Highland Park Illinois Real Estate Market is off to a great start.  It's hard to believe that the first quarter of 2010 has come to an end - time flies when you are having fun -helping buyers and sellers with their Real Estate needs.  The first quarter of  Highland Park's  Real Estate Market has been quite active. Below is an overview of the Highland Park IL Real Estate Market:                           2010 sold listings                                2009 sold listings January                       20                                                     21 February                      13                                                      5 March                          27                                                      7                             2010 accepted offers        ... 04/06/2010

Join the Easter Bunny at West Ridge Park in Highland Park Illinois on April 3rd at 10:00am. The Highland Park Park District will be hosting its annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 3rd at the West Ridge Park located at 635 Ridge Road in Highland Park, Illinois. The festivities will begin at 10:00 am.  Keep your eyes to the sky and look for the Easter Bunny to arrive in a helicopter which will land at the West Ridge Park.  This annual Egg Hunt is a fun family event. It is especially fun for the little ones as they run through the park looking for chocolate covered eggs.  The Park District of Highland Park will also have ONE GOLDEN EGG mixed in with all of the other eggs in the field.  The one lucky winner of the GOLDEN EGG will be awarded a family pass to Hidden Creek Aqua Park - a fun place ... 03/28/2010

Can You Tell Me About the Highland Park Schools? Often times when I am taking a home buyer out to look at homes in Highland Park IL  I am  asked about the schools. As a Real Estate professional in Highland Park IL and a Mother of two boys I know that schools are a key factor when looking for a home.  I remember when were looking for a home - the schools were a big  part  of  our decision making prior to purchasing our home. In Highland Park IL there are eight Elementary Schools and three Middle Schools. These eleven schools are all a part of North Shore School District 112. Highland Park Elementary Schools: Braeside School               Address: 150 Pierce Road, Highland Park, IL                   Phone: (847) 433-0155 Indian Trail School           Address: 2075 St. Johns Avenue, Highla... 03/09/2010

To Stage or Not to Stage? That is the question.... As a REALTOR assisting  buyers and sellers throughout Chicago's North Shore I say - Yes -  Stage!! Without a doubt  a staged home will show much better than a non staged home and/or a vacant home. First impressions are key and with the abundance of inventory in the marketplace the goal is to make your home look at its best.  Many buyers have a hard time visualizing how and where their furniture will work/fit  in a vacant home.  Empty rooms actually appear smaller then they really are. Staging is an additional expense for a seller - but in the long run I believe that it is money well spent.  On Chicago's North Shore there are several staging companies to fit every budget. As your Chicago's North Shore REALTOR, I will assist you in selcti... 03/04/2010

As a REALTOR  in Highland Park Illinois the number one question that I am always asked is..... "How is the Market?"  Obviously, my clients ask me this question but I am also asked this question by friends, family and/or acquaintances. I am asked this question at the grocery store, while I am walking my dog, at school functions, as a spectator at a sporting event, cocktail party- anywhere and everywhere.   Below is a snapshot of the Highland Park Real Estate Market:   There are 311 Single Family homes for sale in Highland Park IL ranging in list price of  $139,000.00 - $8,500,000.00   There are an additional  61 homes that are under contract.  The Real Estate Market in Highland Park IL has been very active with properties going under contract. Last week ten homes went under contract rang... 03/01/2010

Cures for Cabin Fever in Highland Park Illinois.  Do you or your kids need some? This morning Highland Park IL residents woke up to... surprise!  More snow.  So what to do when it's too cold and snowy to head outside?  There's no shortage of free wonderful options here in Highland Park and  on Chicago's North Shore. For grown-ups - Hit the indoor track at the Highland Park Rec Center to get your heart rate up.  - Highland Park IL residents can check out a Museum Adventure Pass for free from the Highland Park Public Library for free or discounted entry to some of the areas best museums. - Visit Borders in downtown Highland Park IL to browse the shelves.  Bring your laptop, grab a latte and take advantage of the free Wi-Fi at Seattle's Best Coffee Cafe. - First classes for local resident... 02/25/2010

There's nothing better than seeing our dog -Winter enjoying the snow in Highland Park Illinois.                  Until I drove by and saw this - AMAZING!!! The group of deer was prancing through West Ridge Center Park in Highland Park and then ran across the street trying to figure out where/how  they could duck back into the woods.  02/24/2010

Since the beginning of 2010 the Real Estate market in Highland Park Illinois has been VERY ACTIVE!  The market is filled with buyers. Many sellers who want to sell have their homes listed competitively (or have re-adjusted their list price) for today's Real Estate market in hopes of attracting those buyers out in the marketplace. We hear about and read about the market as a whole but each market differs.  Whether you are in the market to buy a Highland Park home or to sell your current Highland Park home, it is important to have an understanding of  the market  (or at least to work with a knowledgeable Highland Park IL REALTOR who does). Curious as to how many and  which Highland Park Illinois  listings went under contract since the beginning of 2010?  A total of  twenty eight homes  ha... 02/19/2010

Part of my job as a real estate agent is to always be thinking about HOW I am going to market my clients' properties-this is on my mind first thing every morning, and all day long I am looking for unique opportunities to get the word out.  Ofcourse, each listing I take its put into the local MLS (multiple listing service) so that all of  the area's realtors can find it.  Once you are in the MLS with Coldwell Banker, your listing is distributed to numerous real estate websites like Realtor.com, Trulia.com, Roost.com, and so many others. But there are countless other ways to publicize listings today- it's overwhelming. And you never know when or in what way your message will reach the right eyes and ears. So you do the best you can, casting a wide net yet focusing on the right audience. Y... 02/11/2010

Highland Park High School Highland Park Illinois   As a Real Estate Professional , a Highland Park IL resident and a parent I recently had my first hands-on experience at Highland Park High School.  I have many clients and friends who have gone through their High School experience with their kids and I have always heard great things -  a few weeks ago we had our first exposure and I must say I am VERY impressed. Highland Park High School recently had a wonderful introduction meeting for the incoming Freshman class. The meeting offered an overview of each department and every department chair spoke. There was a overview of how to register for classes.  I must say that things have changed quite a bit since I was in High School.  Every child registers for his/her classes online using a pr... 02/05/2010

  Highland Park Illinois Real Estate Market Update Curious how the Highland Park Illinois Real Estate market is? Is it a good time to buy? Is it a good time to put your home on the market? As a Real Estate Professional and a resident of Highland Park IL I am often asked questions about the Real Estate Market. I believe that 2010 is off to a great start!! Homes are selling, there are various buyers within various price points (who are actually ready to buy), interest rates are holding their own and the tax incentives  are a benefit to some buyers as well as sellers. Currently there are 289 single family homes on the market - ranging from $139,000 - $8,930,000. A buyer who wants to move to Highland Park has a wide range of inventory to choose from not only in terms of price but also in te... 02/03/2010

Highland Park IL REALTOR- Finding a great match. •1.     Choose a Highland Park REALTOR  who meets your needs and suits your personality!  The best way to evaluate a Highland Park IL prospective agent is face to face, so you can get a good sense of your dynamic. It is critical to select a Highland Park IL REALTOR who puts you at ease since you will be spending lots of time together.  I am both laid-back and very focused, and a long career in sales has taught me that my client’s happiness and satisfaction is of utmost importance.  Looking to buy in Highland Park IL?  If you are out of town or squeezed for time I’m happy to chat on the phone, but if your schedule permits I’d love to meet for coffee.   If you want to sell your Highland Park real estate, I am happy to visit you at home to ... 01/20/2010

 As a REALTOR  in Highland Park Illinois I am often asked..... "How is the Real Estate Market?"  Obviously, my clients ask me this question but I am also asked this question by friends, family and/or acquaintances. I am asked this question at the grocery store, while I am walking my dog, at school functions, as a spectator at a sporting event, cocktail party- anywhere and everywhere. Let's call  a spade a spade - the market is not what it was in 2005- BUT  people need to sell and/or need to buy homes.  Some years we have what we call a Buyer's market and sometimes we have the opposite a Seller's market.  In the last couple of years the  price for a single family home Nationwide has gone down.  As a perspective Home Buyer or a Home Seller it is important to understand (and accept- especi... 01/11/2010

