KEN'S STORY...Naperville Illinois Real Estate Blog

THE BLACKBERRY STORM 2. ANOTHER REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT...

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:22:56 -0600

Ok. I took the plunge.

Yesterday I went out and made the decision. I purchased my first smart phone...

I bought the new BlackBerry Storm 2...

-My new BlackBerry Storm 2 poses on my daughter's table.

It sure looks pretty. All shiny and new. Big touch screen...

As an investment in my real estate business, the purchase was long overdue...

Afterall, my old phone was just a phone. It didn't have a camera. I was in the Stone Age...

And I strive to be a tech and social media savvy agent. Heck, I even tweet...

So I am excited about the phone, yet I still find myself wondering...

What do I do with the thing?

Ken

A Realtor you can trust.

FACEBOOK ADS. MY RESULTS AFTER ONE MONTH...

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:43:19 -0600

Back in early October, excited with wealth after a recent closing, I began an ad campain on my favorite social media site, Facebook...

I am running two ads.

One highlights my Facebook Business Page. (I am very proud of the rapid growth of this page. Thank you so much to my 250+ fans! I am excited about the potential of this site.)

The other spotlights "Ken's Featured Home". My listing of the month:

-2112 Seminary-One bedroom vintage in Lincoln Park...

I promised to post my results. After one month:

My featured home ad has been run 143,140 times. Exposure for my website. Exposure for my listings. The ad has been clicked on 45 times...

My Facebook Business Page ad has been run 526,471 times. This ad has been clicked on 140 times. I have gained an additional 17 fans to my page from this campaign...

The total cost of the campaign after one month has been $120.40.

Ken

A Realtor you can trust.

HOLY POOP! I NEED MORE LISTINGS...

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:52:14 -0500

Listings are the name of the game.

In spite of this, I often struggle keeping my inventory of listings up.

I seem stuck in a cycle. I pick up a listing or two. I sell them in a couple months. And then back to square one...

Not the way I want to do business. I need a steady inventory of homes to sell...

I thought I broke out of the cycle a few months back.

I had just taken my fourth listing, a personal record.

But then, it happened...

One sold...

Then another...

This week, a third went under contract...

I am left with just one.

Holy poop! I need more listings...

Ken

A Realtor you can trust.

DOES THE REAL ESTATE MARKET NEED SAVING?

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:23:19 -0500

DOES THE REAL ESTATE MARKET NEED SAVING?

This morning I was reading Richard Weisser's featured post, "A completely new proposal to save the real estate market. It's not as crazy as you might think!"...

In the post Richard writes of his new idea to save the real estate market. His plan involves "A dollar for dollar tax deduction for down payments". Seems like a pretty good idea...

But I am struggling with the premise...

Why does the real estate market need saving? Is it really that bad?

I thought it was a great time to buy a home...

Interest rates low. Prices down. Lot's of inventory to choose from.

So what gives?

Does the real estate market really need saving?

Ken

A Realtor you can trust.

-It was a sunny day at the Carrolwood townhomes in Naperville. Is the real estate market's future just as bright?

ONE BEDROOM VINTAGE CONDO FOR SALE. LINCOLN PARK/DEPAUL. 2112 SEMINARY UNIT 21, CHICAGO ILLINOIS...

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:33:13 -0500

Ken Tracy | Keller Williams Naperville | ken@kensfeaturedhomes.com | 630-697-0536

2112 Seminary, Chicago, IL

ONE BEDROOM IN THE HEART OF DEPAUL.

1BR/1BA Condo

offered at $249,000

Year Built	1906
Sq Footage	Unspecified
Bedrooms	1
Bathrooms	1 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	Unspecified
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$319 per month

DESCRIPTION

TOP FLOOR! BRIGHT AND AIRY ONE BEDROOM VINTAGE CONDO. BEAUTIFUL LINCOLN PARK/DEPAUL AREA. HARDWOOD, FIREPLACE, OPEN KITCHEN, NEWER WINDOWS. BALCONY OVER COURTYARD. SECOND DECK IN BACK FOR GRILLING. BIKE ROOM, LAUNDRY RM, EXTRA STORAGE.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

- Fireplace	- Hardwood floor	- Living room
- Dishwasher	- Refrigerator	- Stove/Oven
- Laundry area - inside	- Balcony, Deck, or Patio

COMMUNITY FEATURES

- Laundry on-site

- Secured entry

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Courtyard Building	Living Room
Open Kitchen w/ Windows	Dining area with Hutch
Bedroom	Balcony

Contact info:

Ken Tracy

Keller Williams Naperville

ken@kensfeaturedhomes.com

630-697-0536

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Oct 20, 2009, 8:07am PDT

WOULD I DO IT OVER AGAIN??? REAL ESTATE SALES...

