www.OwnACondo.com
4Feb/110

Edward Terry

Edward Terry has joined OwnACondo.com’s growing team of dedicated Realtors®, bringing with him four years of extensive real estate experience.

Edward, a resident of Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood, studied business at DePaul University, and was a session musician and songwriter until 2007 when he discovered his passion for real estate.

“I was intrigued by the process,” he said, explaining that he became interested in real estate when he bought his own home, and decided to make the career move.    

“I am very neighborhood-driven. Just my market knowledge alone is very valuable to my clients,” said Edward, adding that he is particularly knowledgeable about all the condo developments and high-rises between the South Loop and the Near North Side. In order to best help your clients, it is very important to ‘know the inventory,’ he said.

Edward Terry was a buyer’s agent at Keller Williams before joining OwnACondo.com this year.

His specialties include:

  • Buyer consultations
  • Negotiations
  • Closings
  • Downtown real estate
  • Gold Coast real estate
  • River North real estate
  • South Loop real estate
  • Chicago North real estate
  • Chicago South real estate
  • Negotiations
  • Investors
  • First-time home buyers

When he is not helping his real estate clients search for condos, or sell them, Edward Terry still enjoys playing guitar and piano as a form of relaxation. He also enjoys playing golf, and traveling with his wife.

If you have any questions, or would like Edward to help you find your dream condo or investment property, you may contact him at eterry@ownacondo.com or by calling (773) 407-9045.

4Feb/110

Social Media Fever Attracts Buyers to Websites

By Jim Wolande

Businesses are finally realizing that users expect social media integration to existing business-to-business (B2B) websites. Certain sites serve as a model for how networks such as Twitter can integrate with the Web experience. Websites will increasingly serve as the digital nucleus that integrate social activity from many platforms. For example, Apple's music social network recently integrated Twitter. While the integration is not very smooth yet, it demonstrates that Fortune 1000 Companies with huge branding power realize they can not only exist in their own space. They must integrate to be relevant in a socially connected world.

Sites serve as a model for how networks such as Twitter, Facebook and Linked In can integrate with the Web experience. If traffic is eminent to a business’s product or service via the Web, then integrating social media with advertising will only be a staple in tomorrow’s model for running one’s business marketing plan. 

OwnACondo.com and its family of companies are highly active in social media. Condo buyers can find our firms and our associates on all the major social media platforms, providing updates, trends, industry news and other information we hope consumers will find valuable. 

One example of the information we provide via new media is our move to our new office at 540 N. Lake Shore Drive, in Chicago.  Via our blog and our updates on social media sites, we’re informing consumers that there is a powerful new ally in their corner coming to Chicago. We’ve not taken this new information to our newspaper ad rep or our TV spot salesman. Instead, we’re leveraging the power of social media.

Reaching the masses at a much lower penetration cost to the business owner only fuels competition and ultimately everyone benefits. Sprint, Nextel, Volkswagen, Xerox and other major marketers are rebooting their strategy for buying Internet search ads, seeking more bang for their buck as they work with limited ad budgets in today’s economic times. Continuing trends this year will also be in-banner video ads. Imagine how online video lets brands go beyond the traditional 30-second TV spot and deeply engage a target audience. Just think how business decision makers of yesterday were accustomed to receiving mail pieces with dry text, and how a video at their viewable computer everyday will capture their attention and really make the brand/message come alive.

Searching for a condo? Look for your solution less and less in traditional media and turn instead to social media.

4Feb/110

Shadow Inventory–A New Name for an Old Problem in Real Estate

By Dean Delisle

It’s no secret that there is plenty of foreclosures, Bank REOs and troubled real estate. Now we have a new term coined by Standard and Poors called “Shadow Inventory.” The true definition as stated in the article is: Shadow inventory is defined as distressed properties in which borrowers are 90 days or more delinquent on mortgage payments and where properties have recently fallen into foreclosure or are real estate owned (REO). 

So it seems like the distressed properties that are actually in their transition stage. As a business guy who launches brands, products, services and companies, this breeds true opportunity in this marketplace. As you notice the launch of companies like BankREOs.com and others, you will see that real estate as we know it will never be the same. Does that mean we will have call center-based agents in Bangladesh or that auctions will increase or that ALL real estate will be purchased online from anywhere in the world? It will be interesting the watch the movement of this massive wave which has only just begun!

Read more: http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/108717/20110203/s-p-four-more-years-to-clear-shadow-inventory.htm##ixzz1D17l2GE7

4Feb/110

Condo Company Focuses on National Expansion

OwnACondo.com, a condo only brokerage that originated in Chicago metro, is now expanding across the United States in a rather rapid fashion.  By the end of 2011, the company expects to have at least 25 condo cities up and running and another 25 in 2012.  The company currently is licensed to do business in the state of Florida and Illinois, with California, Michigan, Indiana and Georgia following right behind.

OwnACondo.com not only focuses on condos, but they will only work with the buyer side of the transaction, leaving the conflict of interest out of it.   With 100% focus on the buyer, the company is in a position to service the buyer like no one else in the real estate industry.  The buyer of the condominium needs help with condo association law, condo financing, the condo market, condo real estate auctions, condo foreclosures, etc. 

OwnACondo.com has been in business since 2000, servicing condo conversions in the Chicago market. Today, OwnACondo.com trains its condo Realtor experts to focus on the best buying opportunities in the market place for their clients.  They inform the general public what condo not to buy.

