linda kemp naperville: The Easy, Fun Way to Spring Clean Your Deck or Patio Part Two in a Three Part Series - 04/05/12 02:24 AM
Okay it's time to get started!  Let's roll up our sleeves, grab some sunscreen and turn on the hose!  I must admit that was always a daunting task for me, however, focusing on the end result helped motivate me to put muscles to use that were dormant all winter long!  Feel yourself quietly sitting on the finished deck or patio, enjoying a glass of wine, with the faint smell of steaks grilling on the barbeque. . . and then remember it's 5 o'clock somewhere!  Linda 
By: Lisa Kaplan Gordon
Published: March 28, 2012
The spring cleaning chore with the most fun … (2 comments)

linda kemp naperville: Home Improvement Apps for iPhone, Android, and BlackBerry: Your Digital Toolbox - 02/13/12 07:11 AM
Downloadable iPhone and Android apps offer ways to maintain, improve, and save money on your home.
Match that paint color If you see a color at a friend’s house that would look great in your home, use Benjamin Moore’s Ben Color Capture or Sherwin-Williams’ ColorSnap, free mobile apps for iPhone, to conjure up a matching paint color and code in a jiffy. Take a photo with your phone, and the app matches the paint as closely as possible, and will display secondary and complementary colors. (ColorSnap is also available for BlackBerry.) Get rid of stains Good Housekeeping magazine has placed all their best stain-removal … (0 comments)

linda kemp naperville: The City of Naperville is Re-minded of the January 7, 2011 Deadline for Phase Two of the Home Energy Savings Program - 12/08/10 07:36 AM
The City of Naperville has received additional funding the Home Energy Savings Program and is now currently accepting applications. The City is accepting an additional 100 qualified applicants and all participants will be selected through a lottery process in mid-January. Residents who participated in the prior program in 2010 are not eligible to apply for Phase II.

To download an application please visit the city's website at:  www.naperville.il.us/HESP.aspx. Residents may also pick up an application at the first floor counter of the Transportation, Engineering and Development Business Group located at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St., or call … (0 comments)

linda kemp naperville: Please Join Us in Dine Away Hunger Naperville on Wednesday, October 13th! - 10/12/10 12:48 AM
Thinking of taking the family out for dinner this week before the cold weather sets in?  Are you and your date looking to get out this week for some great food and a great dining experience?  How about entertaining your clients at a terrific Naperville restaurant?  Well save the date of Wednesday, October 13th! The People Resource Center has partnered with local Naperville restaurants to help raise money for needy families in DuPage County.  Dine at anyone of the fine restaurants below on October 13th and the restaurants will donate 10% of their sales for that day to the People's Resource … (0 comments)

linda kemp naperville: 8 Solutions to Common Wet-Basement Problems - 08/10/10 08:08 AM
I was prompted to post this article after the horrible storms that have come through the Midwest over the past several weeks.  I have witnessed flooding in many areas as well as in many homes where flooding was a problem before.  There are many varibles that can contribute to water damage such as severe winds (with water coming through from under the flashings), power outages, inefficient sump pumps, and poor drainage around the perimeter of the home. Take a good look at the information outlined in this post and see if you can put it to good use and help prevent water … (2 comments)

linda kemp naperville: An Open Letter to Sellers and Real Estate Agents Who List Overpriced Homes - 08/09/10 10:13 AM
About eight weeks ago I lost out on the opportunity to list two properties. One was a townhouse and the other a single-family home.  Both of these houses are situated in the middle of what used to be a builders' paradise and a homeowner's dream.  The builders just kept on building and consumers just kept on buying--that is until the market took a downward spin.  Now what once was paradise with consumers vying for the best location, is now discount ally.  Builders are practically giving the remainder of their homes away and prices are still on a downward trend. Short sales … (3 comments)

linda kemp naperville: Are You and Your Children Practicing Good Bicycle Safety? - 08/06/10 07:33 AM
As the new school year grows closer, Moms, Dads and kids are busy getting new school duds and of course new school supplies. While some kids will walking or taking the school bus, there are a growing number of kids riding their bikes to school.  As the buzz of new teachers, class assignments and new friends make their way into our lives it's easy to overlook some very important steps that help protect the safety of our kids as well as safeguarding their bicycles.

