Links at Poplar Creek Subdivision I just sold and closed a St. Andrew Model in the neighborhood!  2BR 2.5BA, Loft, Full finished basement and 2 car garage.  Great upgrades from the hardwood floors thruout, full wall brick fireplace, deck, whirlpool in Master Bath. Very nice updates and condition thruout with approx. 1654 sq. feet. Really a solid area close to the Poplar Creek Golf Course with some great views of the course itself.  Short drive to Northwest Tollway access makes it popular.Interested in selling or purchasing a home in the Links at Poplar Creek?  Please don't hesitate in giving me a call. 203K FHA Rehab LoanHoffman Estates Village BioSchaumburg - Best Places to raise your kids, runner up.Is it FHA Approved?Downpayment Assistance for First Time Buyers - ADDITips for buying ... 11/29/2009

Congress has passed new legislation that extends the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit of up to $8,000 to first-time home buyers until April 30, 2010.  Also expands the credit to grant up to $6,500 credit to current home owners purchasing a new or existing home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010. Here is the basic information and guidelines about how the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit can help you purchase a home.  If you have specific questions or need additional information, always seek out a tax professional or the Internal Revenue Service at 800-829-1040.  But here are the basics: Who Qualifies for the Extended Credit?First-time home buyers who purchase homes between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010. To qualify as a “first-time home buyer” the purchaser or his/her spouse ... 11/16/2009

The 3 Things you should know about Condition ~ This is a series regarding the most popular question that I receive from people about real estate?  What’s the #1 tip that I could pass along?Well there’s actually 3 things that are enmeshed together –  Condition, location and price.  All 3 actually make your home either sell or be rejected by prospective buyers.  Here's how to have your home be in the buyers favorites! Condition - Avoiding Home Preparation Mistakes Getting your house ready for market goes beyond making the beds and washing dirty dishes. Although I've seen plenty of homes with toys scattered throughout and dishes piled in the sink; buyers can't get out of those homes fast enough.  Read up on the essential steps to be taken on preparing the home for sale.  Some homes need up... 11/12/2009

Hoffman Estates Real EstateDennis Toomey continuously monitors local real estate statistics to keep his clients informed and ahead of the real estate trends.  Below, at the end of the page you will find Hoffman Estates real estate statistics for the last 12 months as of November 6, 2009.To find the value of your home with a free, over-the-net home evaluation, please visit: www.KnowYourHomeValue.com/active or use this link http://www.knowyourhomevalue.com/remaxil/modules/global/forms/marketevaluation.asp?&acc=32722&s=active If you would like a free list of homes for sale in this area/neighborhood or would like more information about Hoffman Estates, please visit: www.GetYourRealEstateHere.com/active or use this link http://www.GetYourRealEstateHere.com/remaxil/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=... 11/06/2009

I received my 'Paw Prints' newsletter from the shelter, Almost Home Foundation where we adopted my dog 1.5 years ago now.  The top article was something that I didn't know and wanted to share with you.Black dogs or black cats are the hardest to get adopted!  I couldn't believe it and here is the article:"That is really all it is.  The negative myths that are associated with black cats and dogs have no truth to them yet the stereotypes still persist, which is why black cats and dogs have the highest euthanasia rate in high-kill shelters, but have the lowest adoption rate.""They watch their lighter-colored foster siblings come and go while they are repeatedly overlooked by adopters.  At the adoption shows, the black cats sit patiently in their cages while people pass right by them so they... 10/29/2009

Hoffman Estates Real EstateDennis Toomey continuously monitors local real estate statistics to keep his clients informed and ahead of the real estate trends.  Below, at the end of the page you will find Hoffman Estates real estate statistics for the last 12 months as of October 23, 2009.To find the value of your home with a free, over-the-net home evaluation, please visit: www.KnowYourHomeValue.com/active or use this link http://www.knowyourhomevalue.com/remaxil/modules/global/forms/marketevaluation.asp?&acc=32722&s=active If you would like a free list of homes for sale in this area/neighborhood or would like more information about Hoffman Estates, please visit: www.GetYourRealEstateHere.com/active or use this link http://www.GetYourRealEstateHere.com/remaxil/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=... 10/23/2009

Don't Use CFLs in Garage Door Openers There have been several warnings concerning the use of compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs in garage door openers. Most garage door openers use electronic switching similar to a dimmer switch to operate the light bulbs and it is not compatible with CFLs, even CFLs that are supposed to be "ruggedized" or dimmable. This switching incompatibility coupled with the inherent vibration of a garage door opener can damage the electronic circuits and can cause the electric motor to overheat to a potentially dangerous level. Neither the Genie Company, a company which makes door openers (call them at 800-354-3643), nor the General Electric Company, a CFL manufacturer, recommend the use of CFLs in garage door openers.Consensus from Robert Nogan, Inside Out Hom... 10/20/2009

Dreading the day Did you ever have one of those days when you knew something bad was going to happen for your client and you had no control?  Couldn't help them thru the situation?  Your hands were tied because of the 'rules'?  My intuition was correct one day last week!  $33,000 under appraisal recently on a townhome listing that I have.  The appraiser said he was stuck because the only recent sales were those of short sales right in that subdivision. This is playing out that way all over my area and let me tell you I'm sick of it!The people that lost their homes to foreclosure or short sales are setting a market price that is undervalued and the appraisal industry is complacent and are being pressured by the banking industry.  Now according to appraisal industry standards: "Appraisers... 10/19/2009

Hoffman Estates Real EstateDennis Toomey continuously monitors local real estate statistics to keep his clients informed and ahead of the real estate trends.  Below, at the end of the page you will find Hoffman Estates real estate statistics for the last 12 months as of October 17, 2009.To find the value of your home with a free, over-the-net home evaluation, please visit: www.KnowYourHomeValue.com/active or use this link http://www.knowyourhomevalue.com/remaxil/modules/global/forms/marketevaluation.asp?&acc=32722&s=active If you would like a free list of homes for sale in this area/neighborhood or would like more information about Hoffman Estates, please visit: www.GetYourRealEstateHere.com/active or use this link http://www.GetYourRealEstateHere.com/remaxil/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=... 10/17/2009

There is a large amount of inventory thruout the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago which include the Hoffman Estates Area.  Sellers are competing to make their home standout and enhance their marketability.  Prices have held between 4 to 5% from the listing price over the last few months.  Here is the chart of ACTIVE Single Family Prices in Hoffman Estates with the MARKET TIMES posted as 'average days on the market.' There currently are 200 single family homes available for sale with an average market time of 200 days.   The average list price is $374,471 and the highest listing price is $1,195,000.  The largest selection of homes occurs in the $200,000 to $300,000 price range. The lowest price is $166,300 which would be considered a 'value price' at any time of the year.  I always like to c... 10/03/2009

4040 N. Firestone Dr., Hoffman Estates, IL 60195 3 Bedrooms/ 2 Bathrooms MLS#07335461          This one won't last! Great home and investment potential! Highly rated Fremd school District, amazing wrap around deck to pool w/huge fenced yard, newer siding, furnace, a/c, and windows. New carpet and paint in family room. Jacuzzi in bath. Fantastic neighborhood! Partially finished lower level. Click on the link below for more details and pictures: http://www.realestate4uonline.com/s=active RE/MAX Territory 847-956-2800     09/29/2009

Hoffman Estates Real EstateDennis Toomey continuously monitors local real estate statistics to keep his clients informed and ahead of the real estate trends.  Below, at the end of the page you will find Hoffman Estates real estate statistics for the last 12 months as of July 17, 2009.To find the value of your home with a free, over-the-net home evaluation, please visit: www.KnowYourHomeValue.com/active or use this link http://www.knowyourhomevalue.com/remaxil/modules/global/forms/marketevaluation.asp?&acc=32722&s=active If you would like a free list of homes for sale in this area/neighborhood or would like more information about Hoffman Estates, please visit: www.GetYourRealEstateHere.com/active or use this link http://www.GetYourRealEstateHere.com/remaxil/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=find... 09/18/2009

What's going on with the market? This post is for single family and multi-family sales for Hoffman Estates IL over the last few months.  Just for my own curiosity I decided to do this post because it seems that the market has slowed way down to a crawl.  In fact, it seems like it's a ghost town out there.  Hello, hello wherever you are?There are many buyers out there that are still shopping but not making any decisions as of yet.  But why?  Interest rates are still stable and have not shown any signs of going on the increase.  So why the slower activity?Didn't everyone hear about the $8000 tax credit that must be used by November 30th of this year?   I seems that the buyers know, but still the slower activity.  Are these the same people that do their Christmas shopping on December 23rd?... 09/10/2009

