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local
WHAT DOES LOCAL MEAN TO YOU? 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. And when it comes to selling real estate, local means every home, on every block, in every neighborhood is unique, and each deserves the attention, care and consideration only a local company can offer.
@properties is a local company – locally owned and independent. And that means every resource we develop, every dollar we invest, every decision we make is driven by the desire to create value for you. LOCAL DOESN’T MEAN SMALL. LOCAL MEANS AGILE, RESPONSIVE, COMMITTED AND STRONG.
Local means highest selling price, shortest market time and finest service. @properties is, was and always will be about the best local agents, using the best local resources, to achieve the best outcome for your local real estate needs. THAT’S LOCAL.
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CHICAGO THEATRE . LOOP
leader
@properties’ focus on the local market has made us a leader in the Chicagoland area and in the industry. IN 14 SHORT YEARS, WE’VE BECOME THE #1 REAL ESTATE COMPANY IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO, THE FASTEST-GROWING BROKER ON THE NORTH SHORE AND ONE OF THE 30 LARGEST BROKERAGE
Being a leader also comes with responsibility. It means moving the industry forward by sharing best practices, serving in positions of leadership with the local REALTORS® Association, and giving back to the community through the @properties Friends and Neighbors Community Fund.
FIRMS IN AMERICA. LOCAL. LEADER. For @properties, the two go hand
But for @properties, leading has far less to do with numbers and far more to do with innovation. Technology changes, markets change, expectations change. So we never stop changing. Innovation permeates everything we do, from building the most sophisticated website to introducing new services to sourcing new marketing channels. Innovation is the heartbeat of our business.
in hand and assure our clients of the most rewarding experience in Chicagoland real estate.
SOURCE: MRED, LLC, #1 RANKING BASED ON MARKET SHARE FOR OVERALL CLOSED VOLUME 2013.
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ALEXANDER CALDER’S “FLAMINGO”, FEDERAL PLAZA . LOOP
market share matters
@PROPERTIES HAS STEADILY INCREASED OUR MARKET SHARE EVERY YEAR WE HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS. And more market share means more exposure
for your home – exposure through online marketing, signage, broker-to-broker marketing, advertising, e-mail promotion, direct mail and buzz marketing.
More exposure means more page views, more phone calls and more showing requests, and that ultimately means shorter market times and higher overall selling prices. The proof is in the numbers. @properties not only works to build market share. We put market share to work for you.
MARKET SHARE TOTALS TOTAL $ VOLUME (BY BROKER)
Mkt 11.12%
SOURCE: MRED, LLC, 1/1/1312/31/13. BASED ON CLOSED SALES VOLUME, CITY OF CHICAGO.
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@PROPERTIES’ CLIENTS BENEFIT FROM OUR #1 MARKET SHARE IN A NUMBER OF KEY CATEGORIES LEADING TO MORE EXPOSURE FOR YOUR HOME. #1 IN MARKET SHARE: ................................................. 15.25% (CITY) #1 INCREASE IN MARKET SHARE: ............................. 32.49% (NORTH SHORE) #1 BUYER’S REPRESENTATIVE: .................................. 13.22% (CITY) #1 SELLER’S REPRESENTATIVE: ................................ 13.83% (CITY) #1 AVERAGE MARKET TIME: ........................................ 106 DAYS (NORTHERN ILLINOIS REGION)
SOURCE: MRED, LLC. CITY MARKET SHARE AND INCREASE IN NORTH SHORE MARKET SHARE FOR 1/1/13 – 12/31/13. ALL OTHER FIGURES BASED ON TOP 10 COMPANIES PER CATEGORY, 1/1/13-12/31/13. MARKET SHARE FIGURES ARE BASED ON CLOSED SALES VOLUME.
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CHICAGO BRIDGE HOUSE AND TRUSS . LOOP
from the urbs to the ‘burbs
From the tree-lined streets of Lincoln Park to the brick-paved lanes of Wilmette; from high-rises on Lake Shore Drive to the horse farms of Libertyville and the historic downtown of Elmhurst; no other real estate firm in Chicago connects the city and the suburbs like @properties. Our reach and experience extend to every neighborhood, town, home style, price point and transaction type, so that @PROPERTIES TRULY
Our top-producing agents in the city and suburbs work together to ensure that your transaction is seamless. And with offices in key locations, we can always provide the hands-on service that is the trademark of @properties.
IS THE ONE AND ONLY REAL ESTATE FIRM YOU’LL EVER NEED TO HELP YOU SELL OR BUY A HOME IN CHICAGOLAND.
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LAKE MICHIGAN SHORELINE . LAKEVIEW
our story
@properties was established in 2000, and IN LESS THAN A DECADE GREW FROM A FOUR-PERSON BOUTIQUE OFFICE TO MORE THAN 1,300 LICENSED AGENTS PRODUCING MORE THAN $2 BILLION IN ANNUAL SALES VOLUME. Since our inception, we have
brokered approximately 40,000 transactions valued at more than $22 billion. @properties is also Chicago’s new construction sales leader having sold more than 5,500 new homes and condominiums in 160 developments valued in excess of $2.2 billion.
In addition to Residential Brokerage and Development Marketing, @properties has full-service divisions for Commercial Brokerage, Residential and Commercial Property Management, Relocation, Rental Services, Foreclosures, Short Sales and Institutional Bank Advisory Services.
