Dean Moss - Dean's Team Chicago Real Estate Team

Hey, AR! Hope you're enjoying your Sunday - although the rain from the remnants of Hurricane Ike are wearing very thin here in wet Chicago.

We count our blessings, however - just a lot of water, no destruction, as you in Coastal Texas have had to endure.

Most Realtors affiliate with offices, and have a "business place" to go to get work done, meet with clients, and see another human being every once in a while.

But many of us work predominantly from home - where it may get a bit lonely every once in a while - except for your kids and playing dogs trying to distract you continuously.

For a few Independent Brokers, and other entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals, Coworking Sites - minimalist office set-ups offering little more than a desk or cubicle, electrical outlet for your laptop, a high-speed Internet connection, and perhaps a conference area - may be an answer.

Jeff Park runs an independent pharmaceutical exporting business on the North Side of Chicago, "In the winter time, I'd go for a week and not speak to anyone other than another voice on the telephone line. It was miserable. I had zero interaction with other people."

Park decided to rent a 1,600 square foot workspace - far more than he needed for his own business - and rent most of it out to other like-minded self-employed individuals as coworking space. His shared workspace in the Ravenswood Neighborhood of Chicago offers non-dedicated desk space, use of a small conference room, electrical outlets, and high-speed Internet - all for a cost of $150 per month. Those needing a dedicated desk pay Park $285/month.

Individuals using the Ravenswood workspace include computer programmers, web site developers, manufacturer's reps and business-to-business salespeople looking for a quiet place to make phone calls, doctoral students writing their dissertation, and a lady running a dog-walking business.

Author Daniel Pink calls these folks the "Free Agent Nation." They can work anywhere, as long as they can plug in their notebook computer, connect to the Internet, and get good cell phone reception. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates the number of one-person businesses jumped from 16.5 Million in 2000, to 20.4 Million five years later, in 2005.

Coworking sites have been established in San Francisco and neighboring communities for several years. The Bay Area is the apparent birthplace coworking. According to the Coworking Community Blog,there are at least 38 coworking workplaces open or preparing to open across the U.S. and in several other countries.

Although some still prefer the privacy of home to a shared coworking environment, many coworkers enjoy the interaction with other like-minded entrepreneurs that the shared work sites provide.

At Cubes & Crayons, Menlo Park CA, office workspace is combined with child day care. "We're finding that our members have really connected," said founder M. F. Chapman, a mother of two young daughters who has seen membership grow to 60 people since she opened the space in January. "Some are coming specifically at the same time so they can take coffee breaks together."

Relevancy to the real estate industry? Perhaps - especially if you work in two or more distinct geographic areas, and you prefer a bit of privacy rather than competing with the noise of the espresso machine at the closest Starbucks.

See our post today @ BlogChicagoHomes.com for more info. We link to Stevenson Swanson's article in the September 8th edition of the Chicago Tribune.

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

Here in Chicago, we've had record rainfall over the past 24 hours - over 6.4 inches at O'Hare Airport. Flooding, and local rivers cresting.

But we're doing far better than those of you in Coastal Texas and areas nearby!

We're pulling for you, if you're in the area most directly affected by Hurricaine Ike! Be Safe!

Our Team has taken an old tool, and freshened it up for use in this over-inventoried market - with good success thus far! It's pre-authorized, written price reductions!

Today, it seems, even the most thought out Market Analysis is overstating a property's likely sales price. Without provision for the seller to reduce his price, on a scheduled basis, market time begins to increase, and the listed property quickly becomes just another stone in the wall of "unsold inventory" around here.

So we've begun to add a rider to our Listing Agreements. In advance, a minimum 5%, bracketed listing price decrease after three weeks on the market. Followed by similar decreases, in subsequent three-week intervals, until we get a realistic written offer on the property.

The only time we delay a price decrease is when an offer is in actual negotiation on the listing. Or, in some cases, if multi-showings suggest an offer is imminent within the next day or two, maximum.

Here's the teeth that makes this most workable!

If, at any time, the seller wants to keep his price at the previous level, or refuses to lower his price according to the schedule, we, as Listing Agents, retain the right to terminate the listing, take it temporarily off the market, or refer it to another Full-Service Real Estate Broker.

That way, we are not saddled with a non-salable listing simply because the seller is not being realistic.

When listings are not selling - even when all "evidence" suggests they should be - it is imperative to reduce the price, quickly, steadily. Otherwise, both the seller and the Listing Agent are wasting time.

And sometimes, it's better to cut bait than wait things out, doing nothing.

But having a scheduled series of listing price reductions, IN WRITING, at least provides a strategy for selling in a timely basis. And, often, it's a likely-successful strategy that you need.

Your thoughts?

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

Good Morning, everyone!

Here's our Team Member Jennifer's update on Selected Chicago Neighborhoods - Rogers Park, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Albany Park, and Evanston - for this week!

ROGERS PARK

Asian cuisines combine exotic flavors and techniques that are accessible to the home cook.

Dan Nguyen, who is the owner and a chef of Viet Bistro in Rogers Park, said that the toughest thing for home cooks who want to cook and prepare Asian food authentically is the heat settings on most stoves.

