luxury never goes out of style.
ONE elegance is not standing out, but being remembered
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luxury is... So much more than a price. In fact, that’s just the beginning. Luxury is an experience…a feeling…a lifestyle. At @properties, we believe that every home has a story, and we use the best branding, advertising and marketing resources to tell that story and properly position your home in the luxury marketplace. No real estate company understands luxury better than @properties, and that’s why we are consistently the #1 luxury brokerage firm in Chicago and the North Shore. We look forward to getting better acquainted with you.
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It began with an idea Seventeen years ago, @properties began as a boutique brokerage firm with four brokers and an idea for a real estate company that would always work in service to its brokers and clients. We built a deep infrastructure to support our
the U.S. by sales volume with nearly $8 billion in
brokers and clients with the best marketing and
annual sales. We have also grown into more than
technology in the industry. We promoted a culture
a real estate services company. Over the last
that values innovation, entrepreneurship and a
few years, @properties has become a platform
strong local focus. And we made a commitment
for a number of business and civic ventures through
to continuously expand, improve and question the
partnerships with local tech startups, charities, and
status quo.
artists who help our communities thrive.
Since our inception, we have grown into the
While we have grown rapidly, we understand that
#1 broker in Chicago, the largest independent
real estate is, first and foremost, a local business.
brokerage firm in Illinois, the fastest-growing
And we are dedicated to providing the very best
brokerage in Southwest Michigan & Northwest
local brokerage experience.
Indiana, and the 11th largest brokerage firm in
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Source: MRED, LLC. #1 ranking based on market share for overall closed volume, 2016.
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Hands On Leadership Highly creative and energetic entrepreneurs, @properties’ co-founders Michael Golden and Thaddeus Wong have quickly built one of the most recognized brands in Chicago real estate while helping to reshape and modernize the local brokerage industry. Golden and Wong first teamed up in the mid-1990s. They set sales records and consistently ranked among the top 1 percent of the Chicago Association of REALTORSŽ’ 12,500 members. At @properties they paired traditional brokerage services with cutting-edge technology and marketing, and became a driving force behind Chicago real estate. Together they have created a corporate culture that attracts high-caliber brokers and staff and fosters teamwork and performance. They have also built a large philanthropic network under the umbrella of the @gives back Community Fund.
Lincoln Park Builders Club Impact Award
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Let’s get better acquainted...
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Began as a four-person boutique brokerage
Became the #1 residential brokerage in Chicago in less than 10 years
@properties remains a locally-owned company through and through
Overtook the title of Illinois’ largest independent real estate firm in 2013
#1 luxury brokerage firm in Chicago and the North Shore
Since our inception, we have brokered more than $22 billion in home sales
chieved a record $8 billion in A annual sales in 2016
o-founders Thad Wong and Mike C Golden are Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year winners
I s the fastest-growing brokerage in Southwest Michigan & Northwest Indiana
as made the Inc. 500/5000 list of H America’s fastest-growing private companies eight times
S upports local organizations such as Noah’s Arc Foundation and Keith Relief through our charitable arm, @gives back
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Be Local, Think Global To @properties, local means friends you can count on, neighbors you can trust, and businesses you go out of your way to support. Local means the barista knows your drink, the dry cleaner knows your name and the clerk at the convenience store is happy to loan you a buck. Real estate is a local business, and that means
As an exclusive member of Leading Real Estate
every home, on every block, in every neighborhood
Companies of the World®, the world’s largest
is unique, and each deserves the attention, care
network of independent real estate firms, and
and consideration only a local company can offer.
its luxury properties division, Luxury Portfolio
@properties is a local company through and
International®, @properties connects luxury sellers
through. But at the end of the day, we know that
with high-end homebuyers all over the world.
not all buyers are local. So when it comes to our
So while our brand is uniquely local, our reach is
luxury marketing programs, we think globally.
global. That means more exposure, and ultimately, shorter market times and higher selling prices.
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two always keep your heels, head, and standards high
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Fluent in Luxury In today’s competitive marketplace, a global marketing strategy is essential for luxury properties. That’s why @properties is an exclusive member of Luxury Portfolio International®, the luxury marketing division of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®. Luxury Portfolio is a unified collection of the world’s most experienced, visible and highly-regarded experts in luxury real estate.
Founded in 2005 as the
premium division of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, Luxury Portfolio markets a selection of the network’s extraordinary homes, utilizing a sophisticated mix of online and offline media to position properties for maximum exposure in an elite market. The program marketed over 50,000 properties last year on the award-winning luxuryportfolio.com.
TOTAL U.S. PROPERTIES Luxury Portfolio International Luxury portfolio.com Sothebys Realty.com Christies RealEstate.com
ColdwellBanker Preview.com KWLuxury Homes.com
0
5,000
10,000 15,000
Source: Mintel International Website Survey. Number of properties greater than $1 million.
