Raising the Bar in Real Estate
JUNE -JULY 2015 NEWSLETTER
You may have noticed we have a new look and name for the newsletter. The name “UP” signifies our commitment to helping your business reach new heights and raise the bar in Real Estate. My name is Stephen Johnson and I am the new Marketing Communications Manager here at the regional office in Elgin. Since coming on board at the beginning of May, it has been nothing but positive getting acclimated here and I am very excited to be a part of the RE/MAX Northern Illinois family. This new look is just the first step in what we are calling the “new age” of branding and advertising for RE/MAX Northern Illinois, and it all starts with you — our membership group. Getting the word out to the public about RE/MAX is not our only goal in this new strategy. Not only do we want to get you excited about what we are doing to expand the RE/MAX brand, but we want you to participate in it!
HELLO Anything happening with your office, big or small, we want to know about it! Hosting an event? Have a property with a great story? Brainstorming on ideas you think that can help promote RE/MAX? We are here to listen to you. Contact me any time by sending me an e-mail at stephenjohnson@rfcpinc.com. Over the next several months, we will be exploring new ways to help promote the RE/MAX Northern Illinois region including improving upon previously-utilized mediums like television and print, and newer avenues that include digital and social marketing. With the capabilities and tools available to us, we know we can put together a plan that will strengthen the RE/MAX brand and encourage growth. There is plenty to look forward to as we start to “dream with our eyes open� on making things fresh and new. So please, join us in helping make this brand even bigger and showing everyone why RE/MAX is the #1 name in real estate!
New Mobile Website
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Gale Sayers Uses RE/MAX
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Year to Year Comparison and Market Share
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Steele Wins 6 GNAs
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Real Trends
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SRES Broker
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Chicago Bike the Drive
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Box Scores for April
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RE/MAX Billboard Campaign
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Balloon Flights
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Susan G Komen
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Memorial Day Parade
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Balloon Programs
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McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade
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RE/MAX Northern Illinois Launches New Mobile Website for Illinoisproperty.com
RE/MAX Northern Illinois announces the launch of the next generation of the illinoisproperty.com mobile website. The cutting-edge design marks the next phase of RE/MAX Northern Illinois’ mobile strategy, offering users comprehensive access to the complete MLS listing inventory of properties available for sale and rent in northern Illinois.
“We are excited to deliver this next major milestone in our mobile strategy. Not only is illinoisproperty.com receiving a new modern mobile website design, but every RE/MAX agent at the 105 offices in our region will also have these next generation search capabilities.”
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The new, touch friendly mobile platform allows consumers to view available properties for their desired location using an easy to use touch-able map view. Additionally, there is one touch location aware search, which will display in real time what properties are available around them. “We are excited to deliver this next major milestone in our mobile strategy. Not only is illinoisproperty.com receiving a new modern mobile website design, but every RE/MAX agent at the 105 offices in our region will also have these next generation search capabilities. This will give their clients the best possible experience and one they expect,” said Casey Reagan, Chief Technology Officer for the RE/MAX Northern Illinois network. The roll-out of this innovative design simplifies the real estate search process with the on-thego visitor in mind. In addition to the Map-Centric search capabilities, the modern layout is touchable by nature with features like scrollable list view, the ability to swipe through photos and auto-populated listings as the user moves through the map. This improved mobile interface gives visitors the option of signing up for a free My Property Finder account through illinoisproperty.com. Member benefits include full connectivity of the desktop, mobile and APP versions of illinoisproperty. com, allowing users to access their saved favorite properties and searches from any device. “We have more exciting things to come in our mobile strategy and we are very pleased with how everything is unfolding. Our RE/MAX affiliates now have a modern mobile website, a personalized toprated mobile APP as well as a digital transaction platform to provide consumers with a streamlined, modern experience for buying or selling a home,” added Reagan.
In addition to the new illinoisproperty.com mobile website design, visitors can also download the RE/MAX Northern Illinois Real Estate APP to help find the perfect home or commercial property. The RE/MAX Northern Illinois Real Estate APP is available for free for at illinoisproperty.com, the Apple APP Store and Google Play. RE/MAX agents consistently rank among the most productive in the industry. In the United States, RE/MAX agents averaged 15.6 years of real estate experience and 16.0 transaction sides in 2014. RE/MAX has been the leader in the northern Illinois
real estate market since 1989 and is continually growing. The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network, with headquarters in Elgin, Ill., consists of 2,200+ sales associates and 105 independently owned and operated RE/MAX offices that provide a full range of residential and commercial brokerage services. Its mobile real estate APP, available for download at www.illinoisproperty.com, provides comprehensive information about residential and commercial property for sale in the region. The northern Illinois network is part of RE/MAX, a global real estate organization with 100,000+ sales associates in 90+ nations.
