estate: THE PERFECT STORM - 04/25/08 02:45 AM
CNBC is on.  I don't know why I watch it anymore.  I guess it makes me laugh.
Oh, there was a time when I watched it professionally.  Back in my days as a stock broker and then as a stock trader.  I used to do probably 10 trades a day.  On average. 
Back then, the show gave me some companionship in a fairly lonely career.
I watch it now as more of a habit.  Yes, it is probably helpful.  I like to stay up to date, and with real estate in the news as much as it is, there is a lot of … (6 comments)

estate: REAL ESTATE NEWS FRIDAY APRIL 25TH - 04/25/08 01:34 AM
So I wrote a post yesterday, titled Housing Decline-What is really going on. 
In it, I thought that we real estate agents are spending too much time blaming the media for their coverage of the housing market.
I thought our time would be better spent getting our homes priced right so they would sell.
So I decided to look closely at my Chicago Tribune business section this morning and see how the news is being portrayed.  Here goes:
Page 2:  Centex:  Centex Corp., the largest U.S. home builder plans to pull out of the Detroit area as demand slumps.  Sounds scary.
Page 3:  Kimball Hill:  … (4 comments)

estate: SPEEDBUMPS ON THE WAY TO PROSPERITIY - 04/24/08 09:29 AM
Every once and a while it happens.
On second thought, it happens all the time. 
SPEEDBUMPS ON THE WAY TO PROSPERITY.
We hit a tiny one today.  My wife had an appointment (Nutrition for your Kids) scheduled at 4:15.  I was watching Erin.
My limo friend Chris called and had a ride for me at 5:00. 
Sorry Chris, can't make it.
So my wifes appointment canceled at 3:00 today.  My ride was gone.  Too bad.
But this is just a minor bump.
Car trouble is a constant fear.  Speeding ticket.  Parking ticket.  Every bill.
These are hurdles that the struggling real estate agent jumps daily.
But we have to remember, they … (7 comments)

estate: MY THURSDAY WORKOUT - 04/24/08 07:46 AM
Well, not every day do we have to climb a mountain.  Today was my day to hang out in the valley.
But I did make it to the YMCA just the same.
My wife usually gets tired of Erin and I around 10:00 AM.  So we usually go to the gym as a group.
Today, Nickie made us go by ourselves.
Anyway, back to the workout.
I walked on the treadmill for 20 minutes.  Yes walked.  I felt like an old man.  I think I went like 1.3 miles.
After that, I did rigorous stretching for about 40 seconds.
I finished up laying on my back for about … (5 comments)

estate: I CAN SELL ANY HOME. I JUST HOPE IT DOESN'T SMELL. - 04/24/08 05:29 AM
That's right.  You have a home?  You need it sold?  I will sell it for you.
Paint chipping?  That's ok.
Small yard?  Low maintenance.
Big yard?  Nature lovers delight.
Dirty carpeting? Old appliances?  Holes in wall?  Drippy ceiling?
It's a fixer upper.  Those sell the best.
But in my 2 and a 1/2 years of experience, THE HARDEST THING TO SELL IS SMELL.
Smoke, garlic, onion, curry, body odor, dog, and the deadliest odor of all CAT PEE!
I have been fired as a listing agent ONCE!  IT WAS THE CAT PEE!!!
The worst thing of all is that homeowners who live in stinky homes don't know it.
And it's hard for us real estate … (15 comments)

estate: HOUSING DECLINE-WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON? - 04/24/08 04:42 AM
So I read in the Chicago Tribune that home sales in Illinois were down 29.5% in March 2008 as compared to March 2007.
As a real estate agent, I think that sucks. 
That means there were 30% less PAY CHECKS handed out to realtors last month.
I am a realtor so I find this VERY OFFENSIVE.
Many agents blame the media for their coverage.  They say the negative coverage is actually causing the downturn. Life immitating art, if you will.
Many make the issues unecessarily confusing.
According to Kay Wirth, president of the Illinois Association of Realtors, "Home sales remained mired in slow growth activity due to low consumer confidence, tighter financing … (12 comments)