LINCOLN PARK BUILDERS CLUB IMPACT AWARD
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ESTABLISHED
2000
TOTAL SALES VOLUME SINCE INCEPTION
$22 BILLION
TOTAL # UNITS SOLD SINCE INCEPTION
40,000
TOTAL # DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS SOLD
DIVISIONS
OFFICES
AFFILIATIONS
HONORS
160
RESIDENTIAL BROKERAGE, DEVELOPMENT SALES AND MARKETING, COMMERCIAL BROKERAGE, PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, RELOCATION, INSTITUTIONAL SERVICES, RENTAL RIVER NORTH/RIVER WEST, STREETERVILLE/ GOLD COAST, LINCOLN PARK, LAKEVIEW, UPTOWN, BUCKTOWN, EVANSTON, WINNETKA, LAKE FOREST, HIGHLAND PARK, GLENVIEW, LIBERTYVILLE, ELMHURST, NEW BUFFALO, MI & ST. JOSEPH, MI LEADING REAL ESTATE COMPANIES OF THE WORLD, RELO DIRECT, LUXURY PORTFOLIO®, THE INSTITUTE FOR LUXURY HOME MARKETING INC. 500, INC. 5000, CRAIN’S FAST 50, CRAIN’S 40 UNDER 40, CRAIN’S LARGEST PRIVATELY HELD COS., INMAN INNOVATOR, REALTRENDS TOP 50, CHICAGO ENTREPRENEURSHIP HALL OF FAME, INMAN 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL REAL ESTATE LEADERS, LINCOLN PARK BUILDERS CLUB IMPACT AWARD, CHICAGO AGENT 2010 AGENT CHOICE AWARD - BEST BROKERAGE WEBSITE, LEADING REAL ESTATE COMPANIES OF THE WORLD 1ST PLACE COMPANY BRAND ADVERTISING LEADING RE 1ST PLACE PROPERTY ADVERTISING, LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO - 2012 DAMEN AWARD, 2013 ERNST & YOUNG’S ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR (REGIONAL AWARD)
SOURCE: CITY OF CHICAGO AND NORTHERN ILLINOIS RANKINGS BASED ON BROKERMETRICS/MRED LLC FOR 1/1/12-12/31/13. NATIONAL RANKING BASED ON REALTRENDS 500 FOR 1/1/12-12/31/13.
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WRIGLEY MANSION . LINCOLN PARK
hands-on leadership
In the span of a decade, @properties’ co-founders Michael Golden and Thaddeus Wong have 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 REALTORS ®’ 12,500 MEMBERS. At @properties they paired traditional
To support high transaction volume with an equally high level of service, they built a deep organizational infrastructure that includes robust marketing, IT and administrative functions. Highly creative and energetic entrepreneurs, Golden and Wong have created a corporate culture that attracts high-caliber agents and staff and fosters teamwork and performance. They have also built a large philanthropic network under the umbrella of the @properties Friends & Neighbors Community Fund.
brokerage services with cutting edge technology and marketing, and became a driving force behind Chicago real estate.
THADDEUS WONG & MICHAEL GOLDEN CO-FOUNDERS OF @PROPERTIES
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MARSHALL FIELD BUILDING HISTORIC CLOCK . LOOP
we never stop...(marketing, learning, showing, selling, communicating, innovating, caring, working) for you
One of @properties’ most important goals is to field the most professional corps of agents in Chicago real estate. To achieve that goal, we place a strong emphasis on agent education and training. We offer a full curriculum of seminars and classes covering topics ranging from effective negotiation to new technologies. We also provide continuing education for agents pursuing specialty designations, and offer a popular Improv Workshop specially designed to help brokers refine their communication and selling skills. @properties also employs two full-time performance coaches who assist agents in developing advanced skills and detailed marketing plans in order to better serve you.
@PROPERTIES BROKER EDUCATION:
• Negotiating in Today’s Market • State of the Current Lending Environment • Writing Ironclad Contracts • Creative Marketing Tactics • Social Media Marketing • Predictive Pricing and Listing to Sell • Brokering Short Sales • Advanced Negotiating Techniques • Foreclosures: How to Get Offers Accepted • What to Know About Appraisals • Agent Metrics • Improv Workshop • Contracts that Close • Real Estate & Technology • Luxury Home Marketing
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agent performance
TOP PRODUCERS @properties offers access to the most productive agents in the Chicago market. We have more agents among the Chicago Association of REALTORS速 Top 500 and 100 producers than any other brokerage firm in the city.
SOURCE: MRED, LLC, 1/1/13-12/31/13. BASED ON CLOSED SALES VOLUME, CITY OF CHICAGO.
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a market within a market
@properties not only markets your home through universal channels such as the Internet, print advertising, the Multiple Listing Service and signage, we also market internally to our highly collaborative sales force of more than 1,300 agents – each with a broad sphere of influence that forms a rich source of prospects, buyers and referrals.
This “market within a market” results in the most efficient transaction environment in Chicago real estate. IN FACT, ALMOST A THIRD OF @PROPERTIES-BROKERED TRANSACTIONS OCCUR BETWEEN AN @PROPERTIES BUYER AND AN @PROPERTIES SELLER, an unusually
high ratio of intra-office sales and a testament to the power of the @properties network.
A MARKET WITHIN A MARKET: 1: AGENT ACTIVATES LISTING 2: @PROPERTIES AGENT NETWORKS WITH OUR SALES FORCE OF OVER 1300 AGENTS 3: PROPERTY IS SOLD
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2
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@gent app
Leveraging @properties’ “market within a market,” our agents use a customized app for company-wide communication. The @gent App connects @properties buyers and sellers, allowing our agents to market your home more effectively to our powerful internal network. That means more exposure for your home, even before it’s listed. IN FACT, A NUMBER OF @PROPERTIES LISTINGS SELL BEFORE THEY HIT THE BROADER MARKET BECAUSE OF THE INTERNAL EXPOSURE THROUGH THE APP ALONE. THE @GENT APP CONNECTS TO A KNOWLEDGE BASE OF MORE THAN 1,300 AGENTS, WHICH MAKES IT A GREAT RESOURCE FOR RECOMMENDATIONS ON EVERYTHING FROM VENDORS TO LOCAL BUSINESSES. NO MATTER THE REQUEST, WE ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO SHARE OUR EXPERTISE WITH YOU.
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leading real estate companies of the world®
@properties is an exclusive member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, the world’s largest network of independent real estate firms. LeadingRE brings together more than 600 real estate brokerages encompassing 5,000 offices and 150,000 sales associates in more than 30 countries. LAST YEAR, THIS NETWORK SOLD MORE THAN 1 MILLION HOMES VALUED AT MORE THAN $250 BILLION – MORE THAN ANY OTHER NATIONAL REAL ESTATE BRAND.
LeadingRE offers its member firms and their clients a number of significant benefits including powerful print and online marketing, relocation services and luxury home marketing programs. The network includes the No. 1 real estate brokerage firm in 41 of the top 90 global markets, including @properties in Chicago.
