Indian Prairie School District 204—Not Just Another Pretty Website! - 03/30/10 10:30 PM
Whether you have school age children who attend schools within District 204, or you live within the boundaries, this site is must visit!  You will find information on just about everything from plays and book fairs to volunteer opportunities.  I myself had the opportunity to participate as a science fair judge.  The experience was wonderful and enlightening.  I met the greatest group of students and judged along side of some fascinating individuals. 
Here is a sneak preview of what to expect:

Don't wait--become an even bigger part of your community today by logging onto:
http://ipsdweb.ipsd.org/ and subscribe.  You'll be … (0 comments)

When It Pays to Do It Yourself - 03/25/10 08:50 AM
Doing home-improvement jobs yourself can be a smart way to save money, but choose the right DIY projects or you'll end up paying dearly.
Why pay someone big bucks to do something you can just as easily do yourself? That's the thinking that has gotten more Americans than ever swinging their own hammers. In a recent Time magazine poll, nearly a quarter of people said they were taking on more home-improvement projects themselves-understandably so, when you consider that it usually means a 50% to 75% discount, since all you pay for is materials.
But sometimes doing it yourself costs more than … (0 comments)

Understanding Home Staging as a Marketing Tool - 03/22/10 09:49 AM
As we maneuver through this somewhat complex real estate market we find ourselves as real estate professionals stretching our creativity (in a good way) to get our listings sold.  We hit the Internet hard and heavy with information and virtual tours.  We create community awareness through mailings and flyers.  But there exists a misconception among consumers as to what staging a "home for sale" really strives to accomplish.
First and foremost the way you live in your home is not the way you sell it.  Our home environment is a reflection of our character, lifestyle, functionality and immediate needs.  For example, … (4 comments)

Today I Understood What Giving Back Really Means or Why Real Estate Agents Should Donate Blood - 03/19/10 09:35 PM
This morning I went over to the Heartland Blood Centers to donate blood.  I hadn't had the opportunity to donate since our Keller Williams RED DAY Blood Drive last May.  It didn't seem at all like a year since I last donated...but today I learned something very important.
Every 3 seconds someone needs blood, and yet less than 5% of the population donates blood.  Wow, did that strike a cord with me!  As real estate professionals we make our living by doing business with local residents.  Think about how wonderful it would be to take 40 minutes or so every few … (4 comments)

My House is Listed and on the Market—Now What? - 03/18/10 08:49 PM
Now that you've made the decision to put your home on the market with an agent you can trust what comes next?  During the course of a listing your agent has an obligation to provide you with regular updates.  These updates vary within your specific area but they should be done at least once a week in some cases.   Here is a list of things you want to make sure you are receiving:
Updates on the new arrivals and current sales in your subdivision or surrounding area.  (As new properties come on the market).  Some agents prefer to call their sellers … (1 comments)

Village of Plainfield to Increase Utility Bills - 03/17/10 07:24 AM
Yesterday, the Village of Plainfield, Illinois issued a press release announcing an increase in utility billing for water and sewer charges effective June 2010.
The Village will offer a 10% discount to all residents 65 years of age or older who currently qualify for the Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze Exemption.
For more information please visit the Village of Plainfield's website at:  http://www.plainfield-il.org/ and click eNews.
For more information on buying or selling a home in Plainfield please contact Linda Kemp.  It is my pleasure to help you with all of your real estate needs!
… (1 comments)

Village of Plainfield to Increase Utility Bills - 03/17/10 07:23 AM
Yesterday, the Village of Plainfield, Illinois issued a press release announcing an increase in utility billing for water and sewer charges effective June 2010.
The Village will offer a 10% discount to all residents 65 years of age or older who currently qualify for the Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze Exemption.
For more information please visit the Village of Plainfield's website at:  http://www.plainfield-il.org/ and click eNews.
For more information on buying or selling a home in Plainfield please contact Linda Kemp.  It is my pleasure to help you with all of your real estate needs!
… (0 comments)

