champaign real estate: Ashland Park Champaign, IL - Home Sale Update
- 02/16/10 07:25 AM
Spring is right around the corner and if you are a home buyer it's time to start reviewing the activity in our Champaign neighborhoods. ChampaignExpertsBlog.com just completed a review of Ashland Park Subdivision in Champaign IL with surprisingly pleasant results. 27 Active Listings 5 Pending Sales (3 New Construction and 2 Existing Homes New Construction Days on Market - 162 Days Existing Homes Days on Market - 86 Days More comparison and explanation with info on exisiting and new construction homes is available in their Ashland Park Subdivision post Looking to Search Ashland Park Homes for Sale?
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champaign real estate: Absorption Rate Example for Cherry Hills, Champaign, IL
- 12/07/09 03:50 AM
In a recent listing appointment in Cherry Hills I discussed the local absorption rate with the home owners as a component of their overall pricing strategy. More details on that example and how the it is calculated can be found here: Home Update for Cherry Hills - Champaign, IL
In establishing the market value and recommended list price for a home I incorporate the following 3 components (at a miminum). The Absorption Rate - What is the overall supply and demand of homes for this segment of the market? What is the general range of $/sqft for sold homes? … (1 comments)
champaign real estate: Need to Reduce your Real Estate Taxes? - part 1
- 05/21/09 05:40 AM
For those of you lucky enough to own real estate in Champaign County you should have received your real estate tax bill in the last couple of weeks. To help contribute to the joyful occasion I’ve provided info below on the most common real estate tax exemptions and tax freeze opportunities. These are just about the only guaranteed way to reduce your taxes. You’ve got until June 2nd to pay your bill so just keep smiling! Check out the Champaign County Assessors website if you want to see your tax bill.
Owner Occupied Exemption: link to form This is the … (0 comments)
champaign real estate: Turnberry Ridge Subdivision, Champaign, IL - Real Estate Market Update
- 08/26/08 09:50 AM
Turnberry Ridge Subdivision - Champaign, IL Turnberry Ridge Real Estate Market Update: The following data was compiled from the CCAR MLS as of 8/22/2008 Closed Sales of Single Family Homes Similar to it's next door neighbor, Glenshire Subdivision, activity in Turnberry Ridge has picked up since our last market report. 5 home sales have closed since 5/23/08 bringing new neighbors and friends to the subdivision. The average days on market for a home has greatly extended from 2007 but the number of sales, average sale price and LP/SP ratio all remain strong. A home seller in Turnberry Ridge can expect … (0 comments)
champaign real estate: Glenshire Market Update May 13, 2008
- 08/21/08 04:09 AM
Real Estate Market Summary - 1/1/08 thru 5/13/08 The following data is taken from the CCAR MLS as of 5/13/2008 Looking at Glenshire as an individual market is a little tough to do because of the small number of sales every year so these statistics need to be incorporated with a view of the overall real estate market in Southwest Champaign. (if you are interested in that info please contact me) In general, Glenshire has followed the general trend in the local real estate market with longer days on market following 2005. The average sale prices have remained strong … (0 comments)
In early May I had the chance to sit in on a presentation on the M2 condo development at 312 N. Neil Street in Downtown Champaign. It was presented by the developers and staff from One Main Development and answered a lot of questions (and created a few more) on the status and plans for this new landmark in downtown Champaign.
A (very) brief history on the downtown, luxury condo market; In 2005, One Main Development finished construction on the “One Main” building in downtown Champaign. It features retail, … (5 comments)
Hopefully every homeowner that reads this is taking advantage of the Homeowners Property tax exemption. If you aren't email me at Mark@ChampaignExperts.com for a copy of the Champaign County form or visit the Champaign County Assessment Office site: Some current info on the basic exemptions for the 2008 tax year (payable in 2009): The General Homestead Exemption will increase from $5000 to $5500. The Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption will increase to $4000 from $3500 The Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption will increase from $50,000 to $55,000 … (1 comments)
champaign real estate: 6 of 10 Great Walks in Champaign-Urbana
- 04/06/08 07:54 AM
Tom Kachich, a columnist and editor with the News Gazette in Champaign, IL, had an article in a recent edition of the paper talking about Spring, getting outside and places you could take a nice walk in Champaign and Urbana. A few of his top 10 included:
The Boulware Trail in south Champaign. This is a relatively short path at 1.25 miles but very nicely decorated in the Spring and Summer. It is most frequently used by employees on their lunch hours. It runs from Windsor almost to Kirby Ave, just west of Neil StreetMeadowbrook Park in Urbana. This is one of … (1 comments)
champaign real estate: How Long is This Going to Take?
