CHRISTINE WILCZEK’S
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Home Sellers Guide
ELITE
Christine Wilczek One of America’s Top Real Estate Brokers direct 708.420.2424 | office 630.755.0700
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK?
Who is
A
BROKER PROFILE
n accomplished Real Estate Broker, Christine Wilczek calls upon more than 15 years of full time experience in the Chicago and suburban marketplace to help her clients make wise decisions regarding how to best protect and enjoy their real estate investments. From a first time buyer to an experienced seller, Christine’s clients know that her reputation for quality service is earned. Beyond Christine's extensive residential and commercial real estate background, it is her passion for the job that is perhaps her most valuable asset.
In addition to praise from thousands of loyal clients, Christine's success is further demonstrated by the industry recognition she has achieved. Christine has been the #1 REALTOR® at Realty Executives Elite for the last 10 years, she is Lemont’s #1 REALTOR®, she has been featured in Metro Chicago Real
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ELITE
Estate Magazine as one of the Top 40 under 40, she is the #1 REALTOR® in the Great Lakes region in the Realty Executives organization and she ranks in the top 1% of all REALTORS® in the country.
Christine has been featured in numerous articles in the Chicago Tribune, Daily Southtown, Elite Magazine and Chicago Magazine. She is considered to be an expert in the real estate industry and has been called to testify in several real estate related court cases up to the U.S. District Court level. After one meeting with Christine, you will quickly realize that real estate is her passion, not her hobby.
708-420-2424 direct | 630-755-0700 office
WHAT IS YOUR Property WORTH?
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FREE,
CHRISTINE WILCZEK,
for a
no obligation,
market analysis today!
CHRISTINE WILCZEK - Broker
One of America’s Top Real Estate Brokers • Licensed Managing Broker • Fluent in Polish
• Full time, honest and professional service
• Strong Internet and print advertising presence • Competitive commission rates
BROKER PROFILE
Call
• Comprehensive marketing plan
• Builder/Developer volume discounts available
www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
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® All REALTORS are Please utilize this chart to help determine the most qualified CHRISTINE WILCZEK’S RESPONSES
Are you a full time Realtor?
Yes, I focus on real estate as my only career.
R E A LT O R C O M PA R I S O N
QUESTIONS
How many years of full time experience do you have?
What is your office ranking?
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What is your company ranking?
COMPETING REALTOR’S RESPONSES
15 years of full time experience
#1 REALTOR® at Realty Executives Elite
#1 Executive in the Realty Executives franchise Midwest region
What is your personal website?
www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
What is your career sales volume? High sales volume can translate into synergistic opportunities for you.
Over $375,000,000 in career sales
Do you have an aggressive marketing plan?
Yes, I have an aggressive and comprehensive marketing plan.
What is your annual marketing budget?
$110,000+
How many referrals do you receive?
58% of my business is generated from referrals from past clients and other REALTORS®.
708-420-2424 direct | 630-755-0700 office
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not created equal. REALTOR® to represent you in the sale of your property. CHRISTINE WILCZEK’S RESPONSES
How often do you sell a home?
I average one transaction every 6 days.
Do you have testimonials I can read and references I can call?
Yes, information will be provided during the listing appointment.
Are you bilingual?
Yes, I'm fluent in Polish.
Do you believe in staging a home?
Yes, I offer a complimentary staging consultation.
Do you utilize the services of professional photographers?
Yes, all of my listings include professional photography and virtual tours.
Do you provide brochures for your listings?
Yes, I provide comprehensive brochures which include professional photography, property features and neighborhood information.
Can you provide copies of CURRENT advertising?
Yes, samples will be provided during the listing appointment.
COMPETING REALTOR’S RESPONSES
R E A LT O R C O M PA R I S O N
QUESTIONS
www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
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The CH R I S T INE
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A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO SHOWCASING YOUR PROPERTY TO THE ENTIRE WORLD
MARKETING
Christine Wilczek employs a broad spectrum of advertising to assure your property has maximum exposure in the market place which may include:
• Multiple Listing Service (MLS) - Approximately 40,000 Real Estate Professionals will have access to your listing via this site.
• Professional photography - Your property will have a photo shoot done by a professional photographer. The photographs will be used for all marketing including brochures, websites, MLS and mailings.
• Brochures - High quality, professional brochures will be created for your listing. These brochures are extremely detailed and include professional photography and property features.
• For Sale sign - A professional sign on a white post will be installed by a sign installation company. This sign will include a brochure box filled with high quality, professionally designed brochures that highlight your property.
• Email campaigns - Property highlight sheets are sent via email to all REALTORS® in the state of Illinois.
• REALTOR® Open House - REALTORS® are invited to a catered event at your property for an opportunity to preview your listing.
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708-420-2424 direct
www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
630-755-0700 office
WILC Z E K
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Advantage
• Christine Wilczek’s Home Tour Magazine – Approximately 5,000 issues of this custom magazine are distributed quarterly
• Direct mail campaigns including oversized postcards
• Facebook - Christine Wilczek - Broker
• Chicago Tribune newspaper
• Lemont Reporter newspaper
• Crain’s Chicago Business Magazine
MARKETING
• Real Estate Book - 14,000 issues of this magazine are distributed monthly
• Windy City Live Television show
• Chicago Magazine
• Dziennik Zwiazkowy - Polish Daily Newspaper
• Daily Southtown Newspaper 708-420-2424 direct www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
630-755-0700 office
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The CH R I S T INE
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PHOTOGRAPHY
Christine Wilczek believes in the importance of professional photography and hires a professional photographer to photograph EVERY one of her listings. Her philosophy is simple. You only get one chance to make a first impression and typically, only a few seconds on the internet. Make sure it’s a good one! SAMPLES OF CHRISTINE WILCZEK’s listing photography:
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E WILC Z E K 88822.3.2.009:Layout 1
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Advantage
PHOTOGRAPHY {9}
The CHRISTINE WILCZEK Advantage
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INTERNET
Statistics prove that over 92% of homebuyers begin their search for a home on the Internet. Christine Wilczek couples her aggressive marketing strategy with a broad reach on the worldwide web. Christine utilizes websites, search engine optimization and social networking sites to assure the entire world has access to your listing. Your property may be featured on all of the following websites and more:
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708-420-2424 direct
www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
630-755-0700 office
Upgraded listing presentations on the most visited sites in the Country:
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WWW.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.COM
INTERNET
REAL ESTATE
REALTOR
THE BUSINESS TOOL FOR REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS
708-420-2424 direct www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
630-755-0700 office
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DAILY SOUTHTOWN
IN THE NEWS
An excerpt from: “Smart Sellers Share Inside Tips” By: Laura Irvine ”When John and Carla Cyscon decided to sell their Lemont home, they knew its unique aspects might make it more difficult to sell. The eight bedroom, eight bathroom home sits on more than two acres. Among the unique features were a fully finished basement and attic, home theater, bar, wine cellar and a gift wrapping room. The home, which the Cyscons sold for $1.475 million in June, was on the market for seven months. “Everyone always said that in that price range, it would take a year to-a— year-and-a-half to sell,” Carla Cyscon said. She said that Realtor Christine Wilczek of Realty Executives Elite in Lemont determined the list price of the home, which was $1.7 million. “We had listed the house a few years after we moved and nothing happened. In the meantime, I kept getting mailings from (Wilczek.) The more I saw those, the more we decided to call her and talk. She very much
SUBURBAN LIFE PUBLICATIONS An excerpt from: “Home sales tick up in 2010” By: Matthew Piechalak
“The numbers indicated the worst is over in the local market, said Christine Wilczek, a Broker for Realty Executives Elite in Lemont. While not a huge increase, Wilczek believes the numbers will continue to grow as the economy begins to rebound. “I am very optimistic that we will see conditions improve in Lemont in the next few months,” she said. Prices need to be aggressive, though, {12}
knows what she’s doing and she’s a hard worker,” Cyscon said. Cyscon said that because of the unique nature of the home, nothing was changed before it was listed. Wilczek said that when she lists an upscale home, she immediately hires a professional photographer to showcase its features. “For a property of this nature, a picture is worth a thousand words,” she said. “The more information you give, the more likely you are to get buyer traffic.” Wilczek said that providing photos, detailed brochures and virtual tours on CD ROM to potential buyers is crucial for a successful sale of an upscale home. “The million-plus market is saturated. Buyers have a tremendous amount of choices on what to buy. It’s crucial to make your listing stand out from the rest,” she said.
Wilczek said. That, coupled with keeping interest rates at historic lows, will help the market improve. I think our market is 100 percent price-driven, so aggressive pricing is the key,” she said.
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THE STAR An excerpt from: “Real Estate, More Than A Job, It’s A Calling” By: Jennifer Mifflin
they are all wrapped up in the emotions. Perhaps the home is too overpriced for the area or it ends up not being what they originally wanted. I try to bring their focus back by looking out for their best interest,” Wilczek said. “When you do a good job for someone, they are going to refer you to their friends and family. That is when you really start to grow your business,” Wilczek said.
DAILY SOUTHTOWN An excerpt from: “No time to flip a coin... Choosing the right Realtor is important to home search” By: Jennifer Mifflin
Christine Wilczek, Broker Associate for Realty Executives Elite, is a nine-year veteran who prides herself on walking clients through every step of the home buying/selling process. “I have a team of professionals that I work with that make the process seamless,” Wilczek said. “I take on a lot of responsibility to help make the process as stress-free as possible.” From assisting with financing to appraisals to contracts, a Realtor helps alleviate the guesswork. “When you are in this business, you always have to put the best interest of the client first. It’s not just about this one transaction. You are building a foundation with people that you
want to build on for years to come,” Wilczek said. Wilczek said the purchase of a home is often an emotional decision and being honest with people is the first priority, but being available to them goes right along with the commitment to the client. “A lot of times I end up talking people out of it [real estate deal]. Sometimes people lose sight on what they really need because they are all wrapped up in the emotions. I try to bring their focus back by looking out for their best interest,” she said.
