Becky's Blog Beat

Orland Park Cheap Home Seller Tip: Maximize Your Curb Appeal Dollar

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:05:37 -0700

Orland Park Cheap Home Seller Tip: Maximize Your Curb Appeal Dollar

Find out what your Orland Park home is worth today...

Are you an Orland Park Home Seller and looking for a way to Maximize Your Curb Appeal Dollar? While there are a ton of ways to spend your hard earned money to give your home curb appeal, there is a way that is simple and CHEAP!

This somewhat down economy has caused quite a few folk to really think long and hard about how they spend their money. Some have decided to stay put and invest in upgrades like a kitchen or bathroom makeover. That can cost BIG BUCKS. And if you are really trying to sell your home and move to another, you might have a hard time justifying the expense and feel it is a gamble to a chance on getting your investment back.

Well consider this Orland Park Cheap Home Seller Tip: Maximize Your Curb Appeal Dollar by doing some major cleaning without the bother.

My townhome association is very diligent about maintenance. They feel that by spending money (being very frugal, of course) it will not only keep each unit owner happy, but will help to keep up the values of each owner. Last year during a walk-through they planted a few trees. A few years before the underground sprinkler system was connected to the connecting ponds to use the water for watering the lawns. The unit owners voted to dig a well on the premises. This turned out to be a major cost savings to all. This year part of the maintenance included having all concrete patios power-washed. Now at first I didn't think this was a good idea because I remembered witnessing this activity by someone near-and-dear to me (won't mention names to protect the guilty) in their attempt to power-wash the side of our then single-family home. The water pressure was so strong that it not only cleaned the dirt off, it actually cut through the wood siding. DISASTER! But after talking with the contractor Mike, I learned that they had this nifty tool that was not only safe, but quiet and quick.

Our association contracted the Squeegee Squad out of New Lenox, IL to do the 108 units in our complex. A week before they were scheduled to come out they posted a reminder note to alert everyone of their arrival. Each homeowner will need to remove any items on their patio before their arrival to prevent any possible damage. Mike Schnyders, the Field Manager, and his crew arrived on time and immediately got to work. They were careful to block the patio-door screen to prevent damage. Then they whipped out this contraption that looked like a carpet shampoo machine. Mike says "I wish I had 10 of them". I guess it's fairly expensive, but if it gets the job done thats all that matters, right? It's kinda like us Realtors: to make money you need to spend money.

The entire process to clean our patio took all of 30 minutes and after it was complete it looked great. The 10+ years of dirt, crud, stains and patio scum were gone. None of my plants were damaged as their process is environmentally friendly. And best of all there was no god-awful smell either. They were so fast I barely was able to watch them work. Check out the video.

Now if you decide to have them do your patio cleaning and if you are not satisfied, Mike Schnyders, the Field Manager, promises to get back quickly to review their work and make it right.

Here is the REAL deal: they also do WINDOWS! and gutter cleaning and skylights. We had Mike provide us a window-washing quote and as soon as we get a streak of warm weather, its a done deal.

In conclusion, I'm all for spending money and I like the latest and greatest home improvements too. But there is a lot to be said about a clean home. I'm sharing my opinion and think you will appreciate this Orland Park Cheap Home Seller Tip: Maximize Your Curb Appeal Dollar and save some money. You will barely have to lift a finger and just might be able to convince your better half to fire up the grill in time for Memorial Day.

Have a Great Week Everyone!

Rebecca Howard, Broker

14470 S. LaGrange Rd. Ste. 104

Orland Park, IL 60462

Mobile: 708.703.0684

Serving Chicagoland and the Southwestern Suburbs

Recognized | Respected | Recommended

Referrals are our business. Recommend your family and friends to the Community Expert that knows the Community.

If you have someone wanting to buy or sell in the Chicagoland area, we will be happy to work with your referral. Call my mobile or send to my email address.

Market Data Report for Olympia Fields, IL May, 2013

Sun, 19 May 2013 09:42:19 -0700

Market Data Report for Olympia Fields, IL May, 2013

by Rebecca Howard

Price Trends - Sold vs. Listed

The median list price in May for single family homes in Olympia Fields is $210,000. The list prices increased by 16.69% from the previous month.

The price per square foot for listings in this area is $86.

The median sale price in March for single family homes is $302,000. The sale prices increased by 67.77% from the previous month.

Market Inventory Trends

The number of active listings in Olympia Fields dropped by 6.3% from the previous month.

The median number of days active properties have been listed is 114.

The number of sales in March dropped by 66.7% from the previous month.

Property Ownership

The percent of owner occupied properties in Olympia Fields is 12.53% above the national average.

Additional Statistics for Single Family Homes and Condos in Olympia Fields, IL

$203,870

Median Listing Price

115

Median Days on Market

Active Listings

28.6%

Distressed Listings
(foreclosures and short sales)

Rebecca Howard, Broker

14470 S. LaGrange Rd. Ste. 104

Orland Park, IL 60462

Mobile: 708.703.0684

Serving Chicagoland and the Southwestern Suburbs

Recognized | Respected | Recommended

Referrals are our business. Recommend your family and friends to the Community Expert that knows the Community.

If you have someone wanting to buy or sell in the Chicagoland area, we will be happy to work with your referral. Call my mobile or send to my email address.

Market Data Report for Orland Park, IL May, 2013

Sun, 19 May 2013 09:33:43 -0700

Market Data Report for Orland Park, IL May, 2013

by Rebecca Howard

The data on this page is consolidated from multiple sources and includes current listings, recent sales, and more. Whether you're a buyer or seller, the knowledge you gain will help put you in control of your real estate transactions.

Call or email anytime to discuss how this information can benefit you!

Price Trends - Sold vs. Listed

The median list price in May for single family homes in Orland Park is $439,900.

The price per square foot for listings in this area is $141.

The median sale price in March for single family homes is $227,500. The sale prices dropped by -37.67% from the previous month.

Market Inventory Trends

The number of active listings in Orland Park increased by 13.8% from the previous month.

The median number of days active properties have been listed is 69. This is significantly shorter than the national average.

The number of sales in March dropped by 0% from the previous month.

Property Ownership

The percent of unoccupied properties is very low in Orland Park. It is -11.12% below the national average.

The percent of owner occupied properties in Orland Park is 27.42% above the national average.

The percent of rental properties in Orland Park is 13.5% below the national average.

Additional Statistics for Single Family Homes and Condos in Orland Park, IL

$341,770

Median Listing Price

Median Days on Market

153

Active Listings

7.2%

Distressed Listings
(foreclosures and short sales)

Rebecca Howard, Broker

14470 S. LaGrange Rd. Ste. 104

Orland Park, IL 60462

Mobile: 708.703.0684

Serving Chicagoland and the Southwestern Suburbs

Recognized | Respected | Recommended

Referrals are our business. Recommend your family and friends to the Community Expert that knows the Community.

If you have someone wanting to buy or sell in the Chicagoland area, we will be happy to work with your referral. Call my mobile or send to my email address.

How Much is My Home Really Worth in Today's Market?

Sat, 18 May 2013 19:01:24 -0700

How Much is My Home Really Worth in Today's Market?

by Rebecca Howard

Click this Link to Find out the Market Value of your Home

How many homeowners ask this question? How will you answer them? What is it they really want to know?

As a homeowner, you have numerous resources that are available to answer that question for you. Many homeowners will trek over to their home computer, pen and paper in hand, and take a few notes in search of the answer to the ultimate question: How Much is My Home Really Worth in Today's Market? They will do their best to match their home's criteria by comparing pictures, room sizes, number of bathrooms and other amenities with the hope of getting as close as they can to reaching a number they are most comfortable with. Is it a good number? How much did you have to fudge to match up all the features? What did you leave out or give lesser value to?

When applying for a mortgage loan, as most of us red-bloodied-Americans have to do, most likely the financier will send out an 'appraiser'. Typically this someone who is highly trained and has the skills to render an opinion of value that suites the banks needs. Why is that?

