No, I am not a salesman! Oh, wait... maybe I am. - 11/30/09 02:43 PM
I don't try to "sell" any of my buyers on a given property.  I don't suggest that they "need" any particular feature found only in this home.  I don't suggest that they really, really, want to be in this-particular school district, nor do I stress, just how desirable this particular street is.
Most of my buyers come to me, telling me that they want to buy.  I help them view the inventory on the market at the time.  I let them experience the houses and condos. I let them come to the decision that they want to buy the property.  And … (23 comments)

I wouldn't pay a dime over $850,000 for this house! - 11/30/09 10:25 AM
"I wouldn't pay a dime over $850,000 for this house!"
This was the statement made by the agent who was sitting the Sunday Open House, yesterday.  It was not the listing agent, and the house is listed for just under a million dollars.  Conveniently, the "sitting" agent made this statement, to a potential buyer... while others were in the house, and overheard it.
One of those who overheard the remark, was the brother of the seller.  The brother of the seller, of course, immediately told the seller of this statement, which in the opinion of the seller, goes directly against the … (207 comments)

You gotta love pie! - 11/29/09 09:32 AM
For the last several years, our PHH Mortgage representative has offered our office, free Thanksgiving pies.  Not as a thank you for any real or perceived business.... (no RESPA violation there), simply as a kind Holiday Gesture.
He provides pies for our office, and the Glenview CB office, which represents almost 200 agents.  Of course not every agent signs up for a pie... but hey!  That's still a lotta, lotta pie-age!
He gets his pies (Apple, or Pumpkin) from our local Costco, and they're very large, and very good.  And I know that he's not the only business in the area … (14 comments)

I may be in a tryptophan coma. - 11/28/09 05:06 PM
After having Thanksgiving at my married daughter's home (and my son-in laws!), I have found myself wanting to do nothing other than sit in my chair, in front of the t.v.
Now, my wife will tell you, this is nothing new.  But usually, I spend a great part of my day at the office, or doing real estate related things.
My daughter's first thanksgiving was a raving success.  A beautiful 22lb brined-turkey... cooked to that Norman Rockwell perfection... tasty and moist... two kinds of deletables, that Sarah made herself... Candy coated almonds, and spicy coated cashews.  Biscuits, cookies, cranberry upside down … (14 comments)

Happy thanksgiving! - 11/26/09 09:57 AM
To all of my friends and family
Happy Thanksgiving
2009
 

 
May you
have a wonderful
and fruitful
holiday season
 
 
… (11 comments)

what you've said on the internet about Commission is there forever, forever, forever - 11/25/09 09:13 AM
Many times, over the last few years, in my experiences on Trulia and Zillow, someone will ask the question of we Realtors "What's the standard commission in your area?"
Most of the time, good agents jump in and state: "There is no 'standard', real estate commissions are negotiable"... and go on to expound on the value of finding a good Realtor, and not allowing the commission to be your largest criteria in selecting a Realtor. We can go into more of that, but that's a different post than this one.
Almost without fail, at some point or another on that thread, … (212 comments)

the latest entertainment during "our system is down" maintenance. - 11/24/09 12:49 PM
I went to visit a website today, and they were down for maintenance.  But they were thoughtful, and instead of having us look for our keys, or view a fail whale, they provided the following video on their site, to keep me entertained.
 
It was much appreciated, so I'm passing it along to you, 'cause I think you'll find it enjoyable (if not truly silly) as well.  C'mon, join in!
… (13 comments)

Please join me in remembering an icon. - 11/24/09 10:40 AM
Please me join me in remembering a great icon of the entertainment community.
The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast infection and trauma complications from repeated pokes in the belly. He was 51.
Dough boy was buried in a lightly greased coffin.
Dozens of celebrities turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, the California Raisins, Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies, and Captain Crunch.
The grave site was piled high with flour.
Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy and lovingly described Dough boy as a man who never knew how much he was kneaded.
Dough boy rose quickly … (24 comments)

Chicago-area home sales soar in October. - 11/23/09 04:25 PM
Nov. 23, 2009(Crain's) — Chicago-area home sales jumped by a third in October compared to a year ago, according to the Illinois Assn. of Realtors, with the group citing lower home prices, low mortgage rates and the federal tax credit for first-time buyers as reasons for the spike.CHICAGO-AREA SALESBelow is a monthly year-over-year comparison of home sales (single-family and condo) in the nine-county Chicago area.Last month’s surge compared to October 2008 was the fourth straight monthly year-over-year improvement for the metro area and by far the biggest.Sales in the city of Chicago also rose 28.5% last month, the second straight year-over-year … (5 comments)