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:14:50 -0500

October 12th. A special day for me. The day I entered the career of real estate sales...

It was four years ago this week. October 12th, 2005.

How clueless I was that first day. Sitting at my desk. My phone and laptop in front of me.

What do I do now???

Most new agents probably don't know what they are getting themselves into.

How could they?

I sure didn't. I thought it would be easy.

Real estate sales? Just smile and open some doors. No problem.

I was about to enroll in the "School of Hard Knocks"...

Would I do it over again? Could I do it over again?

Would I be able to withstand the challenges I had coming?

Yes. I love what I do. But it sure has been rough. I had no idea how challenging real estate would be....

I chuckle just thinking about it.

Would I do it again? Of course I would.

I am just glad I don't have to...

Ken

A Realtor you can trust.

-Looking for a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow in Naperville...

FACEBOOK ADS. MY NEW CAMPAIGN...

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:51:55 -0500

I started a new ad campaign on Facebook today.

I am very excited.

A few weeks ago, I posted my early results from my Facebook Ads. Although I was very pleased with the results, money was tight, so I had to stop my campaign...

But with this weeks closing in the bank, I began a new campaign today.

Again, very excited.

I am expanding my marketing strategy. I am now running two ads:

One ad marketing my Facebook Professional Page...

Another ad for "Ken's Featured Home". My listing of the week*. A link to my website, www.KensFeaturedHomes.com, a nice looking exterior picture with information, address, and price...

Extra marketing for my listings. More traffic to my website...

My daily budget for my ads is fairly small, but I am planning to double it after my next closing, scheduled for the end of October.

I will keep you posted.

Ken

A Realtor you can trust.

Ken's Featured Home. 2112 Seminary. Vintage one bedroom in the heart of DePaul. Bright and airy. Hardwood. Balcony overlooking courtyard. $249,000...

I AM AGAINST ANY EXPANSION OR EXTENSION OF THE $8000 FIRST TIME HOME BUYER CREDIT...

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:41:53 -0500

There. I have said it. I will say it again...

I am against any expansion or extension of the $8000 first time home buyer credit.

It was a nice idea that has served it's purpose. But now we need to let it pass gracefully into legislation heaven...

The tax credit showed the government cared. It spurred on the staggering housing market. It gave Americans an extra incentive to "invest" in their futures.

But if it worked so well, why do we need to extend it? Or expand it?

If the housing market has bottomed, why don't we let it stand on it's own?

Do we really want the government "paying" people to buy homes?

I don't.

Ken

A Realtor you can trust.

A BIG DAY...

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:25:07 -0500

A big day.

Every closing day is big.

Pay day.

Shockingly rare.

I am still expecting several a month.

It has yet to happen. Times are hard. Good. But hard.

Today was a reason to smile.

A closing. A paycheck.

A reason to celebrate.

Ken

A Realtor you can trust.

TALKING REAL ESTATE... ON A TREADMILL???

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:08:34 -0500

Talking real estate...

It is an important part of a Realtors job.

How many times a day are agents asked, "How is the market?"

At work. At play. At dinners, at parties, at bowling alleys, at golf courses, at Starbucks...

Any place there are people, we are asked "How is the market?"

I understand this. I enjoy meeting people, and am very passionate about what I do.

I love talking real estate...

But shouldn't there be boundaries? I feel a line was crossed today...

I was at my gym. Lifetime Fitness in Warrenville. Real nice gym. Great atmosphere. Lots of energy...

Anyway, I was running on a treadmill. Going pretty hard. I used to be a decent runner, but now I run only when I need to blow off a little steam...

Anyway, I was running hard. Sweating pretty good too.

A woman gets on the treadmill next to me. A walker. I have met the woman before, so I glance over with a friendly but brief "Hello".

After a moment, it happens. "How is the market?" my new workout partner asks.

We had talked real estate before. Also on the treadmill. Hello. I am running hard here...

"Ugh," I grunt back as I push ahead. I am not feeling very conversational at this point...

"Bloomberg says the housing market is up 6.7%," she continues. Her stat. Not mine...

