"You've Caught the NET!"

Hey, gang!

Another weekend is on the docket here in Chicago.  From our Team Member, Jennifer Arcand - here's what's going on -

This week, Jennifer covers the Chicago Neighborhoods of Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Uptown, and Logan Square, and the Chicago Suburb of Oak Park IL.

LINCOLN PARK,  LAKEVIEW

Secondhand stores also are doing well, given the current economic climate.  In a national survey of 182 resale shops, 74 percent reported increased sales for the end of 2008 in comparison to the end of the year for 2007. 

"People still want luxury, but they want it at reasonable prices," said Sharon Elliott, owner of Elliott Consignment.  Her shops are located in Lincoln Park and Lakeview and specialize in designer clothing.

A buyer, on the other hand, may want a Chanel purse but is reluctant to pay the $4,000 retail price.  In Elliott's consignment shop it might cost only $900.

Most customers these days "come in for their needs, not their wants," Elliott said, "including more young professionals."

 Click here to read more. 

UPTOWN

If all goes well, by this summer the corner of Wilson Avenue and Beacon Street will feature an 8-foot-tall replica of Sebilj fountain in Sarajevo next to the Fontana Grill & Wine Bar.  That is the vision of chef-owner Nino Jovanovich, who left Sarajevo 15 years ago to work locally as a busboy.

His restaurant has large windows overlooking a quiet stretch of Uptown.  The ambiance of bright red leather booths glowing in the soft light of small candles makes Fontana's tough to beat for North Side cozy.

Click here for the whole story.

LOGAN SQUARE

Fonda del Mar is a 60-seat masquers in Logan Square.  Walls are bright with electric orange and yellow shades, with Mexican accents.  The furnishings are plain. 

The menu, however, is noteworthy and features tamales exquisitos, wet masa cakes crammed with Plano and Chihuahua cheese, balanced by a just-tart-enough sauce of roasted plum tomatoes and chipotle pepper, and is very inviting.

Click here for more information.

OAK PARK

In tough economic times, Americans are reevaluating their needs and wants.  It isn't surprising that many are eager to share their new sense of frugality.

"I'm probably one of the new braggers," said Carrie Kirby, of Oak Park .

Kirby has been a self-made "frugality" for several years.  She clips coupons, shops in thrift stores and washes out plastic bags and reuses them.  "The big difference is that nowadays I'm more likely to share that information with people," said Kirby.

"It has become more socially acceptable to talk about this stuff.  It used to be like: "Oh, my God, you should talk to my grandma," said Kirby, who lives in Oak Park and authors a blog on frugal shopping called "Shoplifting With Permission."

To learn more, click here.

Does your organization have a special event coming up?  Let us know, and we'll help you get the word out!

Catch up on Chicago Neighborhood News by clicking on Jennifer's Neighborhood News Archive, via BlogChicagoHomes.com.

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

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

Hey, you dogs! 

It's a bit of a sad day for Chicago Basketball Fans - Chicago Bulls Greats Norm Van Lier and Johnny "Red" Kerr each passed away tragically today, within hours of each other.  Two of Chicago's most fervent cheerleaders have left the building - very tragic indeed!  See coverage in today's Chicago Tribune.

I caught another story in the Chicago Trib the other day syndicated by Bloomberg News about an unusual tactic American Express is taking.   You know American Express.  Am Ex.  The green, or gold, or blue card with the Centurion Logo on it.

For years, these guys advertised, heavily, to never "Leave Home Without It."   Their card solicitations were everywhere!    And most everybody I knew, as well as the close business friends and associates of our Team Leader, and my Human Daddy Dean, had one.

Well now, however, Am Ex is actually paying some of its cardholders to cut up their cards, in return for a sizable $300 American Express Gift Card.  To be eligible for the gift card, cardholders must pay their outstanding balances in full before April 30th.  Canceling your card may lead to forfeiture of any accumulated Rewards Points or Rebates not yet earned.

Why the unusual step?

Quite simply, American Express wants to stave off card holder default.  Am Ex has seen a steady rise recently in charge-offs - or open account balances the company now tags as "uncollectable."  Last month, 8.29% of its charge balances were considered not collectible, versus 7% in December, 2008.  Payments at least 30 days late rose in January as well.

