Barrington Square - Barrington Square is a townhouse community in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Barrington Square is on Higgins and Governors. Beacon Pointe - Beacon Pointe is a single family home neighborhood built by Ryland Homes. Floor plans in Beacon Pointe range from 2,250 - 3,122 square feet of living space. Beacon Pointe is located in Hoffman estates, Illinois. Blackberry Creek - Blackberry Creek is a townhouse community built in the mid 1990's by Kimball Hill Homes. Blackberry Creek features town houses with floor plans ranging from 1,305 to 1,540 square feet of living space. Blackberry Creek is located in Hoffman Estates, Illinois on Hassell Road east of Barrington Road. Breton Pointe - Breton Pointe is a single family home neighborhood built in the late 1980's. Breton Pointe is... 10/06/2011

Haverford Place by Ryland Homes is a small 55+ community in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. The ideal location, just minutes from Schaumburg, has helped make this active adult community very popular among working adults in the greater Chicagoland area. Residents enjoy easy access to surrounding suburbs with the Northwest Tollway just minutes away.  Downtown Chicago is just 37 miles from this attractive Illinois active adult community. Closer to home residents can enjoy world-class shopping in Schaumburg at the famous Woodfield Mall or enjoy the excitement of the Grand Victoria Casino in downtown Elgin. Everyday conveniences are all easily accessible just minutes from home. Whatever you need whether it be groceries or dry cleaning, a florist, a bank, a gas station, walking trails or a golf co... 10/03/2011

Survey shows buyers tire of Short Sales ........My response? Duh .... where have you been?  I love these type of real estate related articles where the person offering up the data is not currently selling real estate and probably never has.Here's the report breakdown - Short sales take 17 weeks to complete. 54.1% of Shorts in 11/2009 were 1st time buyers, now it's down to 39.7% in 8/2011. Short Sales generally sell at 27% lower than non-distressed properties.  Always wonder where they get these numbers? First time buyers are making multiple offers on Short Sales to try and expedite the process .... Wha?????   How can that expedite the process?  Just goes to show you the author never wrote a contract on a Short Sale. 10/03/2011

Nearly 38% of all listings in the MLS according to a recent survey done in Chicago Agent Magazine have only 1 picture.  I think that is just pathetic but more importantly l wonder why?  The internet has been a staple of our business for so long now I can't remember never uploading photos of my listings.  The more photos the better has always been the practice. Also according to this survey, and my own opinion, exactly 50% of all the homes listed in the MLS have an inadequate amount of photos (less than 5).5% - 0 pictures38% - 1 picture7% - 2 to 5 pictures6% - 6 to 11 pictures9% - 12 to 15 pictures35% - 16 photosWith today's cell phones and all the great technology we have why not take more photos?   Are we afraid to approach the seller that staging their home is important for their succ... 09/28/2011

Illinois Launches the 'Hardest Hit' Program. Please pass this information along to all that might be in need of mortgage assistance due to unemployment, health issues, and the overall economy. The new Illinois Hardest Hit program aims to help working Illinois families who are having trouble making mortgage payments due to unemployment or under-employment stay in their homes. The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) has partnered with the U.S. Department of Treasury to offer temporary mortgage payment assistance. Qualified homeowners can receive up to $25,000 over 18 months as a 10-year loan to keep mortgages current and make ongoing payments, including fees and penalties. Do I qualify?   What steps do I need to take? You will have to write and submit a 'Hardship Letter' stating... 09/21/2011

Stop right there and start looking for your new home here!Hoffman Estates townhome and condo foreclosures are 'better priced values' and are being scooped up the fastest.  Thinking that now is the time to make a move?  Interest rates are now the lowest they've ever been.  I know you're saying to yourself 'but you guys told us that last year?'  Well, the interest rates were low then and now they are even LOWER.  Just a few months ago we were quoting an interest rate of 5.125% and now we can say the rate is now at 4.125% which is a full percent less!  What does that mean to you and your wallet?  About a $120 a month savings.  That's your cable bill, maybe gas for the month and just one ticket (sorry) to a Bears Game!There are many great Hoffman Estates values to be had on the market right... 09/15/2011

In the table below lists all of the single family detached and single family attached homes currently on the market in Hoffman Estates, IL The data lists available homes by price range with average time on market in each range. Should you have an interest in homes in a selected price range, send me your physical characteristics requirements. I will send complete details on those homes that meet your criteria.   Active Listings List Price Range # Listings Avg. Days on Mkt Less than $49,999 5 51 $50,000 - $99,999 55 230 $100,000 - $149,999 84 210 $150,000 - $199,999 84 179 $200,000 - $249,999 57 244 $250,000 - $299,999 21 197 $300,000 - $349,999 12 149 $350,000 - $399,999 8 166 $400,000 - $449,999 2 230 $450,000 - $499,999 3 261 $500,000 - $549,999 1 539 $550,000 - $599,999 1 187 $600,00... 09/12/2011

