Alan May

Evanston

Blogger at Active Rain

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Articles

Greater Chicagoland

3 weeks ago | activerain.com | Alan May

I live in Evanston, which is the first suburb north of Chicago, IL, in an area known in our region as 'Greater Chicagoland'. The entire area that surrounds Chicago (also known as the 'collar counties' that surround Chicago's "Cook County". I don't know of any other community that speaks of itself in such terms. We don't talk about New Yorkland, or San Franciscoland.
The pope is a White Sox Fan!

1 month ago | activerain.com | Alan May

It's truly been an interesting week in the world, and definitely in Chicago. We learned with a puff of smoke that the world had a new Pope, and not only that, but for the very first time he is from the United States. He is not, as is being widely reported, the first American, as Francis was from Argentina (which is also American... south American to be precise). I know, I know... we from the U.S. like to call our selves Americans, but we aren't the only inhabitants of America.
A tale of two retirements?

1 month ago | activerain.com | Alan May

It was the best of fines, it was the worst of fines, it was the age of buyers it was the age of purchasers, who the hell knows? Someone put "Seller loves 2.5 buyer's agents" in the description and the MLS fined them. And you know what!? They earned it. It was the worst of lines, it was the best of lines, it was the age of buyers and the epoch of liars. I don't know about youse guys, but I'm just tired of the whole steenkin' thing. We don't need no steeenkin' badges...
Realtors are not required.

2 months ago | activerain.com | Alan May

Realtors are not required in real estate transactions. There, I said it out loud. We're really not required. There is no law that says you must include a Realtor® when buying or selling a property in the United States. So why is it, that when buying or selling in the states, the large majority of buyers and sellers still use a Realtor (or real estate agent) when buying or selling? Well, in my humble opinion, the answer is simple.
A sesquepedalian list

Mar 30, 2025 | activerain.com | Alan May

There are a lot of things that the newest generations are getting right. They have been weaned on computers and coding is in their bloodstream. While I may not tap my toes to all of the latest hip-hop beats, there have been vast innovations in music since the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Jefferson Airplane & Bob Marley. But I recently came across this list of words in the English language that are becoming lost to the generations. I admit that some of them are already lost to me as well. Absquatulate!?
Pi day

Mar 14, 2025 | activerain.com | Alan May

Today is the Darth Vader day... no, wait, that's not right. It's Luke, I'm your father day... wait... still not right. I think it's March fourth... the only day of the year that's a command to go forward.. no, no, that's still not right. Wait... it's Pi day... now I've got it right. Pi day... 3.14. March 14th, is also represented by the first three numbers in the mathematical representation of the number Pi... which is actually 3.14159... and goes on infinitely.
Try to suppress your outrage.

Mar 6, 2025 | activerain.com | Alan May

It can be especially difficult, particularly after major political events. A notable meeting with President Zelenskyy that didn't go the way either side really wanted. The spin rooms go to work double-time. Both sides eagerly blaming the other. World War Three is at risk. A state of the Onion (sic) speech with half of the room sitting with their arms crossed and their mouths taped shut, except for one guy wildly screaming and waving his cane. World War Four at risk?
What're you grateful for?

Nov 28, 2024 | activerain.com | Alan May

This is the time of year when we tend to think about those things for which we're grateful. I have a lot to be grateful for. As my wonderful late father-in-law used to say: "any day above ground is a good day", and in spite of many of my youthful decisions, I still find myself above ground. I still have my health - coff, coff -, my family is good (and in town for the holiday), we are supping together this evening, along with the grands (I ain't mad about that). Business is good, friends are good.
Unsettling

Nov 25, 2024 | activerain.com | Alan May

NAR... that dang settlement took over our lives for a while... and then it calmed down and got quiet. And there we were having to make our buyers sign buyer's agreements before we could take them across the thresholds of any properties, and whilst it was truly a pain in the butt-tocks, it wasn't truly so bad... right? [echoing... ] right? Yesterday, the Department of in-Justice weighed in, and we were fully expecting them to rubber-stamp NAR's decision...
But the carpet... it's really old.

Nov 22, 2024 | activerain.com | Alan May

The call came in from my new listing this morning. "We looked at your property this morning, and we wanted to know if you currently have any offers?""Yes, in fact we are already in multiple offers. We are asking for 'highest and best' by 5:00 Saturday evening, and will be making our decision by Sunday""Okay, thank you." she answered "And how negotiable are you on your price?"""Uh... negotiable?