Issu @relosellerpresentation city 2017

SALES LEADER Since our inception, we have brokered more than $32 billion in home sales

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CHAPTER ONE‌ Every home has a story.

No real estate company understands this better than @properties, and that’s why we use the best branding, advertising and marketing resources to tell that story and give you a leg up in the marketplace.

As the #1 brokerage firm in Chicago, @properties is committed to delivering the highest level of service in local real estate. We look forward to getting better acquainted with you.

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Source: MRED, LLC. #1 ranking based on market share for overall closed volume, 2016.

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IT BEGAN WITH AN IDEA Seventeen years ago, @properties began as a boutique brokerage firm with four brokers and an idea for a real estate company that would always work in service of its brokers and clients.

We built a deep infrastructure to support our

firm in the U.S. by sales volume with over $8 billion

brokers and clients with the best marketing and

in annual sales.

technology in the industry. We promoted a culture that values innovation, relationships and excellence.

And we made a commitment to continuously expand, improve and question the status quo.

Since our inception, we have grown into the #1 brokerage in Chicago and the North Shore. We are the largest independent brokerage firm in Illinois and the fastest growing brokerage in Southwest Michigan, Northwest Indiana and the Lake Geneva,

Over the last few years, @properties has become a platform for a number of business and civic ventures through partnerships with local tech startups, charities, and artists who help our communities thrive.

While we have grown rapidly, we understand that real estate is, first and foremost, a local business.

And we are dedicated to providing the very best local brokerage experience.

Wisconsin area. We are the 11th largest brokerage

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Source: MRED, LLC. #1 ranking based on market share for overall closed volume, 2016.

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HANDS ON LEADERSHIP Highly creative and energetic entrepreneurs, @properties’ co-founders Michael Golden and Thaddeus Wong have quickly built one of the most recognized brands in Chicago real estate while helping to reshape and modernize the local brokerage industry.

Golden and Wong first teamed up in the mid-1990s. They set sales records and consistently ranked among the top 1 percent of the Chicago Association of REALTORS®’ 12,500 members. At @properties, they paired traditional brokerage services with cutting-edge technology and marketing, and became a driving force behind Chicago real estate.

Together they have created a corporate culture that attracts high-caliber brokers and staff and fosters teamwork and performance. They have also built a large philanthropic network under the umbrella of the @gives back Community Fund.

LINCOLN PARK BUILDERS CLUB IMPACT AWARD

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LET’S GET BETTER ACQUAINTED...

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Began as a four-person boutique brokerage

Became the #1 residential brokerage in Chicago in less than 10 years

@properties remains a locally-owned company through and through

Overtook the title of Illinois’ largest independent real estate firm in 2013

#1 brokerage firm in Chicago and on the North Shore

Since our inception, we have brokered more than $32 billion in home sales

chieved a record $8 billion in A annual sales in 2016

o-founders Thad Wong and Mike C Golden are Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year winners

I s the fastest-growing brokerage in Southwest Michigan, Northwest Indiana and the Lake Geneva, Wisconsin area.

as made the Inc. 500/5000 list of H America’s fastest-growing private companies 10 times

S upports local organizations such as Noah’s Arc Foundation and Keith Relief through our charitable arm, @gives back

Source: MRED sales, City of Chicago and North Shore, 1-1-2016 to 12-31-2016.

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BE LOCAL, THINK GLOBAL To @properties, local means friends you can count on, neighbors you can trust, and businesses you go out of your way to support. Local means the barista knows your drink, the dry cleaner knows your name and the clerk at the convenience store is happy to loan you a buck.

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Real estate is a local business, and that means

As an exclusive member of Leading Real Estate

every home, on every block, in every neighborhood

Companies of the WorldŽ, the world’s largest

is unique, and each deserves the attention, care

network

and consideration only a local company can offer.

@properties connects sellers with homebuyers all

@properties is a local company through and

over the world. So while our brand is uniquely local,

through. But at the end of the day, we know that

our reach is global. That means more exposure,

not all buyers are local. So when it comes to our

and ultimately, shorter market times and higher

marketing programs, we think globally.

selling prices.

of

independent

real

estate

firms,

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LOCAL LEADER @properties remains a locally-owned company through and through

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LOCAL LEADER In less than a decade, @properties became the #1 real estate brokerage firm in the city of Chicago and began expanding to the suburbs.

But for @properties, leading has far less to do

Being a leader also comes with responsibility. It

with numbers and far more to do with innovation.

means moving the industry forward by sharing

Technology changes, markets change, expectations

best practices, serving in positions of leadership

change. So we never stop changing. Innovation

with the local REALTORSÂŽ Association, and giving

permeates everything we do, from building the

back to the community.

most sophisticated website to introducing new services to sourcing new marketing channels.

