Hello Everyone,

We past the holidays, have a new president and are nearly into a full month of 2009.

Boy times flies by fast. I hope all is well with everyone and we go into 2009 with a very positive attitude.

I have picked up with business which is wonderful so I am hopeful that 2009 will be great.

Well again, I apologize for it taking so long to write. There has been alot going on and alot of stress lately.

Today is my baby’s birthday. Conor turned 14 this morning at 5:42am. He is already a few inches taller then his mom and just about as tall as Dad. He has made us so proud as he is a wonderful son, great student and just an all around good kid. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SON!

As to this Real Estate Market. I have to admit that things are really really slow and I dont see anything changing for awhile. I hear reports of mid 2009 but then there are other reports that it will take into 2010. It has taken a toll on my income and things are really hard. 

There are reports of new help coming from the government though. Something about a 4.5% interest rate for buyers to get things moving again so that the abundant amount of houses for sale will start moving.  This of course does not help the people in a short sale situation or foreclosure but at least may help them with being able to sell.  I think it would help if they also did something for people facing foreclosure so that they can keep their homes. I know the banks dont want all these empty houses sitting around and there are not enough rentals for these families to go.  So lets all say a prayer that things will turn up in 2009 and we are all stressfree and content.

Christmas is right around the corner. I am so excited as I just found out that my Mother and her husband are flying in from Florida to stay with us for 4 days. I love having her here for Christmas. I don’t have a large family, it is just one brother and I here. My mother and other brother live in Florida. My husband’s only brother lives in Texas.  It is usually just my brother Mike and his family and my in-laws that are here for parties so when we get out of towners in-we are excited.  They are coming in Dec 24-28 and my husbands brother and his family are coming in from TX on Dec 27-Dec 31 so we will have some family around for about a week.

I don’t know if I will get back to posting before Christmas but if I don’t, I really hope that each and everyone of you that follow this have a wonderful Holiday.

Again, I apologize for not writing sooner. So much has been going on and there has been alot of stress in my life.

I have come to the conclusion that what is meant to be will be. I am tired of being tired-if that makes any sense.

As you all know with the country in this economic troubling time, it has taken a hit on my business. I wish I could get the word out that if you are an investor or first time buyer, now is definately the time to buy. It is actually a great time for anyone but the problem is that if you have a home to sell before you can buy, those homes are taking awhile to sell. 

I think the whole problem stems from Alan Greenspan raising the rates so much in a short time. Back in 2000-2006 things were great. People were buying and for the most part could afford what they bought but then as the rates crept up, they could no longer afford their homes and went into short sales and foreclosures. I know that there were alot of buyers that did buy over their means and lenders that pushed that but, if the rates stayed low, they would not be in this situation either.

I don’t know much about this bill that was passed last week but from the sounds of it, it should kick start everything again. I don’t agree with alot in it and think that the government should be helping main street also but we have not choice but to see what happens.

With that said, please tell anyone you know that has been putting off buying, not to hesitate. I am confident that within the next 12-18 months, values will rise again so the deals are out there now.  Call me and we can get going on getting you into that home.

For investors, geeze if you could buy a few homes, there are alot of renters out there now looking for someplace to live. They are good people and got into the wrong situation and had to sell but cannot buy until their credit gets back.

As for the family, Trevor is just ending his Golf season. He did great and I am so proud. He will continue working at the Sanctuary until they close for the season but now he will have a bit more time to concentrate on his school work. It is hard during the season as he has practice or matches 4 days a week. This year he is a junior and has the PSAE and ACT tests along with trying to look into colleges so it is alot of stress for him and us.

Conor is doing great, excelling wonderfully in school and has a few good friends that he hangs out with. He has shot up so quickly this year. He is taller then me now and just 6 months ago was about a head shorter then me so when they say boys shoot up, they sure do.

Ron still working nights 10pm-6am on the Tollway. He does not particually like working nights but you have to do what you have to do. He will be putting in alot of overtime come winter. 

I cleaned all my windows inside and out and pulled all the old dead flowers yesterday. I could hardly walk when I was done. My friends took me to dinner for my birthday(a little late but better late then never). My birthday was September 11 but we celebrated yesterday and yes the waitress sang to me which really made me feel embarrased. Now I know what the kids go through when I do it to them-No More!!  haha

Well that is it for now. I will be back in a few weeks. Until then take care, be safe and healthy.

What a beautiful day it is today. I was at a friends party last night and it was alot of fun. We played a dice gamed called left/right/center which I had never heard of before but it was fun so remember it for your upcoming parties. Even the kids played.

My friend Rachel just graduated Western University and is on her way into the Army. She leaves next Tuesday, September 9 so please say a prayer for her. She is exited.

Kids are back getting adjusted to school. It is going good, they like their teachers which means alot. Trevor is back on the varsity golf team and has been in 2 matches so far. He golfed a 39 the other day which was his best score yet and was very happy.  He worked yesterday and is again working today. I was up at 5am to drive him and boy is it dark. I wonder how anyone can golf that early but he says they come up there that early.

Today is a relax day. Not much to do. Hopefully now that the kids are back, VP’s are picked and holiday is over, people will realize that they should be out buying houses.  I have so many listings right now and there are alot of sellers out there but the buyers are few. Now is a great time with great deals so tell your friends and family that are waiting or first timers that if they are non-contingent that they really should think about doing it NOW!!

Until next time-take care and be healthy.

I cannot believe that summer vacation is nearly over. One more week until school starts and things get back to normal. That does not mean that I want the kids going back but it is just that I wont have to keep trying to think of ways to keep them busy during the day.

Trevor had the Golf Team tryouts today and again tomorrow. He is really hoping to make the team once again as he really enjoys it and I hope he does. 

Conor is excited about his computer class that he is taking this year. He really knows so much about computers and when I need to figure something out, I just call him over and its done. It amazes me that kids pick up on things so fast and it takes us 40′somethings so much time.

The weather here has been wonderful the past week or so and it looks like it will continue the next week.  I just got my electric bill from last month and nearly fell over, it was so high. I cannot figure out why it was when we did not have the air conditioning on 24/7 and I looked at the rate compared to last year and it did not go up that much. The gas bill even went up this month and I cannot figure that out either. We just have to watch everything nowadays.

Business has kept me busy the past few weeks and I actually have a few closings lined up and am very grateful for that.

I have been having a bit of back pain and after an MRI, discovered arthritis in my back. I can continue to be active and work out but need to strengthen my core and stretch more says mr. DR.  I think I can handle that and hopefully with the effort, can strengthen it so that the soreness goes away and does not get worse as I age.

I am looking forward to the autumn as it is my favorite time of the year. Sweatshirts, Football and the beautiful colors that will start to come out.

I touched base with an old friend from years ago which was cool. I am really learning to be grateful for what I have and the friends I have made throughout the years. I am very fortunate to have a cluster of terrific friends and alot of people do not have that so Thanks to all of you out there-you know who you are!

I am also very very grateful to have had the family that I do. With all the stories I hear from clients, co-workers, neighbors etc… about the problems that siblings have or people have with their parents, I just want to say that I have the best family that anyone could possibly want. My parents have always been very loving and supportive in everything that I have done and gone through in my life and I thank them for that. My brothers also are terrific and we are always there for each other.  I love them all.

Well off to watch a movie before bed. I hope everyone is healthy and take care of yourself and each other.  Until next time

I am so very sorry for not writing in quite awhile. I have been busy with the kids being home for the summer, work and a few weekends away. I have been fortunate enough to be able to spend time at a friends home in Michigan and we also went to Mackinac Island last weekend which was very nice. It was only 6.5 hrs away and I thought it would be more.  It is a very nice place if you have not been there-no cars, just alot of horses and bikes.  We did alot of walking and hiking and were exhausted by the end of the day but the famous fudge gave us the energy we needed to move on.

Anyway, things have been moving along slowly at work. I have my busy moments and then no so busy moments. Overall it is busier then last year but not what it should be.  If it was not for the media destroying the industry, things would be fine.

Ron has been on vacation for the past 2 weeks and goes back to work Sunday night. Today we are taking the boys to see “Batman” that starts today on the IMAX screen in Portage, IN.  It should be a treat.  I am especially looking forward to going to the SOX game tomorrow night. I sure hope it does not rain. I think we have a 60% chance but maybe it wont during the game.

I met with my trainor this week for a workout. I have taken some time off due to finances mainly and it was a treat seeing him again and having him kick my butt.  I have been having some issues with my body. I found out I have a few bulging discs in my back and artritis in my spine and knees. My other issue is that if I work out too hard I get massive cramping in my left calf. I still do not know what that is but months ago during a workout with Darin(www.fatlosslifestlye.com) I had a horrific charlie horse in that same calf and I could not walk on it for a few days.  It was terrible. Dr said that I needed more calcium/magnesium/zinc which I have been taking so hopefully that will start working.

Registration time is coming soon for the boys and this year is a big one for Trevor with his ACT tests and all the prep-work that comes along with it. He is college bound and is a great student and I am sure he will ace it all but it is still stressful for him and us. This college thing is all new to us since neither of us attended and we now have to do all the research so that he gets the best for the $$.

It is Conor’s last year in grade school and he will be graduating in June and heading to High School.  He is excited but I am sure nervous also.  We will have a party for him next summer like we did for Trevor and hopefully a reunion too like the last one so hopefully all my friends and family can attend.

