We have all heard about someone having their cell phone lost or stolen.  One thing that is certain with all of the smartphone technology.  The phones are just getting more and more expensive!



This fall, my new cell phone was stolen from the local high school during a sporting event.  Under contract, the replacement cost for the same phone was over $500.00 and I was not ready to let the bad guy win and give up without a fight.  Unfortunately I did not have the Find My iPhone app activated on my phone, but luckily I did have all of my real estate contacts backed up on my computer.

I reported the cell phone stolen with the police department.   The police department entered the cell phone serial number into Leads, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES DATA SYSTEM, so if a police officer from anywhere in the U.S. locates the cell phone and runs the serial number through dispatch, it will return stolen.  I knew that this was probably not likely to happen, but it is still standard procedure.

Most stolen iPhones are powered down and the sim cards are removed.  Next the thief adds their own sim card or gets a sim card activated for the card.

What I did know that most people are not aware of is that all cell phone numbers have their own distinct identifying numbers that can be remotely tracked by their 15 digit IMEI number.  I contacted our local representative for my phone carrier and let provided them with the IMEI number.  The phone carrier entered the number into their database as a stolen phone incase someone wanted to activate a sim card to the IMEI number.  I assumed this was going to be a waste of time, but just another step I felt that I had to take.

Finally, I knew the most important step that was most likely to get my phone back.  I WAITED!  I waited approximately one month thinking that it would take awhile for the thief to get comfortable using the phone or selling it to an unsuspecting person.  I then  contacted the reporting officer for a followup.  I asked the reporting officer to obtain a search warrant from my cell phone carrier to obtain cell phone records to track my IMEI number.  The reporting officer had a search warrant prepared and signed by a judge.  The reporting officer sent the search warrant to my phone carrier's Law Enforcement Compliance Center.   Approximately 2 weeks later my phone carrier delivered approximately 600 pages of data on a cd with detailed records of the 3 phone numbers and account holder information for the 3 phone numbers.  After sifting through the data, the reporting officer contacted the account holder that last used the phone, made contact,  and recovered my stolen phone.

It took some almost 2 months to recover the phone but it was well worth it! 

All of the prosecution details are being sorted out and the legal system works very slowly but I am in possession of my phone again!

The only instance that this will not work is when the stolen cell phone is sold and shipped overseas.  If the phone remains in the United States it can be tracked as long as it is used.

Meet Lars and Brooklyn, members of our lake team family.

Believe it or not, now is the time to invest in a Lakefront Home or Cabin.  Central Illinois offers multiple lake options with affordable prices.  Whether you are looking for a fishing cabin for a weekend retreat, retirement home, or a family gathering place we can help you find your dream lake home that fits your budget. 

Our lake inventory is high and prices are at year 2000 prices!

Come and schedule a tour of our area lake homes and area lakes.  We specialize in lakefront homes and we have access to MLS lake lisitngs on approximately 15 area lakes and river properties in 10 counties.

Our cabins and smaller lake homes start below $100,000 on Sunset Lake in Girard, Illinois.  We showcase homes on other area lakes;  Lake Catatoga in Plainview, IL, Lake Lou Yaeger in Litchfield, IL, Glenn Shoals Lake in Hillsboro, IL, Lake Springifeld in Springfield, IL, Sangchris Lake in Kincaid, IL, Taylorville Lake in Taylorville, IL, Lake Petersburg in Petersburg, IL.

Lake Listing Gallery

SUNSET LAKE FISIHING CABIN

LAKE CATATOGA FAMILY RETREAT

My virtual tour company recently notified me that all of my virtual tours will now play on all smart phones.....and best of all, there are no additional charges.

I have been disappointed becasue my residential virtual tours would not play on phones, especially the iPhone.  Apple continues to block programs like Java from running on their iPhones and iPads.  I am not sure what software is being used but this new technology covers all of my marketing bases that until now have been left void.

