NEW HOUSING RELIEF BILL - Here's a Fast Summary! - 07/31/08 11:30 PM
Hey, AR!
As we all know, President Bush, without much fanfare, signed the Housing Relief Bill into law yesterday morning in the White House. Here is a brief summary of its most important provisions.
$300 Billion in new loan backing for distressed homeowners, many of which financed within the past few … (0 comments)
Let's think Old School for a minute. Specifically, those Old, Classic Movie Palaces, built in the 1920's, in local neighborhoods throughout big city America. They brought glitz and glamor to these in-town locations.
As we all know, for most … (2 comments)
Hey, Am I Stupid or Something! It Seems the More I Learn About RE Blogging, the Less I Know! - 07/28/08 11:07 PM
Hey, fellow bloggers - I'm asking for a lifeline, folks. Because this whole blogging thing beats the heck out of me! Perhaps it's because I'm from Chicago - what the heck do I know? You know?
Two quick questions and critical needs-
1. Without spending countless hours playing around, learning coded, … (10 comments)
Chicago IL Market Statistics Update - July 28, 2008 - 07/28/08 10:37 AM
Good morning, AR folks!
Here's the latest Stat Summary on the Chicago Real Estate Market, based on data pulled yesterday evening, July 27, 2008 -
For the last few weeks, Active Listing Inventory has remained fairly stable, while Average Sales Price has been on a slightly up trend, despite this week's 1% drop. … (1 comments)
Federal Tax Deduction for Those Who Do Not Itemize Their State and Local Property Taxes is Coming! - 07/27/08 12:59 PM
Hope you're enjoying your Sunday afternoon, AR folks (now over 100,000 strong!)
With all the buzz surrounding the Federal Housing Relief Bill, just approved by the U.S. Congress and on its way to President Bush's desk for his expected approval, there is one less-talked-about provision that could benefit potentially millions of homeowners. … (3 comments)
Chicago Area, Illinois, U.S. Foreclosure Filings March Higher! - 07/27/08 12:43 PM
If you look at the latest foreclosure statistics, compiled by RealtyTrac.com, you would see the climbing rate of foreclosures both locally, statewide, and nationally shows little signs of abating.
The State of Illinois shows a 57.99% increase in homes in some stage of foreclosure during the Second Quarter, 2008, versus one … (2 comments)
Lil' Buddy's Blog: The Trouble with Those "Designer Dogs" - Things You Should Know! - 07/25/08 11:15 AM
THE CHICAGO IL REAL ESTATE MARKET, AND OTHER THINGS CHICAGO, FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF A LITTLE WHITE DOG!
Good Morning, Dogs & Humans! Figured I'd catch up on the Business Section of the Chicago Tribune before the phones got too crazy this morning.
Are you a "Designer Dog?" You … (2 comments)
SCARY CHICAGO AREA SALES NUMBERS FROM LAST QUARTER! - 07/25/08 10:42 AM
Good Morning, AR!
It seems, sometimes, when things begin to "feel" like they are turning around here in the Chicago Real Estate Market, the realty of the numbers hits you in the face saying "Not So Fast!"
Although, through our own personal experience, we're seeing interest and activity increase on our … (0 comments)
RED LIGHT CAMERAS IN CHICAGO - The Game is Rigged! - 07/24/08 05:00 AM
You've heard about Photo Enforcement Cameras, haven't you? Have you been pinched by one? If you have, my guess is the infraction was minor - and, most often, your defense unsuccessful! The Chicago System takes the cake, however, from what I have heard.
Read on, and follow the link below, to learn … (8 comments)
WHITE HOUSE CHANGES COURSE ON HOUSING RELIEF BILL - Shows How Critical Quick Action May Be! - 07/24/08 04:20 AM
It appears imminent that the Federal Housing Relief Bill will become law within the next few days. President Bush, originally opposed to the bill's Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac bailout provisions, signaled his acceptance on Wednesday, and the bill passed the U.S. House by a substantial margin, and is headed to … (0 comments)
AT 10.25%, COOK COUNTY SALES TAX NOW HIGHEST IN U.S.! Clever Shoppers Find Way to Avoid It! - 07/22/08 04:01 PM
Coming to Chicago, or Suburban Cook County, near Chicago? Bring lots of money!
