Real Estate Information Archive

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Posted by:  Carol Best | Coldwell Banker Real Estate | Licensed since 1992

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E-mail received from: Real Trends, Inc. on 12/8/09
Cities with the most overpriced properties:
 
Comparing median listing price to median sales price, Forbes magazine ranked markets it considered the most overpriced. It also factored in how long the properties stay on the market. In addition, the magazine considered expert forecasts of price increases in the areas, which could be what were encouraging homeowners to price high.
 
The top 10 areas where Forbes found the most over-priced properties were:

1. Orlando
2. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach
3. Jacksonville, Fla.
4. Baltimore-Towson
5. Chicago-Naperville-Joliet
6. San Antonio, Texas
7. Denver-Aurora
8. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater
9. Indianapolis-Carmel
10. Austin-Round Rock
 
Source: Forbes, Francesca Levy (12/03/2009)
 
The Associated Press' Economic Stress Index remains at 10.1 nationwide in October, compared to 6.9 in October 2008.  The index is calculated as a score from 1 to 100 based on foreclosure, bankruptcy, and unemployment. An area is considered stressed when the score exceeds 11. About 37 percent of the nation's 3,141 counties had scores higher than 11 in October.
 
The five states with the highest overall score in October all experienced severe housing downturns:

   1. Nevada, 21.95 index score
   2. Michigan, 17.36
   3. California, 16.48
   4. Florida, 15.4
   5. Arizona, 14.37
 
The least-stressed states were those that have mostly escaped housing issues:

   1. North Dakota, 3.89
   2. South Dakota, 5.14
   3. Nebraska, 5.51
   4. Vermont, 6.43
   5. Montana, 6.64
 
Source: Associated Press, Mike Schneider and Martin Crutsinger: 12/07/2009

Posted by Carol Best | Coldwell Banker Real Estate | Barrington, IL
Carol@CarolBest.net or http://www.CarolBest.net

Sellers:  http://www.luxuryshortsaleinfo.com/

Buyers:  http://www.findluxuryhomeforeclosures.com/ 

Coldwell Banker | Lake County, IL reaches over $500 million dollars in total single family home sales & has 18.5% market share [Y-T-D 2009].  These numbers are for any price, home sold in all of Lake County.

To view the market share graph of homes sold/closed Y-T-D price above $500,000,  click here - Coldwell Banker has 27% market share!!

Thinking of selling?  Why not put 33 offices to work for you today - Coldwell Banker has hundreds of agents working for you and has exceeded $500,000,000 million dollars in single family home sales alone in 2009. 

Work with a broker that knows what to do in this difficult market.  We're selling and closing homes in your area... work with the Best - call, text or e-mail Carol today - Carol@CarolBest.net

Posted by: Carol Best | Coldwell Banker | Barrington, IL | www.CarolBest.net | Call or text Carol @ 773-799-5939 | Carol@CarolBest.net

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      Asbestos Free Homes, Healthy Tips & Green Alternatives

Regarded as one of the ideal states to call home, Illinois is known for being a political center, entertainment, sports and cultural hot spot, as well as having a diverse, rich culture. With many diverse cities offering an array of unique characteristics, many potential home buyers are flocking to the state.

The path to purchasing a new home is a huge accomplishment that requires additional responsibilities. For many, it is the investment of a lifetime, insuring you and your family will have a safe and healthy home for a long foreseeable future. Having the assistance of an experienced and reliable Illinois real estate agent can make this process easy and stress free. 

It is important to take note of the consequences of older building materials whose qualities not only harm the environment, but can create health concerns.

Building green can have profound impacts in many facets of life. The adaption of green building and alternative energy solutions will play an important role in the transformation to a healthier and sustainable world.

Asbestos

Highly utilized more than a century ago, asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was used heavily in building and construction applications. Its flame resistant and highly durable qualities made it an ideal choice for manufacturers. Asbestos normally appeared as insulation for piping, roofing, siding and flooring in homes. Many homes or buildings built prior to 1980 may still contain asbestos materials. This fact should not make you overly worried because exposure to asbestos can be easily avoidable by taking simple precautions.

Healthy Tips for the home

It must be noted that not all asbestos poses health risks. Asbestos that is disturbed or damaged due to age is known as “friable” asbestos. This is a concern because its toxic fibers can easily circulate and become inhaled. If any suspected asbestos is located, the best advice is to leave it alone. If you are having home renovations, performed, do not panic. Again, asbestos that is left un-disturbed will normally pose no threat.

The inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers can result in the development of related illnesses such as asbestosis and mesothelioma. Diagnosis by doctors has been a difficult task because mesothelioma symptoms  are so similar to other, less serious conditions.

If asbestos needs to be removed, it should be performed by licensed abatement contractors. These contractors are trained in the handling and disposal of asbestos in public facilities and homes. Removing asbestos by yourself can potentially spread fibers throughout the air.

Green Alternatives

Implementing eco-friendly methods of building can have positive environmental, health and economic benefits. These benefits include: increased property value, improve quality of life, conservation of natural resources, enhance air quality, protect ecosystems, energy sustainability, and improvement of pulmonary and cardiac health.