This technology couldn't of come at a better time.  I just received my new rider signs featuring my QR code and text2look code that is landing a lot of traffic to my mobile website. 

Now when a buyer sends a text inquiry from my sign rider in front of my listed home,  they can see all of my listings including; description, photos, details, price, map display of my listings and now a full virtual tour!

Here is my sign rider that I am currently using:

Here is a link to see what a buyer would see when they send a text or scan the QR Code

This has been working out great for me and I have received numerous compliments about the signs and I have answered numerous questions aksed by other local agents.

The most common answer is where to get the sign code service and here: 360 Through The Door Virtual Tours & Marketing.  This service can be used by any agent anywhere in the US and Canada and can found here.

Did I mention the lead capture feature?  Well maybe some other time.

Wecome to Lake Catatoga.  Lake Catatoga is a 70 acre lake that is conveniently located between St. Louis, Missouri and Springfield, Illinois. 

Need a Place to Slow Down, Relax, or maybe retire?  This may be the home for you.  This beautiful Lake Catatoga Home is ready for the discriminating buyer!

4 Bedrooms

3 Full Baths

2,576 Finished Sq. Ft.

Outside Entertaining Deck with Grilling Station

3 Boat Docks

Large 2 Car Garage

$245,000

Vitual Tour

Lake Homes Listing Gallery

  Stunning Lakefront Lake Catatoga Home with all of the lake living necessities. This 4 Bedroom lake home was extensively remodeled two years ago. This home features a large entertaining deck with a grilling station and food bar, wrap around deck, three docks, lower level patio from walkout basement, fireplace, upstairs and downstairs laundry for guests, updated HVAC, backup generator, serene sitting area inside the circle drive, 2+ Car Garage, and 2 year old roof.

Now is a Great Time to Buy in Central Illinois.  Today is the sponsored launch of Buy Capital Area.  First of all, I would like the generous area sponsors including Capital Area Association of Realtors.

If you are thinking about buying a home in the Capital Area now is the opportune time; these historically low mortgage rates won't be around forevor; you can buy with confidence in the Capital Area where homes generally hold their value; and, homes in the Capital Area are among the most affordable in the nation.

Whether your are Buying or Selling in the Capital City, I can assist you with all of your real eastate needs!

Be Sure to Check Out My Listing Gallery

I thought I would share some Central Illinois Comfort Food with you.  I present to you the Horseshoe.  It is available in just about every restaurant within 50 miles of Springfield, Illinois.

I will create it for you.  Let's start with two slices of Texas Toast topped with your favorite meat; hamburger, roast beef, ham, or my favorite bufflao Chicken. Next we will add a large portion of french fries, and then we will top it with a mouth watering white cheese sauce.

What does this have to do with Central Illinois Real Estate?  Not much except that this is one of the many great things that I love about living and selling real estate in Central Illinois.

We have a wonderful and stable real estate market with affordable homes, secure jobs with striving medical district, state government, and local factories.

If you are looking to buy or sell in Central Illinois, I would love to assist you with your real estate needs.  I specialize in Central Illinois Lakefront Property, Illinois Hunting Property, and country homes.

"Horseshoes" are a Springfield, Illinois original, first created by the chef at the "The Red Coach" for his luncheon clientèle. The story goes that he had a lot of extra cheese sauce left over one day and decided to throw it over the "chopped steak" and gravy sandwiches the patrons were always ordering. He added some shoestring potatoes on top, and a sensation was born! This recipe is a update of the original (which called for a whole cup of flour!) and your family will positively beg for more. Don't skimp on the cheese sauce. If your appetite is smaller, cut this in half. Then you have what we call around here, a "pony shoe"!

http://www.food.com/recipe/world-famous-horseshoe-sandwich-23810#ixzz1EEuD59kq

Listing Inventory

Website

Sunset Lake Home located on a private point lot on the main body of the lake. This is the Sunset Lake Home that you have been waiting for; Spacious 4 Bedroom, 3 Full Baths, Main Level Large Master Bedroom, and did I mention the Lakeside Living Room with Pristine Panoramic Views Down the Lake? This home home has main floor and second level laundry rooms, zoned HVAC for both levels, and tons of built in storage. You will love the level lot, sand beach, and excellent fishing right out back!

