http://activerain.com/blogs/hilldr en-us http://activerain.com/blogsview/3285587/are-you-a-procrastinator-find-out-how-to-change <p><span style=""><img title="Procrastination Alarm Clock" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/7/5/4/7/ar133790577974579.JPG" height="299" alt="Alarm Clock" width="200" style="float: left; margin: 10px;">There are more distractions today than ever before, thanks to the influence of the Internet. Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest are among the online time wasters that lure us from the task at hand. But here's the disconnect: even as the opportunities for procrastination grow, so does the demand for fast, creative, motivated workers.</span><br style=""><br style=""><span style="">So why do we procrastinate? Some experts, like Joseph Ferrari, associate professor of psychology at Chicago's DePaul University, believe we procrastinate because we were overregulated as children or because we feel anxious about a task. But virtually all authorities on the subject agree that procrastinators are made, not born. Procrastination is a learned behavior that can be changed.</span><br style=""><br style=""><span style="">Making a to-do list can be a great first step in managing procrastination. Cross each item off as you complete it.</span><br style=""><br style=""><span style="">Knowing what your biggest distractions are can help you avoid them. If you check email every five minutes, try to reduce it to a few times an hour. If you feel compelled to read and reply to every text message you receive, put your phone out of reach.</span><br style=""><br style=""><span style="">Look at your work environment. Get rid of clutter, hang or post items that inspire you, and find a spot to keep your to-do list in plain sight. If you find yourself procrastinating regularly, you might want to consider talking to a therapist. Professional advice can help you determine what's at the root of your procrastination and eliminate it.</span></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re thinking about selling your home,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freehomevalue.html" title="Free Home Value Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;for a free home valuation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re looking to buy a home&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freelistingsrequest.html" title="Free Listings Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;to sign up and receive property listings that meet your criteria as soon as they hit the market.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you'd like to search local listings of homes for sale in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs yourself <em><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" title="Search Chicago Area MLS Listings">Click Here</a></strong></em>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/3/0/1/3/ar131406335931039.jpg" height="38" alt="David Hill" style="border-color: initial;" width="752"></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/5/8/1/8/ar131406368181853.jpg" height="43" alt="David Hill" width="675"></span></p> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img title="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/7/7/2/3/ar130360687932777.jpg" height="173" alt="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" width="150"></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dave@midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Email" target="_blank"><strong>Email me</strong></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty Website" target="_blank">Visit&nbsp;Our Website</a></strong></p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Buyers.html" title="Buyers Programs" target="_blank"><img title="Buyer Services" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/0/4/0/2/ar133030703620407.png" height="67" alt="Buyer Services" width="248"></a></strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/shortsales.html" title="Short Sale Help" target="_blank"><img title="Short Sale Help" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/7/5/7/7/ar128543750377572.jpg" height="67" alt="Short Sale Help" width="161"></a></span></strong></p> </td> <td> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty" target="_blank"><img title="Flat Fee MLS" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/1/0/0/7/ar128543734970016.jpg" height="68" alt="Flat Fee MLS" width="363"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Sellers.html" title="Sellers" target="_blank"><img title="Premier Full Service" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/1/5/ar128543740651056.jpg" height="67" alt="Premier Full Service" width="361"></a></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/105104550263314436088/about?hl=en" title="Google+"><img title="Google+" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/2/7/ar13175212572338.jpg" height="91" alt="Google+" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Midwest-Premier-Realty/164520880241410?sk=wall" title="Facebook" target="_blank"><img title="Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/9/6/6/9/ar130732308796699.png" height="100" alt="Facebook" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/DavidRHill" title="Twitter" target="_blank"><img title="Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/6/1/6/6/ar130732326666161.png" height="100" alt="Twitter" width="100"></a><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?id=23229271" title="LinkedIn" target="_blank"><img title="LinkedIn" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/2/9/9/1/ar130732346319923.png" height="100" alt="LinkedIn" width="100"></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Midwest Premier Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/5/2/ar130836232725338.png" height="100" alt="Midwest Premier Realty" width="100"><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" target="_blank"><img title="Property Search" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/2/1/0/8/ar132479640380124.jpg" height="95" alt="Search For Properties" style="vertical-align: top;" width="125"></a></p> </div> David Hill PhD,ePro,SFR,CIAS,BPOR,CNE Chicago Real Estate Agent (Midwest Premier Realty, Gurnee IL 224-321-0699) Thu, 24 May 2012 17:34:33 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3285587/are-you-a-procrastinator-find-out-how-to-change http://activerain.com/blogsview/3267224/proper-data-storage-can-save-time-and-money- <p class="BodyChar" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;"><img title="Data Back Up" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/4/7/2/0/ar133730823402746.JPG" height="200" alt="Data Back Up" width="200" style="float: left; margin: 10px;">Few business problems are more costly, and more unnerving, than losing information. Recovering just a few hours of data entry can take several days and hundreds of dollars. The solution is proper storage of digital information.</span></p> <p class="BodyChar" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;">There can be intentional and unintentional reasons for losing data. Take, for example, deleting a file by accident. Or not saving it to start with. Fortunately, automatic save features are now built into most applications and self-service local backups represent an easy solution to recovering deleted files without requiring an IT wizard.</span></p> <p class="BodyChar" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;">Cloud-based backups are an inexpensive option to prevent against data loss from natural disasters. In addition, this offsite backup offers protection against data theft and infection of files by outside viruses.</span></p> <p class="BodyChar" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;">A basic offline backup is another solution, which retains at least one copy of data that intruders are unable to access or modify.</span></p> <p class="BodyChar" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;">Hardware failures are inevitable. Downtime crashes are reduced or even eliminated by servers equipped with RAID (redundant array of inexpensive disks). Using a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) reduces data corruption from power failures and overloads.</span></p> <p class="BodyChar" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;"><span class="BodyCharChar1">Large businesses have backup data centers and smaller companies can rely upon external hard drives.&nbsp;&nbsp;But, ultimately, there is only one sensible strategy for storing and protecting data and eliminating concerns over data loss. That is redundancy.&nbsp;</span>Simply synchronizing data is not the same as creating redundant copies. The best solution is having multiple backups in different locations. </span></p> <p class="BodyChar" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;">Proper data storage can save time and money....and a lot of headaches!</span></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re thinking about selling your home,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freehomevalue.html" title="Free Home Value Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;for a free home valuation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re looking to buy a home&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freelistingsrequest.html" title="Free Listings Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;to sign up and receive property listings that meet your criteria as soon as they hit the market.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you'd like to search local listings of homes for sale in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs yourself <em><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" title="Search Chicago Area MLS Listings">Click Here</a></strong></em>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/3/0/1/3/ar131406335931039.jpg" height="38" alt="David Hill" style="border-color: initial;" width="752"></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/5/8/1/8/ar131406368181853.jpg" height="43" alt="David Hill" width="675"></span></p> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img title="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/7/7/2/3/ar130360687932777.jpg" height="173" alt="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" width="150"></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dave@midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Email" target="_blank"><strong>Email me</strong></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty Website" target="_blank">Visit&nbsp;Our Website</a></strong></p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Buyers.html" title="Buyers Programs" target="_blank"><img title="Buyer Services" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/0/4/0/2/ar133030703620407.png" height="67" alt="Buyer Services" width="248"></a></strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/shortsales.html" title="Short Sale Help" target="_blank"><img title="Short Sale Help" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/7/5/7/7/ar128543750377572.jpg" height="67" alt="Short Sale Help" width="161"></a></span></strong></p> </td> <td> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty" target="_blank"><img title="Flat Fee MLS" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/1/0/0/7/ar128543734970016.jpg" height="68" alt="Flat Fee MLS" width="363"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Sellers.html" title="Sellers" target="_blank"><img title="Premier Full Service" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/1/5/ar128543740651056.jpg" height="67" alt="Premier Full Service" width="361"></a></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/105104550263314436088/about?hl=en" title="Google+"><img title="Google+" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/2/7/ar13175212572338.jpg" height="91" alt="Google+" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Midwest-Premier-Realty/164520880241410?sk=wall" title="Facebook" target="_blank"><img title="Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/9/6/6/9/ar130732308796699.png" height="100" alt="Facebook" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/DavidRHill" title="Twitter" target="_blank"><img title="Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/6/1/6/6/ar130732326666161.png" height="100" alt="Twitter" width="100"></a><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?id=23229271" title="LinkedIn" target="_blank"><img title="LinkedIn" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/2/9/9/1/ar130732346319923.png" height="100" alt="LinkedIn" width="100"></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Midwest Premier Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/5/2/ar130836232725338.png" height="100" alt="Midwest Premier Realty" width="100"><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" target="_blank"><img title="Property Search" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/2/1/0/8/ar132479640380124.jpg" height="95" alt="Search For Properties" style="vertical-align: top;" width="125"></a></p> </div> David Hill PhD,ePro,SFR,CIAS,BPOR,CNE Chicago Real Estate Agent (Midwest Premier Realty, Gurnee IL 224-321-0699) Thu, 17 May 2012 19:32:37 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3267224/proper-data-storage-can-save-time-and-money- http://activerain.com/blogsview/3253841/maximize-return-by-assessing-highest-and-best-use- <p><span style="">"The highest and best use" is a real estate appraisal concept designed to show the greatest value of a specific property. As an investor, you will find this concept useful in determining how to maximize your investment return. There are four tests each property must meet when determining the highest and best use:</span></p> <p><span style=""><strong><img title="Is it legal" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/0/3/1/0/ar133687388201302.JPG" height="125" alt="Legal" width="125" style="float: left; margin: 10px;">Is it legal?</strong> Only legal uses add value to a property. Research into zoning restrictions may be necessary to determine the legal uses for a parcel of land.</span><br style=""><br style=""><span style=""><strong>Is the use physically possible</strong> given the specifications of the real estate in question? An elaborate plan can become obsolete if the physical limitations of the property won't accommodate it.</span><br style=""><img title="Financial Feasibility" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/5/8/5/4/ar133687400145858.JPG" height="133" alt="Financial Feasibility" width="100" style="float: right; margin: 10px;"></p> <div> <span style=""><strong>Is the upgrade financially feasible?</strong> The proposed change must be able to&nbsp;</span><span style="">generate sufficient profit to justify the cost of improvements. That means establishing whether the property has existing economic life in its current condition or whether there is limited economic life with any improvements.</span> </div> <p><br style=""><span style=""><strong>What is the maximum use of the property?</strong> Is the property generating the highest net return? From an investment perspective&nbsp;</span><span style="">this is often the most important question. The issue of whether a property is of higher value used for residential, commercial or industrial purposes will greatly influence its final sale price.</span></p> <p><br style=""><span style="">By closely balancing the cost of improvements against the highest use for the property, you can maximize your investment dollars.</span></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re thinking about selling your home,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freehomevalue.html" title="Free Home Value Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;for a free home valuation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re looking to buy a home&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freelistingsrequest.html" title="Free Listings Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;to sign up and receive property listings that meet your criteria as soon as they hit the market.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you'd like to search local listings of homes for sale in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs yourself <em><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" title="Search Chicago Area MLS Listings">Click Here</a></strong></em>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/3/0/1/3/ar131406335931039.jpg" height="38" alt="David Hill" style="border-color: initial;" width="752"></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/5/8/1/8/ar131406368181853.jpg" height="43" alt="David Hill" width="675"></span></p> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img title="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/7/7/2/3/ar130360687932777.jpg" height="173" alt="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" width="150"></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dave@midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Email" target="_blank"><strong>Email me</strong></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty Website" target="_blank">Visit&nbsp;Our Website</a></strong></p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Buyers.html" title="Buyers Programs" target="_blank"><img title="Buyer Services" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/0/4/0/2/ar133030703620407.png" height="67" alt="Buyer Services" width="248"></a></strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/shortsales.html" title="Short Sale Help" target="_blank"><img title="Short Sale Help" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/7/5/7/7/ar128543750377572.jpg" height="67" alt="Short Sale Help" width="161"></a></span></strong></p> </td> <td> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty" target="_blank"><img title="Flat Fee MLS" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/1/0/0/7/ar128543734970016.jpg" height="68" alt="Flat Fee MLS" width="363"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Sellers.html" title="Sellers" target="_blank"><img title="Premier Full Service" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/1/5/ar128543740651056.jpg" height="67" alt="Premier Full Service" width="361"></a></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/105104550263314436088/about?hl=en" title="Google+"><img title="Google+" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/2/7/ar13175212572338.jpg" height="91" alt="Google+" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Midwest-Premier-Realty/164520880241410?sk=wall" title="Facebook" target="_blank"><img title="Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/9/6/6/9/ar130732308796699.png" height="100" alt="Facebook" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/DavidRHill" title="Twitter" target="_blank"><img title="Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/6/1/6/6/ar130732326666161.png" height="100" alt="Twitter" width="100"></a><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?id=23229271" title="LinkedIn" target="_blank"><img title="LinkedIn" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/2/9/9/1/ar130732346319923.png" height="100" alt="LinkedIn" width="100"></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Midwest Premier Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/5/2/ar130836232725338.png" height="100" alt="Midwest Premier Realty" width="100"><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" target="_blank"><img title="Property Search" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/2/1/0/8/ar132479640380124.jpg" height="95" alt="Search For Properties" style="vertical-align: top;" width="125"></a></p> </div> David Hill PhD,ePro,SFR,CIAS,BPOR,CNE Chicago Real Estate Agent (Midwest Premier Realty, Gurnee IL 224-321-0699) Sat, 12 May 2012 18:57:35 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3253841/maximize-return-by-assessing-highest-and-best-use- http://activerain.com/blogsview/3251579/how-do-i-know-how-much-i-should-spend-to-buy-a-home- <p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><img title="House Cost" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/1/8/7/ar133679676378138.JPG" height="200" alt="House Cost" width="200" style="float: left; margin: 10px;">Here are some tips to keep you on track.</span><br style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><br style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">Know your financial situation: Prepare a budget before you start house hunting. In general, spend no more than 32% of your gross monthly income on housing. Remember, this includes utilities and property taxes. And your entire debt load shouldn't exceed 40% of your monthly gross income. Debt load includes car loans as well as credit card and line-of-credit payments.</span><br style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><br style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">The lowest interest rate isn't always the best solution. Consider your individual situation, talk to two or three lenders, and be sure to read the fine print. Make sure you plan for closing costs.</span><br style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><br style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">If you're looking at an adjustable-rate mortgage, consider that interest rates will fluctuate. Put down as much of a downpayment as you can and make sure you can meet the payments if rates change.</span></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re thinking about selling your home,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freehomevalue.html" title="Free Home Value Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;for a free home valuation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re looking to buy a home&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freelistingsrequest.html" title="Free Listings Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;to sign up and receive property listings that meet your criteria as soon as they hit the market.