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facts about luxury portfolio international luxuryportfolio.com
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3 million+ unique visitors per year from over 200+ countries and territories
Highly-optimized site with Page 1 Google rankings for hundreds of search terms
Featured more than 50,000 homes last year
Translated into 9 languages and 60 foreign currencies
Exclusively displaying listings of Luxury Portfolio member firms
More $1 million-plus listings than any other luxury real estate network
Video tours and LuxeTourÂŽ narrated video tours of listings $5 million and above
Inventory comprised entirely of homes listed at $1 million and above
Photo gallery with up to 25 professionally photographed images
Google Maps integration
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Luxury leader We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: @properties knows luxury. In fact, we sell more luxury homes than any other brokerage firm in the Chicago area.
We also have more brokers that complete trans-
More exposure, which allows us to tell your home’s
actions of $1 million-plus homes than any other
story to the largest audience of luxury homebuyers.
brokerage firm in the region. What does that mean for you?
#1 in luxury home sales
#1 in luxury home sales
City of chicago
north shore
@properties
@properties
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services
Coldwell Banker Residential
Coldwell Banker Residential
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services
Baird & Warner
The Hudson Company $0
$250 million
$500 million
$750 million
total $ volume by brokerage
$1 billion
$0
$500 million
total $ volume by brokerage
Source: MLS, residential sales over $1 million, Chicago and North Shore, 1-1-2016 to 12-12-2016
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$250 million
$750 million
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three fashions fade but style, is eternal
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be different When it comes to the competitive world of real estate, differentiation is one of the keys to success. Differentiation comes naturally to @properties, and it shows in many ways – not the least of which is our advertising and marketing. From the “Love” outdoor advertising campaign to
We use differentiation to tell our story and to
the “Rules for Better Living” and “Luxury Never
tell your home’s story. It sounds simple, but
Goes Out of Style” print campaigns, @properties’
our
distinctive branding ads create an emotional
departments work over-time producing award-
connection with our communities and homebuyers
winning work, constantly pushing the envelope
– a connection that is reinforced when they see the
with new ideas and innovations that set our brokers
@properties logo in ads, on the Web, in collateral
and clients apart from the competition.
in-house
professional
marketing
and
and on the For Sale sign in front of your home.
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RULES FOR BETTER LIVING
To achieve something you’ve never had before, you must do something you’ve never done before.
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rules for better living
You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old. –George Burns
IT
ordreams.com
wersfordreams.com
SHARE THE
SHARE THE
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exposure is everything The story of your home is already written…It’s all about properly sharing it. @properties showcases your home before the
catalog of online, mass media and grassroots
largest pool of affluent homebuyers through
marketing initiatives –all tailored to address the
marketing
specific challenges and opportunities of the luxury
programs
that
are
built
around
EXPOSURE – exposure through an internal network
marketplace.
of brokers and their client databases; through an
More exposure means more page views, more
in-house marketing department with full print and
phone calls, more showing requests, and ultimately
digital capabilities; and through an exhaustive
a faster, more lucrative sale.
atproperties.com
Custom Hardcover Property Brochure
Zillow.com (enhanced listings)
wsj.com Crain’s Digital
CS Magazine Trulia.com (enhanced listings)
Juwai.com NS Magazine
Realtor.com
Direct Mail Michigan Avenue
Multiple Listing Service (MLS)
Adwerx Sheridan Road
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Professional Photography and Video
Forest & Bluff
E-blasts and Social Media
Signage
North Shore Weekend
Market within a Market – Agent App
LeadingRE.com
Barrington Country
Public Relations
LuxuryPortfolio.com
Wall Street Journal
New Ideas every day!
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market within a market Even before your home is officially listed, @properties brokers market internally to a powerful network of more than 2,000 brokers – each with a broad sphere of influence that forms a rich source of prospects, buyers and referrals. This unique “market within a market” results in the most efficient transaction environment in the luxury marketplace. @agent app Leveraging this “market within a market,” @properties brokers use an internal mobile app that has revolutionized the way we communicate about and transact real estate. The exclusive @gent App allows our brokers to match homebuyers with homes for sale, including pocket (off-market) listings, which tend to be more common in the luxury marketplace. A number of @properties listings sell before they hit the broader market because of the exposure through the app alone – a testament to the power of the @properties network. Beyond
connecting
buyers
and
sellers,
the
@gent App aggregates a knowledge base of every @properties broker in a searchable database, making it a great resource for recommendations on everything from vendors and service providers to local businesses.
