North Shore Real Estate Blog

Chicago Tribune Says Home Sales Up! Is Is True in Winnetka & North Shore Suburbs?

Margaret Goss, Realtor Winnetka & North Shore Real Estate (Baird & Warner) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:26:26 -0600

Today's Chicago Tribune (November 24, 2009) front page headline proclaims: "Home Sales Surge in Area." Is it true in Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Glencoe and Northfield? Have prices plummeted as the article claims?

Well, in a word, no. And how much of this increase can be attributed to the First Time Home Buyer Credit. Is real estate local? First the numbers:

OCTOBER 2009

Units Sold: 54

Average Market Time: 259 days

Median Price: $677,500

Average Price: $917,573

Total Volume: $49,548,952

OCTOBER 2008

Units Sold: 48

Average Market Time: 185 days

Median Price: $620,600

Average Price: $884,253

Total Volume: $42,444,125

OCTOBER 2007

Units Sold: 62

Market Time: 126 days

Median Price: $866,500

Average Price: $1,233,568

Total Volume: $74,481,238

OCTOBER 2006

Units Sold: 49

Market Time: 97 days

Median Price: $642,500

Average Price: $903,602

Total Volume: $44,276,500

The newspaper said: "It was the best October for sales in the Chicago area since 2006." Not true for the North Shore where the area sales spiked for October 2007, 62 units sold to 54. Year-over-year it has taken longer for houses to sell going from an average of 97 days in 2006 up to 259 days this year.

Some good news, some not so good: Athough sales went up, prices went down. While Chicago saw an upsurge of home sales this October over last of 28.5%, the North Shore communities also saw sales go up, but at a slower rate of 11%. As for average price, well, we've followed the national trend there with prices coming down approximately 26% in the span of two years (October 2007 to October 2009.)

My opinion is that these large city and national statistics are driven by the First Time Home Buyer Credit which allowed for an $8000 credit on the purchase of a new home by November 30 (since extended.) I had one such sale in Chicago's north side and the push was to search, buy, close, and quickly. Of course the numbers would jump - but only temporarily. It's just not something we are going to see in Winnetka or Kenilworth with average home prices being well beyond the reach of most first-time home buyers and most residents making in excess of the minimum salary requirement.

Prices have dropped record amounts in the past two years and I feel that we are getting close to the bottom - not there yet, but close. I don't see a rebound that will shock and awe, but rather a slow appreciation that might take many years to get back to 2007 prices.

If you are a seller, be realistic and price accordingly with the help of your realtor. If you are a buyer, be methodical and don't pin your hopes on one house or you might not get the best price.

If you need help buying or selling real estate in this challenging market, call me for a free market evaluation or daily list of home updates.

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Margaret Goss GRI, CRS

Baird & Warner, Winnetka IL

847-977-6024 (cell)

www.CallMargaret.com (website)

Kenilworth Now Accepting Items for Recycling

Margaret Goss, Realtor Winnetka & North Shore Real Estate (Baird & Warner) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:55:50 -0600

Kenilworth Now Accepting Items for Recycling - The Village Hall in Kenilworth is now accepting certain items for recycling. Old cell phones, digital cameras, DVDs, MP3 players, print cartridges and laptop computers can all be brought in to the Village Hall at 419 Richmond Road in Kenilworth. Items NOT accepted: computer monitors, printers, personal computers and toner cartridges.

There is a disposal container by the front desk and items can be brought in any time during the day, which in this case means 24 hours because the bins are in the lobby and can be accessed any time.

The program is being sponsored by Recycling Avenue, which is a non-profit started and run by a group of physically handicapped young adults. Their website has some startling statistics about how grossly polluting these items are.

If you a drawer or box full of old phones or any other items listed above, be sure to drop them off at the Kenilworth Village Hall.

Search the MLS for all homes at:

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Margaret Goss GRI, CRS

Baird & Warner, Winnetka IL

847-977-6024 (cell)

www.CallMargaret.com (website)

Winnetka's Original Log Home - the Schmidt-Burnham House

Margaret Goss, Realtor Winnetka & North Shore Real Estate (Baird & Warner) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:39:13 -0600

Winnetka's Original Log Home - the Schmidt-Burnham Log house is thought to be Winnetka's oldest home. Some fine homes are still standing that were built as early as the 1890s, but this simple design was built by the earliest settlers in the vicinity. This log house is slightly more sophisticated than the humble one-room log cabin and was intended to be permanent, having two or more rooms plus a second story.

The logs were closely fitted with a complicated system of notching. Sticks and stones were placed between the logs and covered with mud to help weatherize the home. Interestingly, the windows and doors were cut out after the home was built!

Finnish and Swedish immigrants originally introducted this simple construction style to America and this home ihas more German influences with rooms surrounding a central chimney.

The house was originally constructed on 37 acres on the present site of Indian Hill Country Club, near the corner of Winnetka Avenue and Church Road. German immigrant Peter Schmidt was the first documented owner and purchased the property in 1841 - he enlarged it to accommodate a growing family and several generaltions living within. He also stuccoed the interior and added clapboard to the exterior. He sold the house in 1870 and moved to Wisconsin.

Around 1917 a famous local artist, Anita Willets Burnham, (shown as a child in the photo below right)was on a painting excursion and walked up to the house in search of water. She fell in love with it and purchased it for $25 - but the land was not included as it had been annexed for the construction of Indian Hill Country Club in Winnetka. She spent $100 to have the house moved by horse-drawn wagon to 1407 Tower Road in Winnetka, near the intersection of Tower and Vernon. The Burnham family added a clapboard lean-to in the back to provide more space.

The Burnhams owned the home until 2001 when it was donated to the Winnetka Historical Society and moved yet again to Crow Island Woods, adjacent to Crow Island School. The Historical Society restored the home and opened it for public viewings in 2006. The present day location gives it an aura of authenticity as it sits among the prarie grasses and gardens.

Although there are no more open houses this year, group visits can be arranged in advance by contacting the Winnetka Historical Society.

To read more:

Winnetka Historic Homes Part 1

(Two black and white photos above and left are courtesy of the Winnetka Historical Society)

Moving Day 2003

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Margaret Goss GRI, CRS

Baird & Warner, Winnetka IL

847-977-6024 (cell)

www.CallMargaret.com (website)

8 Myths of Staging to Sell - Busted.

Margaret Goss, Realtor Winnetka & North Shore Real Estate (Baird & Warner) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:16:36 -0600

I have been couseling home sellers to stage their homes since before the word "staging" became in vogue. The difference a professional eye can make to your home is amazing.

And it in no way reflects on your decor - it's just the simple fact that home buyers often don't have the "eye" to see beyond your things. Simple re-arrangements of furniture or removal of your beautiful collectoins help the buyer imagine your home as theirs. And that is what we're after!

Via Donna Ross - Home Staging, Sydney, Australia (Great Impressions Real Estate Staging & Consulting - Sydney):

Home staging (or property styling as it's commonly known as on the Australian property scene) is really an art, not a science. One of the many things a professional home stager understands is that it's the house that's up for sale, not the home owner's bread baking ability or taste in music. So, from the sublime to the rediculous - here's 8 myths of staging to sell - busted!

1. Buyers can see past my stuff
No - they can't. 95% of house hunters shop with a 'what you see is what you get' eye. You'll be maximising your chances of a better and quicker sale if you take the time to clean out, clean up and keep your look simple.

