Spotlight: RE/MAX Suburban Owner named to Who's Who in 2016 by Chicago Agent Magazine

Chad Gilbert

President and Owner
RE/MAX Suburban

“Win more listings. Close more deals.” That is the motto at RE/MAX Suburban, and after only a year as the brokerage’s president and owner, Chad Gilbert has learned to embody it. “We make every decision with that mission in mind,” he says. That focus has paid off: in the year since Gilbert took the helm, RE/MAX Suburban has completed one acquisition and effectively grown by 20 percent. The brokerage is currently the No. 1 RE/MAX office in Chicagoland, and the No. 16 RE/MAX brokerage nationwide. 

Like many, if not most, Gilbert did not start in real estate, but he says it is where he always wanted to end up. “When I was in high school, I worked for a developer,” he says. “It’s been a lifelong dream to work in real estate.” Before taking the reins at RE/MAX Suburban, Gilbert filled an executive sales position, helping lead the national strategy of his former company. “My background provides me with a unique skillset to partner with our agents with the aim of achieving their goals,” he says of his own role, which is to ultimately support his agents from culture to sales. “We support our agents as individuals,” he says, explaining that by evaluating the specific needs of each agent, RE/MAX Suburban is able to formulate more effective and efficient strategies for them. “Win more listings. Close more deals,” he reiterates. 

Gilbert’s approach has helped RE/MAX Suburban grow over the past year; that growth includes the acquisition of RE/MAX Experts of Buffalo Grove in January, which brought the brokerage’s broker count to 215 and its 2015 sales to more than $1.1 billion. Watching his firm grow and his agents prosper, Gilbert says it inspires him. “They make me want to do my job better,” he says. “I try to raise the bar every day.”

Bolstering his 10-plus years of national sales experience, Gilbert is also a member of MRED’s committee on technology and a board member of the Small Business Advocacy Council. It is a point of pride for Gilbert to be able to work on behalf of small businesses. His advocacy, though, extends beyond business. Through a shared effort, RE/MAX Suburban and its agents have contributed more than $300,000 to the Children’s Miracle Network. The brokerage is the organization’s largest donor in Northern Illinois. “It’s a great cause,” Gilbert says. “We’re happy to give back.”

Photo and Article courtesy of Chicago Agent Magazine - to see the full list for 2016, click here.

RE/MAX National Housing Report - June Performance

Home Sales Warm Up With Summer Temps

DENVER (July 14, 2016) – With the market now in the midst of the popular summer selling season, both home sales and prices are rising with the summer temperatures. Homebuyer demand in June kept sales levels above last year’s by 0.7%, with a strong increase of 9.4% over sales in May. The Median Sales Price in June was $229,900, which marks a 2.2% increase over prices seen in June 2015. As year-over-year price increases moderate, there’s a positive impact on home affordability. The number of homes for sale in June fell 15.6% from levels one year ago, making inventory supply a significant challenge, especially in West Coast metros. At the rate of home sales in June, the national Months Supply of Inventory was 3.2, a slight improvement from the 3.0 supply seen in May.

“Last year was the best we’d seen in a long time for home sales. So, it’s encouraging that sales this year are remaining above last year’s levels. Moderating prices are a good thing for this market. Homeowners are still seeing improvement in their equity, while there’s less chance of homebuyers being priced out. We have to wait out the ongoing inventory challenges, but the month-over-month stabilization we’re seeing is a very good sign,” said Dave Liniger, RE/MAX CEO, Chairman of the Board and Co-Founder.

“Nationally, home value increases are well within the healthy range. Although, variances across the country can influence owners’ perception. It’s important for homeowners to realize how they perceive their home’s value could vary widely from how an appraiser views it, since it can make or break a home sale or mortgage refinance,” added Bob Walters, Quicken Loans, Chief Economist.

Closed Transactions – Year-over-year change
In the 53 metro areas surveyed in June, the average number of home sales was 0.7% higher than one year ago, and was 9.4% higher than the previous month. Sales are slightly above the strong numbers seen last June and are also above the 6.7% average of month-to-month increases from May to June over the last eight years.

Median Sales Price – Median of 53 metro median prices
In June, the median of all 53 metro Median Sales Prices was $229,900, up 3.0% from May, and up 2.2% from the Median Sales Price in June 2015. June is the 53rd consecutive month without a drop in price from the previous year.  In 2015, the monthly average of year-over-year price increase was 7.6%. The 2.2% rise in June appears to be signaling a moderation in price increases, which eases pressure on home affordability.

