Let's Talk Eco-Friendly Homes - 03/30/10 04:32 PM
If you're trying to sell a home in Glenview which has some eco-friendly upgrades, you'll want to be sure prospective buyers know they're there. Many times things like insulation and tankless water heaters can go un-noticed unless the seller and/or realtor bring them to the buyer's attention. While such upgrades may not be what buyers will initially search out, they can sway buyers in your direction, giving you a distinct advantage over other homes on the market that are similar to yours. 
Insulation Although not something buyers will see on their tour of your home, this is something that can work … (2 comments)

The Met: Live in HD - The Metropolitan Opera Comes to You - 03/25/10 11:54 PM
Would you like to have a seat at the Metropolitan Opera without leaving the Chicago area? Now you can. 
On special Saturdays at 1 p.m. ET, the Met is transmitting live performances to theatres worldwide in high definition. You can find a theatre near you that will have the transmission and you can even buy tickets online. 
Although the 2009-2010 season is quickly drawing to a close with only two more live performances, one on March 27th and the last on May 1st, the 2010-2011 season has just been announced and tickets will be going on sale this fall. The first … (1 comments)

Foreclosures: Can the Housing Industry Make a Comeback? - 03/23/10 01:20 PM
In recent years, the Chicagoland area has been hard-hit by foreclosures and resultant home price decreases. The Chicago foreclosure rate rose another 16% in 2009, forcing home prices down near 2003 levels. This makes it a good time to buy, as those with good credit can get a great deal, but poses challenges for current homeowners and would-be sellers. 
According to some real estate analysts, homeowners who are missing mortgage payments are on the decline. During the last quarter of 2009, Money Times reported that homeowners across the country missing one mortgage payment fell to 3.6%, down from the third quarter … (1 comments)

Is This a Deal for You? - 03/18/10 11:25 AM
How many of you remember that old game show "Let's Make a Deal" or a newer one, "Deal or No Deal". Today's post concerns deals that residents of Glenview or Wilmette may want to make. 
Every day the deal site at Chicago.com offers two deals for local businesses. An extra special deal is "Today's Hot Deal" and there's also "Today's Side Deal". The day I'm writing this the Hot Deal is a 65% savings on personal training and the Side Deal is a 50% savings at a popular local restaurant. 
The catch is that a certain number of people have to … (3 comments)

Is an FHA Loan a Good Choice? - 03/16/10 10:24 AM
If you're in the market for a mortgage to purchase that sweet home in Glenview you just discovered, here are a few tips if you're considering an FHA loan. 
The FHA loan was created over 70 years ago to help first-time home buyers to purchase a home with a small down payment and to aid those families with low incomes to be able to participate in the American dream of home ownership. 
Still today, an FHA home loan, through the Federal Housing Administration which is a division of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, can be a boon to buyers … (5 comments)

Basic Mortgage Info for the Savvy Glenview Home Buyer - 03/11/10 07:55 AM
As a prospective home buyer in Glenview or Wilmette, did you know there are only two basic kinds of loans available on today's market? One is governmental, which means it is guaranteed by the government. The other is conventional. Both get the money they will loan to you from local lenders. 
The governmental loan will also be administered by government agencies. These consist of the following: 
1. Federal Housing Administration (FHA), 
2. Veteran's Administration (VA) for home buyers who are veterans, 
3. Rural Housing Service (RHS) for home buyers living in rural areas of the country, and 
4. Farmers Home Administration … (0 comments)

Visit "Chicago's Greenest Home" at the Museum of Science and Industry - 03/09/10 03:28 PM
Want to learn some ways to make your home a green home? Come see "Chicago's greenest home" on the grounds of Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry. This exhibit, known as the Smart Home: Green + Wired, consists of a complete 2,500 square foot home, designed for a family that wants to minimize maintenance and maximize efficiency while living in beautiful surroundings. 
A functional home office, a master suite perfect for some solitude, a fanciful nursery, and grand space for entertaining friends and family are all built into this green home. Wired magazine added the high-tech gadgets in the home, while … (1 comments)

When the Movies Come to Your Town - 03/04/10 08:04 AM
A trip to the movies can be a fun adventure for the whole family. But did you know that portions of some famous movies were filmed right in Northbrook and Wilmette? It's true, let's have a look: 
1. "Weird Science" is about two nerds who create the perfect woman. Set in the fictional Shermer, Illinois, some of their adventures were filmed at Northbrook Court in Northbrook.
2. "Ordinary People", about an Illinois family coping with the death of their oldest son, has a scene in the Original Pancake House at 153 Green Bay Road in Wilmette. 
3. "Home Alone", the comedy … (3 comments)

How Much is Your Affordable Mortgage Payment? - 03/02/10 09:31 PM
One of the first steps you should take when deciding to buy a home in Wilmette is to figure out just what you can afford. Here are a few steps you can take to determine how much of a mortgage payment you can comfortably pay. 
1. First, you need to gather up all your current monthly responsibilities. This would include credit card bills, utility bills such as electricity and water, insurance costs, groceries, and gasoline and other automobile expenses. Give it some thought and you may come up with a couple more. 
2. Now, take the amount you came up with … (2 comments)