Ugh, I HATE short sales… and no, it’s not because of the all the extra paperwork or problems that come with the process.  It’s heartbreaking to see families have to leave their homes behind and start over. I have 5 kids, and because of what I do, I lay awake every night wondering what we would do if we had to pack up everything we have, and give up everything my husband and I have worked for simply because our house was no longer worth what we paid for it, and we could no longer afford it. I have listed 4 homes this year for friends who are behind in their payments.  Friends, who 18 months ago… would never have imagined themselves in this situation. A few months ago my daughter and I watched the American Girl movie, Kitt Kittridge, about the Great Depression.  I had no idea at the tim... 08/21/2009

Saturday August 8, 2009 from 8:30am - 5:00pm St. Mary Immaculate Parish15629 S. Rt. 59, Plainfield, Illinois 60544 Conference for SinglesSt. Mary Immaculate Parish, Plainfield, IL is hosting a conference, "Enriched Relationships for Singles" on Saturday, August 8th. "This conference is an opportunity for personal growth and fun for all singles whether divorced, widowed or never married." says Kathy Yonker, event coordinator. She said participants will range from age 30 through 50's.Featured speaker, Dr. Richard Marks, a licensed professional counselor and ordained minister, is Executive Director of Marriage Works, Inc. in Bradenton FL. Dr. Marks is the author and founder of the Enriched Relationships series of relationship curriculums that focuses on teaching healthy relationship skills... 08/07/2009

Subdivision garage sale Friday June 12, 2009 - Saturday June 13, 2009 from 9:00am - 3:00pm Blackberry Ridge subdivision in Plainfield, Illinois Tons of items including baby items, books, cd, records, ect..., collectibles, computers, electronics, furniture, gaming systems, and tons more for all the details go to: www.garagesalestracker.com Call LaNita Cates for all your real estate needs in the Plainfield and surrounding areas. Call 630-341-1545 or visit www.lanitacates.com. 06/10/2009

View Larger Map Want to see the inside? Request a FREE Virtual Open House by OpenHomes247.com Whether you are relocating or just too busy, our virtual open homes provide a unique experience that enables home buyers to save time, gas, and money. We provide a wealth of information about homes that enables buyers to make informed decisions early in the buying process. With interactive floor plans, panoramas, photos and more you will make a better decision about any home. OpenHomes247.com is not a broker and is not a Realty company. We only provide a better way to view homes online unlike anyone else. 06/01/2009

The Plainfield IL home sales for the last 30 days from April 15th, 2009 through May 15th 2009 are now more than 50% short sales or foreclosure sales. That's great news for buyers... but it's bad news for the economy and the real estate market in general.  It means things aren't getting any better for homeowners in foreclosure, and homeowners who are current on their mortgages are losing the value of their homes at warp speed. 42 of the 82 homes sold were either foreclosed or bank owned homes, or short sales. The price of homes sold in the last 30 days ranged in price from $119,000 to $430,255.  Surprisingly the home that sold for $119,000 wasn't actually a distressed property.  It was a small 2 bedroom ranch, sold by a motivated seller.  The bulk of the short sale and bank owned propert... 05/25/2009

This weekend is the Plainfield Spring Fest, starting this Friday May 15th and running through Sunday May 17th.  I saw a sign as I was driving through the downtown area this weekend with the dates and times: Friday May 15th from 4:00 -midnight Saturday May 16th from 10:00-midnight Sunday May 17th from 12:00- 6:00 pm Now don’t quote me on the times I’ve posted here… I was driving at the time, but I’m pretty sure this is what I stored in my brain from my photographic memory! There will be a carnival, a craft show, food vendors, a beer garden, and live entertainment.  One of my favorite booths had always been the fresh strawberry shortcake stand, but I haven’t seen it there for the past 3 years.  I remember when we first moved to Plainfield that this Spring Fest was once called the Plainfie... 05/13/2009

"Whether LaNita or any other realtor is responsible for sales in the millions or billions of dollars or not, that in itself doesn't impress me.LaNita will work just as hard for you regardless of the price tag. Her work ethic and integrity shine through.LaNita is focused as can be. LaNita never once answered an unsolicited call during any of the time we were working together, be it going to a house, viewing the house, or writing up an offer. If on the rare occasion I asked a question she didn't have an answer to, she might call for clarification on it from the other agent. That would be the only time she was on the phone in my presence.You don't wonder if she's on your side, you know it.Due to economic circumstances, my price range changed somewhat during the course of the house hunting ... 05/07/2009

