Teaching Reality and Theory BIOGRAPHY Marki Lemons is a dynamic real estate professional, who holds a Real Estate Broker’s license, Real Estate Instructor’s license, and a Loan Originator’s license. She started her real estate sales career in 2002 as the founder of Homes2Sell, Inc, a discount real estate brokerage. In 2004, she received the Chicago Association of REALTORS® Bronze Residential Sales Award for selling over 60 units while obtaining her ABR and ABRM designations. In 2006, she was elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Chicago Association of REALTORS®, which is recognized as the third largest Real Estate Board in the United States. She is currently a Broker Associate with Prudential Rubloff. In addition to selling real estate, Marki is an experienced speaker, trainer, and instructor. She initially began her teaching career in 1993 with the Chicago Public Schools, and later taught at Northwestern Business College. Currently, she teaches for the Chicago Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.), Triton College and Chicago City Colleges. She teaches real estate pre-licensing, continuing education, real estate finance, reverse mortgages, and special interest classes/ seminars. Additionally, she is certified to teach “Harnessing the Power” for the Women’s Council of REALTORS®, and the ABR and elective courses for the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council (REBAC). Marki also works with the Strategic Planning Committee for REALTORS® Real Estate Schools in developing long-term strategic plans for education and training programs. Currently, Marki originates loans for AUS Financial, a local mortgage company. She started as a Sales Manager and Loan Originator in 1999 with First Priority Mortgage Company. At First Priority Mortgage Company, she supervised and directed 12 loan officers in developing marketing programs to expand sales to $20 million. Marki holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Master Degree in Business Administration. She has earned the following designations: Certified Residential Mortgage Specialist (CRMS), Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR), Accredited Buyer’s Representative Manager (ABRM), Certified Residential Broker (CRB), and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS). RESUME TEACHING AND TRAINING EXPERIENCE Committed, passionate, resourceful instructor who prides herself on achieving results. Can adopt teaching methods to any educational setting or situation, and has the ability to connect with diverse audiences, comprised of multicultural, multilevel learners. National Association of REALTORS®, Women’s Council of REALTORS®, REBAC, REALTORS® Real Estate School, IAR, MORE, RANWC, & Marki Lemons Unlimited – Chicago, IL Speaker, Trainer, Consultant, Certified Distance Education Instructor (March 2006-Present) Actively teaches: Short Sale, Foreclosure, Social Business, Business Management, Marketing, Reverse Mortgages, Real Estate Finance, Electronic Real Estate Transactions, Diversity and the Real Estate Professional, Pre-Licensing Courses, and all Broker courses. Instrumental in the long-term strategic plans of the REALTORS® Real Estate School through active and hands-on participation with the Strategic Planning Committee. Developed new working mission, enhanced existing education and training programs, and developed Career Night program. Planned and implemented CAREF donation to fund free Continuing Education classes for 14,000 REALTORS®. Wrote, developed, and designed short sale course and Accredited Distressed Property Representative (ADPR) designation. ADPR® is currently approved for continuing education in Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana. Consistently receive high student evaluation marks (4.5+ on 5.0 scale). Chicago City Colleges/Harold Washington College – Chicago, IL Continuing Education Instructor, Adjunct Instructor of Business and Entrepreneurship (September 2006-Present) Teach Short Sale: The Result of Foreclosure, Real Estate Finance, Illinois 45 Hour Pre-License Course, Applied Principle 2000, Broker Management, and Foreclosure Courses. Design course descriptions, learning objectives, course syllabi, and exams for classes administered through the CE department. Presented foreclosure options to 500 attendees at Money Smart Week. KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY – Chicago, IL Certified Residential Broker, Regional Certified Instructor (October 2006-March 2008) Oversaw development and implementation of pre-licensing, broker, continuing education, and special interest classes for 163 real estate agents. Mentor and coach a core of 15 agents on time blocking, business planning, buyer representation, listing strategies, and marketing. Office top agent recruiter 2006-2007. Create new monthly special interest classes and seminars, i.e. Tax Liens, Buying HUD Properties, and Improving your Credit Score in 45 Days Member of the Associate Leadership Council. The Associate Leadership Council is responsible for driving production, protecting profits and protecting the culture of the office. Developed and taught monthly foreclosure seminar to help the office address the surge in foreclosures. NORTHWESTERN BUSINESS COLLEGE – Hickory Hills, IL Hospitality/Marketing Instructor (1996-1997) Implemented positive classroom management strategies. Evaluated and graded student’s progress, assignments, reports, and examinations. Responsible for curriculum development. Advised students regarding course content. Taught over 250 students attending Hospitality Management and Introduction to Marketing courses. Designed and developed source material and reference guides. Organized career week and recruited community leaders as guest speakers PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Prudential Rubloff Properties– Chicago, IL Certified Residential Broker/Team Founder-The ADPR Team/Certified Mentor (March 2008-Present) Quoted in the New York Times, Forbes, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Pioneer Press, and WBIG. National authority on the subject matter of short sales, foreclosures, and social networking. Actively participates in blogging, vlogging, conducting online seminars, and social networking sites. Received Presidents Award for dedication and commitment to real estate by giving of time, resources, and education to Chicago REALTORS®. Interviewed on ABC-Chicago, and CBS-Chicago. Recruited licensed sales agents and brokers to grow to a team of six in less than 30 days. The team manages 40 + listings and is responsible for 1/5 of office total listings. Participates in the City Treasurer’s Inaugural Wealth Fitness Summits providing seminars and group sessions on homeownership. HOMES2SELL, INC – Chicago, IL Founder, Certified Residential Broker (April 2002-October 2006) Initiated plan to develop a Discount Real Estate Brokerage Corporation that would focus on capturing 10 percent of its immediate market share. Initiated marketing campaign that consisted of launching a web site, benches, billboards, print media and collateral materials. 2006: Elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Chicago Association of REALTORS®. The Chicago Association of REALTORS® is the third largest Real Estate Board in the United States. 2004: Received Bronze Level award from Chicago Association of REALTORS® for closing over 50 transactions. Developed monthly sales plan: set goals, identified account maintenance needed, targeted special problems requiring attention, set up schedule of appointments. Trained agents and brokers, emphasizing buyer representation, strategic business planning, and marketing. FIRST PRIORITY MORTGAGE COMPANY – Chicago, IL Sales Manager, Licensed Illinois Loan Originator (July 1999-July 2006) Directed 12 loan officers in developing territory from ground up and expanding sales from zero to $20 million. Conceived and developed direct mail campaign that targeted 2000 upscale renters with the ability to purchase up to $400 million in real estate. Created school teachers’ purchase program that targeted 800 schools and 32,000 educators through flyers and poster distribution. Made presentation at Home Buyers’ Seminar, business meetings; hosted bowling tournament/dinners for clients. Commended by management and customers for ability to build trust and confidence, resulting in repeat business and increased sales. LEM’S BAR-B-QUE RESTAURANT – Chicago, IL Vice President /Marketing Manager (1991-1999) Directed operation in selling $2 million annually in Bar-B-Que products. Responsible for all aspects of business development, marketing, quality assurance, new product development, and staff development. Independently produced business plan and advertising samples. Created lunch menu and added three new products that increased revenue by $175,000 in 1998. Designed multi-media advertising via radio, newspaper, billboard, and sponsorship, which increased sales by 31%. Negotiated multi-year sales and service contracts through the Chicago Park District and the Office of Special Events. Produced average daily sales of $15,000 at the Chicago Blues, Gospel, and Jazz Fest. Wrote and issued press releases for National Bar-B-Que Month which led to feature articles in N’DIGO, Travel & Leisure, Chicago Sun-Times, and The Citizen. Developed ad copy for institutional, commercial, and retail packaging of sauce and seasoning products. PRESENTATIONS Accredited Distressed Property Representative: presented to more than 500 REALTORS® at various locations in Illinois, 2009. Mastering Social Networking in 30-Minutes a Day: presented at the Chicago Association of REALTORS®, Chicago, Illinois, 2009. Certified Specialist of Short Sales: presented to 210 REALTORS® at the Indiana Association of REALTORS® Winter Conference. Indianapolis, Indiana, 2009. Mastering Social Networking in 30 Minutes per Day: presented to 40 Rubloff REALTORS®, Chicago, Illinois, 2009. What My Son Told Me to Do: presented to 250 Toastmasters Members at the Fall District The Spirit of an Entrepreneur: presented to 100 Chicago Public Schools Culinary Students, Chicago, Illinois, 2008. The Business of Short Sales and Foreclosures” presented to 100 REALTORS® at the Cedar Rapids Annual Meeting, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 2008. Today’s Real Estate Market” presented to 50 Investors at the Annual Invest with Passion Brunch, Chicago, Illinois, 2007. Your Code of Professionalism: presented to 100 REALTORS® at the International Forum, Chicago, IL, 2007. Plan Your Business: presented to 30 Keller Williams Agents, Chicago, IL, 2006. PROFESSIONAL PUBLICATIONS Lemons, M. (2009). Get’em on the Same Page. Illinois REALTOR® Magazine. Lemons, M. (2009). Don’t Sell Yourself Short. Real Estate