Effective July 1st, our the combination of local, county, and state Sales Tax increased to 10.25%! That's the highest of any big city in the country.
Sales Taxes increases were passed last Spring, to fill considerable budget holes … (9 comments)
BUYERS DUMPING YOU? Use This Little Checklist and LOSE LESS! - 07/22/08 10:06 AM
Good Morning, All!
I've read a few posts, and also spoken to several less-seasoned agents in my office here in Chicago, that they are becoming frustrated with buyers who make them cart their families around, and then dump them - with nary a deal!
Over the years, our Team has developed … (6 comments)
Chicago IL Market Statistics Update - July 21, 2008 - 07/21/08 08:20 AM
Good morning, AR folks!
Here's the latest Stat Summary on the Chicago Real Estate Market, based on data pulled yesterday evening, July 20, 2008 -
Some hopeful numbers this past week!
While Active Listing Inventory continued stable over the past couple of weeks, Average Sales Price actually took an upturn, up a … (0 comments)
COMING TO O'HARE AIRPORT, CHICAGO - A More "Revealing" Security Scan! - 07/21/08 07:57 AM
I don't want to sound like an old coot, but when I see some of the new things coming on the technology front, many things amaze me.
Now, in airport security, comes a scanner that can actually see through clothing! Viewing test shots, the images look like an ultra-detailed, skin-surface x-ray, … (1 comments)
"HOPE" U.S. HOUSING BILL - Likely to Pass This Week - Benefits Some, But Not All! - 07/20/08 11:15 AM
The much-anticipated Housing Bill - "HOPE" - may become law as early as this week. Its supporters believe the new legislation can help as many as 400,000 home owners, in Chicago and across the nation, in a short period of time. However, there are some strings attached.
For lenders, the program … (3 comments)
Chicago to Lose 18 Starbucks Stores By Spring, 2009! - 07/20/08 07:39 AM
It's early Sunday, and I haven't had my coffee yet - so I'm still a bit bleary-eyed!
Speaking of joe - we've heard that Starbucks, which, here in Chicago, has come to represent coolness in many of our striving neighborhoods and suburbs, is planning to close 18 of its cafés here … (8 comments)
A WATER SHORTAGE IN THE CHICAGO AREA? Unthinkable? Well - It's Possible! - 07/19/08 09:32 PM
Back to the Blog Mines, folks! Our beloved Cubs lost another one to those folks from Houston tonight, and we're a bit blue (Cub Blue, that is!) Funny - it seems like we've been here before . . .
Anyone who took elementary school geography knows the City of Chicago sits right … (1 comments)
CALLING ALL WEB HEADS - Let's Brainstorm on "Stickiness" of Your Web Site! - 07/18/08 04:31 PM
Hello, gang! Hope you've ducked out early on this Friday afternoon. Baseball's back, you know!
As some of you may know, our Team Web Center has undergone complete renovation within the past twelve months, and is continually being tweaked. Right now, with all the professional web design by Kathleen Allardyce, some … (3 comments)
My Human Dad, Dean, and I decided to take in a ballgame while visiting his friend Mary up in MN a couple of weeks ago. As usual, we chose to … (3 comments)
NATIONAL SUDS are Coming Back To Chicago! Belly Up! - 07/17/08 10:56 PM
No, Chicago won't become the Beer Capital of the U.S. Overnight!
But one major national beer company - MillerCoors - plans to relocate their corporate offices here, beginning next year. The move will add about 400 executive and managerial jobs here to Chicago, from the current SAB Miller headquarters in Milwaukee … (3 comments)
MOOOOOO! Chicago CTA L Cars May Become Cattle Cars Very Soon! - 07/17/08 10:45 PM
Have you ever ridden the L in Chicago?
Not necessarily a very ROMANTIC RIDE, to be sure. Those of us who ride these rattling, long-dependable urban trains for many years mainly take them for granted.
