18 Northern Illinois Real Estate RE/MAX Brokerages Ranked Among Nation’s Most Productive Realty Firms

Eighteen independently owned northern Illinois real estate RE/MAX brokerage organizations ranked among the 700 most productive residential brokerages in the nation for 2007 based on transactions closed, according to the 2008 Power Broker Report by Real Estate Magazine.

Nationwide, 25.6 percent of the firms ranked in the newest version of the annual Power Broker Report were RE/MAX units.

The 18 northern Illinois RE/MAX brokerages in the 2008 Power Broker listing (which is based on 2007 sales results) are led once again by RE/MAX Suburban, which has offices in Arlington Heights, Glen Ellyn, Libertyville, Mt. Prospect, Schaumburg and Wheaton. It ranked 139th in transactions and 117th in
sales volume.

The 17 other RE/MAX offices in northern Illinois ranked in the Power Broker Report, with their transaction and sales rankings, are:

- RE/MAX TEAM 2000, Orland Park and Palos Heights, 242nd and 230th;
- RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest, Algonquin, Cary, Crystal Lake, Lake Zurich and Palatine, 290th and 224th;
- RE/MAX ’10,’ Homer Glen, Oak Lawn and Palos Park, 295th and 303rd;
- RE/MAX Central, Roselle, and RE/MAX Central West, West Dundee, 322nd and 392nd;
- RE/MAX City, Realtors®, Chicago, 350th and 296th;
- RE/MAX Showcase, Gurnee, Lake Forest, Long Grove and Waukegan, 370th and 318th;
- RE/MAX Professionals East, St. Charles and RE/MAX Excels, Geneva, 392nd and 277th;
- RE/MAX Great American, North Aurora, RE/MAX Great American North, Wasco, RE/MAX Great American II, Yorkville, and RE/MAX Town & Country, Aurora, 463rd and 434th;
- RE/MAX Realty of Joliet, Joliet, 513th and 594th;
- RE/MAX Professionals Select, Naperville, 537th and 412th;
- RE/MAX South Suburban, Flossmoor, 544th and 619th;
- RE/MAX On Track, Aledo and Rock Island, 571st and 789th;
- RE/MAX Action, Lisle and Oak Brook, 608th and 592nd;
- RE/MAX Properties, LaGrange and Western Springs, 619th and 555th;
- RE/MAX Experts, Buffalo Grove, 653rd and 518th;
- RE/MAX Affiliates, Naperville and Aurora, 669th and 537th;
- RE/MAX Sauk Valley, Sterling, 695th and 815th.

“We are pleased to see the number of our offices on the Power Broker list increase from 11 to 18 in a single year,” said Jim Merrion, real estate expert and regional director of RE/MAX Northern Illinois. “RE/MAX continues to grow and strengthen its leadership position in all types of market environments.”

Real Estate Magazine listed five other RE/MAX offices in northern Illinois as “Companies to Watch,” a list of future star performers, based on their 2007 sales achievements. They are: RE/MAX Elite, Hinsdale and Darien; RE/MAX Professionals South, Plainfield; RE/MAX of Barrington, Barrington; RE/MAX North, Northbrook and RE/MAX All Pro, Bloomingdale.

Elmhurst Real Estate Expert Sponsors RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon Visit To Immanuel Lutheran School On May 12

Students at Immanuel Lutheran School, 148 E. Third St., Elmhurst, Ill., will learn about hot air ballooning when the RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon and its crew visit the school on May 12 to present a special interactive educational program. The visit is part of an on-going balloon education program developed by RE/MAX Northern Illinois.

The 270 students at Immanuel Lutheran will learn about various aspects of ballooning, its history and the scientific principles involved. Plus, they will see a demonstration on how the balloon functions. During one portion of the program, students can walk inside the balloon envelope, which is partially inflated with cold air.

Elmhurst real estate expert Carol Garland of RE/MAX Action in Oak Brook, Ill., is sponsoring this event.

This program will be presented at 8:30 a.m. and will help the students learn more about ballooning and how it relates to the subjects they study in school. It will be held in the school gymnasium.