Illinois Market Overview So there is lots and lots of media hype by the talking heads doing the nightly news.  What's really happening in the real estate world?  I'll give you a few factoids and throw in my perspective on the findings.  So let's go for Illinois stats, market highlights and predictions ~ Affordability remains high. Illinois single family home prices are trending back to 2000 level prices. Lyn's Thoughts - Holy bejeezes! This makes me feel faint.  I'm sorry but I cannot verify this statistic. Sales volume in the 3rd Quarter of 2011 is expected to surpass the 3rd Q of 2010 by 30%. Lyn's Thoughts - In my estimation 2010 has been the worst year that I can remember and I've been doing this since 1983.  I sincerely hope this comes to pass. Illinois Statewide Stats Home sales u... 08/10/2011

In the table below lists all of the single family detached and single family attached homes currently on the market in Hoffman Estates, IL The data lists available homes by price range with average time on market in each range. Should you have an interest in homes in a selected price range, send me your physical characteristics requirements. I will send complete details on those homes that meet your criteria. Active Listings List Price Range # Listings Avg. Days on Mkt Less than $49,999 17 186 $50,000 - $99,999 55 224 $100,000 - $149,999 34 257 $150,000 - $199,999 54 240 $200,000 - $249,999 64 159 $250,000 - $299,999 53 175 $300,000 - $349,999 27 188 $350,000 - $399,999 17 185 $400,000 - $449,999 13 134 $450,000 - $499,999 12 97 $500,000 - $549,999 7 183 $550,000 - $599,999 4 147 $600,... 07/26/2011

Welcome to the roller coaster ride for Hoffman Estates Homes!  In this gyrating edition of June's market update I'm going to decipher for you the current market trends (cause that's what I do) and tell you about time on market.  A more complex word that some use might be 'absorption rate'.  So how long will it take your Hoffman Estates home to sell?Let's begin with the use of the economic basic of supply and demand. Obviously in this market we have too much supply. When that happens the time it takes to sell your Hoffman Estates home also goes up. Buyers have a tremendous amount to choose from on the market but don't be fooled they are 'ready to pull the trigger' if they see something they want!Pricing your home correctly in the beginning has many advantages as these graphs will illustr... 07/17/2011

Hoffman Estates   has a quiet suburban setting, an abundance of open space and a wide variety of recreational and educational opportunities that make it a great place to live.  Some 35% (approximately 4,000 acres) of land is in forest preserves, parks and golf courses, so open places abound.  So that's 1/3 of the community land dedicated to the preservation of natural ecology and trees. The Forest Preserves are also complemented by the 585 acres of land in uses as parks and recreational areas. Recreational facilities, from racquetball to archery, horseback riding to handball, tennis, golf, boating and fishing are all easily found nearby. There are also 30 playgrounds; 29 baseball/softball fields; 23 basketball courts; 14 outdoor tennis courts; 10 soccer fields; 3 football fields; and 1 ... 07/12/2011

FHA has recently imposed some rules for both sellers and buyers when reselling their properties within 90 days of the previous acquisition.  This regulation might interfere with a sale on either side of the transaction so here's what you need to know:Sellers need to know what rules to follow in order to sell to new buyers after the rehab work is completed.  The rule is applicable to all single family properties being resold with 90 days of prior acquisition.  (Effective from February 1st to December 31st, 2011). Property 'flipping' refers to a property recently resold for a considerable profit with an artificially inflated value (HUD's words here, not mine), often resulting with a lenders collusion with the appraiser.  This is considered a predatory lending practice.Here's what's still ... 07/06/2011

From a previous post I told you about the 'winning bid' on my HUD foreclosure.  To continue that saga I'd like you to think about this.  HUD is currently offering a selling bonus to all agents that sell a HUD home.  Fannie Mae is also offering it now through the HomeSteps program and also paying points for the buyer and throwing in a home warranty to boot.  Think of it as the 'summer sales event' for foreclosures! But getting a 'bonus' on a HUD foreclosure definitely puts your buyer at a disadvantage and here's why:All costs are reduced from the HUD bid price.  In the online bidding procedure there is commission paid to buyers and selling agent with 3% capped that cannot be overridden. Buyer closing cost credits are also capped at 3% of the purchase price.So excepting a selling bonus fr... 07/02/2011