IN THE NEWS
“Christine Wilczek, Broker Associate for Realty Executives Elite, said one of the most important aspects of her job is being honest with her clients. “Buying a home is a huge decision. People need to feel as though they can trust you,” Wilczek said. Oftentimes the sale or purchase of a home is an emotional situation. A good Realtor will know what’s in the best interest of the client and will be able to properly advise them. “A lot of times I end up talking people out of it (real estate deals). Sometimes people lose sight on what they really need because
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK
TESTIMONIALS
What People Are Saying About
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708-420-2424 direct
www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
630-755-0700 office
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK
What People Are Saying About
Frank Fontana TV & Radio Host/Author DIY Designer Frank@frankfontana.net http://www.frankfontana.net
708-420-2424 direct www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
630-755-0700 office
TESTIMONIALS
Buying or selling a home, is one of the most emotional and biggest decisions one makes in his or her lives. For me and my family finding the right Broker was all about finding someone we can trust and who can navigate the process with true professionalism and promptness. Christine was exactly that and more. In near record time, Christine sold our home using her creative approach to marketing and her ability to structure a winning deal! Everyone's dream is to walk away from an home sale on top and with little to no stress for me and my family. That’s what Christine did! And to me, thats worth every penny!
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK
What People Are Saying About
TESTIMONIALS
We met Christine Wilczek early in our home search two and a half years ago and were immediately impressed with her professionalism and responsiveness. She listened attentively to our needs and provided us with numerous listings that met our detailed criteria. It was clear from the start that she completely understood what we were looking for in our new home. As we continued our search, this became even more obvious as she listened to our feedback and continued to fine-tune her search criteria. This not only saved us valuable time but also established a level of trust which we had not experienced elsewhere and thus further enhanced our relationship. Christine continued to impress over the next few months by providing honest feedback to our questions, quickly responding to our needs, and never pushing us toward a particular home. She provided honest opinions when we sought her advice and provided highly pertinent market data which proved invaluable in our decision making process. Once we made our decision, Christine did an excellent job negotiating our deal and provided us with regular updates throughout the entire process. For these reasons, we did not consider any other realtors when we recently decided to list our home. We were confident that Christine’s extensive market knowledge would result in a quick sale of our home and Christine listed our home immediately after our initial conversation. During the time our home was on the market, Christine again displayed her professionalism, experience and responsiveness. She provided immediate feedback on all showings and weekly updates to keep us apprised of market activity. Christine took every action to ensure our home was marketed to its full potential. She exhausted all marketing channels and completed everything with the highest quality standards. During the time our property was listed, Christine continued to seek additional means of promoting our property to ensure it was marketed to its fullest potential. Once we had received an offer, Christine went the extra mile to get the deal done. During a highly contentious negotiation, Christine acted quickly and decisively to facilitate an agreement for exactly what we were offering. Very few realtors would take the initiative to do this. We have met a number of realtors in the past few years and none have compared to Christine. Her professionalism, responsiveness, work ethic, experience and market knowledge set her apart. Frankly, it is no surprise that she has reached the level of success that she has. It is rare to find examples of exceptional customer service today, but we have found this in Christine and highly recommend her without reservation.
Chad and Holly Anderson Dear Christine, It seemed as if our lives were turned upside down for many months physically and emotionally during the hectic time of selling and buying a home and going through the actual move! Now that the boxes are unpacked- (mostly!) and the dust has settled, we want to write you a very belated thank you note. We would like to thank you for your diligence and professionalism in listing, showing and selling our house. Not only are you educated about the housing market in general, but know specifically about the value of homes in Lemont and will not settle on less just to "close the deal"! Your communication and keeping us constantly abreast of the situation was phenomenal. Sometimes that meant several phone calls a day but you always did whatever it took.Your ability to clearly and calmly communicate with all parties was key. Selling a home becomes very emotional, but you knew how to minimize what wasn't important and emphasize what needed to be. It was a pleasure working with you throughout the process. You gave us a feeling of comfort that all the details would be attended to and we welcomed your promptness in addressing our questions. Feel free to use us as a referral anytime. So sorry again for the delay. Hope all is well. Thanks for everything!
Ron and Carol Ariana {16}
708-420-2424 direct
www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
630-755-0700 office
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK
What People Are Saying About
TESTIMONIALS
To Whom It May Concern: I want to express my gratitude to Christine Wilczek. She is truly a gem in the real estate world that is crumbling as I'm writing this. Christine went above and beyond anything I ever expected a real estate agent to do. My family and I listed our home about 6 months ago. We had an offer within a few weeks (because of the amazing advertising on our home) that ended up falling through, obviously due to reasons that were completely out of Christine's control. She was patient, understanding and really made us feel at ease during that disappointing time. Fast forward 5 months and we have another offer. After agreeing on a price, things seemed to be going smoothly. The close was going to be relatively quick (about a month after the offer) but we had plenty of time to get everything taken care of. Less than 2 weeks before our scheduled closing date, we were informed that the buyer's lender had done a "drive by" appraisal and we appraised for less than our sale price. Christine literally went above and beyond her call of duty. She was on the phone demanding a "real" appraisal. In this market, especially in the Lemont area, a drive by appraisal is just unacceptable and Christine made that very clear to the lender. They agreed to schedule a new appraisal but by now, we were only a week away from closing. Her relentless calling resulted in a "rush" appraisal being ordered. Bright and early Saturday morning (6 days before we were scheduled to close), with a smile on her face, Christine was at our house ready to meet the appraiser. He told her the results would be in on Monday. Christine made 8 phone calls on Monday trying to get the results. Christine knew that obviously my husband and I were nervous at this point seeing that the "drive by" appraisal came in lower than our agreed upon sale price. Tuesday came along and Christine continued her pursuit by making 18 phone calls. Finally, after several more phone calls on Wednesday, she received the results of the appraisal (which came in where it needed to). At this point, the buyer had to file for an extension on the closing, which resulted in us filing an extension on our new home. By Friday of this week (the day we were originally scheduled to close), the buyer still didn't have a clear to close and Christine never stopped making call after call after call on our behalf. Monday came around and her calls began again. We are finally scheduled to close on Thursday and I honestly believe that without Christine, this would not be happening. Throughout this entire process, Christine has been absolutely amazing. She has never made me feel like I'm bothering her (and believe me ... I called her a lot!), she has been calm, reassuring, sympathetic (we have two very young children and living out of boxes is not pleasant), and just plain wonderful. She called me at 8:00 pm one night, with her kids in tow, to let me know she finally heard back regarding something we were waiting on. It's as if her work day never ends! Her dedication to her clients is outstanding! She is a go-getter and WILL get the job done. I can't imagine going through this process with anybody else. The real estate world is a mess right now but is does have a shining star in Christine. I cannot thank her enough for everything she has done for my family and I. Her commitment to her job, compassion for what she does and who she represents, and understanding of the fact that people's lives are involved throughout this whole process is just one piece of what makes Christine one of the top real estate agent in the country! I would recommend Christine in a heartbeat and I feel very lucky that we chose her to sell our home. Thank you Christine.
Sarah and Matt Eigel Christine sold our home in one of the toughest housing markets of the past quarter century! She is a top-notch professional who knows the market and how to get results. Her expertise and creative direction made the process go as smoothly as possible. Christine is very personable, proactive and easy to work with. She acted as a partner with my wife and me to help us get the results we wanted. I would recommend her to anyone who has a high standard and wants professionalism. Top Qualities: Great Results, Expert, Creative
Mike Rakauskas
708-420-2424 direct www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
630-755-0700 office
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK
What People Are Saying About
TESTIMONIALS
Dear Christine, Now that we’ve realized our “California dreamin’” move, I want to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU for all of your assistance in making this a reality. Your advice proved invaluable and changes that we made in the house based on that advice, we know, were instrumental in the sale. Even though it was hard to hear about market conditions in this current environment, you were always very upfront about what was occurring and you were never misleading. We appreciated that! We learned quickly that if you said you would get back to us within a timeframe, you did just that. Your quick responsiveness was a real benefit. As our sale came down to the wire and we were thrown an unexpected curveball, you didn’t let that deter you from considering all options and finding a solution so that the closing could proceed. We also learned at that time that you are an excellent hand-holder as well. When I had all but given up, you were right there to offer whatever it took to make the deal close. Please know that if anyone wants a reference for you, we are more than happy to provide one. Feel free to give them my cell number. Your knowledge of the real estate industry is phenomenal. While we’ve dealt with some realtors who give a bad image to the profession, you go far beyond what’s required when working with your clients. We are proud, not only that you represented us so well, but that we also consider you a friend. Our best wishes for continued success. Whoever chooses to work with you has indeed made a wise decision.
With gratitude and thanks, Sue and Jack McKenzie Dear Christine: Having closed on the sale of our home, we wanted to express to you our sincerest appreciation and thanks for the extraordinary professionalism, and dedication you have demonstrated while representing us. Homes in our price range must be marketed and sold by professionals who understand this market and are comfortable presenting the home as a value while also being able to convincingly convey the message of quality and ambience to prospective buyers. Our award winning Prairie style home deserved to be represented by someone who could explain the many features and special touches of the home and its unique timeless design. We picked the right person for the job. Your commitment to achieving the successful sale of our home was obvious and it spoke volumes as to why you have become a premier real estate professional. We would be pleased to be considered as references for your future prospective clients. Our best wishes to you for your continued success. You can be sure that we will strongly encourage and recommend that our friends use your services for their real estate purchase and sales activities.
Cordially, Donald Pizza Christine: When Cathy and I decided to put our Lemont house up for sale, we knew we wanted a Realtor with a strong internet presence. We found three that met our requirements and continued our due diligences with personal interviews. Stated simply, your marketing and sales plan Wowed us! Now that our house has sold in these difficult market conditions we are even more thankful we selected you as our Realtor. You under promised and over delivered! Where many Realtors were greatly reducing their marketing efforts, you stayed the course. Cathy and I are confident, thanks to your marketing efforts, that our house sold sooner and for a better price than most could reasonably expect. In this "worst in 50 years housing market", I cannot imagine trusting the marketing and sale of a Lemont home to anyone but you. Thanks again for a job well done.