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you'd like to search local listings of homes for sale in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs yourself <em><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" title="Search Chicago Area MLS Listings">Click Here</a></strong></em>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/3/0/1/3/ar131406335931039.jpg" height="38" alt="David Hill" style="border-color: initial;" width="752"></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/5/8/1/8/ar131406368181853.jpg" height="43" alt="David Hill" width="675"></span></p> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img title="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/7/7/2/3/ar130360687932777.jpg" height="173" alt="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" width="150"></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dave@midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Email" target="_blank"><strong>Email me</strong></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty Website" target="_blank">Visit&nbsp;Our Website</a></strong></p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Buyers.html" title="Buyers Programs" target="_blank"><img title="Buyer Services" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/0/4/0/2/ar133030703620407.png" height="67" alt="Buyer Services" width="248"></a></strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/shortsales.html" title="Short Sale Help" target="_blank"><img title="Short Sale Help" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/7/5/7/7/ar128543750377572.jpg" height="67" alt="Short Sale Help" width="161"></a></span></strong></p> </td> <td> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty" target="_blank"><img title="Flat Fee MLS" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/1/0/0/7/ar128543734970016.jpg" height="68" alt="Flat Fee MLS" width="363"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Sellers.html" title="Sellers" target="_blank"><img title="Premier Full Service" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/1/5/ar128543740651056.jpg" height="67" alt="Premier Full Service" width="361"></a></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/105104550263314436088/about?hl=en" title="Google+"><img title="Google+" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/2/7/ar13175212572338.jpg" height="91" alt="Google+" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Midwest-Premier-Realty/164520880241410?sk=wall" title="Facebook" target="_blank"><img title="Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/9/6/6/9/ar130732308796699.png" height="100" alt="Facebook" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/DavidRHill" title="Twitter" target="_blank"><img title="Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/6/1/6/6/ar130732326666161.png" height="100" alt="Twitter" width="100"></a><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?id=23229271" title="LinkedIn" target="_blank"><img title="LinkedIn" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/2/9/9/1/ar130732346319923.png" height="100" alt="LinkedIn" width="100"></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Midwest Premier Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/5/2/ar130836232725338.png" height="100" alt="Midwest Premier Realty" width="100"><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" target="_blank"><img title="Property Search" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/2/1/0/8/ar132479640380124.jpg" height="95" alt="Search For Properties" style="vertical-align: top;" width="125"></a></p> </div> David Hill PhD,ePro,SFR,CIAS,BPOR,CNE Chicago Real Estate Agent (Midwest Premier Realty, Gurnee IL 224-321-0699) Fri, 11 May 2012 21:30:42 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3251579/how-do-i-know-how-much-i-should-spend-to-buy-a-home- http://activerain.com/blogsview/3251332/when-does-a-more-expensive-home-cost-less- <p><span style=""><img title="Chicago home buying" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/9/5/5/4/ar133678762845596.JPG" height="214" alt="Chicago home buying" width="300" style="float: left; margin: 10px;">While it may seem counterintuitive, it's true; purchasing a more expensive home in an urban neighborhood could actually wind up costing you less than a home with a smaller price tag in the suburbs.</span><br style=""><br style=""><span style="">In more ways than one...</span><br style=""><br style=""><span style="">That's largely because of the high cost of transportation. When shopping for a home, many people who choose to live far from the core and commute to city jobs often neglect to factor in transportation costs.</span><br style=""><br style=""><span style="">The ever-increasing price of gas is not the only consideration. Regular maintenance, higher car insurance rates due to the longer drive, simple wear and tear, and vehicle replacement costs all need to be considered when calculating the cost of living far from where you work.</span><br style=""><br style=""><span style="">Given that suburban living also typically requires the use of a vehicle for everything from taking the kids to school to quick trips to the grocery store, you could also be looking at adding a second vehicle.</span><br style=""><br style=""><span style="">Whereas city dwellers - who benefit from better transit options and from being within walking distance of many amenities - may get by with one car or none at all.</span><br style=""><br style=""><span style="">Something else to consider if you're weighing the pros and cons of urban versus suburban living: according to research, health benefits - such as lower rates of obesity, hypertension and diabetes - are associated with the increased physical activity (primarily walking) that comes with being a city dweller. And that could translate into both lower medical costs and a longer, healthier life, which we'd all agree are priceless.</span></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re thinking about selling your home,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freehomevalue.html" title="Free Home Value Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;for a free home valuation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re looking to buy a home&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freelistingsrequest.html" title="Free Listings Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;to sign up and receive property listings that meet your criteria as soon as they hit the market.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you'd like to search local listings of homes for sale in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs yourself <em><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" title="Search Chicago Area MLS Listings">Click Here</a></strong></em>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/3/0/1/3/ar131406335931039.jpg" height="38" alt="David Hill" style="border-color: initial;" width="752"></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/5/8/1/8/ar131406368181853.jpg" height="43" alt="David Hill" width="675"></span></p> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img title="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/7/7/2/3/ar130360687932777.jpg" height="173" alt="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" width="150"></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dave@midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Email" target="_blank"><strong>Email me</strong></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty Website" target="_blank">Visit&nbsp;Our Website</a></strong></p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Buyers.html" title="Buyers Programs" target="_blank"><img title="Buyer Services" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/0/4/0/2/ar133030703620407.png" height="67" alt="Buyer Services" width="248"></a></strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/shortsales.html" title="Short Sale Help" target="_blank"><img title="Short Sale Help" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/7/5/7/7/ar128543750377572.jpg" height="67" alt="Short Sale Help" width="161"></a></span></strong></p> </td> <td> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty" target="_blank"><img title="Flat Fee MLS" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/1/0/0/7/ar128543734970016.jpg" height="68" alt="Flat Fee MLS" width="363"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Sellers.html" title="Sellers" target="_blank"><img title="Premier Full Service" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/1/5/ar128543740651056.jpg" height="67" alt="Premier Full Service" width="361"></a></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/105104550263314436088/about?hl=en" title="Google+"><img title="Google+" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/2/7/ar13175212572338.jpg" height="91" alt="Google+" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Midwest-Premier-Realty/164520880241410?sk=wall" title="Facebook" target="_blank"><img title="Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/9/6/6/9/ar130732308796699.png" height="100" alt="Facebook" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/DavidRHill" title="Twitter" target="_blank"><img title="Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/6/1/6/6/ar130732326666161.png" height="100" alt="Twitter" width="100"></a><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?id=23229271" title="LinkedIn" target="_blank"><img title="LinkedIn" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/2/9/9/1/ar130732346319923.png" height="100" alt="LinkedIn" width="100"></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Midwest Premier Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/5/2/ar130836232725338.png" height="100" alt="Midwest Premier Realty" width="100"><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" target="_blank"><img title="Property Search" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/2/1/0/8/ar132479640380124.jpg" height="95" alt="Search For Properties" style="vertical-align: top;" width="125"></a></p> </div> David Hill PhD,ePro,SFR,CIAS,BPOR,CNE Chicago Real Estate Agent (Midwest Premier Realty, Gurnee IL 224-321-0699) Fri, 11 May 2012 18:57:13 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3251332/when-does-a-more-expensive-home-cost-less- http://activerain.com/blogsview/3246080/great-online-tools-to-keep-projects-on-track <p class="Body" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span class="body0" style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;"><img title="Online project management tools" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/0/3/8/ar133661054783043.JPG" height="200" alt="Online project management tools" width="200" style="float: left; margin: 10px;">If you are responsible for large, complex projects involving far-flung teams, overlapping deadlines, and many tasks and activities, you have definitely outgrown physical project management solutions such as to-do lists, sticky notes and whiteboards.</span></p> <p class="Body" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span class="body0" style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;">Fortunately, there are many online project management tools that can help you plan, manage, monitor and coordinate large, highly complex projects.</span></p> <p class="Body" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span class="body0" style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;">These tools offer tracking mechanisms so that you can keep track of all the moving parts and ensure that everything is going forward, as well as organizational and monitoring capabilities that enable the project team to deliver a successful result.</span></p> <p class="Body" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span class="body0" style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;">Many online tools have robust planning and assessment options. Their powerful interactive communication and feedback capabilities are especially useful for projects with variable, indeterminate or risky outcomes. They generally include reporting, budget and expense tracking, resource allocation, people management and customization features. Pricing is often based on the number of users and monthly usage.</span></p> <p class="Body" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span class="body0" style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;">That makes them affordable for small and midsized enterprises, startups, and solopreneurs. Most offer free intro packages and a range of tiered options.</span></p> <p class="Body" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span class="body0" style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;">Here are a few of the more popular project management tools available. Note that these and other online project management tools differ in that each has specific advantages for different types of project management challenges.</span></p> <p class="Body" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;"><span class="body0"><strong>Basecamp</strong></span></span></p> <p class="Body" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span class="body0" style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;">(http://basecamphq.com) Basecamp has an array of dashboard tools that give the project manager a bird&rsquo;s-eye view of a project&rsquo;s various moving parts. The Basecamp website provides videos that explain the tool and show how businesses have used it.</span></p> <p class="Body" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span class="body0" style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;"><strong>Central Desktop</strong></span></p> <p class="Body" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span class="body0" style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;">&nbsp;(www.centraldesktop.com) This is a wiki-based online collaboration suite that allows users to open, save, edit and co-author files stored online. Central Desktop for Office allows users to collaborate directly on Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files. Videos on the site describe the tool.&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Body" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;"><span class="body0"><strong>AceProject</strong></span></span></p> <p class="Body" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span class="body0" style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;">(www.aceproject.com) The tool is a cloud-based service that includes project management, document management, time tracking, reporting, HR management, budget tracking, invoicing and more.</span></p> <p class="Body" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span class="body0" style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;"><strong>ZOHO</strong></span></p> <p class="Body" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span class="body0" style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;">(www.zoho.com) ZOHO has more than 20 add-on features such as customer relationship management, collaboration, business and productivity applications. The applications are delivered over the Internet. ZOHO maintains and secures your data on its servers.</span></p> <p class="Body" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span class="body0" style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;"><strong>Quickbase</strong></span></p> <p class="Body" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span class="body0" style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;">(http://quickbase.intuit.com) QuickBase allows you to create custom applications for your own business processes and integrate them with your existing systems, thus enabling business teams to collaborate efficiently.</span></p> <p class="Body" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;"><span class="body0"><strong>Google Docs</strong></span></span></p> <p class="Body" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span class="body0"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;">(https://docs.google.com) Google Docs is a suite of products that lets you create various kinds of online documents, work on them in real time with other team members and store the documents online. The data resides in the cloud so you can access your documents and files from any computer, anywhere in the world.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re thinking about selling your home,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freehomevalue.html" title="Free Home Value Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;for a free home valuation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re looking to buy a home&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freelistingsrequest.html" title="Free Listings Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;to sign up and receive property listings that meet your criteria as soon as they hit the market.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you'd like to search local listings of homes for sale in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs yourself <em><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" title="Search Chicago Area MLS Listings">Click Here</a></strong></em>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/3/0/1/3/ar131406335931039.jpg" height="38" alt="David Hill" style="border-color: initial;" width="752"></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/5/8/1/8/ar131406368181853.jpg" height="43" alt="David Hill" width="675"></span></p> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img title="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/7/7/2/3/ar130360687932777.jpg" height="173" alt="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" width="150"></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dave@midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Email" target="_blank"><strong>Email me</strong></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty Website" target="_blank">Visit&nbsp;Our Website</a></strong></p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Buyers.html" title="Buyers Programs" target="_blank"><img title="Buyer Services" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/0/4/0/2/ar133030703620407.png" height="67" alt="Buyer Services" width="248"></a></strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/shortsales.html" title="Short Sale Help" target="_blank"><img title="Short Sale Help" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/7/5/7/7/ar128543750377572.jpg" height="67" alt="Short Sale Help" width="161"></a></span></strong></p> </td> <td> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty" target="_blank"><img title="Flat Fee MLS" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/1/0/0/7/ar128543734970016.jpg" height="68" alt="Flat Fee MLS" width="363"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Sellers.html" title="Sellers" target="_blank"><img title="Premier Full Service" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/1/5/ar128543740651056.jpg" height="67" alt="Premier Full Service" width="361"></a></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/105104550263314436088/about?hl=en" title="Google+"><img title="Google+" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/2/7/ar13175212572338.jpg" height="91" alt="Google+" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Midwest-Premier-Realty/164520880241410?sk=wall" title="Facebook" target="_blank"><img title="Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/9/6/6/9/ar130732308796699.png" height="100" alt="Facebook" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/DavidRHill" title="Twitter" target="_blank"><img title="Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/6/1/6/6/ar130732326666161.png" height="100" alt="Twitter" width="100"></a><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?id=23229271" title="LinkedIn" target="_blank"><img title="LinkedIn" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/2/9/9/1/ar130732346319923.png" height="100" alt="LinkedIn" width="100"></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Midwest Premier Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/5/2/ar130836232725338.png" height="100" alt="Midwest Premier Realty" width="100"><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" target="_blank"><img title="Property Search" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/2/1/0/8/ar132479640380124.jpg" height="95" alt="Search For Properties" style="vertical-align: top;" width="125"></a></p> </div> David Hill PhD,ePro,SFR,CIAS,BPOR,CNE Chicago Real Estate Agent (Midwest Premier Realty, Gurnee IL 224-321-0699) Wed, 09 May 2012 17:43:13 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3246080/great-online-tools-to-keep-projects-on-track http://activerain.com/blogsview/3226690/shh-we-re-eating-mindfulness-meditation-in-the-dining-room <p class="Body" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;"><img title="mindful meditation" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/0/1/1/3/ar133609994931102.JPG" height="225" alt="mindful meditation" width="225" style="float: left; margin: 10px;">Most of us would agree we need a break from our fast-paced lifestyles. But would eating in silence be carrying it too far?</span></p> <p class="Body" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;">Mindful meditation &ndash; a technique to slow down and be in the moment &ndash; is moving from the yoga mat to the dining room table in hopes of restoring calmness to the process of nourishing our bodies.</span></p> <p class="Body" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;">Once the preserve of Buddhist monks, mindful meditation is now seen as a powerful tool by the scientific and medical communities to combat stress, depression, anxiety and other lifestyle diseases. Mindful eating is being touted as a way of bringing a degree of consciousness to the dinner hour and possibly helping to combat obesity, now epidemic in our society.</span></p> <p class="Body" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;">The emphasis is on slow, deliberate eating, savoring food and creating an atmosphere conducive to this. That&rsquo;s why silence is golden &ndash; at least at the dinner table. No TV; no gulping it down on your way to something else; no unconscious eating.</span></p> <p class="Body" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;d like to try mindful eating, start small. Sit down as a family for one meal a week, turn off the smartphones and TV and try silence, even if it&rsquo;s just for 15 minutes. Consider making a special meal, with a variety of textures and flavors. Focus on fresh vegetables, fish and chicken.</span></p> <p class="Body" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;">Chew each bite 20 times (which also gives your stomach a chance to tell you it&rsquo;s full). Think about what you&rsquo;re eating. But most of all, enjoy it.</span></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re thinking about selling your home,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freehomevalue.html" title="Free Home Value Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;for a free home valuation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re looking to buy a home&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freelistingsrequest.html" title="Free Listings Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;to sign up and receive property listings that meet your criteria as soon as they hit the market.