I am out of breath and only half way done with my workout. What to do?

"I hope you are getting a slice of that," the woman continues.

Not sure if I am getting my proper slice, I start running faster...

Fortunately, the woman allows me to finish my run in peace. Very fast peace, but peace.

I had plenty of time to answer all her questions on my warmdown, anyway...

Ken

A Realtor you can trust.

WE MADE A DECISION. WE ARE RENTING AGAIN...

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:00:01 -0500

If you have been reading my posts for a length of time, you know my family has been on a home search.

We have been renting for three years. We sold our first home in August 2006 to pay off debt and finance my new real estate career...

The ride has not been easy, yet we were hoping to buy a home this year. We could use more space now that we have two daughters. But it wasn't meant to be...

Why?

I didn't sell enough homes. Perhaps I was too optimistic...

Anyway, we just signed a lease today. A 6 month lease. It feels good. It's actually a bit of a relief.

It gives me time to sell more homes...

Ken

A Realtor you can trust.

-A fall day from my back deck.

WHAT WOULD YOU BE HAPPY SELLING YOUR HOME FOR?

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 08:24:56 -0500

What would you be happy selling your home for?

I love asking that question of my prospective sellers. It always knocks them for a bit of a loop...

Most would be sellers expect me to start talking when we first sit down. Waving around page after page of statistics to educate them on pricing. I prefer to start with a question...

What would you be happy selling your home for?

If I don't know what a seller will be happy selling his home for, how do I know if I can help him?

Sure, most sellers are a bit unrealistic. Aren't we all...

But at least it lets me know where my seller stands with reality.

Give me a seller that is reasonable, I am going to sell a home...

An unreasonable seller? I have no chance...

Ken

A Realtor you can trust.

IF THE $8000 TAX CREDIT IS WORKING, WHY AREN'T THESE HOMES SELLING? FOUR LAKES CONDOS, LISLE ILLINOIS...

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:31:03 -0500

There is a condo development in Lisle Illinois named Four Lakes...

Set between lakes and hills, this beautiful development holds more than 1000 condos.

Well known for it's ski hill, Four Lakes also boasts swimming pools, tennis courts, and even several beach volleyball courts...

If you need to take a break after skiing or volleyball, there is a pub at the bottom of the hill named "The Lodge"...

Four Lakes is a great place to live.

My question is this...

If the $8000 first time home buyer tax credit is working, why aren't these homes selling?

With prices ranging from $60,000 to just under $200,000, these condos would seem ideal for first time home buyers...

Yet there are 99 homes for sale in Four Lakes. Thirteen are currently under contract. Not a horrible ratio, but considering the tax credit is expiring on November 30th (just about two months away), I would expect more of these homes to be selling...

I hear other agents saying how busy they are because of the tax credit, but I am not so sure...

I honestly haven't seen it. People move when they want to move. Not because of a government incentive...

So what do you think? Is the tax credit really working?

Ken

A Realtor you can trust.

FLOWERS ON MY DECK IN NAPERVILLE...

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 14:12:29 -0500

I enjoy flowers. The colors can be so brilliant.

Here in Naperville autumn can come quickly. With falling temperatures, seasonal flowers can look great one week and be browning the next...

Fortunately, my wife does a great job of keeping our garden up with beautiful seasonal flowers. She and my daughter planted mums yesterday on our back deck. Mums are hardy colorful flowers that can last until Thanksgiving here in the midwest.

After they planted, I decided to snap a few pictures. Here are some of my favorites...

-I thought these mums were beautiful...

-purple is my favorite color...

-in the background you can see our view. Feels like we live in the country...

-I liked the contrast of the flowering white mums on the dark background (my golfbag).

-I think this picture is cool. A young flower about to bloom. Full of potential...

Ken

A Realtor you can trust.

BUYER BEWARE! THE FSBO...

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:54:43 -0500

I know a lot of people who enjoy shopping for homes that are For Sale by Owner (FSBO)...

The general belief is that they will be getting a good deal from the FSBO, because "there was no commission."

Don't fall into this trap.

People who put their homes on the market FSBO generally don't need to sell their home. They are usually "testing" the market and inevitably price their homes too high.

I should know. I tried it once.

It was back in 2004. I was selling financial products at a bank, and wasn't happy. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, so my wife and I entertained the idea of "selling" our home and moving to Michigan...

We put our home on the market For Sale Buy Owner and priced it $20,000 above the market.

