John's Blog

"Custom" Magazines

John Cilladi, REALTOR, EcoBroker, e-PRO (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 15:07:06 -0500

In the past two years I have received at least three offers from companies to create a "custom" publication with my branding. These publications are magazines that are printed with my picture an contact info in several places. If you pay a premium you can get a tear-out reply card inserted in the mag.

The latest offer that I received is from bydesign Publishing. The magazine is fairly inexpensive, but is only 12 pages.

I have been tempted to try marketing to my former clients and SOI using one of these vendors.

Have YOU used one? Would you like to share your experiences (good or bad)?

I know I would appreciate the info! You can reply to this blog or (if you are point-hungry), write another blog. If you choose to write your own blog on this subject, please reply to me so I know it is there.

Thanks!

How YOU Can Receive a FREE Education!

John Cilladi, REALTOR, EcoBroker, e-PRO (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 17:06:44 -0500

Here is your big chance to receive a FREE education . Not only do you not pay tuition or fees, but you don't have to dress up, you don't have to drive anywhere -- in fact, you get this education in the warm glow of your computer screen.

By the way, this is not a joke! You can take classes in the following general categories:

Software and Technology
IT Professionals
In-House Marketing
Business Skills

I just started taking a class in Adobe Photoshop CS2, but in the past I have taken "Building Your First Web Page," "Microsoft® Publisher 2003: introduction," and "Search engines 101: using search engines to market your business."

Other classes that may interest you are:

Microsoft® PowerPoint® 2003: advanced
Understanding Microsoft® Windows® Vista Business Edition
Run your own direct mail campaign
Promote your business with HP Marketing Assistant
Real estate marketing made easy

Do any of those sound interesting?

All of these classes and MANY MORE are offered for free, online, by the venerable HP. Why? I suspect that it is one of those value added things.

Where can you get more information? Try clicking here: Learning Center: Free Online Classes

You will have to register, but you will never have to send money.

The classes are great. Have fun. Learn!

Parkesburg, PA Real Estate Market Report

John Cilladi, REALTOR, EcoBroker, e-PRO (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 17:15:39 -0500

Living in Chester County, Pennsylvania offers the best of many worlds. You get access to major shopping, major sports and major highways. You also get rural, Amish, and small-town neighborhoods.

As of today (April 26, 2007) there are 38 homes listed in the MLS as "Active." In the past 12 months, 5 homes have sold per month. It will take 7 1/2 months to sell the homes currently listed in Parkesburg.

The good news is that the economy is good, unemployment is low, and mortgage rates are still very low.

Get the facts; make wise decisions. If you are going to be buying or selling a home in Parkesburg or the surrounding area, give me a call. I have access to all the stats that will help to market you home most effectively.

Check out my website.

This chart shows what has been happening over the past 3 years in the local market.

John Cilladi is Chester County's First EcoBroker Certified Real Estate Agent.

Information deemed reliable but not guarenteed.

April, 2007 West Chester, PA Real Estate Market Report

John Cilladi, REALTOR, EcoBroker, e-PRO (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 19:21:48 -0500

Living in Chester County, Pennsylvania offers the best of many worlds. You get access to major shopping, major sports and major highways. You also get rural, Amish, and small-town neighborhoods.

As of today (April 23, 2007) there are 47 homes listed in the MLS as "Active." In the past 12 months, 11 homes have sold per month. It will take 4 months to sell the homes currently listed in West Chester.

The good news is that the economy is good, unemployment is low, and mortgage rates are still very low.

Get the facts; make wise decisions. If you are going to be buying or selling a home in West Chester or the surrounding area, give me a call. I have access to all the stats that will help to market you home most effectively.

Check out my website.

This chart shows what has been happening over the past 3 years in the local market.

John Cilladi is Chester County's First EcoBroker Certified Real Estate Agent.

Information deemed reliable but not guarenteed.

April 2007 E. Fallowfield Twp, Chester County, PA Market Report

John Cilladi, REALTOR, EcoBroker, e-PRO (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 19:07:43 -0500

Living in Chester County, Pennsylvania offers the best of many worlds. You get access to major shopping, major sports and major highways. You also get rural, Amish, and small-town neighborhoods.

As of today (April 22, 2007) there are 81 homes listed in the MLS as "Active." In the past 12 months, 10 homes have sold per month. It will take 8 months to sell the homes currently listed in East Fallowfield Township.

The good news is that the economy is good, unemployment is low, and mortgage rates are still very low.

Get the facts; make wise decisions. If you are going to be buying or selling a home in East Fallowfield Township or the surrounding area, give me a call. I have access to all the stats that will help to market you home most effectively.

