I had a partner this morning.  My daughter Erin and I set out a little after 10:00 AM with 100 newsletters to deliver. Our target this morning was the Crestview Knolls subdivision in south Naperville. It was another gorgeous day.  Probably high 50's.  Sunny.  A gentle breeze. Crestview Knolls is a subdivision of middle priced homes (for Naperville).  In today's market, a typical home will sell in the low to mid 400's.                                                        I selected this neighborhood because my family walks through it several times a week.  There is a park where my daughter likes to play on the swings.  It is probably not a great neighborhood for my newsletters, being that the real estate activity is minimal.  People that buy in this subdivision tend to stay for many ye... 10/16/2008

The real estate market is challenging today. People have been delaying their housing decisions.  Decisions that would have been made in a truly "normal" market. Many are making due with homes they have as opposed to upgrading. Buyers are cautious.  Sellers are hesitant to put their homes on the market, and if they do, they are in no hurry to price their homes to sell. The people that are moving are those that must move. This market is challenging for many in the real estate business.  Yours truly included. We can either moan about our lot in life, or we can figure a way to take advantage of this market. I choose the latter.  I hope you do too. I look at real estate as a game.  I really do.  It is the most fun I have ever had in a profession. It is a game which needs to be played with a ... 10/15/2008

Month 3 into my 6 month business plan. I was back at it this morning.  I had 80 newsletters to deliver in the south Naperville subdivision of Wheatland South.  Nice fall morning.  Overcast with comfortable temperatures.  Mid 60's.  The leaves are beautiful. The subdivision was buzzing.  Today is Columbus Day.  The kids were off school, playing ball in the streets and riding bicycles. I spoke with several neighbors while I was out.  They seemed excited that there was a neighborhood newsletter.  Very friendly people. It feels good being productive.  Sometimes it can be a battle just keeping busy. My business plan keeps me on track.  Keeps me productive when it is easy to lose focus. Ken A REALTOR you can trust.       10/13/2008

Naperville Public Library for the 9th time in 8 years gets ranked #1 in the nation in the population category of 100,000-250,000 - for efficiency and busyness by the American Library Association."Naturally, we are very proud of this honor. But we're also pleased that the people of Naperville utilized our services so extensively. This is a major reason for our ranking -- people come in, check out materials and use our services on the Internet!" said Susan Greenwood, Public Relations for the Naperville Library. The Naperville Library is comprised of three buildings to service the people of Naperville.  The Nichols Library which was originally dedicated in 1898 and located in the heart of downtown Naperville on Washington St, is now located a few blocks west at 200 W Jefferson.  Naper Blvd... 10/12/2008

I can feel it.  Can you?  It's almost imperceptible. The market is starting to change... Home prices are starting to become affordable.  Buyers are just beginning to get interested.   Buyers are starting to smell value. There are values out there.  Not across the board.  But some homes are becoming very well priced.  Affordable... That is what we need.  What the economy needs. Homes becoming affordable again. Ken A REALTOR you can trust.   10/11/2008

So the stock market has got you down?  Here are five big opportunities in real estate. 1.  Real estate investor? Where have you gone, Mr. Investor?  Lots of REOs (real estate owned) to choose from.  Now is the time to invest.  Not three years ago.  Contact a mortgage broker quickly.  Financing is challenging, yet attainable. 2.  First time home buyer? You should be smiling ear to ear.  Today's market is perfect for you.  Homes in most communities are priced 20% below their peak.  Preapproval should be your first step.    3.  Renting but looking to buy?  Same as with the first time buyer.  Huge opportunity.  The entire process could take as little as 30 days but often up to 6 months.  So make sure you get started early.  Plan plenty of time to make sure you find the right home. 4.  Looki... 10/09/2008

West Highlands - Market Activity from 10/07/07 - 10/07/08   Active Listings   Detached Single   Bedrooms # Active Avg. LP Avg. MT All 33 $752,261 251 3 8 $331,388 161 4 17 $852,947 242 5 or More 8 $959,175 361   Land   Bedrooms # Active Avg. LP Avg. MT 3 2 $409,450 108   Off-Market Listings   Detached Single   Bedrooms # Sold % Sold Avg LP (Sold) Avg SP SP:LP Ratio Avg MT (Sold) Avg LP (Unsold) % Expd All 14 41% $420,078 $396,143 94% 75 $661,610 59% 3 11 52% $318,836 $302,182 95% 72 $323,880 48% 4 3 33% $791,300 $740,667 94% 86 $879,917 67% 5 or More 0 0%         $1,178,475 100%   Land   Bedrooms # Sold % Sold Avg LP (Sold) Avg SP SP:LP Ratio Avg MT (Sold) Avg LP (Unsold) % Expd 3 0 0%         $290,000 100% 10/07/2008

