I wish I were a buyer in Skokie today.....
Buyer's, take note! 7649 N. Kostner, a brand new construction 4 bedroom up 3.5 bath home with stunning Chef's grade kitchen opening to great room with fireplace, huge living room and party sized dining room, master suite with spa quality bath and massive walk in closet, sharply finished basement with lots of living space, and large yard with deck and 2.5 car garage all situated across from beautiful park with kids playground and tennis court is now priced at $798,500. That is almost a 20% discount from the builders original asking price. See the home at http://7649kostner.com , or call us directly at 773-465-4200 for a private showing. While you are in the neighborhood, check out Skokie's festival of cultures on Saturday and Sunday May 17th and 18th and see why Skokie is one of the North Shores family friendly (and affordable) suburbs. There are so many exceptional values in Skokie, why not start your search at http://coldwellbankerleader right now!!!
Posted by Earl Ruthman at 7:07 PM 0 comments
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Evanston, huge new construction is 33% cheaper!
Coldwell Banker Leader Realty announces it will be offering the exciting new loft project with never before seen space options and pricing packages. "This project is priced at $200.00 per square foot, our competition is priced at $300.00 per square foot and up." "If you are a buyer who has been waiting for a price reason to buy, this is the reason" says Lonny Porter, Developer of the 2100 Greenwood lofts. We have priced this project at a place where buyers can be fearless in making a buying decision. We are 33% less expensive than other Evanston new construction projects. To see the floor plan, Please call Earl Ruthman, Broker, Coldwell Banker Leader Realty. The space, price and amenities will excite even the most weary of home seekers.
This summer and early Fall the 27 new lofts will be ready for delivery in Evanston. The development, 2100 Greenwood, is being constructed in what once was the Main Steel building, which dates back to the 1950s. The loft renovation process involved preserving much of the original building design and also incorporates a lot of green elements in that material was recycled and reused for construction. There is plenty of exposed brick and steel, giving the lofts a classic, traditional look while still showcasing plenty of luxury finishes.
The lofts at 2100 Greenwood will range in size from 980 to 2,700 square feet with prices starting at $335,000. The condos, depending on what floor they sit, either have private patios, Juliet balconies or recessed terraces. A few even have both terraces and patios. A portion of the condos have dramatic, 20 foot ceilings and are also handicap accessible for those with disabilities. All come with one indoor heated parking space for your automobile.
Other interior details include a top of the line stainless steel appliance package for the kitchen, granite counter tops, kitchen island, and hardwood flooring. Buyers get a choice of select cabinet finishes and colors, tile and flooring. The development features a beautifully landscaped courtyard with brick paths, lighting and a building lobby with secure entrance.
2100 Greenwood is sure to be a popular choice for buyers in the market for a home in the suburbs, and the units there are comparable to many of the luxury condominium projects in Evanston and the city of Chicago neighborhoods such as Lakeview and Lincoln Park. Just look, we have taken the fear out of your purchase.
Labels: Chicago condominium, Evanston Condominium, Evanston Loft, Evanston New Construction
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
FHA loan limits increased! you can buy!
Great news for 1st time buyers, there are new increased loan limits for FHA purchases! You can buy a 2 or 3 flat building with minimal downpayment, you can buy with less than perfect credit, you can take advantage of the huge selection of available homes and very attractive financing packages that are available.
to look at the attractive selection of available area property go to http://coldwellbankerleader.com
to look at all the available financing packages, check out
http://www.yourillinoishome.com/financing/mortgageprograms.htm
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Short Sale, Fact or fiction?
Everyone dreams about a bargain. In the real estate industry, handyman's specials, relocation sales, and yes, even foreclosure sales have been used as headlines by realtors to attract buyers in search of a property they can purchase at below market value. Nowadays, the new buzzword seems to be "short sale". I have been a real estate broker for 20 years now, and this term really has me shaking my head. My take on the process is something like this......
Realtor R approaches a seller who is having some financial challenges, and notes that the seller owes $400,000.00 on his mortgage. Realtor R feels that in today's market, the sellers home needs to be priced at $350,000 in order to be sellable in the current scheme of things. Realtor R advises the seller to list his property for $350,000, and Realtor R will negotiate with the mortgage holder (the bank) when a contract is written to accept less than is owed on the property so that the bank doesn't have to go through the process of foreclosing on the mortgage with the seller. Realtor R is negotiating a lower price for the buyer, he is letting the world know that the seller is having financial troubles, and he is asking the bank to take a loss on the mortgage that is owed, and at the same time asking the bank to also let him take his commission from the lowered procedes. Realtor R also says he is doing this to help save the sellers credit, even though the seller will have no equity from the closing. Sounds like a nice arrangement for Realtor R, and the purchaser, while the bank accepts a loss and allows for a commission, and the seller walks away from the closing with nothing.
I have been following listings that have been termed "short sales" in the multiple listing service of northern Illinois in Skokie, Lincolnwood, and West Rogers park for the past year, and what I have found is not surprising. There are currently 74 listings in these areas active in the multiple listing service with the term "short sale" in the remarks, and there have only been 3 properties that have actually closed. Not very good ratios of list to close.
What does this indicate you ask buyer's who are looking for a bargain? What this indicates to me is that if you see the term short sale in the remarks of a listing you are trying to purchase, the chances of you actually owning that property are somewhere between slim and none.
There are so many well priced properties on the market right now that can actually be bought. Why waste time and energy looking at the "short sale" pipe dream.
Go to http://coldwellbankerleader.com , and search our database of listings. Our sellers want their property sold!!!!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Skokie, what makes it the North Shores Best....
Skokie's proximity to the city, public transportation, highly rated school system, abundance beautiful parks, magnificent Library, and harmonious ethnic diversity is often pointed to when discussing villages with the highest quality of life. Now we can confirm what we already have known by clicking here.........
http://citytowninfo.com/places/illinois/skokie
To see all listings in Skokie, Lincolnwood, Morton grove and the surrounding suburbs, visit us at http://coldwellbankerleader.com , search quickly, easily, and anonomously.
thanks so much!
Monday, February 18, 2008
New signs of life in Skokie and West Rogers Park
Even though it is 7 degrees outside, and we are seeing a new coat of snow on a daily basis, the Skokie and West Rogers Park real estate market is showing signs of a wake up! In January and February of 2008 we have had a number of listings in Skokie and West Rogers Park go under contract the first week they have been put on the market. Does this mean we are back to the days of multiple offers? No. Does this mean buyer's are realizing that with interest rates at historic lows and prices of existing area homes recalibrated for the year 2008 that the time is right to acquire an area home that you can be proud of, and optimistic about it as a smart investment? I would say yes! There are so many opportunities for buyer's to own property that was out of their reach just 2 years ago available today. See for yourself. Go to http://coldwellbankerleader.com and see what you can own. You will be pleased at what you will find. It's a New year and new market, buyer's, what are you waiting for?
Posted by Earl Ruthman at 9:51 AM 0 comments
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Shoveling out, and buyer's are coming back to the market.
How to make your uncle and brother in law very jealous............
Now that we are past the Holiday season and heading into the sweet (snowy) part of winter, I am noticing many more buyers actually looking (not just on a website, actually walking through) at our company's listing inventory. Furthermore, we have actually seen a number of our listings go under contract in the month of January and early part of February. Is this due to mortgage reductions? Is this due to buyers believing the housing market pricing has levelled off? Is this Due to pent up demand, or is this due to a real spring real estate market on the horizon? All of these are playing a part, and quite frankly, who cares what the answer is, we are delighted to see buyers actually make an offer, and sellers acknowledging those offers with acceptance!
In the past, one of my fears as a realtor was always during the attorney approval period, that a buyer's uncle, brother in law or friend would point out how much cheaper he or she purchased their house in the same neighborhood just one or 2 years prior. This would make the buyers feel like they were making a mistake, and buyers remorse would set in. Today, what is that uncle or brother in law to say? " hey buyer, don't you know I purchased my property 2 years ago for much more money than you are paying today? How could you dare buy for so much less than I did..............
Come on prospective buyers, want to make your uncle or brother in law jealous? Buy some property today!
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About Me
- Earl Ruthman
- I have worked in the Chicago area real estate as a broker, pre-licensing instructor, sales manager and investor for over 20 years. Have a question about real estate? My experience can be in your corner. Just ask, I am there.
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