As unemployment rates continue to climb across the U.S., many consumers have begin using their credit and charge cards somewhat irresponsibly, to draw money so they can pay off normal monthly household expenses.  Other credit card issuers have reduced credit limits, raised interest rates, and dramatically cut back on once-commonplace card solicitations.  (Heck, a couple of years ago, even I would receive a few credit card solicitations in my lil' mailbox each week - and I have four paws!)

Am Ex was one of the recipients of U.S. Bailout Money last year to boost its capital balances - nearly $3.4 Billion worth!  However, its profit picture continues gloomy - Fourth Quarter, 2008 Profit tumbled 72% as more and more American Express Cardholders defaulted.

Me?  Being a conservative dog (albeit with liberal political views), I stay away from the plastic.  Whenever I head out on the town, I often conveniently leave my wallet in my other fur . . .

. . . and let my humans pick up the tab!

Check out  my post from yesterday @ BlogChicagoHomes.com.

YOUR ACE REPORTER ON FOUR PAWS,

BUDDY HOLLY MOSS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

Folks . . . especially those of you from Chicago - ready to stroll down Memory Lane (no . . . not that side street in West Suburban Addision IL!)

Are You a Boomer?  You know, one of those rapidly aging folks who came of age in the 1960's and early 1970's?

If so, you might remember the famed series of recorded radio skits on WCFL Radio here in Chicago - "Chickenman."  He was "The Most Fantastic Crime Fighter The World Has Ever Known," you know.

Yeah . . . it's all coming back to you now, you Chicago folks.  Admit it!  Remember the famous Chickenman Call -

"He's Everywhere, He's Everywhere!"

Well, "Everywhere," is where those blasted Red Light Enforcement Cameras seem to be these days.  Don't make a visible stop at a red light, and, FLASH - you get an annoying, virtually-irrefutable $100 ticket.

In the City of Chicago, Red Light Enforcement Cameras aren't going anywhere, unfortunately.  But at one intersection in the Northwest Chicago Suburb of Schaumburg IL, one set of cameras is being de-activated.  Apparently, the camera, at the corner of Meacham and Woodfield Roads, near the large, regional Woodfield Shopping Center, is bad for business!

As summarized in a story by Carolyn Starks, in last Monday's edition of The Chicago Tribune, Schaumburg Village President Ken Fritz didn't see any public safety benefit to the camera at that intersection.  Collisions at that corner fell only slightly since the cameras were installed. 

But many shoppers were irate after being ticketed, however.  Some threatened to never shop in the Village of Schaumburg again!  And, in tough economic times, this is an important consideration!

The Village brought in nearly $1 Million in traffic fines, mainly from those not fully stopping before turning right on a red light in the three months between their installation last November, and January of this year.  Roughly 10,000 tickets were issued - at $100 a piece!  The town's till is full - but a possible exodus of shoppers to other locations might not compensate for the fines money collected.

The Suburb of Bollingbrook IL - southwest of Chicago - similarly deactivated a Red Light Camera at a busy intersection near a shopping area a couple of years ago.  Again, shoppers' complained at a high level, and threatened to stay away in droves!   The Village de-activated the Red Light Cam, even though it recorded roughly 13,000 finable offenses, and generated $639,000 in revenue, last May.

Please see our post today via BlogChicagoHomes.com.

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

Hey, gang!  Leaving Orlando FL and Keller Williams Family Reunion to go back home to Chicago today.  An INCREDIBLE Event, and a sad farewell!

Dean's Team Chicago clients - I've got a whole caseful of resources to share with you when I get back!  Watch out!

While I'm still here in the sunshine, however, how about a little flight of fancy over our National Pastime, and everyone's favorite NL Team (well, at least mine), the Chicago Cubs.

Picture, if you will, sitting at Wrigley Field on the North Side of Chicago for a Chicago Cubs Game.  It's versus the hated St. Louis Cardinals, and we're down by three runs.  Bottom of the ninth inning, two outs.  Late in September - a critical game!

Chicago Cub Legends Ron Santo and Glenn Beckert each get hits.  Shortstop Don Kessinger draws a walk.  Bases loaded!

The Cubs bring Legendary Shortstop and First Baseman Ernie Banks out of retirement.  Strike one.  Strike two!

Boom!

