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RE/MAX Reports Home Sales Surge in Second Half of 2009 Keyed Revival of Metro Chicago Real Estate Market

2010-02-01T13:23:00.000-06:00

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RE/MAX Reports Sharp Gain In Its 4th Quarter Home Sales Across Northern Illinois Real Estate Market

2010-01-28T09:42:00.000-06:00

The RE/MAX Northern Illinois real estate network reports that its home sales on a year-over-year basis showed a substantial upturn during the final quarter of 2009. RE/MAX unit sales totaled 8,309 for the quarter, an increase of 36 percent when compared to the final quarter of 2008.

“Home buyers definitely are returning to the marketplace even as the large number of distressed properties for sale has led to lower home prices and improved affordability,” said Jim Merrion, regional director of the RE/MAX Northern Illinois real estate network. “Sales have improved dramatically across our region when you compare the final three months of 2009 to the same period a year earlier.”

RE/MAX reports that its offices outside the seven-county Chicago metropolitan area sold 859 listings during the quarter, an increase of 33 percent from the 646 listings sold in the final three months of 2008. Sales by RE/MAX agents in the Sterling-Rock Falls-Dixon area were up 67 percent on the same basis. Sales rose nearly 200 percent in Poplar Grove, 43 percent in Sycamore, 33 percent in Rochelle, 16 percent in Rock Island and 10 percent in Geneseo.

According to Merrion, RE/MAX results were strongly positive throughout the fourth quarter, and the year ended with “some very high double-digit increases during this quarter when compared to 2008.”

The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network recorded a 27 percent increase in closed transactions during October, a 60 percent increase during November and a 24 percent increase during December compared to the same months in 2008.

“The housing market continues to face some challenges, but based on fourth quarter results, we believe the market is beginning to find its footing again,” Merrion said. “The large number of distressed properties on the market has created a sales environment that is different from anything most real estate professionals have ever experienced, said Merrion.

In response to this unique market opportunity, the RE/MAX organization has provided agents with access to training in foreclosures, short sales and REOs (bank-owned properties).

“Our agents have embraced this new niche enthusiastically and now lead the industry in completing the Certified Distressed Property Expert training. With our expertise in the distressed property sector, we are confident that we will continue to increase our leadership standing during 2010,” Merrion said.

RE/MAX Reports Sharp Gain In Its 4th Quarter Home Sales And An Increase In Its Chicago Real Estate Market Share That Tops All Competitors For 2009

2010-01-28T09:39:00.000-06:00

The RE/MAX Northern Illinois real estate network reports that its home sales on a year-over-year basis showed a substantial upturn during the final quarter of 2009, with much of that improvement due to stronger sales in the metropolitan Chicago real estate market. RE/MAX unit sales totaled 8,309 for the quarter, an increase of 36 percent when compared to the final quarter of 2008.

“Home buyers definitely are returning to the marketplace even as the large number of distressed properties for sale has led to lower home prices and improved affordability,” said Jim Merrion, regional director of the RE/MAX Northern Illinois real estate network. “Sales have improved dramatically across our region, especially in the Chicago area, including the City of Chicago.”

According to Merrion, RE/MAX saw its share of listings sold in the city rise from 6.5 percent in 2008 to 8.2 percent in 2009, based on data compiled by Midwest Real Estate Data, LLC. Among the seven brokerage firms with the largest city market shares, RE/MAX achieved the greatest increase, while four of its major competitors saw their share of the city market decline.

The seven leading brokerage organizations in Chicago, each with its 2009 share of closed transactions and respective increase or decrease when compared to 2008, are as follows:

1. Coldwell Banker – 10.2 percent; -1.9 percent
2. @ Properties – 9.9 percent; +0.9 percent
3. RE/MAX – 8.2 percent; +1.7 percent
4. Prudential Rubloff – 6.6 percent *
5. GMAC – 4.8 percent; -1.9 percent
6. Baird & Warner – 4.3 percent; -0.5 percent
7. Century 21 – 3.9 percent; -2.3 percent
*Prudential and Rubloff were separate firms that merged in 2009.

“The large number of distressed properties on the market in both the city and suburbs has created a sales environment that is different from anything most real estate professionals have ever experienced,” said Merrion. “In response to this unique market opportunity, the RE/MAX organization has provided agents with access to training in foreclosures, short sales and REOs (bank-owned properties). Our agents have embraced this new niche enthusiastically and now lead the industry in completing the Certified Distressed Property Expert training. With our expertise in the distressed property sector, we are confident that we will continue to increase our leadership standing during 2010.”

According to Merrion, RE/MAX results were strongly positive throughout the fourth quarter, and the year ended with “some very high double-digit increases during this quarter when compared to 2008.”

The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network recorded a 27 percent increase in closed transactions during October, a 60 percent increase during November and a 24 percent increase during December compared to the same months in 2008.

