Wilmette Real Estate Market Report - Year to Date 2013 It's been a good year to sell your house in Wilmette - overall sales have increased and home prices have gone up along with them.  It was bound to happen - there was pent up buyer demand from several years of a drought real estate market.   Sales were quick with many homes having at least two offers, some with many more.  Buyers were ready with loan approvals in hand and a determined disposition to buy.  Rates were below 4% for most of the year until June when they crept up into the 4s where they should stay for a while.                           2012 Sales - January 1 - July 31              2013 Sales - January 1-July 31                                                      Total Wilmette Home Sales                            211 ho... 08/05/2013

By Art Wilson, Realtor-   Wilmette's June Property sales were 69, up 19.0% from 58 in June of 2012 and 38.0% higher than the 50 sales last month. June 2013 sales were at their highest level compared to June of 2012 and 2011. June YTD sales of 221 are running 10.5% ahead of last year's year-to-date sales of 200.   The Median Sales Price in June was $695,000, up 23.6% from $562,500 in June of 2012 and up 35.9% from $511,504 last month. The Average Sales Price in June was $753,492, up 17.8% from $639,856 in June of 2012 and up 22.9% from $613,168 last month. June 2013 ASP was at highest level compared to June of 2012 and 2011.   The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of June was 136, down -1.4% from 138 last month and down -19.0% from 168 in June of last year. June 2013 In... 07/10/2013

Wilmette Home Sales -  Market Report for June 2013 Wilmette continues to have strong sales, outselling other North Shore villages in terms of number of sales, days on market, and list price to sell price ratio.  Many of these homes sold within days of coming on the market, and some with multiple offers.  Overall, prices have stabilized and are on the rise. There were 55 closed home sales in Wilmette in June (compared to 39 in May) Average List Price:  $865,900 Average Sell Price:  $840,900 List Price to Sell Price Ratio:  97%    Currently For Sale in Wilmette:  81 homes Lowest Price: $295,000 Highest Price:  $2,799,000 Under Contract:  99 (look for high sales in July and August) These statistics for Wilmette home sales are indeed very positive news.  Wilmette sellers have priced their h... 07/01/2013

Kenilworth Gardens is not in Kenilworth Kenilworth Gardens is not in Kenilworth . . . it's actually in Wilmette!  Newcomers to this area are surprised by this since it abuts Kenilworth. The streets that make up Kenilworth Gardens run east-west just west of Ridge Road.  Kenilworth begins on the east side of Ridge Road. The east-west streets that make up Kenilworth Gardens are:  Beechwod, Kenilworth, Thornwood, Chestnut, Greenwood, and Elmwood. Homes for sale in Kenilworth Gardens are more affordable than Indian Hill Estates but can still cost over $1 million.  Most homes are situated on lots that are 50' wide and about 120-130 in depth, although Chestnut Street has lots as deep as 180'. Harper School is the elementary school (K-4th grade) that serves Kenilworth Gardens and it's located r... 06/19/2013

By Art Wilson, Realtor Wilmette's May Property sales were 49, down -9.3% from 54 in May of 2012 and 11.4% higher than the 44 sales last month. May 2013 sales were at a mid level compared to May of 2012 and 2011. May YTD sales of 151 are running 6.3% ahead of last year's year-to-date sales of 142. The Median Sales Price in May was $500,008, down -9.9% from $555,000 in May of 2012 and down -10.6% from $559,500 last month. The Average Sales Price in May was $613,029, down -7.5% from $662,514 in May of 2012 and down -5.7% from $650,401 last month. May 2013 ASP was at the lowest level compared to May of 2012 and 2011. The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of May was 135, up 6.3% from 127 last month and down -16.7% from 162 in May of last year. May 2013 Inventory was at the ... 06/07/2013

Wilmette Real Estate Home Sales for May, 2013   There were 39 home sales in Wilmette last month - selling between $275,000 and $1,801,000. Average List Price:  $711,923 Average Sold Price:  $693,767 List Price to Sell Price Ratio:  97%  Average Market Time:  52 days Currently on the market:  85 homes Lowest Priced:  $329,000 Highest Priced:  $2,900,000 Under Contract:  105 homes Wilmette's home sale statistics have been very strong.  Homes selling at 97% of asking price and market time of just 52 days is so positive that I can't say enough about it.  That is a HUGE swing from where we were several years ago. The market has continued to be robust - there are still multiple offers and properly priced homes sell quickly.  Some sellers have returned their homes to market at higher prices t... 06/03/2013

Multi-family Yard Sale in the Kenilworth Gardens Neighborhood of Wilmette, IL Our inaugural neighborhood yard sale was so successful last year that we have decided to make it an annual event! The second annual Kenilworth Gardens Neighborhood Yard Sale is on Saturday, May 18, and there are over 35 families participating. We're selling furniture, clothing, toys, sports equipment, housewares, collectibles, books, baby items and more! If you live in the neighborhood and want to participate, it’s easy.  All you have to do is drop us a line and tell us you want in, then put prices on your merchandise, drag it outside and welcome the hoards of buyers that are bound to show up on sale day. That’s it. We’ll supply the signs and the advertising to ensure we get a good turnout. If you’re not from... 05/16/2013

Wilmette Real Estate Market Report April 2013   The floodgates have opened wide in Wilmette as 38 homes closed in April!  You can compare sales during the past six months: March 2013:    16 February 2013:    9 January 2013:    12 December 2012:    16 November 2012:    14 October 2012:    24 For April the total of 38 Wilmette home sales looked like this: Average List Price:        $744,758 Average Sale Price:       $717,675 Average List Price to Sell Price Ratio:    94% Average Days on Market:    187 As far as prices go, they are creeping up, but just slightly.  The list to sell price ratio was 94% - much closer than in recent years when homes were overpriced and final sales ended up as low as 75-80% of list price! Inventory is still extremely tight with many homes selling within days o... 05/07/2013

Attention bird watchers: Enjoy Guided Bird Walks in Gillson Park beginning May 5 and continuing each Sunday in May.   The Illinois shoreline juts farthest into Lake Michigan at Gillson Park, making it an excellent spot to observe warblers and other migrant birds as they rest and eat during their long journey north every spring. Beginners and experienced birders of all ages are welcome to join the free, annual guided bird walks sponsored by Go Green Wilmette and the Wilmette Park District.   Where:  Meet at the top of the Wallace Bowl near the Lakeview Center in Wilmette’s Gillson Park.  Don’t forget your binoculars and bird books. When: Tours on May 5th at 7 & 8 a.m. and May 12, 19 & 26 at 8 a.m. For information see www.gogreenwilmette.org or contact info@gogreenwilmette.org (Originally... 05/04/2013

Guided Bird Walks in Gillson Park - Wilmette Put on some comfortable clothes, grab the binoculars and bird books, and head to Gillson Park in Wilmette if you are interested in learning more about birds, both local and migratory. These guided walks will be held on the four Sundays in May and are hosted by Go Green Wilmette and the Wilmette Park District - the tour leaders will help identify what you are seeing. It doesn't matter if you are an experienced birder or out for the first time (like I will be), everyone is welcome.  Plus, these bird walks are free!   Gillson Park is an ideal spot for bird watching because the Illinois shoreline juts out farthest into Lake Michigan at that spot.  This makes it an ideal place to observe warblers and other migratory birds as they rest and eat dur... 05/03/2013

By Art Wilson, Realtor   Wilmette's April Property sales were 41, up 20.6% from 34 in April of 2012 and 57.7% higher than the 26 sales last month. April 2013 sales were at their highest level compared to April of 2012 and 2011. April YTD sales of 99 are running 12.5% ahead of last year's year-to-date sales of The Median Sales Price in April was $550,000, up 21.7% from $452,000 in April of 2012 and up 44.3% from $381,250 last month. The Average Sales Price in April was $655,382, up 27.5% from $514,158 in April of 2012 and up 25.6% from $521,808 last month. April 2013 ASP was at highest level compared to April of 2012 and 2011. The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of April was 113, down -4.2% from 118 last month and down -39.9% from 188 in April of last year. April 2013... 05/02/2013

