While I Was Away
By Patty Boysen
I just returned back to work from my honeymoon and so much has changed since I have been gone! I drove in to work, put my flashers on and ran in to grab my parking pass that I had left at work for someone else to use while I was away. It was that moment that I decided to take a look around and see all of the new improvements that OwnACondo.com had made. I took a quick lap around our brand new office at 540 N. Lake Shore Drive to see that most of the boxes were unpacked, furniture was cleaned and pictures were hanging on the walls. I then hopped back in my car, parked it and entered back into work. Just as I sat down to start my day, my co-worker comes through the door. The questions that of course come out of my mouth right away was, “Hello, How are you?” and “What did I miss?”
After a short pause my co-worker says, “Oh, you didn’t hear what happened while you were away?” I said, “No, what?” He goes on further to say that I needed to get up right away and follow him to the conference room. Here I am thinking, oh maybe we got a new table or a new TV for the conference room or something.
As soon as I walk into the room, I immediately gasped! Yes, he explains someone drove into our conference room early Sunday morning. Needless to say there was glass everywhere, blinds broken, windows boarded up, and the bumper with the license plate on it. So my co-worker proceeds to say, nothing much really happened while you were away, just this small mishap!
So, just as OwnACondo.com gets the office spruced up and looking beautiful, a little surprise comes our way. This does not stop anything or anyone however, and work is resuming as usual. We are still recruiting and expanding all over the United States. Let’s just say, a car driving into our office doesn’t even stop us!
Chicago Weather Forecast: Condos Galore!
There are not many things more beautiful than lightly falling snow. We just peered outside to predict the Chicago weather forecast: condos galore!
Yes, it's a classic winter day at OwnACondo.com World Headquarters, and even from the sliver of a basement window that we have access to here in the blogging department, we can't help but feel happy. Each flake so unique, so numerous...kind of reminds us of the current condo market. There is really so much to choose among.
The temperature is cold, but not oppressively so as winters go. We'll take 28 degrees F and some pretty snow over those paralyzing single-digit temps any day. It's hard to even function in such weather. No wonder people head south for the winter. But with the extreme weather in Atlanta these past few days, you might want to set your sights even further south if a winter getaway is your goal.
But while the snow is falling and people are bracing for the weather, the shoveling and the long commutes, consider what a great time it is to do your condo search. Use the advanced technology offered by OwnACondo.com to learn about and find condos that match your specific criteria from the comfort of your office and home. Then, with the help of one of our caring, dedicated real estate agents, you can continue your search by actually visiting condos that interest you.
A key component of your search is condo financing, so don't forget that important step. We can help there, too. Condo owners are going to want to see that you have a green light from a lender before throwing open their doors.
Take advantage of the Chicago weather forecast: condos galore! Get started today.
Maureen Nesbitt
Fan mail...we get fan mail. Maureen Nesbitt, one of our many condo buyer specialists, is the latest recipient.
Our fan mail comes in the form of letters, emails, phone calls and sometimes even a floral bouquet or a box of sweets with a pretty bow attached. And, truth be told, we ocassionally...but only very ocassionally...get complaint mail. How often? Oh, about once per occurence of Halley's Comet, which means the next complaint letter will arriving in...let's see... the year 2061. We can only imagine what postage will cost in 2061, although by that time, you're likely to hear "Letters? Postage? What are these strange concepts you speak of?"
The latest letter of thanks comes from Ninia S., who recently relocated to a condo in Oak Park, Illinois. The letter was completely unsolicted and it surprised us by its arrival. But knowing Maureen, we're actually not surprised at all.
Earlier in December, 2010, Ninia wrote:
"I am sending this letter to express my sincere appreciation for the hard work and dedication of Maureen Nesbitt. In my opinion, Maureen has gone above and beyond her call of duty.
About two weeks ago, I called the OwnACondo.com office...I was under the gun and needed to see properties right away. Once Maureen knew what I was looking for she began to send me listings right away. She has always been prompt at setting up the appointments and with getting back to me. She literally went through rain, sleet and snow to show me units that she thought would fit my needs.
She never pressured me into deciding on a unit that I really didn't want. She even gave me helpful hints and tips about the area and about being at my desired price point. From the day we met, I felt Maureen had my best interest at heart.
I believe Maureen is a great asset to your company and I wish her continued success."