“The housing market continues to face some challenges, but based on fourth quarter results, we believe the market is beginning to find its footing again,” Merrion said.

Extending a Helping Hand to Children: RE/MAX Offices in Northern Illinois Real Esate Market Set Record for Support in 2009

2010-01-25T14:28:00.000-06:00

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RE/MAX Homes Unlimited Dixon Expands Presence In Illinois Real Estate Market Through Merger With White Realty

2010-01-22T08:44:00.003-06:00

Brandy Whelan,
RE/MAX Homes Unlimited Dixon

RE/MAX Homes Unlimited Dixon, 1220 S. Galena Ave., Dixon, Ill., began 2010 with a flourish by merging with one of its top competitors, White Realty, Inc. That move further boosts the leadership position of the RE/MAX network in the central portion of the northern Illinois real estate market.

Marlene White, who founded White Realty in 1992 and has long been among the top sales producers in the Dixon-Rock Falls-Sterling market, joined RE/MAX Homes Unlimited Dixon along with three other agents in her former office. Those agents signing are Natalie Cole, Shawney Evans and Deb Herwig.

“It’s a major step forward for our business and will allow us to expand our already substantial presence in the Dixon real estate market,” said broker/owner Brandy Whelan, who acquired RE/MAX Homes Unlimited Dixon in 2006. The office has been in operation since 2002.

Key factors in the merger, according to Whelan, were the leadership position that RE/MAX has established in integrating new technologies, especially the Internet, into its operations and those of its agents, as well as her own long professional relationship with Marlene White.

“To compete in today’s real estate market you have to have a strong Web presence, and that is difficult for small, independent real estate firms to achieve,” said Whelan, who began her real estate career as an agent in White’s office.

“RE/MAX is among the most recognizable real estate brands in the world and is exceptionally strong on the Web, with both www.remax.com and www.illinoisproperty.com holding leading positions in consumer traffic.”

According to Whelan, the combined staff of six full-time agents can look forward to a busy 2010 spring home buying market.

Except for those residences priced at the very top end of our local market, homes here sold quite well in 2009, and we anticipate a modest increase in activity through the first half of 2010 because mortgage rates should remain low at least that long,” Whelan said.

She noted that the typical home in the Dixon market sells for $70,000 to $80,000 and that those homes have continued to sell well despite the slower pace of home sales elsewhere in the nation during the last two years.

For Competitive Metro Chicago Real Estate Market, RE/MAX Agents Offer Low-Cost Ways to Sell Faster

2010-01-21T16:23:00.002-06:00

click here for the complete article http://www.prweb.com/releases/chicago-real-estate/home-sales/prweb3422144.htm

RE/MAX Vision 212 Puts Down Roots In Noble Square, A Central Spot To Serve Chicago Real Estate Market

2010-01-19T16:02:00.006-06:00

Jason Palermo, RE/MAX Vision 212, Chicago

RE/MAX Vision 212 has relocated to 1500 W. Chicago Ave. in the city’s Noble Square neighborhood, a central location that will make it easy for agents affiliated with the office to serve clients in many parts of the Chicago real estate market.

The new office opened on Dec. 18 and provides an expansive space for the 35 agents and four-person support staff. When broker/owner Jason Palermo acquired RE/MAX 212° in July 2009, he blended it with his existing RE/MAX Vision II office in the city’s River North neighborhood and renamed it RE/MAX Vision 212. The newly combined office had been operating temporarily in the former RE/MAX 212º office at 1700 W. Chicago Ave. while Palermo sought a larger space.

“The new office space gives us the room we need now along with room for future growth. We liked being in the Noble Square-East Ukrainian Village area because it is a great neighborhood today but has huge potential for future growth. We were fortunate to find an excellent space that lets us stay in this area and offers ample street parking for agents and clients,” said Palermo.

One distinguishing feature of the new office is that its support staff includes Melissa Palazzolo, a specialist who will focus exclusively on helping agents with short sales.

“Short sales have become a major factor in our business in the last two years, and a substantial amount of follow up is required to get those sales to the closing table,” said Palermo. “We wanted to provide our agents and their clients a level of support for short sales that few other offices currently offer.”

The 3,500-square-foot office was formerly occupied by a mortgage company, so only minor renovations, including repainting and re-carpeting, were needed before the move in. The space includes two conference rooms and offers agents a choice of private, semi-private and work cubicle spaces. It also has provisions to accommodate agents who work primarily from home offices, a growing trend in the real estate business.
“I’d say close to 50 percent of our agents now base their operations in home offices and use our facility primarily for business meetings and client conferences,” Palermo said. “Offering this kind of flexibility allows us to attract the city’s top agents while providing a professional and convenient office location for our clientele.”

