On the other extreme, the most expensive Homer Glen home is priced at $1,400,000. It is a 6,000 sq. ft. home with 5 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms. It is one of 3 homes priced over $1,000,000.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Homer Glen Homes For Sale Today - 12/9/11
I'm kind of surprised at the amount of buyers I'm working with and the amount of showings some of my listings are getting at this time of year. Sometimes the market shuts down in Illinois during the winter months, especially between Thanksgiving and New Year's. I think low interest rates plus low prices are getting the buyers out - this is a great opportunity and I wish I could buy a bunch of homes myself right now.
As of today's date, there are currently 207 Homer Glen homes up for sale. I always like to show the extremes, so the extreme low price for a Homer Glen home today is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch home in Pebble Creek for $129,900. This is a short sale that is remodeled and looks to be a great deal. However, banks don't always accept some of the low prices that agents list their short sale listings at. So until the bank accepts an offer, we won't know if this price will stand until it closes.
On the other extreme, the most expensive Homer Glen home is priced at $1,400,000. It is a 6,000 sq. ft. home with 5 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms. It is one of 3 homes priced over $1,000,000.
On the other extreme, the most expensive Homer Glen home is priced at $1,400,000. It is a 6,000 sq. ft. home with 5 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms. It is one of 3 homes priced over $1,000,000.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
New Page for Mokena Homes
There's a new webpage created for Mokena homes. It is part of the Chicago Suburbs Real Estate website and the page shows a lot of information on the growing village of Mokena, including available homes for sale without having to do a search. Of course, if you want a more detailed search you can use the Mokena MLS search and customize it how you want.
The average price of homes in Mokena in the 3rd quarter of 2011 is $356,812, which is a 2.4% increase comparing the 3rd quarter of 2010, showing that Mokena has not lost value like many other southwest suburbs, some going down in value by double digits.
Some people consider Mokena to be "too far out" but it has a Metra train line that goes downtown, making it convenient enough to live in this great village and still be able to work in Chicago. Check out the links above to see the new Mokena page.
The average price of homes in Mokena in the 3rd quarter of 2011 is $356,812, which is a 2.4% increase comparing the 3rd quarter of 2010, showing that Mokena has not lost value like many other southwest suburbs, some going down in value by double digits.
Some people consider Mokena to be "too far out" but it has a Metra train line that goes downtown, making it convenient enough to live in this great village and still be able to work in Chicago. Check out the links above to see the new Mokena page.
Monday, November 7, 2011
New Featured Properties Listings Widget
I have added a Featured Listings Widget to the blog sidebar on the right. It will show some of the featured southwest suburban properties currently for sale that have their very own single property websites that will show price, photos, descriptions and more. I am including it in this blog post but it will always be in the sidebar and will constantly be updated as some properties go off market and new ones become Featured Listings with their own websites.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Why You Might Need More Than An Online Real Estate Search Site
My main website is very popular and I constantly get buyers that register to use my IDX (or MLS) property search. Although my IDX search is pretty easy to use, there is a limitation to how many items you can specifically search for. That goes with most real estate search portals, no matter how good they seem to be.
Many search portals do not keep their database up-to-date. These are portals that allow agents to post and/or syndicate their listings, and these listings are not coming from an MLS feed. Because of that, these listings could have been sold, closed, cancelled or expired years ago. You call the listing agent or another agent you "like" from the portal site and find out that listing is long off the market, and you probably won't visit that site again since you feel it is not accurate and wasted your time.
If you use a website, like mine, that provides listings directly from the MLS (the data feed is usually acquired once a day, sometimes twice or more), you will still find listings that are technically Active Status, but they are truly Contingent on Financing. That means there is an accepted contract and there are no further showings. So why is it showing up on sites like mine and many others?
Because as I mentioned, Contingent listings are technically Active, even though they have an accepted offer and do not allow further showings. There are different types of Contingent listings, and some do allow further showings. These are Contingent on Sale and Contingent on Close and some Contingent on Other. But you won't know the difference on your end. All Contingent listings are bundled together in our MLS, so you'll see those that are still allowing showings and those that are not.
Because of this, you really need to allow your agent to create an automated search for you via their access to the MLS (Multiple Listing Service). They can leave out the listings that have accepted contracts and do not allow showings, thereby only sending you listings that are active and ready to see. You don't have to continue creating searches and wasting your time with those listings that have accepted offers on them.
