Professional Documents
Culture Documents
local means friends you can count on, neighbors you can trust, and businesses you go out of your way to support. Local means the barista knows your drink, the dry cleaner knows your name and the clerk at the convenience store is happy to loan you a buck. And when it comes to selling real estate, local means every home, on every block, in every neighborhood is unique, and each deserves the attention, care and consideration only a local company can offer.
@properties is a local company locally owned and independent. And that means every resource we develop, every dollar we invest, every decision we make is driven by the desire to create value for you.
local doesnt mean small. local means agile, responsive, committed and strong.
Local means highest selling price, shortest market time and finest service. @properties is, was and always will be about the best local agents, using the best local resources, to achieve the best outcome for your local real estate needs. thats local.
leader
@properties focus on the local market has made us a leader in the Chicagoland area and in the industry.
in 10 short years, Weve become the #1 real estate company in the city of chicago, the third largest real estate company in northern illinois and one of the 40 largest brokerage firms in america.
Being a leader also comes with responsibility. It means moving the industry forward by sharing best practices, serving in positions of leadership with the local REALTORS association, and giving back to the community through the @properties Friends and Neighbors Community Fund.
local. leader. For @properties, the two go hand
But for @properties, leading has far less to do with numbers and far more to do with innovation. Technology changes, markets change, expectations change. So we never stop changing. Innovation permeates everything we do, from building the most sophisticated website to introducing new services to sourcing new marketing channels. Innovation is the heartbeat of our business.
in hand and assure our clients of the most rewarding experience in Chicagoland real estate.
source: mred, llc. #1 ranking based on market share for overall closed volume, city of chicago.
@properties sells more luxury homes and condominiums, priced at $1 million and above, than any other brokerage firm in chicago. And more market share in the high-end
price ranges means more exposure for your home exposure through online marketing, broker-to-broker marketing, advertising, signage, e-mail promotion,
direct mail and word of mouth. More exposure means more page views, more phone calls and more showing requests, and that ultimately means shorter market times and higher overall selling prices. The proof is in the numbers. @properties not only works to build market share. We put market share to work for you.
1,400
Mkt 11.09%
300 $ in Millions
Mkt 12.73% Mkt 12.57% Mkt 11.04%
$ in Millions
1,150
225
900
Mkt 8.63%
150
450
75
Prudential Rubloff
Prudential Rubloff
source: 1. mred, llc, 1/1/10-11/30/10. based on closed sales volume, city of chicago. 2. mred, llc 1/1/10 - 11/30/10 based on closed sales volume for transactions $1 million and above, city of chicago.
@properties clients benefit from our #1 market share in a number of key categories leading to more exposure for your home.
#1 market share, sales of $1 million and above:...........16.1% (city) #1 market share, overall sales:.....................................13.4% (city) #1 market share, new construction sales :...............15.0% (city) #1 increase in market share :..........................................28.0% (city) #1 buyers representative:...........................................12.8% (city) #1 sellers representative:.........................................14.1% (city) #1 average market time:...........................................142 days (northern illinois region) #1 selling price to original listing price:..................93.9% (northern illinois region)
source: broker metrics / mred, llc. 1/1/10 11/30/10. increase in city market share 1/1/09 12/31/09 vs. 1/1/08 12/31/08. based on top 5 companies per category.
From the tree-lined streets of Lincoln Park to the brick-paved lanes of Wilmette; from high-rises on Lake Shore Drive to lakefront estates on Sheridan Road, no other real estate firm in Chicago connects the city and the North Shore like @properties. Our reach and experience extend to every neighborhood, every town, every home style, every price point and every transaction type so that @properties truly is
the one and only real estate firm youll ever need to help you sell or buy a home in chicagoland.
Our top-producing agents in the city and suburbs work together to ensure that your transaction is seamless. And with offices in key Chicago and North Shore locations, we can always provide the hands-on service that is the trademark of @properties.
our story
In addition to Residential Brokerage and Development Marketing, @properties has full-service divisions for Commercial Brokerage; Residential and Commercial Property Management; Relocation; and Foreclosures, Short Sales and Institutional Services.
we have brokered approximately 30,000 transactions valued at more than $13 billion. @properties is also Chicagos new-construction sales leader having sold more than 5,000 new homes and condominiums in 150 developments valued in excess of $2 billion.
established
2000
$13 billion
30,000
150
divisions
residential brokerage, development sales and marketing, commercial brokerage, property management, relocation, institutional services group river north/river West, streeterville/ gold coast, lincoln park, lakevieW, bucktoWn, evanston, Winnetka leading real estate companies of the World, relo direct, luxury portfolio, the institute for luxury home marketing inc. 500, inc. 5000, crains fast 50, crains 40 under 40, crains largest privately held cos., inman innovator, realtrends top 50, international property aWard, chicago entrepreneurship hall of fame, inman 100 most influential real estate leaders, lincoln park builders club impact aWard
offices
affiliations
honors
hands-on leadership
In the span of a decade, @properties co-founders Michael Golden and Thaddeus Wong have built one of the most recognized brands in Chicago real estate while helping to reshape and modernize the local brokerage industry. Golden and Wong first teamed up in the mid 1990s.
