Be Kind in 2011

 This year I hope to be kind to everyone – those I know and strangers I cross paths with day in and day out.

 Be Honest Always

 This year I will continue to show that I am honest and truthful.

 Be Interested 365 days

 This year I will try to be interested and show enthusiasm in all I do.

 Be in Control a day at a time

 This year I will control my excesses and live in moderation.  Find a balance.

 Be Courageous to all

 This year I will listen to other people’s feelings and open up mine.

 Be Humble as needed

 I will learn to know when to give, take and share. 

 Be Passionate about life

 Everyday, I will be curious about what comes next and live today and remember yesterday, especially those you love.

 Smile

I will bring back my smile and make it contagious.

My place, here in Chicago is where I come and go.  Most of the time by public transportation, as in a train or bus, otherwise I walk.

I enjoy walking after so many years of riding in a car, either driving or as a passenger.  Today, I just walk. 

To get from point A to point B, I chose to walk.  Years ago, I sold my car.  My reasoning at the time was to save money and thinking I wouldn’t be driving much because of being in the city.  But, I know now it was really to have me start walking and making up for all the days in the past of driving here and there.  I really feel lucky to be able to walk.  I have the freedom from being out and not in “a car”.  I am healthy enough to be able to walk.  The more I walk the healthier I feel and think I am.  I walk alone most of the time, going to or away from….  Sometimes I walk with my Mom or friends.  When I walk with my Mom, we walk slower at her pace.  I have to control myself not to walk ahead of her.  I walk with her and watch out for her.  Walking with friends, well – we just go. 

Most of my walking is done in the city.  Cities have lots of sidewalks and it is easier to walk then drive to get to most places.  In Chicago, walking at a normal pace will allow you to do a mile without stopping.  For most of the traffic lights are timed, not for the cars, but for us walkers.  One day suburbs will have enough sidewalks for most people to walk to and from in their daily routines.  The car is a necessity in the suburbs.  Some neighborhoods have sidewalks but not for long, the concrete ends abruptly making for a shortened journey.  If suburbanites really wanted sidewalks –they would have sidewalks.  They should make it a priority to have more people walking, alternative transportation. 

Back in the city, we walkers are headed north, south or west.  It doesn’t make sense to go east because we have the lake.  Walking to the beach is fun.  Walking on the sand is too.  So is walking in the grass.  Once in awhile, I take my shoes off and walk barefoot.  My naked foot on the earth.  I do have to watch out for tiny pebbles and glass.  My foot wouldn’t like to be in pain.  Some people’s feet are always in pain, it’s hard and uncomfortable to walk for some.  I wish that wasn’t the case, there must be a shoe that can help people walk better.  Think of all the shoes we buy.  Women, buy so many shoes.  How many?  Lots!  They pick out shoes that look good, not fit the best.  They should start thinking about their feet.  How they can have happy feet.  Give a guy a gym shoe and we are happy.

What troubles me about walking are the “other” walkers that walk aimlessly.  These walkers walk in the middle of the sidewalk and force others to walk around them.  They walk in sets of two’s or three’s and expect us (all walkers) to walk to the right or left and around them to pass by.  Women and men have this problem.  A sidewalk is only so wide.  Walking in the same direction is easier than walking in opposite ways.  When we walk on the right side of the street, you would think we all would be headed in the same direction.  Same goes for the left side of the street.  Wrong.  We tend to walk on either side in any direction.  So this makes for some confusion.  We as a rule have no rules when it comes to walking, except here in America we walk to the right.  Just as we drive.  If you are from overseas or have traveled some, they reverse it.  You can teach, educate, make law and enforce laws on the street, but not on a sidewalk.  We go where we please.  Walking is the most free thing we do.  And nobody is going to tell me how to do it!  Walking is peaceful, not rushed.  It calms the mind and makes you in less of a hurry.

In the city of Chicago.  We have a business district called the loop.  Hundreds of thousands of people work downtown and live in the neighborhoods or suburbs, so they come and go by commuting.  By train, by bus or by car.  Walking is part of their journey.  So when thousands of people get out of work and want to make it home sooner than later, it is chaos in the streets.  We have a herd of people 2-10 wide on both sides of the street in the same sidewalk.  We also have a few people walkers going in another direction.  Bang.  Ouch.  #*&!

