real: "HEY KEN, I HEAR THE REAL ESTATE MARKET IS PICKING UP..."
- 03/29/09 04:10 AM
I have had four or five friends say it to me in the last week...
"Hey Ken, I hear the real estate market is picking up."
Hmmmm.
I am not so sure. I just haven't seen it...
Am I a Negative Ninny? Perhaps.
But I do watch the real estate market here in Naperville very closely. I have yet to see the turnaround...
Yes, I heard the news. Home sales were up in February versus January. But they were still way down year over year. Prices were way down too.
Yes, I also know the stock market has rallied 1500 points in the last … (17 comments)
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real: THE REAL ESTATE MARKET HAS CHANGED...
- 03/25/09 10:36 AM
The real estate market has changed...
This morning, as I was going through today's real estate activity in Naperville, one transaction caught my eye...
728 Chateaugay had just been sold.
This was one of the first homes that I ever showed...
It was three years ago. My first clients. They loved the neighborhood (Hobson Village), the trees, the lot, the layout...
The home needed a bit of updating. A remodeled kitchen would have been great...
They liked the home enough to make an offer, the first of my career...
My clients lost out to another bidder (again, this was three years ago). The seller was asking … (23 comments)
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real: INTERNET EXPLORER 8...
- 03/21/09 12:16 PM
Have you downloaded it yet?
When I posted on Facebook I was downloading, I was warned...
"Don't do it!"
Well I have only had it for a day, but I have had no troubles so far...
I was told of compatibility issues with certain sites. The only trouble I did had was on the Facebook site. A quick fix...
Click on Tools, click "compatibility", and my problem was gone.
I have heard it is roughly twice as fast? Maybe. It is certainly not slower...
Everything is cleaner.
No regrets here. I say give it a shot...
UPGRADE TO INTERNET EXPLORER 8.
Anyone else have any thoughts?
Ken
A … (9 comments)
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real: LOWBALL OFFERS...
- 03/17/09 02:51 PM
Can an offer be so low that it is offensive?
I received an offer on one of my listings last night. A real nice two bedroom condo near Naperville's train station and downtown.
The condo is beautiful. It shows great. We've only been on the market 19 days...
Anyway, we received the offer last night. They bid $200k. We are asking $325K...
I must say I was surprised. In my three years as an agent, I haven't had an offer near this low.
Does this seem odd?
It seems strange to me...
We will sell this home. But not for 62% of our asking price after only 19 days … (82 comments)
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real: THE BEST ADVERTISEMENT FOR A REALTOR.
- 03/05/09 08:44 AM
My old boss used to say "There was no better marketing for an agent than a FOR SALE sign."
He was correct. But I always felt they were even more powerful with a SOLD sign on top...
Don't you?
Many agents don't use them. Perhaps they are hoping buyers continue to call, even after contract...
I don't think it works that way.
I think when you put the SOLD sign up, it sends would be buyers into a frenzy. They call even more. Perhaps a reverse psychology thing?
And the neighbors? They LOVE seeing the SOLD sign in the neighborhood.
They will remember you. … (23 comments)
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real: PLEASE DON'T TAKE AWAY MY GROWTHLEADER...
- 02/28/09 10:13 AM
PLEASE DON'T TAKE AWAY MY GROWTHLEADER...
Four months ago I was chosen to try out a new lead generation program called Growthleader.
I would get the program for free and in return I would write about my experience with Growthleader.
I have been struggling to keep up my end of the bargain. It has been a few weeks since my last post on the subject.
I am hoping for something exciting to write about. A closing, a contract??
And I haven't had one...
But we are getting close...
Every day or so, someone new registers to my web site, www.ServingNaperville.com, and starts shopping for homes. About … (19 comments)
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real: ONE YEAR OF BLOGGING...AND BEYOND.
- 02/25/09 03:13 AM
On February 15th of 2008 I made a committment to writing my real estate blog.
I wrote the following post...
A New Commitment
Hello again. I have been abusing my blog. And by that, I mean abuse by neglect. I love the idea of this community, I just need to participate more. I will become more active on this blog!
