Featured Real Estate Posts

"You're mocking me, aren't you?"
“You’re mocking me, aren’t you?” Truly, that was one of my favorite scenes in Toy Story. Woody is most definitely mocking Buzz, making fun of his delusions about being a space ranger and not a toy.  I have used that line on my husband from time to time, though I lack the great delivery of Tim Allen…   Mocking can be funny, or it can be hurtful…depending on the circumstances and the people involved.  When my husband mocks me, it is usually in response to something I said or d…
Publ.Date : Sun, 19 Feb 2012 07:04:55 -0800

Just Because You Think It's So, Doesn't Make It So!
Just Because You Think It’s So, Doesn’t Make It So! Yesterday afternoon our copier/printer flashed “NO TONER” in the middle of a big print job.  No problem, open up the bottom storage and pull out a new toner cartridge and…….. Aaaaack!  NO TONER is right, nothing in there!  Now I could have sworn that we had one left, but nope.  No gots, nada….  Fortunately early enough in the day to visit our copier service company and get toner cartridges, so no harm done. Ho…
Publ.Date : Tue, 21 Feb 2012 06:21:39 -0800

Your Camera is Your BFF in Real Estate
Your Camera is Your BFF in Real Estate   Your camera is a pretty important part of your real estate arsenal these days – true of many who are not agents, too.   Indeed, your camera just might be your BFF in real estate. For some it IS their business!   For sake of argument I’m including that camera that’s part of your Smartphone, but for some uses I think the digital camera is far better in terms of quality.   Yet, there are some who seem to have a fear of …
Publ.Date : Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:27:43 -0800

Actions on Housing Policy Will Make or Break Recovery
Although we have many reasons to feel optimistic about housing, lawmakers have the POWER to either continue helping or risk hurting our economy further with their decisions , both in the Senate and in the House. Past –due mortgages and foreclosures have been trending down in recent months. Inventory is also shrinking. This affects the law of supply and demand. The lower the supply and the higher the demand, helps prices trend upwards. Interest rates are lower than ever and home prices are …
Publ.Date : Tue, 21 Feb 2012 04:44:44 -0800

Another Agent Used Me…What Do You Think About That?
Funny how this business works sometimes. Another agent used me and sent me a thank you text! What do you think about that? The other day I was researching some properties to show a couple from Chicago on Thursday. One of the houses had an intriguing exterior and was in the right area but had no interior photos. This particular listing agent is usually pretty good about providing lots of photos so I emailed him for more information. I told him I was interested in showing the house but without h…
Publ.Date : Tue, 21 Feb 2012 05:03:40 -0800

Masonry Foundation Repair – Steel Posts
This photo is the masonry foundation repair of the front wall of a 45 year old house.  It is one of many techniques that can be used for such a repair. The masonry foundation had been suffering from horizontal cracking. Around here a big factor contributing to this problem are expansive clay soils.  Certainly soil/water pressure is the culprit, but clay soils can shrink when very dry and then, when wetted, can expand with greater force than normal. Such force works on these walls, over…
Publ.Date : Tue, 21 Feb 2012 02:26:16 -0800

The Birds, The Bees, The Woodpeckers and The Trees
This is not a life lesson for a young person with raging hormones, though it may sound that way. This is about flora and fauna for the homeowner. Most every homeowner is at least casually aware that any plants, whether trees, shrubs or other vegetation should be kept at a distance from the house. Plants against or over the house create what inspectors call conducive conditions. Trees above the house for example block out sun light and diminish wind which in turn slows the natural drying process….
Publ.Date : Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:49:54 -0800

Dear Listing Agent: Your Listing is in The Wrong Town
Dear Listing Agent: Hi there, I’m one of the 20,000 or so agents in the Chicagoland area. I list and sell homes in St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia and Wayne. I have a new buyer who might like your listing in Mill Creek, Geneva.  So why I am writing to you today? My buyer sent me a list of homes to see this weekend, as well as a description of a yellow house in a particular neighborhood they saw when then were out driving around. It couldn’t find it in the mls so I drove over there t…
Publ.Date : Tue, 21 Feb 2012 07:27:17 -0800

"I WANT TO LIST YOUR HOME–BUT ONLY IF YOU REALLY WANT TO SELL IT!"…A Bold, Fresh new Approach Is Needed Now!
“LET’S MAKE A PLAN!!”….”I Want To List Your House—But Only If You Really Want To Sell It!…A BOLD, Fresh and  new approach is needed now in this market–So let’s make a Fresh Start with your home!” This is what I like to say to the seller who is wavering about listing a property with me. I say: “Let’s make a plan” because this is the way to get focused on the real need to sell or NOT to sell for the homeowner. It also lets the owner know that you have a l…
Publ.Date : Tue, 21 Feb 2012 06:09:32 -0800

MAR PROFILE OF 2011 BUYER
The Mass Association of Realtors released a profile of the typical buyer in 2011.  94% (NINETY FOUR PERCENT) of all buyers and sellers worked with a real estate professional.  What an awesome number – 94%.  This is a 12-13% increase.  Nationally the number is 89%. Interestingly only 3% of sellers indicated they were selling because they couldn’t afford the home. Reasons they bought: 36% desire to own a home; 9% wanted a larger home; 9% a change in family situation; 7% because…
Publ.Date : Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:29:12 -0800