Understanding Your Credit Score   How It Impacts Your Home Ownership ProspectsYour credit score is an important part of your financial profile. It has a direct impact on your ability to take out loans. The score itself is a numerical reflection of your credit history. It gives lenders a way to discern your reliability before approving a loan like a mortgage for instance. Though this is the basic function of a credit score, it can also have a far-reaching influence over other aspects of your South Barrington, Barrington, Schaumburg, Streamwood, Roselle and Chicago NorthWest Suburbs Home Ownership.Mortgage Loan Approval: Will Your Score Make the Cut?First and foremost, the status of your credit score is a deciding factor in whether or not you are approved for a loan. E... 12/17/2015

Here's Why your Home Won't Sell ......Your Home is just not up to Snuff - There is plenty of stiff competition our there in the marketplace and buyers just don't want to deal with the updates you haven't wanted to tackle.  You can blame it on anything you want but if your home is outdated, it's not going to sell.  You can wish as hard as you can, it's just not going to happen. Nothing is Selling so who cares what price we're at - Your frustration and lack of preparation hasn't gotten a buyer in the door?  What the buyers actually might be saying to you is 'No thanks Mr. Seller, not at that price'.  You must adjust your price after a sufficient amount of time because if you have no showings or low total showings, the buyers are actually telling you it's overpriced.  Don't be that stale l... 12/15/2015

Why won't anyone be honest with sellers about agents using their open house as 'buyer bait'? I haven't been in favor of open houses in years and due to the latest agent fatalities over the last few years, it makes me dislike them even further from a security standpoint. In a recent survey done by RISMedia on the subject, 56% of agent respondents said they were 'pointless'. I have to agree and do not have them in my marketing plan.  I don't think that Realtors have been honest about what an open house is actually used for - BAIT. It's for the agent that is looking for buyers and if your home doesn't fit their criteria - they'll just sell them another one with more of their preferences. Baiting for buyers that are hopefully breathing & prequalified! It's for the agent that is also looking... 12/13/2015

Looking for current and concise market information for your Schaumburg Home? You've come to the right place so let's delve right into the 3rd Quarter information. Let's talk about a few key market facets here - the months supply of inventory for Schaumburg Homes has been inching downward. We have 37% less housing inventory then we did a year ago but still the competition is fierce for sellers. I believe that if sellers had their homes in better market condition, sales would increase. The current market time is 82 days to contract which is not exactly 'flying off the shelves' fast is it? Schaumburg's inventory did jump significantly in July (from 3.9 to 5.5 months). An excellent indicator that the Schaumburg housing market is under steady recovery is the percentage of homes that go under... 10/16/2015

Real Estate Market Update - Northwest Suburbs - September 2015This is the place to get those Northwest Suburban real estate questions answered!Our Northwest Suburban inventory level is now declining overall since June. You've still have to price your home right & stage it to sell if you want to sell quickly as we are going into the winter months. I have noticed that sellers are having huge price reductions very frequently in order to compete with other sellers.  What about Prices?  Prices have virtually stayed the same during this 3rd quarter but increased overall from 2014. All real estate is local so each different neighborhood and town is reacting differently to the market. Recovery can be slow as some subdivisions & some models still have not had any sales since reaching market bott... 10/12/2015

The share of homes purchased by return buyers or “boomerang buyers", those who formerly were foreclosed on or did a short sale, increased significantly in recent years.  NAR Research estimates that 8% or nearly 350,000 home sales were from return buyers in 2014.  It’s important to note though, that the majority of these borrowers according to NAR Research were likely of prime quality before entering foreclosure and that they prefer safe, affordable financing for their return purchase. According to NAR’s 2014 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 41% of return buyers financed their home with FHA backing, while 30% used conventional financing like Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac and another 25% used VA.  The VA and FHA allow for shorter time-out periods when a buyer is not eligible for financing ... 09/22/2015

Seniors are on the move - Senior transactions are 59% higher than a year ago. The nation’s fastest-growing metro is The Villages, a retirement community in Florida. 20,000 senior housing units will be needed per year for the next 25 years.  Great infographic explains the new 'Silver Tsunami' in real estate.     09/21/2015

Real Estate in the Northwest Suburbs - August 2015 Let's tally up those Northwest Suburban real estate numbers and see where we stand!   What's been happening in our current real estate market? What's trending? The housing inventory level is now considered extremely low and is trending toward a sellers market.  Competition amoung sellers continues to be a factor as we have not recovered as quickly as other larger national markets.  Our Northwest Suburban market is still considered a 'sellers market' based on current inventory levels. Prices should be increasing with fewer home selections.  Our average market times show homes are not selling as quickly as the low inventory would suggest.  We need low market times & low inventory levels for prices to increase more rapidly & buyer demand t... 09/18/2015

Boy if lenders aren't a stiff & conservative bunch right? Well, things are beginning to change & many new loan programs are being offered for today's buyers. There is still plenty of 'documentation' required but the lending reins are being loosened slowly & here are a couple of examples: One lending partner can now qualify buyers based on assets, not income. Buyers can use the power of their retirement & investment accounts. There's always one part of mortgage lending that even beats me up & makes me crazy! When to lock that loan? It's a constant woulda', coulda', shoulda' situation. My lending partner also offers a 'Rate Lock Float Down Option' which works pretty well like you'd imagine.  If the rate drops, you get the benefit of the lower rate incentive but you then have to close in 1... 09/17/2015

Across the Chicagoland real estate market, distressed sales namely foreclosures & short sales, are now making up less & less of closed transactions. Economists now tell us that they now make up the smallest market percentage, now falling to a 6 year low.  Illinois is currently at 1.8% statewide. What does that mean for you and your Schaumburg Area Home? Prices are now stabilized with a majority of closings now being 'normal' transactions. There is such a small percentage of short sales now that it's hardly worth considering. SUCH A DEAL? REO's or foreclosures are still having an impact in the market share but in different ways. Long gone are the 'deals' that were able to be found even 1-2 years ago. Foreclosures are becoming a smaller & smaller market percentage but the way they are bei... 09/16/2015

In the table below lists all of the single family detached and single family attached homes currently on the market in Schaumburg, IL The data lists available homes by price range with average time on market in each range.Included in this list are many Foreclosures and Short Sales.  Should you have an interest in homes in a selected price range, send me your physical characteristics requirements. I will send complete details on those homes that meet your criteria.Active Listings List Price Range # Listings Avg. Days on Mkt $50,000 - $99,999 11 34 $100,000 - $149,999 32 74 $150,000 - $199,999 63 77 $200,000 - $249,999 39 174 $250,000 - $299,999 38 108 $300,000 - $349,999 31 99 $350,000 - $399,999 27 106 $400,000 - $449,999 12 80 $450,000 - $499,999 5 84 $500,000 - $549,999 4 88 $550,000 ... 09/04/2015

Let's get to those Northwest Suburban real estate questions!  What's been happening in our current real estate market? What's trending? The housing inventory level is now unchanged from June levels. The amount of homes that go under contract has also been unchanged from June.  In our area 3 times more listings come on the market than those that go under contract. Competition among sellers continues to be a factor as we have not recovered as quickly as other larger national markets.  Our Northwest Suburban market is still considered a 'sellers market' based on current inventory levels. Prices should be increasing with fewer home selections.  Our average market times show homes are not selling as quickly as the low inventory would suggest.  We need low market times & low inventory levels ... 08/16/2015

Let's get to those Northwest Suburban real estate questions!  What's been happening in our current real estate market? What's trending? The housing inventory is now the highest it has been since the recession started. In our area 3 times more listings come on the market than closings. Competition continues to be a factor in our Midwest market as we have not recovered as quickly as other larger markets. Our Northwest Suburban market is now considered a 'sellers market' based on current inventory levels. Prices should be increasing more rapidly under these conditions but market times show homes are not selling as quickly as the low inventory would suggest.  And those Prices?  Prices have increased over May and certainly increased from 2014. The indicators are showing that the prices will ... 07/26/2015

737 Shoreline Circle Schaumburg Pending SaleMy clients are very happy to be the buyers of this 3 bedroom 3 bath Town house in Schaumburg IL. She was for sale as a For Sale By Owner but I talked to the owner and got her to agree to cooperate with Coldwell Banker and me as the selling Broker. If there is a will there is a way and I want my clients to be happy. We got it together for this cute home right next to the high-school for a straight A student to walk to school, their oldest son.If you are thinking about finding a new home, give the Real Estate Professionals at Coldwell Banker a call and we can help you find your perfect home. Understanding your Expectations and Exceeding themColdwell Banker Residential Real Estate(800) 858-7917  07/13/2015

In the table below lists all of the single family detached and single family attached homes currently on the market in Schaumburg,  IL The data lists available homes by price range with average time on market in each range.Included in this list are many Foreclosures and Short Sales.  Should you have an interest in homes in a selected price range, send me your physical characteristics requirements. I will send complete details on those homes that meet your criteria. Active Listings List Price Range # Listings Avg. Days on Mkt $50,000 - $99,999 2 44 $100,000 - $149,999 39 61 $150,000 - $199,999 55 76 $200,000 - $249,999 46 112 $250,000 - $299,999 44 120 $300,000 - $349,999 22 113 $350,000 - $399,999 24 62 $400,000 - $449,999 13 132 $450,000 - $499,999 1 54 $500,000 - $549,999 8 105 $550,0... 07/03/2015

  $179,000Three bedroom, 1.5 bath, 2 car attached garage, fireplace on a cul-de-sac. Bring your decorating ideas   Priced $40,000 below fair market. 07/01/2015

In the table below lists all of the single family detached and single family attached homes currently on the market in Schaumburg,  IL The data lists available homes by price range with average time on market in each range.Included in this list are many Foreclosures and Short Sales.  Should you have an interest in homes in a selected price range, send me your physical characteristics requirements. I will send complete details on those homes that meet your criteria. Active Listings List Price Range # Listings Avg. Days on Mkt $50,000 - $99,999 7 66 $100,000 - $149,999 38 60 $150,000 - $199,999 49 70 $200,000 - $249,999 43 100 $250,000 - $299,999 45 108 $300,000 - $349,999 19 114 $350,000 - $399,999 26 75 $400,000 - $449,999 11 122 $450,000 - $499,999 2 40 $500,000 - $549,999 5 116 $550,0... 06/03/2015

  www.homesbystevied.com   For Sale Single Family House $249,500 3 Beds, 2.5 Baths 1187 Concord Dr, Elgin, IL Laundry In-Unit      Stevie D." ReMax sdprorealtor@aol.com 630.479.9479      Parking Garage / 2 Spaces Year Built 1988 Sq Footage 1867 sqft. Lot Size 8241 Square Feet DescriptionW O W! *BEAUTIFULLY UPGRADED & EXPANDED CUSTOM 2~STORY W/4~SEASON RM!*NEW/NEWER FEATURES THRU~OUT!*GOURMET STYLE KITCHEN W/TOP~LINE S/S APPLIANCES*GRANITE COUNTERS*HARDWOOD ASH CABINETRY*GLASS BACK~SPLASH*SIDE WINE/LIQUOR BAR *T.V.*CAN LIGHTING*WOOD FLOORS*FULL FINISHED BASEMENT W/THEATER MEDIA RM*OFFICE*FULL BATH *NEW/NEWER FURNACE*C/A*ROOF*SIDING*WINDOWS*PARK LIKE YARD W/BRICK~PAVER & FIREPIT*ETC!*TOO MUCH TO LIST! 06/02/2015

    For Sale Single Family House $249,500 3 Beds, 2 Baths 680 Kenilworth Ct, Des Plaines, IL Laundry In-Unit      Stevie D." ReMax sdprorealtor@aol.com 630.479.9479      Parking Garage / 2 Spaces Sq Footage 1550 sqft. Lot Size 6878 Square Feet DescriptionWELL MAINTAINED AND MOVE~IN CONDITION ! *MANY NEW/NEWER FEATURES ! *BIG $$$ TICKET ITEMS INC: ARCHITECURAL ROOF/SHINGLES*FURNACE*CENTRAL AIR* WINDOWS*WHOLE HOUSE PURIFIER*STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES*2 FULL REMODELED BATHS*LAMINATE WOOD FLOORING THRU~OUT*OVERHEAD CEILING FANS *6 PANEL DOORS*FRONT LAWN SPRINKLER SYSTEM*LEAFGUARD GUTTERS *ENTERTAINMENT SIZE DECK*LARGE STORAGE BUILDING *FENCED YARD*GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD*ETC!  06/01/2015

Ready To Buy Your First Home, Here Is Your Quick Checklist Buying your first home is a major milestone in your life, similar to graduating high school or moving out of your parent’s house.When you buy a South Barrington, Barrington, Schaumburg, Bartlett, Roselle, Streamwood or Chicago and Northwest Suburbs property, you are making a long term investment decision in your future and potentially taking the first step toward your future financial security. However, buying a house before you are ready can actually be a negative move that puts a cramp in your plans.It is important to assess where you are in life, so that you know whether or not it’s the right time to buy a house.Some people buy their first home at 21, others at a later time period in their lives, and some might continue to r... 05/18/2015