they set sales records and consistently ranked among the top 1 percent of the chicago association of realtors 12,500 members. At @properties they paired traditional
To support high transaction volume with an equally high level of service, they built a deep organizational infrastructure that includes robust marketing, IT and administrative functions. Highly creative and energetic entrepreneurs, Golden and Wong have created a corporate culture that attracts high-caliber agents and staff and fosters teamwork and performance. They have also built a large philanthropic network under the umbrella of the @properties Friends & Neighbors Community Fund.
brokerage services with cutting edge technology and marketing, and became a driving force behind Chicago real estate.
we never stop (marketing, learning, showing, selling, communicating, innovating, caring, working) for you
One of @properties most important goals is to field the most professional corps of agents in Chicago real estate. To achieve that goal, we place a strong emphasis on agent education and training. We offer a full curriculum of seminars and classes covering topics ranging from effective negotiation to new technologies. We also provide continuing education for agents pursuing specialty designations, and offer a popular Improv Workshop specially designed to help brokers refine their communication and selling skills. @properties also employs two full-time performance coaches who assist agents in developing advanced skills and detailed marketing plans in order to better serve you.
Negotiating in Todays Market State of the Current Lending Environment Writing Ironclad Contracts Creative Marketing Tactics Social Media Marketing Predictive Pricing and Listing to Sell Brokering Short Sales Advanced Negotiating Techniques Foreclosures: How to Get Offers Accepted What to know About Appraisals Agent Metrics Improv Workshop Contracts that Close Real Estate & Technology Luxury Home Marketing
agent performance
top producers
@properties offers access to the most productive agents in the Chicago market. We have more agents among the Chicago Association of REALTORS Top 500, 100 and 50 producers than any other brokerage firm in the city.
source: mred, llc, 1/1/09-12/31/09. based on closed sales volume, city of chicago.
luxury leaders
@properties has the broadest reach within Chicagos luxury marketplace. more @properties agents
complete transactions of $1 million or higher
than agents at any other chicago real estate firm, which means your listing receives more exposure
@properties not only markets your home through universal channels such as the Internet, print advertising, the Multiple Listing Service and signage; we also market internally to our highly collaborative sales force of more than 950 agents each with a broad sphere of influence that forms a rich source of prospects, buyers and referrals.
This market within a market results in the most efficient transaction environment in Chicago real estate.
in fact, more than a third of @properties-brokered transactions occur betWeen an @properties buyer and an @properties seller, an unusually high ratio
a market within a market: 1: agent activates listing 2: @properties agent networks with our sales force of over 950 agents 3: property is sold
broker to broker
Most home sales involve two real estate agents: one representing the seller and one representing the buyer. This underscores the importance of cultivating strong relationships, not only among agents within our own organization but also within the entire brokerage community. @properties leads the Way in
maintaining an excellent rapport With the thousands of realtors in the greater chicagoland area, as Well as agents and brokerage firms nationally and internationally because We never knoW Where the next buyer may come from.
Our e-blasts, special events and popular agentappreciation programs create goodwill and keep @properties agents and listings top of mind. In the end, co-op agents pay attention to @properties because @properties pays attention to co-op agents.
RSVP movienight@atproperties.com
@properties is an exclusive member of Luxury Portfolio Fine Property Collection, the luxury marketing division of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World. LeadingRE is the worlds largest network of independent brokerage firms. last
year its affiliates sold nearly 1 million homes Worth $250 billion, more than any national real estate brand. The network
includes the No. 1 real estate brokerage firm in 41 of the top 90 global markets, including @properties in Chicago. Luxury Portfolio connects @properties clients to a global marketplace of high-end homebuyers through an award-winning website, far-reaching ad campaign, Luxury Portfolio magazine, the LuxeTrends monthly e-newsletter, and the award-winning LuxeChatter blog.
The rapidly emerging Green Home movement, which takes a sustainable approach to the way homes are built, maintained, bought and sold, is having a profound and positive effect on Chicago real estate. @properties
leads the Way in green real estate, With the highest percentage of nar green designees among any major u.s. real estate company or franchise.* A number
In addition, @properties is represented in leadership positions within Chicagos Sustainable Real Estate Alliance and the NAR Green ReSource Council. Whether youre buying or selling a green home, doing research on green contractors or looking into the availability of special tax-rebate and grant programs, there is an @properties Green REALTOR with the expertise to assist you.
*national association of realtors, 11/2010, based on firms With 500 or more realtors.
philanthropy has alWays been an important part of the @properties culture, and the @properties Friends and
Neighbors Community Fund, a 501(c)(3), creates a formal vehicle through which we can conduct our extensive charitable outreach. Each year, we identify several beneficiary organizations in the areas of youth development, education and sheltering the homeless. Recent beneficiaries include the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, urban Initiatives, Street Level Youth Media, Camp of Dreams and the Lincoln Park Community Shelter. Additionally, @properties has raised money for local, national and international charities and relief efforts.
