With all the articles about the "mortgage mess" please make sure that your lender has financing to close your loan.

The mortgage industry has lost several large lenders in the past few months; several relocation companies have gone under or filed for bankrucpty; title companies have closed their offices; appraisers have tighter requirements and underwriters have become demanding. Many buyers have had to find new viable lenders to close on their purchases.

Touch base with local banks or credit unions as they have a base of deposits to lend against. Please do NOT use an online lender. I've had buyers who were refused because these companies can only do very easy loans. Those buyers, then went to a real lender with a physical presence in our area. And, the days of 'no-money down' are gone. You will need at least 3% of purchase price.

The good news for buyers: More homes on the market! And, prices have come down, and many sellers are more realistic and anxious to work with buyers. If the purchase price is under $500,000 expect about a 96% list-to-sell ratio; if over $500,000 then generally the list-to-sell ratio is 94%. Our FHA limit was increased to $410,000; our conventional limit is still $417,000. Mortgages that are higher (over $417,000), called Jumbo loans, are more expensive.

If you're thinking about buying your first home, a townhome, perhaps; or moving into a larger, newer, upscale manse; or perhaps downsizing to a smaller, cozy property, such as a condo; or if you're relocating to the Naperville area for our great schools and neighborhoods, contact me.

I am a buyer's agent, which means that I represent you in the transaction. My fees, generally, are paid by the seller.

Where do you start? Click on the Search MLS button to the left. Fill out the form and you're on your way. And, if you put in a fake email address, you'll get nothing!

Then, you'll want to talk to at least one professional loan officer and ask them to fill out 'page 11.' Why? To know what your price range is. To know what you can afford. And to get approved for your loan. Many banks, relocation companies and sellers are requiring a complete form with financial information before they sign the contract.

Once we know your price range, we can consider these DuPage County areas (Naperville, Lisle, Aurora, and Woodridge) or fast growing Will County places (Aurora, Plainfield and Romeoville) where much of the new construction is being built. Or even the fastest growing county in the country: Kendall.

We can also consider different styles of homes (condo, townhome, single-family home). And I can also e-mail you picture listings every day, of available properties, along with helpful information.

Or, you can set up your own search. Just click on: MLS Search. After you've received your pass code approval, and you've looked at the listings and picked out several that you like, we can go view the properties. Easy? Yes. Especially if you follow my recommendations. There are more recommendations and suggestions in my Blog: http://www.moveuptonaperville.blogspot.com

I guarantee that you'll have an experience without any weight gain or grey hair and you can become one of my happy clients!

===================================================

Eileen's Naperville Single Family March 21, 2008 statistics

Naperville Single Family Stats As of 3/21/2008:

Number of Active listings: 1149

Average list price: $689,558

Average days on market: 201

The breakdown:

There are 248 3 bedroom homes on the market; average price: $387,482. Market time: 149 days

There are 724 4 bedroom homes on the market; average price: $691,349. Market time: 208 days

There are 155 5+ bedroom homes on the market; average price: $1,207,616. Market time: 252 days

There have been 308 single family homes that have sold in the past six months. That's 48% of the market, with an average list-to-sell ratio of 94% (because we have so many higher priced homes). More unsold, vacant homes on the market. More bank or relocation owned homes. Days on market much longer and prices have also come down especially in the higher price ranges.

Stats courtesy of the Northern Illinois Multiple Listing Service.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Highest Priced Listing: $3,300,000

Lowest Priced Listing: $234,900

===============================================

MY EXPERIENCE

BROKER since 1982

Certified Residential Specialist-1987

Accredited Buyer Representative-1998

E-PRO Designation-2005

Business Coaching with JustListed.com-2004-2006

Business Coaching with the Mike Ferry Organization through weekly consultations, seminars and workshops several times a year-1991-2003

Founding President of DuPage Women's Council of Realtors-1988

Grievance Committee-Realtors Association of the Western Suburbs, 1994-1998

Education Committee-Realtors Association of the Western Suburbs, 1984-1991

Chair, Strategic Planning and Budgeting, RAWS, 1990-1991

REALTY EXECUTIVES-Silver Club-2003

REALTY EXECUTIVES-Circle of Excellence-1997-2003

REALTY EXECUTIVES-Chairman's Award 1997

RE/MAX HALL OF FAME-1990

Illinois Association of Realtors Life Time Achievement, 5 Million Dollar (Volume) Club

MY SPECIALTIES

Covering South/Southwest DuPage County, Illinois.

