ken: MOWING THE LAWN - 04/23/08 08:31 AM
Mowing the lawn is my favorite job.  I don't really even count it as a job.  A simple pleasure.  Almost a hobby.
A job well done.  Complete.  It feels good.
As you may know, sometimes I have difficulty, how should I put it, "keeping busy".
Some days just feel a heck of a lot more productive than others.
So I enjoy mowing the lawn.  Do you?
The reason I bring it up is that I just mowed my lawn for the first time this year.  It felt good.  Barely needed it, but I did it anyway.
Just moments before, I had argued (yes, I would say argued) with my yoga instructor … (18 comments)

ken: MY WEDNESDAY WORKOUT - 04/23/08 04:45 AM
Ahhhh.
The best thing about running is being done running.
My little family went to the YMCA again this morning.  My wife had "definition class" my daughter went to the daycare she loves ("boys, toys") and I went upstairs to the fitness deck.
My treadmill awaits!
I had lots of poisons last night.  Heinekens, cookies, meatballs, various junk food.  We had spent the evening at my sister in law's house admiring their new kitchen.  They just rehabbed it.  It is beautiful.  Probably a subject for another post.
The weather was beautiful.  They have a great yard and a huge deck.  Perfect for my favorite cold beverage!
So when … (6 comments)

ken: THE YOGA INSTRUCTOR - 04/22/08 09:22 AM
OK.  She was just the substitute Yoga instructor.
But she is a young lady that seems to want to buy a house.
Bubbly and cute, this young lady has been looking for a first home for her and her daughter.  She wants safe, close to work, second floor, nothing gross, nothing creepy, cheap, and did I mention she doesn't like driving?
Oh yeah.  She is excited and highly motivated.  That is nice to work with for a change.
Most of my "buyers" seem to prefer a VERY SLOW PROCESS.
So I could write a blog about my Yoga class that I went to this morning.  It … (4 comments)

ken: HOW DO YOU MARKET YOURSELF? - 04/21/08 01:38 PM
The question was asked of me this morning as I sat in traffic.  I was on Interstate 294 on the way to O'hare.  It was about 7:30 AM.  I was driving the limo.
"How do you market yourself?", my customer asked.
Hmmm.  I paused before answering.  I was working on only a few hours sleep for the second day in a row.  My skills as a conversationalist were somewhat diminished, but I came up with...
"I would say most of my business comes from conversations like this.  Meeting people.  Face to face.  Every day living I meet people.  Lot's of people.  If they like me and think … (17 comments)

ken: I AM EASY!!! - 04/19/08 01:33 PM
And I am not talking in any sort of dirty or promiscuous way.
I am talking about SHOWINGS.
I AM EASY!!!!
I will show anyone, any home, any where, at almost any time.
I don't care about mortgage approval.  I don't care if they meet me in the office.  I don't even want to meet them at my office. 
I will meet them anywhere they want.
I do not require a buyers agreement.  I would not feel comfortable signing one, so how can I ask my prospects to sign one?
I am easy.
I know most real estate agents will fight me on this.  Too bad.  I am … (14 comments)

ken: MY NAP - 04/17/08 08:23 AM
This morning, I wrote a blog of one of the simple pleasures in life, a cup of coffee.
Well, I just experienced another of those pleasures.  A GOOD NAP.
Oh I know, I should have been out "working".  But I was on the computer at 5:00 AM sending out emails and following up in a real estate agent sort of way.
But after we took care of some errands, I had to turn my brain off for just a little bit.
That little bit turned out to be 2 hours.
It was great.  I was drifting off to news of another cougar (and I don't mean older … (5 comments)

ken: WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR IN A REAL ESTATE AGENT? - 04/17/08 02:32 AM
Hmmmm.
Are we looking for someone to get "IT" done?
Are we looking for someone we can trust?
Do smarts help?
How about business savvy?
Years of experience?
A nice website?
Lots of communication?
A nice smile?
A company we know? 
Someone we know?
Someone we don't know?
Should they be referred to us?
Does it help if they drive a nice car?
Do we want someone to 'stage" our home?
What about marketing?
Commission rates?
I just went for a nice walk around my neighborhood, and I want to know what the consumer WANTS from a real estate agent.
Has anyone ever asked? 
My guess is we assume what they want, and try to force feed them it.
Is … (9 comments)