Chicago-Area Real Estate Home Buyers Keep An Eye On Energy Costs But Not Other ‘Green’ Features

When it comes to thinking “green,” Chicago real estate home buyers appear more focused on monthly heating bills than on the environment in general.

There may be housing markets around the United States where buyers search eagerly for homes that would make a dedicated environmentalist proud: homes with extensive insulation and the mechanical systems and efficient appliances to minimize energy usage; kitchen and bath fixtures, as well as landscaping, that keep water consumption to a minimum; even homes that generate their own energy supply with wind or solar power.

The vast majority of Chicago area buyers don’t put a major emphasis on finding so-called “sustainable” homes, according to Jim Merrion, regional director and real estate expert for RE/MAX Northern Illinois.

Generally speaking, says Merrion, Chicago-area home buyers, especially those considering existing homes, typically limit their environmental priorities to features that reduce energy costs, with heating bills their main concern.

“Homebuyers have a large number of priorities to consider when looking for a new place to live, starting with price, location and adequate space,” he said. “Energy costs are a priority, while other green concerns get a much lower level of attention”

Buyers of custom-design new construction constitute the one group that is somewhat more demanding when it comes to the environmental footprint of their new residence, according to Stuart Diamond of RE/MAX Villager in Glenview, Ill., who works extensively with that type of property.

“Younger buyers, especially those in their 30s, seem particularly aware of issues related to energy conservation,” he said. “If the standard wall insulation for a new home design is R-36, they want to increase that as much as possible. They understand that additional insulation is a very inexpensive way to save a considerable amount of energy.”

Another trend Diamond sees among the same group of buyers is demand for high-efficiency fluorescent light bulbs. Those bulbs won’t work with dimmer switches, but the buyers don’t care, Diamond reports.

When it comes to existing homes, a desire to minimize energy bills is showing up everywhere, even in the luxury-home precincts served by Susan Coveny of RE/MAX Prestige in Long Grove, Ill.

“Our buyers are quite concerned about things like high-efficiency furnaces, top quality windows and making sure the mechanical systems of the house are well maintained,” said Coveny. In homes that sell for well over a $1 million, indications that a seller hasn’t had the furnace serviced regularly can be a definite turnoff for many buyers, she reports.

The same is true in markets with far lower home prices. In South Holland, Ill., Cimena Cummings of RE/MAX Excellence reports buyers are much more sensitive to energy costs than was the case a decade ago.

“Recently I had clients decide not to buy a home they liked because it had an old boiler, and converting it to an energy efficient furnace would have been too expensive,” Cummings said. “When I market a home today, I make sure to mention energy-saving features, such as a high efficiency furnace, extra insulation and newer windows. Tankless water heaters are also becoming popular as a way to reduce energy use, especially in buildings with rental units.”

Michele Rehberg, a sales associate with RE/MAX Advantage Realty in Antioch, Ill., says buyers in her market have become much more concerned about construction quality, whether looking at new construction or an existing home.

“When it comes to energy use, their real focus is on the utility bills, but they also understand that a well-built house can save money by being more energy efficient,” she said.

Though not as important an issue for most buyers as energy cost, commuting considerations are drawing more attention, too. With gas prices now more than $3.50 a gallon, buyers are eager to find homes that cut the amount of time they spend driving to work, reports Mike Quaglia of RE/MAX Destiny in Elk Grove Village, Ill.

“It is a combination of two factors when it comes to reducing commuting time,” Quaglia said. “One is the cost of gas, which is getting to be a real issue for those who have a long commute. The other is simply the time involved. People have so many demands on their time today that they want to avoid spending hours in their car.”

The desire to minimize auto use is especially visible among those who seek out a home in the city, according to Azarina Cerkic of RE/MAX NorthCoast in Chicago.

“Every city buyer considers public transportation when looking for a home, especially access to the elevated trains,” she said. Even if city home buyers normally drive to work, they like to have the option of taking the El.

Cerkic notes that adding energy saving features has become a standard part of most condominium conversion projects in the city.

“We stress the fact that the developer has installed additional insulation, high-efficiency furnaces, new windows and energy efficient appliances because buyers want to keep their operating costs down,” she said. “Buyers also are eager to get details on the monthly utility bills associated with existing homes so they can get a clearer idea of what their costs will be.”

A final area a fair number local buyers apparently are becoming more environmentally aware involves recycling.

“I’d say that it has gotten to the point where three out of four buyers I work with ask specifically about local recycling programs,” said Mike Quaglia of RE/MAX Destiny, Elk Grove Village. “If the community doesn’t have much of a recycling program, buyers usually have a negative response, but the issue isn’t so important that it’s a deal breaker.”

According to Stuart Diamond of RE/MAX Villager, Glenview, families building new homes are quite aware of the recycling issue, too.

“It has become pretty standard to include a recycling closet in the garage located near the door to the house with room inside for bins that allow the resident to easily separate various recyclables,” Diamond reported.

On the other hand, these agents all noted that in the Chicago area, buyers aren’t concerned about other aspects of environmentally friendly home design, such as features that would reduce water usage or the installation of solar panels to provide electric power to the house.

“Most buyers aren’t quite ready to make those types of investments,” said Diamond. “I’ve worked with two buyers recently who considered a heat-pump system that involves sinking tubes about 150 feet down into the earth. The added upfront cost for that type of system, versus a traditional furnace, was about $25,000, and neither buyer went ahead with it.”

Even when buyers pay little or no attention to environmental aspects of a home, they often end up confronting some of those issues during their home inspection, according to Kathy Volpe of RE/MAX Achievers in Lombard, Ill.

“Inspectors play a big role in communicating to buyers how energy efficient their new home will be,” she said. “They point out potential problem areas as far as energy use is concerned and advise buyers on how the home can be made more efficient, such as by adding insulation, caulking windows or adding a programmable thermostat. With older houses, the list of potential energy-efficient improvements can be lengthy, so it’s important that such homes be priced appropriately.”

RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon To Visit Hilltop Elementary School In Elgin, Il On May 8

Students from Streamwood and Elgin who attend Hilltop Elementary School, 1855 Rohrssen Road, Elgin, Ill., will learn about hot air ballooning when the RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon and its crew visit the school on May 8 to present a special interactive educational program. The visit is part of an on-going balloon education program developed by RE/MAX Northern Illinois.

The 700 students at Hilltop School will learn about various aspects of ballooning, its history and the scientific principles involved. Plus, they will see a demonstration on how the balloon functions. During one portion of the program, students can walk inside the balloon envelope, which is partially inflated with cold air. Later, if weather permits, the 70-foot-tall balloon will be fully inflated outdoors.

This program will be presented twice, starting at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. It will help the students learn more about ballooning and how it relates to the subjects they study in school.

RE/MAX real estate expert Dawna Watson of RE/MAX All Pro in Bloomingdale, Ill., is sponsoring this event.

Illinois Real Estate Agents Earn Spots In RE/MAX Top 10 For First Quarter Sales

Vicki Geiger of RE/MAX Top Properties in Morris, Ill., emerged as the top RE/MAX agent in northern Illinois outside the Chicago metropolitan area during the first quarter of 2008. It is Geiger’s first appearance in the top spot. She ranked No. 2 for all of 2007.

The real estate agents in this ranking are from the counties of Boone, Bureau, Carroll, DeKalb, Grundy, Henry, Jo Daviess, Lee, Mercer, Ogle, Rock Island, Stephenson, Whiteside and Winnebago.

The ranking reflects the sales performance of both individual agents and sales teams. Teams involve the efforts of two or more licensed individuals. Rankings are based on commissions earned.

