Best Business Practices

Professional Home Stagers Take the Stress Out of Selling

Your listing isn’t selling and your clients’ hopes are turning into fears. When your client chose you as their real estate agent, you had very positive things to say about their home and promised it wouldn’t take long to

A “Change the World” Attitude

I often think about my funeral and what that will look like. Will I hear crickets or will it be standing room only? How long will I be remembered, and for what? When you think about your place here

Are You Willing to Do the Work to Be a Problem Solver?

Each day we are confronted with problems and potential pitfalls for ourselves and our clients. Do you put your clients’ needs first? Are you a solution-orientated business person? As a Realtor, I have always seen us as the glue

Home Inspections Should Address Chimneys and Fireplaces

Home inspections are crucial to the real estate process and help the buyer’s agent and buyer avoid costly surprises.  And while home inspectors provide an extremely valuable service, the majority don’t have the tools or training to analyze the

The Perfect Purchase Transaction – It All Starts with a System

Have you ever wondered what the Perfect Purchase Transaction would look like? Close your eyes and dream about it for a minute: Few inbound phone calls. Your cell phone never rings. Clients leave so ecstatic with your service that

What’s Important When Financing New Construction?

By Joseph McBreen New construction financing is available with all the standard conventional, jumbo and government loan programs. With a single family home or a detached townhome or PUD, there are no specific guidelines, which can create a problem

ON-Time – Take Time Out for Planning

Have you ever had days, weeks or even months go by when you were frustrated in your work activities because you failed to implement the things that you know you need to do in order to be more successful?

So You May Want to Buy an Investment Property?

By Greg Viti Are you considering buying/owning an investment property or building a portfolio of multi-unit/ mixed use properties? We have all heard of people and partnerships making great appreciation and building wealth through ownership. I am sure most

Construction is Not Magic!

By Greg Viti Construction is not magic! Then again sometimes the end result does appear that way. A well thought out plan with great execution is the goal. Keeping within a budget is important- however using the right materials

Did You Know You Can Buy Investment Property with Your IRA?

By Daniel Hanlon Did you know that since 1974, individuals have able to purchase investment real estate with their retirement money as opposed to having it sit in stocks? Individuals who choose this option don’t pay any penalties and

The Difference 1 Percent Makes

By Michael Michalak Although it may seem small when first mentioned, one percent can result in a big change. This came to mind recently when speaking with a buyer about mortgage rates. She was concerned that home prices had

How to Deal with the Stresses of Working in the Real Estate Industry

By Stanley Popovich Stress and anxiety are very common when you work in the real estate industry. As a result, here is a list of techniques that a person in the real estate industry can use to help manage

Giving Thanks

Over the Thanksgiving holiday week I started taking an inventory of what I was thankful for. This year what really came to mind was my office. I am very very thankful to be where I am at and working

Get In The Game

I recently returned from what seemed like a month on the road attending trade shows, our Annual EXIT Realty Convention, NAR and other meetings and appointments with customers. It gets to a point where you are more comfortable in

Consider Reinvesting in Your Real Estate Business

By Craig Pratt Small businesses, such as many local Chicago area real estate brokerages, play a vital role in our economy and in our community as both employers and service providers.  While the economic environment continues to be challenging

Trends in Kitchen Cabinetry & Design What’s Hot, Where?

By Karla Krengel When it comes to trends in cabinetry and kitchen design, believe it or not, they vary throughout the U.S., but from the city of Chicago to Chicago’s North Shore to Chicago’s Western burbs. Really? They could

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