In the table below lists all of the single family detached and single family attached homes currently on the market in  Hoffman Estates, IL The data lists available homes by price range with average time on market in each range. Should you have an interest in homes in a selected price range, send me your physical characteristics requirements. I will send complete details on those homes that meet your criteria. Active Listings List Price Range # Listings Avg. Days on Mkt Less than $49,999 15 196 $50,000 - $99,999 63 265 $100,000 - $149,999 37 270 $150,000 - $199,999 53 243 $200,000 - $249,999 62 160 $250,000 - $299,999 54 193 $300,000 - $349,999 27 184 $350,000 - $399,999 18 325 $400,000 - $449,999 11 132 $450,000 - $499,999 11 80 $500,000 - $549,999 9 168 $550,000 - $599,999 4 165 $600... 06/16/2011

Real Estate Market Update - Northwest Suburban May 2011 I am psyched about the good news!  Things are improving for the 2nd month in a row for the Northwest Suburban Market!  A few of the towns are down but for the most part sales are up.  Most of the average sales prices are still low but that is because most of the lower priced homes are being gobbled up first.  It will take some time but once the lower price ranges begin to move at a decent pace the move up buyers will also begin their acquisition of that larger home.  Interest rates are at an all time low making affordability the highest it's ever been.  Get out there and take advantage of these great prices!Positive Signs .... things are looking up in a great way so I'll share the exciting numbers with you. Single Family Homes May ... 06/13/2011

In the table below lists all of the single family detached and single family attached homes currently on the market in Hoffman Estates, IL  The data lists available homes by price range with average time on market in each range. Should you have an interest in homes in a selected price range, send me your physical characteristics requirements. I will send complete details on those homes that meet your criteria. Active Listings List Price Range # Listings Avg. Days on Mkt Less than $49,999 16 162 $50,000 - $99,999 69 241 $100,000 - $149,999 40 310 $150,000 - $199,999 52 236 $200,000 - $249,999 74 165 $250,000 - $299,999 52 190 $300,000 - $349,999 24 184 $350,000 - $399,999 22 267 $400,000 - $449,999 8 157 $450,000 - $499,999 11 99 $500,000 - $549,999 7 191 $550,000 - $599,999 3 193 $600,... 05/25/2011

Hoffman Estates Townhome foreclosures and 'better priced values' are being scooped up the fastest.  Short sales?  Well, they fell terribly 'short' for our area.  From working with my own buyers, short sales offer too many hassles and not enough price rewards for dealing with the banks as a seller.  Dealing with a bank = headaches and massive quantities of Tylenol.There are many great values to be had on the market right now.  The average list price in Hoffman Estates is $133,612 and there are many homes available in the most popular price range of $50,000 to $99,900.  The lowest price for sale right now is $37,100 and the highest is $319,900. Variety, styles and selections in each price range.Looking to buy a Hoffman Estates Townhome and want to work with a buyers agent that's familiar ... 05/24/2011

Another edition from my guest blogger Gary Lundeen a short sale attorney in our area.  Today in my 'inbox' came a hilarious request from Bank of America to Gary.  In short, it was a 'tell us how we're doing survey'.  Really?  The form is not big enough for what Gary has to tell them!  The form is not wide enough to fill in all of what really needs to be said to them! Here's another Short Sale Letter that Gary has written trying to get the much needed word out on Short Sale Reform. I've come across an interesting article pointing out that the big banks (let's call them 'da Banksters) have no 'financial' benefit to Short Sale or Loan Modifications of any kind.  It's an interesting read but a little complicated.  Follow the money (or making of it) in this story 'The Servicing Fraud Settlem... 05/21/2011

Looking for a home in the Hoffman Estates IL area?    Check out what's available in Hoffman Estates IL Homes now! These are the current market numbers and availability for Hoffman Estates IL Homes.  Lots of great home selections (161 total) with some below the $200,000 range and we've got great custom construction for price ranges above that! Best selection is between $200,000 to $300,000. The current average listing price for Hoffman Estates Homes is $294,005. Some 'handyman specials, foreclosures and fixer uppers' are available for buyers trying to get instant equity in the market by doing the work themselves!  If you consider yourself handy some start at just $109,900 so you better get movin'.   To search for what's currently available in Hoffman Estates IL Homes, please go directly ... 04/13/2011

Poplar Creek is now the 'Bridges of Poplar Creek' with many new additions!In addition to the much needed floodplain-mitigation work, the majority of holes will feature new, preferred bent-grass on tee boxes, fairways and greens; modified forward and back tees tohelp players of all skill levels; and new fescue areas along the course. These will promote course aesthetics, water drainage, pace of play and exciting shot values for golfers.Poplar Creek's distinctive Golf Learning Center will enable golfers to perfect their game. Players hit within the learning center's 55 station practice facility, which provides both grass and synthetic turf hitting station options. This cutting edge center provides golfers with real game scenarios to help them master everything from sand traps, chipping, ... 04/10/2011