2. Baking bread, brewing fresh coffee and playing soft music will make a buyer fall in love with my house.
Maybe once upon a time this was true - but most would-be buyers are onto that old trick. It's more likely to trigger alarm bells, with many wondering what it is you're trying to hide. Your buyers will be happy with a place that looks and smells clean.

3. I'll need to clear everything out to help buyers see themselves living here.
This is only partly true. Wall to wall family photos are distracting, as is your porcelain rooster collection. These things are best put away. But don't go overboard, otherwise you'll end up with a look that feels cold and sterile.

4. If it's an original feature - it adds value.
Sometimes yes - but often no. Generally a property built less than 50 years ago without being updated is more likely to appear dated, rather than classic.

5. My place isn't worth staging.
All homes are worth taking the time to present in a positive light to buyers. The trick to knowing where to start and what to do is in having a good idea of what buyers in your target market will expect, along with learning more about what competing properties in your area are offering.

6. Empty rooms look bigger.

This is rarely the case. Buyers will always prefer to see how a room is used and what will fit in it, rather than be left to guess. Very large rooms can also be too intimidating for some. Even borrowed furniture can help buyers get an idea of scale and give the eye something of interest to focus on.

7. Converting a bedroom into a home gym won't be a problem.
Bedrooms are one of the most valuable commodities of the 'for sale' property. Having a home gym set up in a bedroom will prompt buyers to wonder why that is. I remember once looking at a house where this was the case. When I came across the bedroom with the gym in it, I immediately began to question if a bed would even fit. Always give the rooms in your house a purpose.

8. No need to worry about wardrobes and cupboards.
Home storage is a big deal to most buyers and is surprisingly valuable. Prospective buyers will open storage cupboards in kitchens and bathrooms, so keep them tidy. Keep only what you're using on a daily or weekly basis, and pack the rest away ready for the move.

Have you got a staging myth you'd like busted? Share them with me here.

Donna Ross

Great Impressions Real Estate Staging

"I love helping Sydney home owners and real estate agents catch the eye of choosy buyers with their 'for sale' listings, with fast, simple and inexpensive decorating fixes."

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Margaret Goss GRI, CRS

Baird & Warner, Winnetka IL

847-977-6024 (cell)

www.CallMargaret.com (website)

Comparing present homebuyer tax credit to extended version

Margaret Goss, Realtor Winnetka & North Shore Real Estate (Baird & Warner) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:56:53 -0600

Here is a great chart that explains the differences between the new housing credit and the original plan.

Via Jim Lee, Knoxville Tennessee Realtor® (Realty Executives Associates):

Below is a chart prepared by the National Association of REALTORS ® comparing the new changes to the Homebuyer Tax Credit.

The biggest change is that current Homeowners are now eligible if they sell their current homes and then buy AFTER the date of enactment of this extension which is November 6th, 2009.

Because of widespread incidents of fraud, purchasers must now attach documentation proving they actually bought a qualifying home to qualify for the credit.

Additinally the income guidelines have been increased, now a single taxpayer can qualify if they earn up to $125,000 and up to $225,000 for married taxpayers.

The rationale for increasing the income limits and expanding the credit to existing homeowner is that it should encourage more higher priced home purchases. Currently the existing tax credit was driving mostly lower end purchases.

Jim Lee, CRS, ABR, GRI, ACRE, NAR Certified e-PRO Trainer
*****************************************************************
Visit my blog: www.KnoxvilleTennesseeRealEstateBlog.com
Realty Executives Associates, Knoxville, Tennessee
See all Knoxville area Realtor listings at: www.KnoxvilleHomeCenter.com
(865) 693-3232, My Personal Toll Free # 1-800-662-2488 ext. 163
mailto:Jim@JimLee.com

Click here to subscribe to my blog and get up to the minute news and reports about real estate in the greater Knoxville, Tennessee area.

Search the MLS for all homes at:

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Margaret Goss GRI, CRS

Baird & Warner, Winnetka IL

847-977-6024 (cell)

www.CallMargaret.com (website)

Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Northfield October Home Sales

Margaret Goss, Realtor Winnetka & North Shore Real Estate (Baird & Warner) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:54:13 -0600

Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Northfield October Home Sales - homes sales are down for the month of October compared to September and August. But that's not unusual, given the usual end of the year slowdown. Prices continue to dip and houses on the market for the longest period of time sustained the greatest loss. But prices are just beginning to stabilize I think, or at least the decline has markedly slowed down.

Winnetka - 12 total sales - Average Sale Price: $1,318,750

1487 Tower, $480,000 sold price, 86 days on market, 84% of asking price

1010 Oak, $565,000 sold price, 420 days on market, 76% of asking

1146 Cherry, $680,000 sold price, 64 days on market, 91% of asking

206 Green Bay, $700,000 sold price, 872 days on market, 78% of asking

1025 Elm, $1,145,000 sold price, 153 days on market, 80% of asking

1044 Cherry, $1,180,452 sold price, 1 day on market, 100 of asking

597 Oak, $1,240,000 sold price, 167 days on market, 82%

799 Lincoln, $1,260,000 sold price, 677 days on market, 43% of asking (REO property)

561 Cherry, $1,275,000 sold price, 27 days on market, 91% of asking

898 Ash, $1,300,000 sold price, 14 days on market, 93% of asking

717 Locust, $2,200,000 sold price, 219 days on market, 92% of asking

645 Maple, $3,800,000 sold price, 288 days on market, 96% of asking

Northfield - 5 Total Sales - Average Sale Price: $668,000

263 Bristol, $300,000 sold price, 151 days on market, 75% of asking price

269 Dickens, $370,000 sold price, 42 days on market, 84% of asking

4 Country Lane, $690,000 sold price, 137 days on market, 73% of asking

353 Eaton, $920,000 sold price, 732 days on market, 63% of asking

4 Bridlewood, $1,060,000 sold price, 529 days on market, 71% of asking

Wilmette - 15 Total Sales - Average Sale Price: $732,000

2525 Wilmette, $329,000 sold price, 54 days on market, 90% of asking price

238 N. Kilpatrick, $365,000 sold price, 149 days on market, 87% of asking

304 W. Wilshire, $389,000 sold price, 111 days on market, 87% of asking

817 Westwood, $525,000 sold price, 101 days on market, 82% of asking

219 Dupee, $540,000 sold price, 76 days on market, 86% of asking

2112 Thornwood, $545,000 sold price, 138 days on market, 78% of asking

2016 Birchwood, $559,500 sold price, 127 days on market, 90% of asking

736 Park, $575,000 sold price, 17 days on market, 93% of asking

2445 Kenilworth, $870,000 sold price, 126 days on market, 86% of asking

1306 Greenwood, $925,000 sold price, 131 days on market, 73% of asking

1007 Linden, $936,000 sold price, 108 days on market,

1014 Pontiac, $945,000 sold price, 136 days on market, 90% of asking

2537 Laurel, $1,080,000 sold price, 203 days on market, 80% of asking

1000 Chestnut, $1,125,000 sold price, 202 days on market, 76% of asking

511 Greenleaf, $1,285,000 sold price, 11 days on market, 95% of asking\

Kenilworth - 1 Total Sale

234 Leicester, $1,285,000 sold price, 611 days on market, 61% of asking price

Glencoe - 12 Total Sales - Average Sale Price $1,167,160 (skewed by one high sale)