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get to know atproperties.com 826locuststreet.info
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Listing Domain
Photography and Video
Every @properties listing receives its
Professional photography and video are
own domain name, which is prominently
among the most important marketing
displayed in print advertising and on
tools
For Sale signs, property brochures and
why every single @properties listing
“Just Listed” postcards. The domain
includes a professional photography
re-directs to your home’s listing detail
package
page on the @properties website so
and web and an interactive floor plan
that interested buyers can pull up
showcasing
photos, video and property information
Video packages are also available
in one easy step. @properties also
for
indexes the domain with top search
a full-length property video, social
engines including Google and Bing for
media clip and Zillow walk-through
improved search engine optimization.
video.
for
luxury
properties.
optimized
many
the
for
That’s
both
property’s
neighborhoods,
layout.
offering
1234 Anystreet Road, Anytown
AtProperties.com Interactive Map
AtProperties.com Market Report
AtProperties.com @Home Report
@properties’ interactive map feature
The @properties Market Report is
@properties understands how impor-
is a great resource for online home
another dynamic feature that drives
tant it is to keep you informed at every
searches, guiding homebuyers through
homebuyers to our website. Individual
stage of the sales process. That’s
detailed
Chicago-
reports are available on dozens of
why @properties sellers receive the
land communities while integrating
descriptions
neighborhoods and communities and
@home report, which provides a data
information
shopping,
can be customized for specific housing
snapshot of your home, comparable
news, local business reviews, market
types. Both buyers and sellers can use
properties and your local market. The
statistics, open houses and new listings.
the market reports to gain an under-
@home report includes web stats
It’s yet another way for homebuyers
standing of pricing, market time and
detailing everything from how many
to gather as much information as
inventory trends based on recent sales
times your home has been viewed on
possible about the area and amenities
in their area.
our website and the number of days it
on
of
schools,
surrounding your home.
has been on the market, to the average sales price for similar homes in your neighborhood.
per
0200 5555 properties.com
by
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online exposure The majority of buyers begin their home search online, which means a 360-degree digital marketing strategy is paramount to getting maximum exposure for your home. Our Luxury Collection digital marketing program raises online visibility while faithfully representing your home’s luxury aesthetic. @properties markets your home across the Internet
• wsj.com
with
• Juwai.com
a
newly-revamped
website,
customized
property domains, web-optimized photography and video, enhanced listings on the leading real estate search portals, targeted email marketing, online classifieds and syndication to hundreds of additional websites.
with new contacts added daily • Crain’s Digital (ChicagoBusiness.com)
• atproperties.com
• Adwerx
• Property-specific domain names
• Enhanced listings that filter to the top of search
(YourAddressHere.info) • LeadingRE.com • LuxuryPortfolio.com
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• E-mail marketing database of 800,000+
results on popular home search portals including Zillow and Trulia • Syndication of online listings
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our marketing gameplan
I HAVE ARRIVED the new hardcover luxury brochure
THE #1 LUXURY BROKERAGE FIRM IN CHICAGO & THE NORTH sHORE.
Lake FoRest 6 bedrooms / 7.2 baths / $4,250,000
Winnetka 6 bedrooms / 7.2 baths / $3,449,500
stephanie klein 847.295.0700 / 1133ElmTREE.info
Baylor/shields 847.881.0200 / 976sunsET.info
Winnetka 5 bedrooms / 6.2 baths / $3,335,000
keniLWoRth 5 bedrooms / 4.1 baths / $2,995,000
cummins/Radnay 847.881.0200 / 975PinE.info