Chuck Dotson {18}
708-420-2424 direct
www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
630-755-0700 office
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK
What People Are Saying About
Christine, Diane told me we have a deal at $770,000 with the Burbank folks that is GREAT. I want to thank you for the ridiculous amount of time, effort and work you put into selling our home for us. You have been a true professional and we are lucky we had you as our agent. Thank you again.
Stampede Meat, Inc. Bill Asleson
Sincerely, Kelley J. Smith
Dear Christine, I am much too late with this note and, for that I apologize. I want you to know how grateful we are to you for selling our townhouse. We never dreamed it would sell so quickly. Amazing! Our daughter has told us what a great job you did and how professional you were. Our house is now being built in Texas-so we are still in Florida. We’re looking forward to our new home. Thank you again, Christine!
Sincerely, Lee & Kathy Miller If you are considering buying or selling your home the best thing you can do to help make this process easier on you and your family is to hire Christine Wilczek. I can say this with certainty having just completed the sale of our home using Christine as our agent. During the course of selling or buying your home you will encounter numerous experts who will have opinions regarding the value of your home or a potential home. We certainly did our very complicated and stressful corporate relocation. We found that only one of these experts was 100 % accurate – Christine Wilczek. In order to minimize the stress and maximize your value when selling or buying a home you must have an agent that you can trust – both personally and professionally. Christine is that agent for our family. I cannot endorse her enough.
Chris Kennedy
TESTIMONIALS
To Whom It May Concern: This serves to recommend Christine Wilczek, Realty Executives Elite, for her brokerage services. Christine had the listing on my house in Lemont, IL, which closed. Christine worked extremely hard marketing this property and finding the buyer. I would not hesitate to use Christine again in the buying or selling of another property.
Dear Realty Executives Elite, I am writing this letter in order to explain our recent transaction with Christine Wilczek. Ms. Wilczek demonstrated complete professionalism during this entire transaction, from the very beginning when we were very anxious to sign the sales contract. She made sure we had another walk through to discuss our needs. She hand wrote all of our change requests and did not let us sign the contract until it was type written in its final format. She took all the time to explain to us what was negotiated. Throughout the entire process she conducted herself professionally and ethically. At no time did we feel as though she attempted to take advantage of either party, in fact when the sellers conduct became questionable she maintained her integrity and proceeded with composure. Ms. Wilczek made herself available to all parties anytime we needed to discuss anything. In closing, I would like to commend your office for having such a professional and trustworthy person on staff to assist my family with our recent home purchase.
Juan Gaytan, Jr. 708-420-2424 direct www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
630-755-0700 office
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK
What People Are Saying About
We wanted to take the time to thank Christine for all her help and support in the sale of our home. From the initial sales contract to the complicated negotiations that went on to the wee hours of the morning, she was there every step of the way. Each question or concern was promptly addressed. Every call swiftly returned. Again, we could not have asked for better representation. Thank you Christine for all you did for us and for turning our retirement dream into a reality!! We will be thinking of you as we sip Margarita's on the beach.
Sonny & Mary Adamczyk
TESTIMONIALS
I wanted to thank you, your staff, and especially Christine Wilczek (listing broker) for assisting us in selling our home in Equestrian Estates. I was especially impressed by the professionalism that Christine, along with the rest of your staff, exhibited throughout the entire process. I've dealt with quite a few realtors and have never felt that my interests were better represented. Your office did an excellent job of fairly evaluating our property, target marketing the home and negotiating a fair deal. Please extend a thank you to all the associates for their efforts. Good luck and best wishes.
Sincerely, Boris Predovich We hired Christine Wilczek as our realtor after interviewing other realtors. Christine was highly recommended and has an excellent reputation in our area. This is by far the toughest market we have ever experienced. Christine immediately stated the facts and explained a well thought out marketing plan. She delivered an excellent Internet presence and impressive advertising. She is proactive with her knowledge of Internet marketing and how this was crucial to selling our house. She didn't assume anything. Every facet of the process was fine-tuned. An example of this would be hiring the best photographer who would only film in the right light. Christine made sure we were well informed on the market conditions. Our house sold because it had the right representation!
John and Lisa Murphy
To Whom This May Concern: A few months ago my husband and I met with Christine Wilczek about selling our home. We have known Christine for a few years and based on what we know and the reputation she has in the community, we felt she was the best choice for a realtor. Christine listed our home in mid January and we have been very pleased with the work she has done. Although she has many listings, we have determined that there is a reason for that - it is because she is extremely good at what she does. Any time we have called her, she has returned our call almost immediately. She is on top of every detail of what is going on in the community and with the potential sale of our home. She is always honest and extremely professional. We have had two offers on our home within the first two months of being listed and are still in negotiations with a potential buyer. The advertising and marketing tools Christine offers are unsurpassed by none and have undoubtedly helped us to receive steady traffic on our home, which in the winter months and in these economic times is fantastic. We have had a very good experience with Christine and would highly recommend her as a realtor. There is a reason she is #1 in the area!
Scott and Julie Johnson Christine, We wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for everything with regard to the sale of our home. We so appreciate your professionalism, dedication and all of the hard work you put in to make everything happen.
Mr. and Mrs. Basiorka {20}
708-420-2424 direct
www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
630-755-0700 office
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK
What People Are Saying About
Christine did a wonderful job marketing and selling our home in this very difficult market. Very few homes in our price range had sold in recent years and she helped negotiate a deal that we were extremely pleased with. Once she secured a contract on our home, she went to great lengths to keep the deal together even though at times it looked like it would fall apart. In addition, Christine found us the perfect home to buy once we found a buyer for our home. She asked us detailed questions about what we were looking for, listened to our answers, offered some excellent opinions, then negotiated a great deal on our new home. We closed on both homes last week. Last year, she sold my father's home in Equestrian Estates and he had the exact same experience with Christine. Professional, knowledgeable, hard working - she is an excellent agent.
TESTIMONIALS
Pete Beechen
Dear Christine, We write this letter the day after the closing of our home sale - how can we thank you enough? You were the consummate professional at a very difficult time in the economy and the housing market. Your ability to sell our home in this environment is a true testament to your tenacity and skill. Throughout the sales process we greatly appreciated your ability to be forthright as well as empathetic - strategic as well as realistic. When our dynamics changed and we were faced with a cross-country move, you gave us quick and sound advice to try to accelerate our sale. Most importantly, we appreciate the kindness you showed as we worked through the process together. We always felt we were in the best hands possible, and now we’ve been proven right. Here’s to many, many more successful years for you in your career.
Sincerely yours, John and Karen Biernat
Christine, Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! What an incredible job you did selling our luxury home. We have worked with numerous Realtors throughout the years and you are without a doubt, simply the best! Your brochure presentation of our home was beautiful, thorough and well designed. The internet and print presence our home had was very strong and you made sure to follow up after every showing. We were provided with market updates and advertising copies on a weekly basis. Never once did we have to question where our home was being advertised. You are a true professional and we wish you only the best in the future.
Best regards, Caitlyn and Robert Efficient. Intelligent. Honest. Creative. Courageous. Positive. And a CLOSER! What a delight she is as a professional and as a person.
Sheila Donoghue
Dear Christine, Thank you so much for your overwhelming support and professionalism during the sale of our home. Not only did you work for us but with us. Due to the unexpected quick sale of our home, ten weeks, we are now on our way to accomplishing our hopes and dreams. You truly are the "rockstar" of real estate professionals.
Thank you again, Bob & Geri Belcher 708-420-2424 direct www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
630-755-0700 office
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK
What People Are Saying About
TESTIMONIALS
Now that we have settled into our new home, we would like to send you a letter of referral which is easy to do, because we had an extremely positive experience using you as our real estate agent. One might think that it is easy to move a matter of miles, but that is not the case. The market is currently saturated with homes and we feel lucky to have sold ours and to have found the perfect home for our family in a matter of months. We owe much of this to you. To begin, you were quick to come to our home and speak to us about the many options we had and the best strategy for getting our house on the market as fast as possible. You were very explanatory as to all the different scenarios we might encounter, so we would not be surprised by the process. Also, we appreciated how you always responded quickly to our questions and concerns weather it was via email or phone. It was helpful to receive feedback after every showing and to know that you were working on getting us into the homes we wanted to see. Furthermore, the amount of advertising you used to get our house seen by the public at large and other agents was unparalleled. We were confident that you were working diligently to sell our home, as well as, trying to help us find the perfect house in the price range we discussed. Working with you was a pleasure. You were professional, yet friendly, and understanding. That was important to us, because selling our home during the holidays and with a young child was taxing at times. We felt like you put our nervousness at ease and your undivided attention let us focus more on our daily lives and less on real estate. In addition, you represented us very well when it came to negotiations and were forthright about the value, features and the concerns about the home we wanted to buy. Thus, making it easier to make such a large investment. Therefore, we will and do highly recommend your services to anyone we know that is interested in buying or selling a home.
Sincerely, The O'Brien family To whom it May Concern, I am writing this letter as a referral for Christine. She handled the sale of my house in Lemont in what has been the worst real estate market I have ever experienced. We are scheduled to close on Wednesday of next week. During the time the house was on the market Christine advertised our property extensively, and was available to accommodate any realtor who wanted to show the property. She also was personally present at every showing to make sure no question went unanswered and no opportunity was lost. She did everything she promised to do when we signed the listing agreement, and I am extremely satisfied with her professionalism and expertise. I will make one added comment that I think speaks highly of Christine. In this very lean market of buyers we had numerous offers. Some of these were either low in price or had other deficiencies in the structures of the deals. Christine always negotiated these with my best interests in mind. She truly lived up to a fiduciary relationship with me. I hope you find this information helpful.
Sincerely, Greg Farago {22}
708-420-2424 direct
Christine, Thank you for an outstanding job selling our home in the worst market. I will be the first to admit that I never expected someone as young and beautiful as you to be the Realtor who has achieved such a high level of success. I expected a 70 year old to come to my door! I know we can laugh about this now but my husband still says I would not have called you if your picture was on your website! All joking aside, you are an amazing Realtor who thinks outside the box. Your marketing of our home was extremely thorough and well designed. You always returned calls in a timely fashion and even though you have numerous clients, you always made us feel like your top priority. Thank you for selling our home for $27,000 more than we expected! You are truly the best!
