Thursday, April 22, 2010

Ever Progressive- Evanston Planning Wind Farms


Sometimes I am just darned proud to call Evanston my home, and this is one of them. The City Fathers announced last week that they have set upon a path of planning for a healthy number of wind catching machines offshore in Lake Michigan (6 miles from shore). Although this is just in the initial discussion stage, already the naysayers have been heard from, complaining that such a facility would block the beautiful lake views of those on dry land. Point-counterpoint: anything that is 6 miles out from shore is hardly discernible from land, and if anything it will appear so small that it's not worth discussing (more or less).

We understand there will be lots of regulatory approval hoops to jump through, but it's exciting to think of this coming down our path, so to speak.

Yes, we take our Earth Day very seriously here in E-Town!

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Excellent Deal at Museum of Science & Industry


April 19-23, busy? Clear your calendar and head on over to MSI (otherwise known as the Museum of Science and Industry). You must make the effort to get there if you can because those 5 days are free-admission days. What a deal that is! Normal admission for adults runs between $13-$15. And children 3-11 pay $9 or $10 (depending on your home address - Chicago vs. not Chicago).

Where? 57th Street at Lake Shore Drive in Chicago
When? 9:30 am - 4 pm
Why? All those really cool exhibits, like Science Storms and You, and the U-505 submarine.

Allow as many hours as you can spare. It's a full day's worth of exploration and learning, no matter what your age.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Chicagoland Market is Perking Up

According to the local real estate board for the suburban communities that lie due north of Chicago, the statistics for the first quarter of the year are definitely encouraging.

Single family home sales are up some 59% over the same period of time in 2009.

Homes under contract are up 60% for the entire Chicagoland region.

When I check the daily "hot sheet" for several of the communities that I cover, there are new contracts pending every day. And the price spread is large, from the modest condo unit to the multi-million dollar homes.

Here's hoping that the energy continues past the April 30 deadline for the income tax credit!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

The Critters are Capitalizing on Stupid Human Tricks



According to a recent article in the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper, there is an interesting side effect of the growing number of foreclosed and vacant properties in the city (and suburbs as well, I suppose).

As a Realtor, I've been in my share of foreclosed properties the past 3 years, and it isn't much fun. Be careful to avoid walking directly under the falling ceiling plaster. Step around that hole in the floor. Oh, and don't let yourself trip over the bulging hardwood floor that rises a good 6 inches above the rest of the flooring. Hold your breath so the mold doesn't make you gasp for air. Never mind the paint that is peeling off the walls in sheets, just like wallpaper might do. Don't be alarmed if the basement concrete floor looks like the surface of the moon from the frost and freeze cycle of the ground underneath it. Obviously, don't expect to find a forgotten soda pop in the refrigerator, because there is most likely no refrigerator in the kitchen.

And keep your distance from the raccoons that have invaded the house. The abandoned houses are apparently an attraction for the wild creatures that share the city with us humans. Makes sense; it's shelter from the elements, protection from those pesky dogs that tend to chase them up a tree, and a virtual playground with all those stairs to climb, counters and cabinets to explore, windows to peer out of.

And they aren't satisfied to enter only the empty houses; the nice neighbors next door are getting visits from the 'coons as well now. Seems the fear of humans is decreasing in the animals, and they think nothing of squeezing through a partially open window to munch on the smorgasboard on the kitchen counter and the goodies stored in cabinets.

The City of Chicago is waking up to the problem and ramping up the distribution of traps to the owners of occupied houses who request this assistance in an effort to eliminate those late night run-ins with 4-legged fuzzy creatures in the kitchen, when all you wanted was another glass of warm milk and a cookie.
(Photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons - RubiconLaw)

Monday, April 12, 2010

Time is Growing Short for Tax Credit

As if you haven't been hearing and reading about this from every real estate agent and mortgage broker on the planet: in order to meet the first hurdle of eligibility for the income tax CREDIT for being a first-time home buyer, or a repeat buyer who has lived at least 5 consecutive years out of the past 8 at the same principal residence, you MUST be bound to a purchase contract for a principal residence no later than April 30. And that transaction must close no later than June 30.

Yes, April is heavy with deadlines this year. First is the April 15 tax filing deadline, then the April 30 contract deadline for the income tax credit. Add to that the Illinois real estate brokers renewal deadline of April 30, and you have one nervous Realtor on your hands here! But I'm still having fun, folks!

If you have any hope of meeting that April 30 deadline, give me a call or drop me a line. There is serious money in the tax credit, and definitely worth pursuing.

Thursday, April 08, 2010

We Can't Hide the Truth From Clients


A few weeks ago, I posted on a social website (not on this blog) a brief reprise of a new study, widely cited in the media, that stated our American home VALUES will not return to their highest levels of a few years ago (think 2005 or so) until at least the year 2014, and probably 2019 in some extreme cases. My purpose in doing that was to raise awareness in buyers and sellers of real estate, awareness that "waiting for the house value to return to the 2005 level" means a looooooong wait for a seller. And for a buyer, it means that maybe this really is a great time to buy while prices are low, AS LONG AS the need for an owned home is present, and the buyer plans to be in that home for several years, minimally 4 or 5.
I was immediately chastised by a colleague in my market, someone whom I know on a personal level: chastised for demonstrating a negative message to the reading public, chastised for not pumping up the volume on a cheerful message about selling or buying a home right now as a fantastic plan. Period.

What is the quality of my service that I provide to my clients if I fail to educate them on the current market situation, and trends for the future? Is my job to sugar coat the facts? I don't think so. The facts might not be easy to accept, but the facts are real and do have an impact on a home buyer or seller as she makes choices and executes a plan to either buy or sell a property. To paint a picture that is only rosy instead of realistic does not speak well of me as a Realtor.

And that's all I wanted to say tonight. Other than I will do my job in the best way I know how - with honesty and integrity.