Innovation is the heartbeat of our business.

Each day, we break new ground by attracting the best and most professional brokers and the most astute clients in the greater Chicagoland area.

#1 IN HOME SALES

#1 IN LUXURY HOME SALES

CHICAGO

CHICAGO

@properties

@properties

Berkshire Hathaway Home Services

Berkshire Hathaway Home Services

Coldwell Banker Residential

Coldwell Banker Residential

Baird & Warner

Baird & Warner $0

$1

$2

$3

billions

total $ volume by brokerage

$4

$5

$0

$250 million

$750 million

total $ volume by brokerage

Source: MRED, LLC, #1 ranking based on MARKET SHARE for overall closed volume, city of Chicago, 1/1/16 - 12/31/16.

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$500 million

$1 billion

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BE DIFFERENT When it comes to the competitive world of real estate, differentiation is one of the keys to success. Differentiation comes naturally to @properties, and it shows in many ways – not the least of which is our advertising and marketing.

From the “Love” outdoor advertising campaign to

We use differentiation to tell our story and to

the “Rules for Better Living” and “Luxury Never

tell your home’s story. It sounds simple, but

Goes Out of Style” print campaigns, @properties’

our

distinctive branding ads create an emotional

departments work over-time producing award-

connection with our communities and homebuyers

winning work, constantly pushing the envelope

– a connection that is reinforced when they see the

with new ideas and innovations that set our brokers

@properties logo in ads, on the Web, in collateral

and clients apart from the competition.

in-house

professional

marketing

and

and on the For Sale sign in front of your home.

7

RULES FOR BETTER LIVING

To achieve something you’ve never had before, you must do something you’ve never done before.

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8

rules for better living

You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old.

–George Burns

IT

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EXPOSURE IS EVERYTHING The story of your home is already written…It’s all about properly sharing it. @properties showcases your home before the

of online, mass media and grassroots marketing

largest pool of homebuyers through marketing

initiatives – all tailored to address the specific

programs that are built around EXPOSURE –

challenges and opportunities of the marketplace.

exposure through an internal network of brokers and their client databases; through an in-house marketing department with full print and digital

More exposure means more page views, more phone calls, more showing requests, and ultimately a faster, more lucrative sale.

capabilities; and through an exhaustive catalog

atproperties.com

LeadingRE.com

Barrington Country

Zillow.com (enhanced listings)

Custom Property Brochure

Direct Mail

Trulia.com (enhanced listings)

CS Magazine

Adwerx

Realtor.com

NS Magazine

E-blasts and Social Media

Multiple Listing Service (MLS)

Michigan Avenue

Market within a Market – Agent App

Professional Photography and Video

Sheridan Road Public Relations Forest & Bluff

Signage

New Ideas every day!

North Shore Weekend

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MARKET WITHIN A MARKET Even before your home is officially listed, @properties brokers market internally to a powerful network of more than 2,000 brokers – each with a broad sphere of influence that forms a rich source of prospects, buyers and referrals. This unique “market within a market” results in the most efficient transaction environment in the marketplace. @AGENT APP Leveraging this “market within a market,” @properties brokers use an internal mobile app that has revolutionized the way we communicate about and transact real estate.

The exclusive @gent App allows our brokers to match homebuyers with homes for sale, including pocket (off-market) listings. A number of @properties listings sell before they hit the broader market because of the exposure through the app alone – a testament to the power of the @properties network.

Beyond

connecting

buyers

and

sellers,

the

@gent App aggregates a knowledge base of every @properties broker in a searchable database, making it a great resource for recommendations on everything from vendors and service providers to local businesses.

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GET TO KNOW ATPROPERTIES.COM 1110LakeShoreDr.info

LISTING DOMAIN

PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO

Every @properties listing receives its

Professional photography and video are

own domain name, which is prominently

among the most important marketing

displayed in print advertising and on

tools when selling a home. That’s

For Sale signs, property brochures and

why every single @properties listing

“Just Listed” postcards. The domain

includes a professional photography

re-directs to your home’s listing detail

package

page on the @properties website so

and Web. Optional interactive floor

that interested buyers can pull up

plans are also offered to showcase

photos, video and property information

the property’s layout, as well as video

in one easy step. @properties also

packages that include a full-length

indexes the domain with top search

property video, social media friendly

engines including Google and Bing for

clip and Zillow walk-through video.

improved search engine optimization.

