from a Sow's Ear. Evanston Real Estate

The New and Improved Home Buyer Tax Credit

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:40:45 -0600

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 backed program will expand the credit to include existing home owners.

Under the revised program, those who have owned a home for at least five years will be able to apply for tax credits of up to $6,500 when they purchase their next home.  To qualify, buyers will have to sign a purchase agreement by April 30, 2010 and close by June 30.

The maximum purchase price on a home will be $800,000 with vacation homes not eligible. Income limitations are $125,000 for single tax payers and $225,000 for joint filers.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) have been lobbying hard for the extension and expansion of the tax credit. NAR claims that so far, about 1.4 million first-time homebuyers have qualified for the program and they estimated that 350,000 of these buyers would not have otherwise purchased.

The tax credit is also set to be extended for another year for military personnel serving outside of the United States until June 30, 2011.

Senator Johnny Isakson, who heavily pushed for the extension, along with his own version that would have increased the credit to $15,000 stated, "This is probably the last extension."

But, is this really true? When April 2011 comes around and the housing market is still not in full recovery mode, will the politicians be able to let this go and actually come to an end, or could it possibly become a more permanent subsidy?

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Copyright 2009 - Claudette Millette, Broker, Owner, TheBuyersCounsel - 800-392-1446  - E-mail

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ALAN MAY, Realtor®
Specializing in Evanston Real Estate and North Shore Real Estate
-------------------------------
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, 2929 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
847.425.3779 Cell: 847.924.3313 Email: Almay@aol.com

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how to carefully navigate your office

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:31:22 -0600

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 style, I've grown accustomed to it, and enjoy it.

There are several land-mines, however, in our office, that I have learned I must avoid. There are some agents, with whom I try not to make eye-contact. I know if eye-contact is made, I can kiss a good chunk of time goodbye, as they will engage me in conversation, and become a true time-suck, from which it will take great effort to extract myself.

If eye contact is made, I know that I will have to endure a handful of real estate horror stories, some bad jokes. I particularly like to avoid the Eeyores... (or Debbie Downers)... they can ruin an entire day.

I can lose an entire day's productivity if I don't tread carefully through the office.

I have been told by a whip-wielding-leather-clad blogger, here on AR, that I should really stick to real estate related subjects in my posts.

Bill Cosby is Awarded the Mark Twain Award

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:40:49 -0600

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 the Tonight Show (with Jack Paar).

Fellow comics, Jerry Seinfeld, Sinbad, Chris Rock as well as actors who'd worked with him over the years, came to pay tribute to a great comedian. Rita Moreno dropped by to sing him a song. Rita was his opening act for many of his Las Vegas performances. She's still got chops... check this out.

Here's Malcolm, talking about "Mr. Cosby" and his time on the Cosby Show.

And Here's Phylicia Rashad discussing the same show.

Thoroughly enjoyable. If you haven't seen it, and you get a chance... I'm sure it'll be playing over and over on PBS. Set your DVR.

Okay, I saw my first episode of "Million Dollar Listing"

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:56:30 -0600

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 the "Don't you get enough of that stuff all day long?" her first question to me was "which one do you hate the most?".

I had to think about it, but I decided that I hate them all... some of them I hate less than the others, but that changes with each different scenario.

I'm thinkin' that my first episode of MDL is also my last episode of MDL.

more random firings, from a seriously addled brain.

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:17:45 -0600

I used to eat lots of natural foods, until I learned that most people die of natural causes.
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The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.
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When looking for something, it's always in the last place you look. Duh! Once you've found it, you stop looking!
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There are two kinds of pedestrians: the quick and the dead.
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Life is sexually transmitted.
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"Health" is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.
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The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.
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Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing.
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Have you noticed since everyone has a cellphone with a video recorder these days no one talks about seeing UFOs like they used to? I know, stop and think about THAT for a minute.
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Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.
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All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.
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In the 60s, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.
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How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes the whole freakin' box to start your grill?
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Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze these dangly things here, and drink whatever comes out?"
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And who was the first person to say, "See that chicken there? I'm gonna eat the next thing that comes outta its butt.
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If quizzes are quizzical, are tests testicles?
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Do illiterate people get the full impact of Alphabet Soup?
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Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle?
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Do you ever wonder why you read my blog?

One shot, or two...

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:55:24 -0600

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 a receptive body. D'uh!

I guess I just don't understand modern medicine.

