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First Real Estate Deal w/ Groupon

Apr8

Chicago real estate brokerage firm Dream Town Realty launches Friday a week-long deal on Groupon, hoping to tap the popular social buying model to attract clients.

Dream Town says it is the first company to offer a residential real estate deal through Groupon. The firm joins a list of businesses in diverse sectors experimenting with a group buying as a novel marketing strategy.

In the Dream Town deal, the brokerage will pay out $1,000 in cash at closing to home buyers or sellers that spend $25 for the Groupon. The voucher is good for one year from the date of purchase. The offer launches on Friday and will run for a week. On Monday, it will be the featured deal for Chicago subscribers.

The Dream Town deal tips with 50 vouchers purchased, said co-founder and president Yuval Degani. The coupons apply to both traditional and distressed properties, and buyers can be owner-occupiers or investors. The transaction must be at least $150,000 to qualify for the deal, and there is a limit of one Groupon per customer. There is no cap on the total number of Groupons that can be sold.

“Our big picture is we’re really an emerging company,” Degani said, noting that Dream Town has focused on its Web presence and search engine optimization, which helps its site appear higher on search results. “What we’re trying to do is acquire new customers. We’re not really looking at (the Groupon deal) as a reduced commission. We’re looking at it as getting customers for life.”

Degani said Dream Town has four locations and 165 agents in the area.

Source: Chicago Breaking News

Groupon is really taking over the advertising business these days. What’s next? A Groupon for vehicle purchases? Maybe Apple products? I hope so!

OMG, LOL and FYI Officially Added to Oxford English Dictionary

Mar25

The way we converse online has a tremendous influence on our language today. There is no better proof of this other than the Oxford English Dictionary’s inclusion of the “new words” OMG, LOL and FYI. Believe it or not, even the ♥ made it in.

The three letter “initialisms” were added in the March 2011 update to the online dictionary. OMG, LOL and FYI join other entries such as IMHO, TMI and BFF.

 

The Oxford English Dictionary notes:

Of course in such a context initialisms are quicker to type than the full forms, and (in the case of text messages, or Twitter, for example) they help to say more in media where there is a limit to a number of characters one may use in a single message. OMG and LOL are found outside of electronic contexts, however; in print, and even in spoken use (see, for example, the 2003 quotation for LOL int.), where there often seems to be a bit more than simple abbreviation going on. The intention is usually to signal an informal, gossipy mode of expression, and perhaps parody the level of unreflective enthusiasm or overstatement that can sometimes appear in online discourse, while at the same time marking oneself as an ‘insider’ au fait with the forms of expression associated with the latest technology.

As such usage indicates, many people would consider these recent coinages, from the last 10 or 20 years, and associate them with a younger generation conversant with all forms of digital communications. As is often the case, OED’s research has revealed some unexpected historical perspectives: our first quotation for OMG is from a personal letter from 1917; the letters LOL had a previous life, starting in 1960, denoting an elderly woman (or ‘little old lady’; see LOL n./1); and the entry for FYI [FYI phr., adj., and n.], for example, shows it originated in the language of memoranda in 1941.

Source:  Tom’s Guide

What does this say about communication in this day and age? Is this simplification of mundane phrases dumbing down the way we express ourselves? These acronyms can strongly limit the vocabulary of many teens. Teens will easily revert to using expressions such as OMG, LOL and FYI since it is now considered a “real” word. Writing it is one thing, but when you start to hear people verbally speaking these acronyms, it is a clear indication that we have gotten lazy and the english language is being insulted by this simplification. #Myopinion

Americans Living Longer Lives

Mar16

U.S. life expectancy has hit another all-time high, rising to about 78 years and 2 months.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the estimate Wednesday. It’s for a baby born in 2009, and is based on nearly all the death certificates for that year.

About 2.4 million people died in the United States in 2009 — roughly 36,000 fewer than the year before.

More good news: The infant mortality rate hit a record low of 6.42 deaths per 1,000 live births, a drop of nearly 3 percent from 2008.

Rising Gas Prices

Mar7

Gas prices normally peak during summer seasons – now we are noticing the significant jump and prices are expected to continue their upward trend.

Driven by the unrest in Libya, U.S. gasoline prices rose 33 cents in the past two weeks, according to the new Lundberg Survey, signaling the second-largest hike in recorded gasoline history.

Prices continue to rise in Chicago too.

The area saw an 11 percent hike in the past month, according to AAA, from $3.346 to the current $3.716 for regular gas. The motor club is reporting the average price per gallon of regular gas in Illinois is $3.622.

Last week at least one Chicago gas station broke the $4 mark. A gallon of mid-grade unleaded gas inched up to $4.02 at the Citgo gas station at 5300 N. Western Ave.

Source: MSNBC

Honda Tops Consumer Reports Rankings

Mar1

Honda Motor Co. and several other Asian automakers scored high marks in a series of new studies and rankings of new cars by Consumer Reports magazine.

Ford Motor Co. was the only one of the Detroit Three to make it into the Top 10 in the publication’s automaker score card for 2011, released Monday. General Motors Co. and Chrysler Group LLC placed 12th and 13th out of 13 carmakers ranked in the April issue of the magazine.

Among other automakers, Toyota Motor Corp. kept its scores near the top of the rankings, despite the recall and quality troubles it has suffered in the last year. European car companies including BMW AG and Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz performed well in comfort and overall ride but lost points for reliability, Consumer Reports said.

Honda had the top overall score of 74, and was followed by Subaru, Toyota and Volvo.

