About Saint Clair County, IL

Paul Walker, Broker Associate since 1997

Realty Executives of Metro East, Shiloh, IL 62221

October 2009 Metro East Housing Statistics

October 2009 vs. October 2008

# OF SOLD HOMES AVG DAYS ON MARKET

COUNTY Oct 09 Oct 08 Oct 09 Oct 08

ST CLAIR 233 204 128 114
MADISON 289 209 119 122
CLINTON 22 20 105 102

TOAL MLS AREAS 683 564 128 118

MEDIAN HOME PRICES

Oct 09 Oct 08

ST CLAIR $128,840 $133,777
MADISON $134,350 $127.187
CLINTON $168.205 $117.873

TOTAL MLS AREAS $131.803 $123.864

YTD MLS TOTALS 2009 VS 2008

DATES AVG DAYS ON MARKET MED SALE PRICE # OF SOLDS

JAN-OCT 08 128 $131.331 6180

JAN-OCT 09 140 $125,728 5744

Hurry, It's a Great Time to Buy a Home!

It's Tax Credit Season for First-Time Buyers and Step-up Buyers

Belleville Real Estate

If you're a New Yorker, there's joy in Mudville, so to speak, as the Yankees win another World Series. If you're a Realtor, you are rejoicing that the home buyer's credit was extended and expanded. Now, even current homeowners have incentives to buy up or buy elsewhere. This should help move housing stock not only at the lower end of the spectrum but higher price ranges as well.

If you follow me, you know that I maintain that good Realtors always find ways to sell houses even without a credit. However, if NAR statistics are correct, 2 million people were helped by the current credit, while the economy has been stimulated to the tune of $22 million. Extending the credit can only continue to help general economic recovery, as well as that in housing.

There is definitely joy in Mudville for Americans on the move and those who'd like to be.

There are a lot of sayings that come to mind when thinking about the people around us.

A man is known by the company he keeps...

Birds of a feather flock together...

One bad apple spoils the bunch...

We are not bound in our life by proverbs, but it is easy to pick up the attitudes od those around you.

Take a look at who is around you in your daily life. Are they positive or negative? Helpful or hurtful? Toxic or healthy? It's been said - via another proverb - that you should fear an evil friend more than a beast because a beast can wound your body, but an evil friend can wound your mind. Keep positive people near you at all times and purge the rest.

This does not mean that all your friends are Pollyannas or that you block out the bad news. There is a lot of bad news in real estate today; if you don't see if, you will miss the opportunity to react and respond to it. What you must to be successful in this market is turn any challenges you see in the news and turn them into opportunities and surround yourself with people willing to do the same.

Imagine the impact of a group of positive people collectively working together. The synergy that comes from that group can change the world - or a least the real estate market in your neck of the woods.

Make A Commitment: I will stay positive and choose to be happy!

Deadline: _________

I've been in the real estate consulting game now for 15 years and it still amazes me that many agents simply don't operate like a business. I often see starry-eyed agents who set grandiose goals only to trip on them and fall into a big pile of discouragement.

Many people have only a vague idea of what their goals are and have even less clue about how to reach them. Few people stumble unto success; man who do are often "flash in the pan" successes because they don't really know what made then successful and, therefore, can't replicate it.

I offer four suggestions to make your business a success:

1. Write your personal goals - Even if you are still formulating your goals, it is easier to figure out how to operationalize them if you have a starting point.

2. Get a plan - The first item every business should have is a business plan. Without one, you're sailing rudderless.

3. Set small goals - No doubt, part of your business plan will have goals. Make sure they're realistic and small enough so that you can actually make headway with them.

4. Get an accountability partner - This may be a neighbor, a coworker, a broker or a personal coach. No matter whom it is, this person is charged with making sure you're striving for and reaching your goals. An outside perspective is essential.

Commitment: I will gormulate my goals todya.

Deadline: _____

Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner recently said that he is optimistic about the state of the U.S. economy, though recovery has been uneven. Of course, the same page of the MSN homepage featured a story about why the U.S. is in decline. Read both stories and you'll realize you have to make a choice. You can accept things going on in our society as "proof" things are on the downslide or you can accentuate the positive.

You may be thinking, "Oh, that's what Bob always says." If so, you are right. You choose how you feel. I have built my coaching career on this premise. A traditional market doesn't make you feel any way; you make yourself feel the way you do. No one else, no event, nothing makes you feel that way. It is all your doing, period.

This is not saying that things in our economy (or any segment of life) are perfect. If you dwell on the imperfect, you can fall not thinking that things are hopeless and opportunities are limited.

If you like books, grab a copy of The Traveler's Gift by Andy Andrews. He is a big fan of personal responsibility and is as motivating as they come. You can also visit my website for a document I wrote titled, "Fear or Confidence: Which Are You Choosing?" that may help you discover bad choices you might be making.

Commitment: I will train myself to see life in a more positive manner.

Deadline: ________