For those who were unable... (or too afraid to get wet) to attend yesterday's Evanston Fourth of July Parade... we had a great time. I had great seats (right in
front of Coldwell Banker @ 2929 Central Street, right here in Evanston)... unfortunately, that means that many of the photos that I took showcase Baird & Warner. Oh, well... rather than blur out the competition's name... just enjoy some of the highlights from the photos that I took yesterday.
The parade started promptly at 2:00... while we were experiencing some drizzle, and heavy overcast. 2 hours later, we were in full downpour, and the intrepid souls in the parade toughed-it-out, and finished anyway.
This year represented the 88th year of the Evanston Fourth of July parade. Our parade was ranked number three by Country Home Magazine in their 2001 edition. Washington D.C. was 1st, and Boston (with their Boston Pops' performance) was 2nd... and believe it or not... we were #3!! Quite an honour for a home spun parade.
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
I would call this Wordless Wednesday... but it's clearly not. It's more like "speechless" Wednesday.
Here, in Evanston, IL, we have a fabulous 4th of July Parade. (I'll post more about that, after it's occurred).
It's a home-spun, silly, irreverent, romp through town, and there are typically over 100 entries in the parade... from Professional Marching bands, to Senators and national politicians, as well as floats hand made by neighborhoods.
We have the "All American Drum and Bugle Corps" that's pronounced CORPSE, not "core". The Evanston Marching Kazoo Band, the Jesse White Tumblers (Jesse White is our Secretary of State), the South Shore Drill Team (a perennial favourite), as well as the Backlot float.
We, Evanstonians, get heavily into our "grass-roots" campy parade. People line the parade route (Central Street) with lawnchairs, days in advance... (yes, there are already chairs out there now) and come out in force to support their local parade.
So, when Beth Lewis, with Guaranteed Rate, one of my recommended lenders, sent us a package containing some Fourth of July accessories to wear for the parade (including Mardi-Gras-style red, white and blue beads... slotted sun shades, and red,white & blue "jesters" hats... where the balls bounce and light up... battery included)... we just couldn't wait to try them on outside of the office.
Here's a photo of a handful of jocular agents (self-included), standing under our awning, just to stay out of the rain. If you're at the parade, please stop by... my wife and I will be sitting out in front of the Coldwell Banker office (2929 Central Street) along with some of our friends, and if our children are willing to be seen with us, they might put in an appearance. Stop by, introduce yourself... tell me that you read my blog (for some reason... I just love that), and wish my wife (Amy) a happy birthday! Yep, she's a fourth of July baby!! She'll be 39 again this year.
ALAN MAY, Realtor®
Specializing in Evanston Real Estate and North Shore Real Estate
-------------------------------
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, 2929 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
847.425.3779 Cell: 847.924.3313 Email: Almay@aol.com
Today, my son-in-law Chris joins ranks with 799 (or so) other students, and graduates from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University with an MBA from one of the most prestigious MBA programs in the country. (I'm sure Chris would correct me here, and say THE most prestigious MBA program in the country!)
He's worked hard to complete this degree, and has paid for it primarily on his own (with the added benefit of scholarships, loans and grants)... so he's also deeply in debt.
His parents are in town to share in this major accomplishment, and we'll sit through the ceremony of marching caps and gowns, to see it happen.
I live in Evanston (where Kellogg and Northwestern are located) and have experienced Kellogg's graduations many times, as an Evanston resident, with tied up traffic, busy restaurants... but this is the first time I've had anyone graduating.
This is no minor accomplishment, Chris has worked a day job, and taken his courses in the evenings... basically maintaining two full-time, demanding jobs at once. Not to mention pausing mid-stream to marry one of the most beautiful, elegant, graciou... er... my daughter.
Amy & I are incredibly proud of Chris and his achievement, and hope that he has years to come to make this degree pay off, and keep my daughter in the style to-which-she-would-like-to-become-accustomed.
Congratulations Crickie!
We'll see you at the ceremony! I'll be one of the 2,000 or so parents in the grandstands... I'll be the one beaming!
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
So last month, my clients wrote a contract on an REO ranch house in Skokie, IL (a local suburb). The property is a true fixer-upper. The kitchen needs to be gutted, the floors need to be sanded, fresh paint throughout, random cracks in the walls and ceilings...
... and then there's that... er.... aroma. (something must have died in
the walls, but we're not quite sure what... hopefully it's small)..
last week, we went by the property accompanied by our contractors (to see what the expenses were going to be to gut the kitchen, bathrooms and do some build-out in the beautifully untouched basement)... as we were leaving, my clients drove around the back (to take another longing look at their soon-to-be dream home)... and noticed that the service door to the garage was open and ajar (that's the door you walk through, not the one you drive through)...
... so they parked the car, and wandered in, only to discover that the inside of the garage had been vandalized. Some kids had apparently gotten in, and taken some of the leftover "tools" that were in the garage... and taken their joy/rage out on the garage door.... now all the insulation was all over the floor... and they had kicked the garage door, damaging the frame.
... much to the credit of the bank, they have agreed to replace the garage door with a new one. All they asked was that we file a police report, so that it can be paid through their insurance. That brings us to today. They asked us to meet the police at the property to fill out a police report. The garage looks pretty much the same as it did before... except for one addition.