By sponsoring and supporting philanthropic activities, @properties provides an outlet for our agents, employees and friends to make a positive impact on dozens of communities and thousands of lives throughout Chicagoland.
Lincoln Park
@properties has grown to include a number of divisions all of which have the potential to benefit our core residential clients through lead generation and referrals.
@properties relocation
@properties Relocation, our corporate relocation division, serves as an important source of prospective buyers for your home. We hold preferred-vendor status with a number of the worlds premier relocation companies, broker-to-broker referral services, and national and international corporations with major operations in Chicago. As a result, many companies turn to @properties first when assisting employees who are relocating to the Chicago area. @properties Relocation is a member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, RELO Direct, the Corporate Relocation Council of Chicago, Relocation Directors Council and Worldwide ERC.
@properties commercial
@properties Property Management is a full-service commercial and residential management firm overseeing a diverse portfolio of condominium and townhome communities, apartment buildings, office buildings and retail properties throughout Chicagoland.
@properties institutional services group
@properties Institutional Services Group (ISG) provides a full spectrum of services, including asset management, property management and brokerage, to institutional owners and investors of distressed and bank-owned (REO) real estate.
@properties developer services
@properties Commercial offers sales, leasing and investment-advisory services to Chicago commercial real estate clients including owners, tenants, investors and institutions covering a range of asset classes.
@properties is Chicagos No. 1 outside brokerage firm for the sales and marketing of new-construction and condominium-conversion developments. Since our inception, we have successfully marketed more than 150 Chicago-area developments comprising more than 5,000 residential units valued at more than $2 billion.
Chicagos luxury property market has changed dramatically over the past 15 years, growing from a small, self-contained niche to a vast and highly competitive marketplace, one requiring an ever-increasing level of sophistication and reach. Today, what drives success in the luxury market is not only a skilled and knowledgeable broker but also a comprehensive marketing strategy to position individual listings and connect with a relatively diverse audience.
Thats why @properties created Luxury Collection, a sales and marketing program catering to Chicagos luxury property owners with unique branding, powerful advertising and exclusive partnerships. @properties
has leveraged the luxury collection brand to successfully market hundreds of millions of dollars in high-end real estate.
exposure is
@properties luxury marketing programs are built around EXPOSuRE: exposure through a network of more than 950 @properties agents and their corresponding spheres of influence; through an in-house marketing department with full print and digital capabilities; and through an exhaustive catalog of online, mass media and grass roots marketing initiatives all tailored to address the specific challenges and opportunities of the luxury real estate market. More exposure means more page views, more phone calls and more showing requests, and that ultimately means shorter market times and higher overall selling prices. our fully integrated programs are
the most comprehensive in the industry and shoWcase your home to the largest audience of potential buyers.
everything
www.atproperties.com Trulia.com (Enhanced Listings) Zillow.com (Enhanced Listings) Realtor.com (Enhanced Listings) ChicagoTribune.com/HomeFinder (Enhanced Listings) Craigslist.org Yahoo! Real Estate Frontdoor.com powered by HGTV Hotpads.com Oodle.com Cyberhomes.com ReloHomeSearch.com Syndication to hundreds of Real Estate Websites Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Professional Photography and Video Signage Custom Property Brochures Chicago Tribune CS (Chicago Social) ultimate Address The Wall Street Journal Pioneer Press Sheridan Road Direct Mail E-blasts @ to @ - Market Within A Market @properties Relocation Division Love Where You Live Campaign @properties Friends & Neighbors Community Fund Leading Real Estate Companies of the World Luxury Portfolio Fine Property Collection Public Relations New Ideas Every Day!
@properties does more to market luxury homes in chicago than any other real estate brokerage firm.
online exposure
strategy is paramount to getting maximum exposure for your home. Our Luxury Collection digital marketing program raises online visibility while faithfully representing your homes luxury aesthetic. @properties markets your home across the Internet with an award-winning website, customized property domains, web-optimized photography and video, enhanced listings on the leading real estate search portals, targeted e-mail marketing, online classifieds and syndication to hundreds of additional websites. www.atproperties.com Property-specific domain names (www.YourAddressGoesHere.info) E-mail marketing database with more than 475,000 contacts and new contacts added daily
Enhanced listings that filter to the top of search results on popular home search portals including o Realtor.com o Zillow.com o Trulia.com o ChicagoTribune.com/HomeFinder o Craigslist advertising Syndication to hundreds of real estate websites o Yahoo! Real Estate o Aol.com/RealEstate o Frontdoor.com powered by HGTV o CyberHomes.com o HotPads.com o Oodle.com o ReloHomeSearch.com o Vast.com/RealEstate o Propsmart.com o SearchChicago.com (Sun-Times Media) o Excite.com
@properties in-house IT department works closely with major listing syndication platforms to implement small changes that make big differences in how your home is viewed online.
how syndication works:
One example is the handling of photo files. Setting the optimal photo resolution for sites like Trulia helps boost a homes placement in search results leading to more views.
atproperties.com
@properties website features powerful search, user - friendly design and local market information to showcase your home in a contextual format preferred by todays buyers. users not only gain access to detailed listing information and oversized photos, but also find community information, such as school report cards, business reviews and market conditions. Because atproperties.com is a complete real estate resource,
buyers spend more time on the site and return more often.
