Friday, January 8, 2010
How to Make Moving Fun
Moving doesn't have to be painful. Get some ideas on how to make moving fun for the whole family in this video.
Commercial Foreclosures Next Wave of Foreclosure Litigation
Although the public has most certainly been made aware of the massive amounts of residential properties being foreclosed upon, most are not aware of the amount of commercial properties that are either delinquent or soon to be so. Towards the end of the residential real estate boom, the commercial real estate market also saw a boom itself. Fueled by easy credit and new investors entering the market the commercial real estate market exploded.
Thousands of these properties were purchased at the height of the market and were highly leveraged. These properties may have performed well enough to cover debt service and operating costs when occupancy rates were at historic highs, but now that businesses are tightening their belts, unemployment is rising, consumers are not spending money on goods and services or traveling the pressure is mounting on commercial property owners. (More)
Thousands of these properties were purchased at the height of the market and were highly leveraged. These properties may have performed well enough to cover debt service and operating costs when occupancy rates were at historic highs, but now that businesses are tightening their belts, unemployment is rising, consumers are not spending money on goods and services or traveling the pressure is mounting on commercial property owners. (More)
Source: Yahoo Real Estate
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Carbon Monoxide-Proof Your Home
Use tech to detect the 'invisible killer'
Carbon monoxide (CO) has been called the invisible killer because it is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, toxic gas. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 15,000 people per year are treated for carbon monoxide poisoning in the U.S., and approximately 500 of these poisonings result in death.
Occasionally, we hear of a person or family killed or injured by carbon monoxide poisoning from a faulty furnace or other gas-burning appliance. In most cases, these deaths and injuries could be prevented by installing CO detectors. In spite of this simple solution, there are no requirements in the building codes for CO alarms in homes. And tragically, this oversight is ignored by most municipal building departments. (More)
Carbon monoxide (CO) has been called the invisible killer because it is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, toxic gas. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 15,000 people per year are treated for carbon monoxide poisoning in the U.S., and approximately 500 of these poisonings result in death.
Occasionally, we hear of a person or family killed or injured by carbon monoxide poisoning from a faulty furnace or other gas-burning appliance. In most cases, these deaths and injuries could be prevented by installing CO detectors. In spite of this simple solution, there are no requirements in the building codes for CO alarms in homes. And tragically, this oversight is ignored by most municipal building departments. (More)
Source: Yahoo Real Estate
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Co-Founder of Century 21 Real-Estate Company Dies
Arthur E. Bartlett, a consummate salesman and co-founder of the real estate behemoth Century 21, died New Year's Eve at his Coronado, Calif., home after a long bout with Alzheimer's disease. He was 76.
A firm believer in the power of the large, corporate brand, Bartlett pioneered the concept of conversion franchising, in which he persuaded independent real estate agents across the country to don the signature mustard-colored jacket and market themselves as Century 21 salespeople.
The formula worked. Seven years after starting the company at the age of 38 with Marshall Fisher, he sold it to Trans World Corp. for $89 million in cash and stock. These days Century 21 is a subsidiary of Realogy Corp. based in Parsippany, N.J., and is a global company with 7,700 independently owned offices in 67 countries and territories. (More)
A firm believer in the power of the large, corporate brand, Bartlett pioneered the concept of conversion franchising, in which he persuaded independent real estate agents across the country to don the signature mustard-colored jacket and market themselves as Century 21 salespeople.
The formula worked. Seven years after starting the company at the age of 38 with Marshall Fisher, he sold it to Trans World Corp. for $89 million in cash and stock. These days Century 21 is a subsidiary of Realogy Corp. based in Parsippany, N.J., and is a global company with 7,700 independently owned offices in 67 countries and territories. (More)
Source: Tulsa World
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Lisle Attracting Younger Residents and Families With Abundance of Amenities, Warm Atmosphere
Originally a farming community, Lisle has evolved into a vibrant western suburb rich with housing options, recreational opportunities and highly-rated schools. Lisle is a place that takes business seriously. Its corporate complexes are home to many of DuPage County's largest employers. Yet, the village retains a small-town feel where families stay for generations
Nicknamed "The Arboretum Village," Lisle has grown from a farming community to a vibrant western suburb enriched with a diverse array of homes and businesses. Yet, the village of about 23,000 residents remains a close-knit community with a friendly small-town pace.
Many families move from one home to another in Lisle, and grown children often move back when it's time to buy their first home.
In 2007, Money magazine named Lisle the 20th best place to live in the United States for its "economic opportunity, good schools, safe streets, things to do, and a real sense of community." (More)
Nicknamed "The Arboretum Village," Lisle has grown from a farming community to a vibrant western suburb enriched with a diverse array of homes and businesses. Yet, the village of about 23,000 residents remains a close-knit community with a friendly small-town pace.