... as the weather turns

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:05:21 -0500

Okay all. As the weather begins to turn toward Winter, here in the Midwest, I thought it might be an appropriate time to remind agents how to view/show their homes during the colder months. A few reminders of things that are important to note during the winter months.

As the Listing Agent:

1) If you use a lock box, please make sure that the lock box is "protected" from the elements... so that they don't "Freeze". Placed on the door knob is okay, if protected by a storm door. Placed outside on the water spigot (where drips of water will encase it in a coffin of ice) is not.

And please make sure that the promised key is actually IN the lockbox! Check it occasionally.

2) If your property is vacant...

a) check your property frequently... make sure that mail is collected

b) make sure the walk is clear of snow/ice (have your seller pay to hire a neighborhood kid, if necessary)

c) provide a nice mat in the foyer for wet shoes/boots. It will serve as a 2nd reminder (aside from the note that says "kindly remove your shoes") to remove their dirty/wet shoes and boots.

d) make sure that the temperature in the house is sufficient to prevent pipes from bursting, and pleasant enough for buyer's comfort.

e) keep property clean / neat ... vacant houses tend to collect dirt in the foyer, and dust bunnies throughout...

f) make sure there are enough lights in each room to view, if viewed later in the evening.

g) protect your property from vandals and thieves by using a few timed-lights to mimic someone is at home

3) Make sure there are plenty of printed materials (listings, flyers) in the house to provide the buyer's agent with good sources of information. You want to make your listings sales-pitch "idiot-proof"... cause you and I both know... that there will be some "idiots" showing your property. Even though they've opted not to be informed... you can supply them with all the information they need to sell your listing through flyers, and well-positioned note cards.

4) Make sure the key/remote for the garage is available, and clearly visible

As the Buyer's Agent:

1) If the weather outside is "frightful" (rain / snow)... please, please, please, remove your shoes/boots, whether asked to or not.

2) Please make sure to leave the lights, as you've found them. If they were on when you arrived, leave them on. If they were off when you arrived, return them to the off position.

3) Do not mess with lights that are on a timer.

4) Please leave the window blinds/drapes as you found them. If they were closed when you arrived, return them to closed. If they were open... well, you get the idea.

5) If the house is vacant, and you find a problem there (piles of magazines at the door, lots of dirty footprints in the foyer, or tracked through the house, the prior agent left the back door wide opened, or perhaps leaking water pipes...standing water in the basement... maybe a strong gas-odor in the house).. please make sure to track down the listing agent to let them know... immediately.

6) If you accessed the house with a lockbox key... please, please, please return the key to the lockbox as found. Do not leave the property with the key in your pocket. If by chance you DO leave the house with the key... return as soon as possible!! If you are called by the agent or their office... don't be rude and belligerent about returning the key... YOU were the one who screwed up... do whatever you can, as quickly as you can to make it better.

Above all, be courteous and thoughtful. You're in someone's home, whether it's occupied or not. Treat it as you would your own.

Those of you located below the frost-line, can sit back, relax and have some sweet-tea.

spring forward, fall backward, feed a cold starve a fever.... what??!

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:05:16 -0500

It's that time of the year again; time to set our clocks back an hour, return to standard time, and "gain" an extra hour. That means this Sunday, November 1 at 2:00 am, Daylight Saving Time officially ends until its return on the second Sunday in March, 2010.

Since 2007, Daylight Saving Time has actually been four weeks longer, thanks to the passage of the Energy Policy Act in 2005 (which my car hasn't yet caught onto). The Act extended Daylight Saving Time by four weeks in an attempt to save 10,000 barrels of oil each day through reduced use of power by businesses during daylight hours. Unfortunately, the Department of Energy (DOE) says that it's difficult to determine actual energy savings, if any, as a result of Daylight Saving Time. But, there are definitely some easy steps you can take to save significantly on your household energy bills.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Did you know that water heating can account for 14%–25% of the energy consumed in your home, especially in the coming months? According to the DOE, it's true. With this in mind, I thought I'd share with you a few of the DOE's energy-efficient water heating strategies to help you save throughout the holiday season.

    * Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.
    * Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120° F.
    * Repair leaky faucets promptly; a leaky faucet wastes gallons of water in a short period of time.
    * Install aerating, low-flow faucets and showerheads. Select a shower head with a flow rate of less than 2.5 gpm (gallons per minute) for maximum water efficiency.
    * Consider natural-gas on-demand or tankless water heaters. Researchers have found savings can be up to 30% compared with a standard natural-gas storage tank water heater.
    * Consider installing a drain water waste heat recovery system. A recent DOE study showed energy savings of 25% to about 30% for water heating using such a system.
    * Install heat traps on the hot and cold pipes at the water heater to prevent heat loss. Some new water heaters have built-in heat traps.
    * Insulate the first 6 feet of the hot and cold water pipes connected to the water heater.

Have a safe and happy Halloween – and enjoy your "extra hour" of standard time.

More random thoughts that cross my mind, as I sit floor-time.

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:12:42 -0500

Here are a few more random thoughts that cross my mind, while I sit floor-time in our office, waiting for the phones to ring.

Why does the sun lighten our hair, but it darkens our skin?

Why can't women manage to apply mascara with their mouth closed?

Why don't you ever see the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery"? C'mon, if they were truly psychic.

Why is "abbreviated" such a long word?

Why is it that doctors call what they do "practice"? Shouldn't they have perfected it by now?

Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavors, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons?

Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?

Shouldn't there be mouse-flavored cat food?

And when dog food tastes new and improved, who tested it?

Is it really necessary to sterilize the needle used for lethal injections?

You know that indestructible black box that is used on airplanes? Why don't they just make the entire plane out of the stuff?!

Do sheep shrink when it rains?

Why are they called "apart"-ments when they are all stuck together?

If con is the opposite of pro, is CONgress the opposite of PROgress?

If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the terminal?

When do you use your lower back?

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:04:44 -0500

You use your lower back when you...

____ raise your hand to use the remote to change the channel.

____ turn to look over your shoulder.

____ sneeze. (small sneeze, big sneeze... doesn't matter)

____ get in and out of the car.

____ wipe your behind. (that's right.. I said it)

____ laugh. (titter, or belly laugh... doesn't matter)

____ walk up stairs. (one or two, or 3rd floor walk-up, d.m.)

____ walk down stairs. (more stairs?)

____ walk at all. (oh, yeah!)

____ reach across a table. (can you hand me that?)

____ hand a client a pen. (here!)

____ hiccough. (hic, hic, hic,)

____ yawn.

____ all of the above, and then some more I haven't thought of.

You tend to notice that you use your lower back, more, when you have lower back pain. There's nothing like a back spasm, to point it out, each and every time you move. Then you notice each and every occurance of using that lower back. Hiccoughs suck.

(ouch).

we're doomed, I say... we're doomed!

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:27:18 -0500

Just in case you needed further proof that the human race is doomed due to stupidity, here are some actual label instructions that appears on consumer goods.

On a Sears hairdryer: Do not use while sleeping. (but that's the only time I have to work on my hair).

On a bag of Fritos! .You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside. (the shoplifter special)?

On a bar of Dial soap: "Directions: Use like regular soap." (yeesh... i hate to think about "irregular" soap.)

On some Swanson frozen dinners: "Serving suggestion: Defrost." (but, it's "just" a suggestion).

On Tesco's Tiramisu dessert (printed on bottom): "Do not turn upside down." (well...duh, a bit late, huh)!

On Marks & SpencerBreadPudding: "Product will be hot after heating." (I'm speechless.)

On packaging for a Rowenta iron: "Do not iron clothes on body." (but wouldn't this save me more time?)

On Boot's Children Cough Medicine: "Do not drive a car or operate machinery after taking this medication." (We could do a lot to reduce the
rate of construction accidents if we could just get those 5-year-olds with head-colds off those forklifts.)

On Nytol Sleep Aid: "Warning: May cause drowsiness." (well, we sure wouldn't want that... would we?)

On many brands of Christmas lights: "For indoor or outdoor use only." (I wonder what the third option is?)

On a Japanese food processor: "Not to be used for the other use." (the "other" use.... the "other" use... now I'm intrigued)

On Sunsbury's peanuts: "Warning: contains nuts." (alert the media!)

On an American Airlines packet of nuts: "Instructions: Open packet, eat nuts." (insert your own punchline here.)

On a child's superman costume: "Wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly." (I don't blame the company. I blame the parents for this one.)

On a Swedish chainsaw:"Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands or genitals." (was there really a need for this label? yikes!)

there was a Turtle, a Lizard and a Rabbit....