Why? Cause we weren't ready to sell. And most FSBOs aren't either...

Or they would be using a Realtor.

If you are looking for a good deal in real estate, find a motivated seller...

And beware the FSBO.

Ken

A Realtor you can trust.

LABOR DAY. THE START OF REAL ESTATE'S SECOND SEASON...

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 16:51:06 -0500

Spring and early summer are active times for real estate.

As the weather warms after a long winter, the months of March through July are always very busy. People hoping to find their dream home...

But then August comes. August is hot. A time for vacations. Swimming pools. Back to school. August has come and gone...

Monday is Labor Day. The unofficial end of summer. The start of real estate's second season...

On Labor Day, we have one last barbecue. A chance to celebrate another happy summer...

But as Labor Day passes, the temperatures cool. Leaves change. A beautiful time of year...

-a view from my deck early last fall

-a fire red tree in Naperville

Fall is a time for real estate.

Sellers come out. My most active season for new listings...

Buyers are out, too. Such a pretty time of year. The last chance to be in that new home before the holidays...

So Labor Day is upon us. Enjoy the time spent with friends and family...

But real estate's second season is here...

Are you ready?

Ken

To buy or sell a home in Naperville, go to my website anytime.

"WOW! THAT'S ALL I CAN SAY..."

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:07:06 -0500

I was showing one of my listings this afternoon. It is a two bedroom condo in Naperville.

I had shown the home to a gentleman a few weeks ago while his wife was out of town. They were hoping to downsize from a bigger home in Naperville they no longer needed...

He loved the condo. He said his wife would need to see it when she gets back. She would be back the 31st.

Today was the 31st.

It was a perfect "real estate" day today. Sunny. 70 degrees. No humidity. Perfect...

I met the wife and daughter promptly at 3:00...

We exchanged pleasantries in front of the building.

"What do you think of the neighborhood?" I asked. The condo is centrally located, close to downtown Naperville and the train, on a fairly residential street for a higher end condo.

"We love it."

So far so good.

We entered the building and took the elevator up to the second floor. I could feel their excitement.

It was getting fun...

I opened the door, flipped off my Danskos, and entered the large corner unit, quickly turning on the lights.

The mother and daughter took turns saying "Ooooh", "Aaaah" and "Did you see this?" for a few minutes as they looked at the kitchen and main living area.

I like to give my buyers space so I continued room to room and turning on the lights. I ran into the mother in the spare bedroom...

"Wow! That's all I can say," said Mom.

Alas, she hadn't even seen the master bedroom and bath. She would have more to say...

I sat quietly in the living room, waiting for her to finish the tour. She enjoyed it so much, she took it twice.

"It's perfect," she said upon returning. "I even love the color."

"I wish all my showings went this well," I laughed.

After a half hour, it was time to go.

"I can't sign today," Mom said with a hint of sadness.

"Then I won't ask you to," I answered.

We checked out the garage and storage area as we headed out the door.

"It's perfect," they said again. "Thanks so much."

"I'll talk to you soon," I said as we parted.

I hope they don't wait to long...

Anyone want to buy a condo???

Ken

To buy or sell a home in Naperville, go to my website anytime.

Ken Tracy | Keller Williams Naperville | ken@kensfeaturedhomes.com | 630-697-0536

104 E 11th Unit 202, Naperville, IL

JUST REDUCED $15,000. BEAUTIFUL TWO BEDROOM NAPERVILLE CONDO. CORNER UNIT. LIKE NEW. LOADED...

2BR/2BA Condo

offered at $279,900

Year Built	2005
Sq Footage	1,650
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	2 full, 0 partial
Floors	Unspecified
Parking	1 Car garage
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$326 per month

DESCRIPTION

BEAUTIFUL 2 BEDROOM NAPERVILLE CONDO. LESS THAN A MILE TO NAPERVILLE DOWNTOWN AND TRAIN. OPEN FLOOR PLAN. KITCHEN MADE FOR ENTERTAINING. GRANITE AND STAINLESS. LIKE NEW. MASTER BATH W/SEPERATE SHOWER AND TUB. CLOSE TO TRAIN, DOWNTOWN AND SHOPPING.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

- Central A/C	- Central heat	- High/Vaulted ceiling
- Walk-in closet	- Hardwood floor	- Family room
- Dining room	- Dishwasher	- Refrigerator
- Stove/Oven	- Microwave	- Granite countertop
- Stainless steel appliances	- Washer	- Dryer
- Laundry area - inside	- Balcony, Deck, or Patio

COMMUNITY FEATURES

- Garage parking

- Guest parking

- Secured entry

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Front Entrance	Photo 1
Granite and Stainless	Living area
Master bedroom	Open Floor Plan

Contact info:

Ken Tracy

Keller Williams Naperville

ken@kensfeaturedhomes.com

630-697-0536

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Aug 19, 2009, 4:54pm PDT

I AM NOT REALLY THAT GENEROUS. JUST A BIT NEUROTIC...

