Attention prospective home buyers and sellers! Rockford Area Realtors in cooperation with the City of Rockford present the 2011 Real Estate Boot Camp - an indispensable informational event for buyers and sellers looking to make the right move in the current economy!

WIN A HOME!

Get a free chance for our home giveaway! Adults 18+ who aren't a current homeowner are eligible (see homebuyer requirements for more stipulations). One free chance with every mini seminar you attend.

HALF-HOUR MINI SEMINARS!

Why buy now?

How to sell a home in a buyer's market

Housing incentive programs

Creative financing and credit

clean-up strategies

What to expect with a foreclosed property

and short sale

10 steps in the home buying process

Real estate investment in a down economy

REAL ESTATE ROAD TRIP!

REALTOR "SPEED DATING"!

4-minute one-on-one sessions with Realtors and lenders, so you canget answers to your most pressing home-buying questions!

FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER PANELS!

Find out what to look for in a prospective home when you, other homebuyers and a Home Inspector take a quick trip to the home we're giving away at 948 Grant Avenue. Homebuying and  selling seminars for today's market, plus a home drawing.  SATURDAY, APRIL 30 11 am to 4 pm  Come anytime!

First-time homebuyers tell us what they wish they knew before they started the home buying process

THIS NO-SALES-PRESSURE EVENT WILL FEATURE:

CHIP WADE FROM HGTV!

Two great sessions with the fabulous Chip Wade. A noon "Curb Appeal" walking tour of the Signal Hill neighborhood with great ideas to make the most of your home's appearance. And a closing talk on "Designed to Sell" at 3 pm at the Rockford Woman's Club, 323 Park Avenue. Chip shares top selling secrets and strategies for getting your house to sell. Sponsored by Mohawk ColorCenter and Al's Carpet. Free event tickets available at Al's Carpet or Rockford Area Realtors.

11 am to 3 pm - Seminars

GARRISON LOFTS 1105 N. Court St.

3 pm - Keynote with Chip Wade

ROCKFORD WOMAN'S CLUB 323 Park Avenue

Took a client out last week to show houses and we found a great one for his low price range.  It was in great shape for being priced at $54,900.  He could move right in without having to do really anything to the property.  I told him if he is even the least bit interested he should jump on it because it was going to go quickly.

Well, a couple days later we put the offer in and gave the lender 3 days to respond...sure enough that 2nd day another offer comes in!  UGH, my buyer is wondering how can that be..the market stinks right?! 

Well, locally, some price ranges are doing just fine, especially if the house is in good condition.  So another lesson learned here...even in a "tough" market, multiple offers do happen.

According to 2010 census data released, Rockford is holding onto the spot as Illinois' third largest city. Unless a population boom is in our future, there are several cities poised to pass us.  Some are thinking Elgin will be the next to pass us, but it may take them 10 years to do so.  Their population is just over 108,000

Rockford's population increased just 1.8 percent over the past 10 years to 152,871. Joliet grew by 38.8 percent to 147,433 and Naperville increased 10.5 percent to 141,853. Winnebago County's official population was 295,266, and it was passed by McHenry County for the sixth most populous county.

Winnebgo county as a whole grew 7.6% to 299,702.  for more info visit www.census.gov

 

According to the Illinois Association of Realtors January home sales were up.

5% for Winneabgo county

147 sale compared to 140(2010)

Median sale price was down 19.6%  105.750 to 85,000

Average sale price was down as well 17.1% 119,237 to 98,794

16.7% for Boone county

42 sale compared to 32(2010)

Median price was up 6.5%  115,000 to 122,500

Avg sale price was down .5%  156,755 to 155,535

 

 

 

Our local school dist has had its challenges.  From a discrimination suit that has kids being bused from the other side of the city, to the recent budget shortfall that will have several schools closing and teachers laid off from their jobs.

How do you as an agent explain to your clients that everything will be fine?  When in reality, most people in the area know its not.  Before we couldnt even tell them where there children would go to school, we still can't really...the high schools did get zoned finally...but the elementary schools have not gotten there yet.  People have to "apply" and hope their child gets their first pick. 

I know we can not say too much when it comes to this subject.  It just amazes me that you could get a fantastic buy on a great house, but your client does not even want to consider it because of the school district..that is just wrong...it shouldn't be that way.  No school should have that stigma, and if they do they need to do something about it, quickly..not years and  years later.

How are your local schools fairing? 

 

It's been awhile since I have blogged about anything...I always wonder what in the world should I say?!  Do I just talk about real estate, as this is full of real estate members...or do I just say what is on my mind and just talk about my day. 

Well, I figured I would do just that.  It has been a difficult year, or at least in my mind it has..if you look at my numbers, it has been my best year since I have been in real estate, so what's the deal? 

Alot has happend, and I think the biggest thing is I changed brokers last April and that has been a whirlwind, it amazes me how different a real estate company can be.  Not only how they do things, but how the whole atmosphere is different.  I didn't expect that at all.  I also didnt expect the agents I work with to be so helpful and willing to work as a team.  sure there were some great agents at my previous company, but not like this, even our top agents want everyone to do as well as they are.  I'm going to huge seminars, and taking in so much my head is spinning.

Maybe that is the issue, maybe I'm taking all this in and trying to implement all of it, when in reality I can't possibly do it all..I have a headache right now just thinking about it all!  Yes, they do say, focus on one thing and do it well...well how do you choose?  I like to think I am a techy person, but with all that is out there you can go nuts with that as well. 

I think I just need to really sit back and figure all this out, focus on the important things and what is going to make me work smarter in my business and increase my business.  Then focus on the most important thing, my clients.

any suggestions, comments?

3520 Gilbert, Rockford, IL 61101  $56,900

Great, updated house!  Features 3 bedrooms, 1 bath.  Updated kitchen and bathroom.  New carpet throughout, freshly painted.  Roof, siding, windows 5 yrs old. Seller is a licensed Realtor.

Broker:  Whitehead Inc Realtors

298 Spring Meadow  Poplar Grove, IL 61065

$150,000

4Bdrms, 3 full baths, Office, media room, Open floor plan. Big corner lot. Short sale!

 

Broker:  Whitehead Inc Realtors

Is the market really down..or is it that there are just overpriced homes that need work out there? 

I took my client out on showing a couple weeks ago and as i was getting ready to leave I thought I would take a quick look to see if there were any more listings that she may like...well there was a listing I pulled up..didn't know the secretary had "just put it in the MLS" until I called to set up the showing.  It was right in her price range and sounded great...newer, rehabbed property, no pictures yet, but I thought i would give it a try.

 We went through 4 others before we came to this one.  Well we came to the new listing last and the second we walked in I just knew this would be the "one".  Newer home..open vaulted ceilings, stainless appliances.  Well what else does a younger first-time buyer want?!  Well this is it!

This seller did it right!  Great work on the house, but I truly believe the thing that did it was he priced it very, very well.  He didn't get greedy, and let me tell you he could have gotten more for this home!  I told my buyer if she waited to make a decision that house would be gone within the day, so we went back to my office and wrote the offer.  I absolutely loved the selling agent as well.  I had worked with her before and she is a definate straight shooter...no games, no hassle, and up front honesty!  I just love working with agents that are like that..everything just goes so smoothly!

Anyway, the moral of the story?.....Buyers are coming out and if your house is priced right and shows great you just may get that lucky 3 hours to sold story as well!

 

Was rented for $750 a month...3 bedrooms 2 baths.  Updated kitchen and bathrooms.

MLS# 43301  Only $43,000. Dues $140 month. 

Listed with Whitehead Inc. Realtors