chicago real estate: Finding the Right Rate for Your Chicago Home
- 11/28/09 07:46 AM
The last few years have seen some of the lowest interest rates in over 20 years. Many people have taken advantage of the phenomenal opportunity to purchase homes at great rates! We have enjoyed the low rates, but there are some indications that they may be coming to an end soon. Federal Reserve Chairman Bernake has said the recession is "very likely over" and there seems to be plans to begin slowing down on lending and bailout programs. While they did extend the rescue program for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on 9/23/09, they did not renew it, despite high unemployment. (0 comments)
chicago real estate: Illinois Home Start Program: Don't Miss it!
- 09/17/09 01:19 PM
The clock is winding down on the $8000 Federal Tax Credit that is available to first time home buyers. What some may not know, if you live in Illinois, you may have more than one thing going for you! Illinois has introduced a new program called the Illinois Home Start Loan Program. This program offers two different loans to help first time homebuyers become home owners! The first loan is a Home Start 30 Year Fixed Rate Loan. The second is the Home Start Tax Credit Advance! If you are a first-time homebuyer in Illinois, you may qualify for both loans. (1 comments)
chicago real estate: Good News for Chicago!
- 09/05/09 03:37 PM
Everyone knows the real estate market has faced turmoil in the last two years. While some markets still haven't quite hit bottom, there is good news in Chicago! Condo sales in the Windy City are showing improvement in dollar sales volume and have seen a decrease in days on the market. Condos make up a large portion of the Chicago skyline; you can find large concentrations along the lake front and most other downtown neighborhoods such as the South Loop, West Loop, Greektown, River West, Gold Coast, River North, Streeterville, Lincoln Park, Old Town, Lakeview, Wrigleyville, Buena Park, Bucktown, Wicker (1 comments)
chicago real estate: Don’t Get Left on the Fence!
- 08/31/09 02:47 PM
We have all heard the saying, "timing is everything!" There is a lot of truth in that little adage; timing is important. With so many things changing so fast in the housing market, it has also become a mantra for those waiting to buy a home. Many are sitting on the fence trying to perfectly time the moment to jump back into real estate, the moment when home prices are at their lowest but at the cusp of starting the climb back up. The biggest danger for sitting on the fence is never jumping off. What are some key indicators it (0 comments)
chicago real estate: Don't Miss Your Chance for $8000 Tax Credit Towards Your Chicago Home
- 08/20/09 02:00 AM
It is hard to believe, but time is running out to cash in on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's $8000 Tax credit for first time home buyers. Even though the program runs until December 1, 2009, if you want to take advantage of this program, you should be in the process no later than October 15th. To be sure you are eligible for the credit; you need to complete the purchase of your Chicago home by November 30, 2009. For the purposes of the tax credit, the purchase date is the date when closing occurs and the title to the (0 comments)
chicago real estate: HERA Changes Lending Landscape for Chicago Homebuyers
- 08/10/09 11:03 PM
In the last few years many things have changed in the housing and real estate business. The sub-prime mortgage crisis of the last few years has forever changed the landscape of homeownership in America. Many people are unsure what all the changes mean and how these changes will affect consumers. Also, when it comes to pre-approval and final approval of a mortgage, the days of instant approval and quick turnaround are over. What can you do to prepare for this process? First, the key to understanding all this is HERA, the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. This act was (4 comments)
chicago real estate: CDPE Certification - A New Way to make a Positive Difference in People's Lives
- 04/16/09 11:26 PM
The operating principle for our company is Making a Positive Difference in People's Lives. These words have always been more than a slogan on a business card for us. Throughout the years, we have helped new buyers locate their first homes and been there when they were ready to upgrade. We have fielded financing questions and tried to step outside the box to help our clients through sometimes difficult real estate transactions. We recently decided to take this a step further and are now pleased to announce that we have acquired our Certified Distressed Property Exert (CDPE) certification. The housing market (1 comments)
chicago real estate: Live the Good Life in Downtown Chicago
- 03/28/09 12:12 PM
Chicago is a city of neighborhoods, all easily accessible to each other via a great mass transit system. For someone who loves the urban flow and wants to be near work, restaurants, shopping, and things to do, there is no better neighborhood than downtown Chicago. Comprised of River North, Old Town, Gold Coast, Streeterville, Lakeshore East, Loop, Printers Row, West Loop, Greektown, and South Loop, the downtown area currently has about 4,300 units for sale that offer an interesting mix of architectural styles, prices, and amenities. Not surprisingly, the majority of the homes for sale are condominiums or townhomes - new (0 comments)
chicago real estate: Seeing the Big Picture - Turning a Disgruntled Seller into a Very Happy Buyer
- 03/13/09 06:24 AM
If you're selling your home in this current market, your first inclination might be to fixate on how much you paid for your home and cringe when your REALTOR® suggests how you should price your home based on market figures. You might mutter something about how you're giving the house away, especially since you remodeled the bathroom and put on a new roof in your years there. A good REALTOR® will offer you a mind-alerting revelation. You have to see the big picture! Assuming that you are buying another home, you will benefit from the "buyer's market" environment. Another seller who (3 comments)
chicago real estate: 8,000 Reasons to Buy a Home
- 03/11/09 06:46 AM
It's been nearly a month since President Barrack Obama announced his Stimulus Plan, which includes an $8,000 tax credit for first time homebuyers. Some critics claimed it wasn't enough, especially since original drafts of the plan included a $15,000 credit. Other were disappointed that only first time homebuyers could benefit. Builders of new homes were disappointed on both scores. The plan as noted in the chart below has some income restrictions. The credit cannot be used as a down payment. It doesn't have to be paid back. It will be applied against the homeowners' tax liability; if they owe less the (5 comments)
chicago real estate: ChicagoCityHomes - MAKING A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE'S LIVES One Sale at a Time
- 03/03/09 01:25 PM
ChicagoCityHomes, the name of our real estate firm, tells a lot about me and my husband, Louis M. Elia. We have a passion for Chicago and its neighborhoods and we welcome the opportunity to introduce new buyers to the many wonders of the city. Our mission statement describes our goal in business: MAKING A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE'S LIVES. With over 50 years of real estate experience between us, we bring some particular areas of expertise to the table that help match our clients with the perfect property, smooth out any difficulties in the process, and leave them happy to pass (0 comments)
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