House Price Performance in Previous Olympic Host Cities

The regeneration effects from hosting an Olympic games has generally had a positive impact on house prices. Barcelona was the best performing host city with prices rising by 131% versus an 83% increase in Spanish house prices in the five years leading up to the 1992 Olympics.

Hosting an Olympics is usually associated not only with an increase in sporting facilities but also an upgrade of transport and cultural/leisure facilities. Barcelona, Athens and Sydney all saw a significant upgrading of their urban infrastructure and this city rejuvenation is likely to encourage higher house prices.

Areas close to the Olympic complex usually see the largest increase in house prices as they benefit from improved facilities and better transport links. This was clearly evident in the main area of development for the Sydney Olympics, Homebush Bay, a former industrial site 20 minutes from the centre of Sydney. House prices in the adjacent suburb, Homebush, rose 70% in the five years in the run-up to the Olympics, compared to a 50% increase in Sydney house prices.

The Manchester Commonwealth Games prompted redevelopment and rejuvenation of central Manchester and provided a spur to house prices in the area. In the five years leading up to the 2002 Commonwealth Games, house prices in central Manchester rose by 102% versus a 52% rise in prices in the North West and an 83% increase in prices across the UK.

Here is a recent link that shows an increase in home values with Olympic announcements in London:

House prices in East End rise after Olympic win

Meanwhile, Atlanta experienced a growth of 1.3 million new residents following the Games, which created the need for $1.8 billion of new hotels, office buildings, high-rise residential buildings and entertainment venues which were developed between 1996 and 2006.

And Atlanta is no exception. Barcelona, touted as the most successful recent games, saw a 240 percent increase in new house prices prior to the Olympics. And in Sydney between 1994 to 2005, the boom in new apartments and rapid increase of house prices contributed to the growing tendency for people to leave the city (in fact, the Reserve Bank warned that Sydney had become too expensive in August 2005).

It will certainly be interesting to see how Beijing's real estate market will fare after the 2008 Olympic Games. It's already predicted that the new supply in the city's high-end residential and retail markets will most likely triple in the upcoming years. And the average real estate sales price currently is estimated at 24,010 yuan ($3,500) per square meter, compared with 15,838 yuan at the end of 2006.

Money magazine recently named Atlanta as one of the "top six places to buy a home these days." Not bad for being in the midst of a record-breaking downturn that's affecting real estate markets nationwide.

Is there a correlation between Atlanta's strengthened real estate market following the 1996 Olympic Games and the fact that they're fighting through the real estate downturn better than most large cities?

Sources: Halifax and Skyline Views

-Dave Straub, @properties 773.255.3180

(@properties December 2008 Newsletter)

Confidence Key For Today's Buyers and Sellers

If there's one voice I'm willing to heed in the midst of a global financial crisis, it's Warren Buffet's. So I was encouraged when the Oracle of Omaha offered his sage and steady advice in a New York Times op-ed piece last month: "A simple rule dictates my buying: Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful."

Mr. Buffet was referring of course to his philosophy on investing; however, his comments could just as easily apply to today's real estate market. While many Americans are understandably apprehensive about buying or selling a home, I wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Buffet's view that those of us who have the confidence to act in today's uncertain market stand to gain the most.

For buyers, it's no secret that good values abound. If you are pre-approved for a mortgage and rely on your Realtor's thorough knowledge of local markets, you will almost certainly be able to take advantage of today's adverse economic conditions.

For sellers, it is absolutely critical to position your property as the best home, in a given location, at a given price. And for those willing to do so there is good news. One, Chicago once again is showing its resiliency relative to major markets across the country. Two, today's buyers aren't tire kickers; they're serious. But inventories will likely rise early in the year, as they do every year, so now is not the time to "test the market."

Finally, it's important to remember that the same conditions that make this a challenging time to sell will benefit that seller-turned-buyer even more in a move-up transaction.

If you have any questions about whether or not this is the right time for you to get into the market, please contact me.

-Dave Straub, @properties 773.255.3180

(@properties November 2008 Newsletter)

Living Green

Living Green

Just as recycling gradually became a part of our everyday lives, “green” features in Chicago homes are becoming more and more common, thanks to demand from homebuyers who want to address their concern for the environment in their day-to-day living.

