Evanston, IL

Okay all. As the weather begins to turn toward Winter, here in the Midwest, I thought it might be an appropriate time to remind agents how to view/show their homes during the colder months. A few reminders of things that are important to note during the winter months.

As the Listing Agent:

1) If you use a lock box, please make sure that the lock box is "protected" from the elements... so that they don't "Freeze". Placed on the door knob is okay, if protected by a storm door. Placed outside on the water spigot (where drips of water will encase it in a coffin of ice) is not.

And please make sure that the promised key is actually IN the lockbox! Check it occasionally.

2) If your property is vacant...

a) check your property frequently... make sure that mail is collected

b) make sure the walk is clear of snow/ice (have your seller pay to hire a neighborhood kid, if necessary)

c) provide a nice mat in the foyer for wet shoes/boots. It will serve as a 2nd reminder (aside from the note that says "kindly remove your shoes") to remove their dirty/wet shoes and boots.

d) make sure that the temperature in the house is sufficient to prevent pipes from bursting, and pleasant enough for buyer's comfort.

e) keep property clean / neat ... vacant houses tend to collect dirt in the foyer, and dust bunnies throughout...

f) make sure there are enough lights in each room to view, if viewed later in the evening.

g) protect your property from vandals and thieves by using a few timed-lights to mimic someone is at home

3) Make sure there are plenty of printed materials (listings, flyers) in the house to provide the buyer's agent with good sources of information. You want to make your listings sales-pitch "idiot-proof"... cause you and I both know... that there will be some "idiots" showing your property. Even though they've opted not to be informed... you can supply them with all the information they need to sell your listing through flyers, and well-positioned note cards.

4) Make sure the key/remote for the garage is available, and clearly visible

As the Buyer's Agent:

1) If the weather outside is "frightful" (rain / snow)... please, please, please, remove your shoes/boots, whether asked to or not.

2) Please make sure to leave the lights, as you've found them. If they were on when you arrived, leave them on. If they were off when you arrived, return them to the off position.

3) Do not mess with lights that are on a timer.

4) Please leave the window blinds/drapes as you found them. If they were closed when you arrived, return them to closed. If they were open... well, you get the idea.

5) If the house is vacant, and you find a problem there (piles of magazines at the door, lots of dirty footprints in the foyer, or tracked through the house, the prior agent left the back door wide opened, or perhaps leaking water pipes...standing water in the basement... maybe a strong gas-odor in the house).. please make sure to track down the listing agent to let them know... immediately.

6) If you accessed the house with a lockbox key... please, please, please return the key to the lockbox as found. Do not leave the property with the key in your pocket. If by chance you DO leave the house with the key... return as soon as possible!! If you are called by the agent or their office... don't be rude and belligerent about returning the key... YOU were the one who screwed up... do whatever you can, as quickly as you can to make it better.

Above all, be courteous and thoughtful. You're in someone's home, whether it's occupied or not. Treat it as you would your own.

Those of you located below the frost-line, can sit back, relax and have some sweet-tea.

It's that time of the year again; time to set our clocks back an hour, return to standard time, and "gain" an extra hour. That means this Sunday, November 1 at 2:00 am, Daylight Saving Time officially ends until its return on the second Sunday in March, 2010.

Since 2007, Daylight Saving Time has actually been four weeks longer, thanks to the passage of the Energy Policy Act in 2005 (which my car hasn't yet caught onto). The Act extended Daylight Saving Time by four weeks in an attempt to save 10,000 barrels of oil each day through reduced use of power by businesses during daylight hours. Unfortunately, the Department of Energy (DOE) says that it's difficult to determine actual energy savings, if any, as a result of Daylight Saving Time. But, there are definitely some easy steps you can take to save significantly on your household energy bills.

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Did you know that water heating can account for 14%–25% of the energy consumed in your home, especially in the coming months? According to the DOE, it's true. With this in mind, I thought I'd share with you a few of the DOE's energy-efficient water heating strategies to help you save throughout the holiday season.

* Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.
* Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120° F.
* Repair leaky faucets promptly; a leaky faucet wastes gallons of water in a short period of time.
* Install aerating, low-flow faucets and showerheads. Select a shower head with a flow rate of less than 2.5 gpm (gallons per minute) for maximum water efficiency.
* Consider natural-gas on-demand or tankless water heaters. Researchers have found savings can be up to 30% compared with a standard natural-gas storage tank water heater.
* Consider installing a drain water waste heat recovery system. A recent DOE study showed energy savings of 25% to about 30% for water heating using such a system.
* Install heat traps on the hot and cold pipes at the water heater to prevent heat loss. Some new water heaters have built-in heat traps.
* Insulate the first 6 feet of the hot and cold water pipes connected to the water heater.

Have a safe and happy Halloween – and enjoy your "extra hour" of standard time.

Last weekend, Coldwell Banker co-sponsored Customer Appreciation Day.

We had the participation of most of the vendors and stores on western Central street, and had a lovey turnout. The new Restaurant Bonsai was handing out samples of their fare, (they're not even open yet, so it was a nice preview) their egg roll and chicken satay were delicious!

Casteel Coffee gave out coffee, cookies and muffins...First Bank and Trust, Hartigan's, Olde Neighborhood Grille and North Shore Eye Center were present with samples, coupons, snacks, and desserts and we even had the Evanston Fire Department show up with a Fire Truck... allowing people to have photos taken of themselves dressed up like a fireman. Fun!

Did it rain on our parade?

It did not! We had a small break in the weather last night, as Coldwell Banker and PHH Mortgage sponsored our offices' Summer Night-Out, at Ravinia. It rained earlier in the day, and as such, we arranged for a tent (provided by UBS). The weather held off... we we threatened by a few sprinkles... and then a rainbow emerged and the evening was saved.

We spent the bulk of the evening on the lawn, overlooking the giant screen. We listened to Pat Benetar and Blondie (the consensus was that Deborah Harry held up better than Pat Benetar over the years), and rocked out to some familiar anthems... Love IS a battlefield!!, and hearts are still made of glass, and yes, they're still eating cars!!!

Cornelia, Greg, Lambert & Linda provided sandwiches, chicken and pasta, and a good time was had by all.

As part of our Evanston Fourth of July Parade this past Saturday, one of the participants was an organization called the South Shore Drill Team.

The South Shore Drill Team is a perennial favourite, here in Evanston, and the Chicago area in general. In fact, they're so popular, that the Evanston parade puts them at the end of the parade.. because people won't leave until they've seen the South Shore Drill Team.

In addition to their popularity, the South Shore Drill Team is a terrific organization. They were founded in 1980, by Arthur Robertson, a former Chicago Public School teacher, as an outlet to keep inner-city children from being drawn to gangs and drugs. Arthur's philosophy of "idle hands are the devils' workshop" caused him to create this group, which tries to focus on positive activities.

They have been recognized for their precision drilling and wide range of dance. With 350 members, from ages 7 through 21, all members must be students in good standing, as well as gang-free and drug-free.

The team offers youth the ability to develop self-esteem, self-discipline, teamwork and the opportunity to be a part of something much larger than themselves. Every year, the South Shore Drill Team performs at over 100 events (including our own Evanston Fourth of July parade) with a combined audience of over 35 million viewers.

the South Shore Drill Team is a not-for-profit organization, and welcomes donations of all sizes. They say that it costs about $2,983 a year to provide a child with the experience of being part of a winning team. And it costs close to $29,200 a year to maintain a young person in the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center.

I apologize for the quality of the photos, they are from our parade on Saturday, and it was pouring rain at the time. You can see more photos, and video at their web site. I have no affiliation with the South Shore Drill Team, I just happen to think they're entertaining and a worthwhile organization to know about.

ALAN MAY, Realtor®
Specializing in Evanston Real Estate and North Shore Real Estate
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Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, 2929 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
847.425.3779 Cell: 847.924.3313 Email: Almay@aol.com