WHAT DO I BRING TO MY LISTING: DAY 1... - 10/31/08 03:07 PM
The home is vacant. It's a nice three bedroom home in the south of Naperville. Tons of space, two thirds of an acre, a sun room, big windows, walk to Springbrook Forest Preserve...Needs just a bit of updating...
I will be putting it on the market this afternoon. It had previously been listed … (53 comments)
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SHORT TERM LISTING AGREEMENTS - 10/31/08 01:17 PM
I never hold my clients to listing agreements...
Look, I know that we do lots of work for our clients and spend money in advertising. But...
That just seems like part of the business.
If a client ever wanted to "fire" me?
Well, I was probably pretty sick of him too.
So I … (15 comments)
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WHAT DOES YOUR MAILBOX SAY ABOUT YOU? MAILBOXES IN NAPERVILLE. - 10/29/08 11:30 AM
One of my favorite activities is taking walks around the neighborhood with my family.
It's cheap. It's low impact. It's social.
It's just nice getting out of the house.
We currently live in Wheatland South in Naperville. Our walks take us all through that subdivision, as well as Crestview Knolls next door.
On our walks, … (58 comments)
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WEALTH REDISTRIBUTION? - 10/28/08 08:31 AM
I woke up this morning concerned with some of the issues facing America.
Shortly before going to bed, I read a post written by a Realtor here on Active Rain.
The gist of the post was this:
The writer was going into a restaurant when she passed a homeless man. As she was … (41 comments)
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MY BLOG'S NEW LOOK...SPECIAL THANKS TO "THE BLOG ARTIST" - 10/27/08 04:26 PM
I was reading several posts this morning when I came across one written by The Blog Artist-marti garaughty.
Today's post made it easy for technology challenged bloggers (like myself) to improve the look of their blogs.
Marti has designed two special blog "themes", one for RE/MAX and one for Keller Williams.
… (24 comments)
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SOCIAL NETWORKING OR SOCIAL DISORDER - 10/26/08 09:46 AM
I wonder how many of us who spend time twittering, tweeting, facebooking, linkedining, blogging, etc., could be clinically diagnosed with a social disorder.
I am just scratching the surface with social networking. I am obviously blogging right now. I know it's potential and am excited about it. But sometimes I wonder...
Is it … (51 comments)
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facebook IS A MUST... - 10/24/08 09:23 PM
All agents should have a facebook profile.
It's that important.
It is the most powerful networking tool I have ever seen.
So easy. If you are reading this post, you can have your own profile within 5 minutes.
So fun. So powerful. A very good combination.
First introduced to by Active Rainer Carl … (30 comments)
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I LOVE TOWNHOME COMMUNITIES...DELIVERING KEN'S CARROLWOOD VIEW - 10/24/08 03:03 PM
The weather this morning was damp. 51 degrees and breezy. Very raw.
A chicken noodle soup type of day...
It was also a perfect morning for delivering my newsletters.
Today's target was Carrolwood, a subdivision of about 160 townhomes in Naperville Illinois. The homes are nice and modestly priced. Most sales occur between … (2 comments)
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BUYING A ONE BEDROOM CONDO. IS IT SMART? WILL IT BE A TOUGH SELL IN THE FUTURE? - 10/24/08 10:58 AM
I will be showing some condos to a new client tomorrow. The client is excited to enter the real estate market as a first time buyer.
He has done everything right. Great credit. Been saving for a downpayment for a few years. He has spoken with a mortgage broker and gotten preapproved...
The real … (9 comments)
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MEMORIES...DELIVERING THE NEWSLETTER...KEN'S RIVER BEND VIEW, LISLE ILLINOIS - 10/23/08 08:02 PM
Almost half way through my plan...
It was cool and windy today. Typical for late October.
I was delvering more newsletters today.
