How's the Market?
Real Estate News of Chicago's North Shore                                                                                                                                  February, 2015


Here it is: Super Bowl Sunday!  This seems to be the moment that home sellers dream about, discuss with their realtors and prepare and get their houses ready.  No, not for the game itself... but for the day after.  Typically tomorrow -- the day after the Super Bowl is the unofficial start of our Spring Market. Often lots of new listings begin to appear.  Given the blizzard outside, we'll see if that really happens tomorrow!

So how many of you remember the Memorable Moment: Super Bowl XX -- 1985 -- the Super Bowl Shuffle -- McMahon, the Refrigerator, etc. etc.?  I do.  I was working in Sacramento .... remember the day well!  I even hosted a Super Bowl party.  I remember it being a bit of mauling of the Patriots.  Presumably, they'll do better this evening.   I hesitantly admit -- it's the only Super Bowl game I've ever actually watched from beginning to end....

Hope everyone enjoys the game tonight.    The kickoff for the Spring Market begins tomorrow!
In This Issue...
How's the Market
Just the Facts...

So How is the Market?   Read on....

I've attached a summary from Berkshire Hathaway that provides an overview of the market as of January 31.  
North Shore's Highest Sales in January

Winnetka - 1323 Holly Lane

Original List Price - $3,800,000
List Price - $3,399,000
Sales Price - $3,200,000 (94% of asking)
Days on Market - 878
Days on Market at Final List Price - 239 days
To see pictures and detailed information go to 1323 Holly Lane, Winnetka 

  
Original List Price - $3,950,000 
List Price - $3,595,000
Sales Price - $2,978,700 (83% of asking) 
Days on Market - 186 days
Days on Market at Final List Price - 38
To see pictures and detailed information go to 69 Lakewood Drive, Glenoce

Winnetka, 83 Indian Hill Road

Original List Price - $3,000,000 
List Price - $2,500,000
Sales Price - $2,225,000 (89% of asking) 
Days on Market - 165 days
Days on Market at Final List Price - 58 Days
To see pictures and detailed information go to 83 Indian Hill Road, Winnetka

* * * * *
There are currently 168 houses for sale on the North Shore that are priced greater than $2M.   During the month of December, 5 houses closed in this price range:
Highland Park - 0
Winnetka - 4
Glencoe - 1
Lake Forest - 0
Wilmette - 0
Kenilworth - 0
Lake Bluff - 0

Source: MRED (Midwest Real Estate Data) Multiple Listing Service
cool products
6 of the Coolest Smart Home Innovations
This year, the year that Marty McFly crash lands into in Back to the Future Part II, holds a lot of water for technologists, since it gave the world a peek at then-fictional innovations like food hydrators, indoor gardens, and video calling. And while some of those home technologies have actually come to pass these six inventions are ready to bring the future to your door, right now.  Here's a look at what's coming.
amenities
Over-the-Top Amenities: Sweating the Details

...Home, it would appear, is where the hamam is. At least for the superrich.  For along with the Olympic-size pools, children's playrooms designed by experts in early-childhood development, basketball courts, demonstration and catering kitchens, lounges or "great rooms" with fireplaces, curated libraries, guest rooms, full-size gyms, spinning rooms and yoga studios, the hamam (pronounced hah-MOM) has joined the amenity package, as the brokers say, of the luxury development market...


 

Latest Style: Home Hair Salons
...Homeowners have discovered a permanent solution to a bad hair day. In-home salons, complete with hair-washing basins, stylist chairs, manicure stations and even massage tables, offer convenience and privacy. Home builders and real-estate agents say the private salons are on the rise as spaces like in-home movie theaters, yoga studios and even bowling alleys proliferate in individual homes....

Inside Ultra-Luxury Kitchens: Trends Among Wealthy Buyers Who Rarely Cook
kitchen...On the luxury market, a kitchen fully loaded with the latest and greatest appliances and gadgets is a strong selling point-even for wealthy buyers who rarely cook....    

 

Should real estate be part of your portfolio?

What's the best way to hold commercial real estate in a retirement portfolio? For many investors, the answer seems to be "not at all." The reason is that real estate investments have burned people in the past and that stocks get more attention. That's too bad.

Avoiding real estate is not a good idea. This asset class, appropriately owned, can help support you well in retirement....

 

How Safe is Your Fireplace?
fireplace

Cozying up near a fireplace is one of the joys of winter. It's a peaceful scene, but keep safety in mind before you relax.

Many homeowners rely on their fireplaces and wood stoves during cold spells. This increased use leads to more potential hazards. Each year, about 24,300 fireplace-related fires are reported, with a combined $30 million in losses, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.... 


gardening-items.jpg
For the Garden...

When cold temperatures and winter weather, such as snow, sleet, wind and ice set in, it's easier to stay inside when you know your shrubs are safe and sound. Winter sun, wind, and freezing temperatures can affect plants, resulting in sunscald, desiccation of evergreen foliage, damage, or even killing... 

 Protect Shrubs from Winter Damage

 

What's happening at the Chicago Botanic Gardens in February?

February 14- March 15 - The Orchid Show

Saturday, February 21, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. -Chinese New Year's Celebration


The snow is coming down as I write this... winter continues to be in the air -- for sure.  But Spring is just around the corner and with it comes great new listings and hopefully continued improvement for the housing industry.  Based on the calls I've gotten this month, I have a feeling it going to be a great year in real estate!

If I can assist you with your real estate needs, please don't hesitate to call.  

Ann

Ann Jones

Broker Associate, 
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff Realty Group


Featured Listing
5430 Fairmont Road
Libertyville
5430 Fairmont

WOW -- what an amazing value this home presents. Vacation at home as you enjoy this stunning Chic Martin designed house -- with higher ceilings, gorgeous millwork and open floor plan. This home provides a terrific layout for both living and entertaining. Luxurious master suite with fireplace. Gorgeous landscaping and pool. Private suite with own entrance can be used for home office, nanny or in-laws. Finished English basement. Amazing storage and closet space.

List Price: $1,295,000
6BR/5.2 Baths

See the details at:
Best of My Blog:
5 often heard and quite ridiculous statements about buying and selling real estate

give away house

I've now been in real estate for over 10 years.  It's been an interesting ride -- with the ups and downs of the housing market.  

Consistently, though, there are several statements that I hear with some regularity. While I've learned to stifle a laugh when I hear them, they continue to amuse me.  Here they are...
newspaper
In the news...
"The Chicago Bears may not be doing the Super Bowl Shuffle anytime soon, but they've definitely been doing some shuffling. The team is currently undergoing some significant lineup changes that has already, which have brought about a new general manager and head coach. And with this second year of big changes in the team comes some movement on the Bears' real estate front..."

"The plunging volume of home foreclosure suits in Illinois over the past year or so should mean courts can process cases more quickly, right? 

Wrong. 

The average time it took lenders to foreclose on a home in the state climbed to a new high of 889 days in the third quarter, up from 828 a year earlier..."

- Crain's Chicago Business
 
"Raleigh, N.C., Albuquerque, N.M. and Boise, Idaho are among the cities that the National Association of Realtors thinks are poised to get an influx of older baby boomers seeking low cost of living but also stronger economies that can support delayed retirements...."

- Wall Street Journal

 

Quick Links
Bears win Superbowl

Memorable Moments
1985
 Bears Win the Superbowl
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Step of the Month

50 Simple Steps you can take to Sell Your Home 

#17  If you don't want to leave it, take it down before you list your home
Ann Jones | 847-691-1111 | [email protected] | rannjones.com
778 N. Western Avenue | Lake Forest, IL 60045