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RE/MAX Brokers Report Medical Providers Have Stepped Up Purchasing and Leasing Commercial Office Space in Northern Illinois

2012-05-23T12:14:00.000-05:00

CHICAGO, May 23, 2012 -- As the commercial real estate market slowly recovers throughout Chicago and its suburbs, a pair of top brokers with the RE/MAX Northern Illinois real estate network pointed to one class of commercial buildings that are drawing increased attention throughout the region: medical office buildings, urgent care centers, hospital expansions and other forms of healthcare real estate.

Dave Shalabi, a broker with RE/MAX Synergy in Orland Park, and Deepika Syal, a broker with RE/MAX United in Wheeling, both say that they are seeing a growing number of doctors, physical therapists, dentists and other medical professionals looking for new space in Chicago and its suburbs.

This increase in demand for new space by the healthcare community is providing a solid boost to commercial real estate in general in the Chicago area, the RE/MAX brokers said.

As an example, Shalabi points to an MRI clinic that he recently helped lease vacant space in the southwest suburbs of Chicago. His hope is that this is just the first move in a string of new medical providers locating in the area.

“We are very excited to see just how strong demand for medical office space is becoming,” Shalabi said. “We think this deal will help spur other medical providers to fill up some of the vacancies in the area.”

Syal, too, says that she is seeing an increase in the number of medical providers in the Wheeling area buying buildings and leasing vacant office space.

Part of the increased demand comes down to economics: Rents have fallen in all commercial real estate categories, including medical office space. This has made it more affordable for physicians and other medical providers to move into nicer office space.

“The doctors and other medical professionals are making moves,” Syal said. “They are moving to bigger and larger spaces because prices have fallen. They are able to upgrade to better spaces without having to spend as much money as they would have just three or four years ago. Many medical providers are actually buying buildings today, too. They have that ability today, with the more affordable prices, to go out and grab a nice a space for themselves.”

National numbers validate the optimism felt by Syal and Shalabi. According to data from real estate information firm CoStar, the total vacancy rate for medical office space fell to 11.3 percent during the first quarter of 2012. That's the lowest this rate has been since late 2008, according to CoStar.

The strength of the healthcare real estate market has even inspired some developers to build new medical office buildings, urgent care centers and hospital additions. This is relatively rare today in commercial real estate, as new construction for most commercial sectors has slowed to a halt. According to CoStar, though, developers added nearly 3.5 million square feet of office space across the United States in the first quarter of the year. That is the most new space in this sector since early 2009.

The strength of this market, though, shouldn't be a surprise. People, after all, need to see doctors, dentists, psychiatrists and physical therapists whether the economy is strong or weak. In addition, demand for healthcare services in the United States seems likely to grow as the country's population continues aging.

This is part of the reason that the U.S., according to a recent report by the Council on Foreign Relations, spends an estimated $2 trillion every year on healthcare expenses, the highest figure for any industrialized country.

According to Shalabi, strong demand for medial office space helps build a healthy commercial real estate market because most doctors and other medical providers typically take out longer-term leases than do other commercial tenants. That, in turn, adds to the stability of commercial districts, Shalabi said.

“These longer-term leases are something we haven’t seen much of in the past few years,” he said. “When medical providers take leases of this type, they help sustain the strip malls and office corridors into which they move. Plus, they help generate increased foot traffic that attracts other businesses to fill nearby vacancies. Retail and other professional businesses like to be near medical providers. A strong demand for medical space helps boost the economy as a whole.”

Shalabi is optimistic, too, that a proliferation of urgent care facilities will help reduce commercial vacancies across the Chicago area.

“We are seeing urgent care facilities pop up all over,” Shalabi said. “People are demanding them. They want to be as close as possible to medical providers, and these urgent care facilities provide this opportunity. I have young children, and I find it comforting myself to see these facilities going up.”

Syal, too, has seen the increased demand for medical office space. In fact, her RE/MAX office recently moved to a new location in Wheeling. What filled the space they left behind? An eye doctor.

In her market, Syal is seeing building owners increasingly splitting larger spaces into smaller office suites. This, too, has helped attract medical providers to the area, she said, as doctors and others seek out smaller, more affordable office space in which to locate their practices.

“It’s hard to find tenants today for very large spaces,” Syal said. “At the same time, however, building owners are dividing these big spaces. For lower rents, medical providers can find some very appealing office space for their practices. And because they can get the space they need at an attractive rent, many are taking out longer leases.”

RE/MAX has been the leader in the northern Illinois real estate market since 1989. The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network, with headquarters in Elgin, Ill., consists of 2,100 sales associates and 110 individually owned and operated RE/MAX offices that provide a full range of brokerage services throughout the northern one-third of Illinois. Its www.illinoisproperty.com and www.remax.com websites are leaders in consumer visits among real estate franchise brands. Its mobile search, m.illinoisproperty.com, allows users to conduct real estate searches on any mobile device with Internet access. The northern Illinois network is part of RE/MAX LLC, a global real estate organization with 88,000 sales associates in 89 nations.

RE/MAX Commercial® Earns High Performance Rankings in Two Prestigious National Surveys

2012-05-18T16:18:00.001-05:00

CHICAGO, May 16, 2012 -- Recently, National Real Estate Investor magazine and the Lipsey Company both gave RE/MAX high rankings for the performance of its commercial real estate division in 2011. National Real Estate Investor listed RE/MAX as one of its “Top 25 Commercial Brokerage Networks.” The Lipsey Company included RE/MAX in its “Top 25 Commercial Real Estate Brands” survey.

This comes as little surprise to RE/MAX commercial real estate professionals in the northern Illinois real estate network, which includes a number of top commercial brokers. RE/MAX commercial associates broker deals on everything from retail strip centers and medical office buildings to multi-family apartments and industrial warehouses. There is also a strong contingent of real estate agents who specialize in commercial real estate leasing.

The National Real Estate Investor “Top 25 Commercial Brokerage Networks” survey is based solely on performance. The magazine asked brokers to provide the total dollar value of leasing transactions and investment sales globally in 2011. The totals were combined to determine a company’s ranking. This marks the second year in a row that RE/MAX Commercial has made National Real Estate Investor’s list.

The Lipsey survey is based on the commercial real estate industry’s perceptions of leading brands. More than 50,000 U.S. and international professionals participated in the company’s 2012 survey. These professionals included property owners, investors, lenders, occupiers, brokers and property managers.

It’s not difficult to see why Lipsey included RE/MAX in its list. The global RE/MAX commercial network has expanded into 45 countries with about 3,000 commercial practitioners and more than 380 offices and divisions combined.

“We’re honored to be named among the elite and most successful commercial networks,” said Mike Reagan, RE/MAX senior vice president of business alliances. “RE/MAX Commercial is taking an aggressive stance in this improving market, and our offices and agents are building on RE/MAX brand recognition, using their expertise and the resources available to them through the RE/MAX network to serve their customers.”

RE/MAX Commercial, a division of the Denver-based, RE/MAX LLC, has a global network of commercial practitioners who annually close billions of dollars in property sales and leasing transactions. The RE/MAX Northern Illinois real estate network, headquartered in Elgin, Ill., is part of RE/MAX LLC and includes an outstanding roster of experienced commercial real estate professionals. The knowledge, training and performance of these agents exemplify the high standards of RE/MAX Commercial. For additional information on the commercial capabilities of RE/MAX agents and to learn more about the properties they are marketing, visit the www.illinoisproperty.com and www.remax.com websites.

Rising Sales, Stabilizing Home Prices Were Hallmarks of April Activity in Metro Chicago Real Estate Market, RE/MAX Reports

2012-05-16T10:49:00.000-05:00

CHICAGO, May 15, 2012 -- April home sales activity in the metropolitan Chicago real estate market was characterized by rising sales and firmer home prices, according to an analysis by RE/MAX. Combined sales of attached and detached homes in the seven-county metro market totaled 6,771 units in April, which compares to 6,501 units sold in the previous month and 5,713 in April 2011. These represent increases of 4.2 percent and 18.5 percent respectively.

The median sales price for all homes continues to stabilize. At $160,000 in April, the median price was down 1.8 percent from April of last year but 4.6 percent higher than in March when the median price was $153,000. The April-to-April change in median price was the smallest 12-month price decline in the last two years, RE/MAX reports. Its analysis is based on transaction information compiled by Midwest Real Estate Data, LLC.

The median sales price increased in three of the seven metro-area counties, as well as in the City of Chicago, when compared to April of last year. In DuPage County, the median price rose 10 percent to $209,000. The median price in Kane County was $153,000, a 9 percent gain, and Kendall County had an 11 percent increase to $165,000. The median price in Chicago climbed to $180,000 from $165,000, up 9 percent.

RE/MAX Northern Illinois spokesperson Laura Ortoleva said one important factor in the stabilization of home prices has been the decreasing inventory of Chicago-area homes for sale. The number of properties listed for sale fell 25 percent from the end of March to the end of April.

Another factor aiding prices, according to the RE/MAX analysis, was the continuing decline in the percentage of sales during March and April that involved distressed properties. Distressed sales, which include foreclosed homes and short sales, fell from 52 percent of all sales in February to 40 percent in April.

Home sales transactions increased in all seven metro-area counties during April when compared to the same month in 2011. For the second consecutive month, the greatest gains were in Will County (up 38 percent) and McHenry County (up 25 percent). Transaction volume rose 18 percent in Cook, 14 percent in DuPage, 22 percent in Kane, 8 percent in Lake and 1 percent in Kendall. In Chicago, home sales increased 18 percent.

The average time it took for a home sold in April to find a buyer was 172 days, compared to 184 days in April of last year. The average market time declined in each of the seven counties.

Detached Homes

Sales of detached homes were 16 percent higher in April than in the same month of 2011 rising to 4,255 units. April sales were 3.1 percent higher than in March of this year.

Six of the seven counties showed increases in detached sales compared to April 2011. Will County registered the largest increase, with a 38 percent gain. Sales were up 15 percent in Cook, 19 percent in DuPage, 20 percent in Kane, 5 percent in Kendall and 14 percent in McHenry. Sales in Chicago rose 14 percent. Lake County saw a slight decrease of 1.4 percent.