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optimized

for

both

print

1234 Anystreet Road, Anytown

ATPROPERTIES.COM INTERACTIVE MAP

ATPROPERTIES.COM MARKET REPORT

ATPROPERTIES.COM @HOME REPORT

@properties’ interactive map feature

The @properties Market Report is

@properties understands how impor-

is a great resource for online home

another dynamic feature that drives

tant it is to keep you informed at every

searches, guiding homebuyers through

homebuyers to our website. Individual

stage of the sales process. That’s

detailed

Chicago-

reports are available on dozens of

why @properties sellers receive the

land communities while integrating

descriptions

neighborhoods and communities and

@home report, which provides a data

information

shopping,

can be customized for specific housing

snapshot of your home, comparable

news, local business reviews, market

types. Both buyers and sellers can use

properties and your local market. The

statistics, open houses and new listings.

the market reports to gain an under-

@home report includes web stats

It’s yet another way for homebuyers

standing of pricing, market time and

detailing everything from how many

to gather as much information as

inventory trends based on recent sales

times your home has been viewed on

possible about the area and amenities

in their area.

our website and the number of days it

on

of

schools,

surrounding your home.

has been on the market, to the average sales price for similar homes in your neighborhood.

per

0200 5555 properties.com

by

25

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TECHNOLOGY LEADER Innovation has always been one of the keys to our success

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ONLINE EXPOSURE The majority of buyers begin their home search online, which means a 360-degree digital marketing strategy is paramount to getting maximum exposure for your home. Our digital marketing program raises online visibility while faithfully representing your home’s aesthetic. @properties markets your home across the Internet

• LeadingRE.com

with

• E-mail marketing database of 800,000+

a

newly-revamped

website,

customized

property domains, web-optimized photography and video, enhanced listings on the leading real estate search portals, targeted email marketing, online classifieds and syndication to hundreds of additional websites.

• atproperties.com • Property-specific domain names (YourAddressHere.info)

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with new contacts added daily • Adwerx • Enhanced listings that filter to the top of search results on popular home search portals including Zillow and Trulia • Syndication of online listings

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OUR MARKETING GAMEPLAN

THE #1 LUXURY BROKERAGE FIRM IN CHICAGO & THE NORTH sHORE.

Lake FoRest 6 bedrooms / 7.2 baths / $4,250,000

Winnetka 6 bedrooms / 7.2 baths / $3,449,500

stephanie klein 847.295.0700 / 1133ElmTREE.info

Baylor/shields 847.881.0200 / 976sunsET.info

RiveR FoRest 7 bedrooms / 4.2 baths / $2,175,000

eLmhuRst 5 bedrooms / 4.1 baths / $2,400,000

Elizabeth August 773.432.0200 / 1015AshlAnd.info

yvonne despinich 630.530.0900 / 111AdEliA.info

Winnetka 5 bedrooms / 6.2 baths / $3,335,000

keniLWoRth 5 bedrooms / 4.1 baths / $2,995,000

cummins/Radnay 847.881.0200 / 975PinE.info

Winnetka 6 bedrooms / 5.1 baths / $1,949,000

Winnetka 5 bedrooms / 5.1 baths / $1,769,000

Jena Radnay 847.881.0200 / 834BoAlPkwy.info

carol Rogulski 847.881.0200 / 606PRovidEnT.info

kathryn & kelly mangel 847.881.0200 / 205mElRosE.info

BaRRington 4 bedrooms / 7.1 baths / $1,690,000

WiLmette 5 bedrooms / 4.1 baths / $1,575,000

John morrison 847.381.0300 / 25309wscoTTRd.info

linnea Jacobs 847.881.0200 / 112BRoAdwAyAvE.info

NORT H S HOR E

1037 WrightWood | chicago

PROUD LUXURY LEADER NORTH SHORE*

Stop looking, start finding® atproperties.com

NEW !

NE W !

NEW !

NEW !

NEW !

*Source: MRED $1 million+ sales, Chicago and North Shore, 1-1-2015 to 12-31-2015.

