Snacks with Santa -- NEW! Join us for an evening of fun and excitement for the whole family! Holiday lights will turn River Edge Recreation Center into the magical North Pole, and Santa will visit with each child. Parents, don't forget your camera to capture this magical moment. Santa's elves will be busy serving cookies and juice and assisting kids with a holiday craft project. Pre-registration is required for this event. Children under age 3 do not need to register. KB Program # Day Date Time Location 10106A1 F Dec. 12 6-8 pm at River Edge Rec Center All ages Children must be accompanied by an adult R $5/NR $7.50 per person Registration deadline is Friday, Nov. 21. Call 815-436-8812 or go to www.plainfieldparkdistrict.com 11/16/2008

Phone Calls from the North Pole Santa and his elves are so busy this year, they have asked us to help him find the boys and girls ages 5-8 in Plainfield who would like to speak to him. Parents, stop by the Park District beginning Nov. 24 to pick up a FREE application or download it from our web site, www.plainfieldparkdistrict.com. Fill it out and return it to the Recreation/Administration Center by Monday, Dec. 8. Santa and his elves will be making phone calls from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9. Don't miss this chance to get your children on Santa's special call list! Call list is limited to the first 200 applications returned. Applications must be picked up after Nov. 24 and returned by Dec. 8 for Santa to call on Dec. 9. If the child is not home, a message will be left. No call-back... 11/16/2008

Cookie Walk Plainfield's 4th Annual Cookie Walk will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2008 from 10:00AM - 2:00PM. One hundred bags (while supplies last) will be sold at the MainStreet office for $5.00 each. Business owners bake/purchase 100 individually wrapped cookies to give to cookie walk participants. Participating businesses will have a sign hanging in their business. Any further questions please call MainStreet Plainfield Office 815-436-5510 11/16/2008

Plainfield's 2nd annual festival of wreaths will begin Saturday, November 29th. The wreath raffle will work like Joliet's Festival of Trees. Businesses interested in participating will decorate a wreath possibly showcasing their business (by Nov. 29th) and during the Holiday Season customers can buy raffle tickets which will be sold for $1.00 each. Proceeds will be used as a charitable donation. After putting their name and phone number on their tickets they will deposit them in the box/boxes of the wreath they would like to win. Winners will be drawn on Dec. 13th at individual businesses and winners will be called to pick up their wreath in time for the holidays. Any further questions please call MainStreet Plainfield Office 815-436-5510 11/16/2008

Sometimes our past credit issues can catch up with us when we are ready to purchase a home. I've worked with buyers with past credit problems, and as long as they did everything my lender asked of them, we ended up sitting next to each other at the closing table. Contact LaNita Cates with RE/MAX of Joliet by calling 630-341-1545 or visit www.lanitacates.com or email me at lanitacates@yahoo.com. LaNita works in Joliet, Crest Hill, Romeoville, Bolingbrook, Plainfield, Naperville, Aurora, Oswego, Montgomery, Yorkville and other areas! I've worked with buyers in the South Loop, Morris, Orland Park, Tinley Park.... Call or email me today! 11/13/2008

An opportunity like this does not come around too often. With the recent signing of a major housing stimulus bill, it's now a great time to close on your first home. On July 30, 2008, the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 was passed, which includes a new, temporary tax credit as an incentive for first-time homebuyers. With this bill, first-time homebuyers may qualify for a tax credit of up to $7,500 for the purchase of a principal residence. Contact LaNita Cates with RE/MAX of Joliet by calling 630-341-1545 or visiting www.lanitacates.com or emailing me at lanitacates@yahoo.com. LaNita works in Joliet, Crest Hill, Romeoville, Bolingbrook, Plainfield, Naperville, Aurora, Oswego, Montgomery, Yorkville and other areas! I've worked with buyers in the South Loop, Morris, Orland Park,... 11/06/2008

