Is it really a secret?

I need to get the movie, "The Secret" because for years I have believed that in some ways we do tend to attract that which we believe and think about. Not sure why but some thoughts comes to mind. We have the capacity for so much more energy than we often use and when we allow it to be released, amazing things can happen. I don't immediately tie this to faith but how often have we seen people struggle through incredible odds and claim their faith got them through it? In some ways having faith does allow one to lift a burden and just maybe lifting that burden releases the energy we already possess. We know that when people are depressed that they tend not to see as many ways out of their depression. Even if we aren't depressed, when we have limiting thoughts then we don't expect luck to come our way. When I think about the results people experience based on their beliefs I am reminded just how important it is to think "what if" and expect that more is possible.

Home Heals

This is the third time this week that this happened. My uncle died this week losing his battle with cancer - died peacefully at home which is what he preferred. Then I learned this morning of another friend of a colleague who as well lost her battle with cancer but died surrounded by friends and family in her home. While it may seem silly in comparison, I have an old (she'll be 13 on Wednesday) lab who had a sudden onset of Vestibular disease which they described last evening at the ER as loss of equilibrium. For her suddenly the world is spinning and she keeps falling in search of the floor. The vet shared that she would likely recover and that she "would obviously feel more comfortable at home". It made me think that sometimes we forget the importance of either helping someone find the right home or helping them stage the one they've lived in.....or helping them redesign the one they have while celebrating all that they love. This photo is of Simba a couple of years ago when she was recovering in our old home from a coyote attack. She always carries shoes and last evening when I came home she was stumbling toward me -- falling all over the place with my shoe and a weak tail wag. Whaaaaa!

Sellers Still Unrealistic About Asking Prices

Sellers still unrealistic about asking prices
Monday, November 20, 2006
Dian Hymer
Inman News
Sellers who aren't happy with the first offer they receive are often inclined to refuse it and wait to see if something better comes along. However, some sellers are finding out the hard way that the first offer was their best offer.
A Piedmont, Calif., homeowner listed his home for sale this summer at a price that he'd hoped would generate multiple offers and a higher price. Not long after the house went on the market, a buyer made an offer for over the list price. However, although it was a good price, the seller wanted even more. So, he issued a counteroffer for an even higher price. The buyer rejected the counteroffer and bought a different property.
The seller then increased his list price to a price he would be willing to accept. The property sat on the market for weeks with no offers. Finally, the seller lowered the price to his original asking price. This action did generate two offers, both for less than the asking price. He accepted the better of the two offers. However, he ended up selling for far less than the amount of his first offer.
A year ago, many sellers listed for an under-market price that resulted in a successful sale for more money. There was a limited inventory of homes for sale and a lot of buyers who were anxious to buy.
Now, buyers have more to choose from and can afford to be discerning. Sellers, on the other hand, need to carefully consider every offer even if they think the price is low.
It's difficult for most sellers to accept an offer for less than they want if the offer is made soon after the listing is marketed. The natural inclination is to think that more exposure will bring buyers who will pay more. This is always possible.
However, serious buyers who've searched for a considerable time usually come forward with an offer as soon as the right property comes along. These buyers tend to know local market values well. They are motivated to buy and will often make their best offer -- or close to it -- initially.
HOME SELLER TIP: Make sure you carefully evaluate the merits of an offer that is presented soon after your home hits the market. Ask your listing agent to give you feedback about your list price and the local market conditions. How many homes like yours are currently on the market? Have any sold within the last few weeks? How do the list prices of these properties compare to yours? Is there serious interest from any other buyers?
In the above example, the seller's mistake was to expect too much for his house. This is a common mistake sellers make in today's market. Unfortunately, misreading the market costs time and money.
In order to be a successful seller, particularly in the current market, you need to divorce yourself emotionally from your home and look at it objectively. Ask yourself if you would pay the price you're asking a buyer to pay. Try to put yourself in the buyer's shoes.
Another Piedmont homeowner put his home on the market at the end of July. Several similar listings came on the market the same week. The listing agent planned to hold two open houses before the seller listened to offers.
However, several days after the first open house, an offer was written. The buyers were the very first people to look at the house. The seller had been hoping for multiple offers and a higher price. But, he accepted the buyers' asking-price offer. The deal closed in 30 days.
THE CLOSING: The other listings that came on the market at the same time in the above example sold one to two months later only after price reductions.
Dian Hymer is author of "House Hunting, The Take-Along Workbook for Home Buyers" and "Starting Out, The Complete Home Buyer's Guide," Chronicle Books.

ReClaiming Dead Space

In many kitchens, the upper cabinets stop short of the ceiling. The rationale is that the uppermost shelves would be unreachable. But that dead space is a perfect spot for bowls, platters and even appliances that you don't use on a daily basis.

After stripping off the drywall facing, there are several options. You might add trim that matches or at least compliments your cabinets and mount small, side-hinged doors. You could also hang large, bottom-hinged panels that fold down to provide greater access. Another option--but somewhat of a dust collector--is to leave the space open and use it a recessed storage.

2006 Cost Vs. Value Report

I am showing a home in a rather new neighborhood today. This is not a neighborhood where I typically think of remodeling. However, a lady who lives there called yesterday to share that they were considering having another child and wondered if it would be more cost effective to move or to add a bedroom. They love their home and neighborhood, proximity to town and schools....it's just that they feel they will run out of space. Before deciding whether or not to look for a home, I forwarded them the 2006 Cost Vs. Resale Report.

Check these cost vs. value reports at the bottom of the page

Musical Virtual Tours

Take a lovely muscial tour of these Staged Homes!

$399,000 - 150 Center Street in Dole Crossing Vintage Style New Subdivision in Crystal Lake
$849,999 - 3210 Pine Woods Lane in Carpentersville - Lindal Cedar on 1.7 Wooded Acres nestled at end of cul-de-sac in Spring Acres Hills - Amazing Views - 4 Fireplaces
$439,900 - 366 Sterling Circle in Cary - Less than 5 years old - loads up upgrades - Excellent Cary schools - No SSA Tax!
$229,900 - 349 Park Ave. in Cary - Easy access to Metra - Huge wooded back yard - many new appliances - vaulted living room & dining room