Huntington Estates - Market Activity from 10/07/07 - 10/08/08   Active Listings   Detached Single   Bedrooms # Active Avg. LP Avg. MT All 7 $482,071 128 3 1 $499,900 161 4 6 $479,100 123   Attached Single   Bedrooms # Active Avg. LP Avg. MT 2 or Less 1 $153,900 48   Off-Market Listings   Detached Single   Bedrooms # Sold % Sold Avg LP (Sold) Avg SP SP:LP Ratio Avg MT (Sold) Avg LP (Unsold) % Expd All 7 54% $516,129 $484,554 94% 57 $487,633 46% 3 0 0%         $572,000 100% 4 7 58% $516,129 $484,554 94% 57 $470,760 42% 10/07/2008

Kings Terrace  from 10/6/07 to 10/6/08    Active Listings   Detached Single   Bedrooms # Active Avg. LP Avg. MT 4 2 $374,900 263   Off-Market Listings   Detached Single   Bedrooms # Sold % Sold Avg LP (Sold) Avg SP SP:LP Ratio Avg MT (Sold) Avg LP (Unsold) % Expd All 7 88% $391,571 $376,786 96% 152 $299,900 12% 3 1 50% $299,900 $290,000 97% 544 $299,900 50% 4 6 100% $406,850 $391,250 96% 87   0%   10/06/2008

ROCK RIDGE  - 10/5/07 thru 10/5/08    Sold Properties   Sold Price Range # Listings Avg. Days on Mkt $450,000 - $499,999 1 299 $600,000 - $699,999 1 25 $700,000 - $799,999 3 42    Sold Properties Summary   # Units Avg. MT Median Sold Price Avg. Sold Price Max. Sold Price Min. Sold Price Total Volume 5 90 $700,000 $672,500 $750,000 $490,000 $3,362,500 10/05/2008

My family had a lovely morning. Nicole (my wife), Erin (my two year old), and I took the pleasant 45 minute drive from our home in Naperville to the small town of Maple Park Illinois.  We were looking to do some apple picking. We chose Kuiper's Family Farm.                                                     I was skeptical at first.  I don't really like apples, after all.   My spirits were high just the same. The day was beautiful.  A perfect early fall day.  Totally clear.  No humidity.  Highs in the low 60's.  Great day for jeans and sweatshirt (I wore Illini!). The drive was beautiful.  It's nice to live close to the country.  Naperville is a fairly large city (population 136,000).  The leaves were just changing.  The corn was almost ready for harvest. We arrived at the apple orchar... 10/04/2008

It's finally here!  Beginning October 6th, 2008, the long  awaited and forever fabled 95th Street Park-n-Ride will become REALITY.  It is actaully located at 91st St & Wolfs Crossing Road, the Park-n-Ride will provide commuters in Naperville, Aurora, Oswego & Plainfield with a great option for getting to and from the Route 59 Metra Station.   The station actually resides in Will County. In addition to more than 200 parking spaces, there will also be a loading/drop off area for Kiss-n-Ride commuters, bicycle parking & a bus shelter.  Yeah! The long awaited Park-n-Ride makes it three for Naperville.  Hopefully it's debut will help to ease traffic congestion on Rte 59 during the morning and evening rush.  This lot will be serviced by Pace Route 672 which plans to add additional morning and... 10/01/2008

Quite a large crowd turned up curious to learn what the future held for the 5th Avenue "Neighborhood".  Many were disappointed with the lack of information provided at this meeting.  However, city planner Rory Fancler made it very clear that this was an information gathering meeting.   The purpose and intent of the evening's meeting was to receive input from the public in order to be able to craft a plan.  Topics of discussion were Transposrtation/Parking which unfortunatley due to a previous engagement I missed.  Land Use and the Washington Streetscape.  Initially the study is for land use, and zoning will follow at a later date.  They addressed the Washington streetscape as it is now the more of a gateway to our town, particularly with the Naperville Blvd exit off I-88 being re-routed... 09/30/2008