The reason: the bank, has an interest in 'investing' in a home that you will own and perhaps live in, and they will front the bulk of the funds to make it happen for you; they want to know what the financial risk is for them to take that plunge. Their appraiser will use any combination of approaches to come to that 'number' to provide their Opinion of Value of How Much Your Home is Really Worth in Today's Market.

According to The Appraisal Institute®, a combination of factors are used to arrive at the number. You can read about them in their document.

You might be surprised to know that more times than not, the approach most often used by Certified Appraisers is the SAME approach used by your local Realtor®. The Sales Comparison Approach. Why? Because the Sales Comparison approach reflects a value indication derived by comparing similar properties with many similar variables. Thats right, COMPS! Just look at page 12 of the document. And where do many appraiser get their comps? You guessed it: from a local Realtor®. Any Realtor® worth their salt will meet the appraiser in person and hand them the comps and explain details of why their listing, that is YOUR listing reigns supreme over the others. (So much for FSBO's)

And now that you have the facts, after living in your home for a period of time, as market conditions change, you may wonder How Much is My Home Really Worth in Today's Market? So what do you do? Hire an Certified Appraiser or call your local Realtor®?

My advice: Save yourself a few bucks and call, better still, beg your local Realtor® to schedule an appointment with you to get your bonifide answer to the question: How Much is My Home Really Worth in Today's Market?

If you live in the area of Orland Park, call Rebecca Howard, your local Community Expert at 708-703-0684. Or you can start the process by registering on her website. We will schedule a convenient time with you to provide what's commonly known as a CMA, a Comparative Market Analysis, usually a complimentary service.

Rebecca Howard, Broker

14470 S. LaGrange Rd. Ste. 104

Orland Park, IL 60462

Mobile: 708.703.0684

Serving Chicagoland and the Southwestern Suburbs

Recognized | Respected | Recommended

Referrals are our business. Recommend your family and friends to the Community Expert that knows the Community.

If you have someone wanting to buy or sell in the Chicagoland area, we will be happy to work with your referral. Call my mobile or send to my email address.

MOST CURRENT SHORT SALES AND FORECLOSURES FOR SALE IN HOMER GLEN, IL

Fri, 17 May 2013 18:41:23 -0700

MOST CURRENT SHORT SALES AND FORECLOSURES FOR SALE IN HOMER GLEN, IL

See the most Current list of Short Sales and Foreclosures in Homer Glen, IL

Are you looking for the most current list of short sales and foreclosures available in Homer Glen? You have come to the right place.

I'm looking for all the investors and bargain-hunters out there that are looking for quality properties to buy either for their personal dwelling or for investment purposes.

Have you been searching the Internet and looking at numerous websites but have not found the most up-to-date information? Do you spend your time scouring websites and are scared off when the pop-up window asks you to register? What are you afraid of? No one is going to bite you! If I call you back right away, isn't that the kind of service you are looking for? And if I ask you more questions to find out what you are looking for, will that not save us both precious time and avoid duplication of effort? Sounds reasonable to me.

Now lets get this straight: If you are looking for the Most Current Short Sales and Foreclosure For Sale in Homer Glen, you need to call and work with me. I promise you that my list is the most current. I have the means and resources to put the data on my website, but I have other ways to verify what you see. In spite of what some people may say, YOU CAN'T TRUST EVERYTHING THAT YOU FIND ON THE INTERNET! So you need the services of The Community Expert.

I am a FULL TIME Realtor. I eat, sleep, and drink real estate. I have been doing it nearly 25 years. You can work with others, but it costs the same to work with the best. The Community Expert.

When you shop for the Most Current Short Sales and Foreclosures For Sale in Homer Glen, IL, you will find that there may be little fix-up required for these homes. It may be that the owner(s) may have had an unfortunate situation to befall their family, as so many others have experienced recently. Many owners are looking for someone to rescue them and you could be the one.

Do you know what differences there might be when buying a Short Sale or Foreclosure? Is one better than the other? Is there more flexability in price from one over the other? These and other questions can be answered when you visit my website and shop for the MOST CURRENT SHORT SALES AND FORECLOSURES FOR SALE IN HOMER GLEN, IL.

For the record: You can search for the Most Current Short Sales and Foreclosures For Sale in other cities too. Just shop by city name or zipcode. I can help with it all. I am The Community Expert.

Rebecca Howard, Broker

14470 S. LaGrange Rd. Ste. 104

Orland Park, IL 60462

Mobile: 708.703.0684

Serving Chicagoland and the Southwestern Suburbs

Recognized | Respected | Recommended

Referrals are our business. Recommend your family and friends to the Community Expert that knows the Community.

If you have someone wanting to buy or sell in the Chicagoland area, we will be happy to work with your referral. Call my mobile or send to my email address.

Most Current Short Sales and Foreclosures For Sale in Frankfort, IL

Fri, 17 May 2013 18:25:43 -0700

MOST CURRENT SHORT SALES AND FORECLOSURES FOR SALE IN FRANKFORT, IL

See the most Current list of Short Sales and Foreclosures in Frankfort, IL

Are you looking for the most current list of short sales and foreclosures available in Frankfort? You have come to the right place.

I'm looking for all the investors and bargain-hunters out there that are looking for quality properties to buy either for their personal dwelling or for investment purposes.

Now lets get this straight: If you are looking for the Most Current Short Sales and Foreclosure For Sale in Frankfort, you need to call and work with me. I promise you that my list is the most current. I have the means and resources to put the data on my website, but I have other ways to verify what you see. In spite of what some people may say, YOU CAN'T TRUST EVERYTHING THAT YOU FIND ON THE INTERNET! So you need the services of The Community Expert.

I am a FULL TIME Realtor. I eat, sleep, and drink real estate. I have been doing it nearly 25 years. You can work with others, but it costs the same to work with the best. The Community Expert.

When you shop for the Most Current Short Sales and Foreclosures For Sale in Frankfort, IL, you will find that there may be little fix-up required for these homes. It may be that the owner(s) may have had an unfortunate situation to befall their family, as so many others have experienced recently. Many owners are looking for someone to rescue them and you could be the one.

Rebecca Howard, Broker

14470 S. LaGrange Rd. Ste. 104

Orland Park, IL 60462

Mobile: 708.703.0684

Serving Chicagoland and the Southwestern Suburbs

Recognized | Respected | Recommended

Referrals are our business. Recommend your family and friends to the Community Expert that knows the Community.

If you have someone wanting to buy or sell in the Chicagoland area, we will be happy to work with your referral. Call my mobile or send to my email address.

MOST CURRENT SHORT SALES AND FORECLOSURES FOR SALE IN ORLAND PARK, IL

Fri, 17 May 2013 18:15:48 -0700

MOST CURRENT SHORT SALES AND FORECLOSURES FOR SALE IN ORLAND PARK, IL

See the most Current list of Short Sales and Foreclosures in Orland Park, IL

Are you looking for the most current list of short sales and foreclosures available in Orland Park? You have come to the right place.

I'm looking for all the investors and bargain-hunters out there that are looking for quality properties to buy either for their personal dwelling or for investment purposes.

Now lets get this straight: If you are looking for the Most Current Short Sales and Foreclosure For Sale in Orland Park, you need to call and work with me. I promise you that my list is the most current. I have the means and resources to put the data on my website, but I have other ways to verify what you see. In spite of what some people may say, YOU CAN'T TRUST EVERYTHING THAT YOU FIND ON THE INTERNET! So you need the services of The Community Expert.

I am a FULL TIME Realtor. I eat, sleep, and drink real estate. I have been doing it nearly 25 years. You can work with others, but it costs the same to work with the best. The Community Expert.

When you shop for the Most Current Short Sales and Foreclosures For Sale in Orland Park, IL, you will find that there may be little fix-up required for these homes. It may be that the owner(s) may have had an unfortunate situation to befall their family, as so many others have experienced recently. Many owners are looking for someone to rescue them and you could be the one.