Encouraging this trend toward green building is the United States Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system, which certifies both residential and commercial buildings for meeting environmentally responsible design and construction standards.

Although LEED-certified residences are still somewhat rare, most developers agree that the eco-friendly building techniques and features endorsed by the Council will soon be the standard in new-construction homes. In the meantime, homebuyers in Chicago can choose from plentiful housing options that offer many of the same features that contribute to LEED certification, such as:

A location near public transportation
Building materials containing recycled content
Renewable energy sources such as solar power
Energy-efficient windows, appliances and heating and cooling systems
Plumbing fixtures that reduce overall water use
Rapidly renewing or recycled materials for interior finishes, such as bamboo flooring, wool carpet, and countertops made from recycled metal or glass
Low-VOC paints, carpets adhesives and sealants, which limit emission of volatile organic compounds and thereby promote a healthier indoor environment
Native vegetation in landscaped areas or on a green roof
A landscape irrigation system that recycles rainwater
Facilities for storage and collection of recyclables
If green features are important to you, talk to your @properties agent. We’ll help you find a housing option that fits your needs.
-from www.atproperties.com

Updated Market Report: A Deeper Look Inside Chicago's 77 Neighborhoods

Last spring, I shared with you the first @properties Market Report, the only real estate report that takes Chicago homebuyers and sellers beyond the headlines and statistics to offer real insights into local market activity. Since then, we've updated it with a few significant changes that will make it even easier to find information that best fits your needs.In addition to including data from Q1 and Q2 of 2008, it now includes data from all 77 official Chicago neighborhoods. For attached housing (condos and townhomes), data is divided by neighborhood, and also by number of bedrooms and number of baths. Similarly, for detached or single-family homes, the report is divided into four price points, allowing home owners to compare and contrast more similar homes.Also, you can now view the data, which includes average market time, average price and number of units sold, in several different ways. If you're interested in buying or selling a home right now, you can sort the data by consecutive seasons, from fall 2007 to spring 2008. This shows the latest fluctuations and market trends.If you're interested in keeping tabs on your home's more long-term pricing trends, it can be helpful to view the annual comparisons, which remove seasonal influences and fluctuations. I hope you find the new report helpful, and if you have any questions on it, or your local area, property or specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me.

-Dave Straub @properties 773.255.3180

(@properties October 2008 Newsletter)

Urban Pioneering – A Chicago Tradition

Everyone has a friend or relative who has made a killing in real estate because they bought in the next hot neighborhood back when it wasn’t even lukewarm. We call these prophetic buyers urban pioneers, and they’re something of a tradition in the Windy City. Maybe that’s because Chicago’s neighborhoods are almost always evolving. In fact you don’t have to dig too deep to discover that Lincoln Park was once a working class neighborhood, the South Loop was once a giant parking lot and Hyde Park was once a suburb! For many Chicagoans, pioneering is a conscious choice. Some people are just more comfortable living on the edge. For others, pioneering is a necessity. They get priced out of more developed areas, so they go one more stop on the line and wind up looking like a genius. There are a few telltale signs that a neighborhood has the potential to pop. Urban pioneers generally look for:
Fully developed neighboring communities
An abundance of rehab activity
Proximity to transportation including commuter rail lines and expressways
An active retail district
A major cultural or civic amenity that forms the heart of the neighborhood
Recent public works projects such as streetscape improvements Whether you’re looking for tomorrow’s hot neighborhood or today’s, I’m always here to help you find a home that fits your taste, lifestyle and budget.

-Dave Straub @properties 773.255.3180

(@properties September 2008 Newsletter)

Are You a Developer?

@properties is behind the successful sales and marketing of thousands of residential units, valued at hundreds of millions of dollars. We have become a trusted resource for many of Chicago's leading developers.
Your buyers expect excellence from you as a developer. You should expect no less from the people who market and sell your developments. You will receive no less from @properties.
For a brochure containing a detailed overview of @properties' new-construction and conversion marketing services, please contact Dave Straub today.