416 Madison, $412,500 sold price, 308 days on market, 83% of asking price

566 Dundee, $415,000 sold price, 323 days on market, 76% of asking

229 Sylvan, $482,500 sold price, 12 days on market, 96% of asking

459 Drexel, $590,000 sold price, 120 days on market, 87% of asking

480 Westley, $590,000 sold price, 59 days on market, 85% of asking

258 Dennis, $610,000 sold price, 86 days on market, 85% of asking

737 Elder, $675,000sold price, 115 days on market, 84% of asking

130 Euclid, $950,000 sold price, 508 days on market, 60% of asking

260 Wentworth, $1,240,000 sold price, 1172 days on market, 52% of asking

944 Skokie Ridge, $1,250,000, 323 days on market, 81% of asking

1010 Sheridan, $1,592,500 sold price, 10 days on market, 94% of asking

443 Sheridan, $5,200,000 sold price, 1696 days on market, 37% of asking price

Search the MLS for all homes at:

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Margaret Goss GRI, CRS

Baird & Warner, Winnetka IL

847-977-6024 (cell)

www.CallMargaret.com (website)

Wiley Coyotes in Winnetka and North Shore Suburbs

Margaret Goss, Realtor Winnetka & North Shore Real Estate (Baird & Warner) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:48:18 -0500

After reading about the tragic death of a young folk singer in Canada from an attack by two coyotes, I am reminded that these wild animals should be treated with caution and never, ever fed. These amazing animals have been thriving in our urban/suburban environement. Because they look like the famiily dog, well-meaning people can sometimes forget that coyotes need to be left to fend for themselves. This is for their protection as well as ours.

Experts say this this type of attack is extremely rare. In order to keep facts in perspective, there are 4.7 million dog bites every year - with 1000 people every day needing treatment in emergency rooms. Meanwhile, some other statistics about coyotes:

about 1 person per year is bitten by a coyote in California
between 1993-1997 seven people were bitten by coyotes in Arizona
The best estimates assert that, in recorded history, there have been 20 to 30 coyote attacks on humans that resulted in injuries

What is more common are coyote attacks on pets - such as Jessica Simpson's small dog Daisy being snatched by one in California. Numerous small dogs have been killed by coyotes in their own yards.

The reason I am writing about coyotes is because they live among us, primarily here in Glencoe and Winnetka. As I am a regular runner on the Green Bay Trail in the early mornings, I have often been treated to a fleeting glance of a coyote as it disappears into the brush. On our nightly walks after dinner, my husband and I occasionally see one walking on the Metra rail tracks.

Our dog is always leashed on walks - primarly to avoid the dreaded skunk spraying, but also to prevent a run-in with a coyote. Our dog weighs about 40 lbs., perhaps too large for a coyote attack, but why take the chance. Recently, a coyote was seen walking by Hubbard Woods School in Winnetka broad daylight as neighborhood dogs, confined in their yards with invisible fences, barked hysterically. I would not have believed it except I saw it myself.

Use common sense if you see a a coyote and remember:

Coyotes prefer not to be seen by humans
Urban coyotes are more active at night than their rural cousins
They actually do us a favor by eating rodents that we don't want around
Don't leave your pet's food outside
Keep cats inside
Keep your dog on a leash
Don't let pets out at night unless accompanied

Coyotes are here to stay - remember the rules and you and your pets will remain safe.

Search the MLS for all homes at:

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Margaret Goss GRI, CRS

Baird & Warner, Winnetka IL

847-977-6024 (cell)

www.CallMargaret.com (website)

Winnetka & North Shore Suburbs - Cook County Tax Bills Have Arrived

Margaret Goss, Realtor Winnetka & North Shore Real Estate (Baird & Warner) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:19:23 -0500

Every buyer I have ever worked with has asked me to explain the Cook County system of property tax assessment. Explain? How could I adequately do this when the Civic Federation says this on their blog:

"The Cook County property tax system is so complex that it is impossible to predict exactly how the new tax rates will affect an individual property owner’s bill."

And in today's Chicago Tribune, in an excellent article by Eric Zorn, he writes:

"Just about everything having to do with property taxes is convoluted and every explanation is filled with jargon, acronyms and more math than most of us are used to doing."

But of course, I try to explain it - as I will again now. Especially in light of the fact that Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth and other North Shore communities have seen dramatic price reductions during the last year and people assume their tax bills will reflect this. Maybe later - but one curiosity of our taxing system is that our bills are paid in arrears - this means that this year's bill is for last year, when home values were higher.

So no, your tax bill will not automatically reflect the rather substantial drop in your home's value. In addiiton to this, the 7% Homeowner Exemption which was passed in 2004 is being phased out.

But let's get back to basics. There are hundreds (I have heard as many as 1200) taxing bodies in Cook County that make a claim on property tax monies. These bodies are the park districts, libraries, schools, city, county, etc. Determining what the total demand is - then setting about extracting this from homeowners is how the tax rate is determined. So in effect, taxes go up if more money is requested.

Unless you're really ready for a challenge, skip the next paragraph!

Actually determining what each homeowner pays is a nightmare to understand. First there is the assessment level, which in Cook County is 16% of your home's market value. Then there is an equalization factor which attempts to even out or "equalize" assessments from county to county across the state. The equalized assessed value is the county's assessed value after it has been equalized. So your total tax bill is based on the latest assessment, and new equalization factor, exemptions and tax rate.

What is really confusing is that 1) your assessment could go up while your taxes go down, or 2) your assessment can go down and your taxes could go up. In other words, somebody must have wrote this thing with the thought in mind that you can't complain about something that you don't understand. The important thing to understand is how much your portion goes up in relation to other houses.

This is where I can help you - by providing information from the tax base about your neighborhood, recent sales, and tax bills being currently paid by your neighbors. This is how you can determine where you stand in comparison to other properties. But please don't ask me to explain the Cook County System of Property Taxation - I'd rather wade through a swamp filled with alligators. . . .

Search the MLS for all homes at:

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Margaret Goss GRI, CRS

Baird & Warner, Winnetka IL

847-977-6024 (cell)

www.CallMargaret.com (website)

New Trier High School Hopes for Renovations

Margaret Goss, Realtor Winnetka & North Shore Real Estate (Baird & Warner) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:40:46 -0500

New Trier High School in Winnetka is hoping that the school board will vote to set a referendum for next February to allow voters to decide on going ahead with plans to refurbish portions of the campus. The estimated cost of renovations is $185 million which translates into approximately $300 additional in residents' tax bills. Earlier this year the district nixed more expensive plans, including a $400 million rebuild that voters said was too expensive.

If approved the project would commence in the summer of 2010 and be completed in two years. The school has not had a proper renovation in decades and the swelling population has only magnified the issues. The plan includes state-of-the-art renovations such as 40 new classrooms, new spaces for science, performing arts, visual arts, practical arts, kinetic fitness, kitchen, cafeteria, library, gym and fieldhouse.

Some practical matters need to be addressed as well. The current Tech Arts building still has the original single pane windows and no upgrades have been done to the heating, air conditioning and ventilation since they were installed. The plan would also beef up fire safety and campus security.

In essence, the east and west sides of the campus would be demolished, including the existing gym/field house, the Tech Arts building, music and performing arts building and cafeteria. The architects, Perkins + Will presented their final plans to the board this week.

Not everyone is thrilled with this proposal. In difficult economic times voters want their governments to rein in spending and don't see the value added. As a resident of New Trier township, I have had two children graduate from New Trier. Although I don't benefit directly from the school anymore, as a realtor I understand the significance of this school and the draw it has on newcomers willing to spend more to live in the district.

A special school board meeting will be held Nov. 3 at the Winnetka Campus at 385 Winnetka Ave. A presentation and tour is planned for interested residents. More information can be found at New Trier's website: Facilities Initiative.