The median price of detached homes was nearly unchanged in April compared to a year ago, coming in at $176,500 compared to $177,000 in April 2011. The median price in March of this year was $169,000.

Three counties, DuPage, Kane and Kendall, recorded increases in the median sales price of detached homes. Kane had the biggest gain at 17 percent, followed by DuPage with 6 percent and Kendall with 4 percent. The other counties had declines in the median price that ranged from 13 percent in Lake and 4 percent in Cook to 2 percent in McHenry and 1 percent in Will. The median price in Chicago was down 0.4 percent.

Attached Homes

Sales of attached homes (primarily townhouses and condominium apartments) in the metro area rose an impressive 23 percent in April when compared to April 2011. Transaction volume in the seven-county area totaled 2,516 units compared to 2,044 a year earlier. April sales were also 6 percent higher than those in March of this year.

As in the detached home category, six of the seven counties showed an increase in sales activity, led by McHenry County where 60 closings constituted a 93 percent increase compared to April 2011. Also showing sizable increases on a year-over-year basis were Lake County (up 52 percent to 150 units), Will County (up 38 percent to 117 units) and Kane County (up 36 percent to 94 units). Transactions rose 22 percent in Cook to 1,790 units and 21 percent in Chicago, which accounted for 1,074 closings. Transaction volume rose 6 percent to 267 units in DuPage County but slipped 7 percent to 38 units in Kendall County.

The median price for attached homes sold in the seven-county area during March was $130,000, compared to $137,000 a year earlier and $123,550 during March of this year. The median price for attached sales rose in DuPage, Kane and McHenry counties, as well as in Chicago. The 9 percent increase in DuPage County, which resulted in a median of $122,500, was the largest gain. Kendall County had the most pronounced decline in median price, a 15 percent decrease to $91,000.

RE/MAX has been the leader in the northern Illinois real estate market since 1989. The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network, with headquarters in Elgin, Ill., consists of 2,100 sales associates and 110 individually owned and operated RE/MAX offices that provide a full range of brokerage services throughout the northern one-third of Illinois. Its www.illinoisproperty.com and www.remax.com websites are leaders in consumer visits among real estate franchise brands. Its mobile search, m.illinoisproperty.com, allows users to conduct real estate searches on any mobile device with Internet access. The northern Illinois network is part of RE/MAX LLC, a global real estate organization with 88,000 sales associates in 89 nations.

RE/MAX Metro Chicago Real Estate Network’s Hot Air Balloon Program Visits Mozart Elementary School in City’s Logan Square Area on May 23

2012-05-15T09:28:00.001-05:00

CHICAGO, May 14, 2012 -- The RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon will pay a visit to Mozart Elementary School, 2200 N. Hamlin Ave. in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago on May 23 when the balloon crew will present an interactive educational program developed and sponsored by the RE/MAX metro Chicago real estate network.

Students at Mozart School will learn about various aspects of ballooning, including its history and the scientific principles involved, and they will see a demonstration on how the balloon functions.

The program will be presented three times starting at 9:30 a.m. in the school gymnasium to accommodate all 800 students at the school. The 75-foot-tall balloon envelope will be inflated with cold air, permitting students to walk inside it. The presentation then will conclude outdoors with a demonstration of how the balloon basket and burners operate.

RE/MAX has been the leader in the northern Illinois real estatee market since 1989. The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network, with headquarters in Elgin, Ill., consists of 2,100 sales associates and 110 individually owned and operated RE/MAX offices that provide a full range of brokerage services throughout the northern one-third of Illinois. Its www.illinoisproperty.com and www.remax.com websites are leaders in consumer visits among real estate franchise brands. Its mobile search, m.illinoisproperty.com, allows users to conduct real estate searches on any mobile device with Internet access. The northern Illinois network is part of RE/MAX LLC, a global real estate organization with 88,000 sales associates in 89 nations.

Top real estate agent George Arvanitis joins RE/MAX Premier Properties in Chicago’s Gold Coast

2012-05-07T09:52:00.001-05:00

CHICAGO, May 3, 2012 -- Top real estate sales agent George Arvanitis, who previously worked for Coldwell Banker, @Properites, Sudler Sotheby’s, and most recently Conlon Real Estate Company, has joined RE/MAX Premier Properties, located at 1205 N. Dearborn Pkwy. in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood.

Arvanitis is excited to start this new phase of his real estate career and has already had record breaking sales in his first 60 days with RE/MAX.

“I looked at all the major companies but was most impressed with RE/MAX,” Arvanitis said. “It had all the qualities I was seeking: a strong support staff, a commitment to technology and global reach. RE/MAX has a multitude of tools for its agents. I thought coming to RE/MAX would give me the opportunity to expand on what I am already doing.”

During the last 15 years, Arvanitis has seen real estate markets both strong and sluggish. In the current market environment, he has put an increased focus on short sales and foreclosures, with half of his transactions during the last three years in one of these two categories.

“I’ve learned that it doesn’t matter what kind of economy you are facing. You have to continue to work hard,” Arvanitis said. “You must stay in constant contact with your buyers and sellers to make sure each transaction closes, which can be a challenge in this market. Agents today have to be on top of everything to make sure that nothing falls through the cracks.”

It is critical that both buyers and sellers understand what kind of real estate market they face, Arvanitis said

“The current market represents a great opportunity for buyers, and it will for years to come,” added Arvantis. “Sellers have to be educated about the market so they know what a solid listing price is today.”

Selling has long come naturally to Arvanitis. For more than three decades, he worked in the advertising sales field, holding the position of director of advertising sales for MTV Networks and serving as account director for Ted Turner Media, which included the properties of CNN, TBS and TNT. Arvanitis was also vice president of advertising sales for CNBC network.

Attracted to the challenges and rewards of working for himself, Arvantis moved into real estate sales 15 years ago. He immediately thrived in this new career, regularly ranking among the top 1 percent of real estate agents in the Chicago area.

“It has always been about keeping buyers and sellers happy,” Arvanitis said. “And you do that by communicating with them, listening to what they want and keeping on top of every aspect of the real estate transaction to make sure that contracts don’t fall apart.”

RE/MAX has been the leader in the northern Illinois real estate market since 1989. The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network, with headquarters in Elgin, Ill., consists of 2,100 sales associates and 110 individually owned and operated RE/MAX offices that provide a full range of brokerage services throughout the northern one-third of Illinois. Its www.illinoisproperty.com and www.remax.com websites are leaders in consumer visits among real estate franchise brands. Its mobile search, m.illinoisproperty.com, allows users to conduct real estate searches on any mobile device with Internet access. The northern Illinois network is part of RE/MAX LLC, a global real estate organization with 88,000 sales associates in 89 nations.

RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon to Visit EPIC Academy Charter School in South Chicago on May 9

2012-05-04T11:23:00.000-05:00

CHICAGO, May 3, 2012 -- The RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon will pay a visit at EPIC Academy Charter School, 8255 S. Houston Ave., in the South Chicago neighborhood of Chicago, on May 9 when the balloon crew will present an interactive educational program developed and sponsored by the RE/MAX metro Chicago real estate network.

Students at EPIC Academy will learn about various aspects of ballooning, including its history and the scientific principles involved, and they will see a demonstration on how the balloon functions.

The program will be presented at 9:15 a.m. in the school gymnasium. The 75-foot-tall balloon envelope will be inflated with cold air, permitting students to walk inside it. The presentation then will conclude outdoors with a demonstration of how the balloon basket and burners operate.

RE/MAX has been the leader in the northern Illinois real estate market since 1989. The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network, with headquarters in Elgin, Ill., consists of 2,100 sales associates and 110 individually owned and operated RE/MAX offices that provide a full range of brokerage services throughout the northern one-third of Illinois. Its www.illinoisproperty.com and www.remax.com websites are leaders in consumer visits among real estate franchise brands. Its mobile search, m.illinoisproperty.com, allows users to conduct real estate searches on any mobile device with Internet access. The northern Illinois network is part of RE/MAX LLC, a global real estate organization with 88,000 sales associates in 89 nations.

RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon to Visit Rupley Elementary in Elk Grove on May 7

2012-04-26T14:41:00.000-05:00

CHICAGO, April 26, 2012 -- The RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon will visit Rupley Elementary School, 305 Oakton St., Elk Grove Village, Ill., on May 7 when the balloon crew will present an interactive educational program developed and sponsored by the RE/MAX Northern Illinois real estate network.

In the audience will be the 500 students at Rupley Elementary, who will learn about various aspects of ballooning, including its history and the scientific principles involved. They also will see a demonstration on how the balloon functions.

The program will be presented at 9:30 a.m. outdoors in Andrews Park immediately south of the school, weather permitting, but can be moved indoors if the weather is inclement. The balloon envelope will be inflated with hot air to its full 75-foot height if the program is held outdoors. If the program needs to be moved indoors, the envelope is inflated with cold air so that students can walk inside it as part of the presentation.

RE/MAX has been the leader in the northern Illinois real estate market since 1989. The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network, with headquarters in Elgin, Ill., consists of 2,100 sales associates and 110 individually owned and operated RE/MAX offices that provide a full range of brokerage services throughout the northern one-third of Illinois. Its www.illinoisproperty.com and www.remax.com websites are leaders in consumer visits among real estate franchise brands. Its mobile search, m.illinoisproperty.com, allows users to conduct real estate searches on any mobile device with Internet access. The northern Illinois network is part of RE/MAX LLC, a global real estate organization with 88,000 sales associates in 89 nations.

RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon to Visit Circle Center Grade School in Yorkville on May 4

2012-04-25T13:59:00.000-05:00

CHICAGO, April 23, 2012 -- The RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon will visit Circle Center Grade School, 901 Mill St., Yorkville, Ill., on May 4 when the balloon crew will present an interactive educational program developed and sponsored by the RE/MAX Northern Illinois real estate network.

In the audience will be the 530 students at Circle Center Grade School, who will learn about various aspects of ballooning, including its history and the scientific principles involved. They also will see a demonstration on how the balloon functions.

The program will be presented at 9 a.m. outdoors on the school grounds, weather permitting, but can be moved indoors if the weather is inclement. The balloon envelope will be inflated with hot air to its full 75-foot height if the program is held outdoors. If the program needs to be moved indoors, the envelope is inflated with cold air so that students can walk inside it as part of the presentation.

RE/MAX has been the leader in the northern Illinois real estate market since 1989. The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network, with headquarters in Elgin, Ill., consists of 2,100 sales associates and 110 individually owned and operated RE/MAX offices that provide a full range of brokerage services throughout the northern one-third of Illinois. Its www.illinoisproperty.com and www.remax.com websites are leaders in consumer visits among real estate franchise brands. Its mobile search, m.illinoisproperty.com, allows users to conduct real estate searches on any mobile device with Internet access. The northern Illinois network is part of RE/MAX LLC, a global real estate organization with 88,000 sales associates in 89 nations.

Multi-Unit Properties Thrive in Northern Illinois Real Estate Market

2012-04-20T10:56:00.000-05:00

CHICAGO, April 19, 2012 -- The commercial real estate market throughout the Northern Illinois region is in the midst of a steady but slow recovery. One sector that is anything but sluggish today is the multi-family market.

Investors continue to sink their dollars into multi-family properties across the Chicago area because these buildings remain among the top-performing assets in the region. According to sales statistics compiled by Midwest Real Estate Data, LLC, sales of buildings with five or more rental units totaled 348 properties in 2011, an increase of 27 percent over 2010. For the first quarter of 2012, sales in this property category were 14 percent higher than a year earlier.

As for apartment rents, Reis Reports estimates that the Chicago area will see an average annual increase of 3.9 percent during the next four years and a vacancy rate that will decline to just 4 percent from a current level of 4.6 percent. Landlords should benefit from both trends.

Kelly Dyson, an agent with RE/MAX Professionals Select in Naperville, Ill., agrees that strong demand for rental housing does not appear to be a short-term phenomenon. Dyson, like other RE/MAX agents, points to the high number of residential foreclosures and short sales as one major reason for the strength of the multi-family sector.

When people lose their homes to foreclosure, renting in a multi-family apartment community is often the best choice. Homeowners who avoid foreclosure by completing a short sale – selling their home for less than they owe on their mortgage loan – also often choose to rent in a multi-family property.

"Multi-family properties will remain strong until we see short sales and foreclosure sales significantly reduced," said Dyson, who anticipates that demand from would-be renters will remain robust for the next five to seven years. During that period, he expects investors will be eager to purchase rental properties, whether in the form of an apartment complex or just single units.

According to RE/MAX agents, the housing market today is creating more renters for two major reasons. For those who have lost their homes to foreclosure, it will to take five to seven years before they qualify as a home buyer again. In other cases, tighter mortgage-lending standards have encouraged continued renting by a growing number of consumers who would have been buyers during the days of the housing boom.

“Many consumers have to rent until they can get their finances in order to qualify for a mortgage loan," said Joanne Levicki, managing broker of RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest in Crystal Lake and Algonquin.

Levicki said that demand for rental housing is high enough to convince some investors to consider building new apartment complexes, something that hasn’t happened much in recent years. It also contrasts with the broader commercial real estate market today, where new construction is quite limited.

Investors who want to acquire an existing multi-family property are looking for certain amenities, according to Levicki. They want properties located close to highways, public transportation and busy shopping areas and situated in highly ranked school districts.

Most of all, investors want to purchase apartment properties that will provide a high rate of return.

The criteria they use should be familiar to anyone who has searched for a new home, Levicki said.

"Multi-family investors seek certain key attributes that will allow them to charge the highest amount of rent. Those are the same attributes that make specific homes attractive to buyers," observed Levicki.

Dyson, from Naperville, agrees. Investors look at location first when determining which apartment property they want to purchase. It’s a priority that benefits Dyson because of his location in the Naperville and DuPage County market, an especially strong area for multi-family properties.

"The tenants seem to be very dependable here," Dyson said. "Employment is a little stronger. This makes it quite attractive to operate a rental property here."

Investors also want to do as little work to their new multi-family investments as possible. They want apartment complexes that have already been renovated and that feature modern kitchens and higher-end appliances. Again, these are many of the same features that buyers look for in single-family homes.

RE/MAX has been the leader in the northern Illinois real estate market since 1989. The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network, with headquarters in Elgin, Ill., consists of 2,100 sales associates and 110 individually owned and operated RE/MAX offices that provide a full range of brokerage services throughout the northern one-third of Illinois. Its www.illinoisproperty.com and www.remax.com websites are leaders in consumer visits among real estate franchise brands. Its mobile search, m.illinoisproperty.com, allows users to conduct real estate searches on any mobile device with Internet access. The northern Illinois network is part of RE/MAX LLC, a global real estate organization with 88,000 sales associates in 89 nations.

RE/MAX Metro Chicago Real Estate Network’s Hot Air Balloon Program Visits Kanoon Magnet School in City’s Little Village Area on May 3

2012-04-19T14:04:00.000-05:00

CHICAGO, April 18, 2012 -- The RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon will pay a visit at Kanoon Magnet School, 2233 S. Kedzie Ave., in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago, on May 3 when the balloon crew will present an interactive educational program developed and sponsored by the RE/MAX metro Chicago real estate network.

Students at Kanoon Magnet will learn about various aspects of ballooning, including its history and the scientific principles involved, and they will see a demonstration on how the balloon functions.

The program will be presented three times starting at 9:30 a.m. in the school gymnasium to accommodate all 700 students at the school. The 75-foot-tall balloon envelope will be inflated with cold air, permitting students to walk inside it. The presentation then will conclude outdoors with a demonstration of how the balloon basket and burners operate.

RE/MAX has been the leader in the northern Illinois real estate market since 1989. The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network, with headquarters in Elgin, Ill., consists of 2,100 sales associates and 110 individually owned and operated RE/MAX offices that provide a full range of brokerage services throughout the northern one-third of Illinois. Its www.illinoisproperty.com and www.remax.com websites are leaders in consumer visits among real estate franchise brands. Its mobile search, m.illinoisproperty.com, allows users to conduct real estate searches on any mobile device with Internet access. The northern Illinois network is part of RE/MAX LLC, a global real estate organization with 88,000 sales associates in 89 nations.

22 Percent Increase in March Home Sales and Firmer Prices Suggest Rebound Continues in Metro Chicago Real Estate Market, RE/MAX Reports

2012-04-17T15:33:00.000-05:00

CHICAGO, April 26, 2012 -- A RE/MAX analysis of March home sales activity in the metropolitan Chicago real estate market indicates that the marked increase in home sales activity seen in recent months is beginning to have a positive impact on home prices. According to RE/MAX, combined sales of detached and attached homes in the seven-county metro area totaled 6,501 units and were 22 percent higher in March than in the same month last year and were up 37 percent over the February total.

Meanwhile, the median sales price for all homes showed signs of increased firmness in March, coming in at $153,100. That is 12.6 percent higher than the $136,000 median price for the prior month.

Though the March median price was 4.3 percent lower than March 2011, that decline was much milder than the results posted in January and February when the median price fell 11.4 percent and 11.1 percent, respectively, when compared to the same month of 2011.

The median price in the City of Chicago was higher this March than last, gaining 6 percent to $169,500. RE/MAX analyzed transaction information compiled by Midwest Real Estate Data, LLC.

RE/MAX Northern Illinois spokesperson Laura Ortoleva said that one likely reason for the somewhat firmer home prices recorded in March is that distressed properties accounted for a smaller percentage of sales than during the prior two months.

Distressed sales, which include short sales and foreclosed homes, represented 46 percent of March sales, compared to 52 percent of sales in February and 51 percent in January.

Home sales transactions increased in six of the seven metro-area counties during March when compared to the same month in 2011. The greatest gains were in Will County (up 46 percent) and McHenry County (up 45 percent). Transaction volume rose 18 percent in Cook, 16 percent in DuPage, 29 percent in Kane and 25 percent in Lake, but fell 9 percent in Kendall. In Chicago, home sales were up 10 percent.

The average time that a home sold in March spent on the market before finding a buyer was 179 days, compared to 184 days in March 2011. The average market time also declined in all seven counties.

Detached Homes
Sales of detached homes were 19 percent higher in March than in the same month of 2011 rising to 4,126 units, and they topped the February total by 39 percent.

Six of the seven counties recorded increases in detached sales compared to March 2011. McHenry was the top gainer, with 40 percent growth. Sales were up 17 percent in Cook, 15 percent in DuPage, 20 percent in Kane, 24 percent in Lake and 32 percent in Will. Kendall County, the smallest county in terms of transaction volume, experienced a 32 percent drop, with 69 homes changing hands. Sales in Chicago rose less than 1 percent.

The median price of detached homes in March was $169,000 compared to $172,900 a year earlier, a decline of just 2.3 percent, but an increase over the $153,950 median recorded a month earlier.

The median sales price of detached homes in both Cook and Kane counties, as well as in the City of Chicago, was slightly higher in March than it had been a year earlier. The other counties saw declines in the median price that ranged from a maximum of 9 percent in Kendall to 8 percent in McHenry and Lake, 4 percent in Will and just 2 percent in DuPage.

Attached Homes
The metro area saw sales of attached homes (primarily townhouses and condominium apartments), record impressive increases in March. Transaction volume in the seven-county area totaled 2,374 units, 27 percent higher than the prior March and 32.5 percent higher than in February of this year.

All seven counties notched increases in sales activity, led by Will where 138 closings constituted a 130 percent increase compared to March 2011. Also recording big gains on a year-over-year basis were Kane (up 75 percent to 110 units), Kendall (up 61 percent to 53 units) and McHenry (up 73 percent to 45 units).

