glenview real estate: Safeguard your Glenview Home from Winter Hazards - 12/08/11 01:32 PM
 
 
Now that the snow is starting to make some appearances this winter, it’s time to make sure that your Glenview home is protected against the severe weather that is no doubt on its way.

A few precautions, beyond the basic weather stripping can go a long way in making sure your family and home is protected this season.

Safeguard Against FireIn the winter, there are certain risks of fire in your chimneys, boilers and furnaces. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 25,000 residential fires are due to a fireplace or chimney failure from unburned carbon-based … (0 comments)

glenview real estate: Share in the Excitement of the Holidays with Santa in Glenview - 12/01/11 10:08 AM
The holiday season is in full swing on the North Shore and the village of Glenview is no exception. Whether you live in Glenview or decide to visit for some holiday shopping and cheer, start the season off right with great holiday memories as you share in the magic with your kids at Breakfast with Santa Claus.
When:  December 3, 9:30 amDecember 10, 9:30 & 11:30 amDecember 17, 9:30 & 11:30 am
Where: The Café at the Glenview Park Golf Club800 Shermer Rd, Glenview, IL 60025
Meet Santa Claus while enjoying a delicious breakfast buffet with your kids, friends and, of … (2 comments)

glenview real estate: Things to Consider When You're Ready to Buy Your First Glenview Home - 11/29/11 09:23 AM
 
 
Buying a home is probably one of the largest purchases you will ever make. When looking to buy your first Glenview home, there are key things to consider when choosing a house to make sure it is the perfect one for your family and will give you a good resale value when it comes time to sell.
Stay Within Your BudgetOne of the biggest priorities to first-time homebuyers is finding an affordable home. Once you have decided on a target price that will fit within your budget, stay firm on not exceeding that target price. It may be … (0 comments)

glenview real estate: Tips to Ensure a Successful Thanksgiving Day in Your Glenview Home - 11/22/11 07:41 AM
Thanksgiving is this week, and I’m so excited! This holiday means lots of people, lots of conversation and lots of detail!
If you are hosting Thanksgiving dinner at your Glenview home this year, here are some last-minute tips that you can do the day before to help ensure a successful Thanksgiving Day.
Pull frozen breads, sauces and desserts out to thaw Wednesday so they’re ready in time for dinner tomorrow.
Pay a little extra attention to your kitchen – mop floors and wipe down countertops since you will be using them at full capacity.
Buy or make extra ice so that … (2 comments)

glenview real estate: Stop Renting and Become a Glenview Homeowner - 11/10/11 12:09 PM
If you are deciding to go from a renter to a proud Glenview homeowner, now is a great time to take advantage of finding the perfect home for you. Owning your own house can give you pride and security while gaining equity in perhaps the largest investment you will ever buy.
The first step, however, is determining if it’s the right move for you. There are many benefits to homeownership but also some important financial costs associated with buying a home and, before taking that first step, you need to ensure that buying a home won’t create financial problems for you.
(2 comments)

glenview real estate: Lawn and Garden Fall Care for Your Glenview Yard - 11/08/11 12:35 PM
Now is the time to be getting your Glenview lawn and garden ready for our cold winter ahead. Just because summer has ended, it doesn’t mean that there still isn’t maintenance to do on your lawn or you should just let your garden go.
Here are some tips to help you prep your lawn and garden now to make it be the greenest lawn and the prettiest garden on the block come next spring.
Mother Nature was Not Kind to Our LawnsSpring 2010 and 2011 were both extremely cold and wet, which prevented the roots from forming on our lawns to support … (2 comments)

glenview real estate: HARP Changes – Can They Help You with Your Glenview Home? - 11/01/11 09:11 AM
 
