Tara Winfield's (tarawinfield) Blog

Our trees are up and decorated.  (And have been for a few days.)  I got the new Augusten Burroughs' Christmas book, You Better Not Cry (http://www.amazon.com/You-Better-Not-Cry-Christmas/dp/0312341911/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259522073&sr=8-1)- and refused to start reading it until I could...

A great husband that also happens to be my best friend.  A nice house with comfy furniture.  A handsome pug who thinks he is everyone's best friend.  A car that has air-conditioning.  Supportive parents.  The space heater in our home office.  A four-year-younger sister that is often confused as m...

     My home office, like most of the rooms in our house, fell victim to the mid 1990's wallpaper border craze.   As if that weren't bad enough, a later occupant painted over said border - further sealing it to the wall.  Painted over wallpaper is probably one of my biggest pet peeves.  I just co...

I've just listed a three bedroom, four bath home in my subdivision.  (See previous blog, "Why you should want to live in the same neighborhood as a Realtor...")  This 1.5 story home was built in 2000 and features an open floor plan.  The spacious kitchen boasts a center island and built-in desk a...

You've heard the old adage, "Location, location, location."  And, who knows more about desirable locations than a Realtor???  We're out and about every day showing houses, determining home values, helping clients see the benefit of a slightly longer commute for thousands of dollars in savings, an...

Can you believe it's almost November?  Where has this year gone?  I'm convinced that time flies faster for Realtors than it does for most people.  (Feel free to correct me if you feel otherwise.)  We are always operating a month (or so) ahead of our time.  As soon as we get something under contra...

3021 Sunset Hills Boulevard South Edwardsville, Illinois 62025 Stunning atrium ranch overlooking the 13th green of Sunset Hills Country Club. Attention to detail is evident throughout this custom built home. Kitchen features cherry cabinetry with granite countertops, center island and walk-in pan...

Despite what we continuously hear on the nightly news and read in the morning paper, our local housing market has still remained relatively stable.  The MLS shows that the average sales price in our area is down only about $4,000 from the highest average price we've experienced in the last 7 year...

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has initiated a new tax credit for first-time homebuyers.  This program - combined with reduced home prices and historically low interest rates -has resulted in a great opportunity to become a homeowner. Quick Facts: ▪ A first-time homebuyer is d...

Purchasing a short sale property is a very long process. Maybe I'm generalizing too much.  Perhaps there are financial or lending institutions out there that are much more efficient at responding to buyers' offers, but I have yet to come across one. Very briefly, a short sale describes the situat...