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:21:34 -0500

It's now been four years since my older sister Chelley was taken from us. It's odd, losing a sister, as those of you who've also lost close family members can attest. They say time heals all wounds, and while time does make it better... I don't think the wound is yet healed. As my brother-in-law once said, regarding the death of his Father. "It doesn't get better... it just gets different".

Chelley died from AML (Acute Myloid Leukemia) at the ripe old age of 53. She'd battled the disease valiantly, but in the end, she ended up right where she didn't want. In a sterile hospital room, dealing with "needles". (she hated hospitals, and she hated needles). At least she was surrounded by as much family as would fit in that little hospital room.

I don't think of her every day. In fact there are entire weeks, where she doesn't cross my mind. And then, suddenly and without warning, someone will say something "Chelley-esque", or I'll hear a song of her genre (ala Lesley Gore's "Sunshine Lollipops and Rainbows", and memories of Chelley will come flooding back.

(I know, Lesley Gore was kinda geeky, but her songs were catchy... go figure )

Rochelle Rose
1952-2005

Chelley had that kind of infectious laughter, that once she started giggling, it made those around her laugh too. And Chelley would giggle at the drop of a hat. Especially at stupid jokes.

She used to tell this one joke... okay, it was funny ONCE. But Chelley laughed at it every time, and primarily because it ended with a "bad" word.

So if she tried to tell the joke (with the bad word in it) she'd start laughing at the beginning... 'cause she knew what was coming... and by the time she was firmly in the middle of the telling... she was laughing so hard that she was crying... and everyone was laughing with her.

We rarely made it to the "bad" word, but the entire family knew that joke by heart... and would often request that she "attempt" to tell it, just to watch her dissolve into laughter.

I miss that.

In the end, the disease had inured her to "bad words", and she had become able to even "flip me a bird" with those fancy manicured nails of hers (she liked her manicures to include racing stripes, and attached gemstones)... which was funny, in and of itself. The girl who couldn't say the "bad" word, could "flip me a bird"...

so, there was a turtle, a lizard and a rabbit.

Ingredients for a Good Week.

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 09:53:55 -0500

There are lots of ingredients that go into creating a good week. So let's see if we can identify what went into mine this week.

1) Writing an accepted contract. Yep, that's part of a good week. But does that make it a good week? Not yet, more ingredients necessary
I wrote an offer... the offer was eventually accepted, at a price that made my clients very happy.

2) The accepted contract will be a quick close. Nah, that doesn't really make my good week... doesn't hurt, but doesn't make it yet either... let's mix in some more.

3) I had a closing on Friday. Granted, it was all the way in Naperville, a loooooooong drive from home base. Does that make my good week? Well, it surely adds to it, but nah... better... but not yet good.

3.5) My client from today's closing calls, to tell me how pleased they are... and that they'll be sending a testimonial letter to the boss... nice.... now we're getting there... a good week a'comin... I can smell it.

4) Saturday... my married daughter pops by the house to join my wife in a local yoga class, and spends an hour or two hanging out.... maybe next week the "boy" will be feeling better and will come help me decimate the larder. I do virtually nothing today... ahhhh, there it is... a good week... mmmmmm

5) my younger daughter pops by in the evening... to carve Jack-o-Lanterns, and then joins us at the movies to see "Where the Wild Things Are" (very enjoyable), and we share a bite at the local Chinese restaurant, as she regales us with stories about her new responsibilities as an Occupational Therapist .... yep. A Good Week indeed!

6) Sunday morning... I have no open house today... and I slept in... a personal best... 8:55 a.m. Woo hoo... a Great Week. I'm gonna spend today with the lovely Mrs. Elvis at Costco and the container store.. and if time allows maybe the grocery store. Nice, I love to spend time with Amy, even if it's just shopping.

Repeat as necessary!

how far will we go for a closing?

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 07:23:15 -0500

The weather is butt-ugly out there, this morning. And it's this morning, of course, that I have to drive to Naperville for a 10:00 closing. Now I know that most of you have no idea what the relational distance from Evanston to Naperville is...

Picture the distance from Chicago to Seattle, and subtract about a mile and half. Well, not really... it's only about 45 miles... But Chicago Expressway and Tollway miles, that in this morning's Rush-hour-storming-rainy-dark weather, should take me about 2 - 2-1/2 hours. Yeesh!

So, 2 hours... to the closing... 2-3 hours FOR the closing.... and another 2 hours back home... pfffft. There goes my day.

