Home Sellers... so you have decided to list your home for sale.  How does your home compare to other properties on the market?

In these competitive times, it is all about first impressions.  Your home needs to appeal to the age range of the buyer.  In most cases, your home might need a "make under."  This is not often talked about, but how you live in your house is not how you sell your house.  You need to neutralize, de-clutter, and then make 3 piles:  1)  donate  2)  keep/pack  3)  trash/garage sale.  

Your home needs to be in a state of less is more.  A clean look, not a lot of stuff.  Get advice from an expert - a top agent knows exactly what to do, but those agents are far and few between.  The difference will be just listed, versus SOLD!  Work with the best - hire a CRS - Top 3% of all Realtors nationwide.

Posted by:  Carol Best | Coldwell Banker Real Estate | Licensed since 1992

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Realogy Corporation, a global and domestic provider of real estate and home relocation services to transferees world-wide, is proud to announce that Cartus has acquired Primacy Relocation in a major move.  Realogy is the parent company of real estate franchise brands such as Coldwell Banker and The Corcoran Group on the East Coast.  Translation:  more relocation buyers & sellers for Coldwell Banker & Realogy companies across the United States and global relocation arena.

Cartus will now have a 40% market share of all relocation business - as a comparison, #2 Prudential has approximately 10% market share. 

Primacy, which has approximatelly 700 employees operating in 25 offices located throughout the Americas, Asia and Europe, serves a number of U. S. Government agencies, Fortune 500, and 1000 and Global 100 corporations, as well as smaller emerging-market organizations.  

Cartus has long been the leader in global relocation services - their acquisition of Primacy now positions them as the #1 Leader in Transferee Relocation Services world-wide.  This acquisition also positions Cartus as a major service provider to the government sector. 

SELLERS:  Click here to discuss listing your home for Sale with Carol Best & Coldwell Banker

BUYERS:  Search all homes for sale in Chicago & Northern IL

BUY a DEAL:  Search Luxury Home Foreclosures

E-mail Carol | Carol's Website | Call or Text:  773-799-5939

Crate & Barrel has entered into a franchise agreement with Dubai-based Al Tayer Group LLC to open stores in the Middle East in 2010.

The world headquarters of Crate & Barrel, in Northbrook, Illinois, said Tuesday that it plans to open stores in Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates and Mirdif City Centre. Crate & Barrel last year held its 1st international opening with a Toronto store and plans to follow up with one in Calgary, Alberta in the Fall of 2009.

“Dubai represents an excellent growth opportunity and launching pad to extend our brand internationally,” says Crate & Barrel CEO Barbara Turf. “It is a robust retail market, with many similarities to U.S. retail—state-of-the-art shopping malls, high-profile global brands and a diverse and sophisticated customer base.”

Crate & Barrel currently has about 160 stores. The Dubai stores will be managed by Al Tayer Trends, a lifestyle retail unit for the franchise company.

“We are pleased to bring the Crate & Barrel franchise to the region and are confident that the brand’s unique product mix, coupled with our regional retail expertise, will create a successful value proposition for customers,” Chief Operating Officer Khalid Al Tayer said. 

Posted by Carol Best | Call or Text Carol @:  773-799-5939  |  Carol@CarolBest.net   |   http://www.CarolBest.net

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Inman News - by Dian Hymer - 8/24/09:  Making the Right Choice... Listen Up to determine if you will only talk to, hear from, or see your agent @ the appointment to list your home.  Does your Realtor have a team that works for them... will you ever see them again?  Read Dian Hymer's article below:

Assembling the right team of professionals to assist you during a home purchase or sale is imperative, particularly in today's challenging home-sale market. Selecting the right real estate agent can be critical to your ultimate success.

As in any business, there are good agents and agents who aren't so good. Don't confuse years in the business or number of homes sold with quality service. Some top-performing agents provide their clients with excellent service. Agents who do a lot of business have a wealth of experience to draw from that can be helpful when problems arise.

However, some agents are more interested in making a commission than they are in satisfying their clients. They might sign up the listing promising to sell your home quickly for the best price possible. After that, you may see or hear little from that agent. Rather, you'll interact with assistants who may or may not have the experience needed to adequately take care of your needs.

Make certain before you list your home for sale or select an agent to represent you as a buyer that you fully understand what your agent will and will not do for you. Find out if you'll be working one-on-one with your agent or if others will be involved. 

Posted by:  Carol Best | Call or Text:  773-799-5939 | Carol@CarolBest.net | www.CarolBest.net

Help for Homeowners

Search Foreclosures in IL

BUYERS:  E-Z Search of MLS in IL

SELLERS:  What is Active/Pending/Sold in my Neighborhood?

Where do buyers go when they are ready to start looking for a home to buy?  If you are selling your home, you need to have your home advertised here:

1)  they go the internet - 87%

2)  Realtor - 85%

3)  Yard Sign - 62%

4)  TV - 10%

5)  Billboard - 7%

6)  Relocation company - 5%

What's my source for the information?
The National Association of Realtors, 2008 Survey of Buyers & Sellers

Posted by:  Carol Best | Coldwell Banker | www.CarolBest.net

IL Buyers - Search our Entire MLS for Free @ http://www.FindNorthernIllinoisHomes.com

Fact:  Buying & selling of real estate is down 40% from 2005 - all agents are not created equal...

Sellers:  That means you are in a beauty contest and a price war if your property has been or will be up for sale.  Your home (for sale) will be highly scrutinized by buyers, as compared to other homes for sale and the amenities being offered... not just in your town, but surrounding towns as well.   In some of our local areas, there is over a 3 year supply of inventory currently on the market.

If your home was previously listed, where was your home advertised?  Did you know 84% of today's buyers are finding properties on the internet?  Did you know they really don't care to look at a video home tour?  Did you know they really want to see 25 on-line awesome pictures of your home?

If your home is a luxury property, check out how Trump, Stewart, Warren Buffett, Ralph Lauren buy real estate as stated in the Daily Herald Sunday newspaper article.  Then, critique how your property was being marketed.  If your agent just inserted a list of amenities, well... I'm afraid that marketing style doesn't really speak to a specific target market... buyers buy on emotion & value - not from a list. 

Posted by:  Carol Best | Coldwell Banker | Barrington, IL
Listing & Selling in Chicago's Gold Coast, North, West & Northwest suburbs

www.CarolBest.net

IL Buyers - Search our Entire MLS for Free @ http://www.FindNorthernIllinoisHomes.com 

What is real estate all about for the 21st century - technology is the answer and 84% of the buyers are looking online.

How are the agents keeping up?  Only the Realtors that really embrace technology will be in-the-know - they need to embrace Global Innovation & take technology courses... quick!

I have now joined an International real estate marketing company whereby my listings are seen around the world - we just don't know where the next buyer will come from and I'm not willing to miss an opportunity.  Real estate is on sale in the United States,  so buyers are coming across the ocean and many borders to make a great purchase in the United States.

Does your Realtor embrace technology?  If not, your listing could be one of the dinosaur listings that will be on the market for years, yes years!  It is sad that the sellers aren't comparing the difference of marketing plans - online is THE place to be! 

Posted by:  Carol Best | Coldwell Banker in Barrington, IL
Your Luxury Real Estate Expert & #1 Source to Buy & Sell Real Estate

Exclusive on-line marketing - if you list your property with me, my listings receive 10x more traffic because they appear on Page #1 of Realtor.com for certain zip codes/towns that I have secured #1 placement.

Today's National Association of Realtor's event in Naperville, IL reiterated the fact that 84% of today's home buyers search the internet to find the properties they want to see/tour in person.  If you did not receive a showing, then that buyer has ELIMINATED your property - they are filtering out what is not of interest to them.  What does that mean... well it could be a variety of reasons, including price.

The real estate market has definitely changed this past year, but I am really excited about it - it is a great opportunity for both buyers and sellers.

Buyers are 900% more likely to find their next home on the internet - not a newspaper.  The Los Angeles Times no longer has a real estate section, because print advertising no longer works!

The listing agent has only an 8% chance of find the buyer for your home - their expertise is marketing your property to the largest audience possible and that is the worldwide web!

Never settle for less than the Best internet marketing program.  When you are serious about selling, contact me - you'll be glad you did. 

Posted by:  Carol Best | Coldwell Banker in Barrington,IL
Your #1 Source to Buy or Sell Real Estate  www.CarolBest.net

IL Buyers - Search our Entire MLS for Free @ http://www.FindNorthernIllinoisHomes.com