Christkindlmarket 2011

Christkindlmarket 2011 is located at the intersection of Washington and Dearborn.

Christkindlmarket (Kringle Market) 2011 is open Nov 23-Dec 24, 2011;
Sun-Thur 11am–8pm; Fri-Sat 11am 9pm;
(Thanksgiving & Christmas Eve: 11am-4pm).

Admission is Free.

For the 16th year in a row, Daley Plaza will be hosting Chicago Christkindlmarket 2011 (aka Kringle Market), a traditional German Christmas Market, from November 23rd to December 24th, 2011. Christkindlmarket 2011 will feature handmade gifts including ornaments, candles, woodcarvings, cuckoo-clocks, European chocolates, beer steins, toys, glass blown items and toys.

Featuring more than 50 vendors, Chicago Christkindlmarket 2011 will include both gift and food vendors. Traditional treats include hot cider, hot chocolate and spiced wine – with many German Christmas Market favorites such as bratwurst, schnitzel, strudel, potato pancakes and more. Kringle Market has been a holiday tradition in Chicago for 16 years and is a great experience for anyone wanting to get out in the city during the season.

Christkindlmarket 2011

The Proper Short Sale Application

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We are again honored to have Christopher Reale, Director of Short Sale Operations at Lepizzera and Laprocina Title and Escrow Services, as today’s guest blogger. He is an expert on the short sale process and will share his knowledge with us on a regular basis. – The KCM Crew

In any business, whether it be real estate or other, in order to be successful one must have a systematic approach to their craft. This holds true when putting a short sale transaction together. During our 5 year tenure negotiating short sales, we have found that some Real Estate professionals lack such an approach.

I learned early in my mortgage career that if I submitted a lackluster credit file to my underwriting department I would receive lackluster results. These results included denied files, upset underwriters and a processing department that wanted to throw the file back on my desk faster than I wanted it submitted.  I quickly remedied the situation after a conversation with a very good friend who is a million dollar producer in the financial services industry. He shared with me his systematic approach when handling his clients. He did not sway from this system. He applied the approach to every client that he spoke to. He did the work up front, asking every detailed question imaginable on his fact finding sheet. He left no stone unturned. Though sometimes monotonous in nature, this systematic approach allowed him to implement a solid financial plan for his clients and provide the bridge to a solid financial future.

I quickly adopted a similar approach with my clients. I was able to come up with a systematic approach to my origination method that was both trackable and attainable. I left no stone unturned when speaking to my clients. I made sure I over documented the credit file and provided a complete and accurate credit profile to my underwriting department for every client I had the pleasure of writing a loan for. The results were amazing. I was pushing files through underwriting with transaction speeds never seen before and I was making allies doing so. When the processing and underwriting departments received a file from me, they knew it would only have to be touched one time and a conditional approval would be granted. They actually wanted to receive files from me rather than wanting to throw them back on my desk.  Success!

I share this information because the short sale application process is very similar to the loan origination process.

However, if you take a shot gun approach rather than a targeted systematic approach to the process, you will set yourself up for failure.  Below are the documents one must attain to make sure the short selling bank does not throw the file back on your desk when submitting the file for short sale approval:

Financial Information

• Tax information
• Two most recent 1040′s
• Two most recent W2′s
• 60 days of current bank statements
• 30 days of current pay stubs or commission check stubs
• If self employed-pay stubs or YTD profit and loss statement
• Monthly budget/financial statement signed and dated same day as P&S

Hardship information

• Hardship letter dated signed same day as purchase contract
• Any docs supporting the actual hardship
• Medical bills
• Child support or alimony payment information. Divorce decree or child support order

Mortgage & Other Relevant Property Information

• 1st Mortgage statement
• 2nd Mortgage statement if applicable
• Recent Real Estate tax bills
• Recent condo association bills if applicable
• Any recent water or sewer bills

Other Pertinent Documentation

• Authorization form
• Short sale disclosure
• Waiver of conflict if representing the buyer
• 3 recent comps
• Listing agreement
• Offer/P&S
• Listing history
• Buyer proof of funds letter or Pre Approval letter

It is important to understand that the above documents are required for almost every short selling bank. There are also bank specific forms that, in most cases, must accompany the above. You may contact your negotiator or the bank directly to obtain the bank specific documents. However, if you make an attempt to structure a document checklist with the above documents and systematically approach every short sale file with the idea of fulfilling that checklist, you will soon see that the short sale process will be one which will prove to be lucrative. The end result will be a happy buyer, seller, production team and, of course, bank negotiator. After all, a systematic approach to the short sale process will alleviate the negotiator throwing the file back on your desk for deficient information. In fact, they will be eagerly awaiting the next file with your name on it!