Many of you are asking "How is Naperville faring during all this economic turmoil?" Apparently MSNBC was asking the same question. The market is down, there is no question about that, but a well priced home in good condition still sells quickly. People are tired of the old inventory. If you're considering placing your home on the market, don't be afraid. Prep your home first! Turn it into a shiny penny and you will be pleasantly surprised. Ask your Realtor to show you online homes that have sold in less than 30 days and then make your home LOOK like those. Then ask them to show you homes that have sat on the market for over a year, and make sure your home doesn't look like those. In addition to how it looks, it needs to be priced right...but they DO sell. Good Luck 09/24/2008

Divide and conquer.  After delivering 362 of my newsletters in one day last week, I thought it better to break up the work a little. I decided to deliver 100 per day in my next subdivison, Lakewood Crossing here in Naperville Illinois.  Tonight was the first night out. I felt much better today.  It was a nice early autumn evening.  Warm for late September.  Probably high 70's. The sky was beautiful.  Orange and purple.  Thunderstorms way in the distance. A great evening to be working. Ken To buy or sell a home in Naperville, call me anytime at 630-697-0536. 09/24/2008

I almost forgot to mention, this weekend is also the Downtown Naperville Fall Open House Weekend.  Many of these luxury homes are within walking distance from downtown Naperville.  So after you check out the Fine Arts Festival, look for the open house signs and see what it could be like to live near  the restaurants, shopping and riverwalk in that is the heart of downtown Naperville.    Open house hours today, Sunday from 1-7pm.   For a list of homes check out www.livedowntownaperville.com, then click on fall open house, on the fall open house page click map for this weekend's featured homes.   Whether you're looking to purchase a home or looking for the latest in flooring, decorating, and interior design, get out and check out these open houses. 09/21/2008

I was back at it today.  Delivering my Springhill View to 320 homes in the Springhill Subdivision, Naperville Illinois.  I must say, I hated it.  It took about 3 1/2 hours.  Was fairly hot.  Lots of walking.  Actually got some blisters. But it was work.  Hard work. Better to work smart than work hard.  But I don't always know what "smart" is. I know what hard work is. And hanging 320 brochures in my farm area was hard work. That can't be a bad thing. Ken To buy or sell a home, call me anytime at 630-697-0536. 09/20/2008

As  Ivan dumped buckets of rain last weekend, leaving behind  many with flooded basements, I am reminded of the awesome power of mother nature. It makes me appreciate the Midwest and the changing seasons, which allow us to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities.  Speaking of outdoor activities, this weekend,  checkout the Riverwalk Fine Arts Fair, held along the Naperville river walk, beginning at the corner of Jackson and Main.  This event is free and sponsored by the Naperville Art League.  It will be held Saturday,  Sept 20, and Sunday, Sept 21. The hours are 10am-5pm both days.    The fair features many different artists exhibiting  paintings, sculptures, jewelry and fabric art.  This is the 23rd annual Riverwalk Fine Art Fair which mixes returning favorite exhibitors with some new f... 09/19/2008

  Looking for something to do this weekend?  Enjoy the spacious grounds and beautiful fall weather at the   Naperville Wine Festival this Friday, Sept 12 and Saturday, Sept 13, at Naper Settlement.   Naper Settlement is located just south of downtown Naperville right next to Naperville Central High School, with plenty of free parking.                                                                             Festival Hours Friday 4pm-10pm Saturday 2pm-9pm Tickets $25 in advance (online at www.napervillewinefestival.com) $30 at the door (cash only) $10 designated driver under 21 admitted free with a paying adult   Your ticket gets you 10 "tasting tickets"  good for a one ounce sample at any of the 40 wine exhibitors.  Enjoy tasting more than 250 different wines from around the world.  F... 09/11/2008

His name is Jad Kattan.  My wife has been seeing him for some time.  She says he is the best... Beautician, that is. She also raves about the manicurist,  Jolanta.  "She is the greatest," boasts Nickie. I felt just a bit uncomfortable on this Saturday morning in south Naperville.  I am not used to hanging out in a beauty salon.  I hadn't paid for a haircut in at least 10 years, after all. But my wife was overdue for her cut and color.  My daughter Erin wanted to tag along.  I knew what I had to do.  I had to go to the salon.  Oh the joys of fatherhood.  Jad Kattan is located in an attractive strip mall on the corner of 103rd and Rt. 59. Jad was waiting for us outside as we pulled up to the salon at 10:17.  Nickie's appointment was 10:15.  We were running just a tad late. "Hello Jad!", I... 09/09/2008