Rebecca Howard, Broker

14470 S. LaGrange Rd. Ste. 104

Orland Park, IL 60462

Mobile: 708.703.0684

Serving Chicagoland and the Southwestern Suburbs

Recognized | Respected | Recommended

Referrals are our business. Recommend your family and friends to the Community Expert that knows the Community.

If you have someone wanting to buy or sell in the Chicagoland area, we will be happy to work with your referral. Call my mobile or send to my email address.

Orland Park Luxury Homes - Spacious Champagne Living on a Beer Budget

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:01:21 -0700

Orland Park Luxury Homes - Spacious Champagne Living on a Beer Budget

by Rebecca Howard

This blog is written for the many families out there that need SPACE. Space for the children, for the 'temporary' move-ins, maturing relatives, children returning home from college, grand-parents, sister and brother-in-law and their kids, and the tons of things you've accumulated over the years and the things of all those family members and the things they've accumulated. Whew!

I recently did an Internet search for Orland Park Luxury Homes looking for Spacious Champagne Living on a Beer Budget for all those folks that need SPACE. In particular I was looking for features that large families would want and need. Here is a sampling of my search for Orland Park Luxury Homes - Spacious Champagne Living on a Beer Budget:

numerous bedrooms
3 and 5 car garages with lifts
swimming pools
finished walkouts with kitchens
custom built covered verandas
custom floors with Travertine, imported hardwood
master suites with private balconies
fully equiped wet bars
name brand stainless steel appliances
built-in elevators with access to all levels
TRUE related living
foreclosures and short-sales

As you can see, the choices are plentiful. These homes are very spacious and have amenities to accommodate most any large family. However, not all them are luxury priced. When searching for Orland Park Luxury Homes that provide Spacious Champagne Living on a Beer Budget, you will find many that are priced in the range of single-family homes. They just have more SPACE.

These families are called multi-generationals. A recent trend for many families is to combine their home-living resources into a single living facility; not only for economics, but for convenience as well. While this option may not work for everyone, just think about what it means to own an Orland Park Spacious Luxury Home with Champagne Living on a Beer Budget:

families can consolidate living expenses
help with home and lawn maintenance
private living areas for peace and quiet
MAN CAVE
no more bathroom sharing
help with the mortgage
built-in child care
avoiding isolation for maturing adults

When comparing the cost for caring for a loved one and the worry that goes with it, could this be an option for your family? Something to consider. This living style certainly is not new; it is quite common for some cultures, but as things change in life, one can do well by being in a position to adapt. There are many things that call for adaptation. But it does need to throw you for a loop.

I just wanted to let you know that I am the Community Expert. Not only will I be able to assist with your searching for and finding the home of your dreams, I can also help your family to reason on things that affect your lifestyle. Its not just about buying a home. Its also about your life and living.

I can help you avoid wasting money on solutions that may not work or carrying the added burden or worrying about things that you can't control. Take charge of your life now and reap the benefits!

When you are ready to work with Rebecca Howard The Community Expert, just give me a call at 708-703-0684. I promise to take the time to listen and carefully review with you how you benefit from my services and my helping you find Orland Park Luxury Homes that offer Spacious Champagne Living on a Beer Budget.

Rebecca Howard, Broker

14470 S. LaGrange Rd. Ste. 104

Orland Park, IL 60462

Mobile: 708.703.0684

Serving Chicagoland and the Southwestern Suburbs

Recognized | Respected | Recommended

Referrals are our business. Recommend your family and friends to the Community Expert that knows the Community.

If you have someone wanting to buy or sell in the Chicagoland area, we will be happy to work with your referral. Call my mobile or send to my email address.

Orland Park New Construction Has Begun for Ashley Oaks Subdivision

Tue, 14 May 2013 12:02:37 -0700

Orland Park New Construction Has Begun for Ashley Oaks Subdivision

by Rebecca Howard

Orland Park New Construction for Ashley Oaks Subdivision began in May 2013.

The crews are already clearing the land and the utility companies are on site as I write this. This new subdivision is the latest for Orland Park. The new models that are going in are Thomas Scott, Ashley Rose & Connor James, Wilshire and Richmond. I am told that the first finished model will be completed by the end of May 2013.

Ashley Oaks is a distinct community of just 10 custom-built homes that will be nestled within other well established communities. The builder, Marth Construction, a family-owned home construction company located in Orland Park, is known for quality. This construction company was founded in 1977, and has a long-standing history of providing building services to several highly desirable communities in Illinois, including Orland Park, Palos Park, Homer Glen, Burr Ridge and most recently Frankfort, Lemont, and Dyer, Indiana.

The folks at Marth Construction are very nice and friendly people. They, unlike some builders, are very flexible with their clients; they offer a wide range of building materials and designs from which to choose. Additionally, the company will accommodate buyer requests for specialty rooms and basements.

The models consist of ranch style, start just under 3,000 square feet (2,964, 3-bedroom, 2.5 baths) and two-story (3,000 square feet, 4-bedroom, 2.5 bath) homes, with the largest home to be built at 4,000 square feet.

Prices start at $549,900 and consist of models that are on either a flat surface, with lookout basements or walkout basements.

If you are thinking about buying New Construction in the Ashley Oaks Subdivision, you had better hurry. Lot 1 has been sold; as of 5/14/13, there are only 9 lots seft.

The New Construction for the Ashley Oaks Subdivision is located near the following school districts:

Grade School District: 135
Junior High District: 135
High School District: 230

Nearby elementary schools are:

Kindercare Learning Center 14301 Pinewood Dr
Centennial School 14101 Creek Crossing Dr
Goodings Grove School 12914 W 143rd St

Nearby high schools:

Wilco Area Career Center 500 Wilco Blvd
Carl Sandburg High School 13300 S La Grange Rd
Mount Assisi Academy School 13860 Main St

The New Ashley Oaks Subdivision is conveniently located near Downtown Orland Park and close to the Orland Square Mall; the Metra Station is about 1/2 mile away, and a wide assortment of great eating establishments. The new Pete's Market; a brand new grocery store under construction, is just up the street as well. And for the golfers, the infamous Silver Lakes Country Club is also just a short 5-minute ride away.

If you want to see a Thomas Scott or Wilshire model of the Orland Park New Construction Ashley Oaks Subdivision, or if you have any questions, just send me a note via email or ring by cellphone and I will get you in right away. I promise you these won't last long.

Rebecca Howard, Broker

14470 S. LaGrange Rd. Ste. 104

Orland Park, IL 60462

Mobile: 708.703.0684

Serving Chicagoland and the Southwestern Suburbs

Recognized | Respected | Recommended

Referrals are our business. Recommend your family and friends to the Community Expert that knows the Community.

If you have someone wanting to buy or sell in the Chicagoland area, we will be happy to work with your referral. Call my mobile or send to my email address.

Computer Recycling in the Southwest Suburbs near Orland Park

Fri, 10 May 2013 16:20:21 -0700

Computer Recycling in the Southwest Suburbs near Orland Park

Well I decided to do some additional spring cleaning. That annual time slot that you must carve out of your life to enjoy the rest of the summer. You see, I need space for my gardening things. So after a careful inspection, we decided it would be the old electronics stored in the garage that we were supposed to toss over two years ago. Now the local laws have changed and you need to take them to a recycling center.

After looking online, I found a number of listings, but each click only frustrated because the listings offered very poor information. So I decided to offer a tip that worked for me: I called my local Village of Orland Park and surprisingly, someone answered the phone and told me about a location just up the street from where I live. Hooray!

This was the easiest disposal effort I have ever experienced. Just drop your items in any number of bins; but they are very specific about which goes where.

Computer Recycling in the Southwest Suburbs near Orland Park need not be a daunting task. If you want to deliver them yourself, this location is open Monday-Friday from 0700 to 1500. (that's 7AM-3PM). And if you want, they will come by your location and make the pickup. There are very specific rules on item pickup.