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Margaret Goss GRI, CRS

Baird & Warner, Winnetka IL

847-977-6024 (cell)

www.CallMargaret.com (website)

Great Winnetka Value - 2 Bedroom Condo for $174,900!

Margaret Goss, Realtor Winnetka & North Shore Real Estate (Baird & Warner) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:00:07 -0500

Great Winnetka Value!

2 Bedroom Condo in Downtown Hubbard Woods

You can't beat this sunny and bright condo for value . . . 2 bedrooms, 1 full bath, hardwood floors throughout, end unit with south and west exposures.

A 1-minute walk to the Metra Station

Restaurants in all directions

Tower Road Beach just several blocks away

Stores, services, banks, communites services nearby

Plus an updated kitchen with tumbled stone backsplash, tall cabinets, dishwasher, storage unit and new appliances.

Kitchen with tumbled stone backsplash, new cabinets and appliances

Bright and sunny with south facing window and hardwood floors throughout

Park and Metra Train Station just across the street

Vintage Tudor Styling

Eat-in space

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Margaret Goss GRI, CRS

Baird & Warner, Winnetka IL

847-977-6024 (cell)

www.CallMargaret.com (website)

Finally It's a Beautiful Fall Day in Winnetka!

Margaret Goss, Realtor Winnetka & North Shore Real Estate (Baird & Warner) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:10:22 -0500

Summer wasn't so hot.

Fall has been cloudy and damp.

But then today happened - warmer temperatures and the sunshine just made the fall colors sparkle like rubies and garnets.

Here's my take on today:

Search the MLS for all homes at:

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Margaret Goss GRI, CRS

Baird & Warner, Winnetka IL

847-977-6024 (cell)

www.CallMargaret.com (website)

No Dairy Queen for Winnetka!

Margaret Goss, Realtor Winnetka & North Shore Real Estate (Baird & Warner) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 14:07:46 -0500

No Dairy Queen for Winnetka!

Winnetka residents waited all summer long for Dairy Queen to open up on the corner of Elm and Lincoln streets. The windows to the old Depot restaurant were papered over and a hopeful sign there said Dairy Queen was doing the renovations.

Month after month went by and the brown paper in the windows started to look bedraggled and the permit vanished. Nary a workmen showed up. I started to worry when I called Dairy Queen last spring inquiring about the opening date and was told there were no plans to open one in Winnetka.

Now it's confirmed. The head of business development for the Village of Winnetka told me this week that the company has canceled its plan. Why? The original store was to serve only ice cream and treats - then someone at the corporate office decided that they should also serve hamburgers and hot dogs.

Well, unfortunatley for Dairy Queen, D's Haute Dogs, just a few storefronts to the north at 551 Lincoln, already had that business. The Village felt that since D's was in first, their business should be protected and Dairy Queen pulled out.

If you really need a fix of Dairy Queen you'll still have to drive over to Lake St. just west of the Edens. Or, you could go to D's Haute Dogs which is now serving smoothies.

Search the MLS for all homes at:

North Shore MLS

Margaret Goss GRI, CRS

Baird & Warner, Winnetka IL

847-977-6024 (cell)

www.CallMargaret.com (website)

Stage the exterior for under $50

Margaret Goss, Realtor Winnetka & North Shore Real Estate (Baird & Warner) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:51:23 -0500

As an agent who strongly believes in staging (and has staged homes since before the word "staging" became commonplace,) here's a little twist on that idea. Use an upcoming holiday to dress up the house without spending a fortune.

Via Jennifer Grant (Low Country Home Staging & Interior Design):

Anybody can dress up an entrance or yard by simple adding a seasonal display outside. This will make the home seem warm and inviting. Don't forget those potential home buyers are already forming opinions as they are pulling up to the house. Having an inviting display outside of the home can give the potential home buyer the "warm fuzzy" feeling right from the start. Setting the tone when showing a home starts the entire emotional attachment. So when you are staging a home, don't forget about the outside too!

This is a quick and easy display that you can duplicate under $50. Enjoy~

Thanks for visiting my site! Please visit often for upcoming homestaging tips and creative ideas!

Jennifer Grant
843-457-2167
Pawleys Island, South Carolina
Low Country Home Staging & Interior Design
Website:http://www.lowcountryhomestaging.com
Email:jennifer@lowcountryhomestaging.com

Search the MLS for all homes at:

North Shore MLS

Margaret Goss GRI, CRS

Baird & Warner, Winnetka IL

847-977-6024 (cell)

www.CallMargaret.com (website)

Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth, and Glencoe - Foreclosues and Short Sales

Margaret Goss, Realtor Winnetka & North Shore Real Estate (Baird & Warner) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 16:15:17 -0500

Just a few years ago, the bewildering words "short sale" were starting to pop up in our realtor meetings. No one really bothered to learn much about them since things like that didn't happen on the North Shore. Maybe in Evanston, Chicago, or the south suburbs.

Not so today. Realtors have had to listen and learn about the implications of short sales, pre-foreclosures, foreclosures, auctions, and other distressed properties. Certainly the North Shore has not been immune. While recently showing condo properties for a friend on the North side of Chicago, fully 90% of these units were distressed. The North Shore is not seeing numbers approach anything close to that, but enough to raise heads and have people calling and asking about them.

Here's how the numbers look:

Total Units for Sale Short Sales/Foreclosure

Winnetka 204 7

Northfield 75 4

Wilmette 189 13

Kenilworth 53 1

Glencoe 22 4

During the past week in Winnetka there were two extreme instances:

719 Lincoln, originally priced at 2,900,000 in 2006, inexplicably raised to $4,300,000 in 2007 and finally selling at $1,260,000.
384 Hawthorn, originally sold in 2005 for $2,570,000 and just listed (under contract) for $1,336,500.

No wonder interest in these properties have jumped. But buyers need to understand that not every such home will be reduced to almost half. In a short sale, the owner is trying to avoid foreclosure and owes more on the loan than the house is worth. The homeseller is trying to sell the house for less than the loan amount and the bank may or may not approve the sale - a process which can take many months to work out. In the end, the bank may try to get the seller to refinance the loan and avoid taking the loss on the loan.

In a foreclosure, the homeowner has defaulted by not making payments. The process is complicated and there are several different types of foreclosures. In the end, the house is put up for sale and generally sold at a large discount.

Many people think the great wave of foreclosures is behind us as people with subprime loans defaulted. But some, like me, think that the next big wave is just beginning and those with prime loans begin to have difficulty making payments. I recently read a prediction that the next surge will not peak until 2013.

These distressed home listed about are available now for purchase. If you would like more information, please give me call and I'll be happy to discuss them with you.

Search the MLS for all homes at:

North Shore MLS

Margaret Goss GRI, CRS

Baird & Warner, Winnetka IL

847-977-6024 (cell)

www.CallMargaret.com (website)

Wilmette - What a View! What a Price! 1630 Sheridan Road

Margaret Goss, Realtor Winnetka & North Shore Real Estate (Baird & Warner) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 15:32:14 -0500

Big Views . . . (from every room!)

Tiny Price . . . ($188,500!)

Have you dreamed of waking up in the morning to beautiful, sunny lake views? Or what about windy roiling waters? Maybe deep dark clouds with a promise of rain?

How about 1 level living? Not feeling like swimming in the lake? Go ahead and try the heated pool or soak yourself in the hot tub.

For the unimaginable price of $188,000 you can have a premier two-bedroom, two-bath unit at the prestigious 1630 Sheridan Road building. While the lake sits on one side, the other side offers Plaza del Lago shopping including dining, grocery shopping, Crate and Barrel, Starbucks, gift stores, clothing stores, and summer art shows.