Ole' Ernie hits a Grand Slam Home Run!  Cubs Win, Cubs Win!  Celebration all around - and, true to Cub Lore - only a Fan's Fantasy!  Again!

Celebration all around, however - yes?  Well, not for the folks in St. Louis.  For the opposing team and their fans - it was a bad day!  They lost, you know!

Possible parallels to today's Chicago Real Estate Market?  Absolutely!  More bad news on the housing front for home sellers is an incredible opportunity for home buyers!

According to Mary Ellen Podmolik in today's Chicago Tribune, home sales in the City of Chicago fell 23.5% in January, 2009, as compared to January, 2008.  Only 888 single-family homes and condos were sold in the city, all data provided by the Illinois Association of Realtors.  The median Chicago home and condo price in January - $206,250 down 28.9% versus one year ago.

Across the nine-county Chicago Metro Area, the drop was even more severe, year over year.  Market-wide, single family home and condo resales hit 24.5% in January, compared to a year earlier.  This translates to 2,965 total sales.  The median sales price across the area - now $185,000, or 22.8% lower than January, 2008.

All bad news!  Terrible news!  Gut Wrenching!

If you're SELLING your home today, that is!

But if you're BUYING or INVESTING?  Without a home to sell?  With good credit and a strong down payment?  It's an incredible BUYING OPPORTUNITY!

Median Home Prices across the Chicago Area now stand at roughly 2003 levels - if you are a qualified buyer, your money can buy far more home than you could have found only a couple of years ago. 

First-time Homebuyer?  The new, non-repayable $8,000 Fed First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit, for individuals who earn less than $75,000 each year, or couples with less than $150,000 Adjusted Gross Income, can save new buyers even more money.  And, there are several programs funded by the City of Chicago that can offer additional U.S. Tax Credits.  One such program - the City of Chicago Tax Smart Program, offers continuing tax credits to qualified City of Chicago First Time Home Buyers over several years of homeownership.

But only for those who recognize the opportunity - and, who can qualify under tighter lending rules than we have seen in years!

Good News? Bad News?  Here in the Chicago Real Estate Market, it really depends on which side of the ball you're on!

See our post today via BlogChicagoHomes.com.

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

Morning, folks!

Been a bit of a delay since my last post - hanging around with a bunch of Keller Williams Realtors for a few days is a bit distracting, you know!  Well, we'll soon all have time to catch up on lost sleep.

You know, it was just over two years ago when Dean's Team Chicago moved its company affiliation to  Keller Williams.  We came for the top training, an incredible Realtor Affiliate Network, and a "You Get By Giving" Culture that matches our own.

Times were very optimistic those two short years ago.  But, oh, how those times have changed.  The U.S. Real Estate market has "Shifted,"  as KW Founder, 51-year-old Gary Keller says.

Indeed, the numbers, both nationally and in Chicago, paint a bleak picture.  The story was reported in the Wall Street Journal, by reporters Kerry E. Grace and Matthew Cowley.  In the Chicago Metro Area, the S & P/Case-Shiller Price Index tumbled 14.3% between December, 2007 and December of last year.  Nationally, the U.S. National Home Price Index fell 18.3% during the same one year period.

Average Market Times are high.  House-for-Sale Inventories and Homes in Foreclosures have skyrocketed.  Consumer Confidence, according to the Conference Board, fell to its lowest level in history in January - a reading of 25.0, versus the December Consumer Confidence figure of 37.7.

Across the U.S., unemployment is expected to continue to surge - exceeding 10% in the hardest hit areas - perhaps far more.   Within Dean's Team Chicago we have a little saying - "If, on Friday, a worker feels he might be losing his job next Monday - he's not going to buy a new house over the weekend!"

Bleak, Indeed!

But there is some hope for optimism!

In areas of the country beaten down the hardest during the housing crisis - California, Florida, Arizona, Nevada - multiple, competing bids are common - albeit at fire sale prices!  Today, a buyer with adequate funds can buy far more house than he ever thought possible.  And the smart, "Buy and Hold" buyer is on track to earn incredible appreciation on his new-found, discounted home in years to come.

The whirlwind first month of the Obama Administration?  Agree or disagree with Mr. Obama's policies, it is clear he is not being a shrinking violet when it comes to trying to turn things around.  Infrastructure programs,   Initiatives to lower mortgage interest rates, or stem the rising tide of home foreclosure.   Obama would be the first to admit, however, that such a turnaround would not be fast, or pain free.

