July was hot and muggy. August is full of back to school shopping, shipping kids off to school and college, and squeezing in that last minute vacation before we lose the last of the carefree days of summer. It is both a busy time (at least in our private lives) and a slow time (in the real estate market). A recent Slate article: August. Let's Get Rid of It caught my eye on MSN this morning. It is a rather humorous look at the month of August, what the writer calls a "useless" month. Good for a chuckle or two. Of course I've noticed the slight downturn in showings (or downright lack of showings in some markets) and a somewhat sleepy market over the past few weeks. Our office compiles a report showing the average showings per month and, sure enough, when I took a look at the latest report... 08/11/2008

Many people only think of contacting their real estate agent when it's time to buy or sell. But your Lake Zurich real estate agent is an excellent resource for you in many other ways as well.  Are you thinking of making some improvements to your home and want to know which improvements would be better for resale? Contact your Lake Zurich real estate agent!  Are you curious as to what your home may be worth in today's market, even though you aren't ready to sell? Contact your Lake Zurich real estate agent! Do you need a recommendation for a roofer, nanny service, appraiser, painter, carpet cleaner, attorney, sump pump installer or other local service professional? Contact your Lake Zurich real estate agent! Are you wondering how a local issue, such as widening the road in front of your h... 08/08/2008

Some of you may know that St. Francis Parish in Lake Zurich feeds those in need with a food pantry every Thursday afternoon.  A friend of mine recently emailed me to let me know that the pantry shelves are literally bare. They have been experiencing a significant increase in families that are in need of the basics: a bag of food to get through the week. The need is so great that they may not be able to open their doors this week due to lack of food.  The pantry usually serves around 60 families a week. Two weeks ago they had 85 families come and last week they served 100 families. The need however is even greater than that. The pantry relies on donations from people like you and me, and from local food stores.   In the hectic days of summer, it is usually not on the top of our minds to ... 08/01/2008

There was in OURS...until today that is. When we purchased our home in 2001 our home inspector found some mold in the attic. We weren't overly concerned at the time (mold wasn't the issue it has become today) and we knew it could be fairly easily remedied, so we purchased the house and planned to take care of it eventually. Anyway, you know how some things get put on the back burner? Our attic mold was largely forgotten until this past spring when we noticed some water staining in the foyer ceiling. It had been a very harsh winter here in Northern Illinois and we thought that maybe we had an ice dam caused by the buildup of snow and ice on the roof during the winter or that our gutters had become clogged. A quick check of the gutters showed no issues there, so we called in Precision Roo... 07/28/2008

Since I work at home, I'm lucky enough to be able to take Zoey on walks at least twice a day. Last night, I failed to grab a bag before we headed out the door. The walk was a last minute decision and she had already "done her business" so I figured (wrongly) that she wouldn't need to go again. Well, you know what happened next. About a block from home. Now, as a responsible pet owner, I am usually armed with bags and ALWAYS pick up after Zoey. So imagine my complete mortification when I realize I don't have any bags with me! I was forced to leave it there, hoping that nobody saw me fail to pick it up. Of course, as soon as we got home I hopped in the car and went back to pick it up, so if anyone did see me leave it - I hope they saw me return to pick it up as well! Which begs the questi... 07/24/2008

If you live in Lake Zurich or the surrounding communities, it's time to get blogging with Kelly! Since ActiveRain launched the new Localism, I've noticed an increase in posts with purely local content. Market reports, restaurants, subdivisions, local events...you name it and it's making it's way into posts all over ActiveRain. This is all well and good (and valuable of course), but I miss the posts about buying and selling! Staging! Pricing! Listing presentations! Mortgage information! Coping with the market! I even miss the posts about nothing in particular! So as for me and my readers, I intend to keep writing about my take on the local real estate market as well as tidbits about my favorite people, places and things to do in Lake Zurich and the surrounding communities. After all, I'm... 07/16/2008

Buying a house is a lot like finding a life partner. You search and search for "the one" and you only know it when you get that special feeling inside. Just like when dating, many people get impatient and settle. While no person or house is perfect (in fact the right house may be downright UGLY, but more about that later) one should never settle. If you do, you will regret it! This I learned from personal experience. Not on the relationship front, for my husband and I have been happily married for 21 years and counting, but we once settled for a "not-quite-right" house simply because we felt pressured into making a decision. Let me tell you about our big mistake, in the hopes that you can avoid making a similar mistake when you purchase your next home. When my family and I relocated to ... 07/08/2008

Tomorrow is a milestone day for many parents in Lake Zurich, including me and my husband. Tomorrow the Lake Zurich High School Class of 2008 will graduate. In 1990, we were blessed with the birth of our first child, a perfect baby boy. Like many first time parents, we were totally unprepared for the changes this event would bring to our lives. We were just excited and happy. Those first few weeks of sleepless nights and countless feedings had us wishing the days and nights would pass faster so that our little bundle of joy would sleep through the night. Now, we look back at those days and wonder how the time went by so fast. Suddenly, our baby is an 18 year old young man about to embark on his own life's journey. It just doesn't seem possible. As parents, we commit to memory and cherish... 05/30/2008

Negotiation is a key element of most real estate transactions. It is so commonplace that most buyers and sellers recognize that the list price is merely the seller's starting price and that the actual price paid for the house will be either lower, or in some cases higher, than the list price quoted. What happens in between is negotiation.  Back when it was a seller's market, it was common for houses to sell at or very near list price. Sometimes, multiple offers would push the purchase price over list price as buyers competed for a particular house. Inventory was low and good houses were hard to come by, so sellers could hold firm and had more negotiating power. You would sometimes see the words, "seller firm" in the MLS remarks which would basically give buyer's agents notice that the s... 05/27/2008

Lake Zurich Home Sales Average List Price and Sale Prices by subdivision in the Lake Zurich area. Single Family HomesSearch Previous Sales Subdivision Sales Avg. List Avg. Sale Ratio Braemar 3 $414,933.33 $402,666.67 97 Bristol Trails 2 $352,949.50 $327,750.00 92.9 Cambridge Creekside 1 $419,000.00 $395,000.00 94.3 Cedar Creek 1 $419,900.00 $410,000.00 97.6 Chasewood 1 $349,900.00 $335,000.00 95.7 Chestnut Corners 3 $489,300.00 $462,966.67 94.6 Concord Village 1 $394,900.00 $380,000.00 96.2 Countryside East 3 $325,966.67 $308,000.00 94.5 Countryside West 3 $311,300.00 $294,000.00 94.4 Echo Lake 3 $379,933.33 $361,333.33 95.1 Forest Lake 5 $487,060.80 $471,199.80 96.7 Hunters Creek 1 $489,700.00 $465,000.00 95 Jonquil Estates 1 $469,000.00 $437,500.00 93.3 Knollwood 1 $275,000.00 $255,0... 05/20/2008

As a real estate marketer, I strive to create a marketing mix that will showcase your home to create the highest perceived value, reach the widest possible audience and generate the largest buyer response. Traditionally, the 4 P's of marketing are: PRODUCT The product is, obviously, your house. The number of bedrooms and bathrooms, lot size, fixtures, amenities, updates, and the location are key components. Additionally, how well your house is staged, how clean it is, and your flexibility in accommodating showings will affect its salability. PRICE Together we will go over the recent comparable sales, current active listings and pending sales to arrive at a pricing strategy that takes into account both your needs and the current market conditions. Some additional components of pricing in... 05/20/2008

I've always been a walker. Not only is it great exercise, but it's fun, helps me clear my mind, and is good for the environment as well! My current house is located in the suburbs, so most of my walking is through the nearby neighborhoods (with Zoey at my side these days!). But if I want to walk a little farther (up to two miles there, two miles back), I can walk to a Starbucks, the Ela Public Library, Walmart and several other establishments. I love having the ability to get somewhere without using my car, don't you? As gas prices soar, many people just like me are exploring alternate ways to get where they want to go, whether that be by walking or riding a bike. They may even decide which house to buy or rent based on the "walkability factor" of that property. Businesses themselves (c... 05/08/2008

My Lake Zurich, Illinois yard looks it's prettiest in May. That's when my Redbud tree is flowering in my front yard, and several shrubs are in bloom in the back. Then again, it's during the summer months when my daylilies, annuals and other perennials are at their peak. Hmm, maybe it's the autumn, when my burning bush and maple tree are bright red against the clear blue sky. Come to think of it, it's hard to say just when my yard looks its absolute best! (NO, this is NOT MY yard!! I wish it was!) Your yard probably has something to offer with each season as well. That's why I suggest that you keep your digital camera handy during the coming months so you can capture your home showing off. Take pictures often, including close ups of your trees, planting beds, flowering shrubs, garden, de... 04/27/2008

This morning a very good friend and neighbor of mine (thanks, Chrisy!) spent several hours dividing up some perennials and moving them to new homes in her yard and mine. With Earth Day upon us soon (April 22), what better way to "go green" than in our own yards? In my yard, we divided and transplanted 6 hosta, 5 daylillies, and 2 something-or-other plants with cute little white flowers that bloom in the summer. In her yard, we transplanted 8 hosta.  Next step...mulch...to conserve the moisture and cut down on both weeds and watering. What a wonderful way to spend the morning...enjoying each other's company, beautifying our yards, and doing something wonderful for Mother Earth at the same time. And it was totally free! How cool is that?    What will you do for Earth Day this year?     04/18/2008

For me, the most exciting part of Spring is those first signs of new life pushing up through the cold, damp earth. Today, I saw the first little nubs of my daffodils peeking up out of the ground. I also noticed my hosta are starting to "bullet" and that faint greening of the grass. Finally! This was a very long winter in Northern Illinois, with a lot of snow and ice, and recently...cold and rainy days. In fact, we might get a little snow here on Saturday. Thank goodness the end is finally in sight and, as you know, more people will move in the next few months than at any other time of the year. That's good news for everyone in the real estate biz or housing-related industries (like carpet stores, furniture stores, blinds and drapery stores, movers, home improvement stores, etc.). Of cou... 04/11/2008

Well, it doesn't look much like Easter, or Spring for that matter, because it is snowing like crazy outside right now! It actually reminds me of an Easter when I was a child. We had driven from Michigan to Ohio to spend the Easter holiday with my Grandparents and other family members. That year, Easter came with a huge snow storm...so much for those cute little Easter dresses, lol...and we got snowed in. As a child, we didn't mind, because we got a few extra days to spend with our cousins in Grandma & Grandpa's big old house. But I remember all the adults complaining much the way I'm looking out the window and complaining about the snow we are experiencing today! Regardless of the weather, here's hoping you have a safe and wonderful Easter Holiday! Glitterfy.com - Glitter Graphics       03/21/2008

A few short months ago...  Who would've thought that my usually "neat as a pin" house would be littered with chew toys, a puffy pink bed, baby gate, and puppy treats (and that I wouldn't care)? Who would've thought that I would look forward to waking up at 6:00 a.m. to puppy kisses & snuggles? Who would've thought that when my husband comes home and says, "Where's my girl?" that he would not be talking about me? Who would've thought that I would put so much time and effort into finding just the right puppy food and treats? Well, Zoey has taken over our hearts and our lives. And she has a new favorite store! Page's Healthy Paws (formerly Thomas' Tails Page Two) in Lake Zurich is located at 249 N. Rand Road, Lake Zurich, IL. They specialize in natural pet products, including natural food ... 03/18/2008

Well, folks, more snow is on the way for the Lake Zurich area...another 1-4 inches this afternoon/evening. On top of the 6 or so inches we had earlier this week. Since I'm more of a sit-by-the-fire-drinking-hot-cocoa girl than an outdoor winter sports enthusiast, this is not welcome news. Even if it is pretty! It also affects showings. Each new snowfall usually results in less showings on my listings until the snow and slush are cleared away and the sun comes out again. In addition, who wants to climb through a foot or more of snow to get to the brochure box?                                   The above information is courtesy of the National Weather Service. For more information on this year's snowfall records, click here.     If you are a seller in the Lake Zurich area, the only thing ... 02/28/2008

Lake Zurich Homes The Lake Zurich area includes six communities: Lake Zurich, Deer Park, Hawthorn Woods, Kildeer, Long Grove and North Barrington—centered around Lake Zurich. Visit my Lake Zurich Real Estate site and view Lake Zurich Homes for sale. The 36-square-mile area is home to over 40,000 inhabitants, almost half of whom reside in Lake Zurich. Named one of the “Best Places to Raise Your Family” by Frommer’s travel guides, Lake Zurich offers an outstanding quality of life. With excellent public schools, ample business opportunities, and current downtown redevelopment, Lake Zurich guarantees a great place in which to live or work. From a farming community to a resort town to a modern, thriving village, Lake Zurich uses its rich history as a guide for the future. The first visitors ... 02/15/2008

 The Associated Press, reported that the economic rescue plan that passed the U.S. Congress on 2/8/08 awaits President Bush's signature for middle- to upper-income Americans who can refinance their jumbo home loans at cheaper rates.This temporarily raises the maximum size of mortgages that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can purchase and market as securities from $417,000 to as high as $729,750 in expensive parts of the country like New York City and California.It makes a similar change for loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration, which insures loans to borrowers with weak credit.Right now, borrowers in expensive areas are "really stuck between a rock and a hard place," says Mark Vitner, senior economist with Wachovia Corp. Raising the caps, he says, will result in a refinancing b... 02/08/2008