January 2010 - Posts
Good Afternoon! Despite recent declines in Homes For Sale Inventory , and moderation in Mortgage Interest Rates and Median Home Prices, Chicago is not out of the woods yet - likely, the Real Estate Market here will remain sluggish. Why? Unemployment ,
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PRICES CONTINUE TO FALL, BUT CHICAGO IL UNEMPLOYMENT STILL TOPS NATIONAL AVERAGE, AND FORECLOSURES LIKELY TO ESCALATE, THROUGH 2010! Here's the good news . . . and the bad news! The Level of For-Sale Inventory in the Chicago Metro Area fell by 6.9%
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THE CHICAGO IL REAL ESTATE MARKET, AND OTHER THINGS CHICAGO, FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF A LITTLE WHITE DOG! Hey, you dogs! You know, I'm getting a bit tired of all the Text Messages my Lil' Sister, Gracie Ella Moss , has been getting recently!
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As we close out January 2010, it's going to be another cold one here in Chicago. But that's why we love living here - right? Well, the secret to surviving a Chicago winter is, as the saying goes, "if you can't beat ‘ole man winter,
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OF OVER 7.5 MILLION UNDERWATER HOME OWNERS, ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE APPLY FOR LOAN MODS, AND FEW ACTUALLY RECEIVE THEM! Going back not more than 4 years or so on the North Side of Chicago , strong, annual, unabated appreciation for homes and condos seemed
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There are about 5,000 or so possible ingredients that make up dust. Dust mites feed on the skin cells that we and our pets shed every day. Tiny particles of soil and sand join fibers from clothing, carpet, drapes and furniture. Add in mold spores, pollen
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TIMING OF CHANGES CAN LIMIT PURCHASE OPTIONS, INCREASE COSTS IN A STILL-TROUBLED REAL ESTATE MARKET! It wasn't that long ago that low-down payment home borrowers, as well as those with less-than-perfect credit, had a number of places to go for their
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ACROSS CHICAGO AREA, FOR 2009, HOME SALES DOWN ONLY SLIGHTLY VERSUS 2008! Is the Chicago Area Real Estate Market beginning to show signs of stabilizing? Improving numbers for year-over-year Units Sold - the aggregate for sold condos and single-family
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This week we wanted to highlight those events that are relevant to entertainment and, especially, raising funds for Haiti. Hope you enjoy these events. NORWOOD PARK So it's a little early but now is a good time to get in to see a VIP screening of
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Now is the time to mark your calendars for another anticipated mega-launch by Apple. This Wednesday, Apple is slated to announce its new tablet device at 12:00pm CST. As for a preview of some of the rumors, here is what Engadget has to say. The tablet
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THE CHICAGO IL REAL ESTATE MARKET, AND OTHER THINGS CHICAGO, FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF A LITTLE WHITE DOG! Hey, you dogs! You know, getting around Chicago, I try to take Public Transportation as much as I can. Often times, however, riding the Chicago
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AVERAGE MONTHLY BILLS CAN INCREASE AS MUCH AS $5.50/MONTH! Live in Chicago? You know, during a Cold Chicago Winter , heating bills can go through the roof. Especially if you have an older home, with 1920's-era insulation. Four winters ago, during
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"HOPE FOR HAITI" INTERNATIONAL TELETHON RAISES OVER $58 MILLION; CHICAGO MEDIA EFFORTS - NEARLY $3 MILLION! Did you watch the Internationally-Televised "Hope for Haiti" Telethon last Friday night? Aired on all local Chicago broadcast
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Chicago, the City of Big Shoulders, has certainly stepped up to the plate this past week by collecting over $2.5 million for the refugees of the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti thus far. In these tough economic times, it's very difficult parting
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PORTAGE PARK The new year has settled in nicely and now it's time to start thinking about your goals and resolutions for 2010. It's also the time when parents and their kids start viewing colleges. There is one location in Portage Park that's
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Sunrise at Westlake, Glendale Heights - Announcing a price reduction on 36 Burgess Drive, a 1 Bath, 3 Bedroom, 2 story split "Bi-Level". Now MLS® $179,500 - JUST REDUCED!! Property information
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In the late 1980s, a study done by the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) revealed that common houseplants such as bamboo palms and spider plants help purify the air . In fact,
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I'm a Firefox user. I really like the platform and its usability. I just like it. I know that the next big thing is Google's Chrome , but I haven't had a chance to really try it out as yet. One of the key benefits to using Firefox is its use
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With the arctic cold weather taking a break this weekend, there are two events in town that are hinting at spring time already! Billed as the largest show of its kind here in the Midwest, the Chicago Boat, RV & Outdoor Show , now in its 80 th year,
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THE CHICAGO IL REAL ESTATE MARKET, AND OTHER THINGS CHICAGO, FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF A LITTLE WHITE DOG! Good Morning, you dogs! We hit the road yesterday, and I now report from tropical Livonia MI , a suburb of Detroit . We're here to see our longtime
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NUMBER OF DAILY CHICAGO POTHOLE REPAIRS FALLS BY OVER 90% - BUT UP TO THREE MORE MONTHS OF WINTER REMAIN TO TEST DRIVERS, ROADS! You drive in Chicago? If you do, each winter and into spring, you would see why many refer to the City of Chicago as "Pothole
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REVIEW OF NOTES FROM FEDERAL RESERVE MEETING OF MID-DECEMBER REVEALS MIXED OPINIONS AMONG BOARD MEMBERS! Beginning early in 2009, The Fed began to purchase billions, no TRILLIONS of securities backed by privately-issued mortgages. Indeed, it is projected