the Realtor Two-Step. - 11/23/09 08:43 AM
I was over on Trulia for a spell yesterday, defending the integrity of my chosen career, and a regular commenter, who agrees with me, about as much as he disagrees with me, but whose opinions are often well-founded and I respect, made a statement.  He said:
I believe there are excellent people/Agents/ other Pros in the Industry it's just some Agents work so hard to prove me wrong. LOL
Now, it was said kinda tongue-in-cheek, but the sentiment was true, and I believe far more widespread than just his own opinion.  I rarely see any disrespect for the Realtor crowd out … (26 comments)

are you a part of a national conspiracy? - 11/22/09 03:26 PM
In a recent thread found on Trulia, a local inspector responded to my assertion, that if you're looking for an inspector, your Realtor can be a good resource for finding good inspectors.  He replied with:
"Asking your Realtor is NOT a great way to find an inspector. Your Realtor gets paid only if the home sale goes through. Many good inspectors are called, 'Deal Killers' by R.E. agents and will not appear on a list of inspectors that are referred to home buying clients."
I suggested that most Realtors are highly ethical and interested in the best interests of their clients, … (223 comments)

a pumpkin in the sun - 11/21/09 11:26 AM
I was scheduled to take a buyer out condo-hunting today, but they've changed their minds, and decided to put-off their house hunting for a year or so, to allow them to save up some money toward a better down payment.
I've been out showing property a lot lately, and find that I'm not so disappointed.  Today is a beautiful day, here in the Chicago area.  Crisp and cool, blue skies... I'm gonna grab a cigar, take my dog gus-gus, and go plant myself on the hammock in my back yard.  Maybe I'll take a book with me.  I rarely find myself … (11 comments)

the Multiple Listing Systems begin to respond to SEO - 11/19/09 01:25 PM
Our local MLS sent out an inquiry to agents who might be interested in joining a task force, as to how our MLS might better communicate and interconnect with our members through social networking and SEO.
They requested that you tell them your qualifications, as you see it, to discuss SEO and social networking... and I applied.  Apparently they thought that my twittering, facebooking, linking in, and active raining qualified me, as they asked me to join a task force of about 11 Realtors, and 2 MLS staff members.
I'm excited to see where this goes.
While a couple of the … (7 comments)

Free speech and feather pillows. - 11/18/09 12:42 PM
There's an old Yiddish story, that takes place in a small village in Poland around the turn of the last century.
One of the members of this small village has been gossiping.  Displeased with this young woman, the village elders send her to the Rabbi for counsel.
The Rabbi invites her into his home, and explains that gossip can be harmful.  The young lady does not agree, and feels that gossip is harmless, and is a good way to pass the day.
The Rabbi sits and thinks, and finally says to the young lady, go to your home, and bring me … (20 comments)

it's our job to be a facilitator... not a roadblock, nor a bully. - 11/17/09 12:07 PM
I read a post this morning, where Greg Nino was talking about agents who treat a transaction like a lawsuit.
We all know agents like that, who try to leave their "mark" on each and every transaction.  They treat every agent like an adversary, and guard their client like a rabid Chihuahua defends his chicken bone.
Ladies and gentlemen of the rain... it's not necessary to be adversarial to protect the interests of your client.  You can do so pleasantly and professionally.  I have a client, who today, requested some information about the poor-looking tuckpointing on the side of a mult-unit … (58 comments)

SCHMELP! - 11/16/09 08:58 AM
How many of you have heard of an online service that rhymes with  "SCHMELP!". (hopefully you can figure out which site I'm talking about... but I don't want to name them here, 'cause I don't want to be the subject of a lawsuit)
It's a website that allows the public to review local business (restaurants, and such)... and gives personalized experiences by members of the public.  It's one of the ways that I know many people are using today to find new restaurants to go to.
One of my colleagues has a son who recently opened a rib joynt, in Chicago... … (33 comments)

Know your value, and tailor your business for your client's needs. - 11/14/09 01:52 PM
In several of the posts I've written and read in the last few days, the one constant that's come up is "service".
Service is King.  If you're not providing service, you're failing. And I'm not just talking about chauffeuring the clients to and from homes, and unlocking the doors.
But you want to make sure that you're providing a valuable service... unlike our DVD rewinder to the left.
What does the general public want from we Realtors today?  What do they need us for?  What part of our services are they willing to pay for?
FINDING THE RIGHT HOMEWith the advent … (66 comments)

