45 Old Green Bay Road, Winnetka, IL - FABULOUS NEW LISTING - 09/26/10 06:06 PM
45 Old Green Bay Road, Winnetka, IL Fabulous New Listing
This home is a perfect New England Colonial on 6/10 of an acre with a stunning interior. Carefully and completely renovated with grand sized rooms and traditional details throughout. Over 5500 square feet of luxury space. Amazing kitchen with top appliances, large island, marble counters, vaulted ceiling & butler's pantry.  Beautifully finished lower level.  Great family room with many windows.  Five bedrooms on the 2nd floor includes master with a fireplace and sitting room plus four and one-half baths.  Private landscaped setting in top east location near the commuter train, … (3 comments)

Get Your Antiques Appraised in Wilmette at Plaza del Lago - 9/25/10 - 09/24/10 11:48 AM
Get Your Antiques Appraised in Wilmette at Plaza del Lago - 9/25/10
If you're a fan of Antiques Roadshow and have always wondered about the value of certain collectibles you own, you are in luck.  Tomorrow, Saturday, September 25, appraisers Gary Sohmers and Daniel Buck will be at Plaza del Lago to help North Shore residents determine the value of their antiques and collectibles.  Gary Sohmers is known as the "King of Pop Culture" and produces and hosts the syndicated radio show "Calling All Collectors."  He is also one of the appraisers of Antiques Roadshow on PBS.  Daniel Buck Soules has … (0 comments)

Winnetka & North Shore Number of Days in School - Compared to State Ranking - 09/23/10 11:59 AM
Winnetka & North Shore Number of Days in School - Compared to State Ranking
An article in the Chicago Tribune (9/22/10) stated the traditional number of school days in American schools is 180 - Illinois has an average that is  below that number.  The requirement is 176 days which is already fewer than most states and is being cut back particularly hard in Chicago where the average is just 170 days and the state average is 171.  What's more, a school day can be less than a full day, even a half-day.  The daily minimum is set at 300 minutes … (1 comments)

Please Stop for Pedestrians - the Signs Are Out in Winnetka - 09/20/10 04:19 PM
Please Stop for Pedestrians - the Signs Are Out in Winnetka
This past summer, Illinois passed a little-noticed law requiring that cars stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.  If  you are from California like I am, that's nothing new.  California drivers slam on the brakes before you've even stepped on pavement - happily waving you across to safety.  I've always thought those drivers were extreme and it felt like a rear-ender was sure to happen. But when I moved to the North Shore in 1986 I discovered a completely different mindset.  I remember trying to cross a 2-lane street in a crosswalk … (0 comments)

Don Juan's Mexican Restaurant in Chicago - 09/19/10 05:44 PM
Don Juan's Mexican Restaurant in Chicago           
Because I grew up in Los Angeles, I developed a big crush on Mexican food.  When I moved to Chicago in 1986 one of my biggest concerns (besides the weather) was finding good authentic Mexican food.  I need not have worried - Don Juan's to the rescue!  While I primarily write about North Shore restaurants (and real estate, of course) I think everyone who has a fondness for Mexican will be happy to make the trip to this Edison Park gem - along the northernmost edge of Chicago.  From Winnetka, the drive takes 25-35 … (0 comments)

Predictions on Further Real Estate Market Declines - 09/18/10 06:07 PM
Predictions on Further Real Estate Market Declines
 

At the website, Housing Predictor, one can vote in a poll about your opinion of how much more real estate home prices will drop.  It's very unscientific and not a broker's opinion, but interesting nevertheless. The majority of voters (35%) are optimistic and feel that prices will drop a little more, about 5-10%.  The next group (26%) felt that prices will continue to drop perhaps to 11-20% and fully 16% felt that there won't be any more of a decline.  The naysayers are a minority only 14% said prices would fall by … (2 comments)