The City of Naperville's Police Department has addressed this issue and you can find the information … (1 comments)

linda kemp naperville: IAHSP is Proud to Participate in World Wide Staging Week Starting September 12, 2010 - 08/05/10 12:04 PM
The Greater Chicago Chapter of the International Association of Home Staging Professionals is proud to announce that the recipient of this year's service project is WINGS--Women in Need of Growing Stronger.  Wings is a non-profit organization that comes to the aid of homeless and abused women and children by offering them services such as emergency and transitional safe shelter, guidance and support.

TheIAHSPparticipants will be adding their designing touches to one of their women's shelters located in Chicagoland's northwest suburbs.  With support from stagers and their sponsors they will create rooms that welcome and sooth the women and children who … (0 comments)

linda kemp naperville: 7 Smart Strategies for Kitchen Remodeling - 08/03/10 06:57 AM
Keep the same footprint, add storage, and design adequate lighting so you preserve value and keep costs on track.
If you're contemplating a kitchen remodel, you're also weighing a considerable investment. But a significant portion of the upfront costs may be recovered by the value the project brings to your home. Kitchen remodels in the $50,000 range recouped 76% of the initial project cost at the home's resale, according to recent data from Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value Report. To make sure you maximize your return, consider these seven smart kitchen remodeling strategies.
1. Establish your prioritiesSimple enough? Not so fast. … (2 comments)

linda kemp naperville: Staging Your Home or Re-Designing Your Space? Think OUT OF THE BOX! - 08/02/10 02:25 PM
Ever since I was a child I can remember coloring outside the lines.  And I mean that literally and figuratively!  I would take apart the hand-me-down costume jewelry that was given to me to play "dress up" with and take all the beads apart to use in an art project.  Of course, this sent my mom into a tizzy because in her eyes I had taken a perfectly good necklace or a pair of earrings apart and glued them onto cardboard-very much off the beaten path in her eyes!
As I grew so did my passion for creating. I dressed the … (0 comments)

linda kemp naperville: Keller Williams Realty--Highest Overall Satisfaction for Home Buyers Three Years in a Row! - 07/30/10 12:55 PM
You just gotta love Keller Williams Realty!

For more information please see our press release at http://www.kw.com/kw/pressrelease.html?pressReleaseId=121.
I am proud to be part of such a great company!
… (1 comments)

linda kemp naperville: RE-buildUSA--Your Door to Home Ownership - 07/22/10 01:42 PM
For some people the idea of owning a home is a distant dream.  With so many people struggling with job challenges, economic instability and fear of the future the glimmer of hope seems far away--until now.
Many of us (consumers and professionals alike) are aware of FHA's 203k Program.  This special FHA financing program allows the borrower to build the cost of renovations (up to $35,000) into their mortgage.  The result is a win-win situation for everyone from the buyer to the local community. The renovations can include anything from new paint to carpet, well and septic, new appliance, etc.
Do … (4 comments)

linda kemp naperville: Save the Date for the DuPage County Back to School Fair! - 07/21/10 04:19 AM
Come on down to the DuPage County Annual Back to School Fair taking place at Fairgrounds located at 2015 W. Manchester Road in Wheaton on Wednesday, August 4th from 11:00 to 6:00 PM.  Hosted by the DuPage Health and Family Services, this yearly event helps low income families with free school supplies, free medical and dental screenings, housing, financial, and insurance information.