Paraskevidekatriaphobia - or - Friday the thirteenth done come on a Friday this month. - 11/13/09 01:40 PM
The fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskevidekatriaphobia, a word derived from the combination of the Greek words Paraskeví (meaning Friday), and dekatreís (meaning thirteen), attached to phobía (meaning fear).
The term triskaidekaphobia (with which many of us are familiar) is only regarding the fear of the number 13... But paraskevidekatriaphobia is the actual fear of "Friday the 13th", and no, I don't mean the movies. 
In case you hadn't noticed... TODAY is Friday the 13th.  I hope you have a good one.
This year (2009) we had three months, where Friday the 13th done fell on a Friday... and … (17 comments)

You shake my nerves and you rattle my brain. - 11/12/09 04:12 PM
no Active Rain drives a man insane.you broke my willoh what a thrillGoodness Gracious, Great Balls of Fire!
My hands are still shaking, and sweat is forming on my brow.  My eyes are bloodshot, and my nerves are rattled.  Why, if I didn't know any better, I'd think that I was preparing to write a country-western song.  All that's missing is for my wife and dog to leave me (in that order).
But no, that's not it.  I've just survived a self-imposed moratorium of Active Rain, cause I thought I was spending far too much time here, "working".  Now, I'm sure … (32 comments)

The New and Improved Home Buyer Tax Credit - 11/06/09 10:40 AM
this is as good an article with as decent an explanation as I've yet seen, regarding the new potential Home Buyer Tax Credit.
Via Claudette Millette - Metrowest Mass Exclusive Buyer Broker (The Buyers' Counsel):
The much-anticipated extension to the home buyer tax credit has finally been approved.  The Senate's vote yesterday resulted in a 98-0 win and today it was passed in the house.  The bill now moves to the President's desk for a final signature. 
First-time home buyers have been eligible for tax credits of up to $8,000 since last January as part of this year's economic stimulus package.  The newly … (8 comments)

how to carefully navigate your office - 11/06/09 10:31 AM
I work in one of the largest (and most successful) offices in Evanston.  We have over 100 agents who hang their shingle here and practice real estate in Evanston and the surrounds.  And we don't really have private offices, all the desks are out in one ginourmous room, divided by half walls and file cabinets.
I like the bullpen-style office, where we can interact with other agents easily... and we have several private conference rooms, for meetings that need to take place in privacy, as well as two small offices, that can be used for privacy when necessary.
I like this … (14 comments)

Bill Cosby is Awarded the Mark Twain Award - 11/05/09 10:40 AM
I happened across the Mark Twain Awards last night on the television.  And there were honouring one of my all time favourite comedians Bill Cosby, so I had to stay and watch.
Many celebrities and comedians dropped by to say a word or two on his behalf, and talked a bit about Mr. Cosby's barrier-shattering part as the half of a espionage team in I-Spy (with Robert Culp)... which was originally designed to be two white spies, but Rob (then 13) and Carl Reiner decided that Bill Cosby has the chops to play that role, after seeing his "Noah" routine on … (13 comments)

Okay, I saw my first episode of "Million Dollar Listing" - 11/02/09 07:56 PM
Okay, yesterday I saw my first episode of "Million Dollar Listing".
Chad, Madison & Josh attempted to relate to real estate clients... they were boorish, cloddish and immature, and I am humbly embarrassed to be a member of the same industry.  These prepubescent pretty-boys were driving expensive cars, mishandling mult-million dollar clients and their listings, and giving surprisingly bad real estate advice.
If the public believes half of what they see on MDL, they're totally destroying the already battered reputations that Realtors enjoy. This is a PR disaster.
My daughter walked into the room while I was watching it... and besides … (51 comments)

more random firings, from a seriously addled brain. - 11/02/09 11:17 AM
I used to eat lots of natural foods, until I learned that most people die of natural causes.~~~~~~~~~~~~~The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.~~~~~~~~~~~~~When looking for something, it's always in the last place you look.  Duh!  Once you've found it, you stop looking!~~~~~~~~~~~~~There are two kinds of pedestrians: the quick and the dead. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~Life is sexually transmitted. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~"Health" is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying … (12 comments)

One shot, or two... - 11/02/09 08:55 AM
This morning, on the news, they were discussing the H1N1 virus.  There was some heated discussion as to whether children under the age of 12, and adults should get 1 shot, or 2 shots.
The general consensus seemed to come down to the availability of the shots.  If they were available, they should take two shots... and if in short supply, only one shot.
I can't believe it took a brain trust to come up with that plan.  That's the same plan I've always practiced ever since college. The more alcohol you digest, the less likely the virus is to find … (8 comments)

 
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Alan May, Coldwell Banker Realtor® Evanston, Illinois & Northern Suburbs

Evanston, IL

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847.425.3779 almay@aol.com

Address: Attn: Alan May, Realtor®, 2929 Central Street, Evanston, IL, 60201

Office Phone: (847) 425-3779

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