Stable Illinois Home Prices - 01/31/07 11:34 AM
According to our Illinois Association of REALTORS stats homes prices remained stable...BUT, homes sales were down 19% for the month of December, 2006 as compared with December, 2005.That's a big slowdown. The weather this past December was decent...in fact, for most of the month it was above normal. Usually, snow, frigid … (0 comments)
What's a Transfer Tax? - 01/30/07 03:09 PM
In our neck of the woods, each city can choose to impose a transfer tax on the close of a property. Transfer taxes started around 1980 with the Village of Woodridge explaining that it needed more revenue and what better way than to collect $2.50 per thousand from sellers. When homes were … (2 comments)
Woodridge Illinois - 01/29/07 09:55 PM
Woodridge is the bridge between Downers Grove on the east and Naperville on the west with a population of 33,000.Interstate 355 runs vertically through the village with major access ramps at 75th street and 63rd street. The town has one Junior High School, Thomas Jefferson, which is located just east of … (4 comments)
Naperville January 27, 2007 single family Stats - 01/27/07 02:15 PM
As of 1/27/07, there was a total of 948 single family homes on the market. Average list price: $733,873 Average days on market: 196 The breakdown: There are 157 3 bedroom homes on the market; average price: $428,703. Market time: 158 days There are 654 4 bedroom homes on the market; average price: … (0 comments)
My 5 seconds of Fame - 01/26/07 12:24 PM
I've been talking with many real estate editors and writers for the past year.And several weeks ago, I received a call from Sharon Stangenes, one of the Chicago Tribune's real estate editors.Her question: Are Baby Boomers moving to Ranch homes? "Well," I replied, "there just aren't many ranch homes on the … (2 comments)
Don't - 01/26/07 11:43 AM
Did you know that it's violation of many associations to give your keybox/supra and password to a buyer?In fact, a member of the Greater Springfield Board of REALTORS (Missouri) was fined $5,000 and suspended for one year for this infraction. Means she was out of business for an entire year! And the … (2 comments)
DA BEARS - 01/23/07 09:01 PM
If you live in the Chicago area, then you know how important our sport teams are. Especially, if they're heading for a play-off or a championship game. And, if you are new to the area, or considering moving here, you'll need to understand that our common language revolves around our sports … (4 comments)
Baby Boomers - 01/11/07 10:23 AM
Ok, I admit it. I'm a card carrying Baby Boomer! And, I'm starting to look at ways to make living in in my 2-story home easier. In fact, I had my handyman change all my door knobs to levers. But, the big problem as we age are those darn stairs. Going up and … (3 comments)
I was spammed on Active Rain - 01/07/07 07:54 PM
The man spammed me and probably others on Active Rain. I do not do business with spammers. … (7 comments)
Copyright - 01/07/07 03:34 PM
So, what exactly does copyright mean? Well, in simple terms it means if I create something: a poem, a story, a drawing, a sculpture, a photo, a map...that the item I created belongs to me. And let's say you like my map...and you copy it and use it on your website. Well, … (7 comments)
Are Your Websites in Compliance? - 01/06/07 02:30 PM
The Code of Ethics just appeared in our January REALTOR Magazine. And, there's some important changes. For example: Standard of Practice 12-9 Websites of REALTORS and non-member licensees affiliated with a REALTOR firm shall disclose the firm's name and that REALTOR'S or non-member licensee's state of licensure in a reasonable and readily apparent … (15 comments)
Words that Sell Homes - 01/05/07 04:18 PM
In my previous posting I gave a list of words that are used in marketing a home. Some of these words actually helped the property sell faster and for a better price. So, here are the winning words: Granite Gourmet Landscape Golf What do these words have in common? They give the impression of an expensive home; … (5 comments)
Pop Quiz - 01/04/07 11:18 AM
In a slower market it's really important what we say in both the remarks section in MLS and in our advertising. Several business professors have done studies on the effect of words and language in both ads and remarks and its correlation to time on market and selling price. So, from the list of … (5 comments)
Naperville 2006 single family Stats - 01/03/07 10:48 AM
A few interesting stats for our Naperville market:As of 12/31/2006, there was a total of 848 single family homes on the market. Average list price: $739,588 Average days on market: 204So, there's still lots of more expensive homes just sitting.And, what's sold this past year? We have 558 homes sold, or … (0 comments)
My 2007 Naperville Real Estate Predictions - 01/02/07 06:41 PM
I've been doing predictions for years. Used to send out a letter to all my clients in January with my forecast. Now, I can just publish it!1) Don't expect the market to change much this year. We're not reverting back to the "bubble" days. That's over. It's history for us.Our Naperville … (2 comments)
Clothes Make the Agent - 01/01/07 01:55 PM
We've been having a conversation on Real Talk about what agents wear when working with their clients. And, as I've been doing this since the dinosaurs roamed the earth, I can remember when jeans were NOT allowed as they were considered unprofessional. Now, how did this happen? Some type of commission dispute … (17 comments)
An assortment of odds and ends that may or may not pertain to the greatest city in the Midwest: Naperville.
Also some commentary on the Naperville real estate market.
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According to our Illinois Association of REALTORS stats homes prices remained stable...BUT, homes sales were down 19% for the month of December, 2006 as compared with December, 2005.That's a big slowdown. The weather this past December was decent...in fact, for most of the month it was above normal. Usually, snow, frigid … (0 comments)