If you live in another location and not looking anywhere near Computer Recycling in the Southwest Suburbs near Orland Park, then you definitely need to check with your local village or recycler.

Thats it folks. Oh, excuse me folks...Im making another trip to the recycle bin.

Rebecca Howard, Broker

14470 S. LaGrange Rd. Ste. 104

Orland Park, IL 60462

Mobile: 708.703.0684

Serving Chicagoland and the Southwestern Suburbs

Recognized | Respected | Recommended

Referrals are our business. Recommend your family and friends to the Community Expert that knows the Community.

If you have someone wanting to buy or sell in the Chicagoland area, we will be happy to work with your referral. Call my mobile or send to my email address.

Home For Sale with Bedroom on Main Level in Olympia Fields, IL

Thu, 09 May 2013 17:52:16 -0700

Home For Sale with Bedroom on Main Level in Olympia Fields, IL

See complete inventory of Homes For Sale with Bedroom on Main Level in Olympia Fields, IL

Listing Details

MLS #: 08260741
Style: Ranch
Bedrooms: 4
Total Baths: 2.1
Full Baths: 2
Half Baths: 1
Sq. Feet: 2552
Basement: Full Finished

Call Rebecca Howard at 708-703-0684 to see if this property is still available and arrange a preview.

You Will Love the Features of this Beautiful Four-Bedroom Ranch Home

This Four-Bedroom Ranch is simply Gorgeous! It is a Classic Solid Brick California-Style Ranch with a stunning entry. The layout of the home provides spacious views to the beautiful landscape of this well maintained home. The family room is large with enough room to accommodate and entertain your guests. The Living Room and Dining Room offer space rarely found in NEWER homes. It has a brick wood-burning fireplace that is spectacular. This beautiful 4-bedroom home has a GOURMET kitchen that is the envy of many a cook. The updated stainless steel refrigerator provides more than adequate storage. There is a professional-style 6-burner stove that makes it a delight to prepare large family dinners in short order.The mounted kitchen utensil rack is placed just right and keeps everything within reach.

Beautiful Gourmet Kitchen

Click here to see more pictures of this Home For Sale with Bedroom on Main Level in Olympia Fields, IL

Kitchen Perfect for Entertaining

If entertaining is your pleasure, there is no better place than doing it in the large kitchen in this amazing ranch home. The stainless steel stove, refrigerator, and dishwasher make this kitchen come together, but it's the massive amount of space that makes bringing friends and family together a delight. And what's the biggest pain about big dinner parties? Cooking utensils of course. Fortunately this kitchen has a ceiling-mounted rack to store your large pots, pans, and other tools. And it has a large dishwasher! Fantastic, right? There is another refrigerator in the pantry/work area off the kitchen with a large sink that can be used as an additional prep area, such as for preparing foods. You have plenty of room to prepare food for a small army.

Oakwood Estates in Olympia Fields, IL

Oakwood Estates is an exclusive area in Olympia Fields. The main street winds through the community with several cul-de-sacs along the way. The homes reside on large lots that average half an acre or more. The landscaping is immaculate throughout, indicating the pride the homeowners take in maintaining their neighborhood. The lots rarely have fences, so it reminds you of being on a golf course with its park-like setting. You will find homes that have beautiful flower gardens, stately trees and songbirds of many varieties to keep you entertained with their melodious songs. The wrap-around deck is custom built and is one of the best features of the home. It has space for seating and additional tables or chaise-lounges.

This home has an underground sprinkler system so you won't have to drag out hoses to water your lawn and flowers will stay beautiful all summer. The circular drive and extra-wide driveway will provide plenty of parking for your guests. The garage is a full 2 1/2 car, and has custom cabinetry to keep things neat and tidy. This home is a short 10 minute drive from three major expressways and just 30 minutes from downtown Chicago. You family and friends will enjoy the refreshing ride to visit you.

You can click here to find similar homes in the area.

Rebecca Howard, Broker

14470 S. LaGrange Rd. Ste. 104

Orland Park, IL 60462

Mobile: 708.703.0684

Serving Chicagoland and the Southwestern Suburbs

Recognized | Respected | Recommended

Referrals are our business. Recommend your family and friends to the Community Expert that knows the Community.

If you have someone wanting to buy or sell in the Chicagoland area, we will be happy to work with your referral. Call my mobile or send to my email address.

Mokena Real Estate - Homes For Sale Mokena, IL 60448

Wed, 08 May 2013 16:59:46 -0700

Mokena Real Estate - Homes For Sale Mokena, IL 60448

There a lot of websites geared to show you Mokena Real Estate - Homes For Sale Mokena, IL 60448. However, very few of them offer to connect with you to help you get through the pages and pages of information, of which much of it is not even current. What you need is an expert...a Community Expert to guide you through the maze of Internet spaghetti and help you with the facts.

Are you considering buying or selling a home in Mokena, IL 60448? Then you need to register on my website. Once you do, the reasons will become clear.

On my website there is a ton of information, just like a few of the others, but the difference is... I am here to work with you. There is no confusion about which area is better or worse, where to shop, what resources are available. I can help you with all that. I can refer you to resources that will make the process sooooo easy.

For example, if you were looking for condo or a 3-bedroom homes for sale in Mokena, IL 60448, and you registered on my website, you would get this report. Do you notice all the pictures and the actual property address? And you can save this information to be automatically alerted when it is updated. How hard could that be?

Go ahead! Jump in there and register to get complimentary information for Mokena Real Estate-Homes For Sale Mokena, IL 60448. I give you all the facts.

Are you comparing the Mokena community with other communities nearby in order to make an informed decision on which might be the best choice for your family to live and the best schools for your children? Get your complimentary Market Analysis & Community Report for Mokena, IL 60448.

Would you like to know about sales recent activity and get details on schools and the community? Get your complimentary Market Analysis & Community Report for Mokena, IL 60448.

Want to know what homes are currently available for sale in Mokena, IL? Get your complimentary Market Analysis & Community Report for Mokena, IL 60448.

If you are looking for useful tips on selling your current home to maximize your profit or finding needed funds to buy your dream home in Mokena, IL 60448? Get your complimentary Market Analysis & Community Report for Mokena, IL 60448.

So get your move on! Register and we will talk to you soon!

Rebecca Howard, Broker

14470 S. LaGrange Rd. Ste. 104

Orland Park, IL 60462

Mobile: 708.703.0684

Serving Chicagoland and the Southwestern Suburbs

Recognized | Respected | Recommended

Referrals are our business. Recommend your family and friends to the Community Expert that knows the Community.

If you have someone wanting to buy or sell in the Chicagoland area, we will be happy to work with your referral. Call my mobile or send to my email address.

Market Analysis & Community Report for Mokena, IL 60448

Wed, 08 May 2013 16:07:09 -0700

Market Analysis & Community Report for Mokena, IL 60448

Are you considering buying or selling a home in Mokena, IL 60448? Then you need to register to get your complimentary Market Analysis & Community Report for Mokena, IL 60448.

Are you comparing this community with others in order to make an informed decision on where to live and the best schools for your children? Get your complimentary Market Analysis & Community Report for Mokena, IL 60448.

Would you like to know about sales recent activity and get details on schools and the community? Get your complimentary Market Analysis & Community Report for Mokena, IL 60448.

Want to know what homes are currently available for sale in Mokena, IL? Get your complimentary Market Analysis & Community Report for Mokena, IL 60448.

Looking for valuable tips on selling to maximize your profit or finding needed funds to buy your dream home in Mokena, IL 60448? Get your complimentary Market Analysis & Community Report for Mokena, IL 60448.

Rebecca Howard, Broker

14470 S. LaGrange Rd. Ste. 104

Orland Park, IL 60462

Mobile: 708.703.0684

Serving Chicagoland and the Southwestern Suburbs

Recognized | Respected | Recommended

Referrals are our business. Recommend your family and friends to the Community Expert that knows the Community.

