Join The Fun: RE/MAX Offices Set Las Vegas-Style Benefit in Plainfield to Aid CMN and Children’s Memorial

A Las Vegas Nite party from 5 to 9 p.m. on March 14 at 24012 W. Renwick Road, Plainfield, Ill., will benefit the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) and Children’s Memorial Hospital. Sponsored by RE/MAX Professionals South of Plainfield, Ill., RE/MAX Professionals Select of Naperville, Ill., and RE/MAX Pinnacle of Shorewood, Ill., the event is open to all those 21 or older who would like to join in the fun.

The admission charge of $50 per person provides for an entertaining evening of poker, blackjack, roulette and craps, along with hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer and soft drinks. Each participant will receive a generous stack of chips for use in the gambling games, but the ultimate winners will be Children’s Memorial, which will receive the proceeds of the event other than that portion used to defray the costs.

All the gaming tables will offer professional equipment and will be operated by experienced staff.

“We hope to really hit the jackpot for CMN and Children’s Memorial with this event,” said Jennifer Conte, a co-owner of the Plainfield and Shorewood offices. “We’re looking forward to a great evening in a spacious facility right next door to our Plainfield office, and we hope that people from throughout the Naperville-Plainfield-Shorewood area will join the fun and help support the hospital’s outstanding work.”

For more information about the event or to purchase tickets in advance, contact Jen Plahm at 630-615-2832 or by e-mail at Jennifer.plahm@gmail.com.

City Condos Were Best Performers in Chicago-Area Housing Market During 2007, RE/MAX Reports

Condominium units, especially in the City of Chicago, were the top performers in the housing market, according to an analysis of 2007 sales activity by RE/MAX Northern Illinois. The analysis was based on data collected by the Multiple Listing Service of Northern Illinois (MLSNI).

Sales of condos and townhouses (classified as attached homes by the MLSNI) were equal to or higher than 2006 levels in 55 suburban communities and 29 city neighborhoods in 2007. Total sales of attached homes in the seven county Chicago metropolitan area fell 18 percent in 2007, but declined just 10.5 percent in the City of Chicago.

MSLNI data shows a total decline of 21.3 percent for sales of all types of housing in the entire metro area, with sales of detached units (primarily single-family homes) posting a 23.8 percent decrease for the year.

“The city condo market showed particular resilience in 2007 across almost all parts of the city and all price categories,” said Jim Merrion, regional director of RE/MAX Northern Illinois. “Overall, the current housing market offers an outstanding opportunity for buyers to take advantage of falling interest rates for mortgages and an extensive inventory of homes for sale in almost every price category.”

In Chicago, sales of attached homes, mainly condominiums, rose in 27 neighborhoods, with the most striking gains coming in such newly chic areas as North Center (11 percent), Lincoln Square (18 percent) and Avondale (24 percent). McKinley Park earned honors for the largest percentage increase with 51 attached sales, up from eight the year before, a gain of more than 500 percent.

Only four of the 77 official city neighborhoods saw sales increase in both the detached and attached categories. Those neighborhoods are Lincoln Square, Forest Glen, Bridgeport and Mount Greenwood. However, none of those areas had the largest percentage increase in total sales. That honor went to McKinley Park, where total sales rose 55 percent, with 73 homes changing hands. Bridgeport saw total sales rise 22 percent to 159 units, and in Lincoln Square, where the market is much more active, sales rose 19 percent to 678 units.

Across suburbia, sales as a whole fell 24.2 percent in 2007, based on MLSNI data, and while there were local variations, sales in all seven counties of the metro area were down at least 20 percent, with Will County showing the largest dip in sales activity at 27.2 percent.

Nonetheless, 20 suburban communities did see total sales equal or surpass those of 2006. Among those communities recording the largest gains were Volo (140 percent), Kenilworth (72 percent), Fox River Grove (22 percent) and LaGrange Park (13 percent). Sales of attached homes were especially strong in Willowbrook and Lake Forest (both up 24 percent) and Yorkville (up 58 percent).

RE/MAX Expands Its Leadership Position in Will County Home Sales

The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network increased its market share leadership in the Will County home sales market during 2007 based on sales data available through the Multiple Listing Service of Northern Illinois (MLSNI). RE/MAX agents listed 27.2 percent of all homes sold in Will County, up from 26.6 percent during the prior year.

