Grand Opening On Dec. 13 Will Introduce New Location And New Name For RE/MAX Office In Rochelle

A grand opening celebration scheduled for Dec. 13 will introduce a new location and new name for the RE/MAX office in Rochelle, Ill. The office has changed its name to RE/MAX Hub City and is moving to a great new location at 361 W. Hwy. 38.

The grand opening will include a ribbon cutting a 4 p.m., refreshments from 4 to 7 p.m. and a live broadcast from 5 to 6 p.m. on WRHL radio.

"We have a lot to celebrate, not only in terms of our own business, but also the many positive things going on in and around Rochelle that benefit so many members of our community,” said John Bearrows, broker/owner of RE/MAX Hub City. Bearrows operates the office in partnership with his wife Dina, who serves as office manager.

"We anticipate that the Rochelle area will continue experiencing significant growth in the decade ahead, and we are now well positioned to be a part of that,” said Bearrows. “Rochelle’s importance as a strategic crossroad for transportation will drive that growth, and it is the major reason we renamed our office RE/MAX Hub City.

He reports that real estate values in the Rochelle area continue to increase.

"The number of properties changing hands is down slightly from last year, but overall the market here is remarkably strong, and I expect it to remain that way in this unique community,” Bearrows said.

The new two-level office, currently home to nine agents and an administrative assistant, has ample room for expansion. It is in a former residence that was completely remodeled over a five-month period. While the original shell remains intact, everything inside, from the wiring to space arrangement is new, and the exterior has new siding and a new roof.

The new office location combines visibility and ease of access, while its interior incorporates all the technological capabilities that are essential in today’s real estate market,” Bearrows said.

Two features of the original structure that were preserved are the backyard deck, which will be used as an open-air conference area in warm weather, and a lower level fireplace that was revealed during the renovation and now highlights one of two conference rooms.

"Our old office downtown was quite large, but the location didn’t offer the level of exposure to vehicular traffic that a real estate office needs,” said Bearrows.

Bearrows opened his first real estate office in Rochelle 12 years ago as a compliment to his Complete Auction Service, which he has operated since 1975. His real estate office became part of the RE/MAX Northern Illinois network in 2003 and was initially known as RE/MAX of Rock Valley East.

Along with its new name and fresh looks, the renovated office is designed to accommodate the changing environment in which real estate professionals work and their clients shop for properties.

"Agents spend less time in the office today because wireless communications let them do more from remote locations, whether that is their vehicle, their home or their client’s property,” said Bearrows. At the same time, agents have to stay abreast of the evolving marketplace and the demands of consumers, so the new facility is designed to make training sessions easier and more productive.

RE/MAX Signature Completing Move To New Office At 2901 N. Clybourn Ave.

After expanding from 40 to more than 50 agents in the last year, RE/MAX Signature will complete its relocation to 2901 N. Clybourn Ave. on Chicago’s North Side from its original location a few blocks north at 2329 W. Belmont Ave. By Jan. 1, all operations will be based in the Clybourn office, which opened in late 2006 and offers the latest in contemporary technology to agents and their clients.

"Now that our nearly 5,000-square-foot office on Clybourn is up and running smoothly, we are able to complete the transition from our Belmont facility,” said Linda O’Donnell, broker/owner of RE/MAX Signature.

The new office provides ample space for the entire RE/MAX Signature operation and includes a strong technological infrastructure and extensive facilities for the firm’s agent development programs.

"We take considerable pride in our development programs,” O’Donnell emphasized. “We offer our agents a level of support and resources they would not find in a more traditional office, and blend that with the entrepreneurial advantages that are identified with RE/MAX.”

"The technical and training aspects of our business are of increasing importance because new wireless technologies give agents increased capabilities and business opportunities while letting them work from almost anywhere,” noted O’Donnell.

O’Donnell believes that increased service capabilities are vital in the current real estate market.

"Buyers are confronted with a wide selection of homes for sale, creating a decision making process that is more complex that it was a few years ago. Meanwhile, sellers must cope with longer market times and more competition. In both cases, agents need to deliver increased service, and in our Clybourn office they certainly have the technical resources to do that,” she said.

RE/MAX Web Site Again Takes Top Award In Annual Poll Of Chicago-Area Real Estate Agents

For the second consecutive year, the RE/MAX Web site for Northern Illinois, www.illinoisproperty.com, was named the best real estate Web site in the Chicago suburbs by real estate agents who participated in the annual Agents’ Choice Awards poll conducted by Chicago Agent Magazine, a professional trade journal.

The winners of the 2007 poll were announced in the Nov. 19 issue of the magazine and were based on results of a survey distributed to thousands of Chicago-area Realtorsâ. Honors were presented in 10 categories, with a total of 17 winners named.

"It is an honor to take this award for the second year in a row,” said Jim Merrion, regional director of RE/MAX Northern Illinois. “Our Web site, www.illinoisproperty.com, continues to grow in popularity, which is evidenced by the 1 million unique visitors it receives each month. It is truly a site that caters to the specific needs of consumers and real estate agents.

"The addition of special features, such as the neighborhood valuation tool and the ability to search for properties locally, nationally and internationally make the site more attractive and consumer friendly than ever,” he said.

The Chicago Agent 2007 Agent’s Choice Awards also named RE/MAX of Naperville as the favorite Luxury Real Estate Service in the suburbs.

"I believe our leadership in the luxury market segment is founded on a philosophy of combining outstanding service for the client with a commitment to being a great business partner for the cooperating agents with whom we work,” said John Brennan, broker/owner of RE/MAX of Naperville.

"We also stress the importance of giving luxury properties the broadest possible exposure in the marketplace. That includes presenting them not just to buyers in the Chicago area, but also buyers located across the United States and in key markets abroad,” he said.

RE/MAX Way In Oswego, Ill. Joins Roster Of Miracle Offices

RE/MAX Way, 2270 U.S. Hwy. 30 in Oswego, Ill., recently joined the ranks of Miracle Offices in the RE/MAX Northern Illinois network.

In the Chicago area, a Miracle Office is one in which each agent donates either a portion of every commission or a one-time annual amount to Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago. The RE/MAX network is among the hospital’s largest benefactors, generating donations of more than $320,000 in 2006. There are now 66 RE/MAX Miracle Offices in northern Illinois.

Helen Wittry is the broker/owner of RE/MAX Way

"We’re quite proud that every agent in our office, nearly 40 in all, wanted to make a continuing commitment to helping Children’s Memorial. The hospital offers outstanding care to children regardless of their parents’ financial resources, and we know that each year it helps many deserving families in our area,” said Wittry. “Achieving Miracle Office status is an important part of our effort to thank so many people in this community for the confidence they show in us.”