Ford placed fifth with an overall score of 67. Hyundai Motor Co. , Mazda Motor Corp., Nissan Motor Co., Volkswagen AG and Mercedes rounded out the Top 10.

The score card takes into account factors including on-road performance, reliability and fuel-economy.

Honda got a boost from the Fit subcompact, which was named the “best value” among small cars and the “best budget car.” Ford’s Mustang and Kia Motor Co.’s Sorento were among six new models to make the magazine’s best picks.

Source:  Chicago Breaking News

Allstate’s Study Says Virgos are Most Likely to be in Car Accidents

Jan27

Virgos, known for being practical, industrious and perfectionists, were 700 percent more likely to be in a car accident in the last year than passionate, determined Scorpios, according to Allstate Insurance, which recently compared claims data against the revised astrological calendar.

Scorpios were involved in only 1.5 percent of accidents last year, making them the best drivers on the road. The rest of the list, from best to worst drivers, was Ophiuchus, Cancer, Aquarius, Libra, Aries, Capricorn, Gemini, Sagittarius, Pisces, Taurus, Leo and Virgo.

Allstate found that drivers whose Zodiac signs are tied to traits such as compassion, graciousness and resourcefulness had the fewest number of reported accidents.

Source:  Chicago Breaking News

I thought this was an interesting article! My revised zodiac sign is a Gemini but I know I am truly a Cancer (one of the more careful drivers, lol)

Soda POT

Jan24

California entrepreneur, Clay Butler, has plans to market a line medical marijuana soft drinks.

Butler says he plans to supply medical marijuana dispensaries with his soda pot, which contains the psychoactive marijuana ingredient THC.

Marijuana drinks are already showing up here and there, but Butler says he thinks his branding savvy will make his product a hit.

Besides his flagship cola drink, Canna Cola, he will also produce Dr. Pepper-like Doc Weed, lemon-lime Sour Diesel, grape-flavored Grape Ape and orange-flavored Orange Kush.

A 12-ounce bottle will cost $10 to $15.

The Soquel-based commercial artist tells the Santa Cruz Sentinel that he doesn’t do drugs or need medical marijuana for any ailments.

Source:  MSNBC

Hmmm … So he’s basically a LEGAL drug dealer then?

Best Jobs to Go For in 2011

Jan18

The National Association of Colleges and Employers says employers plan to hire 13.5 percent more new college graduates in 2011 than in 2010, and the Federal Reserve predicts that in 2011, the unemployment rate may drop below 9 percent for the first time since April 2009 — the job market will continue to be competitive this year.

But pursuing certain occupations will likely provide job seekers with a more fortunate and fruitful return than others. If you’re looking for a new job this year, consider honing your skills and applying for a job in one of these 10 occupations, all of which are expected to grow this year and which pay more than the national average salary of $43,460.

1. Accountant

Not only is accounting projected to experience large growth through 2018, but accounting is consistently among the bachelor’s degrees most desired by employers, and is the No.1 bachelor’s degree that employers will be looking for in 2011, according to NACE.

Salary: $59,229*

2. Web developer

As the world becomes more dependent on technology, it also becomes more dependent on those who create it. According to the Conference Board, an economic research organization, at the end of 2010, the number of advertised vacancies for computer and mathematical science professionals was at its highest since April 2008.

Salary: $87,553

3. Occupational therapist

Occupational therapists help patients regain mental and physical function lost to such causes as arthritis, stroke, cancer or dementia, and will become more in demand as baby boomers age and create a larger elderly population.

Salary: $69,428

4. Sales manager

Since good salespeople directly contribute to a company’s bottom line, they will be a crucial part of the corporate rebuilding process in the next year. The key role salespeople have in keeping business booming also makes the job more stable in uncertain times.

Salary: $111,472

5. Computer software engineer

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for computer software engineers is expected to grow 32 percent between 2008 and 2018.

Salary: $96,712

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15 Most Hated Companies in America

Jan13

The list was compiled based on scores in six areas. According to 24/7 Wall Street, those doing the rankings examined:

  • Employee opinions.
  • Shareholder return.
  • Consumer satisfaction..
  • Brand equity.
  • Media coverage.
  • Perception of influencers. They included the way in which these firms were viewed by taxpayers, Congress, and the White House.

Here are the most hated 15, in no particular order:

  1. American Airlines
  2. Nokia
  3. Toyota
  4. Best Buy
  5. Charter Communications
  6. Citigroup
  7. AT&T
  8. Bank of America
  9. Dell
  10. Dish Network
  11. Johnson & Johnson
  12. McDonald’s
  13. United Airlines
  14. BP
  15. DirecTV

Source:  AOL Jobs

Do you agree with the majority of the list? Are any of you favorite companies listed above?

Brett Favre’s Sister Arrested in Drug Raid

Jan13

The arrest of Vikings quarterback Brett Favre’s sister during a drug raid in southern Mississippi isn’t the first time she’s been in trouble with the law.

Hancock County Sheriff’s Maj. Matt Karl said officers are ”very familiar” with 34-year-old Brandi Favre.

Brandi Favre was among five people arrested in the Diamondhead bust Wednesday and was charged with manufacturing methamphetamine and generating hazardous waste, Karl said.

”She happened to be there and she was arrested along with the others,” Karl said.

Two of the other suspects face the same charges as Favre. The other two were charged with sale of a controlled substance. And one of them also faces a charge of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

In 1999, Favre, her sister-in-law and another woman were booked with felony shoplifting. In 1996, she was charged with unlawful use of a weapon in connection with a drive-by shooting at a motel in Slidell, La. At the time she was a student at Southern Mississippi, where Brett Favre played.

Source:  Fox Sports