KEN'S STORY...Naperville Illinois Real Estate Blog

A COLD DAY DELIVERING KEN'S CARROLWOOD AND RIVER BEND VIEW..

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:19:42 -0600

The thermometer read 17 degrees as I pulled into Carrolwood last Friday...

In spite of the cold temperatures, I was excited. It was the first of two stops I would be making that day, delivering my newsletter...

-Carrolwood Subdivision on a bright and sunny day.

I was dressed in several layers. It would be important for warmth as well as padding...

My primary concern wasn't the temperature, but the icy conditions resulting from the wet snow we had two nights prior...

Had the associations shoveled?

Along with Carrolwood in Naperville, I would also be visiting River Bend in Lisle...

-I was the lone "walker" in River Bend on this day...

River Bend and Carrolwood are my two primary "farm" areas. I would be personally delivering my "View" to over three hundred doors...

-More than 1000 icy and slick steps awaited me in River Bend...

I knew the going would be cold and hazardous. But I also knew it would be my last marketing "blitz" of the year...

A long day.

But an important one. Well worth it...

Marketing always is...

Ken

-Ice spreads over Lake Carrolwood...

-You can almost feel the cold...

-Lake River Bend on a cold December day...

GOOGLE IT: A REALTOR I CAN TRUST

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:48:10 -0600

Do you know a good Realtor?

If you don't, where do you go to find a Realtor you can trust?

If you are like millions, you might go to Google...

Give it a try...

Go to Google. Enter "realtor i can trust"...

What comes up?

Pretty cool...

Ken

THE PRICE REDUCTION. A SELLER'S BEST FRIEND...

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:41:59 -0600

"If we lower our price, will we look desperate?" asked my client.

"No. You will look like you want to sell your home..."

Explaining pricing is a fundamental part of a Realtor's job.

When first sitting with a potential seller, I show them the comparable homes:

That are on the market.
That have recently closed.
That have come off of the market without selling.

With the data before us, the client usually has a good idea of the reality of the situation...

And they still want to price it too high...

Fine. I find arguing with clients in poor taste as well as bad for business...

This is why I make price reductions a standard part of my "listing presentation"...

Why?

Because I believe they are a seller's best friend...

A few reasons:

Price reductions cause activity on the local Multiple Listing System(MLS): New email alerts will be sent to buyers searching for a certain type of home.
"Buyers" that have already seen the home may be sitting on the fence. The price reduction acts as a fisherman twitching a lure. It can cause the fence sitting buyer to "strike" with an offer...

My listings should have a contract within 90 days or 10-15 showings. If they do not, they are overpriced. Price reductions will eventually cause a home to be priced properly.

So don't fear the price reduction...

It might just be the key to selling your home.

Ken

KELLER WILLIAMS CARES. BLOOD DRIVE. NAPERVILLE, ILLINOIS.

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:30:56 -0600

This summer, Keller Williams in Naperville and Heartland Blood Centers teamed up to host a wonderful blood drive. A special thanks to agent Linda Kemp for her great effort organizing the event...

-Heartland parked the "Blood Truck" in KW's parking lot...

-two adorable drops of blood helped drum up "business".

-Event organizer Linda did more than just delegate...

-Do I look scared? I probably am...

-After donating, I pose with the "droplets"...

Donating blood is a great cause. It saves live and only requires a bit of time...

If you are interested in scheduling and event or donating blood in the Naperville area, contact Heartland Blood Centers...

Ken

DON'T IGNORE YOUR EMAIL DATABASE...

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 15:07:28 -0600

Wow. I can't believe I did it. I have been ignoring my email database...

Real estate is a contact sport. Stay in contact with lots of people.

Since my first day as an agent, I have been gathering information for my database.

Everybody I knew. Everybody I met along the way. I gathered contact information...

Email. Phone number. Address...

An occasional email to the database is such a great way to stay in touch with so many...

Free. Easy. And quite effective...

At first I sent email newsletters...

Then I switched to Just Sold/Just Listed emails...

But sometime in the last year, I have gotten away from using the email to keep in touch.

Sending emails started to seem primitive...

In this age of social media, it was easy to believe I was speaking with "everyone" when I posted on Active Rain, Facebook or Twitter...

In reality, I was not. Not even close...

I realized this over Thanksgiving weekend.

I decided to send out Thanksgiving themed email to my database, currently around 1000 people.