Google Maps integration @Home Agent with personalized search criteria and New Listing auto-alerts Map Data feature displaying area amenities including transportation, schools and local businesses Local school information powered by Education.com Local business reviews powered by Yelp Area news feed powered by Outside.in Local real estate market data including neighborhood market conditions and detailed market reports Overviews of dozens of neighborhoods and towns Price change and property status alert options Automated showing request Downloadable brochures Open house feature Saved searches and favorites Forward to a friend Mortgage payment calculator 2009 Website Quality Certification Leading Real Estate Companies of the World
Atproperties.com is where youll reach more homebuyers with features like: Ability to search ALL properties in the MLS @properties listings filter to top of search results Luxury Collection filmstrip prominently featured on home page Photo gallery with up to 25 color photos and large-format slideshow Web-optimized video Detailed property description
@properties listings display first among search results When buyers conduct home searches on atproperties.com.
With the explosion in online home searches, almost any home for sale can be viewed on the Internet. So why is @properties one of the few companies to require users to register for access to online property searches? Because we dont just want lookers; we want buyers.
Our emphasis on pre-qualification and active lead management has allowed us to build a database of 150,000 registered users and more than 475,000 total contacts with new prospects added every day.
by converting lookers to leads and leads to buyers, Were able to generate more shoWing activity and a shorter market time for your home.
listing your property with @properties: 1: signs 2: buyers visit website 3: buyers register
4: buyer is assigned to an @properties agent 5: buyer views listings, @properties listings show up first
@properties is one of the feW companies to require users to register for access to online property searches. because We dont just Want lookers; We Want buyers.
Every @properties listing receives its own domain name, which is prominently displayed in print advertising and on For Sale signs, property brochures and Just Listed postcards. The domain re-directs to your homes listing detail page on the @properties website so that interested buyers can pull up photos and property information in one easy step. @properties also indexes the domain with top search engines including Google and Bing for improved search engine optimization.
312.432.0200
920westwebster.info
property siGn with CustoM property doMain
Anne Proper
every @properties listing receives its oWn domain name. the domain directs interested homebuyers to your homes listing detail page on the @properties Website.
The #1 most important marketing tool for selling a home today is professional photography. In fact, homes marketed with photography and video are seven times more likely to be viewed than comparable homes and are perceived as 12% more valuable. Thats why every single @properties listing includes a professional photography package, optimized for both print and web to show your home in the best possible light. Architectural photography services through industry leader VHT Studios Minimum of eight still photos and 30-second video tour Video home tours available Video narration available High resolution photos Optimized with proper size and format for print and online marketing Distribution to atproperties.com, Realtor.com, MRED (Multiple Listing Service), LuxuryPortfolio.com, ChicagoTribune.com and YouTube
Virtual Staging, BlueSky and ClearShot upgrades for enhanced presentation Interactive floor plans and floor plan reconstruction available Area map integration Full screen slide show viewing
every @properties listing features a professionally shot photo gallery and video tour optimized for print and Web
Chicago is often referred to as a city of neighborhoods, so @properties Interactive Neighborhood Map is a great resource for online home searches. The map guides homebuyers through detailed descriptions of dozens of Chicago neighborhoods while integrating information on schools, shopping, local business reviews, news, market statistics, open houses and new listings. Its yet another way for homebuyers to gather as much information as possible about the neighborhood and amenities surrounding your home.
every day, buyers utilize our online neighborhood guide to aid in their home search.
The @properties Market Report is another dynamic feature that drives homebuyers to our website. Individual reports are available on dozens of neighborhoods and communities and can be customized for housing type. Both buyers and sellers can use the market reports to gain an understanding of pricing, market time and inventory trends based on recent sales in their area.
real estate market reports provide a snapshot of market conditions based on recently sold properties in the area.
As luxury consumers continue to embrace the Internet, @properties continues to explore new opportunities to engage them. Our latest endeavor, the Luxury Collection Magazine highlights @properties listings priced at $1 million and above. This interactive, online magazine is published quarterly at atproperties.com, and is also e-mailed to our database of more than 475,000 clients and prospects twice a year (winter and summer).
It allows luxury buyers to flip through dozens of high-end homes and link to each listings web site for detailed property information, additional photos, market stats, school reports and more. its one
more way that @properties is leveraging technology to give luxury home sellers an edge.
