Great Expectations – the classic novel by Charles Dickens – seems to be the word of the day when talking about today’s sellers, in today’s market. On review of recent inventory figures in the Williamson County Illinois real estate market, sellers are in a jungle of high inventory and few buyers. We have over 558 residential units for sale. The sales figures relate that 250 units have closed in the last 6 month period. When all the math is applied, today in Williamson County Illinois we have a 401 day supply of inventory. There are few buyers right now due to the normal winter slump and other economic factors.
What does this mean? It means that sellers have to be more realistic in their asking price and to trust their Realtors recommendations for pricing. We, of course, understand that sometimes there are economic issues as far as mortgage payoffs and the like. In reality, prices and values have declined. Buyers are confident they can low ball offers because sellers are desperate to sell their homes.
It’s a rough time right now, but as always the promise of a bright Spring is right around the corner and the “great expectation”, within reason will flourish. After all 2010 was a great year and we can expect nothing but a prosperous 2011.
Today I learned something new, which is a good thing as I consider the day a total loos unless I gain some tidbit of knowledge. It seems that there can be a foreclosure on a reverse mortgage. In researching the process, I found that as long as the mortgagee remains in the home, keeping taxes, insurance and maintenance current, they can live there forever. However, when that person has not lived in the home and/or not maintained the home, paid the taxes or insurance, then the bank may foreclose.
Quite an eye opener and something that every potential mortgagee need to think about befroe taking out a reverse mortgage. Reverse mortgages have gained in popularity and I personally see it as a trend for the future. It can be a great relief off the shoulders of a home owner whose cash is tied up in their homes. Just a word of caution, from my new found wisdom - to be careful and read all the print and ask the right questions when considering a reverse mortgage.
calendar:2007-08-19 2007-08-19]
Energy, Williamson County - We invite everyone to visit our open house at 208 Albright Lane on August 19 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
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Such a cute house in Energy that needs to be sold!! This home is immaculate and offers a little over 1650 sq. ft. of living space.!! Large yard off a quiet side street this home was completely rebuilt and move-in ready. Please make plans to attend
Every once in a while there comes along that one REALLY special client in which you become attached. They are honest, hard working people just trying to raise a family. You spend time with them are learn to read their every expression. We find the house of their dreams - in their price range - and then the fun really starts. A FANNIE MAE LOAN!! Oh my gosh. This poor family waited nearly 2 months for their lender to get final clearance to close. I remember the day the client came into me with a look of major distress in his eyes and motions and I took him aside and we talked. A few phone calls later we determined that things might be ok in the end. Anyway, to make a long story short, we closed on their property. This sweet couple gave me a great big bear hug as we were leaving the title company. When you work hard it really pays off and today I received so much gratification and I will be glowing for weeks to come. There are times when you wonder why you had chosen a certain path or career and today I found out the answer. Yes it was faith, faith in my ability to make a very special couple a very happy family!! Why did I ever doubt myself! It take faith and lots of it!
Seems like every one in a while one particular subject just tends to revolve around the office numerous times. This past week the subject has been TERMITES! Lets face it, termites are pesty little creatures that can do alot of damage in a short amount of time. When you purchase a home you insure it against damage from fire or wind. Why in the world would you not spend to money to make sure your home is free of termites? Think about it folks, you schedule your dentist appointments on a regular basis, atleast once a year. You go to the doctor for routine maintenance atleast once a year. Why would you not make sure that your home, especially if it is new construction, has been pre-treated or inspected for evidence of termites?
I am by no means an expert on termites but a little internet research has revealed some common facts that need to be know by everyone. During construction pre-treatment is the only option as it will only be "spot" treatment if done after construction. Pre-treatment allows for resistance of termites for a much longer period of time. Termites LOVE corners! Do not forget to pre-treat those new room additions. Concrete slabs are not a guarantee of a termite proof home. Pre-Treatment for Swimming Pools? Yes, I had to take a second look at this one. Apparently swimming pools are "in the ground" and subject to termites and termites can get through plastic - or vinyl swimming pool liners. And they can alse get throught PVC piping often used in pool installations. (I bet you did not know that)!!
Spend the bucks and do it the right way now because, depending on the size of your home, you will pay for it later!!
If I had a dime for every minute I spent on the Internet working on uploading listings, checking email, data imput and everything else I would be rich! Lets add to that my new laptop with has windows VISTA software and this time factor, along with the numerous hours on the phone with tech support, I WOULD no doubt be the richest.
Never did I imagine that the world was not really ready for the VISTA update. Never did I think that every program I run a million times a day would have to be altered in one way or another to allow my laptop to perform as necessary. Its been a month now and I do not think I have had to call tech support, anywhere, today!! YES! I think the VISTA is going to be wonderful and a great improvement over the old operating system. This program does alot of great things and I guess I am one of the guinea pigs who is helping out the technology world!! It will soon be alright, I know it will alright and better than before, I think!!
Just listed a stunning 6100 sq. ft executive home in Marion! Home has 5 bedrooms with a full basement. This beautiful home is poured concrete construction and was built in 1999. If you are unfamiliar with concrete construcion it is very energy efficient home and very quite. Home has a stunning master bath with marble shower, tub and counter tops. It is one of the most incredible masters I have ever seen. Just like you see in the movies, this bathroom is top of the line. As there are to many features to list on this one, please visit all the infomation at: www.1600Fosse.com. For $575,000 you can own this great home. As an added bonus the seller will be leaving the pool table and equipment and the large screen tv with surround sound in the basement.
Southern Illinois is a great place to live a work. Please consider this home if you are in the market and feel free to give me a call anytime.