For those wishing to participate you are asked to have the following documentation ready to present:
Proof of Income (Recent pay stubs, tax returns, or Public Aid card) Proof of Current Address in DuPage County (Photo ID, driver's … (0 comments)

linda kemp naperville: Why Wait to Sell Your Home Before You Have a Home Inspection? - 07/19/10 09:19 AM
Have you lived in your home for 10 years or longer?  Did you ever wonder what an inspector would uncover if you had to sell your home at this point in time?
I'm sure that we have all had that same thought cross our minds at one point or another--especially if your house was build over 20 plus years ago.  A home inspection is one of the best methods of assessing your home's current condition. 
Have you done any major remodeling or major repairs?  Were they done according to your village or city code?  Do you have any early warning signs … (0 comments)

linda kemp naperville: JULY 2010 Newsletter Housing Trends eNewsletter - 07/15/10 09:36 AM
Here it is hot off the press. . .
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 DECEMBER 2008 Newsletter Housing Trends eNewsletter: http://lindakemp.housingtrendsenewsletter.com?Newsletter_ID=251 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 … (0 comments)

linda kemp naperville: Keep Your Home Purchase on Track - 07/13/10 08:55 AM
You've found your dream home. Make sure missteps don't prevent a successful closing.
A home purchase isn't complete until you make it to the closing. Until then, the transaction can fall apart for many reasons. Here are five tips for avoiding mistakes that cause a home sale to crater.
1. Be truthful on your mortgage applicationYou may think fudging your income a little or omitting debts when applying for a mortgage will go unnoticed. Not true. Lenders have become more diligent in verifying information on mortgage applications. If you fib, expect to be found out and denied the loan you need … (2 comments)

linda kemp naperville: Does a Judge Presiding over a Divorce Case have a Responsibility to Society and Economic Recovery? - 07/09/10 01:12 AM
This story will open your eyes to the type of events going on around the country.  It is not for the faint of heart so proceed with caution. 
An attorney friend of mine gave me the name and number of a woman who was a mutual friend of one of his friends.  (That's how we get leads, right?)  My friend told me that we were getting involved in this at the eleventh hour so time was of the essence.  It appeared that there was still a chance that we could get the bank to agree to a short sale rather than … (3 comments)

linda kemp naperville: Indian Prairie School District 204 Appoints New Principals within the District - 07/08/10 10:27 AM
Indian Prairie School District names three new principals within the district.
The new appointments are as follows:
Kenneth Bonomo has been named the new principal of Welch Elementary School and comes to us from Wheaton School District 200 where he served as principal of Pleasant Hill Elementary School in Winfield.
Jeremy Ricken began his career in District 204 in 1994 as a speech-language pathologist. He will serve now serve District 204 as principal of Gombert Elementary School.  His achievements include the Those Who Excel Award of Recognition from the Illinois State Board of Education in 2009 and in 2005 as Leader … (0 comments)

linda kemp naperville: Green Cleaning Products for the Kitchen - 07/07/10 06:28 AM
Going green in the kitchen doesn't mean going broke as long as you choose the right green cleaning products for your countertops and appliances.
From meat juices to milk spills, the kitchen can be a messy place. But don't reach for caustic cleaners or synthetic air sprays to give your countertops and appliances a fresher feeling. Many green cleaning products are just as effective at sanitizing your kitchen as conventional cleaners, and they get the job done without relying on harmful chemicals.
Not too long ago you had to scour the backroads of the Internet to find non-toxic alternatives, but no … (0 comments)

linda kemp naperville: Enhance, Enliven and Excite! - 06/29/10 01:01 AM
How Linda Kemp and Keller Williams Realty Give Your Home the Exposure it Needs in Today's Shifting Market!



Today's buyer is well versed in technology.  Leading manufacturers of consumer based goods are hitting the Internet hard--making great use of a medium that is available 24/7!
It makes so much sense to apply these same strategies to selling real estate.  Since 87% of the buyers out there are looking for your home on-line, why are there only a handful of real estate professionals taking advantage of this great opportunity to expose your home to as many consumers as possible?
Let's … (0 comments)