Really . . . what are you waiting for?

View Larger Map

Search the MLS for all homes at:

North Shore MLS

Margaret Goss GRI, CRS

Baird & Warner, Winnetka IL

847-977-6024 (cell)

www.CallMargaret.com (website)

September House Sales for Winnetka, Wilmette, Northfield, Kenilworth & Glencoe

Margaret Goss, Realtor Winnetka & North Shore Real Estate (Baird & Warner) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:15:56 -0500

Another month, another set of stats. Sales are still below average (what is average nowadays, anyway?) Sale prices have continued with downward pressure - except when priced properly. As I've shown month after month, competitive price = quick sale and more profit. It's really that simple.

Winnetka - 12 closed sales (20 in August)

1035 Elm $569,500 161 days on market, 82% of asking price

1257 Scott $575,000 33 days on market, 87% of asking price

1413 Tower $590,000 398 days on market, 66% of asking price

910 Spruce $647,500 428 days on market, 82% of asking price

437 Chestnut $730,000 401 days on market, 69% of asking price

756 Lincoln $742,500 397 days, 68%

1264 Forest Glen $751,500 138 days, 86%

1088 Mt. Pleasant $758,000 80 days, 82%

511 Willow $1,100,000 613 days, 72%

532 Oak $1,300,000 46 days, 87%

82 Woodley $1,425,000 506 days, 50% of asking price!

1234 Westmoor $2,800,000 1089 days, 60% of asking price!

Northfield - 2 closed sales (4 in August)

214 Frontage $210,000 298 days on market, 81% of asking price

51 Coventry $853,425 179 days, 90%

Wilmette - 23 closed sales (24 in August)

626 Lavergne $353,200 8 days on market, 97% of asking price

2246 lake $359,500 83 days on market, 91% of asking

412 Lavergne $370,000 9 days on market, 113% of asking (foreclosure property went over asking price)

1704 Walnut $389,000 4 days on market, 100% of asking

3127 Sprucewood $485,000 100 days, 88%

2219 Birchwood $500,500 32 days, 95%

800 Chilton $580,125 325 days, 84%

226 Sunset $605,000 98 days, 69% (short sale)

2136 Kenilworth $650,000 50 days, 81%

115 3rd $650,000 155 days, 87%

1234 Isabella $659,450 56 days on market, 92%

1515 Forest $725,000 31 days on market, 96%

1920 Thornwood $775,000 97 days, 93%

431 Central $850,000 40 days, 89%

605 6th $950,000 128 days, 88%

687 Sheridan $960,000 294 days, 80%

2035 Greenwood $1,084,000 88 days, 85%

600 Forest $1,325,000 113 days, 83%

906 Pawnee $1,352,000 86 days, 90%

505 Laurel $1,555,000 213 days, 76%

1310 Maple $1,575,000 147 days, 87%

436 Lake $1,660,000 166 days, 83%

2333 Iroquois $2,225,000 293 days, 80%

Kenilworth - 5 closed sales (5 in August)

551 Ridge $450,000 60 days on market, 90% of asking price

504 Brier $875,000 1 day, 92%

542 Kenilworth $1,248,000 103 days, 83%

123 Oxford $1,750,000 557 days, 60%

337 Raleigh $2,100,000 167 days, 70%

Glencoe - 12 closed sales (9 in August)

954 Vernon $286,600 605 days on market, 38% of asking price (foreclosure property)

1109 Hohlfelder $455,000 13 days on market, 100% of asking price

455 Drexel $516,000 106 days on market, 96%

38 Drexel $610,000 38 days, 88%

1069 Elm Ridge $650,000 108 days, 76%

205 Dennis $915,000 205 days, 72%

446 Jackson $920,000 422 days, 63%

428 Woodlawn $1,370,000 71 days, 81%

1045 Meadow $1,470,000 432 days, 53%

1150 Fairfield $1,651,359 290 days, 63%

120 Beach 53 days, 71%

382 Sunset 202 days, 69%

Sales in September compared to August of this year held steady except in Winnetka where there was a considerable drop in numbers. Maybe Winnetka parents had more kids going off to college and were distracted . . .?

Search the MLS for all homes at:

North Shore MLS

Margaret Goss GRI, CRS

Baird & Warner, Winnetka IL

847-977-6024 (cell)

www.CallMargaret.com (website)

Willow Road Bottleneck in Northfield - Can It Ever Be Solved?

Margaret Goss, Realtor Winnetka & North Shore Real Estate (Baird & Warner) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:25:28 -0500

Many years ago when I lived in my very first apartment in South Pasadena in California, my house was just 1/2 block away from a street that was destined to become an extension of the Long Beach Freeway. The street was called Meridian and those of us who traveled the area knew it was long overdue but also a shame since the street sliced through a nice leafy suburb with pretty homes. To this day, the extension has not been built because of strong, vehement actually, opposition to it.

Fast forward to today and the scene is repeating itself in the struggle over what ultimately happens to Willow Road as it slices through Northfield, a nice leafy suburb with pretty homes. Again, locals are not exactly thrilled to have this heavily traveled route expanded to accommodate the huge number of cars that use this popular east-west thoroughfare. I moved here from Los Angeles in 1986 and it's been a bottleneck almost every day of the year.

The section in question is a 1 1/4 mile strip that stretches from Happ Road on the east side to Sunset Ridge at the west end. As two lanes pinch into one, traffic comes almost to a standstill guaranteeing long waits even at non-peak periods. Throw in a left turn driver and you might as well get out and walk.

View Larger Map

Over the past 30 years the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has made several proposals at reconstructing the street, including the most recent in 2005. The plan then was to construct a less invasive three-lane road and was widely supported by Northfield residents because it did not drastically alter the character of the village. Villagers wonder why that plan, estimated at between $6-7 million was not built and why yet another (tax funded) study has been proposed.

Northfield officials were dismayed when the 2005 plan was scuttled and believe that larger interests in Glenview and Northbrook helped bring it down. Glenview developed the Glen and Northbrook is developing the Techny area, both of which depend on a free flowing Willow Road.

But IDOT is indeed going back to the drawing board. But this time the strategy incorporates the idea of "context sensitive solution" which involves holding public meetings, selecting stakeholders and offering designs that make sure that the concerns of residents for safety are addressed. Stakeholders are, as the term suggests, representatives from various sectors such as schools, PTA, parks districts, etc. from the four villages that are directly affected: Northfield, Winnetka, Glenview and Northbrook.

State senator Jeff Schoenbeg (D-Evanston) who had previously opposed the widening, now throws his support behind the new effort. He has said "probably 98% of the people support the four-lane concept" while "there is a very small segment of the Northfield political community who will never change their decades-old opposition to widening Willow." He also claims that Northfield has used lobbyists to block efforts to address the problem.

Finding common ground is the goal here. Balancing the character of the village and it's stated need for safety against the concerns of congestion and access to businesses is what the context sensitive design process should address with fairness to all.

This will not be a quick process: the first stakeholder meeting is scheduled in October, by 2011 the various plans should be winnowed down to one that everyone can live with, and barring no further lawsuits, construction could begin in 2013. The upcoming two-year period is a time for any interested parties to attend meetings and offer public comment.

Here is the link to keep up to date on the progress of Willow Road:

Keeping Up On Willow Road

Search the MLS for all homes at:

North Shore MLS

Margaret Goss GRI, CRS

Baird & Warner, Winnetka IL

847-977-6024 (cell)

www.CallMargaret.com (website)

So you want to save the commission?