Check out my website.

This chart shows what has been happening over the past 3 years in the local market.

John Cilladi is Chester County's First EcoBroker Certified Real Estate Agent.

Information deemed reliable but not guarenteed.

April 2007 Exton, PA Real Estate Market Report

John Cilladi, REALTOR, EcoBroker, e-PRO (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 21:01:01 -0500

Living in Chester County, Pennsylvania offers the best of many worlds. You get access to major shopping, major sports and major highways. You also get rural, Amish, and small-town neighborhoods.

As of today (April 22, 2007) there are 98 homes listed in the MLS as "Active." In the past 12 months, 25 homes have sold per month. It will take 4 months to sell the homes currently listed in the Exton area.

The good news is that the economy is good, unemployment is low, and mortgage rates are still very low.

Get the facts; make wise decisions. If you are going to be buying or selling a home in West Whiteland Township or the surrounding area, give me a call. I have access to all the stats that will help to market you home most effectively.

Check out my website.

This chart shows what has been happening over the past 3 years in the local market.

John Cilladi is Chester County's First EcoBroker Certified Real Estate Agent.

Information deemed reliable but not guarenteed.

April 2007 West Whiteland Twp. Real Estate Market Report

John Cilladi, REALTOR, EcoBroker, e-PRO (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 20:58:49 -0500

Living in Chester County, Pennsylvania offers the best of many worlds. You get access to major shopping, major sports and major highways. You also get rural, Amish, and small-town neighborhoods.

The good news is that the economy is good, unemployment is low, and mortgage rates are still very low.

Check out my website.

This chart shows what has been happening over the past 3 years in the local market.

John Cilladi is Chester County's First EcoBroker Certified Real Estate Agent.

Information deemed reliable but not guarenteed.

April 2007 E. Whiteland Twp., Chester County, PA Real Estate Market Report

John Cilladi, REALTOR, EcoBroker, e-PRO (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 20:25:46 -0500

Living in Chester County, Pennsylvania offers the best of many worlds. You get access to major shopping, major sports and major highways. You also get rural, Amish, and small-town neighborhoods.

As of today (April 22, 2007) there are 41 homes listed in the MLS as "Active." In the past 12 months, 10 homes have sold per month. It will take 4 months to sell the homes currently listed in East Whiteland Township.

The good news is that the economy is good, unemployment is low, and mortgage rates are still very low.

Get the facts; make wise decisions. If you are going to be buying or selling a home in East Whiteland Township or the surrounding area, give me a call. I have access to all the stats that will help to market you home most effectively.

Check out my website.

This chart shows what has been happening over the past 3 years in the local market.

John Cilladi is Chester County's First EcoBroker Certified Real Estate Agent.

Information deemed reliable but not guarenteed.

April 2007 E. Nantmeal Twp, Chester Co., PA Market Report

John Cilladi, REALTOR, EcoBroker, e-PRO (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 20:08:50 -0500

Living in Chester County, Pennsylvania offers the best of many worlds. You get access to major shopping, major sports and major highways. You also get rural, Amish, and small-town neighborhoods.

As of today (April 22, 2007) there are 21 homes listed in the MLS as "Active." In the past 12 months, 1 home has sold per month. It will take 21 months to sell the homes currently listed in East Nantmeal Township.

The good news is that the economy is good, unemployment is low, and mortgage rates are still very low.

Get the facts; make wise decisions. If you are going to be buying or selling a home in East Nantmeal Township or the surrounding area, give me a call. I have access to all the stats that will help to market you home most effectively.

Check out my website.

This chart shows what has been happening over the past 3 years in the local market.

John Cilladi is Chester County's First EcoBroker Certified Real Estate Agent.

Information deemed reliable but not guarenteed.

April, 2007 E. Goshen Township, Chester County, PA Market Report

John Cilladi, REALTOR, EcoBroker, e-PRO (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 19:41:15 -0500

Living in Chester County, Pennsylvania offers the best of many worlds. You get access to major shopping, major sports and major highways. You also get rural, Amish, and small-town neighborhoods.

As of today (April 22, 2007) there are 129 homes listed in the MLS as "Active." In the past 12 months 24 homes have sold per month. It will take over 5 months to sell the homes currently listed in East Goshen Township.

The good news is that the economy is good, unemployment is low, and mortgage rates are still very low.

Get the facts; make wise decisions. If you are going to be buying or selling a home in East Goshen Township or the surrounding area, give me a call. I have access to all the stats that will help to market you home most effectively.

Check out my website.

This chart shows what has been happening over the past 3 years in the local market.

John Cilladi is Chester County's First EcoBroker Certified Real Estate Agent.