Chicago Real Estate Office, RE/MAX Cityview, Holding Holiday Toy Drive To Benefit Children’s Memorial Hospital

2009-12-16T09:30:00.016-06:00

RE/MAX Cityview in Chicago is hosting a toy drive to benefit Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

Chicago real estate office, RE/MAX Cityview, located at 6430 N. Central Ave., Chicago, is holding a holiday toy drive to benefit Children’s Memorial Hospital. Unwrapped toys can be dropped at the office until Dec. 24 and will be delivered to the children at the hospital on Christmas Day.

The toy drive is merely the most recent effort by RE/MAX offices in northern Illinois to support Children’s Memorial. Donations to the hospital by the RE/MAX Northern Illinois real estate network have totaled $2 million since RE/MAX became affiliated with the hospital in 1992. Nearly 100 percent of the donations come directly from the agents. RE/MAX has been a “Platinum” sponsor of Children’s Memorial since 2001.

For more information about the toy drive or for directions to the office, call RE/MAX Cityview at 773-631-8260.

RE/MAX Executives Forecast that Short Sales Reforms Will Speed Recovery of Chicago Real Estate Market

2009-12-14T15:55:00.002-06:00

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RE/MAX Homes Unlimited In Rock Falls Achieves Record One-Month Sales, With A Boost From Tax Credit

2009-12-04T16:42:00.002-06:00

Office Thrives as Illinois Real Estate Sales Rebound

Broker/Owner Dave DeVries, RE/MAX Homes Unlimited, Rock Falls

October was a record breaking month for sales at RE/MAX Homes Unlimited in Rock Falls, Ill., and according to broker/owner David DeVries, the homebuyer tax credit, which recently was extended and enhanced by Congress and the Obama Administration, definitely played a role in stimulating housing demand in the Illinois real estate market. Statewide, home sales were up 24.3 percent in October, according to the Illinois Association of REALTORS®.

“Our office represented a combined total of 63 buyers and sellers in sales that closed during October, which is a one-month record for us. We believe that among 43 homes that changed hands, 60 percent were purchased by buyers who qualified for the tax credit available to home buyers,” said DeVries. “A majority of those taking advantage of the tax credit were young couples buying their first home, but we also had some buyers who were former homeowners and qualified for the credit because they hadn’t owned a residence for the last three years.”

DeVries noted that his office has doubled its roster of affiliated agents this year to 16, and that growth also contributed to setting the sales record. The previous one-month sales record for the office was 50 transaction sides. A transaction side is the term used by brokers when they represent either the buyer or seller in a transaction. In some instances, an office will represent the buyer and seller in the same transaction, resulting in two closed transaction sides.

“The most surprising thing about setting a new sales record is that it happened in October, which is typically not the busiest month for home sales,” DeVries explained. “Sales most often peak in June or July and then gradually decline through the third and fourth quarters, but the tax credit clearly changed that trajectory in 2009.”

DeVries believes the tax credit was an especially powerful incentive in a market like the Sterling/Rock Fall/Dixon area, where many homes sell for $100,000 or less.

“The average price of our residential transactions in October was $103,340. An $8,000 tax credit on that purchase is equal to 7.7 percent of the price. That is a significant discount compared to a situation where the buyer gets an $8,000 credit on a home costing $500,000,” he pointed out. “For that reason, we think the tax credit played a huge role in our October sales surge.”

RE/MAX Focus Marks Grand Opening In Lagrange

2009-12-04T11:36:00.012-06:00

Outlook Upbeat as Metro Chicago Real Estate Market Rebounds

At the grand opening party for RE/MAX Focus in LaGrange, members of its leadership team were all smiles. They are Broker/Owners Rose Signorelli(left)and Paul Stepanovich (right), along with Larry Rossi, the office administrator.

RE/MAX Focus, the newest member of the RE/MAX network in the metropolitan Chicago real estate market, had good reason to celebrate on Nov. 12. Broker/owners Rose Signorelli and Paul Stepanovich threw open the doors of their new office to about 100 invited guests to mark its grand opening and also to toast the emerging rebound in the regional real estate market, where home sales in the third quarter rose 3.5 percent compared to the same period last year.

The guests, including village officials and real estate and mortgage lending professionals, got a first look at the 2,000-square-foot RE/MAX Focus facility located at 47 S. 6th Ave., La Grange, Ill. It offers a relaxing working environment that includes a fireplace in the reception area.

“We’re proud to be part of the RE/MAX network, which is number one in the Chicago area. We want to create an office that exemplifies market leadership,” said Stepanovich, who will act as managing broker. That means not only an attractive work area, but also one that provides a full-range of technologically advanced communications tools with staff able to make the most of that technology.

According to Signorelli, the office currently has seven agents on its roster and will be adding more in the next month.