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GRANT PARK . LOOP
LEEDing the way in green real estate
The rapidly emerging Green Home movement, which takes a sustainable approach to the way homes are built, maintained, bought and sold, is already having a profound and positive effect on Chicago real estate. Within the Chicago brokerage community, @PROPERTIES LEADS THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE REAL ESTATE EDUCATION AND PRACTICE. A NUMBER OF @PROPERTIES AGENTS HOLD ONE OR MORE
In addition, @properties is represented in leadership positions within Chicago’s Sustainable Real Estate Alliance and the NAR Green RESource Council. Whether you’re buying or selling a green home, doing research on green contractors or looking into the availability of special tax-rebate and grant programs, there is an @properties Green REALTOR® with the expertise to assist you.
including EcoBroker , the NAR Green designation from the National Association of REALTORS® and the LEED™AP designation from the U.S. Green Building Council. GREEN
REAL
ESTATE
DESIGNATIONS
®
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FARMERS MARKET . HYDE PARK
friends & neighbors community fund
PHILANTHROPY HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE @PROPERTIES CULTURE, and the
@properties Friends and Neighbors Community Fund (FNCF), a 501(c)(3), creates a formal vehicle through which we can conduct our extensive charitable outreach. Each year, we identify several beneficiary organizations in the areas of youth development, education and sheltering the homeless. Recent beneficiaries include the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, Urban Initiatives, Street Level Youth Media, Camp of Dreams and the Lincoln Park Community Shelter.
Additionally, @properties has raised money for local, national and international charities and relief efforts. By sponsoring and supporting philanthropic activities, @properties provides an outlet for our agents, employees and friends to make a positive impact on dozens of communities and thousands of lives throughout Chicagoland.
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Sunday, September 30, 2007
Lincoln Park
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an ever-expanding client base
@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-tobroker 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®. @PROPERTIES COMMERCIAL @properties Commercial offers sales, leasing and investmentadvisory services to Chicago commercial real estate clients including landlords, tenants, investors and institutions covering a range of asset classes.
@PROPERTIES PROPERTY MANAGEMENT @properties Property Management is a full-service commercial and residential management firm overseeing a diverse portfolio of condominium and townhome communities, apartment buildings, office buildings, industrial properties and retail properties throughout Chicagoland. @PROPERTIES INSTITUTIONAL SERVICES GROUP @properties Institutional Services Group (ISG) provides a full spectrum of services, including asset management, property management and brokerage, to institutional owners and investors of distressed and bank-owned (REO) real estate. @PROPERTIES DEVELOPER SERVICES @properties is Chicago’s No. 1 brokerage firm for the sales and marketing of new-construction and condominiumconversion developments. Since our inception, we have successfully marketed more than 160 Chicago developments comprising more than 5,500 residential units valued at more than $2.2 billion. @PROPERTIES RENTAL DIVISION @properties Rental Division is a full-service team of experienced leasing professionals concentrating on highend luxury rental opportunities throughout Chicago and the suburbs.
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ASTOR STREET . GOLD COAST
EXPOSURE IS @properties’ marketing programs are built around EXPOSURE: exposure through a network of more than 1,300 @properties agents and their corresponding spheres of influence; through an in-house marketing department with full print and digital capabilities; and through an exhaustive catalog of online, mass media and grass roots marketing initiatives – all tailored to address the specific challenges and opportunities related to selling your home.
More exposure means more page views, more phone calls and more showing requests, and that ultimately means shorter market times and higher overall selling prices. OUR FULLY INTEGRATED PROGRAMS ARE THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE IN THE INDUSTRY AND SHOWCASE YOUR HOME TO THE LARGEST AUDIENCE OF POTENTIAL BUYERS.
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EVERYTHING • atproperties.com
• Custom Property Brochures
• Realtor.com (Enhanced Listings)
• Chicago Tribune
• Zillow.com (Enhanced Listings)
• CS Magazine (Chicago Social)
• Trulia.com (Enhanced Listings)
• Michigan Avenue
• Yahoo! Real Estate
• Direct Mail
• Frontdoor.com powered by HGTV
• Seller reports
• Hotpads.com
• E-blasts
• Oodle.com
• “Market Within A Market”
• Cyberhomes.com
• @properties Relocation Division
• ReloHomeSearch.com
• “Love Where You Live” Campaign
• Syndication to hundreds of Real Estate Websites
• @properties Friends & Neighbors Community Fund
• Multiple Listing Service (MLS)
• Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®
• Professional Photography and Video
• Public Relations
• Signage
• New Ideas Every Day!
@PROPERTIES DOES MORE TO MARKET YOUR HOME - BOTH ONLINE AND OFFLINE – THAN ANY OTHER BROKERAGE FIRM IN CHICAGO.
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online exposure
According to the National Association of REALTORS ®, 90 PERCENT OF TODAY’S HOMEBUYERS USE THE
• E nhanced listings that filter to the top of search results on popular home search portals including
INTERNET IN THEIR SEARCH, which means that a
o Realtor.com
360° digital marketing strategy is paramount to getting maximum exposure for your home. @properties markets your home across the Internet with an award-winning website, customized property domains, web-optimized photography and video, enhanced listings on the leading real estate search portals, targeted e-mail marketing, online classifieds and syndication to hundreds of additional websites.
o Zillow.com
o Trulia.com
• Syndication to hundreds of real estate websites
o Yahoo! Real Estate
o Aol.com/RealEstate
o Frontdoor.com powered by HGTV
o CyberHomes.com
• atproperties.com
o HotPads.com
•P roperty-specific domain names (www.YourAddressGoesHere.info)
o Oodle.com
•E -mail marketing database of 475,000+ with new contacts added daily
o ReloHomeSearch.com
o Vast.com/RealEstate
o Propsmart.com
o SearchChicago.com (Sun-Times Media)
o Excite.com
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syndication of online listings
@properties’ in-house IT department works closely with these syndication platforms to implement small changes that make big differences in how your home is viewed online.
One example is the handling of photo files. Setting the optimal photo resolution for sites like Trulia helps boost a home’s placement in search results leading to more views.