I hope all is well,
Ken
That was my 5th post here on Active Rain. I took 8 months to write the first four. I have written more than 350 posts since...
What a crazy 12 months it has been.
So many highs … (15 comments)
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real: "IF YOU BROKE IT UP HOURLY, IT WOULDN'T BE PRETTY..."
- 02/21/09 07:29 AM
"If you broke it up hourly, it wouldn't be pretty," my wife Nicole laughed...
I had been commenting how much time I have spent with real estate this year.
Showing. Listing. Prospecting. Negotiating.
Keeping busy is a victory in itself...
Nickie looked at it differently. "If you broke it up hourly, it wouldn't be pretty."
"You are correct," I chuckled back.
It wouldn't be pretty.
Ken
A Realtor you can trust.
… (22 comments)
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real: OPEN HOUSES
- 02/08/09 06:20 AM
I think open houses are great. I feel the open house shows a Realtor is both active and energized.
I held one at my listing in south Naperville yesterday. It was a beautiful day. 57 degrees and sunny.
Despite the great weather, only two groups came through, yet I was happy.
At 4:00, when I picked up my signs, I snapped a few pictures:
Thousands of cars drove by these signs. Thousands of people saw my name and number...
They knew that I was working, that the real estate market hadn't stopped me...
When you keep working, good things happen.
Ken
A Realtor you can trust.
… (38 comments)
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real: I HAVE BECOME A NAPERVILLE "MOM"...
- 02/05/09 12:12 PM
My wife Nicole went back to work last July. She is a pediatric dietician at Central DuPage Hospital.
While Nicole works, I watch our little girl Erin. It is working out quite well...
Despite some challenges, I am running a fairly active and growing real estate business.
Nicole's steady paychecks are nice too...
Recently, however, "fatherhood" has gone a little too far...
I think I have become a Naperville "mom".
Let me explain. Today went like this...
After driving my wife to work, my daughter and I go to the health club, Lifetime Fitness...
I drop Erin off at day care. It's awesome. They have a great staff and facility. It's … (17 comments)
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real: REALTORS, DO YOU WORK A SET SCHEDULE?
- 01/28/09 07:40 AM
I read Clint Millers post the other day titled "5 Ways to Kill your Business in 2009!".
In his post, not working a set schedule was Clint's #2 way to kill your business.
Realtors, do you work a set schedule?
I don't. Not even close. Should I be worried?
I don't understand how a career in real estate could be a "set schedule" type of job.
I am not saying my way is the only way. There are different ways to skin a cat...
But my real estate happens at all hours. Certainly not 9-5...
Like I said, my way may not work for … (37 comments)
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real: THE DEFINITION OF INSANITY? STOP THE MADNESS!
- 01/27/09 04:47 AM
I have heard the following phrase countless times: The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result.
I DON'T BELIEVE IT!
Tell it to the river that carves the canyon...
To the wind that changes mountains...
Yet I continue to hear this "definition" almost daily.
Doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result?
This is the definition of determination. The definition of persistence.
Sometimes you have to fight through tough times.
Are you working hard? Do you take care of your clients?
Then keep doing what you are doing.
Persistence wears down resistance.
… (11 comments)
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real: INVESTING IN MY BUSINESS FOR 2009
- 01/19/09 12:37 AM
I was fortunate to have couple of closing at the end of December.
It not only assured my family a very Merry Christmas, it also allowed me to make some investments in my business:
1. Global Positioning system (GPS): Garmin Nuvi 260
I love it. It gives me so much confidence. There is enough anxiety involved in real estate. It is nice not worrying where I am going. Price $189.
2. Hard Drive: Maxtor
An insurance policy for my computer. I have so many files, pictures, contacts, etc. that I do not want to lose. Now I won't. Probably more space than I will ever use. Price $80.
… (32 comments)
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real: IT'S A STEADY SOURCE OF BUSINESS...GROWTHLEADER UPDATE
- 01/15/09 09:38 AM
Do you ever have one of those blah days?
I was having one today when and an email I received made me smile.
From: Vision.
Subject: New prospect.
Congratulations! You just received the following new prospect:
Name: xxxxxx
Phone:
Website: servingnaperville.com
Action: Use the initial contact wizard.
