http://activerain.com/blogs/lauriecovington Real Estate Humor,Real Estate, Realtors,Peoria, IL en-us http://activerain.com/blogsview/1017109/should-will-it-play-in-peoria-be-changed-with-national-media-attention- <p>Good or bad, has anyone noticed how much press Peoria, Ill is getting lately?&nbsp;</p> <p>President Obama was in Peoria to make a speech at a Caterpillar facility.&nbsp; CAT has been in the National News&nbsp;recently&nbsp;with their worldwide layoffs.&nbsp; Jim Owens, CEO of CAT, has been on National TV.</p> <p>Our&nbsp;recently retired Congressman, Ray LaHood, was appointed to the Obama Cabinet as Secretary of Transportation.&nbsp; Rep. Aaron Schock was elected to replace him.&nbsp; President Bush was in Peoria prior to the election to raise money for Aaron Schock.&nbsp; Rep. Schock continues to make news, he was named by the Huffington Post as the new "Hottie Freshman" in Congress.&nbsp; Maybe it was newsworthy because the media presumes the hotties come from traditionally "cool" areas, like Southern California, not Peoria, Ill?</p> <p>We also had&nbsp;the new junior&nbsp;Senator from Illinois, Roland Burris, make one of his first&nbsp;public appearances in Peoria, Ill, &nbsp;after he was appointed to the coveted spot formerly held by Barack Obama, by the recently indicted&nbsp;former Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, in Peoria.&nbsp; There were reporters from around the country in Peoria for Senator Burris's two press conferences here.</p> <p>Our new Governor, Pat Quinn, decided to jump on the Peoria bandwagon and Peoria was one of his first stops for a Press Conference after he was appointed as Governor to replace Rod Blagojevich.&nbsp;</p> <p>Michael Jordan was here last week "weeping" while watching his son play on the winning team for the State Basketball Tournament. The state basketball finals,&nbsp;March Madness, were at the Civic Center..</p> <p>Most Peorians did not even know Philip Jose Farmer, the famous science fiction writer, lived in Peoria until he died here a couple of weeks ago.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Unfortunately, Ali al-Marri, the man accused of being an al_Qaida Sleeper Agent, has been in the headlines with his trial in Peoria.&nbsp; He was living in Peoria, Ill, when he was arrested.&nbsp; His trial has been headline news.&nbsp;</p> <p>Peoria is finally on the&nbsp;radar screen of national media, not because it is a cliche for vaudeville acts several decades ago.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: left;"><img style="float: right; vertical-align: bottom;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/6/6/ar125195162266056.jpg" alt="kw" width="254" height="55" /><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Laurie C</span><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">ovington, CRS</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;">Realtor</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="mailto:Laurie@LaurieCovington.com">Laurie@LaurieCovington.com</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="http://www.LaurieKnowsPeoria.com">www.LaurieKnowsPeoria.com</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;">Follow me on Twitter @sellingpeoria</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><img style="vertical-align: middle;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/1/7/8/1/ar125195176818715.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="200" /></span></p></div> Laurie Covington (Keller Williams Premier Realty) Fri, 03 Apr 2009 14:31:31 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1017109/should-will-it-play-in-peoria-be-changed-with-national-media-attention- http://activerain.com/blogsview/687156/if-walls-could-talk- <p>I was visiting some friends who are former clients this weekend.&nbsp; It was great to see their children who are growing up.&nbsp; They have two beautiful daughters who were rather young when we started looking for their new home.&nbsp; NOTE: Same family as in previous cat surgery story, I need to find them a new home for more great stories.&nbsp; Anyway, we found the perfect home.&nbsp; It was close enough to hospitals, both parents are doctors, the setting was very private and adjacent to a park, and it had an attached small home for guests.&nbsp; This was just too good to be true.&nbsp; The home was delightful in every way.&nbsp; It even had a three car attached garage, which is rare in an old home in Peoria, IL.&nbsp; Imagine this, we are viewing the home for the second time.&nbsp; The girls are choosing bedrooms.&nbsp; The parents are deciding whether or not to let their families know they have a guest house, and everyone is happy.&nbsp; As we are standing in the kitchen discussing price, I hear a blood curdling shriek from one of the young girls.&nbsp; Following by two shrieking girls.&nbsp; Oh my gosh, did they see a spider?&nbsp; Did they drop a vase?&nbsp; Was there a raccoon in the yard?&nbsp; We ran to the family room, which was probably an old sun porch converted into a four season room.&nbsp; There was small metal door which I had noticed earlier, but just presumed it was part of the exterior of the house prior to enclosing it.&nbsp; Well, my curious young buyers had decided to investigate.&nbsp; Every time I think I have seen it all after selling real estate since 1978, something new comes along.&nbsp; We ran into the room, by then the girls were outside, and looked into the opening.&nbsp; There was the biggest black snake I have ever seen.&nbsp; It was curling its way up a water pipe.&nbsp; This snake had to be 4 inches thick.&nbsp; Obviously , one of the doctors had a strong background in biology,&nbsp;he knew the snake species.&nbsp; I do not care how safe it is, it was the biggest, scariest snake I have ever seen.&nbsp; This snake would have needed an open door to get into this house.&nbsp; I do not think so, I think it was raised in the house.&nbsp; I was trying to decide if one huge black snake would be able to reproduce in these walls, but the thought of two or more of them was just too much.&nbsp; Note, the girls are still screaming "snake in the house".&nbsp; So, being the polite agent I am, I left a cordial note to the sellers to let them know they had a big snake.&nbsp; Normally I leave notes like, "light bulb is out in basement", the snake note was a first.&nbsp; So, the next morning the other agent called me.&nbsp; I presume she wants to apologize for scaring the children (what about ME) with the snake. No.&nbsp; She said the snake was taken care of with $1300 worth of extermination and it was no longer in the house.&nbsp; One thousand three hundred dollars to exterminate a snake.&nbsp; At that point, I was sure there was a colony of snakes (aka snake-pit).&nbsp; She wanted to know if they were going to make an offer!&nbsp; This is true!&nbsp; I could not believe it.&nbsp; How could they make an offer when their agent would not be able to go back through the house with them without body protection?&nbsp; The girls would not even get out of the car. What do exterminators do with very large snakes anyway?