Real Estate Information

Please feel free to contact me for more information on how you can take advantage of this extended tax credit!

(Image by First Sterling Mortgage Services, LLC)

To provide extended relief for the U.S. housing market, President Obama signed into law a new legislation this month that allows first-time homebuyers to receive the $8,000 credit until April 30, 2010. The credit was due to expire on December 1, 2009.

Buyers also have an additional 60 days to close after April 30, 2010, meaning: if a homebuyer enters into a contract to buy a home on April 1, 2010, then they have until June 1, 2010 to close on the purchase and are still able to claim the $8,000 credit.

The legislation also provides a new credit for homeowners who purchase a larger residence between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010. Up to $6,500 in credit will be available to new buyers who have lived in their residence for at least five consecutive years during the eight-year period before the purchase of the new residence.

For more information, please click here.

Until October 19, 2009, the Kohl Children's Museum in Glenview is hosting a fabulous exhibit called Watch Us Grow: Monarch Butterflies.

Perfect for children and adults, the Monarch butterflies exhibit shows the lifecycle of these delicate creatures in all four stages: eggs, caterpillars, pupas, and adult butterflies. The transformation of a tiny white 1-millimeter egg to the bright orange and black-veined beauty is a rare, one-of-a-kind experience that is often missed in visits to the various Monarch butterfly santuaries throughout the country.

I recently saw a documentary about these butterflies and was truly awed to discover that they migrate both north and south as birds do, traveling from Washington D.C. to Angangueo, Mexico. That's nearly 1,900 miles! Scientists have yet to discover how these butterflies navigate themselves.

Monarch butterflies are also known to be the only butterflies that make transatlantic journeys, as some have been found on islands and oil rigs in the middle of the ocean. The fragility of their exotic wings beating against the rough winds is truly amazing to think about!

Don't miss this wonderful exhibit! Look for other exhibits perfect for the family on Kohl Children's Museum website.

The warm rays of the sun, the earthy smell of the vineyard, the cold wine glass in your hand as you walk through the beautiful winery ... could it be that you've been transported to Napa Valley? Fortunately, Chicago North Shore residents can forego the 4.5 hour plane ride and head to Evanston for a truly remarkable wine tasting experience.

Now We're Cookin' has planned an evening dedicated to wining this upcoming Friday, September 18th from 7pm to 9pm. Their event is titled "Food-Friendly Wines at Budget-Friendly Prices" where all bottles are less than $15 each. In addition to tasting various wines of high quality, guests to the event will also be able to sample foods that create the perfect match to the taste palette.

This would be a great opportunity to find the bottle that could become your favorite house wine. In addition to enjoying it with your family, it's always a lovely gesture for a friend, relative, or co-worker to receive as a gift a bottle that you highly recommend!

Now We're Cookin' also has other fabulous events for those who enjoy great cooking. Make sure to look at their website's calendar for demonstrations at the Evanston Farmers Market, hands-on cooking seminars, and future wine tasting events.

For more information and ticket prices, please visit the Now We're Cookin' website at http://www.nwcookin.com/.

Bon appetit!

As we are heading towards the end of August, I want to share with you a quick snapshot of Chicago North Shore's Real Estate Market numbers for 2009. The following information serves to show that 1) the luxury home market is performing the strongest, and 2) on average, sellers in today's market are getting at least 90% of their asking price.

First off, here is a chart for the average selling price of single family homes in the North Shore from January 2005 to July 2009. Overall, we see that closing prices have decreased steadily since 2007. Among these homes, 3-bedroom homes have been hit the hardest in terms of price decrease and is going at $363,645 average selling price, whereas luxury homes (5 bedrooms or more) have held up the steadiest price throughout the years and are going for $1,274,230 average selling price.

The graph below shows the trend of average selling price to listing price ratio from January 2005 to July 2009. Sellers are getting less than what they expect, but as long as they are working with a realtor who continually helps them come up with a strategic price, most sellers will on average get at least 90% of their asking price. So the market may be performing less vigorously than previous years, but it is still capable of a satisfactory return.

Here are some key things to remember. Even though you might hear reports about home markets picking up, there is still a huge amount of inventory of homes in the North Shore. Due to abundance of homes, prices are still going down on a monthly basis. It's the old story of supply and demand.

For a buyer to purchase a home, a seller needs to have a house that is 1) the winner of a beauty contest and 2) the lowest priced home in the area.

If there is more specific information you would like about your home or your area, or if you have any friends and neighbors who are unsure of their positioning in the market, I'm never too busy for any of your referrals.

This is a spectacular event you don't want to miss--if you haven't attended one yet, don't miss out on this year's show! The Chicago Air & Water Show will be celebrating its 51st anniversary this August, and it's the oldest and largest free admission aviation event in the country.

It started in 1958 with the goal of creating a show that would bring great entertainment for both parents and children in order to celebrate "Family Day." Apparently the first show had a budget of $88 and featured air rescue demonstrations and water skiers! Lucky for us, the event has grown larger ever since, and with increasing corporate sponsorship, it has become one of the largest spectacular events in the world.

Many top names in aviation have gathered for a breathtaking show throughout the years, and this year, we'll have the opportunity to see a great performance by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the U.S. Army Golden Knights.