•

2531KENILWORTH.INFO Miller/Whiteman

5bed/5.2ba

$1,350,000

WILMETTE

5bed/4.1ba

847.432.0700

WINNETKA 5bed/4.1ba

$1,320,000

LAKE FOREST 4bed/2.2ba

$1,300,000

377PROVIDENT.INFO 255RIDGE.INFO Kimberly Meixner 847.509.0200 Hathaway/Ashmore 847.295.0700

$1,199,000

WILMETTE 5bed/2.1ba

$1,050,000

21117TH.INFO 847.432.0700 Finks/Arencibia

$899,000

WILMETTE 5bed/3.1ba

847.881.0200

$875,000

GLENCOE

4bed/3ba

$824,500

WILMETTE 4bed/2.1ba

WILMETTE 4bed/2.1ba

$799,000

2214KENILWORTHAVE.INFO 2005THORNWOOD.INFO 756GLENCOE.INFO 1920THORNWOOD.INFO 847.763.0200 Laurie & Dan Lawlor 847.881.0200 Monica Childs 847.881.0200 Mary Baubonis 847.881.0200 Lori Neuschel 847.881.0200

847.881.0200

GLENCOE

3bed/3.1ba

314SOUTH.INFO Birov/Yermolenko

GLENCOE 730VALLEYROAD.INFO ELISE RINALDI

$999,000

2035THORNWOOD.INFO Monica Childs

$695,000

KENILWORTH

4bed/2ba

$599,900

546STERLING.INFO 847.881.0200 Scott Gettleman

LAKE FOREST 3bed/2.1ba

$575,000

Chef’s kitchen with handcrafted ebony cabinets, ivory silestone countertops, glass mosaic backsplash.

HIGHLAND PARK

4bed/2.1ba

Large private terrace off of the living room. Heated, deeded parking INCLUDED in the price.

2860ARLINGTON.INFO Alan Meyerowitz

HIGHLAND PARK 4bed/3.1ba

374EWISCONSIN.INFO 1414GREENBAY.INFO 312.254.0200 Julie Pawl 847.295.0700 Pickus/Schulkin

Liebherr refrigerator, wine cooler, Bosch five burner cooktop, hood,

•

$3,699,000 6BED/6.2BA 847.881.0200

NEW !

HIGHLAND PARK

5bed/3.2ba

NEW !

$899,000

HIGHLAND PARK

NEW !

$1,299,000

NEW !

This home features white oak flooring, custom light fixtures and built in surround sound throughout.

$1,999,999

$575,000

847.432.0700

NEW !

4bed/3.1ba

Perfectly appointed 2 bedroom + 2 bath home with an optional 3rd bedroom/den (currently formal dining area).

•

4bed/5.1ba

2260SHERIDAN.INFO 847.881.0200 Pickus/Absler

NEW !

WILMETTE

This unit features 10” of concrete between floors.

•

KENILWORTH

NEW !

NEW !

WILMETTE

5bed/5.1ba

1104SHERIDAN.INFO Annika Valdiserri

•

$2,149,000

150OXFORDROAD.INFO 593CHEROKEE.INFO 847.881.0200 John & Barbara Mawicke 847.881.0200 Wexler Gault Group

NEW !

6bed/5.1ba

NEW !

WINNETKA

NEW !

$2,195,000

NEW !

WINNETKA

6bed/5.1ba

1169CHATFIELD.INFO 1008GROVE.INFO Cheryl Chambers 847.881.0200 Jena Radnay

$539,000

WILMETTE

3bed/1.1ba

$499,900

1815WILMETTE.INFO 847.432.0700 Michael Zuker

LAKE BLUFF 2bed/2.1ba

110HAMPTON.INFO 773.472.0200 Cynthia Nash-Frye

$225,000

847.367.0500

GENEVA, WI 4bed/2.2ba

$500,000

OGDEN DUNES, IN

2bed/3ba

$1,100,000

LAKESIDE, MI 4bed/2.1ba

$2,375,000

NEW BUFFALO, MI 5bed/3.1ba

$735,000

1641PRESTWICK20-35.INFO 16SKYLINE.INFO 15224LAKESHORERD.INFO 18620FORESTBEACH.INFO Margaret Canfield 262.949.9272 Ted Lelek 219.406.5364 Will Schauble 312.860.4192 Liz Roch 312.636.8751

• 314 SOUTH | GLENCOE 3BED/3.1BATH $695,000 • 188 HARBOR | GLENCOE 5BED/5.3BATH $2,485,000 • 120 HARBOR | GLENCOE 5BED/5.3BATH $2,995,000 • 826 LOCUST | WINNETKA 6BED/5.1BATH $2,875,000 830 LOCUST | WINNETKA • 560 OAK | WINNETKA 6BED/5.1BATH $2,395,000 6BED/5.1BATH $3,475,000 • 1035 SHERIDAN | WINNETKA www.heritageluxury.com 8BED/10.2BATH $13,750,000

*MRED NORTH SHORE CLOSED VOLUME, $1M+: 1/1/16-12/31/16

2

HIGH QUALITY PRINT BROCHURES Our brochures showcase your home in a quality brochure.

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3

PRINT AND ONLINE ADVERTISING We advertise in a wide range of print and online media.

