September 2007

Shame on NBC’s “Today” Show

September 29, 2007

I watch NBC’s “Today” Show for 15 minutes each morning while I stretch for my morning workout. When my schedule allows, I often watch CNBC’s “Mad Money” with Jim Cramer during my early evening walk on my treadmill. So it was especially disappointing to hear Jim Cramer’s inappropriate comments on home buying on “Today” not Click to continue...

For Sale By Owner Bedroom Counts

September 25, 2007

I was quite surprised when I discovered a 3 bedroom house in Palatine advertised for sale by owner last week. I know the house only has 2 bedrooms. Not only is the room the owners are claiming is a bedroom in the basement, you must walk through it to get to the utility room. When Click to continue...

Why Sellers Should Confirm Their School Districts

September 20, 2007

While getting a house in Bolingbrook ready to go on the market this week, I asked the seller for the names of the school districts for his home. Not having children, he didn’t know and said I could call the schools. I explained that an agent can’t provide the information for a home. It must Click to continue...

Buying a Home Got Cheaper for the 1st Time in 4 Years!!!

September 18, 2007

Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben Bernanke (shown left), and the Federal Reserve Board voted unanimously today to lower the federal funds rate (the interest rate that banks charge each other) by 0.5%. This is the first such rate cut in 4 years. Most economists were predicting only a 0.25% cut. For more details, read CNBC.com’s “Fed Click to continue...

Are the Costs Savings for Using a Discount Broker Worth Losing a Pet?

September 10, 2007

A home seller in Brookfield almost lost his cat on Saturday when I showed his house. When I schedule a showing, the listing broker typically mentions if there are any pets loose in the home. That didn’t happen for this showing, so my buyers and I were quite surprised when a cat darted out to Click to continue...

Housing Prices Fall Less in Chicago Than Other Top 10 Housing Markets

September 4, 2007

According to Standard and Poor’s Case-Shiller Home Price Index, home prices have fallen the least in the Chicago metro area compared to the other top 10 housing markets. Year-over-year prices have fallen 0.7% for Chicago compared to a top 10 city average of 4.1%. San Diego has the highest decline of 7.4%. For the full Click to continue...