So, for those of you who need your daily Elvis/Alan fix (you know who you are!). Sorry folks, this is it. See ya later (at least there's a payday at the end of this one)

who likes short-shorts?

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:09:30 -0500

Okay, here is a photo from an inspection that I completed last night, on a condo that I sold.

I took the photo with my cell-phone, and it was inside a darkened cabinet, so I know that doesn't make it very easy... but honestly... even if it were crystal clear... I think you'd have a rough time figuring this one out.

Anybody want to take a guess as to what you're looking at??

It definitely doesn't meet code, and will assuredly have to be replaced before my client moves in. I'm personally stunned that it was installed like this... and that it's lasted any length of time.

In fact (here comes the clue) the installation sucks!

Any thoughts?

(I would have liked to have been a fly on the wall, when this issue came up... and some mouth-breather said "hey, whyn't we try THIS!?")

Yeesh!

the Home Buyer's First Rule

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:13:05 -0500

DECIDE HOW MUCH YOU'RE WILLING TO PAY.

Not how much the home you like is priced. Not how much of a discount you feel you should get... or should "deserve" in today's market.

Hopefully you've been out home hunting before you found this "one" that you want to buy. You know how much other homes were selling for. You know how much the homes that were much nicer than this one, were listed for.

And hopefully, you also know how much some of the "closed" for. That should give you a good sense of what this one is worth.

Your friends, your family, your boss will all tell you, that in today's market you shouldn't pay any more than 84% of their list price (or some other low percentage number that they've pulled out of the most recent article in the Tribune). But they haven't been out in the market looking at moldy, decrepit homes... you have. They haven't seen homes that were priced higher than you thought was reasonable, sell out from under you on the first or second day.

Compare this home to the ones you've seen on the market. Ask your Realtor to give you a CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) of what s/he feels this property's true market value is. Base your decision of "how much we're willing to pay" on that.

Then, if you're ready, go after it.

How I lernt sumpin' new or how being a smert-ass came back to bite me in the buttocks.

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:00:31 -0500

So, as many of you do, I pop back and forth between Active Rain and several other forums.

On one of those other forums (which rhymes with Julia) a gentleman asked if having a 'detention pond' behind a house, might affect the value of the property.

Several Realtors responded to the question, with their thoughts on yea or nay, each of them repeating the phrase 'detention pond'.

I, having never heard of a 'DEtention' pond, but certainly having heard of 'REtention ponds', made my typical smert-ass reply, and commented a little tongue in cheek with:

"Okay... I'm surprised nobody has picked this up yet. Or maybe I'm just the only one anal-retentive enough to mention it... but a detention pond is a place in Gitmo where they torture using waterboarding techniques. And a REtention pond is an area where excess water is RETAINED, so it doesn't flood your basement while it waits to be absorbed into the ground. "

I was fairly quickly, and very politely corrected by Lee Adkins, a Realtor from Alpharetta Georgia, who told me:

A REtention pond is designed to hold a specific amount of water indefinitely. Usually the pond is designed to have drainage leading to another location when the water level gets above the pond capacity, but still maintains a certain capacity.

A DEtention pond is a low lying area that is designed to temporarily hold a set amount of water while slowly draining to another location. They are more or less around for flood control when large amounts of rain could cause flash flooding if not dealt with properly.

Good to know. I had never heard the term DEtention pond... but I don't think I'll be forgetting it very quickly. I always appreciate learning something new... and was happy that I was POLITELY corrected (on a public form, where I had just opened my smert-mouth)... Thanks Lee.

I stand corrected.

scenes (in frames) from the Art Institute of Chicago

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:23:17 -0500

From our recent visit to the Art Institute of Chicago. I thought I'd share some of my favourites from the 3rd floor of the new wing.

(Left) Lyonel Feininger, 1871-1956
Carnival in Arcueil, 1911.

I love the colours and the motion... the surreal vista, with the aquaduct and curious yellow row homes... What a fun scene.

right: Mrs. Elvis admiring a colourful painting. She's very bit as much of a piece of art, as

the canvas she's viewing.

Left
Pierre Bonnard
1867-1947

Earthly Paradise, 1916-1920

Muted pastels, sleepy, dreamy... unabashed nakedness, ahh... such is the life...

Henri Matisse
1869 - 1954

Interior at Nice 1919

A little snapshot in the time of a life... no?

Henri Matisse
1869 - 1954

Seated Nude 1925-1929

Strong, impactful... beautiful...

