From Renting to Realtor
Buying a home is never just about numbers on a page—especially for first-generation families in places like Chicago and Aurora, Illinois. It’s about identity, sacrifice, and finally being able to say, “This is ours.”
In this episode of the Bow Tie Attorney podcast, Mahmoud Faisal Elkhatib, a Chicago real estate and foreclosure defense attorney, sits down with Esmeralda “Esme” Gonzalez, a 22-year-old Latina real estate broker who turned her own family’s renting story into a homeownership success—and then built a career helping other families do the same.
From renting to owning. From story to strategy.
If you’re a first-generation buyer—or already a homeowner in Illinois—Mahmoud “The Bow Tie Attorney” Elkhatib can help you review your options, protect your rights, and move forward with a clear plan.
Who Is The Bow Tie Attorney?
- Real estate transactions and closings for buyers and sellers across the Chicago area
- Foreclosure defense, helping homeowners fight back when banks, debt buyers, or servicers get aggressive
- Building code violations and real estate problems, especially for people who bought a home and then discovered issues after the fact
Meet Esme Gonzalez: First-Gen Latina Broker in Illinois
Raised between two households—her biological parents and her aunt and uncle, who took her in after a difficult birth—Esme describes growing up with “two sets of parents” and four people pouring into her life. Sometimes she was the “spoiled” kid, sometimes the one watching money being stretched to cover the basics, but she was always aware of how hard her family worked.
That background is what fuels her mission today: helping other families like hers become owners, not just renters.
Esmeralda “Esme” Gonzalez is a first-generation Latina real estate broker serving clients in Aurora and the greater Chicagoland area. Her parents are from Michoacán, Mexico, and like many immigrant families, they spent years renting and moving from place to place.
From License to First Family Home in Three Months
Esme didn’t ease into real estate. She jumped.
She earned her Illinois real estate license at just 20 years old. Instead of seeing it as just another job, she treated it like a responsibility. For almost a month, she spent her days learning:
- How contracts actually work
- What every paragraph in a purchase agreement means
- What agents can and cannot say or promise
- How to guide a buyer from pre-approval to closing without leaving them confused
Once she felt ready, she made a bold decision: she would start with the people who mattered most.
That moment changed everything. It wasn’t just another deal—it was proof that first-generation families in Illinois can build equity and stability, even if nobody in their family has owned a home before.
Within three months of becoming an agent, Esme helped her parents get pre-approved and buy their first home. She didn’t just hand them off to someone else—she walked them through the entire process step by step, translating the language of real estate into something her family could truly understand.
Serving Hispanic First-Time Homebuyers in Aurora and Chicagoland
Today, Esme focuses much of her work on Hispanic first-time homebuyers in Aurora and surrounding communities in Northern Illinois.
That’s why Esme slows the process down and over-explains on purpose. Her clients aren’t just signing contracts—they’re making decisions that will follow them for decades. Many of them are first-generation buyers, immigrants, or mixed-status families who are used to being told to just sign and trust the system.
For Esme, the closing table is not the end of the story; it’s the beginning of a new chapter for that family in Chicago’s western suburbs and beyond.
Identity, Gratitude, and a Visit Back to Michoacán
One of the most powerful parts of the episode is Esme’s reflection on her recent trip back to her parents’ hometowns in Michoacán, Mexico. Visiting the pueblitos of Las Palomas and Herawaro gave her a new sense of clarity about who she is and why her work matters.
Growing up between two cultures can feel confusing. But seeing where her parents started—and understanding how far they’ve come—made her more determined than ever to help other families root themselves through homeownership in Illinois.
It’s not just about buying a house. It’s about claiming space, building stability, and honoring the sacrifices of the generation that came before.
The Bow Tie Attorney’s Perspective: When Real Estate Goes Wrong
Throughout the episode, Mahmoud balances Esme’s optimism and energy with a dose of legal reality.
From his vantage point as a Chicago real estate and foreclosure defense attorney, he sees what happens when:
- Buyers sign documents they don’t understand
- Investors or agents rush people into deals that don’t fit their budget
- Lenders or debt buyers revive old “zombie” debts or second mortgages
- Hidden building code violations or title issues surface after closing
That’s why Mahmoud is passionate about working with professionals like Esme on the front end. A strong broker plus an informed, detail-oriented attorney can help buyers avoid years of headaches.
When deals do go wrong—when there’s a threat of foreclosure, a surprise lien, or a problem buried in the fine print—Mahmoud steps in as the “after-the-fact attorney” to protect the homeowner and fight for better outcomes.
Looking Ahead: Real Estate Confessions and Bigger Goals
Esme isn’t slowing down.
She’s building her own platform through “Real Estate Confessions,” a show where she talks openly about real transactions, common mistakes, and the behind-the-scenes reality of working in residential real estate.
Her long-term goals?
- Increase her production and close more deals each year
- Take on more listings to gain leverage and market presence
- Continue serving first-time and first-gen buyers in Aurora and greater Chicagoland
- Eventually expand to warmer markets like Florida while staying rooted in the values she developed in Illinois
Wherever she goes, she carries the same mission: helping families like hers move from renting to owning with confidence.
Sharp in the law. Rooted in your story.
Buying your first home—or trying to protect the one you already own—can feel overwhelming. Sit down with The Bow Tie Attorney and get a clear, Illinois-focused plan for your next move.
FAQ — Illinois/Cook County Foreclosure
Who is Esmeralda “Esme” Gonzalez and where does she work?
Esmeralda “Esme” Gonzalez is a first-generation Latina real estate broker based in Illinois. She focuses on helping first-time and first-generation homebuyers in Aurora and the greater Chicagoland area move from renting to owning, especially within the Hispanic community.
What makes Esme’s story different from other real estate agents in Illinois?
Esme grew up in a family that always rented and became the first one to turn that story around. Within three months of getting her Illinois real estate license, she helped her parents buy their first home. That experience shaped the way she serves clients today—patient, detail-oriented, and focused on educating first-gen buyers step by step.
How does The Bow Tie Attorney fit into the home-buying process?
Mahmoud Faisal Elkhatib, known as The Bow Tie Attorney, is a Chicago real estate and foreclosure defense lawyer who protects buyers and homeowners on the legal side. While Esme guides clients through showings, offers, and negotiations, Mahmoud’s team reviews contracts, handles closings, and steps in when there are title issues, “zombie” second mortgages, or foreclosure threats.
I’m a first-generation buyer in Aurora or Chicago. Do I really need a real estate attorney if I already have a realtor?
Yes. In Illinois, the attorney and the broker play different roles. A broker like Esme helps you find the right property, structure your offer, and navigate the market. An attorney like The Bow Tie Attorney makes sure the contract, title, and closing documents actually protect you and your investment. For first-gen families, having both on your team is one of the best ways to avoid expensive surprises later.
Can I buy a home in Illinois if my parents have never owned property or if my family is mixed-status?
Many first-generation buyers in Aurora and Chicagoland are the first in their families to purchase a home. Lenders look primarily at your income, credit, and documentation—not whether your parents ever owned. A broker who understands first-gen realities and an attorney who is used to working with immigrant families can help you understand your options and what’s realistically possible in your situation.
What if something goes wrong after I buy—like code violations, old debts, or foreclosure threats?
That’s where The Bow Tie Attorney’s “after-the-fact” work comes in. If you receive scary letters, court papers, or learn about old liens or “zombie” second mortgages, Mahmoud’s team can review your documents, explain what’s really going on, and help you build a plan to protect your home under Illinois law.
How can I work with Esme Gonzalez or The Bow Tie Attorney after listening to the podcast?
If you’re looking to buy or sell in Aurora or nearby suburbs, you can reach out to Esme to talk about your real estate goals. If you need help reviewing a contract, handling a closing, or dealing with a legal problem involving your home anywhere in Illinois, you can contact EV Häs Law LLC — The Bow Tie Attorney — to schedule a consultation or request a case review.