Tara Risley
www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
630-755-0700 office
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK
What People Are Saying About
To Whomever it may concern: This is a letter of recommendation for Christine Wilczek of Realty Executives Elite. Christine was the realtor in the sale of our house in Lemont, IL which closed. Christine handled all the details in a very professional manner throughout, and was always responsive and efficient in our telephone, email and in-person communications. We found her to be reliable, straightforward and informed at every stage in the process. We would have no hesitation in recommending Christine's realty services to friends and family in the Lemont area and beyond. If we can provide any further information, please let us know.
Sincerely, Alan & Lisa Zulanas
Sincerely, Bill and Angie Galante
TESTIMONIALS
Christine Wilczek has been our realtor for the past year, providing us with professional service to sell our home. We have been very pleased with Christine's professionalism throughout the year. She kept in touch with us on a regular basis both via mail and phone calls. Whenever we had a question and called her, she was there to answer us. If we left her a message on her voice-mail, she always returned our calls swiftly and promptly. We always received all current literature showing us how our home was being marketed and all information regarding all home sales in the Lemont area. Christine was always very pleasant and always had a very up-beat attitude regarding the sales of our home. Even though the current housing market is in a very bad situation, she always spoke to us in an encouraging and positive way, which I'm sure at times was difficult and frustrating for her being that home sales were so slow. We were very much aware of all of Christine's efforts to market our home in the best possible way in order to sell it, and we sincerely appreciated everything she did. Fortunately, our home was sold to a very nice young couple which we wish the very best of luck to. We would highly recommend Christine to anyone wishing to list their home with a realtor. It was sincerely a pleasure working with Christine and we wish her the best.
Dear Christine, I wanted to express our gratitude to you for selling our home so quickly in Hickory Hills, Illinois. Not only was it the highest selling house in years there, it was the most impressively marketed home. What you did to advertise our home (virtual tour, photography and brochures) really made our home stand out in a real estate market that has been stagnate in it’s price range for years! We owe it all to you! And thanks to the sell of our Illinois home, we are moments away from finalizing the purchase of our new home in North Carolina. We have had a wonderful selling experience which has now led us to a rewarding buying experience here. Let me say they do things differently here! But, we walked into this market prepared because of you and your professional guidance when we were selling our home. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you - and cannot thank you enough for your professionalism, honesty and guidance when selling our home.
Warmest regards, Gregory and Judy Nikolich
708-420-2424 direct www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
630-755-0700 office
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK
What People Are Saying About
TESTIMONIALS
I decided to write a brief letter in order to nominate Christine Wilczek as a 40 Under 40 agent for Metro Chicago Real Estate, as I felt the nomination form did not leave ample room to enumerate all of Christine's unique qualities. Christine is an inspiration to everyone around her, including other agents, clients, colleagues in all areas of the real estate business, friends and family. Not only is Christine consistently the top selling agent in Lemont by multi-millions, but she also takes time out of her day to talk to any client, friend or colleague that may need assistance. Christine has earned her ranking in the top 1% of all Realtors in the country in sales volume by working tirelessly - this includes staying up late at night or waking up before dawn in order to read about the industry, keep abreast of market conditions, and be available for clients at their convenience. In the three years I have known Christine she has never put her own interests or desires above her clients, even if it has meant going out late to get a contract signed or setting a walk-through appointment for 7 a.m. Christine is also extremely devoted to real estate as an industry. She is simply very passionate about her chosen career and it comes across in her knowledge and expertise. Christine reads every industry publication that is sent to her by mail or email and is constantly researching the market in newspapers and online news sources. Christine is also the office representative for the Realty Executives of Illinois Agent Council and donates both her time and substantial financial contributions to the annual Make-A- Wish fundraisers. Christine made the decision from a very young age to make real estate her career. As such she is devoted to promoting the industry and discovering new ways of marketing both herself and helping other agents in their own marketing efforts. She gives the same amount of exuberance and devotion to her family as she does to her career without ever losing a beat with regards to her business. Christine is the most well-informed and knowledgeable Realtor I have met in my three years in the business. There is no doubt that she is one of the top agents in the Chicagoland area and enhances the reputation of our profession. For these reasons I nominate her as a 40 Under 40 agent for Metro Chicago Real Estate.
Yours truly, Kate O'Connor Broker Associate Realty Executives Elite Hi Christine, We wanted to reach out and thank you for helping us find a home we absolutely love. I know it was an emotional roller coaster ride, but in the end things worked out just the way they were planned. It seems like there was some unwritten script that took us through all the ups and downs and landed us right where we wanted to be. Its amazing how things work out and everything seemed to happen for a reason. We absolutely love the house you got us and we thank you for your exceptional service and relaxing style. I know we'll see you around and look forward to living in the community of Lemont. We are moving into the new house this coming Saturday. Again thanks for everything. We plan on breaking open the vodka this weekend, unfortunately Lisa can't join me as she is expecting our 4th child!!
Hi Christine, Doug and I would like to thank you so much for everything you did in regards to our sale of our house. Since we were "newbies" to the selling market, your guidance and expertise made this process truly painless. Your marketing process was very thorough and fair. Your professionalism and honesty was commended throughout these past few months. We truly appreciate everything you have done for us and going beyond our expectations. You were highly recommended by a number of friends we talked to and we are extremely pleased and would highly recommend you to others in the future. Thank you again!
Lori Cunningham
Sincerely, Ted, Lisa and Potaczek Family {24}
708-420-2424 direct
www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
630-755-0700 office
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK
What People Are Saying About
Hi Christine, I just wanted to touch base with you before the weekend to thank you for all you have been doing to market our property. Marilyn and I have sold 4 other homes in the 30 years we've been married, and your guidance, professionalism, and follow-through have been superior to anyone we have ever worked with.
Sincerely, Gordon Acton
Bruce Feldman
TESTIMONIALS
Christine, I just wanted to thank you for all of the personal attention you have given me during my search for a new home. You have made this process far easier than I ever imagined. Your attention to detail and follow through have been truly exceptional. Although you have many clients, you always made me feel as though I was the only one you have.
Christine Wilczek was our broker for the sale of my house and the purchase of my new house. We were so glad to have her as our broker. She explained in detail everything to us and worked very hard on the sale of my house. My husband and I want to extend our thanks to Christine's hard work and all that she did for us. We both felt like she was part of our family. She went way beyond her call to close the deal for us. She also found a house for us that we just adore, and worked hard to get the price right. You are very luck to have such a knowledgeable and intelligent and personable broker working your company. I have given her business card to those that are looking to buy or sell. Without her, my house would have not been sold. With all my thanks!!!
Marie Sanders Dear Christine: Don and I just wanted to tell you how very much we appreciated all your effort in helping us with the purchase of our new home. When we embarked on our search a couple months ago, we knew our dream home was going to be a pretty tall order to fill. But you quickly assessed our needs as well as our "likes and dislikes" and ensured that we were only viewing properties that would fill and appeal to those needs. Your knowledge of the market and expert advice were so very helpful and once it came time to make that "offer", we couldn't have asked for anyone more knowledgeable and capable. We've both had the opportunity to sell and purchase homes in the past, but we can say with absolute confidence, we have never worked with an agent so competent and generous in time, energy and spirit as you. So as we begin this new and exciting chapter in our lives, we wanted to extend a very special thank you for all you've done to help make our dream a reality and for helping us find this very special place we will now call "home".
You won't find a better realtor anywhere. Christine worked like she was working for a family member for us. Christine put in countless hours walking us through the process of selling and buying our homes. We lived in our home for 22 years so it was quite a while since we had any experience. She had great patience with our thousands of questions. Christine also found us the perfect home and location. We can't thank or recommend her enough!
