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There is no straight line home...

We're curious. We've always been that way.

We like to check out neighborhoods and see what folks are up to. There is always some street we haven't been down recently and we are going to take it. It's a natural curiosity that pays dividends when you are in this business.

I frequently get stopped by folks with questions like... "What's with the new place on Spring Street... is that a restaurant or apartment building?" (it's a house) or "What's the deal with that new house with the pillars by the library?" or "They put up a construction fence in Hobson West... are they tearing that house down?" And while I may not always know the answers, I almost always know what they are talking about. One real estate conversation leads to another....

My wife Lisa frequently participates in the 60 mile Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer walks ... I "get" to do practice walks with her of 12-15 miles. We can cover a lot of ground and like to make it an exploration walk... visiting places we usually only go by car.

But, it's not just our town that we like to explore... we look at houses and neighborhoods everywhere we go... whether it's Maine, Minnesota, Alaska or Italy.

So coming home from dinner at Hugo's Frog Bar in Downtown Naperville (2 miles) could take just a little extra time (7 miles) Our friends discover so much about their town when they are in the car with us. I love to talk about Naperville and show it off (even to other residents) My boy's are usually pretty good about it... but occasionally there is a revolt, a foot stomps and someone says "Not more houses! Can't we just go home?" of course my response: "Don't worry, it's on the way!"

Moo

Posted by Angus in Naperville IL on 01/07/2007 07:52 AM

Comments (34)

neighborhood expert, downtown naperville, passion

This post has been included in Illinois Information Du Page County, IL Information Naperville, IL Information

34 Comments on There is no straight line home...

JAN

2007

Angus,

I think one of the things that a lot of RE Agents have in common is looking at houses! I am amazed at the getting to walk 12-15 miles!!!!!!!! You guys must be in great shape. Your children will thank you for it someday:) (looking at houses and neighborhoods)

Looks like a chart to "Where's Angus" in stead of "Where's Waldo". Since we have almost no hills or geographic objects to work around. We're all square streets - boring. :)

It reminds me of the Family Circle Cartoons where they show the path the kids take to get home, only in this case it is Angus.

Maureen - that's a PERFECT description of what that reminds me of!!

Moo - like you and Lisa, I tend to take circuitous routes to just about anywhere I'm going, unless I'm running late! We grew up with my dad taking us for long rides on the weekends every where we lived - there is no better way to learn what's going on. Not only that, but we knew all the fun places to go, the great shopping places, and of course, all the really fun places to eat out, too!!

I love not taking the straightest route...!!

Ann

My kids do the same thing, "looking at houses AGAIN?" - but now they know the way home so the slight deviation is always criticized.

Karen - The kids start to get more interested as they get older... but that doesn't stop the "oh, not again!"

Chris - The terrain is flat here too, Chicago itself is a grid pattern and we did the same thing there, the winding streets are really fun though...

Maureen - I am a bit of a wanderer, easily distracted....

Ann - When we lived on the east coast (I was 6 when we left) We would drive and purposefully get lost... it was part of our adventures. Probably where I get it from...

Ines - Exactly the same! I tell my clients that after 18 years in the business... I'm still not tired of it.

Angus, so you and I defy the term 'the shortest distance between two points is a straight line' lol. I agree with everyone here, we love looking at houses. But your point really hits home for me. I love exploring too! Hugo's looks awesome I love seafood (frog legs too? LOL).

Once again your point is well taken. If you are a neighborhood expert then ya need to keep up with 'what is that building with the pillars) :-)

I will add one more comment (for now, I reserve the right to come back LOL). I almost NEVER drive back to my office or home the same way I got there! It's a quirk. But I feel like I am missing something if I do.

Honestly occassionally my daughter does the same thing...I usually get "not again, mom" "this isn't the way home." My husband calls me "back road Annie" because I usually take the most back roads way home so I can explore. I will even get my friends lost from time to time because I will automatically give them the most direct, although "country road" directions. To them they feel like their lost right away because there is only a farm or 2 on the way. "Just keep going, trust me," and they get to where they need to go.

Carole - Hugo's is awesome, the decor is great, the food fantastic... in Naperviile they have the full Gibson Steakhouse menu too. Not your typical suburban restaurant! AND I do the same thing with the office... or anywhere else... I never go the same way in both directions!

Melissa - That's awesome! I love the name "backroad Annie!

If I could find a drooling graphic it would be here lol. Seafood and awesome Chicago steak in one. Sign me up lol. Definitely worth a trip on my next Chicago trek (which I am hoping to tie in with a baseball game at Wrigley, something I have never done). Naperville really looks beautiful!

My husband is equally bad as you if not worse. When there is construction going on i.e. the freeway or the lightrail, he always had his nose in it. He never ceases to amaze me how observant he is. In the end, it's good for me, because I just, "Google Larry" for info. He almost always has the answer.