About @properties - The Buying Process

Once you have obtained a mortgage pre-approval and selected a real estate agent, you are ready to begin your home search in earnest.
Today, approximately 80 percent of home searches begin on the Internet, and if you’re searching for a home in Chicago, there’s only one web address you need to know: http://www.atproperties.com/. Our web site includes tools, tips and access to all of the Chicago properties listed in the MLS. Best of all, you’re in control. Sign up for @Home Agent® to manage and customize your search, receive e-mail updates on new listings as they become available, conduct several searches at once and save and compare properties. Atproperties.com also serves as a portal to Chicago’s largest selection of quality new-construction developments featuring thousands of new homes.
Review Listings — Using the guidelines you set forth, your agent will present you with available listings. In addition to price and property attributes, pay close attention to data like property taxes, market time and monthly assessments for condos and town homes.
View Properties — Your @properties agent will schedule showings and accompany you on each appointment. When you walk through a home, some things to consider are: how the space functions for your lifestyle; what’s included in the total square footage (balcony, basement or garage); and, in new construction, which features are standard and which are upgrades.
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the average buyer will view 15 homes before buying one. But that is just an average. Some buyers will purchase the very first home they see. Others will look at more homes.
Open Houses — Remember, if you are attending Open Houses without your agent be sure to mention that you are being represented by an @properties agent. This will save you from being inundated with calls from other agents trying to represent you. Ask your @properties agent to supply you with some of his or her business cards to make the Open House sign-in process even easier
Compare Properties — Discuss each home you see with your agent, and provide candid feedback. Your expectations and the marketplace will begin to converge, and your agent will be able to adjust certain parameters such as location and features in order to present you with alternatives. Use @properties' Property Comparison Sheet to track and compare each listing. When you find a home and are ready to make an offer, your agent will perform a Comparative Market Analysis or CMA. This report compares the subject property with other properties that are currently listed and recently sold to help you formulate your offer.
-from atproperties.com

How an Agent Works for You

With a wealth of online resources, a growing “for sale by owner” market and countless cable TV shows on the subject of real estate, it’s not surprising that some homebuyers consider a “do it yourself” approach when purchasing a new home.
But for most, a real estate professional is an indispensable partner in the home-buying process. While buyers today are more educated about real estate than ever before, all the research in the world can’t match an experienced agent’s “in-the-trenches” understanding of what’s happening in the market today. Without the pavement-pounding and advance scouting an agent does on your behalf, you might wind up overpaying for a home or losing out on the home of your dreams.
Also, unlike a parent, spouse or best friend, an agent can give you a completely objective and professional opinion of the properties you are considering.
If nothing else, keep in mind that a buyers’ agent is typically compensated by the seller, so it doesn’t cost you anything. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by tapping the expertise of an agent. And from the moment you select an @properties agent until the day you move in, our team will be working for you.
-from atproperties.com

Do Your Homework

It’s September, which in Chicago usually signals two things - the end of hot weather and the start of another school year. For some of you that means cooling off. For others it means it’s time to go back to school. But no matter what your current situation is, it’s a smart time to think about how the value of your current or future home is intrinsically tied to its neighborhood schools, whether public or private.For buyers with children, the quality of the schools surrounding your potential home can factor greatly in the purchase price, especially if you’re buying into a top-notch school district. For buyers without children, it is wise to learn about the schools in your area to determine the long-term value of your investment. In turn, sellers need to be up-to-date on schools in the area as well; particularly if there have been significant enhancements since you moved in. Highlighting their benefits can give you the competitive advantage in today’s market.There are many tools available to find out how neighborhood schools rank, whether on the Web, or by simply talking to neighbors or visiting the schools themselves. Is the home within walking distance of a school, whether pre-school, elementary or high school? How are the test scores? Has there been a shift in the curriculum? What’s the average class size or teacher to student ratio? By doing a little homework to find out how schools make the grade, you’ll be better prepared to make an offer, or market your home in the future. For more advice or information about determining how your home makes the grade, or any other buying or selling questions, feel free to contact me.