kathryn & kelly mangel 847.881.0200 / 205mElRosE.info
compliments of Debra Dobbs
life refined living life well
summer 2016
D: GLYZ4
Architect dream home on 30ft lot includes high-end Italian finishes & custom work. @properties Jon Gerstein — 312.254.0200
eLmhuRst 5 bedrooms / 4.1 baths / $2,400,000 yvonne despinich cHicago, iL | $3,995,000 630.530.0900 / 111AdEliA.info WEB ID: XHKV4
LincoLn Park, cHi, iL | $3,999,000 WEB ID: MROZ4
RiveR FoRest 7 bedrooms / 4.2 baths / $2,175,000 Elizabeth August 773.432.0200 / 1015AshlAnd.info
Winnetka 6 bedrooms / 5.1 baths / $1,949,000 Jena Radnay LooP, cHi, iL | $2,995,000 847.881.0200 /WEB 834BoAlPkwy.info ID: RAIV4
Winnetka, iL | $3,975,000
LincoLn Park, cHi, iL | $3,395,000
WEB ID: HTLV4
WEB ID: CXVZ4
Finally completed! Exquisite 8,183sqft lux home on dble lot by Environs Development. @properties
Stately newer construction home, steps from Oz Park. 7,500sqft & gracious room sizes. @properties
Newer construction English Tudor on secluded Coming soon from Environs Development, half-acre in desirable East Winnetka. 6,170sqft SFH on special Lincoln Park block. @properties @properties
Architectural Digest ready. Chic, sophisticated penthouse redesigned and remodeled. @properties
Kevin Wood — 773.862.0200
Emily Sachs Wong — 312.254.0200
S. Aisen/M. Birov — 847.881.0200
Pat Young — 312.491.0200
Kevin Wood — 773.862.0200
Winnetka 5 bedrooms / 5.1 baths / $1,769,000 carol Rogulski 847.881.0200 / 606PRovidEnT.info
BaRRington 4 bedrooms / 7.1 baths / $1,690,000
east nortHbrook, iL | $2,795,000 HigHLand Park, iL | $2,700,000
Winnetka, iL | $2,495,000
buLL VaLLey, iL | $2,475,000
neW buffaLo, Mi | $2,375,000
WEB ID: ZVYQ4
WEB ID: PPWQ4
WEB ID: JEBZ4
WEB ID: MIHZ4
WEB ID: LKUV4
Breathtaking home w/9,000sqft & 2.5acres. Personal resort in Chicago’s North Shore. @properties
Storybook home has left no detail unfinished. Fabulous Lannon stone family home on Stunning French country estate w/panoramic Impeccable riverfront home on Galien River 6bed/5.3ba gorgeous home on a ravine. desirable 100ftx187ft lot with over 4,800sqft. views. Country living in resort setting. surrounded by Galien River Wetlands. @properties @properties @properties @properties
K. Spaniak/T. Walsh — 847.998.0200
Ted Pickus — 847.432.0700
Margaret Burton — 847.881.0200
oLd toWn, cHi, iL | $2,295,000
bucktoWn, cHi, iL | $1,890,000
HaWtHorn Woods, iL | $1,849,000 LibertyViLLe, iL | $1,695,000
WEB ID: DSNQ4
WEB ID: XICQ4
Hollis Angus — 847.432.0700
Gail Lowrie — 269.469.0700
streeterViLLe, cHi, iL | $1,600,000
WEB ID: FHTQ4
WEB ID: ADVV4
WEB ID: DSMV4
Gorgeous 2012 custom home w/5bed/4.1ba Huge, custom all-brick home designed with and full limestone facade on oversized lot. style and built for function. 5bed/5.1ba. @properties @properties
Arch. beautiful and functionally green, waterfront estate in White Birch Lakes. @properties
Grand home on lush 1 acre in Libertyville with expansive floor plan. Admired by all. @properties
Amazing opportunity to own the spectacular one-of-kind Maisonette at 250 E. Pearson! @properties
Deepa Kuchipudi — 312.254.0200
S. & V. Kalamaras — 847.367.0500
D. Dunn/D. Miller — 847.367.0500
Marla Hori — 312.506.0200
gLencoe, iL | $1,599,000
kiLdeer, iL | $1,490,000
kiLdeer, iL | $1,449,000
raVensWood, cHi, iL | $1,375,000
eLMHurst, iL | $1,295,000
WEB ID: SBCQ4
WEB ID: ONXV4
WEB ID: ZNSQ4
WEB ID: LDVV4
WEB ID: XXFZ4
Majestic red brick Colonial “up on a hill”. 7bed/4.1ba in fabulous Glencoe locale. @properties
Spectacular custom home built by Arthur Greene, gorgeous and perfectly maintained. @properties
Wonderful home in Tall Oaks of Kildeer! Best location with views across Lake Albert. @properties
One of a kind brick home on extra wide lot in award-winning Waters school district. @properties
Finest setting combined with finest luxury. 4bed/4.1ba. No detail overlooked. @properties
Kathryn & Kelly Mangel — 847.881.0200
Sheryl Graff — 847.432.0700
Kelli Johannesen-Logan — 773.862.0200
Amy & Tim Schiller — 630.530.0900
Sheryl Graff — 847.432.0700
linnea Jacobs 847.881.0200 / 112BRoAdwAyAvE.info
Stop looking, start finding® atproperties.com
*Source: MRED $1 million+ sales, Chicago and North Shore, 1-1-2015 to 12-31-2015.
