Special Announcement!

We are proud to announce we were able to donate $1300 to the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation!

 
 

Member Blog Entries

Google+ and SEO

Submitted by Jerry Callison on Wed, 2012-02-22 01:03

Here is an excellent short article dealing with Google+ and SEO, discussing the importance of incorportating it in your site.
 
Two Google+SEO Guides You Should Read
http://searchengineland.com/two-google-seo-guides-you-should-read-111703
 
 
 

Put Power of Tax Deferral to Work

Submitted by David Erickson on Tue, 2012-02-14 17:49

 
As an investor, you may sometimes feel frustrated. After all, your portfolio seems to be at the mercy of the financial markets, whose volatility is beyond anyone’s control. Yet you can control the quality of the investments you own and the diversification of those investments to improve your chances of attaining your long-term financial goals.  One way in which to do so is to put as much as you can afford, year after year, into tax-deferred investments.

With Women in Mind

Submitted by Cheryl Lee on Tue, 2012-02-14 12:24

Call it intuition. Women definitely have it! Instinctively, we can recognize what works well and what does not work well in our homes. We want a home that reflects our tastes and interests. So guess who is the driving factor in home purchases and home remodeling?

Yes Pricing Matters, But It's Not All That Does

Submitted by Cheryl Lee on Wed, 2012-02-01 12:11

8 attributes customers can expect of CL Design-Build. Did you get all of these with your last contractor?
 
 

Does weather affect Real Estate?

Submitted by Tammy Sartain on Tue, 2012-01-31 08:58

Here in Illinois weather definitely affects buyers and sellers.  Cold, windy or sunny days can make the phone ring or not.  55 degrees and sunny on January 31st - WOW.  Will we see an early spring selling season?  I think we might.  Get prepared sellers, April might be our summer and February might be our spring. 

Design that Feels Right

Submitted by Cheryl Lee on Thu, 2012-01-19 17:13

Have you ever walked through a home and thought, "this feels right"? You may not be able to put your finger on exactly why it feels that way, but there's definitely a sense of comfort and of being "home".What you're experiencing is likely good architectural design, and it's no accident. Good design is a combination of proper scale, proportion, mass, and authenticity that transcends time and trends. Good design also reflects current lifestyle needs both inside and out.
 

Why Hire A Writer?

Submitted by Rachelle Stoller on Thu, 2012-01-19 16:41

In my last blog, I discussed the value of having a marketing plan that includes positioning statements, key messages and value propositions. I also pointed out that I my specialty isn't marketing strategy; rather, it's crafting what comes next. Now, you may be thinking to yourself, "If I know what I have to offer, why wouldn't I come up with the content for my website, brochures, blogs, e-blasts, etc.? Why hire a writer?"
 
Funny you should ask that. Just today, I gave a presentation at our weekly networking meeting about this very topic.
 

Assessed Value vs Market Value

Submitted by Tammy Sartain on Tue, 2012-01-17 15:51

Assessed Value vs. Market Value - Assessed value is the valuation placed on property by a public tax assessor for purposes of taxation. It is not the same as Fair Market Value. Fair Market Value is the agreed upon price between a willing and informed buyer and a willing and informed seller under usual and ordinary circumstances. There is nothing ordinary about todays market.  More than ever...Consult a Realtor.

Four Rules to Turn Your Website Into a Sales Engine

Jerry Callison's picture
published by Jerry Callison on Tue, 2012-01-17 00:56

Today I want to share an article written by Jayson Deets, our new Director of Sales at Herring Consulting, Inc.  He definitely is one worth listening to when it comes to sales:
 
Sales is competitive.  For a business owner the burden of an unsuccessful sales rep is not just the expense associated with their salary and/or benefits, but the greater expense of missed opportunity.

Hot off the Press

Tammy Sartain's picture
published by Tammy Sartain on Thu, 2012-01-12 19:01

There is light at the end of the tunnel!  Unemployment is improving - Everywhere.  Zillow Home Price Expectations Survey is reporting a positive outlook for the real estate future.  Although 2012 will be a struggle, 2013-2016 will be in the black for projected appreciation in home sales.  
NOW is the time to make a move.  Interest rates hit a record low of 3.9% today and housing has never been so affordable. 

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