Houses CAN sell, you know!  It's just a matter about being aggressive on price.  Unfortunately, overpriced houses simply drive the fewer buyers in the market today to even cheaper, and plentiful, distressed-sale properties.  If the seller is motivated to sell, and prices their home below current market from the start - that house will sell.  Likely, sooner rather than later!

Keller Williams is a cutting edge Real Estate Company.  A profitable company still!  Great employee and co-worker attitude and morale.  Dollar volume production goals up. The famous KW Profit Share Program for participating agent-partners.

And, last year, KW became the Third Largest Real Estate Company in the U.S., surpassing better-known ReMax in agent count - with roughly 72,000 agents nationwide.

But the nearly 7,000 Keller Williams agents and brokers who gathered this year in Orlando FL remain concerned about the state of the real estate market today.  But every one of us is committed to getting our clients through this Shifting Market.

See our post today via BlogChicagoHomes.com.

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO 

There's a growing tragedy here in bustling Chicago. 

Previously, abandoned housing was a serious problem in only the most depressed neighborhoods here.  As the Real Estate Downturn continues, however, it seems that even more affluent Chicago Neighborhoods - including Rogers Park, West Ridge, Kenwood, Chicago Lawn, and even tony Lincoln Park - are not immune to the problems the economic downturn has created.

It was only a couple of years ago that builders would get loans to rehab old, 1920's-era Chicago Courtyard Buildings.  Older houses were purchased by investors across the city, either extensively renovated, or torn down with new, yet vintage-look homes built in their places.

And the properties or condo units would sell.  In condo buildings, after 50% of the units changed hands, they were turned over to the newly-formed condo board, who would oversee the project, assuming the builders completed a relatively-intact and professionally-remodeled building with little maintenance required for a few years.  They would then manage the building, and fund future maintenance needs from collected assessments.

Everything flowed.  Neatly!

Apparently - not so much anymore, according to Chicago Tribune Reporters Azam Ahmed and Darnell Little in Sunday's paper.  This is especially true for several buildings in some of the Neighborhoods in Chicago distant from Downtown and The Loop.  Neighborhoods recently bustling - like Rogers Park, Albany Park, and West Ridge on the North Side, or those with bustle-potential, like Kenwood or Chicago Lawn on the South Side, or Humboldt Park on the Northwest Side.

Presently, our Team is working with an out-of-town client who owns a condo in an unfinished building on the 1600 Block of West Fullerton Avenue, in the swanky Lincoln Park Neighborhood, on the North Side of Chicago.  Since less than 50% of the buildings total units have been sold - those units, along with common-area hallways and outer facade,  sit unfinished. 

Sale without an in-place condo association is impossible to buyers needing financing - the only option available is to rent the units, and hope for an improving financial picture down the road to spur an investor to buy, at a deep discount, the remaining units, finish off the decaying common elements, and complete and resell the units themselves.

Today, the residential blocks are littered with as-yet incomplete buildings whose developers were forced into bankruptcy or foreclosure before they could find enough financially-qualified buyers.  Those unit owners who did close encounter mechanical system breakdowns - of heating systems, roofs, masonry, or electrical wiring.  Plumbing pipes leak.  Common area amenities - such as carpeting and hallway paint - sit unfinished for months, even years!

Often thieves or squatters invade the properties - making a bad problem far worse for the few tenants who remain!

What happened?

During the boom years, few buildings and houses would sit abandoned, as investors snapped them up as short sale properties, fixed up the buildings or homes, and quickly resold them at a profit.  Within the past year however, according to The Woodstock Institute in Chicago, a research firm, nearly 99% of all foreclosed homes went back to the bank rather than being sold to a third party investor.  That's nearly $1.9 Billion worth of property in the City of Chicago alone!

Since banks become landlords only reluctantly, many bank-acquired properties sit largely vacant and boarded up.  According to the U.S. Census Bureau, vacant properties across Chicago spiked 20% between 2000 and 2007.  Today, there are nearly 166,000 vacant housing units in neighborhoods across Chicago. 

In 2009, foreclosure filings are likely to pile on last year's numbers.  According to national estimates, an additional 2.7 Million foreclosures are likely this year.