I don’t like it, being one of only a few walking into a mob.  Think of an entire town walking toward you and you are alone.  Call it a stampede.  Walking is not the joy as it once was – it’s a pain.  I think if I only had a shield to block these walkers moving into my space or if I was just 6’8” and 335 pounds to make a statement and show this mob who is boss.  Dream on, so I usually just force myself to walk to the far right and hope not to be run over.  I get lucky once in awhile if a couple guys are walking in the same direction just in front of me.  They are my body guards and will make way for me to enjoy my walk.  I can walk peacefully again. Maybe, Chicago should put in place a “Foot Patrol” for walking enforcement.  I see cops riding bikes all the time, enjoying their ride and looking out for mischief, but who is looking out for me – the happy walker?   Mayor Daley lets take a walk together.  Walk the dogs and talk about getting the rest of the city out and about.

Please, get out of your car, take a pass at the bus and start walking.  A walk will change your life!

What in the world is happening to us?  How far has technology changed us in the way we talk to each other?

Today, we have a President that communicates with the nation via a teleprompter.  It seems as if every speech is read from a ‘teleprompter”, having us wonder if these are his words or those of a speech writer or someone more influential.  His ideas, thoughts or command of the subject matter is always in question.  Has this always been the past history?  Maybe a little but not to this extent. 

What in the world is happening to us?  How far has technology changed us in the way we talk to each other?

Technology makes the generation for better or worse.  In the days of today’s senior citizens, as children they had no TV only radio.  The telephone was just invented before they were born.   As the years passed, homes added another land line and a color television.  Computers were invented, some households bought desk tops and many have laptops.  Soon a few of us had a portable phone (cell phone).  But, the family and society was really about the same.  For we talked to each other face-to-face and allowed time to communicate with one another.

Speed forward to today.  Now we have potable e-mail (a jump from the plug-in computer), voice and texting all via a very tiny cell phone.  Some cell phones are even walking computers/laptops.  And where has our communication taken us?  This generation of youngsters only know of computers (social networking sites), cell phones for talking and texting.  The older population has seen it all.  My question to us all – are we out of control? 

He just doesn’t know any better.  Our children and young adults are changing the way we talk.  Talking isn’t just for mouths anymore, but for our thumbs!

Texting has replaced the voice in so many environments.  Are we aware of the present?  Are we in tune to our space/time and being?  Are we social or just ignoring each other by pretending to “BE” with our non-stop texting?

I am here, but are you?  I see this everywhere.  Observing a couple riding the “L” train in Chicago, the man is texting and she is trying to talk.  She says he isn’t communicating, being social – he says he is and continues to text while she exits the train…alone.   Another, couple guys sit together, talking and laughing until one starts to text…the other’s smile turns to frown and looks to feel alone while his buddy laughs and continues his texting.  A few years ago in a restaurant, a family gathers for dinner and Dad talks on his cell phone as the rest of the family pauses in time. 

How can we be together and yet so far away?  I am here…Are YOU?

I have felt it and seen others in emotional meltdown because our friend, buddy, partner or child wants to be somewhere else and with somebody else at the same time they are with us.   Some call this multi-tasking or discount it as today’s way of talking.  However, communication involves an audience and presenter with feedback.  Some and it’s becoming more alarming as most of us do not know who our audience is and when.  What ever happened to people’s manners?

Must we give in?  Fight it? Or just go with the flow because he just doesn’t know any better?

Can we be mindful of those around us before we make a call or text?  Time is now, time is here and time only comes around once.  Why not make the most of it with those around us…with us in the present.   Our parents taught us to be kind toward one another because this means so much to each of us.  Kindness is happiness.  We all live in today’s technology and tomorrows.  As a society we must control ourselves, as always – moderation seems to be the norm.

 For more on this subject – talk to your parent, child or friend!

After, last night’s disappointing loss for Bret Farve and the Vikings, fans are either cheering, crying or thinking I don’t give a…

Those of us that are in the market to buy or sell a home this year are wishing they had more time….the clock is ticking. Tic toc.  Most years, activity begins after the Super Bowl – but in 2010 things are different.

As depressing an economy might ever be, with unemployment at 11% in Illinois and sales stable from a year ago (down 1.5% vs 2008), but prices off 14.6%.  The real estate market is on an upswing- four consecutive months of increases.  Sales in Chicagoland, were up 33% for December vs 2008 and down 10% in cost (Dec. ’09vs’08) - just even for the entire year.  However, again prices have fallen another 18%.  So, this is all good news!   For buyers that want to purchase their first home and for those thinking about moving into another home of some sort.

