Learning to Love Thy Neighbor - Or at Least Get Along - 04/30/10 11:21 PM
In olden days, we knew our neighbors a lot better. We went shopping once a week if that, so if we ran out of something before the next shopping trip, we might ask the neighbor to lend us the proverbial cup of sugar. There were only three TV channels so people spent more time outdoors, and all the kids in the neighborhood played together. We worked in our yards and toiled in the garden. If we wound up with more tomatoes than we could use, they were freely given to the neighbors, and they did the same for us. 
But nowadays, … (0 comments)

Help! The Appraisal is Too Low! - 04/27/10 01:47 PM
So you have a buyer for your Glenview home, they've made an offer that you've accepted and now, horror or horrors, the appraisal has come back below the selling price that you've negotiated. Is this the end of the deal? Maybe not! 
When you initially find out the appraisal is low, you're probably going to be mad at the appraiser and wonder how such a stupid person can even have this job since you're already selling your house below what you would consider a good price. Appraisers today are all taking heat for inflated appraisals that many blame for today's foreclosure … (3 comments)

Moving Day Tips for a Stress-free Move - 04/22/10 08:00 AM
So the big day is here at last - Moving Day! Here are a few tips for you to consider when getting ready to move your household from Wilmette to Glenview or from Northbrook to the North Shore. (Or anywhere else!) Hopefully, they'll help you get everything moved to your new home with a minimum of stress! 
1. Be Sure You Leave Yourself Time to Pack. If you're planning on packing your own items, be sure you have plenty of time to do it properly. Packing in a hurry can lead to inferior packing which can in turn lead to breakage … (3 comments)

Calling All Chocolate Lovers to the Long Grove Chocolate Fest - 04/20/10 09:09 AM
For three sweet days this spring, Friday, April 30th, Saturday, May 1st and Sunday, May 2nd, you can go to the ultimate in spring festivals, the Long Grove Chocolate Fest. Could there be a better way to begin the summer than spending a weekend wrapping yourself around a variety of chocolate? I think not! 
The ultimate chocolate lovers' festival features community stores offering specially created chocolate concoctions to tantalize every chocoholic. Strawberries dipped in chocolate (this would be considered a fruit, of course), popcorn slathered in melted chocolate (popcorn is almost a diet food in some circles), and chocolate martinis (not … (2 comments)

Multi-Generational Housing: An Old Idea Made New Again - 04/15/10 07:08 AM
Having more than one generation living in a household hasn't been popular in recent years in Glenview or most other places in America, but multi-generational housing may be coming back into its own. Young people finding themselves with no a job and a young family to support, or new college graduates who are unable to find a job right out of college, are more and more often moving back in with Mom and Dad. 
On the other end of the age spectrum, Grandma and Grandpa don't need such a big home anymore, but they may need someone to mow the yard … (3 comments)

Spring Tips for Getting Your Wilmette Yard into Tip-Top Shape - 04/13/10 08:01 AM
It's that time of year again. The snow has finally melted in Glenview and all that's left in our once gorgeous lawns is dead twigs, faded mulch and soft muddy areas that used to be lush green grass. What to do? 
Dig the yard tools out of your shed or garage, put on your gardening gloves and some old shoes that you don't mind getting wet or muddy, and get started sprucing up your place for spring. We all love a lush lawn and beautiful blooming flowers, but especially if you're trying to sell your home, it's even more important to … (2 comments)

New Science Storms Exhibit Opens at the Museum of Science and Industry - 04/08/10 07:34 AM
Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry, one of Glenview's favorite neighbors, has done it again. They've just introduced a new permanent exhibit that will literally blow you away. Called Science Storms, the new exhibit explores facets of many of the world's natural weather phenomena. 
Altogether the exhibit covers 26,000 square feet, taking up residence in part of the main hall where temporary exhibits used to be housed and beyond into the upper level that was formerly the Granger Hall of Basic Science. 
The first thing you'll probably notice is a 40-foot tall illuminated tornado. There's also a huge rotating disk full … (0 comments)

Don't Let the First-Time Home Buyer's Tax Credit Get Away! - 04/06/10 07:59 AM
If you've read any real estate blogs lately, you already know that time is quickly running out on the First-Time Home Buyer's Tax Credit. But don't despair, with a bit of planning, there is still time to make a decision on the home you want in Glenview or Northbrook and be able to claim the tax credit before the April 30th deadline. 
If you're lucky enough to have identified the neighborhood you wish to live in, the size and type of home you're looking for and your price range, you can probably still meet the deadline with time to spare. 
If … (0 comments)

Purchasing Your First Tankless Water Heater or "Mom, the Water's Cold!" - 04/01/10 08:09 AM
In my last blog post I mentioned that home buyers in Glenview or Wilmette are often swayed by the presence of energy-efficient upgrades in a home they are thinking of purchasing. If you are planning to sell your home and want to do some upgrading to improve your chances of a quick sale, or if you already have a home where you plan to stay, a tankless water heater is a great way to have almost endless hot water while using less energy to produce it. 
How Do Tankless Water Heaters Work? 
Tankless water heaters do not have a storage tank … (8 comments)