Many locations throughout the United States are swiftly changing their construction practices to suit the environment and the health of human beings.  Many green healthy alternatives to asbestos are available and should be sought out upon removal or renovation. These include the use of cotton fiber, lcynene foam and cellulose. Research has demonstrated that these eco-friendly insulation alternatives can even reduce annual energy costs by 25 percent.

Made from recycled batted material, it is also treated to be fireproof.  These green options have the same beneficial qualities as asbestos, minus the health deteriorating and toxic components. Water based spray polyurethane foam, lcynene, is a healthy insulation which contains no toxic components. These new environmentally-sustainable alternatives create healthier and more energy efficient homes in the 21^st century.

posted by:  Carol Best | Call or Text Carol @ 773-799-5939 | www.CarolBest.net

E-mail Carol to buy or sell:  Carol@CarolBest.net

Buyers:  Search all LUXURY FORECLOSURES - click here

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                Bargains   Search foreclosures & short sales

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                     What is my home worth?  What has sold in my neighborhood?

Nobody does it better!  Realtor's Open House Extravaganza unlike any other.  Fourteen (14) homes - serving lunch - 10am thru 2pm - Tuesday, October 13, 2009.

posted by:  Carol Best | Call or Text Carol @ 773-799-5939 | www.CarolBest.net 

E-mail Carol to buy or sell:  Carol@CarolBest.net

Search all LUXURY FORECLOSURES - click here

Buyers:  Search the MLS to find homes for sale in Northern Illinois & Chicago, IL

Bargain Buyers:  Search foreclosures & short sales

HELP for Homeowners - click here

Sellers:  What is my home worth?  What has sold in my neighborhood?

Potential clients are asking the listing agent they interview:  What's the average selling price when your office had the LISTING (seller).  Here are the numbers, through 5/3/09:

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage                          $563,566

Baird Warner                                                                   $488,760

Re/Max - Office A                                                            $427,871

Re/Max - Office B                                                            $451,335

Weichert/McKee                                                             $610,727

C-21 - Office C                                                                $428,588

C-21 - Office D                                                                $367,036

Keller Williams - Office E                                               $341,701

Prudential/Starck                                                            $320,009

Some clients are asking:  What's the average selling price when your office had the BUYER.  Here are the numbers, through 5/3/09:

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage                         $629,590

Baird Warner                                                                   $500,393

Re/Max - Office A                                                            $481,556

Re/Max - Office B                                                            $389,582

Weichert/McKee                                                             $427,090

C-21 - Office C                                                                $457,857

C-21 - Office D                                                                $309,569

Keller Williams - Office E                                               $326,160

Prudential/Starck                                                            $265,761

WOW Factors for Luxury Home Buyers Over 50
Luxury Real Estate Buyers Want:

1)  Outdoor Kitchen

2)  Residential Elevators

3)  Wine room

4)  Zero-threshold shower & a Whirlpool tub

5)  If this is a desert home, unique water features that might mimic the shape of the home

6)  Kitchens that could be wheel-chair accessible, but don't look like it, which includes a bend-free dishwasher

7)  Low-maintenance exteriors which fulfill the homeowner's dream of "lock and leave"

8)  Flexible spaces adjusts to a client's changing needs, i.e. aging parents move in with you, or a room can be converted from a family room to a media room

9)  Walk-in closets with elaborate built-in drawers and glass doors to keep the dust off clothing

10) Kitchen with a pot-filler faucet over the cooking surface

11) Potting room that would include a wide deep sink, cutting boards, indestructible brick floor and ample fenestration - the avid gardeners dream come true

12) For the household Pet:  a pet-feeding station for the mudroom/laundry room and of course a doggie shower

Posted by:  Carol Best - Hunter's Fairway | Sotheby's International Realty
101 S. Wynstone Park Drive | North Barrington, IL 60010

Carol@CarolBest.net | www.CarolBest.net | Call or Text:  773-799-5939

BUYERS in IL:  http://www.FindNorthernIllinoisHomes.com

SELLERS in IL:  http://www.NorthernIllinoisHouseValues.com

International Real Estate Update - Dubai, United Arab Emirates:

According to the Khalee Times newspaper, Dubai real estate and housing prices are likely to slump 37.5% on average this year.  Prices will probably bottom out in 2010, according to the median forecast of ten analysts at research institutions, investment firms, and banks.

Sajeer Babu, an equity analyst at the National Bank of Abu Dhabi said they do not see any near-term recovery in the residential real estate market.

Hundreds of billions of dollars of expansion projects in Dubai have since been canceled in the United Arab Emirates.  Thousands of employees have been laid off... Remember the luxury units on the Palm Jumeirah, a man-made island shaped like a palm tree when you look at it from an airplane, those real estate units have fallen in price at least 40% since last Fall, said the Khalee Times. 

Posted by:  Carol Best | Coldwell Banker in Barrington, IL
Carol@CarolBest.net | www.CarolBest.net

ILLINOIS Buyers - Search our Entire MLS for Free @ http://www.FindNorthernIllinoisHomes.com e">Technorati Profile</a>