Kale Realty’s policy for commercial transactions and commissions states: Definition of Commercial Transactions : Any property outside of single-family homes, detached homes, or 1–4 unit residential buildings is classified as commercial. This includes multifamily properties (over four units), mixed-use, office, retail, and industrial properties. Additional Fee : There is a $400 administrative fee applied to all commercial transactions. This fee is deducted at commission disbursement. Purpose of the Fee : It offsets higher errors & omissions insurance costs, accounts for increased risk and complexity, and supports compliance oversight for non-residential deals. Agent Responsibility : Agents must disclose this fee to clients where appropriate and confirm it appears on the commission statement. Questions about whether a property qualifies should be directed to the managing broker before proceeding. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to leadership.

At Kale Realty, we’re always looking for ways to empower our brokers and enhance the value they bring to their clients. One of the tools we’re encouraging brokers to consider is what industry veteran Lynn Madison refers to as the “Minus Fee.”  This optional fee structure allows you to generate additional income while contributing a small portion back to Kale Realty to support continued brokerage services. What is the “Minus Fee”? The “Minus Fee” is a broker-charged service fee  that you include at closing— in addition to your standard commission.  It is designed to reflect the high level of service and support you provide to clients. The fee is scaled based on the property's sale price, and you retain a portion of it directly.  The remainder is allocated to Kale Realty to help fund support systems, technology, and operational resources. This initiative gives brokers an opportunity to increase their earnings per transaction  while also supporting the brokerage’s long-term growth. Suggested "Minus Fee" Breakdown by Property Price: Property Price Total Fee Charged Amount Broker Keeps Remainder to Kale $0 – $99,999 No fee charged N/A N/A $100,000 – $200,000 $295 $100 $195 $201,000 – $400,000 $395 $175 $220 $401,000 – $750,000 $495 $250 $245 $751,000 and Above $595 $300 $295 Why Use a Minus Fee? Adds Value:  You’re offering full-service, professional real estate expertise—this fee reflects that. Boosts Your Income:  You keep a significant portion of the fee. Strengthens Kale Realty:  A portion of the fee supports the brokerage’s infrastructure, systems, and services. Client Transparency:  The fee is disclosed and agreed upon upfront—building trust and professionalism. Important Notes The Minus Fee is not mandatory, but it is highly encouraged.  We believe in your ability to communicate your value to clients and use this tool effectively. It reflects the time, effort, and care you bring to every deal. It must be disclosed.  The fee should be included in your listing or buyer representation agreements and acknowledged prior to closing. Be consistent.  Consider using this fee as a regular part of your transaction structure. #backend #back-end #back #end

We’re thrilled to share some great news with you! To provide increased value, improved efficiency, and additional support in light of the evolving real estate landscape, we’ve made significant updates to our fee structure which will take effect as of 1/1/2025. As part of our Fee Structure revision, effective January 1, 2025 , the $100 commission disclosure  is being replaced by the Transaction Administrative Fee Agreement . This updated document is now required for all applicable transactions. At Kale Realty, you have the flexibility to run your business your way  while enjoying low fees, 100% commissions, and outstanding support. We are committed to helping you navigate these changes and remain compliant while continuing to grow your business. If you have any questions about these updates, please don’t hesitate to reach out to leadership. We’re here to ensure your success every step of the way.

