Attention Homeowners: If your home is not currently listed and you hope to get your home sold this Spring, NOW is the time to put your home on the market.  Traditionally in our area homesellers have waited until AFTER the Superbowl to list for the Spring market.  But this year is different. Why? 1. Homebuyers have a great incentive to LOOK EARLY this year. Perhaps you've heard of the $8,000 tax credit for 1st time homebuyers.  This credit expires at midnight on April 30, 2010.  For any 1st time homebuyer who has NOT Contracted to buy a home by this date, THEIR TIME IS UP! 2. Homesellers have a great incentive to LIST EARLY this year. Perhaps you've heard of the $6,500 tax credit incentive for long-time Homeowners.  This credit also expires at midnight on April 30, 2010.  This means that... 01/27/2010

Quite a few years ago I came across a beautiful subdivision in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago called "Trout Valley".  Just the name of the subdivision put a smile on my face. This subdivision is known for it's privacy, variety of housing styles and community involvement.  Meandering through the subdivision is a man-made Trout Stream exclusively for the enjoyment of the members of the Trout Valley Association and their guests. Now, if you like recreation, this is one subdivision that has it all.  If you buy a house here you are entitled to a number of neighborhood amenities that are exclusive to you.  Some are FREE but others may cost you a little to enjoy.   Trout Valley offers: Trout and Bass Fishing in their Stream and Ponds Horseback Riding and a Stable your Horse Community Swimmin... 01/16/2010

  Home Buyer TIPS On Purchasing A Distressed Property: Pre-Foreclosure, Short Sale, Foreclosure or REO   Did You Know That Foreclosures and Short Sales Can Actually Cost A Buyer More? So many buyers think the best deals out there are foreclosures and short sales, but they can actually cost MORE!  One important thing for home buyers to keep in mind is that since we are in such a strong buyer’s market now,  there are many motivated sellers out there that have great homes priced to compete with the short sales, pre-foreclosures, foreclosures and REO’s and a buyer can usually purchase one of these homes with a less stress, money and risk factors than when buying a distressed property. Here are just some of the additional costs you may incur with a bank foreclosure / distressed sale:   Surve... 12/22/2009

There is a reason we call this a BUYER'S MARKET-Real Estate is ON SALE!  There is a reason we call this a BUYER'S MARKET...   Actually, there are MANY reasons! I have always LOVED representing buyers, but I have never had so much fun and success with my buyer clients as I am now in this BUYER'S MARKET.      There IS An UPSIDE To This Market: True, it may not be the best time to sell, unless you need to or if you are moving UP in price. (That could be a whole other blog post!)  If you pay attention to the media, you may get the idea there is nothing GOOD about this market and the best thing to do is to just stay away from real estate.  But, as in anything, everything has silver lining, and in this case, it just may be the silver cup! There is a reason we call this a Buyer's market, and t... 10/20/2009

How can a CDPE ( Certified Distressed Property Expert ) help you when you are facing foreclosure?    In addition to helping people with selling resale properties, I also work with homeowners who are in distress or owe more on thier homes than what they are worth.  As a CDPE, I am a member of an organization of over 8000. professionals that work with homeowners in distress, as Realtors.  This little video explains how CDPE's are trained to help.  If you are facing foreclosure or know someone who may be, please give me a call (I am a CDPE), I'd like to try to help more people to avoid foreclosure.              My Direct Number at the Office is 847.516.6760     If I can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to call or email me.  It will be my pleasure!  By the way, if you know of... 08/18/2009

      Photo taken by Debra Kukulski, ABR, RECS, GRI, EPRO, Realtor with RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest Cary-Crystal Lake IL, provides highly professional levels of real estate services to home buyers and sellers in McHenry, Lake, Kane or Cook Counties in Northern Illinois. Visit my www.FoxRiverProperties.com to search for homes for sale in Northern Illinois. "Spring Sunrise Over Fox River Cary IL" by Debra Kukulski Cary IL, Crystal Lake, IL, Barrington, Fox River, Fox Lake, Chain of Lakes, IL ©2009. Property of Debra Kukulski, All Rights Reserved. Photo may not be used or reproduced in any way without express written permission from Debra Kukulski.   To Search Homes For Sale, Please Contact Me Directly Or Feel Free To Search On My Website!   If I can be of assistance to you, please do not h... 05/06/2009

Illinois-McHenry County, Lake County-CARY IL Real Estate Market Conditions   How is the current market in Cary, IL? Cary, IL Market Conditions:  Cary is located in both McHenry and Lake Counties in Northern Illinois There are 18 waterfront homes for sale including homes for sale on the Fox River in Fox Cary IL.  The average list price of the current waterfront homes in Cary IL on the market is $474,128 .   To Search Homes For Sale, Please Contact Me Directly Or Feel Free To Search On My Website!   Search Waterfront and Fox River Front Homes For Sale Here   Lyons Prairie Park and Marsh in Cary IL: As of this morning, per MRED MLS, for the past 3 months: We currently have 251 Single Family homes on the market in Cary that are active and available. •·     They have been on the market for a... 04/25/2009

Here are some links I hope you find helpful if you live in or are considering a move to Cary, IL: Schools: Cary/Fox River Grove Grade School District 26 http://www.cary26.k12.il.us/ Cary/Fox River Grove/Crystal Lake High School District 155 www.d155.org Algonquin School District www.d300.org/ Cary Private School www.peterpaulschoolcary.org     GOVERNMENT: Illinois Municipal League www.iml.org State of Illinois www.illinois.gov Village of Cary http://www.caryillinois.com McHenry County Government Center www.co.mchenry.il.us Lake County Government Center www.co.lake.il.us/ Fox Waterway Agency www.foxwaterway.state.il.us/ Algonquin Township www.algonquintownship.com Algonquin Township Assessor www.algonquintownship.com/assessor.html Cuba Township www.cubatownship.com/ Cuba Township Assess... 04/20/2009

One of the most important things I learned in the Certified Distressed Property Expert course I took last week (CDPE) were ways to help troubled homeowners stay in their homes and to try to help get the word out that there ARE options for many people.  A very shocking statistic I learned was that 7 out of 10 homeowners whose homes actually get foreclosed upon get to that point without any visible help.  There are so many good people that are experiencing financial difficulties at this time in our present economy, but many of the people who need help the most feel too ashamed or embarrassed to reach out for help.  As a CDPE, I am now trained to help do what I can to help people prevent foreclosure. For some people that qualify, a short sale may be the answer but I would advise not only ... 04/02/2009

Your REALTOR: Debra Kukulski April 2009 "The highest compliment a client can give me is to trust me with a referral, this is how I build my business!"If you have a friend or family member looking to buy or sell a home please pass their name and number along to me and I will give them the same great service I give to all of my clients! I can also helppeople find a Realtor nationwide! Copyright © 2009 Realty TimesAll Rights Reserved. Five Ways to Wow Buyers   These days, tax credits and high housing inventory make it a buyers' market. If you're a seller, don't despair. There are a variety of renovations that can help make your home stand out. Many buyers look at numerous homes when shopping for a house; so enhancing your home to make it more memorable is vital and increases the chances o... 04/02/2009

  I just wanted to post this article since it will not be on the Re/Max International site any longer after today and I posted a link here to the Earth Hour atrticle the other day. Re/Max is re-vamping the entire Re/Max site this weekend and I was told the link I posted earlier will not longer be working. So, here goes, with gratitude and express written permission from the author, Deborah Ball, RE/MAX Times Associate Editor, of course:-)               RE/MAX Times Online         You are here: Home » Affiliates Looking Forward to Earth Hour on March 28     Global Initiative   Affiliates Looking Forward to Earth Hour on March 28 By Deborah Ball, RE/MAX Times Associate Editor     It's only one hour, but it's also a worldwide show of unity. On March 28, many RE/MAX Affiliates will join mil... 04/02/2009

    Photo taken by Debra Kukulski, ABR, RECS, GRI, EPRO, Realtor with RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest Cary-Crystal Lake IL, provides highly professional levels of real estate services to home buyers and sellers in McHenry, Lake, Kane or Cook Counties in Northern Illinois. Visit my www.FoxRiverProperties.com to search for homes for sale in Northern Illinois. ""March "Spring" Morning in Cary, IL"" ©2009. Property of Debra Kukulski, All Rights Reserved. Photo may not be used or reproduced in any way without express written permission from Debra Kukulski.  If I can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to call or email me. It will be my pleasure! By the way, if you know of someone that could benefit from my high level of service, please call or email me with their name and daytime phon... 03/29/2009

Good Morning! I just read though my Illinois Association of Realtors Newsletter and wanted to share this with you.  IAR put together a short and very informative video regarding the Federal First Time Buyers Tax Credit and President's Housing Recovery Plan. Per the IAR video, the speakers discuss: -How about 1/2 of the home buyers in Illinois qualify for the 8000. home buyer tax credit! -New FHA loan limits -Why NOW is a GREAT time for first time home buyers! -Tax Credit Information for Energy Efficient Improvements for current home owners -and more!   Click Here for the IAR President's PODCAST:-)   Click Here To Read All About The Real Estate Tax Credit From Illinois Association Of Realtors     To Search Homes For Sale, Please Contact Me Directly Or Feel Free To Search On My Website-Ju... 03/27/2009

Illinois-McHenry County, Lake County-CARY IL Real Estate Market Conditions   How is the current market in Cary, IL? Cary, IL Market Conditions:  Cary is located in both McHenry and Lake Counties in Northern Illinois Kaper Park Cary IL: As of this morning, per MRED MLS, for the past 3 months: We currently have 225 Single Family homes on the market in Cary that are active and available. •·     They have been on the market for an average of 246 days. •·     The average list price is $364,739. •·     During the past 3 months, 16 Single Family homes have successfully closed with the help of their Realtors.  This represents approximately 44% of the market that have had success.  They took an average of 191 days on the market to be SOLD.  (Market time for closed sales has increased since last... 03/21/2009

 The Ides of March are being celebrated with the annual March Madness Half Marathon tomorrow, March 15 in Cary, IL.  The race begins and ends at the Cary-Grove High School on Three Oaks Road.  The route is 13.1 miles long and is organized by the Hill Striders Running Club of Crystal Lake.  Last year 981 finishers! More information ?  Just google March Madness Half Marathon in Cary IL for more details.  See you there!  No I am not running, I will be taking pictures and sitting in a lawn chair along the route at the Hickory Nut Grove road entrance of the Harvest Glen Subdivision by Verseman.  Have a great day! 03/13/2009

Freddie Mac just put up a NEW and very informative website called "Avoiding Foreclosure Resource Center".  It is updated with all of the latest information for homeowners who are having a challenge keeping up with their mortgage payments.  There are also sections dealing with working with foreclosure attorneys, information on loan modifications, fraud protection, buying foreclosures, and much more great info!   The government is also putting upa new site that is currently in the works, called FinancialStability.com.   The Treasury Department also has an interesting website, Emergency Economic Stabilization Act.   To Search Homes For Sale, Please Contact Me Directly Or Feel Free To Search On My Website! I hope you find this information useful. I am only a phone call or email away of you ... 03/12/2009

Are You Facing Foreclosure Or A Possible Short Sale? Don't Hide-There ARE Options! I know these are hard times for so many people and many are facing the problem of not knowing where their next mortgage payment is coming from or they are already late.  The most important thing you can do is face the situation ASAP and talk with your lender.  The worst thing you can do is just hope the situation goes away.  Many people do not act soon enough to try to find a solution because they are embarrassed by being in this situation.  My advice would be to not be ashamed, so many people are hurting in our current economy and so many through no fault of thier own.  We are dealing with situations like this on a daily basis so it is not at all out of the ordinary.  You deserve to try to do all possibl... 01/16/2009

Photo taken by Debra Kukulski, ABR, RECS, GRI, EPRO, Realtor with RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest Cary-Crystal Lake IL, who provides highly professional levels of real estate services to home buyers and sellers in McHenry, Lake, Kane or Cook Counties in Northern Illinois. Visit my website at www.TheresNoPlaceLikeYourPlace.com to search for homes for sale in Northern Illinois, including but not limited to Cary, Fox River Grove, Crystal Lake, McHenry, Johnsburg, Fox Lake, Barrington, Barrington Hills,Tower Lakes, Prairie Grove,Wauconda, Island Lake, Algonquin, Lake in The Hills, Fox Lake. All information is believed to be accurate, but is not warranted or guaranteed in any way. "Fall Waterfront Reflections on the Fox River Cary IL" ©2008 Debra Kukulski, All Rights Reserved. Photo may not be u... 01/04/2009

2008 was definitely the year of short sales. During 2008 in the entire 60013 zip code there were: 212 Single Family Homes Sold 40 Attached homes sold. i.e. condos and town homes/duplexes. Single Family Stats Out of 212 single family sales 20 were short sales. Out of those 12 were bank owned properties that accepted less than was owed to them, the other 8 were owner occupied and the bank agreed to accept less than owned to facilitate the sale. The price range for all these short sales was $120,000 to $480,000. Attached Home Stats Of the 40 homes sold, 3 were short sales. Out of these 3, 2 were owned by the bank, 1 owner occupied. The price range for all these short sales was $91,000 to $190,000. In summary In total this represented just under 1 percent of the housing sales in this zip co... 01/02/2009

Your REALTOR: Debra Kukulski November 2008 "The highest compliment a client can give me is to trust me with a referral, this is how I build my business!"If you have a friend or family member looking to buy or sell a home please pass their name and number along to me and I will give them the same great service I give to all of my clients! I can also helppeople find a Realtor nationwide! Copyright © 2008 Realty TimesAll Rights Reserved. Smaller Homeowner Relief Already In Place   Don't wait for home owner bailout provisions to trickle down from the $700 billion Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008," (H.R. 1424) recently rushed through Congress.       When it comes to help from new federal legislation for distressed home owners, the $300 billion "Housing and Economic Recovery Act ... 11/11/2008