As I sent out the email, I couldn't remember the last time I had done it.

All these names. All these people. Would they still remember me? Do they still know I am in business?

It had been too long.

It was great to send out the email this Thanksgiving...

Great to stay in touch...

SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE JOHNNY APPLESEED...

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:18:56 -0600

Sometimes I feel like Johnny Appleseed,

prancing through the fields in Naperville...

Planting seeds.

But unlike good old Johnny, I am not planting apple seeds.

No.

I am planting real estate seeds.

And I am planting as many as I can.

Because the more seeds I plant, the more homes I am going to sell...

Ken

WHAT THE HECK IS A "LOOKIE LOU"?

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:16:00 -0600

What the heck is a "Lookie Lou"?

I wrote a post last week titled "What is up with buyer's agency agreements"? One comment I received was that buyer's agency agreements were good to distinguish "real buyers" from "lookie lous"...

Now I have heard the expression "Looky Lou" before, but...

What exactly is a "lookie lou"?

Is it someone who is considering buying a home in the near future, but might not be quite ready?

You may call them a "lookie lou"...

I would call them a PROSPECT.

I want to be in front of them, showing them houses. They will be ready to buy in the near future. Perhaps not today, but soon...

I understand that an agent's time is valuable. I also know many of us are very busy. But I have found that most people don't want to "waste" their time or mine...

I also know I can never have enough prospects...

So go easy on the "looky lou"...

They might just be your next closing.

Ken

ARE YOU SPENDING ENOUGH TIME PROSPECTING?

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:58:53 -0600

Are you spending enough time prospecting?

I believe most Realtors spend too much time with the leads they already have, and not enough time generating new business...

Give your current prospects some rest. They will call you when they are ready...

Your time is better off building more relationships. Creating more prospects...

Don't neglect your current leads. Stay in touch. Send an email. Give an occasional call. Let them know you care...

But don't call every week asking "Are you going to buy a house?"

Real estate sales takes time...

Find new prospects. Spread your "brand".

Knock on doors. Cold call. Hang flyers. Write blogs. Social network. Host open houses...

Whatever you do to generate leads...

Do more of it...

Stuff your lead pipeline so full it is ready to burst...

Give today's prospects a little rest...

Build your business for tomorrow.

Ken

LIGHT THAT CANDLE...

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 20:58:53 -0600

I think I created an "expression" a few years back. At least I think it should be an expression...

Here is the background:

My wife and I are spending a weekend at my in-laws. The Thompsons. Mount Pleasant Michigan...

We are having a nice time, but my mother in-law is fussing over details. She came upon a candle on her bookshelf and hesitated...

Should she light it? Or would it be better saved for a more important time...

"Light that candle," I chide from a nearby couch. "What are you saving it for?"

We both paused and thought about what I had said.

After a few moments, my mother in-law lit the candle...

We have joked about it several times since.

She mentioned she uses it for a little life motivation from time to time. I do too.

Light that candle...

What are you saving it for?

Ken

-I took this picture one late afternoon in dim light. I was pleased with how it turned out...

WHAT IS UP WITH BUYER'S AGENCY AGREEMENTS?

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 10:03:28 -0600

I was reading a post featured on Active Rain this morning.

The post was written by Canadian Realtor Lindsay Walls and titled "The Real Reason you should sign a buyer representation agreement."

I know my opinion won't be popular amongst the real estate agents, but...

I DON'T USE BUYER'S AGENCY AGREEMENTS. IF I WERE A BUYER, I WOULDN'T SIGN ONE.

Yes, I understand the arguement. Buyer's agency agreements explain both parties responsibilities in a real estate transaction:

The Agent's Responsiblity: LOYALTY, OBEDIENCE, DISCLOSURE, CONFIDENTIALITY, REASONABLE CARE, DILIGENCE, and ACCOUNTING.
The Buyer's Responsibility: Must make sure the agent gets paid if they buy a house. Any house. A for sale by owner. New construction. Even dear old Mom and Dad's house. Your Realtor must get paid. And if the seller isn't going to do it, then you, the buyer, will have to.

The agent's responsiblity seem fair enough. But do I need a written contract to tell me how to do my job?

I believe the buyers agreement is there to cover the agents butt. I can assure you, it wasn't written by buyers...

Realtors as a workforce don't like working and not getting paid. Who does?

So if the Realtor getting paid is the buyer's main concern, they should sign the agency agreement.