So…What exactly is the Medical Mart???

About Cleveland MMCC

Designed to bring buyers and sellers together, Cleveland Medical Mart & Convention Center (Cleveland MMCC) is the world’s only facility targeted specifically to the medical and healthcare industries.

Be a part of the first comprehensive marketplace to combine permanent showrooms, a Class-A exhibition hall and state-of-the-art conference facilities tailored to the needs of the medical marketplace.

The one million square foot facility is expected to open in 2013.

Medical Mart

The 235,000 square foot Medical Mart will house permanent showrooms for major medical manufacturers and service providers. Showrooms focused on cardiology, surgery, OBGYN, imaging, orthopedics, sterilization, healthcare furnishings, patient care, healthcare IT and medical devices will fill the Medical Mart, paving the way for the newest generation of innovation and distribution in the healthcare sector. 

Trade Show Facility

Cleveland MMCC will be designed with approximately 230,000 square feet of high-quality exhibit space, featuring high ceilings and industry-standard column spacing. Suited to the needs of medical trade shows and conventions, the facility can host simultaneous events and is ideal for events that need to be paired with conferencing capabilities. 

Conference Center

Cleveland MMCC will feature approximately 60,000 square feet of high-tech, flexible meeting rooms of varying sizes to accommodate keynote sessions, seminars and panel discussions, which are the core offering of many medical conferences, meetings and conventions. It will also feature a 30,000 Grand Ballroom offering stunning views of Lake Erie.

Why Cleveland: Proximity to Medical Leadership

An extreme center of excellence in healthcare, Cleveland is home to Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals and MetroHealth Medical Center. Tap into Cleveland’s global leadership in the medical field to increase exposure of your showroom, quality of your audience, relevance of your programming and exposure of your event.

• University Circle is a 15 minute drive from Cleveland MMCC
• Health Line, a new transit corridor, conveniently connects downtown Cleveland to the medical district
• Cleveland’s healthcare institutions are one of the largest customers of medical products in the world, providing your showroom a significant competitive advantage
• Patient-centric care, adopted by Cleveland Clinic and others, encourages innovation and adoption of leading-edge technology – a huge benefit to showrooms featuring the latest in patient care and medical devices
• More than 400 bioscience companies are located in Northeast Ohio, offering you greater access to new life science research
• Cuyahoga County employs more than 120,000 healthcare professionals, including 36,000 at the Cleveland Clinic and 25,000 at University Hospitals, providing you greater traction and potential interaction with influential leaders from top medical associations and administrations

Why An Integrated Market Center: Powerful Combination

Designed to bring buyers and sellers together, Cleveland MMCC is the world’s only facility targeted specifically to the medical and healthcare industries. 

While the facility is a new approach for the healthcare segment, an integrated market center combining permanent showrooms, exhibition halls, and conference facilities has been proven in many other markets and is incredibly powerful and symbiotic. Each component of Cleveland MMCC is more successful by virtue of its proximity to the facility’s other healthcare functions, creating a critical mass of innovation, education and commerce.  

Conventions incorporating temporary exhibit space with permanent showrooms enjoy increased booth sales because smaller and mid-size companies are motivated to exhibit near the critical mass of leadership in the Medical Mart. While traffic to the Medical Mart increases, conventions and conferences also generate greater attendance because visitors want to visit the flagship showrooms of the major manufacturers and industry pioneers during their visit. 

With the ability to conduct business more efficiently, Cleveland MMCC is the new home for healthcare clinicians, suppliers, purchasers, specifiers, service providers and administrators worldwide. 

 

Home and Garden Expo

The annual Home and Garden Expo is up and running at Cleveland’s IX center.

Event takes place from February 5th-13th. Lots to see and experience.

What’s going on?  Why should you go?  We are here to tell you…

The Idea Home – Here, you will be able to tour a state of the art 3350 square foot home that will impress you at every turn. In addition to its many interesting design features, there are some “green” elements as well such as a solar-powered air-conditioner and flat green roof. The entire home will be powered by a giant wind turbine.

The outdoor of this incredible home will be packed with features that are not to be missed,  including a rock wall, in-ground pool, and half-court basketball court.

Even though this is a $1,000,000 home, there will be some great ideas here that everyone should be able to use in their own home.

New Man Cave – This is where I will be spending most of my time. There will be a 1000 square foot basement that is every man’s dream.  Naturally, there will be a home theater room, plus, there is a game room, bar, and home office. There will also be a cool outdoor area complete with a fountain and fire pit.  For the woman who attend this year’s show and cannot seem to find their spouse, he’ll probably be hanging out at this ultimate man cave.