Retired Chicago Bears Legend Gale Sayers Uses RE/MAX to Sell Gold Coast Condo NFL Hall of Famer and retired Chicago Bears legend Gale Sayers and his wife, recently sold a two-bedroom, 1,225-square-foot condo on the Gold Coast for $395,000 with Krystal Corley of RE/MAX Premier Properties. The Gold Coast condo was the second of two condos that Sayers owned in the same building. In 1998 he paid $123,500 for a fourth-floor unit that he continues to own and live in part time. Then, in 2001, he purchased the recently sold sixth-floor unit. Features of the condo include two baths, bamboo hardwood floors and an updated kitchen. “Mr. and Mrs. Sayers were great clients and I really loved working with them,” Corley said, “With the global reach of the RE/MAX brand, we were able to market the condo on multiple sites and find a buyer who was relocating from out of state.” Nicknamed “The Kansas Comet”, Sayers was drafted 5th overall in the 1965 NFL Draft by Chicago and played his entire career for the Bears before retiring in 1971. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977. Corley said the couple also have homes in Wakarusa, Ind., Las Vegas and Lawrence, Kan.
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2015 Is Well On Its Way To Being a Great Year For the RE/MAX Northern Illinois Region! Not only is 2015 shaping up to be great, we are proud to announce that according to MRED numbers, our market share is on the rise — jumping from 14.96 to 15.04 percent! In addition to RE/MAX once again claiming the top spot in market share, we are the only top 5 brand to show a gain from April 2014 to April 2015!
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2014
2015
Net Gain %
Closed Sales Volume
1,857,360,442
2,103,953,588
13.28
Closed Transactions
9,750
10,549
8.19
Associate Count
2,085
2,240
155
Active Offices
97
103
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Total Commission Earned
49,045,329
54,156,604
10.42
Market Share Brands
2014
2015
RE/MAX
14.96%
15.04%
Coldwell Banker
12.90%
12.90%
Century 21
6.19%
5.68%
Berkshire Hathaway Home Servces
5.76%
5.44
Baird & Warner
5.29%
5.00%
@ Properties
4.87%
5.29%
Keller Williams
3.08%
3.04%
Sotheby’s
1.03%
1.01%
Realty Executives
0.91%
0.79%
Charles Rutenberg Realty
0.92%
0.93%
Hasani Steele of RE/MAX Premier Properties Takes Home Six 2015 Good Neighbor Awards Hasani Steele of RE/MAX Premier Properties, in Chicago, was recognized for his work in completing residential development projects and rehabbing properties in the Chicago region at the Chicago Association of Realtors® 2015 Good Neighbor Awards in May. Six of the 37 properties recognized at the event were completed with the help of Steele. An additional six projects he was involved in earned honorable mention at the ceremony.
“...I am always thinking of ways to constantly improve and encourage others...” “We really enjoy improving properties and developing vacant lots. It’s satisfying when we look back on our projects after completion, experiencing the reality of our vision and reflecting on overcoming the adversities
we faced throughout the process,“ Steele said. The Good Neighbor Awards showcase groundbreaking new and newly rehabbed or redeveloped properties in the Chicago metropolitan region that have increased economic vibrancy in their neighborhoods and bolstered local pride. The 2015 honors bring Steele’s total to 29 Good Neighbor Awards over the last four years. “The Good Neighbor Awards are judged by my professional peers, the board of the Chicago Association of Realtors. Each year the bar is raised and I am always thinking of ways to constantly improve and encourage others to do the same,” says Steele. The six 2015 Good Neighbor Award-winning properties in which Steele participated are at 4021 S. Ellis Avenue, 4060 S. Lake Park Avenue, 4234 S. Ellis Avenue, 6543 S. Woodlawn, 817 E. Bowen Avenue, and 840 E. 48th Street. The six properties that received honorable mention were 4162 S. Ellis Avenue, 4546 S. St. Lawrence Avenue, 4330 S. Evans Avenue, 4078 S. Lake Park Avenue, 6522 S. Minerva Avenue, and 133 S. Washington Street in Westmont. Good Neighbor Awards honorees are individuals who take exceptional care to ensure their properties blend with or otherwise compliment their surrounding streetscapes. Many winning properties offer unique amenities and facilities, often strengthening community pride.
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2015 REAL Trends 500 Six RE/MAX affiliates in northern Illinois, were recognized in the 2015 REAL Trends 500. The REAL Trends 500, compiled by REAL Trends magazine, is an annual analysis of the nation’s most productive residential real estate firms based on transaction sides and closed sales volume.
