A Tribute to My Grandpa on Memorial Day - 05/31/10 10:11 AM
It’s been almost a year since my grandfather passed away. He was just a few days shy of turning 90 years old. Like many men from his generation, my grandfather served in World War II; he was stationed in England, then in Italy, and then in northern Africa on the Mediterranean.
It wasn’t until I visited him one summer as an adult that he took me aside and finally shared some of his wartime memories with me. As we flipped through a photo album of hundreds of pictures of him and his fellow soldiers as very young men, boys really, he … (3 comments)

Interest Rates Currently Near a Record Low, but May Not Stay There for Long - 05/29/10 03:56 PM
Interest Rates Currently Near a Record Low, but May Not Stay There for Long
It was reported in the online REALTOR® Magazine that mortgage interest rates dipped again this week, compared to last week, to nearly all-time lows. You can read the full article here.
However, the magazine has also published an article stating that these low rates may not be around for much longer. Currently, we are seeing signs of economic improvement, and if the improvement continues, the Federal Reserve may be tempted to finally increase rates.
I tend to think that the Federal Reserve will not alter the rates … (0 comments)

Greater Champaign County Market Activity Snapshot: May 16 - 22, 2010 - 05/26/10 10:39 PM
Greater Champaign County Market Activity Snapshot: May 16 - 22, 2010
The following data is for Single Family Residential Homes
New Listings: 101
Average List Price: $159,359 Pending Sales: 45
Closed Sales: 62
Average List Price: $132.510 Average Sale Price: $127.537 Sale-to-List Price Ratio: 96.2% Average Days on Market: 56
 
Total Active Listings at the end of the week: 1,980
 
*All information was collected from the Champaign County MLS, and is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.
… (0 comments)

Why do you need a pre-approval letter to buy a home? - 05/21/10 11:30 AM
Thinking of buying a house? If so, you will need to get a pre-approval letter from the bank (unless you plan on paying with cash). It’s not just something I recommend doing, it’s something you will NEED to do, or you can’t put an offer in on the house you want (or any other house, for that matter)!
This may seem very basic, and it is. But for whatever reason, I sometimes run into a bit of a struggle convincing a buyer that he will need to talk to a lender…and as soon as possible, assuming that he does actually want … (4 comments)

Illinois Doberman Rescue featured on WCIA 3 in Champaign, IL - 05/17/10 04:16 PM
As some of you may know, I'm a volunteer with the Illinois Doberman Rescue, a non-profit animal rescue group that focuses their rescue efforts on the doberman breed. I myself own a doberman, and my lovely girl, Sienna, gave me permission to use her picture here on my blog:-)
Our local news station WCIA 3 does a "Pet on the Set" segment once a month, and the Illinois Doberman Rescue was featured this morning! I went with a fellow volunteer (I'm a little camera-shy...was only there for moral support) who did a fantastic job explaining a little about the organization and … (0 comments)

Open House Sunday in Champaign, Illinois - 05/15/10 04:25 PM

Open House Sunday May 16th 2-4pm at 823 Chickory Dr. in Champaign, Illinois!
Price just reduced to $197,900!
Gorgeous 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home priced well below other comparable homes for sale in this desirable neighborhood.
Come check out the 2,100 square feet of living space featuring:
a lovely, open entryway master suite with cathedral ceilings and whirlpool tub stainless steel appliances in a huge kitchen with breakfast nook 2-car attached garage and a full basement waiting to be finished to your liking!  
 