JUST LISTED

Fall Into Home Improvement

Anne Proper

847.881.0200 Anne Thad Proper Wong 312.254.0200 Anne Proper anneproper@atproperties.com thadwong@atproperties.com

Stop looking, start findingÂŽ

Stop looking, start findingÂŽ

773.251.6600 312.254.0200 2246burling.info

DIRECT MAIL

YARD SIGNS

Our just listed and just sold cards are laser targeted at your target market.

Every listing contains a unique URL for easy access to the online listing.

@HOME REPORT The @home report includes detailed stats on how your home is being viewed.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND E-BLASTS Brokers can send e-blasts and social media posts to their clients.

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FEATURED PUBLICATIONS We advertise in a number of publications, including:

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SUMMER LIVING!

INSIDE:

Getaway-Spread Cred Rooftop Gardens Take Root Inside Chicago’s Hottest Outdoor Rooms

REAL ESTATE SPECIAL! The Hottest ’Hoods in Chicago!

Meet the City’s Biggest Dream Boats Vision Quest: Developers We Die For Build It, Babe! Ivanka Hits Downtown

The Great 8: Chicagoans Play Lolla Fall Sneak Peek! Va-Va-Valentino Got Him! The MCA Steals a Star Sam Kass Is Hungry for Change & all the Best Bashes

200 w hubbard st chicago il 60654

CS 200 W HUBBARD ST CHICAGO IL 60654

+PLUS

m o d e r n l u x u r y. c o m

m o d e r n l u x u r y. c o m

AUGUST 2010 $5.95

summer 2010 $5.95

PLUS Haute Farm Chic in the City!

Stay-Cool Home Finds > Flower-Powered Furniture > Art Camp For Adults!

CHICAGO

Power Up! CHICAGO’S COOLEST BIZ GUYS SUIT UP CATCH THE CURRENT: THE BEST IN RIVER LIVING WHERE TO EAT, WHAT TO ORDER: DOWNTOWN’S NEW POWER DINING

CHICAGO SOCIAL BRIDES 200 W HUBBARD ST CHICAGO IL 60654 MODERNLUXURYBRIDES.COM

Endless IVANKA SPEAKS: TRUMP UNVEILS SUMMER’S HOTTEST SPOT

Maid to Measure: Cynthia Rowley Does Bridesmaid Dresses SUGAR BUZZ! Desserts Get Downsized War of the Registries (Who’s On Top?) > CITY-CHIC HONEYMOONS and 75 of Chicago’s Sweetest Couples!

M O D E R N L U X U R Y. C O M

MIDDLE EAST OF EDEN: ESCAPE TO ABU DHABI

THE MEN’S BOOK 200 W HUBBARD ST CHICAGO IL 60654

THE COOLEST GOWNS FOR WINTER WEDDINGS

AND THE TESLA ROADSTER TAKES CHICAGO

M O D E R N L U X U R Y. C O M SPRING 2010 $5.95

FALL/WINTER 2010 $5.95

BY THE PUBLISHERS OF CS

Published by

37 Signals co-founder David Heinemeier Hansson

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ADWERX Ever visited a website and then noticed ads for that same website following you around the Internet?

It’s not a coincidence; it’s a sophisticated digital marketing tactic known as retargeting, and it’s another way in which @properties increases online exposure for our listings.

Through our partnership with Adwerx, we leverage retargeting to put your property in front of prospective homebuyers as they surf the Web. Adwerx also uses geo-targeting to display your listing to people in certain locations, and targets users based on Internet browsing behavior such as those perusing real estate-related websites. The platform’s vast network includes hundreds of top websites ranging from Forbes.com to ESPN.com to cater specifically to the clients we serve.

JUST LISTED

3632 N OAKLEY AVENUE, CHICAGO 4 BED, 4 BATH / $1,500,000

ANNE PROPER / 312.491.0200

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WE NEVER STOP...MARKETING, LEARNING AND INNOVATING FOR YOU. When a strong brand gets behind a strong broker, the service and results are significant.

That’s why @properties is continually focused on providing brokers with the best education and training to take their skills and knowledge to the next level.

We offer a full curriculum of seminars and classes

• Writing ironclad contracts

covering topics such as effective negotiation to new

• Creative marketing tactics

technologies, and employ full-time performance

• Social media marketing

coaches who assist brokers in developing advanced

• Predictive pricing

skills and detailed marketing plans in order to

and listing to sell

better serve you. It’s no accident that we’re able to get the best possible price for your home; it’s

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• Advanced negotiating techniques

something we work on all the time.

