Mr. Seller Won't Play With Us! - 02/27/12 04:54 PM
Mr. Seller Won't Play With Us The listing agent had told me that her Wilmette sellers were not motivated (so why are they selling?) They had a decent house in a great neighborhood that had been on the market for over a year. But the price was too high.  Slowly and laboriously, they lowered the price over the past twelve months - but it's still a tad on the high side.  Sigh. Enter my buyer who likes the house and neighborhood, likes the potential . . . is motivated and will pay cash. But will not overpay. In a time of … (8 comments)

Housing Sales 1963 to Present - A Chart That Says "Ouch" - 02/24/12 09:37 AM
Housing Sales Since the 1960s - a Graph that Says "Ouch" This graphic, sent by Bloomberg today, shows and confirms what most of us already know about the real estate market in this country.  For decades single-family housing sales bumped along with occasional spikes that almost immediately came back down again.

Then, starting around 2000 home prices began to creep up (the "bubble") with only small corrections that soon reversed themselves.  This upward climb continued until the peak, around 2005-2006 when the unthinkable began to happen.   Those little upticks stopped happening and the plunge into a very deep hole … (3 comments)

Are You Ready to "Leap in the Lake" This Saturday? Glencoe Beach in Glencoe - 02/23/12 03:00 PM
Are You Ready to "Leap in the Lake" This Saturday Glencoe Beach, Glencoe, Il Glencoe and other North Shore residents know that we have had a mild winter thus far - and that is why jumping into Lake Michigan might not seem so frightening as it normally would. Alas, a new winter storm arrived today and left about an inch of mushy white stuff.   Will this deter you from joining in Glencoe's Leap in the Lake this Saturday, February 25 at the Glencoe Beach (one of many events that Glencoe is hosting this year to celebrate their 100 year history.). … (2 comments)

Noah's Ark - Celebrating 9 Years in Winnetka! - 02/18/12 02:56 PM
Noah's Ark - Celebrating 9 Years in Winnetka! Noah's Ark Pet Store will be celebrating their 9th year in Winnetka!  I still remember when they opened and find it hard to believe it's been that long.  But luckily for us, they have done well and thrived in Winnetka. They will celebrate this event by selling everything in the store for 9% off  - mark your calendars - the date is Saturday, March 3. Not only that, but they will have 9 kittens available for adoption from PAWS Chicago!   Stop in, stock up with the discount, and give the cute little … (4 comments)

Does the Housing Slump Have You Stuck in Place? - 02/17/12 12:32 PM
Does the Housing Slump Have You Stuck in Place? As a real estate broker in the Winnetka area, I have spoken to some sellers who are making the decision to stay in their home rather than sell for a loss. Some of these people are empty-nesters who are making an important lifestyle decision based on the market.  They believe that the housing crisis will ease in a few years and that would be a better time to sell. The problem is - we don't know what will be happening tomorrow, let alone a few years.  The majority of real estate pundits … (3 comments)

What's Your Point?? Nawww ... Not THAT Point! - 02/17/12 10:38 AM
Home buyers often ask me what is meant by "points" when they discuss home loans.  While I understand what they are, there is nobody better than a qualified home loan lender to explain exactly how they work and how paying points on your loan might benefit you.
 
Via Gene Mundt Mortgage Lender Chicagoland Mortgage Lending (815.277.4036 www.genemundt.com):
 

What's Your Point??
 Nawwwww ... Not THAT Point!

 
 


 
 
     A great scene, isn't it?  But it's not those "points" I'm going to talk about in this blog.  No, I'm talking the "points" referred to … (0 comments)

Understanding Real Estate Agency in Illinois - for Home Sellers in Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth and Glencoe - 02/16/12 05:27 PM
Understanding Real Estate Agency in Illinois For Home Sellers in Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth and Glencoe When you look up "real estate agency" in Google, you will find a list of real estate agencies that are in the business of helping you buy, sell, or lease real estate.  That is not what I am discussing when I say  "agency." The word agency when applied to real estate in this case means how I, your real estate listing agent in Winnetka or other North Shore suburbs, define my relationship with you.  In Illinois, the rules are specific and they are different in other … (0 comments)

Winnetka Public Schools Open House - 02/15/12 06:25 PM
Winnetka Public Schools Open House If you are thinking of moving to Winnetka or recently have, you might be interested in their upcoming open house. The office had not been modernized in decades and now, after some expanding and updating, they are ready to show off.  They have added a second conference room, utilized unused space, and increased efficiency. You will have an opportunity to meet with the administrative team, and business office and human resources staff.  Light refreshments will be served. When:  Wednesday, February 22              1:30 to 4:00 pm Where:  Winnetka School District Office … (0 comments)

Tuesday, February 14 Market Report for Winnetka, Wimette, and Kenilworth - 02/14/12 05:29 PM
Tuesday, February 14 Market Report Winnetka, Wilmette and Kenilworth There is some definite buzzin the market these past few weeks - it is the Spring market after all and the weather has been mostly cooperative. Today as I toured broker open houses I had two thoughts: some sellers are pricing to sell and others are still overpricing.  I saw two homes today located on the same block - the larger and better one was priced almost $100,000 less than the other one . . . I guess that says it all. 
Summary of today's activity for Winnetka, Wilmette and Kenilworth … (1 comments)

Computer and Electronics Disposal in Winnetka - Update - 02/13/12 06:04 PM
Computer and Electronics Disposal in Winnetka - Update
 
You don't have to travel far out of Winnetka to dispose of old computers and other electronics - read my post from last year:  Computer and Electronics Disposal in Winnetka. But now there's an update to be aware of if you have continued to throw out certain items in your regular trash.  The State of Illinois previously had enacted legislation that banned televisions and computer monitors from being put into Illinois landfills. Recently, Governor Quinn and the Illinois legislature expanded the list to include:
Computers – PCs, Laptops + Monitors DVD … (2 comments)

2012 Winnetka Landmark Preservation Awards Nominations Due by April 27 - 02/11/12 06:23 PM
2012 Winnetka Landmark Preservation Awards Nominations Due by April 27 The deadline is near if you are planning to nominate a home for Winnetka's annual Preservation Awards.  Each year, Winnetka honors construction projects that are done in keeping with the history and character of the village.  Their are three categories: Restoration, Rehabilitation, and New Construction.   Rehabilitation The project restores the property to its original appearance using original plans and required research. The project may be a full-scale or partial restoration. An example of a partial restoration would include the replacement of an asphalt shingle roof with original roof material, or … (2 comments)

10 REASONS NOT TO STAGE YOUR HOME - 02/06/12 01:13 PM
I'm saying this tongue-in-cheek of course for those that don't necessarily see the value in staging your Winnekta, Wilmette or Kenilworth home.  A staged home does not need to cost a lot of money and you will get your money back!
Via Janet Jones, Kihei, Maui, Hawaii Home Staging/Interior Redesign (Just Your Style Interiors, LLC):
1.  We want to test the market for 90 days.  And on the 91st day?  Price reduction--and 90 days worth of potential buyers who have already eliminated your property. 
2.  It costs too much money.  I have never seen a home where the staging costs would … (0 comments)

When should a home seller drop their price? - 02/04/12 10:37 AM
It's frustrating to try to sell your Winnetka or North Shore home and not have any showings or interest.  The reason is almost always the price.  While buyers might not like certain features about your house, if the price is right, then they are willing to overlook those flaws.
If your price is too high, here are some "hints" that will help you decide if it's time to lower your Winnetka home price.
 
Via Bryan Robertson, Los Altos REALTOR Los Altos Real Estate - Homes For Sale (Sereno Group - Los Altos):
Deciding when to drop the listing price is difficult … (0 comments)

Kenilworth IL Nursery Schools - 02/03/12 03:27 PM
Kenilworth IL Nursery Schools Kenilworth may have a small boundary and population but it offers two nursery schools, both affiliated with churches that are located across the street from each other.  Joseph Sears School also offers a junior kindergarten for four-year olds.
While I lived in Kenilworth for 18 years, my children attended a preschool in Winnetka because neither of these had been established when my children were young.  They are open to both church members and non-members alike. All Things Bright and Beautiful - affiliated with Holy Comforter Episcopal Church 222 Kenilworth Ave., Kenilworth, IL 847-251-6120
Through the use of … (8 comments)

New Rental Units in Winnetka? - 02/02/12 03:15 PM
New Rental Units in Winnetka? Nothing has happened yet on that stretch of Elm Street in Winnetka just east of the train station. Conney's Pharmacy, Phototronics, Love's Yogurt and a host of smaller stores are still there. What was once grandly designed as 31 luxury condominiums and storefronts has lost steam - blame it on the recession.   The developers have come up with a new plan - they are considering 39 rental apartments on the three floors that would be located above the retail section.  The original high-end condos were to average 2500 square feet - the rentals come in … (1 comments)

Winnetka Public School District 36 Implementing Foreign Language Expansion - 02/01/12 12:29 PM
Winnetka Public School District 36 Implementing Foreign Language Expansion Winnetka School District 36 is responding to parents' requests to increase foreign language classes that lead to fluency.  The decision has been made to incorporate more time for foreign language instruction. Starting in the fall (2012-2013 school year) fifth graders (Skokie School) will receive Spanish instruction every other day.  In sixth grade (also Skokie School), it will increase to every day and they will be given a choice of French or Spanish.   The following school year (2013-2014) the expansion will be implemented in lower grades.  First through fourth graders would study … (4 comments)

 
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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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