But plans by the Chicago Transit Authority Board here have left many riders very agitated - … (1 comments)
CHICAGO AREA Now on PMI Declining Market Lists! Buying A New Home Here Now Tougher! - 07/16/08 07:35 AM
This one seems to have snuck up on us!
It was prompted by coverage in the Wall Street Journal, in their "Developments" blog yesterday - "Home Prices Are Low, But Getting A Mortgage is Tough!"
Chicago - the entire metro area - is now on AIG United Guaranty's Declining Markets List. … (2 comments)
NICKELS AND DIMES - YOUR Financial Stress Level in Today's Real Estate Market! - 07/16/08 06:50 AM
Good Morning, Active Rainers!
Are you holding up ok? Financially, I mean?
It seems, sometimes, the daily drumbeat of discouraging economic news turns into a din. High inventories. Long market times. Declining prices, in some areas, dramatically.
Listing Clients putting off their decision to sell while waiting for better times. Those … (3 comments)
FANNIE MAE, FREDDIE MAC Now Have "Safety Net" from Fed, U.S. Treasury! - 07/15/08 11:50 PM
The U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, the Federal Reserve Board, and The President consider Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac key to turning around the real estate market downturn nationwide. Should these two government-sponsored Mortgage Investors and Guarantors fail, the result might be tragic for the U.S. Economy, and the housing market's … (1 comments)
FLOYD WICKMAN FORUM, ANN ARBOR MI - JULY 12, 2008 - A FEW GEMS! - 07/14/08 11:04 PM
Hey, gang!
Our entire Team just returned from our Annual Summertime Visit to see Floyd Wickman and his trainers at his annual Forum in Michigan. Here are a few gems we came home with from the journey -
1. It's incredible coming together with a relatively-small group of like-minded real estate … (5 comments)
NEW FED MORTGAGE GUIDELINES UNVEILED - Will Apply To All New Loans! - 07/14/08 10:33 PM
Will new loan rules passed unanimously today by the Federal Reserve Board better protect home borrowers? Or, will they even further dampen borrowing power of prospective homeowners, and have a negative effect on the already-depressed housing market?
That matter is up for debate. But as mortgage defaults and foreclosures continue to … (2 comments)
Chicago IL Market Statistics Update - July 14, 2008 - 07/13/08 11:30 PM
I'm trying to get a head start on the day with this earlier-than-usual post!
Here's the latest Stat Summary on the Chicago Real Estate Market, based on data pulled yesterday evening, July 13, 2008 -
Active Listing Inventory remained stable this week, but Pending Sales increased, countering last week's Fourth of July-week … (0 comments)
RESTORING HISTORIC CHICAGO HOMES - A Labor of Love, with A Little Help from Government Incentives! - 07/13/08 02:05 PM
In many parts of the country, I would assume, tax and public incentives for restoring worn, yet historic homes and commercial buildings are readily available. In order to get the money, however, those renovating have to comply with certain detailed guidelines for repair and reconstruction.,
One such individual, renovating a home … (1 comments)
FROM FLOYD WICKMAN'S FORUM YESTERDAY IN ANN ARBOR MI - The R Group Accountability Concept! - 07/12/08 11:56 PM
Late Saturday night, folks, and Sue and I are back in our room after an incredible day at Floyd Wickman's Annual Forum in Ann Arbor MI.
What a POWERFUL EVENT, as a small group of just under 80 top, motivated agents from across North America - a bit stressed from the … (4 comments)
Lil' Buddy's Blog: Chicago Public Schools - Less Road Training for New Teen Drivers! - 07/11/08 11:34 AM
THE CHICAGO IL REAL ESTATE MARKET, AND OTHER THINGS CHICAGO, FROM THE POINT OF THE VIEW OF A LITTLE WHITE DOG!
This photo, taken by my humans, Dean & Sue, while we all visited our close friends and mentors in St. Paul MN last week. It conclusively proves, beyond a shadow … (1 comments)
SENATE LIKELY TO PASS HOUSING BILL - But Will House, President Bush Approve? - 07/10/08 11:21 PM
Hello, All!
