30, 2014

A Final Goodbye to a Family Homeby Anne Tergesen

I have managed to navigate most trials in middle age (job changes, children leaving home, deceased pets) with a fair amount of grace. But now I find myself strangely unnerved by an event beyond my control:... [ read on ]

RE-INSIDER | March 6, 2013

Faces of the Industry with Brian Hickeyby RE-Insider

We recently interviewed Brian Hickey who is a subscriber to RE-Insider and founder of teardowns.com to get his perspective on where the market is headed in 2013. Here are excerpts from that interview:... [ read on ]

Hinsdale Clarendon Hills Patch | February 18, 2013

Teardowns.com 'A Disruptor' in Real Estate Industry, Owner Saysby Joe O'Donnell

Brian Hickey pointed to an old black-and-white photograph of downtown Chicago above his desk in Clarendon Hills... [ read on ]

Chicago Tribune | February 13, 2013

Future of well-known Hinsdale home uncertainby Annemarie Mannion

The fate of a Queen Anne-style house that has stood for 123 years on Washington Street in Hinsdale has not yet been decided, but it's not likely to stay... [ read on ]

The American Genius | February 7, 2013

Teardowns.com, for when the value is in the landby Destiny Bennett

Deciding where a business should be located is one of the later steps on a business owner’s checklist... [ read on ]

The Washington Times | October 25, 2012

Renovate old home or tear it down?by Rachel Brown

Is it better to renovate or rebuild? This question is not as simple as it may appear — financially or logistically... [ read on ]

Realtor® Mag | September 2011

'My Best Negotiating Secrets'by Melissa Dittmann Tracey

You may find yourself negotiating more than ever before in your real estate career.But did you know there’s a skill to negotiating that can be taught?... [ read on ]

Chicago Tribune | September 19, 2008

Taming of the monster homeby Mary Ellen Podmolik

McMansions epitomized the excesses of the housing market, but don't think that just because the market is in the dumps, the desire for overbuilt homes has dried up... [ read on ]

The New York Times | December 16, 2007

The Heart of Teardown Countryby Carin Rubenstein

HAVE you ever lived near a teardown in progress? Has it ever been your daily fate to deal with noise, smells, dirt and construction crews right next door — only to behold, after endless months, a space-hogging “mansionization” in place of the petite Cape Cod you used to find so sweet?... [ read on ]

The New York Times | June 16, 2006

The Teardown Warsby Michelle Higgins

BUILDING a dream vacation home — or at least rebuilding one — is becoming harder. In a sweeping backlash against the recent trend of wealthy buyers tearing down small — or even large — houses... [ read on ]

National Public Radio | September 26, 2006

Teardown Trend Altering Historic Neighborhoodsby Cheryl Corley

Brian Hickey, president of Xchange Properties, stands in front of an older house in Hinsdale, Ill., that is scheduled for demolition... [ read on ]

Chicago Tribune | July 30, 2006

Plot changeby Janice Rosenberg

When Tim Lawler sought a new home in the western suburbs, Hinsdale was at the top of his list. With the housing market tight and almost no vacant land, Lawler began to consider acquiring a teardown... [ read on ]

The New York Times | August 21, 2005

Teardowns Reshape Suburbs, And Selling Strategiesby Lisa Prevost

The Hinsdale suburb of Chicago is often referred to as the epicenter of the teardown trend. Builders have been demolishing the affluent village's early post-World War II housing since 1985... [ read on ]

August 26, 2008

Tearing down existing homes to build new ones can sometimes revitalize an established neighborhoodby Cindy Hoedel

The first part of Mark and Constance Eddy’s homeownership story is classic: In 1998 the newlyweds bought a “starter” home in a post-World War II subdivision in Prairie Village. The 900-square-foot, two-bedroom, one-bath house was dated, with 1950s metal cabinets and gold-flecked Formica counters in the kitchen, but cozy... [ read on ]

CNN Money | November 16, 2006

Is your house a teardown candidate?by Les Christie, CNNMoney.com staff writer

Thousands on a kitchen remodel? A new deck? Just tear the whole thing down.
That's the conclusion many home owners and sellers are reaching in expensive housing markets all around the nation... [ read on ]

The Doings Newspaper | January 22, 2004

New take on real estate rises from teardown trendby Sandy Illian Bosch

Brian Hickey doesn't see his move from securities trader to real estate broker as a big transition. He said he's doing the same thing as always did. "It's just a different product," the lifelong Hinsdale resident said. Hickey is owner and founder of Xchange Properties... [ read on ]

The Buckley High School | May 9, 2007

Keeping up with the Jonesesby Willy Korchek

.... Xchange Properties, headquartered in Clarendon Hills, Illinois, makes a business of marketing over 100 teardown properties each year countrywide, including Southern California... [ read on ]

The Chicago Tribune | August 18, 2008

Pro and con

Brian Hickey, co-owner of Teardowns.com©, a real estate site for buyers and sellers based in Clarendon Hills, says the main factors that make an older neighborhood attractive are:... [ read on ]

D Magazine | March 2007

Is Your Home a Teardown? by Gamal Abdel-Hafiz

Don’t tell Robby Skinner that the teardown market is slowing down. Every month, the Park Cities developer gets a lead on a house that “no one knows about.” And every time he arrives, “there are five other developers there. It’s crazy.” ... [ read on ]

CNN Money | July 18, 2006

Trafficking in teardownsby Les Christie, CNNMoney.com staff writer

A Web site for teardowns is making selling old houses for demolition easier than ever... [ read on ]

Forbes | July 2006

Keep It Or Trash It?by Ashlea Ebeling

Two strategies for an old place you're shedding: Sell it to be torn down or preserve it and get a tax break. It's a tale of two sites. Both old. Both in need of repair... [ read on ]

The HOME monthly | January 2006

Xchange Properties: teardown specialist links buyers and sellers by Jane K. Dove

Steve and Norma are a couple in their sixties looking toward maximizing their retirement income. They want to sell their colonial home on three acres. But the kitchen and bathrooms are outdated... [ read on ]

Professional Builder | March 2003

Broker Creates Wholesale Market in Tear-Down Land by Jane K. Dove

Eighteen months ago, a former stock trader turned real estate broker... [ read on ]

Chicago Magazine | September 2003

On a Tear(down) by Dennis Rodkin

If you live in a neighborhood where newly constructed homes are going for $ 1 million... [ read on ]

Sports Illustrated | May 2004

Tearing Down The Houseby Lew Sichelman

When soaring property values meet this old, small house, more builders and buyers are choosing demolition over renovation... [ read on ]