Welcome to the most complete website for Plainfield, Joliet, Naperville Real Estate.  Here you can do a complete MLS search of Plainfield, Joliet, Naperville  real estate, as well as JUST LISTED Plainfield, Joliet, Naperville homes for sale.  Every single property listed with all brokerages (REMAX, Coldwell Banker, Baird & Warner, Century 21 etc..) are available for you to view.  This powerful MLS Search includes Plainfield, Joliet, Naperville as well as the surrounding suburbs, including, Aurora, Montgomery, Oswego, Crest Hill and more! Go to www.lanitacates.com and read my testimonials as well as sign up for free MLS searching. 10/23/2008

Rental Homes Did you know that I can assist you in finding a rental home?  It's true!  Let me be your guide in finding your next rental property.  Whether it's a condo, townhome, or single family residence I can help. Also, did you know that the landord takes care of my fee.  It's true!  What have you got to lose? Contact me today. About the author:  Cheryl Bowers is a Chicagoland Area Residential Real Estate Expert, who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in Plainfield, Naperville, Aurora Illinois or any place in the country. Cheryl has created a team of professionals throughout the Chicago suburbs to ensure that you enjoy a smooth transition to your new area. Please visit www.cherylbowers.com for your real estate needs.  Please give me a call if you have questi... 10/20/2008

Testimonial Closed September 25, 2008 "Easy and fun to work with. Genuine. We first met LaNita approximately two years prior to putting our home on the market. We were undecided about moving and were just looking. During this time LaNita was extremely helpful and patient, but most importantly she was not pushy, provided us the information we asked for quickly and applied no pressure to our decision. Working with her is comfortable and stress free. She must have showed us 20 homes over these two years, tracked down information about the project in downtown Plainfield as well as details on the train schedule and the potential for increased train traffic. She is punctual and responsive; returning e-mails at all hours and always arriving earlier than us to view homes. It always felt like La... 10/20/2008

Saturday, November 29 th 10am-8pm Candlelight Christmas(A cooperative effort between downtown businesses & Plainfield community organizations). Come downtown for a day of holiday shopping, dining, & more. In the evening watch the lighting of the crèche at Plymouth Congregational Church, take a carriage ride, eat roasted chestnuts, & get your picture taken with Santa Claus.  Lots of fun for the entire family! 10/20/2008

Spooktacular Downtown Plainfield Saturday, October 25, 2008 9am Closing Cost Gift Certificates at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage 9am‐4pm Drawing for a $100 Gift Certificate at Top Reviews Salon 9am‐5pm Halloween Craft at Plainfield Public Library 9am‐5pm Play Pumpkins in the Jar Game at Plainfield Public Library 9:30am‐5pm Halloween Specific Merchandise 50% off original Price at Cherry Creek Home Accents & Gift 9:30am‐7pm Mystery Bags Available at The Tawny Tortoise 10am Coloring Contest Winners Announced at MainStreet Plainfield Office 10am‐1pm Trick‐Or‐Treating at Participating Businesses 10am‐2pm ½ Hour FREE Consultation with Dr. Bo at Assisted Awareness 10am‐5pm DJ at Village Green 10am‐5pm Pumpkin Give‐away while supplies last at Century 21 Pro-Team 11am‐2pm Buckets of Corona, Modelo & ... 10/20/2008

If you are tired of the renting game and ready to become a homeowner, go with a realtor that cares and is fun and will make the experience awesome. Visit my website at www.lanitacates.com and read my testimonials so you know the type of realtor I am. Whether it's Plainfield, Joliet, Naperville, Aurora or the surrounding areas, I can help you find the house of your dreams. I'll bring you home! Call LaNita Cates at 630-341-1545. 10/18/2008

If you are tired of the renting game and ready to become a homeowner, go with a realtor that cares and is fun and will make the experience awesome. Visit my website at www.lanitacates.com and read my testimonials so you know the type of realtor I am. Whether it's Plainfield, Joliet, Naperville, Aurora or the surrounding areas, I can help you find the house of your dreams. I'll bring you home!  Contact at top Realtor for REMAX of Joliet, LaNita Cates at 630-341-1545. 10/18/2008

If you are wondering how September, 2008 compared to last year during the same time in Plainfield, Illinois, here you go! September, 2007 - 77 single family homes closed. Lowest price was $165,000 (not a foreclosure or short sale) and the highest was $800,000. September, 2008 - 85 single family homes closed. Lowest price was $130,200 (foreclosure) and the highest price was $579,000. If you are interested in buying or selling in the Plainfield, Joliet, Naperville or Aurora area, contact LaNita Cates with RE/MAX of Joliet. Contact LaNita by calling 630-341-1545 or visiting www.lanitacates.com   10/13/2008

Looking for an alternative to traditional trick or treating? Are you new to the area and unsure of where to go? We have something for you! Play games and win prizes! Use your creative energy to design a costume for yourself and enter the costume contest (for ages 12 and under). Tickets for games are $.50 each/3 for $1. Each game requires 1 ticket. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Location: Central Elementary School, 23723 Getson Dr. Date: October 24, 2008  6:00-8:00pm Contact: Misty Bartlett, (815) 436-8812   bartlett@plainfieldparkdistrict.com 10/07/2008

Add some "spook-tacular" crafts to your table or your front porch. Paint or carve a pumpkin and leave the mess for us. All this and more at the 11th annual Halloween Craft Night. R $3 per person/NR $4.50 per person. Fee includes 1 pumpkin per paid participant. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is required. Everyone completing the crafts must register! Registration deadline is Oct. 20. Program #10104A1. Date: October 23, 2008 6:30pm-8:30pm Location: Four Seasons Park Maintenance Area, Lockport St. just west of I-55 Contact: Misty Bartlett (815) 436-8812   bartlett@plainfieldparkdistrict.com 10/07/2008

Thrills and chills abound on the Halloween Haunted Trail! Strange sites will keep you looking over your shoulder as the hayrack twists and turns through Van Horn Woods. Great fun for the entire family! Ride is approximately 15 minutes long. Enjoy Halloween movies along with free popcorn and hot cider while you wait. Friday: program #10103A1. Saturday: program #10103A2. Pre-Registration: R $5 per person/NR $8 per person. Pre-registration is recommended and will be accepted until Oct. 16. Need not register age 4 and under. At the Event: $8 per person while space is available. Location: Van Horn Woods, Lily Cache Rd. just north of Caton Farm Rd. Time: 7:00 pm - 9:45 pm Dates: 10/17/08 - 10/18/08 Contact: Misty Bartlett (815) 436-8812  bartlett@plainfieldparkdistrict.com 10/07/2008

In order to get a really good grip on what is going on in real estate right now here in Plainfield, it becomes necessary to compare apples to apples. I got a little curious this afternoon about how the Plainfield real estate market in September 2008 compared to the real estate market of September 2006 and also of 2007. With all the doom and gloom of the economy in recent weeks, the obvious question becomes... How is Plainfield fairing through all of this? Well, heres the breakdown of Plainfield Real Estate for September 2006-2008: # of Closed Single Family Properties Price Range September 2006 138 $174,000 - $816,959 September 2007 57 $191,050 - $711,750 September 2008 76 $130,200 - $579,000 In hopes of putting these numbers in proper perspective, its obvious that the number of closed ... 09/23/2008

Buyers know they have the upper hand in negotiating in this real estate market, and they are using that power to get the best deal on a new home in Illinois. But what can you do as a seller to get the best price for your home in shortest amount of time? There are a couple of things to understand about the market that can help you equalize the playing field with qualified buyers when it comes to negotiating a sales contract: Price your home between the highest and lowest priced comparable home on the MLS. You never want to be the highest priced home on the market. Keep close tabs on what the competition is doing. New listings, price adjustments, and price reductions will affect your position on the MLS so it's really important to know where you rank among the competition. Instead of lowe... 09/23/2008

Fannie, Freddie Takeover Keeps Mortgages Flowing The federal government's sweeping takeover of mortgage market giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is expected to have positive short-term benefits to the real estate market and opens the door for the industry to shape the restructuring of the companies. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® commended the Treasury Department's decision, which it said will bring much-needed stability and continued liquidity to the nation's mortgage market."This demonstrates that the government is clearly committed to keeping the flow of capital uninterrupted, which is crucial to the housing sector and the economy," NAR President Richard F. Gaylord said in a statement Monday. Fannie and Freddie own or guarantee almost half of the country's $12 trillion in outs... 09/11/2008