June 2008 - Posts
So I'm sitting here at the local Caribou and have had quite a difficult time finding a plug for my computer, which got me to thinking about solar power. I did some research and there is a company called Voltaic which has the answer to this growing
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Good Morning! It's hard to imagine, but 2008 is one-half gone! The past year has been a tough one here in the Chicago Real Estate Market, and in the surrounding area. In the Chicago Metro Area, home sales have dropped 29 percent for the one-year period
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IN CHICAGO METRO AREA, HOME, CONDO SALES UP 13.7% APRIL-MAY, 2008! Is there a bottom in sight to the 2007-2008 downturn of the Chicago Real Estate Market? Perhaps, say some experts, but they do not predict a fast turnaround. Overall, combined sales of
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TEST BEGAN LAST WEDNESDAY ON AMERICAN AIRLINES - FLIGHT-LONG ACCESS TO COST $9.95 TO $12.95! Accessing the web from an airplane in flight? The technology has been around for some time, but airlines have been slow to offer it on domestic flights. Yes,
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For diehard Cub Fans, the last week is a sign of possibly more questionable times for the short-term future of the first place Cubs. Yes, they have a terrific record and a pretty formidable offense but in the last week to ten days despite a home sweep
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For those of you not familiar with Chicago tradition, the "grand daddy" of all summer festivals has arrived here in Chicago, which opens its gates to the public today. The 28 th Annual Taste of Chicago will continue through Sunday, July 6 th
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THE CHICAGO IL REAL ESTATE MARKET, AND OTHER THINGS CHICAGO, FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF A LITTLE WHITE DOG! Woof, you dogs! Going on vacation next week - gassing up my little Buddy Mobile (nearly 50 MPG), and leaving Chicago to visit some close friends
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GOLD COAST Our city's outdoor feast, Taste of Chicago , will set up it's grills for the 28th year. There will be at least 287 menu items and 65 vendors serving up good food beginning at 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through July 6 in Grant Park. Among
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FED FUNDS BENCHMARK RATE REMAINS 2% - CONCERNS ABOUT INFLATION PREVAIL! In an effort to spur the economy, head off a possible economic recession, jumpstart business investment, and possibly improve the housing market in the U.S., the Federal Reserve Board
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81-PAGE LAWSUIT ALLEGES UNFAIR, DECEPTIVE CONDUCT IN LENDING PRACTICES! Countrywide Home Loans is the biggest Mortgage Lender in the U.S. Now in the process of being acquired by the mammoth Bank of America, the lender has another headache today. Yesterday,
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This week it's going to be hot and muggy. What better way to cool down than some Ice Milk. Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Set Time: 4-5 hours Difficulty: Easy Ingredients: 4 cups milk 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 piece lemo zest 2 egg whites Ground
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HOME PRICE DECLINES, SOARING ENERGY PRICES DROPS CONSUMER CONFIDENCE TO LOWEST LEVEL IN 16 YEARS! Apparently, the Real Estate Market nationwide has not turned around - yet! According to statistics compiled by Standard & Poors, in their Case-Shiller
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$995 FEE CLAIMS TO PROTECT DEFAULTING HOMEOWNERS FROM FURTHER HARASSMENT. AND, YOU CAN STAY IN YOUR HOME FOR AS MANY AS EIGHT MONTHS - FREE! The homeownership process, at one time, involved saving and responsibility . Saving - for the original down payment,
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Veggie Pasta Salad 16 oz. Rotini Pasta cooked aldente and rinsed until cool 8 oz. your favorite Bottled Italian Salad Dressing. I use Good Seasons. You can customize it according to your own tastes using different vinegars and oils. ½ cup chopped