Days on Market – Average of 53 metro areas
The average Days on Market for all homes sold in June was 54, down 4 days from the average of 58 in both May 2016 and June 2015. June becomes the 39th consecutive month with a Days on Market average of 80 or less.

Month’s Supply of Inventory – Average of 53 metro areas
The number of homes for sale in June was just 0.7% lower than in May, but 15.6% lower than in June 2015. Like May, June had a sequential inventory loss of less than 1%. The apparent stabilization of inventory on a month-to-month basis is a positive sign, especially during the summer selling season. Based on the rate of home sales in June, the Months Supply of Inventory was 3.2, which is nearly identical to last month and last year, 3.0 and 3.6 respectively. A 6.0 month supply indicates a market balanced equally between buyers and sellers. The number of metros with a Months Supply of Inventory below 2.0 may also be stabilizing at 8, down from 10 in May. 

Own It! Small Cost, Big Impact Updates

You don't need a big budget to spruce up your home for sale. Interior designer Carriann Johnson talks about seemingly small (and inexpensive) projects that have a big impact on your home's appeal.

By Carriann Johnson, interior designer and TV personality (Courtesy RE/MAX Blog)

I've seen the look on people's faces when I suggest something needs to be updated in their home. They become deflated, overwhelmed and oftentimes confused. Please remember, it's not personal. The goal is to make your home shine – and sell for the best possible price.

Consider making some of the following updates before listing your home. It could add to your confidence when putting your home on the market, and possibly bump up the sale price as well. 

1. Do a walk-through of your home
Visit each room and make a checklist of items that need to be repaired or replaced – and be objective while doing so. Keep an eye out for outdated styles, bold patterns and colors, dated fixtures, unfinished projects, and over-cluttered closets and cabinets – these items all need to be considered to showcase your home in the best light possible. After making your checklist, develop a budget and establish dates on your calendar to complete these tasks. 

2. Incorporate today's styles and trends

Our homes and our styles are as individualized as we are. So although you may love an ultramodern or country cottage look, the majority of buyers may not. Choose transitional styles if you need to replace your lighting, hardware, appliances or flooring. And don't be afraid to ask your local suppliers for help during the selection process.

3. Remember: First impressions count
It takes just 15 seconds to grab the hearts of potential buyers – or leave them completely unimpressed. Make those 15 seconds count! Fresh sealant on a driveway, vibrant and healthy plants on the front porch, a clean rug and a nice fragrance in the entryway, clutter-free hallways – these all make a huge impact but require little effort.

4. Focus on the kitchen and baths
Kitchens and bathrooms are some of the most frequently used areas of any home, so put in some extra effort to freshen them up! Things like stained shower stalls and toilets, broken grout, leaky faucets or dated cabinet hardware are easily replaced at little cost. Or, instead of replacing tubs or shower stalls, consider having them professionally resprayed for a fresh new look. A small investment goes a long way in these spaces. And when it comes to hardware and supplies for kitchens and baths, consider shopping online. Many online suppliers don't have a middleman in the process, so they can sell their items for much less than local hardware retailers.

5. Let's talk paint
Paint is a minimal investment, especially if you have the skills to do the painting yourself. From walls to doors to cabinets to fixtures (and even tile), paint can drastically transform spaces. Keep your selections neutral and universally pleasing. Cover bold colors with neutral ones, making the home move-in ready. My pick for some timeless choices by Sherwin Williams are: Totally Tan SW6115, Believable Buff SW6120, Latte SW6108 and Universal Khaki SW6150.

Here's my checklist for small investments with big impacts:

• Paint or replace brass or dated light fixtures
• Update bathrooms and kitchens with brushed nickel, chrome or oil-rubbed bronze fixtures and hardware
• Replace switch plates and outlets with Decora-style devices
• Paint walls and trim using a neutral palette
• Refinish worn hardwoods by applying a fresh coat of stain and sealer
• Remove wallpaper, borders, decorative decals and patterns from walls
• Power spray your home's exterior

Keep these items in mind when making improvements to your home and you'll enter the selling process with confidence!