Wilmette Open House - 1028 Elmwood on 9/19 from 1-3 pm - 09/18/10 05:41 PM
Wilmette Open House - 1028 Elmwood on 9/19 from 1-3 pmCome view this "CAGE" beauty in east Wilmette on Sunday from 1-3 p.m. Great 5 bedroom home with a huge family room off the kitchen, 2 car garage, full basement.  Walk to the beach and train.  $899,000
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Emerald Ash Borer Scourge in Winnetka - 09/16/10 05:53 PM
Emerald Ash Borer Scourge in Winnetka         
Long before I moved to the North Shore, I heard stories about towering elm trees whose crowns met in the middle of streets to form canopies, like driving through a green tunnel.  Those days are long gone along with the majestic American Elms that were felled by Dutch Elm disease.  Now it's the Emerald Ash Borer, first sighted in Michigan in 2002 and now ravaging Illinois and our own North Shore since 2006.  It's native to Asia and, like some other invasive pests, it probably made its way here in packing materials aboard ships … (1 comments)

Say Goodbye to These - Summer is Nearly Over - 09/15/10 02:49 PM
Say Goodbye to These - Summer is Nearly Over                                    
Weeds are the bane of many a gardener - in fact, I have a lawn that is host to more varieties of weeds than blades of grass with the dandelion being the queen of them all.  Shunning chemicals, I dutifully crawl around with my weeder and dig them out, one by one.  But they have long twisted taproots and are difficult to remove completely - if just a portion remains behind, the dandelion will quickly grow back.  An old joke says A dandelion asked, … (6 comments)

Real Estate Sales Transactions for Wilmette, IL - August 2010 - 09/14/10 09:44 AM
Real Estate Sales Transactions for Wilmette, IL - August 2010          Wilmette - 31 total closed sales 2707 Birchwood - list price $420,000, sold price $393,000, 4 days on market - 94% of list price 613 Hunter - list price $489,000, sold price $432,000, 10 days on market, 88% of list price 1002 Linden - list price $569,999, sold price $435,000, 289 days on market, 76% of list price 1704 Wilmette - list price $565,000, sold price $490,000, 96 days on market, 87% of list price 330 N. Sunset - list price $599,000, sold price $500,000, 217 days on market, 83% of … (4 comments)

Real Estate Sales Transactions for Glencoe, IL - August 2010 - 09/13/10 04:45 PM
Real Estate Sales Transactions for Glencoe -  August 2010                 Glencoe - 11 closed sales 1144 Green Bay - list price $620,000, sold price $400,000, 745 days on market, 64% of list price, (short sale) 389 Grove - list price $709,900, sold price $520,000, 241 days on market, 73% of list price 544 Woodlawn - list price $639,000, sold price $629,500, 5 days on market, 98% of list price 814 Sheridan - list price $699,000, sold price $640,000, 19 days on market, 92% of list price 445 Lincoln - list price $1,149,900, sold price $915,000, 466 days on market, 80% of list … (0 comments)

A 9/11 Tribute in Northfield, IL - 09/11/10 05:54 PM
While driving through Northfield today on Winnetka Avenue going west, I came across this small tribute to those who died on 9/11.  This is Northfield's Fire Department - the flag is flying from the extended ladder over the road.  Closer to the building was another flag pole at half-mast.
Just a small thing, but it means so much.
 
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Real Estate Sales Transactions - Winnetka August 2010 - 09/11/10 12:11 PM
Real Estate Transactions for Winnetka August 2010 Winnetka - 31 closed sales 120 Woodland - list price $339,000, sold price $323,000  10 days on market, 95% of list price 1096 Ash - list price $474,900, sold price $325,000, 299 days on market, 68% of list price 882 Pine - $530,000, sold price $482,500, 11 days on market, 91% of list price 481 Hill - list price $917,000, sold price $720,000, 58 days on market, 78.5% of list price (quick price reduction keep market time low) 44 Brier - list price $949,000, sold price $744,000, 500 days on market, 78% of list … (0 comments)

First Annual "Skip in the Park" Event in Winnetka - 09/10/10 09:38 AM
First Annual "Skip In the Park" Event in Winnetka
 
