Celebration Dinner

Wednesday, November 17, 2010 was a HUGE day for our business and future!  For the past 2.5-months, I have been studying to get my IL Brokers License.  This is something that Chris and I knew we would eventually want to do, especially to take our business to the next level!  Finally, I felt the time was right and the day after Labor Day, I went to purchased all the material for the Salesperson License.  I had to study that entirely and pass a classroom test before I was able to move onto my Brokers License.  It was A LOT of studying, Monday through Friday.  With a lot of discipline, patience, and support from my wonderful Husband, I passed 6 Classroom Exams and the State Exam!

A lot of you may be wonderful exactly what Chris and I do...  Good question!  In 2008, we started Blue Harvest Properties, Inc.  Blue Harvest came from Star Wars, it was the code name while they were filming.  As many of you know, Chris is a huge Star Wars fan.  Plus, the name is catchy.  We loved it.  Our slogan is "Planting Good Seeds in Real Estate."  We took a huge risk and left our corporate jobs to start our company.  I am sure a lot of family and friends thought we were crazy but we knew that we did not want to work a 9 to 5 job.  It just was not us!

We specialize in Pre-Foreclosures and Short Sales.  Basically, what that means, is we target homeowners in certain areas of Chicago, who are at least 30-days behind on their mortgage.  We have several different marketing techniques, however, now a majority of our business is based on referrals.  Once the client decides to work with us, we negotiate a Short Sale (a lot is involved but that would be way too long of a blog post) and purchase the property.  Our company actually purchases the property.  Our exit strategy really just depends because every property, location, and situation is different.  Sometimes we sell the same day, sometimes we rehab and sell after the rehab.  The strategy, of course, is determined before the deal is actually taken on by Blue Harvest Properties, Inc.

Since February 8, 2011 will be the start of our 4th year in business, I have developed a pretty dang good system!  As many of you know, I am extremely organized and you want to have a clean, concise, and to the point Short Sale Offer Packet when submitting to these lender(s).  There is a lot of research and analyzing involved.  You can't just submit an offer and that is it.  Plus, over the years, I have developed relationships with these lenders and know how most lenders work.  Typically, a Short Sale could take anywhere from one-month to 6-months.  Again, it just depends on the lender.  But it is all worth it in the end BECAUSE the homeowner WILL NOT have a foreclosure on their credit report and we have a great property!

I could go on and on about Blue Harvest Properties, Inc. but that is the short version of our business!  In addition, to Blue Harvest Properties, Inc. we also have Hot Damn Short Sales.  Over the past few years, I have developed different techniques and methods that made our Short Sale business successful.  I wanted to be able to share this with anyone across the country.  Right now, Chris and a team of individuals across the country, are developing Hot Damn Short Sales into a Internet Business for us.  I wrote a 150-page book on Short Sales and have so much information for someone to actually get started in this business.  The best part is WE ARE ACTUALLY CLOSING DEALS and NOT GURUS!  We have the proof!  

With all that said, Chris and I wanted to take our business to the next level and with getting my Brokers License, we are able to do this.  We will be starting a Realty Company shortly (name coming soon!).  This will allow us to put commissions on the HUD and make even more money on our Short Sale deals.  We already have a guy who knows the ins and outs of branding a company and plan to sit down with him over the next couple of weeks.  He has already done a lot for our company and we are looking forward to having him on board!  Our goal here is to target families who own primary residences.  Right now, we are strictly dealing with Investors and we are family kind-of people and want to branch out.  Lots more to come...  Stay tuned!

Our Celebration Dinner!  Chris took me to Pete Miller's Steakhouse in Evanston!  We got there and Chris had a special table waiting for us!!!  And..  RED ROSES, BALLOONS, and A CARD!!!  Of course, I had tears in my eyes because he is such an amazing, wonderful, thoughtful, sweet Husband!  It was a wonderful evening!  To top it off, we had this really yummy dessert brought out to us with a sparkler on top!  I am so thankful to have passed my State Exam but most importantly, I am so blessed to have such an outstanding Husband!  We have such an amazing relationship...  He is my Best Friend, Soul Mate, and Business Partner!  CHEERS TO THE FUTURE!!!

Me at Dinner w/ My Red Roses and Balloon

Us Enjoying a Relaxing, Delicious Dinner

Delicious Dessert w/ a Sparkler!!!

After Dinner...  FULL and HAPPY!  :)