In Chicago and Cook County, where the vast majority of attached homes are located, sales gains were more modest but still substantial. The city recorded a 17 percent sales increase to 983 units, and Cook County recorded a 20 percent gain with 1,627 units sold. Attached home sales also rose 17 percent in DuPage County to 262 units and 31 percent in Lake County to 139 units.

The median price for attached homes sold in the seven-county area during March was $123,550, compared to $132,000 a year earlier and $107,500 during February of this year. The median price for attached sales rose in DuPage and Lake counties, as well as in Chicago. The 9 percent increase in DuPage County to a median of $116,500 was the largest gain. The most pronounced median-price decline came in Will County at 18 percent.

RE/MAX has been the leader in the northern Illinois real estate market since 1989. The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network, with headquarters in Elgin, Ill., consists of 2,100 sales associates and 110 individually owned and operated RE/MAX offices that provide a full range of brokerage services throughout the northern one-third of Illinois. Its www.illinoisproperty.com and www.remax.com websites are leaders in consumer visits among real estate franchise brands. Its mobile search, m.illinoisproperty.com, allows users to conduct real estate searches on any mobile device with Internet access. The northern Illinois network is part of RE/MAX LLC, a global real estate organization with 88,000 sales associates in 89 nations.

RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon to Visit Gary Elementary in West Chicago on April 27

2012-04-16T13:32:00.000-05:00

CHICAGO, April 13, 2012 -- The RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon will visit Gary Elementary School, 130 E. Forest Ave., West Chicago, Ill., on April 27 when the balloon crew will present an interactive educational program developed and sponsored by the RE/MAX Northern Illinois real estate network.

In the audience will be the 650 students at Gary Elementary, who will learn about various aspects of ballooning, including its history and the scientific principles involved. They also will see a demonstration on how the balloon functions.

The program will be presented at 9 a.m. outdoors on the school grounds, weather permitting, but can be moved indoors if the weather is inclement. The balloon envelope will be inflated with hot air to its full 75-foot height if the program is held outdoors. If the program needs to be moved indoors, the envelope is inflated with cold air so that students can walk inside it as part of the presentation.

RE/MAX has been the leader in the northern Illinois real estate market since 1989. The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network, with headquarters in Elgin, Ill., consists of 2,100 sales associates and 110 individually owned and operated RE/MAX offices that provide a full range of brokerage services throughout the northern one-third of Illinois. Its www.illinoisproperty.com and www.remax.com websites are leaders in consumer visits among real estate franchise brands. Its mobile search, m.illinoisproperty.com, allows users to conduct real estate searches on any mobile device with Internet access. The northern Illinois network is part of RE/MAX LLC, a global real estate organization with 88,000 sales associates in 89 nations.

RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon to Visit Dawes Elementary in Chicago on April 17

2012-04-10T15:57:00.001-05:00

CHICAGO, April 9, 2012 -- The RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon will pay a visit at Charles Gates Dawes Elementary School, 3810 W. 81st Pl., in the Ashburn neighborhood of Chicago, on April 17 when the balloon crew will present an interactive educational program developed and sponsored by the RE/MAX metro Chicago real estate network.

Students at Dawes School will learn about various aspects of ballooning, including its history and the scientific principles involved, and they will see a demonstration on how the balloon functions.

The program will be presented four times starting at 9 a.m. in the school gymnasium to accommodate all 1,100 students at the school. The 75-foot-tall balloon envelope will be inflated with cold air, permitting students to walk inside it. The presentation then will conclude outdoors with a demonstration of how the balloon basket and burners operate.

RE/MAX has been the leader in the northern Illinois real estate market since 1989. The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network, with headquarters in Elgin, Ill., consists of 2,100 sales associates and 110 individually owned and operated RE/MAX offices that provide a full range of brokerage services throughout the northern one-third of Illinois. Its www.illinoisproperty.com and www.remax.com websites are leaders in consumer visits among real estate franchise brands. Its mobile search, m.illinoisproperty.com, allows users to conduct real estate searches on any mobile device with Internet access. The northern Illinois network is part of RE/MAX LLC, a global real estate organization with 88,000 sales associates in 89 nations.

RE/MAX Northern Illinois Real Estate Network’s Hot Air Balloon Will Visit Cooke Magnet Elementary School in Waukegan on April 18 for Educational Program

2012-04-09T15:32:00.000-05:00

CHICAGO, April 6, 2012 -- The RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon will visit Andrew Cooke Magnet Elementary School, 522 Belvidere Road, Waukegan, Ill., on April 18 when the balloon crew will present an interactive educational program developed and sponsored by the RE/MAX Northern Illinois real estate network.

In the audience will be the 500 students at Cooke Magnet, who will learn about various aspects of ballooning, including its history and the scientific principles involved. They also will see a demonstration on how the balloon functions.

The program will be presented at 8:10 a.m. outdoors on the school grounds, weather permitting, but can be moved indoors if the weather is inclement. The balloon envelope will be inflated with hot air to its full 75-foot height if the program is held outdoors. If the program needs to be moved indoors, the envelope is inflated with cold air so that students can walk inside it as part of the presentation.

RE/MAX has been the leader in the northern Illinois real estate market since 1989. The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network, with headquarters in Elgin, Ill., consists of 2,100 sales associates and 110 individually owned and operated RE/MAX offices that provide a full range of brokerage services throughout the northern one-third of Illinois. Its www.illinoisproperty.com and www.remax.com websites are leaders in consumer visits among real estate franchise brands. Its mobile search, m.illinoisproperty.com, allows users to conduct real estate searches on any mobile device with Internet access. The northern Illinois network is part of RE/MAX LLC, a global real estate organization with 88,000 sales associates in 89 nations.

Even in Today’s Housing Market, Many Homes Sell Quickly; RE/MAX Agents Explain How It’s Done

2012-04-05T16:00:00.000-05:00

CHICAGO, April 5, 2012 -- There is a perception among many would-be home sellers that it is likely to take a long time to find a buyer. While that is true in the general sense, it certainly isn’t the case for everyone, according to an analysis by RE/MAX of recent sales in the metropolitan Chicago real estate market.

In the Chicago area, for example, according to Midwest Real Estate Data, LLC, homes that sold during the first two months of 2012 were on the market for an average of 175 days before going under contract for sale, but a fair number of homes sold much more quickly. In addition, of the 9,247 homes sold in January and February, 3,342 homes or 37 percent had market times of 40 days or less.

What allows a home to sell so quickly? There is, of course, no single answer, so RE/MAX selected four examples of residential properties that have sold since last September and asked the listing agent for a brief explanation of why each home found a buyer so rapidly. However, in all four instances, there were a few common themes that stood out:

• The property was priced attractively so that it offered good value compared to its existing competition.

• The sellers listened to their agent’s advice about how to prepare the property.

• All work on the property was complete and all the marketing tools were ready to go before the home was listed on the local MLS.

Case Study No. 1: A classic brick two-flat apartment building in Chicago’s North Park neighborhood, this property had two six-room, two-bedroom, one-bath units, and it was a short sale. Listed by Christina Ezzo of RE/MAX 1st Class Realty of Skokie, Ill., in the $240,000-$260,000 range, it went under contract in 11 days for 4 percent above list, and the sellers were able to choose from among four offers.

“The sellers were relocating to take new jobs and wanted to sell quickly to avoid foreclosure,” reported Ezzo. “As a result, I suggested that we price the property a bit below market value in hopes of drawing multiple offers, and that is exactly what happened.” The final price was right in line with what Ezzo felt the building was worth.

The building was in good condition, with only a few minor problems, so all that was required to get it ready was to de-clutter the interior spaces and make sure the exterior was neat and clean.

“An agent who has experience with short sales is an important factor because keeping the process moving ahead and getting the sale closed after the contract is signed can be a challenge,” noted Ezzo. “The lender has to approve the sale, and that is a complicated process with lots of paperwork and constant monitoring.”

Case Study No. 2: This luxurious home in Chicago’s desirable Lincoln Park neighborhood offered four bedrooms, 3 ½ baths and three levels of living space. Emily Jeffries of RE/MAX Exclusive Properties was able to sell the home in 10 days for its full list price of more than $1 million.

The owners spent about three months preparing this house for sale, and during that time they remodeled two bathrooms, including the master bath. Although the home was owned by a professional interior designer and was quite attractive, the owners removed many personal possessions and some furnishings to create a more open feel, and they refreshed the landscaping with new plantings, according to Jeffries.

“Once it was ready to market, we gave the house a lot of exposure,” she said. “We held two open houses, one for brokers and one for the public, and we made use of professionally done photos and a video, along with a four-color brochure. We also distributed fliers about the house to the entire neighborhood,” she said.

“The house really competed well with other properties in its price range, so we drew a lot of interest and sold it at full price,” Jeffries noted.

Case Study No. 3: This three-bedroom, 3 ½-bath home in Lisle, Ill., was listed by Debbie Pawlowicz of RE/MAX Action in Lisle. Priced in the $320,000 to $340,000 range, it went under contract in nine days and sold for about 95 percent of its asking price.

According to Pawlowicz, the home was in a desirable school district, and was in good condition with a wonderful master bedroom suite. It also had a large backyard. However, there were many fairly comparable homes for sale in both Lisle and the adjoining sections of Naperville.

To get the house ready to go on the market, the owners followed Pawlowicz’s advice to refresh and restage some of the décor in key areas, such as the master suite, shampoo the carpeting, remove select pieces of furniture and other items from the rooms and closets to enhance the feeling of spaciousness, and repair anything that was damaged or not fully functional.

The most important part of the process, according to Pawlowicz, was for her and her clients to understand the competition.

“You have to study what else is on the market, see what those homes have to offer and price your home accordingly. If comparable homes all have a feature that yours doesn’t, you must adjust the price to compensate, or your home won’t sell,” she said.

Case Study No. 4: Offering two bedrooms and two baths, this ranch home in Round Lake, Ill., featured vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors and a living room fireplace. Kathleen Zirkelbach of RE/MAX Center in Grayslake, Ill., listed the home, and it went under contract in 24 days at 89 percent of its list price, which was in $170,000 - $185,000 range.

