Told Me About It

I was on the phone with a co-worker today and she was upset about something and she told me about it. Here it is:

Last year she was the listing agent for a beautiful house in Roscoe Village. With all her efforts, the house did not sell in the prescribed amount of time called for on the listing agreement. That is not a suprise in today's market. The owner then relisted his property with another popular agent and at a higher price! Ha! Soon the new agent reduced the price to the old price and eventually the house sold and closed.

Of course, if the seller had retained my co-worker as his agent surely she would have sold the house for the same price so naturally she is unhappy.

Whatever...at least the guy was able to sell his house.

Tell me about it!!

So here is my latest idea. It's a site or in this case a blog where you can complain, vent, or even say nice things or kudos about someone, something, etc. If you just want to go on and on about something...fine. Or maybe you would like advice about something specific....fine, ask for it. Or maybe you want information on a subject. I will try to obtain that info for you or call out to someone who can help. Oh, and also since this is supposed to be a real estate blog, let's keep it about real estate for now. Okay? I'll start!

So the other day, I was on 'live chat'. Live Chat is a feature on rubloff.com where a person can get info by chatting with an agent online. I was on - a chatter came on asking for the 3 Rubloff agents with the highest sales volume in River North because he may have a property to sell soon. I told him that I would be happy to help him sell his place. I work in River North and that is my job, right? This guy says "Oh that's what all agents tell me" "Well, would you like me to search for that information for you?" I say. "Yes" he said. So I did and gave him that information.

Now how is a real estate agent like me supposed to make a living in this business if people request the only top selling agents to represent them? Hey, I am a great agent. I try hard and I care. I can sell this guys house just as well or even better that those other agents....just gimme the chance!!!!

Let me know what you think or tell me some of your issues.

Chicago Public Schools-Magnet High School

Getting your kids into a magnet school in Chicago is by lottery. You must have your application in by the due date which is usually early December before the year that your child starts kindergarten. There is a special lottery for siblings and special consideration is taken for those who live within 1 1/2 miles from the school.

High School is a different story. Of course, just as with elementary school, your children can go to the neighborhood school, a private school or try to get in to a magnet high school. In order to get into one of the magnet schools, testing is necessary and grades must be good.

Your child should concentrate on getting good final grades in 7th grade. Applicants to magnet high schools are accepted on the basis of how many points they have accumulated and 1000 points is the highest. . Each 'A' is worth 75 points, 'B' = 50 etc. In addition to that, 100 points are added for perfect attendance and 2 points are deducted for each day of absence. Seventh grade standardized tests are tallied in and there is a high school admission test which is taken in 8th grade too.

You are allowed to choose 4 magnet high schools to be considered for. Your first choice should be the school you most want to attend. It is usually in March that you will be notified of acceptance. Good Luck, your kid could get in to all or none!

Lincoln Park Preschools

Cody O'Grady

A few days ago someone asked me about preschool options for little ones on the near north side which would include, Lincoln Park, Old Town, Gold Coast, Streeterville, New East Side, Loop. It's been a while since my kids were in preschool but I asked around and found the best ones....still. Here's the list:





Catherine Cook


Lincoln Park Co-op


Lake Shore Prep (Apple School)


Chalk Board


and a new one


Chalk





I know all about Chicago Public Schools- elementary and high school. My kids, Bethany 18 and Cody 15 went to LaSalle Language Academy and now go to Whitney Young High School. Both are magnet schools. They got into LaSalle by 'lottery' and for magnet high schools, it is necessary to test in. I will write about that next time.

Spring Real Estate Market and Time Change

If you don't already know, Sunday morning March 9th at 2am is when we Spring UP! and set our clocks ahead one hour. .That's exciting to me because it means longer and warmer days, flowers blooming and some fun spring holidays.

It also means the the Spring Real Estate Market is blossoming. The spring market actually starts in February, after the winter holidays and after the SuperBowl when buyers are tired of staying in, watching TV and are ready to go out find their perfect new home. Sellers too have prepared for this time and are ready to show off.

The real estate market is strong as usual this season. The slump is over, there are alot of available properties and rates are low! Sellers get ready to negotiate and Buyers-don't wait too long because prices will go up soon.

""Billionaire investor Sam Zell, sees a U.S. housing market recovery this spring""I think starts have already pretty much bottomed out," Zell said. "I think the housing market this spring will begin its recovery phase." NEW YORK, Feb 26 (Reuters)

What Clients Say About Jill O'Grady

I am thinking about sending out a marketing letter to get more clients. I have asked some of my past clients to write something about their experience in working with me. Here is what some of them have to say:


Jill's knowledge of the city was paramount for us in finding a condo for our daughter to live in. We bought a condo without stepping foot in Chicago. We trusted Jill and she didn't let us down.

BAM, Retired Trader

“Jill was very patient with me in finding my new home. She showed me many places that I had some kind of hang-up on and she kept looking until she found out I was happy with”.

KMacD, Accountant

You are the best! You sold my property in a down market in only week! Technically, you sold it before it went on the market to the broker in your firm.

FLW, IT Consultant

"We used Jill to help us buy our very first home. She was extremely patient with us. We were looking at a lot of places and being picky about our choices, but Jill was always there to help us see as many places as we wanted and help us choose the perfect place for us. She explained the buying process to us and was very helpful throughout the whole process. We loved her."

DW, Nutritionist

Winter Walk in Lincoln Park. 60614

What a great day! I got all bundled and walked about a mile to Lincoln Park in the snow. That's one of the wonderful things about living in LP, Old Town, or the Gold Coast...walking distance to the park, the lake, and Lincoln Park Zoo. Today the Sichuan Tapir was out and the Flamigo community was at their hot pink, finest, dancing around and flapping their wings with Chicago's 'concrete mountains' in the background. Also out for a walk in the snow were the Camels and plenty of birds.

For a change in climate I stepped into the Lincoln Park Conservatory for a view of some colorful. spring flowers as well as orchids, ferns, and and a jungle of other plants. The temperature went from cold outside to warm inside, to muggy in the fern room and a cool spring day of 55 degrees for the flower show.

For any information about these areas or other places in Chicago including real estate listings be sure to contact me!