RE/MAX Continued To Lead Greater South Suburbs In 2008, Closing More Than 1,700 Home Sale Transactions

RE/MAX Network Again Tops Metro Chicago Real Estate Market

RE/MAX agents once again led the Greater South Suburbs residential real estate market during 2008, representing either the buyer or seller in 1,720 home sale transactions, according to sales data available for the Greater South Suburbs through Midwest Real Estate Data, LLC (MRED). Since 1989, RE/MAX has ranked number one in the metropolitan Chicago real estate market based on residential listings sold.

“In a challenging environment for Illinois real estate sales, RE/MAX agents continue to demonstrate their skills and commitment,” said Jim Merrion, regional director of the RE/MAX Northern Illinois real estate network.

RE/MAX agents listed 988, or 24.5 percent, of all residential properties sold in the Greater South Suburbs during 2008. They also led the area in buyer representation, assisting buyers with 732 transactions.

The Greater South Suburbs market includes the communities of Beecher, Burnham, Calumet City, Calumet Park, Chicago Heights, Country Club Hills, Crete, Dolton, East Hazel Crest, Flossmoor, Glenwood, Grant Park, Harvey, Hazel Crest, Homewood, Lansing, Lynwood, Markham, Matteson, Midlothian, Oak Forest, Olympia Fields, Park Forest, Richton Park, Riverdale, Sauk Village, South Chicago Heights, South Holland, Steger, Thornton and University Park.

Home sales reported by MRED in the Greater South Suburbs during 2008 totaled 4,038, a 23.6 percent decrease from the 5,282 homes sold in 2007.

The top five real estate organizations in the Greater South Suburbs during 2008, in terms of listings sold, were RE/MAX with 988 (24.5 percent), Coldwell Banker with 411 (10.2 percent), Realty Executives with 348 (8.6 percent), Chicago Realty Partners, Ltd., with 188 (4.7 percent) and Keller Williams with 149 (3.7 percent). Data maintained by MRED may not reflect all real estate activity in a specific market area.

At the same time, RE/MAX agents led the Greater South Suburbs in buyer representation, closing 18.1 percent of all sales made of listed homes in 2008, topping Coldwell Banker (9.9 percent), Century 21 (4.9 percent), Realty Executives (4.5 percent) and Keller Williams (3.2 percent). RE/MAX remained the market-share leader in buyer representation across the metropolitan Chicago real estate market area during 2008, completing 16.4 percent of all buyer transactions.