&nbsp;</p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: left;"><img style="float: right; vertical-align: bottom;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/6/6/ar125195162266056.jpg" alt="kw" width="254" height="55" /><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Laurie C</span><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">ovington, CRS</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;">Realtor</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="mailto:Laurie@LaurieCovington.com">Laurie@LaurieCovington.com</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="http://www.LaurieKnowsPeoria.com">www.LaurieKnowsPeoria.com</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;">Follow me on Twitter @sellingpeoria</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><img style="vertical-align: middle;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/1/7/8/1/ar125195176818715.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="200" /></span></p></div> Laurie Covington (Keller Williams Premier Realty) Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:24:22 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/687156/if-walls-could-talk- http://activerain.com/blogsview/687063/world-famous-irish-tenor-performing-in-peoria-il <p>On Saturday September 20, 2008, John McDermott, one of the original Irish Tenors will be performing at the Peoria Civic Center Theater.&nbsp; The performance is to benefit the OSF St. Francis Radiation Oncology Program.&nbsp; Dr. James McGee, Medical Director of the Radiation Oncology Department, commissioned a song for the event.&nbsp; Along with Kevin Hearn of the Canadian Rock Group, Barenaked Ladies.&nbsp; For information on the event, go to <a href="http://www.spiritofhopeconcert.org" title="Event Schedule">www.spiritofhopeconcert.org</a>, for tickets go to <a href="http://www.Ticketmaster.com" title="Ticketmaster" target="_self">www.Ticketmaster.com</a>, and to listen to John performing go to <a href="http://www.YouTube.com" title="YouTube" target="_blank">www.YouTube.com</a>and search for John McDermott.&nbsp; For more information on John McDermott, go to <a href="http://www.JohnMcDermott.com" title="John McDermott Home Page" target="_self">www.JohnMcDermott.com</a>.&nbsp; Call the OSF Foundation in Peoria Heights, IL,&nbsp;for additional Ticket information. 309-566-5666.</p> <p align="left"><em>"</em></p> <p> <table border="0" id="table10" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td colspan="2">4:00 P.M.</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="5%">&nbsp;</td> <td width="90%">Mass: A Time to Remember, A Time to Hope <br />The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception<br />Mass open to All<br /><em>A Special Musical Prelude of Remembrance will begin at 3:30 p.m.</em></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <br /> <table border="0" id="table11" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td colspan="2">5:30 P.M.</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="5%">&nbsp;</td> <td width="90%">VIP Cocktail Party*<br />The Residence of The Most Reverend Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <br /> <table border="0" id="table11" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td colspan="2">8:00 P.M.</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="5%">&nbsp;</td> <td width="90%">John McDermott Concert: Spirit of Hope*<br />Peoria Civic Center Theatre</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <br /> <table border="0" id="table11" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td colspan="2">10:15 P.M.</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="5%">&nbsp;</td> <td width="90%">John McDermott Meet &amp; Greet Festivities*<br />Peoria Civic Center</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><img title="John McDermott, Tenor" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/9/5/7/1/ar122119161217596.jpg" height="263" alt="photograph of John McDermott, Irish Tenor" width="159" /></p> <p><strong>Winner of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's "Bob Hope Award"</strong></p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: left;"><img style="float: right; vertical-align: bottom;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/6/6/ar125195162266056.jpg" alt="kw" width="254" height="55" /><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Laurie C</span><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">ovington, CRS</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;">Realtor</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="mailto:Laurie@LaurieCovington.com">Laurie@LaurieCovington.com</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="http://www.LaurieKnowsPeoria.com">www.LaurieKnowsPeoria.com</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;">Follow me on Twitter @sellingpeoria</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><img style="vertical-align: middle;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/1/7/8/1/ar125195176818715.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="200" /></span></p></div> Laurie Covington (Keller Williams Premier Realty) Thu, 11 Sep 2008 23:13:14 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/687063/world-famous-irish-tenor-performing-in-peoria-il http://activerain.com/blogsview/628794/national-geographic-explorer-features-peoria-ill-as-one-of-the-next-great-adventure-towns <p>And everyone thought we were running around in corn mazes in Peoria Ill!&nbsp;</p> <p>Check out the latest edition of National Geographic Adventure September 2008.&nbsp; <strong><em>Where to Live &amp; Play Now:&nbsp; The 50 Next Great Adventure Towns</em></strong>.&nbsp; They note&nbsp;that the innovative towns in the story&nbsp;aren't just prime relocation spots right now, but&nbsp;also smart choices for the future.&nbsp; It should be available at local&nbsp;bookstores.&nbsp; Maybe your town&nbsp;is also featured,&nbsp;check it out.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <p>I help several local employers recruit new employees to Peoria.&nbsp; The job is never the issue, the problem is selling Peoria to someone who has never seen it, been here, or known someone from here.&nbsp; (Think&nbsp;Dan Fogelberg, Betty Friedan, Richard Pryor, Ambassador Nancy Brinker (sister to Susan G.&nbsp;Komen, Race for the Cure, also from Peoria), Joe Girardi (NY Yankees), Robert H. Michel, Jim Thome, General Wayne Downing, Philip Jose Farmer).&nbsp; Many of my buyers come in crying, and leave crying.&nbsp; Most seem to stay and love it here.&nbsp;</p> <p>Peoria is located on a beautiful bluff overlooking the Illinois River.&nbsp; It was settled in 1680 by French Explorers venturing up the Mississippi River to the Illinois River.&nbsp; Unlike many parts of Illinois and the Midwest, Peoria is on a bluff, with a terrain that is hilly and full of mature trees, streams, and has various creeks running throughout the city leading down to the river.&nbsp; The river opens up to Peoria Lake, actually two lakes, Upper Peoria Lake and Lower Peoria Lake.&nbsp; Upper Peoria Lake has marinas, fishing, and you can watch sailing regattas from the many bluffs.&nbsp;</p> <p>Now we are discovered.&nbsp; Here is a photo of Peoria taken by Kevin May, Photographer.&nbsp; I used the image for my 2008 Magnets.