General

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “When we ask for advice, we are usually looking for an accomplice.”—Saul Bellow, American novelist   NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE A nice bump in September buyer activity sent Pending Home Sales up more than 7% to their highest level since March. This index of signed contracts on existing homes is now ahead, […]

HOW TO UP YOUR COMMUNICATIONS GAME Effective communications begin with the right mindset. Instead of thinking “I’m here to sell,” switch to “I’m here to help.” Being able to help requires two-way understanding— you have to understand your prospects’ needs, and they have to understand how you meet those needs. That requires being an effective […]

BUSINESS TIPS       THE CHECKLIST TO PREP FOR LISTING PHOTOGRAPHY   Pretty much all home shopping today begins on the internet. That’s why listing photography is more important than ever. Here’s a checklist of things you can do before the shoot to make sure your listing photographs are the best they can be. […]

Here’s your monthly Chicago Housing Stats video, courtesy of The Jim Passi Team at Alameda Mortgage Corp. For all of your home financing needs in Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Georgia, Tennessee, or Florida, call The Jim Passi Team today at 847-899-1813! Follow our social media pages for more informational tools!

SOME IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT CREDIT SCORES     Your credit score, also known as your FICO Score, plays an important role when you apply for a mortgage. As a homebuyer, you should know that having a good credit score plays a key role in the purchase process. Lenders check your credit score to determine if […]

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “I hate housework. You make the beds, you do the dishes, and six months later, you have to start all over again.”—Joan Rivers, American comedian, writer, and television host   NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE Builders spent slightly less on residential construction in August, but overall spending was up annually by almost 3%, […]

7 ROUTINES TO MAKE YOUR DAYS MORE PRODUCTIVE Follow a Regular Sleep Schedule. Getting a good night’s sleep is the first step to being more productive and accomplishing more in the day. Experts say waking up at the same time each day supports healthier sleep. Do Some Morning Tasks the Night Before. There are lots […]

BUSINESS TIPS       3 KEYS TO EFFECTIVE LEAD GENERATION   Successful real estate people are all experts in lead generation. The good news is, it doesn’t take a lot of time to get good at lead generation. Decide that’s your goal, take the necessary actions, and you can start being more successful immediately. […]

Here’s your monthly Chicago Housing Stats video, courtesy of The Jim Passi Team at Alameda Mortgage Corp. For all of your home financing needs in Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Georgia, Tennessee, or Florida, call The Jim Passi Team today at 847-899-1813! Follow our social media pages for more informational tools!

BUILDING EQUITY IN YOUR HOME COULD MAKE YOUR NEXT MOVE POSSIBLE     Are you a homeowner who wants to sell because you’d like to move up to accommodate an expanding family or downsize after the kids have moved out? Or are you looking for your first home or know someone who might be hesitant […]