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you'd like to search local listings of homes for sale in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs yourself <em><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" title="Search Chicago Area MLS Listings">Click Here</a></strong></em>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/3/0/1/3/ar131406335931039.jpg" height="38" alt="David Hill" style="border-color: initial;" width="752"></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/5/8/1/8/ar131406368181853.jpg" height="43" alt="David Hill" width="675"></span></p> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img title="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/7/7/2/3/ar130360687932777.jpg" height="173" alt="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" width="150"></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dave@midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Email" target="_blank"><strong>Email me</strong></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty Website" target="_blank">Visit&nbsp;Our Website</a></strong></p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Buyers.html" title="Buyers Programs" target="_blank"><img title="Buyer Services" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/0/4/0/2/ar133030703620407.png" height="67" alt="Buyer Services" width="248"></a></strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/shortsales.html" title="Short Sale Help" target="_blank"><img title="Short Sale Help" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/7/5/7/7/ar128543750377572.jpg" height="67" alt="Short Sale Help" width="161"></a></span></strong></p> </td> <td> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty" target="_blank"><img title="Flat Fee MLS" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/1/0/0/7/ar128543734970016.jpg" height="68" alt="Flat Fee MLS" width="363"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Sellers.html" title="Sellers" target="_blank"><img title="Premier Full Service" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/1/5/ar128543740651056.jpg" height="67" alt="Premier Full Service" width="361"></a></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/105104550263314436088/about?hl=en" title="Google+"><img title="Google+" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/2/7/ar13175212572338.jpg" height="91" alt="Google+" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Midwest-Premier-Realty/164520880241410?sk=wall" title="Facebook" target="_blank"><img title="Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/9/6/6/9/ar130732308796699.png" height="100" alt="Facebook" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/DavidRHill" title="Twitter" target="_blank"><img title="Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/6/1/6/6/ar130732326666161.png" height="100" alt="Twitter" width="100"></a><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?id=23229271" title="LinkedIn" target="_blank"><img title="LinkedIn" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/2/9/9/1/ar130732346319923.png" height="100" alt="LinkedIn" width="100"></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Midwest Premier Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/5/2/ar130836232725338.png" height="100" alt="Midwest Premier Realty" width="100"><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" target="_blank"><img title="Property Search" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/2/1/0/8/ar132479640380124.jpg" height="95" alt="Search For Properties" style="vertical-align: top;" width="125"></a></p> </div> David Hill PhD,ePro,SFR,CIAS,BPOR,CNE Chicago Real Estate Agent (Midwest Premier Realty, Gurnee IL 224-321-0699) Thu, 03 May 2012 19:54:42 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3226690/shh-we-re-eating-mindfulness-meditation-in-the-dining-room http://activerain.com/blogsview/3204540/how-should-i-prepare-my-home-for-sale- <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><img title="Preparing your home for sale" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/9/1/4/7/ar133557545074191.JPG" height="199" alt="Preparing your home for sale" width="300" style="float: left; margin: 10px;"></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">You want your home to show well, which means getting rid of clutter and making sure it is clean, neat and well maintained both inside and outside:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Remove all clutter. Pack or store anything you do not need. Donate the rest to your favorite charity or having a garage sale.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Store your valuables or lock them up in a safe place. This includes jewelry, collectibles, artwork and medicines in your medicine cabinet.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Eliminate smoking odors and pet odors.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Paint the inside and outside with neutral colors, steam clean carpets or replace with new carpeting or flooring. Stage the furniture and accessorize with pillows, plants, candles and other accessories.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Curb appeal matters. Manicure your lawn and trim trees and shrubs. Plant new flowers. Mend broken fences or gates.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re thinking about selling your home,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freehomevalue.html" title="Free Home Value Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;for a free home valuation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re looking to buy a home&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freelistingsrequest.html" title="Free Listings Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;to sign up and receive property listings that meet your criteria as soon as they hit the market.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you'd like to search local listings of homes for sale in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs yourself <em><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" title="Search Chicago Area MLS Listings">Click Here</a></strong></em>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/3/0/1/3/ar131406335931039.jpg" height="38" alt="David Hill" style="border-color: initial;" width="752"></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/5/8/1/8/ar131406368181853.jpg" height="43" alt="David Hill" width="675"></span></p> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img title="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/7/7/2/3/ar130360687932777.jpg" height="173" alt="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" width="150"></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dave@midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Email" target="_blank"><strong>Email me</strong></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty Website" target="_blank">Visit&nbsp;Our Website</a></strong></p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Buyers.html" title="Buyers Programs" target="_blank"><img title="Buyer Services" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/0/4/0/2/ar133030703620407.png" height="67" alt="Buyer Services" width="248"></a></strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/shortsales.html" title="Short Sale Help" target="_blank"><img title="Short Sale Help" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/7/5/7/7/ar128543750377572.jpg" height="67" alt="Short Sale Help" width="161"></a></span></strong></p> </td> <td> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty" target="_blank"><img title="Flat Fee MLS" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/1/0/0/7/ar128543734970016.jpg" height="68" alt="Flat Fee MLS" width="363"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Sellers.html" title="Sellers" target="_blank"><img title="Premier Full Service" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/1/5/ar128543740651056.jpg" height="67" alt="Premier Full Service" width="361"></a></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/105104550263314436088/about?hl=en" title="Google+"><img title="Google+" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/2/7/ar13175212572338.jpg" height="91" alt="Google+" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Midwest-Premier-Realty/164520880241410?sk=wall" title="Facebook" target="_blank"><img title="Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/9/6/6/9/ar130732308796699.png" height="100" alt="Facebook" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/DavidRHill" title="Twitter" target="_blank"><img title="Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/6/1/6/6/ar130732326666161.png" height="100" alt="Twitter" width="100"></a><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?id=23229271" title="LinkedIn" target="_blank"><img title="LinkedIn" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/2/9/9/1/ar130732346319923.png" height="100" alt="LinkedIn" width="100"></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Midwest Premier Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/5/2/ar130836232725338.png" height="100" alt="Midwest Premier Realty" width="100"><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" target="_blank"><img title="Property Search" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/2/1/0/8/ar132479640380124.jpg" height="95" alt="Search For Properties" style="vertical-align: top;" width="125"></a></p> </div> David Hill PhD,ePro,SFR,CIAS,BPOR,CNE Chicago Real Estate Agent (Midwest Premier Realty, Gurnee IL 224-321-0699) Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:11:36 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3204540/how-should-i-prepare-my-home-for-sale- http://activerain.com/blogsview/3200995/what-are-my-options-as-an-empty-nester- <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><img title="Empty Nesters" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/8/7/3/5/ar133548432153788.jpg" height="175" alt="Empty Nesters" width="325" style="float: left; margin: 10px;">Your children have left home. You and your spouse are home alone, likely in a big house that may be becoming too much to handle. You want to spend more of your time traveling and the idea of mowing lawns no longer appeals. Your lifestyle is changing but your living situation has not. What can you do?</span></span><br> <br><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> Downsize. Here's how:</span></span><br> <br><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> 1. Condominiums. Secure buildings that can offer of variety of amenities to suit any lifestyle. A monthly fee takes care of the maintenance.</span></span><br> <br><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> 2. Buy a smaller house. You may still want that garden.</span></span><br> <br><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> 3. Adult lifestyle community. Interact with like-minded people in a safe community with a country club atmosphere.</span></span><br> <br><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> 4. Adult mobile home community. Pick an urban park with amenities on site and shopping and restaurants nearby, or a country setting with lots of peace and quiet.</span></span></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re thinking about selling your home,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freehomevalue.html" title="Free Home Value Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;for a free home valuation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re looking to buy a home&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freelistingsrequest.html" title="Free Listings Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;to sign up and receive property listings that meet your criteria as soon as they hit the market.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you'd like to search local listings of homes for sale in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs yourself <em><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" title="Search Chicago Area MLS Listings">Click Here</a></strong></em>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/3/0/1/3/ar131406335931039.jpg" height="38" alt="David Hill" style="border-color: initial;" width="752"></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/5/8/1/8/ar131406368181853.jpg" height="43" alt="David Hill" width="675"></span></p> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img title="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/7/7/2/3/ar130360687932777.jpg" height="173" alt="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" width="150"></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dave@midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Email" target="_blank"><strong>Email me</strong></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty Website" target="_blank">Visit&nbsp;Our Website</a></strong></p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Buyers.html" title="Buyers Programs" target="_blank"><img title="Buyer Services" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/0/4/0/2/ar133030703620407.png" height="67" alt="Buyer Services" width="248"></a></strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/shortsales.html" title="Short Sale Help" target="_blank"><img title="Short Sale Help" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/7/5/7/7/ar128543750377572.jpg" height="67" alt="Short Sale Help" width="161"></a></span></strong></p> </td> <td> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty" target="_blank"><img title="Flat Fee MLS" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/1/0/0/7/ar128543734970016.jpg" height="68" alt="Flat Fee MLS" width="363"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Sellers.html" title="Sellers" target="_blank"><img title="Premier Full Service" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/1/5/ar128543740651056.jpg" height="67" alt="Premier Full Service" width="361"></a></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/105104550263314436088/about?hl=en" title="Google+"><img title="Google+" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/2/7/ar13175212572338.jpg" height="91" alt="Google+" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Midwest-Premier-Realty/164520880241410?sk=wall" title="Facebook" target="_blank"><img title="Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/9/6/6/9/ar130732308796699.png" height="100" alt="Facebook" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/DavidRHill" title="Twitter" target="_blank"><img title="Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/6/1/6/6/ar130732326666161.png" height="100" alt="Twitter" width="100"></a><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?id=23229271" title="LinkedIn" target="_blank"><img title="LinkedIn" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/2/9/9/1/ar130732346319923.png" height="100" alt="LinkedIn" width="100"></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Midwest Premier Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/5/2/ar130836232725338.png" height="100" alt="Midwest Premier Realty" width="100"><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" target="_blank"><img title="Property Search" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/2/1/0/8/ar132479640380124.jpg" height="95" alt="Search For Properties" style="vertical-align: top;" width="125"></a></p> </div> David Hill PhD,ePro,SFR,CIAS,BPOR,CNE Chicago Real Estate Agent (Midwest Premier Realty, Gurnee IL 224-321-0699) Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:54:07 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3200995/what-are-my-options-as-an-empty-nester- http://activerain.com/blogsview/3195330/what-is-your-favorite-technology-quote- <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img title="Quotations" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/0/9/7/8/ar133540228087905.JPG" height="200" alt="Quotations" width="200" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I found these technology quotations fun, entertaining and amusing:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For a list of all the ways technology has failed to improve the quality of life, please press three.<br> <em>Alice Kahn</em></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.<br> <em>Arthur C. Clarke</em></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have witnessed a whole succession of technological revolutions. But none of them have done away with the need for character in the individual or the ability to think.<br> <em>Bernard M. Baruch</em></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We make our gadgets our own by the way that we use them, with or without the permission of the manufacturer.<br> <em>Laura Moncur</em></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Technology is a way of organizing the universe so that man doesn't have to experience it.<br> <em>Max Frisch</em></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Humanity is acquiring all the right technology for all the wrong reasons.<br> <em>R. Buckminster Fuller</em></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">640k should be enough for anyone.<br> <em>Bill Gates</em></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What is your favorite technology quote?</span></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re thinking about selling your home,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freehomevalue.html" title="Free Home Value Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;for a free home valuation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re looking to buy a home&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freelistingsrequest.html" title="Free Listings Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;to sign up and receive property listings that meet your criteria as soon as they hit the market.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you'd like to search local listings of homes for sale in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs yourself <em><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" title="Search Chicago Area MLS Listings">Click Here</a></strong></em>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/3/0/1/3/ar131406335931039.jpg" height="38" alt="David Hill" style="border-color: initial;" width="752"></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/5/8/1/8/ar131406368181853.jpg" height="43" alt="David Hill" width="675"></span></p> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img title="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/7/7/2/3/ar130360687932777.jpg" height="173" alt="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" width="150"></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dave@midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Email" target="_blank"><strong>Email me</strong></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty Website" target="_blank">Visit&nbsp;Our Website</a></strong></p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Buyers.html" title="Buyers Programs" target="_blank"><img title="Buyer Services" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/0/4/0/2/ar133030703620407.png" height="67" alt="Buyer Services" width="248"></a></strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/shortsales.html" title="Short Sale Help" target="_blank"><img title="Short Sale Help" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/7/5/7/7/ar128543750377572.jpg" height="67" alt="Short Sale Help" width="161"></a></span></strong></p> </td> <td> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty" target="_blank"><img title="Flat Fee MLS" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/1/0/0/7/ar128543734970016.jpg" height="68" alt="Flat Fee MLS" width="363"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Sellers.html" title="Sellers" target="_blank"><img title="Premier Full Service" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/1/5/ar128543740651056.jpg" height="67" alt="Premier Full Service" width="361"></a></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/105104550263314436088/about?hl=en" title="Google+"><img title="Google+" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/2/7/ar13175212572338.jpg" height="91" alt="Google+" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Midwest-Premier-Realty/164520880241410?sk=wall" title="Facebook" target="_blank"><img title="Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/9/6/6/9/ar130732308796699.png" height="100" alt="Facebook" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/DavidRHill" title="Twitter" target="_blank"><img title="Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/6/1/6/6/ar130732326666161.png" height="100" alt="Twitter" width="100"></a><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?id=23229271" title="LinkedIn" target="_blank"><img title="LinkedIn" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/2/9/9/1/ar130732346319923.png" height="100" alt="LinkedIn" width="100"></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Midwest Premier Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/5/2/ar130836232725338.png" height="100" alt="Midwest Premier Realty" width="100"><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" target="_blank"><img title="Property Search" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/2/1/0/8/ar132479640380124.jpg" height="95" alt="Search For Properties" style="vertical-align: top;" width="125"></a></p> </div> David Hill PhD,ePro,SFR,CIAS,BPOR,CNE Chicago Real Estate Agent (Midwest Premier Realty, Gurnee IL 224-321-0699) Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:08:44 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3195330/what-is-your-favorite-technology-quote- http://activerain.com/blogsview/3190808/how-to-boost-your-business-with-facebook <p class="BodyChar" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;"><img title="Facebook Business Page" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/1/5/4/8/ar133523387984516.jpg" height="94" alt="Facebook Business Page" width="250" style="float: left; margin: 10px;"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you&rsquo;re a real estate agent, you&rsquo;re likely familiar with Facebook. Social media is becoming increasingly important for businesses as potential clients turn their attention away from traditional forms of advertising to find information and products.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Facebook is not limited to just connecting with people in a social way. It has led the online networking revolution and can add tremendous value to a real estate agent&rsquo;s marketing efforts.