1630 Sheridan, Wilmette, Illinois About 1630 Sheridan 1630 Sheridan is a 104 unit condo high-rise building on Lake Michigan in Wilmette, Illinois. Average taxes in 1630 Sheridan $8,753 Average association fees in 1630 Sheridan $2,402 ($1,978 - $2,818) Average home size in 1630 Sheridan 0 ft2 Average lot size in 1630 Sheridan 0.00 acres Average year built in 1630 Sheridan 1964 Homes for sale in 1630 Sheridan Address Beds Baths Built Price 1630 Sheridan Rd. #8N 3 2.1 1964 $615,000 1630 Sheridan Rd. #9I 2 2.0 1964 $199,000 1630 Sheridan Rd. #10-C 3 2.1 1964 $520,000 1630 Sheridan Rd. #10L 2 2.1 1964 $625,000 1630 Sheridan Rd. #6G 4 3.1 1964 $475,000 1630 Sheridan Rd. #8G 4 3.1 1964 $599,000 1630 Sheridan Rd. #5G 2 2.0 1964 $225,000 1630 Sheridan Rd. #4K 4 2.1 1964 $399,000 Sales Summary f... 04/28/2013

1420 Sheridan, Wilmette, Illinois About 1420 Sheridan 1420 Sheridan is a mid-rise 74 unit condo building built in 1969 in Wilmette, Illinois. 1420 Sheridan features views of Lake Michigan. Average taxes in 1420 Sheridan $10,697 Average association fees in 1420 Sheridan $2,115 ($1,815 - $2,512) Average home size in 1420 Sheridan 2,694 ft2 Average lot size in 1420 Sheridan 0.00 acres Average year built in 1420 Sheridan 1969 Homes for sale in 1420 Sheridan Address Beds Baths Built Price 1420 Sheridan Rd. #3F 2 3.0 1969 $700,000 1420 Sheridan Rd. #4C 3 3.1 1969 $750,000 1420 Sheridan Rd. #6C 2 3.0 1969 $675,000 1420 Sheridan Rd. #7H 2 3.0 1969 $425,000 Sales Summary for 1420 Sheridan  (Apr 29, 2012 - Apr 29, 2013) # of Sales Average Days on Market Average List Average Sale Ratio% 6 284 $53... 04/28/2013

1500 Sheridan, Wilmette, Illinois About 1500 Sheridan 1500 Sheridan is a 17 story condo building in Wilmette, illinois. Average taxes in 1500 Sheridan $9,415 Average association fees in 1500 Sheridan $1,522 ($1,192 - $2,598) Average home size in 1500 Sheridan 2,041 ft2 Average lot size in 1500 Sheridan 0.00 acres Average year built in 1500 Sheridan 1970 Homes for sale in 1500 Sheridan Address Beds Baths Built Price 1500 Sheridan Rd. #2E 3 2.1 1970 $525,000 1500 Sheridan Rd. #8I 2 2.1 1970 $699,000 1500 Sheridan Rd. #10E 3 3.1 1969 $730,000 1500 Sheridan Rd. #3F 3 3.0 1970 $449,000 1500 Sheridan Rd. #LJ 2 2.0 1969 $389,000 1500 Sheridan Rd. #5A 2 2.1 1969 $325,000 Sales Summary for 1500 Sheridan  (Apr 29, 2012 - Apr 29, 2013) # of Sales Average Days on Market Average List Average Sale R... 04/28/2013

1616 Sheridan, Wilmette, Illinois About 1616 Sheridan 1616 Sheridan is a 83 unit condo building built in 1961 and converted to condos in 1971. 1616 Sheridan is is located on Lake Michigan's beachfront in Wilmette, Illinois. Average taxes in 1616 Sheridan $5,395 Average association fees in 1616 Sheridan $1,896 ($1,682 - $2,119) Average home size in 1616 Sheridan 1,800 ft2 Average lot size in 1616 Sheridan 0.00 acres Average year built in 1616 Sheridan 1963 Homes for sale in 1616 Sheridan Address Beds Baths Built Price 1616 Sheridan Rd. #3E 3 2.1 1962 $325,000 1616 Sheridan Rd. #5E 3 2.0 1965 $395,000 1616 Sheridan Rd. #5H 3 2.0 1962 $199,999 1616 Sheridan Rd. #4G 3 2.0 1961 $219,000 Sales Summary for 1616 Sheridan  (Apr 29, 2012 - Apr 29, 2013) # of Sales Average Days on Market Average ... 04/28/2013