Nancy, Danielle and Nicholas
Don and Bev Wesolowski 708-420-2424 direct www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
630-755-0700 office
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Ensure that your property shows at its very best… Curb Appeal
HOME SELLERS GUIDE
• Mow lawn and trim shrubs • Edge gardens and walkways • Weed and mulch • Sweep walkways and driveway, remove branches, litter or toys • Add color and fill in bare spots with plantings • Remove mildew or moss from walls or walks with bleach and water or other cleaner • Take stains off your driveway with cleanser or kitty litter • Stack woodpile neatly • Clean and repair patio and deck area • Remove any outdoor furniture that is not in good condition • Make sure pool or spa sparkles • Replace old storm doors • Check for flat-fitting roof shingles • Repair broken windows and shutters, replace torn screens, make sure frames and seams have solid caulking • Hose off exterior wood and trim, replace damaged bricks or wood • Touch up exterior paint, repair gutters and eaves • Clean and remove ruse from any window air conditioning units • Add a new front door mat and consider a seasonal door decoration • Shine brass hardware on front door, outside lighting fixtures, etc. • Make sure doorbell is in good working order
General Interior Tips
• Add a fresh coat of interior paint in light, neutral colors • Shampoo carpeting, replace if necessary • Clean and wax hardwood floors, refinish if necessary • Clean and wash kitchen/bathroom floors • Wash all windows, vacuum blinds, wash window sills • Clean the fireplace • Clean out and organize closets, add extra space by packing clothes and items you will not need until later • Remove extra furniture, worn rugs, and items you do not use; keep papers, toys, etc. picked up especially on stairways • Repair problems such as loose doorknobs, cracked molding, leaking taps and toilets, squeaky doors, closets or screen doors which are off their tracks • Install higher wattage light bulbs throughout
The Living Room
• Make it cozy and inviting, discard chipped or worn furniture and frayed or worn rugs
The Dining Room
• Polish any visible silver and crystal • Set the table for a formal dinner to help viewers imagine entertaining here
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708-420-2424 direct | 630-755-0700 office
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• • • • • •
Make sure appliances are spotless inside and out Make sure all appliances are in perfect working order Clean often forgotten spots -- top of refrigerator and under sink Wax or sponge floor to brilliant shine, clean baseboards De-clutter all counter space, remove countertop appliances Organize items inside cabinets, pre-pack anything you will not be using before you move
• • • • •
Remove all rust and mildew Make sure tile, fixtures, shower doors, etc. are immaculate and shining Make sure all fixtures are in good repair Replace loose caulking or grout Make sure lighting is bright, but soft
The Bathrooms
The Master Bedroom
• Organize furnishing to create spacious look with well-defined sitting, sleeping, and dressing areas
The Garage
• Sell, give away, or throw out unnecessary items • Clean oily cement floor • Provide strong overhead light • Tidy storage or work areas
The Basement
• Sell, give away, or throw out unnecessary items • Organize and create more floor space by hanging tools and placing items on shelves • Clean water heater and drain sediment • Change furnace filter • Make inspection access easy • Clean and paint concrete floor and walls • Provide strong overhead light
The Attic
• Tidy up by discarding or pre-packing • Make sure energy-saving insulation is apparent • Make sure air vent is in working order • Provide strong overhead light
HOME SELLERS GUIDE
The Kitchen
www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
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'Staging' Helps Homes Sell Faster
Y
S TA G I N G
ou know a thing or two about curb appeal. of your home being "the one with all the Lladros No one has to sit you down to explain the (figurines" or "the one with all the duck decoys," importance of the "first impression." You you want it to stand out on its own merits. You get it. After a thorough cleaning and primping, want your home to be known as "the one with the your home has never looked better.You may just exquisite crown molding" or "the one with the move your Realtor to tears of joy as they enter custom cherry wood flooring." your listing. Christine Wilczek, broker associate of Later. Much later. So why isn't your home Realty Executives Elite in Lemont, specializes in selling? the ultra-competitive luxury home market. "You Sometimes even the most beautiful, only have 30 seconds to make an impression on a well-appointed abodes need a little extra help that buyer. A home has to look its best in the first day goes beyond another sweep of the broom or it's listed. As part of my services, I do a complete pillow fluffing. Many walkthrough of the home and savvy Realtors are determine what embracing the concept of improvements or finessing "home staging" to give need to be done. I give the "Sometimes a home will be their listing a competitive homeowners my suggestions edge in this aggressive and, if needed, recommend very décor specific and we'll market. work to neutralize it. Or it can they work with a home While it's stager....It's a proactive be as simple as repainting necessary for homeowners measure to ensure the to do the due diligence walls with more modern colors." property is ready from day involved with readying a one. In my experience a home for market, staged home greatly Christine Wilczek, Broker Associate of deconstructing the home increases the likelihood of a Realty Executives Elite or many of the owners' sale," Wilczek noted. personal elements of the One of the most common home will greatly enhance challenges Wilczek sales potential, according encounters with her listings is to Julea Joseph, home stager, interior stylist and improper furniture placement. Too much owner of Reinventing Space. furniture can make rooms appear smaller than Ultimately, what buyers are looking for in they are and it can disrupt the flow of the room. your home (aside from décor, layout and Conversely, a sparsely furnished room can be too amenities) is to be able to see themselves in your depersonalized, leaving a lot of guess work as to home. how a room can be arranged. Oftentimes, instead of seeing the home for "Sometimes a home will be very what it is, buyers will get mired in the elements of décor-specific and we'll work to neutralize it. Or the home that reflect the owners' personality. it can be as simple as repainting walls with more "We are all proud of our collections and modern colors," Wilczek said. we want to display them in our homes. But what starts to happen is those collections can become Enter the home stager. very distracting to a buyer if they are overdone," Joseph works directly with Realtors as Joseph said. "If there are excessive family well as homeowners. She provides an initial photographs strewn throughout the home, guess evaluation and determines whether or not a what a buyer is going to look at? They will fail to complete or partial staging is required. notice all the lovely architectural and functional "It really depends on the house or elements unique to the home. It's human nature." marketplace. Sometimes I just work with the The last thing a seller wants is their home public area of the home. In other instances I'll go décor leaving an impression on the buyer. Instead as far to stage the entire home - down to the
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By Jennifer Mifflin
BEFORE AFTER
BEFORE AFTER
BEFORE
S TA G I N G
closets and medicine cabinets," Joseph said. For instance, in older homes where closet space is is at a premium, complete staging is often required to fully optimize and showcase limited storage space. If painting or repairs need to be done, Joseph works with a select group of vendors who can get the job done professionally and expediently. Otherwise the homeowner can opt to do it themselves. Then, if it's adding dĂŠcor, Joseph makes recommendations for accessories and can either shop for her clients or rent them from her personal inventory. When furniture is needed, she works with a furniture rental company. "I like to use a lot of what the homeowner already has. In many cases, it comes down to putting things away or in storage and rearranging furniture to showcase a room's focal point," Joseph said. Both Joseph and Wilczek said there is an emotional element that comes with depersonalizing your home. Although some homeowners are reluctant to do so, they ultimately see the bigger picture and are amazed by how quickly their homes can be transformed. Costs of staging services vary. A designer with an assistant can be in the ballpark of $200 per hour, with a typical staging ranging from two to three hours. Extras such as painting, additional accessories and furniture rental are all ala carte. The stager lends their keen understanding of not only the marketplace, but their expertise on how to orchestrate the look and fluidity of a home. "I provide this service to my clients at no additional charge because it's a great tool that tremendously fosters sales," Wilczek said.
AFTER
BEFORE AFTER
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10 Home Staging Tips to Make Your Listing Look hat is it about model homes that make them so appealing? Is it the freshness of all new; is it the sassy paint colors, the perfectly placed furniture, art and accessories or the beautiful groomed backyard that makes you want to plop right down on that comfy club chair? Well…. Yes to all the above. From blue print to drawer pulls, that model home is meticulously planned by builders and skilled professionals to make it beautiful.
S TA G I N G T I P S
Models homes are lovely because they have the latest and the greatest, are fresh and new, and are meticulously detailed. Psychology–more than decorating–is applied to make them look so fabulous.
So how can you make your next listing as appealing as a model home? Here are 10 ways. 1. CLEAN. Those nice angled vacuum lines, gleaming windows, and perfectly manicured lawns in model homes speak to a potential buyer: You don’t have to do a thing. Translate that into: A little elbow grease goes a long way. A super clean home says “turnkey” to the potential buyer. Have every inch of the home, blind slats to porch light glass, super clean and perfectly coiffed. According to a national 2012 survey done by Home Gain, a $402 cleaning investment gives a $2024 price increase, or a 403 percent return!
2. FRESH AND SMELLS GOOD. People buy homes on emotion, and your five senses are a direct path to your brain. If a home smells and looks “funky,” “doggy,” “smoky,” or if the stove is coated with cooking gone bad: The home is off their list. Just like you would detail your car to sell it, invest in clean and spotless carpets, patched, repaired and freshly painted walls and new appliances if the old have seen better days. Be wary to skip this step and take the low road with room refreshers, candles, and stove burner covers. Potential buyers are not fooled.
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3. COLOR. Any advertising executive will tell you color is a key to properly packaging a product,
and a listed home is just that, a product. Throw away the off-white manta of old school home staging rules. Welcome to the era of HGTV. Using color is a powerful and inexpensive way of making that home stand out from the rest, and with so many decorating TV shows boasting the benefits of color, you better get hip to hues. From the first Web impressions to curb appeal, color is a strong emotional tug for the potential buyer. Update yourself on the latest color trends in wall color, appliance, fixtures, etc., and apply it to your target buyer. For home staging, use earthy, calm tones for the bigger areas, such as wall color, and add pops of saturated colors in the details; such as front doors, accessories, or annuals. 4. MAKE SPACE. The joy of a model home is the acres and acres of unused storage space and beautifully organized closets. Reduce, organize, upscale, and edit all of the home’s spaces when it comes to closets and storage areas. If the home’s price point dictates, upscale the closets with custom organizing options.
5. CLEAR A PATH. Consider that many people with be walking through the home. Make sure traffic patterns, entrances, and exits are well established. Too much furniture, undefined entrances, and awkward walkways confuse and discourage buyers from moving about the property. Follow a model home’s lead and create a concise walking pattern for potential buyers starting at curbside to back fence.
6. LOVELY LAYOUTS. From the landscape to furniture placement, take a clue from models homes that continuity and flow make for a good mix. Create curb appeal with nicely maintained landscaping, added annuals and perennials, an inviting stoop and well-groomed walkways and driveways. Inside, make sure each room depicts what its function is, enhances the highlights of the room (i.e. fireplaces or upgrades), and allows the buyer to envision themselves in the space. 7. SET THE MOOD. Create ambiance and character in the home with well-thought out placement of sensory and lifestyle components. Soft music, lighting on dimmers, candles lit, and
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Like a Model Home
fresh floral are all great ideas for broker or open houses. If you have a concern about candles, battery operated candles that even have timers built in are now readily available. Stage the dining room table tastefully, or set the stage in a back yard with a detailed patio retreat. Offering helpful lifestyle hints has always been a tool in the model home arsenal and always is a huge hit.
9. APPEAL TO A TARGET BUYER. Model home builders hire choice marketing companies that create campaigns to market that home. Consider “WHO” the ideal buyer that will be interested in the property is, and market the property accordingly. From advertising photos to furniture, consider who will find this appealing and desirable.
10. MARKET, MARKET, MARKET. Model homes have great marketing incentives inside and out. From clear address markers, great signs, to small exit giveaways, to an exit survey. Market that listing to the fullest. Palos Park based home stager and decorator Julea Joseph offers her signature blend of staging, styling and classic design services to create the perfect recipe for a beautiful home. Clientele centered, lifestyle focused, creative & innovative ideas are the backbone of her company, Reinventing Space. Staging homes in the Chicagoland area since 1999, Julea's work has been feature in national and local print, along with HGTV, ABC, WGN and cable.
BEFORE
AFTER
S TA G I N G T I P S
8. K.I.S.S. On the opposite note, don’t over accessorize, go over-board with the lifestyle tips, or create “store bought theme” rooms (i.e. Chef-with-a-Hat Kitchen or Anniversary Bathtub vignette complete with Champagne bottle and fake ivy).
Julea Joseph 708.448.7500 www.JULEA.com Julea@JULEA.com
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Do I need a Real Estate Attorney?
Purchasing a home is the largest investment that most people will ever make. Both real estate sales and purchases involve significant legal rights and obligations for both parties. In spite of this, many people are reluctant to hire a Real Estate Attorney for their transaction or feel that they do not need to do so. There are some common questions and misconceptions that Purchasers and Sellers may have regarding Real Estate Attorneys.