After falling short the past two years in successfully helping many homeowners, the Obama administration, The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac together announced a series of modifications to the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP).
The goal of the new modifications, expected to be delivered to mortgage lenders and servicers by November 15, is to attract more eligible homeowners to refinance their mortgages and to add more stability to the housing market.
The changes or modifications to HARP include:
Eliminating certain risk-based fees for borrowers who refinance into shorter term mortgages and to lower the … (0 comments)

glenview real estate: Decide if an ARM is the Way to Go When Buying Your Glenview Home - 10/27/11 10:28 AM
 

If you are preparing to buy a home in Glenview, it may seem logical to be pre-approved for a 30-year fixed loan considering that mortgage rates continue to be at historic lows. However, there may be some logic to financing your new home with an ARM depending on your personal situation.
According to Jacqueline Racz, a loan originator for PrimeLending, mortgage banking has always seen shifts in which consumers gravitate toward certain products. "Even back in the '90s when fixed rates jumped up into the nines, the ARMs were always very low in comparison," she says. "Right now they … (0 comments)

glenview real estate: Autumn is a Great Time to Sell Your Glenview Home - 10/20/11 06:32 AM
If you need to sell your Glenview home during the fall season, don’t let the cold weather discourage you. In fact, home selling during autumn is the second best time of the year to sell your home!
The North Shore is bathed in beautiful fall colors and with it comes cooler temperatures. People are ready and willing to home shop while enjoying the wonders of fall in Glenview; since summer is gone, the kids are back in school, and there is a period of calm before the holidays arrives.
Here are some simple steps to perk up your home specifically for … (0 comments)

glenview real estate: Halloween Safety for Your Glenview Home - 10/04/11 10:00 AM
There is no need to skip the Halloween festivities while selling your Glenview home. It is important, however, to make sure trick-or-treaters and potential buyers are kept safe while visiting your house.
Here are some tips to keep your home “trick” free during Halloween:
Clear the Way to Your HomeBefore you are visited by potential buyers or those witches, ghosts and little goblins, be sure to clear all your sidewalks, walkways and entryways of toys, broken limbs or branches, rocks, and other items that could pose a hazard.
Dangerous Decorations are a No-NoWhen decorating for Halloween; make sure to use safe … (2 comments)

glenview real estate: Enjoy Glenview in the Fall at the Corn Harvest Festival - 09/27/11 02:49 PM
The heat of summer is over and the crisp autumn air has arrived. What better time to celebrate some good old-fashioned family fun at Wagner Farm with their Corn Harvest Festival. Whether you live in the village of Glenview or are just looking for a day activity for your family, the Corn Harvest Festival will not disappoint.
The Wagner Farm is a real farm that was owned and operated from 1855 until 1997 by members of the Wagner family. When the last Wagner passed away, the Village of Glenview was able to purchase 18.6 acres of the property to use for … (0 comments)

glenview real estate: Fall Tips to Keep Your Glenview Home Heating Costs Under Control - 09/22/11 10:40 AM
When you step out the door of your Glenview home, there’s no denying that fall has arrived. It won’t be much longer before the temperatures start dipping down into freezing, and your heating costs start rising. Before that happens, here are some easy things you can do to keep heating costs under control.
Clean Air FilterAccording to Atmos Energy, a clean air filter can lower your energy bills by 5% or more. Be sure to change your air filter before using your heater since a dirty filter will make your heating system work harder and raise your costs.
Keep the Cold … (0 comments)

glenview real estate: Increase Your Glenview Home's Value Before Selling - 09/15/11 09:41 AM
Fall can be a good time to sell your Glenview home. If you’d like to increase your home value to be able to ask for a higher purchase price, some simple upgrades can have a big impact on making the property more attractive to potential buyers.
Attractive Curb Appeal
I cannot stress enough the importance of good landscaping to give buyers a great first impression. According to Virginia Cooperative Extension, good landscaping can increase your home value while lowering the time spent on the market. Fall is on its way and your trees and plants will be dormant soon – simply … (3 comments)

