Investor Alert -- Great Opportunity to pick up a bargain.  This three bedroom Preston Heights home is priced to sell at $32,000.  Situated on a block of well-tended homes, this Joliet home needs a little TLC, but would make a great little rental property.  Bring your vision and toolbelt. . . Make and offer today!

And the best part. . . This is NOT a Joliet Short Sale, this is NOT a Joliet Bank Owned home, this is just your run of the mill traditional sale. . . No Banks to deal with, no hoops to jump through. You will get a quick response on all offers!

Looking for something different?

Search additional Joliet Homes in the area. . . .

I am a bargain shopper at heart, so I know where to find the discounted merchandise.  Floor models and slightly scratched inventory can offer huge savings.  I buy appliances for my rental properties at a local store that carries discontinued models and stuff that might be slightly dented.  If the fridge works fine, who cares if there is a ding in the side.

But as a real estate professional, I am noticing a disturbing trend among agents who are billing themselves as "short sale experts".  There are a few who are becoming very adept at listing short sale homes.  However, a quick perusal of their closed stats and bingo. . . there aren't many. Lots and lots of expired and canceled listings instead.

Inevitably there is a commonality about the way the homes are being presented in the MLS and online.  Usually, there is one crooked and slightly blurry exterior picture. . . or worse yet, one that must have been taken in the dead of night, from a moving vehicle!

The horrific photo is usually accompanied by verbiage in the comments that is something like this. . ."Short sale, third party approval required" and that's it.  These are the public comments, mind you, those that are fed via IDX from the MLS system.

I often wonder if the homeowners know how their home is being presented.  As a Joliet and Shorewood short sale listing agent, I approach the marketing of a short sale property the same way I would any other home I have been hired to represent.

I take the time to take multiple high quality photos, I write a detailed description of the home, I create a single property website, I syndicate the listing across the web, I use a text messaging mobile flier system. . . You get the idea.  My short sale listings get the same excellent marketing that any other home would get.

What about you, do your short sale listings shine. . . or do they scream distressed?  Why relegate them to the scratch and dent aisle, don't they deserve your best marketing efforts?

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If you are a Joliet, Shorewood, Plainfield or New Lenox IL homeowner who is struggling to make your mortgage payment, or facing foreclosure, a short sale may be right for you.  Don't wait, call 815-207-9703, I promise to create an excellent marketing plan for your home.  I don't just list short sales, I sell them.

I have been in heavy showing mode the past couple of weeks.  I have several buyer clients who have very specific requirements for a home and wading through the MLS is starting to get tiring.

I have been though my share of 4 bedroom homes that are really 3 bedrooms and an office.  I promise Ms. Listing Agent, I looked twice, there is no closet in that room and it has french doors. . . I'm quite positive its an office, regardless of how you would like to load it into the MLS. An appraiser is not going to fall for your trick!

There are the "hardwood floors" that are actually laminate. . . or the "granite counter tops" that are really Corian. . .

There are those listed as "bank owned short sales". . . Confusing, I know.  Which is it?  Because those are two really different scenarios and I'd like to know what we are dealing with.

But today. . . today, was a winner.  I was touring home with clients who really want an in-ground pool.  We were in Homer Glen IL and there was a listing in a neighborhood they really like.  Right there in the MLS was the tag "in-ground pool."  Exciting. . . target area, feature they want. . .

Care to take a swim?

Seriously. . . even in its heyday it wasn't in-ground. . . and to me it seems to be a bit more of a planter than a pool.

So, I'm continuing to wade through the MLS  listings to find the perfect home for my buyer clients. . . More truth in the MLS would really help!

I have rules about meeting buyers. . . I have standard operating procedures, but sometime I slip and violate my oun standards.

My phone rang this morning as I was headed to Homer Glen, IL to show some homes to terrific buyer clients.  I answer cheerfully and am greeted by a man's voice asking if I would show him one of my listings.  He really wanted to see it today, as soon as possible.

Now, normally, I would ask some qualifying questions and get some detailed information about the voice on the other end of the call, but the real estate biz has been kicking my a** and causing additional gray hairs.  Between short sales, indecisive buyers and uncooperative agents, my equilibrium is suffering. 

I was not at the top of my game and stupidly agreed to an afternoon showing.

I arrive a bit early for the showing of the adorable three bedroom Shorewood,IL ranch home I had recently listed.   And soon a man pulls into the driveway, I introduce myself and unlock the door.

As he is looking at the home, I am asking some qualifying questions.  He mentioned that he has several other homes he is seeing this afternoon because he is off today. 

And our conversaiton continues something like this. . .