What will a Real Estate Attorney do for me?
AT T O R N E Y
There is a popular misconception that the services of a Real Estate Attorney are limited to "doing a closing". In fact, the role of the Real Estate Attorney begins at or before the time the contract is signed. For example, some of the tasks that your Real Estate Attorney will perform in a real estate purchase transaction are as follows: • Reviewing the contract; • Proposing modifications to the contract, and/or responding to modifications proposed by Seller's attorney; • Submitting a request for repairs that may be suggested by your home inspector; • Making sure that you are in compliance under the terms of a financing contingency or home sale contingency provision; • Reviewing documents that Seller must deliver to you prior to closing, such as the title commitment, survey, and pest inspection; • Working with you and Seller's attorney to schedule your closing; • Obtaining and verifying the correctness of settlement figures and communicating them to you prior to closing; and • Representing you at closing, which includes reviewing and explaining to you all of your loan documents and documents required by the title company, as well as documents that the Seller must provide to you to ensure that you are receiving title to the property as required under your contract.
Some of the tasks that your Real Estate Attorney will perform in a real estate sale transaction are as follows: • Reviewing the contract; • Proposing modifications to the contract, and/or responding to modifications proposed by Purchaser's attorney; • Reviewing and responding to repair requests that may be made by Purchaser's attorney;
JAMES FLANAGAN ATTORNEY AT LAW
A Professional Corporation 14912 S. EASTERN AVENUE, SUITE 106 PLAINFIELD, IL 60544 {32}
TELEPHONE: (815) 254-1100 ● FAX: (866) 286-1314 E-MAIL: jim@flanaganlawfirm.com
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• Ordering various items that you may be required to provide to the Purchaser under the contract, including: title insurance; survey; homeowner's association letter; municipal transfer tax documents; pest inspection; and a well and septic test; • Working with you to resolve any items that may appear on a search of the title of your home, such as mechanic's liens or other liens; • Preparing your closing documents, including a deed, bill of sale,
affidavit of title, transfer tax declarations, documents required by the title company; and closing statement; • Representing you at closing. In most real estate sale transactions, you should be able to sign a Power of Attorney, which will allow your attorney to attend and complete the closing on your behalf.
Can't my Realtor handle the entire transaction?
AT T O R N E Y
Whether you are purchasing or selling a home, among the most important functions of your Real Estate Attorney is to make sure that you understand every aspect of the transaction and to answer any questions that you may have. First-time Purchasers and experienced Sellers alike may be overwhelmed at times throughout the process; your Real Estate Attorney is there to guide you through it.
Your Realtor is an integral part of the real estate transaction. As a Purchaser, your Realtor can help you determine how much you can afford to spend, help you find the perfect home and negotiate the price and other terms of the contract on your behalf. Your Realtor's familiarity with a local real estate market, including real estate values, taxes, municipal services and facilities, and local zoning requirements (to name a few factors) will be immensely helpful in your decision to purchase. As a Seller, your Realtor will use his or her knowledge to prepare and market your home for sale and negotiate the other terms of the contract on your behalf.
However, what your Realtor cannot do is practice law. Each real estate sale or purchase transaction – even one that may seem simple — involves a variety of local, state and federal laws. As either a Purchaser or Seller, entering into a real estate contract will impose upon you a number of legal obligations and give you a number of legal rights. Only a licensed attorney may provide you with legal advice on these matters.
Is a Real Estate Attorney expensive?
Relative to the costs of most other legal services, fees for Real Estate Attorneys have historically remained very low. Most real estate attorneys charge a reasonable flat fee for transactions. (Please note that extra fees may be charged if your transaction is more complicated than usual or involves services outside the scope of those usually performed in such a transaction.) In any event, the fee you pay to an attorney is insignificant compared to the costs you could incur if your transaction is not handled professionally.
For answers to any other questions you may have about your real estate transaction or to retain legal representation, please contact:
Jim Flanagan via telephone at (815) 254-1100 or via e-mail to jim@flanaganlawfirm.com
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Changes in life, exploring new horizons, saying goodbyes and getting ready to say hello to your new beginnings. A lot of things happen outside of the boxes and trucks during your move. Planning all of the details can be tedious, but that is where Boerman Moving and Storage can help. Schedule your move sooner rather than later and get a head start planning and preparing even before you set a moving date. Be ready to go when the big day arrives and ensure your move goes smoothly by following these helpful tips and hints:
MOVING TIPS
8-12 WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE • Sort and Purge - What will you keep and what will you get rid of? • Call Boerman Moving and Storage - Schedule an in-home estimate • Organize School Records - Have children's records sent to new school • Get Packing Materials - Boxes, tape, bubble wrap and permanent markers • Use it or loose it - Use up items you do not want to move (food, toiletries, etc...) • Take Measurements - Check room dimensions at your new home, if possible, and make sure larger pieces if furniture will fit through the door
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Call today for an in-home estimate 630-972-1000
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3-8 WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE • Call Boerman Moving and Storage - Confirm moving date • Begin Packing - Start with items infrequently used • Label - Clearly label each box with its contents and desired room • Do a change of address with usps.gov • Notify Important Parties - bank, credit card, insurance, utilities, etc... • Arrange to be off of work on moving day
• Make elevator reservations if necessary • Forward medical records - Arrange for a transfer of medical records and ask for referrals for new providers 1 WEEK BEFORE YOU MOVE • Defrost the freezer - Empty and clean at least 24 hours prior to move • Boerman Moving and Storage will call day prior to move to discuss details MOVE DAY • Be sure you are packed and ready for us to do all the heavy lifting
MOVING TIPS
• Arrange for move day child/pet care
• Know where you will be placing furniture and appliances in your new home
For more helpful tips and a free packing demonstration visit us at: www.boerman.com An agent for
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708-420-2424 direct
www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
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SOLD BY CHRISTINE 88822.3.2.036:Layout 1 Page 1
630-755-0700 office
708-420-2424 direct www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
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88822.3.2.038:Layout 1
CHRISTINE WILCZEK 12/9/13
NEW CONSTRUCTION
The Carna
8:12 PM
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Proudly Present
The 4- bedroom, 2.5- bathroom Carna covers more than 3,300 square feet. While a first- floor study and formal dining room provide The Carna defined, elegant spaces; the home’s two- story great room underscores The Carna’s focus on the open layout favored by today’s homebuyers. The second- floor master suite includes a nearly 400- square foot bedroom, a luxurious master bath, and a bedroom- sized walk- in closet.
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The Dunhill
Modern luxury and everyday convenience meet at The Dunhill. The 3,244- square foot home features an open first- floor layout, highlighted by a spacious kitchen that includes a kitchen island and walk- in pantry. Upstairs, an expansive master suite dazzles with a spa- inspired bathroom featuring a separate tub and shower, walk- in closet, and dual sinks. The home’s three additional bedrooms all include walk- in closets.
For additional information or to schedule an Christine Wilczek – Broker 708-420-2424 direct ChristineWilczek@RealtyExecutives.com www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
& JASON BACZA
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The Glens of Connemara – Lemont
NEW CONSTRUCTION
The Kildare
Dynamic spaces highlight The Kildare, a 5- bedroom, 2.5- bathoom plan covering more than 3,300 square feet. The Kildare’s main level is packed with design punch, including an open concept kitchen- great room combo, a two- story family room, and a first- floor master suite featuring dual sinks and a dramatic tray ceiling. The second floor hosts four additional bedrooms, three of which include walk- in closets.
New Construction Base Pricing Starting at $389,900 The Waterford
One of 5th Avenue Construction’s most popular plans enlarged and enhanced for modern lives. Covering more than 3,500 square feet, the 4- bedroom, 2.5- bathroom Waterford welcomes with a two- story foyer flowing into an open first- floor layout that includes an expansive great room as well as a formal dining room, living room, and study. A posh master suite includes double vanities and separate tub and shower.