RE/MAX Suburban Agents recognized as 'America's Best Real Estate Agents'

CHICAGO, July 13, 2016 – RE/MAX associates were once again the most widely recognized among Illinois real estate brokers in the 2016“America’s Best Real Estate Agents” rankings compiled by REAL Trends, a leading real estate industry publication. The latest edition of the “America’s Best” list was published this month. 

RE/MAX individual brokers and sales teams in northern Illinois held 142 of the 651 spots in the Illinois rankings, or nearly 22 percent of the total. RE/MAX brokers in other areas of the state captured 49 spots, bringing the RE/MAX total to 191 or 29.3 percent. That is a higher percentage than those affiliated with any other real estate brand. A complete list of the northern Illinois RE/MAX brokers and teams in the “America’s Best” rankings is available at http://rem.ax/29xA094.

In its America’s Best coverage, REAL Trends recognized individual brokers and sales teams separately, both by the number of transactions they closed in 2015 and the dollar volume of those completed sales. The Illinois rankings for closed transactions included only those teams that closed 75 or more transactions or at least $30 million in sales volume. For individuals, those who made the rankings closed 50 or more transactions or at least $20 million in sales.

“We would like to congratulate those RE/MAX agents and teams who earned this recognition being named among ‘America’s Best Real Estate Agents,” said Brian Reagan, president of RE/MAX Northern Illinois. “The achievements that this select group of RE/MAX affiliates earned for their successes exemplifies the service the brand offers to its clients on a daily basis.” 

RE/MAX Suburban would like to congratulate:

• Ralph Binetti
• Mary Myzia
• Sue Hedlund
• Lynn Fairfield
• Sarah Leonard Team
• Homes by Marco
• Leslie McDonell Team
• Lance Kammes Team
• Andee Hausman Team
• The Pickard Group

Get on Track to Meet Your 2016 Goals

Get on Track to Meet Your 2016 Goals: (Courtesty of Buffini & Co.) Mid-year is when many real-estate professionals run out of steam. Fatigue and lethargy set in and it can be easy to forget what it is you’re actually working to achieve. However, the problem with losing momentum like this is that it means you’re either slowing up or going downhill! Instead of allowing yourself to get off track or lose sight of the goals you made at the beginning of the year, use this mid-year marker to reassess where you’re headed, refocus on the best way to get there and reapply yourself to ensure success. Here’s how:

Review Your Goals
Often, we can get so busy juggling our day-to-day commitments that our goals seem more out of reach than ever. Now is the time to remind yourself of your prescription for success. Do you really know what you’re trying to accomplish? Is your target clear and measurable?  Is your time frame realistic?  Go back and review your monthly, weekly and daily written goals. If you’re struggling, your coach can help to keep those goals in front of you, so you don’t drift.

Schedule It Out
If it’s not in the schedule, it just doesn’t happen! We can have the best of intentions when it comes to getting things done, but intentions alone won’t ensure we get to where we want to go. A good schedule is your lighthouse in the storm – without it, it can be all too easy to get distracted by a never-ending to-do list and neglect your priorities. Remember, the bulk of your day must be committed to activities that will help you achieve your goals. Ask your coach to review your time management processes and determine if your schedule is truly effective.

Remember Routines
The excitement of the real-estate industry is that no two days are alike. Unfortunately, this can also be a difficulty! In a world when we’re faced with what seems like a million choices every day, routines and habits minimize the choices we have to make. The more automatic something is, the more likely it is to happen. You may think you’re not a disciplined person, but you already have routines in place in your daily life. They have just become so engrained that you no longer notice them, like brushing your teeth. Ask your coach for advice on replacing any negative routines with positive, proactive ones.

You’ve already achieved so much. Don’t allow yourself to coast now. Your coach will help you refocus on your goals and get you back on track to make this your best year ever!

Want to learn more?  New students receive $50 off in the month of July!  More details here.

RE/MAX Agents Outnumbered Others in 'The Thousand'

The Thousand, an annual survey compiled by REAL Trends and advertised in The Wall Street Journal June 24, ranked participating U.S. agents and teams in two categories: by number of homes sold, as well as by sales volume in 2015. Of the 1,002 rankings, RE/MAX agents claimed 152 (15%).  RE/MAX has more of the nation’s 1,000 most prolific home-selling agents than any other brand, according to a respected annual survey.

Among the 502 rankings for individual agents and agent teams closing the most residential transaction sides, nearly one fourth (117) were RE/MAX agents – more than any other brand.

Own It! Staging Your Home Yourself