ken: Tuesday Evening - 04/15/08 02:36 PM
9;22.  My wife is putting Erin to bed.  We had a nice time tonight.
We went to Chris's house.  He is an old friend that owns a limo company in our town.  I hadn't seen him in awhile.  He kicked me out of his house last time I saw him.  For another post...
Anyway, it's been a stressful couple of days.  I think that's the way it is in the spring, when you are newish to real estate, in a tough market.
Business will come in May.
Plus, I am having an open house on Saturday...
Ken
www.kensfeaturedhomes.com
 
 
(4 comments)

ken: Why would I prepare for an objection? - 04/15/08 09:32 AM
Seems like a silly question.  But really, why would I face an objection, and if I did, would I want to overcome it??
The reason I ask:  In my last post, Do you need Scripts?, I received a comment from a very nice realtor, Debbie Summers.  She commented, "Having scripts means that you have put a lot of time in preparing for objections". 
That makes sense.  It really does.
But then I think, why would I prepare for objections??
Would I want to overcome someones "objection" about buying a house??  Or even about using me as a listing agent?
Would I???
I might be the weakest salesperson … (4 comments)

ken: TUESDAY MORNING - 04/15/08 01:17 AM
So much to do.  It's 8:10 AM.
We have a 9:00 Yoga class.  My favorite of the week.  My usual instructor was looking for a subsitute.
I hope she finds one.  I need to get this body/mind ready for another fun week ahead.
I am feeling better today.  It was nice to get a good nights sleep, my first in several days.
The weather outside is really turning in our favor.  We should get our first 70 degree day here in Naperville, Illinois.  Good real estate weather finally.
I am sure the Nickie Indicator is up today.
I will be having an open house this Saturday.  I … (2 comments)

ken: Is it rude to have your website link on your comments? - 04/12/08 04:21 AM
I have recently written a post titled PRICED RIGHT=SOLD!.  On it, I received a couple comments that I found strange and since have deleted.  Perhaps I am feeling sensitive, but...
Is it rude to have your website link on your comments??
The first comment was a blatant add for some crap he was selling.  He made no mention of my post.
The second said only, "Nice job.  Keep it going" and his website. 
Both made me uncomfortable.  Am I wrong?  What is the blogging etiquette?
Thanks,
Ken
www.kensfeaturedhomes.com
 
(84 comments)

ken: I NEED YOUR HELP ACTIVE RAIN. WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS? - 04/12/08 12:04 AM
It's 6:36 AM.  Saturday.  Naperville.  Illinois.  It's raining and very raw outside.
I have been up for a little over an hour.  I am having my first sips of coffee between key strokes.
And I have some questions.
As I type, I am currently 7 days late on our rent for our home.  I have spoken to my landlord 3 times this week to keep him informed and will call him today as well to finalize some sort of a plan.
I am a good tenant (except for this recent tardiness) and have paid the first 8 months of rent on time.  My rent is $1775 for … (18 comments)

ken: PATRICK SWAYZE - 04/11/08 09:43 AM
So I was flipping the channels the other evening.  I am a good flipper.
As I was flipping, I came across Bill O'Reilly's "The O"Reilly Factor."  I paused and watched for a few minutes...
He was going into commercial, and flashed a picture of a slightly gaunt looking Patrick Swayze, smoking a cigarette.
"Why is Patrick Swayze still smoking?" boomed O'Reilly.  Then FOX went to commercial.
Now I used to be a big fan of O'Reilly.  That was back just after 9/11.  I was angry.  I enjoyed Bill's powerful approach.
Today I feel he is a bully.
Yes, he is a great debater.  He would beat me … (11 comments)

ken: MY FRIEND CARL - 04/10/08 04:22 PM
I would like you to meet my friend Carl.
 