</p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/2/7/3/4/ar121806522443723.jpg" height="401" alt="" width="592" style="vertical-align: middle;" /></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: left;"><img style="float: right; vertical-align: bottom;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/6/6/ar125195162266056.jpg" alt="kw" width="254" height="55" /><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Laurie C</span><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">ovington, CRS</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;">Realtor</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="mailto:Laurie@LaurieCovington.com">Laurie@LaurieCovington.com</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="http://www.LaurieKnowsPeoria.com">www.LaurieKnowsPeoria.com</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;">Follow me on Twitter @sellingpeoria</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><img style="vertical-align: middle;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/1/7/8/1/ar125195176818715.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="200" /></span></p></div> Laurie Covington (Keller Williams Premier Realty) Wed, 06 Aug 2008 18:37:53 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/628794/national-geographic-explorer-features-peoria-ill-as-one-of-the-next-great-adventure-towns http://activerain.com/blogsview/442917/edgewild-homes-are-selling- <p><img title="Edgewild Homes Selling" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/9/8/1/2/ar12066722121897.JPG" height="278" alt="Circle Entrance" width="491" /></p><p>Here is a photo of the Entrance to Edgewild, we have had so much snow this year, I actually forgot what it looked like.&nbsp; Today, the weather is better, blowing sleet with hail.&nbsp; In spite of this, Edgewild homes are selling!&nbsp; I listed and sold a home on Regent on a one time showing.&nbsp;&nbsp;I also just&nbsp; sold the listing on Wolf Road,it was listed with another&nbsp;agent at RE/MAX Unlimited.&nbsp; Then I listed a home on Morningside a couple of weeks ago and it has an accepted offer. Yeah!&nbsp; I have another listing coming up soon, I hope it sells as quickly.&nbsp; Edgewild Subdivision features high quality custom built homes with mature landscaping.&nbsp; Many of them have not been updated since they were built in the 1960&#39;s and 1970&#39;s, so they are great for buyers who want to remodel a home.&nbsp; It is difficult to find one that has already been remodeled, it seems like many of the neighbors stay, but&nbsp;change homes&nbsp;in the subdivision.&nbsp;Several&nbsp;neighbors have other relatives living in &nbsp;Edgewild!&nbsp; We are seeing younger families with children moving here, which is wonderful, it brings life to an older neighborhood.&nbsp; Of course, I live in Edgewild, so I am one of the biggest fans.&nbsp; The yards are beautifully landscaped and there are always major home improvement projects going on.&nbsp; I think there are more dumpsters per subdivision than any other resale subdivision in Peoria, IL.&nbsp; This is a great boost for everyone.&nbsp; Hopefully the weather will break in Peoria soon, and it will be as green as the photo again.&nbsp; </p><p align="left">&nbsp;</p><p align="left">&nbsp;</p><p align="left">&nbsp;</p><p align="left">&nbsp;</p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: left;"><img style="float: right; vertical-align: bottom;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/6/6/ar125195162266056.jpg" alt="kw" width="254" height="55" /><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Laurie C</span><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">ovington, CRS</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;">Realtor</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="mailto:Laurie@LaurieCovington.com">Laurie@LaurieCovington.com</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="http://www.LaurieKnowsPeoria.com">www.LaurieKnowsPeoria.com</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;">Follow me on Twitter @sellingpeoria</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><img style="vertical-align: middle;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/1/7/8/1/ar125195176818715.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="200" /></span></p></div> Laurie Covington (Keller Williams Premier Realty) Thu, 27 Mar 2008 22:00:39 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/442917/edgewild-homes-are-selling- http://activerain.com/blogsview/432647/political-signs-versus-for-sale-signs- <p>The snow is finally melting in Peoria, Il, and I have been noticed a trend.&nbsp; Political signs are still up!&nbsp; Why do they get to leave their signs up for a couple of months after they LOSE the election, and we get in trouble for directional signs.&nbsp; Seriously, we must have a secret &quot;sign police&quot; for Realtors in Peoria.&nbsp; Not in the Peoria County, where it is OK to put up all of the directional signs you can afford, but in the City.&nbsp; We can&#39;t put our open house signs, which are limited in size, up until Thursday afternoon without someone calling to complain.&nbsp; These political signs are huge, two to three times bigger than ours, and they are still out.&nbsp; The excuse for the first few weeks was frozen ground.&nbsp; OK, I am a 56 year old woman who is rather petite, and if I can dig a sign out of ice, I would think someone on these campaign committees could pick up their signs.&nbsp; How can they even drive by the signs and not bother to stop and pick them up off the ground.&nbsp; We are always fighting a sign battle with subdivisions, corner lot owners, and condominiums, so where are these whiners when you need them?&nbsp; The road crews confiscate my $50 signs if they are in the right of way, why can&#39;t they pick up all of these paper signs?&nbsp; I will try to start a photo album of abandoned political signs, and post them next week.&nbsp; </p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: left;"><img style="float: right; vertical-align: bottom;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/6/6/ar125195162266056.jpg" alt="kw" width="254" height="55" /><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Laurie C</span><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">ovington, CRS</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;">Realtor</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="mailto:Laurie@LaurieCovington.com">Laurie@LaurieCovington.com</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="http://www.LaurieKnowsPeoria.com">www.LaurieKnowsPeoria.com</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;">Follow me on Twitter @sellingpeoria</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><img style="vertical-align: middle;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/1/7/8/1/ar125195176818715.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="200" /></span></p></div> Laurie Covington (Keller Williams Premier Realty) Thu, 20 Mar 2008 23:02:52 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/432647/political-signs-versus-for-sale-signs- http://activerain.com/blogsview/432643/political-signs-versus-for-sale-signs- <p>The snow is finally melting in Peoria, Il, and I have been noticed a trend.&nbsp; Political signs are still up!&nbsp; Why do they get to leave their signs up for a couple of months after they LOSE the election, and we get in trouble for directional signs.&nbsp; Seriously, we must have a secret &quot;sign police&quot; for Realtors in Peoria.