Y'all know this one.

Pablo Picasso
1881 - 1973

Mother and Child 1921

It really is different seeing it in person.

the Pritzker Pavillion at Millenium Park

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:17:47 -0500

On my recent trip to downtown Chicago... we walked Millenium Park.

Our walk brought me to this vantage of the Millennium Park bandshell... the Pritzker Pavilion.

It's an impressive site... designed by world renowned artist / architect Frank Gehry.

Millennium Park has come to be as much of a symbol of Chicago as the former Picasso statue, and is the showpiece of downtown Chicago.

If you get a chance, come see it. As you can see, there are speakers suspended over the entire grassy area, where people can sit on blankets to experience any of the concerts. Because the speakers are spread throughout the park, attendees get a singularly wonderful audio experience, along with the beauty of the pavilion itself.

Located right in the heart of downtown Chicago... with some of the most impressive architecture as a backdrop, the Pritzker Pavilion and Millennium Park are well worth the experience.

BlogWorld 2009: The secrets of Las Vegas are not so secret anymore.

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:51:01 -0500

Not wanting to be left behind... (take that Clint Miller)... I, too, decided to reblog Mr. Stigliano's recent post about his time spend in Sin City.

I figure that any stink that sticks to Clint and Matt, might just rub off on me!?

Via Matt Stigliano (RE/MAX Access):

photo courtesy of ChicagoGeek

It already feels like it was weeks ago.

I landed in San Antonio late last night from my trip to BlogWorld 2009. This morning it already feels like it was a long time ago. So much fun had in such a short space of time always seems to make it feel like the distant past a lot quicker. To say it was a blast would be to lie. It was more than a blast. Seeing friends, meeting new ones, listening to some of the best and brightest, and toying with new products for a few days will keep it fresh in my head, but I believe I'm already missing it, as if I've been away too long.

I feel honored to have been there (and thank those who helped get me there) and over the course of the next few days, I'll begin to dump some of this knowledge and thought that's crammed into my head, but first, I wanted to talk about secrets.

Can you keep a secret?

I learned a big secret in Vegas. One I shouldn't share with anyone. One that could change the course of history. One that might just rattle everything you believe in and leave you questioning your faith in everything you've ever stood for.

Can I trust you? Will you swear to secrecy? Can you keep your lips sealed?

The secret isn't as complex as I thought it might be, in fact, it's quite simple. I asked real estate industry vets, social media mavens, and run of the mill bloggers. I phrased the questions so many different ways to be sure I was getting "different" answers and no canned responses. They all lead back to the big secret.

The not-so-secret secret.

There are no secrets anymore.

The one thing everyone told me in different words each time, was just that: "There are no secrets anymore." With social media reaching the masses and becoming more than just a buzzword, we are creating a new reality. One where information flows from source to source, all without regard to "letting the competitor know our secrets." Bloggers I met outside of real estate seemed quite fascinated by our use of social media and loved the idea of us being there not to be gate-keepers like we once were, but instead information desks - ready to dispense our knowledge and expertise on a waiting world. Many of them agreed that when we do so, we only make ourselves more attractive as a viable way to buy and sell homes.

One blogger who I spoke to for awhile outside the convention center told me how he met an agent who was open, honest, and gave information at the drop of a hat. He gave so much information in fact, that the blogger thought "I could do that." The one thing every agent fears - training a FSBO to do it themselves. Instead the blogger contacted the agent and listed his house immediately with the agent. Why? Trust. He knew that the agent was "there for him" and would do his best. He felt that the agent was willing to give up his secret at the risk of losing the business. No longer was the agent there to build his bank account, but instead he was there to build a community.

By giving away the knowledge, the agent took the blogger's fear away. He took out all the years of distrust he had learned from others. He took away all of the negative news stories and bad reports. In an instant, he became a trusted adviser...and as the blogger told me, "a friend."

Enough with the secrets. We must continue to open our industry up to the consumers that patronize it. Will we lose business? Depends on how you look at the word lose. Do you think the FSBO was ever going to list with you? Do you think the person who equates purchasing a home to picking up a pair of socks at Wal-Mart is ever going to see the value you provide? There are people who will always go it alone. And there always will be. This will never change. The secret to our success as an industry lies within the phrase itself - there should be no secret. We may not convince those who don't want to be convinced, but we might just show someone why they can trust us and become our friend.

