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Best of my Blog Why do I need an agent?
February, 2011
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Every once in a while, I will work with a buyer or seller who wants to skip the real estate agents and talk directly to the other party. I get that. Sometimes its frustrating to work through intermediaries -- particularly when you are trying to....
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"2012 may be remembered as the year home prices started rising again, but owning remains significantly cheaper than renting in the Chicago area."
Even as prices rise, owning beats renting cost in Chicago
-Crain's Chicago Business
"The McMansion generation is in downsizing mode.
Millions of Americans age 50 and older are looking around their spacious homes and are deciding they don't need all that room anymore. The kids are gone, maybe a spouse, too. And they could really use the money from a sale to bulk up their retirement funds."
"More and more, people are starting to crave the practicality of one-story living.
That's why more one-story homes are being built, new two-story homes often come with a master bedroom on the first floor and even older ranch homes are getting a second look."
- Market Watch
Will Housing Inventory Bottom in 2013?
- Calculated Risk
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BUYING AND SELLING A HOME IN 2013
5 REAL ESTATE RESOLUTIONS
FOR 2013
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Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days o' lang syne!
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Greetings!
Happy New Year and welcome back to "How's the Market?" I trust your holidays were memorable and joyous.
I took some time off in early December to go to Hawaii. While it was wonderful, it was also strange to be listening to Christmas carols like, I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas, while clearly people really seemed to be feeling, "I love being in this warm climate." The trip also made the holiday season speed faster for me this year, so it's hard to believe the holidays are already over and it's time to begin the new year.
2012 was a great year for me, real estate wise, so I'm looking forward to 2013 with optimism. I like to believe that we have indeed finally turned the corner and the market is recovering. We may never experience the sort of price explosion like we saw in the early 2000s, but I actually think that's a good thing. My hope is that the real estate market returns to normal and people can buy and sell homes with some ease and less uncertainty.
In any case, I am cautiously hopeful that our politicians will settle everything with the budget and we can get on with 2013 and have a great year!
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Just the facts...
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The North Shore's Highest Sales in December
Kenilworth - 531 Essex Road
(new construction)
Original List Price - $3,875,000
List - $3,975,000
Sale - $3,700,000 (93%)
Total Days on Market - 485
Total Days on Market at Final List Price - 26
Lake Forest - 660 Green Bay Road
Original List Price - $8,950,000
List - $3,750,000
Sale - $3,385,000 (90%)
Total Days on Market - 1654
Total Days on Market at Final List Price - 141
Winnetka - 1201 Linden Street (new construction)
List - $3,475,000
Sale - $3,325,000 (96%)
Total Days on Market - 198
Winnetka - 1201 Lindenwood Avenue (new construction)
Original List Price - $3,275,000
List - $3,475,000
Sale - $3,250,000 (94%)
Total Days on Market - 395
Total Days on Market at Final List Price - 170
Total of 8 homes closed for over $2,000,000 during the month of December:
Highland Park - 3
Lake Forest - 2
Winnetka - 2
Kenilworth - 1
(There are currently 154 homes for sale over $2,000,000.)
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Best Whole House Before and Afters 2012
Home may be where the heart is, but you hardworking readers prove that an entire house overhaul isn't just about passion and dedication-it's good cardiovascular exercise, too.
from This Old House
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10 Real Estate Trends to Watch in 2013
 Five years and 16 million foreclosures after the 2008 housing crash, most Americans have not lost faith in real estate. In a survey this summer of more than 2,000 adults by home buyer website Trulia, 61 percent of respondents predicted that prices in their local market would rise next year, 58 percent thought prices would take 10 years or less to get back to their pre-crash peak, and almost 80 percent of current renters said they plan to buy a home someday...
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5 hot green building materials for 2013
2012 is drawing to a close, and it's time to look toward 2013. Although I am not psychic by any means, I do have a pretty good eye for industry trends. I think that these 5 new(ish) green building products will be hot in 2013.
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"Every year I write my annual real estate predictions, and this year my 2013 real estate predictions are a bit more aggressive, primarily because the market is making movement.
Previous years, the movement has been slight, more or less, and generally in a downward trend. Next year, we will see improvement.
I wish I could say we're in for a total economic recovery, but that's just wishful thinking. The way things are going, that's going to happen when pigs fly. It's a long ways out there. Still, we do have some interesting developments coming up next year.
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Featured Listing - currently exempt
1143 N. Sheridan Road, Lake Forest
Walk to town, schools, beach and train from this delightful home in East Lake Forest. Stunningly decorated and magnificently landscaped, this serene and lovely home is a wonderful place to both entertain and unwind. Amazing kitchen space with both a sitting area and breakfast bar. With two fireplace, a great mudroom, finished basement, two offices, laundry on the second floor and a host of other features, this is an ideal place to call home!
List Price: $1,250,000 4BR/3.1 Baths
( Contact me directly if you would like more information about this wonderful property.) |
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As always, if there is any way that I can assist you with your real estate needs, please don't hesitate to call or write!
Wishing you peace, joy and hope in 2013!
Ann
R. Ann Jones,
Broker Associate
Prudential Rubloff Properties
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Sites To Be Seen
I've decided to add a new feature to my newsletters this year, "Sites to be Seen." If you've got a favorite local blog or site that you'd like to share, just send me the link and I'll promote it.
This month, I share my sister's wonderful blog:
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