Linette Thompson — 773.862.0200
WiLmette 5 bedrooms / 4.1 baths / $1,575,000
John morrison 847.381.0300 / 25309wscoTTRd.info
luxuryportfolio.com 753 VALLEY ROAD, GLENCOE, $2,575,000
THE #1 LUXURY BROKERAGE FIRM IN CHICAGO AND THE NORTH SHORE.
soutHPort, cHi, iL | $1,295,000
LincoLn Park, cHi, iL | $1,250,000
bucktoWn, cHi, iL | $1,250,000
Wauconda, iL | $1,200,000
WiLMette, iL | $1,199,000
WEB ID: VLYV4
WEB ID: VHZV4
WEB ID: NKGV4
WEB ID: ISOZ4
WEB ID: WCCQ4
Absolutely gorgeous 3,500sqft penthouse in the heart of the Southport Corridor. @properties
2-level penthouse w/impressive finishes on one of Chicago’s most desirable streets. @properties
Stunning single family home in Bucktown. 4bed/3.1ba light-filled open floor plan. @properties
Approx. 9 acres on private lake with open floor plan home. Perfect for entertaining! @properties
Wonderful center entry Colonial on soughtafter street. Steps from Lake Michigan! @properties
Dennis Huyck — 773.432.0200
Emily Sachs Wong — 312.254.0200
Leigh Marcus — 312.254.0200
Marty Golden — 847.367.0500
Lori Neuschel — 847.881.0200
WiLMette, iL | $1,149,000
eVanston, iL | $1,125,000
eVanston, iL | $1,100,000
ukraine ViLLage, cHi, iL | $1,095,000
streeterViLLe, cHi, iL | $1,029,000
WEB ID: UESV4
WEB ID: NYOQ4
WEB ID: YQJZ4
WEB ID: WXNQ4
WEB ID: FYAV4
Custom 6bed/5.1ba brick & stone lux home! 190ft lot w/beautifully landscaped yard. @properties
Grand Tudor on one of Evanston’s most coveted streets! 3,500+sqft of living space. @properties
1917 George Maher carriage house is a sophisticated, luxury TH designed for today. @properties
Extraordinary limestone and brick home with 10th floor, 2bed/2.1ba highly upgraded condo. elegant finishes and modern floorplan. Rare, professionally landscaped patio. @properties @properties
Steve Samuels — 847.881.0200
Suzannah Martin — 847.763.0200
Jan & Margi Hazlett — 847.763.0200
Stephanie Sadoff — 773.432.0200
Source: MRED $1 million+ sales, Chicago and North Shore, 1-1-2015 to 12-31-2015.
Harry Maisel — 847.881.0200
© 2014 Luxury Portfolio International.® Offering is subject to errors, omissions, change of price, or withdrawal without notice. All information considered reliable; however, it has been supplied by third parties and should not be relied on as accurate or complete. Equal Housing Opportunity.
high quality hardcover print brochures Our brochures showcase your home in a coffee table book quality brochure.
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Print and online advertising We advertise in a wide range of print and online media.
MILENA BIROV, 847.962.1200
JUST LISTED
Fall Into Home Improvement
Anne Anne Proper Proper
anneproper@atproperties.com anneproper@atproperties.com
Stop looking, start findingÂŽ
Stop looking, start findingÂŽ
312.491.0200 312.491.0200 123mainst.info 123mainst.info
Direct mail
yard signs
Our just listed and just sold cards are laser targeted at your target market.
Every listing contains a unique URL for easy access to the online listing.
@home report The @home report includes detailed stats on how your home is being viewed.
Social media and e-blasts Brokers can send e-blasts and social media posts to their clients.
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Featured publications We advertise in a number of publications. Some include:
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BARRINGTON STYLE & SUBSTANCE
SEPTEMBER 2016
“ The joy of
dressing is an art.
–JOHN GALLIANO
”
A MISSION FOR MADDEN
Barrington rallies behind a local family
A HAND UP, NOT A HAND OUT
PHD and the Michael Joseph Foundation host fall funraisers
WORKS OF ART
From sidewalk sales to fashion designer of the year,
FALL FASHION COMES TO LIFE AT THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO
CYNTHIA ROWLEY
puts Barrington on the map
BARRINGTON
CHIC
01_BC_0916_Cover.indd 1
8/25/16 9:38 AM
CHICAGO
INSIDE:
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Listing Video Program They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but did you know that just one minute of video is equal to 1.8 million words? At @properties, video is a game-changing marketing tool and we’re using it to tell your home’s story like never before. Our listing video program consists of: • A full-length property video with highlights of the home, amenities and neighborhood or suburb • A social media-friendly clip that can be shared on Facebook, Instagram and other sites • A Zillow walk-through video • Additional exposure through @properties’ listing detail pages, video library, YouTube channel, social media accounts and syndication websites All videos are produced and edited in-house by @properties’ videography department to cater specifically to the clients we serve.