Naperville is lovely.

You're right Angus. People expect you to know EVERYTHING about what is going on in the neighborhood. I hate when someone asks me about something I had not noticed before they called it to my attention.

Carole - Of course you'll be calling when you come.

Kristal - Larry sounds very useful!

Linda - It is so cool to be "clued in" so that when people ask... they are impressed.

Angus: Anytime I can appear 'clued in' it's a plus LOL And as for calling, that goes without saying :-)

When my wife and I drive together she insists on driving during the day. I am all over the place and love side trips.

When I purchase a home I also look to see what happens on the weekend and when the school bus lets out. That is the practical application of your advice.

Great points.

So true! And a great reminder for me to talk about about team meeting on Tuesday. =)

You know, thanks to 'meeting' you on AR, I seem to notice Naperville EVERYWHERE, and i'd never noticed it before. Check out the current issue of Cooking Light-tons of stuff from Naperville folks. You might spot a client in there!

So you mean, it's normal for REALTORS to take their work with them whereever they go? =) Or would it be more accurate to say that I don't look at it as work, I actually enjoy it. Looking at all the new construction, the FSBO signs, etc. My kids HATE this about me. I cannot go on vacation ANYWHERE without checking out the local market and seeing if there's a possible investment there. Thanks for the enjoyable read!

Carole - You are so clued in it's ridiculous.

John - Great comment, we research by fulfilling our own curiosity.

Leigh - Naperville is awesome, and with the amount of folks that have transferred in and out over the years there are Naperville fans all over the country!

Moo

Driving home from dinner tonight, our friend said...oooh, I don't think you've ever taken us down this street before...

Angus, I'm envisioning your pals getting into the car with you each time like it's the Starship Enterprise :-) And they are happy to take the trip of course!

Maggie - Apparently many of us are alike... because I don't think of that stuff as work. Fortunately, my wife is the same way.

Carole - I would love to say we "boldly go where no man has gone before" but in the housing industry... what fun would that be?

JAN

2007

I married a handyman who loves to look at houses as much-if not more than I do. He'll often say...hey, would it be okay if we take a look at that house that went on the market? I even send him new listing updates in his email!

I am a constant cruiser... Always taking the "roundabout" way. Great way to discover things you may not know is going on.

Angus, every time my wife (she's a realtor) and I take a little time off to get away from work, we end up coming home with flyers and booklets on properties that we saw in the town we went to. We just laugh at ourselves these days. We both enjoy it, so what the heck! I think we're just nosy by nature.

Isn't it wonderful to just explore!!! You're so right too, one conversation can lead to another!!!

I remember doing that with my mom when she was in real estate. The car would take an unexpected turn and my eyes would roll. Must be why I do the same thing now. But doing things like walking an area or turning down a different street makes you better at your job, I think.

Isn't it funny (and predictable) thet no matter where you are or who you're with, the conversation at some point will always come around to real estate? Taking the "long way home" keeps us up to date on what's going on, and in turn prepares for these inevitable conversations. Personally, I think roaming around keeps us on our toes and helps us look like we're on top of our game...which of course we are!

Lisa - Hey I know what that's like! My wife Lisa gets updates on neighborhoods that she wants us to invest in... she's always on me to go look at them.

Carl - I understand completely!

Mark - We do too... although we had a difficult time with some of the properties in Europe

Chris - I get more leads in the locker room when one guy asks me a question...

Dena - At the least it keeps things interesting....

Jim & Maria - Of course you are! Some of us just need a little help now and then...

In the past..used to do much more "exploring" aka "being lost" and saw lots of different neighborhoods. But now with the GPS, the exploring has decreased.

Moo, you have pointed out a reason not to always know where you are going. :-)

www.homerome.com

Baltimore,Md.

JAN

2007

Angus..... Is there such a thing called a straight line even in a neighborhood? I loved the title..... the overall picture that you painted was, enjoy your ride, so many of us rush, rush, rush. Hey, I know I do. But I went down to the end of the Mummer's parade over the weekend and you just gave me a good idea. thanks

Angus, once again very cute. I was picturing both you and your wife as well as the boys...good job. Had me smiling before calling it a night.

JAN

2007

Who ever came up with that notion that you could not teach an old dog new tricks?

Guess you do not subscribe to that thought at all.

Fascinating way to find new places, meet new people, and find the adventure in life.

JAN

2007

Margaret - one of the cool things about GPS is looking at the map in a neighborhood and checking out little things that you didn't notice before...

Jeff - I always take the extra couple of minutes... to scope things out.. it's fun for me.

Gena - Glad that you enjoyed it! I had fun thinking about it.

Ed - I'm all about the learning...

Sharon - A little adventure is good for the soul!

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