If you are currently in the market for your first home purchase, you probably have lots of questions. You are about to be making an important decision for your future, plus an investment of both money and time. I have solid experience helping first time buyers like you make sound, informed decisions. Here are some tips that can help make your home buying process successful:Tip #1: Do Your HomeworkThe perfect home won't find you by itself. The key step in buying a home is doing the proper research. Educate yourself on the local schools, neighborhoods, and the kinds of homes available. By reading available materials and talking with experts, you can start to put together your idea of the perfect home. Tip #2: Start PlanningMost decisions benefit greatly from proper planning, and home buyi... 01/01/2007

You've decided to sell your home, so what is next? Pricing your home is obviously a key part of the home selling process. A home that is under-priced needlessly costs the client potential return. An over-priced home can remain on the market for an extended amount of time, forcing the seller to either wait out a long listing period or have to adjust down the asking price. Getting the pricing right from the start avoids these potential pitfalls.To get us started I will prepare a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) of your home. This compares your house to others in the area that are either currently listed, under contract, or have recently sold. Other things that can factor into the CMA are supply and demand, craftsmanship, and the amenities of your home.The CMA will help us to determine th... 12/30/2006

If you are currently in the market for a home, you will find my website an excellent resource. The site is continually updated with new and valuable information to aid in your decision making process.The search feature allows you to filter thousands of listings based on characteristics that you select. You can simply search for houses in a certain area and price range, or you can look for houses that fit your specific style. If you know you want a brick house with gas heat and a garage, you can get the results you're looking for. Most real estate websites don't offer that degree of choice.By signing up with my Property Research Center, which is free, you have access to features that will help you find and organize the listings that best fit your needs:Saved Searches allow you to preserv... 12/30/2006

If you're considering buying or selling a home, selecting a real estate agent is the first important decision you will have to make. While there are many qualified real estate agents out there, it's important to decide on a professional who will understand your needs and individual preferences, someone who you can respect and trust. Nearly four out of five homebuyers and sellers enlist in the help of a real estate professional or broker.Whether you're looking to buy a new home or sell the one you're in, choosing a professional who best fits your needs is vital.Above all you should choose an agent that you feel comfortable with. Your real estate professional will be your guide through the entire process of buying or selling a home, and can be a valuable resource. Make sure that whomever ... 12/30/2006

In today's real estate market, a good selling plan can truly excel when properly combined with current Internet technology. Modern homebuyers expect on-demand home shopping, and meeting that expectation is a crucial element of marketing a home. My website allows homebuyers to search and sort through thousands of listings to find the home that is right for them. As a seller's agent, I can ensure that your home is listed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.Every day countless homebuyers use the resources of the Internet to help narrow their home search. Listing your home with me allows interested buyers to find your property based on the features that are most important to them. My website serves as a great filter, showing buyers the homes that best fit their needs and bringing you those buyers... 12/30/2006

Home sellers who purchase a Home Warranty for the home being sold offer significant advantages to the eventual buyers.  Purchasing a home with a Home Warranty provides the buyers with "peace of mind" should an unexpected repair to an appliance or major mechanical system be required.  Home Warranties are typically 12 to 13-month policies that protect the homes mechanical systems and appliances.  This can include items from plumbing, electrical or furnaces, up to appliances like a refrigerator or dishwasher.  When a covered item needs repair due to standard use, the policy holder calls in a claim with the warranty company, and a repairperson comes to the home to check the item.  If it is an item covered under the Home Warranty, the item is fixed or replaced.  The policy holder at the time... 12/29/2006

Chicago Market Predictions for 2007 Hope we are all enjoying a great holiday season. I'm back in the loop... at least writing again... barely legible, but writing.Good story written by Mary "Zillow" Umberger titled "A market in need of a push: Home buyers and sellers must break stalemate for sector to move beyond post-boom doldrums", in the Chicago Tribune Business section today. If the link goes dead, Google the story. Balanced, but as usual, a little sarcastic bent to the negative.However, the premise is pretty good and the theory posited has been discussed for the better part of the second half of 2006. Sellers are hanging on to, "that last comparable condo/home sold for this much", attitude and buyers, on the other hand, are looking for the deal of the century. We have short memorie... 12/28/2006