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Following are a few good reasons real estate agents should use Facebook:</span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">You get found by those who are looking to buy or sell.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">You connect and engage with current and potential clients.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">You can promote other content that you&rsquo;ve created, such as webinars and blogs.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">You can create a community around your business.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">You can generate leads.</span></li> </ul> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On Facebook, &ldquo;Profiles&rdquo; are meant for people and &ldquo;Pages&rdquo; are meant for businesses, so don&rsquo;t make the mistake of just creating a personal profile for your business.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Visit www.facebook.com/pages/create.php to start. Facebook will walk you through a simple process to set up your page.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First, you&rsquo;ll choose a classification, then a name and category for your page. You&rsquo;ll be asked to upload a photo. Choose your company brand or logo, then suggest the page to your friends and add some basic information.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You&rsquo;ll also want to become a fan by clicking the &ldquo;Like&rdquo; button on your page.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By doing this, you will be listed among the other fans on your page and all the pages that you are a fan of will appear on your personal page as well, thus creating a much wider visibility for your company.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Following are some tips to help promote your page:&nbsp;</span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Send emails to your clients and include a link in your email signature. Blog about your Facebook page and post a link on your website or blog.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Use your news feed. Every time a fan engages your page, from becoming a fan or posting a comment, it&rsquo;s published on his or her news feed, which is seen by his or her friends.</span></li> </ul> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Following are good Facebook practices:</span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Interact with your fans and give them useful links and information.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Have contests and giveaways, as they&rsquo;re always fun for fans.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">If you use traditional advertising, make sure to promote your Facebook presence.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Grow your mailing list by using your email newsletter to promote your Facebook page.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">&ldquo;Like&rdquo; other businesses&rsquo; Facebook pages.</span></li> </ul> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px;"><br></span></span></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re thinking about selling your home,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freehomevalue.html" title="Free Home Value Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;for a free home valuation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re looking to buy a home&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freelistingsrequest.html" title="Free Listings Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;to sign up and receive property listings that meet your criteria as soon as they hit the market.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you'd like to search local listings of homes for sale in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs yourself <em><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" title="Search Chicago Area MLS Listings">Click Here</a></strong></em>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/3/0/1/3/ar131406335931039.jpg" height="38" alt="David Hill" style="border-color: initial;" width="752"></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/5/8/1/8/ar131406368181853.jpg" height="43" alt="David Hill" width="675"></span></p> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img title="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/7/7/2/3/ar130360687932777.jpg" height="173" alt="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" width="150"></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dave@midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Email" target="_blank"><strong>Email me</strong></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty Website" target="_blank">Visit&nbsp;Our Website</a></strong></p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Buyers.html" title="Buyers Programs" target="_blank"><img title="Buyer Services" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/0/4/0/2/ar133030703620407.png" height="67" alt="Buyer Services" width="248"></a></strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/shortsales.html" title="Short Sale Help" target="_blank"><img title="Short Sale Help" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/7/5/7/7/ar128543750377572.jpg" height="67" alt="Short Sale Help" width="161"></a></span></strong></p> </td> <td> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty" target="_blank"><img title="Flat Fee MLS" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/1/0/0/7/ar128543734970016.jpg" height="68" alt="Flat Fee MLS" width="363"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Sellers.html" title="Sellers" target="_blank"><img title="Premier Full Service" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/1/5/ar128543740651056.jpg" height="67" alt="Premier Full Service" width="361"></a></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/105104550263314436088/about?hl=en" title="Google+"><img title="Google+" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/2/7/ar13175212572338.jpg" height="91" alt="Google+" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Midwest-Premier-Realty/164520880241410?sk=wall" title="Facebook" target="_blank"><img title="Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/9/6/6/9/ar130732308796699.png" height="100" alt="Facebook" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/DavidRHill" title="Twitter" target="_blank"><img title="Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/6/1/6/6/ar130732326666161.png" height="100" alt="Twitter" width="100"></a><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?id=23229271" title="LinkedIn" target="_blank"><img title="LinkedIn" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/2/9/9/1/ar130732346319923.png" height="100" alt="LinkedIn" width="100"></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Midwest Premier Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/5/2/ar130836232725338.png" height="100" alt="Midwest Premier Realty" width="100"><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" target="_blank"><img title="Property Search" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/2/1/0/8/ar132479640380124.jpg" height="95" alt="Search For Properties" style="vertical-align: top;" width="125"></a></p> </div> David Hill PhD,ePro,SFR,CIAS,BPOR,CNE Chicago Real Estate Agent (Midwest Premier Realty, Gurnee IL 224-321-0699) Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:19:06 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3190808/how-to-boost-your-business-with-facebook http://activerain.com/blogsview/3184928/how-can-i-use-container-plants-to-give-my-home-curb-appeal- <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><img title="Container Plants Curb Appeal" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/2/0/9/0/ar13350799809022.JPG" height="185" alt="Planter" width="150" style="float: left; margin: 10px;">Here are four essential tips:<br> <br> <strong>Use big containers:</strong>&nbsp;Don't be afraid of using big, bold containers. They will have more impact and will be easier to care for because they won't dry out so easily. Smaller containers tend to get lost in the landscaping, so you'll lose the visual impact you're trying to achieve.<br> <br> <strong>Use quality containers:</strong>&nbsp;Avoid plastic containers, as these can look cheap. Terracotta, wrought iron, or zinc containers look great. Choose a container that complements your house and your landscaping.<img title="Container Plants Curb Appeal" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/0/1/7/5/ar133508011657102.JPG" height="146" alt="Curb Appeal" width="150" style="float: right; margin: 10px;"><br> <br> <strong>Fill them with plants:</strong>&nbsp;For immediate results, fill your containers with more plants than you normally would. Otherwise, you will be forced to wait for the plants to grow before your container will look lush and healthy.<br> <br> <strong>Feed your plants:</strong>&nbsp;Make sure you keep your containers well maintained by watering and feeding the plants regularly.&nbsp;</span></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re thinking about selling your home,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freehomevalue.html" title="Free Home Value Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;for a free home valuation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re looking to buy a home&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freelistingsrequest.html" title="Free Listings Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;to sign up and receive property listings that meet your criteria as soon as they hit the market.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you'd like to search local listings of homes for sale in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs yourself <em><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" title="Search Chicago Area MLS Listings">Click Here</a></strong></em>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/3/0/1/3/ar131406335931039.jpg" height="38" alt="David Hill" style="border-color: initial;" width="752"></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/5/8/1/8/ar131406368181853.jpg" height="43" alt="David Hill" width="675"></span></p> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img title="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/7/7/2/3/ar130360687932777.jpg" height="173" alt="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" width="150"></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dave@midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Email" target="_blank"><strong>Email me</strong></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty Website" target="_blank">Visit&nbsp;Our Website</a></strong></p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Buyers.html" title="Buyers Programs" target="_blank"><img title="Buyer Services" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/0/4/0/2/ar133030703620407.png" height="67" alt="Buyer Services" width="248"></a></strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/shortsales.html" title="Short Sale Help" target="_blank"><img title="Short Sale Help" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/7/5/7/7/ar128543750377572.jpg" height="67" alt="Short Sale Help" width="161"></a></span></strong></p> </td> <td> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty" target="_blank"><img title="Flat Fee MLS" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/1/0/0/7/ar128543734970016.jpg" height="68" alt="Flat Fee MLS" width="363"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Sellers.html" title="Sellers" target="_blank"><img title="Premier Full Service" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/1/5/ar128543740651056.jpg" height="67" alt="Premier Full Service" width="361"></a></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/105104550263314436088/about?hl=en" title="Google+"><img title="Google+" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/2/7/ar13175212572338.jpg" height="91" alt="Google+" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Midwest-Premier-Realty/164520880241410?sk=wall" title="Facebook" target="_blank"><img title="Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/9/6/6/9/ar130732308796699.png" height="100" alt="Facebook" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/DavidRHill" title="Twitter" target="_blank"><img title="Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/6/1/6/6/ar130732326666161.png" height="100" alt="Twitter" width="100"></a><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?id=23229271" title="LinkedIn" target="_blank"><img title="LinkedIn" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/2/9/9/1/ar130732346319923.png" height="100" alt="LinkedIn" width="100"></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Midwest Premier Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/5/2/ar130836232725338.png" height="100" alt="Midwest Premier Realty" width="100"><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" target="_blank"><img title="Property Search" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/2/1/0/8/ar132479640380124.jpg" height="95" alt="Search For Properties" style="vertical-align: top;" width="125"></a></p> </div> David Hill PhD,ePro,SFR,CIAS,BPOR,CNE Chicago Real Estate Agent (Midwest Premier Realty, Gurnee IL 224-321-0699) Sun, 22 Apr 2012 00:36:19 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3184928/how-can-i-use-container-plants-to-give-my-home-curb-appeal- http://activerain.com/blogsview/3175465/for-today-s-homebuyer-small-is-beautiful <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img title="Homebuying " src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/6/9/5/9/ar133479899295969.JPG" height="225" alt="Homebuying " width="225" style="float: left; margin: 10px;">Is the sprawling luxury home the pinnacle of real estate in the North American market?</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br style=""> <br style=""> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="">As baby boomers look to downsize and homeowners trade luxury for function, there is renewed interest in smaller homes.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br style=""> <br style=""> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="">Eighty percent of 1,300-plus real estate agents surveyed in 2011 said that baby- boomer clients aged 54 to 64 are interested in smaller homes. Saving money and living more simply were among the reasons for the interest.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br style=""> <br style=""> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="">A recent study by the U.S. National Association of Home Builders showed that the economic downturn has altered the landscape of housing.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br style=""> <br style=""> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="">The study predicted that by 2015, homes will be 10% smaller than the average single-family home in 2010.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br style=""> <br style=""> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="">While homebuyers may be looking for smaller residences, they're not interested in sacrificing functionality.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br style=""> <br style=""> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="">Instead, they're trading luxury amenities for practicality.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br style=""> <br style=""> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="">According to architects surveyed by the American Institute of Architects, buyers are losing interest in spaces such as home theaters and exercise and game rooms and are embracing spaces like home offices and mud rooms.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br style=""> <br style=""> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="">Aging baby boomers will also be looking for features to make their lives safer and more comfortable. Baby boomers, more than any generation to date, are looking for homes that have been adapted to their needs instead of making the move to retirement homes.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br style=""> <br style=""> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="">The two- or three-story single-family home may also be on its way out, as boomer homebuyers launch their search for an entirely different type of housing, offering a maintenance-free lifestyle.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br style=""> <br style=""> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="">This important demographic is looking closely at options such as condominium apartments or bungalow communities. Many are also considering rental units.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br style=""> <br style=""> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="">Boomers aren't alone in pursuing smaller homes. Young people and immigrants will also continue to drive demand in the future.</span></span></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re thinking about selling your home,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freehomevalue.html" title="Free Home Value Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;for a free home valuation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re looking to buy a home&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freelistingsrequest.html" title="Free Listings Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;to sign up and receive property listings that meet your criteria as soon as they hit the market.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you'd like to search local listings of homes for sale in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs yourself <em><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" title="Search Chicago Area MLS Listings">Click Here</a></strong></em>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/3/0/1/3/ar131406335931039.jpg" height="38" alt="David Hill" style="border-color: initial;" width="752"></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/5/8/1/8/ar131406368181853.jpg" height="43" alt="David Hill" width="675"></span></p> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img title="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/7/7/2/3/ar130360687932777.jpg" height="173" alt="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" width="150"></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dave@midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Email" target="_blank"><strong>Email me</strong></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty Website" target="_blank">Visit&nbsp;Our Website</a></strong></p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Buyers.html" title="Buyers Programs" target="_blank"><img title="Buyer Services" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/0/4/0/2/ar133030703620407.png" height="67" alt="Buyer Services" width="248"></a></strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/shortsales.html" title="Short Sale Help" target="_blank"><img title="Short Sale Help" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/7/5/7/7/ar128543750377572.jpg" height="67" alt="Short Sale Help" width="161"></a></span></strong></p> </td> <td> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty" target="_blank"><img title="Flat Fee MLS" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/1/0/0/7/ar128543734970016.jpg" height="68" alt="Flat Fee MLS" width="363"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Sellers.html" title="Sellers" target="_blank"><img title="Premier Full Service" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/1/5/ar128543740651056.jpg" height="67" alt="Premier Full Service" width="361"></a></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/105104550263314436088/about?hl=en" title="Google+"><img title="Google+" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/2/7/ar13175212572338.jpg" height="91" alt="Google+" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Midwest-Premier-Realty/164520880241410?sk=wall" title="Facebook" target="_blank"><img title="Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/9/6/6/9/ar130732308796699.png" height="100" alt="Facebook" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/DavidRHill" title="Twitter" target="_blank"><img title="Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/6/1/6/6/ar130732326666161.png" height="100" alt="Twitter" width="100"></a><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?id=23229271" title="LinkedIn" target="_blank"><img title="LinkedIn" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/2/9/9/1/ar130732346319923.png" height="100" alt="LinkedIn" width="100"></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Midwest Premier Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/5/2/ar130836232725338.png" height="100" alt="Midwest Premier Realty" width="100"><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" target="_blank"><img title="Property Search" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/2/1/0/8/ar132479640380124.jpg" height="95" alt="Search For Properties" style="vertical-align: top;" width="125"></a></p> </div> David Hill PhD,ePro,SFR,CIAS,BPOR,CNE Chicago Real Estate Agent (Midwest Premier Realty, Gurnee IL 224-321-0699) Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:30:35 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3175465/for-today-s-homebuyer-small-is-beautiful http://activerain.com/blogsview/3171932/lease-or-buy-commercial-property-what-are-the-pros-and-cons <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img title="Pros and Cons of Leasing or Buying" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/4/2/7/1/ar133470805617245.JPG" height="225" alt="Pros and Cons of Leasing or Buying" width="225" style="float: left; margin: 10px;">Retail businesses require specific features such as foot traffic, adequate parking and ample interior space to showcase goods, but whether to lease or buy is a complex issue for business owners. Below are some pros and cons of leasing and buying.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br style=""> <br style=""> <strong style=""><span style="">Leasing</span></strong><br style=""> <br style=""> <strong style=""><span style="">Pros:</span></strong></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">&nbsp;Your credit rating will be less important. And this is of particular benefit to newer businesses with limited credit histories. Rent can also be used as a tax deduction, and business owners can sublet or move at the end of the lease term.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br style=""> <br style=""> <strong style=""><span style="">Cons:&nbsp;</span></strong></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You won't build equity on the property. There is less security; your lease may not be renewed or your rent may be upped substantially. You remain responsible for the rent until the end of the lease term.