Cleaning and Caring for Siding - 03/16/10 07:42 AM
Article from HouseLogic.com
By: John RihaPublished: August 31, 2009
The annual cleaning and repair of your home's siding will pay off in a long life and increased value.
If you'd like to prevent costly home repairs and add to the value of your house, clean your siding. With proper care and a little regular maintenance, your home's exterior could be trouble-free for 50 years and more. Cleaning siding removes dirt and mildew that may shorten the life of your siding. A clean house protects your investment, too. "A good first appearance on a home can add as much as 5% to … (1 comments)

It's Getting Closer--Join Us for the Neighborhood Real Estate Forum! - 03/15/10 08:45 AM
It's just one day away!  Come and join us for our monthly Neighborhood Real Estate Forum this Tuesday, March 16th at 7:00 PM right here in the Keller Williams Realty office in Naperville.
Each month we feature a guest speaker covering topics such as Short Sales, Credit Repair, Home Decor, Home Improvement, Selling Dryvit Homes, etc.  This is always something of interest for our local communities.  But this forum is about YOU and what YOU would like see featured.  So please feel free to forward me an email or pick up the phone and call with your suggestions.  It is our team's way … (0 comments)

City of Naperville Dedicates March 15-19 as Flood Awareness Week - 03/12/10 11:20 AM
With the spring weather upon us, residents of Naperville are encouraged to prepare and educate themselves on what measures to take prior to and during a flood.
Please visit the City of Naperville's link at http://www.naperville.il.us/floodawarenessweek.aspx.  This information can help residents and their families in the event of such an emergency.
Don't wait until the last minute to prepare for the safety of your family, your friends and local neighbors.
… (0 comments)

City of Naperville Dedicates March 15-19 as Flood Awareness Week - 03/12/10 11:19 AM
With the spring weather upon us, residents of Naperville are encouraged to prepare and educate themselves on what measures to take prior to and during a flood.
Please visit the City of Naperville's link at http://www.naperville.il.us/floodawarenessweek.aspx.  This information can help residents and their families in the event of such an emergency.
Don't wait until the last minute to prepare for the safety of your family, your friends and local neighbors.
… (0 comments)

Should You Move or Improve? - 03/12/10 10:20 AM
Article from HouseLogic.com by Oliver Marks, Published August 28, 2009
Whether to move or improve is a harder question to answer than it was a few years ago, but a few cost-benefit calculations can help you make the right decision.
What do you do when your family outgrows your house, or when the quirks you once found charming about the place just aren't livable anymore? A few years ago, the answers were easy. With house values climbing an average of 50% from 2001 to 2005 and lenders handing out big checks to nearly anyone who asked, you could quickly unload a … (0 comments)

Direct from the National Association of Realtors: Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program (HAFA) - 03/10/10 07:47 AM
On November 30, 2009, the Treasury Department released guidelines and forms for its new Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program (HAFA). HAFA is part of the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). HAFA provides incentives in connection with a short sale or a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure (DIL) used to avoid foreclosure on a loan eligible for modification under the HAMP program. Servicers participating in HAMP are also required to comply with HAFA. A list of servicers participating in HAMP is available at MakingHomeAffordable.gov.
HAFA applies to loans not owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, which will issue their own versions … (0 comments)

Mark Your Calendar for Tuesday, March 16th and the Neighborhood Real Estate Forum on What You Should Know Before Purchasing a Short Sale Property! - 03/09/10 04:50 PM
The countdown is on!  Only more week until the Neighborhood Real Estate Forum swings into action with its Tuesday, March 16th‘s meeting on buying short sale properties.  Join myself, Linda Kemp, SFR (Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource Certified Realtor®) and attorney, Judd Lofchie with Judd Lofchie and Associates as we answer your questions and help navigate you through the buying process.
The home buyer tax credit deadline is coming up!  All contracts need to be in effect no later than April 30, 2010 and close no later than June 30, 2010.
Save the date:  Tuesday, March 16th at 7:00 PM at … (0 comments)

