March 15, 2011 in Blog by admin

Opportunity Awaits at Ashcroft Place in Oswego IL

If you have wanted to live in a small town than Oswego, IL should be on your list. With an actual downtown and busy shopping corridors surrounding this former farming community you will find a variety of homes to choose from. Whether your preferance is a 1 bedroom condo or a 20 acre farmette we have those and everything in between. Take a look at 118 Linden Drive and come on home to Oswego!

This short sale opportunity awaits the smart buyer. Make a reasonable offer and you can be in the home before summer is over.

March 15, 2011 in Blog by admin

Tuscany In Oswego IL Gets an A+

After running around all day I remembered I had not taken anything out to thaw for dinner and decided to try out the new restaurant that opened up a couple of weeks ago on Route 71 in Oswego, IL past the high school.  .

It was early on a Monday evening and still light since we had just changed to daylight saving time.  As I walked in and waited to be seated I took in the warm decor that immediately put you at ease.  The large bar area is immeidately in front of you as you walk in with dining areas to the right and left.

I was seated and asked to speak to the owner to get permission to take pictures and explain why I was there besides just having dinner.  Jimmy was great!  He was thrilled that I was taking time to come by and check his restaurant out.  We chatted a bit and then he was off to greet the next couple.

As I waited and perused the menu I was delighted to see a lot of my favorites were listed.  You will not be disappointed at this menu – from daily specials to lunch menu the choices are varied.  The prices are reasonable and the portions are large.  Bring a big appetite.

I spoke to a couple that had just finished and introduced myself to Bill and Pat Forelich from Boulder Hill a subdivision in Oswego/Montgomery.  Pat is a retired teacher and her son had given them a gift certificate for her birthday.  They loved the food and ambience and will definitely come back.  They believe in “buying local” and are glad that they have an alternative to franchise Italian food in the Oswego area.

After speaking with Pat & Bill a bit more I returned to my table to eat the thick Italian bread with olive oil and Parmesan cheese.  The bread was so good I could just eat the bread and make a dinner of it!  My order of stuffed mushroom came and it was huge (especially for one person).  It was perfect!  I highly recommend it. 

While waiting for my main entree I stopped at a table where a wonderful family was waiting for their order.  Both parents are teachers in the area and gave the food so far an A!  The kids were really enjoying their meals and were happy to have their picture taken!  Thanks to this Montgomery family for making the trip to Oswego!

The rest of my order arrived and the lasagna al fina was wonderful.  The portion was so large I had to ask for a carryout container so I can have it tomorroww!  Besides, I needed to leave room for dessert.  The waitress came back with the dessert tray with a variety of wonderful desserts.  My favorite is tiramiso and I was not let down.  It was moist and full of flavor along with the cup of hot coffee to balance out the sweetness.

Eating out alone is always an adventure but at Tuscany I felt like a part of the family.  Everyone was friendly from the owner, Jimmy to the waitstaff but especially the customers were wonderful.  To all those that took some time to talk to me and share their experience I thank you!

To my fellow residents in Oswego and surrounding communities stop by and enjoy a wonderful relaxing Italian dinner with family and friends.  I give Tuscany an A+!

Tuscany is located at 4092 Rt. 71, Oswego, IL.  You can call them at 630-551-1900.  Tell  Jimmy or Qamil Ballazhi the two brothers that own Tuscany that  Evelyn sent you and enjoy your dining experience

March 11, 2011 in Blog by admin

Pet Peeves When Showing Homes in Chicago’s Suburbs

Setting up showings has definitely become easier.  My MLS in the Chicagoland area  has a tool which we can set-up to automate the showing process.  For certain listings its perfect.  I am a one woman office so I have agents call my cell phone since I know I can get to them fairly fast.  If you need a one day code because you don’t have the same lockbox access that I have please indicate that in your message request.  If you don’t I am going to assume you have a Sentrilock keycard.

What bothers me is these small things when I set up showings on other agents listing.

1.  Call listing office – No problem as long as someone is there to answer and/or can find the listing in their system.

     Sometimes the desk person can’t find the listing or doesn’t understand the showing instructions.

2.  If you are using one of the many showing companies that handle your appointments for your listing please  put the phone number on the instructions!  I don’t need to go and search for the number because believe it  or not, I don’t know all the different companies off the top of my head.

3.  Speaking of showing companies…OK…why do you think I am calling you?  To get the latest lotto numbers?      Save us all some time and assume I am calling to set up a showing.  Ask for the address, time and my identifiying information.  Oh, and please when you answer the phone don’t have food in your mouth or have a side conversation with someone else.  I just want to make the appointment and move on to the next one.  Know how to read the showing instructions and don’t ask me  what they mean.

    If you are an agent that uses these services…do you like being put on hold because volume is high?  I don’t enjoy having to wait because they don’t have sufficient staff.  One of the reasons why I don’t use them.  Perhaps when I have 30 or more l;istings I may think differently.

4.  If the lockbox is not on the door….please indicate where it is.  When placing the lockbox in a unusual place

Footstool

     take into consideration whether another agent can reach it if they are not 6 feet tall. 

How High Can You Go?

I had to have one of my clients practically lift me up to reach a lockbox that was on a high door jamb. Don’t put it so low that my ability to get back up is hindered.  The median age of agents is in the 50′s and some of us don’t spring back as easily as we used to, so be kind to us.

5.  Love the sentrilock boxes – really dislike the combo boxes…especially as they age…not that easy to do the gym locker combo…and if you can’t take the time to figure out which code is on your lockbox…and have to give me 2…and neither will work…don’t expect me to call again and ask for another code.

Hopefully these small things will not prevent me from looking at your listing, but I know I would be happier if I didn’t have to come across them as often as I do.

Happy showings to all and to all a great spring selling season!