• Broker Metrics

@properties broker education programs include:

• Improv workshop

• Negotiating in today’s market

• Contracts that close

• State of the current lending environment

• Real estate and technology

37

GROWTH LEADER @properties has made the Inc. 500/5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies 10 times

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PARTNERSHIPS @properties has grown to include a number of divisions, all of which have the potential to benefit our core residential clients through lead generation and referrals.

@PROPERTIES RELOCATION @properties Relocation serves as an important source of prospective buyers for your home. We hold preferred-vendor status with a number of the world’s premier relocation companies, broker-to-broker referral services, and national and international corporations with major operations in Chicago. As a result, many companies turn to @properties first when assisting employees who are relocating to the Chicagoland area. @properties Relocation is a member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, RELO Direct®, the Corporate Relocation Council of Chicago, Relocation Directors Council and Worldwide ERC®.

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@PROPERTIES COMMERCIAL @properties

Commercial

offers

sales,

leasing

and investment advisory services to Chicagoland commercial real estate clients including landlords, tenants, investors and institutions covering a range of asset classes.

@PROPERTIES DEVELOPER SERVICES

PROPER TITLE

@properties is Chicago’s No. 1 brokerage firm for the sales

Proper Title is a full-service company offering title

and marketing of new-construction and condominium

insurance, closing and escrow services across a wide

conversion developments. Since our inception, we have

range of real estate transaction types. The company

successfully marketed more than 100 Chicago developments

provides highly-individualized client support, creating

comprising more than 5,500 residential units valued at more

a more seamless closing experience for @properties

than $2.5 billion.

homebuyers and sellers.

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@GIVES BACK @properties is a big believer in helping to build strong neighborhoods and communities.

One way we do this is through the @gives back Community Fund, a 501(c)(3) that was created out of the desire to inspire charitable outreach and to support the city that has allowed @properties to continually grow and prosper.

Each year, @gives back holds various fundraisers benefiting local organizations in the areas of education, homelessness, youth development and community.

Past and present beneficiaries include Keith Relief, Noah’s Arc Foundation, Off The Street Club on Chicago’s West Side, Community Partnership for Affordable Housing, Street Level Youth Media, Camp of Dreams, Lincoln Park Community Shelter, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Deborah’s Place, Barrel of Monkeys Workshop, Lake County Cares, Youth Job Center, Edge Alliance and Thresholds. @gives back provides a platform for hundreds of brokers and members of the real estate community to get involved in philanthropic activities and to help make a positive impact on dozens of communities and thousands of lives throughout Chicagoland.

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PRICING YOUR HOME: CMA So what is your home worth? That is likely the biggest question on your mind and one that @properties has answered accurately in every market since our inception.

The knowledge, experience and research we apply to pricing our clients’ homes consistently produce the shorter market times and higher selling-price-to-listing price ratios.

To set a listing price that will create the best market for your home, we will perform a Comparative Market Analysis or CMA. The CMA will evaluate your home alongside other properties – currently listed and recently sold – taking into account variables such as:

44

Supply and demand

Lot size

Market activity

Views

Market time

Condition of property inside and out

Price/status changes, interest rates and availability of credit Economic factors Seasonal demand property features Location Room count and square footage

Desirability of unique features Competition Price Location Market time

45

PRICING YOUR HOME: (MARKET TIME) IS MONEY The surest way to get the highest selling price for your home is to set the listing price, correctly, right out of the gate.

This is so important because the greatest amount of showing activity for a home occurs within the first few weeks of market time, and this early activity tends to be from serious buyers with a greater sense of urgency.

However, as time goes by, interest wanes, and longer than-average market times tend to fuel the perception that the home itself (not just the price of the home) is flawed. Therefore, longer market times can actually drive value down.

Remember, time is money, and the best way to optimize both is to work with your broker in setting an accurate listing price.

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BEFORE YOUR HOME IS SHOWN One of the keys to success in today’s ultra-competitive real estate market is to position your home as the most desirable property at a given price in a given area.

Obviously, the most important variable in that equation is price. But making sure your home is in optimal showing condition will set it apart from the competition and could be the difference between a timely and productive sale or a long, drawn-out process.

Here is a checklist of preparations to make before showing your home. Be sure to consult your @properties broker to find out what improvements they recommend.

48

De-Clutter Go through your home room by room and ask yourself what you can throw away and what you can box up and put in storage.

Organize Lack of storage space can be a deal-breaker. Go through your closets and pantries and reorganize, and throw away, give away or put away anything you don’t need.

Clean Give your home a deep clean from top to bottom, including windows, upholstery and carpet, and the refrigerator and oven (yes, buyers actually open them).