Information deemed reliable but not guarenteed.

April 2007 East Brandywine Township, Chester County, PA Real Estate Market Report

John Cilladi, REALTOR, EcoBroker, e-PRO (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 19:14:55 -0500

Living in Chester County, Pennsylvania offers the best of many worlds. You get access to major shopping, major sports and major highways. You also get rural, Amish, and small-town neighborhoods.

As of today (April 22, 2007) there are 72 homes listed in the MLS as "Active." In the past 12 months 6 homes have sold per month. It will take 12 months to sell the homes currently listed in East Brandywine Township.

The good news is that the economy is good, unemployment is low, and mortgage rates are still very low.

Get the facts; make wise decisions. If you are going to be buying or selling a home in East Brandywine Township or the surrounding area, give me a call. I have access to all the stats that will help to market you home most effectively.

Check out my website.

This chart shows what has been happening over the past 3 years in the local market.

John Cilladi is Chester County's First EcoBroker Certified Real Estate Agent.

Information deemed reliable but not guarenteed.

April 2007 E. Bradford Twshp, Chester County, PA Real Estate Market

John Cilladi, REALTOR, EcoBroker, e-PRO (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 18:55:56 -0500

Living in Chester County, Pennsylvania offers the best of many worlds. You get access to major shopping, major sports and major highways. You also get rural, Amish, and small-town neighborhoods.

As of today (April 22, 2007) there are 63 homes listed in the MLS as "Active." In the past 12 months 11 homes have sold per month. It will take almost 6 months to sell the homes currently listed in East Bradford Township.

The good news is that the economy is good, unemployment is low, and mortgage rates are still very low.

Get the facts; make wise decisions. If you are going to be buying or selling a home in East Bradford Township or the surrounding area, give me a call. I have access to all the stats that will help to market you home most effectively.

Check out my website.

This chart shows what has been happening over the past 3 years in the local market.

John Cilladi is Chester County's First EcoBroker Certified Real Estate Agent.

Information deemed reliable but not guarenteed.

April 2007 Downingtown, PA Real Estate Market

John Cilladi, REALTOR, EcoBroker, e-PRO (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 17:14:09 -0500

Living in Chester County, Pennsylvania offers the best of many worlds. You get access to major shopping, major sports and major highways. You also get rural, Amish, and small-town neighborhoods.

As of today (April 22, 2007) there are 52 homes listed in the MLS as "Active." In the past 12 months 10 homes have sold per month. It will take over 5 months to sell the homes currently listed in Downingtown.

The good news is that the economy is good, unemployment is low, and mortgage rates are still very low.

Get the facts; make wise decisions. If you are going to be buying or selling a home in Downingtown or the surrounding area, give me a call. I have access to all the stats that will help to market you home most effectively.

Check out my website.

This chart shows what has been happening over the past 3 years in the local market.

John Cilladi is Chester County's First EcoBroker Certified Real Estate Agent.

Information deemed reliable but not guarenteed.

April 2007 Coatesville, Pa Real Estate Market

John Cilladi, REALTOR, EcoBroker, e-PRO (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 16:58:26 -0500

Living in Chester County, Pennsylvania offers the best of many worlds. You get access to major shopping, major sports and major highways. You also get rural, Amish, and small-town neighborhoods.

As of today (April 22, 2007) there are 99 homes listed in the MLS as "Active." In the past 12 months 15 homes have sold per month. It will take 6 1/2 months to sell the homes currently listed in Coatesville.

The good news is that the economy is good, unemployment is low, and mortgage rates are still very low.

Get the facts; make wise decisions. If you are going to be buying or selling a home in Coatesville or the surrounding area, give me a call. I have access to all the stats that will help to market you home most effectively.

Check out my website.

This chart shows what has been happening over the past 3 years in the local market.

John Cilladi is Chester County's First EcoBroker Certified Real Estate Agent.

Information deemed reliable but not guarenteed.

April 2007 Caln Township, Chester County, PA Real Estate Market Report

John Cilladi, REALTOR, EcoBroker, e-PRO (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 16:30:16 -0500

Living in Chester County, Pennsylvania offers the best of many worlds. You get access to major shopping, major sports and major highways. You also get rural, Amish, and small-town neighborhoods.

As of today (April 22, 2007) there are 119 homes listed in the MLS as "Active." In the past 12 months 24 homes have sold per month. It will take almost 5 months to sell the homes currently listed in Caln Township.

The good news is that the economy is good, unemployment is low, and mortgage rates are still very low.

Get the facts; make wise decisions. If you are going to be buying or selling a home in Caln Township or the surrounding area, give me a call. I have access to all the stats that will help to market you home most effectively.

