About
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It Began with a Letter
The relationship between Dave & Sis Wiesbrook and john greene Land Company
began when John Greene sent a letter introducing himself to the Wiesbrooks. The Wiesbrooks and John Greene met,
even though Dave & Sis were not intending to sell their 90 acres at 111th Street & Normantown Road in Wheatland
Township, Illinois. This was 20 years ago.
Prior to contacting the Wiesbrooks, John Greene’s focus was residential real estate; however, during the
mid to late 80s, the real estate market in Will County was in transition. John was selling farmland through john
greene, Realtor until December 1999, when john greene Land Company was incorporated. The Weisbrooks were john greene Land Company’s
first clients.
In addition to owning & farming the 90 acres, Dave & Sis, both life-long farmers, were farm-operators for the Patterson Farm
on Boughton Road in Bolingbrook. They also kept busy raising their eight children on 15 acres they owned on Boughton Road.
Because of health reasons and the changing real estate market, the Wiesbrooks decided to sell their 90 acres. On September 12, 2001,
a contract for the purchase of the 90 acres in Wheatland Township was executed. This was no ordinary contract, and over the years, would see change.
The structure of the contract was unique in that the seller and/or buyer, upon written notice, could select when they wanted to
close on part or all of the acreage. The document included an effective closing date and an actual closing date. After the agreed upon
effective closing date, the value of the land would increase yearly by a specified amount. The actual closing is when the consideration
switches from buyer to seller.
“At times, the transaction became very technical, but at all times, it was very, very secure.” stated John Greene. The style of
this contract is being used more and more by area professionals and is becoming known in the industry as the “Wiesbrook Closing”.
After the contract was executed, a wrinkle developed concerning acreage by the creek on the property. Through skillful negotiation
on both sides of the transaction, the wrinkle was ironed out, benefiting area residents. Of the 90 acres, 16.03 acres, adjacent to the creek,
were donated by the Wiesbrooks to the Will County Forest Preserve. The Will County Forest Preserve plans to restore the area and develop a
1.0-mile trail on the abandoned Normantown Road, naming the area Wiesbrook Preserve Access & Trail Enhancement.
Since the initial contact in February of 1987, The Wiesbrooks and John Greene have become dear friends. “Throughout the transaction,
land values have soared, making this a major economic sale. Yet, there is no change in the humor, personality or lifestyle of Dave & Sis Wiesbrook,
before, during or after. They are the exact same people they always were, which is delightful,” shared John Greene.
The Wiesbrooks, now retired but busier than ever, own 10 farms (over 2,000 acres) and their family has grown to include 22 grandchildren,
ranging in age from 1 month to 17 years. All of their children live in northern Illinois or southern Wisconsin. Three children continue the farming
tradition.
When asked for their thoughts on the transaction, Dave & Sis Wiesbrook stated, “It’s been very nice working with Paul Lehman of The
Macom Corporation and John Greene of john greene Land Company. You help us; we help you. A win, win!” top
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