Me: Really? Are you contacting listing agents and making the appointments with each one?

Him: Yes, and don't ask me to commit myself to an agent, I know how you operate because I used to be one.

Me: Oh, you were in real estate and don't believe it is beneficial to use a buyers agent, why is that?

Him: Because I plan to go after the buying side of the commission when I buy. If I go through the listing agent they will have to cut me a deal.

Me: Interesting tactic. (At this point I am deciding whether to let loose with both barrels, instead I continue to probe) So why did you leave the real estate business?

Him: Well I tried it for three years and was only making $12 to $15 thousand a year, wasn't worth it, so I gave it up about three years ago. (Ah. . .so you sucked at it! -- Of course I didn't verbalize this!)

At this point many thoughts are swirling around in my head. . . Do I point out the fact that the listing agreement is between the seller and the agent, the buyer has no right to interfere in that contractual relationship?  Do I broach the topic of variable commissions and point out that some dual agents work for reduced compensation?

I am deciding where to go from here when he mentions that he is good friends with a fairly well known agent in the area, and when he really wants to see a house, his "friend" will just open the door for him or call him with the code.

He then goes on to tell me that he doesn't want to deal with any of those "bank owned short sales" because he wants the seller to pay his closing costs. . .

Do I take the time to explain the difference between a bank owned property and a short sale? 

Naaa. . . I've wasted enough time.  I have work to do for actual clients, people who are committed to me and value my expertice.

Good luck in your hunt buddy.  Hope you find a sucker agent who is willing to reduce the commission and sell you a home. . . and I'm sure it won't be a "bank owned short sale"!

Note to self. . . remember this moment, let it sink in, and don't make the same mistake again!

In a week or so I am listing an investment property in Joliet and want to start to build some hype.  So I decided to offer those who sign up now a sneak peak at the property.  Everyone likes to be first in line, right? 

To announce the offer, I posted this at 3:48pm Central time. . . Be The First To Know - Joliet Investment Property Will Soon Be For Sale.

I decided I better scope out the competition and see who has domination of the keywords "Joliet Invesment Property" on Google.  Turns out, I DO!

Check out the screen shot I took at 3:59pm Central time.  That is my AR post in the first organic position!

 I realize that this is not an incredibly competitive search term, but really?  Number one eleven minutes after posting. . . Above loopnet and Trulia.

Talk about motivation for harnessing the power of AR and dominating local search terms. Can you beat 11 minutes to the top of Google?  If so, tell us your success story!

And if you are a Joliet Investor and want first crack at the Joliet Investment property I will soon be listing, click below so that you can be first in line!

Who doesn't like to be on the inside track, right???  For the serious investor, knowledge is key.  Knowing about properties before the regular guy gives you an inside track to the best deals.

So, I have an offer. . .  I will soon be listing an investor grade property. 

Does it need work?  You bet!

Is it going to be priced to move?  You bet!

Is there a margin for big profit?  You bet!

If you want to be alerted immediately and have access to the home before I put it in the MLS and it is broadcast to other agents and the general public, click below and sign up!

I'll notify you the minute the home is ready for viewing!

Welcome to the inside track!

Welcome to 715 Franklin Rd. Shorewood, IL!

$125,000

Adorable. . .Yes! Make this beautiful ranch your new home.  It features three bedrooms and one bath.  Has a lovely eat-in kitchen that has been fully updated. There are easy care laminate floors throughout and nice big windows that make the home light and bright.

Check out the curb appeal! This place has a great yard!  It is nicely landscaped and has beautiful mature trees.  Entertain your friends on the huge deck or relax in the hot tub after a long day.

Located in quiet Shorewood Park, this home is just a couple of blocks from Little Coyote Park.  Enjoy an afternoon lounging near the Dupage River or if you prefer, take along some fishing poles! 

Go ahead, make and offer! This is a wonderful place to call home!

Call Lori Gilmore today for a private showing - 815-207-9703. . .

Looking for something different?  Search Shorewood Homes for Sale right here!

I am fortunate to have a lovely backyard replete with wildlife.  And our wildlife is well fed. . . Nuts and seeds are popular, but a favorite are the whole corn cobs full of dry corn.  We buy them buy the bag and scatter them about to the delight of the many squirrels who live in the area.

One recent morning, as I was sitting on the patio enjoying my morning coffee, I was fascinated by a bit of competition between two gray squirrels who had fixated on the same cob of corn.  One would sit and eat and soon the other would get a little to close and the first squirrel would chase the second off.  The second would sit partway up the tree and wait for an opening.  When the moment was right, he would chase off the first squirrel and enjoy a bit of corn.