The long-awaiting Housing Reform Legislation seems likely to pass the U.S. Senate next week. The effect on markets faced with high housing inventory and slack demand, along with tight loan underwriting standards - including parts of Chicago and the suburbs - could be significant!
It's proposals are ambitious - … (3 comments)
FEAR OF RISING DEFAULTS Batter Fannie Mae, Freddie Mack Shares! - 07/09/08 11:01 PM
Most of us know Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as government-sponsored private companies which procure and guarantee approximately half of all U.S. residential mortgage loans.
This week, the stock of each company took a pretty good beating! Freddie shares fell 17.9% on Monday alone - as private investors began to fear … (2 comments)
YOUR TRAINING BUDGET - How Has It Been Affected by The Real Estate Market, Circa 2008? - 07/08/08 06:42 PM
IT IS SWELTERING IN CHICAGO, FOLKS! Any way we can bottle this, and open up that bottle, say, in January, 2009?
Question for you - how has the current real estate market, sluggish here in Chicago and in other parts of the country, impacted your budget for TRAINING?
The casual reaction … (1 comments)
ON CHICAGO AREA ROADS, Speeding Tickets are Down - But Watch Out for those Speed Cameras! - 07/08/08 06:01 PM
You Drive? Thought so!
If you drive on the Illinois Tollway System, however, watch out for those dreaded Speed Camera Vans, especially in Construction Zones.
The cameras and radar equipment is mounted in vans operated by the Illinois State Police. If they spot a car you own exceeding the posted 45 … (1 comments)
Chicago IL Market Statistics Update - July 7, 2008 - 07/07/08 07:18 AM
Good Morning, AR!
Here's the latest Stat Summary on the Chicago Real Estate Market, based on data pulled yesterday evening, July 6, 2008 -
Generally, the last day of June is a big day for real estate closings on the North and Northwest Sides of Chicago. This week's figures, however, show … (0 comments)
Foreclosed Homes: Some Attract Squatters. Others Attract . . . - 07/06/08 09:58 PM
This is one from the "Now I've Heard Everything" Department. Although, in this day and age, we know that virtually anything is possible - right?
Police in various localities, from California to Florida, have found many foreclosed, now-abandoned homes are now providing a haven for those growing Marijuana!
In a few … (3 comments)
Orphaned Pets from Recent IA, IL Flooding Welcome in Chicago! - 07/06/08 09:42 PM
We have already heard, many times, about the plight of dogs and cats abandoned when a family loses a home to foreclosure, and is forced to move. Often times, the family then must rent, and many landlords do not welcome family pets. A tragic, but true story.
The recent flooding in Cedar … (2 comments)
CHARACTERISTICS OF A MASTER - FLOYD WICKMAN SMART PROGRAM MASTER TRAINER, MARY JOHNSON! - 07/06/08 06:44 PM
Hey, you lovely, crazy AR folks!
Don't know about you, but it seems a bit difficult to get back in gear after the long holiday weekend. We had some good recharge time, however - tomorrow morning, we'll be rarin' to go - hopefully!
My wife, Sue, and I had the very … (1 comments)
Hey, you dogs! Hope you're enjoying the Fourth of July Weekend.
Please - BE SAFE TONIGHT! I want to make sure you still have four paws tomorrow!
As for me - … (1 comments)
BUYING FORECLOSED PROPERTIES? Patience, Persistence, and Strong Credit Required! - 07/02/08 10:31 AM
The increase in foreclosures throughout IL is tragic!
Statewide, foreclosed properties have increased 42% since May, 2007. The terrible misfortune that foreclosed homeowners feel often becomes big opportunity for those looking to buy these distressed properties at a significant discount off market price
Foreclosed homes totaled 9,670 across IL in May, 2008, … (3 comments)
IN CHICAGO, MORE FAMILIES ARE MOVING BACK - For the "Experience," and the Schools! - 07/02/08 10:07 AM
Good Morning, Gang!
Sue and I are off in Lake Elmo MN for the last few days, visiting our close friend and mentor, Mary Johnson, of The Floyd Wickman SMART Program. Beautiful home, peaceful setting - right on the lake!
We've got nothing quite like it back in Chicago - very … (1 comments)
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