If you have someone wanting to buy or sell in the Chicagoland area, we will be happy to work with your referral. Call my mobile or send to my email address.

Village of Orland Park is Looking for Talent and Giving Away Money

Mon, 06 May 2013 13:01:31 -0700

Village of Orland Park is Looking for Talent and Giving Away Money

by Rebecca Howard

The Village of Orland Park is Looking for Talent and Giving Away M oney at its

annual upcoming event 'Taste of Orland Park'. The event date is August 4, 2013. You don't need any special talent. Can you sing, dance, juggle, train pigs, or recite Shakespeare? Be sure to mark your calendar and practice, practice, practice.

I plan on attending the Village of Orland Park is Looking for Talent and Giving Away Money event just to see who I might know, so you better be good.

The Village of Orland Park is Looking for Talent and Giving Away Money event is giving away $1,000: 1st prize=$500; 2nd prize=$300, and 3rd prize=$200. That's good money just for having fun for a few brief moments. Even if you don't win you should have fun just seeing all the participants competing at the Village of Orland Park is Looking for Talent and Giving Away Money event on August 4, 2013.

And who knows, there might just be the next contestant featured on the famous TV show The Voice.

Enjoy! Hope to see you there!

Rebecca Howard, Broker

14470 S. LaGrange Rd. Ste. 104

Orland Park, IL 60462

Mobile: 708.703.0684

Serving Chicagoland and the Southwestern Suburbs

Recognized | Respected | Recommended

Referrals are our business. Recommend your family and friends to the Community Expert that knows the Community.

If you have someone wanting to buy or sell in the Chicagoland area, we will be happy to work with your referral. Call my mobile or send to my email address.

60461 Foreclosures, Pre-Foreclosures and Short Sales in Olympia Fields

Sun, 05 May 2013 11:48:19 -0700

60461 Foreclosures, Pre-Foreclosures and Short Sales in Olympia Fields

by Rebecca Howard

Recently I blogged about the community of Olympia Fields. I didn't mention anything about 60461 Foreclosures, Pre-Foreclosures and Short Sales in Olympia Fields, but today I will because if you might be searching for homes, whether for investment purposes or a family dwelling, I want you to give more thought about the general advertisements you find on the Internet.

Often when doing an Internet search for 60461 Foreclosures, Pre-Foreclosures and Short Sales in Olympia Fields, the results are numerous. These results come from sources that are not even in the area.

But let me ask you this: If you were looking to buy a new car in Florida, would you consult with a car dealer in Chicago? Probably not, because you would soon learn that the Chicago car dealer has little interest in cars being sold in Florida. They don't know the climate or how car values in Florida differ from those in Chicago. So why would a Chicago car dealer even market to someone living in Florida? Who knows? Can you realistically expect to get the personal assistance you need and benefit from the knowledge of a local Community Expert? Anyone can provide basic information. The facts are there for anyone to see. But who only can provide the finer points and the specific details that may uniquely apply to you and your family? The Community Expert!

Don't cut yourself short. Don't deny yourself the benefit of working with a Community Expert. It costs no more to work with the most knowledgeable person who knows the community.

If you are an investor looking for a good value or a family searching for a new home to live and are looking for 60461 Foreclosures, Pre-Foreclosures and Short Sales in Olympia Fields, you need to seek a Community Expert; someone who either lives near or has real-time experience with the area. That way if you have any questions and need their expert advice, or want to schedule a preview of a particular home, or want the most up-to-date information, just contact the local Community Expert.

The Internet is a great place to start your search for 60461 Foreclosures, Pre-Foreclosures and Short Sales in Olympia Fields. But if you really want to cut through the chase and benefit from having a real person to help you find the home of your dreams.

If you are serious and truly ready to make that move and start your search for 60461 Foreclosures, Pre-Foreclosures and Short Sales in Olympia Fields, call the Community Expert, Rebecca Howard. And if you have real property to sell, I can assist with that too. Remember, I am the Community Expert. Really!

Rebecca Howard, Broker

14470 S. LaGrange Rd. Ste. 104

Orland Park, IL 60462

Mobile: 708.703.0684

Serving Chicagoland and the Southwestern Suburbs

Recognized | Respected | Recommended

Referrals are our business. Recommend your family and friends to the Community Expert that knows the Community.

If you have someone wanting to buy or sell in the Chicagoland area, we will be happy to work with your referral. Call my mobile or send to my email address.

No Obligation Market Evaluation: What Is My Orland Park Home Worth?

Fri, 03 May 2013 18:33:58 -0700

No Obligation Market Evaluation: What Is My Orland Park Home Worth?

Are you wondering what your Orland Park single family, condo, or townhome is worth? While I can't give you exact numbers due to how fluid the market is, I can get pretty close. Better still, I can allow you to check it out for yourself by offering you access to my No Obligation Market Evaluation for Orland Park.

What you need to do is go to my website and sign up for my Market Insider. That way you can get detailed information on schools, the community, market trends and a host of helpful tips that will help you make an informed decision. And you can get bi-weekly updates on what is going on with the market. How hard could that be?

If you are considering making a move to another community, I am the undisputed Community Expert for Orland Park and all the surrounding Southwest suburbs. I have helped many families to find the home of their dreams in the Southwest suburban area. I have experience in all communities. I can help you too.

Now is an especially good time to get your move on.

Rebecca Howard, Broker

14470 S. LaGrange Rd. Ste. 104

Orland Park, IL 60462

Mobile: 708.703.0684

Serving Chicagoland and the Southwestern Suburbs

Recognized | Respected | Recommended

Referrals are our business. Recommend your family and friends to the Community Expert that knows the Community.

If you have someone wanting to buy or sell in the Chicagoland area, we will be happy to work with your referral. Call my mobile or send to my email address.

Townhomes For Sale in The Preserve at Marley Creek Subdivision

Fri, 03 May 2013 17:52:36 -0700

by Rebecca Howard

Townhomes For Sale in The Preserve at Marley Creek Subdivision

Only a knowlegable person understands that the term Townhomes in The Preserve at Marley Creek refers to a very specific group of townhomes located in the southwestern tip of Orland Park. And if you were to scour the Internet looking for them, as I have, it can be confusing to locate them specifically.

This group of townhomes is comprised of just 108 units; are comprised of two and three bedroom units that were built by three different builders with the difference in age between the first and last unit built covering a span of about 7 years, with the last units being built in 2002. These units are some of the most spacious townhomes around. You will get the best bang for your buck here.

The Townhomes in The Preserve at Marley Creek subdivision meander through the winding street of Lake Shore Drive with cul-de-sacs on Waterside Circle and Waterway Court. There are bicycle/walking paths throughout the community, and a park on the east end of the complex that serves both townhomes and single family homes. There are water features throughout that offer pleasant views and relaxing sounds from the aerator pumps in the ponds. The townhomes have decks and others have patios. Some of the older units even have walkout lower levels. A select few of the older units have guest parking, which is great if you have lots of visitors.

What is it that makes Townhomes in The Preserve at Marley Creek subdivision a desirable community to live in? There are many.

Walking distance to the Metra Southwest line is about 8 minutes.
Access to major a highways is about 3 miles from I-80, 5 miles to I-57 and I-294 to the east and about 5 miles from I-355 to the west.
There is nearby shopping for groceries (Mariano's, Whole Foods, and a local Jewel/Osco and Walgreens. A McDonald's is planned for the future.
There is a dry cleaner, Starbucks, Chase and PFC banks, and many other convenient stores nearby. There is a Senior facility nearby, Smith Crossing, that has recently added on to accommodate those needing their Services.
And one of the largest religious facilities in the area.

Why do I go into such great detail about The Townhomes in The Preserve at Marley Creek subdivision? It is because when doing a search on the Internet, with the hope or desire to find good home value living in this community, it is difficult to find such details of this beautiful area. You might find general information that provides lots of statistics, but hardly anyone who has stepped up to the task of providing a detailed description.