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br style=""> <br style=""> <strong style=""><span style="">Buying</span></strong><br style=""> <br style=""> <strong style=""><span style="">Pros:</span></strong></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">&nbsp;Mortgage interest is tax deductible and your accountant can use annual depreciation on the building as an additional deduction.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br style=""> <br style=""> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="">Owners can alter the building to their specifications. There is greater security; owners don't have to worry about rent increases and can lease unused space for additional income. The property can be sold at any time.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br style=""> <br style=""> <strong style=""><span style="">Cons:</span></strong></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">&nbsp;Ownership requires a substantial initial capital investment to acquire financing. Property values may decline, and the owner is subject to legal liabilities associated with the property. Owners may also have to invest additional time and energy that isn't part of the day-to-day operation of the business.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br></span></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re thinking about selling your home,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freehomevalue.html" title="Free Home Value Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;for a free home valuation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re looking to buy a home&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freelistingsrequest.html" title="Free Listings Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;to sign up and receive property listings that meet your criteria as soon as they hit the market.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you'd like to search local listings of homes for sale in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs yourself <em><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" title="Search Chicago Area MLS Listings">Click Here</a></strong></em>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/3/0/1/3/ar131406335931039.jpg" height="38" alt="David Hill" style="border-color: initial;" width="752"></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/5/8/1/8/ar131406368181853.jpg" height="43" alt="David Hill" width="675"></span></p> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img title="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/7/7/2/3/ar130360687932777.jpg" height="173" alt="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" width="150"></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dave@midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Email" target="_blank"><strong>Email me</strong></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty Website" target="_blank">Visit&nbsp;Our Website</a></strong></p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Buyers.html" title="Buyers Programs" target="_blank"><img title="Buyer Services" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/0/4/0/2/ar133030703620407.png" height="67" alt="Buyer Services" width="248"></a></strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/shortsales.html" title="Short Sale Help" target="_blank"><img title="Short Sale Help" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/7/5/7/7/ar128543750377572.jpg" height="67" alt="Short Sale Help" width="161"></a></span></strong></p> </td> <td> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty" target="_blank"><img title="Flat Fee MLS" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/1/0/0/7/ar128543734970016.jpg" height="68" alt="Flat Fee MLS" width="363"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Sellers.html" title="Sellers" target="_blank"><img title="Premier Full Service" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/1/5/ar128543740651056.jpg" height="67" alt="Premier Full Service" width="361"></a></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/105104550263314436088/about?hl=en" title="Google+"><img title="Google+" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/2/7/ar13175212572338.jpg" height="91" alt="Google+" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Midwest-Premier-Realty/164520880241410?sk=wall" title="Facebook" target="_blank"><img title="Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/9/6/6/9/ar130732308796699.png" height="100" alt="Facebook" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/DavidRHill" title="Twitter" target="_blank"><img title="Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/6/1/6/6/ar130732326666161.png" height="100" alt="Twitter" width="100"></a><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?id=23229271" title="LinkedIn" target="_blank"><img title="LinkedIn" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/2/9/9/1/ar130732346319923.png" height="100" alt="LinkedIn" width="100"></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Midwest Premier Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/5/2/ar130836232725338.png" height="100" alt="Midwest Premier Realty" width="100"><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" target="_blank"><img title="Property Search" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/2/1/0/8/ar132479640380124.jpg" height="95" alt="Search For Properties" style="vertical-align: top;" width="125"></a></p> </div> David Hill PhD,ePro,SFR,CIAS,BPOR,CNE Chicago Real Estate Agent (Midwest Premier Realty, Gurnee IL 224-321-0699) Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:15:06 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3171932/lease-or-buy-commercial-property-what-are-the-pros-and-cons http://activerain.com/blogsview/3168826/how-to-profit-by-investing-in-cheap-properties <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img title="How to profit by investing in real estate" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/1/9/6/1/ar133462774216912.JPG" height="200" alt="How to profit by investing in real estate" width="300" style="float: left; margin: 10px;"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">With the right information any investor can profit by investing in cheap properties. But remember you are making a long-term investment. Property values tend to increase over the long term, and acquiring tenants to help pay down your mortgage while you wait to sell makes this a valuable investment vehicle for the future.<br> <br> <strong>Know your home inspector</strong><br> <br> Home inspectors know the building codes for your area and can offer invaluable advice about the integrity of your property's structure. Not all home inspectors are created equal. Some are qualified to perform WETT certification for wood-burning fireplaces, others have the training and specialized tools to detect hidden moisture issues, and some home inspectors are qualified to offer only basic inspection services. Be sure you know the scope of inspection and be prepared to consult a second home inspector and/or other specialized professionals if you require additional information.<br> <br> <strong>Know your market</strong><br> <br> Your real estate agent can offer you a wealth of advice on neighborhood markets. A market analysis, sometimes called a CMA or market evaluation, includes information about the market value of other houses in the neighborhood and how the property you are considering compares to your neighbors' homes.<br> <br> You should ask for a CMA:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></p> <ul type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Prior to purchasing the property: This helps to ensure that the current value of the property and the surrounding area are considered during the negotiation process.</span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Prior to renting the property: Remember, real estate is a long term investment and knowing the current rental value of the property can help you recover your renovation cost - which is as important as finding the right tenant to pay down your mortgage.</span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Prior to listing the property for sale: This will ensure that you are listing the property at the right time. As an investor you want to buy low and sell at a time when the property values are high. Your real estate salesperson will let you know if you are in a buyer's or seller's market.</span></li> </ul> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Market evaluations can also be tailored to include demographic information for the neighborhood. This allows you to customize your renovation plans accordingly.<br> <br> <strong>Know which renovations add value&nbsp;</strong><br> <br> Your future buyers will be most impressed by kitchen and bathroom upgrades, as will tenants.<br> <br> So consider purchasing new appliances, putting down ceramic floors and adding stone countertops. Renovations that save energy costs, such as roof repairs, windows and doors, add long-term value for potential tenants as well as for future resale.<br> <br> Using the demographic information for the area, determine what type of renovation would be most valuable for that market. If the demographics indicate that the area is sought after by senior citizens, then renovations to make the kitchen, bathrooms and entry more senior accessible would certainly be viewed as valuable.<br> <br> Keep in mind, however, that there is a delicate balance between the value of the renovations you make and the renovations your neighborhood can support. For example, doing renovations to raise the value of your income property to $400,000 isn't advisable in a neighborhood with $200,000 homes.<br> <br> With these tips in mind, your long- term investment will work for you.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re thinking about selling your home,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freehomevalue.html" title="Free Home Value Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;for a free home valuation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re looking to buy a home&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freelistingsrequest.html" title="Free Listings Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;to sign up and receive property listings that meet your criteria as soon as they hit the market.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you'd like to search local listings of homes for sale in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs yourself <em><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" title="Search Chicago Area MLS Listings">Click Here</a></strong></em>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/3/0/1/3/ar131406335931039.jpg" height="38" alt="David Hill" style="border-color: initial;" width="752"></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/5/8/1/8/ar131406368181853.jpg" height="43" alt="David Hill" width="675"></span></p> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img title="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/7/7/2/3/ar130360687932777.jpg" height="173" alt="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" width="150"></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dave@midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Email" target="_blank"><strong>Email me</strong></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty Website" target="_blank">Visit&nbsp;Our Website</a></strong></p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Buyers.html" title="Buyers Programs" target="_blank"><img title="Buyer Services" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/0/4/0/2/ar133030703620407.png" height="67" alt="Buyer Services" width="248"></a></strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/shortsales.html" title="Short Sale Help" target="_blank"><img title="Short Sale Help" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/7/5/7/7/ar128543750377572.jpg" height="67" alt="Short Sale Help" width="161"></a></span></strong></p> </td> <td> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty" target="_blank"><img title="Flat Fee MLS" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/1/0/0/7/ar128543734970016.jpg" height="68" alt="Flat Fee MLS" width="363"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Sellers.html" title="Sellers" target="_blank"><img title="Premier Full Service" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/1/5/ar128543740651056.jpg" height="67" alt="Premier Full Service" width="361"></a></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/105104550263314436088/about?hl=en" title="Google+"><img title="Google+" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/2/7/ar13175212572338.jpg" height="91" alt="Google+" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Midwest-Premier-Realty/164520880241410?sk=wall" title="Facebook" target="_blank"><img title="Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/9/6/6/9/ar130732308796699.png" height="100" alt="Facebook" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/DavidRHill" title="Twitter" target="_blank"><img title="Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/6/1/6/6/ar130732326666161.png" height="100" alt="Twitter" width="100"></a><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?id=23229271" title="LinkedIn" target="_blank"><img title="LinkedIn" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/2/9/9/1/ar130732346319923.png" height="100" alt="LinkedIn" width="100"></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Midwest Premier Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/5/2/ar130836232725338.png" height="100" alt="Midwest Premier Realty" width="100"><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" target="_blank"><img title="Property Search" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/2/1/0/8/ar132479640380124.jpg" height="95" alt="Search For Properties" style="vertical-align: top;" width="125"></a></p> </div> David Hill PhD,ePro,SFR,CIAS,BPOR,CNE Chicago Real Estate Agent (Midwest Premier Realty, Gurnee IL 224-321-0699) Mon, 16 Apr 2012 18:56:49 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3168826/how-to-profit-by-investing-in-cheap-properties http://activerain.com/blogsview/3163599/buy-in-the-right-location-to-ensure-your-home-s-value <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img title="Location Location Laocation" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/5/6/5/5/ar133450593355655.JPG" height="200" alt="Home" width="200" style="float: left; margin: 10px;">True, the phrase, "location, location, location", is a clich&eacute;. But smart homebuyers have come to realize that the location of their new home not only determines how happy they'll be with their purchase but also dictates its resale value. Following is a primer to help you find the right home in the right location:</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br style=""> <br style=""> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="">Don't be tempted to buy a great house in a bad neighborhood unless you can see signs that the neighborhood is changing for the better. Future buyers will not be willing to pay top dollar for a house surrounded by fixer-uppers.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br style=""> <br style=""> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="">Decide what you want in a neighborhood before looking. If it's important to have excellent schools nearby, don't look in areas where your kids will have a long drive or bus ride to school.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br style=""> <br style=""> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="">How safe is the neighborhood? Be sure to check it out at night and on weekends. Neighborhoods that may seem safe during the day can change when the sun goes down. Also look around you. Are your neighbors' homes and gardens well maintained or are there rusted cars in their backyards?</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br style=""> <br style=""> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="">What amenities do you need nearby? If you're looking for parks, walking trails and recreation centers, a suburban location is for you. For the local restaurant, bar and theater scene, check out downtown properties.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br style=""> <br style=""> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="">And be sure to ask your sales agent about any likely changes in zoning, new schools to be built or recently approved projects that could have a negative impact on the neighborhood.</span></span></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re thinking about selling your home,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freehomevalue.html" title="Free Home Value Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;for a free home valuation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re looking to buy a home&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freelistingsrequest.html" title="Free Listings Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;to sign up and receive property listings that meet your criteria as soon as they hit the market.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you'd like to search local listings of homes for sale in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs yourself <em><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" title="Search Chicago Area MLS Listings">Click Here</a></strong></em>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/3/0/1/3/ar131406335931039.jpg" height="38" alt="David Hill" style="border-color: initial;" width="752"></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/5/8/1/8/ar131406368181853.jpg" height="43" alt="David Hill" width="675"></span></p> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img title="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/7/7/2/3/ar130360687932777.jpg" height="173" alt="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" width="150"></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dave@midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Email" target="_blank"><strong>Email me</strong></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty Website" target="_blank">Visit&nbsp;Our Website</a></strong></p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Buyers.html" title="Buyers Programs" target="_blank"><img title="Buyer Services" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/0/4/0/2/ar133030703620407.png" height="67" alt="Buyer Services" width="248"></a></strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/shortsales.html" title="Short Sale Help" target="_blank"><img title="Short Sale Help" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/7/5/7/7/ar128543750377572.jpg" height="67" alt="Short Sale Help" width="161"></a></span></strong></p> </td> <td> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty" target="_blank"><img title="Flat Fee MLS" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/1/0/0/7/ar128543734970016.jpg" height="68" alt="Flat Fee MLS" width="363"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Sellers.html" title="Sellers" target="_blank"><img title="Premier Full Service" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/1/5/ar128543740651056.jpg" height="67" alt="Premier Full Service" width="361"></a></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/105104550263314436088/about?hl=en" title="Google+"><img title="Google+" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/2/7/ar13175212572338.jpg" height="91" alt="Google+" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Midwest-Premier-Realty/164520880241410?sk=wall" title="Facebook" target="_blank"><img title="Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/9/6/6/9/ar130732308796699.png" height="100" alt="Facebook" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/DavidRHill" title="Twitter" target="_blank"><img title="Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/6/1/6/6/ar130732326666161.png" height="100" alt="Twitter" width="100"></a><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?id=23229271" title="LinkedIn" target="_blank"><img title="LinkedIn" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/2/9/9/1/ar130732346319923.png" height="100" alt="LinkedIn" width="100"></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Midwest Premier Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/5/2/ar130836232725338.png" height="100" alt="Midwest Premier Realty" width="100"><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" target="_blank"><img title="Property Search" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/2/1/0/8/ar132479640380124.jpg" height="95" alt="Search For Properties" style="vertical-align: top;" width="125"></a></p> </div> David Hill PhD,ePro,SFR,CIAS,BPOR,CNE Chicago Real Estate Agent (Midwest Premier Realty, Gurnee IL 224-321-0699) Sun, 15 Apr 2012 09:06:19 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3163599/buy-in-the-right-location-to-ensure-your-home-s-value http://activerain.com/blogsview/3106941/contemporary-updated-lakefront-home-with-spectacular-water-views <div style="background: #e4e9ed; width: 100%;"> <table style="width: 770px;"><tr><td><table cellspacing="10"> <tr><td style="padding-top: 0px;"><table style="border: 1px solid silver; background: white; width: 770px;"> <tr><td bgcolor="#214372"> <span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>David Hill e-PRO,SFR</b></span> &middot; Midwest Premier Realty, Llc &middot; (224) 321-0699</td></tr> <tr><td><h1>504 Shoshoni TRL - LAKE VILLA, IL</h1></td></tr> <tr> <td style="padding-top: 0px;"><table> <tr> <td><b>Type</b></td> <td>Single Family</td> </tr> <tr> <td><b>Bedrooms</b></td> <td>5</td> </tr> <tr> <td><b>Bathrooms</b></td> <td>3.1</td> </tr> <tr> <td><b>Year Built</b></td> <td>1985</td> </tr> <tr> <td><b>Total Rooms</b></td> <td>13</td> </tr> <tr> <td><b>Basement</b></td> <td>Yes</td> </tr> <tr> <td><b>Lot Size</b></td> <td>.50-.99 Acre</td> </tr> <tr> <td><b>Assessments</b></td> <td>$95</td> </tr> <tr> <td><b>Subdivision</b></td> <td>ISHNALA ESTATES</td> </tr> <tr> <td><b>Township</b></td> <td>LAKE VILLA</td> </tr> <tr> <td><b>County</b></td> <td>Lake</td> </tr> <tr> <td><b>WaterFront</b></td> <td>Yes</td> </tr> </table></td> <td><table> <tr><td><table style="width: 100%;"><tr><td style="color: #405e18;">Offered at <span style="font-size: 15pt;"><b>$699,000</b></span> </td></tr></table></td></tr> <tr><td style="border: 1px solid silver; background: white; width: 100%;"><img src="http://www.mredllc.com/photos/property/198/08029198.jpg" height="235" alt=""></td></tr> <tr><td style="">[see additional photos below]</td></tr> <tr><td> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mredllc.com%2FmyListing.asp%3Fln%3D08029198%26ag%3D26550%26vw=y&amp;t=504++Shoshoni+TRL" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.mredllc.com/images/fb-32by32.png" height="34"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mredllc.com%2FmyListing.asp%3Fln%3D08029198%26ag%3D26550%26vw=y&amp;text=5%20Beds/3.1%20Baths%20-%20%24699000%20-%20504++Shoshoni+TRL" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.mredllc.com/images/twitter-32by32.png"></a> </td></tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr><td style="padding-top: 0px;"><table cellpadding="0" style="width: 100%;"> <tr><td style="border-bottom: 3px solid #214372; color: #214372;"><b>DESCRIPTION</b></td></tr> <tr><td style="font-family: arial;">Contemporary updated lakefront home w/spectacular water views in a great neighborhood of upscale homes. On private all sports motor 250 acre Deep Lake with comm. beach. Beautifully landscaped backyard has extensive multi-level decking/patio, private pier, boat lift, hot tub and relaxing gardens overseeing the lake. Completely finished lower level can be in-law/2nd family accommodation.