“Our emphasis will be on building a spirit of energy and enthusiasm. At the same time, we will provide agents with the tools and training they need to deal with today’s real estate market, which is quite different than the one we worked in two years ago,” Signorelli said. “To be successful today, agents have to understand how to deal with distressed properties, whether those are foreclosures or short sale situations. My partner and I have strong backgrounds in that area and are happy to share our knowledge. We plan to be valuable and available resources for our agents.”

RE/MAX 1ST Service Celebrates Grand Opening Of Its Homer Glen Office

2009-12-02T17:46:00.001-06:00

Headlining the grand opening of RE/MAX 1st Service in Homer Glen, Ill., were (from left)
Jim Merrion, regional director of the RE/MAX network in Northern Illinois; Kathy O’Radnik,
broker/owner of RE/MAX 1st Service, and Mayor Jim Daley of Homer Glen.

Another Milestone for Leading Network in Chicago Real Estate Market

RE/MAX 1st Service threw open its doors at 15915 S. Crystal Creek Drive in Homer Glen, Ill., on Nov. 5 to celebrate its grand opening with a reception for more than 75 guests. It was another milestone for RE/MAX, the leading brokerage network in the metropolitan Chicago real estate market.

Those on hand to mark the occasion, along with the office’s eight agents and three-person support staff, included government officials, real estate professionals and other members of the local business community, friends and family.

Kathy O’Radnik, broker/owner of the office joined with Jim Daley, mayor of Homer Glen, to cut the ceremonial ribbon officially opening the office, which has actually been in operation since May.

“We held off on holding the grand opening party until all the pieces were in place and the pace of real estate activity had slowed down a bit,” said O’Radnik, a resident of Orland Park, Ill., who has 30 years experience in real estate sales and sales management. “Opening this office has been my personal dream for quite a while, and I wanted every aspect fully functional for the party.”

A second highlight of the grand opening celebration at RE/MAX 1st Service was an appearance by a three-man uniformed color guard from the Orland Palos Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) post, who helped dedicate an American flag that will be on permanent display in the office reception area. It serves as a tribute to both our troops and O’Radnik’s father.

“My dad served in a B-24 bomber crew during World War II. His plane went down, and he spent time in a prison camp in Italy. When he returned to our country, he was active in both the VFW and the American Legion. Especially with American troops now fighting overseas, I feel it is important to remember the sacrifice that these young Americans make, and the flag in our reception area will be a constant reminder,” she said.

O’Radnik was the first president of the Southwest Suburban Chapter of the Women’s Council of Realtors®, currently serves as a member of the professional standards committee for the Mainstreet Organization of Realtors® and holds the Certified Residential Broker designation.

RE/MAX Agents Report Hope for the Holidays When it Comes to Illinois and Chicago Real Estate Sales

2009-12-02T14:52:00.002-06:00

See full article here http://www.prweb.com/releases/chicago-real-estate/holiday-season/prweb3249224.htm

RE/MAX Executive Lauds Extension of Home Buyer Tax Credit Will Help Chicago Real Estate Market, Especially Condos

2009-11-16T11:31:00.000-06:00

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RE/MAX American Dream Relocates Its Wauconda Office

2009-11-16T11:29:00.000-06:00

Pattie Palzet-Taylor,
RE/MAX American Dream, Wauconda

New Location Offers Increased Visibility in Metro Chicago Real Estate Market

RE/MAX American Dream of Wauconda has relocated to new office space at 1120 N. Rand Road as it celebrates the 10th anniversary of its founding. The Rand Road location will greatly increase the visibility of the office, an important consideration in the highly competitive metropolitan Chicago real estate market.

Twelve sales associates and a three-person support staff moved into the newly completed facility on Oct. 20. The relocation was triggered by the sale of the building that housed the previous office, located at 173 Thomas Court, to a neighboring nursing home that wanted additional space.

“When we bought and remodeled the Thomas Court location in 2005, we planned to stay there for at least 10 years. However, the combination of the offer to purchase that location and the opportunity to move our office to such a visible spot right on Rand Road was difficult to resist,” said Pattie Palzet-Taylor, broker/owner of RE/MAX American Dream.

The new office occupies part of what was previously a design center for home builders, and in turning that space into a real estate office, Palzet-Taylor was able to make use of many of the materials left by the former tenants.

“Rather than start from scratch and send all the old materials to a landfill, we wanted to recycle as many as we could,” she said. Doing that also helped make for a quick buildout of the new office space, which was completed in just 20 days.

Some areas within have wood floors while others have tile or marble floors. Doors, a sink and cabinets that were left behind have also been incorporated into the new space. Overall the 1,600-square-foot office has the feeling of an eclectic yet warm city loft space, with a high ceiling, lots of open areas and a sense of coziness.

Palzet-Taylor said her new office has room to grow, which is an important consideration in a real estate market that should recover steadily over the next two or three years. RE/MAX is already the market-share leader in Wauconda, listing 32.8 percent of the homes sold during the first half of 2009, twice as many as its nearest competitor. RE/MAX is also the market-share leader in Lake County, where it listed 25.7 percent of the homes sold during the first six months of 2009.