Orland Park is a great community to live in and raise children. What turns some people off is that if you look around the well-established areas that center around the Orland Square Mall, it can get crowded....very crowded. Traffic can really test your patience. The Townhomes in The Preserve at Marley Creek subdivision is somewhat of a getaway from all that, while still living in Cook County.

Want to know which Townhomes in The Preserve at Marley Creek subdivision might be available?

Rebecca Howard, Broker

14470 S. LaGrange Rd. Ste. 104

Orland Park, IL 60462

Mobile: 708.703.0684

Serving Chicagoland and the Southwestern Suburbs

Recognized | Respected | Recommended

Referrals are our business. Recommend your family and friends to the Community Expert that knows the Community.

If you have someone wanting to buy or sell in the Chicagoland area, we will be happy to work with your referral. Call my mobile or send to my email address.

Home For Sale in The 'Original' Olympia Fields, IL 60461

Fri, 03 May 2013 17:29:45 -0700

Home For Sale in The 'Original' Olympia Fields, IL 60461

I want to talk briefly about a Home For Sale in The 'Original' Olympia Fields, IL 60461. Our family lived here for just over 10 years.

The area we lived in was called the "Original' Olympia Fields, due in part because it was the first area to be built. The Villages current borders include Vollmer Road (N), 211th Street/U.S. Route 30/Lincoln Highway) (S), Crawford/Pulaski Avenue (W),with the eastern border of Western Avenue, the entire village lies primarily within Rich Township.

Long before moving into the The 'Original' Olympia Fields community, we would drive through it along Kedzie Ave. Honestly, it was like driving through a terrarium because of all the tree-lined streets in the area. Some of those trees must be over 150 years old. If it was full sun anywhere else, you would be shaded by all the mature trees and the coolness of their cover. You would hardly know the sun was out except for the small blotches of sunlight peeking through. We found that calming and refreshing. Whenever any one of those trees had to be cut down, it was like losing a member of the family.

After moving into the community, we grew to love all the critters that lived there too. Woodpeckers, cardinals, blue jays, goldfinches, red-tailed hawks, rabbits, squirrels, raccoon, turtles never seemed to be a bother. The 'Original' Olympia Fields, IL is home to the world-famous Olympia Fields Country Club, which offers an assortment of amenities for members and guests.

The 'Original' Olympia Fields community is commuter-friendly. There is the Metra Electric rail that can get you downtown Chicago in about 30 minutes. The electric train (IMHO) is the fastest, cleanest, and the quietest ride of them all that I have ridden. From where we lives, the walk was about 10 minutes. We thought living so close to the rail would be loud, but it was just the opposite. The IC owns the tracks and you rarely know they are there.

If you need to drive any distance, jump in your car and you are just a short hop from three major freeways; I-57 or I-80, or I-294.

The 'Original' Olympia Fields, IL has a lot of interesting and diverse history. Our next neighbor would often tell stories about its origin. We listened in amazement to his colorful stories.

The 'Original' Olympia Fields, like many older communities, is showing its age. The new 'Millinials' are looking for all the modern and fancy living features. They want all the shiny appliances, the marble counters, the big screen TV and all. And so when they go looking for a Home For Sale in The 'Original' Olympia Fields community, they often pass on some of the best values within. Things like ranch homes with single-level floor plans, larger lots with relatively low real estate taxes compared with nearby communities, solid brick homes compared to brick front only, and peace and quiet from street traffic and the general populous. Its like resort living within a bustling city. But the village does have the higher priced homes, but there are many more that are a good value for the dollar spent. You might have to do some upgrades, but you will have a good quality home that will give you many years of good service.

If you know someone looking to live in a community like this, I invite them to take a close look at one of my nicest listings of Homes For Sale in The 'Original' Olympia Fields, IL 60461.

You want to know about Olympia Fields, IL 60461?

Rebecca Howard, Broker

14470 S. LaGrange Rd. Ste. 104

Orland Park, IL 60462

Mobile: 708.703.0684

Serving Chicagoland and the Southwestern Suburbs

Recognized | Respected | Recommended

Referrals are our business. Recommend your family and friends to the Community Expert that knows the Community.

If you have someone wanting to buy or sell in the Chicagoland area, we will be happy to work with your referral. Call my mobile or send to my email address.

Even The Friendliest Dog May Be Cujo When You're Selling Your Warren County Home!

Fri, 03 May 2013 10:10:18 -0700

I was reading a few blog posts this morning and found this bit of advice that Id like to pass along to pet-owners. I realize that for many pet owners they are part of the family. I have a few things I would like to add, but will do in a later post for buyers and sellers. How do you get the pet owner to comply?

Via Liz and Bill Spear RE/MAX Elite Warren County Ohio: Cincinnati to Dayton, Liz and Bill Spear (513.265.3004 www.LizTour.com):

Even The Friendliest Dog May Be Cujo When You're Selling Your Warren County Home!

"Why do you want my dog(s) out of the house for all showings? Little Fifi is THE friendliest dog EVER!"

And while Fifi, Rex, Spot, Josh & Sammie are all QUITE friendly when you're home, all bets are off as soon as you close the door and leave the house. YOU are their reassurance, their comfort blanket that these strangers in their house are okay and they don't need to be afraid.

However, without you there the dog has to make its own judgment call when it's loose in the home. Protect or hide? Bark or be quiet? Lick or bite? We've seen dogs so frantic that they were literally in danger of hurting themselves, hurtling around the house and sliding into cabinets, HARD. We had to cut the showing short.

As listing agents we ask you as a dog owner to do one of two things:

Get your pet out of the home during showings (either you, a neighbor, just please, out of the home).

OR secure your dog. That means locked up in a crate, hopefully in an out of a way spot in the house, because there's still risk that the dog will bark the ENTIRE showing (been there, done that, VERY distracting). And secure is NOT putting a large dog behind a baby gate and hoping he or she stays put.

Why do we ask for this inconvenience?

Some buyers have had past trauma with a dog and they're terrified of dogs. Period. A loose dog means they won't step in the house. Showing over. Your dog just cost you a shot at a sale.

Liability. One dog bite and you may get to find out just how good your homeowner's insurance coverage is.

For your dog's safety. It's a lot less stressful for them to either not be there, or be someplace "safe" like a dog crate.

So while our request is a hassle, it's for your own good and the good of your dog. We don't want Fifi becoming Cujo and biting your home's sale in the ................

Serving Warren County's residential real estate needs,

Liz and Bill aka BLiz

REALTORS(S) Serving Warren County Ohio & Adjacent Areas

The Liz Spear Team of RE/MAX Elite
Elizabeth & William Spear
Ask for us by name if you visit the office!
Two locations: Lebanon & Mason, OH
Liz direct: 513-265-3004
Bill direct: 513-520-5305
Fax: 866-302-8418
MailTo: LizSpear@Go-Concepts.com
Our Website: www.LizTour.com

OUR SERVICE AREA:

View Liz Spear Team of RE/MAX Elite Primary Service Area in a larger map

Rebecca Howard, Broker

14470 S. LaGrange Rd. Ste. 104

Orland Park, IL 60462

Mobile: 708.703.0684

Serving Chicagoland and the Southwestern Suburbs

Recognized | Respected | Recommended

Referrals are our business. Recommend your family and friends to the Community Expert that knows the Community.

If you have someone wanting to buy or sell in the Chicagoland area, we will be happy to work with your referral. Call my mobile or send to my email address.

Have You Seen How Downtown Orland Park is All Ablaze with Activity?

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:08:59 -0700

Have You Seen How Downtown Orland Park is All Ablaze with Activity?

by Rebecca Howard

Have you checked out the activity going on downtown Orland Park lately?

There is all kinds of growth going on. There are new stores, shopping at mini malls, restaurants. Its so exciting. Recently we had a chance to preview the Ninety7Fifty on the Park Apartments. They are drop dead gorgeous! There are floor plans available for the one and two-bedroom units available.