HOW SYNDICATION WORKS:
®
®
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atproperties.com
@properties’ website features powerful search, user friendly design and local market information to showcase your home in a contextual format preferred by today’s buyers. Because atproperties.com is a complete real estate resource, BUYERS SPEND MORE TIME ON THE SITE AND RETURN MORE OFTEN.
Atproperties.com is where you’ll reach more homebuyers with features like: • Ability to search ALL properties in the MLS • @properties listings filter to top of search results • Photo gallery with up to 25 color photos and large-format slideshow • Detailed property description • Google Maps integration • @Home Agent with personalized search criteria and “New Listing” auto-alerts
• Map Data feature displaying area amenities including transportation, schools and local businesses • Local school information powered by Journatic and Eduction.com • Local real estate market data including neighborhood market conditions and detailed market reports • Overviews of hundreds of neighborhoods and towns • Seller reports • Price change and property status alert options • Automated showing request • Downloadable brochures and floor plans • Open house feature • Saved searches and “favorites” • “Forward to a friend” • Mortgage payment calculator
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@PROPERTIES LISTINGS DISPLAY FIRST AMONG SEARCH RESULTS WHEN BUYERS CONDUCT HOME SEARCHES ON ATPROPERTIES.COM.
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over 190,000 registered users
With the explosion in online home searches, almost any home for sale can be viewed on the Internet. So why is @properties one of the few companies to require users to register for access to online property searches? Because we don’t just want lookers. We want buyers.
Our emphasis on pre-qualification and active lead management has allowed us to build a database of 190,000 registered users and more than 475,000 total contacts – with prospects added every day. BY CONVERTING LOOKERS TO LEADS AND LEADS TO BUYERS, WE’RE ABLE TO GENERATE MORE SHOWING ACTIVITY AND A SHORTER MARKET TIME FOR YOUR HOME.
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LISTING YOUR PROPERTY WITH @PROPERTIES: 1: SIGNS AND ADS DIRECT BUYERS TO WEBSITE 2: BUYERS REGISTER TO CONDUCT HOME SEARCH
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3: REGISTERED BUYERS ASSIGNED TO AGENTS
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4: AGENTS CAPTURE LEADS AND FOLLOW UP
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@PROPERTIES IS ONE OF THE FEW COMPANIES TO REQUIRE USERS TO REGISTER FOR ACCESS TO ONLINE PROPERTY SEARCHES BECAUSE WE DON’T JUST WANT LOOKERS WE WANT BUYERS.
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atproperties.com – property-specific domains
Every @properties listing receives its own domain name, which is prominently displayed in print advertising and on For Sale signs, property brochures and “Just Listed” postcards. The domain re-directs to your home’s listing detail page on the @properties website so that interested buyers can pull up photos and property information in one easy step. @properties also indexes the domain with top search engines including Google and Bing for improved search engine optimization.
Anne Proper
847.881.0200 Anne Thad Proper Wong 312.254.0200 Anne Proper anneproper@atproperties.com thadwong@atproperties.com
773.251.6600 312.254.0200 2246burling.info PROPERTY SIGN WITH CUSTOM PROPERTY DOMAIN
EVERY @PROPERTIES LISTING RECEIVES ITS OWN DOMAIN NAME. THE DOMAIN DIRECTS INTERESTED HOMEBUYERS TO YOUR HOME’S LISTING DETAIL PAGE ON THE @PROPERTIES WEBSITE.
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atproperties.com – photography and video
The #1, most important marketing tool for selling a home today is professional photography. In fact, homes marketed with photography and video are seven times more likely to be viewed than comparable homes and are perceived, on average, as 12% more valuable*. That’s why every single @properties listing includes a professional photography package, optimized for both print and web to show your home in the best possible light. For all @properties listings that are more than $500,000, we provide an interactive floor plan showcasing the property’s layout. This level of detail educates potential buyers and further differentiates your home from other properties in the marketplace.
Anne Proper 312.254.0200
• Architectural photography services through industry leader VHT Studios • Minimum of eight still photos and 30-second video tour • Interactive floor plans for homes over $500,000 • Video home tours available
Anne Proper 312.254.0200
• High resolution photos • Optimized with proper size and format for print and online marketing • Distribution to atproperties.com, Realtor.com, MRED (Multiple Listing Service), LuxuryPortfolio.com and YouTube • Virtual Staging, BlueSky and ClearShot upgrades for enhanced presentation • Area map integration • Full screen slide show viewing
EVERY @PROPERTIES LISTING FEATURES A PROFESSIONALLY SHOT PHOTO GALLERY AND VIDEO TOUR OPTIMIZED FOR PRINT AND WEB.
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atproperties.com – interactive neighborhood map
Chicago is often referred to as a city of neighborhoods, so @properties’ Interactive Neighborhood Map is a great resource for online home searches. The map guides homebuyers through detailed descriptions of dozens of Chicago neighborhoods while integrating information on schools, shopping, local business reviews, news, market statistics, open houses and new listings. It’s yet another way for homebuyers to gather as much information as possible about the neighborhood and amenities surrounding your home.
EVERY DAY, BUYERS UTILIZE OUR ONLINE NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE TO AID IN THEIR HOME SEARCH.
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atproperties.com – market report
The @properties Market Report is another dynamic feature that drives homebuyers to our website. Individual reports are available on dozens of neighborhoods and communities and can be customized for housing type. Both buyers and sellers can use the market reports to gain an understanding of pricing, market time and inventory trends based on recent sales in their area.
ANNE PROPER
REAL ESTATE MARKET REPORTS PROVIDE A SNAPSHOT OF MARKET CONDITIONS BASED ON RECENTLY SOLD PROPERTIES IN THE AREA.
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enhanced online exposure
With tens of thousands of Chicago-area homes displayed on dozens of web sites, it’s easy to get lost in the crowd. That’s why @PROPERTIES INVESTS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS A YEAR TO ENHANCE LISTINGS ON THE LEADING REAL ESTATE WEB PORTALS including Realtor.com, Zillow and Trulia.
Enhanced listings ensure that homes listed with @properties are returned ahead of other properties in search results. They also include more photos, detailed property descriptions and attention-getting banners. Enhanced online listings are one of the most important benefits @properties’ clients receive.