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NBC announced today that you will be able to watch the Olympics within about 12 hours after an event ends. The service is called NBC Olympics on the Go. It's a great program. You can select the sports you're interested in. When the latest updates
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Good Morning! Today, many with somewhat blemished credit, and low down payments, turn to FHA loans to finance their new home purchases. FHA-backed loans offer fixed term, and competitive interest rates. Seller assistance on closing costs is permitted,
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BIG-SCREEN TV'S, TRIPS TO HAWAII NO LONGER DRIVE BUYERS, SO BUILDERS HOST ELABORATE CATERED PARTIES, HOMEOWNER SEMINARS - MORE! It's tough selling new homes these days, in the Chicago area, and elsewhere across the country. Last year, as the market
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"THIRD PARTY" PAYMENT OF SELLER DOWN PAYMENT CREDIT WOULD END THIS YEAR - FHA COMMISSIONER! Many experts agree that a good portion of today's mortgage and housing market crisis involved buyers outspending their ability to pay future house
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If you didn't know better, you would think that yesterday's Cubs/Sox Game was a playoff game. What an atmosphere at beautiful Wrigley Field. Both teams came in as playoff contenders and the buzz around the park was so evident that even if you
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Well this weekend will officially kick-off the summer season. A great and time honored way to celebrate the city and the season is the go to The Chicago Summerfest , located at 2000 N. Clark @ Armitage. This year will be a two day celebration with live
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THE CHICAGO IL REAL ESTATE MARKET, AND OTHER THINGS CHICAGO, FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF A LITTLE WHITE DOG! We dogs need to be a bit concerned! A few weeks ago, a 4-year old Yellow Lab, also named Buddy (no relation) was taken to an emergency Chicago vet
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LOYALTY! IT'S OFTEN A HIGHLY-VALUED TRAIT! BUT WILL IT EXTEND WHEN A GALLON OF REGULAR COSTS NEARLY $5.00? Very few full-service gas pumps exist anymore - in Chicago or its suburbs. Most of those old "Clean Your Windshield, Check Your Oil"
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AFFECTED TREE IDENTIFIED, REMOVED AT 29TH AND STATE STREETS, ON SOUTH SIDE OF CHICAGO! City of Chicago Bureau of Forestry officials felled the first tree they believe to be infected by the invasive Emerald Ash Borer Thursday morning. The tree was in a
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LAKEVIEW Non-drinkers face ordering non-alcoholic drinks when entertaining themselves around town. Many groups, including your designated drivers, health and calorie conscious people, Alcoholics Anonymous members, adults with next day early-morning obligations,
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Difficulty: Easy Prep Time: 12 minutes Cook Time: 0 minutes Servings: 12 Ingredients: 100 gm ready-to-eat vanilla pudding, or 1 cup 3 cup Cool Whip Lite Whipped Topping, or similar product 9 oz Nabisco Famous chocolate wafers, or similar product (should
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IN CHICAGO, "CRAZY NEIGHBOR" COMMON FOR MANY CONDO, HOME OWNERS - AND RENTERS, TOO! The upstairs neighbor with the sub-woofer on his hardwood floor who likes old "Terminator" movies. The guy next door in the construction trades, who
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Eggy Potato Salad 4 lbs Idaho Potatoes 8 Hard boiled Eggs 1 cup chopped celery ½ cup chopped onion (sweet preferably) ½ to 1 cup Miracle Whip (substitute mayo if you prefer) 11/2 teaspoons salt ½ teaspoons freshly ground pepper 1
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Northwest Highway & Wilke Road, Palatine - DRIVE BY ONLY - DO NOT DISTURB! Huge 2BR Ranch in need of Upgrade and Repair! Large Rooms, Sunroom, Deck. Value in the Land! 0.36 Acre Parcel, Incorporated Palatine. 3 Blocks to METRA Arlington Park Station.