And that is worth more than any Vegas casino vault's cash reserve.
All content ©2008-2009 by Matt Stigliano, Realtor® unless otherwise noted.

Matt Stigliano, Realtor®

RE/MAX Access

(210) 646-HOME

www.RErockstar.com

"Your all access pass to San Antonio real estate."

Connect with me on Twitter and Facebook.

the new Wing.

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:02:24 -0500

Over the weekend, my wife and I had the opportunity to visit the new wing of the Art Insitute of Chicago.

We first walked through Millenium Park, where we encountered a lovely young couple... freshly engaged and excited... we crossed the bridge from the park directly into the new wing.

We started on the third floor, which contained a phenomenal collection of masters.

Sometimes, when visiting an art museum, one piece of art generates a visceral response. You find yourself drawn to it, for an unknown reason. All roads lead there.

While this was a quick visit, this one image held my attention. It was Marc Chagall's 'White Crucifixion' (1938). I was a student at the Art Institute back in the early 70's, and had seen this image before... but it didn't hold my attention then, as it did now. I did a little research on this painting, wondering what lead to it's painting, and why it would demand my attention today.

As typical, in a Chagall painting, there were floating images around a central theme. In this case Jesus crucified on a "t-shaped" crucifix, surrounded by images of Jews being treated poorly. Jesus himself dominates the center of the canvas, hanging on the cross modestly covered by a Jewish prayer shawl (A tallit). He calls our attention to the fact that Jesus is/was Jewish, and being painted by a Jewish artist. Yes, the same Jesus that the Christians revere. Floating over his head, the Hebrew mocking reads "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews", his head surrounded by a halo... an image we've become used to seeing.

In the upper left, we see the Russian army... coming to save Jesus?? or to participate in additional persecution of the King of the Jews and his people? Marc Chagall was a supporter of the 1917 revolution in Russia, hoping that the revolution would bring Peace and justice to a thoroughly oppressed Soviet/Jewish population. But that didn't occur, and the oppression continued, so we can presume that this band of Russian army no-goodnicks, is not there for support.

In the top right corner we see a Jewish synagogue burning while the German flag flies, and a brown-shirt with swastika armband calls for more flames. The year this was painted, was the infamous year (1938) of the Nazi Kristallnacht, when mobs burned down synagogues, and torched Jewish homes and businesses. Shops were ransacked, their windows broken (Kristalnach... crystal night... the sound of broken glass), homes and businesses ransacked, Jewish cemeteries desecrated and Jewish families dragged out into the streets to be publicly humiliated. Subsequently many Jews were arrested and deported to concentration camps. Even though Marc Chagall was then living in Paris, this painting clearly reflects his knowledge of what was occurring in Nazi Germany.

At the bottom right of the image, we see a Torah (the five books of Moses) in a pose that shows it absorbing all that's happening... and a transient Jew gathering up the Torah, and miscellaneous holy books lying around on the ground, so that their wisdom and reverence will not be lost to the ages.

And at the bottom left, a boat filled with Jewish refugees makes its way to Palestine in an effort to begin again. They are calling for help, their homes (above their heads) aflame at the hands of the Russian army. The unusual angles of the homes representing the clear turmoil they feel.

Above Jesus, a collection of hovering Jewish figures float and talk about what's going on... are these Rabbis discussing the events historically... are these patriarchs lamenting the current situation... does this represent the diaspora (Jews worldwide) discussing current events... we don't know.

This painting raises more questions, than providing answers... but it's clearly angst-filled and passionate. This is one of Chagall's masterworks... and it sits not far from one of his better known works (shown to the right) the "praying Jew", painted earlier in 1923. Two powerful pieces, in the same gallery (part of the Art Institute's permanent collection)

(btw... please forgive the colour distortion of the close up images... we were allowed to take photographs, but only without flash, therefore the large variation in color... the top image is much closer to the true colour)

Nancy, Mina and the evergrowing smile... send 'em a congratulations!!

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 15:40:39 -0500

Yesterday we went down to the Millenium Park in Chicago. Mrs. Elvis and I went along with another couple. We'd been to Millennium Park before, but we had an event to attend that evening, and thought we'd spend the afternoon at Millennium, and then experience the new wing at the Art Institute of Chicago (future blogginses!).

As part of Millenium Park, the Lurie Gardens are set up to display the best of indigenous plantings for the Midwest. It's a beautiful garden, and the perfect setting for beautiful things. And that is precisely where we encountered Nancy & Mina.