Virtual Tour

Floor Plan

Lake Listing Gallery

Sunset Lake marketing Video

Thank You Illinois Association of Realtors!  While in Springfield I was surprised to see the Banners along 2nd Street in front of the State Capitol promoting our great profession.  What a great way to kick off the 34th Annual Capitol Conference on March 23rd. 

Text 2 Look Technology.  Have You Heard of It?  You Will!  Are You Using It?  You Should!

I have added this technology to my listings and it has been so successful that I am now an independent contractor. 

The Technology is easy to Use and it is an Excellent Lead Generator.

When you sign up for the service on my website and you choose your own keyword, order your signs from me or a local company and you place the signs in or on your yard sign.  A potential customer drives by, (which many home buyers still drive neighborhoods and areas that they want to purchase a home).   The home buyer sees your sign and wants immediate details about your listing; Price, Bedrooms, Sq. Ft., and Inside Photos by simply typing the keyword TXTIT to 43766.  Buyers can then opt-in from the text message to receive additional information about the listing.  Once the buyers have opted-in you have captured the lead.  You can send the buyer important information about price reductions, open houses, and exciting details about the home.  The best part is when the text is sent to the buyer, you also receive a notification text that a buyer has just inquired about your listing.

Check out our affordable pricing.  It is lower than purchasing it directly from TxT2look.  I am passing my savings on to you to expand my marketing business.  For as low as $2.95 per listing you can generate leads for all of your listings.  Get Started Here!

This technology is expanding fast and it is a great to be the first to roll it out in your market.  I have been very successful showing home sellers that I am using cutting edge tools to market their homes and I have earning more listings while capturing more buyer leads.

Below is one of my actual listings.  Give it a try and then visit my website: http://360ttd.txt2look.com/ 

For other marketing soulutions, visit my marketing website at www.360throughthedoor.com

http://360ttd.txt2look.com/

I treat my income like we all have been told to invest.  Be Diverse!  My real estate income is shared with other income.  About 5 years ago, my family health insurance premium increased $500 per month for insurance that I would consider sub standard.  It hit me like a freight train that I needed to weigh all of my options because my health insurance became more of a monthly cost than my home mortgage .  Now I share my time with my Virtual Tour company doing virtual tours and online marketing for other real estate professionals, local business owners, and doing hospitality tours for people that want to promote their industry.

I still work full time hours as a Realtor, but I consider myself part-time in the industry.  It is also beneficial for me that my Real Estate Professional time works hand-in-hand with my Virtual Tour Company and both of my companies reap rewards and contacts from one another.

I predict this shift becasue of the big picture of the economy, not just the sluggish housing industry.  I think that Real Estate Professionals  are going to be looking for other sources of income and benefits that may have been lost or reduced.  Some of the reduced benefits could be your spouses benefits from a layoff or employer cutbacks.

So when part-time Real Estate Professionls are taking a beating from others in our profession, it makes me wonder if it is all that important if you are a Full-Time Real Estate Professional or if you share your time with another income source.  I think as long as your clients' needs come first, you are committed to your profession, and you love what you do, you can be successful!   I am always disappointedin the agent that is quick to tell potential clients that they are Full-Time instead of how they would market their home or how they would be the best person to find them a home in their well farmed backyard.

I pulled some numbers and I have been selling more homes that some agents that have Full-Time plastered on their advertising.

It is our profession and it is our responsibility to promote it with integrity and not seek out a group of people to step on during the journey.  I have found that negative comments reflect poorly the the people they are directed to as well as the person making the comments.