MY KIND OF TOWN

Could there be a more buzz-worthy city than Chicago right now? If you've read a paper, scanned the internet or watched the news recently then the unequivocal answer is no. Whether it's our front-runner status as host for the 2016 Summer Olympics, or the fact that we're the hometown of a presidential nominee, Chicago has been thrust into the international spotlight. And regardless of your political affiliation or baseball team preference, you've got to feel proud that people from around the world are taking notice of this great city that we call home. So join in the Chicago love fest and take a look at some recent accolades that confirm Chicago as one of the greatest cities in the world:
U.S. City of the Year: This May, Fast Company magazine named Chicago its city of the year, highlighting the city's ability to morph its industrial strengths of the past into a culturally-rich and earth-friendly future.
No. 1 – Top Metropolitan Areas: Chicago ranked the highest of best cities for business investment and expansion in 2008, in rankings by Site Selection magazine. The magazine touted Chicago's growing economy, standard of living and per capita income. (This was also Chicago's third consecutive win and sixth in the last seven years.)
Walkability: Chicago is ranked fourth most walkable city in the nation by WalkScore.com. (Fun tip: type in your own address to find out how walkable your home is. This could be a great marketing tool if you're thinking of selling your home.)
Green City: Last December, Fast Company named Chicago its Fast City in Green Leaders, for planting more than 2.5 million square feet of heat-reducing rooftop gardens since 1999, more than all other U.S. cities combined.
Candidate City for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Being a candidate city for the 2016 Olympics holds the promise of continuing Chicago's legacy of hosting world-class events, something we've been doing since the World's Columbian Exposition, 115 years ago.At @properties we're proud to call Chicago our home. If you have any questions on buying or selling a home in our kind of a town, feel free to contact me.

About @properties: How We Sell Your Home

How We Sell Your Home:
The best possible price in the shortest amount of time. It is the goal of every seller.And it is the heartbeat of @properties' marketing program - a sophisticated, aggressive and proven approach to selling your home. Take a few minutes to learn about our integrated sales and marketing strategy in How We Sell Your Home.

@properties applies innovation, organization and effort to integrated marketing programs that give our clients a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Our marketing programs include:Advertising, Interactive Marketing, Broker Relations, Database Marketing and Branding. Advertising — @properties' high-impact display advertising runs every Sunday in the Chicago Tribune Real Estate section, as well as in select publications, giving your property exposure to more than 1,000,000 readers each week. Additionally, @properties can customize an advertising program for your home that includes Tribune classified; local, national and community newspapers; and lifestyle and special interest magazines.Interactive Marketing — Every @properties listing has its own page on atproperties.com, complete with detailed property information and a photo gallery or virtual tour. We also advertise your listing on leading real estate web sites including ChicagoTribune.com/Homes and Realtor.com.In addition, @properties uses the Internet and e-mail to distribute regular e-nouncements and monthly e-newsletters to an extensive network of brokers, clients and contacts.Broker Relationships — @properties markets your property to real estate brokers via the Multiple Listing Service (MLS); broker open houses and caravans; direct mail and e-mail; special events and good old-fashioned networking. We also work hard to maintain outstanding relationships with the Chicago-area brokerage community - relationships that flourish on the basis of professional conduct, friendly service and responsiveness. Because 90 percent of real estate transactions involve a broker, the importance of good broker relations cannot be understated. The cumulative effect of our efforts goes a long way toward getting your property shown and sold.Database Marketing — Database marketing is the engine that drives @properties' direct mail, e-mail and broker-relations activities. Our emphasis on database marketing means your property is promoted actively and aggressively at the agent, office and corporate levels. We maintain an ever-expanding database of clients, prospects, brokers, developers, strategic partners, family and friends; and we cross-market through a variety of channels to reach the widest possible audience.Branding — It is no coincidence that we chose the @ symbol to represent our company. In today's culture, the @ is a ubiquitous sign of technology, communication, energy, convenience and cooperation - just a few of the concepts that guide our business. The @ in @properties is also a highly recognizable feature that maximizes your property's visibility on signage, in advertising and on the web. But a brand is more than just a logo. The true @properties brand is our assurance of a professional and rewarding experience that culminates in the best representation of your real estate interests. Pricing — Your property has many values: one to the tax assessor, one to your lender and yet another to you.It also has different values to prospective buyers depending on their needs, desires and financial resources. In the end, what determines the price of your property is the market.Using his or her extensive knowledge of the Chicago real estate market, your @properties agent performs a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), which compares your property to similar properties in your neighborhood that are currently available or have recently sold.