Working well with scared first-time buyers.

Solving move-up buyers and sellers problems.

Assisting relocation buyers

Working efficiently so your time is not wasted.

Using my negotiating skills and experience for your benefit.

MY FAMILY

We've lived in Southern DuPage County since 1975; and grew up in Chicago.

Former High School English Teacher-MA-DePaul University; BA-University of Illinois.

Two lovely daughters. One handsome husband, 2 finicky cats; and a large garden.

We enjoy traveling; going to concerts at the MAC in Glen Ellyn, and Ravinia; visiting the Art Institute and the Field Museum; visiting the nearby Morton Arboretum in Lisle; and watching the Sox and 'da bears' and 'da bulls' win!

================================================== Just in! A testimonial from a happy client!

"I just wanted to drop you a note thanking you for your superb job in representing us as a buyers agent in Naperville.

There was so much to get done and even more to go wrong in our quick 6 week move from Los Angeles to Naperville, IL. I truly believe that getting my kids in their new school and the final close on our home in Hobson Village on 9/15 would not have happened if it wasn't for your attention to detail, diligence almost to a fault and expertise in this market and of course working with relo buyers/sellers.

In case you would like to share this with anyone, please allow me to be more specific.

I now believe finding you was just dumb luck meaning there were lots of other agents using the internet as first means of communication with prospective buyers but I loved how informative your website was from both a practical and personal/community level.

I don't know what you are using that is different but I found your property search mechanism the most flexible and informative than any other agent or commerce site. This was so extremely important as we were going to have only 4 days to find and decide on a home. Much of the screening we did was through this tool.

I remember the first time we spoke. I had been looking for properties for about a week on your site when you called me. No hard sell. Told you I was about 30 days out. You allowed me to use your site free and easy until I was ready.

When the time came, you were available and made appointments for us to see most of the homes I had screened for. Your knowledge of the area, builders and schools helped us focus in on a particular community.

Once the contract was written I was even more impressed with how much you stayed on us to get what needed to be done in a timely matter. We unfortunately ran into a couple of issues, and there was a point where I really thought the deal wasn't going to happened. What we most appreciated was your ability to come up with multiple ways of working around/through some of our issues.

Being a marketing professional and one that focuses on the consumer experience, I'm the first to write to a business establishment regarding my consumer experience. So it is with deep pleasure I write this note. Please allow me to be a professional reference for anyone considering the purchase of a new home in Naperville and especially anyone coming into the market from out of state.

My sincerest gratitude and appreciation,

Karen Goulet and Family"

September, 2006

================================================== Congratulations on winning the May, 2006 HouseValues Agent of the Month award!

Congratulations! This is a well deserved award for you!

I knew you were in the running but I let the team pick without me in the room (I didn't want to force them to pick you :>). I didn't even influence the voting for you to win this.

Scott Smith Vice President, Customer Success

www.housevaluesinc.com

E: scotts@housevalues.com

HouseValues - Helping Real Estate Professionals Succeed NASDAQ: SOLD

================================================== CLIENT COMMENTS

We had our house in Warrenville on the market MONTHS earlier than we had planned to move out-of-state, never dreaming it wouldn't have sold before we left...but it didn't.

Our "agent" did no more than list our home on the MLS, thinking his job was done.

When our contract with this realtor expired we were referred to Eileen Landau through mutual friends. I had never met Eileen, yet the first time I spoke with her on the phone I felt we were old friends.

Even though she had to present us with some tough realities, she did so in a kind, concerned and caring manner. Eileen went to our house before it went back on the market, did a detailed inspection and told us EXACTLY what needed to be done for the house to sell.

As soon as our house was listed with Eileen the showings tripled what they had been in the past. She also kept us updated DAILY via phone or e-mail with specifics of what was going on.

Guess what? Our house sold in less than a month from the time we relisted it. Eileen Landau is truly gifted at what she does, and is a lovely person as well (and we still have yet to meet her in person!!!)