Margaret Goss, Realtor Winnetka & North Shore Real Estate (Baird & Warner) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:28:25 -0500

I couldn't have said it better myself. As a FOR SALE BY OWNER you are not really fooling anyone because the great majority of buyers are too savvy as illustrated in this article:

Via Dr. Chantal Saucier (Keller Williams Realty Acadiana):

One comment we often hear as real estate professionals is "I'm selling my home myself to save the commission." That is fine so long as you don't think that your potential buyers don't know that.

In fact, did you know that there are only 4 kinds of buyers out there? That's right, 4. And they are either working with a Realtor or they, too, will want to save the commission. If you have a "For Sale By Owner" sign in your yard, everyone knows that you are not paying a commission to a professional.

1. First time home buyers: They are the most likely to seek the help of a professional because they do not know all the ins and outs of the home buying process. Even if they come across your home and like it, they will want their agent involved. Being open to working with a buyer's agent and paying at least some commission might help you get your home sold.

2. Relocating buyer: They, too, usually work with a real estate agent because they are not in town, yet. Again, if you are willing to pay a buyer's agent commission, you may be able to work with one of these buyers and sell your home, that is, if you are available to show it when this buyer is in town house shopping. If not, they might just buy your neighbor's house because it's listed and on a lockbox and they were actually able to view it.

3. Move up buyers: They tend to feel more confident about the process because they have been there before. However, if they choose to work on their own, they'll negotiate you down on your price to save some of the commission themselves. Since 2 out of 3 FSBO that go under contract do not close when no Realtor is involved, it might not matter if you split the would-have-been commission with this buyer. The question is: can you get them to the closing table?

4. Investors: Probably the most savvy buyer out there and you can bet that they will not pay you a commission to work the sale of your home for you. Unless you are an investor yourself and you've sold many homes in the past, this buyer knows more about the process than you do and he/she knows that they will have to do all the work. And, unless you are an awesome negotiator, you will not save money if your buyer is an investor. Not a penny.

There you have it! These are the only 4 kinds of buyers out there, no more, no less.

Here's another way to look at it: appraisers do not care about the commission. Your house is worth what it is worth, whether or not there is a commission involved. For example, if you live in a neighborhood where homes of similar age and sizes sell for 150K, then your home is worth 150K.

With a 6% listing commission, you would have to pay 9K in commission, usually split between the listing and the selling brokers (if two agents are involved). If you sell on your own, you are not going to save the full 9K. Buyers will want to split those savings with you and might only offer you 145K for your home. If this is acceptable to you, all is good, but your savings are now down to 4K. If you calculate 2 or 3 months extra on the market (and 2-3 months of extra house payments), the advertising and signs costs, and the time involved in showing your home numerous times to buyers who may or may not qualify to buy it, is it really worth the aggravation? Besides, getting an offer/contract on your home is the easy part. Do you know what to do if you ever get that far?

I know what my time is worth, do you?

Search the MLS for all homes at:

North Shore MLS

Margaret Goss GRI, CRS

Baird & Warner, Winnetka IL

847-977-6024 (cell)

www.CallMargaret.com (website)

Winnetka Historic Homes - Part One

Margaret Goss, Realtor Winnetka & North Shore Real Estate (Baird & Warner) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:13:38 -0500

Winnetka historic homes have been a hot topic lately - and not just in Winnetka, but Wilmette, Kenilworth and Glencoe as well. But this article is not about the outrage over teardowns or about property rights, but about Winnetka's historic homes themselves.

According to "Winnetka Architecture: Where Past is Present" published by the Winnetka Historical Society, almost every building style is represented in Winnetka:

Log House
Italianate
Victorian Gothic
Queen Anne
Shingle Style
Prairie School
Arts & Crafts
Bungalow
American Foursquare
Classical Revival
Colonial Revival
Georgian Revival
Federal Revival
Dutch Colonial Revival
Tudor Revival
French Revival
Spanish Colonial Revival
Art Deco
Early Modern Architecture
Post War Trends

The first settlers to Winnetka were farmers and tradesmen who built log or clapboard homes on high ground along the Green Bay Trail (now Sheridan Road.) Growth spurred after 1847 when train service arrived in Winnetka and development moved west as swampy ground was drained. By 1890, the whole village was settled except for the very western edge.

The second wave of housing to be constructed in Winnetka were Italianate and Victorian Gothic. The "founders of Winnetka," Charles and Sarah Peck, built the first palatial Italiante home in 1856 and the bottom of Arbor Vitae Road. Although their house is no longer standing, their legacy remains in the Village Green, land that they donated and stipulated to be left as open space.

Winnetka again saw a surge of growth after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. Queen Anne and Shingle Style began to proliferate in the north and east sections of town. By 1900 there were 35 trains traveling through the village a day and Winnetka became a popular suburban destination. At this point, two new styles of architecture were becoming vogue - Prairie School and different revival styles. Noted Prairie architects Walter Burley Griffin, Marion Mahoney, John Van Bergen, Barry Byrne began designed many homes throughout the village.

During the early decades of the 20th century many new styles began appearing including Colonial, Tudor and Dutch Colonial Revival. New Trier High School (built in 1901) was designed by Normand S. Patton and modeled after the town hall in Trier, Germany. Noted Chicago architect Dwight Perkins designed both Hubbard Woods School and Skokie School incorporating large windows and skylights and one-story construction. Crow Island School was later designed by Finnish architects Elile and Eero Saarinen and became the prototype for modern school design.

Post World War Two brought in the era of quickly built, modern styles that mirrored the national trend. Mostly ranch houses were built along the west edge of the village near the lagoons. But Winnetka residents have always favored historical styles and this preference is evident today. Although over 200 homes have been demolished in Winnetka in the past decade for new construction, many owners are rehabbing their older homes as well.

Winnetka has seen the back-and-forth volleys of historic preservation referendums in the past several years. Although residents clearly defeated any attempts at regulation of property rights, homeowners understand that these are difficult choices to make between respecting the past and planning for the future. The debate will definitely continue.

For more information on Winnetka's history, please visit:

150 Years of Winnetka History

Search the MLS for all homes at:

North Shore MLS

Margaret Goss GRI, CRS

Baird & Warner, Winnetka IL

847-977-6024 (cell)

www.CallMargaret.com (website)

North Shore Yoga - A Good Place to Unwind in Northfield

Margaret Goss, Realtor Winnetka & North Shore Real Estate (Baird & Warner) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:02:31 -0500

North Shore Yoga is a good place to unwind, stretch out and awaken your mind, body and spirit. Tucked away in a second story office suite on Happ Road in Northfield, teacher and owner Sharyn Galindo helps clients to achieve their fullest potential - both physically and spiritually.

As an avid runner for over 30 years myself, I was surprised to hear that Sharyn has given up participating in marathons and triathalons to devote herself to yoga. Although she still occasionally runs and walks and does some weight work, she discovered that yoga provides most of her workout and keeps her as fit as when she was running. Her knowledge of this ancient art is extensive and ongoing - she travels to Thailand at least once a year to study with her teacher.

North Shore Yoga started out in a storefront next to Homer's Ice Cream in Wilmette, then moved to the present location in 2005. Sharyn has approximately 20 instructors each of whom has their own individual style within the class that they are teaching. She has two workout rooms, both kept warm (but not hot) to help warm up muscles and prevent injury.

