I found a really great website to find alot of current information about Chicago. It's a great resourse for things happening around town if you want to attend or just avoid due to traffic or street closures.
It is americantowns.com . See below for some types of info available on this site:
Chicago Illinois Quick Facts: Population for Chicago: 2896016 County: Cook Latitude: 41.8865 Longitude: -87.6245 Chicago Illinois Site Map: Chicago Illinois IL Chicago Upcoming Events and Things to Do Chicago Illinois IL News Chicago Organizations Businesses Chicago Illinois IL Video Chicago
Ask me if you ever want some good shortcuts for driving around Chicago or of course if you want to know about Chicago Real Estate
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
Mortgage Crisis to Credit Card Crisis
This story is not really about real estate but I can forsee a problem that is similar to what happened in the mortgage industry. ..Home owners not able make their mortgage payment now that the rate on their ARM has adjusted to much higher.
Higher Rates!
I signed on to citicard site to pay my credit card bill. The minimum payment due seemed a little high so I actually look at the bill. Ah ha there it is! Citibank raised my finance rate to 13.99%. Yipes, with further investigation I found that last month my rate was 7.49%. I contacted them and they told me that the increase had nothing to do with my account but with their 'cost of doing business'. Hey, don't punish me for your problems!
I told them they need to lower my rate and that if they continue to raise peoples rates so high then payment will be more difficult...they might default on the payment and hence...a credit card crisis.
I wish I didn't have a balance on my credit card but with the mortgage crisis which led to the real estate slump...boohoo :(
Higher Rates!
I signed on to citicard site to pay my credit card bill. The minimum payment due seemed a little high so I actually look at the bill. Ah ha there it is! Citibank raised my finance rate to 13.99%. Yipes, with further investigation I found that last month my rate was 7.49%. I contacted them and they told me that the increase had nothing to do with my account but with their 'cost of doing business'. Hey, don't punish me for your problems!
I told them they need to lower my rate and that if they continue to raise peoples rates so high then payment will be more difficult...they might default on the payment and hence...a credit card crisis.
I wish I didn't have a balance on my credit card but with the mortgage crisis which led to the real estate slump...boohoo :(
Sunday, June 22, 2008
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.
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.
Friday, June 20, 2008
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.
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.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
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!
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!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Lincoln Park Preschools
Cody O'GradyA 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.
Friday, March 7, 2008
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)
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)
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