Is help on the way?  Perhaps, but in a small way.  President Obama's new Neighborhood Stabilization Program will pump over $55 Million into Chicago to help renovate and sell approximately 1,500 units in boarded up buildings, as well as abandoned and vacant single-family homes.  Most of the money will go to properties on the economically-depressed South and West Sides of Chicago, sidestepping, for now, some of the North Side Neighborhood Properties who can also benefit from the funding.

But what of the other owners?  They just bide their time, mostly, and keep up on repairs impacting their unit as best they can.  One day soon, they hope, an investor will acquire and complete their properties, and repair common infrastructure.

Until then, however, their unanticipated misery remains!

Ahmed and Little's story also links to accompanying video and photos.

Please see our post today via BlogChicagoHomes.com.

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

Good Morning!

Here's the latest Stat Summary on the Chicago Real Estate Market, based on data pulled yesterday evening, February 22, 2009 - 

Just as quickly as the number of Pending Sales and the Average Market Time improved last week, the current week's figures reverses earlier improvements.  Indeed, the fix for the Chicago Housing Market is not likely to be a quick, nor a smooth one.

Active Listing Inventory remains stable in the North and Northwest Sides of Chicago Market Area we serve with great frequency. However, an uptick in the Number of Units Sold resulted in an improved Weekly Sales Volume this week.

Absorption Rate, including theoretical time to clear existing listing inventory, continues its march higher, rising a considerable 5.7% within the past week.   The Percentage of Sale Within Six Month (180 Days) fell once again, to just over 34% this past week.

Here are archived annual Chicago Neighborhood Statistics, including Units Sold and Price Trends Data, for 1992 through 2007, courtesy of The Chicago Association of Realtors.  Updated 2008 stats will be available before the end of the First Quarter, 2009.

In addition, here is an Interactive Median Price Heat Map, from the Chicago Tribune Real Estate Section, covering Every Chicago Neighborhood.  View the map for links to maps for Chicago Suburbs.  It is updated as new data becomes available.

Communities and clients we serve, reside, or plan to reside, in the Chicago Neighborhoods of The Chicago Loop, The Gold Coast, River North, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Uptown, Edgewater, North Center, Lincoln Square, Albany Park, Ravenswood, Wicker Park, and Bucktown.  

Also, these Great Chicago Neighborhoods: Logan Square, Rogers Park , West Ridge, Portage Park, Jefferson Park, Norwood Park, Sauganash, Edgebrook,and Edison Park.   Plus All Chicago Suburbs. 

SINGLE FAMILY, CONDOS, AND SMALL MULTI-UNIT PROPERTIES - NORTH SIDE OF CHICAGO, NORTH OF ADDISON STREET, WEST OF ASHLAND AVENUE

                                 ACTV LISTINGS        JUST SOLD         CLOSED        EXPIRED

w/e February 22nd             4,106                   33                      29               31    

w/e February 15th              4,107                   45                      26               37

% CHANGE                        +-0.0%                 -26.7%                +11.5%       -16.2%

CLOSED PROPERTIES DATA

                              AVG SALE PRICE     AVG DAYS ON MKT     TOTAL VOLUME   

w/e February 22nd             $283,613             223 DAYS                      $8,224,777

w/e February 15th              $301,754             194 DAYS                      $7,845,604

% CHANGE                           -6.0%                 +14.9%                           +4.8%

THEORETICAL TIME TO CLEAR EXISTING INVENTORY (ABSORPTION RATE) -

w/e February 22nd - LAST 12 MOS - 14.23    LAST 6 MOS - 18.43     LAST 3 MOS - 26.10

w/e February 15th - LAST 12 MOS - 14.15     LAST 6 MOS - 17.28     LAST 3 MOS - 24.69

PERCENT OF HOMES SELLING IN 180 DAYS - 

w/e February 22nd - 34.18% (UNSOLD - 65.82%) 

w/e February 15th - 35.75% (UNSOLD - 64.25%)

SOURCE: MIDWEST REAL ESTATE DATA LLC, AREA MARKET SURVEY DATA

Review our Chicago IL Real Estate Stats Pack Archive via BlogChicagoHomes.com. 

Call our Team anytime for current trends in any Chicago Neighborhood or Chicago Suburb!

