RELAXATION!  As we all know, this is a term that often escapes the Real Estate Community.

That fact seems especially true this summer - The Crazy Summer of 2008!

Here in Chicago, Unsold Listings Inventory is roughly double what it was this time last year.  Average Market Time - nearly 20% higher, on average, in the North and Northwest Side of Chicago Neighborhoods we serve most frequently.

Many deals have to be nursed, carefully, to close.  Buyer inspections are crazy.  Lenders are making loan requirements tougher and tougher - some, only one day in advance of closing.

Gas is more expensive.  Food is more expensive.  Realistic Sellers and Buyers - often not as plentiful as we would like.

Business and personal funds are tighter.  Often - scary tighter, for many of us here.

Years ago, when I first got into the business, an older gentleman broker, 35 years in the business and about to retire, told me Real Estate can both send you to the clouds, and bring you to your knees - often both, within a short period of time.

This summer has been a "bring you to your knees market" in some respects for us.

But getting down on our knees is not something we're inclined to do.  So we march on, and keep the faith.

This Labor Day Weekend was the perfect course corrector for us. 

Why?  Because we got to take some time off.  And, to RELAX, in the old resort town of South Haven MI - only a couple of hours away from Chicago, on the other side of Lake Michigan.  The SUNSET side of the lake - Chicago is on the SUNRISE side!

We spent some time with our good friends and clients Denise and Tom B., from the Avondale Neighborhood on the North Side of Chicago.  We had some good food, a couple of beers, relaxed on the sandy public beach, watched a couple of Chicago Cubs games in the local Sports Bar, talked some politics (on a crazy political weekend), and kept our eye on Hurricaine Gustav, hoping it would avoid a direct hit on The City of New Orleans, and grateful when it missed.  We walked out to the famous South Haven Lighthouse at the end of their South Beach Pier.

In short, we didn't think much about the current tumult of the Chicago Real Estate Market.  We just TOOK IT EASY!

We're now ready to put things back in perspective.  And get back to work.

Now that we know what's REALLY most important in our lives.

Family.  Friends.  Good Times.  And, once in a while, the chance to simply, peacefully - KICK BACK!

Hope you had a great holiday weekend!

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO