The sense of smell is a powerful motivator. When prospective buyers walk into a house, they respond more positively if they smell freshly baking oatmeal cookies instead of the lingering odor of a household pet. As the homeowner, you may not notice odors that visitors are aware of as soon as they walk in the door. When your house is for sale, ask a friend or neighbor to give it a "sniff test". If there are offensive odors in your home, how do you get rid of them? There are a few simple solutions--giving the floors and walls a good scrubbing, using the old vanilla-on-the-light-bulb trick, plugging in an essential oil diffuser and throwing out the dog's special chair. You can temporarily declare your home a "no smoking" zone. You may need professional help for cleaning carpets and drapes o... 02/12/2007

Your agent calls to say he is bringing prospective buyers to see your home at 2:00 p.m. You quickly straighten up the house and run the dishwasher. What should you do then? If you have to let them into the house--then take a drive or walk the dog!Many owners think they should linger close by while their home is being shown. They are afraid that the real estate agent might miss the storage shelves in the basement or forget to point out the beautiful new floor in the kitchen. It is better for the agent to miss something than for you to be ushering the buyers around, so resist the temptation to stay while your house is being shown.Buyers usually base their decision to buy on an attraction that often has more to do with emotions than pure logic, and a lot goes on between buyer and agent dur... 02/12/2007

If you are selling your home and it has been on the market for several months, you might start to wonder why it just isn't moving. How can you introduce some extra energy into the sale?The first thing you should do is have a frank talk with your real estate agent in order to get feedback from prospective buyers who have seen your home, and other agents who have shown it. Does your home look its best? Is it accessible for agents to show on short notice? Is the price in line with the rest of the market? Do you need to consider neutralizing any strong decorating features that may not have wide appeal? Getting your home sold is a collaborative effort between you and your real estate agent. It is important for your agent to market your property aggressively, but you must do your part to ensu... 02/12/2007

A growing number of home owners are equipping their residences with more than one laundry area, and some have gone so far as to include washing machines and dryers in the closet of each bedroom. Multiple laundry rooms are convenient for owners of spacious dwellings and aging baby boomers who would otherwise have to carry clothes up and down stairs or across a large house. Some home owners are spending upwards of $2,500 on the newest machines that come in designer colors and run quietly, or they're buying specialized machines for delicate items and durable items. No statistics are currently available on how many homes have more than one laundry space, but builders and interior designers say the trend is catching on, particularly in the high-end market. For example, Miami-based Coastal Ho... 02/09/2007

A cooling housing market gives buyers, especially first-time buyers, more opportunities to snatch up a good deal. But just because there are good deals, doesn't always mean buyers are ready to make the leap.These six tips will help prospective buyers find out if they are ready for homeownership. 1. Take a first-time home buyer class. It will make repairing a credit score and shopping for a loan less stressful.2. Be conservative. Borrowing too much can mean stretching and even sacrificing - to the point that it's hard to even keep a six-pack of beer in the fridge.3. Organize documents. First-time buyers should keep a pay stub, W-2, and bank and retirement account statements on hand to expedite the loan application process. 4. Get pre-approved. Before starting the homebuying process, cons... 02/09/2007

Molten Chocolate Cake (serves 6) 2 sticks unsalted butterVegetable spray1 tbsp plus 1 tsp cake flour (plus more for dusting)1/2 lb. high-quality, bittersweet chocolate, chopped1/2 cup sugar4 large whole eggs4 large egg yolksPowder sugar for dustingPreheat oven to 350 degrees. Using vegetable spray, grease (6) 6-ounce ramekins and dust with cake flour. In the top of a double boiler, melt butter and chocolate. Remove from heat and whisk in sugar, whole eggs, and egg yolks. Whisk in the cake flour. Evenly distribute the batter among the 6 ramekins, and bake for 10 minutes or until the sides of the cakes are set but the center still jiggles. Let the cakes cool for 2-3 minutes, then run a thin knife around the sides and invert onto plates. Garnish with powder sugar and serve with either vani... 02/08/2007

"Whenever anyone has offended me, I try to raise my soul so high that the offense cannot reach it." -- Rene Descartes, philosopherThe world is divided into two classes, those who believe the incredible, and those who do the improbable.Never does the human soul appear so strong and noble as when it foregoes revenge and dares to forgive an injury. Edward Chapin  02/08/2007

The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers that there are specific guidelines to be followed when deducting travel, entertainment and gift expenses.In order to educate taxpayers regarding their filing obligations, this fact sheet, the eighth in a series, explains the rules for deducting these expenses. Travel, entertainment and gift expenses account for just part of the overstated adjustments, deductions, exemptions and credits that add up to $30 billion per year in unpaid taxes, according to IRS estimates.In general, taxpayers may deduct ordinary and necessary business-related expenses for traveling away from home, entertaining clients and customers and giving gifts to customers, employees and others with whom they have a business association. An ordinary expense is an expense that... 02/07/2007

Illinois homeownership at 70.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2006, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. U.S. homeownership rate reached 68.9 percent in the fourth quarter. Regionally, the homeownership rate was 73 percent in the Midwest, 70.8 percent in the South, 65.3 percent in the Northeast, and 64.5 percent in the West. The homeownership rate for non-Hispanic whites was 76 percent, versus 49.5 percent for Hispanics and 48.2 percent for blacks, according to the Census. 02/07/2007

Every city and county has zoning laws that define and restrict how property owners can use the land. The purpose of zoning regulations is to establish development standards and to ensure that the land is used for the common good. There are restrictions on both the type of structures you can build and how the property can be used. Common zoning categories are residential, agricultural, industrial, commercial and recreational. There are sub-categories such as single-family residential zones and multiple family residential zones, (areas where condo and apartment complexes are permitted.) Zoning ordinances also contain restrictions on the height and square footage of the buildings, the number of stories allowed and how close buildings can be to one another. They state what kinds of faciliti... 02/06/2007

