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.”

RE/MAX Northern Illinois Names Jennifer Mclean As Franchise Sales Consultant

RE/MAX Northern Illinois has named Jennifer McLean, 30, of Gilberts, Ill., as a franchise sales consultant. She will be based at the RE/MAX Northern Illinois regional office, 2205 Point Blvd., Elgin, and will work with all those who express an interest in becoming the owner of a RE/MAX franchise in the Northern Illinois Region, which extends across approximately the northern third of the state.

McLean has five years experience in real estate, having previously worked in the sales organizations of two leading homebuilders, Ryland Homes and Concord Homes.

“Jennifer will make an outstanding addition to our regional team where her proven skills for working one-on-one with customers to guide them through a complex transaction will be most welcome,” said Jim Merrion, regional director of RE/MAX Northern Illinois. “We believe that as the world’s leading real estate franchise organization, RE/MAX is well positioned for continued growth. Those professionals who affiliate with the RE/MAX brand will be best able to succeed in today’s real estate market.”

McLean grew up in the Sterling-Rock Falls area of northern Illinois and attended Western Illinois University where she earned a B.S. in Industrial Technology. She and her husband, Matthew, were married in September.

RE/MAX Hub City In Rochelle, Ill., Joins Roster Of Miracle Offices

RE/MAX Hub City, 361 W. Hwy. 38 in Rochelle, Ill., recently joined the ranks of Miracle Offices in the RE/MAX Northern Illinois network.

In the communities along the I-39 corridor in Northern Illinois, 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.

RE/MAX Hub City (formerly RE/MAX of Rock Valley East) recently celebrated the grand opening of a new office location, which it shares with the Bearrows Auction Company.

"As part of our grand opening celebration, we wanted to show our appreciation to this community, and helping Children’s Memorial is a great way to do that. The hospital offers outstanding care to children regardless of their parents’ financial resources, and we know that each year it helps deserving families in the Rochelle area,” said John Bearrows, broker/owner of RE/MAX Hub City. “I want to maintain our Miracle Office status for many years to come.”