Matt & Kathy Rood

Tucson, AZ

"In my years of corporate structure and upword mobility, I have had the opportunity to move 8 times. This means I've sold 8 homes, bought 8 homes, which again means, I've dealt with 16 Realtors.

I have just finished my 8th sale. I must say, of all my dealings buying or selling, this was the most professional transaction I've gone through. Mrs. Eileen Landau is to be complemented on a job, more than well done.

I left my home in the hands of my wife and with Eileen's expert guidance, excellent advice and professional skills, they sold the house in such a way, that both the buyer and seller were delighted. I had nothing to do buy sign a contract and smile.

Moving from one area to another, accepting new responsibilities is a tramatic experience. When someone such as Eileen, takes it upon herself, to do so much, to make things so easy and to do them so well, it is greatly appreciated. Believe me, our tramatic experience is more than one trama less.

You can certainly be proud of a representative like Eileen Landau!

Sincerely yours,"

Donald L. Runyan

National Sales Manager

"Eileen Landau has represented our family in two house sales and one home purchase. Without a doubt Eileen is the best Real Estate Agent we have ever dealt with.

Eileen is knowledgeable in dealing with a home sale. She inspects your home with you and helps strategize how to improve the home so you might sell it in a more timely fashion.

Eileen only took us to homes within our budget, as we specifically requested. She communicated with us every day either by phone, in person or via email informing us of all the homes on the market. She also took us to the homes we requested viewings for as soon as possible and often the same day.

Most importantly, Eileen's strength is in her knowledge of the legal parameters of real estate. Having full knowledge of the law and dealing with real estate lawyers regularly has made her invaluable to the consumer. More so than the average real estate agent.

We would highly recommend Eileen as a real estate agent. Her ability to represent a seller or buyer's best interest is unquestionable. Certainly Eileen would represent your needs in the most positive way - we would refer her to you wholeheartedly."

Shawna and Luis Coronado, Warrenville

"My wife Roxana and I would like to let you know about all the hard work that Eileen Landau put in to sell our townhouse in Naperville.

I have known Eileen for years and she was our agent when we purchased our townhouse in 1997. Eileen was also my parent's agent when they sold their home in Woodridge.

Eileen took the time to sit down with us and explain the situation. She also performed a detailed inspection of the townhouse and was brutally honest regarding the improvements that had to occur before the property could be placed on the market.

After the house was listed, we saw a steady stream of showings. Eileen would call me every couple of days to give me an update.

She was diligent in following up with the buyer's agent after a showing and she would promptly pass on their comments to us.

Every phone call or e-mail was responded to within a day and Eileen would make frequent visits to the townhouse to make sure that sheets and flyers were always there.

Eileen's hard work and dedication along with her focus to 'SELL THE TOWNHOUSE' helped us greatly. We really appreciate all the help that Eileen has given us and would highly recommend her to anyone that is in the market to buy or sell.

If I ever decide to sell my current home, the First call I will make is to Eileen."

Roxana and Behram Daboo Aurora, Illinois

"Eileen Landau has been our one and only realtor in the purchase and sale of two homes and the purchase of the home we presently reside in.

We found from the very beginning Eileen listened to our ideas, is extremely tuned in to the market in the area and managed to sell our homes very quickly. Knowing how to price a home to sell and interpreting our wants and needs in the housing market is what Eileen excels at.

We have recommended Eileen to many friends over the twenty years we have known her and we know when the time comes to move on, she'll be the one we call."

Bobb and Carolynn Nagel

Naperville

Dear Eileen,

I want to thank you for being of so much assistance when I have needed information and advice about marketing my properties in the past.

The options you have suggested have always been helpful and of great benefit to me, especially when I have been in a quandry. Your sales technique and personality are outstanding.

As far as my personal residence is concerned, you have always been so helpful with updating comparatives for me and advising me on the best choices for improving my property with an eye to the future. I can't tell you how much confidence I have in your professional and personal skills.

Sincerely,

Jackie Torrance

La Grange, Illinois

Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciated your time and how impressed I was with how knowledgable you are.

Thank you.

Kathy Sakata

Naperville