“Many of the home sales we’ve seen in the Wauconda area this year have involved either foreclosures or short sales, but there’s no question that the pace of activity has picked up,” Palzet-Taylor said. “A lot of first-time buyers have come into the market, in part because of the incentive provided by the tax credit that was recently extended and in part because home prices are so much more attractive now than a few years ago.”

Annual Agents’ Choice Awards Honor RE/MAX As Favorite Suburban Brokerage In Metro Chicago Real Estate Market

2009-11-16T11:18:00.000-06:00

RE/MAX has captured one of the top awards for real estate brokerages in the fourth annual Agents’ Choice Awards poll conducted by Chicago Agent Magazine, a leading professional trade journal serving the metropolitan Chicago real estate market.

The agents participating in the poll chose RE/MAX as their Favorite Brokerage in the Chicago suburbs for the second year in a row.

The winners of the 17 categories in the 2009 poll were announced at a special reception held at Wood-Mode’s Smartrooms at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago on Nov. 10. Honorees were selected based on results of an on-line poll of Chicago-area Realtors®.

“This type of peer recognition is always a pleasure to receive,” said Jim Merrion, regional director of the RE/MAX Northern Illinois real estate network. “This award underscores the outstanding service and expertise that agents, owners and managers in RE/MAX offices across Chicagoland deliver on a daily basis to the public and their professional colleagues,” said Merrion.

RE/MAX Analysis Offers County-by-County Look at Sales Activity in 3rd Quarter Metro Chicago Real Estate Market

2009-11-09T13:41:00.000-06:00

Read the full article here http://www.prweb.com/releases/chicago-real-estate/2009-housing-market/prweb3140334.htm

Marlene Granacki Of RE/MAX Exclusive Properties, Chicago, Honored For Luxury Property Sales

2009-11-09T13:36:00.000-06:00

Marlene Granacki,
RE/MAX Exclusive Properties, Chicago

LuxeHome Salutes Top Agents in Chicago Real Estate Market
Marlene Granacki of RE/MAX Exclusive Properties, Chicago, recently was honored by LuxeHome Chicago for her success in selling luxury residential properties in the Chicago real estate market. Granacki was among 25 Chicago Realtors® recognized on Oct. 28 for their 2009 achievements in marketing residences that sell for $1.5 million or more.

“Marlene is certainly deserving of this recognition because she embodies the commitment RE/MAX has made to the highly competitive city luxury home market,” said Jim Merrion, regional director of the RE/MAX Northern Illinois real estate network. “Her professional accomplishments are remarkable.”

Through the first nine months of this year, Granacki ranked first among Chicago RE/MAX agents in sales productivity. She also has been recognized by the Chicago Association of Realtors® as ranking among the top 1 percent of agent members.

Granacki is a resident of Chicago’s Graceland West neighborhood. She has specialized in selling luxury properties there and in the adjoining Southeast Ravenswood neighborhood for nearly all of her two decades in real estate, most of which has been spent with RE/MAX.

LuxeHome is a collection of luxury boutiques at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. The Realtors® it honors receive special privileges at the Mart that they can share with their clients.

Merger Reshapes RE/MAX Presence In Aurora-Naperville Segment Of Metro Chicago Real Estate Market

2009-11-06T08:53:00.003-06:00

Broker/Owners Rich Conte and his daughter Jen Conte, RE/MAX Professionals Select, Naperville

The merger of two long established real estate firms in the Aurora-Naperville area has reshaped and strengthened the RE/MAX organization in that segment of the metropolitan Chicago real estate market. The merger involved the acquisition of RE/MAX Affiliates, with officesin Naperville and Aurora, Ill., by RE/MAX Professionals Select of Naperville, which also operates RE/MAX Professionals South in Plainfield, Ill.

For a number of years, RE/MAX has dominated the Naperville-Aurora real estate market, which now has a population of more 300,000. During the first half of this year, RE/MAX agents were number one in both markets, listing 26.4 percent of all homes sold in Naperville and 21.6 percent of the homes sold in Aurora.

“Given the strength of the RE/MAX brand in our area, we’re very excited about the prospect of expanding into the Aurora market,” said Richard Conte, who along with his daughter, Jennifer, acquired the two offices of RE/MAX Affiliates in late September. Its Naperville office has been merged into the RE/MAX Professionals Select office at 2272 95th St., Naperville, while the office at 4255 Westbrook Ave., Aurora, will now host more agents and continue operating under the RE/MAX Affiliates name.

Conte noted that even with existing offices in Plainfield and Naperville, the idea of adding an Aurora location was quite attractive.

“People like doing business with a real estate firm that has an office in their community, so even though the current business environment is not one that makes it easy to expand, we felt it was an opportunity we should not pass up to establish a presence in Aurora, which is the second largest city in Illinois,” he said.

