Press Release - July 27th, 2007: Ryan Van Der Karr of Tiered Real Estate has successfully completed the REALTOR e-PRO course to become one of a select few real estate professionals to earn the prestigious certification offered through the National Association of REALTORS.®

The REALTOR e-PRO certification course is an educational program unlike any other professional certification or designation course available, comprehensive and interactive. It is specifically designed to provide real estate professionals with the technology tools needed to assist consumers in the purchase or sale of a home.

With more than 80% of consumers beginning their real estate research on the Internet, e-PRO certified agents have the experience and expertise to meet the demands of today’s buyer and seller.

“The real estate industry has undergone a fundamental change over the past several years,” said Ryan Van Der Karr of Tiered Real Estate. “A majority of consumers are taking the time to conduct their own research prior to contacting an agent. In turn, real estate professionals must be knowledgeable of how technology can assist them in serving the needs of the buying and selling public.”

The exclusive REALTOR e-PRO certification course is presented entirely online and certifies real estate agents and brokers as Internet professionals. Because of its innovative design, students are able to complete the course at their own pace, when and where they want, via any Internet connection. The course is designed to help REALTORS stay at the leading edge of technology and identify, evaluate and implement new Internet business models.

Once completed, the e-PRO certified real estate professional joins the ranks of a special community of highly skilled and continuously trained professionals who provide high quality and innovative online-based real estate services.  The elite group of course graduates represents only one percent of all REALTORS in the country.  Consumers can identify the e-PRO through the exclusive e-PRO Internet Professional logo.

Both the content and the delivery platform were created by San Diego-based technology company InternetCrusade®. The course instructs participants in the professional use of e-mail, the development of an interactive Web site, and the use of online research tools. Graduates use the skills they've acquired to provide clients information on properties for sale, local communities, and the local real estate market.

For more information, e-mail Ryan Van Der Karr at Ryan@TieredRealEstate.com or call 815-922-1205.

Press Release - January 3rd, 2007: Tiered Real Estate is proud to announce that Carol Betts has been named Tiered Real Estate's Realtor of the Year for 2006.  Ryan Van Der Karr, Tiered Real Estate's Broker said, "Carol helped her clients sell almost five million dollars worth of properties in 2006 and in the process they saved over $100,000.  We are pleased to honor her for all of hard work and dedication to helping her clients.  The savings that she helped her clients to obtain helped establish Tiered Real Estate as the premier full service discount broker.  Carol truly embodies the spirit and dedication for which we give this award."

Carol received her real estate agent's license in 2003 and her broker's license in 2005.  She joined Tiered Real Estate at the start of 2006 and has been helping clients in LaSalle, Livingston, Grundy, Kendall & Will counties ever since.  Tiered Real Estate is located at 304 West Mondamin, Suite 116, in Minooka, Illinois.

Press Release - September 8th, 2006: The Real Estate Hall of Fame, announces the induction of Ryan Van Der Karr , into the Real Estate Hall of Fame. Mr. Van Der Karr is the Broker-owner of Tiered Real Estate, and a founder of the firm, located at 304 Mondamin, Suite 116, Minooka, Illinois.

The Real Estate Hall of Fame was created for the purpose of providing recognition to the many real estate professionals that demonstrate outstanding performance in their field, but also make a contribution to their community.

The Real Estate Hall of Fame is the highest honor attainable in the Real Estate profession.

Real Estate Hall of Fame
201 Tanner Rd. Taylors, S. C. 29687
954-801-1053

News Article August 20th, 2006 - SuburbanChicagoNews.com — © 2006 Digital Chicago & Sun-Times News Group:

Providing three levels of service Ryan Van Der Karr, broker/owner of Tiered Real Estate, 304 W. Mondamin, Suite 116, Minooka, had an idea of what the ideal real estate company should be, but he had to found his own company to create it.

Tiered Real Estate, celebrating its first anniversary soon, is a company dedicated to both buyers and sellers of real estate and the agents who help them with these transactions.

"Our goal is to generate volume in real estate sales, and we've been very successful so far," Van Der Karr says. "We can sell property for as little as a 1.9 percent commission, saving sellers literally thousands of dollars. We're a full-service real estate company, but we don't charge full price for our services."

Tiered Real Estate, as its name suggests, offers levels of real estate services. At the first level, called the Discount Level, sellers can sell their home for as little as 1.9 percent.
The plan provides the basic essentials, including a sign, Multiple Listing Service and listing on Realtor.com as well as the Tiered Real Estate Web site. "We also handle all the phone calls, inquiries on the property, showings, and negotiations," Van Der Karr said. "People are still hiring us to act as their agent, so we deal with the people for them."

Tiered Real Estate provides qualified buyers when they show the property. This assures the home owner the buyer has been screened and is a true potential buyer, not someone just idly looking, or worse yet, someone who might be casing the home with dishonest intentions, or someone who is seeking to offer an unrealistic low bid on the property.

At the second level, called the Basic Marketing Package, all the services offered in the first level are still offered, but additional services such as addition in the Harmon Homes magazine and addition on eight more Web site are added for only an additional 1 percent cost.

Finally, the third level of services, the Full Marketing Package, includes all services on level one and two, as well as conducting open houses, newspaper advertising, direct public advertising and a Home Warranty, paid by Tiered Real Estate. This level costs only an additional one percent.

"Studies have found that 80 percent of people begin their search for a home on the Internet, so we include lots of Web listings to find buyers where they are looking," says Van Der Karr.

Buyers also benefit from using Tiered Real Estate when purchasing a home or other property. "We actually give them back a part of the commission," Van Der Karr says. "We cut them a check and present it to them at closing. Most buyers really appreciate a little extra cash, and use it for something fun, or for closing or moving costs. It's a nice little treat for them. Not only do we work for them for free, but we actually pay them at closing. Not many companies can say that!"

The Tiered idea is an original concept. The company is not a franchise. However, the company is actively seeking to expand. "We are aggressively pursuing branching out—not only with additional offices, but in recruiting new agents as well," Van Der Karr notes.

"This concept in real estate is the wave of the future. We are seeking new and experienced licensed agents. We give a larger cut of the commission to our agents than other companies, and, unlike other companies, we charge no monthly fees. We're a great opportunity for new or professional agents."

Tiered Real Estate can help those without a real estate license to become licensed. Classes are offered in many locations, including Joliet Junior College, online and elsewhere. Once licensed, Van Der Karr says he and the other eight experienced agents working at Tiered Real Estate can provide real world experience to assure the new agent's success in the field.

"We're happy to work with people," he says. "The Northern Illinois Multiple Listing Service is the largest in the country. We cover all of the northern part of the state where our agents have lived, so we know the area. We want everyone to be happy—buyers, sellers and agents. We're the ideal company, no matter who you are, we have something for everyone."

For more information, contact Ryan Van Der Karr at (815) 521-9102.