The Lingerie Football League and the Chicago Bliss make their local debut at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates Friday, and an announcement regarding possible Mike Ditka's (da coach) ownership is planned for before the game.  The team is scheduled to make a "major" announcement regarding "ownership partnerships" with the likes of the legendary Bears coach before Friday night's Lingerie Football League debut at the Hoffman Estates arena.A league news release said Iron Mike will take an equity stake in the league, but further details will come during a news conference at which Ditka is scheduled to appear before the Bliss take on the Miami Caliente. Kickoff is at 9 p.m. Friday.Lingerie Football features two sides of seven women on the field in tackle football. Players wear uniforms simil... 09/03/2009

Hoffman Estates Real EstateDennis Toomey continuously monitors local real estate statistics to keep his clients informed and ahead of the real estate trends.  Below, at the end of the page you will find Hoffman Estates real estate statistics for the last 12 months as of August 21, 2009.To find the value of your home with a free, over-the-net home evaluation, please visit: www.KnowYourHomeValue.com/active or use this link http://www.knowyourhomevalue.com/remaxil/modules/global/forms/marketevaluation.asp?&acc=32722&s=active If you would like a free list of homes for sale in this area/neighborhood or would like more information about Hoffman Estates, please visit: www.GetYourRealEstateHere.com/active or use this link http://www.GetYourRealEstateHere.com/remaxil/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=fi... 08/21/2009

Hoffman Estates Real EstateDennis Toomey continuously monitors local real estate statistics to keep his clients informed and ahead of the real estate trends.  Below, at the end of the page you will find Hoffman Estates real estate statistics for the last 12 months as of August 18, 2009.To find the value of your home with a free, over-the-net home evaluation, please visit: www.KnowYourHomeValue.com/active or use this link http://www.knowyourhomevalue.com/remaxil/modules/global/forms/marketevaluation.asp?&acc=32722&s=active If you would like a free list of homes for sale in this area/neighborhood or would like more information about Hoffman Estates, please visit: www.GetYourRealEstateHere.com/active or use this link http://www.GetYourRealEstateHere.com/remaxil/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=f... 08/18/2009

New loan to help First-time Illinois Homebuyers - Home Start advances $8,000 federal tax credit to help with down payment! CHICAGO - July 22, 2009 PRESS RELEASE First-time homebuyers in Illinois now have an opportunity to take advantage of current low-interest rates and decreasing home prices under an innovative new program offered by the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA). The Illinois Home Start Loan Program allows hundreds of residents to achieve the dream of homeownership through a new 30-year fixed rate loan, and an advance loan on the federal tax credit created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Home Start offers a 30-year fixed rate loan insured by the FHA for first-time homebuyers, and gives them the option to use a second loan for down payment as... 08/11/2009

This is the 'Months Supply of Inventory' for Hoffman Estates IL Single Family Homes from June 2007 to June 2009. This is also called the 'Conversion Rate' or how long and how much inventory is on the market in that particular town.  Obviously, the higher the rate, the longer the market time for homes in that community. Does your agent know the 'Conversion Rate' and will they share that information with you?  It shouldn't be kept a secret because it plays a pivotal role in how your home should be marketed. 07/23/2009

Hoffman Estates Real EstateDennis Toomey continuously monitors local real estate statistics to keep his clients informed and ahead of the real estate trends.  Below, at the end of the page you will find Hoffman Estates real estate statistics for the last 12 months as of July 17, 2009.To find the value of your home with a free, over-the-net home evaluation, please visit: www.KnowYourHomeValue.com/active or use this link http://www.knowyourhomevalue.com/remaxil/modules/global/forms/marketevaluation.asp?&acc=32722&s=active If you would like a free list of homes for sale in this area/neighborhood or would like more information about Hoffman Estates, please visit: www.GetYourRealEstateHere.com/active or use this link http://www.GetYourRealEstateHere.com/remaxil/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=find... 07/17/2009

Market Update by Price Range - April, May, June 2009 Diligently trying to keep both buyers and sellers informed on the local Hoffman Estates Illinois housing market has been my goal for many years.  This market update gives you the number of homes that have sold by price range so you get a feel for the current sales activity.  Which is up by the way! 102% over the last quarter!Is it the $8000 Tax Credit?  Is it the lower interest rates?  Or maybe just great values in the area?  How can you use this information if you are a buyer?   The price range that you are thinking of purchasing in, is it one of the more active price areas of the market?  It would be telling you that there are a lot of other buyers also in your price range all looking for that 'deal!'   How can this information help... 07/05/2009