Two styles of yoga are taught here: Asthanga Yoga and Vinyasa Flow. Asthanga Yoga can be described as:

" a system of yoga that involves synchronizing the breath with a progressive series of postures—a process producing intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs. The result is improved circulation, a light and strong body, and a calm mind." (copyright Asthanga.com) As Sharyn explained it, Astanga is a series of set postures that are always the same.

Vinyasa Flow Yoga is a breath-syncronized movement where the teacher will instruct students to move from one pose to the next on an exhale or inhale. It is sometimes just called Flow because of the smooth way the moves run together like a dance. Vinyasa differs from Ashtanga in that sets are followed but necessarily the same poses every time.

The yoga schedule at North Shore Yoga is ongoing - one can join anytime. They offer a free introductory session once a month that teaches the basics, as well as

Pre-natal classes
Restorative and relaxation
Meditation
Family Yoga
Teen Yoga
Teacher training

Also at this location is a small boutique offering materials and clothing for yoga practice. The first class in the morning is at 6:00 a.m. and continues until the last class at 6:30 p.m. For the short time that I was there one morning, the studio was very busy with ingoing an outgoing devotees (all looking extremely fit and relaxed!)

If you've wanted to give yoga a try, visit Sharyn's studio at:

310 Happ Road

Northfield, IL 60093 (847-784-8844)

Search the MLS for all homes at:

North Shore MLS

Margaret Goss GRI, CRS

Baird & Warner, Winnetka IL

847-977-6024 (cell)

www.CallMargaret.com (website)

August Real Estate Sales for Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth and Glencoe

Margaret Goss, Realtor Winnetka & North Shore Real Estate (Baird & Warner) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:18:32 -0500

The August real estate sales for Winnetka,Wilmette, Northfield, Kenilworth and Glencoe have dipped and jumped like a roller coaster. From month to month there is no steady increase or decrease that I can make any predictions about.

The one thing I noticed in Winnetka is that 2/3 of the sold homes were over $1,000,000 - probably just an anomoly but interesting nevertheless.

Winnetka - 19 closed sales

781 Locust $528,000

611 Lincoln $685,000

520 Meadow $700,000

1175 Hamptondale $725,000

1004 Elm $760,000

1560 Asbury $900,000

170 Birch $1,000,000

1173 Cherry $1,025,000

1270 Asbury $1,035,000

555 Arbor Vitae $1,320,000

377 Provident $1,338,000

95 Indian Hill $1,400,000

1036 Oak $1,500,000

480 Willow $1,800,000

110 Evergreen $1,830,800

15 Old Green Bay $1,950,000

1149 Laurel $2,130,000

161 Apple Tree $2,645,000

814 Prospect $2,750,000

Northfield - 4 Closed Sales

66 Coventry $642,600

70 Canterbury $650,000

2262 Drury $885,000

2208 Drury $2,200,000

Kenilworth - 5 Closed Sales

649 Kenilworth $522,500

405 Sterling $627,500

605 Brier $853,200

230 Oxford $1,400,000

305 Kenilworth $1,750,000

Wilmette - 23 Closed Sales

827 Lavergne $350,000

2319 Schiller $446,000

907 Pawnee $450,000

2138 Elmwood $451,000

2211 Lake $455,000

231 Kilpatrick $455,000

1220 Princeton $492,000

815 Chilton $501,000

3511 Forest, $509,000

208 Fourth $575,000

1723 Elmwood $615,000

2137 Greenwood $639,000

1928 Thornwood $642,500

111 Westmoreland $699,000

1010 12th $700,000

911 Sheridan $782,000

2038 Beechwood $815,000

715 Washington $853,000

924 Greenwood $1,055,000

823 Ashland $1,095,000

1029 Elmwood $1,250,000

716 9th $1,400,000

1133 Ashland $1,437,500

Glencoe - 9 Closed Sales

490 Park $210,000

140 Linden $527,000

180 Randolph $605,000

268 Sheridan $628,000

788 Glencoe $664,000

111 Euclid $800,000

926 Sheridan $900,000

348 Madison $987,000

587 Longwood $2,050,000

Search the MLS for all homes at:

North Shore MLS

Margaret Goss GRI, CRS

Baird & Warner, Winnetka IL

847-977-6024 (cell)

www.CallMargaret.com (website)

French Institute of the North Shore - Now Offering Spanish!

Margaret Goss, Realtor Winnetka & North Shore Real Estate (Baird & Warner) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:50:43 -0500

I remember exactly the moment that I fell in love with all things French. Having traveled the country extensively and mangled the language thoroughly, I decided to ask Maria Kurt, owner and founder of the French Institute of the North Shore how and why she fell in love with France and French culture.

And so it was her mother who inspired her and taught her that there is a much wider world out there beyond our own. Although her family lived in quaint Whitefish Bay in Wisconsin, her mother loved the international community and traveled abroad often. When Maria was 16 she went a a grand two-month tour of Europe where France inevitably grabbed her heart.

Maria went on to major in French in college . . . then spent a year in Paris . . . then was awarded her Master's Degree in French and Education . . . then spent another year in Paris . . . and then taught high school French for many years. In 1998 she opened the French Institute of the North Shore in Winnetka as an adult French language school.

In 2000 she bought the building where the school currently operates at 562 Green Bay Road in Winnetka and expanded it to include a French immersion preschool. They offer classes for 3, 4, and 5 year olds for 3 hours a day, 5 days a week. From day one, only French is spoken and within 1 month, the children are happily comprehending French stories with complete ease. Maria says that the childrens' oral comprehension (the most difficult task for a student of language) is excellent since they have been hearing it spoken for so many years. After the children enter grammar school, the French Institute offers Continuing Education twice a week until they reach junior high.

Students learn more than just the language - lots of fun cultural activities keep the children involved and motivated including a February 2 holiday that features crepe making and Mardi Gras in March. The students have their own kitchen area to prepare French specialties.

Upon entering her foyer you will be pleasantly surprised to find yourself in an office building somehwere in Paris - such is the welcoming feeling of this salon-like room. All rooms in the school are named: the Paris and Versailles rooms for adult learning, Provence for the very country feeling kitchen, and L'Orangerie, le Jardin, and Le Cote d'Azure for the children's rooms.

This year Maria has expanded to include Spanish immersion classes in a new school called Spanish School Winnetka. She envisions that the Spanish classes will overtake the French in enrollment within a short period of time based on the fact that the ratio of Spanish to French students at New Trier High School is 3 to 1.

Maria's staff of teachers are all from France and generally take a year long sabbatical from their teaching jobs in France. Her Spanish speaking teachers will come from various countries including Guatamala and Mexico. Approximatley 50% of the students are from Winnetka and 50% for surrounding communities which brings in a diverse group of students.

If you would like to brush up your French or Spanish or would like to introduce your children to the wonders of another culture and language, please give the French Institute of the North Shore a call.

French Institute of the North Shore

562 Green Bay Road, Winnetka, IL 60093

847-501-5800

Search the MLS for all homes at:

North Shore MLS

Margaret Goss GRI, CRS

Baird & Warner, Winnetka IL

847-977-6024 (cell)

www.CallMargaret.com (website)

July Home Sales in Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth & Northfield

Margaret Goss, Realtor Winnetka & North Shore Real Estate (Baird & Warner) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:35:11 -0500

July on the North Shore was good for home sales with a spike in closed sales for all communities listed here. The sales are also an improvement over 2008 before the recession started.

Winnetka

Winnetka had 30 sales in July, an improvement over June which had 21 sales. The sale prices ranged from $380,000 for a 50 x 160 lot on Scott St. to $4,350,000 for a lakefront home on Hoyt. The average sale price was $1,434,260 and the median was $1,100,000.

