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


Happy St. David's Day... yes, there was a St. David -- in honor of my Welsh heritage I mention him.  

Burr... it's cold outside... I find myself wanting to hunker down and stay warm.  This has been a month of doing a few more inside chores like dealing with the build up of paperwork, working on taxes and, in general, clearing out the clutter.  It seems to be a common theme in the press as well... so spring cleaning is beginning a little early.
In This Issue...
How's the Market
Just the Facts...

I think the weather had an influence on February sales.  In some communities, sales were down pretty significantly.  Hopefully things will pick up in March!

So How is the Market?   Read on....
North Shore's Highest Sales in February

Wilmette - 1140 Michigan Avenue

List Price - $5,999,000
Sales Price - $6,200,000 (103% of asking)
Days on Market - 53
To see pictures and detailed information go to 1140 Michigan Avenue, Wilmette

Kenilworth - 325 Abbotsford Road
  
List Price - $4,700,000
Sales Price - $4,500,000 (96% of asking) 
Days on Market - 197 days
To see pictures and detailed information go to 325 Abbotsford Road, Kenilworth

Kenilworth - 514 Abbotsford Road

Original List Price - $3,575,000
List Price - $3,675,000 
Sales Price - $3,425,000 (93% of asking) 
Days on Market - 973 days
Days on Market at Final List Price - 177 Days
To see pictures and detailed information go to 514 Abbotsford Road, Kenilworth

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There are currently 187 houses for sale on the North Shore that are priced greater than $2M.   During the month of February, 5 houses closed in this price range:
Highland Park - 0
Winnetka - 2
Glencoe - 0
Lake Forest - 0
Wilmette - 1
Kenilworth - 2
Lake Bluff - 0

Source: MRED (Midwest Real Estate Data) Multiple Listing Service
too much stuff
The stuff paradox: Dealing with clutter in the US

While more and more Americans struggle to make do with less due to economic hardship, others are making a conscious choice to shed their possessions.


 

...But a recent survey by the National Association of Professional Organizers reveals that 54% of Americans feel overwhelmed by clutter and 78% have no idea what to do with it....


 


Get the clutter out

The post-holiday season is a time many folks are thinking about delving into a major declutter project. While they have put away the clunky serving platters and taken down the trees, many people are struggling to find space in overstuffed drawers for the booties Grandma just knitted them. Or they are looking for a home for the five new sweaters they got. As our newest belongings accumulate, we might still be holding onto an assortment of wares that have sat in a "regift" pile since this time last year...

 

Clear the clutter and keep your new year's resolution to get organized

lego storage Getting organized is a top new year's resolution. (It's not yours? Maybe it should be....) Being organized affects every facet of your life, from school and work to travel, health and raising kids...
 

 

 

The Clutter Cure's Illusory Joy
I recently discovered the secret to livening up even the dullest conversation: Introduce the topic of clutter. Everyone I meet seems to be waging a passionate, private battle against their own stuff, and they perk up as soon as you mention it...
Clever recycling ideas Clever Ways to Reuse Your Kitchen Trash

Before you toss packaging, paper products, or bent utensils in the garbage, find out if there'sanother way you can make use of castoff cookspace items. You'll soon find that these clever recycling tips are good for the planet-and your wallet, too... 
More Homeowners Tackling Remodeling Projects

Home improvement projects are on the rise and on track to potentially reach record-level spending this year, according to a new remodeling trend report from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. Remodeling spending climbed to nearly $300 billion in 2013. Find highlights in an infographic

 from the center.  

 

Remodeling Market Has Regained Its Mojo, New Report Says

The overall U.S. housing market still is struggling to hit its stride, but the remodeling market meanwhile has fully regained its mojo.... 
Inaccurate Zillow 'Zestimates' a source of conflict over home prices
zestimate
When "CBS This Morning" co-host Norah O'Donnell asked the chief executive of Zillow recently about the accuracy of the website's automated property value estimates - known as Zestimates - she touched on one of the most sensitive perception gaps in American real estate...

Shoppers, sellers and buyers routinely quote Zestimates to realty agents - and to one another - as gauges of market value... 

Buying a Home? Try It Out

If you can test drive a car, why not a house?

That is the theory behind several programs that let buyers try out a condominium or resort home before they commit to buying. A handful of developers, listing agents and homeowners say they are willing to let potential buyers hang out with the neighbors, have dinner in the kitchen or even spend a night or two in a home before making a final decision...
The Great American Dream, Still Deferred

The housing market has shown signs of life recently. Prices have risen, mortgage rates are very attractive and construction is reviving.

    But recall where the market has been over the last 20 years and you'll start to see a less cheerful picture. In fact, from a longer perspective, it appears that the housing market, as it stands now, isn't stable or sustainable. It is, arguably, still on...
gardening-items.jpg
For the Garden...

Guess you're ready for spring. Think warm thoughts with the best gardens of all time...Now's the time to sketch out your plan for beautiful results in the spring.  

Chase winter blues! Plan your spring garden.

 

As a reminder, Annual Earth Hour is on March 28th from 8:30 -9:30 pm.  Turn off your lights, TV and electronics... the intention is for one hour to focus on our commitment to our planet for the rest of this year. To celebrate, have a candle lit dinner, talk to your neighbors, stargaze, go camping, play board games, play charades, sing songs -- the possibilities are endless.  Read more at www.earthhour.org.


 

Happy March!

 

Ann

Ann Jones

Broker Associate, 
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff Realty Group
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Best of My Blog:
Wallpaper


The gift my parents gave me when I graduated from 8th grade was that I could have my bedroom decorated. (Less you think that my parents were extravagant in their gift, keep in mind, I had been sleeping in that room since I was 9 and the room probably hadn't been decorated since before the Depression. My room was the next one..."
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:
5430 Fairmont Road
newspaper
In the news...

"Another one of these little reports out about how much the super rich own. This time it's looking at a subset of that financial wealth that Oxfam reported upon recently. This time it's just real estate holdings. Sotheby's announces that said super rich now own some..."


"Some local school leaders say the formula that determines school funding in Illinois is outdated and penalizes districts that serve lower-income families..."
 Funding frustration: Why some Illinois schools have money, and some don't
- WQAD News
 
"What do men want? When it comes to real estate, they want granite countertops, kitchen islands and walk-in closets, according to surveys. Women, on the other hand, seem primarily concerned about stairs..."
A Gender Gap in Real Estate

- Wall Street Journal

 
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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.
Ann Jones | 847-691-1111 | ann@rannjones.com | rannjones.com
778 N. Western Avenue | Lake Forest, IL 60045

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