Since the service door was open, guess who's taken up residence in the garage? Go ahead, guess!
That's right! Rocky Racoon (pictured, left) has decided that this garage fits his lifestyle perfectly.
Rocky seems to have done a little more damage on his own... he's destroyed the cheap plastic blinds that covered the one window... (no great loss)... but we were unable to get inside and show the officer the damage to the door, since we didn't want to aggravate Mr. Racoon.
We left the door open, hopefully he'll vacate the premises, instead of inviting the rest of his family to join him. Otherwise Skokie Animal control will be coming by to convince him to park elsewhere.
(so cute)
ALAN MAY, Realtor®
Specializing in Evanston Real Estate and North Shore Real Estate
-------------------------------
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, 2929 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
847.425.3779 Cell: 847.924.3313 Email: Almay@aol.com
One misty moisty morning,
When cloudy was the weather,
I chanced to meet an old man,
Clothed all in leather.
He began to compliment
And I began to grin.
How do you do? And how do you do?
And how do you do again?
a bit misty... and foggy here today on the north side of Chicagoland. Not cold, not warm... kinda hard to get motivated...
the morning paper was covered in dew, and now...(about 9:00-ish) it seems to be burning off a bit.
It just reminded me of this old mother goose poem, that was sung by Steeleye Span... thought I'd share it.
ALAN MAY, Realtor®
Specializing in Evanston Real Estate and North Shore Real Estate
-------------------------------
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, 2929 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
847.425.3779 Cell: 847.924.3313 Email: Almay@aol.com
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Residential Real Estate specializing in Evanston, the entire north shore, and northern areas of Chicago. Evanston Realtor, Evanston Real Estate, Buying in Evanston, Selling in Evanston.
CRS - Certified Residential Specialist
CNS - Certified Negotiation Specialist
ABR - Accredited Buyer's Representative
USAA Certified as a listing or buyer relocation expert
Cartus Certified as a listing or buyer relocation expert
President's Circle National Award Winner.
I am a residential real estate agent practicing on the north shore of Chicago. I specialize in Evanston properties, but also work in all the north shore suburbs (Wilmette, Winnetka, Kenilworth, Skokie, Glenview, Glencoe) as well as into the city (Rogers Park, Andersonville, Edgewater, Lakeview).
The opinions expressed in my blog are those of the author only, and are not necessarily endorsed by the author's company or affiliated businesses. Any data provided is deemed accurate but not guaranteed. Opinions expressed in comments to this blog are not necessarily endorsed by the author
I am not a strong believer in Open Houses. They are a wonderful tool that allows me to connect with new potential clients, but they're not a very good method of finding a buyer for your property. I'm also not a huge fan of print media. Sellers like to see Open Houses and Newspaper ads, because they're really the only tool that sellers are familiar with.
I stress a strong internet presence, broker's tours, professional photographs and virtual tours, color brochures, direct mail flyers and I like to make sure that I get a copy of your listing, directly into the hands of the top 100 agents in the area, who sell properties matching your description.
“Alan did an amazing job in helping us find our house in Chicago. He displayed professionalism, patience, and knowledge in showing us between 30 and 50 properties, while knowing we still had a house to sell in Seattle in the worst market in years. We could only look at houses during short trips to Chicago and Alan coordinated showings down to the minute and provided expert knowledge of neighborhoods we were looking in. Alan was referred to us by USAA and has since become a friend. While we hope not to have to sell//buy again soon, we know we will be including Alan in our next search.”
G. & L. September 23, 2009
“Alan was the real estate agent for the sale of our home in Evanston, as well as for the purchase of our condo in Chicago. We were worried about being able to sell our house in today's market. However, as a result of Alan's extensive knowledge of the market and his demonstrated salesmanship skills, our house sold quickly and at a great price! I would recommend Alan without hestitation.”
P.B. Friday, Jan, 22, 2009
from a fellow Realtor: It was a pleasure working with you on the sale of (Address). Your professionalism and attention to detail made for a seamless transaction. Many thanks."
J.M. Friday, Oct. 31, 2008
"I have bought and sold five properties with Alan. Alan is professional and knowledgeable and has become much more than merely a Realtor. He has become a confidant, counselor and a friend. I have used Alan in the past, and will use and recommend him in the future."
P.T. Tue Oct 3, 2006
"We interviewed three agents, and chose Alan May of Coldwell Banker. He suggested we price our home higher than the other two agents did. At first, we thought he was just telling us what we wanted to hear, but he convinced us that our home was worth more than the other two agents thought. We didn't list at the highest price of the range that he suggested, but we went under contract, with multiple offers, selling within $5,000 of Alan's suggested listing price! Alan was right, and if we'd listened to either of those other agents, we would have left a lot of money behind."
C. & J. Tue Jan 15
"Alan was the second agent I chose. I wish I had chosen him first. He was helpful and hands-on. I never had to wonder what was going on, he gave me ongoing feedback, and ultimately sold my unit for more than we both expected... well at least more than I expected."
Steven Sat Feb 18, 2006
"We have so much to thank you for, but did want you to know how we so appreciated all your efforts on our behalf"
S. & J. Tue Aug 30, 2005
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