This level of apartment living is truly something out of the ordinary for the Southwest Suburbs. The amenities are nothing short of luxurious. A full exercise room is available to work off the stress of the workday or just to keep in shape. This elevator building has a large screen TV room and casual sitting areas for friends to get together ans relax by the fireplace or gather outside on the ground level patio area for a bar-b-que. Reservations can be made if you need private space to entertain your special guests. It reminds me of NYC living. I can only imagine that the tenants will wish they could own the units instead of renting. Check out the Virtual Tour.

Pets are allowed with the following current stipulations:

Pet friendly community with a maximum of 2 pets. Cats must be declawed. All pets must be neutered or spayed. Pet registration fee is $350.00 per pet and is non-refundable. Combined maximum weight limit is 50 pounds, and certain breed restrictions apply; Inquire within.

There are unique, well thought out community amenities that will accommodate even the most demanding tenant. Imagine having an electric car charging station within the complex? Now is that forward thinking or what?

On my tour I was able to interview other visitors; may of them are currently residents of Orland Park. The buzz is that if you work in downtown Chicago, it would make it very convenient to walk across the street to the train. You would rarely need to drive your car during the week. And there is a new cafe that will soon open on the main level.

The Village of Orland Park is very active in providing support for its residents. They are constantly looking for new business development opportunities. You can find something new going on in virtually every corner of the cities boundaries. According to Money Magazine, Orland Park is truly one of the Best Places to Live in the Southwest suburbs in America.

If you are considering a move to the Ninety7Fifty on the Park Apartments and need to know the current Market Value of your home, we offer a no obligation, up-to-date evaluation. Please complete the form below and we will get in touch at your convenience.

Rebecca Howard, Broker

14470 S. LaGrange Rd. Ste. 104

Orland Park, IL 60462

Mobile: 708.703.0684

Serving Chicagoland and the Southwestern Suburbs

Recognized | Respected | Recommended

Referrals are our business. Recommend your family and friends to the Community Expert that knows the Community.

If you have someone wanting to buy or sell in the Chicagoland area, we will be happy to work with your referral. Call my mobile or send to my email address.

Homes For Sale in Abbey Woods Subdivision in Frankfort, IL

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:50:26 -0700

Homes for Sale in Abbey Woods Community in Frankfort, IL

by Rebecca Howard

Why Do People Live in the Abbey Woods Community in Frankfort, IL?

It is a regular occurrence for families to look for homes for sale in The Abbey Woods community in Frankfort, IL. It is because this is a beautiful neighborhood of single family homes that sits conveniently located just about 45 miles outside of Downtown Chicago. It's not uncommon to see neighborhood children playing the streets of this quaint little oasis in the Southwest suburbs during the summer and sledding down snow covered streets in the winter. It's far enough from the main hustle and bustle of the city that residents don't feel like the urban center of Chicago is knocking on their door.

Are you currently looking for Homes For Sale in Abbey Woods subdivision in Frankfort, IL?

Interested in finding homes for sale in the Abbey Woods neighborhood in Frankfort, IL? You can find all the currently available homes in this area of Frankfort, IL on my website.

What is the Abbey Woods Community in Frankfort, IL really Like?

The homes you would expect to find for sale in the Abbey Woods Community are generally sized in the range between 2500 and 3500 square feet. Frankfort, IL was ranked 36th in the nation's fastest growing suburbs by Forbes Magazine; Frankfort is thriving. Known as the "Jewel of the South Suburbs." Frankfort has been recognized with the Southland's Reader's Choice award for "Best Community.” Experiencing rapid growth, attracting new residents, commercial and industrial businesses, Frankfort is a premier community with award-winning schools and exceptional residential, commercial and industrial development.

What's Going on Nearby the Abbey Woods Community?

There is always something going in the downtown area of Frankfort, IL near the Abbey Woods community. There is just about every kind of conceivable shopping in walking distance. The new Mariano's Food Market is just down the street and has everything from a pharmacy to a wonderful local coffee shop. In the evenings you will want to take a stroll down to enjoy fine dining at a great variety of eating establishments.

Find out about everything that is to know about homes For Sale in the Abbey Woods community, including places of worship, banking, shopping, museums, attractions and recreation and much more on my website.

Now You Really Want to Find a Home Here, Right?

If you are interested in Homes For Sale in the Abbey Woods Neighborhood of Frankfort, IL I will be happy to assist and answer whatever questions you may have.

Fell free to wander through the listings on my website or fill in the form below with your questions. Talk to you soon.

Have any questions about the Abbey Woods Community?

Rebecca Howard, Broker

14470 S. LaGrange Rd. Ste. 104

Orland Park, IL 60462

Mobile: 708.703.0684

Serving Chicagoland and the Southwestern Suburbs

Recognized | Respected | Recommended

Referrals are our business. Recommend your family and friends to the Community Expert that knows the Community.

If you have someone wanting to buy or sell in the Chicagoland area, we will be happy to work with your referral. Call my mobile or send to my email address.

Springtime: Time to Decorate. Time to Transform. Time to Be Happy!

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:13:12 -0700

Springtime: Time to Decorate. Time to Transform. Time to Be Happy!

by Rebecca (Becky) Howard

Time to open the windows and let the fresh air blow through. Time to take deep breaths. Time to wash windows (we're getting a window-washing service to do it). We have skylights and I wouldn't dare ask my husband climb a ladder. It would make a mess if he had an accident of any kind.

MESSAGE TO HOME SELLERS: Get your home 'market ready' It will enhance your home; it will show well and hopefully inspire buyers to buy. It can put more money in your pocket!

In my subdivision there was a recent sale and I noticed that the new owners did not move in right away. They are taking the time to totally redecorate their new place. Imagine excitement of buying a new home and before you move in to do a total makeover. Its even exciting for me. I can't wait to ask to have a look inside when its all done. Its like having the This Old House crew right down the street.

More and more current homeowners are doing remodeling and staying put in their home. If they like the location and if they have children, they might not want to change communities. And for some, there might be tax advantages to remodel and upgrade their HVAC systems and/or appliances to take advantages offered. There are some fancy things available that let you monitor your home using smartphone apps. Has anyone installed the NEST thermostat yet? Its really cool and we've already seem where we have saved energy in just a few months.

Its possible to find there are many home-based business right in your own community that offer excellent, professional services to give your home the lively lift that only decorating can give. We found a company that does faux decorating. Or perhaps you just need a bit of cleaning or staging to get the look buyers want to see. There is someone close by that does that too. A good place to check is Angie's List. We grabbed a deep discount through Groupon.

Another idea is to start a community Garage Sale. I've seen these while driving through different communities. Check the Internet for local garage sales in your local area. Here you can also find 101 Tips for a Successful Garage Sale.

Of course, if you re thinking of selling your home in the Orland Park area, contact me and my team will assist you by providing a level of service that beyond extraordinary.

Rebecca Howard, Broker

14470 S. LaGrange Rd. Ste. 104

Orland Park, IL 60462

Mobile: 708.703.0684

Serving Chicagoland and the Southwestern Suburbs

Recognized | Respected | Recommended

Referrals are our business. Recommend your family and friends to the Community Expert that knows the Community.

If you have someone wanting to buy or sell in the Chicagoland area, we will be happy to work with your referral. Call my mobile or send to my email address.

Customer Service: Do You Appreciate it?

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:51:01 -0700

Customer Service: Do You Appreciate it?

by Rebecca Howard

That's a silly question, you might say. But do you?

This week my husband did some grocery shopping at Berkot's, one of our favorite stores in the community. It's about three miles from our home. We drove past a store that is within walking distance, so it was not because of convenience that we took the ride. It was because of their staff's attention to customer service. There many examples I can mention, but for the sake of brevity, I'll just mention one.

My husband is from the South. He likes to eat of all things, chicken gizzards. Hey, what can I say! People like their 'delicacies'. Its hard to find anyplace that sells them already cooked. Most cooks use them in turkey stuffing or gravy for the holidays. He likes them fried and unless I make them he goes without. That can be for a very long time because I don't like cooking fried foods in my kitchen. I hate the grease and the cleanup. The smell can linger for days unless you air out the place. That can be quite uncomfortable when the temperature in 40 degrees outside.