Woks are traditionally set over an open flame. At home, Nguyen says, "the burners restrict the cooking and you don't see results. Plus, open flames are too scary." Click here for more information.

LAKEVIEW

Emily Blum was headed for life in a wheelchair. Herdystonia, a neurological disorder that causes severe muscle spasms, made walking increasingly difficult.

"Every step was a struggle," said Blum, 33, describing how her left leg would fly up behind her.

Extensive Internet research left Blum convinced she was an ideal candidate for deep brain stimulation, and doctors at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago agreed."

It took doctors at Rush almost a full year and many surgeries and treatments to discover which current settings work best for Blum. Now she walks 2 miles in the Lakeview neighborhood every morning before going to work. Click here to read the article.

LINCOLN PARK

A promotion to tap Chicago's philanthropic community for at least $600 million was revealed Wednesday night. This dollar amount only represents 60 percent of what's needed to build a replacement for Children's Memorial Hospital.

Children's plans to open their new hospital by 2012, when it will relocate from Lincoln Park to Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood. Children's has outgrown its more than 50-year-old Lincoln Park facilities, and it has had to turn away more than 200 children a year. The new hospital will be larger, with 288 beds and the ability to be able to expand at least 310 beds.

The new hospital will be named the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago in recognition of Ann Lurie's monetary gift to the hospital last year. Lurie was a pediatric nurse at Children's in 1973. Her husband, Chicago real estate investor Robert H. Lurie, died in 1990. Click here to learn more.

ALBANY PARK

Like many of his faith, Yousif Marei has been feeling particularly emotional about being a Muslim these days.

For one thing, the holy month of Ramadan is under way. It is a time when Muslims fasting from sunrise to sunset as they spiritually reflect on the period when the first verses of the Quran are believed to have been revealed.

Then there is Thursday's dreaded anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, and the negative image of Islam which followed, and still resonates today. Marei is a 53 and a Palestinian who moved to Chicago in 1979.

"It is our duty to show that we are good neighbors," said Marei, a volunteer leader for Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy in his Albany Park neighborhood. "All we hear about Islam- and we are listening with tears in our eyes- is Islam and terrorism. We must control our own image." Click here to read all about it.

EVANSTON

It's been approximately 35 years since a tree was planted in the International Friendship Garden. This is a project of the Evanston Rotary Club.

However, thanks in part to the work of one of the club's members, Dario Kerkez, a new tree was introduced to the garden. Kerkez wanted to honor the country where he grew up, Republic of Serbia.

"When I first learned about the history of the garden, I saw an opportunity to continue its traditions for building peaceful relations around the world," he said in a statement. "The planting of the new tree provides a lasting reminder to the citizens of Evanston and every visitor who comes to the garden that the Republic of Serbia is, and always will be, a deserving member of the international community." Click here to read the rest of the article.

Want more information on any Chicago Neighborhood or Suburb? Just write to let us know!

JENNIFER ARCAND & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

THE CHICAGO IL REAL ESTATE MARKET, AND OTHER THINGS CHICAGO, FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF A LITTLE WHITE DOG!

I'm all set for the rest of the Chicago Cubs season, you dogs! Hey, did you have a chance to see the Cubs-Cardinals Game last night. Cubs Closer Kerry Wood gets Cards Slugger Albert Pujols to pop out to end the game. Woooof!

Be still my beating little heart!

I've got full Blogging Duty this morning - my Right Hand, Lil' Gracie Moss, is out getting her toenails done. A "pet-icure," - I think that's what she called it!

It's going to be nice in Chicago over the weekend - not too hot, and, hopefully, minimal rain. Doesn't it sound like a great weekend to take us to a Chicago Dog-Friendly Park?

According to UrbanHound.com, there are 8 dog-friendly parks around the North Side of Chicago. Here's a summary list, perfect for your humans to carry in their pocket or purse. You never know, the urge might strike you to take out your favorite canine at any time.

LAKEVIEW NEIGHBORHOOD

Challenger Bark, 1100 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago IL. Adjacent to the Red Line L Tracks and Graceland Cemetery, this little Pocket Park is modest, but still offers a doggie water fountain, a bench, and a clean concrete surface with good drainage. The Challenger Park Dog Area Council maintains the park well, and just planted two trees here, that will grow and give good shade.

Hamlin Park, 3035 N. Hoyne Avenue, Chicago IL. Tight quarters here, jammed up against the fence of the tennis courts, and L shaped. But every dark cloud has a silver lining - plenty of errant tennis balls find their way onto the dog-friendly grounds.

WICKER PARK NEIGHBORHOOD

Walsh Playground Park, 1722 N. Ashland Avenue, Chicago IL. Tight quarters here, but a nice, long run to play fetch during off-peak hours.

Wicker Park, 1425 N. Damen Avenue, Chicago IL. Modest in size, this triangular stretch in a popular neighborhood park is often crowded, but provides large trees for lots of shade. The Local Alderman even supplied a special dispenser stocked with plastic bags - very handy for, well, you know!

UPTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD

Margate Park/Puptown, 4921 N. Marine Drive, Chicago IL. ROOMY is the buzzword (or, more appropriately, the bark word) here! Plenty of room to stretch your legs, plus several benches under which you can rest your weary paws after a hard afternoon of play time. Bring over a few of those loose tennis balls from Hamlin Park!

LINCOLN PARK NEIGHBORHOOD

Wiggly Field (Grace Noethling Park), 2645 N. Sheffield Avenue, Chicago IL. The Granddaddy of all Chicago Dog-Friendly Parks, Wiggly opened in 1997. It's also my favorite, because of its proximity to my Favorite National League Baseball Park, just over a mile away.

Ole' Wiggly has got a lot of space, great shade trees, and a bunch of benches where us smaller dogs can seek shelter from those over-sized Shepherds and Rotts. Near De Paul University, this dog park is usually crowded, but the "social scene" can't be beat here! And most of the dogs who frequent this park are pretty well educated.

SOUTH LOOP NEIGHBORHOOD

Coliseum Park, 1466 S. Wabash Avenue, Chicago IL. Again, not another super-attractive dog park, but until the larger Grant Bark Park opened in 2006, this was the only off-leash option in the South Loop. A bit noisy because of the El trains above, but we dogs can adjust. Don't worry!

Grant Bark Park, Columbus Drive at Balbo Street, Chicago IL. The newest off-leash dog park in the City of Chicago opened in July, 2006. It's one of the nicest, with asphalt and gravel runs, shade trees, and plenty of space. There is also a great drinking fountain here which accommodates all of us dogs - big ones, and lil' ones.

You dogs - am I missing any? Please write to let me know!

To use any Dog-Friendly Area or Park in Cook County, the county in which the City of Chicago is located, humans must purchase a permit and registration tag - $5.00 - available from many vets. A current Dog License is REQUIRED, and all you dogs must be examined by a vet and be vaccinated against rabies, distemper, hepatitis, para-influenza, parvovirus, and bordetella. The permit must be renewed annually.

Want more info? Check out my post last night (after the Cubs Won!) @ BlogChicagoHomes.com. It links to Suburban Chicago Dog Friendly Areas via the UrbanHound.com website.

And - play safe, you dogs!

YOUR ACE REPORTER ON FOUR PAWS,

BUDDY HOLLY MOSS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

My Old Third Grade Teacher, Mrs. Davies, would probably spin around in her grave if she heard this one!

Paying Chicago Public High School kids for their grades. Not so bad for an A, perhaps. But for a B? Or, even a C?

It's about to happen as part of a new program designed by Harvard University, and now in place in select Chicago Public High Schools, affecting perhaps 5,000 high school freshmen. Chicago schools are following the lead of public schools in New York City and Washington DC, begun earlier this year. The Chicago Plan - "Green for Grade$," does not use taxpayer money. All cash prizes are donated privately.

Under the test program, freshmen would be measured every five weeks in Math, English, Physical Ed, Science, and Social Studies. Half of the cash would be paid up-front to the qualifying students; the balance at graduation. Theoretically, a straight-A student could earn as much of $4,000 by the end of his sophomore year.

"The majority of our students don't come from families with a lot of economic wealth. I'm always trying to level the playing field," said Chicago Public Schools Chief Executive Arne Duncan. "This is the kind of incentive that middle-class families have had for decades."

Freshman Jeremy Kellum has been getting C grades in most of his classes. But up to $4,000 in cash incentives, however, might get him to keep his nose to the proverbial grindstone just a little bit more.

"I do love green money. . . . I'll shoot for A's instead of slacking off, getting by with a C now," Kellum said. "My plan is to study more, to not play in class as much as I did last year, and basically pay attention to the teacher and take good notes and pass tests."

The experimental program starts with High School Freshman because research supports the fact that performance during the first year of High School correlates high with subsequent High School success. Students are also more prone to dropping out during the first two years of high school. This is why the cash incentive program ends with sophomore students.

Students who receive a failing grade of F in any of the five core courses will not be eligible for money until they score a C or better in the same class - either the following semester, or in Summer School.

The 20 selected High Schools were chosen via lottery out of 65 that applied. According to Duncan, at these schools, the "overwhelming majority" of students come from families living below the poverty line.

One parent, Kelly Taylor, a Union Carpenter, out of work for several months due to the struggling economy, praised the program.

"It gives the students something to really shoot for, she already likes school it makes it better for her to meet her goals," Taylor said. "I can't afford to give $50 for every A."

Taylor's daughter, Freshman Amanda Navarro, agrees. Although her father constantly tells her he's proud of her for getting good grades, she says, the financial incentives offer an added reward.

Stephanie Moore, Principal at Uplift Community High School in the Uptown Neighborhood on the North Side of Chicago, was skeptical with the program at first, contending is was not right to compensate students for the grades they earn. She softened a bit, however, when she remembered her own financial hardship growing up, as a Chicago Public School student.

"I thought kids should want to get good grades because it's the right thing to do," Moore said. "Then I saw the kids' enthusiasm and I thought this would be a great incentive for kids who want to do the right thing, who don't want to be on the streets."

Read more via BlogChicagoHomes.com, with a link to Carlos Sadovi's story in today's Chicago Tribune.

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO