May in Wheaton is a great time of year.  The tulips are up, the trees are really beginning to turn green, the French Market has begun, kids are anxious to get out of school and buyers are out looking for homes.  This May had 52 single family homes close with an average sale price of $449,201.  There were also 38 homes that received contracts during the month of May.  Last year saw 65 homes sold in May with an average sale price up a few thousand dollars to $452,948.  Please take special note of the column labeled "SP:LP Ratio."  It means Sales Price to List Price Ratio.  That number is a surprising 96% down the line. This is a slight change from past months and years.  We have always told sellers to expect about 97% of asking price (if the home is correctly priced in the first place).  ... 06/04/2007

If you are looking to buy or sell your home and have questions post them here. 06/04/2007

Most buyers seek move in ready properties at the top of their price range because they don't have money left for improvements after close.   The smaller a down payment the less likely to qualify for home equity lines to finance improvements.  Changes to the lending industry make obtaining high LTV 2nd mortgages uncertain and rates for home equity lines have nearly doubled in the past few years.   Construction to permanent financing programs enable  you to borrow the future (improved) property value & roll remodeling costs into a new (lower interest) 1st mortgage.  Sellers: Sell faster at top dollar by making your home move in ready for future homebuyers.*Buyers: Negotiate a lower "as is" price and start your remodeling immediately after close.+Borrow on the FUTURE improved value of your... 06/01/2007

This year's Memorial Day Parade was hosted by the American Legion Post 76.  The parade kicked off at 10 a.m. at Memorial Park and ended at the Wheaton Cemetery.  A service followed to commemorate our soldiers.  The streets were packed with onlookers and children caring bags, just waiting for the Girl Scout Troops to throw candy.  As always, they weren't disappointed.  We also were not disappointed by the many local marching bands.  The music was wonderful!  The District 200 Middle School and High School students should be very proud of their efforts. 05/30/2007

Spring is Finally Here! One way to know spring has sprung in Wheaton is the bustle of activity at Main and Liberty on Saturday mornings.  For over 5 years, Wheaton has hosted a French Market from 8am to 2pm.  The number of vendors continues to grow and the variety of items is astonishing: fresh cut flowers, annuals and perennials, fruit and vegetable vendors, handmade clothing, baked goods, soaps, jewelry, the list goes on and on.  And my personal favorite, you might even find a harp player trying to raise money for a summer concert. So get up and enjoy. 05/19/2007

This year's Memorial Day Parade will be hosted by the American Legion Post 76.  The parade will take place on May 28 and start at 10 a.m.  Kick off will be at Memorial Park and end at the Wheaton Cemetery.  A service will begin at 11 a.m. at the cemetery to commemorate our soldiers.The parade route is as follows:  South on Hale Street, West on Wesley Street, South on West to the Wheaton Cemetery.Please have a safe Memorial Day! 05/18/2007

 The table below lists all of the currently active single family detached and single family attached homes in Wheaton, IL. The information is broken into price ranges with average time on market for that range. Included are the high, low, median and average prices. For detailed information on a property type within a price range, including virtual tour when available, contact me with physical characteristic requirements.    Active Listings List Price Range # Listings Avg. Days on Mkt Less than $149,999 7 266 $150,000 - $199,999 38 83 $200,000 - $249,999 29 101 $250,000 - $299,999 56 129 $300,000 - $349,999 66 112 $350,000 - $399,999 40 97 $400,000 - $449,999 29 123 $450,000 - $499,999 33 108 $500,000 - $549,999 24 129 $550,000 - $599,999 35 127 $600,000 - $699,999 29 163 $700,000 - $799... 05/11/2007

The Yellow House on the Google map indicates the new Amberwood Estates location.  There will be 33 custom homes on the former Sunny Ridge property.  The North side of the subdivision will back to Toohey Park and the South side to an open, wooded area.  Just some of the Wheaton amenities near Amberwood Estates are:Arrowhead Golf ClubAtten Park and Ball FieldsBrighton ParkChicago Golf ClubHerrick Lake Forest PerserveHubble Middle SchoolIllinois Prairie PathKelly ParkPool and Water Park Wheaton Park District Seven Gables ParkWeisbrook Elementary SchoolWheaton Warrenville South High SchoolWheaton Park District FacilityClick on the map for more information about each location.If you need more information about Wheaton or Amberwood Estates, please feel free to contact us. 05/10/2007

This elite neighborhood will have only 63 estates.  There are currently six homes on the market (some with owners and a few spec properties).  There is also time to buy a lot and customize your dream home. Click on the google map to learn more about these places and their proximity to Legends.  The Legends of Wheaton subdivision is highlighted in red.  The exclusive Legends of Wheaton neighborhood is centrally located near many important Wheaton locations.  The landmarks are as follows: Arrowhead Golf Club - Run by the Wheaton Park DistrictAtten ParkChicago Golf Club - One of the oldest golf clubs in the states.Herrick Lake Forest PreserveHubble Middle SchoolIllinois Prarie PathSeven Gables ParkToohey ParkWiesbrook Elementary SchoolWheaton Public LibraryWheaton Warrenville South High Sc... 05/06/2007

The Danada East subdivision is centrally located near many important Wheaton locations.  Click on the google map to learn more about these places and their proximity to Danada East.  Danada East subdivision is highlighted in red.  The other locations are as follows:Arrowhead Golf ClubBriar Patch Park - Home to the Wheaton Briarcliffe Youth Baseball LeagueChicago Golf Club - The United States first golf club.Hubble Middle School - The middle school for the Danada EastWiesbrook Elementary School - The elementary school for Danada EastWheaton Park District Community CenterWheaton Public LibraryWheaton Warrenville South High School - The public high school for Danada EastIf you are interested in learning more about Danada East homes, please contact me or check out the neighborhood website. 05/06/2007

Honestly, our 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath 1950s ranch is plenty big for our family.  The truth is Kevin and I have been foster parents for the last 6 years.  Our two birth children are 9 and 7 years old.  We have fostered 14 children over the years.  They have ranged in age from 4 days to 18 years.  We adopted our 2-1/2 year old son in 2005.  We are hoping to do the same with our 9 month old daughter.You might be asking why I am bringing this up in a Real Estate blog.  Well, May is National Foster Care Month.  Kevin and I enjoy selling real estate; it allows us to do what we really love - help kids.There are currently 513,000 children in foster care.  Could you open up your heart for one of them?  If you are interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent, please feel free to contact... 05/02/2007

Sunny Ridge Family Center, Wheaton Illinois. Spring 2007  Since 1926, Sunny Ridge has been taking care of children and creating families with adoption both local and world-wide.  Sunny Ridge places children all over the world with families in the United States.  Some of those countries include:  China, Colombia, Ethiopia, Guatemala, India, Kazakhstan, Korea, Philippines, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine.                                                        In the near future, Sunny Ridge Family Center will move to a new location.  This is what the property looks like before the bulldozers take over. 04/29/2007

April 17th was a big day in Wheaton.   With 64% of the vote, Michael J. Gresk was voted Mayor of Wheaton.Liz Corry recaptures here city council seat and John Prendiville will become the newest member of the Wheaton City Council.John T. Bomherm, Rosemary Swansonm, and Marie Slater were all re-elected to the District 200 School Board.For more election results the DuPage County Election Commission has a comprehensive website. 04/19/2007

In the first three months of 2007, there were 107 home sales in Wheaton, Illinois with an average sale price of $426,008.  That is up from 95 homes sold in the first quarter of 2006 with an average sale price of $411,007.For a more specific breakdown of home sales, you can see them broken down by bedrooms.One of the interesting things to observe is even in this buyers market, the sellers are still getting 97% of asking price (excluding the six 2 bedroom homes).  If the home is priced accurately, sellers are still expecting and getting 97% of asking price in Wheaton.If you are interesting in learning more about Wheaton, please read the following blogs.  Wheaton, Illinois - A Wonderful Place to Live Wheaton Parks and Recreation   Five Reasons Wheaton is a Great Place to Live    Some Famou... 04/17/2007

       If you would like to receive detailed information on any of the homes currently for sale in the Green Valley Add, give me a call.  We can customize the search to meet your specific requirements of a home you may be interested in viewing.   I will be glad to send you in an email a detailed listing report with all the current Active Homes that meet your  requirements; including pictures and virtual tours when available. The table below lists all of the currently available Homes for Sale in the above mapped area of Green Valley Add Subdivision in Wheaton, IL. The information is broken out into price ranges with an average time on the market.Active Listings List  Price  Range# ListingsAvg. Days on Mkt$250,000 - $299,9995216 $550,000 - $599,9991359 $600,000 - $699,9992100    Active Li... 04/04/2007

The month long celebration of the new Wheaton Public Library will take place during April 2007.  The official dedication occurs on Sunday, April 15.  The day will begin at 1pm with music by Trio Caprice.  The formal dedication ceremony starts at 2pm and will end with the placing a new time capsule in the buildings cornerstone.  Then the crowd can dance to the doo-wop beat of AC Rock.You can find out much more about other events at the Wheaton Public Library during the month April at their website. 04/04/2007

Wheaton Ridge is a 200+ home subdivision in the North West corner of Wheaton off of Geneva Road.  Most of these homes were built by Faganel Builders between 1988 and 1994.  Generally, they are two story homes with either 4 or 5 bedrooms.  The annual assessment averages about $100.   Children in public school attend Wheaton District 200 schools:  Pleasant Hill Elementary, Monroe Middle School and Wheaton North High School.Last year, 4 homes sold in Wheaton Ridge.Average List Price (Sold)Average Sale Price                                       SP:LP Ratio                                                            Average Market Time$523,425$513,97598%24 daysThere are currently 2 Wheaton Ridge homes on the market.  The first is a four bedroom home for $554,900 and the other is a five bedro... 03/25/2007

Spring is the perfect time to plan for home improvement projects.  While you are interviewing contractors, ordering the dumpster and calling J.U.L.I.E. don't forget to stop by Wheaton's City Hall at 303 W. Wesley Street to file your building permit.  You can obtain the permit application online and then submit it to the Building Department for review and approval.  Doing it right the first time can save you both time and money in the long run. 03/23/2007

The developers of the old DuPage County Courthouse complex are not only renovating the 1868 Romanesque building, but creating history in the process.   Airhart Construction and Focus Development have found a time capsule from 1896 hidden in the walls of the DuPage County Courthouse.The Center for History in Wheaton will remove and analyze the treasures found in this time capsule.  Then, on April 5 at 3 p.m. Airhart Construction and Focus Development will host a ceremony outside the courthouse.  This event will be open to the public.  Contact the Center for History to R.S.V.P. your attendance.Mayor Jim Carr will also attend this event and present new times for a time capsule to be place back inside the walls of the old DuPage County Courthouse.  The items to be placed in the Courthouse b... 03/23/2007

 The table below lists tha currently available single family detached and single family attached homes in Wheaton, Illinois. Properties are broken out into price ranges with average time on market within each range. For details on a property in a given price range, contact me and full description with pictures, virtual tour if available, will be sent to you for review. All properties may be personally viewed with an appointment. Active Listings   List Price Range # Listings Avg. Days on Mkt Less than $149,999 8 184 $150,000 - $199,999 19 122 $200,000 - $249,999 25 121 $250,000 - $299,999 44 147 $300,000 - $349,999 51 116 $350,000 - $399,999 33 132 $400,000 - $449,999 32 95 $450,000 - $499,999 16 152 $500,000 - $549,999 29 119 $550,000 - $599,999 25 149 $600,000 - $699,999 29 178 $700,00... 03/10/2007