To see the flyer of this gorgeous home in full size, you can download it at:   http://marketing.remaxdesigncenter.com/30590/153359/153359.jpgTo see additional pictures, or to take a visual tour of this property please log on to my website, http://www.BrianOrtizProperties.com and click on my featured property.Price recently updated to $547,000To make an appointment to see this home in person OR to have your home marketed in similar fashion, please contact Brian Ortiz.  Contact information is listed at http://www.brianortizproperties.com/.Brian OrtizA licensed Illinois Realtor with RE/MAX Vision IIProviding an enhanced level of service in Chicago's Real Estate market with my personalized approach. If you are planning to buy or sell a property, let me explain what I can offer as your Realtor. 12/22/2006

Chicago active listings for those areas where you don't have to ask for the price. If your looking for that cozy corner over $10,000,000, this is your spot. And the saying goes, "Close to everything."  Active ListingsList Price Range# ListingsAvg. Days on MktLess than $149,99987139$150,000 - $199,999244128$200,000 - $249,999472142$250,000 - $299,999509151$300,000 - $349,999470179$350,000 - $399,999492185$400,000 - $449,999413181$450,000 - $499,999346156$500,000 - $549,999242151$550,000 - $599,999205152$600,000 - $699,999241165$700,000 - $799,999146179$800,000 - $899,999122255$900,000 - $999,99974260$1,000,000 - $1,499,999236235$1,500,000 - And Over421353  Active Listings SummaryAvg. MTMedian List PriceAvg. List PriceMax. List PriceMin. List PriceTotal Volume186$414,900$661,286$9,995,000... 12/20/2006

 In Chicago, the condo market is slowing.  And developers can feel the heat.  The word is starting to get out about staging, slowly but surely.  They realize the importance of furnishing a vacant single family home or condo, and how the buyer makes a connection with the space that they wouldn't without the furniture and accessories.  More and more, the developers are making the call, and not the realtor.  Staging just one room of a 12-unit condo development can make the difference between a sale and a longer time on the market.  My experience with developers is that in the past, they didn't want to make the move to hire a stager, because of the expense.  Now they see that market time ticking away, and they are ready to try anything to make it happen, even if they truly aren't sure of th... 12/16/2006

This is for information is only the north side of Chicago, no suburbs included. The data is for single family detached and single family attached only. All are active, no contengencies or off markets included.This may indicate why there are over 41,000 agents in my MLS. How does this compare with your market size. Active ListingsList Price Range# ListingsAvg. Days on MktLess than $149,999453144$150,000 - $199,9991377144$200,000 - $249,9991910151$250,000 - $299,9991985160$300,000 - $349,9991842156$350,000 - $399,9991811166$400,000 - $449,9991125167$450,000 - $499,999895146$500,000 - $549,999539173$550,000 - $599,999485161$600,000 - $699,999599181$700,000 - $799,999318180$800,000 - $899,999236205$900,000 - $999,999143237$1,000,000 - $1,499,999415227$1,500,000 - And Over538325  Active List... 12/14/2006

Well I am about to a hit a personal milestone here in the rain. My next post will be #100! And while that may not seem like a lot for some bloggers here in the rain... it is for me. You see prior to joining Active Rain I barely knew what a blog was... let alone write one. (Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?)Anyway, now that I have been a part of all this am I am grateful for all I have learned AND the fun I have had. Yes... FUN! Fun has been for me part of my personal Return-On-Investment for the time I have spent.I hope you have enjoyed what I share. And if what I have to say does not always peak your interest... I hope I have made you smile. You see, I don't think one can ever get too much joy and happiness... no matter where it comes from.Blogs here in the rain can and d... 12/08/2006

I realize the majority of 'Rain' community readers live in more 'bucolic' (a Brian Brady term!) settings than here but I thought I'd give my fellow Realtors around the country a little 'slice of life' peek at the 'Windy City'.  Click on the links to visit our neighborhoods. If you've never been here I think you'll like.A typical Saturday for me goes something like this: First client pick up at 8:45AM in say, the Gold Coast  of Chicago followed immediately by a tour of six or seven properties along Lake Shore Drive to Lincoln Park. With a coffee break or two in between and allowing time in between showings for traffic, parking and tardiness (of the other agents!), I should be done and ready for my second client by 1:00PM, horrible weather notwithstanding. Same scenario for the afternoon... 12/02/2006