You can reach OwnACondo.com by calling 866.696.2266 or visit them online at OwnACondo.com.

4Feb/110

Super Bowl

It is Super Bowl weekend so you might be inclined to take a break from your condo search to relax and enjoy the big game with family and friends. Next year, you’ll be hosting them at your new place.

Of course, if you had your hopes pinned on the Chicago Bears, New York Jets, or any other team that stumbled on the way to Super Bowl Sunday, you might not be in a mood to celebrate—until you win the football pool anyway. Here in Chicago, of course, many fans will be celebrating if the hated Green Bay Packers lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Finding your dream condo can sometimes feel like the race toward the Super Bowl trophy, with so many twists, turns,  teams, or condos, in the running at the beginning.  You don’t know who your winner will be until you can see them and weigh the pros and cons. Of course, in the condo search, you hold all the cards when picking a winner.

When you do find your favorite and begin the process of arranging condo financing, the mortgage lender looking over your credit score can sometime act like a referee coming out of nowhere to penalize you and prevent you from reaching the goal line.   

However, working with our  Realtors® is like having the best defense in the business, and offense too, protecting you from pitfalls and guiding you toward your goal. Our condo specialists will be at your side all the way, at the negotiating table and beyond, ensuring that you get that ideal home, which can be as elusive as a Super Bowl ring.   

3Feb/110

Blizzard of 2011

The week-long anticipation for what is supposed to be the biggest storm since 1967 has finally arrived. It's already known as the Blizzard of 2011. Chicago has received approximately 20 inches of snow and it is STILL coming down. The wind is howling and the snow is blowing like glitter everywhere and on everything.

As I sit here working on this snow-filled day, I can't help but wonder why people are actually out in the Blizzard of 2011. It made me wonder how many Realtors® are actually showing properties in this weather? I would like to invite agents and clients to comment on this blog if you were actually braving this storm and taking people out for showings! I can’t imagine if this were true, but this would certainly show true dedication to the real estate profession and your client.

OwnACondo.com specializes in working with buyers and sellers, in rain, sleet AND snow! We make a promise to do our very best to find you the property of your dreams in the timeframe that is desirable for you. The buyer is our main focus and we strive to make the experience as seamless and perfect as possible. After all, we aim to please “you”, so what more could you ask for?

Please visit OwnACondo.com and see what we are all about. If you are looking for a place to live, then “You” are who we are all about! See a list of our specialized agents and allow them to brave the storm with you! Even the Blizzard of 2011 can't stop us!

3Feb/110

Choosing a Neighborhood

After deciding to buy a condo, or any home, choosing a neighborhood is likely to be one of your most important decisions.

 Within cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago and New York, there can be any number of neighborhoods, all quite different from one another. Of course, price will likely be a deciding factor, whether you are looking for a luxury condo or a starter home. But even within the same price range, there are a lot of variations.  

 There is much truth in the old saying in real estate about “location, location, location,” being the most important factor in home values. Depending on your needs, being close to a nice coffee shop, restaurant, grocery store or dry cleaner’s—or even your favorite “watering hole” can be of prime importance, and should not be overlooked when choosing a neighborhood. Accessibility to public transportation or major highways is something else to consider. Accessibility and the quality of schools are also a major consideration for many people when choosing where to live, not only if a member of the household needs to attend school, but as a selling point when it's time to move on.  Whether you are buying or renting a condo or house, there is no point in settling for something in an area that doesn’t suit you.

 It is wise to visit the neighborhood at different times also, to see if you like the atmosphere. Why wait until moving day to find that the neighbors like to blast music at all hours of the day and night? Introducing yourself to neighbors is also a good idea. It doesn’t hurt to ring a few doorbells on a weekend just to say hello when you are choosing a neighborhood. Who knows, if you are looking in celebrity hotspots such as Los Angeles or New York, you might find anyone from Anderson Cooper to Ziggy Marley living next door.

 In any case, our Realtors® are ready to help you find the perfect place.

3Feb/110

Real Estate License

Most people who are buying or selling their home or condo will engage the services of a real estate agent.  Real estate agents in most states are licensed and must adhere to not only state laws but federal laws as well.  To get a real estate license in any state is no easy task and by passing the exam indicates the work involved and the level of professionalism of the person who has chosen this as their profession.

There are certain requirements to obtain a real estate license and most states will follow similar guidelines.  Listed below are the most common requirements:

  1. You must be at least 21 years old.
  2. You must be a high school graduate or equivalent (GED)
  3. Successfully complete the pre-license 45 hour basic transactions real estate education course.
  4. Pass the state exam.
  5. Be sponsored by a licensed broker.

The first two of these requirements are self-explanatory but the rest need a little more information to understand if you are interested in getting a real estate license.  The 45 day pre-license course is mandatory in some states.  It will cover all areas of real estate transactions including financing, real property laws and ethics among others.  Today the course can be completed a number of different ways but most commonly is done online.  The next area that needs explanation is the state exam.  State exams can be difficult and lengthy but are necessary to insure the professionalism of each agent.  Once you have passed the exam you will need to be sponsored by a licensed broker in the state you intend to practice.  This simply means that you will work under the umbrella of a licensed broker who is responsible for your actions.  Getting your real estate license can be time-consuming, costly and no easy task but the benefits far outweigh the efforts.