The Top 10 Non-Metro northern Illinois real estate agents and teams for the January-March period this year are:

1. Vicki Geiger (team), RE/MAX Top Properties, Morris;
2. James Cesarek (team), RE/MAX Sauk Valley, Sterling, Ill.;
3. Tina Eisler, RE/MAX Property Source, Rockford, Ill.;
4. Sharon Esslinger, RE/MAX Country Crossroads, Viola, Ill.;
5. Eric Bird, RE/MAX Sauk Valley, Sterling;
6. Robert Nieman (team), RE/MAX Property Source, Rockford;
7. Jean Pritchard, RE/MAX Hometown Advantage, Geneseo, Ill.;
8. Susie VanOosten, RE/MAX Homes Unlimited Dixon, Dixon, Ill.;
9. Carla Benesh (team), RE/MAX of Rock Valley, Oregon, Ill.;
10. Starr Zook, RE/MAX On Track, Aledo, Ill.

“The outstanding agents in our non-metro northern RE/MAX Illinois real estate Top 10 are all proven performers, with skills and expertise that benefit their clients and their entire communities. We congratulate each of them for their success in a challenging real estate market,” said Jim Merrion, regional director of RE/MAX Northern Illinois. “They help the RE/MAX network remain the real estate leader.”

RE/MAX Names Top 10 Illinois Real Estate Agents And Teams In Commercial Sales For First Quarter Of 2008

Peter Dravilas of RE/MAX Preferred Properties, Addison, Ill., earned the number one ranking among individual real estate agents in Illinois commercial property sales in the RE/MAX Northern Illinois network for the first quarter of 2007.

Among sales teams handling commercial properties, Al Vallejo of RE/MAX TEAM 2000, Orland Park, Ill., emerged as the leader for the period covering January through March. Individual agents are the sole licensed contributors to their sales production, while a team involves the combined efforts of two or more licensed agents. Rankings are based on commissions earned.

“We are glad to recognize the achievements of the northern Illinois real estate agents and teams in our Commercial Top 10,” said Jim Merrion, regional director of RE/MAX Northern Illinois. “In the last few years, RE/MAX has increased its focus on the commercial property markets around the nation, and we are proud of the outstanding results we are generating in successfully marketing land, retail centers, industrial facilities and office properties.”

The RE/MAX Commercial Top 10 individuals and teams for the first quarter of 2008 are:

TOP 10 COMMERCIAL INDIVIDUALS

No. 1 – Peter Dravilas, RE/MAX Preferred Properties, Addison;
No. 2 – George Iliopoulos, RE/MAX Accord, Bloomingdale, Ill.;
No. 3 – George Zoellick, RE/MAX South Suburban, Flossmoor, Ill.;
No. 4 – Joseph Wong, RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest, Palatine, Ill.;
No. 5 –William Grossman, RE/MAX 212°, Chicago;
No. 6 – Eric Bird, RE/MAX Sauk Valley, Sterling, Ill.;
No. 7 – Judith Farmer, RE/MAX Signature North, Chicago;
No. 8 – Sana Samawi, RE/MAX ‘10’, Oak Lawn, Ill.;
No. 9 – Tom Arianas, RE/MAX Destiny, Elk Grove Village, Ill.;
No. 10 – Lee Dominguez, RE/MAX Cornerstone, West Chicago, Ill.

TOP 10 COMMERCIAL TEAMS

No. 1 – Al Vallejo, RE/MAX TEAM 2000, Orland Park;
No. 2 – James Schaid, RE/MAX Plaza, McHenry, Ill.;
No. 3 – Hugo Rodriguez, RE/MAX Signature North, Chicago;
No. 4 – John Rosengren, RE/MAX Sauk Valley, Sterling;
No. 5 – Michael Mondello, RE/MAX TEAM 2000, Orland Park;
No. 6 – Bruce Hackel, RE/MAX South Suburban, Flossmoor;
No. 7 – Young Kim, RE/MAX Enterprises, Downers Grove, Ill.;
No. 8 – James Cesarek, RE/MAX Sauk Valley, Sterling;
No. 9 – Bruce La Ha, RE/MAX TEAM 2000, Orland Park;
No. 10 – David Bulava, RE/MAX Central, Roselle, Ill.