He is one of the most passionate, interesting, caring, opinionated, lovable, single, hardworking, dorky, best cook, athletic, and just good guys that I know.
He is new to Active Rain.  He has posted some incredible recipes, as well as commentary on girls softball and insurance.  I think he is just getting started.  I look forward to reading what he has to say next.
Thanks so much,
Ken
www.kensfeaturedhomes.com
 
(14 comments)

ken: PRICED RIGHT=SOLD!! - 04/10/08 02:42 PM
I wrote on Monday Night how I spent the evening with neighborhood friends who were putting their home on the market the following day.  They were listing with a sister, a successful real estate agent working for another company.
Although they were listing with another agent, they were excited and wanted to talk real estate.  I love talking real estate.  So we talked.
Their original plan was to list their home at $360,000.  "Priced to sell," they said.
"Well what would you be happy with?", I asked.
"$345,000" they responded.
"Then why don't you price your home at $349,900.  That way, you will get all the buyers looking in the 300-350k range.  If you … (19 comments)

ken: BACK AT STARBUCKS II - 04/10/08 06:24 AM
Oh the weather outside is frightful, but at Starbucks, it's quite delightful.
Here I am again.  My favorite seat at my favorite Starbucks.  I have my earl grey tea.  I have a great spot for people watching.  Four male customers (plus me) are currently here.  There is a gentlemen to my left that has a laptop (Apple) that he seems to be working on intently.  Prospect quality probably low.
But it's early.
It's raining outside.  Floodwarning.  I did not ask my wife this morning, but I am sure the Nickie Indicator must be very low!  It should stay that way through the weekend with more rain … (8 comments)

ken: TRACY REAL ESTATE? DOES IT HAVE A RING TO IT? - 04/10/08 01:42 AM
First of all, I would like to say that I love RE/MAX.  It is the only place that I have worked in my 2 and 1/2 years in the business, I like my broker, I like my office, and I like many agents I work with.  That being said...
Would Tracy Real Estate (or whatever name I choose) work as well?
I sit here on a Thursday morning.  I am debating going to work out with my family or going to our monthly office meeting.  I must say, running on a treadmill for a half hour sounds more pleasurable than sitting through another … (13 comments)

ken: THERAPY BLOGGING - 04/09/08 12:50 PM
OK.  As always, I am never sure where this will end up but...
I wrote a post earlier today.  It was titled Despair.  As I wrote it, I was thinking I would be deluged with comments telling me "That I need to stay Positive."  Fortunately, that didn't happen.  I received many supportive comments reminding me that things ARE tough all over.
My point is, I feel better.
Was I ranting?  Whining?  Perhaps, but either way...
I feel better.
My point is, we don't HAVE to stay positive.  We don't HAVE to force a smile on our face 24 hours a day.
Quite honestly, I am not happy … (4 comments)

ken: THE MASTERS PARTY! A TRADITION UNLIKE ANY OTHER. - 04/08/08 04:32 AM
This Sunday, we will be having our 7th annual MASTERS PARTY.
What am I talking about?  The Masters Party of course.
Sure, most of us probably have heard of the Masters, the first of four golf "majors".  It is held every year in early spring down in Augusta, Georgia.  Great history.  Great golf course.  Great players.
Tiger will be starting his quest for the legendary Grand Slam.  Winning all four majors in one year.
But the question on most of our minds in the western suburbs of Chicago:  Who will be wearing the legendary "Orange Jacket" at the end of the day?
Orange Jacket?  Don't I … (5 comments)

ken: YOGA - 04/08/08 03:43 AM
Ahh.  Tuesday morning a the Y.  My one class I do is the 9:00 Tuesday yoga class.
It is a great balance with the typical cardio/weight training type exercises I am used to.
Am I getting old?  Mid-life crisis, perhaps.  Something about focused stretching.  You can't do it by yourself.  Someone makes you go through various motions for an hour.
You gain balance, strength, flexibility.
This sounds like it should help my golf game.  Probably not, but at least I can hope.
Anyway, for those of you looking to ad a new "twist" to your workout, I feel yoga should be given a try.  It's the one class … (9 comments)

 
Ken Tracy, Helping clients buy and sell since 2005 (Coldwell Banker Residential)

Ken Tracy

Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Naperville, IL

More about me…

Coldwell Banker Residential

Address: Naperville, Lisle, Plainfield, Aurora, Downers Grove, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn

Mobile: (630) 697-0536

My story. From rags to riches in the crazy world of real estate sales...






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