Empowering New Agents, Engaging Seasoned Leaders, and Creating a Stronger Brokerage Together Real estate is one of the few professions where your first client might be a million-dollar transaction—and that can be intimidating. At Kale Realty, we believe that no agent should face that challenge alone. That’s where our Transaction Coach Program  comes in—an innovative support system designed to ensure that new or re-engaging agents receive the mentorship they need, while providing leadership opportunities for our seasoned agents and operational clarity for our broker team. 💡 Just-in-Time Mentoring for New & Returning Agents For agents who are new to the industry or returning after a break (especially those who haven’t closed a transaction in the past 12 months), real-world support is critical. The Transaction Coach Program pairs these agents with an experienced Kale agent who acts as their mentor throughout the life of a transaction. This means when an agent gets their first listing appointment or writes their first offer, they aren’t doing it in the dark. They have a go-to person to: Walk them through client consultations Review documents before submission Strategize negotiation tactics Navigate inspection issues, closing delays, and every challenge in between Rather than relying on outdated scripts or overwhelming Google searches, our agents receive real-time , real-life  guidance that builds both competence and confidence. 🌱 A Way for Seasoned Agents to Give Back (and Grow) Our coaches are hand-selected experienced agents who have been through the ups and downs of dozens—if not hundreds—of deals. These leaders are compensated for their time, but most importantly, they are empowered to give back  to the next generation of agents. For many seasoned agents, Transaction Coaching is more than just mentoring—it’s a leadership development opportunity. They sharpen their own skills by teaching others, expand their impact within the brokerage, and build a legacy of excellence. ⚖️ Reducing the Workload on Leadership—Without Sacrificing Support When every brand-new or inactive agent turns to the managing broker or staff with every deal-related question, the workflow bottlenecks—and critical oversight can get lost in the shuffle. The Transaction Coach Program helps streamline broker support  by decentralizing day-to-day deal mentoring, without reducing the quality of the guidance agents receive. This allows our leadership team to focus on higher-level compliance, agent development strategy, and brokerage growth—while knowing that new agents are still fully supported. 🧩 It’s a Win-Win-Win New agents  get the help they need—at the moment they need it most. Experienced agents  gain purpose, recognition, and the opportunity to lead. Leadership  reduces repetitive one-off trainings, improving efficiency and focus. Together, this creates a healthier, smarter, and more collaborative culture —one that reflects Kale Realty’s commitment to excellence and agent-first support. Interested in working with a Transaction Coach—or becoming one? Visit   KaleHuddle.com  or reach out to Risa Weiss-Kallis, VP of Agent Development, to learn more. 📌 At Kale, every agent matters—and no agent is alone.

Upcoming workshops/agent development opportunities. Keeping Up with Kale this week... Real Geeks Lead Programs Last week workshop playlist: Coffee Talk with DJ and Risa - Shout-outs on Social Media Why can’t my clients find insurance? From Disaster to Done: How Redefined Restoration Protects Your Properties and Peace of Mind The 5-25 Challenge – Overcome Call Reluctance The 5-25 Challenge – What to say (and what not to say) Upcoming Events: Tuesday, July 22nd @1PM CST TLR - Social Influence for real estate agents TLRZoom.com Section 3 Mastermind: Show up on video (without overthinking it) From social posts to social proof- build trust, get seen and grow your business online. Thursday, July 24th @2PM CST The 5-25 Challenge- The difference between prospect calls and lead source relationship calls Zoom Meeting Are you ready to level up your lead generation game? Generally we forget that all of these “top agents” we compare ourselves to, once started out brand new just like us. They had their own fears, struggles and setbacks. Yet, we have the unique ability to learn from them and observe the key behavioral traits that are available to all of us, if we’re just committed to implementing them. Today are you willing to do what others won’t, so tomorrow you can do what others can’t? Saturday, July 26th @10AM CST Cash Flow Click   here Cash Flow for Real Estate Investors Preferred Attorneys and more!!!  Join our Facebook Group to collaborate and stay informed about industry news.

In Illinois, real estate agents must adhere to specific legal requirements when representing themselves in a real estate transaction, whether they are buying or selling property. The Illinois Real Estate License Act of 2000 (as amended) establishes clear guidelines to prevent conflicts of interest, maintain transparency, and protect the public. Here’s an overview of the critical requirements and duties that a real estate agent must follow when they are acting as their own agent in a transaction. Kale Realty agents who are selling their own properties  must adhere to the following policies to ensure compliance, transparency, and proper brokerage oversight: 1. Brokerage Visibility & Compliance Agents must  provide Kale Realty with visibility to their listing. All listing paperwork and transaction documents  must be submitted through DotLoop  for brokerage records and compliance. Listing agreements and buyer agreements must be approved BEFORE going on the market or viewing properties 2. Adherence to Off-Market Listing Policy If the property is not entered into the MLS , it CANNOT  be advertised anywhere (social media, flyers, personal websites, etc.). If the property is listed in the Private Listing Network (PLN)  in connectMLS , it may not be advertised anywhere except private closed facebook groups  Listings must be entered into connectMLS  within: 48 hours of the listing date , OR 24 hours of public advertising , whichever comes first. 3. No Blind Advertising It must be clear to the public that the agent is a licensed real estate professional sponsored by Kale Realty. Any advertising (social media, print, flyers, signs, websites, etc.) must include the agent’s license status and Kale Realty affiliation. No misleading or ambiguous marketing is permitted. 4. Non-Compliance & Penalties Failure to follow these guidelines will result in compliance action, which may include fines or additional brokerage oversight. 5.  Fees  Standard fees to Kale Applies.  Remember doing your own deals carries the highest risk of lawsuits.  Need to make sure you run them though the office to confirm compliance.  All transaction fees go towards your CAP of $6,000.  6.  E & O  Does not cover personal transactions 7.  No Dual Agency YOU CANNOT PRACTICE DUAL AGENCY ON YOUR OWN TRANSACTION Use the NO AGENCY DISCLOSURE WITH ANYONE WHO IS UNREPRESENTED 8.  Disclosure of Licensee Status When scheduling showings- indicate in showing notes you are a licensed real estate agent On the MLS on your listing indicate agent owned When signing any agreement/contract, after your signature put (Illinois licensed real estate agent) Secure the signature of the other party with the Disclosure of Personal Interest 9.  Written Agreements and Form Even when representing themselves, agents must follow all the standard procedures for documentation, which includes: A BUYER AGENCY AGREEMENT MUST BE COMPLETED WHEN REPRESENTING YOURSELF!  You also need listing modification forms for price changes, etc. when representing yourself. Agent Signature and Date:

Dotloop  is a transaction management platform designed specifically for real estate professionals. It allows agents, brokers, and clients to collaborate on real estate deals in one place by combining forms, e-signatures, compliance, and storage into a single streamlined experience. What is Dotloop? Dotloop simplifies and centralizes your real estate transactions. Instead of juggling PDFs, emails, and multiple tools, everything happens within a single "loop" (a workspace for your transaction). Learn more here: What is Dotloop? Getting Started If you’re new to Dotloop or recently joined our brokerage, here are key resources to set up your account and get started: Set Up Your Account: Step-by-step setup guide Activate Your Account From Email Invite: How to join Dotloop via email invitation How Clients Sign Documents: Guide for Clients: How to Sign Documents Your First Loop (Create a Transaction): How to Create and Manage Your First Loop Best Practices for Brokers and Agents Loop Naming: For buyer-side transactions , name the loop using the buyer’s name  (e.g., "John Smith") until you have a property address. For listing-side transactions , name the loop using the property address  (e.g., "123 Main St"). Folder Organization:  Keep your documents grouped into folders (e.g., Listing Docs, Contract Docs, Compliance) to maintain a clean workflow. Compliance Notes:  Use the “Notes” section within each document or loop to communicate with the compliance team or administrators. Review for Missing Signatures:  Always verify that all required parties have signed before submitting documents for review. Submit for Review:  Submit documents for compliance review as early as possible in the transaction process. Do not wait until closing day. For more best practices, review: Best Practices for Real Estate Professionals Training Videos For a full walkthrough, watch this Dotloop training video: Dotloop Agent Training Video Additional Support Dotloop’s help center offers searchable articles and step-by-step tutorials: Dotloop Help Center If you have any questions or need assistance with setup, compliance, or transaction management, please contact our support team.

Real Geeks offers powerful lead-gen programs built to fit the unique goals of agents and teams. Each one is designed to drive results, with flexible pricing and standout perks to help you generate and convert more leads. Below is a quick breakdown of each program, what it offers, and exclusive Kale Broker discounts : Please click here for more details. 1. GROW Package Pricing: $649/month* Exclusive Kale Realty rate - Regularly $699/month Kale Brokers Receive $50 off Benefits: 3 Users Inluded Core Platform: SEO-Optimized IDX Website Real Geeks CRM with Mobile App Branded Property Search App Automated Property & Market Alerts Email, SMS, & Video Drip System Facebook Ad Tool US-Based Training, Coaching & Support Google PPC Property Search Ads 2. EXPAND Package Pricing: $1099/month* Exclusive Kale Realty rate - Regularly $1199/month Kale Brokers Receive $100 off Benefits: 5 Users Included Core Platform Google PPC Property Seach Ads Facebook Social Ads Instagram Social Ads Geek AI Automated Assistant Dedicated Success Manager 3. CONQUER Package Pricing: $1699/month* Exclusive Kale Realty rate - Regularly $1799/month Kale Brokers Receive $100 off Benefits: 15 Users Included Core Platform Google PPC Propert Search Ads Facebook & Instagram Social Ads Geek AI Automated Assistant Dedicated Success Manager Brand Boost * Plus a one-time sign-up fee. The listed monthly pricing applies to Real Geeks packages with 12-month terms. For more flexibility, we also offer 6-month term options with a slightly higher monthly rate.