This year's Chicago Air & Water Show will be held on Saturday, August 15th and Sunday, August 16th at North Avenue Beach. Admission is free! For more details, click here.

Ripe tomatoes, red and gleaming—bunches of carrots—fresh baked bread, hot and moist—blooming lilacs, roses, irises, and geraniums. All together in one place, under the Chicago sun.

A trip to a Farmer’s Market on a sunny afternoon is an activity that is perfect for any age. The liveliness of the atmosphere and abundance of fresh products create an experience that is more than simply shopping: it is an experience of celebration and joy within the community and nature to which we belong.

Here are my Top Five Farmers’ Markets in the Chicago North Shore you don’t want to miss this summer and fall!

1. Evanston Farmer’s Market

When: Saturdays 7:30AM-1:00PM
Where: Intersection of University Place and Oak Avenue, Evanston
Website: http://www.cityofevanston.org/enjoy/market.shtml
Facts: 30+ vendors of fruit, vegetables, meat, flowers, cheese and bakery items. “Now We’re Cookin” Culinary Service Center and “Home Grown Artists” will be at the Market on certain Saturdays. Senior coupons available on website. Famous for its fresh produce.

2. Deerfield Farmer’s Market

When: Saturdays 7AM-12:30PM, starting June 20
Where: Northwest Corner of Deerfield Road and Robert York Ave, Deerfield
Website: http://www.deerfield.il.us/residents/farmers_market/default.aspx
Facts: Farmers from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin sell seasonal vegetables and fruit. Organic and naturally grown vegetables and flowers. Freshly baked breads, muffins and cookies. Handcrafted Wisconsin cheese, maple syrup, and honey.

3. Glenview Farmer’s Market

When: Saturdays 8AM-12PM, starting June 27
Where: Wagner Farm @ 1510 Wagner Road, Glenview
Website: http://www.glenviewfarmersmarket.org/
Facts: 17+ vendors from Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. Features artisan crafts on a regular basis. New in 2009 is the “Green Table,” featuring local experts who will provide education on sustainable living. Products include fresh berries, hormone-free meat from Arnolds Farm, buttermilk, ice cream, vegetables, fruits, and plants.

4. Skokie Farmer’s Market

When: Sundays 7:30AM-12:45PM, starting June 28
Where: 5127 Oakton Street, Skokie
Website: http://www.skokie.org/FarmersMarket.cfm
Facts: Voted “Best on the North Shore” by North Shore Magazine readers in July/August 2001 issue. About 20 vendors selling cheeses, fruits, baked goods, spices, pasta, syrup and vegetables. Top products include Wisconsin cheeses.

5. Wilmette French Market

When: Saturdays 8AM-1PM
Where: Village Center on Central Avenue and Green Bay Road, Wilmette
Website: http://www.wilmette.com/business/frenchmarket.aspx
Facts: The French Market offers a variety of traditional farmer’s market goods including fruits, vegetables, flowers, cheeses, meats, and breads from local and regional vendors.

Of course, Ravinia is no secret for our music lovers in Chicago North Shore. When summer makes its way here, it's accompanied by the world's best music! The experience of sitting down in your favorite lawn spot, listening to Tchaikovsky, Gershwin or John Legend, and gazing up at the stars is truly a bliss.

This summer, Ravinia will be hosting "An Evening with Diana Krall" on Saturday, June 27. Diana is a Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist and singer with a deep, whispery voice that's alluring and perfect for a quiet evening.

Through July and August, there will be impressive performances by Lang-Lang and Yo-Yo Ma. For Ravinia's event calendar, please visit: http://www.ravinia.org/Calendar.aspx.

This boutique is an absolute gem. It's my favorite! Everywhere you look, you'll spot gorgeous clothing, jewelry and home accoutrements.

Rachel, the owner of Stella, looks for unusual items that have a one-of-a-kind feel and looks for items that are well-priced. She is attracted to items that have a whimsical or exotic look. 

The boutique is jampacked with treasures offering special gifts, interesting clothing and artisan jewlery and handbags. A real Bohemian feeling in the North Shore Suburbs.

Just give it a try. Tell Rachel that Marlene sent you!  Her store address is 2116 Central Street in Evanston and hours are Mon-Friday 10-6, Sat, 10-5 and Sundays 12-5. You won’t be disappointed!

Visit Stella's website: www.stellaevanston.com.

Want to know where the best hamburgers in North Shore are? If you want the best with proven record of having been the locals' favorite for years and years, make sure you go to Beinlich's or also known as Charlie Beinlich's Food and Tap, located on 290 Skokie Road in Northbrook.

The lines are always out the door and the restaurant is small. There are no tablecloths and the ambiance is classic and very lodge-like, but it has the BEST of foods, including gigantic shrimp cocktails, absolutely delicious hamburgers of every kind made to order.

There's no menu at Beinlich's except for the type set sign on the wall. The bar is constantly full and it's a "eat up, get up and get out" kind of place. When you look around, you'll notice why it's best not to linger because of all the people waiting.

Keep in mind, it's a MUST if you live in the North Shore of Chicago! It's also a great place to take your visiting friends and relatives for the real taste of Chicago all year-round.

What's your favorite item at Beinlich's? Feel free to share by leaving a comment!