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February 2012 Market Update 2012 is off to a promising start. Mortgage rates continue to drop and have remained under 4% for nearly two months. Home sales are strengthening and pending home sales, a measure to gauge future sales, are at their highest levels since March 2010. Job growth has been increasing for most of 2011, with unemployment dropping to 8.4%. As more people are getting jobs, consumer confidence has also been increasing. However, underemployment continues to be a problem for a stronger recovery. The underemployment rate is 18.1%, and there are still a significant number of people working part time, who would like to have full-time work. Even with substantial national improvements, this continues to be a “one neighborhood at a time” recovery. Payroll jobs were up in 25 states, but down in 24, demonstrating the delicate state of the U.S. economy. Global factors such as the European debt crisis are also complicating a more robust recovery. Strong guidance is needed from local and global leaders to continue this growth, as well as allow for business to maintain momentum toward building and expanding upon the opportunities that exist. Sources:Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Association of RealtorsHome Sales in millionsExisting home sales continued their rise, up 5% in December, to a seasonally adjusted rate of 4.61 million. Lawrence Yun, chief economist for NAR, said, “The pattern of home sales in recent months demonstrates a market in recovery. Record-low mortgage interest rates, job growth, and bargain home prices are giving more consumers the confidence they need to enter the market.” .
Home Price in thousandsHomes prices for December were down 2.6% from a year ago, at a median price of $164,500. One factor contributing to lower prices has been the high level of distressed properties being sold. In December, these properties began to show signs of price stabilization and increase. Foreclosures were selling at 22%, a 2% increase from a year ago, and average prices for short sales prices had risen by 3%.
Inventory- Month's Supply in monthsThe housing inventory dropped 9.2% in December to a 6.2-month supply, or 2.38 million homes, at the current level of sales. These are the lowest inventory levels of homes for sale since March of 2005. Lawrence Yun, chief economist for NAR, said, “The inventory supply suggests many markets will see prices stabilize or grow moderately in the near future.”
Source: National Association of RealtorsInterest Rates Another slight drop for mortgage rates as they continue to set historically low records. With homes being so affordable and the economy continuing its recovery, home prices are stabilizing, as increased sales are expected. NAR President Moe Veissi stated, “The American dream of home ownership is alive and well. We have a large pent-up demand, and household formation is likely to return to normal as the job market steadily improves. More buyers coming into the market mean additional benefits for the overall economy. When people buy homes, they stimulate a lot of related goods and services.”
This Month's Video
Topics For Home Owners, Buyers & Sellers Interest rates at favorable levels and a good selection of homes provide an opportunity for buyers. Here are a few things to for buyers to keep in mind: 1. Know what you can afford before you fall in love with your dream home. 2. Consider additional expenses that come with owning a home like property tax, insurance, and repairs. 3. Be flexible on the little things. It would be wonderful to find a home with everything you want, but those are hard to come by – distinguish nice-to-haves and must-haves early. 4. Have imagination and look beyond paint colors, wallpaper, or other easy and affordable things you can change. 5. Don’t compromise on the big things, such as enough bedrooms to accommodate additions to the family or space for an office if you work from home. 6. Always inspect even if the surface looks great; it’s important to know if anything major is wrong and what it will cost to fix. 7. Think about the future in regard to the neighborhoods, surroundings, schools, and developments. |
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Helen came into our house after we had it listed with other brokers for over a year and she sold it. She was honest, sincere and very direct to the point on what needed to be done to our home sold in this market. She communicates very well and understands how hard the market is. She makes selling seem so easy and even though she does a whole lot of business, she always made us feel like we were her only client. Also, her staff was also terrific in that they were all attentive to the sale of our home. No matter who I spoke to, they all cared so much about me and my home. Also, I can't believe the amount of marketing Helen and her team does. From professional photography to fabulous brochures, my home looked like a million bucks. What a difference! I was so pleased to be treated like that and felt like my home was #1 in their eyes and in the general public eye. I can honestly say that Helen really surpassed our expectations of what a realtor should be. Getting sold in this market for 96% of asking in 33 days speaks for itself. We are very grateful we called Helen and thanks to all of you for a job well done.
- Sheldon and Vicki Goldberg
View all of our past client testimonials here.
The Helen Oliveri Team is growing again and we have more leads than we can handle. We are looking for highly driven and motivated licensed real estate agents to work exclusively with our buyers. As a “Buyer Specialist” on our team you will work in a fast-paced environment with great training and leadership. Candidates must be customer service oriented, outgoing, ethical, energetic, positive, hard-working with a “do whatever it takes mentality” to thrive in our organization. Integrity, professionalism and being a committed team player is required!