If the buyer's concern is great service? Then how in the heck signing a contract binding one to a Realtor is going to accomplish this.

As a consumer, the one way you can GUARANTEE great service is by maintaining your right to go elsewhere. Once a buyer signs the agency agreement, they lose that right.

As a Realtor, I would never ask my clients to give up that right...

Ken

FIRST TIME SOCIAL MEDIA COACH

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:26:02 -0600

I am about to become a "social media coach"...

About two weeks ago a Realtor friend contacted me. She was one of the first agents I met after becoming a Realtor. We have kept in touch...

Anyway, she sent me a message on Facebook:

"I love how you are working Facebook. Are you working with anyone to coach you how to do it? or you are just a genius on your own..? ! :-) I need help. I will pay you. Please let me know your thoughts."

Wow. Flattery will get you anywhere. Pay? Buy me a cup of coffee. Let's meet at Starbucks in Naperville...

I am actually a little embarrassed that someone would offer to pay me for this. I am not a social media "coach". I am just an agent who loves what he does...

Coaching my friend will be a great refresher course. I can brush up on the fundamentals of what I do.

Some of her initial goals:

Facebook
   Create professional page
   Fan generation
   Facebook Ads
Linkedin
Develop profile
Link it to website and other social media profiles
Craig's list
Active Rain/Blogging

Hmmm. Getting her started on the basics of that list will be no problem.

But getting her set up will just be the beginning.

You have to work social media. You have to be social...

I am excited to help her. I think I can...

Ken

WOULD I SHOW A HOME ON THANKSGIVING???

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:18:40 -0600

I was reading a post on Active Rain by Gita Bantwal the other day...

It was titled "Have you shown a house on Thanksgiving Day?" and it got me to thinking...

Would I show a home on Thanksgiving???

You bet I would.

It would have to be under the right circumstances...

I would have to be back before football...

But if one of my clients wanted to see a vacant house at 10 AM on Thanksgiving morning?

I am there.

I know it's a big holiday, but I do my best to work around my clients schedule...

And it might just be a chance to get one last sale for 2009...

Would I show a home on Thanksgiving?

Sure...

As long as I am back by kickoff...

12 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT BEING A REALTOR

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:13:29 -0600

Last week it was announced that the state of Illinois has an unemployment rate of 11%. The highest rate since 1983...

I know many people who are unhappy or uncertain with their current job status. I have found myself suggesting a career in real estate sales to several of my friends. Here are 12 reasons why...

12 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT BEING A REALTOR

Realtors are truly their own boss Although this might not work for everyone, I love working for myself. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Unlimited earning potential Although I have yet to personally verify this, I have heard some good stories. Seriously, it's not about the money. But it is a fun way to keep score...
Flexible schedule I don't enjoy working 9 to 5. My real estate work can be done at all hours, and it often is. Since many of my clients do work regular hours, I try to make myself available to their schedules.
Real estate is a family friendly career I have two young girls, Erin and Morgan. With my home office and my flex schedule, I am able to spend plenty of time with my girls...
Real estate is a cutting edge business If you aren't growing your business with technology, you are probably falling behind. Whether it be marketing with social media websites like Active Rain and Facebook, or using the latest tech gadget, Realtors have to stay on top of changes in the industry.
I use Starbucks as an office Not a specific Starbucks. I use them all. I find Starbucks a comfortable meeting place for appointments.
Helping people Purchasing a home is a MAJOR decision. As a Realtor, I am immersed in one of the biggest decisions a family will make. I feel I am the man for the job.
It's all about the marketing I love marketing. I love when my marketing generates results.
Real estate is a small business It is not a job. I learned working at my father's printing store that I wanted to run my own business. Real estate is a business. All aspects. Marketing. Accounting. Budgeting. Goal setting. Sales....
It's your business It's up to you. You can't blame your office. You can't blame your coworkers. The success or failure of a Realtor's business is all on them. I like that.
Realtors come in all shapes and sizes Some of us look like grandmas. Some like car salesman. Some attorneys. Some former teachers. All can be successful...
I become a better agent every day. This is incredibly exciting. I learn every day. I love it...

THE SECRET TO A SUCCESSFUL MARKETING CAMPAIGN

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:03:23 -0600

Do you want to know the key to any successful marketing campaign?

It's not about the marketing...

It's about the campaign. So stop wasting time!

