Kathy M. Dames Builds Her
Real Estate Legacy
Anyone
who knows the real estate industry in Will County can’t help but recognize the
name Kathy Dames. Not only has she consistently been one of the top realtors in
the area since she was licensed in 1984, but she has repeatedly been honored
for her success stories in the field of real estate. For more than five years
Dames was ranked as the No. 1 Realtor in Will County and she has consistently
been in the top 10 since 1992. In 1999, RE/MAX International honored her for
sales achievements in closing more transaction slides (311) than any other
agent in the entire RE/MAX of Northern Illinois System.
All of
the success in the real estate field initially started as a hobby for Dames,
who graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1981 and had positions with
several Fortune 500 companies before earning her real estate license. “I
started out part-time in the real estate industry while working another job and
quickly learned I could not serve two masters,” Dames said. “Real Estate (my
clients) was where my heart was.”
Joined RE/MAX in 1986
Dames
began her real estate career with Spring Realty and joined RE/MAX Realty of
Joliet in 1986.
“At
first, I was worried because I was around the best in the business at better
than those around me, so I stayed at RE/MAX –and at Real Estate. The rest is
history.” And the history includes all her other accolades; Dames was the
youngest member to be inducted into the RE/MAX International Hall of Fame in
1994 and she has been ranked third among all the RE/MAX agents in the United
States for closed transactions sides.
Dames
has also utilized her marketing degree and experience in the real estate field,
as she has been personally responsible for marketing such new home communities
as Devonshire, Lake Forrest, Cambridge, Olde Mill Crossing, Grand Prairie, Hunt
Club, Townhomes on the Lake, Fox Bend, Courtyards of Woodside, Kipling Estates,
Courtyards of Kipling Estates, Kipling Townes, Walnut Trails, as well as for
the William Ryan homes in River Crossing of Shorewood.
On the
residential side, Dames excels at re-sales. Her yearly sales volume of $40
million plus is mostly derived from re-sale homes and the clients she has served
for over 20 years. She credits much of her success to knowing how and where to
price and market a home to receive its optimal exposure and value.
“On the
listing/marketing side of real estate it is a team effort between me, the home’s
seller and the marketplace,” Dames said “I attempt to keep communication open
with my clients and work daily at the successful sale of their home”
Her
superb open communication also plays a role in Dames extensive experience and
success with relocations and she has worked with such reputable global
relocation managers as Paragon, Cartus, Sirvva and Altair.
Staying Ahead of the
Market
Dames
prides herself on understanding the personal and financial importance of buying
or selling a home, which has gained her respect and referrals.
“I
pride myself in the fact that many of my clients past and present have referred
me to family and friends and co-workers alike. That is the greatest compliment,”
she said.
Dames
recognized early the need to service clients who were experiencing the
hardships of the distressed real estate market, and in 2009 she earned her
Short Sale and Foreclosure Certification (SFR) from the National Association of
Realtors. Dames has even taught seminars on effective completion of foreclosure
and short sale transactions. With a team of specialized attorneys and
organizational processes in place, Dames has closed an amazing 96% of Short
Sales obtained, releasing homeowners from this financial burden.
Other Awards
Besides
Dames’ other achievements and honors, she is also a member of the RE/MAX
Platinum Club, Who’s Who in Illinois Real Estate and the RE/MAX 1% Club and has
received the Illinois Lifetime Diamond Award. She is also a lifetime achievement
winner in the RE/MAX Circle of Legends
Her Next Chapter
For
many years Dames has worked with a well-rounded team, that includes her
administrative assistant, Diane Thomas. Dames also utilizes the exceptional
internet/technology knowledge of her marketing and web assistant, Allie Arias
who is responsible for posting Dames’ larger social networking presence. In
addition, Dames relies on the full time assistance from her licensed team
member, Sherry Lewandowski. “Sherry is a born sales person who is always in
tune with the needs of her clients,” said Dames. “She has been in the industry
for over 15 years, concentrating on buyer brokerage and knows DuPage, Will
& Kane counties well. She brings a lot of knowledge and energy to my team!”
However,
now Dames has begun to expand her “team” in a much more dramatic way. In
February, 2012 she opened her own RE/MAX office, RE/MAX Ultimate Professionals, located in Shorewood, IL (Rte. 59). As
Broker/Owner, Dames will oversee the activities of the many licensed realtors
affiliate with her new office; instilling her amazing work ethic, sharing her
vast wealth of real-estate knowledge, but most importantly Dames, “Helping the
real estate agents in my office; establish long-term, mutually-beneficial
client relationships built on excellent service and mutual respect.”
Kathy Dames can be reached at
(815) 693-8336, or through RE/MAX Ultimate Professionals, 576 Brookforest Ave,
Shorewood IL 60404 (815)741-5082.
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