It's Going to be HOT in Chicago and Chicagoland This Holiday Weekend! Protect Yourself During 100 Degree Heat and Sun ... - 06/29/11 09:13 PM
 
     The Chicago SunTimes says 100.  The Chicago Tribune/WGN's Tommy Skilling says 100 too!
     What am I talking about? 
     The Chicagoland weather forecast for Friday through Saturday, July 1st and 2nd.  That means heat and dangerously high temperatures.  It also means sunshine.  Lots and lots of sunshine.
     Two of summer's most potentially damaging health issues can result from heat and sun.  A cool, comfortable place to stay during extreme temperatures is a must for Chicagoland residents and visitors.  The State of Illinois' "Keep Cool" Campaign makes over 120 state facilities available as cooling centers.  Cooling centers are open throughout normal business hours (8:30 am to 5:30 pm, … (4 comments)

A suggestion for new homeowners: Change the locks ASAP! - 06/28/11 01:13 PM

 
The wisdom dispensed here by Richard Weisser of Coweta Fayette Real Estate is of great importance and consequence.  It could mean the difference between being safe in your new home or not.  It literally could mean the difference between life or death if taken to the extreme.
Take the time.  Make the expenditure.  Follow this important suggestion.  Replace ALL the locks to the home you just purchased IMMEDIATELY.  Provide yourself peace of mind.
Thank you Richard for passing this message on ...
Gene
 
Via Richard Weisser Coweta Fayette Real Estate:
Whether you buy a brand new home, a decades old resale, or … (5 comments)

Understanding Real Estate Appraisals: How Appraisals Can Affect the Outcome of Your Transaction, Pt. 2 - 06/26/11 10:01 PM
     
 
     Previously, Part 1 of this post,  "Understanding Real Estate Appraisals.  How Appraisals Can Affect the Outcome of Your Transaction",  offered information regarding facts and details addressed and documented within an Appraisal report.      In this post, Part 2, I will attempt to explain what "logic" is used to support the value reported by the Appraiser in their report.  In today's challenging mortgage underwriting, that logic has to hold up to fairly intense scrutiny.  In truth, it is the underwriter that is the last word regarding any Appraisal.      Due to the issues within the housing market the last few years ... … (8 comments)

Empowering Our Clients To Be A Party To The Homebuying Process - 06/25/11 02:11 PM
I so applaud Debe Maxwell's (http://www.iCharlotteRealEstate.com) message in this post. Potential buyers should not ... and cannot rely on others to do what should be some of their responsibility. Yes, they should be able to rely on their professionals. Yes, they should be able to assume that a professional will listen to their needs and then act in accordance with those needs and in their benefit. But this does not release them from all obligation or responsibility regarding their own course of action. They owe it to themselves to seek guidance and quality information, but act upon their own final judgement … (2 comments)

Understanding Real Estate Appraisals. How Appraisals can affect the outcome of your transaction, Pt. 1 - 06/23/11 04:48 PM
 
Inevitably there's a point during my conversation with almost every new mortgage client that the talk turns to the property appraisal. If the client themself brings up the topic, it's an indication to me that I'm speaking with an educated buyer. That buyer has already done some homework regarding mortgages already ... and that's good.
Typically, new home buyers and homeowners want to know the basics of the appraisal. Who is going to do the appraisal? Will they get to see it? Will they get a copy? What happens if the home doesn't appraise out? Currently, many of my clients … (38 comments)

The "Giving Garden" Program. How to Donate or Participate in DuPage, Kane, Cook, Lake, or McHenry Counties in Illinois - 06/22/11 12:02 PM
 
The "Giving Garden" Program.  How to Donate or Participate in
DuPage, Kane, Cook, Lake, or McHenry Counties in Illinois 
 
    While reading the online Daily Herald today, I ran across information on the "Giving Garden" effort sponsored by the paper.  Given I had just posted an article regarding  Chicagoland Farmer's/French Markets  recently on my own blog site, the colorful ad and article really caught my eye.
          Every summer, the Daily Herald newspaper sponsors what they call the "Giving Garden" program.  For those gardeners with green thumbs (and producing extra fruits and vegetables) in the Chicagoland counties of Kane, DuPage, Cook, … (0 comments)

Adding Value to Your Kitchen Economically. Valuable Painting and Staining Tips for Kitchen Cabinetry ... - 06/21/11 09:15 PM
    

     A short while back, Maureen Bray, from Room Solutions Home Staging, Portland, OR, was kind enough to share  a blog of hers with my readers regarding inexpensive suggestions for updating and remodeling the kitchen within your home.  Maureen's helpful blog still receives many viewers each and every day on my website. 
     Perhaps a new home or expensive remodeling is out of the question for you right now financially, but with some elbow grease, small monetary expenditure, and effort ... you can still achieve big things and add value to your home by following these bits of advice.          The continued popularity of Maureen's post … (11 comments)

Sellers: Time to list? Avoid mixed messages! - 06/16/11 10:55 PM
The message contained here is is such an important message for Sellers to hear .. understand .. and act upon. I've read just recently that the first 2 to 3 weeks your home is listed in this current market are absolutely critical. Not have a plan? Not be prepared? Not be priced correctly and intelligently in comparison to your competition? That's exactly the mixed message Charles Edwards writes about being so lethal to sales success. You waste valuable time ... This post contains some great advice for those thinking of listing their homes for sale. Follow Charles Edwards' advice, and you … (6 comments)

Old Canal Days in Lockport, IL ... This Weekend, June 17th to June 19th - 06/16/11 09:49 AM
Old Canal Days in Lockport, IL
June 17th through June 19th
 
This Friday night (June 17th) The Old Canal Days parade will kick-off an entire weekend of fun and history in Lockport, IL.  (Click here for Map/Directions).
This years parade route will being on State & Third Street and end at 14th & Washington Streets in Lockport. Line-up begins at 5:30 pm, with the actual parade starting at 6:30 pm. The parade celebrates the 175th anniversary of the groundbreaking of the historic Illinois & Michigan Canal.
Old Canal Days events will take place along State Street, between 8th … (8 comments)

Cure Your Home Buyer's Blues! Take a Heapin' Helpin' of Fannie Mae's HomePath Home Buying Incentives Today! - 06/14/11 08:27 PM
 
Cure your Home Buyer's Blues!
Get a heapin' helpin' of HomePath INCENTIVES ... Call Me NOW!
 
FannieMae just announced that they're providing a major "dose" of incentives to cure home buyer's blues.  Incentives that can mean up to a 35% increase in a home buyer's closing credit!  
To help more buyers purchase a home, FannieMae is offering up to 3.5% in Closing Costs assistance to those purchasing HomePath properties. This heapin' helpin' of assistance is available starting June 14th and runs through October 31st, 2011.
Exciting, right?
Who ... and exactly what properties ... are eligibile??   Here are the … (13 comments)

YOU asked the question. I answered it: How do I get a condominium (project) approved for FHA lending? - 06/14/11 10:58 AM
 
       I was recently asked via my Facebook page ...
     “How do you get a condominium approved for FHA (Federal Housing Administration) lending?” 
     It’s a great question … and one that is very timely, given the present challenging condominium market in our Chicagoland area and much of the country.  I’ll try to keep the explanation as brief as possible, but please bear with me. (Answer will be found on Facebook as well).        But before proceeding with my answer, I suggest that  (especially if interested in pursuing this action for any reason)  you first familiarize yourself with … (9 comments)

Chicago and Chicagoland Area Farmers & French Markets - 2011 - 06/09/11 02:10 PM
 
             Below you will find a list of Chicago and Chicagoland communities offering Farmers Markets or French Markets during this summer and into early fall of 2011.  Many of these Markets also offer items beyond produce and food, such as musical performances, kids activities, community services, and more.        There's great benefit to supporting these Farmers Markets and French Markets.  Besides enjoying the health benefits of fresh, locally-grown produce, fruits, and vegetables ... you're also supporting the local economy and your fellow neighbors.  Again, a huge win-win for all involved.        Hope you seek-out and enjoy a Farmer's Market … (12 comments)

My Own Version of the "TOP 10". More Ways to Service More Borrowers - 06/06/11 12:14 PM
 

I figure ... why not have some fun getting my message across? 
Hope you enjoy it too and contact me, should you have questions!
 

Worried about your credit?  I can help there too!
NO cost, NO obligation credit and mortgage
advice ... just a  "click"  away!
Contact me NOW!
 
 
… (5 comments)

Today's Mortgage Lesson: The Three R's ... Rumors, Reminder, 'Rithmetic - 06/01/11 02:06 PM
 
         Today, I want to address 3 things that seem to crop-up frequently when working with home buyers ... and that's ...
           Rumors, Reminders, & 'Rithmetic!                 Rumors first, as I believe misconceptions and untruths can scare potential home buyers from searching out the facts.       The rumor I hear most often concerns the need for down payment.  So many potential home buyers (especially first-time buyers) believe that you must have 20% down to buy a home.  That's just not true!        There are multiple programs that allow for smaller down payments.  Some are:  USDA Rural … (12 comments)

 

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