What is your opinion?

If having trouble viewing, this video can also be viewed here.

So when choosing an agent, ask them what they think of the 2009 market and how, within the parameters of the market, they can sell your house.  It’s ok if they’re “bearish” on the market, as long as they have a plan – aggressive pricing, online promotion, etc. – to counter it.

You can ask them some questions on how they will market your Chicago property – Do they have a personal website?  Does their company aggressively invest the dollars (and more importantly – the time) in search engine optimization?  Will your listing have its own personal landing page on the website?  Is their site mobile-enabled?

An optimistic (or at least focused and realistic) agent is a valuable asset.

I try to draw this parallel: I’ve been skydiving a few times in my life – each time I’ve jumped “tandem” where you’re strapped to the instructor.  I’ve always asked – “Are you optimistic about this jump?  Are you and your girlfriend in a fight today?”  If either answer is “no” I would suggest finding another instructor!  You’re both in this together. So make sure your agent is optimistic about selling your home, or seek out a new one!

Not that downsizing is all that bad.  As someone who pays for the guy to mow the lawn I seldom walk, and rake the leaves I see out my window, there’s an appeal in a smaller (or non-existent) lawn. According to Runzheimer International a family of four who downsizes in Chicago from 2800 SF to 1800 SF will yield approximately $1281 in utilities savings and $4,545 in property tax savings annually (that’s a total of over $5,800 ).  Well, there’s your IRA contribution!

In addition, as www.zillow.com reports, smaller homes have shown a great annual appreciation (5.2%) than smaller homes (3.5%).

There are always two sides to every story.  Presumable you’re moving from a big suburban home to a city condo.  The flip side of that “quality of life” and minimal commute may be hundreds of dollars each month to park that seldom used car (and a jump in insurance costs to boot); or the addition of condo association fees.  But at as we read the reports from “black Friday” – consumers will buy enough to fill up any space they’re in….so isn’t it smart to see the advantages of a slightly smaller space?

The top ten project paybacks are:
1. Upscale fiber cement siding (86.7%)
2. Midrange wood deck (81.8%)
3. Midrange vinyl siding (80.7%)
4. Upscale foam-backed vinyl (80.4%)
5. Midrange minor kitchen remodel (79.5%)
6. Upscale vinyl window replacement (79.2%)
7. Midrange wood window replacement (77.7%)
8. Midrange vinyl window replacement (77.2%)
9. Upscale wood window replacement (76.5%
10. Midrange major kitchen remodel (76.0%)

The entire article goes into many specific examples that are worth a closer look! So get out that hammer!

All leaders in the real estate industry, they discussed the various aspects of relocation regarding building relationships around the globe, service levels when working with corporate clients and shared ideas to further increase the effectiveness of their relocation services divisions.  Speakers included Bud George, Director of Education and Training for Bob Parks Realty, Dawn Moliterno, President and CEO, Walton Area Chamber of Commerce, Mel Ponder with Vision 3000 Walton County Visitors & Tourist Development Council.

John D’Ambrogio, CRP and Director of Relocation Services Rubloff stated:  “It is always beneficial when leaders within the industry gather with their peers to exchange ideas regarding industry challenges and operational efficiencies. The companies who attended this retreat are all established and proven leaders in our industry and join Rubloff in their ongoing commitment to excellence.”

Rubloff is a full-service real estate company with 7 residential sales offices located throughout Chicago and Michigan. Rubloff is recognized as one of the top real estate companies in the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World™ Network.  They have an office located at 980 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 900 in Chicago and their web-site is www.rubloff.com.

Is there a market for relocation in Chicago Did you know that if you’re one in a million in China, you’re one in 1340 in the US?

Is there a market for relocation?

The labor department estimates that today’s kids will have 10-14 jobs under their belt by the time they’re 38! Why?  Technology’s growth, for one thing.  Consider that for students enrolled in a four year tech school - a full half of their education will be outdated before they graduate!

In the five minutes it takes you to watch a video on mtv - 67 babies will be born in the US; 274 in China; 295 in India…and 700,000 songs were illegally downloaded.

I think it’s time to buy some investment property!

Enjoy this Video!

Rubloff took the award for “favorite luxury real estate service.”  Access the complete results here. Full Article

Technology and luxury.  A great marriage when relocating to or from Chicago.

Chicago Luxury Real Estate

What about the back-end support that your agent will provide? Here are a few of the elements you should look for in your Chicago real estate company, whether you are looking for a home or selling your home
Consider their technology  Find a leader in marketing technology. Here is a sample of programs and support systems that you should look for:

A website that incorporates features that home buyers love, such as:
• Integrated map search
• Map local businesses and institutions with lifestyle mapping
• Save searches and receive email alerts
• Search quickly without registration
• Questions answered immediately with Live Chat

The website should also be able to viewed on mobile devices so you can call up listings while walking through the neighborhoods looking at properties. In addition, each listing should have its own website and has its own unique web address displayed on the ‘For Sale’ sign

All listings should be professionally photographed and quickly and automatically distributed to many different portal websites.  Ask you agent if they employ a comprehensive Search Engine Optimization program including adwords, keywords, metatags, blogs, and social networking ensuring that your listings are coming up first in web searches

In addition, make sure you agent has access to an ecommerce manager who can work with them on social networking, “eblast” programs & blogging to help you promote your listing if you’re going to be selling your property.

In Chicago’s competitive real estate market, make sure you have a relocation deparemant and agent that work for you!