- 03/27/08 03:16 AM
Whether you are a first-time home buyer or a seasoned pro, this is a pretty typical question. Luckily, you don’t have to shut down your search or buy the last house you saw after a set limit. Can you imagine if that was the case...."um, honey....bring the checkbook tonight b/c this is #12". Personally, I don't think that would go over very well... If you’d just like to get a handle on the amount of time it will take you can reference the averages. According to the 2007 NAR Profile on Home Buyers and Sellers, NAR’s annual survey, the typical home … (0 comments)
champaign real estate: The Top Undergrad Business Schools - Go Illini!
- 03/25/08 04:17 PM
I've enjoyed finding all sorts of interesting things at BusinessWeek.com lately but I really love to find articles where I have a personal attachment. That most recent find was Business Weeks 2008 survey of the top undergrad business schools, The University of Illinois at Urbana, Champaign ranked in at #18, up two spots from 2007. GO ILLINI! As an alum from the UofI with a bachelors in finance I always enjoy seeing the UofI near the top in these annual rankings. Although the fact that Michigan and Indiana are both ahead of Illinois is really eating at me.... :) Here's a link … (4 comments)
champaign real estate: College Town Real Estate
- 03/25/08 03:10 PM
Despite the general doom and gloom from the majority of media outlets it is possible to find reports that focus on specific real estate markets instead of blanket statements that may or may not apply to your specific area. A recent article from BusinessWeek.com, College Towns: Still a Smart Investment, provides a nice glimpse at college towns and how their local real estate markets have fared. Like many other college towns, real estate in Champaign/Urbana, IL has remained a successful, long-term investment. One of their biggest points is that a university typically provides a very solid basis for the local economy, which is … (3 comments)
champaign real estate: Choosing Your Realtor
- 02/27/08 02:02 AM
While I've referenced it in another post, I have finally finished the whole book, "Your First Home, The Proven Path to Home Ownership". The principles included really should be shared with anyone looking to buy a home, not just first-time home buyers. One of the top articles that caught my eye dealt with the main roles of a Real Estate Agent. Inform & Educate - We should be informing our clients of the local market. In my case this would deal with real estate in Champaign and Urbana, IL.Analysis & Consulting - What are the wants and needs of the client? What … (2 comments)
champaign real estate: Breakfast with a 2 Year Old...
- 02/24/08 08:12 AM
Yesterday morning I was up eating an early breakfast with Tessa, my 2 year old daughter. I started to think about my schedule for the day. Who I was meeting, what listing appointments were coming up, homes I wanted to see in Urbana and different calls I had to make. After realizing it would be a busy day I looked over at Tessa and saw that she was thoroughly enjoying her oatmeal and apple slices. So much so that she had squeezed the juice out of her sippy cup, smeared the oatmeal all over her tray and bib and was about … (3 comments)
It's pretty tough to break this topic down to 4 basic tenants but the book "Your First Home, The Proven Path to Home Ownership" has made a very good effort. The "Rules" of real estate are always localThe best deals are usually win-win Price does not equal valueChoose with your heart and with your head #1 - It's easy to get jaded by what you hear on the national news, but what you really need to pay attention to is your local newspaper's business section and the sales in your target neighborhoods. Talk to a knowledgeable Realtor in your area. If you … (2 comments)
champaign real estate: Do You Want to be the First to Know of New Home Listings?
- 02/05/08 02:56 PM
Imagine if you will... You're browsing through the latest issue of your local homes magazine and spot your dream home. The picture of the front of your new home looks immaculate. The grass is the greenest you've ever seen, the landscaping is ideal! You see the pictures of your perfect kitchen, the master bath is spacious and inviting! You know this is the house you've been waiting for so you call your agent to schedule a showing. POP! That was the sound of your dream house disappearing when you learn that the house was actually listed 10 days ago and has … (0 comments)
The following questions (or some variation) on Open Houses come up during my appointments with home sellers almost every time. Will an Open House sell my home? Do you plan on hosting an Open House?Will you have an Open House every Sunday?Can you keep the "nosy" neighbors out?Will my home be safe & secure during an Open House?Answers: Possibly, but the odds are not in your favor. Open Houses will get a few more people through the property but my experience has shown those visitors to be neighbors, buyers that … (0 comments)
champaign real estate: Free Radon Tests for Champaign County!
- 01/27/08 11:43 PM
Have you been unsure about testing for Radon? From reading the Champaign News Gazette this morning I learned that the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is providing free radon test kits for those living in Champaign County. You can pick up your kit at the Environmental Health Dividision of the CUPHD in Champaign. They are located at 201 W. Kenyon Road and are open from 8am to 4pm M-F. For more info call 217-352-7961 or visit www.cuphd.org If you'd like a more precise radon test you can contact one of the qualified home inspectors in our area. Visit www.ChampaignExperts.com for more info.
Welcome to Champaign County’s Real Estate Blog!
This blog will provide you with information, tips, trivia and general insight into the real estate market in Champaign.
Spring is right around the corner and if you are a home buyer it's time to start reviewing the activity in our Champaign neighborhoods. 
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