The CMA is a roadmap to the correct listing price for your property — the price that will create competition among a pool of qualified buyers, and attract a strong offer (or offers) within a relatively short period of time. Some of the factors we take into account when performing a CMA are: Physical features • Location • Usable square footage and lot dimensions• Condition of property inside and out Market Conditions • Buyer demand • Prices of recently sold properties • Interest rates and availability of financing • Condition of the economy • Seasonal demand and Competition • Similar properties available for sale • Their price, location and condition For a detailed assessment of your home's value, contact me anytime.
Knowing this, your @properties agent will conduct negotiations with the highest standards of professionalism, loyally representing your interests.@properties believes the following principles should guide each negotiation:
Confidentiality:
Confidentiality is vital to the integrity of the deal and to our reputation as professionals.Responsiveness: Time is of the essence in a real estate transaction. We will expedite the presentation of offers and counteroffers, and quickly act on any opportunity.Resourcefulness:Real estate transactions are multi-faceted. We examine all sides of a deal to find strategies or solutions that help you accomplish your goals.Communication:Your @properties agent will involve you in all aspects of the negotiation and communicate your options clearly and candidly.Strength: We do everything we can to ensure that our clients negotiate from a position of strength.Our goal is to achieve an outcome that meets or exceeds your expectations. Contract to ClosingDuring the period from contract to closing, @properties' follow-through, organization and attention to detail ensure that deadlines are met, documents are distributed, and every item is in place to complete the sale.
Our agents and sales support staff will:
• Distribute contracts to all relevant parties
• Recommend and schedule a home inspector, if requested • Coordinate a home inspection
• Complete required disclosure forms
• Collect important documents such as the tax bill and condominium declaration • Update you when contingencies have been satisfied
• Recommend service providers for moving, home-improvement and repairs
• Coordinate your closing
• Review settlement figures for accuracy

Your @properties agent can also assist you with additional real estate needs.

Preparing Your Home For Sale:

In today's ultra-competitive real estate market, prospective buyers give at least as much consideration to what is wrong with a home as they give to what is right.@properties helps you see your home from a buyer's perspective, suggesting ways to enhance your property for showings.Here is a checklist of things to do when preparing your home for sale:Hire a home inspector: Hiring a licensed home inspector before putting your home on the market allows you to address potential problems before buyers can make them an issue.Maintain your home's exterior:If you live in a single-family home or town home, maintain your lawn or landscaping. In the winter, shovel and de-ice walkways.In a condominium, pay attention to the area in front of your doorway. Keep it neat and inform the superintendent of any problems, such as burned out lights. Make balconies or decks inviting.De-clutter: It's one of the most important steps to preparing your home for sale, and the one that every seller dreads.Nevertheless, go through your home room by room and ask yourself what you can throw away and what you can put into storage. Then, do it again. Clean your closets:Today, closet space can be a deal maker or breaker. Once again, go through closets and pantries and throw away, give away or put away anything you don't need for the next few weeks.Paint: A fresh coat of paint is the least expensive, most effective way to enhance the appearance of your home.Use neutral colors.Set the stage:"Staging" is the art of arranging your furniture and accessories to optimize the presentation of your home.Your @properties agent can help you stage your home or recommend a professional stager.Brighten your home:Light gives the impression of space, so it is important for every room in your home to have ample light any time of day. Prior to showings, wash windows, raise blinds and turn on lights.Add floor or table lamps to brighten dark rooms or corners.Spruce up kitchens and baths:Organize drawers and cabinets, clear off counters, clean refrigerators and ovens (yes, people actually open them), and make sure these very important rooms look their best at all times.Clean carpets and upholstery:Have carpets and upholstery professionally cleaned, especially if stains are visible or you have a pet.Disclose everything: Withholding information about known defects can cause much bigger headaches than the problems themselves.If you have questions about property disclosures, ask your agent.
Your Next Home:
In addition to selling your existing home, @properties also excels at helping you find and buy a new home. And you can start your search right here on the web. Our trademark @Home Agent® searches the MLS for properties that match your criteria and sends you e-mail updates every day. Finding new listings couldn't be any easier. You can also organize and manage your home search by setting up your own personal web page in My @properties. Homebuyers also benefit from our excellent standing within the local brokerage community and our position as Chicago's leading marketer of new-construction and conversion developments. It all comes together in a home buying experience that's sophisticated and rewarding. If you are thinking about selling your home in Chicago please contact me, Dave Straub, your local @properties Real Estate agent, for a no-obligation listing presentation today!

