Celebrating the recent opening of real estate brokerage Prospect Equities’s (PE) newly rehabbed Orland Park Branch Office, twenty-two agents and staff networked over catered-in sausage, pasta and salad at 14630 John Humphrey Drive on Thursday, July 15.

            “It was nice to see the corporate people at an informal setting at the shiny new office,” said PE agent Ruthie McPhee-Grib, winner of a $50 agent gift card drawing.  Branch Administrator Shirley Casey had the place shined and polished!

            The Orland Park agent “Meet & Greet” was the first of six scheduled for all branch offices.  All 600 agents will have an opportunity to share dinner while both meeting PE and sister company colleagues, and exchanging successful strategies to fill today’s real estate bill:  closing deals.

            Vice President and COO Chris Hagn welcomed everyone and introduced employees who all explained their responsibilities so agents would know by face who handles company tasks.  Hagn introduced the new agent “Platinum Club” which honors agents utilizing PE’s affiliate brands.  Following, each agent spoke briefly about his or her business.

            Equity Financial Group (EFG) Loan Originators (LO) Saul Pinela, Ramiro Ledesma, Mike Kolacki and Director of Operations Autumn Borg reviewed the two latest loan products:   the FHA203K, designed to provide borrowers with up to $35,000 for remodeling, and the Home Path which allows purchases of Fannie Mae foreclosed properties with reduced down payment options for both owner-occupied and investment buyers.

            “As an EFG LO, my top priority remains to make PE agents shine before their clients.  We get the loan approved as quickly as possible at the very lowest rate available,” said Pinela.

            “The support from our LO’s beats all.  I love how they value us as agents,” applauded agent and Human Resource Director Shirley Prosek.  Prosek and HR Coordinator April Musick make up the aim-to-please HR Department.  Both encouraged all to call any time with questions or for help.

            "With PE affiliate Equitable Title Company offering the lowest rates available on title insurance and my discounted attorney fees for sellers at $299, sellers get a bigger bottom line at closing.  That's crucial in a market where sellers are getting less in their pockets than in years past," stated Attorney Randy Cebulski.  The corporate synergy between sister companies Prospect Equities and Equitable Title Company simplifies real estate transactions and enables these savings for sellers.

            Fifteenth to join PE in 2002, veteran agent Cay DeVos praised the Meet & Greet event and PE’s “Multi Million Dollar Producer”-awarded agent Cindy Maka after hearing of her new short sale tactic.

            “I ask Attorney Cebulski to amend short sale contracts via a clause that delays the start of the home inspection period until after bank approval.  Randy does it, and in this tight mortgage market, that can save clients money,” explained Maka.

            Coordinator of the Meet & Greets, Customer Relationship Manager Teresa Lembas reviewed benefits of PE’s affiliates, Equitable Title and Equity Financial Group.  Some of the benefits PE clients experience, with the utilization of these ancillaries, include the best mortgage and title rates available in the marketplace along with the smooth transaction process of the one-stop-shop approach.

            PE Publishing Director Kadi Meyer reviewed publicity/marketing options PE agents enjoy.  Equity Financial – Mortgage & Real Estate News for Chicago is the EFG quarterly magazine covering metro real estate news both about and from area realty companies, brokers and agents.  Plus, PE affiliate Headline Publishing writes and distributes broad company press releases along with the newly introduced HighEnd Prospect Magazine. HighEnd Prospect is a marketing magazine exclusive to PE agents for the showcase of luxury rentals, homes, and investment properties promoted at no cost to the agent.

            Agent Pat Fraticola stole the show at PE’s 2nd Meet & Greet held Wednesday, July 21, at the Oakbrook Terrace corporate headquarters and branch office.  His Cubs sportscaster Harry Carey impersonation lightened the recent real estate market load as everybody laughed downing pizza and sweets and again, building connections for this 2010 new dawn in real estate.

            Real Estate Owned (REO) Division Manager Corey Scott brought several members of his foreclosure team, the group that keeps themselves and the Oakbrook office hopping these days.  Still, Scott manages to answer his phone live just about every time.

            CEO Rich Killian emceed in Oakbrook with an easy-to-listen-to rundown of all that’s new, plus the good that’s old, in the world of Prospect Equities®.

            “This great introduction was positive for all.  We left feeling good with company information we can use.  Meeting other realtors and associates was key for me, and I’m reminded of all the services and benefits PE offers.  I’m an advocate of teamwork and value that everybody is committed to the company and the public,” recapped agent Nadia Miller who attended both Meet & Greets.

            PE agents are again invited to Meet & Greet #3 on Thursday, August 12 at the Lincoln Park North branch office, 1920 North Lincoln, for more chat and chews.  Later in August PE will host Meet & Greets in Lisle and Joliet.