Real Estate Information Archive

HOME SELLERS:

Take Note:   According to a Zillow post on Inman News there is a large pent-up pool of homeowners waiting to put their properties up for sale, should they start to see a turn-around in their community.  Here is a small exerpt from the Inman News article that hit the news wire today:

Zillow's second-quarter Homeowner Confidence Survey found 29 percent of homeowners would be at least somewhat likely to put their home on the market if they see signs of a turnaround, "signaling an abundance of potential shadow inventory waiting in the wings," the company said.

So if you are contemplating placing your home up for sale in 2010, I suggest you do it in January because the Buyers will begin early, in their search of homes for sale... priced right, your home will sell!

SELLERS in Illinois - Find out what homes are currently for Sale & Closed in your neighborhood [NOTE:  Appraisers are only using SOLD prices from the last 6 months]

Buyers in Illinois - E-Z No-Hassle Search of the MLS

Buyers looking for a Steal or a Deal - Sign Up to Search Foreclosures

SELLERS - Know someone that can no longer afford to keep their home?  Help them to save their credit rating by signing up here.  A Short Sale is less damaging than a Foreclosure on their credit - make the smart choice.

Posted by:  Carol@CarolBest.net - http://CarolBest.net
Coldwell Banker | Barrington, IL  60010

Call or Text:  773-799-5939

How sad - another family run company is going out of business in the Chicago and suburban areas.  Plunkett Furniture, as reported in Crains Chicago Business is closing its doors.  Founded in 1931, it is the latest casualty due to the housing crash!

The store closings should be completed by early August of 2009, as reported by Crain's Chicago Business.

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

Buyers in IL:  www.FindNorthernIllinoisHomes.com

SELLERS in IL:  www.NorthernIllinoisHouseValues.com

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

As posted by Carol Best - who has obtained her GREEN designation from NAR

Realtors are on an endless learning curve...  The new GREEN movement in real estate which includes self-sustaining communities, rainwater systems, net metering, reclaimed and recycled materials, energy efficiencies and water conservation systems are just the tip of the iceberg. We need to be more conscious of our current carbon footprint and the impact it has on future generations.

We are launching a new community here in Illinois, west of Chicago. Our award-winning developer and GREEN building team is launching a very unique community.  We've even received special zoning from officials in Kane County, IL - Agricultural/Conservation - in keeping with the year 2030 future planning vision.  Our unique community will have single family homes, built by our green master builder.  Our world-class equestrian facility is being endorsed by a gold-medal Olympian for Hunter/Jumpers.

To learn more, log on to:  http://LiveatSerosunFarms.com

For the Equestrian:  http://RideatSerosunFarms.com

A community of this calibur, with super-energy-efficient homes ranging from $700,000 to $2,000,000 is ahead of the curve.  I am honored to be the chosen Realtor to market this awesome project.

Carol Best - GREEN, CRS, ePRO, CLHMS, CNHS, RCC, CDPE
Coldwell Banker | Barrington, IL  60010
Cell:  773-799-5939
Carol@CarolBest.net

In January of 2007, I attended a real estate conference for Top Producers in Hawaii.  Due to market changes and the various breakout sessions, these agents from across the country gave me the strength and confidence to literally walk away from Sellers that refuse to price their homes to sell.

SELLERS:  Did you know that your home is in a beauty contest and a price war?  Is your home outdated?  If you are not motivated to either price it right or update it, then don't put it up for sale - we alread have a year or more of inventory.  It is a Buyers market - not a Sellers market.

SELLERS:  Did you know that agents "buy your listing" by telling you that your home is worth more than it actually is?  Then, after some time on the market, your listing agent hammers you for price reductions... well that's not my style.

The last two years I've walked away from a substantial number of real estate listings - over $10 million dollars worth.  I have no regrets - all of these homes are STILL for SALE!  Call it what you may, but I am here to tell Sellers the TRUTH!  I will not tell the potential client what they want to hear, but in the end, I will provide them with all the facts and the truth. 

My style is to obtain trust and gain respect for my honesty... that means a lot to me!

Posted by:  Carol Best
Coldwell Banker | Barrington, IL  60010 | www.CarolBest.net

Buyers:  www.FindNorthernIllinoisHomes.com

SELLERS:  www.NorthernIllinoisHouseValues.com