We look forward to hearing from you,
The Helen Oliveri Team
Congratulations to Helen Oliveri for being noted as a Chicagoland Top Producer for 2011.
What a terrific honor!
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Over 500+ Career Closed Transactions #1 Agent on the North Shore; Keller Williams Realty Partners #1 Mid-American Region; Keller Williams Realty International
Welcome to the Best in Northern Cook and Lake County!
Specializing in Glenview, Hawthorn Woods, Morton Grove, Northbrook and all of Northern Cook and Lake County Illinois Real Estate...
Helen is "Your Best Move!"
Just featured on the cover and in a full page spread in Chicago Agent Magazines Who's Who in Residential Real Estate, with the Wall Street Journal and Real Trends naming The Helen Oliveri Team in the Top 250 Teams Nationwide by transaction sides, Helen Oliveri is a fierce leader in real estate. And with this reputation, Helen demands nothing less than a superb real estate transaction.
In this effort, Helen is proud to employ a full service team to assist in providing a complete real estate experience. With Helen as the driving force behind it all, she has her hand on the pulse of the company ensuring that every aspect of the business is running smoothly. From marketing to advertising to selling, to ground breaking technology and more, Helen oversees the team and guides all aspects of the process to ensure that every detail is perfect. With this team into place you can rest assured that you are in the best of hands. With our "It's my pleasure attitude" we guarantee that you will be pleased with the results. Helen's strong leadership guarantees the success you are seeking.
Without reservation, Helen is a consistent leading professional and she has been recognized both locally and nationally as a real estate leader. With career sales exceeding 500 properties, Helen is a consummate professional expert in the real estate industry. Helen’s extensive networking capabilities as well as a reputation for excellence in negotiation strategies; she is recognized as one of the strongest leaders in her field.
Helen consistently sells 150+ homes a year and in a short time has increased her inventory and sales figures year after year. Helen is the #1 Agent on the North Shore for Keller Williams Realty, #1 in Mid-American Region for Keller Williams International and is in the Top ¼% for Keller Williams International as well.
As a visionary leader, Helen has built a team of specialists to handle the minutia of the real estate process so that every aspect of the transaction is handled. With thorough training provided by Helen, every team member completes a rigorous training process to ensure that every mission of The Helen Oliveri Team is fully executed. And, training is a never ending process in Helen’s pursuit to provide the outstanding service and results she is known for. Her team provides nothing less.
In a changing market Helen is thriving more than ever and is sought after by clients who demand quality marketing and effective results. Helen's gift of planning is immaculate and her execution is accurate. She is an expert at anticipating, reacting and handling situations appropriately and professionally. She is extremely perceptive, dynamic, thorough and precise and her advice is multi-dimensional. With an innovative vision and an ability to plan for the future, Helen's mission is to constantly raise the bar in the profession of real estate. She utilizes the highest and most advanced technological tools to make her marketing of residential properties unbeatable. She has a targeted business plan for each property, provides exemplary service to each client, and ensures a results oriented seamless transaction.
In a competitive market with demands and challenges, Helen Oliveri does whatever it takes to produce RESULTS on behalf of her clientele'. She acts in their best interest and, in fact, puts their needs above all else. She does this with ultimate professionalism, first-class service and intense goal-oriented work ethic. Her results-driven program is productive and effective. Helen and her team is your ally in real estate.
Make "Your Best Move" today and call Helen Oliveri...
See why we create raving fans and call us right away!
Ph: 847.967.0022
E-fax: 847-574-7573
Email: helen@helenoliveri.com
Helen specializes in selling residential real estate including condos, town-homes and single family homes. She is an expert in resales, new construction and REO foreclosures. If you need a real estate professional who is dynamic, driven and customer centric, Helen is the agent with the team for you! When you work with Helen, consider it SOLD!!
We truly appreciate that Helen's entire team was engaging, helpful and committed to selling our home. In today's economy, we were SHOCKED at how quickly Helen had secured a buyer for our home. We would recommend The Helen Oliveri Team to anyone who serious about selling!
Angela Korompilas
My house had been on the market off and on for over two years with two different agents of one of the big area firms. The results: open houses where one person came, regular recommendations to lower the price (which they guided me to set in the first place), showings where I got no feedback.
I finally fired them and hired Helen. The first thing she told me is - this is the price you need to be at if you want to sell the house. I gulped a little, but I could live with that number... if it really sold. So we put it on the market. 4 days later, I had an offer, a good offer. 4 days. After almost two years with that other firm with not one offer of any kind, no less much interest.
To be frank, from my experience with the other firm, I wasn't expecting much. I didn't really know Helen or her abilities. She seemed smart and capable, but...
