Two of PERL Mortgage’s shining stars were recently featured in the June publication of Chicago Agent Magazine, “The 2009 Powerhouse Issue: Who’s Who in Chicagoland Real Estate”. This story highlights 35 of this year’s most powerful industry members - marketers, lenders, developers, architects, interior designers, associate heads, brokers and agents, all making a name for themselves in Chicagoland real estate in 2009. At a time when success doesn’t come easy, these professionals rise above the rest.

Dean Vlamis
US Top 200 Mortgage Originator

Dean Vlamis emerged onto the scene eight years ago when he walked into PERL Mortgage with no experience and asked for a job. What Vlamis lacked in experience, he made up for in determination. This self-taught businessman is now considered one of the Top 200 Producers in the nation, according to Mortgage Originator Magazine. Through the new Preferred Partner Program, Vlamis leads a team of marketing professionals, agents and loan officers in an effort to help them co-brand their business and target new markets. Vlamis is currently working to maximize the benefits for both his own business and the businesses of his Realtor partners. “We hope this new marketing approach will help expand our business and help our partners in these difficult times,” Vlamis says. “The great reward is that as their business expands, so does ours.” Vlamis enjoys spending time with his wife Neena, their sons Michael and Kosta and their two dogs Neysa and Reese. The family enjoys frequent trips to their home in Long Beach. Ind.

Sandy Marshall
Owner, Marshall Creative
Director of Business Development, PERL Mortgage

Sandy Marshall’s work can be seen on almost every popular form of electronic media. His company, Marshall Creative, is a leading marketing agency in the real estate world, producing everything from podcasts to original Web sites to customized comedic live events. Marshall created and hosts the PERL podcast, and his team also creates and produces viral short films and social networking seminars. “My company’s approach is unique, interactive, experiential and informative,” says Marshall. “We truly help our clients differentiate themselves from the standard real estate companies of the past.” His 13 years in the industry, combined with comedic experience in Schadenfreude and at The Second City, provide Marshall with the knowledge and creativity necessary to run a successful marketing business. In the future, Marshall hopes to use new technologies and social networking tools to his advantage to “help loan officers, real estate agents and developers realize the importance of staying on the cutting edge of marketing.” Visit marshall-creative.com for more information.

PERL Mortgage was recently featured in the March 2009 edition of Mortgage Originator Magazine for our co-branded marketing program.

Co-op Campaigns
March 5, 2009, Mortgage Originator Magazine
Co-op marketing can be especially important to establish lasting relationships with Realtors and others, according to Dean Vlamis, PERL Mortgage, Chicago, Illinois, who has developed an innovative approach.

“I’m currently focusing a majority of my attention on an enhanced Preferred Partner Program for my Realtor associates,” he said. “Working with Sandy Marshall, our Director of Business Development, I’ve created a program where PERL creates customized co-branded marketing for real estate agents in Chicago. We offer our services to create print, Web and other marketing campaigns for everything from mailings and podcasts to live events for broker opens.”

Vlamis noted that after meeting with agents individually or hosting seminars for small groups, they develop tailored campaigns to meet specific needs.

“We’re showing them how to grow their business by getting their message out and generating additional name recognition, whether by distributing a targeted postcard mailer, learning about new Internet marketing techniques (i.e. FaceBook) or participating in a podcast,” he said. Vlamis includes his own contact information with the Realtors’ marketing messages and they share the production/related costs.

“This has been very well received. The agents see that we’re providing a service to create a partnership.”

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For more information about our Preferred Partner Program, please contact our Marketing Director, Rachael Smith by email or by phone at 773.413.6271.

PERL Mortgage is sponsoring the first of a series of parties at Jameson Real Estate. 1st Mondays at Jameson Real Estate are a great opportunity to network and enjoy free food, drinks and comedy! Join us Monday, April 6 from 5-7 pm at Jameson, 425 West North Avenue!