RE/MAX Names Top 10 Illinois Real Estate Agents For First Quarter of 2008

Connie DeAndrea of RE/MAX Suburban, Schaumburg, Ill., was ranked the top RE/MAX northern Illinois real estate agent in residential real estate sales for the first three months of 2007.

Coya Smith of RE/MAX Properties, La Grange, Illinois led the number one ranked sales team during the same period. A team involves the combined efforts of two or more licensed agents; individual agents are the sole licensed contributors to their sales production. Rankings are based on commissions earned.

“The agents and teams in our Top 10 constitute an exceptional group of professionals. They help RE/MAX remain number one in Northern Illinois. We congratulate all of them on the outstanding sales results they have achieved so far in 2008,” said Jim Merrion, regional director of RE/MAX Northern Illinois.

The RE/MAX Top 10 Individual and Team lists for first quarter residential sales in 2008 are:

TOP 10 INDIVIDUALS

No. 1 – Connie DeAndrea, RE/MAX Suburban, Schaumburg;
No. 2 – Jim Conway, RE/MAX Realty of Joliet, Joliet, Ill.;
No. 3 – Bryan Bomba, RE/MAX Elite, Hinsdale; IL
No. 4 – Mark Weinert, RE/MAX Suburban, Schaumburg; Illinois
No. 5 – Melisande Van Liedekerke, RE/MAX in the Village, Realtors® Oak Park, Ill.;
No. 6 – Edward Lukasik, RE/MAX Professionals, Bolingbrook, Ill;
No. 7 – David Cobb, RE/MAX All Properties, New Lenox, Ill.;
No. 8 – Karen Breen-Elia, RE/MAX Exclusive Properties, Chicago; IL
No. 9 – Sharon Sims, RE/MAX Suburban, Arlington Heights, Ill.;
No. 10 – Kristi Gunther, RE/MAX Exclusive Properties, Chicago, Ill.

TOP 10 TEAMS

No. 1 – Coya Smith, RE/MAX Properties, La Grange;
No. 2 – Jane Lee, RE/MAX Top Performers, Lake Bluff, Ill.;
No. 3 – Leslie McDonnell, RE/MAX Suburban, Libertyville, Ill.;
No. 4 – Cindy Banks, RE/MAX Cornerstone, West Chicago, Ill.;
No. 5 – James Kennedy, RE/MAX TEAM 2000, Orland Park, Ill.;
No. 6 – Bernie Cobb, Jr., RE/MAX of Naperville, Naperville, Ill.;
No. 7 – Terri Sponburgh, RE/MAX Suburban, Libertyville;
No. 8 – William White, Jr., RE/MAX of Naperville, Naperville; IL
No. 9 – Alex Rullo, RE/MAX Great American North, St. Charles, Ill.;
No. 10 – Marge Pawlak, RE/MAX Enterprises, Downers Grove, Ill.

RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon To Make Educational Visit To Wood Elementary School In Somonauk On May 9

The students at the elementary and middle schools in Somonauk, Ill., will learn about hot air ballooning when the RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon and its crew visit the James R. Wood Elementary School, 3205 S. Maple St., on May 9 to present a special interactive educational program. The visit is part of an on-going balloon education program developed by RE/MAX Northern Illinois.

The 450 students at Wood Elementary and Somonauk Middle School will learn about various aspects of ballooning, its history and the scientific principles involved. Plus, they will see a demonstration on how the balloon functions. During one portion of the program, students can walk inside the balloon envelope, which is partially inflated with cold air. Later, if weather permits, the 70-foot-tall balloon will be fully inflated outdoors.

This program will be presented twice, starting at 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. It will help the students learn more about ballooning and how it relates to the subjects they study in school.

Real estate expert Dawn Siegler of RE/MAX Great American II in Yorkville, Ill., is sponsoring this event.

RE/MAX is the leader in Northern Illinois real estate sales and has been number one in residential sales in the Chicago metropolitan area since 1989. In 2007, offices affiliated with RE/MAX Northern Illinois, a privately held RE/MAX regional franchiser, closed more than $11.4 billion in sales.