Epain Homes

Romer puts up a front on today’s GDP says ”it’s a wonderful sign… this is the turn around.” CNBC reports there “are no red flags” in the data… how about the fastest rate of residential investment since 1998?! Faster than every quarter of the housing boom? Keep dreaming.

The latest on the proposed extension of the “home buyers” tax gimmick would have move-up home borrowers bribed by up to $6500 and first-time home borrowers bribed by $8000 as well as increasing the income limits to $125K for individuals and $250K for couples. This sham policy while giving Robert Shiller a “funny feeling” also is a great way to get you audited should you receive its benefits… it’s also a great way to perpetuate widespread fraud and support ridiculously high housing costs.

Traders, speculators and other “investors” appear to be spending more time determining how to game government stimulus than make worthy investments… the news is littered with advice on arbitraging big government policies… healthcare, swine flu, green technology, housing and consumption… is this how you build a recovery?

The iPhone, Android and other Mobile devices/technologies are really cool… but widespread adoption of data mobile devices won’t spur economic growth anywhere close to the extent that the initial thrust of the internet-era did… its nifty incremental improvement but not revolutionary technological change…. what is the “next big thing”?… space elevator anyone?

Walmart is “beta testing” a new product… caskets. While both Walmart and Costco now accept food stamps… oops… I mean “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Benefits”… and Wallgreens and Family Dollar now sell booze… are these all related?

Here’s the story and the list from the Tribune’s piece:

•How long have you worked in real estate, and how long have you been licensed?

•Are you a Realtor? What professional designations do you have, and what special skills do they certify?

•Do you work alone, or do you have an assistant or support staff?

•How often will we be in touch during the searching and buying process?

• Can I look at homes without you?

•What makes you stand out among your peers, and do you have references from clients?

•Will you act as a buyer-broker, or do you represent the seller?

•How will you get paid, and may I have that in writing?

•How many other buyers are you representing?

A fair list I suppose. On the Listing side, I’d want to see a full marketing plan as to how he/she would be marketing your home…very specific: Internet, newspaper, signage, open houses, ect. Surely view other property’s he/she has currently listed.

On either side I’d want to know about community connections. When I think of an agent or two I work a lot with and think highly of, they are individuals who have a home in the community, perhaps have kids who’ve gone through or are in the schools, are involved in things like service organizations, Chambers of Commerce, ect.. I can think of a couple who are on the local school board.

I’d say the “real estate” stuff is more of a minimum bar to get over and the non-real estate knowledge and networks are how to really find an excellent real estate professional.

Just a brief follow-up from yesterday’s post…

So I took a little field trip today down to the Treasurer’s Office in the County Administration building at 118 N. Clark Street to get my client’s duplicate tax bill copy (client is out-of-state). And I would honestly give the office high marks for customer service! They have several people ready to assist you even before you enter the office so that you’re not having to waste time up at the counters filling out paperwork. There are also several service personnel circulating around the office…two cheers for Maria Pappas!! I’d be hard pressed to think of the last time I’ve experienced good customer service in Cook County or Illinois government (except my dad who used to be a great TV spokesman for IDOT during the 90s).

That being said, what’s up with the power trip over getting a copy of a tax bill?? Anyone, anywhere can view Cook County property tax bills and general property information over the Internet, yet they guard the release of duplicate tax bills copies like Fort Knox. Only the homeowner can get it unless you have a power of attorney (I have to pay them $1 for a duplicate due to their failure to send one to my client). I was fortunate to get a copy, I didn’t have a POA but did have an Order appointing my client executor of the home owner’s estate with me listed as the attorney of record.