Brighten your home Light gives the impression of space, so it’s important for every room in your home to have ample light at any time of day.

Prior to showings, wash windows, raise blinds and turn on lights.

Maintain the exterior Maintain your lawn and landscaping, and shovel and de-ice walkways in the winter. In a condominium, pay attention to the area in front of the doorway to ensure it’s neat. Make balconies, decks and patios inviting with potted plants and flowers.

Make repairs Take care of quick and easy repairs such as touch-up spackling and painting, replacing a cracked window or torn screen, fixing a leaky faucet and changing burned out light bulbs.

Remove pets Keep pets out of the home during showings and be sure to conceal food bowls and litter boxes.

Hire a home inspector Hiring a professional, licensed home inspector prior to putting your home on the market allows you to spot potential problems and make repairs before buyers make them an issue.

Disclose everything By law, sellers must disclose existing structural and mechanical problems, flooding, the presence of lead paint, information on radon hazards and other known defects to potential buyers. Withholding this information can have much more serious repercussions than the problem itself.

Paint A fresh coat of paint is the least expensive, most effective way to enhance the appearance of your home. Be sure to use neutral colors.

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STAGING YOUR HOME Staging is the art of merchandising a home to improve its marketability. It can be as simple as rearranging a few pieces of furniture or as elaborate as hiring a professional to furnish an empty home right down to the plants and artwork.

Today, every home that is listed for sale should be staged to some degree. Your home must show like a model in order to stand out against the competition.

Your @properties broker can give you suggestions for staging or help you decide if you would benefit from a professional stager.

Here are some easy and inexpensive staging tips to consider:

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Use neutral colors and dĂŠcor to help your home appeal to the largest number of potential buyers.

Add color through accessories such as pillows, vases and rugs.

Keep kitchen counters and refrigerators clean and clear of all items. If your kitchen needs an update, paint cupboards with a neutral color and replace knobs on cabinets.

Arrange furniture in small groupings that demonstrate a room’s functionality, and do not overcrowd a room with furniture.

Remove all personal items from the bathroom counter.

Use light, airy window treatments, like simple sheers on a curtain rod. Hang window treatments so they cover the least amount of glass.

Personal photographs and mementos add warmth and character to a home, but use them in moderation so the buyer will focus on the home, not its owners.

Display fresh flowers.

Camouflage outdated furniture or worn upholstery with slip covers, and replace worn bedspreads and throw rugs.

Add furniture, plants or potted flowers with seasonal settings to outdoor spaces.

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NEGOTIATION – GUIDING PRINCIPLES Priced correctly and marketed aggressively, most homes will draw a timely offer.

How you and your broker handle that offer and subsequent negotiations can substantially affect the outcome of your home sale.

Your @properties broker will conduct negotiations with professionalism, attention to detail and a loyal representation of your interests. The following principles guide @properties’ brokers in every negotiation.

Confidentiality Confidentiality is vital to the integrity of the deal and to our reputation as professionals.

Responsiveness Time is of the essence in a real estate transaction. We will expedite the presentation of offers and counteroffers and quickly act upon any opportunity.

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Resourcefulness Real estate sales are multi-faceted transactions. We examine all angles of a deal to find strategies and solutions that help you accomplish your objectives.

Communication Your @properties broker will involve you in all aspects of the negotiation and communicate your options clearly and candidly.

Strength We will do everything in our power to help you negotiate from a position of strength. Our goal is to achieve an outcome that meets or exceeds your expectations.

NEGOTIATION – CONTRACT TERMS A real estate transaction is a fluid process that does not end with an accepted offer.

Negotiations often continue on some level all the way to the closing. A REALTOR®’s

objectivity,

experience and counsel are essential to this process.

Some of the most common points that are negotiated include:

Price Your broker’s knowledge of the current market is invaluable in helping you decide whether to accept the offered price and terms or counter. They will also help you consider the time value of money in your decision, i.e. will a higher offer offset potential additional carrying costs?

Mortgage Contingency Most buyers purchase a home subject to obtaining a mortgage. The terms of the mortgage and the timeframe for securing a financing commitment must be stated in the contract. Make sure you are comfortable with these terms.

Home Inspection Most buyers choose to conduct an inspection of the property with a licensed home inspector. If the inspector uncovers any problems, you and the buyer must negotiate what items will be addressed and who will pay for them.

Attorney Approval Attorney approval is usually a one-week period, in which both you and the buyer have your attorneys review the contract and suggest alterations.

Closing Date This is the date when ownership changes hands and usually, but not always, the date when you must vacate and the buyer may occupy the property.

If you have specific requirements for scheduling the closing due to your own move, the buyer’s flexibility in this regard might be an important factor in deciding to accept an offer.

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CONTRACT TO CLOSING – WHAT WE DO FOR YOU Guiding your real estate transaction from contract to closing is a multi-step process that requires proactive management and thorough attention to detail.

Our emphasis on communication, organization and follow-

• Distribute required disclosure forms

through ensures that deadlines are met, documents are

• Collect important documents such as

distributed, and every item is in place to make your trans-

condominium declaration and required

action efficient and seamless.

disclosures to fulfill contract contingencies

Our brokers, managing brokers and support staff will:

• Coordinate an appraisal

• Handle earnest money and escrow account

• Coordinate walk-throughs

management • Distribute contracts to all relevant parties

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• Update you when contingencies have been satisfied

• Coordinate attorney review

• Coordinate your closing

• Coordinate a home inspection

• Help you find a new home

• Provide information to lenders

• Follow up to see if you have any questions

CONTRACT TO CLOSING – WHO PAYS FOR WHAT? SALE PRICE

TYPICAL COST PAYS?

WHO

COMMISSION

6% OF PURCHASE PRICE

SELLER

APPRAISAL

$250 - $500

BUYER

CREDIT REPORT

$30 - $75 PER BORROWER

BUYER

INSPECTION FEE

$350+/VISIT

BUYER

LENDER-DIRECT UNDERWRITING FEE

$750 - $1,000

BUYER

PROCESSING FEE

$150

BUYER

FLOOD CERTIFICATE

$50 - $100

BUYER

TAX SERVICE

$85 - $200

BUYER

ATTORNEY FEE

$600-$1,000+

SETTLEMENT CLOSING

$950-$2,300

BUYER

TITLE INSURANCE (BUYER)

$750-$2, 500

BUYER

TITLE INSURANCE (SELLER)

$750-$2,500

SELLER

RECORDING FEE

$75-$250

CHICAGO CITY TRANSFER TAX

$7.50 PER $1,000

BUYER

CHICAGO CITY TRANSFER TAX

$3 PER $1,000

SELLER

STATE TRANSFER TAX

$0.50 PER $500

SELLER

COUNTY TRANSFER TAX

VARIES PER COUNTY

SELLER

MUNICIPAL TRANSFER TAX*

VARIES PER LOCALITY

BUYER

SURVEY

$500 - $1,000

SELLER

TERMITE INSPECTION

$40 - $100

INTEREST PER DAY

LOAN AMOUNT X RATE/365

BUYER

ESCROW TAXES

1-5 MOS. (IF APPLICABLE)

BUYER

ESCROW INSURANCE

1-5 MOS. (IF APPLICABLE)

BUYER

TAX PRORATION

105 - 110% OF LAST TAX BILL

SELLER

Estimated closing costs courtesy of Guaranteed Rate®. Prices subject to change. Actual costs vary per lender, loan amount, property type and other factors.

BOTH

varies with purchase price

BOTH

BOTH

*Property transfer taxes vary per local jurisdiction or township. Please consult your real estate attorney to obtain the best possible estimate for taxes and other closing costs.

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WE CARE ABOUT COMMUNICATION At @properties, we know what you want from your real estate broker because we ask.

We understand what’s important to you in selling your home because we listen.

And we help you make the right decisions because we share our expertise. It all boils down to good communication, and there are few things at @properties that are

was returned in search results and how many times it was viewed on the @properties website. This report also displays comparable listings, their price and status.

more important. Setting expectations, being proactive, speaking candidly, staying in touch – these simple but vital principles are behind the thousands of successful transactions we broker each and every year, as well as the outstanding reputation we enjoy in real estate circles.

Here are some of the communication measures that keep you informed before, during and after the sale.

Welcome Letter Upon listing your home, we will furnish you with a copy of the listing agreement as well as a letter recapping our sales and marketing process.

Showing Feedback We will provide feedback on showings according to the frequency and mode of communications you prefer. @properties Seller Reports: We will provide a report that shows online activity for your home by day, week and month, including how many times your property

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Market Updates: You can elect to receive news and updates on the local real estate market through email newsletters, sent monthly, and @properties Market Reports, updated daily.

Client Satisfaction Survey: This important post-closing survey gauges your satisfaction in several areas including your broker’s knowledge and professionalism, marketing services and negotiating skills.

Ongoing Communication: Long after your home is sold, @properties and your broker are available to provide information and answer questions not only about the local real estate market but also about all things Chicago. Our broker base is an incredible resource when it comes to recommending home repair and maintenance contractors, professional service providers and neighborhood businesses. We are always just a phone call, text message or email away.

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