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This article was written shortly before the recent news of the floods in the Midwest, especially Iowa. If you would like to assist our neighbors in Iowa click here . With recent consumer concerns around food prices going up, I thought summer would be
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Good Morning! Many in the press are indicating the bottom of the real estate price tumble, and equilibrium between supply and demand, may be near! However, after analyzing both behavioral and statistical trends of buyers, sellers, and properties over
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BUYERS STILL WAIT ON THE SIDELINES, SOME SELLERS DENY REALITY, AND STATISTICS STILL SHOW HIGH LEVELS OF HOME INVENTORY! In some areas of Chicago, the Real Estate Market appears to be stabilizing - even improving. In many other Chicago Neighborhoods and
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FOR NOW, CHICAGO TRANSIT AGENCIES SAY NO - BUT MASS TRANSIT IN OTHER AREAS CONSIDERING FARE INCREASES! Here in Chicago , the price of a gallon of regular gas approaches $4.60/gallon in some neighborhoods. In an effort to save money, many city residents
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It's hard to imagine that Cedric Benson is no longer a Chicago Bear . After being a highly touted first round pick in 2005. Benson never amounted to much for the Bears and had amassed only 1593 yards in three seasons with a yards per carry average
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CERTAIN BUYERS REQUIRE SPECIAL COUNSELING EFFECTIVE NEXT MONTH - NEW COOK COUNTY FILING REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL MORTGAGES! Stricter lending requirements will begin in Cook County IL effective July 1st, for first-time homebuyers of most owner-occupied property.
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As a home buyer, intuitively, you might think there would be incredible bargains galore here in Chicago . Average prices have fallen, and inventories and market time has risen all over the city, and in most suburbs. Wouldn't sellers be desperate to
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Yeah, summer is in full swing here in Chicago! The outdoor festivities just keep on coming weekend after weekend, rain or shine. Not to mention that this weekend is Father's Day as well. So let's take a look at what's happening around town.
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THE CHICAGO IL REAL ESTATE MARKET, AND OTHER THINGS CHICAGO, FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF A LITTLE WHITE DOG! I'm in a VERY GOOD MOOD today! My beloved Chicago Cubs won another game at Wrigley Field today - their 11th straight at home! Yes, it is way
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LAKEVIEW Madagascar is the largest producer and supplier of vanilla today. They control 80 percent of the worldwide market. As a result, those beans are the least expensive. They cost $1.89 each at The Spice House in Chicago and suburbs; the Mexican beans
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I think it's summer, FINALLY! I decided this week why not put together a great picnic and spend time with family or friends. Probably the most important thing when planning your feast is a good food chest or cooler. Now if it's just you and a
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AN ESTIMATED 2,800 APARTMENT BUILDINGS ACROSS CHICAGO FORECLOSED IN 2007 - LEAVING MANY TENANTS WITHOUT A HOME! Here in Chicago , and elsewhere across the U.S., renters are becoming the unheralded victims of the foreclosure process. Often times, when
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With the humidity coming into play full force, now is the time to check your doors and seals. Testing the fit: Start with one area at a time. Sprinkle powered chalk on the top or edge of the door. Slowly close the door until you feel the door start to
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Finally, patience pays off and the prices are going down. The new Apple iPhone 3G was announced today with an anticipated July release here in the States. The new phone is slimmer, sells for hundreds of dollars less ($199 for an 8GB), and has GPS. Here
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LENDERS FREEZE OR REDUCE LINES WITH LITTLE NOTICE! Not too long ago, here in Chicago and elsewhere, it was easy for many homeowners to draw loans against the equity in their homes. Many lenders offered credit lines, with cash as easy as a check away,
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Rogers Park, Chicago - Open floorplan in a classic courtyard building featuring 2 spacious and bright bedrooms. Beautifully updated and restored in 2004. In unit washer/dryer is an added bonus! Location Plus Value - Near the Lake!! Now Only $142,400!