The Aurora office will continue to operate as RE/MAX Affiliates under the direction of Christine Ruzich, an experienced manager who has been part of Conte’s organization for three years.

“She’s an excellent manager and terrific at recruiting agents, so we expect to see substantial growth at RE/MAX Affiliates over the next few years,” Conte said.

He noted that the Aurora office is also perfectly located because, like both of his two other offices, it is in the Ill. Hwy. 59 corridor.

“That really offers both our agents and customers a lot of convenience,” he said.

Conte has been affiliated with RE/MAX since 1992 and purchased an existing RE/MAX office in 1995. Three years later he expanded his operations to Naperville by opening RE/MAX Professionals Select. Then, in 2002 he and his daughter Jennifer Conte, along with Lisa Mulcahy, opened RE/MAX Professionals South in Plainfield. The Naperville and Plainfield, offices along with the Aurora office, currently have a combined total of about 90 agents.

“We expect to see some movement as some of our agents relocate to our new Aurora office because of its central location,” Conte said.

Merger Of Offices In South Holland And Flossmoor Positions RE/MAX For Strong Future In South Suburbs

2009-10-28T15:16:00.001-05:00

Tony Mitidiero, Broker/Manager
RE/MAX South Suburban, Flossmoor

Move Will Strengthen RE/MAX in Metro Chicago Real Estate Market

Two of the most prominent real estate offices in Chicago’s south suburbs, RE/MAX Excellence of South Holland and RE/MAX South Suburban of Flossmoor, merged their operations on Oct. 15, creating one of the most experienced and productive real estate brokerages in the metropolitan Chicago real estate market. The combined office will operate under the name RE/MAX South Suburban and remain at its location at 19740 Governors Highway, Flossmoor.

RE/MAX already is the market-share leader in most of south suburban Cook County, including Country Club Hills, Calumet City, Flossmoor, Homewood, Hazel Crest, Matteson, South Holland and Richton Park.
Tony Mitidiero, broker/manager of RE/MAX South Suburban, along with Ruth Grzyb and Paul Zielinski, broker/owners of RE/MAX Excellence, made the decision to join forces and position the combined organization for future growth.

“We are responding to the new realities of the real estate marketplace by building an organization that is more regional in scope and staffed by experienced, productive agents,” said Mitidiero. “The physical changes we made to our office about 18 months ago will permit us to accommodate the 12 agents joining us from the South Holland office quite easily.”

Consolidating the two offices to a single location provides several benefits, including reduced costs. More important, according to Mitidiero, putting all the agents under one roof will let them more effectively exchange ideas and develop new synergies.

“We couldn’t be more excited about the opportunities we see in this market going forward and about combining forces to provide the best service RE/MAX has to offer,” said Grzyb. “RE/MAX South Suburban has a proven record of delivering outstanding service to their clients. Now, with even more tools at our disposal, we’re confident we can build on their reputation as one of the most respected brokerages in the southern suburbs.”

In many ways the merger marks the beginning of a new era for RE/MAX South Suburban, which was established 30 years ago.
“To make this happen the month of our 30th anniversary makes it that much more special,” said Mitidiero.

Agents From Rockford, Sterling, Morris, Aledo, Viola, Freeport And Genoa Earn Spots In RE/MAX Top 10

2009-10-27T14:14:00.000-05:00

Tina Eisler
RE/MAX Property Source, Rockford

Sales Leaders in Illinois Real Estate Named for First 9 Months of 2009

Tina Eisler of RE/MAX Property Source in Rockford, Ill., again claimed the top spot among RE/MAX agents in northern Illinois who work outside the metropolitan Chicago real estate market based on sales closed through the first nine months of 2009. She also led the ranking at the end of the first half of the year.

Eisler’s performance topped both individual RE/MAX agents and RE/MAX sales teams based in the Illinois counties of Boone, Bureau, Carroll, DeKalb, Grundy, Henry, Jo Daviess, Kankakee, LaSalle, Lee, Mercer, Ogle, Putnam, Rock Island, Stephenson, Whiteside and Winnebago. Teams involve the efforts of two or more licensed individuals. Rankings are based on commissions earned. Eisler also ranked 10th among all RE/MAX agents across northern Illinois during the nine-month period.

The Top 10 Non-Metro agents and teams for the January-September period this year are:

1. Tina Eisler, RE/MAX Property Source, Rockford;
2. Tim McCaslin (team), RE/MAX Sauk Valley, Sterling, Ill.;
3. Vicki Geiger, RE/MAX Top Properties, Morris, Ill.;
4. Starr Zook, RE/MAX On Track, Aledo, Ill.;
5. Eric Bird, RE/MAX Sauk Valley, Sterling;
6. Sharon Esslinger, RE/MAX Country Crossroads, Viola, Ill.;
7. Julie Wenzel (team), RE/MAX Town Lake and Country, Freeport, Ill.;
8. Patricia Kloepping, RE/MAX Town Lake and Country, Freeport;
9. Robert Nieman (team), RE/MAX Property Source, Rockford;
10. Tammy Engle (team), RE/MAX Classic Real Estate, Genoa, Ill.