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.COM
EVERY FIRM’S LISTINGS ARE ON THESE SITES, BUT NOT EVERY FIRM’S LISTINGS ARE ENHANCED.
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.COM
The official website of the National Association of REALTORS, Realtor.com receives approximately 10 million unique visitors per month.
• Detailed property description
enhanced
• School reports
• Approximately 10 million unique visitors per month • @properties Featured Listings display at the top of search results ahead of other properties • Attention-getting showcase banner featured on all listings • Up to 25 color photos
• Area map • Neighborhood information • Request a showing • Mortgage calculator • Link to video tour • Open house feature • Seller reports with graphs and statistics • Social media integration • iPhone app with more than 1 million downloads
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Anne Proper
Phone: (312) 254-0200
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MSN has partnered with Realtor.com, the official website of the National Association of REALTORS® to provide one of the internet’s most intuitive home searches.
• Detailed property description • Area map • Neighborhood information • School reports
enhanced
• Request a showing
• @properties’ Featured Listings display at the top of search results ahead of other properties
• Link to video tour
• Attention-getting showcase banner featured on all listings
• Seller reports with graphs and statistics
• Up to 25 color photos
• iPhone app with more than 1 million downloads
• Mortgage calculator • Open house feature • Social media integration
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Anne Proper
Phone: (312) 254-0200
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Zillow draws an average of more than 11 million unique visitors per month with powerful home search, neighborhood information and the popular Zestimate® home valuation estimator.
• Attention-getting showcase banner featured on all listings
enhanced
• Video tour link
• 11.7 million unique visitors per month • Showcase listing on front page displaying at least one @properties listing for any search in the city or North Shore
• Unlimited color photos • Detailed property description • Request a showing • Area map • Neighborhood information • School reports • Open house feature
• @properties Featured Listings display at the top of search results
• Mortgage calculator
• @properties listings labeled as featured properties
• Zestimate® home valuation estimator
• Zillow.com Featured Listings are 6 times more likely to be viewed than other listings
•# 1 real estate app for iPhone and iPad with 2 million downloads
• Social media integration
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Anne Proper
@properties Phone: (312) 254-0200
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Trulia is a real estate search site supported by a community of home buyers, sellers, brokers and real estate enthusiasts. The site currently attracts more than 7 million unique visitors per month and features a popular blog.
• Detailed property description
enhanced
• Request a showing
• 7 million unique visitors per month • @properties Featured Listings display at the top of search results • Up to 25 color photos
• Neighborhood information • School ratings • Area map • Link to video tour • Open house feature • Mortgage calculator • Stats and trends • Trulia blogs • Smartphone app
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Anne Proper Phone: (312) 254-0200
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YouTube allows billions of consumers to discover, watch and share user created videos. VHT, @properties’ professional photography and video provider distributes all property videos to YouTube.com.
• Visited by billions of consumers each year
enhanced
• Link to atproperties.com
• Homes marketed with video are seven times more likely to be viewed than comparable homes and are perceived, on average, as 12% more valuable*
• One minute video • Property address and basic details • Integrated with music choice • Option to “like” and “embed” video as a post to Facebook, Twitter and Google+ • Option to “embed” and email to a friend
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Anne Proper
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Luxury Portfolio’s website has become the leading online resource for homebuyers searching for high-end property all over the world.
• Photo gallery with up to 25 professionally photographed images
• 1.6 million unique visitors per year from over 200+ countries and territories
• Google Maps integration
• Video tours and LuxeTour™ narrated video tours of listings $5 million and above
• More than 16,000 homes representing more than $38 billion in inventory
• Syndication to partner websites: wsj.com, frontdoor.com, openhouse.com, relohomesearch.com, youtube.com, plus 200 more sites
• Highly optimized site with Page 1 Google rankings for hundreds of search terms
• Printable brochure
• Translated into 9 languages and 60 foreign currencies
• “E-mail to a Friend” feature
• Exclusively displaying listings of Luxury Portfolio member firms • Inventory comprised entirely of homes listed at $1 million and above • More $1 million-plus listings in U.S. than any other luxury real estate network including Coldwell Banker Preview, Sotheby’s and Mayfair International
• Social media integration with Facebook and Twitter • Prominently displayed broker contact info • LuxeTrends® e-newsletter • LuxeChatter® blog • Optimized website for mobile and iPad
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print exposure
CHICAGOLAND’S
MOST
VISIBLE
REAL
ESTATE
ADVERTISING IS DESIGNED TO DRIVE BUYER TRAFFIC TO YOUR HOME VIA WIDESPREAD COVERAGE IN A VARIETY OF LOCAL MEDIA OUTLETS.
• Chicago Tribune City Zone: double-page ad • Ultimate Address: multi-page @properties section • CS Magazine (Chicago Social) • CS Brides
Full-page ads and multi-page spreads prominently display @properties’ listings in key publications, while @properties’ distinctive corporate advertising campaign supports our integrated marketing programs including Internet and signage.
• CS Men’s Book • CS Interiors • Michigan Avenue Magazine • The Wall Street Journal: monthly full-page ad
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chicago tribune
@properties’ full-page ads in the Sunday Chicago Tribune Money and Real Estate section showcase your home to 207,000 Tribune subscribers in the paper’s City zone. • Full-color, two-page spread • Reaching 207,000 subscribers in the Tribune City Zone • Cross promotion to an additional 125,000 subscribers through @properties’ North Shore Tribune ads
• Organized layout with easy-to-read property details and contact info • Oversized color photos • Featured Listing, Luxury Collection, and Open House sections • Sunday Tribune City Zone readers have an average household income of $83,713 and an average home value of $346,000
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cs magazine (chicago social)
@PROPERTIES IS THE #1 ADVERTISER IN CHICAGO
• Prime back-of-book placement for maximum visibility
SOCIAL, THE CITY’S LEADING LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE.
• Perforated section can be removed from magazine promoting longer shelf life
Our monthly Luxury Collection pull-out section spans an average of 12 pages and presents Chicagoland’s finest properties to the area’s most affluent readership. • Multi-page section • Distinctive @properties branding • 4-color ads with oversized photos and detailed property information
• Single-property ad programs available • Mailed to private residences on the North Shore and in the city • Distributed to luxury hotels, private golf clubs, professional offices, salons and high-end retailers • 285,000 readers with an average household income of $200,000+
CHICAGO
INSIDE:
REAL ESTATE SPECIAL!