My target was River Bend, one of the best little subdivisions in the suburbs, located in Lisle Illinois. Just off Route 53 and 59th Street, these homes are an easy 5 mile drive from downtown Naperville. … (17 comments)
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KEN'S DAY OFF...GOLFING AT BOLINGBROOK GOLF CLUB...MINUTES FROM NAPERVILLE - 10/23/08 03:34 PM
I took the day off yesterday. Very nice.
I never truly get the day off. I always have some work to do. But this was close.
Kevin Schoeck, Rich Bianco (two lifelong friends) and I decided to enjoy a day of golf as the 2008 season winds down.
We decided to play at Bolingbrook Golf … (9 comments)
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KEN'S WISH LIST FOR 2009 - 10/19/08 06:28 PM
We all hope for global peace, clean air, lower crime, etc..
It's OK to have some material wants, too.
So here is what I would like to purchase in 2009.
Ken
A Realtor you can trust.
Ken's Wish List for 2009
1. Portable Hard Drive.
Price approximately $100. I need … (28 comments)
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ARE YOU INTERESTED, OR JUST INTERESTING? - 10/19/08 11:06 AM
I was reading posts this morning from my growing list of subscriptions.
As I was reading several posts, I came across a post from a writer that describes himself as a career development coach.
In this particular post, the author asked us to join his "tribes" on facebook, twitter, linkedin, etc.
… (24 comments)
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CAN YOU CARE TOO MUCH ABOUT A CLIENT? - 10/18/08 02:12 PM
I was just reading a post from one of my favorite new writers here on Active Rain, Andrew Olson. The post was written about ways to impact those around you and make your message be heard.
One of his suggestions was to truly, deeply care...
Hmmm.
Made me wonder, can you care … (17 comments)
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THE DANGERS OF DELIVERING NEWSLETTERS...HIGH MEADOW STYLE - 10/17/08 01:16 PM
I was out again this morning. My partner (my daughter Erin) decided not to join me. She left me for another man (she decided to stay home and play with her cousin Ethan).
I had 100 more newsletters to deliver. This time my target was the subdivision of High Meadow, located … (29 comments)
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DELIVERING THE CRESTVIEW KNOLLS VIEW - 10/16/08 01:21 PM
I had a partner this morning. My daughter Erin and I set out a little after 10:00 AM with 100 newsletters to deliver.
Our target this morning was the Crestview Knolls subdivision in south Naperville.
It was another gorgeous day. Probably high 50's. Sunny. A gentle breeze.
Crestview Knolls is a … (11 comments)
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DOW 3000?? - 10/15/08 03:58 PM
It could happen...
On Monday, we saw a huge rally in the markets in celebration of the global effort to stimulate the economy.
Yesterday the market was down after being up most of the day. That isn't usually a real good sign.
Today, we saw the Dow down 733 points. Much of the … (11 comments)
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ARE YOU CAPITALIZING ON THE CHALLENGING REAL ESTATE MARKET? - 10/15/08 10:28 AM
The real estate market is challenging today.
People have been delaying their housing decisions. Decisions that would have been made in a truly "normal" market.
Many are making due with homes they have as opposed to upgrading.
Buyers are cautious.
Sellers are hesitant to put their homes on the market, and if … (8 comments)
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DELIVERING THE WHEATLAND SOUTH VIEW - 10/13/08 01:12 PM
Month 3 into my 6 month business plan.
I was back at it this morning. I had 80 newsletters to deliver in the south Naperville subdivision of Wheatland South.
Nice fall morning. Overcast with comfortable temperatures. Mid 60's. The leaves are beautiful.
The subdivision was buzzing. Today is Columbus Day. The kids were off school, … (10 comments)
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THE MARKET IS CHANGING... - 10/11/08 08:50 PM
I can feel it. Can you? It's almost imperceptible.
The market is starting to change...
Home prices are starting to become affordable. Buyers are just beginning to get interested.
Buyers are starting to smell value.
There are values out there. Not across the board. But some homes are becoming very well priced.
