Real Estate Marketing & Beyond
RE/MAX Premier Properties of Chicago has expanded its presence in the region with the acquisition of the Luxe Marketing and Sales real estate brokerage for an undisclosed sum. The deal means that Jenny Sepulveda and her team of 15 brokers will join up with RE/MAX Premier Properties, bringing its total sales team to 88 brokers.
Luxe Marketing and Sales will retain its branding, marketing and event planning business in Chicago’s Bucktown area, even after real estate operations are transferred to RE/MAX Premier Properties.
“Luxe will closely cooperate with us and use those promotional skills to assist with the marketing of individual properties and real estate developments,” said Janice Corley, broker/owner of RE/MAX Premier Properties. “That will add an extremely valuable skill set to our operations. Especially in the world of luxury real estate, where we do a significant amount of business, brand building and event marketing have become increasingly vital elements.”
Corley and Sepulveda actually have previous experience of working together in the Chicago area at another real estate office more than a decade ago, and not surprisingly the pair are excited to be able to team up again.
“This is a great fit for both my brokers and me,” said Sepulveda. “RE/MAX is an outstanding brand and will offer us the tools and contacts of a worldwide network, something we value because we have represented many international buyers interested in Chicago properties. Plus, RE/MAX Premier Properties delivers an outstanding combination of top-notch training and day-to-day management.”
Corley added that the acquisition is just the latest step in RE/MAX Premier Properties' aggressive expansion plans for this year. She noted how the firm began with just 17 agents in June 2011, but is expecting to see total sales volume of $250 million by the end of the year, and expand to more than 150 agents affiliated with the organization.
According to Corley, real estate firms are no longer limited by office space when it comes to expansion, due to the way so much business is done in a digital environment.
“Brokers are extremely mobile and most prefer working from home offices,” Corely said. “Our office is primarily a training and meeting facility, but because it is in such a great location, near a busy corner in the heart of the Gold Coast, we get a steady stream of walk-in business, which is a bonus we didn’t entirely anticipate but one that our brokers certainly appreciate.”
RE/MAX Premier Properties is aggressively expanding its business while placing a strong emphasis on agent productivity, Corely added.
“The days when 20 percent of the agents generated 80 percent of the business are past,” she said. “Our Gold Coast location underscores our skill with luxury properties but that is not all we do. Our brokers have a wide range of experience and handle real estate needs of every type across the metropolitan area.”
