Countless times buyers just want to jump in the car with a Realtor and look and look and look at any and all houses that they "know" they can afford. But can you really? Knowing your buying power before looking is the smartest thing a buyer can do when shopping for a home. You need to know how much a lender will loan you and at what terms. Based on the buying power the lender tells you, you need to know the TOTAL monthly payment including taxes and insurance and if you are comfortable with that payment. For example - I had a homebuyer that came to me and said they wanted to look in the $220,000 - $250,000 price range. After making them understand that they had to know if they could get a loan for that amount, they agreed to talk to my lender. The lender came back and said they were prea... 08/21/2010

Plainfield Illinois residents mark your calendars as the Plainfield Library welcomes Fox News Meteorologist, Amy Freeze to the Village Hall on Friday, August 27th at 10:00 a.m. and a second presentation at 1:00 p.m.  Amy has taken part in the 20th Anniversary of the Plainfield Tornado program which is dedicated as a remembrance to what happened August 28th of 1990 as well as an education tool to help for future tornado emergency preparedness.  For more information please visit:  http://www.plainfield-il.org/news/villagenews.php. Friday's presentation by Amy will include a special preview of the show and a question and answer period. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the library at 815.327.2515 or by emailing Tina Beaird at tbeaird@plainfield.lib.il.us.  About Amy Free... 08/20/2010

Hidden River is located off of Route 59 in Plainfield just South of Renwick Road. In the past 6 months, only 1 home has closed in Hidden River: 16400 S. Hidden River Circle sold for $239,900. Listed at $239,900 it rec'd a contract in 2 days and was a bank owned property. There are only 3 active homes listed in Hidden River: 16414 Hidden River for $339,9009 24629 Sleep Hollow Lane for $289,900 16302 Riverwood Drive for $240,500 For all your home buying and selling needs, call LaNita Cates with REMAX Realty of Joliet.  As a resident of Plainfield for 15 years, I can assist you in the Will County area. Call 630-341-1545 or visit www.lanitacates.com 08/18/2010

The following Wesmere subdivision homes closed in Plainfield IL in the month of July 2010: 1711 Heritage Pointe Dr. closed for $176,000. 2312 Willow Lakes Dr. closed for $189,000. 2212 Candlewood Dr. closed for $192,000. 1914 Chestnut Grove closed for $195,000. The house at 1711 Heritage Pointe Dr. is BEAUTIFUL!  The new buyers are LUCKY! I had shown it many times when it was a foreclosure, but the investor that bought it made it shine like a model home!  It was top notch when this rehab investor got done with it. AND… actually, the listing at 2212 Candlewood Dr. was my listing, and it is beautiful too! The new owners are going to love their new home as much as my clients did.  It sold really quickly because these sellers were really smart about pricing their home correctly.  They liste... 08/15/2010

 "Nobody Sells More Homes than RE/MAX" 539 listings were sold between January 1 - June 20, 2010 in Plainfield. Of those 539, these are the offices and percentages that sold: RE/MAX (142 listings) - 26.3% Coldwell Bankder (91 listings) - 16.9% Baird & Warner (35 listings) - 6.5% Century 21 (34 listings) - 6.3% Realty Executives (17 listings) - 3.2% This combines the "sold" attached and detached residential listings of all office locations and independing offices of each multi-office or franchise organization identified. For all your home buying and home selling needs, contact LaNita Cates with REMAX of Joliet. Call 630-341-1545 or visit www.lanitacates.com 08/10/2010

There are currently 37 single family homes listed as foreclosures on the MLS in Plainfield: 119th Street - $54,900 - 3 bed, 1.2 bath McClellan St - $104,900 - 2 bed, 1 bath Hemingway Ct. - $115,900 - 2 bed, 1 bath Dalewood Ct. - $122,900 - 2 bed, 2.1 bath Ivy Lane - $125,900 - 4 bed, 2 bath Cedar Lakes Ct. - $138,400 - 3 bed, 2.1 bath Ames Court - $142,800 - 3 bed, 1.1 bath Lockport Road - $145,000 - 4 bed, 2 bath Meadowbrook St. - $146,000 - 3 bed, 1.1 bath Juneau Drive - $149,900 - 3 bed, 1.1 bath Union Pl - $154,000 - 3 bed, 2 bath Main St - $154,900 - 3 bed, 1.1 bath Winger Drive - $155,000 - 3 bed, 2 bath Sierra Highlands Drive - $157,937 - 4 bed, 2.1 bath Reflection Ct. - $159,000 - 3 bed, 1.1 bath Elizabeth Drive - $159,900 - 3 bed, 2.1 bath Silver Ridge Dr. - $162,500 - 4 bed, 2... 08/08/2010