“We had to be sure the seller understood the current market and the home was priced competitively, which it was,” Zirkelbach explained. “The other challenge was that the home would be vacant while it was on the market. To give it the appeal needed to sell quickly, even while empty, we relied on getting excellent photos that accentuated its highlights, such as the wonderful kitchen, charming front porch and a nearby area of open space.

“That way, we could get potential buyers excited about the property before they even visited it. We wanted to make a great impression online, so that when buyers did walk through, they were only confirming their first impressions.”

Zirkelbach had the interior paint freshened and rugs cleaned after the seller left, then added some inexpensive but attractive items, such as new area rugs and hand towels in the bathrooms.

“We wanted to let buyers know that the home was still being cared for,” she said.

A final element that gets a home sold quickly, contends Zirkelbach, is that sellers are comfortable with both the list price and the sales price of their home.

“If sellers understand what a reasonable price will be for their property, then they won’t hesitate to accept a reasonable offer,” she said. “On the other hand, if they feel the home is being sold for less than its market value, there will be hesitation and things can fall apart.”

RE/MAX has been the leader in the northern Illinois real estate market since 1989. The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network, with headquarters in Elgin, Ill., consists of 2,100 sales associates and 110 individually owned and operated RE/MAX offices that provide a full range of brokerage services throughout the northern one-third of Illinois. Its www.illinoisproperty.com and www.remax.com websites are leaders in consumer visits among real estate franchise brands. Its mobile search, m.illinoisproperty.com, allows users to conduct real estate searches on any mobile device with Internet access. The northern Illinois network is part of RE/MAX LLC, a global real estate organization with 87,000 sales associates in 87 nations.

15-Year Chicago Real Estate Veteran Jee Joins RE/MAX Premier Properties on Gold Coast

2012-04-03T12:57:00.000-05:00

CHICAGO, April 3, 2012 -- During a time in which real estate offices across the region are downsizing, RE/MAX Premier Properties at 1205 N. Dearborn Pkwy. in Chicago’s fashionable Gold Coast neighborhood continues to add to its roster of top producing real estate agents. Mona Jee, a well known real estate veteran with 15 years experience, is the latest to join the Chicago real estate brokerage.

For Jee, the decision to sign up with RE/MAX Premier Properties made good business sense.

"The branding really makes a difference," Jee said. "The public recognizes the RE/MAX name and associates it with leadership. I have also found that buyers and sellers think of RE/MAX agents as being the hardest working in the business. I want my clients to understand that I'm going to work hard for them."

This isn't Jee's first stint at RE/MAX. The real estate veteran previously worked with Janice Corley, broker/owner of RE/MAX Premier Properties, at another RE/MAX office before Jee joined Sotheby's. Being able to work with Corley again played a major role in her decision to return to RE/MAX.

"Janice is one of the top broker/owners in this industry," Jee said. "She is extremely loyal to her agents. She is always there for you through the good times and the bad times. If you need her to support your charity work, she'll be there. She'll assist you through difficult negotiations. She has the experience to help you through so many different situations, and she always makes time for you."

Jee is a graduate of the Mike Ferry Organization, a real estate coaching and training academy. At RE/MAX Premier Properties, Jee will focus on selling a wide range of real estate types, everything from luxury properties to short sales, bank-owned real estate and investment properties. Her market areas are the South Loop, West Loop, Gold Coast, Lincoln Park and North Side neighborhoods of Chicago.

Like all successful agents today, Jee thrives by delivering a high level of customer service, which is especially important today as buyers and sellers struggle with the new normal of the Chicago housing market.

"The key is to always be honest with your clients," Jee said. "You have to be realistic with them. A lot of buyers, for instance, are looking for bargains. But they have to realize that even though housing prices in Chicago have fallen, they have not fallen as far as they have in other places. This is still a good time to buy. But buyers might not get the bargains they're expecting here."

No matter the market, though, Jee is happy to be back with RE/MAX. She expects the move to be yet another smart decision in her real estate career.

"This is a people business and I like being with people, and helping them find the right home," Jee said. "It's all about understanding what customers’ needs are. When you help them and they appreciate your service … that is the greatest reward."

RE/MAX has been the leader in the northern Illinois real estate market since 1989. The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network, with headquarters in Elgin, Ill., consists of 2,100 sales associates and 110 individually owned and operated RE/MAX offices that provide a full range of brokerage services throughout the northern one-third of Illinois. Its www.illinoisproperty.com and www.remax.com websites are leaders in consumer visits among real estate franchise brands. Its mobile search, m.illinoisproperty.com, allows users to conduct real estate searches on any mobile device with Internet access. The northern Illinois network is part of RE/MAX LLC, a global real estate organization with 87,000 sales associates in 87 nations.

RE/MAX Agents Capture C.A.R. Awards for 2011 Success in Chicago Real Estate Sales

2012-03-29T10:39:00.000-05:00

CHICAGO, March 28, 2012 -- Agents affiliated with the RE/MAX in the metro Chicago real estate market captured prestigious honors at the Chicago Association of Realtors® (C.A.R.) annual awards, which recognized achievements in Chicago real estate sales. In addition, RE/MAX agents increased the number of C.A.R awards they took home at the Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze levels by 60 percent compared to their 2010 total.

Linda O’Donnell, broker/owner of RE/MAX Signature, 2411 N. Clybourn Ave., Chicago, and Robert Padron, broker/owner of RE/MAX Cityview, 6430 N. Central Ave., Chicago, are among just 13 agents honored with the Platinum Level Achiever Award for sales of 180 or more units. O’Donnell also earned the Silver Level Achiever Award for sales of $17 to $22 million, while Padron captured the Bronze Level Achiever Award for sales between $12 and $16 million.

A Gold Level Achiever Award for sales between 100 and 179 units went to Angel Aguilar of RE/MAX Platinum, 1931 S. State St., and a Silver Level Achiever Award for sales of 60 to 99 units was earned by Michael Scola of RE/MAX Partners, 6420 W. Cermak Road, Berwyn, Ill.

Bronze Level Achiever Awards for sales of 40 to 59 units went to Maria Rodriguez of RE/MAX Partners, Jack Stempien of RE/MAX City, 6839 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago, Luis Campoverde of RE/MAX Signature, Rita Neri of RE/MAX Vision 212, 1500 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, Marc Shudnow of RE/MAX 1st Class, 4023 Church St., Skokie, Ill., and Michell Wilmore of RE/MAX City, 7020 W. Higgins Road, Chicago. Hasani Steele, RE/MAX Premier Properties, 1205 N. Dearborn Pkwy., Chicago, received the Bronze Level Achiever Award – Teams.

Bronze Level Achiever Awards for residential sales volume of $12 to $16 million went to Kristi Gunther and Marlene Granacki of RE/MAX Exclusive Properties, 2951 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, and to Rita Neri.

RE/MAX agents also captured three other top awards from C.A.R. Mike Kravitz of RE/MAX Premier Properties and John Kubacki of RE/MAX Signature were honored for their achievement in renting residential units. Olivia Marroquin of RE/MAX 10, 5601 S. Pulaski Road, Chicago, was honored as one of the 2011 Rookies of the Year.

C.A.R. also honored those agents who were the top producers in either unit sales or dollar volume in each of Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods and six near-west suburbs. Winning in both the unit sales and dollar volume categories in a single neighborhood/suburb were Hasani Steele for Woodlawn, Julie Anderson of RE/MAX 10 for Clearing, Luis Campoverde for Belmont Cragin and three agents with RE/MAX Partners, Alicia Snyder-Poulos for Forest View, Allen Snyder for Stickney and Maria Rodriguez for Berwyn.

Rodriguez and Regina Zak Tomas of RE/MAX City were unit sales leaders for Lyons, while Linda O’Donnell dominated units sold in Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood.

Among local sales volume leaders, Connie Abels of RE/MAX Edge, 3843 N. Broadway, Chicago, was first for Rogers Park, Julie Anderson led Garfield Ridge and Alicja Grzych of RE/MAX City was the top producer for Englewood.

C.A.R. also recognized top producers for both unit sales and dollar volume. RE/MAX affiliates recognized were as follows:

• Monira Soliman, RE/MAX Cityview (35-39 units)

• Regina Zak Tomas, RE/MAX City (35-39 units)

• Allen Snyder, RE/MAX Partners (35-39 units)

• Jose Campoverde, RE/MAX Signature (30-34 units)

• Marek Prus, RE/MAX City (30-34 units)

• Angel Navarro, RE/MAX Signature (30-34 units)

• Andy Kordic, RE/MAX Signature (30-34 units)

• Adam Rodriguez, RE/MAX City (30-34 units)

• Jose Luis Miranda, RE/MAX 10 (30-34 units)

• Corina Flores-Moradi, RE/MAX Signature (30-34 units)

• Hector Garcia, RE/MAX Partners (30-34 units)

• Martha Lozano, RE/MAX City (20-29 units)

• Andrew Filipowski, RE/MAX City (20-29 units, $5+ million)

• Julie Anderson, RE/MAX 10 (20-29 units, $5+ million)

• Juanita Flores, RE/MAX 10 (20-29 units)

• Scott Foster, RE/MAX Edge (20-29 units, $5+ million)

• Mark Zipperer, RE/MAX Edge (20-29 units)

• Kristi Gunther, RE/MAX Exclusive Properties (20-29 units)

• Yolanda Zapiain, RE/MAX 10 (20-29 units)

• David Piché, RE/MAX Signature (20-29 units)

• Ricardo Morales, RE/MAX Signature (20-29 units)

• Alejandra Benitez, RE/MAX Partners (20-29 units)

• Ted Krzysztofiak, RE/MAX City (20-29 units)

• Michael Sorenson, RE/MAX City (20-29 units, $5+ million)

• Tia Dudley, RE/MAX Signature (20-29 units)

• Ivan Santiago, RE/MAX Cityview (20-29 units)

• Karen Breen Elia, RE/MAX Exclusive Properties (20-29 units, $6+ million)

• Jose Tenezaca, RE/MAX City (20-29 units)

