Here is a great tool to view the properties in your neighborhood that are currently on the market or have sold. Sign up to receive this FREE information. No crazy stalkers will call, we might email you, but we won't sell your info to anyone!

http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?F57HRA8G7LFW

Another great service from the Dream Team Realtors!

ok First timers, money is still available! We have some programs available to receive down payment assistance for your purchase, but of course once its gone its gone!

Now is still a fantastic time to buy. Prices have not been this good, and selection is still here. There are alot of fixer uppers and move in ready homes that can be bought for the right price. Speaking of the fixers, we also have 203K loans available. These are FHA backed loans that also provide the money needed to fix up the home. So you end up being able to buy a home with low down payment, and get a dose of cash to fix it up at the same time. Call or email and I can get you in touch with the right people!

As the year closes, don't say let's just wait till next year! The nicer homes are going fast.

In this market, pricing has become such a hard target. Every day we here about sales not being appraised due to comparable properties being distressed or just no traditional sales to use.

Sellers, please be aware of these issues and how to get a sale closed without issue. Many contributing factors go into pricing, but it drives the whole transaction. More showings, better offers because your market time is weeks instead of months, no appraisal issues, maybe even competing offers because we have attracted so many buyers to a property because it was priced right!

Buyers also need to realize that not every house can be stolen for 10% less than asking price. Again if it is priced right to begin with, you better be willing to go close to asking if the house is worth it, because we are now seeing more than one offer quickly! Now that said, if the house needs work or is just overpriced, then either justify it with comps, or move to another property, there sure are enought o choose from!

Thanks for checking us out and have a fantastic day!

Shawn

Huge news for first time buyers! This option gives first time buyers the real advantage of using the tax credit as the down payment to get into their first home.

Read more at http://www.illinoisrealtor.org/iar/newsreleases/monetization

Please call with any questions!

Hello all,

Well we all have heard about how paint color can trigger a home to sell or not sell. Typically we see buyers understand that they can just paint once they move in, but in this type of a market they will choose another house!

Here is a website about paint colors and how color can change the feel about a house. There are some great tools to check out on this page. Thanks to the National Association of Realtors for publishing an article with this link.

http://www.colormatters.com/entercolormatters.html

Consider paint colors if you are getting ready to sell, buyers are being very picky today about how a home looks since there are so many to choose from.

Shawn

Sorry about the confusion in the last post, but our friends at the Treasury Dept. didn't all the traffic! Here is the new link to the new website!

http://makinghomeaffordable.gov/

Hope this helps!

Shawn

ok, so we all heard about the first time buyer tax credits, well is a link to some information, and a second file from the Illinois Association of Realtors with some comparisons to last years data.

http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/2009/faq.php#20

Hope all of you who have purchased a home or are interested can take advantage of these deals. Please call or email with questions on anything!

Shawn

Hello all,

We have been working with some old friends who own Signature Flooring in Lake Zurich on supplying our customers all there flooring needs. Megan Miller, who owns Signature Flooring, is offering all customers who mention the blog a $100.00 discount on any purchase over $500.00 with them. They have loads to choose from starting with hardwood floors, ceramic tile, laminates and a full range of carpeting. Megan's website is listed here so check it out! http://www.SignatureFlooring.org

Those of you in need of flooring should take advantage of the tax returns and get those home improvements done now!

For a full list of vendors we have worked with, please let us know and we would be happy to email you with the trades people we have used and had good luck with in the past.

Thanks for checking in and more soon,

Shawn