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Adwerx Ever visited a website and then noticed ads for that same website following you around the Internet? It’s not a coincidence; it’s a sophisticated digital marketing tactic known as retargeting, and it’s another way in which @properties increases online exposure for luxury listings. Through our partnership with Adwerx, we leverage retargeting to put your property in front of prospective homebuyers as they surf the Web. Adwerx also uses geo-targeting to display your listing to people in certain locations, and targets users based on internet browsing behavior such as those perusing real estate-related websites. The platform’s vast network includes hundreds of top websites ranging from Forbes.com to ESPN.com to cater specifically to the clients we serve.
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We never stop...marketing, learning and innovating for you. When a strong luxury brand gets behind a strong luxury broker, the service and results are significant. That’s why @properties is continually focused on providing brokers with the best education and training to take their skills and knowledge to the next level. We offer a full curriculum of seminars and classes
• Writing ironclad contracts
covering topics such as effective negotiation to new
• Creative marketing tactics
technologies, and employ full-time performance
• Social media marketing
coaches who assist brokers in developing advanced
• Predictive pricing and listing to sell
skills and detailed marketing plans in order to
• Advanced negotiating
better serve you. It’s no accident that we’re able
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techniques
to get the best possible price for your home; it’s
• Broker Metrics
something we work on all the time.
• Improv workshop
@properties broker education programs include:
• Contracts that close
• Negotiating in today’s market
• Real estate and technology
• State of the current lending environment
• Luxury home marketing
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four I have a simple taste, only the best
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partnerships @properties has grown to include a number of divisions, all of which have the potential to benefit our core residential clients through lead generation and referrals.
@properties Relocation @properties Relocation, our corporate relocation division, serves as an important source of prospective buyers for your home. We hold preferred-vendor status with a number of the world’s premier relocation companies, broker-to broker referral services, and national and international corporations with major operations in Chicago. As a result, many companies turn to @properties first when assisting employees who are relocating to the Chicago area. @properties Relocation is a member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, RELO Direct®, the Corporate Relocation Council of Chicago, Relocation Directors Council and Worldwide ERC®.
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@properties Commercial @properties
Commercial
offers
sales,
leasing
and investment advisory services to Chicagoland commercial real estate clients including landlords, tenants, investors and institutions covering a range of asset classes.
@properties Developer Services @properties is Chicago’s No. 1 brokerage firm for the sales and marketing of new-construction and condominium conversion developments. Since our inception, we have successfully marketed more than 100 Chicago developments comprising more than 5,500 residential units valued at more than $2.5 billion.
Proper Title Proper Title is a full-service company offering title insurance, closing and escrow services across a wide range of real estate transaction types. The company provides highly-individualized client support, creating a more seamless closing experience for @properties homebuyers and sellers.
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@gives back @properties is a big believer in helping to build strong neighborhoods and communities. One way we do this is through the @gives back Community Fund, a 501(c)(3) that was created out of the desire to inspire charitable outreach and to support the city that has allowed @properties to continually grow and prosper. Each year, @gives back holds various fundraisers benefiting local organizations in the areas of education, homelessness, youth development and community. Past and present beneficiaries include Keith Relief, Noah’s Arc Foundation, Off The Street Club on Chicago’s West Side, Community Partnership for Affordable Housing, Street Level Youth Media, Camp of Dreams, Lincoln Park Community Shelter, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Deborah’s Place, Barrel of Monkeys Workshop, Lake County Cares, Youth Job Center, Edge Alliance and Thresholds. @gives back provides a platform for hundreds of brokers and members of the real estate community to get involved in philanthropic activities and to help make a positive impact on dozens of communities and thousands of lives throughout Chicagoland.
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Pricing Your Home: CMA So what is your home worth? That is likely the biggest question on your mind and one that @properties has answered accurately in every market since our inception. The knowledge, experience and research we apply to pricing our clients’ homes consistently produce the shorter market times and higher selling-price-to-listing price ratios. To set a listing price that will create the best market for your home, we will perform a Comparative Market Analysis or CMA. The CMA will evaluate your home alongside other properties – currently listed and recently sold – taking into account variables such as:
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Supply and demand
Lot size
Market activity
Views
Market time
Condition of property inside and out
Price/status changes, interest rates and availability of credit Economic factors Seasonal demand property features Location Room count and square footage
Desirability of unique features Competition Price Location Market time
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Pricing Your Home: (Market Time) Is Money The surest way to get the highest selling price for your home is to set the listing price correctly right out of the gate. This is so important because the greatest amount of showing activity for a home occurs within the first few weeks of market time, and this early activity tends to be from serious buyers with a greater sense of urgency. However, as time goes by, interest wanes, and longer than-average market times tend to fuel the perception that the home itself (not just the price of the home) is flawed. Therefore, longer market times can actually drive value down. Remember, time is money, and the best way to optimize both is to work with your broker in setting an accurate listing price.