I don't care what type of marketing you are doing. Over time, it all works...

Calendars, magnets, post cards, pens, brochures, newsletters, recipes. All of it...

I joke with my wife that I could hand out big sheets of paper with my face and phone number. If I hand out out enough of them, people will start to call...

So you have to focus on the campaign first:

How long? Marketing takes time. Realistically, you won't see results for some time. It can take a year or longer. But once it does start working, you won't want to stop...
Where? Pick a neighborhood. I like townhome communities. They have a higher turnover ratio than single family homes. Once you choose one, stick with it. Remember, this takes time...

How many homes should I market to? This is a budget issue. I recommend you start small. You don't want to overextend. This is a marathon. Not a sprint...

So pick a neighborhood. Start marketing. It works...

Ken

10 WEBSITES I USE WHEN LISTING A HOME

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:37:22 -0600

I took a listing the other day. I will be selling a condo in Chicago for a friend.

The listing went on the market yesterday. I used 10 websites to help me list the home...

10 Websites I use when listing a home

The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) The most powerful listing site for a Realtor. All of the brokerage sites share in this listing information, as well as sites like Redfin, Realtor.com, ChicagoTribune.com and many others.
The Keller Williams Listing System (KWLS) Available to Keller Williams agents. Allows extra informartion, links, and pictures. Shares listing data with Homefinder.com, Yahoo, Zillow, Trulia, Vast, Google, Cyberhomes, and Frontdoor.
RealSpaceTours All of my listings have a virtual tour. Although I don't think a tour actually "sells" a home, I have had buyers only look online at homes with a virtual tour...
Real Space Tours is a website available to agents started by Active Rainer Andrew Olson. It is easy to use, keeps track of statistics, and is free.
Postlets.com A great website. Creates online brochures for listings. Postlets automatically shared with GoogleBase, Oodle, HotPads, Trulia, DotHomes, Zillow, Backpage, Vast, Enormo, Frontdoor, Local.com, and Lycos. I also post my postlets on CraigsList, Active Rain, Facebook, and Twitter.
Active Rain With Active Rain's famous "Google Juice", posted listings can be found easily. As a Realtor, you can become the local expert by writing about your listings.
Facebook All of my listings are promoted on my business page, Ken Tracy Real Estate. I run ads on Facebook for my "Featured Home". My Facebook profile has a widget featuring my listings.
Realtor.com The official site of Realtors. For a fee, an agent can enhance listings, increasing marketing and traffic. I email weekly client reports to my sellers showing online activity.
Craigslist.com The online classified ads. Very popular for real estate. Sellers will want their homes on Craigslist.
Trulia I became a Trulia Pro to increase traffic to my listings. I can also run a local "spotlight ad" to feature new listings. I email my sellers a Trulia traffic report every week.
Ken's Featured Homes My personal website. My "featured home" is on the homepage.

10 TIPS FOR GETTING MORE FANS ON YOUR FACEBOOK BUSINESS PAGE

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:53:16 -0600

I was reading Active Rainer John Novak's featured post, "Facebook fan page Basics". In the post, John offers more reasons for setting up a busines page on Facebook and links to get it done.

While reading through the comments, it seemed most Realtors had yet to set up a page. Those that had set up a page had few fans...

It got me to thinking...

I had started my business page in May. I was originally skeptical...

Who would want to be my fan? I already have a Facebook profile. Why do I need a business page too?

But I knew I liked working with Facebook. A lot...

So, what the heck? I set up my page. It was incredibly easy.

Facebook (or some morphed quasi-Facebook concept) is here to stay. It is a great way to stay connected.

Get connected.