</td></tr> </table></td></tr> </table></td></tr> <tr><td><table style="border: 1px solid silver; background: white; width: 770px;"> <tr><td style="border-bottom: 3px solid #214372; color: #214372;"><b>PROPERTY FEATURES</b></td></tr> <tr><td style="padding: 10px;"><table><tr> <td style="width: 50%;"><ul style="font-size: 12pt;"> <li> <b>Living Room Size</b> 21X22</li> <li> <b>Dining Room Size</b> 12X12</li> <li> <b>Kitchen Size</b> 21X12</li> <li> <b>Master Bedroom Size</b> 17X13</li> <li> <b>Features</b> Vaulted/Cathedral Ceilings,Hardwood Floors,1st Floor Bedroom,In-Law Arrangement,1st Floor Laundry,1st Floor Full Bath</li> </ul></td> <td style="width: 300px;"><ul style="font-size: 12pt;"> <li> <b>Approx. Square Footage</b> 3,745</li> <li> <b>Grade School</b> #41 </li> <li> <b>High School</b> LAKES COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL</li> </ul></td> </tr></table></td></tr> </table></td></tr> <tr><td><table style="border: 1px solid silver; background: white; width: 770px;"> <tr><td style="border-bottom: 3px solid #214372; color: #214372;"><b>ADDITIONAL PHOTOS</b></td></tr> <tr><td><table cellspacing="8"></table></td></tr> </table></td></tr> <tr><td><table cellspacing="4" style="border: 1px solid silver; background: white; width: 772px;"> <tr><td style="border-bottom: 3px solid #214372; color: #214372;"><b>CONTACT INFORMATION</b></td></tr> <tr><td><table style="width: 100%;"><tr> <td><img src="http://www.mredllc.com/images/agent_photo/26550_1.jpeg" style="border: 1px solid silver;" width="50px"></td> <td> <b>David Hill</b> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">e-PRO,SFR</span><br><b>Midwest Premier Realty, Llc</b><br>(224) 321-0699</td> <td width="50%"><img src="http://www.mredllc.com/images/poweredby.png" height="28"></td> </tr></table></td></tr> </table></td></tr> <tr><td><table style="border: 1px solid silver; background: white; width: 100%;"><tr><td><i>Posted on 3/29/2012</i></td></tr></table></td></tr> </table></td></tr></table> <img src="http://www.mredllc.com/urlEmptyClist.asp?ln=08029198"><br><br><br> </div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re thinking about selling your home,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freehomevalue.html" title="Free Home Value Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;for a free home valuation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re looking to buy a home&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freelistingsrequest.html" title="Free Listings Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;to sign up and receive property listings that meet your criteria as soon as they hit the market.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you'd like to search local listings of homes for sale in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs yourself <em><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" title="Search Chicago Area MLS Listings">Click Here</a></strong></em>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/3/0/1/3/ar131406335931039.jpg" height="38" alt="David Hill" style="border-color: initial;" width="752"></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/5/8/1/8/ar131406368181853.jpg" height="43" alt="David Hill" width="675"></span></p> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img title="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/7/7/2/3/ar130360687932777.jpg" height="173" alt="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" width="150"></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dave@midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Email" target="_blank"><strong>Email me</strong></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty Website" target="_blank">Visit&nbsp;Our Website</a></strong></p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Buyers.html" title="Buyers Programs" target="_blank"><img title="Buyer Services" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/0/4/0/2/ar133030703620407.png" height="67" alt="Buyer Services" width="248"></a></strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/shortsales.html" title="Short Sale Help" target="_blank"><img title="Short Sale Help" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/7/5/7/7/ar128543750377572.jpg" height="67" alt="Short Sale Help" width="161"></a></span></strong></p> </td> <td> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty" target="_blank"><img title="Flat Fee MLS" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/1/0/0/7/ar128543734970016.jpg" height="68" alt="Flat Fee MLS" width="363"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Sellers.html" title="Sellers" target="_blank"><img title="Premier Full Service" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/1/5/ar128543740651056.jpg" height="67" alt="Premier Full Service" width="361"></a></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/105104550263314436088/about?hl=en" title="Google+"><img title="Google+" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/2/7/ar13175212572338.jpg" height="91" alt="Google+" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Midwest-Premier-Realty/164520880241410?sk=wall" title="Facebook" target="_blank"><img title="Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/9/6/6/9/ar130732308796699.png" height="100" alt="Facebook" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/DavidRHill" title="Twitter" target="_blank"><img title="Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/6/1/6/6/ar130732326666161.png" height="100" alt="Twitter" width="100"></a><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?id=23229271" title="LinkedIn" target="_blank"><img title="LinkedIn" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/2/9/9/1/ar130732346319923.png" height="100" alt="LinkedIn" width="100"></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Midwest Premier Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/5/2/ar130836232725338.png" height="100" alt="Midwest Premier Realty" width="100"><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" target="_blank"><img title="Property Search" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/2/1/0/8/ar132479640380124.jpg" height="95" alt="Search For Properties" style="vertical-align: top;" width="125"></a></p> </div> David Hill PhD,ePro,SFR,CIAS,BPOR,CNE Chicago Real Estate Agent (Midwest Premier Realty, Gurnee IL 224-321-0699) Thu, 29 Mar 2012 18:48:30 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3106941/contemporary-updated-lakefront-home-with-spectacular-water-views http://activerain.com/blogsview/3087519/how-to-market-a-commercial-property-to-upscale-tenants <p class="bodychar" style="background: white;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img title="Marketing commercial property" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/8/4/6/8/ar133263266286489.JPG" height="200" alt="Marketing commercial property" width="200" style="float: left; margin: 10px;">Marketing commercial properties for lease to upscale tenants can be challenging.</span></p> <p class="bodychar" style="background: white;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Upscale tenants are more selective and demanding, but they are willing to pay a premium to get what they want.</span></p> <p class="bodychar" style="background: white;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Your commercial property will have to meet their exacting standards.</span></p> <p class="bodychar" style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Failing to advertise a property&rsquo;s desirable features can result in it being overlooked.</span></span></p> <p class="bodychar" style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Following are some ways to ensure that doesn&rsquo;t happen:</span></span></p> <p class="bodychar" style="background-color: white;"><strong><span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Promote Your Location:&nbsp;</span></span></strong><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>Higher-end tenants are very interested in the location of a property. If there is access to high-volume foot traffic, parking and public transit, promote those features, as they will be attractive to tenants looking for them in their selection process. Remember, you are advertising your building as the ideal location to house their business.</span></span></p> <p class="bodychar" style="background-color: white;"><strong><span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Highlight the Attractive Features of the Building:&nbsp;</span></span></strong><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>Some employers enjoy being in a historical building. Others are looking for a building with green features or want ample floor space. Whatever the features of your building, highlight them in your marketing efforts to attract the most valuable tenant for that space.</span></span></p> <p class="bodychar" style="background-color: white;"><strong><span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Promote the Value of Your Building:&nbsp;</span></span></strong><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>You need in your advertisement more than just the price per square foot. You need to let potential tenants know what makes your building worth the price, particularly if you&rsquo;re promoting a premium building that you want to lease for an above-average price. If a tenant sees the value in the space, they&rsquo;ll be willing to pay a premium price.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re thinking about selling your home,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freehomevalue.html" title="Free Home Value Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;for a free home valuation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re looking to buy a home&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freelistingsrequest.html" title="Free Listings Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;to sign up and receive property listings that meet your criteria as soon as they hit the market.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you'd like to search local listings of homes for sale in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs yourself <em><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" title="Search Chicago Area MLS Listings">Click Here</a></strong></em>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/3/0/1/3/ar131406335931039.jpg" height="38" alt="David Hill" style="border-color: initial;" width="752"></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/5/8/1/8/ar131406368181853.jpg" height="43" alt="David Hill" width="675"></span></p> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img title="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/7/7/2/3/ar130360687932777.jpg" height="173" alt="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" width="150"></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dave@midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Email" target="_blank"><strong>Email me</strong></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty Website" target="_blank">Visit&nbsp;Our Website</a></strong></p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Buyers.html" title="Buyers Programs" target="_blank"><img title="Buyer Services" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/0/4/0/2/ar133030703620407.png" height="67" alt="Buyer Services" width="248"></a></strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/shortsales.html" title="Short Sale Help" target="_blank"><img title="Short Sale Help" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/7/5/7/7/ar128543750377572.jpg" height="67" alt="Short Sale Help" width="161"></a></span></strong></p> </td> <td> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty" target="_blank"><img title="Flat Fee MLS" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/1/0/0/7/ar128543734970016.jpg" height="68" alt="Flat Fee MLS" width="363"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Sellers.html" title="Sellers" target="_blank"><img title="Premier Full Service" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/1/5/ar128543740651056.jpg" height="67" alt="Premier Full Service" width="361"></a></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/105104550263314436088/about?hl=en" title="Google+"><img title="Google+" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/2/7/ar13175212572338.jpg" height="91" alt="Google+" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Midwest-Premier-Realty/164520880241410?sk=wall" title="Facebook" target="_blank"><img title="Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/9/6/6/9/ar130732308796699.png" height="100" alt="Facebook" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/DavidRHill" title="Twitter" target="_blank"><img title="Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/6/1/6/6/ar130732326666161.png" height="100" alt="Twitter" width="100"></a><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?id=23229271" title="LinkedIn" target="_blank"><img title="LinkedIn" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/2/9/9/1/ar130732346319923.png" height="100" alt="LinkedIn" width="100"></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Midwest Premier Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/5/2/ar130836232725338.png" height="100" alt="Midwest Premier Realty" width="100"><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" target="_blank"><img title="Property Search" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/2/1/0/8/ar132479640380124.jpg" height="95" alt="Search For Properties" style="vertical-align: top;" width="125"></a></p> </div> David Hill PhD,ePro,SFR,CIAS,BPOR,CNE Chicago Real Estate Agent (Midwest Premier Realty, Gurnee IL 224-321-0699) Sat, 24 Mar 2012 16:47:51 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3087519/how-to-market-a-commercial-property-to-upscale-tenants http://activerain.com/blogsview/3083479/laptops-ultrabooks-and-ipads-oh-my- <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: small;"><img title="Laptop Utrabook iPad" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/1/1/3/2/ar133254841923119.jpg" height="194" alt="Laptop Utrabook iPad" width="300" style="float: left; margin: 10px;"></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">There are laptops, there are ultrabooks and then there are iPads.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;"><br><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ultrabooks are the new and smarter versions of laptops - thinner, lighter, just as sturdy and often offering the same system performance as your run-of-the-mill laptop.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br><br></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They're also just slightly more expensive with an average price tag of about $1,000.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br><br></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They're great as a business investment, even if you're not always on the go.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br><br></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">New business ultrabooks, including the Dell XPS133 and HP Folio 13, offer the same benefits as space-consuming desktops.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br><br></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Executives benefit from high-quality webcams, secure software, reliability and portability.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br><br></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ultrabooks continue to thrive, with a recent Consumer Electronics Expo showcasing 12 new models that continue to build upon a winning product that merges tablets with laptops - giving users the best of both worlds.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br><br></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And this is why ultrabooks are a must-have investment for business owners.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br><br></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The slim line between business and personal life, paired with an increasingly remote work environment, makes it an imperative for business owners to keep abreast with workflow and production through the aid of smart tech tools.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br><br></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ultrabook competitors range from netbooks to iPads and MacBook Airs.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br><br></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Netbooks won't give you the most bang for your buck, simply because of their limited application.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br><br></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The iPad would be a better choice. It's cheaper and offers the same functionality as a laptop, plus it grants users access to valuable business-savvy apps.&nbsp;iPads are not ideal for an aggressive keyboard user. However, there are many add-on keyboard options available to make up for this.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Which one to choose? Laptops, Ultrabooks and iPads&hellip;.Oh My!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span></span></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re thinking about selling your home,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freehomevalue.html" title="Free Home Value Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;for a free home valuation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re looking to buy a home&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freelistingsrequest.html" title="Free Listings Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;to sign up and receive property listings that meet your criteria as soon as they hit the market.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you'd like to search local listings of homes for sale in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs yourself <em><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" title="Search Chicago Area MLS Listings">Click Here</a></strong></em>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/3/0/1/3/ar131406335931039.jpg" height="38" alt="David Hill" style="border-color: initial;" width="752"></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/5/8/1/8/ar131406368181853.jpg" height="43" alt="David Hill" width="675"></span></p> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img title="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/7/7/2/3/ar130360687932777.jpg" height="173" alt="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" width="150"></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dave@midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Email" target="_blank"><strong>Email me</strong></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty Website" target="_blank">Visit&nbsp;Our Website</a></strong></p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Buyers.html" title="Buyers Programs" target="_blank"><img title="Buyer Services" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/0/4/0/2/ar133030703620407.png" height="67" alt="Buyer Services" width="248"></a></strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/shortsales.html" title="Short Sale Help" target="_blank"><img title="Short Sale Help" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/7/5/7/7/ar128543750377572.jpg" height="67" alt="Short Sale Help" width="161"></a></span></strong></p> </td> <td> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty" target="_blank"><img title="Flat Fee MLS" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/1/0/0/7/ar128543734970016.jpg" height="68" alt="Flat Fee MLS" width="363"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Sellers.html" title="Sellers" target="_blank"><img title="Premier Full Service" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/1/5/ar128543740651056.jpg" height="67" alt="Premier Full Service" width="361"></a></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/105104550263314436088/about?hl=en" title="Google+"><img title="Google+" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/2/7/ar13175212572338.jpg" height="91" alt="Google+" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Midwest-Premier-Realty/164520880241410?sk=wall" title="Facebook" target="_blank"><img title="Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/9/6/6/9/ar130732308796699.png" height="100" alt="Facebook" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/DavidRHill" title="Twitter" target="_blank"><img title="Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/6/1/6/6/ar130732326666161.png" height="100" alt="Twitter" width="100"></a><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?id=23229271" title="LinkedIn" target="_blank"><img title="LinkedIn" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/2/9/9/1/ar130732346319923.png" height="100" alt="LinkedIn" width="100"></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Midwest Premier Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/5/2/ar130836232725338.png" height="100" alt="Midwest Premier Realty" width="100"><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" target="_blank"><img title="Property Search" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/2/1/0/8/ar132479640380124.jpg" height="95" alt="Search For Properties" style="vertical-align: top;" width="125"></a></p> </div> David Hill PhD,ePro,SFR,CIAS,BPOR,CNE Chicago Real Estate Agent (Midwest Premier Realty, Gurnee IL 224-321-0699) Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:21:53 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3083479/laptops-ultrabooks-and-ipads-oh-my- http://activerain.com/blogsview/3079535/why-due-diligence-is-important-for-a-seller <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;"><img title="Due Diligence in Selling Real Estate" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/2/3/5/6/ar133246510065322.jpg" height="188" alt="Due Diligence in Selling Real Estate" width="250" style="float: left; margin: 10px;">If you're selling a property, you need to do your due diligence. It not only protects you from the unexpected, but the information might help you sway a potential buyer.