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Before Your Home Is Shown One of the keys to success in today’s ultra-competitive real estate market is to position your home as the most desirable property at a given price in a given area. Obviously, the most important variable in that equation is price. But making sure your home is in optimal showing condition will set it apart from the competition and could be the difference between a timely and productive sale or a long, drawn-out process. Here is a checklist of preparations to make before showing your home. Be sure to consult your @properties broker to find out what improvements they recommend.
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De-Clutter Go through your home room by room and ask yourself what you can throw away and what you can box up and put in storage. Organize Lack of storage space can be a deal-breaker. Go through your closets and pantries and reorganize, and throw away, give away or put away anything you don’t need. Clean Give your home a deep clean from top to bottom, including windows, upholstery and carpet, and the refrigerator and oven (yes, buyers actually open them). Brighten your home Light gives the impression of space, so it’s important for every room in your home to have ample light at any time of day. Prior to showings, wash windows, raise blinds and turn on lights. Maintain the exterior Maintain your lawn and landscaping, and shovel and de-ice walkways in the winter. In a condominium, pay attention to the area in front of the doorway to ensure it’s neat. Make balconies, decks and patios inviting with potted plants and flowers.
Make repairs Take care of quick and easy repairs such as touch-up spackling and painting, replacing a cracked window or torn screen, fixing a leaky faucet and changing burned out light bulbs. Remove pets Keep pets out of the home during showings and be sure to conceal food bowls and litter boxes. Hire a home inspector Hiring a professional, licensed home inspector prior to putting your home on the market allows you to spot potential problems and make repairs before buyers make them an issue. Disclose everything By law sellers must disclose existing structural and mechanical problems, flooding, the presence of lead paint, information on radon hazards and other known defects to potential buyers. Withholding this information can have much more serious repercussions than the problem itself. Paint A fresh coat of paint is the least expensive, most effective way to enhance the appearance of your home. Be sure to use neutral colors.
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Staging Your Home Staging is the art of merchandising a home to improve its marketability. It can be as simple as rearranging a few pieces of furniture or as elaborate as hiring a professional to furnish an empty home right down to the plants and artwork. Today, every home that is listed for sale should be staged to some degree. Your home must show like a model in order to stand out against the competition. Your @properties broker can give you suggestions for staging or help you decide if you would benefit from a professional stager. Here are some easy and inexpensive staging tips to consider:
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Use neutral colors and dĂŠcor to help your home appeal to the largest number of potential buyers. Add color through accessories such as pillows, vases and rugs.
Keep kitchen counters and refrigerators clean and clear of all items. If your kitchen needs an update, paint cupboards with a neutral color and replace knobs on cabinets.
Arrange furniture in small groupings that demonstrate a room’s functionality, and do not overcrowd a room with furniture.
Remove all personal items from the bathroom counter.
Use light, airy window treatments, like simple sheers on a curtain rod. Hang window treatments so they cover the least amount of glass.
Personal photographs and mementos add warmth and character to a home, but use them in moderation so the buyer will focus on the home, not its owners. Display fresh flowers.
Camouflage outdated furniture or worn upholstery with slip covers, and replace worn bedspreads and throw rugs.
Add furniture, plants or potted flowers with seasonal settings to outdoor spaces.
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negotiation – guiding principles Priced correctly and marketed aggressively, most homes will draw a timely offer. How you and your broker handle that offer and subsequent negotiations can substantially affect the outcome of your home sale. Your @properties broker will conduct negotiations with professionalism, attention to detail and a loyal representation of your interests. The following principles guide @properties’ brokers in every negotiation.
Confidentiality Prudent confidentiality is vital to the integrity of the deal and our reputation as professionals. Responsiveness Time is of the essence in a real estate transaction. We will expedite the presentation of offers and counteroffers and quickly act upon any opportunity.
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Resourcefulness Real estate sales are multi-faceted transactions. We examine all angles of a deal to find strategies and solutions that help you accomplish your objectives. Communication Your @properties broker will involve you in all aspects of the negotiation and communicate your options clearly and candidly. Strength We will do everything in our power to help you negotiate from a position of strength. Our goal is to achieve an outcome that meets or exceeds your expectations.
negotiation – contract terms A real estate transaction is a fluid process that does not end with an accepted offer. Negotiations often continue on some level all the way to the closing. A REALTOR®’s
objectivity,
experience and counsel are essential to this process. Some of the most common points that are negotiated include:
Price Your broker’s knowledge of the current market is invaluable in helping you decide whether to accept the offered price and terms or counter. They will also help you consider the time value of money in your decision, i.e. will a higher offer offset potential additional carrying costs? Mortgage Contingency Most buyers purchase a home subject to obtaining a mortgage. The terms of the mortgage and the timeframe for securing a financing commitment must be stated in the contract. Make sure you are comfortable with these terms.