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… (2 comments)

I'm a KCM Auto Care Customer for Life!!! - 05/14/10 10:49 PM
Earlier today I spent about an hour at KCM Auto Care in Urbana, IL. It’s the third time I’ve needed to take a car there for repairs, and it’s official: I love this place.
Let me explain that I’ve never previously felt comfortable taking my car to an auto repair shop. Part of it, I’m sure, has to do with the fact that I’m a female (and tend to feel a little outnumbered in such places). The other part is the simple fact that I know very little about car maintenance or design, and, therefore, feel very much in the position … (3 comments)

Homes in Historic East Urbana, Illinois - 05/11/10 10:23 PM
The homes in Historic East Urbana, Illinois are a combination of character and affordability...in an unbeatable location! This neighborhood is bound by Vine St. to the west, Main St. to the north, Glover Ave. to the east, and Washington St. to the south.
Many of the homes are nearing, or even more than, 100 years old. The mature trees and brick streets interspersed throughout the neighborhood offer proof of the area's age.
Within walking distance are downtown Urbana and Lincoln Square, one of the nation's oldest indoor shopping centers and home to the farmer's market during the warmer months of the … (4 comments)

Are Land Contracts Gaining Popularity in Champaign, IL real estate? - 05/11/10 05:30 PM
Land Contracts (also called a contract for deed, installment contract, or a contract sale) appear to have gained popularity in the Champaign, IL real estate market, at least for now. In my most recent market report, I noted that 8 contract sales closed in April; compared to the usual 1 or 2, if any, that we see in most months, 8 is a significant number.
What is a land contract?
In a land contract agreement, the seller provides financing to the buyer. The seller retains title to the property, but the buyer takes possession and has what is called “equitable title” … (4 comments)

How to Preserve Your Mother's Day Flowers!!! - 05/09/10 04:17 PM

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there (and a very special Mother's Day wish to my Mom in Virginia)!
Like most women, I always enjoy receiving a bouquet of flowers, but I'm a little sad to throw them out after they've brightened up my dining room for a week or so. Lately I've taken to hanging them out to dry and finding a place to display them for a bit longer.
Here's how you can dry out and preserve your flowers, too:
Gather a small bundle of the flowers that you'd like to preserve. Take off the leaves … (6 comments)

Champaign County Real Estate Market Report, April 2010 - 05/07/10 04:48 PM
April 2010 Residential Sales Information Compared to April 2009
The following real estate market information concerns only residential sales in Champaign County, IL, and includes houses, condos, co-ops, and zerolots.
April 2010 Closed Sales Statistics:
239 units sold $146,756 average sale price 96.2% sale-to-list price ratio 105 average days on the market April 2009 Closed Sales Statistics:
174 units sold $133,752 average sale price 94.8% sale-to-list price ratio 104 average days on the market
*Percentages do not add up to 100% because of rounding.
Note: Ordinarily, I would include contract sales in the category "Other", but because there were so … (6 comments)

A Brief Overview of Rent-to-Own (Lease Option) - 05/05/10 11:47 PM
Rent-to-own, otherwise known as a "lease option," can offer a creative alternative to the traditional means of purchasing a home, and in today's market, sellers have become more open to such arrangements.
Often this type of agreement is used when the buyer doesn't yet qualify for a home loan, but likely will in the near future. The buyer might have credit issues, or perhaps just needs to save money for the down payment. During this time, the buyer will rent the property from the owner with the option to purchase the property during or at the end of the lease term.
… (9 comments)

Homes in Stone Creek - Urbana, Illinois - 05/04/10 11:47 AM
Stone Creek is a subdivision in southeast Urbana offering a variety of homes to meet a variety of needs. Situated on a golf course, the community has a “country club” feel to it without the exclusivity.
This neighborhood would offer a great solution to those seeking an active lifestyle. A jogging lane is laid out along the main road stretching from one end of the subdivision to the other providing an approximately two and a half mile pathway for the residents. In addition, Stone Creek Golf Course sits amid the houses offering the residents not only convenient golf outings, but incredible … (1 comments)

Illinois' New Lead-Based Paint Law: More Harm Than Good? - 05/02/10 11:29 PM
Many people today are aware that homes built before 1978 are at risk for containing lead-based paint. The government has made it a point in past years to educate the public about the risks of lead exposure and protect them when possible. For instance, when selling your home you are obligated to disclose any knowledge of lead-based paint in your home, and home buyers are given a pamphlet explaining the risks and harms of lead.
Recently, the Illinois government took it a step further. Building contractors, workers, and property managers are now required to be certified to perform certain types of … (2 comments)