Back and forth they went eating, chasing, eating and chasing, each trying to gain exclusive right to the coveted cob of corn.  What neither squirrel seemed to notice was the forlorn second cob of corn sitting barely a foot from the first.

As I sat watching the clueless squirrels, I was reminded of a recent client.  He was a young first time buyer, excited with prospect of home ownership.  He was pre-approved and ready to buy a home in lovely Lockport, IL. I met him when he was referred to me by a former client.

He had already toured some homes with another agent, but had decided to fire that agent out of frustration.  As he put it, "She would show up in her Jaguar with vanity plates, talking on the phone. . . that was if she showed up at all. Three times she cancelled because she had clients looking in a more expensive suburb and told me I would have to wait until she was available. On top of that, she insisted on showing me homes $20,000 more that I can afford."

We quickly identified a home that was perfect for him and perfectly within his price range and he is now a happy homeowner.

Through the process, I have come to call this client a friend.  I went to his housewarming party, congratulated him on his recent engagement, attended a baseball game with his fiance and shared a meal or two with his family.

On the business side, he has referred me to a family member who purchased a home almost double the price of his purchase. 

As agents we are often guilty of chasing the high pricetag, high profile client, while overlooking those who might enrich our lives both financially and personally.

I should call and thank the Jaguar driving, phone talking, client ignoring agent. . .  My life is richer due to her neglect. Or I'll just head outside and feed the squirrels. . .

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If you are a homebuyer searching for a home in Joliet, Shorewood, Plainfield, Lockport or elsewhere in Will County, IL, I am here to help, regardless of your price range!  Give me a call at 815-207-9703.

Or, start your Will County Illinois Home Search here!

Located in the Joliet's lovely Cathedral area this beautiful full brick two unit is for sale.  Owning this fabulous builiding would be a great way to live on a beautiful tree lined street while harnessing the power of real estate investing! Rent the second unit and let the tenant help out with your mortgage payment! 

This vintage building has been lovingly maintained.  Enjoy the hardwood floors, large windows and fantastic built-ins.

Each unit has two bedrooms and an enclosed sunporch and measures approximately 1300 square feet. The kitchens are fully applianced and there are laundry hook-ups in the basement.

If you already have a home you love, sieze the opportunity to become a landlord and invest in Joliet real estate.  Both units are currently rented and the tenants pay all of the utilities.  This building is a turn key investment for the next owner.  Nothing to do but collect rent checks! 

Check out this Real Estate Show to get a glimpse inside this great property.  Then call me for your private showing 815-207-9703!

We've waited since February, we've driven buy, we've watched, we've wondered when it will be finished, but finally the wait is ending.  Tomorrow at two o'clock my wonderful first time buyers will close on their newly rehabbed Romeoville home.  And by purchasing through the Will County Neighborhood Stabilization Program, they will be getting $39,900 in down payment assistance at the closing table!

This nice chunk of change is from an allocation of $1.56 Million that Will County received as a part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008.  With these monies, the county purchases, rehabilitates and resells homes to buyers who qualify to participate in the program.  

The goal is to help clear the glut of Will County bank owned homes in targeted areas and to increase the affordability of homes for Will County home buyers whose adjusted gross household income falls below 120% of the average median income for the area.  The buyer need not be a "first-timer" to qualify, however, additional funds are available to first time buyers who fall below 80% of the average median income.

The homes are resold for the cost of acquisition plus the actual cost of rehabbing the home, there is no profit for the county and the funds are recycled back into the program to purchase additional homes.

My buyers who are closing tomorrow selected a home that the county had purchased and had started to rehab, however, I am working with another NSP buyer who is not interested in anything the county already owns.  As a part of the program, we can go shopping for a Will County bank owned home that suits her needs.  Will County will then buy the home, rehab it and resell it to her.

As I drive to the closing tomorrow, I know that my buyers are thrilled to be closing on their first home, they feel fortunate to be getting down payment assistance and the neighborhood will be enhanced by two terrific new homeowners who will lovingly care for a home that was once sitting vacant and neglected.  I'd say it is a win for all involved!

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If you are a Will County homebuyer and would like more information about the Will County Neighborhood Stabilization Program, give me a call at 815-207-9703 or shoot me an email at lorigilmore(at)comcast.net and I will send you the particulars of the program and well as the map of eligible areas.

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Lori Gilmore is a full time agent with Realty Executives Success and provides professional real estate services in Joliet, Plainfield, Crest Hill, Shorewood, Lockport, New Lenox and througout Will County, Illinios.