&nbsp; Not in the Peoria County, where it is OK to put up all of the directional signs you can afford, but in the City.&nbsp; We can&#39;t put our open house signs, which are limited in size, up until Thursday afternoon without someone calling to complain.&nbsp; These political signs are huge, two to three times bigger than ours, and they are still out.&nbsp; The excuse for the first few weeks was frozen ground.&nbsp; OK, I am a 56 year old woman who is rather petite, and if I can dig a sign out of ice, I would think someone on these campaign committees could pick up their signs.&nbsp; How can they even drive by the signs and not bother to stop and pick them up off the ground.&nbsp; We are always fighting a sign battle with subdivisions, corner lot owners, and condominiums, so where are these whiners when you need them?&nbsp; The road crews confiscate my $50 signs if they are in the right of way, why can&#39;t they pick up all of these paper signs?&nbsp; I will try to start a photo album of abandoned political signs, and post them next week.&nbsp; </p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: left;"><img style="float: right; vertical-align: bottom;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/6/6/ar125195162266056.jpg" alt="kw" width="254" height="55" /><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Laurie C</span><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">ovington, CRS</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;">Realtor</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="mailto:Laurie@LaurieCovington.com">Laurie@LaurieCovington.com</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="http://www.LaurieKnowsPeoria.com">www.LaurieKnowsPeoria.com</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;">Follow me on Twitter @sellingpeoria</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><img style="vertical-align: middle;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/1/7/8/1/ar125195176818715.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="200" /></span></p></div> Laurie Covington (Keller Williams Premier Realty) Thu, 20 Mar 2008 23:00:32 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/432643/political-signs-versus-for-sale-signs- http://activerain.com/blogsview/430906/cats-and-real-estate-in-peoria-il <p><strong>Real Estate and Cats</strong>.&nbsp; In all fairness to dogs, I thought I should follow up the previous blog with a cat story.&nbsp; It is harder to come up with great cat stories.&nbsp; Unlike dogs, cats hide when you show houses.&nbsp; Smart cats hide in closets and under beds.&nbsp; Cats who are &quot;<em>average</em>&quot;, if they were students, I would say &quot;C&quot; at best, stick their head under the sofa with the other ten pounds sticking out while they are hiding.&nbsp; Dumb cats, probably the fancy over-bred type, hide under bedspreads.&nbsp; Apparently they do not realize that most people will notice a ten to fifteen pound lump under the covers.&nbsp; I had a listing with a very smart cat; she lived with Rick and Renee Brethorst in a house on Richwoods Boulevard.&nbsp; Cat owners everywhere, including me, are sure that their homes will not sell if the new buyer finds out a <em>CAT </em>lives in the house.&nbsp; Forget mold, mildew, termites, mice, and insects, buyers totally freak at the thought of living in a home where a <em>CAT </em>has<em> </em>lived.&nbsp; We go to great lengths to hide cats.&nbsp; Some sellers board their cats.&nbsp; Some drive them around for an hour while their house is being shown.&nbsp; Some sellers, not to mention any names like R.B.above, just let them out while their house is being shown.&nbsp; This is not a very clever plan if you have a smart cat.&nbsp; Rick&#39;s cat was a genius.&nbsp; I did not even know they had a cat, not until I had the perfect prospective buyer.&nbsp; This cat could smell the money in the customer&#39;s pocket a block away.&nbsp; The litter is hidden (always), the food dish is gone, and the cat is out roaming.&nbsp; I show up with customers in tow and I am trying to unlock the side door to show the home.&nbsp; This cat is amazing, it flys past me like Superman, or even Spiderman, swooping in from above.&nbsp; Now insert the face of an alley cat instead of Clark Kent.&nbsp;&nbsp; This is a perfect image of their cat whenever I would show the house.&nbsp; As if a cat streaking past us at the speed of light was not enough to gain attention and shock the unsuspecting buyers, this cat would take it one step further.&nbsp; This is a true story.&nbsp; At first, I thought it was a fluke.&nbsp; The cat would zoom up the staircase, run into the bathroom, and <strong><em>TURN ON THE FAUCET</em></strong> with her paw.&nbsp; She did it every time I showed the house.&nbsp; Although I thought it was a great trick, not all of the buyers were impressed.&nbsp; If this cat was smart enough to stake out the house, squeeze past me, leap up the steps, and turn on the water, I know it had a sixth sense about the buyers financial ability to purchase the home.&nbsp; Most cats just vomit on the carpet for attention and to disgust a potential buyer. I think Renee took the cat and stayed with her parents so we could sell the house.&nbsp; I wonder if it has mastered the new faucet.&nbsp;&nbsp; My other cat story is one of my favorite real estate cat stories.&nbsp; This cat did not fall in the genius category, or it would have been hiding while I was showing the house to a family with two small girls. I am in the kitchen with the parents.&nbsp; The two darling girls are on a hunt, they have a dog at home, but are totally fascinated with finding a cat in the house.&nbsp; As I am doing my best to get their parents to sign on the dotted line and close the deal, we hear a shriek.&nbsp; It seems to be coming from the child, or the cat, or is it both of them?&nbsp; We have a crisis.&nbsp; The unfortunate cat happened to be walking around, minding its own business when an accident occurred.&nbsp; The child was chewing gum and she comes in crying and this is her version of the story, &quot;the gum, the gum, it jumped out of my mouth.&nbsp; It jumped out of my mouth and landed on the kitty.&quot;&nbsp; Oh my.&nbsp; What does a Realtor do?&nbsp; This subject was not in Realtor101 or even in the mandatory Continuing Education classes.&nbsp; I decide we put down the pens, and find the cat.&nbsp; Of course, this has to be the largest home I have ever sold.&nbsp; We are all searching for the cat.&nbsp; We eventually find her, and it is true, the gum did land in her hair.&nbsp; It seems to be glue gunned to the cat&#39;s fur.&nbsp; It was my lucky day; my client is an emergency room doctor!&nbsp; We decide to surgically extract the gum.&nbsp; We have the doc; all I need is a scalpel and table.&nbsp; There were no scalpels in the drawer, so we agree that a steak knife will have to do the trick. We proceed with the steak knife and a Corian countertop.&nbsp; I will assist in the procedure.&nbsp; My job is to hold the cat down, while the doctor removes the gum and hair from the cat.&nbsp; Mission accomplished.&nbsp; I did not say the doctor was a plastic surgeon, so we are missing at least a square inch of cat hair.&nbsp; Since our offer has not been accepted, I decide to hide all evidence, and not mention the situation to the other agent or to the seller.