  I make mention from time to time when I happen across something worth passing on to the new or 'soon to be new' agent. Yesterday I was having a conversation with another Realtor from another Chicago brokerage when she mentioned how when she first started in the business "it was sink or swim...but mostly sink!" She genuinely felt that it was pure luck that she even made it through her first six months. Her managing broker, she said half jokingly knew less than she did."At least I sold Avon when I was younger," she said. "I'm not sure he ever sold anything."Its been my experience (with some exception, of course) that 'those who can't sell manage, those who can't manage sell, and those who can't manage or sell fail.' It sounds a little corny perhaps but I believe its right on the money. ... 11/28/2006

I read (or at least peruse) on a weekly basis most relevant published articles concerning Chicago Real Estate--both the positive and the not so rosy. I subscribe to a dozen or so RSS feeds that are Real Estate centered and pull from the best independant and syndicated articles in the media. The Nakedrepublic.com is by anyone's measure one of the more pessimistic reporters of Real Estate trends but occasionally even they can't help but let a little bit of sunshine sneak through the crack beneath the door. They have published my postings in the past so I refer back to them on occasion if for no other reason than to protest.Anyway, a recent article there-- pulled from an earlier Chicago Tribune article-- points out the usual market indicators (sales down from last year, etc) but definitely... 11/26/2006

It's no secret how much I admire and am inspired by Oprah. So when I finally watched last week's show on preparing a home for its sale I have to admit I was a bit disappointed. While I applaud the shows desire to help home sellers who currently find themselves emotionally and financially burdened with a house that just won't sell... after watching it I felt the show sent a confusing and incomplete message to home seller's about what it takes to ready a house for its sale in a TOUGH buyer's market. The show chronicled the efforts of Oprah's design guru Nate Berkus as he helped a financially strapped couple, Yosef & Zigi Edmond of Redondo Beach CA, repair and prepare their house. The house was a 3 bedroom, 2 ½ bath townhouse listed for $609,999.The show made it clear that in today's marke... 11/25/2006

Overnight averages for a 30 year fixed mortgage dropped to 5.76% in the Chicagoland area. A friend I ran into yesterday at Starbucks in Lincoln Square (yes, the only place open to get coffee on Jillian's and my walk) asked what I thought would happen in the spring market... with sales and mortgage rates.First, it is generally expected that there will be an uptick in real estate transactions. This is a norm for spring statistically and will also reflect those who sat on the sidelines due to the gloom and doom reporting of this year. People wanted to wait and see what was to happen. I think now, with prices stable and good inventory, those looking to buy will make a commitment this spring season. I feel the number of purchases will be smaller than last year's first quarter, but better tha... 11/24/2006

Most days I have lunch with my Broker at this small Chinese restaurant in Lincoln Park. Almost always seated toward the back is this one elderly individual, clearly from China and always reading the same old book with Asian characters on yellowed pages. For no other reason than this he reminds me of my own deceased grandfather who read only one tattered book over and over, Dante's Inferno. I have it on my bookshelf and have no idea (besides the general premise) what it says exactly--its in Italian. And even if it wasn't I get the feeling that it would still be unreadable to me.But I do read. I get The New Yorker every week but I have to be honest--its for the cartoons. The stories--especially the Fiction and Essays--are very engaging but the truth of the matter is I don't live in Manhat... 11/22/2006

I have not been much on posting raw sales statistics for the Chicago area. This is popular with many real estate blogs. I've stayed away from posting the "numbers" because I believe the overall, state wide and city wide sales statistics may have little to do with an individual's situation.Crain's has the a short summary of this season's third quarter sales statistics-showing a 15% decline in overall home sales in Illinois. In Chicago, total sales were down 18%.The overall sales statistics are important, yes. And I should know this when consulting a client. But more, so, I better know the neighborhood and block my client is on. Sales there may be up 15-18%. My client may also have a three bedroom, as oppsed to the glut of two beds. What are they going for? Average market time for a three... 11/21/2006

 Give or a take one or two--and depending on the property type and Buyer circumstance--the following examples listed below are 30 typical stages a Buyer in Chicago must go through--from the initial decision to Purchase until the last box is unloaded from the moving truck--before the deal is really done.  I make sure my clients have this in hand early on in the process for several reasons--not the least important of which is the fact that just because an Offer is written,a Binding Contract is still several steps away. It definitely relieves a little of the 'writer's cramp' that many novice purchasers experience before taking the 'Present the Offer' step. I'm posting this as a piece you can customize and hand to your own clients in your respective markets.  And believe me when I say that ... 11/21/2006