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Albany Park, Chicago - C ompact-yet-stunning top floor 2 bedroom home was renovated in 2004 - Quiet courtyard setting! Custom eat-in kitchen, sunny living and dining rooms. High Ceilings, loads of light! Hardwood flooring throughout! Large, private balcony
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Good Morning! More distressing real estate news, we're afraid! At the end of the First Quarter, 2008, 6.35% of U.S. Homeowners were at least month behind in their mortgage payments. This figure is up 9% from the Fourth Quarter, 2007, and is the worst
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TRAVELING BETWEEN CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOODS, BY MASS TRANSIT, SOON WILL BE EASIER! Let's say, for example, your enjoying your Sunday Afternoon at the Lincoln Park Zoo , near the Lake, on the North Side of Chic ago. You want to bring your family to a Chicago
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NEARLY 10% OF U.S. HOMEOWNERS FELL BEHIND IN THEIR HOUSE PAYMENTS DURING THE FIRST QUARTER, 2008! According to a report released last week by the Mortgage Bankers Association , the rate for late house payments and new foreclosure filings increased to
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Although the Cubs fell to the Dodgers last night, they go into today's action with the best record in baseball. Having followed the team through this road trip, I've come to the conclusion that the Cubs, despite their record, have some question
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Portage Park, Chicago - REDUCED! Spacious 3 bedroom, 2 bath bungalow is located on a quiet street in a great neighborhood! Updated eat-in kitchen, formal dining room, sunny living room with adjacent music room or office, plus light-and-bright 3-season
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BANK OF AMERICA NON-CUSTOMER SURCHARGE RISES TO $3, EFFECTIVE JUNE 23RD! Last month, banking giant Bank of America became the second largest bank in the Chicago area. On May 5th, it completed the purchase and re-branded all former La Salle Bank branches
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Downtown Chicago is going to be filled with activities this weekend with two major events. The first is the ever popular Chicago Blues Festival . This weekend will mark it's 25th annual anniversary. It will be held in Grant Park, June 5-8, 2008 and
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THE CHICAGO IL REAL ESTATE MARKET, AND OTHER THINGS CHICAGO, FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF A LITTLE WHITE DOG! Woof! Am I pumped! A decision made this week by the International Olympic Committee puts Chicago one step closer to getting the 2016 Summer Olympic
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MONTHLY RENT CAN COVER HOME EXPENSES, BUT YOU MUST ACCEPT RISK, RESPONSIBILITY! In the recent weakened housing market here in Chicago , and in our nearby suburbs, several sellers have asked us if they should rent out their home, rather than selling it
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LINCOLN SQUARE Some boys dream of being an astronaut, or hitting a home run as a major league ball player. Peter Strazzabosco has dreamed of arranging hot dogs, Italian beefs, and gyros sandwiches next to each other and comparing them. A little bizarre,
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BREAKING SALES THRESHOLD INDICATES AMBITIOUS PROJECT LIKELY TO GO AHEAD! Situated near the Chicago Lakefront, Navy Pier, and the trend-setting, forty-year old Lake Point Tower Condominium , The Chicago Spire will feature 1,194 high-end units , many featuring
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A little something from Patty Keller (my southern sous chef). Feel free to email her for other southern delectables. SMOKED SALMON AND SOUR CREAM FRITTATA Difficulty: Easy Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 15-20 minutes Servings: 4 Ingredients 16 oz fat-free
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METTAWA IL BASED HSBC HAS MODIFIED OR RESTRUCTURED 22% OF ITS MORTGAGE LOANS SINCE 2006! Since early 2007, many sub-prime mortgage lenders - those who wrote the bulk of their mortgage business to those with lower credit scores, undocumented income, and
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Before the weather gets too hot it's a great time to do some heavy duty cleaning around the house. Walls, Woodwork, Interior doors, etc. Murphy's oil soap (also known as flax soap ) is great for this. It is gentle and effective. Always remember
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Fashionistas, now is the time to be on the lookout for something new from Christian Dior . Yep, Dior is going high tech with a new cell phone for the low, low cost of $5,000. That is not a typo, the cost is $5,000. Dior's plan is to branch out into
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Good Morning! One of the saddest statistics in today's weaker Real Estate Market, here in Chicago and elsewhere, is the spike in the number of property foreclosures . The process of Short Sale , where the distressed homeowner sells his home, with
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HERE IN CHICAGO AND THE SUBURBS, ONE ARIZONA RESEARCH COMPANY PROJECTS A 380% IN PROPERTIES SOLD SHORT IN THE PAST YEAR! As we at Dean's Team look for new homes or condos for our buyer clients, we are simply stunned by the number of homes selling
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MANY FEEL WE HAVEN'T HIS BOTTOM IN HOME PRICE MARKET YET - OTHERS, TIRED OF RENTING, NOW DECIDE TO BUY! As a matter of instinct, you might think the current Buyer's Market here in Chicago and in other parts of the U.S., would have many would-be
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