http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDZVNBYf66c&feature=youtu.be Existing-home sales rose again in November and remain above a year ago, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Also released today were periodic benchmark revisions with downward adjustments to sales and inventory data since 2007, led by a decline in for-sale-by-owners. Although rebenchmarking resulted in lower adjustments to several years of home sales data, the month-to-month characterization of market conditions did not change. There are no changes to home prices or month’s supply. The latest monthly data shows total existing-home sales1, which are completed transactions that include single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, increased 4.0 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.42 million in ... 12/27/2011

Paul Mullings shares excellent points of what Lenders really look for when deciding on grant a mortgage approval.   You're thinking about buying a home, but you're worried by the reports of how tough it is to qualify for a mortgage these days and how big a down payment is required. Yes, credit standards are higher now than they were a few years ago. But they actually are about the same as in the mid-1990s. Factor in today's historically low interest rates and current home prices, and affordable mortgages are within reach for many qualified borrowers who may have been hesitant to enter the market. Although owning a home is not for everyone, and renting might be a better option for some, here are several facts to keep in mind if you choose to pursue homeownership. What Do Lenders Look Fo... 12/26/2011

Here Is A Tip On Cinnamon And Honey     Whoever  Thought?     Honey is  the only food on the planet that will not spoil or rot. It will do what some call turning to sugar. In reality honey is always honey. However, when left in a cool dark place for a long time  it will do What I rather call "crystallizing" When this happens I loosen the lid, Boil some water, and sit the honey container in the hot water, Turn off the heat and let it liquefy. It is then as good as it ever was. Never boil honey or put it in a microwave. To do so will kill the enzymes in the honey. Cinnamon and  Honey Bet the drug companies won't like this one  getting around. Facts on Honey and Cinnamon: It is found that a  mixture of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is  produced in most of the countries of ... 12/23/2011

As we all know the condo market in Chicago, can be quite tricky when looking for financing.  Here are 10 Things that you should consider before purchasing a condo: 1.        How much are the monthly condo association fee’s and what do they cover? 2.       What are the specific rules of the condo? Will they allow you to rent the condo out in the future if you decide to purchase a Single Family residence? Do they allow pets? 3.       How much does the association have in reserves?  This is important to know if any unexpected costs come up.  Let’s say there is a wind storm.  Do they have enough reserves to quickly replace a torn off roof or do they need to call a special meeting and get everyone to agree on special assessments before they can proceed? 4.       Are there any contemplated sp... 12/23/2011

Younger buyers Dale Taylor from REMAX All Properties in New Lenox (dtaylor.illinoisproperty.com) has made it his mission to get the information-age, Gen-Y, first-time buyers on the right road to responsible homeownership. And lots of times that means working with potential buyers for months or even years before an actual purchase is made because they need to get their credit in order and save enough money for a down payment. “Many of them come in, fearing to check their credit rating,” Taylor said, “but I get them to understand that knowledge is power. If we need to put together a plan of action to get their credit rating into the acceptable range, then we can do that. And if they don’t have the minimum 3.5 percent to put down, then I tell them about the various grant programs available... 12/21/2011

  Short Sales in Frankfort totaled 22 successful closings for the year of 2011. Of those 22 closed Frankfort Short Sales 20 of them were single family homes, 1 was a townhouse/condo and 1 was vacant land. It is also important to note that a total number of 44 Frankfort Real Estate properties were foreclosed in 2011. This is a total of 66 distressed sales (including short sales & foreclosures).   With a total of 256 Frankfort Real Estate properties closing in 2011, this represents just above 25% of all closed sales being distressed sales down from 2010 where it was roughly 27% of all the closed sales. There is no question regarding the fact that these distressed sales weigh on our home values, especially the foreclosures not to mention the damage it creates for those involved.   The num... 12/14/2011

I was in a check out line a Sam's club and a past client overheard my voice.  I hear in the distance, "is that my Realtor Dale Taylor's voice I hear?"  As she approached me she said, "I bet you don't remember my name?"  She was correct I didn't for the moment.  What I did remember was all three homes I sold her over the past 20 years.  I admitted to her I could not think of her name, but I told her I remembered the first home I sold her in Riverdale and the last home I sold her in Richton Park.  It is amazing to me how I will look in a face and remember the transaction, but not their name.  Sometimes, as I create conversation I will run through the letters A through Z hoping their name comes forward. It happen to me again recently in Walmart.  Again, I remembered their home before I rem... 12/06/2011

Owning an old home can be very satisfying, but it can also be a lot of work. Old materials and systems need attention and tender loving care. And many of the construction practices of years ago leave much to be desired. If you want to maintain your old home with relative ease, you may want to consider renovations. Here are the four best remodeling projects that may contribute to preserving your old home while also increasing the home's value. 1. Fixing Old Home Heating Systems Many old homes have outdated, inefficient furnaces or boilers. Some old homes even have coal-fired furnaces that have been converted to oil burners. The efficiency of these units may be less than 50 percent, resulting in high heating bills. Replacing an old furnace or boiler with a new, Energy Star rated unit can ... 11/20/2011

 My Dad who was rare to give compliments told me this right after I had grown up and left the nest.  He told me he appreciated how I cared for the things he gave me.  One of the items he referred to was a ten-speed bike he gave me as a young teenager.  He noticed years later how the bike was still in like new condition.  I shared this story because below you will see the potential life span of nearly everything concerning a home.  The suggested life will depend on how well these items are regularly serviced and maintained! Appliances Life Estimate in Years Dishwashers 5 to 12 Disposals 5 to 12 Washers and dryers