Narda (Nardita) Crespo\’s Blog

A Joyful and Painful Day
 
Now that I am finally gathering my thoughts for the day, before my nightly praying time, I decided to sit in front of my bedroom laptop to jot down these thoughts.   It was a day of intense emotions for me, it was a joyful day and  a painful day as well.
 
Sadly, today I joined my friend and client Faryal Raki in the funeral/visitation of her father, Mr. Sukhdev Singh, which took place  at the Countryside Funeral Home in Barlett, Illinois. As I was driving to the service my friends and clients Richard and Sharon Gilbert gave me the happy news of their first grandson’s birth.   You must understand that Richard and Sharon are retirees and finally the joyful time of playing granpa and grandma has arrived! They are obviously elated and I felt so very happy for them!   You could feel the emotion for their blessing in their voice.    
 
I couldn’t help to think of the circle of life, as I went to the flower shop the Green Thumb in Wood Dale to pick up the humble arrangement of flowers for the Singh funeral service.      In God’s infinite wisdom everything happens and is as it should be.   A long life with fruitful families and a wealth of happy days was left behind by Mr. Singh and little Andrew comes into the world boasting of the promise of the future.  We better sell that beautiful home of them soon so they can be full-time grand parents to little Andrew!
 I dropped off my little one to spend sometime with his grandma while I headed to the service.   I hugged mom fiercely and in our own silent way we had the mutual understanding that I get to hug you today dear mom and your grandson gets to cherish you as well but my friend just loss her daddy and her kids just their grandpa…
I entered the funeral home, removed my shoes and covered my hair, as it is required by my friend’s traditions.   I hugged her and simply sat in silence close by to provide the quiet support of a friend during such a sad moment.   Of course, not understanding a word of their language, I focused on praying in mine and soon enough the dreadful moment of closing the service was finally arriving.   Surrounded by over 200 members of his family, friends, and community members Mr. Singh was prayed for, sang to  and remembered by.     It broke my heart to see my friend’s sorrow and to hear her cry for the loss of her father.   The men made no effort to hide their tears and the women wailed in pain for the loss of their loved one.   My friend Faryal was overwhelmed by her sorrow and succumbed; she was taken to the hospital in an ambulance…I pray she will be fine and that God will provide to she and her family the strength to overcome their loss.    
 
Later  in the day I spoke to my new client, and hopefully new friend, Ms. Felicia Gibson about her first-time home buying dreams.   It was exhilarating to feel in her voice  the happy anticipation of good days to come as she begins the process of finding her new home in Elgin, Illinois.   A hard working mother of two teenager boys, Felicia was just referred to me two days ago.  
 
On the way back home from the funeral service I stopped by the Mares family home.   I helped them close on their beautiful home several weeks ago, as first-time home buyers, in Elgin.   They are the most humble and beautiful family I’ve ever had the pleasure of  working for! Parents to a little boy and a beautiful daughter, the whole family comes running to give me hugs and kisses and we sit down to share the day.  
 
Finally home with my family we talk about the day’s events and once again how the circle of life continues endlessly.   The sorrow of my friend Faryal over the loss of her dad; the joy of my clients the Gilbert’s over the birth of their first grandson; the comfort that a good friendship with the Mares brings to me; and the hope of a soon-to-be first-time home buyer, Ms. Gibson as she takes the steps to accomplish her life-long dreams for her family and her…and I can only say, thank you Lord for allowing me to a part of their lives.  
 
At the end of the day we all went to a place each one of us calls home… a place were we feel safe, and comfort, and support and hope.  
 
Blessings,
Nardita
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Please visit our website at www.TopNotchRealtyTeam.com to Instantly Search for thousands of properties in the Multiple Listing Service of Northern Illinois. Contact Nardita directly for all your referrals needs within the Illinois counties of Kane, Lake, McHenry, DuPage, Will, and Cook at (312)607-0093 (mobile) or (847) 381-9500 (office) or by email at nardita@kw.com.  Our headquarters office is located at 600 Hart Rd., Barrington, IL 60010.
   

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to share the fantastic summary that my Productivity Coach Cindy Caulfield put together regarding yesterday™s Tony DiCello seminar. I tell you guys that, as usual, when you hear Tony it is such a learning experience!   I am sure that if you choose at least two of the items below as your goal for the next 90-days you will see your business grow exponentially! For more information regarding the event and how we can apply these tips in our life, please call me and I’ll connect you with my Productivity Coach and/or Team Leader.     I also want to thank Cassie Hillinger, our Team Leader for yet another year of hardwork providing top leadership to the Keller Williams Success Realty market center in Barrington, Illinois.   Cassie is an exceptional human being and strives on a daily basis to bring to our market center top quality training, educational seminars, and above all, maintaining  the most positive work environment I have ever worked in in my 20+ years of being a professional in the workforce. Thank you Lady Cassie! ;0)Have a safe and happy holiday!

The mass negative influence of the media keeps raving about the housing industry being in its worse slump in 16 years has both sellers and buyers spooked.   Sales of existing homes fell 8% in September 2007, the largest decline since 1999.   The weakness in sales translated into further pressure on prices (according to NAR).   According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the medium price (the point at which half the homes sold for more and half for less), fell to $211,700 in September 2007, down by 4.2% from the sales price one year ago. However, according to October™s article by Real trends (Volume XVI, Number 10, October 2007 (NAR) it is more a matter of perception.   Sales are still happening, buyers are still buying, and investors continue to benefit from savvy investment opportunities.   The current market conditions are more a matter of perception than the current state of affairs.

 For a Seller the current conditions of the market simply mean that you must be working with a professional real estate expert such as a Realtor.   Local Realtors have an in-depth understanding of the competition in your local market and follow changes in prices and listings sold for those properties that are comparable to yours on a regular basis; thus providing you as a Seller the opportunity to ensure that your house is priced at fair market value.   Pricing your house at fair market value will enhance the probability of your house selling faster and with less hassle and stress to you.      

For a Buyer, understanding the current market conditions is equally important.   Since there is so much completion on the market, so many houses on inventory at any given local area, Buyers need to understand what the fair market value for a particular home is.   A Buyer can not possible assess what the fair market value of a particular property is based on the current listing price of properties in the area because many of those properties maybe grossly overpriced.   Working with a professional Realtor will provide you as a Buyer with the tools necessary to make an informed decision.   You should find your dream home without over paying for it.

Regardless of the current market conditions, the good news is that there is always a market.   Life is constantly evolving for us, and our needs are therefore changing as well.   Whether we are moving into retirement; about to graduate from college and move into the corporate business world; or enjoying the blessing of our first child, we all have the need for a home.   And as we all know, there is no better place on earth, than  home!

Visit my website at www.nardita.com or www.TopNotchRealtyTeam.com.   Email me at Nardita@kw.com

Sincerely, Nardita                                         Call us today for a professional consultation or to service your valuable referrals!

Narda Crespo, Realtor; Founder & CEO of theTop Notch Realty Team

Website: www.nardita.com E-mail: Nardita@kw.com

Office: 847.381.9500                         Direct: 312.607.0093       Fax: 847.382.0888

Welcome to Narda (Nardita) Crespo’s Blog! This blog will provide you with valuable information, tips, and general insight into the real estate market in Barrington.