In addition, two teams at RE/MAX Sauk Valley in Sterling were ranked among the region’s Top 10 commercial teams for the January-September period. The team led by Jim King, Jr., ranked third, while the John Rosengren team ranked seventh.

“We proudly congratulate these agents on their achievements. Day in and day out, they demonstrate the skills and dedication that has made RE/MAX the real estate leader and established them as among the best in their profession,” said Jim Merrion, regional director of the RE/MAX network in northern Illinois. “Outstanding agents are what make RE/MAX the most respected real estate organization across northern Illinois and around the world.”

RE/MAX Northern Illinois Names Top 10 Agents And Teams In Commercial Sales For First Nine Months Of 2009

2009-10-27T14:04:00.003-05:00

Kelly Dyson
RE/MAX Professionals Select, Naperville

Two from Metro Chicago Real Estate Market Lead Rankings

Two RE/MAX agents who work in the metropolitan Chicago real estate market earned number one rankings in commercial property sales in the RE/MAX northern Illinois real estate network for the first nine months of 2009. They are Kelly Dyson of RE/MAX Professionals Select, Naperville, Ill., and Basel Tarabein of RE/MAX At Home, Rolling Meadows, Ill.

Tarabein led the top ranked sales team, while Dyson ranked first among individual agents. Rankings are based on commissions earned.

A team involves the combined efforts of two or more licensed agents, while individual agents are the sole licensed contributors to their sales production.
“In a challenging commercial marketplace where financing has been in short supply, these agents have demonstrated the skills needed to get transactions completed, whether the property involved is vacant land, retail centers, industrial facilities or office properties. Those who achieve a Top 10 ranking have worked hard to do so, and we are proud to recognize their accomplishments,” said Jim Merrion, regional director of the RE/MAX network in northern Illinois.

The RE/MAX Commercial Top 10 individuals and teams for the first nine months of 2009 are:

TOP 10 COMMERCIAL INDIVIDUALS

No. 1 – Kelly Dyson, RE/MAX Professionals Select, Naperville;
No. 2 – Dave Shalabi, RE/MAX TEAM 2000, Orland Park, Ill.;
No. 3 – Deepika Syal, RE/MAX United, Wheeling, Ill.;
No. 4 – Mark Batinick, RE/MAX Professionals South, Plainfield, Ill.;
No. 5 – Damon Federighi, RE/MAX Vision 212, Chicago;
No. 6 – Gus Trantham, RE/MAX Suburban, Glen Ellyn, Ill.;
No. 7 – Chuck Nunley, RE/MAX Commercial Real Estate Services, Chicago;
No. 8 – Ron Bol, RE/MAX TEAM 2000, Orland Park;
No. 9 – Ben Henrikson, RE/MAX Professionals West, Elgin, Ill.;
No. 10 – Steven Sederquist, RE/MAX All Pro, Bloomingdale, Ill.

TOP 10 COMMERCIAL TEAMS

No. 1 – Basel Tarabein, RE/MAX At Home, Rolling Meadows;
No. 2 – Al Vallejo, RE/MAX TEAM 2000, Orland Park;
No. 3 – Jim King, Jr., RE/MAX Sauk Valley, Sterling, Ill.;
No. 4 – Jack Mansour, RE/MAX 10, Oak Lawn, Ill.;
No. 5 – Kathy McCauley-Dames, RE/MAX Realty of Joliet, Joliet, Ill.;
No. 6 – Beverly Labuda, RE/MAX TEAM 2000, Orland Park;
No. 7 – John Rosengren, RE/MAX Sauk Valley, Sterling;
No. 8 – Tim Binning, RE/MAX All Pro, Bloomingdale;
No. 9 – Al Snyder, RE/MAX Partners, Berwyn, Ill.;
No. 10 – Cliff Rago, RE/MAX TEAM 2000, Palos Heights, Ill.

RE/MAX Names Top 10 Residential Agents And Teams In Northern Illinois For First Nine Months Of 2009

2009-10-27T13:50:00.003-05:00

Jane Lee
RE/MAX Top Performers, Lake Bluff

Two from Metro Chicago Real Estate Market Lead Rankings

Jane Lee of RE/MAX Top Performers, Lake Bluff, Ill., and Edward Lukasik, Jr., of RE/MAX Professionals, Bolingbrook, Ill., ended the first nine months of 2009 atop the residential real estate sales rankings in the RE/MAX northern Illinois real estate network, just as they did at the end of the first half of the year. Both work in the metropolitan Chicago real estate market.

