About Us

Great Western Properties is one of Chicagoland’s most unique real estate brokerages.  As real estate attorneys, we have negotiated on behalf of some of the largest real estate companies in the world in some of the most complex transactions.  Thus, our agents are some of the most sophisticated and qualified real estate experts you will find representing home buyers and sellers and small-to medium sized business owners.  We feel that our level of expertise is unmatched in our market.  You can rest assured that we will negotiate the best deal possible for you. 

In addition to our expertise, we take pride in our commitment to our clients.  It may sound simple, but when our clients call, we answer the phone.  When our clients email, we return a message quickly.  When our clients have requests or demands, we do all that we can to satisfy them.  In short, we treat our clients the way they should be treated.

Cody Salter is the President of Great Western Properties.  He is a graduate of the University of Illinois, with Honors, and of the UCLA School of Law, one of the nation’s top law schools.  While at UCLA, Mr. Salter studied real estate law and property law under two of the top law school professors in those disciplines.  For several years, Mr. Salter worked as a real estate attorney at two of Chicago’s most well respected law firms.  He has represented some of the country’s most powerful real estate players, including large real estate developers, national and regional home builders, and owners and investors of trophy high-rise office buildings and large retail shopping centers.  Mr. Salter now focuses on representing purchasers and sellers of residential real estate and business owners seeking to purchase, sell, or lease commercial space.  He has lived on the north side of Chicago, the southwestern suburbs and the western suburbs.  He founded Great Western Properties in 2005 and currently lives with his wife, Kathryn, and their daughter Jillian, in St. Charles. 

Brian Funk has been a real estate broker with Great Western Properties for several years and has actively represented buyers and sellers of real estate throughout the Chicagoland area.  Mr. Funk graduated from the University of Illinois in 1998 with a degree in Finance, where he was also a member of the Fighting Illini baseball team.  He then earned his law degree from St. Louis University School of Law in 2002  and also received a master's of law degree in real estate, with Honors, from The John Marshall Law School in 2009.  Mr. Funk has worked as an attorney in Chicago for six years and has experience in residential real estate transactions, property tax, land use and zoning law, litigation and municipal law.  In addition to his professional experience, Mr. Funk is also an active investor, buying and selling real estate in the City of Chicago.  Mr. Funk prides himself on servicing his clients, addressing issues and requests immediately and providing prompt responses.

Michael Prendergast has been a real estate broker since 2003.  He began his career with one of Chicago's most popular real estate firms where he learned the business by working with some of Chicago's most respected agents.  Michael comes to Great Western Properties with extensive knowledge and experience representing  buyers, sellers, developers, and investors.  Michael grew up on the Southwest side of Chicago where he currently resides with his wife Kristen, and their two children, Lucy and Evan.  He graduated from Bradley University in 1998 where he majored in Advertising and minored in Marketing and Psychology.

Joseph Smith brings his clients a passion for quality customer service and commitment to their unique needs.  Having begun his real estate career with the oldest brokerage in the industry, Mr. Smith knows the market and now contributes his client-centered focus to Great Western Properties.  Joseph’s specialty lies in working with residential buyers, sellers, and investors.  As an active owner and manager of personal investment properties for over ten years, Mr. Smith’s clients benefit from his first-hand experience and expertise.  Joseph believes that real estate is a service-based business, putting client needs and concerns before the bottom line.  His values of responsiveness, motivation, and care show through his work.  Always available with a listening ear, he is committed to excellence and gives careful advice.  Because of those attributes Joseph earns clients’ trust in the present to secure a lasting relationship for the future.  He has lived and worked in the southwestern and western suburbs of Chicago for many years and currently resides in Elburn with his wife, Gwen, and their son.