March 28 marks B&W's 156th year in business! The oldest independent real estate brokerage in the nation started in Chicago over a century and a half ago on March 28, 1855 when Lucius Duncan Olmsted loaned $5,000 to Edward Casey & Brothers, taking security mortgages on property along Washington Street between Franklin and Market.
B&W is recognized as a true pioneer on the American business landscape -- and most especially on the real estate scene -- with a proud heritage of local leadership and stability that is unprecedented in Chicagoland and across the nation. Yet, it's the way in which we continue to reinvent, reinvigorate and redefine ourselves that continues to keep our brand fresh in each successive generation.
"While other companies have come to a standstill or faded away entirely in the current economy, we've gotten stronger," noted Steve Baird in marking the occasion. "Because we know that staying ahead of the curve is the secret to sticking around. It really is no surprise that the real estate company with the most firsts is the one that lasts."
First that include a sales team that routinely outperforms the market ... and continues to set the highest bar for industry integrity and performance each and every day.
Firsts like doing what's right., taking a stand and making a difference for people in real estate -- like our our longtime commitment to Fair Housing, or the way we help the communities that we serve with our Baird & Warner Good Will Network.
First like our Website Quality Certified online portal -- www.bairdwarner.com -- with full screen photos on all of our listings, and more ways to easily search for homes than any other website. No wonder our online presence is continuously ranked #1 versus all our local competitors.
First like our cutting-edge B&W Texting Solution and B&W Mobile App -- new tools that are leading the way in the mobile marketing arena with impressive early results.
"Congratulations to the entire Baird & Warner team on reaching this incredible milestone," continued Steve. "We could not have gotten here without all of your hard work. And, know that as proud as I am of where we've been ... I am even more excited about where we are headed!"
Among the tactics: Challenging the bank's actions, waiting to file paperwork right up until the deadline, requesting the lender dig up original paperwork or, in some extreme cases, declaring bankruptcy. 
Banks have become very conservative when lending mortgage money today. With the current foreclosure challenges in the country, we can’t really blame them. The requirements now necessary to qualify for mortgages have gotten much more stringent and it seems will get even 