&nbsp; The evidence goes to the car with me, I sterilize the &quot;tools&quot; and hope no one notices the chunk of hair shaved to the skin.&nbsp; Happy ending, they bought the house and moved in with their dog.&nbsp; Laurie&nbsp;&nbsp; Note, other than an occasional wandering cat, the home on Richwoods is located in one of my favorite neighborhoods.&nbsp; It is perfect for first time buyers. The neighborhood has charming homes, many are Cotswold cottage or Colonial homes.&nbsp; </p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: left;"><img style="float: right; vertical-align: bottom;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/6/6/ar125195162266056.jpg" alt="kw" width="254" height="55" /><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Laurie C</span><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">ovington, CRS</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;">Realtor</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="mailto:Laurie@LaurieCovington.com">Laurie@LaurieCovington.com</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="http://www.LaurieKnowsPeoria.com">www.LaurieKnowsPeoria.com</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;">Follow me on Twitter @sellingpeoria</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><img style="vertical-align: middle;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/1/7/8/1/ar125195176818715.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="200" /></span></p></div> Laurie Covington (Keller Williams Premier Realty) Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:44:22 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/430906/cats-and-real-estate-in-peoria-il http://activerain.com/blogsview/430900/dogs-and-real-estate-in-peoria <p><strong>Dogs and Real Estate.</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp; I was showing a new listing on Northgate in Edgewild and Inoticed a dog running down the street from Mt.Hawley Country Club golf course.&nbsp; I thought &quot;this is unusual and bad timing, a loose dog in Edgewild who is barking at my buyers&quot;.&nbsp; My buyers also have a little baby girl in a carrier.&nbsp; As the buyers are attempting to exit their cars with the dog barking at them, their baby, their decorator, and their friend, I start to think this dog looks very familiar.&nbsp; It looks just like the dog that lives at 418 West Northgate, but it can&#39;t be!&nbsp; That dog is gone with the owner.&nbsp; But the dog seems to recognize me and is actually very happy to see me, a long lost friend for sure.&nbsp; This is good; the dog is ignoring the baby and wagging its tail at me.&nbsp; But, it wants in the house.&nbsp; I have a history of dogs entering listings that do not belong in the homes.&nbsp; I now have to make a quick decision, do I let this now happy dog in so it does not maim the potential buyers, or do I ignore it and hope it runs away?&nbsp; I had just read a Napoleon Hill article in a daily newsletter I read and it was about smart people making quick decisions.&nbsp; It was a sign.&nbsp; I decided to call the seller to inquire if she was missing a dog.&nbsp; Good news!!!&nbsp; She was circling the block hunting for her dog, which was on the porch with me trying to defend the homestead.&nbsp; I tried to catch her with my bare hands but she escaped, running the direction of the homeowner, and we made it into the home unharmed.&nbsp; I&nbsp;have years of house and dog stories.&nbsp; In my spare time (!!) I might try to write a book on Real Estate and Dogs.&nbsp; I am sure it would be a hit. I will start with one story and add more stories in future blogs.&nbsp; Watch for updates. </p><p>I had a client with me, and she happened to be married to my husband&#39;s new boss.&nbsp; We entered a home, looked around and both went into the garage together and I closed the service door to the house behind me.&nbsp; Out of a dark corner comes a loud growl...yikes, a surprise BIG dog.&nbsp; The seller&#39;s have an undisclosed guard dog in their garage. This is a bit unusual; normally it is mice or rodents.&nbsp;&nbsp; This dog is now blocking the entrance between us and the door to safety in the kitchen.&nbsp; With its <em>life</em>.&nbsp; The growl was getting louder, my client was getting rather concerned, I was getting concerned about my husband&#39;s job, and a decision had to be made.&nbsp; (Note, I think I am good at decisions regarding client&#39;s dogs).&nbsp; Out of the corner of my eye, I spot a bag of dog treats. Not fancy fresh baked dog treats, but they would do in a pinch. After all, what can you expect from someone who thinks they can hide a giant dog in a garage and not have me notice!&nbsp; Slowly I inched my way towards the bag, the growling is increasing.&nbsp; At last, I grab a Milk Bone.&nbsp; The growling is becoming more of a moan.&nbsp; I take a risk and throw the bone towards the overhead garage door.&nbsp; The dog, now starving from all of the excitement and courage, sees the Milk Bone go flying across the garage floor.&nbsp; (Note again, no lights in the garage; they were next to the door I could not get to).&nbsp; She is interested in the treat.&nbsp; The decision is big, the Milk Bone or guard the door to the house?&nbsp; While her eyes are darting at the treat, I grab a second Milk Bone and throw it.&nbsp; The temptation is too much for this old gal, she goes for it.&nbsp; As she is leaping towards the overhead door, I run to the keypad and open the overhead door.&nbsp; This dog is in heaven.&nbsp; First of all, she is out of the dark garage.&nbsp; Second, she has a Milk Bone, and three, freedom at last...she takes off running.&nbsp; We hurried and got back into the house.&nbsp; I did call the agent right away to let them know that it is a good idea to warn people about 80 pound garage dogs, and to let them know it had escaped.&nbsp; Needless to say, this house did not make the final cut. </p><p>I think I might send a note to the Illinois Association of Realtors. We already have a huge contract with full disclosures on everything.&nbsp; Everything but Secret Hiding DOGS.&nbsp; I think they should be subject to full disclosure, including but not limited to; size of dog, location of dog, breed to dog, dog temperament, release of liability if dog injures client, release of liability if client has asthma attack from dog, release if dog has mental health issues from Realtors invading their space, release of realtor liability if clients child pokes, steps on, or in any way aggravates the dog, and I am sure if I talk to an attorney I can come up with more potential dog threats to real estate.&nbsp; I am going to check my Errors and Omissions insurance to see if I am covered if one of my customers gets attacked by a dog tonight.&nbsp; Laurie</p><p>&nbsp;</p>Check out 418 West Northgate, (dog is hidden from 360 degree camera).&nbsp; It is one of the nicest listings on the market.&nbsp; It should sell very quickly, it is a large brick ranch with a big yard, high ceilings, big windows and a golf course &quot;peek&quot; between the houses across the street.