Home Inspection Most buyers choose to conduct an inspection of the property with a licensed home inspector. If the inspector uncovers any problems, you and the buyer must negotiate what items will be addressed and who will pay for them. Attorney Approval Attorney approval is usually a one-week period, in which both you and the buyer have your attorneys review the contract and suggest alterations. Closing Date This is the date when ownership changes hands and usually, but not always, the date when you must vacate and the buyer may occupy the property. If you have specific requirements for scheduling the closing due to your own move, the buyer’s flexibility in this regard might be an important factor in deciding to accept an offer.
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contract to closing – what we do for you Guiding your real estate transaction from contract to closing is a multi-step process that requires proactive management and thorough attention to detail. Our emphasis on communication, organization and follow-
• Distribute required disclosure forms
through ensures that deadlines are met, documents are
• Collect important documents such as
distributed, and every item is in place to make your trans-
condominium declaration and required
action efficient and seamless.
disclosures to fulfill contract contingencies
Our brokers, managing brokers and support staff will:
• Coordinate an appraisal
• Handle earnest money and escrow account
• Coordinate walk-throughs
management • Distribute contracts to all relevant parties
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• Update you when contingencies have been satisfied
• Coordinate attorney review
• Coordinate your closing
• Coordinate a home inspection
• Help you find a new home
• Provide information to lenders
• Follow up to see if you have any questions
contract to closing – who pays for what? Sale Price
Typical Cost PAYS?
WHO
Commission
6% of Purchase Price
SELLER
Appraisal
$250 - $500
BUYER
Credit Report
$30 - $75 per borrower
BUYER
Inspection Fee
$350+/Visit
BUYER
Lender-direct Underwriting Fee
$750 - $1,000
BUYER
Processing Fee
$150
BUYER
Flood Certificate
$50 - $100
BUYER
Tax Service
$85 - $200
BUYER
Attorney Fee
$600-$1,000+
Both
Settlement Closing
$950-$2,300
BUYER
Title Insurance (Buyer)
$750-$2,500
BUYER
Title Insurance (Seller)
$750-$2,500
SELLER
Recording Fee
$75-$250
chicago city transfer tax
$7.50 per $1,000
Both Buyer
chicago city transfer tax
$3 per $1,000 seller
State Transfer Tax
$0.50 per $500
SELLER
County Transfer Tax
Varies per county
SELLER
Municipal Transfer Tax*
Varies Per Locality
BUYER
Survey
$500 - $1,000
SELLER
Termite Inspection
$40 - $100
BOTH
Interest Per Day
Loan Amount x Rate/365
BUYER
Escrow Taxes
1-5 Mos. (if applicable)
BUYER
Escrow Insurance
1-5 Mos. (if applicable)
BUYER
Tax Proration
105 - 110% of Last Tax Bill
SELLER
Estimated closing costs courtesy of Guaranteed Rate®. Prices subject to change. Actual costs vary per lender, loan amount, property type and other factors.
varies with purchase price
*Property transfer taxes vary per local jurisdiction or township. Please consult your real estate attorney to obtain the best possible estimate for taxes and other closing costs.
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we care about communication At @properties, we know what you want from your real estate broker because we ask. We understand what’s important to you in selling your home because we listen. And we help you make the right decisions because we share our expertise. It all boils down to good communication, and there are few things at @properties that are
was returned in search results and how many times it was viewed on the @properties website. This report also displays comparable listings, their price and status.
more important. Setting expectations, being proactive, speaking candidly, staying in touch – these simple but vital principles are behind the thousands of successful transactions we broker each and every year, as well as the outstanding reputation we enjoy in real estate circles. Here are some of the communication measures that keep you informed before, during and after the sale.
Welcome Letter Upon listing your home, we will furnish you with a copy of the listing agreement as well as a letter recapping our sales and marketing process. Showing Feedback We will provide feedback on showings according to the frequency and mode of communications you prefer. @properties Seller Reports: We will provide a report that shows online activity for your home by day, week and month, including how many times your property
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Market Updates: You can elect to receive news and updates on the local real estate market through email newsletters, sent monthly, and @properties Market Reports, updated daily. Client Satisfaction Survey: This important post-closing survey gauges your satisfaction in several areas including your broker’s knowledge and professionalism, marketing services and negotiating skills. Ongoing Communication: Long after your home is sold, @properties and your broker are available to provide information and answer questions not only about the local real estate market but also about all things Chicago. Our broker base is an incredible resource when it comes to recommending home repair and maintenance contractors, professional service providers and neighborhood businesses. We are always just a phone call, text message or email away.
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