M O D E R N L U X U R Y. C O M
Getaway-Spread Cred Rooftop Gardens Take Root Inside Chicago’s Hottest Outdoor Rooms
WHERE TO EAT, WHAT TO ORDER: DOWNTOWN’S NEW POWER DINING
Endless CHICAGO SOCIAL BRIDES 200 W HUBBARD ST CHICAGO IL 60654 MODERNLUXURYBRIDES.COM
IVANKA SPEAKS: TRUMP UNVEILS SUMMER’S HOTTEST SPOT
Maid to Measure: Cynthia Rowley Does Bridesmaid Dresses SUGAR BUZZ! Desserts Get Downsized War of the Registries (Who’s On Top?) > CITY-CHIC HONEYMOONS and 75 of Chicago’s Sweetest Couples!
M O D E R N L U X U R Y. C O M
MIDDLE EAST OF EDEN: ESCAPE TO ABU DHABI AND THE TESLA ROADSTER TAKES CHICAGO
m o d e r n l u x u r y. c o m
M O D E R N L U X U R Y. C O M
Published by
37 Signals co-founder David Heinemeier Hansson
summer 2010 $5.95
SPRING 2010 $5.95
FALL/WINTER 2010 $5.95
AUGUST 2010 $5.95
BY THE PUBLISHERS OF CS
200 w hubbard st chicago il 60654
THE COOLEST GOWNS FOR WINTER WEDDINGS
THE MEN’S BOOK 200 W HUBBARD ST CHICAGO IL 60654
CS 200 W HUBBARD ST CHICAGO IL 60654
The Great 8: Chicagoans Play Lolla Fall Sneak Peek! Va-Va-Valentino Got Him! The MCA Steals a Star Sam Kass Is Hungry for Change & all the Best Bashes
SUMMER LIVING!
CHICAGO’S COOLEST BIZ GUYS SUIT UP CATCH THE CURRENT: THE BEST IN RIVER LIVING
The Hottest ’Hoods in Chicago! Meet the City’s Biggest Dream Boats Vision Quest: Developers We Die For Build It, Babe! Ivanka Hits Downtown
+PLUS
Power Up!
PLUS Haute Farm Chic in the City! Stay-Cool Home Finds > Flower-Powered Furniture > Art Camp For Adults!
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Luxury CoLLeCtion
ANNE PROPER 847.881.0200 anneproper@atproperties.com
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chicago tribune ultimate address
@PROPERTIES IS THE LARGEST ADVERTISER
• Single-property ad programs available
IN ULTIMATE ADDRESS , a luxury home magazine
• Glossy magazine stock and 4-color images
produced and distributed by the Chicago Tribune. Our multi-page spread highlights participating agents’ listings in a full-color layout with oversized photos, property details and agent contact information.
• Distributed to 50,000 Tribune subscribers in highincome zip codes in the city and North Shore
• Ultimate Address’ largest advertiser • Published 8X per year
• Additional distribution in honor boxes in the city and at CTA and Metra stations • Advertised homes also featured in Luxury Homes Gallery on chicagotribune.com/homefinder
• Exclusively displaying homes listed at $500,000 and above
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OUR MULTI-PAGE SPREAD HIGHLIGHTS LISTINGS IN A FULL-COLOR LAYOUT WITH OVERSIZED PHOTOS, PROPERTY DETAILS AND AGENT CONTACT INFORMATION.
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the wall street journal
@properties’ monthly full-page ad in The Wall Street Journal reaches an affluent, engaged reader, highlighting select properties and driving traffic to @properties’ website.
• Full-page ad in the Friday Wall Street Journal • Co-branded with Luxury Portfolio International® • Reaching 84,500 readers in the Chicago metropolitan area • Average household income of $253,000 • Average value of main residence over $1 million
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love where you LIVE
There was a time not long ago when it was easy to get caught up in the notion that a home was a commodity. Of course we’ve all been reminded that it’s much more than that. A home’s total return on investment isn’t just about the bottom line on a closing statement; it’s also about the memories we make, the relationships we build and the milestones we achieve while living there. In short, A HOME IS A CELEBRATION . @properties’ “Love Where You Live” ad campaign taps into this idea to create an emotional connection with Chicago-area homebuyers – a connection that is reinforced when people see the @properties logo in ads, on the web, in collateral and on the For Sale sign in front of your home.
atproperties.com
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LINCOLN PARK 312.254.0200
@PROPERTIES “ love
RIVER NORTH 312.491.0200
LAKEVIEW 773.862.0200
GOLD COAST 312.506.0200
BUCKTOWN 773.432.0200
EVANSTON 847.763.0200
where you LIVE ” AD CAMPAIGN CREATES AN EMOTIONAL CONNECTION WITH
HOMEBUYERS THAT IS REINFORCED THROUGH ADDITIONAL BRANDING AND MARKETING.
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marketing exposure
The point of marketing is differentiation – making your home stand out among the many competing properties in the marketplace today. Over the past decade, @properties has devoted more time, energy and money to this allimportant task than any other brokerage firm in Chicago.
In the end, real estate marketing at @properties comes down to designers, copywriters, programmers, coordinators and agents all working together to create differentiation – differentiation that allows you to sell your home for the most amount of money in the shortest amount of time.
OUR IN-HOUSE MARKETING AND IT DEPARTMENTS ARE
• Brochures
COMPRISED OF NEARLY TWO DOZEN EXPERIENCED
• Photo Gallery
PROFESSIONALS PRODUCING AGENCY-CALIBER WORK AND CONSTANTLY PUSHING THE ENVELOPE WITH NEW
• E-nouncement
IDEAS AND INNOVATIONS. Off-the-shelf solutions don’t
• Direct Mail
cut it. Customization, creativity and quality do.
• Signage
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property brochure
@PROPERTIES
CREATES
CUSTOM
PROPERTY
BROCHURES TO MARKET EVERY HOME. Our in-house
designers produce the layout, and printing is handled at our own facility in order to expedite turnaround and maintain quality control.
Clean attractive layouts feature large, high-resolution photography, detailed property information and a map of the surrounding neighborhood. Brochures are printed on high-quality paper for a professional presentation worthy of any market.
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direct mail
@PROPERTIES’ DIRECT MAIL PROGRAMS TARGET BUYERS, NEIGHBORS, AGENTS AND REFERRAL SOURCES WITH A VARIETY OF COMMUNICATIONS
including “Just Listed” postcards, monthly mailers, client- and agent-appreciation mailers and more. All pieces are professionally designed and written, printed on glossy card stock and accompanied by high-quality photo images. Agents have the ability to farm their individual databases or seek out potential buyers geographically and demographically through specialty mailing-list software.
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e-mail marketing
@properties’ agents target clients, prospects and brokers in their contact database with customized e-mails including “Just Listed” e-blasts and monthly e-newsletters. Our e-mail communications are professionally written and designed and follow established conventions for opt-in marketing and antispam. THE COMBINED E-MAIL DATABASES OF ALL @PROPERTIES AGENTS TOTAL MORE THAN 475,000 CONTACTS WITH NEW SIGN-UPS DAILY.
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signage
Even with the prevalence of online search, many propertyspecific inquiries still come from on-site signage. THAT’S WHY @PROPERTIES’ UBIQUITOUS FOR SALE AND OPEN HOUSE SIGNS ARE DESIGNED FOR MAXIMUM VISIBILITY. Signs boldly display agent
contact information and the property’s unique domain address for easy follow-up.
Anne Proper
847.881.0200 Anne Proper Thad Wong anneproper@atproperties.com thadwong@atproperties.com 312.254.0200 Anne Proper
773.251.6600 312.254.0200
Anne Proper Anne Proper 312.254.0200 847.881.0200
312.254.0200
anneproper@atproperties.com
2246burling.info AGENT’S EMAIL ADDRESS
AGENT’S DIRECT LINE
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Anne Proper
847.881.0200 Anne Proper Thad Wong anneproper@atproperties.com thadwong@atproperties.com 312.254.0200 Anne Proper
773.251.6600 312.254.0200 2246burling.info
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pricing your home – comparative market analysis
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-LISTINGPRICE 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 location, supply, demand, absorption, market time and property features.
A CMA TAKES INTO ACCOUNT: MARKET CONDITIONS • SUPPLY AND DEMAND • MARKET ACTIVITY • MARKET TIME • PRICE/STATUS CHANGES • INTEREST RATES AND AVAILABILITY OF CREDIT • ECONOMIC FACTORS • SEASONAL DEMAND PROPERTY FEATURES • LOCATION • ROOM COUNT AND SQUARE FOOTAGE • LOT SIZE • VIEWS • CONDITION OF PROPERTY INSIDE AND OUT • DESIRABILITY OF UNIQUE FEATURES COMPETITION • PRICE • LOCATION • MARKET TIME • FEATURES AND FINISHES • CONDITION • UNIQUE ATTRIBUTES
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YOUR @PROPERTIES AGENT APPLIES KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND RESEARCH IN PERFORMING A CMA TO SET AN ACCURATE LISTING PRICE FOR YOUR HOME.
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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. By
contrast, the surest way to see that selling price decline is to set a listing price that’s too high and then go through a series of price reductions to chase the market. Setting an accurate listing price is so important because the greatest amount of showing activity for a home occurs within the first few weeks of market time. This early activity tends to be from serious buyers who are currently in the market and are therefore drawn to new listings with a greater sense of urgency.
However, as time goes by, interest wanes, and longerthan-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. One of the biggest mistakes sellers can make is to believe that just because their home will sell for one price on day 60 it will sell for the same price on day 160. Usually, it doesn’t work that way. Remember, time is money, and the best way to optimize both is to work with your agent in setting an accurate listing price.
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HOMES WITH NO PRICE CHANGES AVERAGE SELLING PRICE AS A PERCENTAGE OF ORIGINAL LIST PRICE
96%
HOMES WITH AT LEAST ONE PRICE CHANGE
AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET
AVERAGE SELLING PRICE AS A PERCENTAGE OF ORIGINAL LIST PRICE
AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET
90
83%
199
SOURCE: AGENT METRICS, MRED LLC DATA, 6/1/12-5/13/13, SELLING PRICE TO ORIGINAL LISTING PRICE, CITY OF CHICAGO.
@PROPERTIES IS #1 IN THE CHICAGOLAND AREA IN AVERAGE MARKET TIME SOURCE: BROKER METRICS, MRED LLC DATA, 1/1/13-5/31/13, BASED ON TOP 10 BROKERAGE FIRMS IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS
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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.
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HERE IS A CHECKLIST OF PREPARATIONS TO MAKE BEFORE SHOWING YOUR HOME. BE SURE TO CONSULT YOUR @PROPERTIES AGENT TO FIND OUT WHAT IMPROVEMENTS THEY RECOMMEND.
o
DE-CLUTTER. Go through your home room by room
o
ORGANIZE. Lack of storage space can be a deal-breaker.
and ask yourself what you can throw away and what you can box up and put in storage. Pay extra attention to areas like closets, bookcases, shelves, and kitchen and bathroom counters. Go through your closets and pantries and throw away, give away or put away anything you don’t need. Clean out bedroom closets so that hanging clothes are aligned and have ample space. Remove items from closet floors. Reorganize and clean out your kitchen cabinets and line up dishes and glassware. Make sure bathroom and kitchen drawers are neatly organized.
o
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).
o
PAINT. A fresh coat of paint is the least expensive, most
o
BRIGHTEN YOUR HOME. Light gives the impression
effective way to enhance the appearance of your home. Be sure to use neutral colors. Consult your agent for recommendations. 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. Add floor and table lamps to brighten dark rooms or corners.
o
MAINTAIN THE EXTERIOR. If you live in a single-
o
MAKE REPAIRS. Consult with your agent prior to undertaking a large-scale home improvement project, but go ahead and make 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.
o
REMOVE PERSONAL PROPERTY. If you do not
family home or townhome, maintain your lawn and landscaping. In winter, shovel and de-ice walkways. In a condominium, pay attention to the area in front of the doorway. Keep it neat and inform the superintendent of any problems, such as burned-out lights. Make balconies, decks and patios inviting with potted plants and flowers.
plan on including personal property such as window treatments or light fixtures as part of a sale, then remove them prior to your first showing and replace them with attractive alternatives.
o
REMOVE PETS. Keep pets out of the home during showings. Also be sure to conceal food bowls and litter boxes. If pet odors are present, have the home professionally cleaned.
o
HIRE A HOME INSPECTOR. Hiring a professional,
o
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.
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staging your home
STAGING IS THE ART OF MERCHANDISING A HOME TO IMPROVE ITS MARKETABILITY. 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 in today’s competitive market.
Staging 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. Your @properties agent can give you suggestions for staging or help you decide if you would benefit from a professional stager.
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HERE ARE SOME EASY AND INEXPENSIVE STAGING TIPS TO CONSIDER: • Use neutral colors and décor to help your home appeal to the largest number of potential buyers. Add color through accessories such as pillows, vases and oriental rugs. • A rrange furniture in small groupings that demonstrate a room’s functionality, and do not overcrowd a room with furniture. Place pieces in a way that dictates logical traffic flow. •U se light, airy window treatments, like simple sheers on a curtain rod. Hang window treatments so they cover the least amount of glass. •H igher wattage light bulbs can brighten up dark areas, while dimmers are a low-cost way to add a desirable feature and allow you to increase or decrease light levels in different rooms. •C amouflage outdated furniture or worn upholstery with slip covers, and replace worn bedspreads and throw rugs. •K eep kitchen counters clean and clear of all items, and remove all magnets and notes from the front of the refrigerator. If your kitchen needs an update, paint cupboards with a neutral color and replace knobs on cabinets. •R emove all personal items from the bathroom counter. Stock fresh towels and get a new shower curtain and rug for the floor. •P ersonal 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. •U se interesting accessories to draw the eye to desirable features like built-in shelving, book cases or fireplace mantels. • Display fresh flowers. • If you have collectibles, display them in neat, uncluttered groupings. •R emember outdoor spaces like your back yard, patio or balcony. Add furniture, plants or potted flowers with seasonal settings.
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negotiation – guiding principles
Priced correctly and marketed aggressively, most homes will draw a timely offer. How you and your agent handle that offer and subsequent negotiations can substantially affect the outcome of your home sale. Your @properties agent will conduct negotiations with professionalism, attention to detail and a loyal representation of your interests. The following principles guide @properties’ agents in every negotiation.
CONFIDENTIALITY: Confidentiality is vital to
COMMUNICATION: Your @properties agent will
the integrity of the deal and to our reputation as professionals.
involve you in all aspects of the negotiation and communicate your options clearly and candidly.
RESPONSIVENESS: Time is of the essence
STRENGTH: We will do everything in our power
in a real estate transaction. We will expedite the presentation of offers and counteroffers and quickly act upon any opportunity.
to help you negotiate from a position of strength. Our goal is to achieve an outcome that meets or exceeds your expectations.
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.
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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 agent’s knowledge of the current market
ATTORNEY APPROVAL: Attorney approval is usually
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?
a one-week period, in which both you and the buyer have your attorneys review the contract and suggest alterations.
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.
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.
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.
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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
OUR AGENTS, MANAGING BROKERS AND SUPPORT STAFF WILL:
EMPHASIS ON COMMUNICATION, ORGANIZATION AND FOLLOW-THROUGH ENSURE THAT DEADLINES ARE
• Handle earnest money and escrow account management
MET, DOCUMENTS ARE DISTRIBUTED, AND EVERY
• Distribute contracts to all relevant parties
ITEM IS IN PLACE TO MAKE YOUR TRANSACTION
• Coordinate attorney review
EFFICIENT AND SEAMLESS.
• Coordinate a home inspection • Provide information to lenders • Distribute required disclosure forms • Collect important documents such as condominium declaration and required disclosures to fulfill contract contingencies • Coordinate an appraisal • Coordinate walk-throughs • Update you when contingencies have been satisfied • Coordinate your closing • Help you find a new home • Follow up to see if you have any questions
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contract to closing – closing costs WHO PAYS FOR WHAT? SALE PRICE
TYPICAL COST
WHO PAYS?
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
$250-$1,000
BUYER
TITLE INSURANCE (BUYER)
$250-$1,000
BUYER
TITLE INSURANCE (SELLER)
$300-$2,000
SELLER
RECORDING FEE
$75-$250
STATE TRANSFER TAX
$1.50 PER $1,000
SELLER
COUNTY/CITY TRANSFER TAX
$3.00 PER $1,000
SELLER
CHICAGO CITY TRANSFER TAX*
$7.50 PER $1,000
BUYER
SURVEY
$500 - $1,000
SELLER
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
BOTH ESTIMATED CLOSING COSTS COURTESY OF GUARANTEED RATE®. Prices subject to change. Actual costs vary per lender, loan amount, property type and other factors. *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 agent 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 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
MARKET UPDATES: You can elect to receive news and
THAT KEEP YOU INFORMED BEFORE, DURING AND
updates on the local real estate market through e-mail newsletters, sent monthly, and @properties Market Reports, updated daily.
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. We will provide feedback on showings according to the frequency and mode of communications you prefer.
SHOWING
FEEDBACK:
@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 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.
CLIENT SATISFACTION SURVEY: This important post-
closing survey gauges your satisfaction in several areas including your agent’s knowledge and professionalism, marketing services and negotiating skills. ONGOING COMMUNICATION: Long after your home is
sold, @properties and your agent are available to provide information and answer questions not only about the local real estate market but also about all things Chicago. Our agent 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 e-mail away.
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MONROE HARBOR . THE LOOP
@properties is proud to feature the work of local Chicago photographers throughout this book and on our website. The artists credited below capture the true spirit of the city and suburbs.
Elana Kovalevich
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ekovalev/
Chicago Uncommon Pictures, Dawn Mikulich
www.chicagouncommon.com
Churchill & Klehr Photography, Alan Klehr
www.aklehr.com
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