&nbsp; <div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: left;"><img style="float: right; vertical-align: bottom;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/6/6/ar125195162266056.jpg" alt="kw" width="254" height="55" /><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Laurie C</span><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">ovington, CRS</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;">Realtor</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="mailto:Laurie@LaurieCovington.com">Laurie@LaurieCovington.com</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="http://www.LaurieKnowsPeoria.com">www.LaurieKnowsPeoria.com</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;">Follow me on Twitter @sellingpeoria</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><img style="vertical-align: middle;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/1/7/8/1/ar125195176818715.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="200" /></span></p></div> Laurie Covington (Keller Williams Premier Realty) Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:41:57 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/430900/dogs-and-real-estate-in-peoria http://activerain.com/blogsview/427797/open-houses-and-weather <p>It is already St. Patrick&#39;s Day in the Heart of Illinois, and it was actually snowing yesterday!&nbsp; I am going to start a Sunday Weather Report for Realtors.&nbsp; It will be similar to <a href="http://www.weather.com/">http://www.weather.com/</a>.&nbsp; The almanac version.&nbsp; I need to learn how to do the cool pull down menu for Historical Weather.&nbsp; I am planning on contacting the people at the <strong>Guinness World Records </strong>to see if they have a category for the most open houses a Realtor in the United States has ever had in a career, I am sure after thirty years of holding one or more almost every Sunday, I would win.&nbsp; Over the years, I am starting to notice buyers, lookers, neighbors, trends, and weather.&nbsp; If the weather in Peoria, Illinois is beautiful, and it is the first day of Spring, no one but the neighbors show up.&nbsp; They just walk over while they are in the middle of cleaning out their garage.&nbsp; Most of the real buyers are home cleaning up their yards, getting ready to sell their current home.&nbsp; If it is miserable out, snowing and raining, the real buyers show up.&nbsp; Who else would drag themselves away from the University of Illinois Basketball game to see someone else&#39;s house.&nbsp; After all, the TV might not be on.&nbsp; They are the ones who show up at the end, rushing in as your are packing up, the games must end at 3:30.&nbsp; If the home has white carpet, beige carpet or new carpet and it is raining outside, it is almost a sure bet that everyone will come in, if it is snowing, even more.&nbsp;&nbsp;I had one guy&nbsp;come to an open house&nbsp;in Edgewild last year while it was raining who refused to remove his shoes or wear&nbsp;&quot;booties&quot;.&nbsp; To make sure I noticed, he went from window to window peering inside.&nbsp; By then, he probably had mud and rain on&nbsp;his shoes, but not in my listing!&nbsp;&nbsp;We have had close to record breaking weather in Peoria this winter.&nbsp; Open House traffic was down for&nbsp;the winter in my listings.&nbsp;&nbsp;We had one nice day, and I think I had over forty&nbsp;sets of people.&nbsp; It was one of those&nbsp;perfect Realtor weather&nbsp;days, too cold to wash the car or clean the garage, but not raining or snowing.&nbsp; &nbsp;Has anyone considered adding Open House weather to their weather web sites along with traffic, boating, travel?&nbsp; It would be great, agents could check the forecast before booking the open house (example, rain, yikes, vacant new construction with no carpet), and buyers could decide whether to call their own agent to see a home on Saturday if it is going to be clear and sunny, or simply show up on Sunday if they do not want to bother their own agent on a crummy day.&nbsp; Preferably around closing, after all the warmest time of the day is late afternoon.&nbsp; Who needs the Peoria Park District, most people love to bring their children with them to open house.&nbsp; Nothing can beat new construction for a five year old.&nbsp; On a rainy day, the entertainment just does not stop, mud, ponds in the mud, construction debris and more.&nbsp; In the summer the forecast could say, &quot;Hazardous conditions for viewing homes&quot; if the heat index was at a certain level.&nbsp; Which is true, for both vacant homes and new construction.&nbsp; I now refuse to do an open house in a home if the temperature is over 85 and and the seller does not turn on the air conditioning.&nbsp; Buyers want to just get out as fast as possible, to drive around in their air-conditioned car, hunting for an open house with air conditioning to just cool off for a while.&nbsp; A perfect Realtor open house day is a hot day in the summer;there are no sports on TV, maybe NASCAR, but is that really a sport?, and it is too hot to work in the yard or garage.&nbsp; I think this is the reason so many homes sell in July and August, no football, no basketball, no yard clean up, why not go out and buy a house?&nbsp; At least in Peoria, IL, probably not so much in Peoria, AZ.&nbsp; </p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: left;"><img style="float: right; vertical-align: bottom;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/6/6/ar125195162266056.jpg" alt="kw" width="254" height="55" /><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Laurie C</span><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">ovington, CRS</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;">Realtor</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="mailto:Laurie@LaurieCovington.com">Laurie@LaurieCovington.com</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="http://www.LaurieKnowsPeoria.com">www.LaurieKnowsPeoria.com</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;">Follow me on Twitter @sellingpeoria</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><img style="vertical-align: middle;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/1/7/8/1/ar125195176818715.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="200" /></span></p></div> Laurie Covington (Keller Williams Premier Realty) Mon, 17 Mar 2008 23:10:17 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/427797/open-houses-and-weather http://activerain.com/blogsview/419856/how-to-find-laurie-s-open-house-on-sunday-march-16 <ul><li><div align="left"><img title="How to Find Hunter&#39;s Trail for Open House this Sunday" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/5/4/9/4/ar120535971449458.jpg" height="294" alt="Entrance to Hunter&#39;s Trail" width="512" /></div></li></ul><p align="left"><strong>This is a new subdivision, called Hunter&#39;s Trail.&nbsp; It is located adjacent to the Rock Island Trail.&nbsp; Right now, it is difficult to find, because the bridge at Wilhelm Road is not open.&nbsp; It is actually right by Trails Edge Subdivision.&nbsp; Wilhelm Road will directly connect to Allen Road later&nbsp;this year, hopefully.&nbsp; In the meantime, this is not on most maps.&nbsp; You need to go west on Alta Road to Radnor Road, then go right, North.&nbsp; Take the first Right, and keep driving until you see above sign.&nbsp; At this sign, go left and follow the road around the first curve to my listing on Stone Creek.&nbsp; It is amazing, must see.&nbsp; The list price is $749,900 and it is loaded with amenities.