Home sales reported by the MLSNI totaled 8,042 in Will County during 2007, a decrease of 25.4 percent from the 10,776 homes sold during the prior year.

The top five real estate organizations in Will County during 2007, in terms of sold listings, were RE/MAX with 2,190 (27.2 percent), Coldwell Banker with 1,629 (20.3 percent), Century 21 with 475 (5.9 percent), Realty Executives with 368 (4.6 percent) and Baird & Warner with 276 (3.4 percent). Data maintained by the MLSNI may not reflect all real estate activity in a specific market area.

RE/MAX also led the Will County market in homes purchased. In 2007, RE/MAX agents represented buyers who purchased 21.7 percent of all listed homes sold in Will County, topping Coldwell Banker (18.2 percent), Century 21 (7.4 percent), Realty Executives (4.2 percent) and Baird & Warner (4 percent).

During 2007, RE/MAX ranked as Chicagoland’s market-share leader, listing 20.3 percent of all homes sold. That continues an 18-year period during which RE/MAX maintained the number one position in the Chicagoland market. RE/MAX also continues to lead the suburban Chicago area, closing 26.2 percent of listings sold in 2007, an increase over the previous year when RE/MAX had a market share of 26.1 percent.

RE/MAX Retains Top Spot in DuPage County Home Sales

The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network remained the market share leader in DuPage County during 2007. RE/MAX agents listed 27 percent of all homes sold in the county based on sales data available through the Multiple Listing Service of Northern Illinois (MLSNI).

Home sales reported by the MLSNI totaled 10,553 in DuPage County during 2007, a decrease of 20.7 percent from the 13,309 homes sold during the prior year.

The top five real estate organizations in DuPage County during 2007, in terms of sold listings, were RE/MAX with 2,849 (27 percent), Coldwell Banker with 1,516 (14.4 percent), Baird & Warner with 561 (5.3 percent), Century 21 with 536 (5.1 percent) and Prudential with 381 (3.6 percent). Data maintained by the MLSNI may not reflect all real estate activity in a specific market area.

RE/MAX also led the DuPage County market in homes purchased. In 2007, RE/MAX agents represented buyers who purchased 21.7 percent of all homes sold in DuPage County, topping Coldwell Banker (13.9 percent), Baird & Warner (6.2 percent), Century 21 (5.8 percent) and Prudential (3.5 percent).

During 2007, RE/MAX ranked as Chicagoland’s market-share leader, listing 20.3 percent of all homes sold. That continues an 18-year period during which RE/MAX maintained the number one position in the Chicagoland market. RE/MAX also continues to lead the suburban Chicago area, closing 26.2 percent of listings sold in 2007, an increase over the previous year when RE/MAX had a market share of 26.1 percent.

RE/MAX Expands Leadership Position in Kane County Home Sales

The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network increased its market share leadership in Kane County home sales during 2007 based on sales data available through the Multiple Listing Service of Northern Illinois (MLSNI). RE/MAX agents listed 32.2 percent of all homes sold in Kane County, up from 29.9 percent during the prior year.

Home sales reported by the MLSNI totaled 5,649 in Kane County during 2007, a decrease of 22.4 percent from the 7,283 homes sold during the prior year.

The top five real estate organizations in Kane County during 2007, in terms of sold listings, were RE/MAX with 1,819 (32.2 percent), Coldwell Banker with 654 (11.6 percent), Baird & Warner with 416 (7.4 percent), Century 21 with 331 (5.9 percent), and Keller Williams with 190 (3.4 percent). Data maintained by the MLSNI may not reflect all real estate activity in a specific market area.

RE/MAX also led the Kane County market in homes purchased. In 2007, RE/MAX agents represented buyers who purchased 25.3 percent of all listed homes sold in Kane County, topping Coldwell Banker (10.1 percent), Century 21 (8 percent), Baird & Warner (7.6 percent) and Kettley (3.6 percent).

During 2007, RE/MAX ranked as Chicagoland’s market-share leader, listing 20.3 percent of all homes sold. That continues an 18-year period during which RE/MAX maintained the number one position in the Chicagoland market. RE/MAX also continues to lead the suburban Chicago area, closing 26.2 percent of listings sold in 2007, an increase over the previous year when RE/MAX had a market share of 26.1 percent.

RE/MAX Expands Leadership Position in McHenry County Home Sales Market

The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network increased its market share leadership in the McHenry County home sales market during 2007 based on sales data available through the Multiple Listing Service of Northern Illinois (MLSNI). RE/MAX agents listed 26.3 percent of all homes sold in McHenry County, up from 26.1 percent during the prior year.