Business Magazine Lemons, M. (2009). Market Yourself for Success with Distressed Properties. www.wcr.org. Lemons, M. (2008). Time isn’t of the Essence in the World of Foreclosures and Short Sales. Chicago REALTORS® Magazine. Lemons, M. (2008). Who or What Can We Blame? Chicago REALTORS® Magazine. Lemons, M. (2008). Locating Comparable Properties for Appraisals Becomes Hard Due to Increasing Multifamily Foreclosures. Multi-Housing News. EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS, DESIGNATIONS, & LICENSES GREEN – 2009 Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource Certification (SFR)-2009 Certified Mentor, Buffini and Company-2009 eCertified-2009 Accredited Distressed Property Representative (ADPR) – 2008 Certified Distance Education Instructor (CDEI) – 2008 Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE) – 2008 Quality Service Certified (QSC) – 2008 Keller Williams Realty Certified Regional Instructor – 2007 Indiana Approved Continuing Education Instructor – 2007 Indiana Licensed Real Estate Broker – 2007 Certified Illinois Broker Management Instructor – 2007 Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) – 2006 Illinois Licensed Continuing Education Instructor – 2006 Certified Residential Broker (CRB) – 2006 Illinois Licensed Real Estate Instructor – 2006 Illinois Licensed Loan Originator – 2005 Accredited Buyer’s Representative Manager (ABRM) – 2004 Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) – 2004 Certified Residential Mortgage Specialist (CRMS) – 2002 Illinois Licensed Real Estate Broker – 2002 Women’s Self-Employment Project, Entrepreneurial Training Program – 1999 Bachelor of Science, Hospitality Management, Chicago State University, Chicago, IL – 1993 Master of Business Administration, Saint Xavier University, Chicago, IL – 1996 PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS Chicago Association of REALTORS® – President Elect, Chicago Association of REALTORS® Education Foundation (CAREF); Board of Directors (2006-2008); Chairperson, Education Work Group; and Co-Chairperson, Equal Opportunity/Cultural Diversity Working Group Illinois Association of REALTORS® – Chairperson, Equal Opportunity/Cultural Diversity Working Group, Education Working Group Dearborn Real Estate Board – Board of Directors National Association of REALTORS® – Member Association of Illinois Real Estate Educators – Member The Real Estate Educators Association – Member MJM Speakers Circle – VP Public Relations, Competent Communicator, Humorous Speech Winner: Club, Area, Division, and District. BUSINESS FACT SHEET Marki Lemons Unlimited provides classes, consulting, and seminars to individuals, groups, associations, banks, government entities and municipalities that are grounded in reality and theory. Marki Lemons practices real estate daily, enabling her to paint a realistic picture in the classroom that enhances the participants' ability to learn visually and verbally. As a fifth generation entrepreneur, Marki Lemons takes a business approach to her classes, and is always seeking new and creative ways to increase the REALTORS’® bottom line through education. As a testament to this philosophy, Marki has six real estate licenses and thirteen designations and certifications, which allows her the opportunity to apply her business sense to all areas of real estate. ForeTraining.com offers the best distance learning platform providing ongoing insight, training, and education to attorneys, consumers, entrepreneurs, and real estate professionals. Currently, the ForeTraining.com is focused on providing foreclosure, short sale, auction, and REO information. The fact that the real estate industry is constantly changing, the rules and regulations are in a constant state of flux proves that there is no one time answer to attaining quality foreclosure training and understanding. Therefore, ForeTraining.com has created the best platform for handling the malleable, foreclosure environment. Designation The Accredited Distressed Property Representative (ADPR®) designation focuses on training REALTORS®, attorneys, investors, and homeowners to be proficient in conducting short sale transactions. This designation educates and supports those who have decided to integrate the emergent niche market of short sales and foreclosures into their business. It is awarded to those who successfully complete the required education courses. The designation is comprised of four – 3 hour classes. Currently, the designation is approved for 3 hours of CE in multiple states. Real Estate Team Lead by Marki Lemons, the ADPR® Team at Prudential Rubloff Residential Properties specializes in affordable and luxury distressed property sales in Chicago and its surrounding suburbs. The ADPR® Team is comprised of REALTORS® who have ranked among the top 10% or REALTORS® in Chicago in addition to holding the top designations, certifications, and awards bestowed among the best REALTORS® in the country. The team includes a marketing specialist, listing and buyer agents, and an executive assistant. TESTIMONIALS What Are People Saying? I had the pleasure of taking an excellent three-hour SHORT SALE COURSE at our recent IAR convention at Keystone Crossing. Marki Lemons was the instructor and she is interested in making a presentation to our board to teach a class in our MIBOR CE CURRICULUM, particularly SHORT SALES and FORECLOSURES. As