appointment for a private showing, please contact: Jason Bacza – Broker 630-755-0600 direct JasonBacza@RealtyExecutives.com www.JASONBACZA.com
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88822.3.2.040:Layout 1
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8:13 PM
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK PROUDLY PRESENTS
1 3 8 8 1
$388,000
STEEPLES ROAD
Features
Elegant Townhome 3 Bedrooms
2.5 Bathrooms
Chef’s Kitchen
Dramatic Great Room
1st Floor Master Suite Large Lofts
Walkout Lower Level
Picturesque Pond Views
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: WWW.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.COM
ELITE
Christine Wilczek 708-420-2424
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See a Virtual Tour at www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
88822.3.2.041:Layout 1
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK PROUDLY PRESENTS
$695,000
3 1 SAWGRASS DRIVE
Features
Exclusive Gated Community Over 1/2 Acre Lot 5 Bedrooms
4 Bathrooms 2 Fireplaces
Regal Master Suite
Finished Basement w/Theater Backyard Oasis
3.5+ Car Garage
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: WWW.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.COM
ELITE
Christine Wilczek 708-420-2424
See a Virtual Tour at www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
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88822.3.2.042:Layout 1
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK PROUDLY PRESENTS
1 4
$300,000
PINE NEEDLES
Features
Exceptionally Maintained Daly Model
3 Bedrooms
2.5 Bathrooms
Dual Sided Fireplace Renovated Kitchen
Luxury Master Suite Full Basement
Concrete Patio
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: WWW.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.COM
ELITE
Christine Wilczek 708-420-2424
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See a Virtual Tour at www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
88822.3.2.043:Layout 1
12/9/13
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK PROUDLY PRESENTS
$500,000
8 PASO FINO DRIVE
Features
Equestrian Estates
Approximately 1.5 Acre Lot 5 Bedrooms
3.5 Bathrooms 2 Fireplaces
Private Master Suite Finished Basement 3 Car Garage Quiet Street
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: WWW.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.COM
ELITE
Christine Wilczek 708-420-2424
See a Virtual Tour at www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK PROUDLY PRESENTS
1 6
W
3 3 1
$999,900
JACKSON STREET
Features
6+ Acres in Burr Ridge
Serene Pond w/Fountain Verdant Landscaping Lavish Gardens 3 Bedrooms
4.5 Bathrooms
Gourmet Kitchen
Lavish Master Suite Finished Basement
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: WWW.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.COM
ELITE
Christine Wilczek 708-420-2424
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See a Virtual Tour at www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK PROUDLY PRESENTS
1 3 0 9 8
$448,900
LISMORE
Features
Glens of Connemara New Construction
Ready For Occupancy 4 Bedrooms
Gourmet Kitchen
Inviting Family Room Lavish Master Suite Full Basement 3 Car Garage
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: WWW.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.COM
ELITE
Christine Wilczek 708-420-2424
See a Virtual Tour at www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
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88822.3.2.046:Layout 1
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK PROUDLY PRESENTS
$650,000
1 8 RUFFLED FEATHERS DRIVE
Features
Ruffled Feathers Premium Lot
Breathtaking Views
Regal First Floor Master Chef’s Kitchen
Formal Dining Room Glorious Sun Room 3 Car Garage
Prestigious Community
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: WWW.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.COM
ELITE
Christine Wilczek 708-420-2424
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See a Virtual Tour at www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
88822.3.2.047:Layout 1
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK PROUDLY PRESENTS
1 2 4 9
$324,900
118TH STREET
Features
Raised Ranch
Over 1/2 Acre Lot 3 Bedrooms
2.5 Bathrooms 3 Fireplaces
Eat-in Kitchen
Sunroom With Hot Tub Finished Lower Level 3+ Car Garage
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: WWW.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.COM
ELITE
Christine Wilczek 708-420-2424
See a Virtual Tour at www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK PROUDLY PRESENTS
$190,000
3 4 2 RIVER STREET #3403
Features
Chic Townhome Style Loft 2 Bedrooms
2.5 Bathrooms 2 Balconies
Eat-in Kitchen
Spacious Master Suite In-Unit Laundry
Elevator in Building
1 Block From Metra
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: WWW.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.COM
ELITE
Christine Wilczek 708-420-2424
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See a Virtual Tour at www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK PROUDLY PRESENTS
$675,000
2 8 RUFFLED FEATHERS DRIVE
Features
Picturesque Setting Spacious Rooms
Breathtaking Residence
Finished Full Basement Gourmet Kitchen 3 Car Garage
4 Large Bedrooms
Convenient Location
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: WWW.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.COM
ELITE
Christine Wilczek 708-420-2424
See a Virtual Tour at www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK PROUDLY PRESENTS
7 3 4
$195,000
CHESTNUT STREET
Features
Impeccably Maintained Highly Updated
2 Bedrooms Plus Loft 2 Bathrooms
Bamboo Flooring Spacious Lot
Fully Fenced Yard New Furnace
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: WWW.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.COM
ELITE
Christine Wilczek 708-420-2424
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See a Virtual Tour at www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
88822.3.2.051:Layout 1
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK PROUDLY PRESENTS
2 3
$775,000
SAWGRASS
Features
Striking Residence 5-6 Bedrooms
Gourmet Kitchen
Inviting Family Room Finished Walk Out
Enormous Master Suite Elegant Decor Premium Lot
3 Car Garage
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: WWW.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.COM
ELITE
Christine Wilczek 708-420-2424
See a Virtual Tour at www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
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88822.3.2.052:Layout 1
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK PROUDLY PRESENTS
1 9 9 4 8
$850,000
FOXBOROUGH DRIVE
Features
Foxborough Estates Premium Lot
Verdant Landscaping
Grand Two Story Foyer Gourmet Kitchen
Dramatic Great Room Lavish Master Suite
Glamour Master Bath Finished Walkout
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: WWW.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.COM
ELITE
Christine Wilczek 708-420-2424
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See a Virtual Tour at www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
88822.3.2.053:Layout 1
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK PROUDLY PRESENTS
8 9 1
$370,000
WOODCREST LANE
Features
All Brick Construction 4-5 Bedrooms
2.5 Bathrooms 1 Fireplace
Spacious Master Suite
1st Floor Office/Bedroom Full Basement 2 Car Garage Large Deck
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: WWW.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.COM
ELITE
Christine Wilczek 708-420-2424
See a Virtual Tour at www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
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88822.3.2.054:Layout 1
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK PROUDLY PRESENTS
1 5 4 2 9
$2,250,000
W. 139TH STREET
Features
Builder’s Own Masterpiece
Approximately 10,000 sq. ft.
Approximately 5 Wooded Acres Estate Zoning/Horses
Walk-Out Lower Level Inground Pool
Extensive Upgrades
Uncompromising Quality 10+ Car Garage
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: WWW.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.COM
ELITE
Christine Wilczek 708-420-2424
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See a Virtual Tour at www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
88822.3.2.055:Layout 1
12/9/13
8:21 PM
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK PROUDLY PRESENTS
1 4 4 6 3
$469,000
PROVENCAL DRIVE
Features
Gated Community Cul-de-sac Lot 5 Bedrooms
3.5 Bathrooms 2 Fireplaces
Gourmet Kitchen
Lavish Master Suite
Finished English Basement Spacious Deck
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: WWW.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.COM
ELITE
Christine Wilczek 708-420-2424
See a Virtual Tour at www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
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88822.3.2.056:Layout 1
12/9/13
8:21 PM
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK PROUDLY PRESENTS
1 4 5 7 1
$239,900
ALBANY AVE
Features
Gorgeous Townhome 2 Bedrooms
2.2 Bathrooms 1 Fireplace
Eat-in Kitchen
Private Master Suite Large Loft
Finished Basement 2 Car Garage
Brick Paver Patio
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: WWW.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.COM
ELITE
Christine Wilczek 708-420-2424
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See a Virtual Tour at www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
88822.3.2.057:Layout 1
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8:21 PM
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK PROUDLY PRESENTS
1 3 2 0 0
$800,000
FOX LANE
Features
Ultra Custom Built Home 3 Bedrooms
5 Bathrooms 2 Fireplaces
Gourmet Kitchen
Finished Walkout Basement Spacious Sun Room 4+ Car Garage
Cul-de-sac Lot
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: WWW.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.COM
ELITE
Christine Wilczek 708-420-2424
See a Virtual Tour at www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
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88822.3.2.058:Layout 1
12/9/13
8:22 PM
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK PROUDLY PRESENTS
1 4 1 3 9
$469,900
MALLARD DRIVE
Features
Extensively Renovated 4-5 Bedrooms
2.2 Bathrooms 2 Fireplaces
Gourmet Kitchen
Luxury Master Suite Finished Basement
2+ Car Heated Garage Fully Fenced Yard
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: WWW.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.COM
ELITE
Christine Wilczek 708-420-2424
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See a Virtual Tour at www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
88822.3.2.059:Layout 1
12/9/13
8:22 PM
Page 1
CHRISTINE WILCZEK PROUDLY PRESENTS
1 2 4 2 1
$850,000
S POST RAIL FARMS
Features
Sprawling Ranch
Approximately 2.61 Acres 4 Bedrooms
3 Full Bathrooms 2 Fireplaces
Luxury Master Suite
Partially Finished Basement Detached 4 Car Garage Inground Pool
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: WWW.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.COM
ELITE
Christine Wilczek 708-420-2424
See a Virtual Tour at www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
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88822.3.2.060:Layout 1
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8:22 PM
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK PROUDLY PRESENTS
$1,199,000
4 LARIAT
Features
Equestrian Estates
Custom Built Masterpiece
4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Bathrooms 3 Fireplaces
Chef’s Kitchen
Regal Master Suite 4+ Car Garage
In-Ground Pool
Private Cul-De-Sac
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: WWW.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.COM
ELITE
Christine Wilczek 708-420-2424
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See a Virtual Tour at www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
88822.3.2.061:Layout 1
12/9/13
8:23 PM
Page 1
CHRISTINE WILCZEK PROUDLY PRESENTS
1 6 3 3 3
$339,000
LAKESIDE DRIVE
Features
Karen Springs Subdivision Impeccably Maintained Shows Like a Model 3 Bedrooms
2.5 Bathrooms 1 Fireplace
English Basement
3 Car Heated Garage Fully Fenced Yard
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: WWW.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.COM
ELITE
Christine Wilczek 708-420-2424
See a Virtual Tour at www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
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88822.3.2.062:Layout 1
12/9/13
8:25 PM
Page 1
CHRISTINE WILCZEK PROUDLY PRESENTS
4 2
$1,500,000
SILO RIDGE
Features
Awe Inspiring Masterpiece 6 Bedrooms
5.1 Bathrooms
Private 1.25 Acre Lot
Timber Frame Construction Full Walk-Out Basement Slate Entry
Custom Winding Staircase Approx. 20,000 Sq Ft
Seller Has Over 4 Million Invested
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: WWW.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.COM
ELITE
Christine Wilczek 708-420-2424
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See a Virtual Tour at www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
88822.3.2.063:Layout 1
12/9/13
8:26 PM
Page 1
CHRISTINE WILCZEK PROUDLY PRESENTS
1 4 3 0 1
$775,000
131ST STREET
Features
Custom Built Ranch Picturesque Views 4 Bedrooms
4 Full & 2 Half Bathrooms 3 Fireplaces
Gourmet Kitchen
Lavish Master Suite
Finished Walkout Basement 3 Car Heated Garage
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: WWW.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.COM
ELITE
Christine Wilczek 708-420-2424
See a Virtual Tour at www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
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88822.3.2.064:Layout 1
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8:26 PM
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CHRISTINE WILCZEK PROUDLY PRESENTS
1 2 7 4 0
$1,025,000
BRIGHTON COURT
Features
Short Sale
Custom Masterpiece
Over 8,300 Square Feet High End Finishes Gourmet Kitchen
Finished Lower Level Regal Master Suite Backyard Paradise Inground Pool
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: WWW.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.COM
ELITE
Christine Wilczek 708-420-2424
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See a Virtual Tour at www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
88822.3.2.065:Layout 1
12/9/13
8:27 PM
Page 1
CHRISTINE WILCZEK PROUDLY PRESENTS
$1,150,000
1 ROANOKE COURT
Features
Kraml Estates
Cul-de-sac Setting
Timeless Architecture 5-6 Bedrooms
4-5 Bathrooms
Chef’s Kitchen
Dramatic Family Room 3+ Car Garage
Gorgeous Grounds
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: WWW.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.COM
ELITE
Christine Wilczek 708-420-2424
See a Virtual Tour at www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
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Special Lasagna Prep: 30 minutes Bake: 50 Minutes at 375ยบF
Ingredients 1 pound sweet or hot Italian sausage 1 pound lean ground beef 1/2 cup minced onion 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste 2 (6.5 ounce) cans canned tomato sauce 1/2 cup water 2 tablespoons white sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil leaves 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 1 tablespoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 16 lasagna noodles 16 ounces ricotta cheese 1 egg 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 pound mozzarella cheese, sliced 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
BY CHRISTINE WILCZEK R EALTY EXECUTIVES ELITE | 708-420-2424
Directions In a Dutch oven, cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Season with sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons parsley. Simmer, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain noodles, and rinse with cold water. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange 4 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce. Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with a third of mozzarella cheese slices. Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil: to prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray, or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese. Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.