JR Ramos is the backbone of Kale Realty. He does a lot of Admin tasks like credit card updates, 1099s, audits, website/crm creations, heat disclosure request and more.. jr@kalerealty.com 312-224-0635 Get to know J.R. Favorite Book-  I've read a lot of books but I don't have a favorite one. hahaha :) Favorite Band-   BTS, Westlife, Maroon 5, Imagine Dragons, Eraserheads, Parokya ni Edgar Favorite Vacation Spot-  Boracay and Batanes (in the Philippines), Cinque Terre in Italy, Seoul in South Korea, Mt Fuji, Tokyo Japan Last time you fell down in public-  Back in 2018, I fainted during my Dragon Boat Training and it brought me to the hospital. Do you have any pets? If so, what are their names?-   Yes, his name is Sticks, a Jack Russell Terrier. The longest you have ever gone without eating-  24 hours. But I drink water from time to time. How many world records have you attempted to break, and which ones -    Holding my breath underwater. The longest World Record is 24 minutes 37.36 seconds, but I can only hold it for 90 seconds.

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Upcoming workshops/agent development opportunities. Keeping Up with Kale this week... Understanding the "Minus Fee" Program – A New Opportunity Upcoming Events: Tuesday, July 15th @1PM CST TLR - Social Influence for real estate agents TLRZoom.com Section 2 Mastermind: Create content that connects From social posts to social proof- build trust, get seen and grow your business online. Thursday, July 17th @12PM CST MRED Training 1:1 Sessions Register here   One-hour personalized training with an MRED Expert to answer specific questions you have about connectMLS™ or another MRED Product. Thursday, July 17th @1PM CST MRED training in person Register here   Lead Generation w/ MLS Tools - In-Person Your business needs clients. MRED provides tools to capture leads and our trainers can show you how to use them! Take advantage of MLS-included resources to discover leads through custom landing pages, social media and mailers. Lead generation tools covered in this course include Remine, Realist, NewHomeSourceProfessional, Cloud CMA and RPR as well as the connectMLS™ lead capture form and client pages. MRED also offers in-depth classes on each of these products beyond their lead generation capabilities. It is recommended that you take or have familiarity with Remine, Realist, New Home Source Professional, Cloud CMA and RPR courses before taking this class. Course Prerequisites It is recommended that you take or have familiarity with Remine, Homesnap, New Home Source Professional, Cloud CMA and RPR courses before taking this class. Thursday, July 17th @6:30PM-9PM CST 2025 YPN Summer Mixer Register here Get ready to experience the ultimate summer networking event for Chicago REALTORS®. Build lasting professional relationships with your peers and soak up the Chicago summertime vibes on a picturesque city rooftop. We’re keeping things casual and fun, with plenty of opportunities to mingle and make meaningful connections. Plus, participate in a special networking game to win a prize! Sip on refreshing drinks, dine on delicious hors d’oeuvres and enjoy our stunning city skyline. It’s the perfect recipe for an unforgettable evening of networking and summer fun. Bring a friend or colleague who’s new to the business! Recommended attire: serve your best photo-worthy, summertime style. Thursday, July 17th @6:30PM-9PM CST Coffee & Conversation: Behind the build - Style, Structure & Client Trends Register here Grab your coffee and join us for a conversation that bridges architecture and real estate. Whether you're working with buyers, sellers or investors having a basic understanding of design can help you serve your clients better. In this session, we'll talk with a professional architect about the process from concept to completion - what goes into starting a project, common design requests and the differences between residential and commercial buildings. We'll also explore trending styles, practical design tips and how real estate professionals can use this knowledge to better advise their clients, especially those considering renovations or new construction. Preferred Attorneys and more!!!  Join our Facebook Group to collaborate and stay informed about industry news.

Mainstreet is committed to making things easy. As part of our commitment to helping you navigate the continued changes in our industry, these updated forms below are designed to keep you in compliance as well as ensure that changes made to the Multi-Board Residential Real Estate Contract 8.0 are reflected in the forms you use most.  The listing agreements below reflect changes to mirror similar additions to the 8.0 Contract. They also reflect changes to the compensation paragraphs to meet the ongoing needs of the marketplace.   Updated Contracts as of March 12, 2025 Residential Exclusive Right to Sell Marketing Agreement Residential Exclusive Agency Marketing Agreement Open House Disclosure Cook County Lease Agreement Residential Lease Agreement Vacant Land Contract   Updated Contracts as of January 1, 2025 Residential Exclusive Agency Lease Marketing Agreement Exclusive Tenant Representation Agreement Non-Exclusive Tenant Representation Agreement Commercial Exclusive Right to Sell / Lease Marketing Agreement Residential Lease Leasing Worksheet FHA Amendment to Sales Contract VA Amendment to Sales Contract To access these forms go to Mainstreet