First Time Home Buyer tax credit and credit for repeat buyers. You snooze you lose says Highland Park IL REALTOR! Highland Park IL REALTOR provides one more reason to buy or sell a home this spring! $8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Extended and has also expanded for Repeat Buyers! As a full time REALTOR in the Highland Park, IL area, I urge you to start  looking for  a home NOW  or put your home on the market NOW. If you don't -  you may not be able to take advantage of the government's present to you.  The Worker, Home ownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 has recently extended the tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence.  The bill also authorized a tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified repeat home buyers.   You... 01/06/2010

Prepping  your home for sale in the Highland Park IL Real Estate Market does take some work and effort on the seller's part.  As a Real Estate Professional in Highland Park Illinois I regularly field calls from sellers requesting market evaluations.  The process normally works like this: 1. I get a call from a seller 2. I go to their house for a quick tour and conversation 3. I return with a formal market evaluation and make recommendations for market preparation 4. House goes on the market Seems rather simple for a seller - they make a phone call, meet with a Real Estate Professional (maybe two) and they put their home on the market. WRONG!!! Truth be told it really is not so simple for the seller - there is almost always work to be done before the house gets listed. A seller needs to ... 01/04/2010

My predictions for Real Estate on Chicago's North Shore Suburbs are positive!     I think that Real Estate on Chicago's North Shore will be good in 2010.  First and foremost, I think that anyone who is looking to sell or buy Real Estate needs to have a positive attitude.  A big smile and a chin up will yield to positive results. I believe that pricing, for the most part, has stabilized.  There are lots of opportunities in the Real Estate Market that were not affordable to many before.  You can buy a  single family updated home in Highland Park,IL for $550,000 - $600,000.  A few years ago, that same home would have been on the market for $700,000+.  Additionally, with the government's $8,000 tax credit for first time home buyer's and the $6,500 tax credit for current home owners the mark... 01/01/2010

As a REALTOR in Highland Park Illinois, I have recently been asked: How many homes have sold  in Highland Park Illinois for the last twelve months?  I have been getting asked this question by my current sellers, sellers thinking about putting  their home on the market, my buyers and by the general public.  Everyone is curious!!   Well, here is the scoop:   For the last twelve months there have been a total of 208 closed sales of single family homes in Highland Park Illinois. Coincidentally, twenty-eight of the closings were  Short Sales and another  twenty-eight were Bank Owned Properties/Foreclosures.   I have included a breakdown by price range:     PRICE RANGE   HOMES CLOSED  SHORT SALES  BANK OWNED $135,000 - $300,000 44 14 17 $301,000 - $400,000 32 3 1 $401,000 - $500,000 30 0 3 $5... 12/28/2009

A short sale listing successfully closed in Highland Park Illinois last week. We all see a lot of short sales on the market - many are a great opportunity for a buyer- but what exactly is a short sale, and how many actually get approved by the bank and go on to close? A short sale is a sale of Real Estate in which the sale proceeds fall short of the balance owed on the property's loan.  The major differences between a short sale and a conventional sale are that the bank is actually involved in accepting their loan short and it also impacts the seller's credit.  As property values have dropped, so have the values of people's other assets, and many times a short sale is a way to stop the loss of resources and find a way to move forward into a better suited financial and living arrangement... 12/15/2009

  There are many Preschools in Highland Park IL to choose from.  As a Real Estate professional in Highland Park IL and a Mother of two kids I know that making a decision as to which preschool to choose is important and can be overwhelming. After all, this is probably going to be the first time your child will be in organized program without you. If your little one is close to two or older now is the time to start your search and get your application for preschool filled out. So where do you start? 1. Decide if you want a full day program for your child or a program that meets a couple of times a week for a few hours. 2.  Ask friends with older kids what preschool they sent their kids to. 3.  Tour the preschool, observe a class and meet the Director.   To  further simplify your search,  ... 12/08/2009

  As a REALTOR  in Highland Park Illinois the number one question that I am always asked is..... "How is the Market?"  Obviously, my clients ask me this question but I am also asked this question by friends, family and/or acquaintances. I am asked this question at the grocery store, while I am walking my dog, at school functions, as a spectator at a sporting event, cocktail party- anywhere and everywhere. So to answer "How is the real estate market  in Highland Park Illinois" - I have gathered information from the Coldwell Banker Market update and the MLS to provide information which I think a consumer would find of interest: 1. Home prices in Highland Park Illinois are currently similar to what the prices were in 2003. 2. Highest list price for a single family home in Highland Park Ill... 11/28/2009