estate: GEORGE - 04/24/08 12:06 AM
It was a beautiful evening last night in Naperville.
The temperature was in the mid 60s.  No wind.  It was just after 7:00 PM.
My wife and daughter had gone for a short walk in the neighborhood.  I was tired from MY WEDNESDAY WORKOUT. 
So I sat on my driveway drinking a cold Miller Genuine Draft Light.  Out of a can.  I would trade the twelve pack for two Heinekens!
Anyway, I was out in my driveway enjoying the evening when...
I noticed a man hanging around my neighbors driveway.  Looking at the cars and such.  He looked a little bit suspicious, but this is … (7 comments)

estate: MY COFFEE CLUB - 04/23/08 11:32 PM
OK.  It is not much of a coffee club.  A club of one.  Does anyone else want to join?
But I sit, sipping my first cup of coffee.  Drinking out of my "Kenny" LEGO cup my wife bought me a few years ago.  Very colorful.
It is just after 6:00 AM.  I have been up for about an hour and a half.  I went to bed early last night.  I had a very physical day yesterday, and needed to shut down early.
It was nice.
It has been a beautiful week here in Naperville, Illinois.  The weather has turned.  I heard we might hit … (9 comments)

estate: MOWING THE LAWN - 04/23/08 08:31 AM
Mowing the lawn is my favorite job.  I don't really even count it as a job.  A simple pleasure.  Almost a hobby.
A job well done.  Complete.  It feels good.
As you may know, sometimes I have difficulty, how should I put it, "keeping busy".
Some days just feel a heck of a lot more productive than others.
So I enjoy mowing the lawn.  Do you?
The reason I bring it up is that I just mowed my lawn for the first time this year.  It felt good.  Barely needed it, but I did it anyway.
Just moments before, I had argued (yes, I would say argued) with my yoga instructor … (18 comments)

estate: MY WEDNESDAY WORKOUT - 04/23/08 04:45 AM
Ahhhh.
The best thing about running is being done running.
My little family went to the YMCA again this morning.  My wife had "definition class" my daughter went to the daycare she loves ("boys, toys") and I went upstairs to the fitness deck.
My treadmill awaits!
I had lots of poisons last night.  Heinekens, cookies, meatballs, various junk food.  We had spent the evening at my sister in law's house admiring their new kitchen.  They just rehabbed it.  It is beautiful.  Probably a subject for another post.
The weather was beautiful.  They have a great yard and a huge deck.  Perfect for my favorite cold beverage!
So when … (6 comments)

estate: THE YOGA INSTRUCTOR - 04/22/08 09:22 AM
OK.  She was just the substitute Yoga instructor.
But she is a young lady that seems to want to buy a house.
Bubbly and cute, this young lady has been looking for a first home for her and her daughter.  She wants safe, close to work, second floor, nothing gross, nothing creepy, cheap, and did I mention she doesn't like driving?
Oh yeah.  She is excited and highly motivated.  That is nice to work with for a change.
Most of my "buyers" seem to prefer a VERY SLOW PROCESS.
So I could write a blog about my Yoga class that I went to this morning.  It … (4 comments)

estate: HOW DO YOU MARKET YOURSELF? - 04/21/08 01:38 PM
The question was asked of me this morning as I sat in traffic.  I was on Interstate 294 on the way to O'hare.  It was about 7:30 AM.  I was driving the limo.
"How do you market yourself?", my customer asked.
Hmmm.  I paused before answering.  I was working on only a few hours sleep for the second day in a row.  My skills as a conversationalist were somewhat diminished, but I came up with...
"I would say most of my business comes from conversations like this.  Meeting people.  Face to face.  Every day living I meet people.  Lot's of people.  If they like me and think … (17 comments)

estate: COMMISSION - 04/21/08 11:41 AM
Hmmm...
Where to start...
Perhaps at the beginning...
When I was first studying for my real estate exam, I wanted to own my own office.  Be the broker owner.
TRACY REAL ESTATE, I would call it.
I had no idea what being a broker owner even was.
I didn't even know what being a real estate agent was.
But my goal was to do things better.  Better than what?  I didn't know, but better nevertheless.
This is still my goal.  I try very hard to please my clients.  My relationships with them have their ups and downs like any relationship.  But they NEVER need to question my motivations.
I think … (12 comments)