<br><br>A seller who knows every detail about a property can influence a buyer's perception of the value. Following are four areas you should check before you list a property for sale:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;"><strong>Environmental Investigation of Your Property:</strong>&nbsp;Regular monitoring should be considered, as it serves as proof that the area is free of harmful contaminants.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;"><strong>Deed, Survey and Legal Description:&nbsp;</strong>Ensuring that the deed is, in fact, in your name ahead of time will save a great deal of time, money and headaches. There are two common reasons why the name(s) on the deed could affect the completion of a sale. Fraud is one example and involves the changing of the ownership on the deed without the proper owner even being aware. Partnerships and incorporation agreements can further complicate the sale of a property. Legal representation may be required in order to distinguish signing authority in these instances. An accurate and updated survey clearly outlines the boundaries of the property and identifies any boundary violations affecting the property. Your fence may, in fact, be on the neighbor's property or vice versa. Identifying discrepancies like this in advance will save you both time and money come closing.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;"><strong>Easements and Rights-of-Way:&nbsp;</strong>Easements vary from minor utility easements to major encroachments. A minor utility easement occurs when the utility lines (phone, electricity, water or sewer) run above your property. Gas, water and sewer lines, and utility wires in newer neighborhoods, are underground. This creates a more in-depth easement, as the utility company reserves the right to dig up the lines for repair and/or replacement and, thus has the right to place restrictive covenants on the property.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;"><strong>Restrictions and Covenants Connected to the Property:</strong>&nbsp;Restrictive covenants affect the value of the property by placing restrictions on a buyer. There may be zoning restrictions that limit the property's development potential. Another type of restriction that could affect the development potential is imposed by utility companies. They reserve the right to access the property and even dig up sections for the repair and replacement of the lines. This would prevent the property owner from adding structures such as garages, sheds or even fences that could hinder the utility company's access. A buyer who discovers this during his or her own due diligence period is likely to request a discount on the purchase price.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;">Sellers strengthen their negotiating power, and save time and money, by identifying problems in advance. When they complete their due diligence, this allows sellers to avoid costly mistakes and delays as they complete the sale of their property.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;"><br></span></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re thinking about selling your home,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freehomevalue.html" title="Free Home Value Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;for a free home valuation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re looking to buy a home&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freelistingsrequest.html" title="Free Listings Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;to sign up and receive property listings that meet your criteria as soon as they hit the market.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you'd like to search local listings of homes for sale in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs yourself <em><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" title="Search Chicago Area MLS Listings">Click Here</a></strong></em>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/3/0/1/3/ar131406335931039.jpg" height="38" alt="David Hill" style="border-color: initial;" width="752"></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/5/8/1/8/ar131406368181853.jpg" height="43" alt="David Hill" width="675"></span></p> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img title="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/7/7/2/3/ar130360687932777.jpg" height="173" alt="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" width="150"></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dave@midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Email" target="_blank"><strong>Email me</strong></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty Website" target="_blank">Visit&nbsp;Our Website</a></strong></p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Buyers.html" title="Buyers Programs" target="_blank"><img title="Buyer Services" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/0/4/0/2/ar133030703620407.png" height="67" alt="Buyer Services" width="248"></a></strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/shortsales.html" title="Short Sale Help" target="_blank"><img title="Short Sale Help" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/7/5/7/7/ar128543750377572.jpg" height="67" alt="Short Sale Help" width="161"></a></span></strong></p> </td> <td> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty" target="_blank"><img title="Flat Fee MLS" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/1/0/0/7/ar128543734970016.jpg" height="68" alt="Flat Fee MLS" width="363"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Sellers.html" title="Sellers" target="_blank"><img title="Premier Full Service" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/1/5/ar128543740651056.jpg" height="67" alt="Premier Full Service" width="361"></a></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/105104550263314436088/about?hl=en" title="Google+"><img title="Google+" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/2/7/ar13175212572338.jpg" height="91" alt="Google+" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Midwest-Premier-Realty/164520880241410?sk=wall" title="Facebook" target="_blank"><img title="Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/9/6/6/9/ar130732308796699.png" height="100" alt="Facebook" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/DavidRHill" title="Twitter" target="_blank"><img title="Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/6/1/6/6/ar130732326666161.png" height="100" alt="Twitter" width="100"></a><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?id=23229271" title="LinkedIn" target="_blank"><img title="LinkedIn" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/2/9/9/1/ar130732346319923.png" height="100" alt="LinkedIn" width="100"></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Midwest Premier Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/5/2/ar130836232725338.png" height="100" alt="Midwest Premier Realty" width="100"><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" target="_blank"><img title="Property Search" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/2/1/0/8/ar132479640380124.jpg" height="95" alt="Search For Properties" style="vertical-align: top;" width="125"></a></p> </div> David Hill PhD,ePro,SFR,CIAS,BPOR,CNE Chicago Real Estate Agent (Midwest Premier Realty, Gurnee IL 224-321-0699) Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:13:11 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3079535/why-due-diligence-is-important-for-a-seller http://activerain.com/blogsview/3054664/no-granite-don-t-let-that-be-a-deal-breaker <p><span style=""><img title="Dream home" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/3/7/4/0/ar133198440304733.JPG" height="225" alt="Dream home" width="225" style="float: left; margin: 10px;">If you're looking for the perfect house, that huge wish list you're carrying around may be holding you back - and ultimately could cost you your dream home.</span><br style=""><br style=""><span style="">Even the casual HGTV watcher will be familiar with "granite obsession." Picture this: A real estate agent is showing a couple a house that has great curb appeal in their chosen neighborhood, at a price they can afford. It's perfect. Or is it?</span><br style=""><br style=""><span style="">"Hate that fixture," the husband says, as the couple checks out the dining room.</span><br style=""><span style="">They pause in the kitchen.</span><br style=""><br style=""><span style="">"This has to be completely redone," he says. "No granite countertops."</span><br style=""><br style=""><span style="">She agrees. The husband and wife nod knowingly at each other, and the real estate agent, who has heard it all before, says to himself, "Granite obsession."</span><br style=""><br style=""><span style="">Despite the home's obvious advantages, the couple can't see the forest for the trees ... or rather the house for its d&eacute;cor.</span><br style=""><br style=""><span style="">Instead of obsessing over paint colors, fixtures and granite countertops, the couple should be asking their real estate agent about the neighborhood; discussing recent energy-saving upgrades and the home's electrical system; checking for leaks or cracks that may signal a roof repair or foundation problem; and deciding if the floor plan and room sizes will meet their lifestyle needs.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br style=""><br style=""><span style="">The couple should ask if window coverings are included and if the appliances are in working order. And even if these are not to their tastes, the couple will save a lot of money if they can live with the status quo and not have to buy new appliances, fixtures or drapes immediately.</span><br style=""><br style=""><span style="">Got questions?</span><br style=""><br style=""><span style="">Ask your real estate agent. He or she can recommend home inspectors, contractors, designers and others you might want to ask for a second opinion.</span><br style=""><br style=""><span style="">But don't hold out for granite, hardwood or high-end appliances. You may never get a second chance at your dream home.</span></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re thinking about selling your home,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freehomevalue.html" title="Free Home Value Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;for a free home valuation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re looking to buy a home&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freelistingsrequest.html" title="Free Listings Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;to sign up and receive property listings that meet your criteria as soon as they hit the market.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you'd like to search local listings of homes for sale in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs yourself <em><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" title="Search Chicago Area MLS Listings">Click Here</a></strong></em>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/3/0/1/3/ar131406335931039.jpg" height="38" alt="David Hill" style="border-color: initial;" width="752"></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/5/8/1/8/ar131406368181853.jpg" height="43" alt="David Hill" width="675"></span></p> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img title="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/7/7/2/3/ar130360687932777.jpg" height="173" alt="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" width="150"></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dave@midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Email" target="_blank"><strong>Email me</strong></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty Website" target="_blank">Visit&nbsp;Our Website</a></strong></p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Buyers.html" title="Buyers Programs" target="_blank"><img title="Buyer Services" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/0/4/0/2/ar133030703620407.png" height="67" alt="Buyer Services" width="248"></a></strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/shortsales.html" title="Short Sale Help" target="_blank"><img title="Short Sale Help" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/7/5/7/7/ar128543750377572.jpg" height="67" alt="Short Sale Help" width="161"></a></span></strong></p> </td> <td> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty" target="_blank"><img title="Flat Fee MLS" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/1/0/0/7/ar128543734970016.jpg" height="68" alt="Flat Fee MLS" width="363"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Sellers.html" title="Sellers" target="_blank"><img title="Premier Full Service" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/1/5/ar128543740651056.jpg" height="67" alt="Premier Full Service" width="361"></a></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/105104550263314436088/about?hl=en" title="Google+"><img title="Google+" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/2/7/ar13175212572338.jpg" height="91" alt="Google+" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Midwest-Premier-Realty/164520880241410?sk=wall" title="Facebook" target="_blank"><img title="Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/9/6/6/9/ar130732308796699.png" height="100" alt="Facebook" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/DavidRHill" title="Twitter" target="_blank"><img title="Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/6/1/6/6/ar130732326666161.png" height="100" alt="Twitter" width="100"></a><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?id=23229271" title="LinkedIn" target="_blank"><img title="LinkedIn" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/2/9/9/1/ar130732346319923.png" height="100" alt="LinkedIn" width="100"></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Midwest Premier Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/5/2/ar130836232725338.png" height="100" alt="Midwest Premier Realty" width="100"><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" target="_blank"><img title="Property Search" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/2/1/0/8/ar132479640380124.jpg" height="95" alt="Search For Properties" style="vertical-align: top;" width="125"></a></p> </div> David Hill PhD,ePro,SFR,CIAS,BPOR,CNE Chicago Real Estate Agent (Midwest Premier Realty, Gurnee IL 224-321-0699) Sat, 17 Mar 2012 04:41:00 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3054664/no-granite-don-t-let-that-be-a-deal-breaker http://activerain.com/blogsview/3049297/tips-for-buying-that-first-ever-income-property <p><span style="line-height: 18px; font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;"><img title="Property Investing" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/9/8/9/8/ar133186715489896.JPG" height="226" alt="Property Investing" width="150" style="float: left; margin: 10px;"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium; line-height: 18px;">First-time investors with limited income or reservations about real estate investment often start with an income property that can serve as both their residence and a source of income. This is an asset for first-time buyers with limited income as well as an opportunity for new investors to jump into the real estate market. Following are a few tips that first-time investors need to be aware of when buying a home with rental income:</span><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium; line-height: 18px;"><br style=""><br style=""></span><strong style=""><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="">Research the Neighborhood:</span></span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="line-height: 18px;">&nbsp;</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium; line-height: 18px;">Areas where there is substantial investment being made usually indicates that a neighborhood is on the upswing. The potential for appreciation over time is as much a benefit to the investor as the ability to gain rental income.</span><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium; line-height: 18px;"><br style=""><br style=""></span><strong style=""><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="">Know What You're Buying:</span></span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;"><span style=""><span style="line-height: 18px;">&nbsp;</span>The condition of the property is an important consideration when buying a duplex. A home inspection report will give you a detailed accounting of the condition of the property. &nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium; line-height: 18px;"><br style=""><br style=""></span><strong style=""><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="">Identify Whether the Property is a Conforming Legal Use:</span></span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium;"><span style=""><span style="line-height: 18px;">&nbsp;</span>The rules regarding homes containing in-law suites, granny flats or duplex conversions vary from town to town. Buyers intending to rent all or part of a property will want to ensure that the work was done properly and that they can legally rent the premises.</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium; line-height: 18px;"><br style=""><br style=""></span><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium; line-height: 18px;"><span style="">New investors looking to jump into the market can capitalize on low interest rates and stable real estate markets. Even with a limited budget, they can realize significant returns on their investment by looking for profits in smaller-income properties.</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium; line-height: 18px;"><br style=""><br style=""></span><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: medium; line-height: 18px;"><span style="">The knowledge and experience investors gain will allow them to grow their real estate investment portfolio over time.</span></span></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re thinking about selling your home,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freehomevalue.html" title="Free Home Value Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;for a free home valuation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re looking to buy a home&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freelistingsrequest.html" title="Free Listings Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;to sign up and receive property listings that meet your criteria as soon as they hit the market.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you'd like to search local listings of homes for sale in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs yourself <em><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" title="Search Chicago Area MLS Listings">Click Here</a></strong></em>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/3/0/1/3/ar131406335931039.jpg" height="38" alt="David Hill" style="border-color: initial;" width="752"></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/5/8/1/8/ar131406368181853.jpg" height="43" alt="David Hill" width="675"></span></p> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img title="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/7/7/2/3/ar130360687932777.jpg" height="173" alt="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" width="150"></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dave@midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Email" target="_blank"><strong>Email me</strong></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty Website" target="_blank">Visit&nbsp;Our Website</a></strong></p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Buyers.html" title="Buyers Programs" target="_blank"><img title="Buyer Services" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/0/4/0/2/ar133030703620407.png" height="67" alt="Buyer Services" width="248"></a></strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/shortsales.html" title="Short Sale Help" target="_blank"><img title="Short Sale Help" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/7/5/7/7/ar128543750377572.jpg" height="67" alt="Short Sale Help" width="161"></a></span></strong></p> </td> <td> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty" target="_blank"><img title="Flat Fee MLS" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/1/0/0/7/ar128543734970016.jpg" height="68" alt="Flat Fee MLS" width="363"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Sellers.html" title="Sellers" target="_blank"><img title="Premier Full Service" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/1/5/ar128543740651056.jpg" height="67" alt="Premier Full Service" width="361"></a></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/105104550263314436088/about?hl=en" title="Google+"><img title="Google+" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/2/7/ar13175212572338.jpg" height="91" alt="Google+" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Midwest-Premier-Realty/164520880241410?sk=wall" title="Facebook" target="_blank"><img title="Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/9/6/6/9/ar130732308796699.png" height="100" alt="Facebook" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/DavidRHill" title="Twitter" target="_blank"><img title="Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/6/1/6/6/ar130732326666161.png" height="100" alt="Twitter" width="100"></a><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?id=23229271" title="LinkedIn" target="_blank"><img title="LinkedIn" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/2/9/9/1/ar130732346319923.png" height="100" alt="LinkedIn" width="100"></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Midwest Premier Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/5/2/ar130836232725338.png" height="100" alt="Midwest Premier Realty" width="100"><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" target="_blank"><img title="Property Search" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/2/1/0/8/ar132479640380124.jpg" height="95" alt="Search For Properties" style="vertical-align: top;" width="125"></a></p> </div> David Hill PhD,ePro,SFR,CIAS,BPOR,CNE Chicago Real Estate Agent (Midwest Premier Realty, Gurnee IL 224-321-0699) Thu, 15 Mar 2012 20:06:45 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3049297/tips-for-buying-that-first-ever-income-property http://activerain.com/blogsview/3049205/nine-easy-ways-to-make-your-home-more-attractive <p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; line-height: 18px; font-size: medium;"><img title="Make your home more attractive" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/7/6/9/1/ar133186467419677.JPG" height="200" alt="Make your home more attractive" width="200" style="float: left; margin: 10px;">These days, staging your home involves more than de-cluttering and inexpensive fix-ups. You can spend big bucks&hellip;Or not! The following tips can help you add value to your home:</span><br style="font-family: verdana, geneva; line-height: 18px; font-size: medium;"><br style="font-family: verdana, geneva; line-height: 18px; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; line-height: 18px; font-size: medium;">1. Listen to your real estate agent. He or she views hundreds of houses a year and knows what works.