How Long Will It Take? - 12/29/10 01:38 PM
If you are thinking of selling your home then one of your questions will certainly be: "how long will it take to sell my house?"  In today's market, it's worth calling a few real estate agents just for the entertainment value of the possible answers:
How long would you like it to take? Let's list it and see what happens. Anyone who claims to be able to answer that is lying. When the Moon is in the 2nd house and Jupiter aligns with Mars. If you would like to plan your life around more than astrological projections or wishful thinking, you … (53 comments)

When the Going Gets Tough, Bring Out the Balloons - 12/24/10 02:48 PM
No matter how much you love your family and friends there will strained and slow moments during a long holiday visit. The dogs can only be walked so many times before people begin to worry about who you're meeting out behind the woodshed. I also think that older children and teenagers must learn to enjoy interacting with guests without the benefit of video games.
Anything that can be timed or scored is extra fun and guaranteed to provoke teenage girls into storming outside at least once. Storming is good for showing how cute you are so I try to give them … (15 comments)

St Charles IL Real Estate Market|Single Family|December 22 2010 - 12/23/10 02:12 PM
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Geneva IL Real Estate Market|Single Family|December 22 2010 - 12/23/10 02:06 PM
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Batavia IL Market Report|Single Family|December 22 2010 - 12/23/10 02:05 PM
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South Elgin IL Real Estate Market|Single Family|December 22 2010 - 12/23/10 02:05 PM
 
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You Can't Become a Real Estate Investor Until I Say So - 12/17/10 07:47 PM
Most real estate agents have gotten the call "We want to make a real estate investment. We want to be rich. Show me some great deals". I used to react quickly, perhaps too quickly. But this year I've been too busy to spin my wheels as a taxi driver and short-order market analyst for people who aren't committed to buying property.
A few of my existing clients have been pestering me for months to help them make real estate investments, including Bill and Sue who I sold a wonderful house in Batavia IL last year. They also have friends who want … (52 comments)

Will Demand for Housing Increase in 2011? - 12/13/10 10:58 PM
As we try to finish up the year and even get a few more contracts in place, most of us are probably looking forward to the opportunities and challenges of 2011. Most agents and brokers are carrying listings into 2011 and the homeowners are wondering -- will my house sell in late winter...early Spring...and at what price? So they are looking for answers now and we owe them our best efforts at analyzing the market.
We have a long list of people who say they want to sell in the Spring "when the market improves". Since most people who sell are … (11 comments)

8 Reasons Why your House Won't Sell - 12/13/10 10:22 AM
 
Lyn Sims has written a nice list of "don'ts" for people trying to sell their home. Most people try to have their homes looking nice, but buyers can quickly rule out those that show poorly for any reason. There are just not enough buyers at some price points, so a seller who's home isn't compellingly priced and perfectly presented will quickly get passed over.
 
Via Lyn Sims - Schaumburg Homes (Schaumburg Homes and the Northwest Suburbs - RE/MAX Suburban):
8 Reasons Why your Home Won't Sell 1)  Your Home is just not up to Snuff - There is plenty of stiff competition … (7 comments)

St Charles IL Market Update | Single Family Homes | December 10 2010 - 12/11/10 11:39 PM
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Geneva IL Market Update | Single Family Homes | December 10 2010 - 12/11/10 10:21 AM
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Batavia IL Market Update | Single Family Homes | December 10, 2010 - 12/11/10 10:15 AM
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Where's Santa in Geneva IL? - 12/10/10 11:22 PM
Merry Christmas! It's time to find out who's been naughty or nice. Visit Santa Claus and his elves in Geneva IL for that special conversation with your little ones. 
Santa's Gingerbread House in Geneva IL is located at the corner of James and 3rd Streets.
Visit Santa from now through December 21:
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 5:30 to 7:30
Saturdays 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Sunday 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Bring your camera!
 
 
Wishing You a Happy and Healthy Christmas
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Where's Santa in St Charles IL? - 12/07/10 02:13 AM
First Street Place in Downtown St. Charles
Saturday and Sunday 12 noon - 4 pm
November 27th - December 19th
First Street Place is located 1 block south of Main St/Route 64 and 1 block east of Route 31 just south of ZaZa's Trattoria.
Sponsored by St. Charles Downtown Partnership
For more information call (630) 513-5386 or click here
For directions click here
 
 
 
 

 
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Do You Need a Buyer Agency Agreement? - 12/05/10 01:08 AM
Is a Buyer Agency Agreement just a ploy for a real estate agent to lock you into a relationship? Do you wonder why you couldn't just call the listing agents to show their listings and then help you out if you decide to buy?
In Illinois a buyer cannot be equally and fully represented by the agent who is listing the home being purchased.
Most people know that they need to sign a Listing Agreement in order for a real estate agent to list a home for sale. The Listing Agreement protects the home seller because it clearly specifies the work … (71 comments)

Better Real Estate Through Math #3 - The Percentage of Assessed Value - 12/03/10 06:12 PM
Paul has a detailed explanation of one of the techniques that he uses to price properties for both buyers and sellers. Assessed value can be a useful proxy for establishing value in market with few transactions such as our upper end price points. Take a few minutes to read this and I am sure you will learn from it.
Via Paul Chadwick (Baird and Warner):
My Predictive Value Model relies on many sub components. I have already talked about the CMA and the Median Tax Search, they are extrapolated values from recent closed sales. Today I will add a third historical piece, but … (1 comments)

Geneva IL Christmas Walk and House Tour - 12/01/10 11:26 PM
What could be more beautiful than the holidays in Geneva IL? Many people in the Chicagoland area plan a trip to Geneva IL to shop on 3rd Street, have a delicious tea at the Little Traveler or enjoy a family brunch at the Mill Race Inn. Make sure that your family plans to attend these events during the holiday season in Geneva IL.

Geneva Christmas Walk The traditional Christmas Walk begins as Santa Lucia and her attendants arrive by horse-drawn carriage to offer Swedish cookies to visitors. Santa makes his appearance to light the Great Tree on the Courthouse lawn … (11 comments)