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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Which company in Barrington has the most closed transaction sides since the beginning of 2009 - Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Barrington, IL is the answer.  When you look at closed homes over $3,000,000, we have 50% market share.

Carol offers the Best:  Luxury Marketing Expertise + Coldwell Banker Internet Marketing = RESULTS!

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

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Posted by:  Carol Best - CDPE - CLHMS - ePRO

Single Family (detached) Pending Homes Sales:  Nov. 1, 2009

                          $250-$500K  $501-$750K  $751-$1,000K  $1,001,000+

Lake County                280               99                  29                    34

McHenry County         146               10                   3                       1

Kane County               209                21                   6                      1

DuPage County           420               90                  43                    41

Cook County               500+            249                  93                  146

Pending Trend by Price:

*Up or Down               [-9.6%]          [-20.3%]          [-32.6%]           [-13.6%]   

  *Above comparison relates to the Pending stats on my blog dated June 20, 2009.

IL Buyers:  Search Realtor MLS - No Hassle

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                       Falling Behind in Your Payments?

Posted: November 1, 2009
Carol@CarolBest.net | view Carol's website

      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

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

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

As reported by Real Trends, Inc. on October 13, 2009, the following facts are pertinent for the Midwest real estate market:

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?

Enjoy some of downtown Chicago's BEST hotel bars according to Michigan Avenue magazine - Click here to easily find these very cool spots to sip a beverage or people watch!

Rebar - NoMI - Vertigo - Potter's Lounge - C-View - Seasons Bar

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

Bargains:  Find Luxury Home Foreclosures

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Help:  I am Falling Behind in My Mortgage Payments

Crate & Barrel has entered into a franchise agreement with Dubai-based Al Tayer Group LLC to open stores in the Middle East in 2010.

The world headquarters of Crate & Barrel, in Northbrook, Illinois, said Tuesday that it plans to open stores in Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates and Mirdif City Centre. Crate & Barrel last year held its 1st international opening with a Toronto store and plans to follow up with one in Calgary, Alberta in the Fall of 2009.

“Dubai represents an excellent growth opportunity and launching pad to extend our brand internationally,” says Crate & Barrel CEO Barbara Turf. “It is a robust retail market, with many similarities to U.S. retail—state-of-the-art shopping malls, high-profile global brands and a diverse and sophisticated customer base.”

Crate & Barrel currently has about 160 stores. The Dubai stores will be managed by Al Tayer Trends, a lifestyle retail unit for the franchise company.

“We are pleased to bring the Crate & Barrel franchise to the region and are confident that the brand’s unique product mix, coupled with our regional retail expertise, will create a successful value proposition for customers,” Chief Operating Officer Khalid Al Tayer said. 

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

Bargains:  Find Luxury Home Foreclosures

Sellers:  What is for Sale & Sold in My Neighborhood

Help:  I am Falling Behind in My Mortgage Payments

According to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® latest report, statewide total home sales (which include single-family and condominiums) in August 2009 reached 10,595 homes sold, down 3.0% from August 2008 sales of 10,923.

The Illinois median price in August 2009 was $165,000 down 14.8% from $193,750 in August 2008. The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half sold for less.

U.S. MORTGAGE DELINQUENCIES ARE ON THE RISE:  Plagued by unemployment problems, U.S. mortgage borrowers set a dubious record last month, driving delinquencies to an all-time high and threatening to flood a stabilizing economy with more foreclosures and bankruptcies, data showed this week. According to a monthly report by the credit bureau Equifax, 7.58% of homeowners nationwide fell more than 30 days behind on their mortgage payments in August. It was the 4th straight month of rising delinquencies, and the statistics suggest their pace is beginning to pick up. August's delinquency rate also was more than double the rate at the same time two years ago, when 3.44 percent of borrowers were more than a month past due. Moody's also reported a rise in personal bankruptcy filings for August, which were up 32% from figures in 2008. The credit bureau said, however, that borrowers appeared to be paying more of their consumer debts off on time, in spite of the mortgage crunch. Figures showed serious delinquencies on credit cards actually dropped in August for the third straight month.  
Source: DSNews.com, Adam Weinstein (09/22/2009)

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

Bargains:  Find Luxury Home Foreclosures

Sellers:  What is for Sale & Sold in My Neighborhood

Help:  I am Falling Behind in My Payments

Inman News - by Dian Hymer - 8/24/09:  Making the Right Choice... Listen Up to determine if you will only talk to, hear from, or see your agent @ the appointment to list your home.  Does your Realtor have a team that works for them... will you ever see them again?  Read Dian Hymer's article below:

Assembling the right team of professionals to assist you during a home purchase or sale is imperative, particularly in today's challenging home-sale market. Selecting the right real estate agent can be critical to your ultimate success.

As in any business, there are good agents and agents who aren't so good. Don't confuse years in the business or number of homes sold with quality service. Some top-performing agents provide their clients with excellent service. Agents who do a lot of business have a wealth of experience to draw from that can be helpful when problems arise.

However, some agents are more interested in making a commission than they are in satisfying their clients. They might sign up the listing promising to sell your home quickly for the best price possible. After that, you may see or hear little from that agent. Rather, you'll interact with assistants who may or may not have the experience needed to adequately take care of your needs.

Make certain before you list your home for sale or select an agent to represent you as a buyer that you fully understand what your agent will and will not do for you. Find out if you'll be working one-on-one with your agent or if others will be involved. 

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

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