Wilmette

Wilmette's housing turnover improved with 26 sales in July, compared to June where 23 houses sold. The range was from $200,000 for an REO property on Illinois up to $1,665,000 for a 6-year old home on Forest. The average sale price was $813,000 and the median price was $643,000.

Kenilworth

5 sales in Kenilworth - a great improvement over June where only 1 house sold. The low price was $435,000 for a 2 bedroom farmhouse on Sterling and the high price was for $3,350,000 for a beautifully remodeled 1912 home on Woodstock. The average Kenilworth sale price in July was $1,867,000 and the median was $1,750,000.

Glencoe

Glencoe held fairly steady with 14 sales in July compared to 13 sales in June. The low price was $210,000 for an old farmhouse on Park up to $2,125,000 for fully renovated brick home on Hazel. The average sale price in July was $933,850 and the median price was $837,000.

Northfield

Northfield had 7 sales in July up from June sales of 4. The low price was $437,500 for a nice 3 bedroom ranch on Jeffrey, and the high price was for $1,287,500 for a house on an acre lot overlooking Sunset Ridge Country Club. The average sold price in Northfield was $749,000 and the median price was $650,000. These numbers have Northfield and Wilmette running pretty close as far as home prices go.

According to the National Association of Realtors:

"For the first time in 2 years existing home sales in the Chicago area have shown a year-over-year improvement. Media outlets such as the Chicago Tribune tout the news as a possible “sign that the local housing market may have, from a sales volume standpoint, bottomed out.”

Bottomed out in sales volume perhaps, but unfortunately for sellers (and very fortunatley for buyers) sale prices have not yet bottomed out. But this is surely a good omen!

Search the MLS for all homes at:

North Shore MLS

Margaret Goss GRI, CRS

Baird & Warner, Winnetka IL

847-977-6024 (cell)

www.CallMargaret.com (website)

Olive Oil - A New Wilmette Restaurant

Margaret Goss, Realtor Winnetka & North Shore Real Estate (Baird & Warner) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:57:03 -0500

Olive Oil is a fresh new eatery in downtown Wilmette in the space formerly occupied by the coffee shop Spilling the Beans. I decided to check it out after several friends recommended it. The owner, Rosie Petropoulos, knows about "fresh" foods, having owned and operated the "Chicago Fruit Market" for many years in Chicago. Since their storage space is small, Rosie purchases fresh ingedients daily.

The restaurant is a family affair with food being prepared by Rosie's husband Oved and her sister Lili who are avid cooks. Her daughter was also involved until a new baby rearranged her priorities. After looking at many different locations to open her new restaurant she walked into the former coffee store space and "women's intuition" told her this was the perfect spot. She loves the area, being on the corner right across the parking lot from the train station.

I took to their innovative creations right away - I love the Mediterranean menu and diet. Rosie's background is Mediterranean, French and Italian and her husband is from Israel. Being a vegetarian I found plenty to eat there, but she also has many meat and chicken entrees, with lamb being the local favorite of her customers. She also makes a dish called "Shawarma" which is her version of a gyro sandwich, except she uses chicken. The chicken is not molded and formed, but whole pieces that are thinly carved for the sandwiches.

Some other standouts are:

Dutch Gouda Cheese Panini
Angus Port Roast Beef Sandwich with Huntsman Stilton mayonnaise
Shakshouka, a house speciality of eggs cooked in a tomato, onion and pepper sauce
French Onion Soup with Gruyere
Kabob Burger in a Pita

Plus lots of falafel, hummus, baba ghannoush, feta cheese, olives, and eggplant. She also whimsically offers a "VIP" Menu, otherwise known as the children's menu. Kids love her chicken fingers made from whole pieces of chicken and lightly breaded as well as mac & cheese using Parmesan, Gruyere and American cheeses.

Olive Oil has a full liquor license with cocktails, beer and wine served by the glass or bottle. How about cooling off on a hot summer night with a "Cardamon Bloody Zing Zang?" Or stopping by in the morning for a Turkish coffee with cardamon.

The restaurant is open 7 days a week from 11-9 but will stay open later on weekend nights. Take-out is available and she will soon have a specific menu called "Chef to Go" just for that purpose. Outdoor dining is offered during the summer. Treat yourself and stop by for lunch or dinner!

Olive Oil Restaurant

1154 Central St., Wilmette, IL

847-256-1002

If you or anyone you know is considering moving, please give me a call!

Search the MLS for all homes at:

North Shore MLS

Margaret Goss GRI, CRS

Baird & Warner, Winnetka IL

847-977-6024 (cell)

www.CallMargaret.com (website)

Winnetka Spotlight: ARTISTICA Italian Gallery

Margaret Goss, Realtor Winnetka & North Shore Real Estate (Baird & Warner) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:02:03 -0500

I had the very good fortune to celebrate a recent wedding anniversary in Italy with friends. We rented an apartment in the hilltop Umbrian capital, Perugia. My friend and I told our husbands that we just had to go to nearby Deruta, the place where all the beautiful Italian pottery is made.

We ended up spending most of the day there combing through the shops. One thing bothered me though--after literally scouring every store/studio/gallery/workshop in the town, I never once found the specific pottery I was looking for. Why? Because what I had hoped to find is designed and ordered by Artistica Italian Gallery in Hubbard Woods Winnetka and sold right here in town! It may be hand made in Deruta and Tuscany, but you can only buy it through Artistica. Simply put, they have the finest collection of home decor ceramics anywhere in Chicago (or the U.S.)

The store is owned and operated by husband and wife Alice and Marco Margaritelli (with a warehouse in Miami and showrooms in Las Vegas, New York, and High Point, NC.) In 1998 Alice was helping a friend sell Italian Murano glass at the Merchandise Mart in downtown Chicago. The space that the friend owned was shared with a seller of Italian ceramics and Alice fell in love with the pottery . . . and her husband Marco! She got married and began to sell the pottery herself, opening Artistica in Hubbard Woods in 2000.

The name Artistica is not just the name of their business, but also a brand that they have cultivated for many years. Their beautiful pottery and majolica is now highly regarded and stamped or handpainted with the name; thus you are likely to hear people asking for "Artistica" pottery. Alice and Marco work closely together designing the shapes and choosing colors with the Italian artisans. The actual patterns that are painted are from 16th century designs and everything is approved by them before being made.

Along with the retail operation at 990 Green Bay Road in Winnetka, Alice and Marco also sell through the internet, wholesale distributors, and professional interior designers. For designers, they provide a beautiful four-color catalog that can be shown to clients. They go to Italy once a year: to Deruta for dinnerware and Tuscany for decorative items and majolica. The store carries a wide variety of styles, shapes and sizes of dinnerware, ewers, bowls, biscotti jars, vases, hot plates, umbrella stands, pots, and much much more. Plus Murano glass and stemware! In vibrant or muted colors. In shapes you never knew existed!

You'll just have to stop in yourself and be transported to the hilly countryside of Tuscany and Umbria. Alice and Marco have a great knowledge of their products and can help you with choosing gifts for weddings, parties, or your own home.

Above: Paesaggio Toscano

Artistica Italian Gallery

990 Green Bay Road, Winnetka IL 60093

847-446-2916

Dinnerware from Deruta (Geribi)

Majolica with antique satin finish

Murano Glass stemware display

Limoni Majolica from Montelupo

Search the MLS for all homes at:

North Shore MLS

Margaret Goss GRI, CRS

Baird & Warner, Winnetka IL

847-977-6024 (cell)

www.CallMargaret.com (website)