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

In an attempt to forestall the rising number of foreclosures across the country - and help some distressed homeowners in danger of losing their homes, the Obama Administration last week proposed his new $75 Billion Housing Recovery Plan. 

One component of the plan involves incentivizing lenders to modify loan terms for a select group of home owners who might be "underwater" in their mortgage - in other words, they owe more on their home is worth in today's market.

(For an outline on the specifics of this plan, read this article in the Wall Street Journal by reporters James Hagerty and Lingling Wei.)

The new program, however, comes with an important modification that, if enacted, might "persuade" reluctant lenders to modify certain troubled loans.  That modification - the ability of U.S. Bankruptcy Court judges to reduce the principal amount owed on the mortgage loan of the defaulting borrower's primary residence. 

Faced with a threat of such a principal reduction might "persuade" reluctant lenders to modify a distressed client's loan to a more attractive interest rate and terms, rather than risking principal loss should the borrower end up filing for bankruptcy.

Currently,  BK judges can wipe out thousands of dollars of secured and unsecured debt on behalf of a debtor filing for bankruptcy.  They can reduce the amount of principal owed on investment property.  But they are now prevented from reducing the balance owed on a mortgage loan for a primary home.

Such a change has long been fought by lenders, as well as the Mortgage Bankers Association.  They fear forcing these principal reductions - called "cram downs" in the industry - could create new losses for banks, as well as instability in mortgage investment markets, and ultimately, higher interest rates as lenders better hedge their bets against these potential losses.

The program's proponents contend the helpful impact to those facing imminent financial collapse would far outweigh the yet-unproven response of higher interest rates. One Congressman who supports the bill, Democrat John Conyers of MI, blames banks for not acting fast enough to stem today's mortgage crisis.

Please see the Hagerty/Wei Wall Street Journal story for more.

Also read our post via BlogChicagoHomes.com.

DEAN MOSS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

Morning from Orlando FL, folks! 

I'm down here at Keller Williams Family Reunion, and getting ready to head to the Orlando Orange County Convention Center to learn and network with several thousand other KW folk from all over the U.S. and Canada.  Some great connections, including fellow Active AR People Gary McNinch of Seattle, WA(buddy, I'll buy the next beer), an Cindy Marchant of Fishers, IN. 

But I'll head out there in a little while.

Because, first, I have to work on our Dean's Team Chicago Active Rain Blog, then head over to Facebook for a minute or two, update my status - and jump in the Facebook Time Machine!

You know, I posted my profile to Facebook about 18 months ago.  Added a few friends. Participated in a couple of groups.  No big investment in time.

I'm not a fan of passing pokes.  Or drinks. or Green Patch or Blue Cove invitations.

I'm not looking to find romance.  Or drinking buddies.  Not that kind of stuff.

But I do desire to build my network, and build my real estate business.  THAT'S THE MAIN INTENTION!

And this year, as I began to get more involved, post more, join targeted business and Chicago-oriented groups, that process is beginning to flower!

My Active Rain posts can nearly instantaneously be propagated to the Twitter Social Networking Site (a whole 'nother story), and then to Facebook.  Automatically! 

Through additional in-person networking, I started to add more Facebook friends.  (I often joke that, at 240 Facebook Friends, I have more friends now than I ever had!)  I added other Realtors - those who I know from across the country.  Lenders, attorneys - and, then, their friends, clients, and business associates became my friends, and connected with me for advice.

But the greatest, most unforeseen aspect of the process involves the new connections I have established with folks I haven't seen for many years!  And, likely, would never have connected with if it were not for the existence of social media. 

Who?  My college roommate, for example - a guy I haven't spoken with since around 1980.  Chums from high school (interesting to think even those who I only knew casually during those far-off times have been quite eager to make connections).  Work friends, pre-real estate, long forgotten.  Two fellows from when I was in grade school!

And then there's the old connections you'll never forget - but have had to move on from, as life goes on - yes? 

Within days of each other, I got Friend Requests from two ladies I dated in High School!  Just to give you scope of time here, when I went to high school - Richard Nixon was President!  Whew . . . that's a scary thought, isn't it?

I've got to admit that I didn't know what to think when I accepted THOSE Friend Requests - and, BTW, I did get my wife's permission first before I clicked "Yes!"  (I wonder if everyone does - you think?)