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:49:43 -0500

My Chicago Bear's Football Schedules arrived this week.

This is always a fun week for me as an agent. I love the marketing aspect of the business, and distributing the magents keeps me pretty busy...

I have been addressing envelopes this afternoon. It has been a great opportunity to reconnect with my database. A quick email requesting an address...

One of my friends responded that it was "Very generous of you" to spend the time following up. I had promised him a schedule earlier...

"I am not really that generous," I answered. "Just a bit neurotic."

I had promised him a schedule, therefore he was on my "to do" list. Things on my "to do" list cause me to lose sleep...

I hate when I lose sleep.

Ken

A Realtor you can trust.

WHERE ARE HOME PRICES GOING?

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 10:35:42 -0500

I was golfing with a friend of mine a couple weeks ago. We were playing in an outing at a beautiful country club named Royal Fox in St. Charles Illinois...

The course is fairly new, and like many newer golf courses is built in the middle of a large subdivision. The subdivision around the Royal Fox is one of beautiful homes...

-a typical home along Royal Fox Country Club

While we were golfing, one of our playing partners noticed a home for sale along the golf course and grabbed a listing sheet. Asking price? $1,300,000.

It didn't really surprise me. The house was big and beautiful, on a wooded lot, and it backed to a nice golf course. But it did get me thinking...

When I returned home that night, I did a little research on our local Multiple Listing Service (MLS). It turned out that there are 77 homes on the market in St. Charles priced at least $1,000,000.

Seemed like a big number to me...

Digging a little further, it turns out that of those 77 homes, none are under contract for sale. And if none are under contract...

Isn't it fair to assume they are overpriced?

And if they are overpriced, won't they need to reduce their prices to sell?

And if/when they are reduced, won't this put downward pressure on the prices of all the homes in St. Charles?

Or will the lower priced homes be somehow insulated from any further price declines?

I am only a student of this game, but it sure has me wondering...

Where are home prices going?

Ken

A Realtor you can trust.

RIVER BEND TOWNHOMES, LISLE ILLINOIS. ONE OF MY FAVORITE SUBDIVISIONS....

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 20:12:13 -0500

River Bend townhomes, Lisle, Illinois. One of my favorite subdivisions...

My wife and I spent our first 5 years of marriage there. B.K. Before kids...

-our first home. 6170 River Bend Drive

We had a great time in River Bend. New home. New neighbors. Many just like us. Young couples in their first homes, starting their lives together...

A quiet neighborhood, but filled with friendly people...

The models offer a variety of options:

The Bayhill is the smallest model with a kitchen up front...

The Cypress has an open floor plan with two good sized "master" bedrooms upstairs...

The Doral also has an open floor plan, and a nice sized front room. A popular style that comes in two or three bedrooms...

The Augusta. The largest model. So large there are actually three types of Augusta, the I, II, and III. All great options if you are looking for the biggest and best model...

The upgrades vary as well. Some units have granite, stainless, and hardwood throughout. Others offer more basic options...

Whether you buy the lowest priced Bayhill or the largest Augusta model, Riverbend has so much to offer, all in the heart of the western suburbs...

Prices range from the mid to high 200s, so be sure to find the right model for you.

For more information on the River Bend subdivision in Lisle, please call me anytime at 630-697-0536.

Ken

A Realtor you can trust.

An upgraded kitchen in the Augusta II and III model...

A picture of Lake River Bend at dusk...

A snowy day in Riverbend...

HOMES ARE STILL OVERPRICED...

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:48:47 -0500

At the risk of sounding like Debbie Downer,
I believe homes are still overpriced.

But isn't all real estate local?

Well, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) does say all real estate is local, and I don't want to get in trouble with them...

So let me just say that the homes in Naperville are still overpriced...

What? But the real estate market has corrected 30%. How can it still be overpriced?

Pretty simple. More sellers than buyers.

Case in point, one of my favorite subdivision here in Naperville is Cress Creek. It is beautiful. Great location. Great schools. Big trees. Set around a golf course...

There are currently 41 homes for sale in Cress Creek. Of the 41, only 2 are under contract. Two out of forty-one is an incredibly low ratio...

Fall is just around the corner. Winter will follow. If some of these homes don't sell soon, they will be cluttering up the market next year, further pressuring prices...

Admittedly, this is a very small case study. Some subdivisions are doing better, but not many.

For every seller, there are two more who want to sell if "the market would just improve". There are simply too many homes for too few qualified buyers...

So yes, I believe homes are still overpriced.

Or maybe I am just Debbie Downer...

Ken

To buy or sell a home in Naperville or elsewhere in Chicago, go to my website anytime.

FACEBOOK ADS. MY EARLY RESULTS...

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 23:12:38 -0500

I am a huge fan of Facebook.

I enjoy keeping up with friends and find it an easy way to communicate. It is certainly a valuable tool for a real estate agent...

I created my Facebook profile last September.

I originally assumed it would be a fad, the next "latest thing" (Twitter??). My opinions are starting to change, and I am starting to believe Facebook will be around for awhile...

With that in mind, I created my business page in May.

At first, I was hesitant. Who would want to be my fan??

I had no clue how I would use it, and am still learning. I have enjoyed developing the page and am tremendously excited about it's potential...

Did I mention business pages are free???

In an effort to boost my fan base, I have been experimenting with Facebook Ads over the last month. My "fan goal" is 100. At the time of writing this post, I have 89 fans...

A few great things about Facebook Ad's:

1. You can start with a low budget. $1 can get you started with your first campaign...
2. You can target your audience. By age. Sex. Education. Location...
3. Awesome tracking systems. Following the Facebook insights allows you to track the results of your ads.
4. Two marketing options. Pay per click or pay per view. I tried both, and find the results of the pay per click far superior...

The results of my first three ads:

My ad has been run 1,022,450 times.
My page has been clicked 242 times.
I have picked up an extra 38 fans.
Total cost? $190.25.

Ken

To buy or sell a home in Naperville, go to my website anytime.

YOU WANT TO CANCEL? NO PROBLEM...

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:59:18 -0500

It happened this morning.

A prospect emailed me canceling an appointment. After speaking with her family, she had decided against selling her home.

Whew. What a relief...

I am serious. It is a relief.

This must seem like a strange attitude for a Realtor who makes a living going on listing appointments.

But I love when an appointment cancels on me. Buyer? Seller? Doesn't matter.

I love cancellations.

Here's why:

Real estate is a tough sale. So tough I don't even try...

Clients must want or need to move. I am not talking them into moving.

Moving is a big deal. It's a life decision. Not something that should be taken lightly...

Roughly 75% of the time a prospect contacts me, they are not ready to move. They may be thinking about it. Kicking it around. Running the numbers...

But not really ready. So why go on those appointments?

I would rather save my energy for working with prospects who are ready. The other 25%...

So when I received the email this morning telling the my prospect wasn't ready, I responded:

Sounds great! I am ready when you are...

Ken

To buy or sell a home in Naperville or anywhere in Northern Illinois, go to my website anytime.

"I JUST GOTTA SELL SOME HOUSES..."

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 18:05:46 -0500

"I just gotta sell some houses."

It's my answer to almost everything.

So simple.

So attainable, yet somehow, such a challenge.

I say it about three times per day. My wife laughs at me now...

We need a bigger place? I just gotta sell some houses.

Gas prices on the rise? I just gotta sell some houses.

We really could use a new car? I just gotta sell some houses.

We need money for the downpayment? You guessed it.

I just gotta sell some houses...

Ken

A Realtor you can trust.

I ORDERED MY 2009 CHICAGO BEARS FOOTBALL SCHEDULES...

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 23:38:17 -0500

I just ordered my 2009 Chicago Bears football schedule magnets.

I think they are pretty cool.

I read various opinions on the value of such marketing. Calendars, magnets, recipe cards, etc...

My attitude about marketing? I can't get enough...

I order from MagnetStreet.com.

500 magnets cost about $200. I will be on refrigerators for at least 6 months. Seems like a great investment.

I am delivering 300 to my primary farm areas, River Bend and Carrolwood. 100 will be sent to friends and family.

100 are unspoken for...

Would you like one?

Ken

A Realtor you can trust.