Keep in mind, our MLS requires status to be changed within 72 hours of contract acceptance, so there still might be lag time between when an offer was accepted on a property and when it is changed in the MLS, but the majority of listings will be truly active when you have your agent set you up with an automated search. In fact, your first search will provide a large amount of inventory and subsequent searches will be New listings, Reactivated/Back on Market listings or listings that had a Price Change.
For example, if you're looking in the southwest suburbs and might be interested in Homer Glen homes, if you're just starting and want to get a feel for the market you can set up your search on the website. However, if you're ready to start looking for homes, you should fill out the Automated Home Finder Form and have Judy Orr create a specific search using your personal choices and sending you properties that are currently up for sale and ready to view.
If you use a website, like mine, that provides listings directly from the MLS (the data feed is usually acquired once a day, sometimes twice or more), you will still find listings that are technically Active Status, but they are truly Contingent on Financing. That means there is an accepted contract and there are no further showings. So why is it showing up on sites like mine and many others?
Because as I mentioned, Contingent listings are technically Active, even though they have an accepted offer and do not allow further showings. There are different types of Contingent listings, and some do allow further showings. These are Contingent on Sale and Contingent on Close and some Contingent on Other. But you won't know the difference on your end. All Contingent listings are bundled together in our MLS, so you'll see those that are still allowing showings and those that are not.
Keep in mind, our MLS requires status to be changed within 72 hours of contract acceptance, so there still might be lag time between when an offer was accepted on a property and when it is changed in the MLS, but the majority of listings will be truly active when you have your agent set you up with an automated search. In fact, your first search will provide a large amount of inventory and subsequent searches will be New listings, Reactivated/Back on Market listings or listings that had a Price Change.
For example, if you're looking in the southwest suburbs and might be interested in Homer Glen homes, if you're just starting and want to get a feel for the market you can set up your search on the website. However, if you're ready to start looking for homes, you should fill out the Automated Home Finder Form and have Judy Orr create a specific search using your personal choices and sending you properties that are currently up for sale and ready to view.
Friday, October 7, 2011
How Are Buyers Searching for Palos Park Homes?
When you run a website and you're serious about it producing for you, you have to periodically check how people are finding you. There are analytics with most sites and many of us use Google webmaster tools. Another source I use is Google Adwords keyword tool.
That tool told me that most people looking for property in Palos Park are using the term Palos Park homes. But I was surprised to learn that the amount of those searches is very low. This has been a prestigious southwest Chicago suburb for as long as I can remember. In fact, it was always the highest priced area suburb until 2010, when Lemont real estate took the top spot.
Does that mean Palos Park has lost its appeal? I personally think many buyers figure they're priced out of Palos Park because of its high priced reputation. I've shown many homes in the village and a buyer can certainly get better value in some of the neighboring suburbs. I remember showing homes in the $300,000's that were pretty original (old fashioned). Many of the homes in that price range had standing water in basements and smelled musty with or without obvious water damage. Quite a few were true handyman specials.
So why is the value so high? This is a beautiful village that first attracted artists and the village was considered an artist's colony. The beautiful forest preserves can definitely give one inspiration.
Lots were usually larger in Palos Park than surrounding villages and had a more country, almost rural feel but shopping and "city living" amenities were close by in the other towns. It is also one of the southwest suburbs that isn't too far out where horses are allowed.
Although there have been some subdivisions built in Palos Park over the years, most people associate the beautiful village with the unique custom homes built into the surrounding forest preserves. Time will tell when and where prices will stabilize in the village.
Does that mean Palos Park has lost its appeal? I personally think many buyers figure they're priced out of Palos Park because of its high priced reputation. I've shown many homes in the village and a buyer can certainly get better value in some of the neighboring suburbs. I remember showing homes in the $300,000's that were pretty original (old fashioned). Many of the homes in that price range had standing water in basements and smelled musty with or without obvious water damage. Quite a few were true handyman specials.
So why is the value so high? This is a beautiful village that first attracted artists and the village was considered an artist's colony. The beautiful forest preserves can definitely give one inspiration.
Lots were usually larger in Palos Park than surrounding villages and had a more country, almost rural feel but shopping and "city living" amenities were close by in the other towns. It is also one of the southwest suburbs that isn't too far out where horses are allowed.
Although there have been some subdivisions built in Palos Park over the years, most people associate the beautiful village with the unique custom homes built into the surrounding forest preserves. Time will tell when and where prices will stabilize in the village.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Best Resources for Lemont Real Estate
Lemont Real Estate Resources
If you're looking at Lemont homes for sale, don't rummage through the huge national sites that have clunky search features. Go to your Local Lemont REALTOR and be able to view Lemont real estate without having to do a search.
