marla schneider team: Michael Jordan's Mansion on the Market! - 03/08/12 10:48 AM
Michael Jordan's house in Highland Park has just been put on the market with a whopping $29 million listing price. If it sells for anywhere close to this, it will become the most expensive publicly listed property to date in the Chicago area, beating out one in Lake Bluff that sold for $16 million in 2007.Would you like to have a look at the property? So would a lot of others no doubt, but you must first provide documentation that you could actually afford to buy the estate. And don't forget about paying property taxes. According to public records, the property … (2 comments)

marla schneider team: Showing Your Glenview Home on a Moment's Notice - 03/01/12 12:39 PM
While selling your Glenview home may be just what you want to happen, showing your Glenview home is sometimes not so much fun. Always being ready for prospective homebuyers to come through your home, scrutinizing every little detail, noticing every thread that's out of place, can lead to some stress in your personal life.Here are some tips and tricks for keeping your home "open-house ready" on a moment's notice (well, maybe more than a moment, but not much!) First of all, we will start with the assumption that your Glenview home is basically well-kept so that a quick once-over is all … (0 comments)

marla schneider team: Finding the Perfect Glenview Neighborhood - 02/28/12 04:06 AM
Finding the perfect Glenview house for you and your family doesn't end there. You also need that perfect house to be in the perfect neighborhood.  Once you've found a good candidate for the perfect house, here are a few tips to make sure it's also located in the perfect neighborhood:1.  Commuting:  Take a test drive from the prospective house to your job. Is the time about what you thought it would be? Were there bottlenecks in spots where you could get stuck in traffic for long periods? 2.  Community Association:  Is the home you're looking at situated in a Glenview neighborhood … (2 comments)

marla schneider team: Closets Can Be Great Selling Features In Your Glenview Home! - 02/21/12 07:20 AM
Did you ever think that a lowly closet could be a great selling feature in your Glenview home? Well, it's true.  Most people realize the value of closet space these days, and the buyers looking at your home are probably no exception. You may think no one will notice your closets, but don't kid yourself. And since the only way to get a look at the real dimensions is to open the door, most buyers do. They may try to do it on the sly, some ask the showing agent first, while others just barge right in. So be prepared, as … (0 comments)

marla schneider team: Sharpen Your Ice Skates, Dust Off Your Sleds--It's Time for Winter Fun in Glenview! - 02/17/12 04:05 AM
If you have the desire this winter to do a bit of sledding or ice skating, now is the time to watch for snow and plan your day at one of the sledding hills that are part of the Glenview Parks District. If there have been several days of sub-freezing temperatures, the ice rinks will be flooded by park personnel. Once flooding commences, it takes approximately three days for the ice to be safe for skating.Here is the low-down on which parks have sledding hills and/or outdoor ice skating rinks:Sledding Hills:Flick Park, 3600 Glenview RoadJohns Park, 2101 Central RoadOutdoor Ice Skating:Flick … (1 comments)

marla schneider team: Despite the Groundhog's Prediction, Spring Will Come to Glenview: Will Your Lawn be Ready? - 02/14/12 12:42 PM
In the deep, deep of winter, with the groundhog predicting still more to come, let your mind wander to your Glenview lawn. Will it need some perking up come spring? Get out those gardening books and catalogs or go online to see what you might come up with to spruce up your yard when winter finally bids us farewell.
One great way to add color, drama, and dimension to your landscape is with ornamental trees. Small in height but large in looks, there are a big variety of such plants to choose from. Here are five that you may want to … (0 comments)

marla schneider team: Take the Stress Out of Moving to Your North Shore Home - 01/26/12 08:16 AM
You have found your perfect North Shore home, escrow will be closing soon, and it’s time to start packing up and getting ready to move. This is an exciting time but when it comes to the challenges of actually packing and moving, whether doing it yourself or hiring a moving company, it can quickly become overwhelming unless you are prepared to avoid these common mistakes.
Set a BudgetOne all too common mistake is being in the dark on moving costs. There are many costs involved with moving so be sure to set a budget appropriately, and then add some cushion for … (0 comments)

marla schneider team: Being Prepared to Buy Your North Shore Home - 01/03/12 12:52 PM
If you are looking to buy a new North Shore home in 2012, securing a mortgage loan is among the first steps. Lending standards will remain tight in 2012, but being proactive and well-prepared can score you a great loan with an attractive rate.
Here are some tips to help you improve your chances for success by being well-prepared in advance when securing your mortgage loan.
Have Documents Ready Every lender requests basic documents when applying for a mortgage. Having some of these ready before arriving at the lender’s office can help to expedite the process. You will need your … (3 comments)

marla schneider team: What's Happening Around Glenview on New Year's Eve? - 12/30/11 05:52 AM
Wondering where to go and what to do on New Year's Eve in or around Glenview, Northbrook or Wilmette? Here are several things that will be happening in the area this year whether you want to have an adult party or something where the kids can celebrate too. Prices vary and some require reservations. And don't forget, the countdown doesn't always involve staying awake till midnight anymore!
Glenview
Kohl's Children's Museum: If there are kids in your family that want to join in the New Year's Eve celebrations this year, you can do so mid-day at the Kohl's Children's Museum. Mindy … (0 comments)

marla schneider team: Checklist for Selling Your Glenview House - 12/27/11 04:55 PM
When selling your Glenview house, all the details and “to-do’s” can get overwhelming. It is useful to use a quick checklist to ensure you are best prepared, before and after your house hits the market, to help alleviate some stress and make sure your home is ready to show at all times.
Here is a simple checklist to help you before and after listing your home:
Do Simple Repairs Before Listing: With a critical buyer’s eye, do a complete walk around the inside and outside of your house and look for all things that are wrong so they can be repaired … (2 comments)

marla schneider team: Keep the Windows of Your North Shore Home Clean - 12/20/11 04:28 PM
 