Check out my website.

This chart shows what has been happening over the past 3 years in the local market.

John Cilladi is Chester County's First EcoBroker Certified Real Estate Agent.

Information deemed reliable but not guarenteed.

April 2007 Atglen, PA Real Estate Market Report

John Cilladi, REALTOR, EcoBroker, e-PRO (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 16:09:39 -0500

Living in western Chester County, Pennsylvania offers the best of many worlds. You get access to major shopping, major sports and major highways. You also get rural, Amish, and small-town neighborhoods.

As of today (April 22, 2007) there are 16 homes listed in the MLS as "Active." In the past 12 months 2 homes have sold per month. It will take 8 months to sell the homes currently listed.

The good news is that the economy is good, unemployment is low, and mortgage rates are still very low.

Get the facts; make wise decisions. If you are going to be buying or selling a home in Atglen or the surrounding area, give me a call. I have access to all the stats that will help to market you home most effectively.

Check out my website.

This chart shows what has been happening over the past 3 years in the local market.

John Cilladi is Chester County's First EcoBroker Certified Real Estate Agent.

Information deemed reliable but not guarenteed.

Earth Day! My Favorite Eco-Links

John Cilladi, REALTOR, EcoBroker, e-PRO (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 15:13:44 -0500

To celebrate Earth Day, here are a few of my favorite links.

The first I would like to offer is for the Edison Electric Institute. At this site you will find some of the latest electrical industry news. You might be surprised!

Here is another surprise: The National Priorities List. You can search for Superfund Sites. Why would I select this site to list for Earth Day? You might be shocked to find out how many there are and how close one might be to you.

Ok, this time I'll be a little more positive. The title is: What are ENERGY STAR Qualified New Homes? This is directly from Energy Star.

If you would like to spend many hours surfing from site to site, go to my home page and click on the link under my picture. You will find a page of links on environmental issues, air quality, green building materials and construction techniques, Energy Star appliances and . . . . .

April 2007 Chester County, Pennsylvania Real Estate Market

John Cilladi, REALTOR, EcoBroker, e-PRO (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 15:18:51 -0500

1175 homes were listed in March of 2007.

The total current inventory is 3792 (as of 4/20/07) and the average of monthly sales for the past 12 months is 547. That means that it will take almost 7 months to sell all of the homes currently listed.

The good news is that mortgage rates are still low and the economy is doing quite well.

Don’t sell YOUR home without all the facts. I can compile a custom analysis of the city, borough, or township where your home is located so it can be priced and marked for a quick sale and maximum gain.

john@notjustanyagent.com

www.notjustanyagent.com

Delta's Carbon Offest Program

John Cilladi, REALTOR, EcoBroker, e-PRO (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 18:13:57 -0500

Delta Air Lines recently began a voluntary program to offset their carbon emissions. Their plan is to encourage ticket-buyers to make a donation to The Conservation Fund so more trees can be planted.

Delta is promising that 100% of the donations to Delta's Force for Global Good will be given to the fund.

To me, it seem like a good effort. What do you think?

Is it:

A. A shameless ploy to increase ticket sales,

B. A wonderful program that demonstrates a large company's heart for the greater good of mankind?

What do YOU think?

Get Ready for Arbor Day!

John Cilladi, REALTOR, EcoBroker, e-PRO (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 18:51:41 -0500

I’ve been searching the web for sites that will be helpful to my clients who are interested in energy efficiency. Here are a few of my favorite links for your entertainment and edification:

Save money energy by using a tankless water heater or on-demand water heaters.

Compare tankless heaters and read some interesting articles.

Learn about building energy-efficient homes.

Investigate just how efficient your new appliances can be.

This is a really cool way to find out how much you could save on a new refrigerator – you must know the model number of your old fridge to use this.

Here you will find a good primer on solar heating.

Geothermal heat pumps fascinate me. Take a look at the possibilities.

The Latest in Diseases

John Cilladi, REALTOR, EcoBroker, e-PRO (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 16:46:56 -0500

Are you worried sick about what the world is doing to you? Do you suffer from anxiety over rampant tornados, raging floods, and falling meteors? Does the threat of avalanches, extinctions, and water shortages in far-flung parts of the world cause you to lock your doors and tremble? Well, I have some good news for you!

I may not be able to cure you (I’m not a therapist), but I DO know what your problem is. According to an article by Justin Noble of the Columbia News Service, you may be suffering from Eco-anxiety.

If you are experiencing “panic attacks, loss of appetite, irritability and unexplained bouts of weakness, [and] sleeplessness . . .” (and your NOT on the verge of losing control of the real estate deal of a lifetime), have no fear. Because . . .