&nbsp; If you get lost, please call me at 309-696-7223.&nbsp; We will see you there.</strong></p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: left;"><img style="float: right; vertical-align: bottom;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/6/6/ar125195162266056.jpg" alt="kw" width="254" height="55" /><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Laurie C</span><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">ovington, CRS</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;">Realtor</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="mailto:Laurie@LaurieCovington.com">Laurie@LaurieCovington.com</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="http://www.LaurieKnowsPeoria.com">www.LaurieKnowsPeoria.com</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;">Follow me on Twitter @sellingpeoria</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><img style="vertical-align: middle;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/1/7/8/1/ar125195176818715.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="200" /></span></p></div> Laurie Covington (Keller Williams Premier Realty) Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:17:04 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/419856/how-to-find-laurie-s-open-house-on-sunday-march-16 http://activerain.com/blogsview/416185/second-side-of-30-year-mailing <p>I sent this flyer along with a brief history previously posted.&nbsp; This is the second side.&nbsp; I sent this with my January New Year Letter.&nbsp; It is photos of me over 30 years selling homes in Peoria, Illinois.&nbsp; It also has photos of me receiving awards.&nbsp; My clients loved it, I got more calls and notes from this cheap little collage than any major expensive ad campaign I have done in a long time.&nbsp; It was inserted with the letter from below.&nbsp; The other side follows.&nbsp;&nbsp; I just took photos, and photocopied them, then pasted them on a normal sheet of paper.&nbsp; Then we inserted them along with magnets and the letter.&nbsp; I sent about 500 of them out.</p><p><img title="30 Years of Realtor Hairstyles" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/6/6/6/8/ar120517921986663.JPG" height="741" alt="Second Side of 30 year history" width="538" /></p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: left;"><img style="float: right; vertical-align: bottom;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/6/6/ar125195162266056.jpg" alt="kw" width="254" height="55" /><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Laurie C</span><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">ovington, CRS</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;">Realtor</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="mailto:Laurie@LaurieCovington.com">Laurie@LaurieCovington.com</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="http://www.LaurieKnowsPeoria.com">www.LaurieKnowsPeoria.com</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;">Follow me on Twitter @sellingpeoria</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><img style="vertical-align: middle;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/1/7/8/1/ar125195176818715.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="200" /></span></p></div> Laurie Covington (Keller Williams Premier Realty) Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:01:20 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/416185/second-side-of-30-year-mailing http://activerain.com/blogsview/416177/effective-30-year-promotional-ad <p>I just sent out a mailing and inserted these photos.&nbsp; 30 years of bad hair while receiving awards.&nbsp; My clients are still talking about it.&nbsp; Most of them could remember having the same bad hair.&nbsp; I really like the photo of my daughter, Megan, who is now 29, along with her note.&nbsp; Apparently she was requesting 25 cents to take calls for me.&nbsp; How about the cell phone, I apparently thought it was cool enought to have my photo taken with it.&nbsp; </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img title="One side of 30 year Celebration Flyer" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/1/6/7/8/ar120517904587612.JPG" height="800" alt="30 year Flyer" width="619" /></p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: left;"><img style="float: right; vertical-align: bottom;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/6/6/ar125195162266056.jpg" alt="kw" width="254" height="55" /><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Laurie C</span><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">ovington, CRS</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;">Realtor</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="mailto:Laurie@LaurieCovington.com">Laurie@LaurieCovington.com</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="http://www.LaurieKnowsPeoria.com">www.LaurieKnowsPeoria.com</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;">Follow me on Twitter @sellingpeoria</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><img style="vertical-align: middle;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/1/7/8/1/ar125195176818715.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="200" /></span></p></div> Laurie Covington (Keller Williams Premier Realty) Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:58:35 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/416177/effective-30-year-promotional-ad http://activerain.com/blogsview/416150/30-years-of-technology-updates Real Estate...Now and Then<br />In celebration of my 30^th year selling real estate, I thought I would share some of my memories of the changes in selling real estate throughout the last thirty years. <p>I obtained my license in 1977.I quit my <em>real</em> job, started selling real estate and discovered I was pregnant. My daughter will be 29 years old soon. Most of you have seen her tagging along with me through the years.I was one of about 1200 real estate agents in Peoria at that time.By the mid 1980&#39;s the number of agents would drop to under 400. </p><p>Bernie Pilon, the broker at Commercial National Realty, sponsored me for my test for my license.They were probably the top company in town at that time.In 1978 when I decided to quit my job and sell homes full time, Bernie changed his mind and decided he did not want to hire me, he did not think I would make it.I was 26 years old and looked younger.Ron Hodges took the risk, hired me, trained me, and held my hand through my first transactions and subsequent mistakes.In a strange twist of fate, Ron Hodges eventually purchased Commercial National Realty.I ended up being the top sales agent during the first year he owned the company.I was up against some great competition at that time, the women pioneers of real estate in Peoria.In the 1970&#39;s most of the new Realtors were OLD.At least that was my opinion at the time.As I look back, the old agents were probably younger than I am today.Most of the young agents were in their mid 30&#39;s.</p><p>Being the new kid on the block, I had to run to the Multiple Listing Office in the morning to pick up the <em>mimeographed</em> new listings.Then we put them in an office binder.Copy machines were not the norm, cell phones were non-existent, there were no fax machines, and the MLS did not have its first computer.When we did get it, it filled an entire room.