ken: MEMORIES...DELIVERING THE NEWSLETTER...KEN'S RIVER BEND VIEW, LISLE ILLINOIS
- 10/23/08 01:02 PM
Almost half way through my plan...
It was cool and windy today. Typical for late October.
I was delvering more newsletters today.
My target was River Bend, one of the best little subdivisions in the suburbs, located in Lisle Illinois. Just off Route 53 and 59th Street, these homes are an easy 5 mile drive from downtown Naperville. The townhomes, very attractive with brick fronts, sell in the mid to high 200's.
I have good memories of River Bend. I proposed to my wife Nicole here. We lived in our home (pictured below) for 5 years before we had Erin. It's a great neighborhood...
I had 140 copies of the Ken's View in my … (16 comments)
|
ken: KEN'S DAY OFF...GOLFING AT BOLINGBROOK GOLF CLUB...MINUTES FROM NAPERVILLE
- 10/23/08 08:34 AM
I took the day off yesterday. Very nice.
I never truly get the day off. I always have some work to do. But this was close.
Kevin Schoeck, Rich Bianco (two lifelong friends) and I decided to enjoy a day of golf as the 2008 season winds down.
We decided to play at Bolingbrook Golf Club, one of my favorite courses in the western suburbs. The club is located only minutes from my home in south Naperville.
The temperatures were in the low 50's and very windy. Cold.
The golf course is beautiful. Links style with very tricky greens.
Ken
A Realtor you can trust.
… (9 comments)
|
ken: KEN'S WISH LIST FOR 2009
- 10/19/08 11:28 AM
We all hope for global peace, clean air, lower crime, etc..
It's OK to have some material wants, too.
So here is what I would like to purchase in 2009.
Ken
A Realtor you can trust.
Ken's Wish List for 2009
1. Portable Hard Drive.
Price approximately $100. I need to back up my laptop's hard drive. Soon.
2. Global Positioning System.
Price approximately $200. I never want to ask for directions again. I would think a must for any agent.
3. Audi A6.
Price approximately $50,000. Style and class. Not too pretentious. Big enough for work. Sporty … (28 comments)
|
ken: ARE YOU INTERESTED, OR JUST INTERESTING?
- 10/19/08 04:06 AM
I was reading posts this morning from my growing list of subscriptions.
As I was reading several posts, I came across a post from a writer that describes himself as a career development coach.
In this particular post, the author asked us to join his "tribes" on facebook, twitter, linkedin, etc.
I paused. I am stepping up my own social networking, so I am always interested in connecting with other people.
Before I joined his "tribe", I decided to do a little background work. I looked at the authors points summary here on Active Rain...
I was shocked at what I found.
… (24 comments)
|
ken: CAN YOU CARE TOO MUCH ABOUT A CLIENT?
- 10/18/08 07:12 AM
I was just reading a post from one of my favorite new writers here on Active Rain, Andrew Olson. The post was written about ways to impact those around you and make your message be heard.
One of his suggestions was to truly, deeply care...
Hmmm.
Made me wonder, can you care too much about your clients?
Can you?
I say yes.
Seems odd...
But I know I have cared too much about clients. I may have freaked them out a bit. I think I got too involved.
I don't think that's what Andrew was suggesting, but I think it is very important … (17 comments)
|
ken: THE DANGERS OF DELIVERING NEWSLETTERS...HIGH MEADOW STYLE
- 10/17/08 06:16 AM
I was out again this morning. My partner (my daughter Erin) decided not to join me. She left me for another man (she decided to stay home and play with her cousin Ethan).
I had 100 more newsletters to deliver. This time my target was the subdivision of High Meadow, located in south Naperville.
This is one of my favorite neighborhoods here in Naperville. Great schools (they all are in Naperville). Nice homes. The grammar school located conveniently in the middle of the subdivision.
The homes are priced on the higher end of my target market. Most sales in High Meadow … (30 comments)
|
ken: DELIVERING THE CRESTVIEW KNOLLS VIEW
- 10/16/08 06:21 AM
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 … (11 comments)
|
ken: DOW 3000??
- 10/15/08 08:58 AM
It could happen...
On Monday, we saw a huge rally in the markets in celebration of the global effort to stimulate the economy.
Yesterday the market was down after being up most of the day. That isn't usually a real good sign.
Today, we saw the Dow down 733 points. Much of the damage occured in the last hour of trading. That usually isn't a real good sign either.
It seems the market will retest it's Friday lows of 7900. The question is...
Will it hold?
If not we will be going lower.
Ken
Naperville Real Estate Website
… (11 comments)
|
ken: ARE YOU CAPITALIZING ON THE CHALLENGING REAL ESTATE MARKET?
- 10/15/08 03:28 AM
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 … (8 comments)
|
ken: DELIVERING THE WHEATLAND SOUTH VIEW
- 10/13/08 06:12 AM
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 … (10 comments)
|
ken: STOCK MARKET GOT YOU DOWN? FIVE BIG OPPORTUNITIES IN REAL ESTATE.
- 10/09/08 02:56 PM
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 … (14 comments)
|
ken: OCTOBER UGLY
- 10/09/08 09:34 AM
I have written a couple of real estate blogs today. I have saved them as drafts. I thought the stock market was a bit more topical. Thanks for reading...Ken
Another ugly day in the stock market. The Dow was down almost 700 points.
