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How's the Market?

Real Estate News of Chicago's North Shore   

January, 2014 

Happy New Year!  
January 1
In This Issue
Best of my Blog
In the news...
Just the facts...
Highest sales in December
10 Things Luxury Buyers Should Obsess Over
Buying a Home in the Offseason
Best Trees for Winter
Tips to Sell your home
Why Wait for Spring?
Financial Trends for 2014
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Best of my Blog
Do you know this place?
Ware Garden
When I was a young child, after Sunday School I would climb up along the stone wall that ran from the Kenilworth Union Church along the corners of Kenilworth Avenue and Warwick Road...
 
In the news...
"Chicago-area single-family home prices surged 10.9 percent higher in October compared with the same month last year, the biggest yearly local increase in almost 15 years...."
Crains Chicago Business
 
"Last year, about 36 million people in the U.S. picked up and moved, either across town or across the country. That was about one in 10 Americans, or 11.7 percent.... In fact ...this is about as low as it's ever been, dating all the way back to the 1940s..."

"More seniors are living with their children these days, but don't blame the slow U.S. economy. Blame demographics.

Since the mid-1990s, the share of people 65 years old and over living with their children or other relatives has risen from around 6.6% to 7.3% in 2013, according to an analysis..."

- Wall Street Journal

 

"With big changes coming to the mortgage industry at the beginning of next year, many consumers will want to evaluate their homebuying plans. Regulations drafted by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will change the ..."

Planning to Buy a Home in 2014? Get Ready Now

- Credit.com 

 

"Tighter housing inventory is causing lenders to brace for potential headwinds as the nation plows toward 2014 and the enactment of new mortgage lending rules..."

- Housing Wire

 

 
Step of the Month
#5 Don't Be a Pig When It Comes to Money
  
My most recent ad
January 2014 advertisement
   

"Hope
Smiles from the threshold of the year to come, 
Whispering 'it will be happier'..."  
- Alfred Tennyson
 
 
View Previous News Letters
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As I look out my window, I am enchanted with the beauty of the snow around me... I haven't ventured outside yet, so I imagine it's prettier to look at than be navigating!   

Hope you had a festive and joyous holiday season... I find that there is something invigorating about starting the new year.  It's a like a fresh slate with new ideas, new goals, and great expectations.

I write these newsletters with the hope that you enjoy reading them.  I would be curious to know if there are articles that you find particularly useful and interesting -- things you would like the newsletter to cover in the months ahead.   Any feedback would be welcomed and appreciated!

Here's to the New Year!   Let's hope it's a good one for all of us!
 
Just the facts...

Before I share with you my end of year recap, I thought you might be interested in the summary version from my company.    

2013 is probably going to be thought of as the year that the market turned into positive territory.  It has been a challenging few years, so 2013 was a welcome relief!  As I was pulling together my end of year recap, I was amazed at the numbers and seeing the improvements from 2012!

So how is the market?   
 
The North Shore's Highest Sales in December

901 Rosemary, LF

Lake Forest - 501 E. Rosemary Road

List - $5,950,000

Sale - $5,057,253 (85%)

Total Days on Market -76

  Sold with an adjoining parcel of land

  List - $1,595,000

  Sale - $750,000 (47%)

 

Winnetka - 1190 Westmoor Road

Original List Price - $4,400,000

List - $4,200,000 

Sale - $4,175,000 (99%)

Total Days on Market - 145

Total Days on Market at Final List Price - 27

     

Evanston - 581 Ingleside Park

List - $4,200,000

Sale - $4,069,772 (97%)

Total Days on Market - 9

 

Total of 10 homes closed for over $2,000,000 during the month of December:

Evanston - 1 

Winnetka - 4

Kenilworth - 1

Glencoe - 1

Highland Park - 1

Lake Forest - 2 

(There are currently 171 homes for sale over $2,000,000.)

       
10 Things, Besides Location, Luxury Real Estate Buyers Should Obsess Over

"...You already know the adage: location, location, location. But besides location, there are other things that high-end buyers would be wise to spend more energy, money and time on...."
 
Six Things to Remember When Buying a Home in the Offseason

 

"It used to be that the best time for buying or selling a home was during what was known as the 'home buying season,' a period from the first warm days of March until vacation time in August. Any other time, especially around the holidays, saw few buyers and fewer listings.

But in recent years, the idea of a season for buying a home has...
  
Best Trees for Winter Landscape Interest
   
Winter in the North can be a gardener's worst enemy: There's nothing to plant, little outside work to do, and no plants that bloom outdoors. Fortunately, trees can come to the rescue, with color, texture, height, and sometimes berries. Here's how to choose the best trees for winter landscape interest... 

   
Five Tips That Will Help You Sell Your Home in the New Year
house for sale

"News about the revival of the real estate industry seems to be popping up each day. This summer saw a spike in existing home sales, and foreclosures are down from peak highs.

 

That in mind, you may be considering selling your homein the upcoming year, but it's not as easy as staking a "For Sale" sign in the front yard. It's important to put a little time and..."

     
Why Wait For Spring? Winter Is A Great Time To House Hunt
House in Winter  
"December is usually when people are looking to deck their own halls-not buy new ones. But buying a home in December and January can be a smart move..."
 
  
Financial Trends for 2014: What's In and What's Out
2014 image
Just like in food, fashion or fitness, financial trends come and go, too. As the new year approaches, here's a look at what will be "in" and what
will be "in" and what will be "out" for 2014..

 

   
Featured Listing

1065 Cahill Lane, Lake Forest

 
What a magnificent home set in beautiful Middlefork Farms.   This Georgian styled home complements its beautiful setting with lovely exterior spaces: a side porch, a stunning patio with a full outdoor kitchen and beautiful gardens.  Inside is just as special with a fabulous gourmet kitchen, spacious and gracious rooms with higher ceilings, finished basements...so many special features!
For all the details go to 1065 Cahill Lane

List Price: $1,675,000
4+1BR/4.1 Baths
    
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!

The New Year brings with it the promise of great things to come in 2014.  May you and yours look back fondly on 2013 and to the future with joy and excitement.

Wishing all the best in the year ahead. 

  

Ann 

 

R. Ann Jones,

Broker Associate 

Prudential Rubloff Properties

 

 



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If your property is currently listed for sale with an agent or broker, this is not intended to be a solicitation of that listing.