With tens of thousands of Chicago-area homes displayed on dozens of web sites, its easy to get lost in the crowd. Thats why @properties invests
hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to enhance listings on the leading real estate Web portals including Realtor.com,
Enhanced listings ensure that homes listed with @properties are returned ahead of other properties in search results. They also include more photos, detailed property descriptions and attention-getting banners. Enhanced online listings are one of the most important benefits @properties clients receive.
.com
craigslist.org
every firms listings are on these sites, but not every firms listings are enhanced.
.com
The official website of the National Association of REALTORS, Realtor.com receives approximately 10 million unique visitors per month.
Detailed property description Area map Neighborhood information School reports Request a showing Mortgage calculator Link to video tour Open house feature Seller reports with graphs and statistics Social media integration iPhone app with more than 1 million downloads
enhanced
Approximately 10 million unique visitors per month @properties Featured Listings display at the top of search results ahead of other properties Attention-getting showcase banner featured on all listings up to 25 color photos
Zillow draws an average of more than 11 million unique visitors per month with powerful home search, neighborhood information and the popular Zestimate home valuation estimator.
Attention-getting showcase banner featured on all listings unlimited color photos Detailed property description Video tour link Request a showing Area map Neighborhood information School reports Open house feature Mortgage calculator Social media integration Zestimate home valuation estimator #1 real estate app for iPhone and iPad with 2 million downloads
enhanced
11.7 million unique visitors per month Showcase listing on front page displaying at least one @properties listing for any search in the city or North Shore @properties Featured Listings display at the top of search results @properties listings labeled as featured properties Zillow.com Featured Listings are 6 times more likely to be viewed than other listings
Trulia is a real estate search site supported by a community of home buyers, sellers, brokers and real estate enthusiasts. The site currently attracts more than 7 million unique visitors per month and features a popular blog.
Detailed property description Neighborhood information School ratings Area map Request a showing Link to video tour Open house feature Mortgage calculator Stats and trends Trulia blogs Smartphone app
enhanced
7 million unique visitors per month @properties Featured Listings display at the top of search results up to 25 color photos
HomeFinder.com partners with the Chicago Tribune to provide powerful local home search accompanied by award-winning real estate content from the Tribune editorial staff.
Detailed property description Area map Neighborhood information Local school information Chicago Tribune local real estate news Request a showing and multiple agent contact prompts Mortgage calculator Link to tour Social media integration Smartphone app
enhanced
2.4 million unique visitors per month Large contingent of local (Chicago area) users @properties Featured Listings display at the top of search results up to 25 color photos
craigslist.org
enhanced
2.3 million unique visitors per month HTML generated ads Full color photos Detailed property description Link to video tour Link to @properties website Agent can update every 7 days
luxuryportfolio.com
Luxury Portfolios website (http://www.luxuryportfolio. com) has become the leading online resource for homebuyers searching for high-end property all over the world. 1.2 million unique visitors per year from over 200 countries and territories More than 16,000 homes representing more than $36 billion in inventory Highly optimized site with Page 1 Google rankings for hundreds of search terms Translated into 9 languages and 35 foreign currencies Exclusively displaying listings of Luxury Portfolio member firms Inventory comprised entirely of homes listed at $1 million and above More $1 million-plus listings in u.S. than any other luxury real estate network (45% more than Sothebys, 80% more than Christies and 125% more than Coldwell Banker Previews)
Photo gallery with up to 25 professionally photographed images Virtual tours LuxeTour narrated video tours of exclusive listings $5 million and above Google Maps integration Syndication to partner websites: wsj.com, frontdoor.com, openhouse.com, relohomesearch.com, youtube.com, plus 200 more sites Printable brochure Social media integration with Facebook and Twitter E-mail to a Friend feature Prominently displayed broker contact info LuxeTrends e-newsletter LuxeChatter blog
print exposure
chicagolands most visible real estate advertising is designed to drive buyer traffic to your home via Widespread coverage in a variety of local media outlets.
Personalized uRL in every ad, directing buyers to your homes web site Chicago Tribune City Zone: double-page ad Chicago Social (CS): multi-page @properties section CS Interiors: multi-page @properties section ultimate Address: multi-page @properties section Wall Street Journal: Monthly full-page ad Pioneer Press: full-page ad and individual listing ads Sheridan Road: individual listing ads Make It Better: individual listing ads Love Where You Live campaign Custom media plans featuring preferred rates and agency-quality design
Our Luxury Collection ad campaign targets high-end homebuyers through upscale media, where prominent placement and compelling design lend added cache to your listing.