</span><br style="font-family: verdana, geneva; line-height: 18px; font-size: medium;"><br style="font-family: verdana, geneva; line-height: 18px; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; line-height: 18px; font-size: medium;">2. Watch the trends and incorporate them in simple, effective ways. In 2012, buyers will be looking for extra storage and great laundry rooms. De-clutter all your closets and add inexpensive but attractive storage in the laundry area. Fresh paint and attractive baskets can go a long way.</span><br style="font-family: verdana, geneva; line-height: 18px; font-size: medium;"><br style="font-family: verdana, geneva; line-height: 18px; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; line-height: 18px; font-size: medium;">3. Position one of today's colors - any shade of blue from cobalt to turquoise, for example - against neutral walls, either by painting an accent wall or by adding hints of color with accessories.</span><br style="font-family: verdana, geneva; line-height: 18px; font-size: medium;"><br style="font-family: verdana, geneva; line-height: 18px; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; line-height: 18px; font-size: medium;">4. For accessories, try light woods, brass and stone.</span><br style="font-family: verdana, geneva; line-height: 18px; font-size: medium;"><br style="font-family: verdana, geneva; line-height: 18px; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; line-height: 18px; font-size: medium;">5. Switch down your lighting - dimmers create a warm, romantic mood in bedrooms and dining rooms.</span><br style="font-family: verdana, geneva; line-height: 18px; font-size: medium;"><br style="font-family: verdana, geneva; line-height: 18px; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; line-height: 18px; font-size: medium;">6. Hardwood floors are still number one, but sisal and seagrass carpeting are becoming popular.</span><br style="font-family: verdana, geneva; line-height: 18px; font-size: medium;"><br style="font-family: verdana, geneva; line-height: 18px; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; line-height: 18px; font-size: medium;">7. White or off-white kitchen cabinets are still in. Painting cabinets may be labor intensive, but you may avoid that "dated kitchen" label.</span><br style="font-family: verdana, geneva; line-height: 18px; font-size: medium;"><br style="font-family: verdana, geneva; line-height: 18px; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; line-height: 18px; font-size: medium;">8. Stainless steel appliances remain popular, but building them in to match kitchen cabinets is very now.</span><br style="font-family: verdana, geneva; line-height: 18px; font-size: medium;"><br style="font-family: verdana, geneva; line-height: 18px; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; line-height: 18px; font-size: medium;">9. Move out all but essential pieces of furniture. Buyers want to imagine their possessions in your home.</span></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re thinking about selling your home,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freehomevalue.html" title="Free Home Value Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;for a free home valuation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re looking to buy a home&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freelistingsrequest.html" title="Free Listings Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;to sign up and receive property listings that meet your criteria as soon as they hit the market.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you'd like to search local listings of homes for sale in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs yourself <em><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" title="Search Chicago Area MLS Listings">Click Here</a></strong></em>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/3/0/1/3/ar131406335931039.jpg" height="38" alt="David Hill" style="border-color: initial;" width="752"></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/5/8/1/8/ar131406368181853.jpg" height="43" alt="David Hill" width="675"></span></p> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img title="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/7/7/2/3/ar130360687932777.jpg" height="173" alt="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" width="150"></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dave@midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Email" target="_blank"><strong>Email me</strong></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty Website" target="_blank">Visit&nbsp;Our Website</a></strong></p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Buyers.html" title="Buyers Programs" target="_blank"><img title="Buyer Services" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/0/4/0/2/ar133030703620407.png" height="67" alt="Buyer Services" width="248"></a></strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/shortsales.html" title="Short Sale Help" target="_blank"><img title="Short Sale Help" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/7/5/7/7/ar128543750377572.jpg" height="67" alt="Short Sale Help" width="161"></a></span></strong></p> </td> <td> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty" target="_blank"><img title="Flat Fee MLS" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/1/0/0/7/ar128543734970016.jpg" height="68" alt="Flat Fee MLS" width="363"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Sellers.html" title="Sellers" target="_blank"><img title="Premier Full Service" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/1/5/ar128543740651056.jpg" height="67" alt="Premier Full Service" width="361"></a></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/105104550263314436088/about?hl=en" title="Google+"><img title="Google+" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/2/7/ar13175212572338.jpg" height="91" alt="Google+" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Midwest-Premier-Realty/164520880241410?sk=wall" title="Facebook" target="_blank"><img title="Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/9/6/6/9/ar130732308796699.png" height="100" alt="Facebook" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/DavidRHill" title="Twitter" target="_blank"><img title="Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/6/1/6/6/ar130732326666161.png" height="100" alt="Twitter" width="100"></a><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?id=23229271" title="LinkedIn" target="_blank"><img title="LinkedIn" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/2/9/9/1/ar130732346319923.png" height="100" alt="LinkedIn" width="100"></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Midwest Premier Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/5/2/ar130836232725338.png" height="100" alt="Midwest Premier Realty" width="100"><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" target="_blank"><img title="Property Search" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/2/1/0/8/ar132479640380124.jpg" height="95" alt="Search For Properties" style="vertical-align: top;" width="125"></a></p> </div> David Hill PhD,ePro,SFR,CIAS,BPOR,CNE Chicago Real Estate Agent (Midwest Premier Realty, Gurnee IL 224-321-0699) Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:28:42 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3049205/nine-easy-ways-to-make-your-home-more-attractive http://activerain.com/blogsview/2854076/green-your-home-save-now-and-profit-later <p><span style=""><img title="Green Home" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/3/4/7/3/ar132944840837432.PNG" height="288" alt="Green Home" width="288" style="float: left; margin: 10px;">With apologies to Sesame Street's Kermit the Frog, it is easy being a green homeowner. And it may be profitable, too.</span><br style=""><br style=""><span style="">To green your home you need to invest in a number of energy and water-saving measures that result in lower energy costs. While the initial cost of your green investment may be higher, greening your home can give you an immediate saving of 30% to 60% off your energy costs. Incentives offered by government and local electricity distribution companies will help too.</span><br style=""><br style=""><span style="">Best of all, when it's time to sell, you've increased your home's resale value - some say by as much as 10%.</span><br style=""><br style=""><span style="">A simple change of habits can start you on the road to a green home: For example, toasters, microwaves, computers and TVs steal "phantom power" - even when they're not in use. Unplug them for lower electricity bills.</span><br style=""><br style=""><span style="">Going greener may be as simple as installing energy efficient lighting, upgrading your appliances to Energy Star-rated products and switching to low-flow toilets and water-saving shower heads.</span><br style=""><br style=""><span style="">Outside, planting large deciduous trees on the west and south sides of your home moderates the temperature. The result: lower heating and cooling costs and an attractively landscaped yard.</span><br style=""><br style=""><span style="">To kick it up a notch, you could really reduce costs with energy efficient windows and insulation. A high-efficiency furnace will quickly pay for itself; as will an energy friendly air-conditioner.</span><br style=""><br style=""><span style="">You may even opt for installing solar panels to reduce your dependence on the electricity grid.</span><br style=""><br style=""><span style="">And when you're renovating, why not consider a green reno, using toxin-free building materials, cork or bamboo floors and low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paint.</span><br style=""><br style=""><span style="">Ready to sell? Don't forget to trumpet your green investments. They may just sell your home.</span></p> <p><span style=""><br></span></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re thinking about selling your home,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freehomevalue.html" title="Free Home Value Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;for a free home valuation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re looking to buy a home&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freelistingsrequest.html" title="Free Listings Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;to sign up and receive property listings that meet your criteria as soon as they hit the market.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you'd like to search local listings of homes for sale in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs yourself <em><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" title="Search Chicago Area MLS Listings">Click Here</a></strong></em>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/3/0/1/3/ar131406335931039.jpg" height="38" alt="David Hill" style="border-color: initial;" width="752"></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/5/8/1/8/ar131406368181853.jpg" height="43" alt="David Hill" width="675"></span></p> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img title="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/7/7/2/3/ar130360687932777.jpg" height="173" alt="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" width="150"></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dave@midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Email" target="_blank"><strong>Email me</strong></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty Website" target="_blank">Visit&nbsp;Our Website</a></strong></p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Buyers.html" title="Buyers Programs" target="_blank"><img title="Buyer Services" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/0/4/0/2/ar133030703620407.png" height="67" alt="Buyer Services" width="248"></a></strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/shortsales.html" title="Short Sale Help" target="_blank"><img title="Short Sale Help" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/7/5/7/7/ar128543750377572.jpg" height="67" alt="Short Sale Help" width="161"></a></span></strong></p> </td> <td> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty" target="_blank"><img title="Flat Fee MLS" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/1/0/0/7/ar128543734970016.jpg" height="68" alt="Flat Fee MLS" width="363"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Sellers.html" title="Sellers" target="_blank"><img title="Premier Full Service" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/1/5/ar128543740651056.jpg" height="67" alt="Premier Full Service" width="361"></a></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/105104550263314436088/about?hl=en" title="Google+"><img title="Google+" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/2/7/ar13175212572338.jpg" height="91" alt="Google+" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Midwest-Premier-Realty/164520880241410?sk=wall" title="Facebook" target="_blank"><img title="Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/9/6/6/9/ar130732308796699.png" height="100" alt="Facebook" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/DavidRHill" title="Twitter" target="_blank"><img title="Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/6/1/6/6/ar130732326666161.png" height="100" alt="Twitter" width="100"></a><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?id=23229271" title="LinkedIn" target="_blank"><img title="LinkedIn" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/2/9/9/1/ar130732346319923.png" height="100" alt="LinkedIn" width="100"></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Midwest Premier Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/5/2/ar130836232725338.png" height="100" alt="Midwest Premier Realty" width="100"><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" target="_blank"><img title="Property Search" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/2/1/0/8/ar132479640380124.jpg" height="95" alt="Search For Properties" style="vertical-align: top;" width="125"></a></p> </div> David Hill PhD,ePro,SFR,CIAS,BPOR,CNE Chicago Real Estate Agent (Midwest Premier Realty, Gurnee IL 224-321-0699) Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:16:13 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2854076/green-your-home-save-now-and-profit-later http://activerain.com/blogsview/2849553/how-to-prepare-for-the-spring-housing-market <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img title="Home Buying and Selling Tips" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/0/3/0/7/ar132935445670303.JPG" height="200" alt="Home Buying and Selling Tips" width="200" style="float: left; margin: 10px;">Spring is just around the corner. It is the time of year when sellers and buyers gird up for what has traditionally been the most important season for buying or selling a home. The following are some ways to prepare:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sellers</span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sellers should be aware that there's a lot of competition for buyers in the spring. That means sellers should do everything possible to differentiate their home from others, including the following:</span></p> <ul type="disc" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> <li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Polish windows and floors, rake the yard, mow the lawn, and add flowers in containers.</span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wash blinds and curtains and have carpeting cleaned.</span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If a seller has spent the winter renovating to sell, new pictures should be taken to show the renovated space to best advantage. Be sure to add the new information to the feature sheets and advertising of real estate agents.</span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Consign dark linens and towels to storage and add bright or pastel accents in baths and bedrooms.</span></li> </ul> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Buyers</span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Buyers should have a good idea of what they want, how much they can spend and the neighborhoods they're interested in. Buyers should also:</span></p> <ul type="disc" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> <li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a network of experts in place, such as a real estate agent, lawyer, home inspector and mortgage broker.</span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Obtain a copy of their credit report, and if there are errors, clear them up.</span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Approach several lenders for preapproval.</span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Decide before shopping for a home the most they're prepared to pay, and resist the urge to pay more.</span></li> </ul> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re thinking about selling your home,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freehomevalue.html" title="Free Home Value Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;for a free home valuation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you&rsquo;re looking to buy a home&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/freelistingsrequest.html" title="Free Listings Request" target="_blank"><strong><em>Click Here</em></strong></a>&nbsp;to sign up and receive property listings that meet your criteria as soon as they hit the market.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you'd like to search local listings of homes for sale in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs yourself <em><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" title="Search Chicago Area MLS Listings">Click Here</a></strong></em>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/3/0/1/3/ar131406335931039.jpg" height="38" alt="David Hill" style="border-color: initial;" width="752"></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img title="David Hill" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/5/8/1/8/ar131406368181853.jpg" height="43" alt="David Hill" width="675"></span></p> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img title="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/7/7/2/3/ar130360687932777.jpg" height="173" alt="David Hill Gurnee Realtor" width="150"></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dave@midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Email" target="_blank"><strong>Email me</strong></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty Website" target="_blank">Visit&nbsp;Our Website</a></strong></p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> </td> <td> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Buyers.html" title="Buyers Programs" target="_blank"><img title="Buyer Services" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/0/4/0/2/ar133030703620407.png" height="67" alt="Buyer Services" width="248"></a></strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;<a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/shortsales.html" title="Short Sale Help" target="_blank"><img title="Short Sale Help" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/7/5/7/7/ar128543750377572.jpg" height="67" alt="Short Sale Help" width="161"></a></span></strong></p> </td> <td> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com" title="Midwest Premier Realty" target="_blank"><img title="Flat Fee MLS" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/1/0/0/7/ar128543734970016.jpg" height="68" alt="Flat Fee MLS" width="363"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/Sellers.html" title="Sellers" target="_blank"><img title="Premier Full Service" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/1/5/ar128543740651056.jpg" height="67" alt="Premier Full Service" width="361"></a></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/105104550263314436088/about?hl=en" title="Google+"><img title="Google+" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/2/7/ar13175212572338.jpg" height="91" alt="Google+" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Midwest-Premier-Realty/164520880241410?sk=wall" title="Facebook" target="_blank"><img title="Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/9/6/6/9/ar130732308796699.png" height="100" alt="Facebook" style="vertical-align: top;" width="100"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/DavidRHill" title="Twitter" target="_blank"><img title="Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/6/1/6/6/ar130732326666161.png" height="100" alt="Twitter" width="100"></a><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?id=23229271" title="LinkedIn" target="_blank"><img title="LinkedIn" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/2/9/9/1/ar130732346319923.png" height="100" alt="LinkedIn" width="100"></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Midwest Premier Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/3/5/2/ar130836232725338.png" height="100" alt="Midwest Premier Realty" width="100"><a href="http://www.midwestpremierrealty.com/home_search.html" target="_blank"><img title="Property Search" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/2/1/0/8/ar132479640380124.jpg" height="95" alt="Search For Properties" style="vertical-align: top;" width="125"></a></p> </div> David Hill PhD,ePro,SFR,CIAS,BPOR,CNE Chicago Real Estate Agent (Midwest Premier Realty, Gurnee IL 224-321-0699) Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:09:36 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/2849553/how-to-prepare-for-the-spring-housing-market