Not only is there a name for the symptoms that are caused by fears of environmental nature, but, as it turns out, there are specialists called “eco-therapists” who can help you with your Eco-anxiety.

My take on this latest of trendy anxieties? Turn off the TV, put down the news paper, and go for a walk. Enjoy the springtime flowers and trees. Just look at how great the world really is. And then, when you get home, don’t forget to take your allergy medicine. SMILE!

Environmentally Friendly Real Estate

John Cilladi, REALTOR, EcoBroker, e-PRO (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 15:28:23 -0500

A recent encounter with a client helped to drive home the fact that much has changed since the 70’s.

This young man has a good education from a top-notch school and a good job with a growing company. Each home that we looked at was examined for site orientation, but that was all! It turns out that his father had built a “passive solar” home many years ago and so, now, southern exposure was important to him.

He decided which of the many homes he looked at would be HIS first home, and at the walk-through we had a few minutes to discuss some environmental issues. He was eager to learn about the advances in technology that have affected how we do solar these days.

I’m encouraged! Next we are going to start to look for a piece of land for his solar home.

It pays to know a where we are in the environmental timeline. This is not your father’s eco-friendly house. We all should have a little knowledge about what can be done to work with nature instead of against it in the 21^st centuary.

Fluorescent Bulbs and Tankless Heaters

John Cilladi, REALTOR, EcoBroker, e-PRO (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 19:32:06 -0500

janeAnne’s blog, 10+ Simple Retrofits for Older Homes , inspired me to write a little about adding energy efficient features to older homes.

Yes, as janeAnne mentioned, I do have the ancient fluorescent bulb. It’s a “60 watt” screw-in version and works as well today as it did 13 years ago. When we moved 18 months ago a couple other bulbs the same age were left behind. It joins about 12 newer bulbs, both “60 watt” and “100 watt.” I use them wherever I can. My children recently had a laugh at my expense when I installed a new dining room light and put 6 “60 watt” fluorescents in it. I forgot that the light is on a dimmer and fluorescents don’t dim. But boy does that thing hum.

What I really wanted to say is that back in 1999, at our old house, we were planning for Y2K. We were doing some major remodeling, so the time seemed right to add a 500 gallon propane tank and two heaters that used no electricity. You know, just in case the prophets of doom were right.

It was just about that time that the hot water tank sprung a leak. Being the obsessive handyman that I am, I began a search for the ultimate replacement. It turned out to be a $425 Bosch tankless water heater. I was going to put that propane to good use.

After much trial and tribulation, this wall-hung marvel in place and plumbed for gas combustion, cold water in, and hot water out. The flue was installed out through the block wall.

I lit the pilot and turned on the hot water faucet at a nearby laundry tub. To my amazement the flame came to life and in a few seconds hot water was flowing. For the next six years we showered, bathed, washed dishes and dogs, and never ran out of hot water. There are seven in our family, and we never experienced the disappointment of wanting to shower and there being no hot water.

When we moved in 2005 we re-experienced the conventional 55-gallon hot water tank. Once again I am paying to store heated water all through the night when no one even cares that it is there.

I can’t wait till that water heater fails. I have my eye on the latest pilotless models!

A Wonderful World

John Cilladi, REALTOR, EcoBroker, e-PRO (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 19:48:09 -0500

Every now and then you stumble across something that is truly inspiring . . . something that you would like to share with others. Take a couple of minutes to look at this and consider the wonder of the world in which we live.

Are you ready for an interesting view of the world?

Follow this link.

Oh, and make sure you watch it in full screen mode!

EcoBroker Certification

John Cilladi, REALTOR, EcoBroker, e-PRO (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 21:03:24 -0500

EcoBroker® certification is not the most popular of designations among real estate agents. Recently I visited the EcoBroker® site and discovered that there are pockets of EcoBrokers around the country. Within 100 miles of Denver, Colorado there are 79 with this designation. In a similar radius around Sacramento, CA there are 68.

Some states have few, if any, who are certified by EcoBroker®. In my home state of Pennsylvania, there are only three EcoBroker Certified® real estate agents. I am the newest to that group (3/15/07)

In our own ranks (members of ECO-All Stars) we don’t fare much better. It looks like three of our members are ECO Certified (a certification in the great state of Tennessee) and three group members are EcoBroker Certified®.

I want to encourage all who licensed real estate agents to consider this important certification. You can get more information by logging on to http://www.ecobroker.com

Give it a try. I think you will be very pleasantly surprised.

If you would like any information before taking the plunge, please feel free to email me at john@notjustanyagent.com

I would be happy to answer any questions.

John Cilladi