In hopes of keeping my readers up to date on the rental market in Plainfield IL, I will start listing the properties that have rented month by month.  Hopefully this will give anyone considering a rental home in Plainfield IL an idea of the price ranges of homes available for rent. The following properties rented in Plainfield IL in the month of April 2009:   2 Bedrooms Single Family Plainfield IL Rental Homes: 13918 S. Oakdale Ct. rented for $1,200 2414 Millpond Ct. rented for $1,230 5007 Elmira Ct. rented for $1,300 16250 Fairfield Dr. rented for $1,350 5102 Edgewater Ct. rented for $1,395 21316 W. Douglas Ln. rented for $1,500 13212 Lake Mary Dr. rented for $2,100 3 Bedroom Single Family Plainfield IL Rental Homes: 14052 Edgewater Ln. rented for $1,275 5520 Stonybrook rented for $1,2... 05/05/2009

Matt's Pit Crew Hot Dog Sales Saturday May 16, 2009 from 11:00am - 4:00pm at Strack & Van Til -59 & Cation Farm Road, Plainfield, Illinois 60586 This event will be for the American Cancer Society, we will be selling hot dogs for our Relay for Life team, Matt's Pit Crew. Come out and support the American Cancer Society, and have a cheap lunch. Ticket Info: $1.00 For all your real estate needs in Plainfield and the Plainfield area, call LaNita Cates with REMAX at 630-341-1545 or visit www.lanitacates.com. 05/03/2009

date:Wednesday, May 6, 2009 time:6:00 PM to 8:00 PM venue:Plainfield Public Library District address:705 North Illinois Street  Plainfield, IL 60544  View map from:Plainfield Public Library District Once a month a foreign film will be shown. There will be a brief introduction to the film and an optional discussion after the film. Parents must accompany minors (or sign a permission slip) when R rated films are shown. Registration is required, open to grades 9 and up. May 6 - Amelie (R) For all your real estate needs in the Plainfield area, please call LaNita Cates at REMAX. 630-341-1545 or visit www.lanitacates.com 04/28/2009

Short sales offer a pretty fair discount on single family homes in the area and right now there are many homes in Plainfield IL available to chose from, but the banks aren’t going to give them away for pennies on the dollar. Here are a few things you can expect when writing an offer on homes that require 3rd party lender approval: Short sales take time.  If you are not willing or able to wait the 6-10 weeks required for lender approval, a short sale is probably not the right choice for you. The lower the price, the less likely your offer is to be accepted.  The further your offer is  from the list price on the MLS, the less interested the bank will be in your offer. Be prepared to submit a counter offer.  Lenders always counter the original offer, so be prepared to increase the ante, ev... 04/25/2009

  With all of the news on t.v. and talk on the radio, you might be wondering how the value of your Plainfield IL townhouse or duplex is doing.  Many homeowners today are keeping a close eye on their Plainfield IL property values with good cause. While there is definitely depreciation going on in the market, there are other factors contributing to the health of the Plainfield town home and duplex market. The volume of sales for the attached single family market in Plainfield IL is down drastically from March of 2008 when compared to March of 2009 by approximately 72%. There has also been an increase in market times of about 26% for those sales on average, meaning it’s taking about 26% longer to sell 72% less homes. The townhome and duplex market in Plainfield IL has suffered an approxima... 04/25/2009

Comparing the 4th quarter of 2008 to the first quarter of 2009 in Plainfield IL: There were 197 new filings in the 4th quarter of 2008, compared to the 250 filings in the first quarter of 2009 for an increase between the quarters of 21.2%. In comparing the number of newly filed foreclosures in Plainfield IL from the 1st quarter of 2007, 2008, and 2009 there is a steady increase in the number of foreclosures each year. 1st Quarter Figures for newly filed single family Plainfield IL foreclosures by year: 2007: 116 new filings 2008: 218 new filings 2009: 250 new filings There was a 12.8% increase in foreclosures from 2008 to 2009 There was a 46.8% increase in foreclosure from 2007 to 2008 As you can see from these figures, Plainfield has not seen the bottom of this market yet, though it do... 04/25/2009

    Many analysts believe the number of new home sales is an indicator of the health of the real estate market.  Today I contacted the Village of Plainfield to get some figures on the number of permits requested by new home builders in Plainfield IL. New permits issued for new construction: 2007 = 404 permits 2008 = 172 permits In the last 6 months only 26 new permits were requested through the village.  As you can see there has been a drastic reduction in the amount of permits that have been applied for between 2007 and 2008, which shows a decrease of 57.5%. Subscribe to my site through e-mail subscription and never miss a post. Stay tuned for more Plainfield IL market reports. Julie Ferenzi | Realtor® Plainfield IL Homes 630-673-6233 04/25/2009

Saturday June 27, 2009 at 8:00pm Plainfield North High School12005 S. 248thPlainfield, Illinois IL Get Directions What: Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society's signature activity. It offers everyone in a community an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer. This will be Team Gonza's 7th year doing Relay and we are extremely excited to have Overman back again!When: June 27th, 2009Tentative Schedule:2:00PM : Opening Ceremony2:30PM-6:00PM : Really fun stuff!!!!!!!6:00PM-6:30PM : Lee's Band (?)6:45PM-7:30PM : Overman7:45PM-8:30PM : Clifton Roy & Folkstringer9:00PM : Luminaria Ceremony10:00PM-4:00AM : Really fun stuff!!!!!!!4:00AM : Closing CeremonyWhere: Plainfield North High School 12005 S. 248th Plainfield, IL For all your real estate needs, call LaNita Cates at REM... 04/20/2009

"Ask the Priests Trivia Night" at St. Mary Immaculate Friday May 15, 2009 at 7:00pm St. Mary Immaculate Parish15629 S. Rt. 59 Plainfield, Illinois 60544 Get Directions "Ask the Priests Trivia Night" at St. Mary Immaculate"Ask the Priests Night" at St. Mary Immaculate Parish is Friday, May 15th. The evening starts at 7:00 pm in the St. Mary Immaculate Gym at 15629 S. Rt. 59 in Plainfield. In a question and answer format, the evening provides an opportunity to ask serious or light hearted questions about our Catholic Faith and Traditions. Fr. David, Fr. Dan and Fr. Stan will be providing the answers. Attendees can submit questions by completing a form provided and, dropping it into a box provided in the Commons. Or email your questions to dguerrero@smip.org. We suggest you bring snacks to... 04/20/2009

Great Movies for Adults! date: Friday, April 3, 2009 time: 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM venue: Plainfield Public Library District address: 705 North Illinois Street  Plainfield, IL 60544  View map from:Plainfield Public Library District March 6 - In Bruges April 3 - Catch Me If You Can May 1 - Mamma Mia! Location : Large Meeting Room For all your real estate needs in the Plainfield area, call LaNita Cates at 630-341-1545 or visit www.lanitacates.com. 04/20/2009

St. Mary Immaculate/Jackhammer's Night - Ticket Sales Sunday April 26, 2009 - Sunday May 10, 2009 from 7:00pm - 6:00pm St. Mary Immaculate Parish15629 S. Rt. 59Plainfield, Illinois 60544 Get Directions Monday, June 15 is St Mary Immaculate Night at Silver Cross Field when the Joliet JackHammers host the Winnipeg Goldeyes. Game time is 6:05pm.Fans can get a special reduced admission price of $5.00 per ticket when they buy their tickets at St. Mary Immaculate Parish, 15629 S. Rt. 59 in Plainfield.Tickets are pre-sold at the Parish Commons area (Building B) through May 10, after all Masses: Sunday, April 26, May 3 & May 10 and t the Commons desk Weekdays from 9:00am to 9:00pm, Saturdays from 9:00am to 6:00pm and Sundays from 7:30am to 7:30pm.Please have cash or check made payable to "SMI P... 04/20/2009

Sunday April 26, 2009 from 8:30am - 12:30pm St. Mary Immaculate Parish15629 S. Rt. 59Plainfield, Illinois 60544 Pancake Breakfast at St. Mary ImmaculateGood Shepherd Council #5573 of the Knights of Columbus will serve a Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, April 26th, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm in the St. Mary Immaculate Gym. The menu includes Pancakes, Sausage, Orange Juice, Coffee or Milk.A free will donation is requested. The net proceeds will be given to Fr. Dan Hoehn in appreciation for all he has done for the parish and the community.For more information call Steve Zimmer at 815-436-0458 or Fred Kunst at 815-254-7123.St. Mary Immaculate Parish is located at 15629 S. Rt. 59, Plainfield, IL 60544. With nearly 7,000 member families, St. Mary Immaculate is one of the largest Roman Catholic parishes ... 04/20/2009

  The 1st quarter Plainfield IL single family market report is now available.  I have interpreted this information has been taken directly from the MLS.  In a follow up post I will compare and contrast the 1st quarter of 2008 and 2009. In the first 3 months of 2009, 157 single family homes sold in Plainfield IL.  Homes are currently selling at 95% of their asking price in 167 days on average. 100 of the 157 homes that sold this quarter were 4 bedroom homes, which was 63% of the market share of the homes sold.   There were only 9 Plainfield IL homes that sold, but those home sold at about 96% of their asking price, up 1% from the total average.  The average market time on the 5 bedroom homes were about 26% higher than the total average of 167 days.  Plainfield IL 1st Quarter Single Famil... 04/18/2009