So, I was surprised that my house sold so quickly. I had to scramble a bit to find a new place. No problem; Helen's team found me a great place in a great neighborhood for a great price. I moved out of my old place on a Thursday and into my new place on Friday.
I know this all sounds like a story someone paid me to write, but it's not. It actually happened just the way I have described. Thanks to Helen and her team.
Dave Hamel
Helen and her team are the epitome of professionalism, organization, and efficiency. In the current market, having 35 showings in 10 days and going under contract after 18 days speaks for itself. I have told everyone in the area what a great job they all did and what a pleasure it was working with them. I could not have asked for better service!
Diane Hart
Helen was very personable and passionate about wanting to work with us. We were exceedingly happy that our home sold so quickly when all other houses in our neighborhood (NOT being offered by Helen!) have been on the market for months, some for well over a year. Helen and her team are real "go-getters" and seemed to want the house to sell as much as we did.
We GREATLY APPRECIATE all of your combined efforts! THANK YOU for making this such a pleasant experience for us, especially in this poor market. You work so well together, making a terrific team!Ray & Gail Chapman
My sale was not your average sale. I had a number of extenuating circumstances that made my deal difficult. Helen dealt with those circumstances and brought the deal to a successful close. I locked myself out of my house on two occasions and Helen's team was able to "beam" a code to the lock box and on a real time basis get me access. My overall experience with Helen Oliveri and the Helen Oliveri Team was excellent. We sold at 94% of the asking price.
Kevin Weller
Helen has a great business model. She does what she knows best, and her team does what they know best. Communication with the office was great, and we always felt that Helen was just a phone call or email away. I would highly recommend Helen for the selling of your home.
Ly Nguyen
Helen is very knowledgeable, very motivated, well organized and personable. Everyone on Helen’s team works well together and with the client to accomplish the objective – sell houses! Helen’s team gave me status reports and updates very frequently. I feel my home in Glenview was marketed excellent and the property sold so quickly. I rate my experience with Helen Oliveri and The Helen Oliveri Team just outstanding. At the end of the day, our house had been on the market for a year with a different agent and had not been sold. The house sold in 28 days after I listed it with Helen Oliveri and The Helen Oliveri Team and that is what it is all about.
Don & Linda Van Dyke
My experience with Helen Oliveri was excellent and she was very in tune with the market. She is a real professional. Helen's team was also excellent; the staff was constantly aware of what was going on with each individual deal. There was never any back and forth and everyone on the team was on the same page and the weekly calls and updates are great. Helen's marketing was tremendous! I have never seen anything like it. The brochures and CD's were great. My construction lender was at the property one day and was so impressed with the marketing materials. It gave me and her so much more credibility. My overall experience with Helen Oliveri and her team was just amazing. I have been building for 15 years and without a doubt she and her team is the best. Being in the business and realizing what the market conditions are, she was phenomenal. She has a true understanding of marketing and is not just going through the motions. She is highly self-motivated which makes me feel at ease as to not having to hound her or her team for answers. It truly feels like she is on my team. When dealing with Helen and her team you feel like she is only working for you. Danny and Alison are probably the best support staff I have ever encountered in the industry. I would recommend The Helen Oliveri Team to anyone with 100% confidence.
Kevin Walsh
Helen Oliveri and her team represent the highest professional level of expertise and customer service skills. Helen's knowledge of the current market helped us sell our house in a very short period of time, which is really amazing in today's difficult real estate environment. Being a real estate professional (as we own a title company) we can appreciate her expertise in the field. As our title company conducted the closing, we could first hand witness her professionalism. She not only knew the specific requirements of the market, but also handled the transaction with attention to detail to fulfill the needs of her clients. We will recommend Helen and her team to anyone looking for a qualified agent to sell their home.
Sincerely,
Agatha and John Piecha
National Title Center
We were so very pleased to have you as our selling agent and having your company represent us. You definitely exhibited the dedication warranted by your profession. You have a keen sense for knowing the right type of customer service required, advertising, presentations, customer base, financials, innovative approachs and market strategies. We were especially impressed by your personal touch and concern for our interest, market in-puts and follow-up, quick turnaround time, and knowledge of your field. Also, the extra care taken to keep an eye on our property and keeping the unit clean for us while we were out of town. You should be proud of what you do as you definitely stand out as a extremely highly qualified real estate agent, one who presents themselve as a top agent and expresses confidence in your profession. Your company should be very proud to have you represent them. You definitely get results. Once again, thank you for being our agent. We never felt you ever let us down and were always looking out for our best interest. Should you need us as a reference please don't hesitate to call.