What is fueling the sales trend in a positive direction?  The federal TAX credit for first time homebuyers.  Now that the law changed to include current homeowners in the mix, this Spring market could be on fire!

A buyer has from November 7th 2009 to April 30th 2010 to buy a home.  Close on it by July 1, 2010.  The buyer will receive a tax credit/refund of $8,000 (first-time buyer) or $6,500 for current homeowner.  What an incentive – free money from the US Government and lower pricing in the real estate market for condos, townhouses and single-family residences.   How can anybody pass this up?  If your credit is good and you have saved some dollars for down payment or you have equity in your current home….NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE YOUR MOVE.  Go for it!

Please note, there are some rules to this tax credit money, such as: home must be your primary residence, must have lived in your home five years (current owners), married couples can claim only one credit, credit is for up to 10% purchase price or the $8K/$6.5K, income limits, how to file tax return, may have to pay back the credit if you sell within three years and other…

Sales in Chicago proper were down 7% and prices fell 22% for the year.  But, the brighter side shows us with an increase of 39% for December vs 2008 and only a drop of 10% for Dec ’09 vs Dec ’08. 

Here again, the tax credit is showing to be a stimulus for the real estate market and for the those sellers that want to sell and the buyers that are willing, able and ready to decide now is the “right time”.

Why wait? Now is the time to begin looking or to get ready to list your home. YOU and WE have 90 days to make it a reality.  What happens in May or over the summer?   We can only guess or wait it out….

Most of us probably think it best to make the move sooner than later.  So, call a Realtor to help you.

Available anytime….Thank you for your time.   Good day!

David Soderberg    Baird & Warner Realtor    www.chicagohomegallery.com  www.livnchicago.com

I was sitting with my family the other day, watching Wheel of Fortune and thought…where are all the old folks.  I wanted to ask Pat Sajak and Vanna White how many people in their 60′s, 70′s and 80′s have been contestants on their show.

Wheel of Fortune started in 1981 and has been a hit to viewers all over the world.  Sony Pictures produces the show under the direction of Executive Producer Harry Friedman and is distributed by CBS Studios.  Both Sony and CBS offer a flavor of television shows and movies with actors in their teens to middle age to seniors.   However, our Wheel of Fortune – the show that gave away over $10 million in prize money last year, offers us up college aged kids and contestants in their 20′s-40′s.  Maybe a 50 year old once in a while.

I ask you – When is the last time you watched Grandma or Grandpa spin the wheel?  Wouldn’t it be a nice Christmas present to us all if we saw more senior citizens on America’s favorite game show?

Vanna has worn over 5,100 dresses over the years and believe it or not claps about 720 times a show.  (all these stats are direct from the Wheel of Fortune website)  Pat hosts the show and Vanna lights up the puzzle board.  The three players on the daily show are picked from among 10,000 people who try out every year.  Only 600 are selected to be contestants on the show.  Of those 600 people, a mix of men and women – how many are old people?  How many are our parents?  How many are in their 70′s? 80′s? or even 90′s?

Sony’s application asks for your birthdate.  Might they be looking at the age of the applicant and….just maybe discriminating against Grandma and Grandpa?  Who is the audience?   Of the 90 million viewers worldwide, maybe a majority of those are members of AARP.  Really, most of the show’s viewers are in the later years of life.  And they still have many a year to go!  So why would Sony/CBS and Wheel of Fortune NOT please their demographics and show MORE older Americans on the show?

Sections 2 and 3 of the Q&A Contestant (FAQS) on Wheel of Fortune website describes a formula for meeting the shows criteria to be a selected contestant.  A positive attitude is number one and most of the older men and women have that!  Otherwise, they wouldn’t be around any longer! 

Again, Pat and Vanna please start auditioning MORE older aged Americans.  They watch the show, they buy your advertiser’s products and THEY are loyal.  They give up 22 minutes of most nights to turn on the TV and turn off their lives to watch who will solve the puzzle board and win.   They endure 8 minutes or more of commercials and smile with Vanna as she turns the letters. 

Please give Grandma and Grandpa a Christmas present…more action in 2010!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

MEGA-SHIP, Oh yeah.  5,400 passengers, 2,160 crew and 2,700 State rooms on board this 16 deck 225,282 gross ton boat from RoyalCaribbean.   How would you choose a cabin for you, your family or friends?  Same goes for choosing a house or a condo.  Well, you may have taken one or more cruises before, just as I have OR you may have lived in condos, townhouses or single family homes (yes I have too)….but, somehow – we still need a helping hand.  A how to guide to finding that home sweet home!

HOW TO?  Many a book/video out there on how to do things.  How to books are termed “For Dummies” books for those that don’t know….

You, know about real estate.  You actually know more than any realtor out there in the industry.  For you are the only one to know your wants and needs…you alone.   But, how do you package this knowledge?   Present it in away to make a selection or choice – when you have many.

I have devised a guide for those buyers that work with me to find a home.  Here is an example.

YOUR NEW AND FUTURE HOME

11 (eleven) other categories to help you with your selection.  With this “how to” guide we can narrow our search, allowing you to save time and eliminating the “do not want” properties – focusing on “This is want I like”   I can match your wants/needs to the MLS to find you a home.  

Once, my clients fill out my Assessment Guide, they receive properties via the MLS that focus on their likes.  This allows for easy viewing on your time and for the selection of those you’d like to see in person.

Remember real estate is about Location/Location/Location.   Yes, we do have a category responding to this and more.

Now or early next year can be your time to purchase your next home.  Please, ask me to help you…and we can cruise together into the sunset.  Bottle of champagne and more @ closing!     Thank you.

When was the last time you stopped in @ Starbucks for a drink to go?   You may have asked for the ‘Single Grande decaf, nonfat, no whip, Peppermint Mocha”.  I ask you, have you ever really paid close attention to how your drink is served?  You may have been at Starbucks or a McDonalds or any of the other coffee chains in your neighborhood for your morning fix.   Next time you go, observe how it is prepared.  Many steps are involved in making a cup of coffee/specialty drink…JUST KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE LAST STEP.  This is when your server grabs a lid for the cup and attaches it to the cup (puts the lid on your cup of joe).   More times than not – he/she places their hand on the lid and presses down to hold the lid in place (a snap).

WHERE has that hand been?  These chains and independent cafe’s are restaurants – have they recently washed their hands?  Have you ever seen a barista wear latex gloves?  (servers at Subway do).

BEWARE of the FLU or better yet the H1N1 flu virus.   YOUR NEXT CUP OF COFFEE MIGHT END UP KILLING YOU!

I see it everywhere, just watch for 5-10 minutes as the servers prepare drinks and nine times out of ten they place the entire hand on the lid and top it on the paper cup!  Sometimes, before this happens – the hand or hands has touched their nose, eyes or mouth!   Many a time, a cough or a sneeze with the hand and into your cup of coffee.

WHAT?   Your lips touch the lid as you take a sip and this is where flu can be transmitted!   Do we need a governmental study from the Center for Disease Control?  Probably not, but hey why not….

So, the next time you order that latte or coffee, please wipe the lid as good as you wipe your butt.

CDC’s Recommendation to prevent H1N1 Swine Flu:

Take everyday actions to stay healthy.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

CDC’s Recommendation to prevent the FLU:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
• While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other measures to keep our distance from each other to lessen the spread of flu.

Information copied from http://www.cdc.gov/

Highest retail tax in America at 10.25% (USAToday 8/24/09).  Chicago’s high school graduation rate is just 51.0 percent.  ( llinoispolicyinstitute.org)  Parking $3.50 an hour.  Property Taxes rank 3rd nationally (Eric Zorn blog ChicagoTrib 10/24/07). Crime – Robberies at 16,690 and Murders at 509. 

Let me start with safety, your feeling of being safe in Chicago.  Today’s Chicago Trib’s front page says not so and over the weekend CNN says not so.  Shootings increased 18% in 2008 to total of 2003 and this year we are at an increase of 6%.  2003 people were shot and 509 dead.  Near 17,000 muggings in the city.  The South side hasn’t been safe any day and the West and North sides are feeling it too…might I say get a house boat out in Lake Michigan to feel safe.  Our Honarable Mayor has let the gangs rule Chicago.

Education, good education helps people feel responsible and helps in having a good job that pays the bills.  Remember the high school drop out rate is high -far to high- over 49%.  CPS not working because outside of Chicago, the high school graduation rate is 83.3 percent, higher than any other state in rankings.  Overall, Illinois’ public high school graduation rate is 76.7 percent, ranking 13th nationally.  Chicago is failing you and the State of IL.  Our Honorable Mayor and the city council have failed to teach our students.