They were chatting animatedly on one of the walking paths... (that's them in the upper right photo)... and she seemed excited... surprised... and yelling "How long have you known about this?? When did you figure this out??!?"... as we approached, we discovered that Nancy & Mina had just gotten engaged.... I mean JUST. He had chosen the natural beauty of the Laurie Gardens to propose to his natural beauty and He had just proposed, as we approached... and she was about excited as she can get.

I asked if they'd like a photo (cause as most of you other bloggers know, we don't go anywhere without a camera... right?), and I'd forward it to them.

They were excited and said "yes", as a camera was the one thing that hadn't been planned. So I'm going to send them the photos above shortly to their e-mail address (which they provided).

I think it would also be a lot of fun, if all of the Realtors reading this blog would send hearty congratulations to Nancy & Mina too... at MJKaddis@gmail.com.

it'll happen just when you least expect it, and when you stop trying

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 10:44:11 -0500

I was beating myself up the other day (a part-time hobby of mine... okay, okay...a FULL-TIME hobby), because I was blogging my brains out, and oddly enough hadn't picked up any recent subscribers. They don't like what I'm writing.... they don't like me.... sniff, sniff.

In fact the "those who truly appreciate Alan's frantic ramblings and need their regular fix" (aka subscribers) were staying away from "from a Sow's Ear" in droves.

So I wrote a couple of "subscribe to me" posts... trying to draft some of the standers-by.... accomplishing an entire TWO new subscribers. I finally gave up and said to myself (during one of those "beat up" sessions)... "screw-em... it's their loss... if they don't wanna subscribe... I'll just go forward without 'em... (can you hear one of my mother's "scripts" from when I was a pre-teen in that?).

So I put it behind me (meaning, I stopped checking my subscriber role daily ... or hourly)...a couple of weeks ago.

Lo and behold, I hadn't checked it in the last coupla weeks... and when I checked it this morning... I had picked up a whopping 12 new subscribers!! That's a huge leap (for me, anyway.... for the ubiquitous Mr. Crouch it may be an hour's worth... but for me, that normally takes about 6 months)..

So, for those of you who are recent subscribers, welcome aboard the Soul Train (soul train?? yeah, soul train!!), and thanks for subscribing. I'll try to keep you edutained!! and Thank You!

Buyer's Paralysis is Over!

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:14:36 -0500

Buyers have been paralyzed with fear for years.

They've been staying away from homes in Droves. Sitting on the sidelines, waiting for ... well, waiting for...

* Sellers to come to their senses
* the market to hit the bottom
* Economists to tell them it's okay to buy
* Prices to return to 1999 rates
* Interest rates to drop below X %
* Common Sense to return

and any number of other landmarks... lots of them were just sitting waiting for some "unknown"....

Well, whatever it was, whatever they saw.... whatever they were waiting for, must have arrived, because buyers in my area are out there in large numbers. They seem to be out in mostly the lower price points (which in our area means under $300,000)... and many of them seem to be first-time buyers pursuing that $8,000 first-time homebuyer's tax credit.

It's like the swallows returning to Capistrano. We're all happy to welcome them back.

it's just too hard.

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:48:07 -0500

In our regional meeting today, our management strongly suggested, that we should begin paying attention to SEO.

For those of you who haven't been paying much attention, SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. The idea is to do things that increase your visibility by search engines, such as Yahoo, Bing and virtual unknown Google (is there some requirement that in order to be a search engine, you have to have a weird name?)

Now, I'd never given it much thought, so I listened carefully. They suggested using keywords in our profiles on ColdwellBanker.com and ColdwellBankerOnline.com to bring us up higher in the searches. For me, using words like "Evanston, and Realtor" would be excellent.

Now, I don't know if any of you have considered doing something that might add to your SEO. They suggested that Tweeting might help increase it (but they didn't really tell us how)... and they thought that Facebook was worthwhile too (but I didn't really hear anything that made much sense about that either).

It was also suggested that blogging might help, but that was pretty time intensive, and they suggested it might require up to 15 minutes at least 3 days a week. I'm not sure that I'm ready to commit to that kind of time blogging. Besides, what would I blog about?

I'm going to really have to give this some thought.

Meanwhile a search for "Evanston Realtor" on Google brings me up as the third (non-paid) listing... apparently just by fluke. I don't know what I'm doing wrong.