If you prefer to set up an MLS search with more specific search features, then feel free to utilize the Lemont MLS. It is pre-set to start a general search of Lemont homes for sale. You can add your own criteria to narrow things down.
Click the link for another local page about Lemont real estate.
Lemont is a popular southwest suburb of Chicago and was the highest priced in 2010. It will be interesting to see if it keeps that pricing designation for 2011, or if Palos Park will regain it's pricing status.
If you prefer to set up an MLS search with more specific search features, then feel free to utilize the Lemont MLS. It is pre-set to start a general search of Lemont homes for sale. You can add your own criteria to narrow things down.
Click the link for another local page about Lemont real estate.
Lemont is a popular southwest suburb of Chicago and was the highest priced in 2010. It will be interesting to see if it keeps that pricing designation for 2011, or if Palos Park will regain it's pricing status.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Fall Comes Early to Homer Glen
One of the days was actually close to perfect weather since it was sunny and got up into the 70's. It was so gorgeous I shot a few pictures from my car on a scenic drive down 104th Ave., which is surrounded by forest preserves, lakes and ponds. What a perfect day for fishing - not too hot yet not too cold.
My husband went to see Nascar races yesterday with a friend and they got rained out, so they had to push things aside and go back today. It was still a little rainy this morning but the sun is trying to peek out from behind the clouds.
I thought maybe it was a cold spurt and it would revert back, and I'm hoping that will still happen before Autumn weather is here for good. I love the Fall, but it can get pretty cold in these southwest Chicago suburbs. And it is the reminder of the cold winter and spring seasons to come.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Lemont Homes For Sale Today - 8/30/2011
What I find interesting is that even though Lemont was the priciest suburb in 2010, there are only 2 high priced homes but each is just under $1,000,000. Orland Park has 20 properties priced over $1,000,000 and Palos Park has 19. It will be interesting to see if Lemont stays atop its "priciest perch" for 2011, especially with the lack of available million dollar properties.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Orland Park Homes For Sale August 2, 2011
I remember times when most first-time home buyers didn't even consider Orland Park as they felt it was out of their price range. This is the time to get in this popular village and could prove to be a great investment.
I'm sure some of the lowest priced homes need work and some might not qualify for FHA or normal conventional financing (they might require cash or a rehab loan), but there are many affordable homes in Orland Park right now. Click the above link and look through them all. You don't even have to do a search, they are all listed and are broken down into price ranges.
And don't forget, if you like Facebook go ahead to the Orland Park Living page and "Like" it!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Homer Glen Homes For Sale
Prices start at $149,000 for a 3 bedroom, 1 bath home that touts itself as "the lowest priced home in Homer Glen." There are currently 9 Homer Glen homes priced $200,000 and under. The most popular price range is between $300,000-$400,000, which had 83 listings. On the high end, there are 8 listings priced above $1,000,000.
So as you can see, there is something for everyone in this growing village, which is the newest Chicago suburb and will be celebrating it's 10th anniversary this year. If you are interested in Homer Glen real estate click the link and start searching the MLS.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Homer Glen Real Estate Resources
Homer Glen homes - this entire page is chock full of information on Homer Glen real estate, including a list of homes currently up for sale. You don't even have to do a search and the price ranges are broken up so you can easily view all listings in the price range(s) you're interested in.
Search the Homer Glen MLS - maybe you'd like to get a little more in depth with the amenities that are important to you. This search is already started for you, you can add your specifics.
Homer Glen real estate - this is another resource page for the village of Homer Glen, which will be celebrating it's 10th anniversary this year.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Surgery, Convalescing and Getting Antsy
I had major surgery on March 29th and am just about two weeks out in my recovery phase. I may need follow-up treatments. I cannot drive until a month after surgery. Thank goodness my husband, James Herter, got his real estate license just prior to my operation. We are now a real team and James is out there pounding the pavement.
I can handle behind-the-scenes stuff like marketing, e-mail and phone communications, blogging and website maintenance and setting appointments. Jimmy is out there taking buyer clients out.
This is the time of year that I try to get new listings by contacting expired sellers and for sale by owners (FSBO's). I use a great postcard campaign and get a lot of listings by doing this. This year I will concentrate on Orland Park and Homer Glen homes. I am trying to make my listing side of the business super local.
My husband is too new to the business to be able to handle a listing appointment on his own. So we'll have to wait a couple of weeks until I heal more as I never know how quickly I will get an appointment request from the postcards.
Sitting home can get boring, especially with these couple of days of beautiful weather. I am raring to get out there and be more active with my buyers and sellers. I have some plans for new marketing techniques this year and am anxious to give them a try.