• Mike Kravitz, RE/MAX Premier Properties (20-29 units, $6+ million)

• Jolanta Brosko-Osika, RE/MAX City (20-29 units)

• Mera Kordic, RE/MAX Signature (20-29 units)

• Lydia Memeti, RE/MAX City (20-29 units, $5+ million)

• Marcin Krempa, RE/MAX Edge (20-29 units)

• Santiago Sanchez, RE/MAX Vision 212 (20-29 units)

• Jason Palermo, RE/MAX Vision 212 (20-29 units)

• Lisa Campobasso, RE/MAX Vision 212 (20-29 units)

• Angel Aguilar, RE/MAX Platinum ($11+ million)

• Hasani Steele, RE/MAX Premier Properties ($10+ million)

• Michael Scola, RE/MAX Partners ($8+ million)

• Maria Rodriguez, RE/MAX Partners ($7+ million)

• Jack Stempien, RE/MAX City ($7+ million)

• Roger Lautt, RE/MAX Vision 212 ($6+ million)

• Mark Shudnow, RE/MAX 1st Class ($6+ million)

• Luis Campoverde, RE/MAX Signature ($5+ million)

• Nick Steffes, RE/MAX Vision 212 ($5+ million)

RE/MAX has been the leader in the northern Illinois real estate market since 1989. The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network, with headquarters in Elgin, Ill., consists of 2,100 sales associates and 110 individually owned and operated RE/MAX offices that provide a full range of brokerage services throughout the northern one-third of Illinois. Its www.illinoisproperty.com and www.remax.com websites are leaders in consumer visits among real estate franchise brands. Its mobile search, m.illinoisproperty.com, allows users to conduct real estate searches on any mobile device with Internet access. The northern Illinois network is part of RE/MAX LLC, a global real estate organization with 87,000 sales associates in 87 nations.

RE/MAX Northern Illinois Real Estate Network’s Hot Air Balloon Will Visit Sanchez Elementary School in Joliet on April 12 for Educational Program

2012-03-27T16:49:00.000-05:00

CHICAGO, March 27, 2012 -- The RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon will visit Sator Sanchez Elementary School, 1101 Harrison Ave., Joliet, Ill., on April 12 when the balloon crew will present an interactive educational program developed and sponsored by the RE/MAX Northern Illinois real estate network.

In the audience will be the 1,100 students at Sanchez Elementary, who will learn about various aspects of ballooning, including its history and the scientific principles involved. They also will see a demonstration on how the balloon functions. The RE/MAX balloon has visited more than 50 schools over the last year in northern Illinois.

The program will be presented at 9 a.m. outdoors on the school grounds, weather permitting, but can be moved indoors if the weather is inclement. The balloon envelope will be inflated with hot air to its full 75-foot height if the program is held outdoors. If the program needs to be moved indoors, the envelope is inflated with cold air so that students can walk inside it as part of the presentation.

RE/MAX has been the leader in the northern Illinois real estate market since 1989. The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network, with headquarters in Elgin, Ill., consists of 2,100 sales associates and 110 individually owned and operated RE/MAX offices that provide a full range of brokerage services throughout the northern one-third of Illinois. Its www.illinoisproperty.com and www.remax.com websites are leaders in consumer visits among real estate franchise brands. Its mobile search, m.illinoisproperty.com, allows users to conduct real estate searches on any mobile device with Internet access. The northern Illinois network is part of RE/MAX LLC, a global real estate organization with 87,000 sales associates in 87 nations.

RE/MAX Agents Led DeKalb and Grundy Counties Markets in Residential Listings Sold During 2011

2012-03-27T12:06:00.000-05:00

CHICAGO, March 27, 2012 -- RE/MAX agents were the market-share leaders for listed homes sold in both DeKalb and Grundy counties in northern Illinois during 2011. RE/MAX agents listed 19 percent of homes sold in DeKalb County and 23.3 percent of listings sold in Grundy based on all transactions recorded by Midwest Real Estate Data, LLC.

In DeKalb County, 715 residential sales were completed in 2011, and RE/MAX agents listed 136 (19 percent) of those homes. The other brokerages in the top five for listings sold were Coldwell Banker with 134 (18.7 percent), Century 21 with 101 (14.1 percent) and Elm Street Realtors with 57 (8 percent), while Signature Real Estate tied Keller Williams with 22 sales (3.1 percent).

There were 446 homes sold in Grundy County last year, and RE/MAX agents listed 104 (23.3 percent) of those. Other brokerages that ranked among the top five for listings sold were Coldwell Banker with 76 (17 percent), Century 21 with 70 (15.7 percent) and Advantage Realty with 24 (5.4 percent), while Regional Realty Group tied with Realty Executives at 19 sales (4.3 percent).

RE/MAX has been the leader in the northern Illinois real estate market since 1989. The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network, with headquarters in Elgin, Ill., consists of 2,100 sales associates and 110 individually owned and operated RE/MAX offices that provide a full range of brokerage services throughout the northern one-third of Illinois. Its www.illinoisproperty.com and www.remax.com websites are leaders in consumer visits among real estate franchise brands. Its mobile search, m.illinoisproperty.com, allows users to conduct real estate searches on any mobile device with Internet access. The northern Illinois network is part of RE/MAX LLC, a global real estate organization with 87,000 sales associates in 87 nations.

Metro Chicago Housing Market Continued to Accelerate in February as Sale Rose 26 Percent, RE/MAX Reports

2012-03-16T11:23:00.000-05:00

CHICAGO, March 15, 2012 -- Home sales activity in the metropolitan Chicago real estate market continued to accelerate in February, posting its strongest increase in six months. There were 4,760 closed sales in the seven-county area during the month, 26 percent more than during February of last year and 6 percent more than during January 2012, according to an analysis by RE/MAX.

Sales activity was boosted by mild weather, along with affordable prices and attractive mortgage interest rates.

Based on its review of transaction information compiled by Midwest Real Estate Data, LLC, RE/MAX reported that 52.5 percent of all February sales involved distressed properties (foreclosures and short sales), 1 percent more than during the prior month. At the same time, the mix of distressed sales continued to evolve, with short sales representing 18 percent of all sales during the month, compared to 14 percent a year earlier, while foreclosures accounted for 35 percent of sales, down from 37 percent a year ago.

Transaction totals rose in all seven counties in the metro area when compared to February 2011, led by a 75 percent increase in Kendall County and a 46 percent gain in McHenry County. Sales also were up 20 percent in Cook County, 31 percent in DuPage County, 27 percent in Kane County and 33 percent in Lake and Will counties. Total sales in Chicago rose 13 percent.

For those homes sold in February, the average time between being listed for sale and the signing of a sales contract was 175 days, compared to 181 days during the prior February.

The median price of a home sold in February was $136,000, 11 percent lower than in the same month last year, a result reflected in many parts of the metro area, including Cook, DuPage, McHenry and Will counties, which all showed declines of approximately 11 percent. However, in Kendall County the median price rose 4 percent, while it fell 16 percent in Lake County, 3 percent in Kane County and 7 percent in Chicago.

Even as prices softened, February transaction volume for both detached and attached homes increased in all seven counties, as well as in Chicago, suggesting that housing demand is rising in all parts of the metro area.

Detached Sales

Sales of detached homes in February were 22 percent higher than during the same month last year, totaling 2,968 units. Distressed properties accounted for 52 percent of all detached sales during the month, a total of 1,549 units.

The median sale price of a detached home sold in February was $153,950, a slight increase over the median price during the prior month, which was $152,600. However, the February median was 7 percent lower than the same month last year.

Median prices for detached homes were up on a year-over-year basis in two counties, Kane (2.5 percent) and Kendall (0.1 percent), as well as in Chicago (1.6 percent).

Sales of detached homes rose most substantially in Kendall County where they jumped 59 percent compared to February of last year. The results in the other counties were: Cook up 17 percent; DuPage up 18 percent; Kane up 26 percent; Lake up 31 percent; McHenry up 38 percent, and Will up 30 percent. In Chicago, detached sales were 11 percent higher than in the same month last year.

Attached Homes

Attached sales turned in a stronger performance than the rest of the housing market in February, rising 32 percent from the same month last year and topping sales during the prior month by 11 percent. There were 1,792 attached sales in February with a median price of $107,500, which was down 17 percent from the median price recorded a year earlier.

Foreclosures and short sales represented 53 percent of all attached units sold.

On the county level, attached sales soared 126 percent in Kendall County and 81 percent in McHenry County compared to February of last year though attached sales in both counties totaled less than 50 units each.

In Cook County, which accounted for 1,240 units, or 69 percent of all attached sales, total transactions were up 25 percent from the prior February, and the median price was $115,000, down 19 percent. Attached sales during February in other metro counties were: DuPage 215 units (up 57 percent from February 2011), Kane 69 units (up 30 percent), Lake 99 units (up 39 percent) and Will 87 units (up 48 percent).

RE/MAX has been the leader in the northern Illinois real estate market since 1989. The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network, with headquarters in Elgin, Ill., consists of 2,100 sales associates and 110 individually owned and operated RE/MAX offices that provide a full range of brokerage services throughout the northern one-third of Illinois. Its www.illinoisproperty.com and www.remax.com websites are leaders in consumer visits among real estate franchise brands. Its mobile search, m.illinoisproperty.com, allows users to conduct real estate searches on any mobile device with Internet access. The northern Illinois network is part of RE/MAX LLC, a global real estate organization with 87,000 sales associates in 87 nations.

RE/MAX Reports Northern Illinois Commercial Real Estate Market Exhibits Positive Signs for 2012

2012-03-14T11:13:00.000-05:00

CHICAGO, March 8, 2012 -- Northern Illinois can expect fewer empty storefronts in 2012. Renters will have fewer vacant apartments from which to choose and should expect to pay more to rent the units that are on the market. But we should not expect many new office buildings or strip malls to rise in the area this year, according to a survey of commercial brokers affiliated with the RE/MAX Northern Illinois real estate network.

Those RE/MAX agents say that the regional commercial real estate market remains a challenging one, with little new development taking place. They are, however, seeing signs of hope in the local commercial market, especially in the red-hot multi-family sector.