10 TIPS FOR GETTING MORE FANS ON YOUR FACEBOOK BUSINESS PAGE

Suggest your page to your Facebook Friends. All of them. Your friends will be your primary source of fans for your page. At least at first. Every month, I suggest my page to all of my friends who are not yet fans.
Build up your Facebook friend base. Since this will be your primary source of fans, it is best to have as many friends as possible. Be active and involved on Facebook. Comment on others posts often. People like getting comments. They will remember that you took the time.
Write about your page here on Active Rain. Facebook Business pages are a hot topic on Active Rain. Write about your Facebook page. Your post will get lots of readers, comments, and who knows, maybe even a feature. All of this exposure will get you more fans.
Read about Facebook here on Active Rain. There are so many great writers here on AR. You will learn so much and stay on top of any advances/changes that come to social media. Check out Cassandra's Blog down in Fort Myers. She wrote an awesome series of posts on Facebook business pages.
Facebook Ads. The ads are a great way to spread your brand and get new fans. I run ads on Facebook daily.
Create a personalized URL. www.facebook.com/tracyrealestate is the URL for my page. I put it everywhere. On my business cards, my email signature, my flyers and my ads.
Post on your business page often. I like to post something on my page every day. It doesn't have to be poetry. An interesting statistic. A link to an article you read that day. A new listing. Your latest blog post. Mix it up.
Don't forget it is your page. Just because it is a business page, don't lose "the you". People get involved more quickly with individuals than they do with corporations. Let them know you are a real live human being...
Choose the name of the page carefully. Once you select one, you can't change it. I brand mine with my face and my name. I want my fans to remember it is my business page.
Stay active on other social media sites. You will find people on websites like LinkedIn that you won't find on Facebook. Get to know them. You also want links to your Facebook page from all of your social media profiles.

Marketing is a marathon. It's not a sprint. It will take time. Stay consistent.

Remember, if you aren't excited about it, no one else will be either...

Ken

THE NEW HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT. THIS COULD BE BIG...

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:17:50 -0600

Are you are thinking of buying a home in the next year? Or are you a Realtor that needs to sell more homes?

Then the article, "New Tax Credit may be worth pouncing on," written by Kenneth Harney in today's Washington Post is a must read...

This article is the clearest explantation I have read of the new tax credit, that took effect on November 6th...

While last years tax credit for "first time home buyers" impacted relatively few, I believe the new tax credit will have a major impact.

Not only does the new law extend the first time home buyer credit until June 30, 2010...

But now, most that have owned their home 5 years or more and buy another home will be eligible for a $6500 tax credit. This describes almost everyone I know!

Whether a buyer is moving into a bigger home or downsizing to a small condo, most who have owned their current home 5 years will be eligible...

I believe this tax credit will be the nudge many need to fall off of the proverbial fence...

2010 is the year volume will return to the real estate market...

Are you ready?

Ken

Kenneth Harney Washington Post on Facebook

p.s. I have found Kenneth Harney on Facebook and become a fan. I am #24...

TECHNOLOGY VS. MARKETING. WHERE DO YOU INVEST YOUR MONEY?

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:01:53 -0600

If you had $1000 to invest in your business, where would you invest your money?

Would you invest in technology? Perhaps a digital camera? A new smartphone? Maybe a laptop?

Or would you invest in marketing? Facebook Ads? A series of ads in the local newspaper? A postcard mailing campaign?

I recently wrote two posts:

Both posts were written about investments I have made in my real estate business...

The Blackberry Storm? A technology tool...

Facebook Ads? A marketing campaign...

Which is more important? Where do you put your money?

When I wrote my post on the BlackBerry, the comments were unanimously positive. Everyone said I would love the phone... I do, by the way. I will save that for another post!

When I wrote of the Facebook ad campaign, the comments were more reserved. Lots of interest. Curious. Cautious. But somewhat skeptical...

I was surprised.

If I have to make a choice, I spend my money on marketing...

You can have all the tools in the world, but if you don't have any customers..

Does it matter?

Ken

THE BLACKBERRY STORM 2. ANOTHER REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT...

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:22:56 -0600

Ok. I took the plunge.

Yesterday I went out and made the decision. I purchased my first smart phone...

I bought the new BlackBerry Storm 2...

-My new BlackBerry Storm 2 poses on my daughter's table.

It sure looks pretty. All shiny and new. Big touch screen...

As an investment in my real estate business, the purchase was long overdue...

Afterall, my old phone was just a phone. It didn't have a camera. I was in the Stone Age...

And I strive to be a tech and social media savvy agent. Heck, I even tweet...

So I am excited about the phone, yet I still find myself wondering...

What do I do with the thing?

Ken

FACEBOOK ADS. MY RESULTS AFTER ONE MONTH...

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:43:19 -0600

Back in early October, excited with wealth after a recent closing, I began an ad campain on my favorite social media site, Facebook...

I am running two ads.

One highlights my Facebook Business Page. (I am very proud of the rapid growth of this page. Thank you so much to my 250+ fans! I am excited about the potential of this site.)