glenview real estate: Plant Bulbs Now for a Spring Full of Color in your North Shore Garden - 09/13/11 02:30 AM
Not only is it the perfect time to get those fall projects done for your North Shore home, but it is also the best time to start thinking about planting bulbs in anticipation of the great colors of springtime.
The best selection of spring flowering bulbs are just arriving from Holland to garden centers across the North Shore and are guaranteed to be fresh.
You will want to get them now for the best selection and then wait until the beginning of October when soil temperatures drop to plant in your garden. However, be sure to get them in the ground … (5 comments)

glenview real estate: Get Organized, Be Green, AND Prepare to Sell Your Glenview Home - 09/05/11 03:14 AM
It’s a good idea to start organizing, cutting down on the clutter and getting rid of  unused household items before putting your Glenview home on the market.  You may not think of these things as being green but in reality these tips can help you prepare your home and save you money while being green.
Organize to Save Money
You may have a lot of things tucked into corners, drawers and areas that you don’t even realize.  Get a plastic bin and gather all those useful items such as sewing/mending supplies, note cards, tools and batteries.  These will keep your drawers and rooms free … (4 comments)

glenview real estate: Help Glenview Remember … - 09/01/11 05:12 AM
Living on the North Shore brings a feeling of safety and community to our lives.  Most of us know our neighbors and our local business owners, and our villages are our havens.  Glenview is helping to bring communities together by celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks with a ceremony honoring those who died and those who responded.
This great remembrance is a joint effort by the Glenview Freedom Memorial Committee, the village of Glenview, Glenview Park District and Glenview State Bank.  The ceremony is called    “Glenview Remembers … A Community Ceremony Marking the 10th Anniversary of … (0 comments)

glenview real estate: Is it Wise to Refinance Your Glenview Home? - 08/25/11 02:48 PM
You may be thinking about refinancing your loan on your Glenview home. I mean, why should you miss out on the record low interest rates, right? However, before you refinance, make sure you are not the type of homeowner who is better off keeping your higher rates.
If you fall under any of the categories below, refinancing could actually be a bad financial move and it would be wise to consult someone before doing so. 
You have had your same mortgage loan a long timeIf you have been in your Glenview home a long time with the same loan, chances … (0 comments)

glenview real estate: Quick Summertime Projects for your Glenview Home without Cutting into your Summertime Fun - 08/11/11 10:47 AM
Summers are for fun, family and vacations. However, it’s also the perfect time to give your Glenview home a little TLC with some quick projects that will save you money and will give you time to enjoy your weekends.
Here are 3 summertime projects to check off your to-do list this summer:
Save on your Water BillAre you among the average family that uses 208,000 gallons of water each year? No matter what size your family, it is cost effective to spend 5 minutes to save 15,000 gallons of water.
There is a system, the HydroRight Dual Flush Converter, that … (0 comments)

glenview real estate: Using Your Outdoor Living Space to Show Off Your Glenview Home - 08/02/11 03:32 PM
During the summer, outdoor space in your Glenview home is just as important, sometimes moreso, than the inside. Take that into consideration when selling your Glenview home, by making your outdoor living space a place where potential buyers will want to sit and relax and contemplate making your home theirs.
Try some of these tips to show off your outdoor living space and make it inviting at any time of day:
Powerwash for a Power SaleCleaning all the dirt and grime from your fences, patios, decks and furniture will really catch the eye of potential buyers. It’s a good idea to hire … (2 comments)

glenview real estate: Quick Daily Cleaning Tips to Keep Your Glenview Home Ready for Buyers - 07/26/11 12:57 PM
One of the hardest things to do when selling your Glenview home is to keep it ready for potential buyers on a constant daily basis. After all, life goes on even when selling your home, and life can get pretty messy sometimes, especially if you have kids.
Once you’ve done the deep cleaning, here are some room-by-room tips to help you quickly get your house ready at a moment’s notice to welcome potential buyers. Remember to recruit your family to help you with their rooms and some of the common living areas and the short clean up time will be a … (4 comments)