Anyway back to the story.

Berkot's has a catering kitchen that serves up some of the best baked or fried kitchen in the area. IMHO it is better than KFC or the local Harold's. They often have specials where you can buy just enough if you have a craving, or if you are having over a large group for some televised sporting event, you can order and have it ready for you in short order.

This particular day my husband had a taste for gizzards. Not you needed to see the look on the other customers faces when he popped the question to one of the cooks behind the counter. "GIZZARDS; whats that", she asked? After explanation she asked her manager, who said they had never had that request before, but if I prepaid for a package they would be happy to accommodate. My husband was a happy camper. He got his treat with a smiling face. Needless to say, my husband was super impressed with the customer service. He ate the entire order by himself and I didn't have to soil my kitchen nor did we have to drive a long distance to get them. As a result, we write this blog about Berkot's, as promised.

If you are in the Orland Park, Illinois area and have a taste for this southern delicacy, just stop by Berkot's in Orland Park ask for the manager, Amy. You won't find them on the menu.

Rebecca Howard, Broker

14470 S. LaGrange Rd. Ste. 104

Orland Park, IL 60462

Mobile: 708.703.0684

Serving Chicagoland and the Southwestern Suburbs

Recognized | Respected | Recommended

Referrals are our business. Recommend your family and friends to the Community Expert that knows the Community.

If you have someone wanting to buy or sell in the Chicagoland area, we will be happy to work with your referral. Call my mobile or send to my email address.

Orland Park Real Estate: What to Look for in a Great Realtor®

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:26:24 -0700

Orland Park Real Estate: What to Look for in a Great Realtor®

Finding a Realtor® is a simple task. Just cover your eyes and point your finger. Chances there is one close by. But is goes far beyond that.

Recently I learned of a property that closed in a local community (name withheld to protect the guilty) whereby the closing price was about $30K below current market value. As a seasoned Realtor®, I am always concerned as to why this happens. It not only affects the seller, but the next door neighbor, the subdivision, the community in general. It just so happened that I needed to know the closed value of this listing in order to complete a CMA for a property within the same subdivision. So I went on an investigative search.

One of the things I learned is when the low appraisal came in, both listing and selling agent teamed up to dispute the value. Ok, forget for a moment any issues about possible agency lapses on the part of the buyer's agent but both agents at least felt the appraisal was not spot on. Good for them for trying but herein lies a critical component of the listing process that we all need to remember: THE LISTING AGENT SHOULD ALWAYS MEET THE APPRAISER WITH COMPARABLES IN HAND!

As mentioned in one of my previous blogs, you learn a few 'tricks of the trade' after you have been in the business for awhile. It can make a huge difference in the outcome. Let me explain.

I make it a habit to meet the appraiser on ALL my listings. While appraisers are highly qualified and do a great job, they always appreciate it when I show up with COMPS. I don't just hand them off to the appraiser; I take the time to go over all the amenities of my listing; I review the comps to show how my listing excels over others and features that might ordinarily get missed if they were not pointed out to the appraiser. This is especially true in a community where many of the homes look alike and have the same basic features. This does not mean that it always makes a difference, but in my experience it has made a BIG difference. Just one of those subtle things that makes a GREAT Realtor®.

I know this might seem like a minor detail, but this is what makes the difference between a Realtor® and a GREAT Realtor®: attention to details, knowing the little things that you do that make a difference in getting the property sold and getting the maximum price for my clients. It is also another reason I can justify my commission and never back down just because the client doesn't fully appreciate the value of my services at the beginning of our relationship. When you indicate that you were able to get $10K or $20K or more for their home, believe me they will more than thank you and refer you to their friends and family.

So, dont be afraid to go the extra mile for your clients. When you sit for a listing presentation, don't balk when the prospect asks you to cut your commission. Instead speak up and mention some of the things that you do that makes you excel in the business. They may not appreciate your value up front, but they will in the end.

If you're looking for a GREAT Orland Park Realtor®, I can recommend one.

Rebecca Howard, Broker

14470 S. LaGrange Rd. Ste. 104

Orland Park, IL 60462

Mobile: 708.703.0684

Serving Chicagoland and the Southwestern Suburbs

Recognized | Respected | Recommended

Referrals are our business. Recommend your family and friends to the Community Expert that knows the Community.

If you have someone wanting to buy or sell in the Chicagoland area, we will be happy to work with your referral. Call my mobile or send to my email address.

Why Zillow is Usually Wrong

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:50:30 -0700

Helpful information for Home Sellers who may be tempted to do their own valuation. It may be easy to get numbers, but not as easy to get the facts.

Please READ and consider the following:

Via Melanie McLane (The Melanie Group):

This blog was inspired by a cartoon which shows a couple sitting with a real estate agent. The agent says: “Based on comps, I suggest listing at $350K.” Wife: “But we paid $650,000 for it!” Husband: “And Zillow says it’s worth $675,000!” I found the cartoon on Facebook and reposted. The sad truth is that most consumers do not understand Zillow—or House Values, or even their county assessment office—all of which use Automated Valuation Models (AVMs) to price property.   The boring stuff first: AVMs use mathematical formulae, including multiple linear regression, to assign values to certain features of houses to come up with a value. As with any program, GIGO applies (Garbage In, Garbage Out). The AVMs out there for use today by consumers, of which Zillow is probably the best known, rely on reported and recorded sales data. This is why, if you live in one of the fourteen states in the US which does not record sales prices, the information you find may be sketchy, and derived from Multiple Listing Services (MLS). You may be thinking: “Well, what’s better than that? A recorded sales price tells me what that house down the street sold for.”

                Well, yes and no. A recorded price will tell you the amount they put in the deed as the transfer amount. It will not tell you:

If there were any “side deals” or cash under the table

If the seller paid closing costs or other fees on behalf of the buyer, known as “seller concessions”

If it was an “arms-length sale”, or one under duress, or between related parties, or any other sale which an appraiser would not usually consider

This is where the AVMs fall apart. As I always say when teaching pricing and valuation: “All comparables are sales; all sales are not comparables.” Here’s what I mean: in order for any real estate professional to use a comparable (“comp”) to compare to your home to establish a price or value, it needs to have sold. Houses that are listed and don’t sell indicate what the market won’t pay. Houses that are listed and sold indicate what the market will pay. However, not all sales are comparables. Here are some examples of houses I would not use for comps, as an appraiser:

The sale between two parties with the same last name, and it is verified that they are related by blood or marriage

The sale between two parties with different last names, but verification of the data revealed that the party selling the property was acting as executor of her mother’s estate, selling the 2/3 interest she and her sister had to their brother, who already owned a 1/3 interest

The property that did not sell at auction, and the next week the owner sold it for 20% below my appraised value to a neighbor, who was a friend

The property that sold for at least 20% higher than market, and upon verification, the buyer was not represented by an agent, was from out of town, and was unfamiliar with the market

You will notice the same word in all four scenarios: “verification”. As an appraiser, I verify data. I’m required to. But any real estate professional who is good at his or her profession will verify data, and will only use data which is germane and pertains to the property. Zillow, and other AVMs, don’t verify data. They throw it all into the mix. Some is high, some is low, and some is just irrational.   So, before you decide to sell your house based on a “zestimate”, do yourself a favor and get an opinion from a qualified real estate professional.

Rebecca Howard, Broker

14470 S. LaGrange Rd. Ste. 104

Orland Park, IL 60462

Mobile: 708.703.0684

Serving Chicagoland and the Southwestern Suburbs

Recognized | Respected | Recommended

Referrals are our business. Recommend your family and friends to the Community Expert that knows the Community.

If you have someone wanting to buy or sell in the Chicagoland area, we will be happy to work with your referral. Call my mobile or send to my email address.