*print advertising programs are offered through agents. ask your @properties agent for details
chicago tribune
@properties full-page ads in the Sunday Chicago Tribune Money and Real Estate section showcase your home to 207,000 Tribune subscribers in the city. Full-color, two-page spread Reaching 207,000 subscribers in the Tribune City Zone Cross promotion to an additional 125,000 subscribers through @properties North Shore Tribune ads
Organized layout with easy-to-read property details and contact info Highlighted Luxury Collection section Oversized color photos Featured Listing and Open House sections Sunday Tribune City Zone offers access to readers with above-average household incomes and home values
@properties is the #1 advertiser in chicago social, the citys leading lifestyle magazine. Our monthly Luxury
Prime back-of-book placement for maximum visibility Perforated section can be removed from magazine promoting longer shelf life Individual listing ads available Mailed to private residences on the North Shore and in the city Distributed to luxury hotels, country clubs, professional offices, salons and high-end retailers 285,000 readers with an average household income of $200,000+
Collection pull-out section spans several pages and presents Chicagolands finest properties to the areas most affluent readership. Multi-page section Distinctive Luxury Collection branding 4-color ads with oversized photos and detailed property information
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Luxury CoLLeCtion
Anne Proper
Glossy magazine stock and 4-color images Distributed to 50,000 Tribune subscribers in high-income zip codes in the city, North Shore and western suburbs Additional distribution in honor boxes in the city and at CTA and Metra stations Advertised homes also featured in Luxury Homes Gallery on chicagotribune.com/homefinder
produced and distributed by the Chicago Tribune. Our multi-page spread highlights participating agents listings in a full-color layout with oversized photos, property details and agent contact information. ultimate Address largest advertiser Published 8X per year Exclusively displaying homes listed at $500,000 and above
our multi-page spread highlights participating agents listings in a full-color layout With oversized photos, property details and agent contact information.
pioneer press
@properties pioneer press advertising program extends our reach into the affluent north shore an important source of
Oversized photos Single-property ad programs available Reaching 32,000 subscribers and 70,000 readers on the North Shore Subscriber base has median household income of $140,000 and average home value of $600,000
buyers for luxury city properties. The Pioneer Press is a mainstay in more than 30,000 North Shore homes. Weekly full-page, 4-color ads Distinctive Luxury Collection branding
New LISTINGS
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@properties monthly full-page ad in The Wall Street Journal reaches an affluent, engaged reader,
highlighting select properties and driving traffic to @properties website.
Reaching 84,500 readers in the Chicago metropolitan area Average household income of $253,000 Average value of principal residence over $1 million
Full-page ad in the Friday Wall Street Journal Co-branded with Luxury Portfolio Fine Property Collection
sheridan road
lifestyle magazine that profiles the people, places and trends that shape the North Shore. Multi-page @properties spread Distinctive Luxury Collection branding
4-color ads with oversized photos and detailed property information Back-of-book placement for maximum visibility Single-property ad programs available Total circulation of 40,000 and average readership of 210,000
Anne Proper
make it better
@properties multi-page ad layout in Make It Better targets the influential North Shore women who constitute the magazines primary readership. Multi-page @properties spread Distinctive @properties-North Shore branding
4-color ads with oversized photos and detailed property information Mailed to 75,000 households throughout the North Shore Bonus distribution in select downtown Chicago zip codes Average household income of more than $125,000
Anne Proper
Luxury Portolio leverages the buying power of 200 member firms to maintain a strong advertising presence in the worlds premier shelter and lifestyle publications. Reaching 45 million global consumers through print and online media One of the largest full-page real estate advertisers in The Wall Street Journal
Prominent advertising in high-end shelter and lifestyle magazines o unique Homes o DuPont Registry o Departures (American Express) o Architectural Digest o Veranda o Forbes Life Luxury Portfolio magazine featuring lifestyle content and member firm advertising
There was a time not long ago when it was easy to get caught up in the notion that a home was a commodity. Of course weve all been reminded that its much more than that. A homes total return on investment isnt just about the bottom line on a closing statement; its also about the memories we make, the relationships we build and the milestones we achieve while living there. In short, a home is a celebration. @properties Love Where You Live ad campaign taps into this idea to create an emotional connection with Chicago-area homebuyers a connection that is reinforced when people see the @properties logo in ads, on the web, in collateral and on the For Sale sign in front of your home.
atproperties.com
LINCOLN PARK
312.254.0200
RIVER NORTH
312.491.0200
LAKEVIEW
773.862.0200
GOLD COAST
312.506.0200
BUCKTOWN
773.432.0200
EVANSTON
847.763.0200
@properties love
marketing
The point of marketing is differentiation making your home stand out among the many competing properties in the marketplace today. Over the past decade, @properties has devoted more time, energy and money to this allimportant task than any other brokerage firm in Chicago. Our in-house marketing and IT departments are comprised of nearly two dozen experienced professionals producing agency-caliber work and constantly pushing the envelope with new ideas and innovations. Off-the-shelf solutions dont cut it. Customization, creativity and quality do.
In the end, luxury real estate marketing at @properties comes down to designers, copywriters, programmers, coordinators and agents all working together to create differentiation differentiation that allows you to sell your home for the most amount of money in the shortest amount of time. Brochures Photo Gallery E-nouncement Direct Mail Signage
exposure
CustoM e-nounCeMent
Our in-house designers produce the layout, and printing occurs at our own facility in order to expedite turnaround and maintain quality control.