Sincerely,
Elliot and Pat Bedrosian
Helen and The Helen Oliveri Team are simply the best real estate team I have ever known. I have built and sold many homes in my life and never EVER have I experienced such professionalism, market expertise and customer care as I have with Helen and her team. They were there always with a smile, handling literally every aspect of my sale without reservation. They even supervised my move, cleaned my home personally and even took care of all of my closing documents without question. Helen is always personally available and made me feel like her closest friend and confidant and she fought for me unlike anyone I know. I am so confident in Helen and her team and I would recommend them without hesitation. This has been a hard time for me and she was there both as my real estate professional and as my friend and her team is phenomenal. I will always use Helen Oliveri and her team for any and all future real estate transactions. Thank you for selling my home in such a tough market....Helen you are the BEST!!
Sincerely,
Jodi Westphal
I felt as though I had a trusted friend by my side each and every step of the way while buying my very first home. Helen is honest and genuine, an invaluable trait in a friend, so you can imagine how pleased I was to find it in an agent! She answered all of my questions and explained the things I didn't understand without making me feel silly or inferior. I feel confident that she treats all of her clients with the dignity and respect they deserve when buying or selling a home. When the time comes, I won't hesitate to entrust the sale of my home to Helen Oliveri. Working with her was truly a pleasure!
Sincerely,
Canella Mullins
We would whole heartedly nominate you for "Realtor of the Year". We are convinced that it was your superior skills as a realtor that enabled you to sell our townhouse so quickly in this extremely difficult market. Hiring you as our agent was really 'our best move'. Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
James & Lolita Cox
Thank you so much for all your help with my new condo! It has been a wonderful pleasure working with both of you. My new home is beautiful! Thank you also for the gift basket! The items will certainly come in handy and they were all on my shopping list! In addition, the closing was painless!
I will miss working with all of you. I certainly will recommend your team to friends and family every time the opportunity arises! You make a great team!
Sincerely,
Rosi Odulio
I asked if Julieann and I could write this letter because of the way the two of you saw us through a tough situation. The sale of our house was tricky at best. I had been in the house for 28 years, so I had no idea of the market or what to expect of the process. Your honesty and humor kept heads clear and things light.
Even with the purchase and closing of your own home, you returned every call within minutes so that we could ask questions and in most cases, got us the answers the same day. You told us what the marketing plan was going to be and you did everything you said you would.
I've been in sales most of my adult life and must say that I've never run into a team such as yourselves. The lines of responsibility were very clear between the two of you making it easy for Julieann and myself to feel reassured that you were ALWAYS on top of things.
We had made the mistake of first signing with another team.....their claims being much the same as yours. What we learned was claims are one thing, but living up to them is another thing altogether. That experience made us even more "gun shy" of your claims of service and attention.
You lived up to and went beyond every claim.
Your work ethics and attention to detail inspired us to ask if we could put this letter together.
I have never done one of these letters before, but I knew I would have been remiss if we didn't somehow try to offer the two of you the help that you gave us.
Thank you so much
Jerry & Juliann Wexler
Many thanks to you for being so terrific in selling our house. We've owned/sold seven homes in the past, and your knowledge and experience have surpassed all our expectations. No other realtor experience comes close.
We had our house up for sale six months with a limited service realtor, only to be constantly disappointed. You turned things around for us in six weeks! And for a selling price we were happy with.
Our only regret is that we didn't sign up with you in the first place. You people are serious - and it's so obvious that you love what you do.
Bottom line, we'll recommend you to anyone who wants to experience real professionalism and real action! You're the best Helen!
All of ours,
Ed & Gail Tossing
Thank you so much for all your help in selling our home. We have had a fantastic experience with you! We are still in shock that you sold our home before the sign was put in the yard!!
What a pleasure it has been to receive "play by play" communication. We felt secure & well-informed each step of the way. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Lovingly,
Steve & Misti Wiggins
We want to thank you for a job well done!
In deciding who would list the house, we were very impressed with your knowledge, professional presentation, but most of all, your enthusiasm.
We are Real Estate Brokers who relied on a broker familiar with the area and expected a high level of professionalism.
You exceeded every expectation.
We will recommend you at every opportunity.
Regards,
Earl & Margo Stafford
Karen Kudlinski
I really did not know Helen and her team too well, because Helen sold my house in a week! The first thing that Helen impressed me is her punctuality. Before I selected Helen as my realtor, I interviewed several others. A couple of them came late, though they called ahead. One of them was 30 minutes late and did not even bother to call me. Helen's follow-up is excellent. She kept me informed during the whole process and always returned my calls promptly. I would absolutely refer anyone to Helen for her real estate service.
Sincerely,
Benny Cheung
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