I can handle behind-the-scenes stuff like marketing, e-mail and phone communications, blogging and website maintenance and setting appointments. Jimmy is out there taking buyer clients out.
This is the time of year that I try to get new listings by contacting expired sellers and for sale by owners (FSBO's). I use a great postcard campaign and get a lot of listings by doing this. This year I will concentrate on Orland Park and Homer Glen homes. I am trying to make my listing side of the business super local.
My husband is too new to the business to be able to handle a listing appointment on his own. So we'll have to wait a couple of weeks until I heal more as I never know how quickly I will get an appointment request from the postcards.
Sitting home can get boring, especially with these couple of days of beautiful weather. I am raring to get out there and be more active with my buyers and sellers. I have some plans for new marketing techniques this year and am anxious to give them a try.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
How Does Weather Affect Real Estate Sales?
We had what was termed "the Blizzard of 2011" last week and it certainly halted real estate sales and almost all shopping, dining and entertainment. I don't know of any agents that showed houses last Wednesday, and I stayed home on Thursday, too.But there were other consequences of the heavy snow storm. There were many closings that could not occur on Wednesday. Some sellers had moving trucks set-up that had to be changed. Some buyers had to stay put another day or so.
I had an Orland Park real estate closing last Monday and the sellers were supposed to be out on Wednesday but we all knew that wasn't going to happen. They were moving out of state and the moving truck broke down on Thursday so the move did not happen until Friday. I'm wondering how many sellers and buyers that depended on professional movers had to reschedule, and how many days they had to wait.
Our little "blizzard" is no comparison to some of the bad weather that has caused disaster areas because of hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, etc. Our snow storm just affected things for a day or two, maybe a little longer for some. I didn't hear anything about sellers having damaged roofs but I'm sure it probably happened to someone.
Our winter weather was truly a small blip on the radar compared to some of the ravages of areas like Florida, Louisiana, Texas, etc. I can't imagine how life, not just real estate, changed in those areas.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Best Resources for Palos Park Real Estate
Sometimes Google just doesn't give you what you want. Many of the top Google spots for real estate searches are large national (even international) portals that are difficult to maneuver. All they really provide are listings and maybe some data.Below are some web pages created by a local agent that shows and sells Palos Park real estate (since 1983) and knows it first-hand, unlike those huge, generic real estate websites:
Palos Park homes - not only can you see at a glance all available Palos Park homes for sale, but you'll get some local information on this popular village nestled in forest preserves.
Palos Park MLS - This search is already started for you, but you can add more towns and other values to really hone your search down.
Palos Park real estate - This is another page on a real estate blog that is constantly updated.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Tinley Park Real Estate
What's available for sale today in Tinley Park? There are currently 179 Tinley Park homes on the market as of today's date. These homes range from a low price of $82,400 for a brick cape cod featuring 4 bedrooms, 2 baths and a basement! It is a Freddie Mac HomeSteps foreclosure home. The listing office is expecting multiple offers and it has only been on the market for 3 days, with a final date of January 13th, 2011, to submit offers.
The current highest priced home in Tinley Park is priced at $825,000. It was built in 2001 and offers 4 bedrooms, 4 1/2 bathrooms, a partially finished basement, 4 car garage and 5,000 sq. ft. of living space. It has been on the market for 183 days without any price reduction. It was also up for sale, seemingly by the same owners, in 2006 (at a lower price, which doesn't make sense since prices have been declining since) for 124 days. That listing expired and they're trying again.
This is the highest priced home in Tinley Park right now with no competition. The next highest price is $599,000, so this is going to be a long, tough sale. I wish these sellers the best of luck and hope they can find a buyer in 2011.
If you're interested in Tinley Park real estate, click the link above and use the contact form on the website, or use the Quick Contact form on the left-hand side of this blog.
The current highest priced home in Tinley Park is priced at $825,000. It was built in 2001 and offers 4 bedrooms, 4 1/2 bathrooms, a partially finished basement, 4 car garage and 5,000 sq. ft. of living space. It has been on the market for 183 days without any price reduction. It was also up for sale, seemingly by the same owners, in 2006 (at a lower price, which doesn't make sense since prices have been declining since) for 124 days. That listing expired and they're trying again.
This is the highest priced home in Tinley Park right now with no competition. The next highest price is $599,000, so this is going to be a long, tough sale. I wish these sellers the best of luck and hope they can find a buyer in 2011.
If you're interested in Tinley Park real estate, click the link above and use the contact form on the website, or use the Quick Contact form on the left-hand side of this blog.
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