Parking for Chicago’s million licensed drivers is driving commerce down.  It used to cost 25 cents an hour and now $2 or more in the neighborhoods.  This is a tax on you approved by the City Council 40-5 December 5th 2008.  ”Before the lease plan was approved, parking meter rates had not gone up in 20 years. But now, they will go up every year through 2013.  By then, it will cost $6.50 per hour to park in the Loop, $4 to park in downtown outside the Loop, and $2 to park in the neighborhoods.  After that, rates will be adjusted annually by inflation, the city said” (CBS News 2/12/09).  But really, it’s not the extra quarters it’s our Mayor selling the streets of Chicago for our generation and our grandchildren’s lifetime.  The Honorable Mayor and “his” city council gave away control of our streets to a third party. 

The retail taxes we pay are keeping our city workers employed while the rest of us lose or fear loosing our jobs.  The unemployment rate in Chicago is now at 11.3% up from 6.9% a year ago (IDES July stats).  We keep getting laid off while the city of Chicago keeps on hiring.  What is wrong with this picture? 

I can go on an on and on…cta?

Is it time to ask our Honorable Mayor Daley to resign?  If we ask and he refuses, then ALL of us must vote a new mayor in office February 2011.  After 6 terms and 20 years of rule and the people voting Mayor Daley in office with 72% of the vote – isn’t it time?  Time for a change?  The “Chicago Way” is not working for us – the people.

It is time to “Take back our streets, our City”

Interesting article/link how he got elected and by whom…CHICAGO MAYORAL ELECTION FEBRUARY 27, 2007 A WARD AND PRECINCT ANALYSIS by Roosevelt University http://www.roosevelt.edu/cas/documents/CHICAGOMAYORALELECTION2007.pdf

What a question of me to ask of you.  Most people would think their personal viewpoint or value is none of your business or they have no problem explaining  it to others.

I believe now is the best time to be Pro-choice.    You have a choice.  The choice to buy a home in Chicago or beyond.

There are many homes on the market today and many more to come this summer.  These homes are at good prices!  You have read and heard about the fall of the real estate market.   No?  Where ever you may be, chances are it has happened and continues to do so.   So, what better time to buy than now?  Yes!   YES!

Prices have dropped on single family homes, here in the city and in the suburbs.   As well as one to three bedroom condos.   Depending on your block and neighborhood – prices are moving….

Let’s say you are a first-time buyer and you have looked, maybe last year, and to date haven’t purchased anything to your liking.   You either could not decide on the particular home or your 401K lost money last October.  Again, you want a home -but.   Enough “buts”   – the time is now to start looking and finally make an offer and go to close so you may get the keys to your new home.   Prices are low in comparison to  last few years of run up in pricing.  I don’t know if the average price of a home will fall some more….or stabilize….or start to move up again and WHEN?

But, you have $8,000 in free money from Uncle Sam to help pay for the place.  The stock market is going to take awhile to make up what it lost.  So, why not invest in YOU and live in a home that YOU own and enjoy the American dream.   If values are at or near the bottom in real estate -even if it stays the same for a year….while we try to get out of the recession – it’s quite possible that a new home purchase is the greatest investment in this decade.

A home should be a home,  if you can make money/return on your down payment and payment to the bank – great!  (Leverage that mortgage and lock in the low rates)    By all means – a home is home for you and your family.

If you have money toward a down payment and a good credit score -BUY.  If you are close or not sure, please talk to someone.  NOW is your time to be Pro-choice.

For all those homeowners that thought to sell and decided to wait until the market rebounds….think about this.

Your life is important and so is your family.  Sure, you may have seen the prices in the neighborhood drop.  How far?  It all depends.  A house is unique and we can only compare yours with his or hers.   You ask will I make a profit?  Well that depends on when you bought it, how much and your dollar investment in the home.  

The question to ask yourself- am I happy?  If not, now is the time to be Pro-Life.

Pro-Life means to get out of the house and into another where you and your family can be happy.  The next house you buy is going through the same financial ups or downs.  If prices dropped some, so probably did the other homes.  For example, if your home is worth 10% less in 2009 than in 2008 – shouldn’t homes up the pricing ladder sell for the same 10% less?   If yours is up – so is theirs and if yours is down -so is theirs.  Are you hesitant to understand why YOU have to choose Pro-Life?  Make a move, put your home on the market (sell it before you buy another) and purchase the home of your dreams.   Either downsize, get a bigger place or move to another neighborhood.  It’s your call because you are Pro-Life!  You are in control and have taken back your life.

I think now IS your time to be either Pro-Choice or Pro-Life or both.  You have to ask yourself and answer the question before 2009 becomes 2010.

Any questions and help with answers please click on my link LivNchicago.com