</p><p>I have always loved technology, so of course I had to have one of the first cell phones.It was basically a ship to shore duplex phone.I would call the mobile operator and she would dial the number.When my party was on the line, only one of us could talk at a time.You would push a button to talk, and release to listen.It was also huge.</p><p>I also was one of the first agents to buy a computer.I really did not know what to do with it, but I had to have one!I purchased it before email was available to the public.It was a Tandy.You had to insert a large floppy disk to start MS-DOS.Once it loaded, you basically had to write your own program.I had the device, but there was no software available and no Internet for email.I could compute spreadsheets and make up data bases.Since I did not have that many clients, it probably did not take long.</p><p>Trying to stay ahead of my competition, I went to trade shows and learned about a telefax machine.I found one in Peoria on North Adams at the trophy shop.They charged me at least $2 per sheet to use it and the quality was terrible.I thought it was a miracle and went back to my sales manager trying to convince her we needed it right away.In actuality, it was not really urgent, because there were not many places to send a fax since no one else had one. </p><p>I signed up with AOL as soon as I heard about it.Again, it was great, but not too many of my clients had the service and it was very slow.There were no photos or graphics.Just text.I was hooked.</p><p>I was one of Realtor.com&#39;s first customers.I still love Realtor.com; I think they do an outstanding job of keeping up with technology and helping me keep up.I embrace all new technology because I know how difficult it was to run a business without it. We had dial telephones and each office might have had one or two electric typewriters.Now, I have my laptop with me all of the time, along with my Palm Pilot, another device I could not have imagined in 1977.</p><p>During those years, private offices were unheard of and no sales agents had personal assistants yet.In fact, there was considerable controversy over the concept.Now most top agents have licensed assistants, their own copy machine, fax machine, scanner, multiple computers and printers in at least one private office.</p><p>Digital photography is my favorite technology that has developed since I started selling real estate.We used to hire the Journal Star photographer to go out and take photos of the outside of listings for advertising. Being a leader in my field, my first real estate camera was a Polaroid.It was great, I could take a photo, wait about 10 minutes, and give it to my out of town client to take home to remember the house - after I labeled it with a magic marker. Now we can take photos on the spot, download them at the site, and post the photos online immediately.Another modern miracle.</p><p>Times have changed so much over 30 years, but most of my clients have not.I am now selling homes to my original client&#39;s children.I have sold many of my past clients parent&#39;s homes.I have sold many families multiple homes.I truly enjoy hearing from all of you.I still have old photos of most of my listings. I plan to send them out one of these days.We also did not have photo scanners, so they are in a big pile in a filing drawer - they are also labeled with the magic marker.</p><p>Thank you for continuing to help me with my business.Now you can call me on my cell phone, fax me directly, email me at one of five email addresses, send a text message to me, or simply stop by an open house to say hi</p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: left;"><img style="float: right; vertical-align: bottom;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/6/6/ar125195162266056.jpg" alt="kw" width="254" height="55" /><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Laurie C</span><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">ovington, CRS</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;">Realtor</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="mailto:Laurie@LaurieCovington.com">Laurie@LaurieCovington.com</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="http://www.LaurieKnowsPeoria.com">www.LaurieKnowsPeoria.com</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;">Follow me on Twitter @sellingpeoria</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><img style="vertical-align: middle;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/1/7/8/1/ar125195176818715.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="200" /></span></p></div> Laurie Covington (Keller Williams Premier Realty) Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:45:43 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/416150/30-years-of-technology-updates http://activerain.com/blogsview/416094/laurie-featured-in-peoria-woman-magazine <p><img src="http://www.peoriamagazines.com/files/logos/tpwsmall.jpg" height="20" alt="The Peoria Woman" width="180" /> <br /><a href="http://www.peoriamagazines.com/tpw/2008/apr">The Peoria Woman - April 2008</a> </p><p><a href="http://www.peoriamagazines.com/">http://www.peoriamagazines.com/</a>.&nbsp; Go to site for full story.</p><p>I was featured on the front cover of Peoria Woman.&nbsp; It is 30 years of Laurie.&nbsp; Please go to the magazine link to read the article.&nbsp; Color Classics Photography did the photos, Jules did a great job.&nbsp; Thanks to all of you who have sent copies of the article to me, thanks to everyone who has sent notes to me, and thanks to Jan Wright Vergon for giving me the opportunity to share my story.&nbsp; It has been so interesting to see how many former clients who have moved away have contacted me about the article.&nbsp; Throughout the years, I have introduced many new Peorian&#39;s to other people, and they have bonded as lifelong friends.&nbsp; This is my favorite part of the job.&nbsp; The friends and clients still living here must have sent the magazine to their friends, I think I have heard from more people than the distribution amount.&nbsp; </p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: left;"><img style="float: right; vertical-align: bottom;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/0/6/6/ar125195162266056.jpg" alt="kw" width="254" height="55" /><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Laurie C</span><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">ovington, CRS</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;">Realtor</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="mailto:Laurie@LaurieCovington.com">Laurie@LaurieCovington.com</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="http://www.LaurieKnowsPeoria.com">www.LaurieKnowsPeoria.com</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;">Follow me on Twitter @sellingpeoria</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: Tahoma;"><img style="vertical-align: middle;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/1/7/8/1/ar125195176818715.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="200" /></span></p></div> Laurie Covington (Keller Williams Premier Realty) Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:15:59 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/416094/laurie-featured-in-peoria-woman-magazine