Six homes in Plainfield sold during the first week of August: 2346 Woodhill Court - $138,500 - 42 days market time 1711 Cascade Ridge Drive - $155,000 (F) - 33 days market time 1902 Larkspur Drive - $213,000 - 188 days market time 12259 Heggs Road - $219,000 (F) - 27 days market time 15936 Hometown Drive - $343,000 (S) - 266 days market time 13252 Lake Mary Drive - $475,000 (F) - 131 days market time LaNita Cates has been a resident of Plainfield for 15 years. For all your home buying and home selling needs in the Plainfield area, please call LaNita at 630-341-1545 or visit www.lanitacates.com. REMAX Realty of Joliet 08/08/2010

Handymen are hard to come by in Plainfield IL.  Good ones anyway... so I'm going to share my secret.  My neighbor was having a new door installed on his house last month, so I stopped over to ask the workers for a business card since we are in the market for a new set of storm doors as well. Actually I have a long list of things we are in the market for... but that day it was the door that caught my eye.  When he was finished at my neighbors house he stopped over to discuss some of the things we were looking to have done.  One of those projects was to have the crown moulding that we'd had sitting in our garage for 3 years installed.  Not only did he do an amazing job of installing it, he also picture framed all of the windows in our living room and dining room.  The quality of his craft... 08/04/2010

The lowest priced home sale in any town is a benchmark. It's the starting line in a marathon of options for buyers... and the finish line of all possibility for sellers.  The highest priced home sale in any town has the same effect.  It's the glass ceiling for sellers.  The dreaded "closed comp" speech.  We've all given it.  We've all dreaded it.  We all know it's true.  Now, more than ever. As much as I would love to see my sellers get the most money for their home, I know that no amount of marketing, no amount of praying, no amount of wishing, will speak to an appraiser any other way.  The appraisers job is to protect the lender involved in the risk of lending money against real estate in a declining market.  They are being pretty stingy with their values... but that's a good thing in... 07/28/2010

Plainfield IL Short Sale and Foreclosure Homes For Sale Snapshot for 7/28/10 Currently, there are 1397 homes for sale in Plainfield, Illinois according to MLS data.  In the past month, 93 homes were sold with a median sales price of $189,000.  The average sales price was slightly higher at $218,000.  List prices for both median and average sales prices were approximately $10,000.  Average market time is 193 days, but is likely higher as MREDLLC does not use total days on market, but only listing market time. Of these homes for sale in Plainfield, 364 are distressed homes.  This calculates out to 26% of the real estate market in Plainfield is short sale and foreclosed homes.   Another interesting statistic is that 41 of the 93 closings were short sales and foreclosed homes (44%).  These ... 07/28/2010

Plainfield Fest is back! Starting on Friday, July 16 at 4:00pm until midnight. On Saturday, July 17 the festival opens at 10:00am and closes at midnight. On Sunday, July 18th the fest starts at noon and will end at 6:00pm! Sunday is awesome with Wrist Band Day - ride all the carnival rides for just $22 (no inflatables/rock wall). For all you home buying and home selling needs, call LaNita Cates with REMAX. As a 14 year resident of Plainfield, I can help you with all your real estate needs. Call me at 630-341-1545 or visit www.lanitacates.com 07/15/2010

5004 Syracuse Ct. | Plainfield IL 5004 Syracuse Ct., Plainfield, IL 60586 View Map This townhome is GORGEOUS! Wood floors, GIGANTIC LOFT, 2 car garage, 2nd floor laundry... seconds from shopping, dining and expressways. Shopping is literally within walking distance! Immaculate condition, just move right in. Neutral decor, cozy patio, master bathroom bedroom... this one has it all! NO SHORT SALE HERE!!! :o) Details Asking Price: $139,000 MLS: 07577551 Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 2.5 # of Floors: 2 HOA/Maintenance Fees: 128 Garage Size: 2 Subdivision: Hampton Glen Year Built: 2005 Contact Info Julie Ferenzi Realtor Main 708-452-0021 Cell 630-673-6233 Dir 630-673-6233 Email | Website All information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. 07/13/2010

Who doesn't love a good carnival with tons of carnie food, fun rides and lots of activities? Plainfield's Annual Summer Fest is approaching this coming weekend. Starting on Friday, July 16 at 4:00pm until midnight. On Saturday, July 17 the festival opens at 10:00am and closes at midnight. On Sunday, July 18th the fest starts at noon and will end at 6:00pm! Sunday is Wrist Band Day - ride all the carnival rides for just $22 (no inflatables/rock wall). For all you home buying and home selling needs, call LaNita Cates with REMAX. As a 14 year resident of Plainfield, I can help you with all your real estate needs. Call me at 630-341-1545 or visit www.lanitacates.com 07/10/2010

Tonight is the annual Plainfield IL fireworks display for 2010 at Plainfield Central just off of Beggs St. and Rt. 59.  Fireworks start at dusk and it's quite a display! (think 9:30) If you are looking for a great place to park, you might consider Renwick Park on Renwick Rd.  There is tons of open space in the fields for blankets and chairs, just make sure to get there early... AND bring the bug spray! Summer is tons of fun in Plainfield IL!  Don't miss the fireworks tonight!  Happy 4th of July! Julie Ferenzi | Realtor®Plainfield IL Homes for Sale630-673-6233     07/03/2010

BEAUTIFUL 2-STORY HOME IN SUBDIVISION WITH NO ASSOCIATION FEE! NEW HARDWOOD FLOOR THRU ENTIRE FIRST FLOOR. MSTR BDRM W/TWO WALK IN CLOSETS AND PRIVATE BATH. BEDROOMS ARE SUPER-SIZE. SKYLIGHTS IN BOTH BATHROOMS. ALL APPLIANCES STAY. FINISHED BASEMENT W/CUSTOM WET BAR AND 4TH BEDROOM. HUGE FENCED YARD AND GARAGE IS AN EXTRA 3 FT DEEP. CONCRETE DRIVEWAY. EXCLUDE CURTAINS AND DINING ROOM CHANDELIER. SHORT SALE PRICED AT $179,900 CALL LANITA CATES AT REMAX OF JOLIET 630-341-1545 OR VISIT LANITACATES@YAHOO.COM 06/24/2010

Dunmoor Estates is a beautiful custom home community in Plainfield IL located between Ridge Rd and Rt. 30 just off of 135th St.  This beautiful neighborhood is located near shopping and dining, with easy access to I-55 and I-80. There is  cluster of beautiful custom home neighborhoods near Dunmoor Estates in Plainfield IL, including Grande Park, Shenandoah, and Prairie Ponds. Home in this neighborhood feature 4+ bedrooms and large homesites with contemporary luxury design layouts.  Many of these homes also have 1st floor dens, full basements, custom kitchens with granite counter tops, full finished basements, and beautifully upgraded exteriors with superb curb appeal. Students in the Dunmoor Estates neighborhood attend the following schools as of June 2010: Walkers Grove Elementary Scho... 06/21/2010

Nothing says summer like a heavy dose of festival food, carnival rides, and cotton candy.  I’m sure you’re sick of me posting about the many fests that take place in Plainfield IL, but I can’t help it… they’re my favorite. This summer, the Plainfield Summer Fest is taking place in downtown Plainfield starting on Friday, July 16th at 5:00 pm and running through Sunday, July 17th to 6:00 pm. This is the biggest of the three seasonal Plainfield Fests, and probably the most fun!  Bring the kids, slap on some sunscreen, and get ready to enjoy summer! See you at the Plainfield Fest! If you, or someone you know, are looking to become part of the Plainfield community, call me at 630-673-6233.  I have helped countless families join the Plainfield community in the last several years.  It’s easy t... 06/21/2010

My in-laws offered to babysit for us this weekend so that Tony and I could go out for dinner.  Despite our favorite downtown Plainfield IL restaurants like Baci's, The Front Street Cantina, and Bin 48... we opted to try something different. It's been a while since we've had a chance to eat out sans kids, so we decided to take full advantage of not having to order from a children's menu, cut up food into tiny pieces, or ask for extra napkins.  We could never "foudue" with our crazy crew with hot burners in the middle of the table, but it's just what we needed to end a crazy week.  We wandered into The Melting Pot without a reservation, and the gracious manager made immediate accommodations for us as new patrons. I grew up in Addison IL and there was a Melting Pot restaurant in neighborin... 06/14/2010

  The following luxury homes in the Grande Park subdivision in Plainfield IL have recently sold: 12825 Grande Poplar Cir. sold for $210,000 (S) on 2/12/10 26531 Rustling Birch Way sold for $230,000 (F) on 1/8/10 26609 Silverleaf Dr. sold for $238,000 (F) on 5/20/10 13323 Morning Mist Pl. sold for $270,000 (F) on 3/12/10 26232 Whispering Woods Cir. sold for $280,000 (F) on 12/30/09 12830 Grande Poplar Cir. sold for $285,000 (F) on 1/26/10 13318 Morning Mist Pl. sold for $285,000 on 1/15/10 26515 Silverleaf Dr. sold for $287,000 (F) on 4/7/10 13008 Grande Poplar Cir. sold for $295,000 on 3/12/10 26331 Whispering Woods Dr. sold for $299,000 on 4/13/10 12810 Grande Pines Blvd. sold for $300,000 (F) on 1/7/10 26531 Rustling Birch Way sold for $300,000 on 3/1/10 12921 Alpine Way sold for $315... 06/11/2010

The other day I touched base with a past client.  During our conversation I was reminded of a beautiful property they had made an offer on  in the Shenandoah neighborhood in Plainfield IL. Unfortunately, this was a short sale property and things didn’t work out the way we had hoped… but wow, this house was beautiful!  The master suite had a sitting area, in addition to a double walk-in closet.  The finished basement had a cinema room, custom built-in bar, exercise room, and sauna. If I had the energy to move again, which I don’t, it would have been on my list.  Yeah, I have a list.  An maginary list of homes that I’d move into if the stars happened to align just right…. oh, and if the market hadn’t totally tanked 2 years ago :o) Shenandoah is located just off of 127th and Heggs Rds on t... 06/10/2010