Lukasik is the sales leader among individual agents, while Lee leads the top ranked sales team. A team involves the combined efforts of two or more licensed agents. Individual agents are the sole licensed contributors to their sales production. Rankings are based on commissions earned.

“The individual agents and team members in our Top 10 have developed the real estate skills needed to effectively represent their clients while helping RE/MAX remain the leader in the northern Illinois real estate market,” said Jim Merrion, regional director of the RE/MAX network in northern Illinois. “We are proud to recognize their outstanding performance.”

TOP 10 INDIVIDUALS

No. 1 – Edward Lukasik, Jr., RE/MAX Professionals, Bolingbrook;
No. 2 – Connie Ritchie, RE/MAX Suburban, Schaumburg; Ill.;
No. 3 – Mimi Burke, RE/MAX of Barrington, Barrington, Ill.;
No. 4 – Sharon Gidley, RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest, Algonquin, Ill.;
No. 5 – Rozanne Kurman, RE/MAX Showcase, Long Grove, Ill.;
No. 6 – Marlene Granacki, RE/MAX Exclusive Properties, Chicago;
No. 7 – Bert Gor, RE/MAX Professionals Select, Naperville, Ill.;
No. 8 – Larry Leibovitz, RE/MAX Experts, Buffalo Grove, Ill.;
No. 9 – Robert O’Hara, RE/MAX Southeast, Lansing, Ill.;
No. 10 – Tina Eisler, RE/MAX Property Source, Rockford, Ill.

TOP 10 TEAMS

No. 1 – Jane Lee, RE/MAX Top Performers, Lake Bluff;
No. 2 – Leslie McDonnell, RE/MAX Suburban, Libertyville, Ill.;
No. 3 – James Kennedy, RE/MAX TEAM 2000, Orland Park, Ill.;
No. 4 – Marge Pawlak, RE/MAX Enterprises, Downers Grove, Ill.;
No. 5 – Linda O’Donnell, RE/MAX Signature, Chicago;
No. 6 – Cindy Banks, RE/MAX Cornerstone, West Chicago, Ill.;
No. 7 – Alex Rullo, RE/MAX Great American North, St. Charles, Ill.;
No. 8 – Marco Amidei, RE/MAX Suburban, Libertyville;
No. 9 – Andee Hausman, RE/MAX Experts, Buffalo Grove;
No. 10 – Bernie Cobb, Jr., RE/MAX of Naperville, Naperville.

RE/MAX Agent Makes Haunting Experience In Addison A Halloween Treat For Children’s Memorial

2009-10-22T13:57:00.012-05:00

Rita Neri, left, of RE/MAX Vision 212 in Chicago,and Nick
Castaldo of United Mortgage Services in Addison are two
of the four partners who created Disturbia, Torment of Fears.

Chicago Real Estate Agent Scaring Up Funds for Kids Health Visitors to “Disturbia: Torment of Fears,” a haunted entertainment at 880 W. Lake St. in Addison, Ill., can support the good work of Children’s Memorial Hospital while enjoying some scary Halloween fun, thanks to the efforts of Rita Neri, a sales associate with the Chicago real estate firm RE/MAX Vision 212.

Disturbia will offer a $2 discount on the $18 admission fee to anyone mentioning Children’s Memorial or the Children’s Miracle Network (also known as CMN) when purchasing their ticket. In addition, $1 of the ticket price will be donated to the hospital.

Presented inside the Links and Tees Golf Dome of the Addison Park District, Disturbia was created by Neri and her three partners. The idea of benefitting Children’s Memorial grew out of her involvement in the extensive fundraising efforts for the hospital that RE/MAX offices in the Chicago area undertake each year.

The haunted environment of Disturbia features 15,000 square feet of high-quality, heart-pounding attractions in 25 rooms. More than 40 live actors, animatronics and special effects within secret passages, tight spaces and darkness are all designed to generate a genuinely terrifying Halloween tingle of fear in those brave enough to enter.

It is open through Oct. 31, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Thursdays, 5 p.m. to midnight on Fridays, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturdays and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays. RE/MAX is the exclusive real estate partner of CMN, and a Platinum sponsor of Children’s Memorial Hospital, which is the beneficiary of all funds raised by Chicagoland RE/MAX offices for CMN.

The 2,800 RE/MAX associates in northern Illinois are pleased to support the efforts of the hospital through a variety of fundraising activities as they continue to lead the Chicago metropolitan area in residential real estate.

Prices More Stable In Chicago Real Estate Suburbs Served By Metra Trains, Reports RE/MAX

2009-10-16T17:40:00.001-05:00

Read the full article here http://www.prweb.com/releases/chicago-real-estate/public-transit/prweb2998784.htm

You can also click here to see the Metra Study http://content.illinoisproperty.com/media/downloads/remaxil/20091016034033.pdf