RE/MAX Platinum On Chicago’s Near South Side Marks Its Grand Opening

RE/MAX Platinum, the newest of 25 RE/MAX offices in Chicago, celebrated its grand opening on Dec. 1. Located in ground-floor space at 1931 S. State St., it is positioned to serve the rapidly growing residential neighborhoods of the Loop, South Loop/Near South Side and Bridgeport. The broker/owners of the office are Sylvia Martinez-Johnson and Eric Johnson, a husband and wife team.

There are 13 agents working in the new office, and Martinez-Johnson, who serves as manager, anticipates adding more agents in the near future because of extensive new development in the surrounding community.

"This is such a dynamic area, in terms of residential and commercial development, and agents want to be here for that reason, especially as the pace of sales in other areas has slowed,” she said.

Martinez-Johnson said a top priority in the new office is providing an environment that helps keep real estate agents energized and upbeat on new trends in a rapidly changing market.

"Our agents will have access to top quality equipment, including a choice of desktop or laptop computers, as well as a dedicated support staff. We are also going to help agents pay for advertising and offer sales incentives,” said Martinez-Johnson.

"Real estate agents today have to deliver a high level of service if they are going to succeed. To do that, they need a level of support that will let them do what they do best, which is to list and sell real estate. That’s why we want to do all we can to keep them happy and productive.”

Everyone on the staff, along with family and friends, was on hand for the gala grand opening celebration.

Martinez-Johnson is an experienced real estate agent who chose to open an office in the Near South area after building a successful career in the northwest suburbs.

While moving to the city from the suburbs will represent a major shift, she expects the transition will be relatively easy because she will remain part of the RE/MAX Northern Illinois network.

"RE/MAX is the unquestioned leader in residential real estate sales in this region, and that leadership has been enhanced by creating an outstanding Internet presence,” said Eric Johnson. “The regional RE/MAX Web site, www.illinoisproperty.com, offers consumers unexcelled access to Chicago, Rockford and Quad Cities homes and real estate and provides agents with a full complement of tools to serve their clients and attract new business from all over the world.”