I do short sales on daily basis, I found that this was by far one of the best short sale CE classes that I have taken. Marki Lemons comprehensively presented the materials in a concise, succinct and use-friendly format, and she stayed on point, covering all goals of the class overview. – TR Thank you very much for your course presentation today at the Naperville MORE. I really liked your straight-forwardness and depth of information, which is needed in today’s real estate market. – BL I can’t tell you how much our members enjoyed your class. The response was fantastic, and we would love to have you join us again. – IAR I thought your class was terrific! I have done four short sales, and I still learned a lot even though I wasn’t so sure I would. – DP Your presentation was perhaps the most professional real estate training that I have experienced. It was content-rich, and well-organized and presented. – GR It was wonderful to be educated by a bright and talented individual who knows her stuff!! My team of four was present, and we all enjoyed your presentation. Thanks so much. Now comes the tough work, which is us following the instructions. We will succeed! – Anonymous What Are People Saying? I don't know when I have actually enjoyed a CE course more! Great info and you present in such a to-thepooin style. Thank you for taking the time to share your information with us in Indianapolis this week. – NS I highly recommend Marki Lemons. I attended several real estate classes that were taught by Marki Lemons. As a "rookie" real estate agent, I found her teachings to be invaluable in my first six months in this exciting, yet challenging profession. I found her teaching style to be quite engaging. She draws on her vast experience to provide colorful anecdotes to help make otherwise mundane material exciting. – MK Thank you for everything; you are a great/fantastic teacher, wonderful mentor and great person. I learned a lot from the class and am really fired up about exploring the area of real estate. The one thing that you did was expose us/open us up to the many opportunities that exists in this area that I was not aware of… – GT Hi! I had the pleasure of attending your Short Sale Seminar @the 2008 Indianapolis Fall Conference. You're awesome...I could have spent the whole day listening to you. I have learned so much! I am sure that I am not alone, and please know I appreciate you taking the time to share! – SP AS SEEN ON… Marki Lemons has been featured on and in various media outlets, such as: PUBLISHED ARTICLE PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Short Sales: Preserving Property Values in a Deteriorating Market CHICAGO, IL, October 2009 – In light of the steady increase in foreclosures across the US, short sales are proving to be a viable solution to slow down the national decline in property values. A short sale, which is the process of selling the property for less than what is owed to the bank before the foreclosure judgment, also reduces the number of vacant bank-owned properties on the market. However, many are unaware of the short sale process. To combat the huge learning curve for transacting short sales, Marki Lemons, National Trainer, is reaching out to consumers and REALTORS® alike, offering information on how to successfully conduct short sales. “Short sales help preserve community values by not allowing a property to become bank-owned. In some communities bank-owned properties are selling for ten cents on the dollar,” Ms. Lemons, President-Elect of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® Education Foundation said this week. “Local MLS can now provide data on the resale value of traditional, short sale, and bank-owned properties. The numbers prove that a property will retain more value if it is sold as a short sale versus being sold as a bank-owned property. In addition, every house occupied keeps people employed at companies like ComEd, People’s Energy and Comcast, to name a few.” For REALTORS®, fostering a strong knowledge of the foreclosure and short sale market is an effective way to not only help buyers and sellers, but also to preserve community property values. Buyers are in search of a good deal, and sellers are desperate to know their options when facing foreclosure and if they will be able to purchase a home in the future. Many people can benefit from Marki Lemons’ valuable expertise in this broad and confusing area. About Marki Lemons: Marki Lemons, MBA, Chicago's "Foreclosure Queen," has worked in real estate for a decade, establishing herself as a leading expert in the residential real estate industry. A passionate advocate of education, she is a trainer at the Chicago Association of REALTORS' (C.A.R.) Real Estate School and at ForeTraining.com. She is also president-elect of the C.A.R. Education Foundation and the Chairperson for the Education Subcommittee. Marki Lemons is regularly featured in The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Agent Magazine, Chicago REALTOR Magazine, and has appeared on CBS and HGTV. Her weekly radio show can be heard on http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Marki-D-Lemons. For more information, please visit http://www.foretraining.com. To arrange an interview or speaking engagement with Marki Lemons, please contact Brett Ashley McKenzie, Publicist, at 773-319-7485 or BrettAshleyMcKenzie@gmail.com. # # #