Well I am going to sign off for now and hopefully it wont take me this long to write again.  Keep in touch everyone and remember you are all part of my life and I appreciate you all.

Good morning to everyone. If you are here in the Chicago area, I cannot say enjoy the beautiful weather as it is awful. Cold and raining and windy. I hope that the weather is nice wherever you are.

My family tree is really coming together. I have alot of information on my mothers(Italian) side coming in like crazy but my dads side is taking a little more work.  I have always been more into the Irish side for some reason and have always felt this connection with my grandmother-Catherine Enright that came here from Ireland when she was 18. I never met her as she passed away 6 months before I was born but nevertheless she and that part of the family has always been dear to my heart.  I went to Ireland when I was 12 for the first time. My parents sent me over for 8 weeks to stay with my dad’s youngest brother and his family. Now he had not seen his brother for years prior but I had started writing to him and had gotten to know him and really begged my parents to let me go.  It was a nice trip as I can say that now. When I arrived I found out that my uncle lived in a home without indoor plumbing and we were given a shovel to go out into the woods when the time came. There was no refridgerator, we would walk a few miles in the morning to get the freshly made milk and had to use it that day or it would not last. They had a garden and grew all their own vege’s and potatoes. They were vegetarian so that is what we ate. We were told to go out into the garden in the morning to pick what we wanted for dinner. They also would make the trip to Dublin once a month to pick up large drums of rice and millet.  They had no phones either and the post office was on strike so there was not really any contact with my family in the US. 

I can truly say now that it was a wonderful opportunity for me even though at the time it was difficult.  I saved up and went back at 15 and then got into the travel business and went back to Ireland many times along with the rest of Europe, Singapore, Turkey, India, Mexico and many other places.

I met alot of family in Ireland that were from my grandmothers side and wish I was in contact with them now but being that I was quite young and of course there was no email then, I lost track.  My Uncle has since moved back to the states and now resides in AZ. He has 5 kids and grandkids now.  He does keep track of some of the family members and I am trying to get that family information.

I must run now and spend time with my boys since it is Mothers Day.  I wish you all the best and you are always welcome to comment back if you choose.

Hello Everyone,

Sorry for the delay in writing. I am now going to send out my  newsletters twice a month because alot of people like the information and I come across so much to put in that I think it will work.  The sun is shining so bright today which definately helps with the mood people are in. It has been a hectic week at work with alot of negativity going on between co-workers. People ask my advice and I try to do my best in resolving problems but sometimes it is very hard.

My brother started a family tree and I have been trying to help him in getting information from both sides of the family.  We are asking our extended family to help as much as they can also.  It will be really nice to see both the Irish side and the Italian side and where we all started.

I finally have some buyers that are ready, I think the weather has had alot to do with the delay in getting properties moving. There are so many nice properties on the market and you can certainly get some great deals on them so if there is any thought, don’t wait!  Prices will just continue to go up and when the market turns around, so will prices so buy now.

I am still working on my body and getting it into the shape that I will be happy with. I have made some more strides and I am confident that I will be at my goal a little at a time.  Wish me luck.

Well just finished my cardio workout and now have to shower and get to the office so you all have a great day, week and year.  Will write soon.

Well Good morning to all. We returned safely home from Florida at 2am on Friday morning. Of course we drove straight through which was 19 hrs after about an hour back up in construction through Georgia. All went very well though. It was about 18 hrs going down. We left at 230pm and arrived at 10am .

Mom, Rob and Bobby are doing very well. Claudia and Ashley were in CA so we did not get to see them.

Weather was very nice. Usually about 65-70 and sunny. I tried to be active. We walked alot and I took my mothers bike out a few times and rode around the World Golf Village which was really beautiful.  Mom made Easter Dinner and it was delicious.

Back to the grind now. It took a few days to recoup from the drive but after a long night sleep last night, I am feeling pretty good now.

Not much happened with my business while I was away. I do have a busy week so hopefully things will start progressing along now. Rates are still low and alot of buyers are starting to come out of the woodwork.

There is so much activity happening around this Lincolnway area. We have 2 new malls, a hospital, alot of restaurants and shopping centers popping up. I took I-355 a month ago and boy is that heaven. I worked in Oak Brook for years and it took nearly a hour to get there on Rt 83. Now it is just about 20 minutes. For people working up there, they can get so much more home in our area then living up in DuPage county. Now is the time for them to start to move south.  There are also alot of companies opening up massive warehouses down here so jobs are popping up.  Tell your friends and relatives about New Lenox, Mokena, Frankfort and even Manhattan. This is the area to come to.

Time to sign out for now and by the way, I did let my son drive about 40 minutes on the return trip but then took over because Atlanta is not where I want him at this point until he gets more experience. Again, I was pyscho but I am working on that.

Thanks for listening and until next time – ciao!