… (21 comments)
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STOCK MARKET GOT YOU DOWN? FIVE BIG OPPORTUNITIES IN REAL ESTATE. - 10/09/08 09:56 PM
So the stock market has got you down? Here are five big opportunities in real estate.
1. Real estate investor?
Where have you gone, Mr. Investor? Lots of REOs (real estate owned) to choose from. Now is the time to invest. Not three years ago.
Contact a mortgage broker quickly. Financing is challenging, yet … (14 comments)
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OCTOBER UGLY - 10/09/08 04:34 PM
I have written a couple of real estate blogs today. I have saved them as drafts. I thought the stock market was a bit more topical. Thanks for reading...Ken
Another ugly day in the stock market. The Dow was down almost 700 points.
The decline is gaining steam. It is getting ugly … (22 comments)
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REAL ESTATE MYTH #3: "WITH SO MANY FORECLOSURES ON THE MARKET, MY HOME WILL NEVER SELL." - 10/08/08 07:23 PM
I know. Foresclosures and short sales are the rage. Recent numbers report 40% of the volume in some markets.
But if I wanted to sell a home, I wouldn't let foreclosures affect my plans...
You can still sell in this market.
I see many homes under foreclosure. Buyers are always interested in taking a look.
The average foreclosed home … (10 comments)
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THE SUN RISES - 10/07/08 07:07 AM
The sun is rising again this morning.
A beautiful fall sunrise. The whole sky is a pinkish purple...
It is easy for those of us on the front lines of the economy to get caught up in world events.
As if life stops if a listing doesn't sell. If a buyer decides not to … (35 comments)
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DOW DOWN BIG...COULD WE BE GETTING CLOSER? - 10/06/08 02:24 PM
Many agents seem interested in the stock markets and it's day to day moves. I am a interested too.
After 15 years in the financial services industry, I just love watching the markets. Especially when they go up and down a lot. It makes it more fun. It also provides opportunity to make money.
The Dow … (25 comments)
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TOP 10 REASONS TO BUY A HOME - 10/06/08 10:02 AM
Hmm. Let me count the ways...
1. You have outgrown your current living situation.
2. Homes are much cheaper than two years ago.
3. Homes are a safer investment than the stock market. You live in your home. You can't live in 1000 shares of IBM.
4. Homes are great tax shelters. … (21 comments)
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FAMILY FUN A SHORT DRIVE FROM NAPERVILLE. KUIPERS APPLE ORCHARD, MAPLE PARK ILLINOIS. - 10/04/08 05:05 PM
My family had a lovely morning.
Nicole (my wife), Erin (my two year old), and I took the pleasant 45 minute drive from our home in Naperville to the small town of Maple Park Illinois.
We were looking to do some apple picking.
We chose Kuiper's Family Farm.
I was skeptical at first. I don't … (13 comments)
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8 MONTHS OF BLOGGING...THE WORLD HAS CHANGED...WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN? - 10/03/08 09:31 AM
I have been blogging since February 15th of this year. I joined Active Rain in January of 2007, but like a lot of us, I was slow on the uptake. With this post, I will move into the top spot in my hometown of Naperville Illinois.
So here I sit, reflective after … (20 comments)
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BARACK OBAMA - 10/02/08 06:19 PM
I have written about him before.
Barack Obama still inspires me.
John McCain just doesn't.
That's why I still plan on voting for Obama in November.
This has just been such a fascinating political season.
I am even excited about the Vice Presidential debates. Is that weird?
Either a black man … (53 comments)
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"I'M IN THE PEOPLE BUSINESS." - 10/01/08 03:43 PM
About two weeks ago I joined the social networking site Facebook. I have enjoyed reconnecting with friends I haven't seen in many years. So far, I give it two thumbs up. Anyway...
Yesterday, I received an instant message on Facebook (it was my first!) from an old friend of mine I … (17 comments)
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