In April I wrote a post about Chloe Sawma, a 9 year-old Winnetka girl who died of brain cancer (In Winnetka, a Village Prays and a Child Inspires.)  Her story was both heartrending and inspirational - her capacity for goodness at such a young age was stunning in its simplicity.  After her death, her parents formed a non-profit in her honor named "Chloe's Crew" with the purpose of raising money for school supplies, clothes and food for those in need, as well as for pediatric brain tumor research. The organization will … (2 comments)

Adopt a Kitten - Noah's Ark in Winnetka, IL - 09/09/10 02:15 PM
Adopt a Kitten - Noah's Ark in Winnetka, IL
Look at those adorable faces - 2 little kittens and their mother are up for adoption at Noah's Ark in Winnetka.  They will be there through next week (September 17) or until they're adopted - so hurry in. This little girl is the rambunctious one - constantly on the move in the cage and playing with my fingers.  She has an interesting abnormality - 6 toes on each of her front paws (notice they look larger than normal.)  She's been named Hemingway in honor of Ernest Hemingway who had a 6-toed cat.  … (4 comments)

Lake Michigan View - Winnetka, IL - 09/08/10 05:53 PM
While viewing a lakefront property in Winnetka, I snuck out on the rooftop balcony and took this beautiful photo.  My clients joined me after a few minutes and we stood there just taking it in.  Late summer in this area is ideal - mild temperatures and clear blue skies with occasional puffy clouds.  Just perfect for reading or napping in one of those nice chairs.
 

 
 
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Do It Without Water - Xeriscaping - 09/07/10 02:47 PM
 
Do It Without Watering - Xeriscaping
The Art of Landscaping with Native Plants
I made a huge mistake this summer - I decided not to turn on the in-ground sprinklers to save a few hundred bucks.  After whiplashing several hoses all over the yard for the past three months I realized I just couldn't get it all watered evenly.  I have to ask myself why am I trying so hard to keep that miserable patch of grass green, and why I plant plants that were ordained by nature to be grown in environs totally different from mine. So now I … (5 comments)

If You Can Buy a Home - It Beats Renting - 09/06/10 01:28 PM
If You Can Buy a Home, It Beats Renting  
 
We are all pretty weary of housing getting pummeled.  Daily hits of negativism and contrariness will eventually make all of us want to just sit tight, hunker down, and act like ostriches.  TIME magazine chimed in this week big time - their feature article stated, "Rethinking Homeownership." Ouch, ouch, and ouch.The author of this article got lots of things wrong and made some outrageous statements: She wrote, ". . .(the) exception (for home ownership) was made for he interest paid on a mortgage - a caveat that cost the government … (3 comments)

Labor Day - More Than a Three-Day Weekend - 09/05/10 04:23 PM
Labor Day - More Than Just a Three-Day Weekend           
Labor day means: the symbolic end of summer wearing white becomes a no-no the start of the football season the beginning of the school year a good weekend to travel before school begins a fun time to have a picnic or block party a long weekend to rest Well, yes, it does mean all those good things.  But even as adults we tend to forget what these three days mean - I find that I still have to remind my kids why they have the day off (and they're adults now … (5 comments)

Real Estate Transactions Year-to-Date 2009 vs 2010 - 09/02/10 05:22 PM
Real Estate Transactions Year-to-Date 2009 vs 2010 for Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Glencoe and Northfield, IL
 
With all the dire news lately - who doesn't know what's going on in real estate?  Being that ALL real estate is local and what's going on in San Bernardino doesn't have much effect on what's going on in Winnetka, we all need to use caution when considering the national news.  Now, I just pulled a report showing year-to-date sales (January 1 through September 1) for both 2010 and 2009 and I found something pretty interesting.  Sales are up in the five villages of Winnetka, … (0 comments)

Worldess Wednesday - Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL - Native Prairie - 09/01/10 10:27 AM
What the Midwest used to look like
 

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Tree Rainmaker_large

Margaret Goss, Winnetka Realtor Winnetka & North Shore IL Homes for Sale

Winnetka, IL

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Baird & Warner Real Estate

Address: Baird & Warner - Attn: Margaret Goss, 549 Green Bay Road, Winnetka, IL, 60093

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