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Good Afternoon! Considering a Real Estate Professional to help you sell your home? Chances are, their Real Estate Fees are a bit higher than they used to be. Why? Many weaker, discounting agents have left the business in a tough economy. Homesellers seem
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PORTAGE PARK Finally, it's warming up outside. Why not go for a swim? One place that is definitely a gem in the neighborhood is Portage Park - the actual park. It's a location that is not only fabulous for spring/summer wedding backdrops and spending
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CHICAGO ALDERMAN WANTS TO REOPEN OLD CASE, "SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT" ON 1939 MURDER OF PROMINENT MOB INFORMANT! Chicago! Will it ever get passed the old Al Capone Rep? The made-for-Hollywood story of Eliot Ness and the Untouchables exposing
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AVERAGE SALES FEES - "COMMISSIONS" - EDGE UP FOR FOURTH STRAIGHT YEAR ACROSS U.S.! In Chicago , and in many other areas of the U.S., median home prices have fallen over the last few years. Units sold have dropped, and many of those single-family
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It's that time of year again. Let me just say it in one word, "BRRRRRR!" One of the main impairments to keeping your home protected is the winter chill. And if you're not careful, your pipes could not only freeze but also break. Below
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Every once in a while I come across a site that truly inspires me. Today that particular site is called Let's Say Thanks . To honor U.S. military personnel and increase community morale, Xerox Corporation has created this national program designed
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• MLS® $1,295 USD Monthly - Value-Priced! Dunning, Chicago - Immaculate 2BR Duplex Townhome for Rent - Steps to Hiawatha Park! Updated Kitchen with Premium Appliances, Great Cabinet Space! Separate Dining Room, Large, Sun-Filled Living Room.
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Well, as we say here in Chicago, "if you can't beat the snow, then join it!" It's time to put on your boots, Parka, scarf, hat & gloves and head out to the great outdoors. There's plenty of winter activities in and around Chicago.
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THE CHICAGO IL REAL ESTATE MARKET, AND OTHER THINGS CHICAGO, FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF A LITTLE WHITE DOG! Hey, you dogs! This photo was taken during warmer days - days you could actually see the concrete sidewalk and back yard lawn here at Casa Moss,
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MANY SAY "AFTER THE SUPER BOWL!" HERE IN CHICAGO, THAT HAS NOT ALWAYS HELD TRUE! It's an old question, here in Chicago and across the U.S. "When does the Real Estate Market heat up again after its usual seasonal slowdown between Halloween
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NORWOOD PARK Not only does the Norwood Park Historical Society offer many events for the local community, it also offers a Museum with exhibits. There are four different exhibit rooms which include Margaret's Room, Norwood Park History, Prehistoric
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This is the time of year when going down the alleys in Chicago you will see many trees propped up against the garbage cans waiting for the garbage men to pick them up. Let's try to be all things green and recycle ! You not only prevent a tree going
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I have to admit that I've seen a couple of the commercials for this event on TV already and it looks really interesting, especially if you are using any type of phone that supports apps - small applications that fit on our mobile phone like the iPhone
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Happy New Year! What is Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke's proposal to avoid another Financial and Housing Market Meltdown like the one we are still enduring? More Stringent Regulations, first and foremost, followed by monetary policy to
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NEW LAW MAKES IT EASIER TO PROSECUTE, ADDS CYBER-STALKING DEFINITION! Across the State of IL, a new lL Anti-Stalking Statute offers new legal protection for victims of stalking and domestic violence. As reported by Megan Twohey in last Friday's Chicago
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STREET PARKING IN PAY-BOX ZONES TO JUMP 25 TO 75 CENTS BEGINNING JANUARY 4TH! Ahhh, yes! Chicago Politics at its absolute finest! Late in 2008, the Chicago City Council virtually rubber-stamped, with little debate, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley's
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BEN BERNANKE - PRO-ACTIVITY IS NECESSARY TO PREVENT ANOTHER ECONOMIC MELTDOWN - REMARKS TO AMERICAN ECONOMIC ASSOCIATION! How to prevent another financial and real estate market calamity like the one we're still feeling the effects of? Federal Reserve
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THE CHICAGO IL REAL ESTATE MARKET, AND OTHER THINGS CHICAGO, FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF A LITTLE WHITE DOG! No, you dogs! We're not still hungover from New Year's Eve! Well . . . perhaps a little! We dogs here in Chicago - many of us don't
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Good Evening! Federal Economic Recovery Efforts - to stimulate lending, the U.S. Housing Market, and the Economy in general. Is it time to begin weaning ourselves off of them? The First Time and Repeat Homebuyers Income Tax Credit Program. Government
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TREASURY TO BUY FEWER MORTGAGE BACKED SECURITIES, LIKELY RESULTING IN HIGHER INTEREST RATES, IN 2010! All things, as they say, must come to an end! The good things end - the incredible Bull Real Estate Market , which, day by day, becomes a more distant
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NEW LAW SOON TO STRENGTHEN BROKER EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS, DISCLOSURE IMPROVED IMMEDIATELY! Ask the average consumer about the amount of required education and training an IL Real Estate Practitioner is required to complete before they earn their Real
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I thought it would only be fitting to offer some entertaining hangover remedies this weekend as we say good-bye to 2009. I realize that not every one of us will need a remedy, but a hangover is not required for any of these weekend events. The Great Outdoors
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