Clean attractive layouts feature large, high-resolution photography, detailed property information and a map of the surrounding neighborhood. Brochures are printed on 8.5 x 11 high-quality paper and perfect bound with a custom cover, resulting in a professional presentation worthy of the luxury market.
@properties luxury collection direct mail programs target buyers, neighbors, agents and referral sources with a variety of communications including Just
1931 North Hudson
Listed postcards, monthly mailers, client and agent appreciation mailers and more. Our oversized Luxury Collection mailing pieces are professionally designed and written, printed on glossy card stock and accompanied by high-quality photo images. Agents have the ability to farm their individual databases or seek out potential buyers geographically and demographically through specialty mailing-list software.
@properties agents target clients, prospects and brokers in their contact database with customized e-mails including Just Listed e-blasts and monthly e-newsletters. Our Luxury Collection e-mail communications are professionally written and designed and follow established conventions for opt-in marketing and anti-spam. the combined e-mail
databases of all @properties agents total more than 475,000 contacts With neW contacts added daily.
Even with the prevalence of online search, many property-specific inquiries still come from on-site signage. thats Why @properties ubiquitous
for sale and open house signs are designed for maximum visibility. Signs
feature the distinctive Luxury Collection brand and boldly display the agents contact information and the propertys unique domain address for easy follow-up.
312.432.0200
2232bloomingdale.info
Anne Proper
312.254.0200
Anne Proper
So what is your home worth? That is likely the biggest question on your mind and one that @properties has answered accurately in every market since our inception.
the knoWledge, experience and research We apply to pricing our clients homes consistently produce shorter market times and higher selling-price-tolisting-price ratios.
To set a listing price that will create the best market for your home, we will perform a Comparative Market Analysis or CMA. The CMA will evaluate your home alongside other properties currently listed and recently sold taking into account variables such as location, supply, demand, absorption, market time and property features.
your @properties agent applies knoWledge, experience and research in performing a cma to set an accurate listing price for your home.
the surest Way to get the highest selling price for your home is to set the listing price correctly right out of the gate.
By contrast, the surest way to see that selling price decline is to set a listing price thats too high and then go through a series of price reductions to chase the market. Setting an accurate listing price is so important because the greatest amount of showing activity for a home occurs within the first few weeks of market time. This early activity tends to be from serious buyers who are currently in the market and are therefore drawn to new listings with a greater sense of urgency.
However, as time goes by, interest wanes, and longer-than-average market times tend to fuel the perception that the home itself (not just the price of the home) is flawed. Therefore, longer market times can actually drive value down. One of the biggest mistakes sellers can make is to believe that just because their home will sell for one price on day 60, it will sell for the same price on day 160. usually, it doesnt work that way. Remember, time is money, and the best way to optimize both is to work with your agent in setting an accurate listing price.
96%
116
82%
240
source: agent metrics, mred llc data, 2009, selling price to original listing price, city of chicago.
@properties is #1 in the chicagoland area in average market time and #1 in selling price-to-original listing price.
source: broker metrics, mred llc data, 1/09-12/09, based on top 10 brokerage firms in northern illinois.
one of the keys to success in todays ultra-competitive real estate market is to position your home as the most desirable property at a given price in a given area.
Obviously, the most important variable in that equation is price. But making sure your home is in optimal showing condition will set it apart from the competition and could be the difference between a timely and productive sale or a long, drawn-out process.
here is a checklist of preparations to make before showing your home. be sure to consult your @properties agent to find out what improvements they recommend.
and ask yourself what you can throw away and what you can box up and put in storage. Pay extra attention to areas like closets, bookcases, shelves, and kitchen and bathroom counters.
organize. Lack of storage space can be a deal-
breaker. Go through your closets and pantries and throw away, give away or put away anything you dont need. Clean out bedroom closets so that hanging clothes are aligned and have ample space. Remove items from closet floors. Reorganize and clean out your kitchen cabinets and line up dishes and glassware. Make sure bathroom and kitchen drawers are neatly organized.
clean. Give your home a deep clean from top to bottom, including windows, upholstery and carpet, and the refrigerator and oven (yes, buyers actually open them). paint. A fresh coat of paint is the least expensive, most
family home or townhome, maintain your lawn and landscaping. In winter, shovel and de-ice walkways. In a condominium, pay attention to the area in front of the doorway. keep it neat and inform the superintendent of any problems, such as burned-out lights. Make balconies, decks and patios inviting with potted plants and flowers.
make repairs. Consult with your agent prior to undertaking a large-scale home improvement project, but go ahead and make easy repairs such as touch-up spackling and painting, replacing a cracked window or torn screen, fixing a leaky faucet and changing burned out light bulbs. remove personal property. If you do not plan on including personal property such as window treatments or light fixtures as part of a sale, then remove them prior to your first showing and replace them with attractive alternatives. remove pets. keep pets out of the home during
effective way to enhance the appearance of your home. Be sure to use neutral colors. Consult your agent for recommendations.
brighten your home. Light gives the impression
showings. Also be sure to conceal food bowls and litter boxes. If pet odors are present, have the home professionally cleaned.
hire a home inspector. Hiring a professional,
of space, so its important for every room in your home to have ample light at any time of day. Prior to showings, wash windows, raise blinds and turn on lights. Add floor and table lamps to brighten dark rooms or corners.
licensed home inspector prior to putting your home on the market allows you to spot potential problems and make repairs before buyers make them an issue.
disclose everything. By law sellers must disclose
existing structural and mechanical problems, flooding, the presence of lead paint, information on radon hazards and other known defects to potential buyers. Withholding this information can have much more serious repercussions than the problem itself.
every home that is listed for sale should be staged to some degree. Your home must show like a model in order to stand out in todays competitive market.
Staging can be as simple as rearranging a few pieces of furniture or as elaborate as hiring a professional to furnish an empty home right down to the plants and artwork. Your @properties agent can give you suggestions for staging or help you decide if you would benefit from a professional stager.
Priced correctly and marketed aggressively, most homes will draw a timely offer. How you and your agent handle that offer and subsequent negotiations can substantially affect the outcome of your home sale. Your @properties agent will conduct negotiations with professionalism, attention to detail and a loyal representation of your interests. The following principles guide @properties agents in every negotiation.
confidentiality: Confidentiality is vital to the communication: Your @properties agent will
involve you in all aspects of the negotiation and communicate your options clearly and candidly.
strength: We will do everything in our power to
estate transaction. We will expedite the presentation of offers and counteroffers and quickly act upon any opportunity.
resourcefulness: Real estate sales are multi-
help you negotiate from a position of strength. Our goal is to achieve an outcome that meets or exceeds your expectations.
faceted transactions. We examine all angles of a deal to find strategies and solutions that help you accomplish your objectives.
A real estate transaction is a fluid process that does not end with an accepted offer. Negotiations often continue on some level all the way to the closing. A REALTORs objectivity, experience and counsel are essential to this process.
some of the most common points that are negotiated include:
is invaluable in helping you decide whether to accept the offered price and terms or counter. They will also help you consider the time value of money in your decision, i.e. will a higher offer offset potential additional carrying costs?
mortgage contingency: Most buyers purchase a
one-week period, in which both you and the buyer have your attorneys review the contract and suggest alterations.
closing date: This is the date when ownership
home subject to obtaining a mortgage. The terms of the mortgage and the timeframe for securing a financing commitment must be stated in the contract. Make sure you are comfortable with these terms.
home inspection: Most buyers choose to conduct
changes hands and usually, but not always, the date when you must vacate and the buyer may occupy the property. If you have specific requirements for scheduling the closing due to your own move, the buyers flexibility in this regard might be an important factor in deciding to accept an offer.
an inspection of the property with a licensed home inspector. If the inspector uncovers any problems, you and the buyer must negotiate what items will be addressed and who will pay for them.
Guiding your real estate transaction from contract to closing is a multi-step process that requires proactive management and thorough attention to detail. our emphasis on communication,
organization and folloW-through ensure that deadlines are met, documents are distributed, and every item is in place to make your transaction efficient and seamless.
Handle earnest money and escrow account management Distribute contracts to all relevant parties Coordinate attorney review Coordinate a home inspection Provide information to lenders Distribute required disclosure forms Collect important documents such as the tax bill and condominium documents Coordinate an appraisal Coordinate walk-throughs Update you when contingencies have been satisfied Coordinate your closing Help you find a new home Follow up to see if you have any questions
here are some of the communications measures that keep you informed before, during and after the sale. Welcome letter: upon listing your home, we will
updates on the local real estate market through e-mail newsletters, sent monthly, and @properties Market Reports, updated daily.
client satisfaction survey: This important post-
furnish you with a copy of the listing agreement as well as a letter recapping our sales and marketing process.
shoWing feedback: We will provide feedback
closing survey gauges your satisfaction in several areas including your agents knowledge and professionalism, marketing services and negotiating skills.
ongoing communication: Long after your home is
report that shows online activity for your home by day, week and month, including how many times your property was returned in search results and how many times it was viewed on the @properties website. This report also displays comparable listings, their price and status.
sold, @properties and your agent are available to provide information and answer questions not only about the local real estate market but also about all things Chicago. Our agent base is an incredible resource when it comes to recommending home repair and maintenance contractors, professional service providers and neighborhood businesses. We are always just a phone call, text message or e-mail away.
luxury experience
As you know, luxury isnt just about a price; its about a feeling, a state of mind, an experience. At @properties, our promise to you is that the experience of selling your home will reflect luxury in every way. We Will deliver the service you
desire in the manner you deserve With the results you expect. that is luxury collection.