The other spotlights "Ken's Featured Home". My listing of the month:

-2112 Seminary-One bedroom vintage in Lincoln Park...

I promised to post my results. After one month:

My featured home ad has been run 143,140 times. Exposure for my website. Exposure for my listings. The ad has been clicked on 45 times...

My Facebook Business Page ad has been run 526,471 times. This ad has been clicked on 140 times. I have gained an additional 17 fans to my page from this campaign...

The total cost of the campaign after one month has been $120.40.

Ken

HOLY POOP! I NEED MORE LISTINGS...

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:52:14 -0500

Listings are the name of the game.

In spite of this, I often struggle keeping my inventory of listings up.

I seem stuck in a cycle. I pick up a listing or two. I sell them in a couple months. And then back to square one...

Not the way I want to do business. I need a steady inventory of homes to sell...

I thought I broke out of the cycle a few months back.

I had just taken my fourth listing, a personal record.

But then, it happened...

One sold...

Then another...

This week, a third went under contract...

I am left with just one.

Holy poop! I need more listings...

Ken

DOES THE REAL ESTATE MARKET NEED SAVING?

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:23:19 -0500

DOES THE REAL ESTATE MARKET NEED SAVING?

This morning I was reading Richard Weisser's featured post, "A completely new proposal to save the real estate market. It's not as crazy as you might think!"...

In the post Richard writes of his new idea to save the real estate market. His plan involves "A dollar for dollar tax deduction for down payments". Seems like a pretty good idea...

But I am struggling with the premise...

Why does the real estate market need saving? Is it really that bad?

I thought it was a great time to buy a home...

Interest rates low. Prices down. Lot's of inventory to choose from.

So what gives?

Does the real estate market really need saving?

Ken

-It was a sunny day at the Carrolwood townhomes in Naperville. Is the real estate market's future just as bright?

ken@kensfeaturedhomes.com

ONE BEDROOM VINTAGE CONDO FOR SALE. LINCOLN PARK/DEPAUL. 2112 SEMINARY UNIT 21, CHICAGO ILLINOIS...

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:33:13 -0500

Ken Tracy | Keller Williams Naperville | ken@kensfeaturedhomes.com | 630-697-0536

2112 Seminary, Chicago, IL

ONE BEDROOM IN THE HEART OF DEPAUL.

1BR/1BA Condo

offered at $249,000

Year Built	1906
Sq Footage	Unspecified
Bedrooms	1
Bathrooms	1 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	Unspecified
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$319 per month

DESCRIPTION

TOP FLOOR! BRIGHT AND AIRY ONE BEDROOM VINTAGE CONDO. BEAUTIFUL LINCOLN PARK/DEPAUL AREA. HARDWOOD, FIREPLACE, OPEN KITCHEN, NEWER WINDOWS. BALCONY OVER COURTYARD. SECOND DECK IN BACK FOR GRILLING. BIKE ROOM, LAUNDRY RM, EXTRA STORAGE.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

- Fireplace	- Hardwood floor	- Living room
- Dishwasher	- Refrigerator	- Stove/Oven
- Laundry area - inside	- Balcony, Deck, or Patio

COMMUNITY FEATURES

- Laundry on-site

- Secured entry

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Courtyard Building	Living Room
Open Kitchen w/ Windows	Dining area with Hutch
Bedroom	Balcony

Contact info:

Ken Tracy

Keller Williams Naperville

630-697-0536

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Oct 20, 2009, 8:07am PDT

WOULD I DO IT OVER AGAIN??? REAL ESTATE SALES...

Ken Tracy Realtor Naperville Illinois Real Estate (Keller Williams Naperville) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:14:50 -0500

October 12th. A special day for me. The day I entered the career of real estate sales...

It was four years ago this week. October 12th, 2005.

How clueless I was that first day. Sitting at my desk. My phone and laptop in front of me.

What do I do now???

Most new agents probably don't know what they are getting themselves into.

How could they?

I sure didn't. I thought it would be easy.

Real estate sales? Just smile and open some doors. No problem.

I was about to enroll in the "School of Hard Knocks"...

Would I do it over again? Could I do it over again?

Would I be able to withstand the challenges I had coming?

Yes. I love what I do. But it sure has been rough. I had no idea how challenging real estate would be....

I chuckle just thinking about it.

Would I do it again? Of course I would.

I am just glad I don't have to...

Ken

-Looking for a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow in Naperville...