SSSBA holds 20th annual Summit Awards

South Suburban Small Business Association will hold its 20th annual Summit Awards breakfast at 7:30am on Wednesday February 8, 2023 at Idlewild Country Club, 19201 Dixie Highway, Flossmoor, Illinois. These annual awards honor leading business people who have contributed to the economic growth of the region. Five awards are given: The Small Business of the Year Award, the Training Excellence of the Year Award, the Economic Development Leader of the Year Award, the Creative Arts Organization of the Year Award and the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Each of the awardees is carefully selected from the many businesses and organizations in the region for their outstanding performance and excellence in their qualifying category. For more information about these awards visit www.sssba.org or call Dr. Saundra Mickles at 708-821-4137. Ask about how to attend all our events for free.

When you register on their website www.sssbs.org for the 20th annual SSSBA Summit Awards here’s what is in store for you: · Awards being given out to leaders in business, economic development, the arts, companies who recognize training as important to success, and young entrepreneurs on their way to success!

· A delicious breakfast!

· Attendance rewards!

· A chance to network! Bring your business cards and business brochures to build your business!

We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you on Wednesday, February 8 for a great breakfast event.

South Suburban Small Business Association is a 27 year old regional organization, serving sixty-nine communities within the area bounded by Evergreen Park to the North, Gary Indiana to the East, Peotone to the South, and Joliet to the West. Their mission is to assist and promote small businesses through programs and activities that provide economic benefits and opportunities while working to improve the economic climate of our organization’s service area. Visit our website www.sssba.org and our facebook page www. facebook.com/sssba.org (lots of great business tips there).

Real Estate Specialists

Real Estate Questions & Answers

CATHY & JIM HIGGINS

Question: We have been thinking of selling our home but were curious about the homebuyers over the last several years. Do they regret paying such high prices for their home?

Answer: A recent report we read, stated that 80-90% of buyers were happy with their purchase despite record high prices the past several years.

The high satisfaction rate amid the hot market makes sense. Given the market climate, prospective homeowners were willing to do what it took to buy a home.

Let’s not forget these buyers were able to obtain amazingly low-interest rates, and just being able to buy a home in that hot market was very satisfying.

Buying a home is a longer term investment. These buyers knew this when they were looking. No one can predict the future, but most buyers did not feel that relocating was in their near future plans. History has shown us that the real estate market is cyclical. There are ups and downs in the market.

In addition to building equity in your home, you also gain price appreciation. Reports show that the average annual increase in real estate values is roughly 4%. Using the rule of 72, you can expect the value of your house to double in 18 years. This doesn’t mean this will happen every 18 years, this is just past performance. Past performance is part of your research.

The only way to become a successful homeowner is to educate yourself. Talking to experienced homeowners and Real estate professionals gives you a treasure chest full of valuable information.

There’s an old rule in poker: if you play for 20 minutes and can’t figure out who the sucker at the table is, then it’s you. The same is valid for real estate investing. If you don’t know the metrics of your proposed real estate purchase, you could be making a bad investment.

Do your research and always use a real estate professional when making a purchase or selling your current home. This will greatly increase your odds of making a good investment!

E-mail us your Real Estate questions at Cathyah@aol.com. Thinking of selling your home? Call Cathy & Jim Higgins, Licensed Broker/Realtors in Indiana & Illinois. IN: 219-865-4361 IL: 708-8283304. McColly Real Estate. Website: www.Cathyhiggins. com. Personal Real Estate Journal: www.Higginshousechat. blogspot.com

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