Stuffed Beef Tenderloin
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BY CHRISTINE WILCZEK R EALTY EXECUTIVES ELITE | 708-420-2424
Ingredients
Directions
2- 3 tablespoons butter 1/4 cup chopped shallots or yellow onion 1 cup chopped fresh mushrooms 1 (1 1/2-pound) beef tenderloin Salt and freshly ground black pepper Soy sauce, to taste
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In a medium skillet, melt the butter and cook the shallots or onion over low heat until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook over low heat about 5 minutes or until the liquid is reduced by half. Let cool. Butterfly the beef tenderloin by cutting the beef lengthwise down the center to within 1/2-inch of the other side. Set the beef aside. To stuff the tenderloin, open the beef and sprinkle in the inside with salt and pepper and rub with soy sauce. Spoon the mushroom mixture down the center of the tenderloin. Bring the 2 sides of the tenderloin up and around the filling to meet. Using butcher string, tie the tenderloin together at 2-inch intervals. Place the tenderloin in a roasting pan. Roast for 40 minutes for medium rare. Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing. Slice about 1 1/2 inches thick.
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Scalloped Potatoes Ingredients 1 1/2 cups heavy cream 3 bay leaves 2 sprigs fresh thyme, plus more to finish 2 garlic cloves, chopped 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg Salt and freshly ground black pepper Unsalted butter 2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for broiling
Directions
BY CHRISTINE WILCZEK R EALTY EXECUTIVES ELITE | 708-420-2424
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. In a saucepan, heat up the cream with the bay leaves, thyme, garlic, nutmeg and some salt and pepper.
While the cream is heating up, butter a casserole dish. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bay leaves and thyme. Pour the heated cream into a large bowl with the potato slices. Mix gently to coat the potatoes. Dust the Parmesan over the potatoes. Season the mix with a little bit of salt and pepper. Mix to gently incorporate. Spoon a little bit of the cream into the bottom of the casserole dish. Then spoon the potatoes in. Level out the potatoes for uniform cooking time. Pour the remaining cream at the bottom of the bowl over the top. Top with some Parmesan and fresh thyme leaves. Cover the dish with aluminum foil, but pull back one corner for the steam to escape. Bake for 45-50 minutes.
Simple Corn Casserole
BY CHRISTINE WILCZEK R EALTY EXECUTIVES ELITE | 708-420-2424
Ingredients
Directions
1 (15 1/4-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained 1 (14 3/4-ounce) can creamstyle corn 1 (8-ounce) package corn muffin mix (recommended: Jiffy) 1 cup sour cream 1/2 stick butter, melted 1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded mild or sharp cheddar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large bowl, stir together the 2 cans of corn, corn muffin mix, sour cream, and melted butter. Pour into a greased 9 by 13-inch casserole dish. Bake for 45 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven and top with Cheddar. Return to oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Let stand for at least 5 minutes and then serve warm.
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Chocolate Trifle
Ingredients
1 package Ghiradelli caramel browie mix 2 packages (6 ounces) instant chocolate pudding mix 1 carton (12 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed 6 Heath candy bars (1.4 ounces each), crushed Fresh strawberries or rasperrries
Directions
BY CHRISTINE WILCZEK R EALTY EXECUTIVES ELITE | 708-420-2424
Bake brownie mix according to package directions. Cool. Prepare pudding according to package directions; set aside.
Cut brownies into small pieces and put in bottom of trifle bowl. Layer with half of the pudding, half of the whipped topping and half of the crushed candy bars. Repeat the layers of brownie, pudding and whipped topping. Crumble remaining crushed candy bars and sprinkle over top. Garnish with fresh berries. Refrigerate 4-5 hours before serving.
Banana Spring Rolls Ingredients Ripe bananas Egg roll wrappers 1/4 cup sugar 1/8 teaspoon Chinese five spice mix* Oil for frying Coconut pineapple ice cream Caramel sauce Strawberries or raspberries Pineapple coconut or vanilla ice cream *Chinese five spice is made of: cinnamon, anise, ginger and cloves. If you don't have it, shake a tiny amount of those spices into sugar. {68}
Directions
BY CHRISTINE WILCZEK R EALTY EXECUTIVES ELITE | 708-420-2424
Preheat two inches of oil to 350 degrees in a saucepan. set two small bowls side by side, one with a scoop of brown or white sugar mixed with the five spice, one with water. separate the egg roll wrappers you are going to use, one per half banana. (you should be able to see your fingers through the dough. even when i think i only have one wrapper, if i look closely there are usually two doubled up. make sure you only have one wrapper.) cut banana in half crosswise. coat banana in sugar and place in the wrapper. spread water all over the edges of the dough and roll it up like a burrito, sealing the ends by folding and pushing the dough together with your fingers. if a halved banana is too long, trim the edges to fit the dough. prepare all the banana pieces before frying. fry one or two at a time, carefully turning to brown evenly on all sides. remove from oil and slice rolls in half. serve warm over pineapple-coconut ice cream, with berries and a drizzle of caramel. Variation: Spread a small amount of Nutella on banana before wrapping.
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Chocolate Lava Cakes BY CHRISTINE WILCZEK R EALTY EXECUTIVES ELITE | 708-420-2424
8 Servings
Directions
Molten chocolate oozes out of these easy- prep individual cakes.
2. In medium size bowl, whip eggs & sugar on med- high speed of electric mixer or by hand, until tripled in volume, about 6- 7 minutes.
Prep: 15 minutes Microwave: 2 minutes Bake: 15- 17 minutes at 350ºF
Ingredients
12 oz bittersweet chocolate ¾ cup (1- 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter 4 eggs 2 tablespoons sugar Melted butter to grease molds
Mint chocolate chip ice cream OR vanilla ice cream - optional Fresh mint garnish - optional Fresh berries to garnish - optional Crushed Heath bar pieces - optional
1. In large glass bowl, break up bittersweet chocolate. Add butter; microwave on high 2 minutes until melted & smooth, stirring halfway through. Stir until smooth; cool slightly.
3. Fold egg mixture into chocolate & divide among 8 well- buttered 6 oz ramekins or molds. Bake at 350ºF 15- 17 minutes or until top is just set. 4. Invert cakes onto plates; sprinkle with crushed Heath bar pieces, serve with ice cream, fresh berries and/or fresh mint.
Ultimate Cheesecake
BY CHRISTINE WILCZEK R EALTY EXECUTIVES ELITE | 708-420-2424
Ingredients
Directions
1- 3/4 cups HONEY MAID Graham Cracker Crumbs 1/3 cup margarine or butter, melted 1- 1/4 cups sugar, divided 3 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened 1 cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream 2 1/2 tsp. vanilla 3 eggs 1 can (21 oz.) cherry pie filling
PREHEAT oven to 350°F if using a silver 8- or 9- inch springform pan (or to 325°F if using a dark nonstick 8- or 9- inch springform pan). Mix graham cracker crumbs, margarine and 1/4 cup of the sugar. Press firmly onto bottom and 2- 1/2 inches up side of pan; set aside. BEAT cream cheese and the remaining 1 cup sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add sour cream and vanilla; mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating on low speed after each addition just until blended. Pour into crust.
BAKE 1 hour to 1 hour 10 min. or until center is almost set. Turn oven off. Open oven door slightly. Let cheesecake set in oven 1 hour. Remove cheesecake from oven; cool completely. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight. Loosen cheesecake from rim of pan; remove rim. Top cheesecake with pie filling just before serving. Store leftover cheesecake in refrigerator. {69}
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UTILITIES
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Remember to disconnect your service when your home is sold. It is recommended to disconnect the service the day after your scheduled closing date.
UTILITIES
COMMONWEALTH EDISON Customer Service Location of Buried Cables (JULIE)
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(800) 334-7661
NICOR Customer Service
(888) 642-6748
AT&T Sales, Customer Service and Billing Repair
(800) 464-7928 (800) 246-8464
COMCAST Customer Support/Payment Center
(866) 594-1234
DIRECT TV
(800) 531-5000
DISH NETWORK
(888) 605-8443
ADT ALARM
(888) 281-1765
LIFESHIELD SECURITY
(877) 260-1292
WASTE MANAGEMENT
(800) 796-6969
THINKING OF
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Selling?
Call CHRISTINE WILCZEK,
for a
FREE, no obligation, market analysis today!
• One of America’s top REALTORS® • Full time, honest and professional service • Strong Internet and print advertising presence • Search engine optimization • Comprehensive marketing plan • Short sale and foreclosure expert • Competitive commission rates • Fluent in Polish
708-420-2424 direct | 630-755-0700 office ELITE
www.CHRISTINEWILCZEK.com
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CHERRY CREEK A tradition of trust
88822.3.2.072:Layout 1
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MORTGAGE COMPANY
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Copyright 2013 Cherry Creek Mortgage Company, Inc. NMLS Company ID#3001. All rights reserved. Loan products are not available outside of IL. Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee LMB #0005759. Regulated by the Division of Real Estate. Cherry Creek Mortgage is not endorsed by, nor acting on behalf of or at the directions of, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Federal Housing Administration, the Veterans Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, or the Federal Government.
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