When you are selecting land on which to build your new home, be certain to investigate the zoning for that particular area. You might fall in love with rural acreage that just happens to be zoned for agricultural or recreational purposes. Since zoning uses are not interchangeable, you would need to apply for a variance in order to build a single-family residential dwelling on the land. This can be a challenging process! Getting approval to have the zoning changed on property requires that you first give public notice, and then request approval for a variance from the government agencies that supervise enforcement of the zoning plan. You might encounter resistance from neighbors or various local interest groups who oppose the zoning changes that would allow you to build your dream home. ... 02/05/2007

Obtaining the proper permits when remodeling can be a critical element in the process. Many homeowners are unaware of the local building codes and zoning laws governing renovations. Disregarding these laws may result in fines, and in some cases you may even be asked to demolish the work that has been done. When remodeling you have to go through the process of obtaining the proper permits. Zoning laws protect homeowners and cover issues such as the size of setbacks (distance between buildings and property lines), the height of buildings and occupancy. State and local building codes deal primarily with life and safety issues (insulation, smoke detectors, plumbing, electrical wiring, etc.) In order to satisfy these regulations you must submit information showing the project complies with t... 02/05/2007

Many states require the seller of a home to fill out a real estate disclosure statement when transferring the title. The disclosure is designed to reveal any material defects in the home to the new owner. When buying a home, take the time to read the fine print of the disclosure form. Look for a section that asks the seller to indicate the material defects that exist in the home's major systems. Most forms will specify interior and exterior walls, ceilings, roof, insulation, windows, fences, driveway, sidewalks, floors, doors, foundation, and the electrical and plumbing systems. As the buyer you will want to know of defects in any of these areas. Sellers are required to note the presence of environmental hazards or zoning violations. They must disclose if there are any encroachments or ... 02/02/2007

Zoning classifications are the most important tool that a local government has to control the way land is used in a community. Areas designated as residential may have further controls on housing density for single family homes, townhouses or multiple-family houses. There are usually areas set aside for industrial, commercial and recreational purposes. Zoning boards spend their time listening to requests for exceptions to these rules or hearing arguments from parties who want to change or bend the existing zoning regulations.These zoning decisions have a major impact on the surrounding neighborhoods. Citizens' groups often get involved in testifying at hearings on proposals that could affect their property values or their quality of life. These groups help create interest about issues i... 02/02/2007

Every property has some kind of easement--utility, water and sewer or driveway easements which give access to landlocked parcels. As a property owner, you may be affected by easements at some point.The easement in gross is the most common type of easement used by public utilities. These easements are often under or above the ground, so they do not consist of actual land. If a utility gains the right to an easement in gross over your land, it must pay you for the diminishment in value of your property.Easements by prescription become easements simply through unchallenged use by the landowner for a specified number of years (usually 10-20). To avoid such an occurrence, the landowner must periodically make a formal objection to "start the clock over".The most familiar type of easement is e... 02/01/2007

The ideal piece of land cannot be purchased without due diligence. Say you notice a lot for sale in a suburban area that looks like a perfect place to build your dream home. Buying undeveloped land can provide an opportunity to build a house that will meet your needs, but you will need certain information before you sign on the dotted line. Most suburban areas have zoning regulations which govern the type of structure that can be erected, the dimensions, and even the material used on the exterior. Historic preservation groups work with builders in many areas to ensure that any new construction fits in with the existing buildings. If you want to build out of the city limits, check the availability of public utility services and the cost of bringing those services to the site. Local plann... 02/01/2007

Are you planning to build your dream home? Once you are pre-approved for a loan and have found a professional real estate agent you trust, you are ready to start looking for the perfect lot. Compare the qualities of several target neighborhoods by looking at schools, shopping, recreation and zoning. Make sure that the zoning regulations allow you to build the size and height of the home you want. Find out if there are use restrictions that would prevent you from developing your property as you intend. A visit to the local planning department will clarify your options for building. Consider what type of home would best suit your lifestyle. Create a checklist to itemize the "must-have" interior and exterior features of a house that you feel are absolute requirements. Make notations about ... 01/31/2007

Ingredients 2 cups white rice3 tbsp. soy sauce3/4 lb small peeled and cooked shrimp4 minced garlic cloves1/4 lb fresh sliced okra1 green chopped pepper1 (15 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes1 medium chopped onion2 tbsp. oilsalt and pepper for tastePrepare all the vegetables by washing and chopping them into small pieces. In a frying pan mix the vegetables, oil, and the soy sauce. Mix and fry for about 10 minutes or less. Don't over cook the vegetables. When vegetables are done, add the cooked shrimp and mix for about 2 minutes on low heat. When done, mix the fried ingredients with cooked rice.Cooking shrimp: Boil the water. Place shrimp in the boiling water for about 3 1/2 to 4 minutes. Don't let the water boil again. Drain off the shrimp.Cooking rice: For best results use the pre-cooked ri... 01/31/2007

In December 2005, the village of Oswego commissioned BCA to provide architectural design services to a new village hall in Oswego, Illinois. The building program includes the following departments: administration, finance, community development, building and zoning, village clerk and public works administration. The four acre site includes the development of a a village green. 01/30/2007

Does anyone know if the laws regarding what a buyer could pay to a seller that is in pre-forclosure have changed in Illinois?I spoke to an agent friend of mine over the weekend who stated that things have changed here in Illinois regarding this topic.I tried to do a google on the matter and came up with nothing.Please advice if you can. Thanks    01/29/2007