-from atproperties.com

A Four Season Comparison

With its long days, lakefront entertainment, and weekend festivals, Chicago is known for its sensational summers. So, when you’re looking for a home at this time of year, it’s easy to be wooed by warm weather amenities. However, it’s important to remember that Chicago is a four-season city and that you should evaluate a home and its features with a year-round frame of reference. Here are a few things to consider when you’re comparing properties, particularly during the summer:Daily Commute: If you rely on public transportation, proximity to an L or bus stop becomes a much bigger factor in the freezing cold and snow of February than the warm breezes of July. Common Amenities: In a condo building, amenities can contribute to your enjoyment, but they can also contribute to costs. So give careful consideration to outdoor amenities, such as pools, grilling areas and patios that can only be used a few months each year. On the flip side, condo amenities can offer convenience and savings. For example, a fitness center can spare you the cost of a health club membership and help you stay in shape during cold winter months without having to leave your home. Parking Options: If you drive frequently or own a nice car, covered parking can take on a lot more value in the winter months. Indoor Temperature: While you’re inspecting a home’s air conditioner in the summer, don’t forget to look at the furnace as well. They’re separate systems, and their condition can vary depending on age and quality. For sellers, remember to highlight your home’s outstanding “winter” features to potential buyers…even during a great Chicago summer. Unfortunately, they never last. For more advice or information about buying or selling a home in any season, feel free to contact me.

CELL This House!

In today’s busy world, you never leave home without grabbing your wallet,keys and cell phone. That’s why @properties has launched a new servicethat works with the tools already in your pocket. It will put valuable realestate information in the palm of your hand, literally within seconds.This summer, @properties is rolling out a mobile-marketing initiative thatwill allow homebuyers and sellers to instantaneously receive informationon @properties’ listings, via text message. Each new @properties listingwill be assigned a short code, which will be displayed on all correspondingadvertising including websites, signage and print ads. Consumers cantext message that code to @properties’ main number, 30364, and within10 seconds, receive detailed property information, photos and even ashort video. Users can then scroll over the listing agent’s e-mail addressor phone number to set up a showing or request more information.To try it out right now, text ATP322 to text number 30364.At @properties, we’re dedicated to finding new and innovative waysto help consumers buy and sell homes, which is why we’re the firstbrokerage firm in Chicago to launch a mobile marketing initiative on acompany-wide scale.So, if your future plans include buying or selling real estate, give me a call-- or text -- and I’ll show you how @properties can work for you.

Growing Stronger

There’s been no shortage of talk about a challenging overall housing market, but through it all, @properties has grown consistently stronger, and people are taking notice.@properties jumped 25 spots on the “Real Trends 500” list and now ranks as the 55th largest brokerage firm in the United States. Also this spring, we appeared for the first time on Crain’s Chicago Business’ list of Chicago’s largest privately-held companies.The people and programs that have enabled @properties to become the largest privately-owned brokerage firm in the city in just eight years are also helping our clients buy and sell homes in a tough market. And we continue to grow new tools and techniques to give our clients an edge,like the just-released @properties Market Report. We’re also growing our space. This summer, @properties will open a new office at the corner of Damen and Cortland in Bucktown, one of the hottest neighborhoods in Chicago.So, if your plans include buying or selling real estate, I’m here for you and available; with the strength and resources of Chicago’s fastest-growing real estate company behind me.

What does coffee have to do with real estate?

What does coffee have to do with real estate?
As it turns out, a whole lot. In 2007 the coffee shop has become the heart of a neighborhood, any neighborhood. It's where people gather to talk about everything, and these days that includes a whole lot of real estate. Out of this phenomenon, the @spot was born. Located at 2234 W. Taylor St. in Tri-Taylor, the @spot has all the charm (dare we say more charm) of the neighborhood you-know-what. And, in addition to serving a pretty good cup of Sumatra, it's also a place where you can log right on to atproperties.com via free WiFi to check out all the real estate activity in your area. In America and throughout the world, the tradition of the coffeehouse is a tradition of sharing: sharing ideas, sharing beliefs, sharing stories and sharing plans. Those plans often involve buying or selling a home. And there's no better place to get started on those plans than the @spot. Let's meet over a cup of coffee - either at the @spot or your favorite cafe - to talk about your real estate plans. Just send me an e-mail or call to set up a time.