By Art Wilson, Realtor   Wilmette's March Property sales were 26, up 23.8% from 21 in March of 2012 and 100.0% higher than the 13 sales last month. March 2013 sales were at their highest level compared to March of 2012 and 2011. March YTD sales of 57 are running 5.6% ahead of last year's year-to-date sales of 54.   The Median Sales Price in March was $381,250, down -18.2% from $466,000 in March of 2012 and up 15.5% from $330,000 last month. The Average Sales Price in March was $521,808, down -6.0% from $555,032 in March of 2012 and down -1.0% from $527,231 last month. March 2013 ASP was at the lowest level compared to March of 2012 and 2011.   The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of March was 113, equal to 113 last month and down -41.1% from 192 in March of last year.... 04/08/2013

Wilmette & Kenilworth Real Estate Market Report March 2013 Homes are selling quickly - often with multiple offers.  Some sellers are seeing this as an opportunity to raise prices which I definitely saw today while touring new listings.  Inventory is low and seller's have the upper hand. WILMETTE Sold Homes:    16 Average Sold Price:     $691,562 Average List to Sell Price Ratio:    96% Average Number of Days on Market:  99 Current Wilmette Homes for Sale:    70 Low Price:    $295,000 High Price:    $2,495,000  Homes Under Contract:    94 KENILWORTH Sold Homes:    5 Average Sold Price:  $707,100 Average List to Sell Price Ratio: 90% Average Number of Days on Market    113 Current Kenilworth Homes for Sale:    35 Low Price:    $689,000 High Price:  $8,950,000 Homes Under Contract:    17 ... 04/02/2013

Wilmette Condo for Sale - Plaza del Lago If you would like to start living a freer and easier lifestyle on the lake, why not consider living at 1630 Sheridan Road in Wilmette. Technically, the building is a cooperative but the board has recently allowed the use of mortgages for purchases (a very good thing!) This great unit has two bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a huge living room with adjacent dining room, plus the kitchen.  ALL these rooms have views of  Lake Michigan.   Located on the 9th floor (almost the penthouse) the unit is all on one level, unlike many of the others..  So if downsizing is in your future, 1630 Sheridan Road is a good bet. Price:  $210,000 Taxes:  $8640 Monthly Assessment:  $1258 (includes water, parking, security, doorman, TV and cable, exercise facility, pool, ... 03/25/2013

219 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091 Wouldn’t it be great to walk out your front door and onto the golf course to play a few holes after work? Or walk down to the beach whenever the mood strikes? Do you like to sail or kayak in the lake? Do you have dogs that like to go to the dog beach? Would you love to have a huge grassy yard that you don’t have to mow? If you answered yes to any of these questions, consider making this charming stone house your new home. Located at 219 Linden Avenue in Wilmette, this home sits right on the golf course with stunning views of the Baha’i Temple. It’s just a quick walk to Gillson Park, the yacht club, dog beach. And, it’s just two blocks to the el station at 4th and Linden, so you can be downtown in about 40 minutes. The home is lovingly maintained wi... 03/21/2013

How often should I change my smoke alarm batteries?  According to the National Association of State Fire Marshals  (NASFM), you should change the batteries on your smoke alarms at least once a year.   Many people get into the habit of changing their batteries when they set their clocks forward in early Spring. I'm sure that you remembered to set your clocks forward last weekend.  Did you remember to change the batteries in your smoke alarms?   If your smoke alarms are more than ten years old, they should be replaced. They are much more likely to fail after they reach the ten year mark.  Some of the newer alarms have manufacturing dates and a replacement advisory on the back.  If you have older alarms, the date may be absent, or embedded in a hard to read date code.   Working smoke alarm... 03/12/2013