THANKS FOR STOPPING BY!

Welcome! A touch stone for things related to real estate...or whatever happens to float through the mind of the Realtor on point. Here you will find important information, irrelevant information, tidbits intended to ease the way for greater joy, well, you just never know what you will find on this Blog. Just scroll through all the little bits that have been shared over time and see if anything at all grabs your interest. If don't see just what you're looking for right this minute, I hope you will stop back by because you just never know what the next post will be!

Whether you are in Austin, Texas, the surrounding areas, any of the Far Western Suburbs of Chicago in Illinois, or maybe even far-reaching places all over the globe, please come back and visit this real estate centered Blog. Now, after checking out the updates, go have a great day! You deserve it.

Monday, May 23, 2011

So You Have PMI?

If you are behind on your mortgage and your loan has private mortgage insurance can you do a short sale? you CAN TRY but we are seeing more banks let those houses go to foreclosure...so they can collect the mortgage insurance??? http://krussell.illinoishomezone.com
A link to all listings

Saturday, May 21, 2011

If This Was My Last Day On Earth

The past few days there has been much on the news about May 21, 2011 being the date of The Rapture. As I drove to the office today, I first swung through my favorite morning drive-thru and was greeted by a nice guy who said, "Have you heard this may be the end of the world today?" Ok, not the usual greeting to start the day. It then occurred to me that whether this is or is not "The End", what would I want to say if it was MY last day on Earth? Someone very dear to me, a long time friend, perhaps a soulmate, shared his parting feeling with me last night, if indeed this turned out to be "it" (though I'll be candid, I doubt if this is "it") and he said he would want me to know "We had a good long run." I agree with that statement. It has indeed been a good run. I have been blessed with a good family, amazing friends, many of whom started out as clients and through a real heart connection grew into dear friends, with just enough seriously challenging moments in life to make me sincerely appreciate the good times. I offer Infinite Love & Gratitude (a nod of honor to Dr Darren Weissman) to all of life for the rich lessons and experiences and to every relationship, no matter how dysfunctional or functional, I give thanks. It could be YOU, the person reading this blog, who helped me grow into the person I have become. Louise Hay, Colette Baron-Reid, Rev & Mrs Keith Glover, Marion Ward, Peggy & Bob Darling, Diantha & Bill Harris, Susan Page-Tillett, Dr Renee Garrick, Christine Mungo, Mike Booth, Karyn & Steve Mitchell, Hank, Paulette, Steven, Joelle, all my friends at the island (you know the place!), Jody Hallahan, Berta & Jonathan, Bernie, Teagan, Barry, Frank, Fred, Linda, America, Tricia....the list goes on and on. With every exchange, every encounter, lives were changed because of you. IF this is it, then there you have it..,but if not, then I'll see you soon and we can create new memories:)) Now go have yourself a great day-you deserve it! All the best--Kay ...by the way, is the sun ever going to come out again??? Enough with the rain already. russellgroup1@yahoo.com


Buckling Under The Burden?

If you are having trouble making ends meet and you are getting behind on your mortgage payment you are in good company with lots of other good people. This is not the time for shame or fear, but instead a time for intelligent action. Before getting too far behind or even better yet, at the first signs of trouble, you need to learn your options. What if there was a way to get out from under the burden, ease the fear of losing your house? Would you want to know about it? With my extensive background and experience I have had the opportunity to assist many such people find their way out. It can mean different solutions for different people. I am Kay Russell, a real estate broker, with both a head and a heart. Let me know if you feel you might benefit from my insight on how to help move you to the other side of your current situation. russellgroup1@yahoo.com. THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL AND IT IS NOT NECESSARILY A TRAIN! http://krussell.illinoishomezone.com


Friday, May 13, 2011

Case-Shiller Index

The Case-Shiller Index continues to be a tremendous help in figuring out property values, as well as future trends. We are able to look back in history and see the reliability of their past forecasting as well as in recent times. It may not show numbers we like or would wish for, but the truth is the truth. As you read this, if you are wondering where your home's value is today in the grand scheme of things, just get in touch with me telling me the date you bought your house, how much you paid, and tell me your address, then I am able to see if through the Case-Shiller Valuation Model offered by my company, at Keller Williams Fox Valley Realty in St Charles, Illinois, I am able to give you a good idea of where you are at & where you are headed. Send me an email through my website if you want more details.
Kay Russell's Website

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Happy Mother's Day

Every day should be Mother's Day...sending out love and gratitude to everyone who has helped make someone's life a bit better through being a good mother. My mom was a great woman. She was smart, she taught school for 37 years, she loved and touched the lives of over a thousand kids, her sense of humor was classic, she was strict but loving and taught me the difference between right and wrong, she was far ahead of the "pay it forward" concept, though widowed when young (I was just 6) she kept it together doing such a great job I never knew we had to budget and "get by", we had vacations every summer with family in a nearby state, our home was paid for, and I never considered having more than one bathroom in a house. My mom taught me to love people even when they weren't lovable and she always said the only time it was ok to steal was to steal away from bad company. If someone treated her in a mean way she would simply say "Oh well, it will just take less of them to do me" meaning she would step away from negative people and keep company with positive, nice acting people. She always loved teaching, she mourned the infant son she lost, she never recovered from the heartbreak of losing my dad to cancer at such a young age and she ached from that loss of her one true love. At her wake a tall, handsome police officer in uniform came up to me to pay his respects. I saw his name badge and remembered that name from when I was a child. His name was spoken with frustration and emphasis many times in our home when he was a real rabble rouser in my Mom's 4th grade class. Now here stood this big tall officer of the law before me with tears in his eyes as he said, "Your mom is the reason I turned my life around and became who I am today." I never fully appreciated my mom until she was gone unfortunately. Nobody could push my buttons the way she could. My mom was an artist, a real artist but also an artist in living life. I am grateful she taught me how to be happy and positive even when there seems to be evidence there is no reason to feel optimistic. Her faith was powerful and she lead by example in a very human way. The gifts from my mother keep on giving. Thanks, Mom:)

Paradise for People & Horses

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You should see the house and barn that go with this hammock! talk about the ultimate place to curl up under the shade trees, listen to the sounds of nature, maybe even take a nap. Then, go inside in through your walk out lower level, pause for cool refreshment at the bar, then head on upstairs into the rest of your 5,000 sq ft gorgeous home. Enjoy every amenity. Feel the ease of life on this private, peaceful wooded lane. Only minutes from the Metra, shopping, some of the best schools in the country, yet the feel of being out and away where life can breathe easier. To discover what life can be for you in this equestrian paradise, send me an email russellgroup1@yahoo.com, visit my website GoRussellRealtor.com or krussell.illinoishomezone.com. If you could afford the former price of $1,200,000 then the new price of $999,900 will thrill you. I can't believe the value this property and this setting offers. An extraordinary property for the person with extraordinary taste.Want to view a video of this property? (Have your sound on if you wish) Now click here:
http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=bfc390e59cfd928ed58c6e&skin_id=1011&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url