And these agents expect commercial real estate activity – leases and sales – to increase at a faster rate as the national and local economies continue to improve, a view supported by the latest research on the commercial real estate market. This is good news for northern Illinois residents -- a strong commercial real estate industry means more jobs.

"We are very optimistic about commercial real estate," said Dave Shalabi, a top commercial real estate agent with RE/MAX Synergy in Orland Park, Ill. "I feel the leasing market is starting to correct itself because of the lower rental rates that commercial tenants have to pay today. Simply put, they are getting good deals, and that's encouraging them to lease new, improved space. We are also optimistic that the improving economy is bringing people out of the woodwork to make decisions on investing in commercial real estate."

Shalabi’s view is supported by the latest research from the National Association of Realtors. The association's most recent quarterly commercial real estate forecast reported that all of the major commercial real estate sectors – multi-family, retail, office and industrial – are seeing improvements across the country.

Lawrence Yun, the chief economist for the association, said vacancies are falling for retail space, office buildings, industrial properties and apartment buildings, thanks largely to improvements in the national unemployment rate.

"Sustained job creation is benefiting commercial real estate sectors by increasing demand for space," Yun said in a written statement. "Vacancy rates are steadily falling. Leasing is on the rise, and rents are showing signs of strengthening."

Positive signs are evident in Chicago and its suburbs, too, according to the latest research from Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services. The company predicts retail vacancy rates will fall 0.6 percent to 10.6 percent in 2012. At the same time, retail landlords will be able to command higher rents this year, with effective retail rents in the Chicago area rising 1.6 percent in 2012 to $16.31 a square foot.

Marcus & Millichap also predicts that multi-family vacancies in the Chicago area will fall to 4.2 percent this year, while average effective rents will jump 4.8 percent to $1,055 a month.

According to Bradley Burns, a commercial broker with RE/MAX Experience in Sycamore, Ill., buyers today are looking for outstanding values when it comes to commercial real estate. And, in Burns' experience, they are finding them.

"There are definitely buyers out there today for commercial properties. They know this is a good time to buy commercial real estate, that they can find great prices on properties," Burns said. "There is some commercial real estate selling, but it is selling at a discounted price."

Backing up the national and local research, Burns says that multi-family remains the strongest commercial real estate type today. Rents are up and vacancies down in the multi-family properties in his region, Burns said.

"We have a good market for apartments, with Northern Illinois University here," Burns said, referring to the DeKalb County area in north central Illinois.

Burns recently sold a 192-unit apartment complex in DeKalb, Ill. The purchasers of the building, who Burns represented in the transaction, invested additional funds to improve the property and have now reduced their vacancies to zero.

Deepika Syal, a commercial broker with RE/MAX United in Wheeling, Ill., said commercial real estate buyers and developers still face challenges. The biggest of these is in getting funding for the purchases they want to make or the projects they want to build.

“Lenders are looking very carefully before giving money to projects today,” Syal said. “That has been a major change from the past. It also takes longer to close a deal today.”

Syal is logging longer hours to help her commercial clients navigate this still-challenging commercial real estate market.

"You have to work five times harder than before," Syal said. "That's what you have to do to succeed. It's just a changing market out there."

John Rosengren, a commercial broker with RE/MAX Sauk Valley in Sterling, Ill., said that the best way to succeed in today's commercial real estate market is to provide top service to clients.

For Rosengren this means researching the local market and getting clients the information they need to make informed leasing or buying decisions. Rosengren provides his clients with a range of data, including local demographics, traffic patterns, rental information and cost surveys, everything they need to make an informed decision before leasing or buying space in a shopping center or office building.

“It's all about giving people the right advice,” Rosengren said. “Some clients don't need to be located in a high-end retail center. Some can be in a secondary location and do just as well, and they'll save money in rent. A lot of people think they need the location next to Walgreens and McDonald's. But often they can do just as well by finding space in an area with lower rents. Those are the kinds of decisions that I help my clients make.”

Shalabi, who has seen steady business in the multi-family and medical sectors, agrees that today's commercial buyers and sellers expect top service from their real estate representatives. But this is nothing new, he said; clients always expect to receive solid information and strong representation from their commercial brokers, in both good times and challenging ones.

“Our clients have been happy over the years with us,” Shalabi said. “We can deliver on what we say. We never make a promise we can’t keep. To be good on your word is extremely important. We get tons of referrals thanks to that approach.”

RE/MAX has been the leader in the northern Illinois real estate market since 1989. The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network, with headquarters in Elgin, Ill., consists of 2,100 sales associates and 110 individually owned and operated RE/MAX offices that provide a full range of brokerage services throughout the northern one-third of Illinois. Its www.illinoisproperty.com and www.remax.com websites are leaders in consumer visits among real estate franchise brands. Its mobile search, m.illinoisproperty.com, allows users to conduct real estate searches on any mobile device with Internet access. The northern Illinois network is part of RE/MAX LLC, a global real estate organization with 87,000 sales associates in 87 nations.

RE/MAX Retained No. 1 Rank in Home Sales Across the Metro Chicago Real Estate Market in 2011

2012-03-12T15:15:00.000-05:00

CHICAGO, March 5, 2012 -- The RE/MAX Northern Illinois real estate network once again led the seven-county metropolitan Chicago real estate market in home sales during the year just ended. RE/MAX agents sold 12,337 listed residences, easily outdistancing any other brokerage organization. RE/MAX has held the number one position, based on listings sold in the metro Chicago real estate market, since area-wide MLS data was first available in 1994.

In five of the seven counties, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake and McHenry, 2011 home sales surpassed the 2010 total.

RE/MAX agents listed 17.8 percent of all homes sold during 2011, one of every six transactions. In the suburbs, RE/MAX led with a 21.1 percent market share, which is more than one of every five homes sold. In the City of Chicago, RE/MAX ranked second overall in market share.

RE/MAX agents also led the seven-county Chicago-area market in buyer representation, helping buyers purchase 10,724 homes, or 15.4 percent of all home purchases in 2011, including 18.5 percent in the Chicago suburbs.

These market-share figures were drawn from data compiled by Midwest Real Estate Data, LLC (MRED), which also showed that 69,469 residential listings were sold during 2011 in the seven-county metro market, which includes Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will counties.

RE/MAX agents listed 12,337 (17.8 percent) of the properties sold. Trailing RE/MAX in market share were Coldwell Banker with 9,168 sales (13.2 percent), Baird & Warner with 3,594 sales (5.2 percent), Century 21 with 3,565 sales (5.1 percent), Prudential with 3,339 sales (4.8 percent), Keller Williams with 2,687 sales (3.9 percent), @Properties with 2,365 sales (3.4 percent), Real Living with 2,131 sales (3.1 percent), Realty Executives with 1,135 sales (1.6 percent), Sotheby’s with 952 sales (1.4 percent) and Great Street Properties with 671 sales (1 percent). Data maintained by MRED may not reflect all real estate activity in the market.

In the metro Chicago area, no one helped more buyers purchase homes than RE/MAX. During 2011, RE/MAX agents led the way with a 15.4 percent market share. Other companies in the top five were Coldwell Banker with 12.4 percent, Century 21 with 6.6 percent, Baird & Warner with 5.2 percent and Prudential with 4.6 percent. RE/MAX also was the market share leader in more than 200 towns and communities across Chicagoland.

According to MRED data, RE/MAX was the market share leader for listings sold, buyer representation or both in the following major submarket areas during 2011.

• Cook County – There were 39,269 listed homes sold in Cook County in 2011, compared to 40,719 in 2010. RE/MAX led the market, listing 13.5 percent of homes sold, and it was number one in buyer representation with 11.5 percent.

• DuPage County – There were 8,337 homes sold in DuPage County during 2011, up from 7,776 in 2010. RE/MAX led the market, listing 22.1 percent of residences sold, and it was number one in buyer representation with 20.2 percent.

• Elgin Area – There were 3,058 listed homes sold in the Elgin market area in 2011, up from 2,822 in 2010. RE/MAX led the market, listing 22.8 percent of homes sold, and it was number one in buyer representation with 22.9 percent. The Elgin market includes the communities of Burlington, Carpentersville, East Dundee, Elgin, Genoa, Gilberts, Hampshire, Hanover Park, Lake Marion, Pingree Grove, Plato, Sleepy Hollow, South Elgin, Streamwood and West Dundee.

• Fox Valley – There were 1,618 listed homes sold in the Fox Valley market during 2011, up from 1,499 in 2010. RE/MAX led the market, listing 28.1 percent of homes sold, and it was number one in buyer representation with 25.5 percent. The Fox Valley market includes the communities of Batavia, Elburn, Geneva, North Aurora, St. Charles, Sugar Grove and Wayne.

• Greater South Suburbs – There were 3,698 listed homes sold in the Greater South Suburbs market in 2011, down from 4,109 in 2010. RE/MAX led the market, listing 19.4 percent of residences sold, and it was the leader in buyer representation with 16 percent. The Greater South Suburbs market includes the communities of Beecher, Burnham, Calumet City, Calumet Park, Chicago Heights, Country Club Hills, Crete, Dolton, East Hazel Crest, Flossmoor, Glenwood, Grant Park, Harvey, Hazel Crest, Homewood, Lansing, Lynwood, Markham, Matteson, Midlothian, Oak Forest, Olympia Fields, Park Forest, Richton Park, Riverdale, Sauk Village, South Chicago Heights, South Holland, Steger, Thornton and University Park.

• Kane County – There were 5,057 listed homes sold in Kane County in 2011, up from 4,694 in 2010. RE/MAX led the market, listing 23.9 percent of homes sold, and it was number one in buyer representation with 21.8 percent.

• LaGrange Area – The number of listed homes sold in the LaGrange area during 2011 was 520, compared to 569 in 2010. RE/MAX led the market by listing 20.8 percent of homes sold. The LaGrange market includes Countryside, Hodgkins, Indianhead Park, LaGrange, LaGrange Highlands, LaGrange Park, McCook, Western Springs and Willow Springs.

• Lake County – There were 6,525 listed homes sold in Lake County in 2011, up from 6,234 in 2010. RE/MAX led the market, listing 24.2 percent of sold properties, and it was number one in buyer representation with 22.5 percent.

• Lincoln Way – There were 732 homes sold in the Lincoln Way market area in 2011, up from 727 in 2010. RE/MAX led the market, listing 26.4 percent of homes sold, and it was number one in buyer representation with 21.4 percent. The Lincoln Way market includes the communities of Frankfort, Green Garden, Manhattan, Mokena, New Lenox and Wilton Center.

• McHenry County – There were 2,861 listed homes sold in McHenry County in 2011, up from 2,714 in 2010. RE/MAX led the market, listing 24.5 percent of homes sold, and it was number one in buyer representation with 21.6 percent.

• Northwest Suburbs – There were 7,385 listed homes sold in the Northwest Suburbs market area in 2011, up from 7,044 in 2010. RE/MAX led the market, listing 22.1 percent of homes sold, and it was also the leader in buyer representation at 20.7 percent. The Northwest Suburbs market includes the communities of Arlington Heights, the Barrington area, Buffalo Grove, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Inverness, Keeneyville, Mt. Prospect, Niles, Palatine, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights, Rolling Meadows, Roselle, Schaumburg, Streamwood and Wheeling.

• O’Hare Suburbs – There were 1,026 listed homes sold in the O’Hare Suburbs market area in 2011, up from 947 in 2010. RE/MAX led the market, listing 21.4 percent of homes sold, while also leading in buyer representation with 15.7 percent. The O’Hare Suburbs market includes the communities of Elmwood Park, Franklin Park, Harwood Heights, Leyden Township, Norridge, Northlake, Norwood Park Township, River Grove, Rosemont and Schiller Park.

• Southwest Suburbs – There were 3,536 listed homes sold in the Southwest Suburbs market in 2011, up from 3,446 homes in 2010. RE/MAX led the market, listing 21.9 percent of homes sold, and it was the buyer representation leader with 18.4 percent. The Southwest Suburbs market includes the communities of Alsip, Blue Island, Bridgeview, Burbank, Chicago Ridge, Crestwood, Evergreen Park, Hickory Hills, Hometown, Justice, Lemont, Merrionette Park, Midlothian, Oak Forest, Oak Lawn, Orland Hills, Orland Park, Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Palos Park, Posen, Robbins, Tinley Park and Worth.

• West Towns – There were 2,064 listed homes sold in the West Towns market area in 2011, compared to 2,124 in 2010. RE/MAX led the market, listing 18.9 percent of homes sold, and it was number one in buyer representation at 15.6 percent. The West Towns market includes Berwyn, Broadview, Brookfield, Cicero, Forest Park, Forest View, Lyons, North Riverside, Oak Park, River Forest, Riverside, Stickney and Westchester.

• Will County – There were 5,821 listed homes sold in Will County during 2011, up from 5,636 in 2010. RE/MAX led the market, listing 25.1 percent of those homes.

RE/MAX has been the leader in the northern Illinois real estate market since 1989. The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network, with headquarters in Elgin, Ill., consists of 2,100 sales associates and 110 individually owned and operated RE/MAX offices that provide a full range of brokerage services throughout the northern one-third of Illinois. Its www.illinoisproperty.com and www.remax.com websites are leaders in consumer visits among real estate franchise brands. Its mobile search, m.illinoisproperty.com, allows users to conduct real estate searches on any mobile device with Internet access. The northern Illinois network is part of RE/MAX LLC, a global real estate organization with 87,000 sales associates in 87 nations.

Kathy Volpe of RE/MAX Achievers Appointed to Lombard Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

2012-03-09T14:29:00.000-06:00

LOMBARD, Ill., March 9, 2012 – Kathy Volpe, a broker associate with RE/MAX Achievers, 123 W. St. Charles Road, recently was installed as a member of the board of directors of the Lombard Chamber of Commerce. Volpe has been affiliated with RE/MAX Northern Illinois since 1985 and holds the CRS (Certified Residential Specialist), GRI (Graduate of Realtor’s Institute) and ABR (Accredited Buyer’s Representative) designations. She has been a member of the Illinois Association of Realtors since 1977. Kathy is also a distinguished member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame.

A resident of Lombard for over 40 years, Volpe has focused her career on the residential real estate business for the last 35 years.

“Over the years I have enjoyed serving my community. I am proud to be of service to the Lombard Chamber of Commerce,” said Volpe.

RE/MAX Achievers is a leader in the Lombard real estate market. Established in Villa Park in 1990, the office moved to its current Lombard location in 2001.

RE/MAX Names Newest Recipients of Career Achievement Honors In Metro Chicago Real Estate Market

2012-03-09T14:20:00.000-06:00

CHICAGO, March 2, 2012 -- RE/MAX recently announced the names of the most recent group of its affiliates at offices across the seven-county metropolitan Chicago real estate market who have earned career achievement honors.

RE/MAX affiliates are eligible for three career awards, each marking an important professional milestone during a career with RE/MAX. These career honors include the Hall of Fame, Lifetime Achievement and Circle of Legends awards, which are distinct from the honors that agents can earn each year for their annual sales production.

Recently, three agents received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, which goes to those who have been part of the worldwide RE/MAX network for at least seven years and have completed 1,000 or more real estate transactions during that time.

Thirty others earned membership in the RE/MAX Hall of Fame, whose members have closed more than 350 transactions while affiliated with RE/MAX.

Grouped geographically, here are names and offices of those recently honored for career achievement:

City of Chicago
Inducted into the Hall of Fame were Robert Padron of RE/MAX Cityview, Arnaldo M. Rosas and Adam Rodriguez of RE/MAX City and Steven M. Paige of RE/MAX Vision 212.

North Suburbs
Deborah Cassidy of RE/MAX Showcase, Lake Forest, received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Membership in the RE/MAX Hall of Fame went to Patricia Hupperich of RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest, Lake Zurich, and Kathleen A. Zirkelbach of RE/MAX Center, Grayslake.

Northwest Cook Suburbs
Membership in the RE/MAX Hall of Fame went to Cynthia W. Patterson and Pamela Weinert, RE/MAX of Barrington, Barrington; Jane L. Viola of RE/MAX At Home, Rolling Meadows, and Dave Ablin, RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest, Palatine.

West Cook Suburbs and DuPage County
Christine G. Michelson of RE/MAX Suburban, Wheaton, received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Membership in the RE/MAX Hall of Fame went to Gustavo Vargas, RE/MAX Partners, Berwyn; Angela Lotz, RE/MAX All Pro, Bloomingdale; Maria Baran, RE/MAX Elite, Darien; Charles A. Ivas, RE/MAX Elite, Hinsdale; David Griffith and Lance Kammes, RE/MAX Suburban, Wheaton; Debbie Pawlowicz and Sue Daley, RE/MAX Action, Lisle; Cynthia Voss, RE/MAX Suburban, Glen Ellyn, and Linda Saracco, RE/MAX County Line, Burr Ridge.

South Cook Suburbs and Will County
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Gay C. Weaver of RE/MAX Synergy, Flossmoor. Inducted into the RE/MAX Hall of Fame were Guillermina D. Munoz, RE/MAX 2000, Crete; Gloria Ulloa, RE/MAX 10, Oak Lawn; Suzy Frederickson, RE/MAX 10, Palos Park, and Deborah M. Laskowski, RE/MAX 1st Service, Homer Glen.

Kane County
Membership in the RE/MAX Hall of Fame went to Jennifer A. Bennett, Alison S. France and Marie Ziegler, RE/MAX Excels, Geneva; Mark Goff, RE/MAX Horizon, Elgin, and Cory Jones and Mark Sannita, RE/MAX Great American North, St. Charles.

RE/MAX has been the leader in the northern Illinois real estate market since 1989. The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network, with headquarters in Elgin, Ill., consists of 2,100 sales associates and 110 individually owned and operated RE/MAX offices that provide a full range of brokerage services throughout the northern one-third of Illinois. Its www.illinoisproperty.com and www.remax.com websites are leaders in consumer visits among real estate franchise brands. Its mobile search, m.illinoisproperty.com, allows users to conduct real estate searches on any mobile device with Internet access. The northern Illinois network is part of RE/MAX LLC, a global real estate organization with 87,000 sales associates in 87 nations.

Geneseo, Genoa and Rock Falls Agents Honored by RE/MAX For Career Achievements

2012-03-09T14:17:00.000-06:00

CHICAGO, March 2, 2012 -- RE/MAX affiliates from offices in Geneseo, Genoa and Rock Falls, Ill., recently earned career awards from RE/MAX, the leading international real estate organization. The awards were based on the agents’ continued success in real estate sales.

RE/MAX affiliates are eligible for three career awards, each marking an important professional milestone during a career with RE/MAX. These career honors include the Hall of Fame, Lifetime Achievement and Circle of Legends awards, which are distinct from the honors that agents can earn each year for their annual sales production.

LuAnn Lavine, broker/owner of RE/MAX Hometown Advantage, Geneseo; Tammy R. Engel, broker/owner of RE/MAX Classic Real Estate, Genoa, and Barbara L. Kophamer, an agent with RE/MAX Homes Unlimited, Rock Falls, were named to the RE/MAX Hall of Fame. Membership in the Hall of Fame goes to those who have closed more than 350 transactions while affiliated with RE/MAX.

RE/MAX has been the leader in the northern Illinois real estate market since 1989. The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network, with headquarters in Elgin, Ill., consists of 2,100 sales associates and 110 individually owned and operated RE/MAX offices that provide a full range of brokerage services throughout the northern one-third of Illinois. Its www.illinoisproperty.com and www.remax.com websites are leaders in consumer visits among real estate franchise brands. Its mobile search, m.illinoisproperty.com, allows users to conduct real estate searches on any mobile device with Internet access. The northern Illinois network is part of RE/MAX LLC, a global real estate organization with 87,000 sales associates in 87 nations.