Many families move from one home to another in Lisle, and grown children often move back when it's time to buy their first home.
In 2007, Money magazine named Lisle the 20th best place to live in the United States for its "economic opportunity, good schools, safe streets, things to do, and a real sense of community." (More)
Source: Chicago Tribune
If you would like to learn more about Lisle Contact Me
Monday, January 4, 2010
Home-Selling Season Starts Sooner Than You Think
It's nearly spring -- at least that's the case in the parallel, slightly weird universe of real estate.
Traditionally, the "spring" homebuying season, theoretically the busiest time in the marketplace, begins the day after the Super Bowl. Why this is so has never been clear, but it probably has something to do with finally being able to pry spouses off the couch to tour houses.
This year, "spring" arrives later than usual: The big game is on Feb. 7.
But if you're thinking of selling, waiting to list until the bowl festivities have passed probably is a mistake in the current market, according to some local experts.
If you're new to the selling game or haven't sold a house in years, here are a few thoughts:
--Think about planting that "For Sale" sign in the yard before your neighbor gets around to doing the same thing. (More)
Traditionally, the "spring" homebuying season, theoretically the busiest time in the marketplace, begins the day after the Super Bowl. Why this is so has never been clear, but it probably has something to do with finally being able to pry spouses off the couch to tour houses.
This year, "spring" arrives later than usual: The big game is on Feb. 7.
But if you're thinking of selling, waiting to list until the bowl festivities have passed probably is a mistake in the current market, according to some local experts.
If you're new to the selling game or haven't sold a house in years, here are a few thoughts:
--Think about planting that "For Sale" sign in the yard before your neighbor gets around to doing the same thing. (More)
Source: Chicago Tribune
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Save While You Splurge
Find out how you can actually save money while you splurge on some home projects in this video from the Two Minute Experts at This Old House.
Mortgage Modification Fails to Bring Real Relief
The Obama administration's $75 billion program to protect homeowners from foreclosure has been widely pronounced a disappointment, and some economists and real estate experts now contend it has done more harm than good.
Since President Barack Obama announced the program in February, it has lowered payments on a trial basis for hundreds of thousands, but has largely failed to provide permanent relief. Critics increasingly argue that the program, Making Home Affordable, has raised false hopes among people who simply cannot afford their homes.
As a result, desperate homeowners have sent payments in often-futile efforts to keep their homes, which some see as wasting dollars they could have saved for moving to cheaper rental residences. (More)
Since President Barack Obama announced the program in February, it has lowered payments on a trial basis for hundreds of thousands, but has largely failed to provide permanent relief. Critics increasingly argue that the program, Making Home Affordable, has raised false hopes among people who simply cannot afford their homes.
As a result, desperate homeowners have sent payments in often-futile efforts to keep their homes, which some see as wasting dollars they could have saved for moving to cheaper rental residences. (More)
Source:Hearld-Tribune.com
Friday, January 1, 2010
Of Green Listings, Warmer Forecasts
Housing facts, follow-ups and a few figures as we enter a year that should be, simply has to be, better than 2009.
How green is my listing: Without any fanfare, Midwest Real Estate Data LLC, the company behind the local multiple listing service, rolled out an update just before Christmas that makes it easier for eco-friendly homebuyers to narrow their shopping.
Added to the listing form are four optional "green" fields that move the idea of a green home way beyond a catchall advertising phrase. They include places to spell out a score showing a home's energy efficiency; whether the home has a green building rating; which of up to 11 green features it has; and whether a five-page green disclosure is attached.
Previously, any mention of green features was limited to the remarks section of a listing. (More)
How green is my listing: Without any fanfare, Midwest Real Estate Data LLC, the company behind the local multiple listing service, rolled out an update just before Christmas that makes it easier for eco-friendly homebuyers to narrow their shopping.
Added to the listing form are four optional "green" fields that move the idea of a green home way beyond a catchall advertising phrase. They include places to spell out a score showing a home's energy efficiency; whether the home has a green building rating; which of up to 11 green features it has; and whether a five-page green disclosure is attached.
Previously, any mention of green features was limited to the remarks section of a listing. (More)
Soure: Chicago Tribune
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Happy New Year 2010
As we close the book on 2009, I would like to wish
everyone a Blessed, Prosperous and Happy New Year.
May all your Dreams, Hopes and Wishes come true in 2010.
everyone a Blessed, Prosperous and Happy New Year.
May all your Dreams, Hopes and Wishes come true in 2010.
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