Some Villages are really up to date with their web design, social media and current design. Village of Skokie, IL is one step ahead with their new, enhanced www.skokiedowntown.org Downtown Skokie website has a new look that ties into the Downtown Reinvented revitalization and marketing campaign.   Skokie Park District on Facebook and Twitter. Not too long ago I posted a few snapshots of the Chicago suburbs villages websites  that I liked.  The Village of Skokie website was one of them. Skokie area schools, utility info and other important phone numbers and links can be found on my Skokie Real Estate on Homes By Haris website.   Feel free to contact me for any real estate needs in Skokie, Chicago's north shore, north and northwest suburbs. 10/18/2010

Scream Scene Haunted House ~ Skokie, IL Rated as one of Illinois' best haunted houses, Scream Scene features more than 20 unique rooms. From crazed butchers to insane clowns, the faint of heart will not want any part of this “scene.” (Not recommended for children under 10.) The event is located at the Skokie Water Playground, 4701 Oakton St. October 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30 and 31, 7-10 p.m. Admission: $8. For info call (847) 674-1500, ext. 2700 or go to www.ScreamScene.com Skokie Park District Halloween Spooktacular ~ Glenview, ILOctober 22, 6-8:30 pm Halloween fun for youngsters age 2 and up! Costumed characters, entertainment, crafts, pumpkin hunt, costume contest, face painting, giant inflatables in the gym, food. Put on your costume and join us for an evening of fun! (Activitie... 10/13/2010

Latest Real Estate market trends for Skokie, IL. Average market time is 208 days and the average listed price of the home in Skokie, IL is $274,744.  We can see more details on the image below.  Average market time , days on market, and homes available by price range. To see the real estate market trends from 2005 - 2009 in Skokie, IL follow the link to my North Of Chicago Real Estate and other stuff blog. Here is the link to a blog post about condominium trends in Skokie. My latest blog post in the condo series was about Mount Prospect, Niles and Skokie, IL. In the next few months I will work on posts about Park Ridge, Glenview and other local real estate trends. Feel free to contact me for any real estate needs in Skokie, IL and surrounding areas.Skokie , IL area links on Homes By Har... 09/30/2010

Part of my horrible-miserable-really-bad-week, this past week, caused me the need to seek out an auto-body shop. So, I called Bee-Zee Auto Body Shop at 3205 W. Howard Street, Skokie, IL 60076 at 847.673.2400. They're located on Howard street, just east of McCormick just east of the canal.  I called Bee-Zee, because they'd done some work on my daughter's car and had done a nice job. They were able to take my car the same day... so I had my daughter drive me in.  I had been hit in the driver's side rear door, by a $%*#&@@ who was backing out of a parking space, without looking behind her... (which is where I was stopped and in "Park" as I was letting my mother out of the car). Nobody was hurt, it was strictly sheet metal damage, the offending driver was insured... the world continues to t... 08/15/2010

We all meet our clients at at all sort of places. Once I had my first one on one interaction with a client right at the showing. Before we met we used email, we spoke on the phone and we text-ed. We always work something out. Let's meet half way we may suggest to a colleague. The options are endless. My office your office, at the coffee shop. Caribou, Starbucks or some other local place. At your home to take pictures. We are the road warriors :) Do we need  the Internet access at all times? If we have a smart phone, that is great. Maybe we would bring a laptop; if we have a wireless card could be awesome. But, do we need a wireless card? With so many Internet accesses around, should we even buy a wireless card? In Skokie, IL there are a few hot spots provided by the village.   I love co... 05/22/2010

Computer and Electronics Recycling from Home The At Home Computer Pickup Program provides SWANCC-area residents with a convenient recycling option for old electronics and computers.

 For $25.00 you can recycle 6 items. Additional items are $5 each with a maximum of 15. Cell phones and calculators are accepted at no cost and do not count toward your item total, however we do need to know how many you will be recycling. 

Simply schedule a pickup and place your items by your front door on the assigned pickup day. It’s that easy!

To be eligible to participate you must: • Live in a SWANCC member community  (Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County)• Have street level access to front door (no condos, apartments)     Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Zone 4 BarringtonHoffman EstatesInvernessPalatineSo... 05/05/2010

I collected all the data about Skokie, IL from MLS and made this easy to understand chart so we can see the real estate market trends for the past five years. As we can see below, there were 463 properties sold in 2009 in Skokie, IL with an average market time of 154 days. Average sold price was $268,605. Before the bubble burst, the home value was 38% higher in 2007 comparing with today's average home value in Skokie, IL. Few other local reports on my blog: Glenview, IL real estate market trends 05-09 Morton Grove, IL real estate market trends 05-09Niles, IL real estate market trends in 2009 Few Stats from National Association of REALTORS®, 2009 Selling a home is a full-time job. And most of today's buyers are online (nearly 9 of 10 recent buyers used the Internet in their home search)... 04/16/2010

Here are some condominum living facts for Skokie, IL Currently there are 287 Attached Single Family Homes on the market in Skokie, IL. As I type there are 57 Condos under contract in Skokie, IL. Average current price is $182,380 in Skokie, IL. The most affordable Attached Single Family home in Skokie is $74,900and the most expensive one is $650,000.   If you are thinking of selling or buying, feel free to contact me for any Real Estate questions regarding Skokie, IL and other neighboring areas. Check here for my regular posts on the local real estate market conditions and other local community events. Homes By Haris   02/15/2010

5020 Culver Skokie, Illinois   Judy Greenberg | listing courtesy of Remax 1st class | 847-602-5435 5020 Culver, Skokie, IL Skokie- New home on the Market! 4BR/2BA Single Family House   Year Built 1962 Sq Footage Unspecified Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 3 Parking Unspecified Lot Size Unspecified HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION THIS HOME HAS BEEN LOVINGLY CARED FOR & MAINTAINED BY IT'S ORIGINAL OWNERS. IMMACULATE SPLIT W/ALL 4 BEDRMS ON 2ND FLR. TWO FULL BATHS W/PLUMBING ROUGHED IN FOR 3RD. FRESHLY PAINTED INTERIOR. COOKS KITCHEN W/ISLAND. ALL NEWER APPLIANCES & PANTRY. NEWER PELLA WINDOWS ON MAIN & TOP FLR. UPDATED FURNACE, HOT WATER & 200 AMP ELECTRIC. GREAT OVERSIZED LOWER LEVEL FAMILY RM. HDWD FLRS UNDER CARPET. WALK TO PARK & SHOPPING.   see additional photos belo... 01/31/2010

Just in case you were wondering (and I know you were). I can highly recommend the lemonade at McCormick and Schmick's.  McCormick and Schmick's is a national chain of premium seafood restaurants that recently opened at the Old Orchard Shopping Center in Skokie. I, & a colleague, went there for lunch today, and we had the lemonade, which I am told, is fresh squeezed from REAL lemons.. (as opposed to those fake lemons).  It was really tasty. Oh... I almost forgot.  It seems to dramatically enhance the flavour of the lemonade when you add a shot of Kettel One Vodka.  (did we ever actually have lunch? ... I don't remember.) 01/20/2010

There were 463 properties sold in 2009 in Skokie, IL with an average market time of 151 days. Average sold price was $268,598. The minimum sold home had a value of $65,000 and the most expensive sold home was $1,140,000 in 2009.   On the first chart you can see, market time, average sold price, and how many condos and townhomes were sold in 2009. Below real estate statistics chart is for detached single family homes sold in 2009. Skokie, IL Real Estate Market Statistics for 2009 by the price. Few Stats from National Association of REALTORS®, 2009 Selling a home is a full-time job. And most of today's buyers are online (nearly 9 of 10 recent buyers used the Internet in their home search), and unrepresented sellers have no access to major online marketing avenues such as REALTOR.com and o... 01/18/2010

SkokieLink is the first multi-zone free outdoor wireless network in the suburbs of Chicago. The system is a municipal outdoor wireless Internet access pilot project.  It is a unique partnership between the Village of Skokie, High School District 219, the Skokie Public Library and the Skokie Park District. The project provides convenient access to the Internet from four public areas (see locations below), promotes the Downtown area as a destination and provides a needed service for residents of Skokie.  Here are the points of connection:  Memorial Park at Krier Plaza (Oakton Street at Lincoln Avenue)  Veterans Park (Lincoln Avenue at Cleveland Street)  The Village Green and Village parking lots (between the Library and Village Hall)  Oakton Park (Oakton Street at Skokie Boulevard)     Vi... 11/23/2009

I worked on real estate data from the MLS system and made an easy to understand chart that reflects the Real Estate Market Trends in Skokie IL.   As you analyze the posted data keep in mind that setting the price working closely with your Realtor and recognizing market trends are key to selling your home. 2009 will exceed homes sold in 2008.      Few Stats from National Association of REALTORS®, 2009 Selling a home is a full-time job. And most of today's buyers are online (nearly 9 of 10 recent buyers used the Internet in their home search), and unrepresented sellers have no access to major online marketing avenues such as REALTOR.com and other sites with large pools of listings to which buyers are attracted. Just 13% of recent sellers sold their home without professional representation... 11/09/2009

So last month, my clients wrote a contract on an REO ranch house in Skokie, IL (a local suburb).  The property is a true fixer-upper.  The kitchen needs to be gutted, the floors need to be sanded, fresh paint throughout, random cracks in the walls and ceilings... ... and then there's that... er.... aroma.  (something must have died in the walls, but we're not quite sure what... hopefully it's small).. last week, we went by the property accompanied by our contractors (to see what the expenses were going to be to gut the kitchen, bathrooms and do some build-out in the beautifully untouched basement)...  as we were leaving, my clients drove around the back (to take another longing look at their soon-to-be dream home)... and noticed that the service door to the garage was open and ajar (tha... 06/08/2009

This is a public service announcement: For those of you who need instructions, here is how to build a property Chicago-Style hot dog.  And just in time for memorial Day. The bun must be fresh, and must be poppy-seeded. (Plain is acceptable, too... but you will be made fun of) Rosen's is a good choice... but we'll settle for Jewel or Dominicks'. The hot dog can be grilled or boiled, but it must include Tomatoes (wedged)... pickle slice (also wedged... may be kosher, garlic or dill)... a MUST have... Celery Salt... (for those who have not had celery salt on a dog... it doesn't really have that much flavour, but if it's a Chicago dog... the fact that it's missing is notable). Neon Relish (they don't have that colour in nature!)... diced onions are optional... but don't be a wuss... put th... 05/25/2009

Skokie Home Sales Average List Price and Sale Prices by subdivision in the Skokie area. Single Family HomesSearch Previous Sales Subdivision Sales Avg. List Avg. Sale Ratio Devonshire 9 $367,488.89 $344,638.89 93.8 Fairview 6 $376,483.33 $358,333.33 95.2 Lorel Park 3 $406,133.33 $381,666.67 94 Skokie Gardens 1 $419,000.00 $381,000.00 90.9 Timber Ridge 6 $476,233.33 $445,666.67 93.6 Attached HomesSearch Previous Sales Subdivision Sales Avg. List Avg. Sale Ratio Barcelona 5 $186,360.00 $175,100.00 94 Devonshire 8 $181,031.25 $173,937.50 96.1 Gross Point Towers 2 $200,250.00 $188,500.00 94.1 Lincoln Ridge 2 $299,450.00 $287,500.00 96 Lincoln Towers 2 $237,500.00 $212,000.00 89.3 London Court 1 $229,500.00 $219,000.00 95.4 Lorel Park 1 $159,000.00 $150,000.00 94.3 Skokie Terrace 1 $179,900... 09/07/2008

Make An Intelligent Move with Richard Ives   Skokie Important Phone Numbers     Emergency 911 Fire 847-982-5300 Police 847-982-5900 Village Hall 847-673-0500 Township: Niles 847-673-9300 County: Cook 312-603-5656 Post Office 847-676-2200847-676-1030 Park District 847-674-1503 Library 847-673-7774 Hospital 847-677-9600 Train 312-322-6777 Gas 888-642-6748 Electric 800-334-7661 Water 847-673-0500 Refuse 847-673-0500 Telephone 800-244-4444 Cable TV 847-674-9563 School District:   65 847-492-5870 68 847-676-9000 69 847-675-7666 70 847-965-6200 72 847-674-8213 73 847-673-1147 73-5 847-673-1220 202 847-492-3856 219 847-965-9131       Richard Ives, ABR, e-PRO, RECS, AHWD, SRES, AIREE, REEA Accredited Buyer Representative Broker/Instructor www.richardives.remax-ni.com/ Richard Ives, ABR, e-PRO,... 08/15/2008

Skokie Home Sales Average List Price and Sale Prices by subdivision in the Skokie area. Single Family HomesSearch Previous Sales Subdivision Sales Avg. List Avg. Sale Ratio Devonshire 3 $507,933.33 $476,000.00 93.7 Fairview 9 $421,311.11 $403,277.78 95.7 Lorel Park 2 $359,450.00 $335,000.00 93.2 Skokie Towers 1 $619,000.00 $575,000.00 92.9 Timber Ridge 2 $497,250.00 $459,000.00 92.3 Attached HomesSearch Previous Sales Subdivision Sales Avg. List Avg. Sale Ratio Barcelona 3 $199,333.33 $183,333.33 92 Gross Point Towers 2 $206,950.00 $196,250.00 94.8 Lincoln Ridge 1 $299,000.00 $290,000.00 97 Lotus Condos 1 $124,000.00 $117,000.00 94.4 Madison Place 1 $339,500.00 $329,000.00 96.9 Park Lincoln 1 $299,000.00 $265,000.00 88.6 The Residences At 8200 1 $329,900.00 $278,900.00 84.5 Search for ... 05/20/2008

One factor that cannot be overlooked in a Home Inspection is safety.Some people see a home inspection as a negotiation tool, and use the defects noted as a means to try to lower the purchase price.  Others see it as a means to 'kill the deal'.A quality, professional home inspection is nothing more than a way for the buyer (or seller, or owner) to better understand the present condition of their house or commercial property, or a property that they are considering buying.But, a particularly misunderstood and little appreciated aspect is the safety of the house.Our local NACHI (National Association of Certified Home Inspectors) Chapter (greater Chicago 7 county area) do free furnace and water heater safety inspections, every fall for the last 3 years.  We have worked hard, with the larges... 03/11/2007

The condo market in Skokie, IL currently has 213 condos on the market and there is about a 11 month inventory.Currently listed: 213 Under Contract: 64Sold in last 180 days: 117 Low Price: $137,000High Price: $1,279,300Past Market Updates: 08/24/06The condos in the lower price range seem to be selling much better than the high end condos in Skokie. There is one month less inventory now than one month ago. This shows that the Skokie Condo market is doing better than many of the surrounding towns that are seeing growing inventory. 10/01/2006