South Holland, IL

Chicago has so much to do it boggles the mind! There are also
Chicago homes for sale in all price ranges. The whole thing is..... are you
READY to purchase?

• Is your credit score high enough?
• Have you been on your job a while?
• Do you have money saved?
• Do you know where you want to live and
  what type of home you want to buy?

There are a bunch of other questions that need to be answered, but
the aforementioned ones are tops on the list for prospective home buyers.

If you are NOT ready to purchase a home in the Chicago area, then
maybe "renting to own" is the choice for you. Renting to own has
several positive things in its favor:

• You don't have to wait to live in the type of home you may
  want to purchase.
• You can rent the type of home you want while fixing up your
  credit at the same time.
• You can save money for unexpected things that pop up in life AND
  for things you may need after you close on your dream home.
• You will be adding time to your job while you are taking care of
  the items you need to take care of to purchase a home in the future
  and this makes your credit worthiness better.
• You MIGHT NOT even have to move because you would be buying the
  home you are renting.

Come and take a look at Rice Property Managements RPM PLAN......

It is a comprehensive plan to help you while you rent and prepare to
purchase Chicago real estate.

If you are an owner of Chicago area real estate and want quality tenant
and rental management, come and see our RPM PLAN

We offer:

I have read some statistics for the Chicago area that say
more employers appear willing to hire in the coming months.

That is great news for those who have been laid off and are
waiting for some good news in the tri-cities area of Chicago.

The latest survey from the National Association for Business
Economics, shows unemployment is moderating. It also gives
an improved outlook for hiring over the next six months or so.

78 NABE members working for the private sector and industry or
trade associations showed the percentage of companys
adding jobs doubled to 12% in October from an all-time
low of 6% in July of this year. MORE GOOD NEWS!!

The strongest gains were reported in the services sector,
with 54% of companies reporting higher demand for workers.
Finance, insurance and real estate also posted gains.

This is great news for Chicago area residents who have been
struggling with expenses.

Everyone is waiting for better times to come around.... and it
looks like they are beginning to happen.

Thanks to: taxiguy
and www.flickr.com for
the GREAT photo of the
city of Chicago at night

Doug Hamilton, Superintendent of School District 151, in South Suburban, Illinois was our guest speaker at the South Holland Business Association Luncheon, September 24th, 2009.

The topic: "Schools, An Untapped Market" was presented by Mr. Hamilton with such simplicity, that businesses who who were in attendance must have all been thinking the same thing.... "why hadn't we tapped onto this before?"

"Use US as a resource", he reiterated repeatedly! We listened as the Superintendent, (who remembered when South Holland was mostly made up of onion fields) insisted we view schools as the biggest business in our neighborhood, sharing that we have not taken advantage of it as a neighborhood resource. With there being 30,000 students enrolled, at South Suburban College, it is the biggest employer in South Holland, and is the most marketable.

He went on to list a number of creative ways to get contracts with the schools that would promote products of the businesses . He asked the question..... "What can schools do for you?"

Here are a few of the highlights:

• Check School calendars/newsletters for activities to participate in
• Go in with other companies to bridge projects with
• Invite children to bring report cards in to receive a treat
• Display achievements done by students in your place of business
• Offer business days/tours of the business to the schools, but KNOW something about the school first!

Below: guest pictures....
We left with renewed inspiration to apply tips learned from the luncheon!

The Luncheon meal was catered by Jimmy Johns, and took place at the South Holland Community Center in South Holland, Illinois.

Left, President of the South Holland Business Association, (SHBA), Mike Abbott, thanks and prepares the well attended audience before introducing Mr. Hamilton.

Abbott's Minute Printing Center, Inc., located at 611 East 170th Street, in South Holland, Illinois has been servicing the community since 1972.

Diane Rice, Owner/ Broker/Realtor & Property Manager Of Rice Property Management & Realty, located in South Holland, Illinois holds Real Estate Licenses in Indiana and Illinois, and is co-owner with her husband, Anthony R. Rice of Rice & Rice Painting & Carpet Cleaning. Diane Rice has current membership with SHBA. Are you seeking Property Management? We can be located at:

www.862RICE.com

Friday, March 20th, 2009,a Business Expo was held at the Community Center in South Holland, Illinois. Local businesses participated, and guest speakers lectured and gave counsel on how to thrive in a tight economy. I attended the event which was from 8:30 AM until 1:00PM. Free lunch was catered by PK's of University Park for participants.

Here are a few pictures from it.

Diane Rice, a Property Manager & Real Estate Broker servicing the South Suburban Illinois & Northwest Indiana Communities can be reached at 708-862-RICE (7423). Web: www.862RICE.com

Three (3) month Market Report for attached and detached residential properties located in South Holland, Illinois, home of the Varsity Boys Basketball Class 2A State Champions!

Of the 49 units UNDER CONTRACT, the average market time has been 221 days with a median list price being $100,00, average list price, $114,886, Maximum, $259,900, and Minimum, $22,900, for a total volume of $5,629,406.

Of the Active Listings:

Less than $149,999	95	193
$150,000 - $199,999	84	236
$200,000 - $249,999	30	231
$250,000 - $299,999	12	271
$300,000 - $349,999	2	297
$350,000 - $399,999	2	150
$400,000 - $449,999	1	77
$450,000 - $499,999	1	78

Summary of Active Listings:

• Number of units: 227
• Average Market Time: 217 days
• Median Listed price: $159,900
• Average Listed price: $163,407
• Maximum Listed Price: $499,00
• Minimum Listed price: $32,600
• Total Volume $37,093,351

Sold Properties:

Less than $149,999	30	193
$150,000 - $199,999	2	110
$200,000 - $249,999	2	336

Summary of Sold Properties (within last 3 months:

# of units: 34, Avg Market time: 197, Median Sold Price: $86,000, Average Sold Price: $99,501, Max Sold Price: $222,000, Min Sold Price: $24,000...

And a Total Volume of $3,383,050

Diane Rice, Broker/Owner of Rice Property Management & Realty, is located in South Holland, Illinois at 16262 Prince Drive. She can be reached at 708-862-RICE (7424)