Golconda, Pope County - Announcing a price reduction on 222 Columbus Avenue, a 6,000 sq. ft., 6 bath, 5 bdrm 3 story "VICTORIAN". Now 
MLS® #257814 $299,999 - DRASTIC PRICE REDUCTION.
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This home was operated as a bed and breakfast for many, many years and was quite successfull. If there are any business savy people out there, you need to check this one out. There is so much history here and it sits on the banks of the Ohio River. Please visit my listing at www.222Columbus.com for a virtual tour. !!
We all have to make decisions every day in one form or another. Do you have toast or muffins for breakfast? Do you drive 55 or 65 on the way to work? Do you make plans for the evening. or just chill out with the family?
Everything we do is because of a specific desire or need, especially in real estate and the pricing of your home. Every day is a new day for me and I choose to learn something new because if I do not, then the day is a loss.
Real Estate and the selling of your home is a emotioinal decision emcompassing numerous circumstatances. Choosing your real estate agent should be a wise, well informed decision. I have a list of 13 questions to ask your REALTOR and based on these questions you WILL probably be able to make a wise decision. It is not necessarily the busiest and biggest producer who can sell your home fast, but by choosing an agent who matches your personality and you are confident in hiring who will do the best job for you. Did you know that pricing your home right has numerous benefits. I'll fill you in later so just keep posted.
By the way, Southern Illinois University hits the floor tonight against the highly favored Kansas Jayhawks. As you all may already have figured out, the SIU Salukis are an incredible team and I am predicting an upset this evening. GO DAWGS!!
WOW!! I have learned alot of information in the past month. I learned that SIU has an awesome baskeball team and because of their power may have a chance to beat Kansas on Thursday in the NCAA tournament in San Jose CA. I have learned about absorption rates, supply and demand, listing presentations, negotiation skills and how to have the edge over other real estate agents. I spent 2 intense days of training at the CRS (council of residential specialists) training in Belleville, Illinois and that has filled my head with all this knowledge! It's easy to listen to the key note speakers and imagine how you might be able to use that information but I am so excited to learn that COLDWELL BANKER J. DAVID THOMPSON REALTY sells one of its listed residential properties every 1.76 days, a good edge from the leading competitor at 2.68 days. As far as Marion agencies are concerned we stand tall, with other offices coming in at 6.20 days, 36 days, and 90 days!! How impressive. Why would you want to list with anyone else?
I love this STUFF!! and I love the SALUIKS!!
Picture this....
.one fresh, crisp and clean $100 bill and one crumpled, dirty and dingy $100 bill
. If I gave you a choice, which one would you pick. Obviously, it would be the fresh, crisp, clean $100 bill. Now imagine 2 identical homes. One has fresh paint, clean windows and new carpet, the other has dirty walls, dirty windows and worn carpet. These homes are priced the same so which one would you be most likely to choose. There is no doubt here, either. You have to make your home appealing to all potential buyers. Yes, it may require some work and energy but you will get fast results and a quick sale. It is important to step back and see your home throught the eyes of a buyer, as if this was the very first time you have seen this home. If you are considering a home sale, let me show you how to prepare your home properly. 
Way to go SIU!! I am leaving in the morning to watch the DAWGS win in Columbus Ohio tomorrow night. I am so excited about being able to go! I just hope everyone else will have as much fun as I plan to and that we can cheer the Salukis on to Victory!! It has been a great season... thank you boys!
I was amazed at the interest rates continue to drop. A couple of local banks provide updates of interest rates and one bank advertised 5.64% for First time home buyers. WOW! How exciting this news is for everyone. With our utility rates going through the roof, the drop in interest rates may offset the payments to help make a home more affordable. Did you know that 1% INCREASE in interest rates reduces the affordability of a home by 10%!!! So this is good news!
I'll be back daily from now, I promise.
When you were a youngster and in elementary school, how excited were you at the thought of having to attend another 10 to 15 years of school to complete you education? I think that rating would fall at about a 1 on the scale of 1 to 10!! It is funny how your views change as you grow older.
This past week provided me an outstanding opportunity to further my education in Real Estate and it was fun!! Most of all I am looking forward to the opportunity to attending parts II and III of the Graduate Realtor Institute of Illinois.
Several hundred REALTORS from Illinois traveled to Bloomington Illinois to spend quality time with experience professionals in their fields to teach me...and many more like me...how to become more competent...knowledgeable...experts in our fields.!!
I have attended numerous seminars and continuing education programs in the past but this one put me in my place.!! My knowledge was deeply expanded and my credibility was drastically increased. Yes, I had a good time networking with other agents from Illinois. I enjoyed the social hours but what I enjoyed most was the opportunity to achieve the GRI Designation.
I am looking forward to continuing my education...may even another 10 to 15 years....if I live that long!!
Marianne
Hello world and welcome to my real estate blog. I never thought that I would be doing something by this but it seems that I may as well put my knowledge, though limited as it may be, to some good use. Perhaps someone out there will care enough to listen to what I have said and learn from something that I learned about this day!! Perhaps not......time will tell and I welcome all ffedback both positive and negative.
Real estate in Marion, Illlinois is fun, exciting and challenging and everyone that asks me how I like real estate I think I have come up with the best description that I can. I tell them that I wish I had been doing this for a long time and that it is like an addiction. It is a 24 hours, 7 days a week job. You live and breathe realestate. You dream realestate. You cannot go anywhere where real estate is not the topic. It is a hoot and I am totally enjoing myself and exploring all the options and learning something new every single day!!!
Yes folks, I am addicted and think that it has taken me a long time to find that perfect niche in life.
I work with some of the greatest real estate agents in the world, in my office, and will elaborate more in detail as time passes.
Thanks for listening to me and I will be back soon.
Marianne James