Looking For Indoor Fun With Kids?

I know I am not the only mother who searches the internet, Oaklee's Family Guide, or Family Magazine in search of new and exciting things to do with the kids when they are off school. How many times can you  go bowling or the movies!!! I was pleasantly surprised when I took the crew (ages 15, 12 and 8) to try a new place called Xtreme Trampoline. Located in Buffalo Grove and Carol Stream, Xtreme Trampoline offered all my kids a great place to expend some energy for a few hours. They have trampolines for three different age groups as well as dodge ball arenas for two age groups, reducing my fear of big kids bumping into little ones. The cost was $12 per jumper for the first hour and $7 for each additional hour. Take off your shoes and join the kids, it's great fun (and you'll burn calories while your at it!)! If you have any other ideas for day fun on days off, please feel free to share them.

Just 5%

Can one American man with one predominantly American home make a difference in American jobs? Yes he can! Anders Lewendal from Boseman, Montana set out to build a client's house with only American-made products. Mostly just to see if he could. Turns out not only could he accomplish this task but figures if everyone allocated just 5 % of our spending to American-made products, we could create 3 million jobs! His project was not intended to convince builders to build exclusively American homes, but, "to use the home as a model for how easy it really is to reallocate more of our spending to domestic products". As far as cost, Lewendal states his All American Home was about one-half of 1 percent over normal construction costs. Home Remodelers: You can find his list of suppliers at theallamericanhome.com. For everyone else:  Make even a small effort to purchase everyday products from American companies. More American jobs means a stronger economy, a stronger housing market and a more encouraging future for all of us.

Send A Letter!

My oldest, a high-school sophomore is still in bed, thanks to Veteran's Day. My two younger, didn't get as lucky and are sitting in class. But so few of us take the time to do SOMETHING for the special people that serve this country. So please, take 10 minutes out of your day today and write a letter to a deployed soldier. There are so many websites that make it very easy to do. Check out operationgratitude.com, amillionthanks.org or uso.org/veteransday just to name a few. So skip the Veteran's Day Sale at your local retail store and make someone's day with a note, email or care package.

FLIPPER turned Landlord

The number of rental households increased by 1.4 million in the past 12 months!  That's 3,836 new renters per day.  This, according to Economist Commentaries on October 28th, is largely due to overly tight mortgage underwriting standards and elevated foreclosures that have forced distressed homeowners into renting. Higher demand has led to higher rental rates; an increase of 2.1 percent from this time last year. Higher rents translates into a better rate of return for real estate investors. This, coupled with the affordability of condos, apartment buildings and even houses, makes today a great time to call your investors and jump into the rental market. Economists are calling for higher rental rates in 2012, so all you Flippers out there who have been patiently waiting out the market, now is a great time to jump in, renovate (or not) and rent.

Delete Those Facebook Friends!

I read an article over the weekend in the March issue of Realtor magazine that made  me say "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?".  The article, "Less is Definitely More" talked about social networking and the point of diminishing returns. The article, written by the National Association of Realtor's social media manager, Todd Carpenter, talked about how he proceeded to unfriend about 1,000 people on his Facebook page, feeling that "having a friend shouldn't be taken too lightly". WHAT??? 

I receive at least five emails a week regarding real estate seminars, all of which have at least one speaker who talks about the HUGE importance of social networking. I attended one in which I felt so compelled to race home and set up a Facebook profile that I left the seminar early, missing refreshments, to get my social networking in order. "Social Networking" is the BIG buzzword in the real estate industry lately. Your business will crash and burn if you don't Tweet. The more Tweets the better, they tell you. Friend as many people as you can, they say. It's a numbers game, the more friends you have the better chance for more business. Then Todd turns around and tells me to unfriend. Please make up your mind.

How's The Market?

Being a real estate broker, I often get the question, "How's the market?" While I would love to respond, "IT'S GREAT, looking for a house?" we all know the reality. But, the truth is, the housing market IS showing signs of recovery in terms of sales volume.  Illinois sold 5,487 houses this past January, close to the 5,588 sold January 2010 but substantially more than the 4,808 sold in January 2009. Considering that the housing market in early 2010 was strongly influenced by the homebuyer tax credit, the sales volume for this past January is fairly promising.

The downward pressure on housing prices, however, is still substantial with Illinois seeing a 6.21% drop in median prices from last January (Chicago down 9.71%). There is still a great deal of distressed property flooding the market putting that downward pressure on prices.

On the positive side, buying a house still hugely affordable. In fact the housing price is trending back to the early 2000s. In addition, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate is still around 5%. So if you are renting, now is a good time to buy that first home. In fact, because the rental market has been hot, renters will likely see rental price increases, pushing consumers back into the housing market.

It's a good time too for investors. Whether buying rental units, multi-unit buildings or detached, single family homes, there are great deals out there, especially if you are a do-it-yourselfer. Turn around and rent that property instead of selling it. With renter households increasing by 3.5 million from 2006, there is a great demand for rental units.

The median house prices are expected to be higher for March and April than January for the Chicagoland area as well as Illinois. A good sign of recovery in the housing market. Let's just decrease the unemployment  rate and it's full steam ahead!

Please Vote!

I'm not one to push my political views on anyone and I'm not starting today. But if you are disgusted by the state of our state and its financial insolvency and ethical bankruptcy, please get out and vote. Get your mother, sister, husband and friends and vote.

The Chicago Tribune's Editorial stated it well: "George Ryan, Rod Blagojevich. Job creation 48th in the U.S. Public education spending 18th, but public education performance 38th." These are reasons enough to get your butt off the couch and VOTE!  Arm yourself with information (if you haven't already). There are resources out there to help you. DON'T rely on the TV ads you hear constantly to pick your candidates. I found good information on Congressional and Judicial candidates at www.pioneerlocal.com as well as candidates positions on issues at www.illinoisfamily.org. Whatever sources you choose, make your vote an educated one.