Her colleagues at OwnACondo.com know that Maureen Nesbitt gets more compliments and thanks than we can shake a copy of a condo decs and bylaws at. But, like customer experiences everywhere, few people are actually motivated enough to compose a letter or an email when they are happy with the service they receive. That's just the way things are in this busy world, which makes Ninia S's letter all the more appreciated.
Maureen is the company's senior condo buyer specialist. She's been with OwnACondo.com since day one, which doesn't go back quite as far as the last appearance of Halley's Comet in 1986, but close (she joined the company in 1997 as its first sales associate). Maureen singlehandedly sold out the first several entire condo projects the company undertook in those days, and she continues helping people buy real estate to this very day.
Maureen points out she simply serviced Ninia the way she deserved to be serviced. "I didn't do anything more than give her my time, my knowledge and my attention, to the best of my ability," says Maureen. We have a feeling Maureen is being far too modest.
OwnACondo.com serves condo buyers with an entire team great condo specialist Realtors. Maureen Nesbitt is the latest to receive praise from one of our many satisfied consumers thanks and she definitely won't be the last. Keep watching this space for more news about our specialists and how they can help you find your dream condo.
A Buyer’s Perspective
A real estate transaction no matter the type can be a complicated process and involves a series of steps depending on whether you are a buyer, seller or an investor. More often than not the buyer’s perspective will be your first foray into the real estate transaction world and it carries a unique flavor of its own. When you are buying a home or condo it is a business transaction, hopefully a mutually beneficial transaction. That’s not to say that buyers and sellers do not become emotional, feel slighted or even get offended but the key to moving the entire process along is an agreement, a legally binding agreement so no questions are ever left unanswered.
The buyer’s perspective can many times be the most stressful due to the purchase of your home or condo most likely will be the most important and expensive investment you will ever make. The process begins very simply but will become more complicated as you go along. It all starts with just making the decision to purchase you home and what areas in which you want to live. Sounds simple right, not so. The area in which you want to live is usually dictated by what is important to you, such as schools, shopping, transportation and many other factors. Knowing what you want is easy but being able to afford the area is a whole different matter. Homes and condos come in all different shapes, sizes and prices so it can be a difficult task to find the right place in the right location. That’s where a real estate agent comes in and finding one can be as simple as asking friends and relatives for referrals or stopping in at an office in the area in which you want to live. Real estate agents can have all types of experience and qualifications so it is important you find one that has as their priority a buyer’s perspective. The peace of mind you receive from knowing your wants and needs are being represented exclusively by your own real estate agent who has no other responsibilities but yours can make all the difference in the world on being happy with your purchase.
Cyber Savvy
How can a cyber savvy real estate agent help me when I am interested in buying a home or condo? Today the world of business is for the most part governed by access to information and real estate is not that much different than other businesses such as brick and mortar retail stores or online shopping sites. The real estate agent who can utilize this information to his customer’s benefit has a leg up on the competition and will be sought out for their expertise. Today there is so much information out there how do you find out what is going to benefit you, the consumer, the most when buying a home. The simple answer is to seek out that cyber savvy agent who can provide you with the information you need, how to understand it best and make it work for you.
So, what is a cyber savvy real estate agent and how do I find one? The first step is to search the Internet for the property you are interested in purchasing and the area. Thousands of results will be provided but the most accessed sites which rank the highest in use will be on the first couple of pages of your search. Open up a few of these sites and get a feel for what each agent or agency is selling. Ask yourself, does the site have the information I need and is easy to find? Are there links to other sites which may be useful to me regarding the property and the surrounding areas, such as schools, public transportation, shopping and recreation? Once you have found a site and agent you feel confident can help you contact them and ask for their assistance in finding your new home or condo. The cyber savvy real estate agent knows where to look to find what you need. I don’t just mean finding properties but all the other information important to you before you purchase. These agents will have a myriad of sites to gather information which will be critical to your purchase, from the Multiple Listing Service for their area, public record information for tax and assessment information to networking sites which offer shared ideas from other agents who are using cutting edge technology to meet their customer’s needs. Real estate sales have changed dramatically to one of the most technologically advanced businesses but not all agents have embraced the technology which can help them and their customers. Before you buy check out your agent and find out if he or she is truly cyber savvy.