Home sales reported by the MLSNI totaled 3,781 in McHenry County during 2007, a decrease of 23.9 percent from the 4,968 homes sold during the prior year.

The top five real estate organizations in McHenry County during 2007, in terms of sold listings, were RE/MAX with 993 (26.3 percent), Coldwell Banker with 543 (14.4 percent), Century 21 with 421 (11.1 percent), Prudential with 356 (9.4 percent) and Baird & Warner with 234 (6.2 percent). Data maintained by the MLSNI may not reflect all real estate activity in a specific market area.

RE/MAX also led the McHenry County market in homes purchased. In 2007, RE/MAX agents represented buyers who purchased 24.2 percent of all listed homes sold in McHenry County, topping Prudential (11 percent), Century 21 (10.6 percent), Coldwell Banker (10.5 percent) and Baird & Warner (6.9 percent).

During 2007, RE/MAX ranked as Chicagoland’s market-share leader, listing 20.3 percent of all homes sold. That continues an 18-year period during which RE/MAX maintained the number one position in the Chicagoland market. RE/MAX also continues to lead the suburban Chicago area, closing 26.2 percent of listings sold in 2007, an increase over the previous year when RE/MAX had a market share of 26.1 percent.

RE/MAX Retains Top Spot in Lake County

The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network remained the market share leader in Lake County during 2007. RE/MAX agents listed 29.3 percent of all homes sold in the county based on sales data available through the Multiple Listing Service of Northern Illinois (MLSNI).

Home sales reported by the MLSNI totaled 8,100 in Lake County during 2007, a decrease of 22.6 percent from the 10,460 homes sold in 2006.

The top five real estate organizations in Lake County during 2007, in terms of sold listings, were RE/MAX with 2,371 (29.3 percent), Coldwell Banker with 1,270 (15.7 percent), Century 21 with 1,032 (12.7 percent), GMAC with 703 (8.7 percent) and Baird & Warner with 567 (7 percent). Data maintained by the MLSNI may not reflect all real estate activity in a specific market area.

RE/MAX also led the Lake County market in homes purchased. In 2007, RE/MAX agents represented buyers who purchased 24.4 percent of all listed homes sold in Lake County, topping Coldwell Banker (13.7 percent), Century 21 (12.8 percent), GMAC (7.7 percent) and Baird & Warner (7.6 percent).

During 2007, RE/MAX ranked as Chicagoland’s market-share leader, listing 20.3 percent of all homes sold. That continues an 18-year period during which RE/MAX maintained the number one position in the Chicagoland market. RE/MAX also continues to lead the suburban Chicago area, closing 26.2 percent of listings sold in 2007, an increase over the previous year when RE/MAX had a market share of 26.1 percent.

RE/MAX Retains Top Spot in Cook County Home Sales

The RE/MAX Northern Illinois network remained the market share leader in Cook County during 2007. RE/MAX agents listed 14.8 percent of all homes sold in the county based on sales data available through the Multiple Listing Service of Northern Illinois (MLSNI).

Home sales reported by the MLSNI totaled 53,899 in Cook County during 2007, a decrease of 20.2 percent from the 67,547 homes sold during the prior year.

The top five real estate organizations in Cook County during 2007, in terms of sold listings, were RE/MAX with 8,001 (14.8 percent), Coldwell Banker with 7,197 (13.4 percent), Century 21 with 3,996 (7.4 percent), GMAC with 2,644 (4.9 percent), and Baird & Warner with 2,553 (4.7 percent). Data maintained by the MLSNI may not reflect all real estate activity in a specific market area.

RE/MAX also led the Cook County market in homes purchased. In 2007, RE/MAX agents represented buyers who purchased 11.7 percent of all listed homes sold in Cook County, topping Coldwell Banker (11.4 percent), Century 21 (7.7 percent), Baird & Warner (4.7 percent) and @ Properties (4.3 percent).

During 2007, RE/MAX ranked as Chicagoland’s market-share leader, listing 20.3 percent of all homes sold. That continues an 18-year period during which RE/MAX maintained the number one position in the Chicagoland market. RE/MAX also continues to lead the suburban Chicago area, closing 26.2 percent of listings sold in 2007, an increase over the previous year when RE/MAX had a market share of 26.1 percent.