The decline is gaining steam. It is getting ugly out there. The market is crashing!!!
SMACK!! Get a grip.
If you haven't sold out yet, I certainly wouldn't start liquidating today.
The market might get worse. We still need a big volume reversal. A market that opens down big, reverses, and closes up big. Perhaps tomorrow?
But the stock market … (21 comments)
|
ken: REAL ESTATE MYTH #3: "WITH SO MANY FORECLOSURES ON THE MARKET, MY HOME WILL NEVER SELL."
- 10/08/08 12:23 PM
I know. Foresclosures and short sales are the rage. Recent numbers report 40% of the volume in some markets.
But if I wanted to sell a home, I wouldn't let foreclosures affect my plans...
You can still sell in this market.
I see many homes under foreclosure. Buyers are always interested in taking a look.
The average foreclosed home is a mess. Holes in walls. Cabinets and woodwork torn out. Appliances gone. Waterstained ceilings. Smelly.
But that is only half the equation...
They just aren't that cheap, either. They aren't. The banks aren't giving them away.
They are often priced a bit lower than the typical home in the market. Perhaps 10%.
… (10 comments)
|
ken: THE SUN RISES
- 10/07/08 12:07 AM
The sun is rising again this morning.
A beautiful fall sunrise. The whole sky is a pinkish purple...
It is easy for those of us on the front lines of the economy to get caught up in world events.
As if life stops if a listing doesn't sell. If a buyer decides not to buy. If a deal does not go through.
That the whole world is caught up in crisis.
Take some time today. Go to a playground. You might be surprised what you will find.
The world is going on. Life continues. You will hear laughter. Children playing.
Go outside and see for yourself.
… (35 comments)
|
ken: TOP 10 REASONS TO BUY A HOME
- 10/06/08 03:02 AM
Hmm. Let me count the ways...
1. You have outgrown your current living situation.
2. Homes are much cheaper than two years ago.
3. Homes are a safer investment than the stock market. You live in your home. You can't live in 1000 shares of IBM.
4. Homes are great tax shelters. You can write off the interest on your mortgage as well as the property tax.
5. Real estate is finite. It always will be. Stake your claim.
6. You build the structure of your life around your home. Make the foundation a solid one.
7. Mortgage rates are very low. Current rates … (21 comments)
|
ken: 8 MONTHS OF BLOGGING...THE WORLD HAS CHANGED...WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?
- 10/03/08 02:31 AM
I have been blogging since February 15th of this year. I joined Active Rain in January of 2007, but like a lot of us, I was slow on the uptake. With this post, I will move into the top spot in my hometown of Naperville Illinois.
So here I sit, reflective after almost 8 months of blogging. So many posts...
Some good, some bad, some ugly.
What has it all meant? Has it meant anything?
The world has changed over those 8 months.
The government has grown. And grown some more.
Bear Stearns, Lehman Brothers, Fannie and Freddie, Merrill Lynch, Washington Mutual, AIG, … (20 comments)
|
ken: BARACK OBAMA
- 10/02/08 11:19 AM
I have written about him before.
Barack Obama still inspires me.
John McCain just doesn't.
That's why I still plan on voting for Obama in November.
This has just been such a fascinating political season.
I am even excited about the Vice Presidential debates. Is that weird?
Either a black man or a white woman will be in or near the White House.
That's pretty neat.
I am torn this election. I have always voted for Republican presidents.
I just don't think I can do it this year...
Ken
To buy or sell a home in Naperville, call me anytime at … (53 comments)
|
ken: "I'M IN THE PEOPLE BUSINESS."
- 10/01/08 08:43 AM
About two weeks ago I joined the social networking site Facebook. I have enjoyed reconnecting with friends I haven't seen in many years. So far, I give it two thumbs up. Anyway...
Yesterday, I received an instant message on Facebook (it was my first!) from an old friend of mine I knew in high school.
"You are always on Facebook," she teased me.
My initial reaction was one of defiance. I am not, after all, always on Facebook. I may leave my computer on all the time, but I certainly am not actively involved. How could she tell, anyway?
Since I … (17 comments)
|
ken: "HI KEN, I FOUND YOU ON THE INTERNET..."
- 09/30/08 08:02 AM
It was music to my ears.
Probably the goal of anyone using blogging to enhance their online presence.
And I have heard it 3 times in the last week. Pretty incredible for me.
I have always had my website. Static. A necessity for a Realtor, for sure. But not interactive at all.
It never really answered the question, "Who is Ken Tracy?"
That's where my blog came in.
I committed myself to active participation on the real estate network Active Rain back in February of this year. I have always enjoyed the experience, exchanging ideas and challenges with Realtors across the country. But … (71 comments)
|
ken: OVERPRICED HOMES DON'T SELL
- 09/26/08 01:28 AM
A home I know quite well just came on the market in my farm area, River Bend. I met with the homeowners last spring.
At that time, the homeowners were interested in selling their townhome and buying a bigger home in nearby Naperville.
They asked me about pricing. I explained to them where there home would stand in the market.
They were hoping to sell their townhome for about $350K. At the time, it would have sold for around $310K. They were disappointed and chose not to put their home on the market.
I showed them a few homes last spring just the same...
And a few more … (19 comments)
|
Almost half way through my plan...
;)
;)
;)