estate: I AM EASY!!! - 04/19/08 01:33 PM
And I am not talking in any sort of dirty or promiscuous way.
I am talking about SHOWINGS.
I AM EASY!!!!
I will show anyone, any home, any where, at almost any time.
I don't care about mortgage approval.  I don't care if they meet me in the office.  I don't even want to meet them at my office. 
I will meet them anywhere they want.
I do not require a buyers agreement.  I would not feel comfortable signing one, so how can I ask my prospects to sign one?
I am easy.
I know most real estate agents will fight me on this.  Too bad.  I am … (14 comments)

estate: Tuesday Evening - 04/15/08 02:36 PM
9;22.  My wife is putting Erin to bed.  We had a nice time tonight.
We went to Chris's house.  He is an old friend that owns a limo company in our town.  I hadn't seen him in awhile.  He kicked me out of his house last time I saw him.  For another post...
Anyway, it's been a stressful couple of days.  I think that's the way it is in the spring, when you are newish to real estate, in a tough market.
Business will come in May.
Plus, I am having an open house on Saturday...
Ken
www.kensfeaturedhomes.com
 
 
(4 comments)

estate: Why would I prepare for an objection? - 04/15/08 09:32 AM
Seems like a silly question.  But really, why would I face an objection, and if I did, would I want to overcome it??
The reason I ask:  In my last post, Do you need Scripts?, I received a comment from a very nice realtor, Debbie Summers.  She commented, "Having scripts means that you have put a lot of time in preparing for objections". 
That makes sense.  It really does.
But then I think, why would I prepare for objections??
Would I want to overcome someones "objection" about buying a house??  Or even about using me as a listing agent?
Would I???
I might be the weakest salesperson … (4 comments)

estate: I NEED YOUR HELP ACTIVE RAIN. WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS? - 04/12/08 12:04 AM
It's 6:36 AM.  Saturday.  Naperville.  Illinois.  It's raining and very raw outside.
I have been up for a little over an hour.  I am having my first sips of coffee between key strokes.
And I have some questions.
As I type, I am currently 7 days late on our rent for our home.  I have spoken to my landlord 3 times this week to keep him informed and will call him today as well to finalize some sort of a plan.
I am a good tenant (except for this recent tardiness) and have paid the first 8 months of rent on time.  My rent is $1775 for … (18 comments)

estate: PRICED RIGHT=SOLD!! - 04/10/08 02:42 PM
I wrote on Monday Night how I spent the evening with neighborhood friends who were putting their home on the market the following day.  They were listing with a sister, a successful real estate agent working for another company.
Although they were listing with another agent, they were excited and wanted to talk real estate.  I love talking real estate.  So we talked.
Their original plan was to list their home at $360,000.  "Priced to sell," they said.
"Well what would you be happy with?", I asked.
"$345,000" they responded.
"Then why don't you price your home at $349,900.  That way, you will get all the buyers looking in the 300-350k range.  If you … (19 comments)

estate: MONDAY NIGHT - 04/07/08 04:23 PM
So I am sitting here.  Watching the wrap up of the NCAA championship game.  Looks like it was a good game.
I saw about 15 seconds of it. 
I was at a neighbors.  He had a little fire in the back yard.  He and his wife and I had a few beers huddling around the fire pit.
They are putting their home on the market tomorrow AM.  For $349,000, you can be a neighbor of Ken:).
No, I am not listing there home.  Her sister is a very successful realtor with Century 21.  That's cool.
We will miss them if they do leave.  They have … (4 comments)

 
Ken Tracy, Helping clients buy and sell since 2005 (Coldwell Banker Residential)

Ken Tracy

Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Naperville, IL

More about me…

Coldwell Banker Residential

Address: Naperville, Lisle, Plainfield, Aurora, Downers Grove, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn

Mobile: (630) 697-0536

My story. From rags to riches in the crazy world of real estate sales...






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