These old connections, some untouched for thirty years are more, are almost unfathomable to fully comprehend!  We've all grown up.  Completely.  Kids, grandkids, in some cases.  Careers started.  Changed.  Same for relationships - both business and personal.

And that thirty year gap - tough to fill it with the question - "Hey, what have you been doing recently?"  Man - sooooo much, yes?

Even so, if you keep the connections PROFESSIONAL, BUSINESS LIKE - these old connections can provide new opportunities - even perhaps re-kindled friendships - today!

I have already re-connected - in person - with several of my old college and high school pals, many of whom had no idea of what I do for a living.  And, I of them!  Two listing appointments and a buyer sale have followed since the beginning of the year.

In one case, I saw my old friend's mother - haven't seen her for a very long time.  Hell, we were kids - I think, last time around, she was making us peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch!

And those old girlfriends?  Both now live out of town.  Both have been married for many years, with grown kids.

One is considering moving back to Chicago with her family, and has provided extensive details about what she needs, and what she is looking for.  She also has three sisters here, and a few old friends, who might need my help soon.

The other still has connections in the Chicago area, and her family may need my help down the line.

And you know - I still haven't talked live to these two - only communication via online chat, email, and messaging.  That will indeed be strange - haven't heard their voices in a long time!

Strange - but in a fun way!  And, perhaps, with long-term payout, both personally and professionally.

What about you?  Anything YOU have gotten from the Facebook Time Machine?  Share with us!

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

Hey, gang!

Sorry for the delay today - getting ready today to leave Chicago for a few days and head to Keller Williams Family Reunion in Orlando FL early tomorrow morning.  But they're predicting as much as 6" of snow here by dawn - hope I can get out!

Time for another Chicago Neighborhood News Update, courtesy of our Team Member, Jennifer Arcand.  This week, Jennifer writes about the Chicago Neighborhoods of The Loop, The South Loop, Lakeview, and Portage Park, as well as the Chicago Suburb of Naperville IL.

Hey . . . need us to help you publicize YOUR Chicago Area Happening?  Just write and let us know!  We are the NUMBER ONE RANKED ACTIVE RAIN BLOG in the City of Chicago, you know!

SOUTH LOOP

Kroll's South Loop is offering Mardi Gras themed dishes.  Come dine on jambalaya and corn bread or perhaps you would like Cajun shrimp.  Then sip on a festive beverage of rum punch and $5 Abita beers. Join the fun on Tuesday at 1736 S. Michigan Avenue. 

For more information on this and other events, click here.

LOOP

Stretch Run Sporting Club & Grille will be celebrating Fat Tuesday with Cajun dishes.  Choose from chicken jambalaya, crawfish fettuccine, crab cakes and gumbo with shrimp and okra.  There will be raffles.  Drink specials include "Pat O'Brien's Bar" $5 hurricanes (careful these are potent!) and $3 bottles of Corona , Corona Light and Pacifico.  Friday-Tuesday at 544 N. La Salle St. 

For more information on this and other events, click here.

LAKEVIEW

Fizz Bar & Grill is having afive-day bash.  This will include Cajun menu items.  Listen to live New Orleans tunes (Friday and Tuesday).  Enjoy a "French Quarter" favorite, hurricane cocktails for only $5.  On Sunday, arrive early for a $6.95 brunch buffet (noon-3 p.m.) or stop by later for a crawfish boil (3-6 p.m.; $7).  The first 50 people to hit the crawfish boil eat for free.  5 p.m. Friday; noon Saturday-Sunday; 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at 3220 N. Lincoln Avenue.

For more information on this and other events, click here.

PORTAGE PARK

An old fashioned Mardi Gras Masquerade Dinner Dance will feature appetizers and dinner.  Entertainment will include Samba 1 Dance Group along with DJ, Al Cruz.  A cash bar is available.  Costumes and masks are strongly encouraged.   Come join the fun at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday to St.Ladislaus Church Hall located at 3343 N. Long Avenue. 

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NAPERVILLE

Dress in costume, wear a mask and come on out to Zaidi'sfor live music and dancing.  Music will feature global jazz band, Toad Kings.  Drink specials include $6 Cabana cachaca caipirinhas.  9 p.m. Saturday; free. 1975 Springbrook SquareDrive, Naperville .  Hope to see you there. 

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Enjoy the weekend, everyone!

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO