Charming Wayne, IL Horse Property - 04/28/10 08:15 PM
Charming Horse Property, Great Price … (4 comments)

Prices: the Truth...and Nothing but the Truth - 04/28/10 10:27 AM
Steve Harney helps real estate practitioners, homeowners, sellers and buyers understand complicated financial information about the housing industry. His blog Keeping Current Matters is my daily "go to" source for usable information.The most important point he makes in this post is that understanding the market requires keeping several seemingly contradictory ideas in your head at once: (1) transactions are increasing (2) prices may show some stabilization(3) new listings outpace the number of contracts(4) the rate of the increasing inventory is likely to continue to rise due to the anticipated rise in foreclosures over the next year or two.I've written about this … (0 comments)

Please Help Me Sell Your Listing! - 04/27/10 07:30 PM
Please Help Me Sell Your Listing! OK, I really can't sell every one, but if you're a listing agent, please help me best promote your listing if I show it.I used to think of myself primarily as a listing agent. I love marketing and selling homes. I am associated with a broker that leads the industry in integrated internet marketing.  But after three weekends in a row with transferees, I have had a huge "heads up" regarding how listings should be promoted and presented for a showing. So if you want to sell your listing versus all the others on the … (7 comments)

Fox Run in Geneva, IL - 04/24/10 12:27 AM
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Lakes of Boulder Ridge Duplex Town Home in Lake in the Hills, IL NEW LISTING - 04/23/10 09:29 AM
Lakes of Boulder Ridge Duplex Townhome … (0 comments)

The Purpose of a Home Inspection - 04/22/10 08:51 PM
 
In Illinois the home inspection is the chance for the buyer to make sure that there are no major structural, health or safety issues with the home. The attorneys who see the attorney review/home inspection phase as the chance to grab a few thousand more for the buyer are actually hurting their clients.  Thanks to Drick for a great article describing the issues related to home inspection.
 
Via Drick Ward (EXiT REALTY CENTRAL):
A home inspection is a common contingency in many purchase agreements today, but some people (including some agents) don't really understand what it's for.  It seems that … (2 comments)

Take pictures of your home in all seasons whether you live in Buffalo Grove or timbukto - 04/22/10 08:22 AM
Judy Greenberg has a great recommendation for people who might be thinking of selling their home in the future -- keep that digital camera out and take photos thoughout the year. Either on-line or in an album in the home, photos of the homes in different seasons can help a buyer visualize all the ways they might live in the home. I sold my personal residence a few years back during the summer, partially Mrs. Buyer loved the way the home looked decorated for Christmas. My winter photos gave her the vision of the life style she was looking for.
Via Judy … (1 comments)

Freddie Mac Reports on Emerging Short Sale Fraud Trends - 04/20/10 08:31 AM
 
Many buyers are looking for a great deal in today's market, but caution in needed to make sure that agents and clients don't unwittingly participate in fraud. Thanks to Melissa Zavala for a great write up of the issues.
 
Via Melissa Zavala Realtor® North San Diego County Homes (Broadpoint Properties):
I received a few emails today with regard to what seems to be an update to the Freddie Mac website. More specifically, Freddie Mac has updated one page of their website which discusses what they call Short Payoff Fraud.
I reviewed the site, and am not surprised by either their … (3 comments)

Geneva IL Japanese Garden in the Fabyan Forest Preserve - Speechless Sunday - 04/18/10 10:23 PM
The Fabyan Forest Preserve is located along the Fox River in Geneva, IL. The Japanese Garden was built on the estate of Colonel Fabyan and adjoins the home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The design and lines of the garden can be appreciated before the plants fully fill in another month or so.



 
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When is a Short Sale Contract "Binding"? - 04/14/10 08:58 AM
A short sale issue related to yesterday's "binding contract" debate  is whether a buyer can have multiple offers sitting out there waiting for 3rd party approval? Yesterday on Active Rain there was a lively debate about what constituted contract acceptance in Lenn Harley's blog:  WHAT IS A "BINDING" CONTRACT OF SALE...
There were many claims that "a contract is binding if signed by buyer and seller" and that 3rd party approval is not required to make the transaction eligible for the tax credit.
In my area, we have pretty general agreement that 3rd party approval is required to make the transaction … (6 comments)

WHAT IS A "BINDING" CONTRACT OF SALE FOR IRS TAX CREDIT PURPOSES?? "Let's all be careful out there.." - 04/13/10 09:22 AM
The last minute flurry of activity for home purchases that qualify for the tax credits may cause some agents and buyers to substitute hope for caution.  If the tax credit is an important part of a client's decision to purchase a home, caution should be used in which home is selected.There are many homes on the market today that are not encumbered by onerous contingencies such as third party approval for a short sale. Thanks to Lenn Harley for this post.

Via Lenn Harley, Real Estate Broker, Virginia & Maryland (Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate):
WHAT … (1 comments)

Batavia IL Homes Near Naperville and I-88 - 04/12/10 11:19 PM
Batavia, IL Homes Near Naperville and I-88. The southeast area of Batavia has a number of lovely neighborhoods that offer great values, easy access to Naperville and all the benefits of living in one of America's Top 100 Small Towns. In July, 2009 Money Magazine named Batavia as one the top 100 small towns in America. In position #56, Batavia ranked higher than any other community in Illiniois. This lovely home at 799 Wind Energy Pass is located in the Prairie Trails     subdivision. The 4 bedroom, 3.1 bath home is listed for $544,900. This 3365 sf home features gleaming hardwood … (0 comments)

Royal Fox Townhome, St. Charles, IL - 04/12/10 08:37 PM
Luxury St. Charles Townhome … (1 comments)

Open House April 10-11 Success Stories -- Let's Post! - 04/11/10 11:22 AM
Open House April 10-11 Success Stories should be shared on Active Rain. This weekend tens of thousands -- maybe hundreds of thousands-- of Open Houses will be held across the country. I am an ardent believer in the value of open houses. Open Houses provide exposure for the listing, they help buyers entering the market, they help buyers finalize their decisions, they help agents become familiar with buyers are looking for "right now" and they help agents grow their businesses. If you have Open House April 10-11 Success Stories from this weekend, post it here and we'll all share your success! … (1 comments)

Royal Fox in St. Charles, IL - 04/08/10 11:50 PM
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Smarter Agent Seeks to Protect Patented Technology From Zillow, Trulia and Realtor.com - 04/08/10 10:07 PM
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Redefining Absorption Rate Using Assessed Value - 04/07/10 10:07 AM
I read once again today that the market is "stabilizing", but this means nothing more than what Ronald Reagan so famously quipped about the economy in the early 1980's "the rate of decline is decreasing". The amount of inventory is simply staggering and is due to dramatically increase with the "shadow inventory": homes coming onto the market from pending and imminent mortgage defaults. The loan modification programs simply are not significant fixes, the rate of recidivism within one year is 70% (number of people who default a second time). One internal BofA report says that they have 1,000,000 short sale applications … (2 comments)

Geneva, IL Has Beautiful Parks and Forest Preserves - 04/06/10 11:58 PM
Geneva, IL Has Beautiful Parks and Forest Preserves located in and near the many great neighborhoods and subdivisions. One of the top requests from buyers considering the area is that the home be located near the beautiful parks and forest preserve facilities. Most people from the area know that the Fox River runs through Geneva and is that is the key to saying that Geneva, IL Has Beautiful Parks and Forest Preserves.The Fabyan Forest Preserve is located on the east side of the Fox River and features the 150 year old restored Fabyan Windmill. The Windmill is registered on the National … (1 comments)

Building a Custom Home in St. Charles, IL - 04/06/10 01:19 AM


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St. Charles, IL Fun Activities April Calender - 04/04/10 02:40 PM
St. Charles, IL Fun Activities means you will never be bored again if you live anywhere near St. Charles, IL. Since the 1920s, St. Charles has been known as a resort and recreation town in the beautiful Fox River Valley. Throughout the year there are hundreds of activities scheduled for fun and recreation.
St. Charles, IL Fun Activities includes the famous Dragon Boat Races at the Pride of the Fox River Fest in June, or catch a ball game with the AAA Kane County Cougars through the Spring, Summer and Fall. The Fox River Queen offers paddleboat rides on the Fox … (0 comments)

Historic St. Charles, IL - 04/03/10 09:29 AM
Historic St. Charles, IL is well-known as a charming and vibrant town located 35 miles west of Chicago. Home to 35,000 people, St. Charles is the heart of the Fox River Valley and justly deserves its' claim as "Pride of the Fox".
Originally settled in the 1830s and 1840s, Historic St. Charles, IL has always been represented by the Main Street Bridge which connects the two sides of town. The first bridge was built in 1836. The Fox River was used to travel from northern Illinois to the Illinois River and then ultimately the Mississippi River.
In the 1840s and 1850s, … (3 comments)