Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Chicago Made the List

10 cities where buying beats renting

Affordable homes are the upside of the continuing crisis in the housing market. Here are places where it could make more sense to buy.
By U.S. News & World Report
9 of 12
Downtown Chicago © Siri Stafford/Getty Images
Chicago
  • Projected home price growth over the next five years: 30.3%
  • Foreclosure rate: 0.19%
  • Projected job growth: 2.3%
  • Unemployment rate: 9.2%

Chicago sits in the middle ground between renting and buying, and experts say that in these kinds of markets, the determining factor is more likely to be personal finances than home prices.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Tuesdays in the Park

Come on down to Village Green where Tuesday evenings they have free live music in the park and vendors selling food. The kids can play on the playground while you and your friends hang out. Weather should be good this week. See you there!


The sounds of music will fill Village Green Park with the return of Park Fest, the free concert series that starts on June 7. Concerts begin at 7pm, and food service from area vendors begins at 6pm. The Northbrook Park District presents the following lineup this season:
June 7 – Bopology (swing/jazz), restaurant: Piero’s Pizza
June 14 – Billy Croft & The 5-Alarm (country/rock), restaurant: Once Upon a Grill
(The concert will start at about 7:30pm, after the Northbrook Rotary Riverchance: Rubber Ducky Race at 7pm.)
June 21 – World Class Noise (funk/rock/soul), restaurant: Chicken Charlie’s
June 28 – Out of Control (Top 40/club dance), restaurant: My Pie
July 5 – One Foot in the Groove (classic rock), restaurant: Open Kitchens
July 12 – Od Tapo Imi (pop/rock/tropical), restaurant: Whole Foods Market
July 19 – Final Say (timeless favorites), restaurant: Lou Malnati’s
“We’re bringing in some exciting new performers this year, and all ages are welcome to attend the concerts,” says Lacey Hayes, Leisure Services Supervisor with the Park District. “We try to offer a wide range of music to appeal to everyone.”
Village Green is located at the corner of Shermer and Meadow in downtown Northbrook. In case of rain, call the Weather/Activity Hotline at 847•291•2985 for updates.

Friday, June 24, 2011

I'm available by phone!

To my loyal clients:
When I drove last night between Wilmette and Northbrook, downtown Northbrook was a ghost town. The businesses on Shermer were shut down with no power and Dundee Rd was still closed east of Pfingsten.
I've been taking my laptop to my neighbors who has Internet. While we didn't lose power, our Comcast is still out. My smart phone can receive emails, but that's it right now. Feel free to call my cell at (847) 477-4825. I'm available this weekend to show homes. Don't hesitate!! Have a nice weekend! Caroline

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Could a 203k loan be the answer for you?

You could take advantage of buying a fixer-upper home and make repairs with an FHA 203(k) rehabilitation mortgage.

Here are some highlights of the program:
1) Qualify with as little as 3.5% down
2) Cash needed for repairs is built into the loan amount
3) Loan amount is based on the as-improved value

Lately, buyers are finding the current homes inventory in need of deferred maintenance, or significant projects requiring large sums. Most buyers today are not in the position to pay for a new home with cash left over to fix up. This is a way to find a "not so pretty" house in a nice location and make it what you want.

Ask me how I can help you qualify for this loan and find you a great fixer-upper that will give you plenty of opportunities for your family.

Sincerely,

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

News

I am an optimistic person. When someone asks me "how is the market?" I say "The sales cycle is longer with each client but I still have deals".  It's  true, I have very good transactions in the pipeline and have sold a respectable number of homes already this year. But I feel beat up when I constantly get bombarded with the Tribune (and other news sites I follow) reporting today "Prices are now at 2001 levels. Market still declining."

I am trying to stay positive and just focus on my business. I feel fortunate that I have transactions and am doing ok. My clients are getting good deals and locking in low interest rates for their long term house. How do I filter out the news and keep marching?