The Brookforest Plaza shopping center, located in Shorewood, will become home to the newest RE/MAX Ultimate Professionals office. Opening the office will be Kathy Dames, a veteran of Illinois real estate who has worked in the industry for the past 27 years.
Kathy Dames, RE/MAX
Dames, a top-producing agent since 1984, is eager to pass on the extensive knowledge that comes from working in the real estate industry for nearly three decades.
“I like to see people succeed, I really do,” Dames said in a press release. “I’m happy for them when that happens. I’d like to pass on my experience and knowledge to the agents at my office. I think I can help the agents who affiliate with my office reach their full potential. That will be a wonderful thing for me to accomplish at this point in my career.”
The new office will cover 1,900 square feet once it opens for business. Dames hopes to staff her office with around 20 agents, and she already has a few who are considering making the move.
The office is located at 576 Brookforest Ave, right alongside Route 59 and near the ramp for Interstate 55. This means that the storefront office will be visible to all motorists traveling along these two often-used highways. The office is also located near three locally-popular restaurants, which will bring more prospective clients by the office. Dames plans to install a big-screen TV, showcasing property listings and featured agents, which will be large enough for those walking past to clearly see; Dames hopes that this TV will attract potential buyers and sellers.
Dames is looking to create a top-of-the-line office space for her agents. Included in the office plans are a large conference room and a fireplace to provide a warm, cozy atmosphere. The front desk area will feature a modern-deco design. The office will house the newest models of copiers and scanners and will offer high-speed internet access to agents.
“I looked at a lot of RE/MAX offices before making this move,” Dames said. “My goal is to make this the nicest RE/MAX office possible. I want my agents to be able to bring their clients to this office and feel proud that they’re working from this location.”
“A lot of people were surprised when I told them I was going to do this. They asked me, ‘You’re 52 now. Why not slow down?’” Dames said. “Why take 27 years of a career and say ‘goodnight?’ I get so many leads a day, it’s amazing. I want to distribute those leads to good quality agents and will be looking for the best agents to staff this office. I am taking on a new adventure by opening this office, but it’s an adventure that will let me help others grow and be even more successful than they are now. I have always been a team player. Agents know that of me.”