 

Cooking Stage – Since the kitchen often brings everyone together, there will be several cooking demonstrations taking place on the Cooking Stage every day. This feature of the Great Big Home and Garden Expo is sure to be a hit as attendees will get a chance see some great local chefs in action and will learn some tips that they can use in their own kitchen. There will be specific lessons during the evening sessions on how to prepare easy meals.

 

Innovation Avenue – The hottest products of 2011 will be on display. Learn about innovative new products and trends in design.

There will also be plenty of food and local vendors on hand. This promises to be an event not to be missed with fun for the entire family, so please plan on attending. Mention the promo code BLOG and receive $1 off, courtesy of the Great Big Home And Garden Expo.

Ticket Information can be found at the official Home and Garden Expo website.

Lakewood | Rocky River Housing Statistics

Lakewood  |  Rocky River

Beautiful Homes, this lakeside community has a population of Lakewood – Nicknamed the City of 50,251 and surprisingly, has the highest density of any city in Ohio (roughly comparable to the density of Washington, DC). A new public library and rebuilt schools have added to a diverse mix of local retail.

• Single family homes currently on the market: 200
• In 2010, there were 321 homes sold.
• The average sales price was $127,304.
• That is $75 per square foot.
• In 2009, there were 357 homes sold.
• The average sales price was $122,258.
• That is $74 per square foot.

Things are looking up in Lakewood!

Rocky River – First settled in 1810, this upscale Westside community was originally called Granger City, then Riverbank, then Rockport, then Rocky River Hamlet. Residents today often refer to the city as simply, River. The population is 19,231.

• Single family homes currently on the market: 97
• In 2010, there were 171 homes sold.
• The average sales price was $245,241.
• That is $113 per square foot.
• In 2009, there were 185 homes sold.
• The average sales price was $234,639.
• That is $115 per square foot.

Old River Road is a popular Rocky River destination with quaint shops & restaurants.

Today’s Real Estate SnapShot.

Beachwood, | Pepper Pike | Shaker Heights

Three destination suburbs…especially for buyers moving from out of town. Pepper Pike is a city of about 6,000

64 single family homes currently listed for sale with residential brokerages.

• 80 homes sold in 2010.
• Average sale price of $456,574
• $120  a square foot.
• 71 single-family homes sold in 2009.
• Average sale price of $375,224
• $121 a square foot.

With a population of just over 11,000, Beachwood is shopping central with Beachwood Place, Legacy Village and close proximity to Eton Collection.

There are 44 single family homes for sale as of today in Beachwood.

• 79 homes sold in 2010 and the
• Average sale price was $268,975
• $110 a square foot.
• 90 homes sold in 2009
• Average sale price of $262,643
• $106 a square foot.

Shaker Heights is a larger community with more homes sold annually.  Population is approximately 30,000.  Great housing stock featuring English split timber tudors, georgian, greek revival and many other European influenced architecture.   Ridiculously convenient to  the Shaker Rapid Line, one of the oldest commuter rail systems in the Country.

185 single family homes currently listed.

• 2010 there were 301 homes sold.
• Average sale price of $260,198.
• Price per square foot was $91.
• In 2009, 324 homes sold with an
• Average sale price of $219,198
• $89 a square foot.

That is all of the news that is fit to print today.  Next time: Rocky River & Lakewood.



Cleveland’s West Side Market Flash Mob

Cleveland loving Cleveland. The West Side Market provides Cleveland one of its many bragging rights. Take a look and you will see why! Happy Holidays.

Cleveland is Moving.

Now this is what I am talking about.

Here is a terrific video by the Downtown Cleveland Alliance. Now we need to get to work on budling the supporting and surrounding areas to give this legs!

The other north shore.

 

Keller Williams | Cleveland

I know that no one has lost too much sleep as to if and when I would finally make the move back to Cleveland after 17 wonderful years in Chicago.  I have been talking it about it for so long that family, friends, colleagues and clients have become immune to my Ohio ravings.  As a native Clevelander, I have always missed northeastern Ohio and the lifestyle it affords on so many levels.  The culture, architecture, affordability and proximity to the lake are just a few of the amenities Cleveland has to boast.  I am going to brag about this town and I am going to sell this town.  Literally! 

I recently joined Keller Williiams | Chicago following 9 successful years with Koenig & Strey | Lincoln Park.  As the first move in a bigger plan, I formed the Chicago Property Marketing Group with two colleagues in order to start the transition of my Chicago clients and existing business.  CPMG was formed, in part to utilize the acronym to launch the Cleveland Property Marketing Group.  I am thrilled to be part of a terrific Keller Williams market center in Cleveland.  Based in the east side, Beachwood office, I will also have the luxury of the downtown KW business center within walking distance of my Historic Ohio City home. KW affiliations in both cite allows my clients the benefits of consistent business acumen, marketing strategies and administrative organization.

I will be back and forth between Chicago and Cleveland quite a bit in the next few months as I transition my Chicago business to my team and start to build a strong Cleveland base.   While the markets are very different, client service and focused business development are the same across the board. 

Chicago is a world-class city.  Everyone knows it because Chicago does an outstanding job at promoting itself as such…with good cause.   Cleveland is also a world-class city.  I live here. I love it here.  My job, obligation and passion are to promote what we have to offer.  Chicago boasts its north shore. Cleveland IS the north shore. Come for a visit.  Stay for a lifetime.

If you are buying or selling in Chicago…I can help.

If you are buying or selling in Cleveland…I can help.

Visit me frequently at www.keithgoad.com.   Look for the changes, updates and growth. 

Your home. Your life. Think outside the box.

Ohio City’s Hillbilly House

I own a house in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood.  A Historic neighborhood of restored Victorian cottages, multi-gabled Queen Anne homes, Second Empire tributes and a mix of turn-of-the-century European influenced styles. All within close proximity to downtown Cleveland and the lakefront.  This melting pot of architectural styles  also boasts a diversity of cultures, religions, and socioeconomic demographics.  Chief amongst them,  hillbillies. Lots of them.   Oh, we have Puerto Ricans, Mexicans, homeless, African-Americans and poor white trash but the hillbillies are my peeps. That is why I am putting pen to paper.

I am a Hillbilly, a hill jack, hayseed, hick .      I admit it and I own it.  It has taken a long time to accept and embrace my heritage.     Now that I have come out of the rube closet, I am going to put it out there and provide some insight and maybe a little bit of entertainment for those of you that stumble upon this. Is there a “we’re hick and we’re slick” support group?  If not, I will climb that hill next.

By definition, a journey is traveling from one place to another – usually taking a long trip, Welcome to mine.   I will start with the story of a house. A house divided amongst itself.  Literally and figuratively.   A house that should have been torn down years and years ago…not purchased with the romantic notion of restoring it to a quaint and charming urban Victorian cottage.  Yet that is exactly what I did and, at the time, it truly seemed like a good idea. I wish I had thought to start this therapy session (some might call it a blog) years ago and perhaps by chronicling this journey via the written word, I could have avoided the hairpin turns in the road, the rolling storm clouds and plagues of locust.  Perhaps made better decisions.  Who am I trying to kid?  Making lousy decisions is like air and water to me.  I can’t live without them.

Much water has passed under ye old bridge in the past five years. The end of a long-term relationship and the rocky road of another.  The death of my mother.  An ongoing tumultuous bond with my brother, theft of my identity (and a large chunk of my checking account) and, along the way, some long needed self-awareness and discovery.  I am getting ahead of myself. While much of this journey has nothing to do with the house, I correlate it and reference it all in blocks of time like “oh, that was the year I had to rip up the yard and replace the entire sewer line,” or “that was when my brother (who was the general contractor) was in jail for smacking his wife around in the back yard”.  Rehabbing a house and the problems that ensue are always good for a laugh…when they’re someone else’s problems. Right?

After 5 nail-bighting, nerve-wracking, bourbon drinking years, I am going to move into this house.  Am I nuts?  I rehabbed the house with the intention of selling it and now I am moving into it. Here’s the rub; I need to rehab the rehab.  Lord deliver me from myself.

I don’t want to give away too much upfront but here is my castle when I acquired it in 2005.

This is where it all started.

This is where the hillbilly thing comes in.  For some reason this house brought familiarity and comfort to me the first time I saw it. Was it a filthy, rotting, dilapidated excuse for a house? Absolutely. Was the idea of managing a total rehab from Chicago,  350 miles away with an sauce-tipping, wife- smacking  general contractor a lousy idea on every level?  Without a doubt. Was the housing market already taking a nose-dive? You bet.  Seemed like the right decision to me.  I couldn’t wait to get started.

As I continue this journey I will provide as much antecedent action and information as possible to illustrate exactly why I was drawn to this house and Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood.

Here's where we are today

I couldn’t launch this without giving you an “after” picture as well.  I couldn’t have y’all thinking I was living in filth and squalor with chickens running around the back yard and a washing machine on the front porch. It is still a work in progress and I will write more about all of that, the neighbors, my family and other laugh inducing, thought-provoking fodder down the line.

Stay tuned for more and I will toggle back and forth between what is going on with this house and all things hillbilly.