BY SIDES 168 RE/MAX Suburban
Mount Prospect, IL
320 RE/MAX Synergy
Orland Park, IL
382 RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest
Palatine, IL
395 RE/MAX 10
Oak Lawn, IL
434 RE/MAX of Naperville - RE/MAX Enterprises
Naperville, IL
482 RE/MAX Showcase
Gurnee, IL
BY VOLUME 196 RE/MAX Suburban
Mount Prospect, IL
430 RE/MAX of Naperville - RE/MAX Enterprises 475 RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest
Naperville, IL Palatine, IL
Six RE/MAX affiliates in northern Illinois, were recognized in the 2015 REAL Trends 500.
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Twenty-five RE/MAX affiliates in northern Illinois, were recognized in the 2015 REAL Trends 500’s Top 500 RE/MAX Affiliates list. The following affiliates had more than 500 transaction sides in 2014 placing them among the top RE/MAX affiliates in the nation.
TOP RE/MAX AFFILIATES 16
294 RE/MAX 2000
RE/MAX Suburban
52 RE/MAX Synergy
304 RE/MAX of Barrington - RE/MAX NOW
72 RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest
333 RE/MAX Horizon
75 RE/MAX 10
348 RE/MAX Plaza
85 RE/MAX of Naperville - RE/MAX Enterprises
362 RE/MAX Advantage Realty
103 RE/MAX Showcase
384 RE/MAX Central
110 RE/MAX Action
406 RE/MAX Sauk Valley
131 RE/MAX Professionals Select
409 RE/MAX Ultimate Professionals
134 RE/MAX All Pro - RE/MAX Great American North
433 RE/MAX Partners
194 RE/MAX City
470 RE/MAX Experts
259 RE/MAX Excels
484 RE/MAX Center
261 RE/MAX Signature
496 RE/MAX In The Village, Realtors
277 RE/MAX Vision 212
The following RE/MAX affiliates were featured as Up-and-Comers in the 2015 REAL Trends 500. They did not make the top 500, but closed 500 transaction sides or more in 2014.
UP AND COMERS RE/MAX Action RE/MAX Professionals Select RE/MAX All Pro - RE/MAX Great American RE/MAX City RE/MAX Excels
Lisle, IL Naperville, IL North Bloomingdale, IL Chicago, IL Geneva, IL
RE/MAX Signature
Chicago, IL
RE/MAX Vision 212
Chicago, IL
RE/MAX 2000 RE/MAX of Barrington - RE/MAX NOW
Crete, IL Barrington, IL
RE/MAX Horizon RE/MAX Plaza RE/MAX Advantage Realty
Elgin, IL McHenry, IL Antioch, IL
RE/MAX Central
Roselle, IL
RE/MAX Sauk Valley
Sterling, IL
RE/MAX Ultimate Professionals RE/MAX Partners RE/MAX Experts
Shorewood, IL Berwyn, IL Buffalo Grove, IL
RE/MAX Center
Grayslake, IL
RE/MAX In The Village, Realtors
Oak Park, IL
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Innovative and powerful brand communications
Handelan-Pedersen Design
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RE/MAX Suburban Agent Becky Lippstreuer Earns Seniors Real Estate Specialist Designation Becky L. Lippstreuer of RE/MAX Suburban recently was named a Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®). The SRES designation is granted by the Seniors Real Estate Specialist Council of the National Association of Realtors®. Lippstreuer joins the limited group of 16,000 SRES professionals in North America who have earned the SRES designation by completing the comprehensive course focused on understanding the needs, considerations and goals of real estate buyers and sellers aged 50 and older. A second-generation real estate professional, Lippstreuer has compiled an extensive background in residential real estate in both Illinois and Florida, first as a residential property manager and then by earning her real estate license 23 years ago. She lives in Mt. Prospect with her family.
Chicago Bike the Drive The MB Financial Bank Bike the Drive was held on Memorial Day, Monday May 24 in Downtown Chicago. The event benefits Active Transportation Alliance’s work to improve biking, walking and transit. Pictured in front of the 36’ cold air RE/MAX balloon is Jim Merrion, RE/MAX Northern Illinois Regional Director, who took part in the popular lake front event.
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Box Scores RE/MAX Northern Illinois*
APRIL 2015
Number of Offices
104*
Top Office (Closed Transactions)
RE/MAX Action Lisle
Number of Agents
2,250*
Largest Commission Check
$52,775
Closed Sales Volume (YTD)
$2,953,325,669*
Largest Referral Check
$27,788
Total Residential Transactions
3,239
Total Commercial Transactions
66
RE/MAX, LLC Number of Offices
6,740 +
Number of Agents
100,00 +
Number of Countries
90 +
*Through May 2015
2015 Calendar of Events Click Here
MAY 2015 Top Office (Closed Transactions)
RE/MAX Action Lisle
Largest Commission Check
$44,250
Largest Referral Check
$8,438
Total Residential Transactions
3,757
Total Commercial Transactions
81
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Our New Billboard Campaign Our newest billboard campaign is live with 97 billboards across northern Illinois! Be on the lookout in your area for these billboards through the end of August, and be sure to snap a picture and share it with the RE/MAX Northern Illinois Facebook and Twitter pages!
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Follow the RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon on Twitter @remaxballoonil! The RE/MAX hot air balloon, one of the most famous and memorable corporate symbols in history, has been flying the skies of northern Illinois all year long. For the most recent flights, see the flight log below or follow us on Twitter @remaxballoonil! The RE/MAX hot air balloon has flown nearly 140 times in northern Illinois during the first ten months of the year. Do you want the RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon or one of the RE/MAX Cold Air Balloons at your event or neighborhood school? Fill out a Balloon Request Form and let us know! For questions, please contact balloonrequests@rfcpinc.com http://content.mediastg.net/media/downloads/remaxil/20150403011952.pdf
Balloon Flights Date
Launch Site
Landing Site
4/14/2015 Frankfort
Frankfort
4/14/2015 Wauconda
McHenry
4/16/2015 Belvedere
Belvedere
4/24/2015 Bartlett
Bartlett
4/28/2015
New Lenox
New Lenox
4/28/2015
Hoffman Estates
S. Barrington
5/01/2015 Ridgefield
Algonquin
5/13/2015
Downers Grove
Naperville
5/13/2015
Island Lake
Lake in the Hills
5/19/2015
Crestwood
Homer Glen
5/20/2015
Lombard
Naperville
05/22/2015
Lake Bluff
Grayslake
05/23/2015
Hoffman Estates
Island Lake
6/01/2015
Round Lake
Woodstock
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The Susan G. Komen Race for the CureÂŽ The Susan G. Komen Race for the CureÂŽ was held May 10, 2015 in downtown Chicago. The 36-foot and 26-foot RE/MAX cold air balloons were on display. All participants and attendees passed by the 36-foot balloon to get to the event grounds and passed it again to get to the start line which the balloon was placed 300 feet from. The Race for the CureÂŽ helps raise significant funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer, celebrating breast cancer survivorship and honoring those who have lost their battle with the disease.
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Parading Around with RE/MAX The second largest Memorial Day Parade in Illinois is held in none other than the Village of Pecatonica. RE/MAX Valley, Realtors in Roscoe showcased the RE/MAX Soaring Home Balloon in front of the thousands in attendance on May 25. They were joined by RE/MAX Property Source’s Tom Humpal, Matt Humpal and Julie Snyder on the parade route.
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it ’ s a l l a b out you
new products to refresh your marketing efforts!
homeselling brochure
premium business cards lifestyle mailers
www.merrillshop.com/remax
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Balloon Programs
May 26
Cardinal Joseph Bernardin School
May 27
Apollo Elementary School
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An indoor presentation was held at Cardinal Joseph Bernardin School in Orland Hills on Tuesday in front of a crowd of 325 students. Karen Irace of RE/MAX Synergy of Orland Park sponsored the event.
Two indoor programs took place in front of 350 students at Apollo Elementary School in Aledo on Wednesday. Starr Zook of RE/MAX on Track in Aledo sponsored the event.
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Cowlishaw Elementary School The RE/MAX School Balloon Program visited Cowlishaw Elementary School in Naperville on Wednesday for an indoor and outdoor presentation. Joe Kucharski of RE/MAX of Naperville sponsored the event saying, “It teaches kids that learning is fun, safety always comes first and more importantly that they can be anything they want when as they grow up...even fly a balloon. It is simply a fun and suspense filled event and the kids just don’t know what to expect.”
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Focus on the homeowners most likely to sell.
Exclusive Territories Available
Get started at www.smartzip.com
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McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade RE/MAX Northern Illinois will be participating in the McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade this year and would like to invite RE/MAX agents to be a part of this celebration!
Thursday, November 26, 2015
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Participation • Seating in the VIP section or walking in the parade with the RE/MAX float • Free RE/MAX windbreaker • Mandatory training day prior to the event • Free admission to the Field Museum after training session
Interested? To be entered into the lottery, please send an email with your name, office, guest’s name, and participation preference (VIP seating or walking with the float) to: events@rfcpinc.com by July 31, 2015
LIMITED AVAILABILITY If you are unable to attend the event, tune into the McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade on Thursday, November 26th from 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. on WGN 9 Chicago. The nation’s top marching bands, exciting performance units and giant helium balloons will be making their way down State Street to the excitement of hundreds of thousands of on-street spectators and millions on TV at home. Don’t miss out on the holiday’s most memorable event!
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