Keller Williams Realty’s Listings Exposed! - 03/08/10 05:53 PM
I should hope so!!! About a year and a half ago an agent called me to inquire about one of my listings.  She said that her client had told her about the property because it was all over the Internet!  She then asked me how I managed to get so much Internet exposure.  I began to explain how the KWLS (Keller Williams Listing System) works.  She was both surprised and amazed.
So how does the KWLS work?  Within our KW framework there exits an online date entry program where all Keller Williams' associates can upload their listings.  Once we upload all … (2 comments)

Keller Williams Realty’s Listings Exposed! - 03/08/10 05:53 PM
I should hope so!!! About a year and a half ago an agent called me to inquire about one of my listings.  She said that her client had told her about the property because it was all over the Internet!  She then asked me how I managed to get so much Internet exposure.  I began to explain how the KWLS (Keller Williams Listing System) works.  She was both surprised and amazed.
So how does the KWLS work?  Within our KW framework there exits an online date entry program where all Keller Williams' associates can upload their listings.  Once we upload all … (1 comments)

Attention Sellers—Don’t Wait to Get Rid of Dated Wallpaper Because First Impressions are Everything! - 03/07/10 09:51 AM
Every day both I and my associates are called on by clients to come and list their homes.  As we step foot in the door we can see that the home is need of updating.  We give them suggestions, explaining what they need to do to get their home sold in the least amount of time for the most amount of money.  Time and time again we are faced with the same challenge-the client would like to list the home first and see what happens and then if needed to the updates!  This now makes our job extremely difficult.  Let's explore … (3 comments)

5 Essential Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Contractor - 03/05/10 11:05 AM
The weather here in the Midwest appears to warming up!  How wonderful.  With the warmer weather just around the corner many homeowners are starting to consider re-modeling options.  Before you start your process in finding the best contractor, please read the article below.  These essential points will help you in making an informed decision.
You're ready to remodel but you want to make sure you get the best contractor for the job. Here's what to ask the candidates before you decide.
For all of the excitement of choosing plumbing fixtures, cabinets, and tiles for a remodeling project, the most important decision … (0 comments)

March 2010 Housing Trends eNewsletter Hot Off the Press! - 03/03/10 05:20 PM
Welcome to the most current Housing Trends eNewsletter. This eNewsletter is specially designed for you, with national and local housing information that you may find useful whether you're in the market for a home, thinking about selling your home, or just interested in homeowner issues in general.Please click on this link to view the MARCH-2010 Newsletter Newsletter Housing Trends eNewsletter:
http://lindakemp.housingtrendsenewsletter.com?Newsletter_ID=246&Period_ID=183
The Housing Trends eNewsletter contains the latest information from the National Association of REALTORS®, the U.S. Census Bureau, Realtor.org reports and other sources.It also includes press releases with charts and videos, key market indicators and real estate sales and price … (0 comments)

Come to the March Neighborhood Real Estate Forum for Short Sale Info! - 03/02/10 09:41 PM
It's that time again!  Don't miss the March session of the "Neighborhood Real Estate Forum."  This month our topic will be short sales and what you should know about the purchasing process.  How long will it take to get my offer accepted?  How long before I close on the house?  Will the seller still pay for my closing costs?Join Linda Kemp and our featured speaker, attorney Judd Lofchie with Judd Lofchie and Associates as we cover all of the basics you need to know before making a purchase.  There is no better time to buy real estate than now!Remember in order … (0 comments)

Indian Prairie School 204 Calendar Change for 2010-2011 School Year - 03/01/10 12:12 PM
For those of you who currently live in Indian Prairie School District 204, or for anyone looking to move into the area please note that there are several changes to the calendar for the 2010-2011 school year.
To view the changes please visit:
http://www.ipsd.org/Uploads/news_27125_1.pdf
Indian Prairie School District 204 services both Naperville and Aurora.  Please visit their home page for district maps:

 http://ipsdweb.ipsd.org/Default.aspx
 
 
 
 
 
 
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