Be sure to make personal contact and build the relationship.
Best success!
Vision Team
I love those emails!
It's a steady source of business.
New prospects are signing up on my website, www.SERVINGNAPERVILLE.COM.
Some are good. Some are not.
All are worthwhile...
My business just generated another new lead.
That makes me smile.
Ken
A Realtor you … (17 comments)
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real: DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS?
- 01/13/09 11:27 AM
If you are a Realtor planning on showing a short sale listing, this is a bad sight.
It means you probably won't be showing that home today.
I came across this ugly sight not once but twice TODAY.
It is a door knob, smashed off it's door. The Sentrilock still desperately trying to do it's job...
Clasping on the doorknob.
Smashed off by a lender, taking control of the REO listing.
Nope, you won't be showing that home.
Unless you have the garage code.:)
Ken
A Realtor you can trust.
… (26 comments)
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real: THE BEST REAL ESTATE BLOGGER YOU HAVE NEVER HEARD OF...
- 01/11/09 10:02 AM
His name is Andrew Olson.
He is probably the best real estate blogger you have never heard of.
I first read one of Andrew's posts back in October.
I had just joined Facebook, and was anxious to learn about social networking and Web 2.0.
The timing was perfect.
Andrew writes simple posts. Always very positive...
He writes about blogging, Facebook, and Twitter...how social networking can impact business...
I have enjoyed reading his posts and look forward to more in 2009.
Check out Andrew's Blog now.
Ken
A Realtor you can trust.
… (14 comments)
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real: TAKING PICTURES IN THE SNOW...
- 01/11/09 07:04 AM
I was hoping for a cold and sunny day.
What I got was a snowstorm...
It was Saturday morning. I was taking pictures for my new listing, 1116 Longwood Drive, Lisle.
It was snowing heavily. The skies were dark.
Although it wasn't what I planned on, it was fun taking pictures in the snow...
Ken
A Realtor you can trust.
-I thought it was neat how the snowflakes came out. They look like stars.
-The sidewalks and steps had yet to be shoveled. I was wearing clogs. Not very smart.
-The courtyard looks neat in the snow. It was pretty … (26 comments)
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real: IS HOMEOWNERSHIP STILL THE AMERICAN DREAM? IT IS FOR ME.
- 01/07/09 10:55 AM
Over the last few months, I have read many articles questioning if home ownership is still part of the American dream. Writers have been debating the advantages of renting versus home ownership. This is probably to be expected considering today's real estate market.
While renting is certainly great for many...
Home ownership is definitely part of this Americans dream!
Let me explain...
Three years ago, my wife and I decided to sell our townhome to finance my new real estate career.
Although our timing turned out fortunate, we were very sad leaving our home. It was our first home together. We loved the neighborhood, loved the home, and … (32 comments)
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real: THE LEADS ARE BACK...MY GROWTHLEADER UPDATE...
- 01/03/09 11:45 AM
I haven't written anything about Growthleader in a while.
Honestly, I didn't have a whole lot to say...
The number of leads I was receiving from my new website, www.servingnaperville.com, had cooled off dramatically right after Thanksgiving...
But in the last week or so, they have started up again.
Strange.
One week, I get maybe two leads...
The next week, I get two leads every day.
I don't think Growthleader is changing the marketing for my website?
Are you, Growthleader?
But the number of leads I am getting varies tremendously, week to week.
I think the changes reflect overall market interest...
Some … (22 comments)
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real: THE SHORT SALE EXPERT
- 12/30/08 02:22 PM
As I write the title of this post I chuckle...
"THE SHORT SALE EXPERT"
I am not actually a short sale expert.
Not even close. But I will be soon...
It's a rapidly growing portion of my business.
It seems like every home I show these days is a short sale.
I had a listing appointment tonight. Another short sale.
I expected my business to be nice homes for nice people....
Now, every home is "lender approval required."
I guess I better roll with the punches...
And become a short sale expert.
Ken
A Realtor you can trust.
… (21 comments)
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I have had four or five friends say it to me in the last week...
;)
;)
;)
