Who We AreAn innovative and leading edge real estate investment firm.click here
Our PropertiesClass 'A' Apartments, Suburban Garden Apartments, College Campus Living.click here
Our FoundersThe firm maintains a strong commitment to its community through many different levels.click here
Contact UsLearn about our company, our properties, our acquisition process and career opportunities.contact us

Principals and Leadership

Prime Property Investors, Ltd. based in Northbrook, Illinois

is an innovative and leading edge real estate investment firm founded by Co-CEOs Barbara J. Gaffen and Michael H. Zaransky in 1993. The Co-CEO founders remain active in the business and are well recognized for their experience, leadership, and knowledge within the real estate investment community.



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Our Founders

Barbara J. Gaffen

Barbara J. Gaffen is Co-CEO of Prime Property Investors, Ltd a Northbrook, IL based real estate investment and development firm. The firm focus on real estate investment property specializes in student housing projects at major university campuses and market rate Garden Style Apartment Complexes nationwide. Gaffen’s firm, Prime Property Investors, Ltd. has been recognized by Inc. Magazine for inclusion on the Inc. 500 list of the fastest growing private companies in America.

Gaffen, a licensed Illinois Real Estate Broker, is a member of the Illinois, Chicago, and Women's Bar Associations, and serves on many industry and community committees.

Barbara maintains membership in the National Association of Realtors, National Apartment Association, and National Multi- Housing Council and has published numerous articles, and appeared on local television and radio shows.

Gaffen was instrumental in the establishment and continued funding of the Neurobehavioral Center serving special need children at the Skokie campus of Rush North Shore Hospital. Barbara currently serves on the board of North Shore Auxiliary of JCFS and remains active in several local philanthropic organizations.

A graduate, with distinction, of Indiana University with a major in finance, Barbara Gaffen holds a law degree from Loyola University School of Law. Gaffen is married with two children and resides in Highland Park, Illinois.

Barbara J. Gaffen: bjg@primepropertyinvestors.com

Michael H. Zaransky

Michael H. Zaransky is the Co-Chief Executive Officer of Prime Property Investors, Ltd. Prime Property Investors, Ltd. concentrates on investment property acquisition with an emphasis on student housing multifamily projects and market rate Garden Style Apartment Complexes nationwide.

Michael has a wide range of real estate, banking, and financial experience and has been a licensed Illinois Real Estate Broker since 1979. Zaransky’s firm, Prime Property Investors, Ltd. has been recognized by Inc. Magazine for inclusion on the Inc. 500 list of the fastest growing private companies in America.
Mr. Zaransky is a member of the National Association of Realtors, World President’s Organization (WPO), the National Apartment Association, the National Multi-Housing Council, and is a past Chairman of the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau.

Michael Zaransky is a James Scholar graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Northwestern University School of Law. Mr. Zaransky has published numerous articles, and lectured nationally, on the subject of real estate investment.

Michael’s real estate investment book Profit by Investing in Student Housing, a real estate category best seller, was published by Kaplan Publishing and is being sold in major bookstores and online booksellers.

Michael is a Board member of several local philanthropic organizations and active in numerous trade, civic, and professional associations. Michael Zaransky is married, has two children, and resides in Glenview, Illinois.

Michael H. Zaransky: mhz@primepropertyinvestors.com

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