Although the weather outside is getting downright chilly, you still want that sunshine to come through your windows during the day and show off that great Christmas Tree in the front window of your North Shore home at night.
Keeping clean windows is especially important if you are selling your North Shore home this winter as windows not only make rooms look larger but also bring in more natural light showing off the great assets in your home.
Windows look best if cleaned thoroughly at least twice a year inside and out by a professional, but there are some … (4 comments)

marla schneider team: Share in the Holiday Traditions at the Wilmette Theatre - 12/12/11 11:23 PM
 
 
The North Shore is rich with history and family events for all ages. If you have never visited the Wilmette Theatre in the Village of Wilmette, you can bring the entire family to share in the nostalgia and holiday traditions this weekend
Friday December 16th at 7pm - The Wilmette Theatre is showing the original 1946 version of It’s A Wonderful Life. Bring the entire family to see this holiday classic, have some hot cocoa and even have your picture taken with Santa Claus. You can Buy Tickets for $10 to partake in this Wilmette tradition.
 Saturday December 17th … (0 comments)

marla schneider team: Choosing a Small House on the North Shore - 12/06/11 10:49 AM
 
If you are shopping for a home on the North Shore you will notice that there are both small homes and larger homes available. Which size home is right for you? Should you buy a large home just because it’s affordably priced?
In today’s market, there are many large luxury homes being sold at low prices. However, if you do not truly need a home that size, buying a smaller home has many advantages. Also, if you look at sales, you will find that sales are up with smaller square-footage homes, which means when you do decide to sell, a … (0 comments)

marla schneider team: Things to Consider When You're Ready to Buy Your First Glenview Home - 11/29/11 09:23 AM
 
 
Buying a home is probably one of the largest purchases you will ever make. When looking to buy your first Glenview home, there are key things to consider when choosing a house to make sure it is the perfect one for your family and will give you a good resale value when it comes time to sell.
Stay Within Your BudgetOne of the biggest priorities to first-time homebuyers is finding an affordable home. Once you have decided on a target price that will fit within your budget, stay firm on not exceeding that target price. It may be … (0 comments)

marla schneider team: Tips to Ensure a Successful Thanksgiving Day in Your Glenview Home - 11/22/11 07:41 AM
Thanksgiving is this week, and I’m so excited! This holiday means lots of people, lots of conversation and lots of detail!
If you are hosting Thanksgiving dinner at your Glenview home this year, here are some last-minute tips that you can do the day before to help ensure a successful Thanksgiving Day.
Pull frozen breads, sauces and desserts out to thaw Wednesday so they’re ready in time for dinner tomorrow.
Pay a little extra attention to your kitchen – mop floors and wipe down countertops since you will be using them at full capacity.
Buy or make extra ice so that … (2 comments)

marla schneider team: Reduce Your North Shore Home Heating Bills This Winter - 11/17/11 02:31 PM
Winter on the North Shore will be here before you know it, and as temperatures drop, heating costs rise. An average North Shore gas bill is around $160 per month, and as your homes’ square footage increases, so does your bill.
There are, however, some things that you can do to help lower your gas and electric bills this winter.
Take advantage of rebates: ComEd and Nicor Gas offer rebate programs. Now is a great time, with holiday sales, to buy new energy-efficient appliances. If you do treat yourself to new appliances, ComEd is offering a utility rebate program for … (3 comments)

marla schneider team: Tax Deductions for Your North Shore Home - 11/15/11 04:58 PM
If you are a first-time homeowner, there are many joys and “firsts” that come with owning a new North Shore home. Aside from the new pride of ownership, maintaining and up keeping your new home, there are also new tax considerations to become familiar with as tax season nears.
Many tax advantages come with a new home, whether it is a condominium, townhouse or single-family residence. While taxes will never be easy again and you will be forced to detail your deductible expenses, the good news is that you can deduct many home-related expenses.
Here are some homeowner expenses that you … (0 comments)

marla schneider team: Decide if an ARM is the Way to Go When Buying Your Glenview Home - 10/27/11 10:28 AM
 

If you are preparing to buy a home in Glenview, it may seem logical to be pre-approved for a 30-year fixed loan considering that mortgage rates continue to be at historic lows. However, there may be some logic to financing your new home with an ARM depending on your personal situation.
According to Jacqueline Racz, a loan originator for PrimeLending, mortgage banking has always seen shifts in which consumers gravitate toward certain products. "Even back in the '90s when fixed rates jumped up into the nines, the ARMs were always very low in comparison," she says. "Right now they … (0 comments)

marla schneider team: Autumn is a Great Time to Sell Your Glenview Home - 10/20/11 06:32 AM
If you need to sell your Glenview home during the fall season, don’t let the cold weather discourage you. In fact, home selling during autumn is the second best time of the year to sell your home!
The North Shore is bathed in beautiful fall colors and with it comes cooler temperatures. People are ready and willing to home shop while enjoying the wonders of fall in Glenview; since summer is gone, the kids are back in school, and there is a period of calm before the holidays arrives.
Here are some simple steps to perk up your home specifically for … (0 comments)

marla schneider team: Fall Chores for Your North Shore Home - 10/18/11 09:32 AM
Chances are you are enjoying all those great fall activities that the North Shore has to offer - changing of colors, fall festivals and harvests, right up to handing out candy to those little goblins in your neighborhood.
However, don’t forget to spend some time taking care of those fall chores before the first hard freeze sets in.
Blow Out Your SprinklersDon’t let your pipes freeze this winter from laziness. Once your water is turned off for the season, get your sprinklers blown out. If you have a large air compressor, you can blow them out yourself or hire a local … (0 comments)