The most obvious way to mess your credit score up is to make a late payment.  Did you know that even if you have a solid credit score, a single missed payment could cost you as much as 100 points? According to the Fair Isaac, the company that calculates your FICO score, payment history accounts for 35% of your total score! Of course that credit score helps determine what kind of rates you can get when applying for home or car loans. Your FICO score is a number between 300 and 850 and is based on five criteria: 1. Payment history 2. Amounts owed 3. Length of credit history 4. New credit 5. Types of credit used According to Experian, the average credit score in America is currently 692. Those with a 700 or above will qualify for the best interest rates available. Call me to learn your buy... 07/17/2008

Ive been driving past the Ashford Place models that popped up on Caton Farm Rd. in Plainfield last year for a while now.  Ive been meaning to stop in something always seemed to keep me getting in there. A few weeks ago, my oldest son and I stopped in at the Ashford Place sales center and took a look around their two beautifully decorated models; the Halden and the Stanhope.  I immediately fell in love with Ashford Place's,  Stanhope model.  It was beautifully decorated in a pale aqua and cream color pallet.  We have big family so its only natural for me to gravitate toward the biggest home they had to offer, but it was a beautiful and highly functional layout.  I especially loved the extra large laundry room that was located right off the garage.  The front closet was big enough to stor... 07/14/2008

I have been invovled in the foreclosure and pre-foreclosure aspect of real estate in Plainfield and Naperville for the last 5 years. I have seen countless families in both of our Plainfield neighborhoods, lose their homes to foreclosure or the real estate auction over the last 9 years. My interest in real estate began as a means to understand the foreclosure process. In the last 5 years, I have learned more about the foreclosure process than I ever thought possible, and have helped and met some really great families along the way. I helped a seller in Montgomery avoid a foreclosure this past January, and I am currently working with another family in Oak Park. My husband and I also purchased two homes in Plainfield from sellers in foreclosure as investment properties, and as a result the... 07/14/2008

Just over a year ago, it was nearly impossible to imagine buying a Plainfield single family home under $200,000; but right now there are currently 10 properties on the market below $199,900 which is great news for first time home buyers looking for Plainfield real estate. Due to MLS photo cloning rules I can't include the MLS photos of these properties, but you can search for them by address by clicking on the Property Search link at the top of this page or contact me for more information on any of the following homes: (I promise not to stalk you :) 4501 Wood Duck in Pheasant landing is listed at $179,900.  It's a 3 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath two story home with a partial basement.  Features of this home include walk in closets, fenced in yard, pergo flooring, ceiling fans, and deck.  It is a ... 07/14/2008

The Farmstone Ridge neighborhood is located just off of Naperville/Plainfield Rd. and 127th St. in Plainfield, IL. Each home was custom built on a premium lot by local area builders. Construction in Farmstone Ridge began in 2003, and the subdivision neighbors the private nearby gated Lakelands Community. The students of Farmstone Ridge attend Liberty Elementary, John F. Kennedy Middle School, and Plainfield North High School, although Plainfield East High School will be opening as Plainfield's 4th high school this year. I've driven past the new school quite a few times over the last few weeks and it's coming along quite nicely!!! When I was still working at Zen Salon in the plaza at the corner about 5 years ago, I met a lot of clients who lived in the neighborhood, which was nice becaus... 07/14/2008

The Lakelands in Plainfield is located near Naperville-Plainfield Rd and 135th St. in Plainfield, IL.  These custom built homes have been built on premium lakefront lots, where homeowners can enjoy resort style living all year round.  The private lake in the gated Plainfield community also includes a private clubhouse. Many homeowners in the neighborhood own boats for fishing and water skiing.  It's hard to imagine this little resort like community in the middle of the bustling Chicago suburb called Plainfield, but I promise... it's real!  I drool every time I drive past it.  The neighborhood is so unique it's almost majestic.  I spent most of my summers on Diamond Lake in White Cloud, Michigan. I know how much fun swimming and boating are in can only imagine what it's like to own a pi... 07/14/2008

RE/MAX Realty of Joliet is the company I've chosen to work with but I service other areas as well. If you are interested in buying or selling in Plainfield, Joliet, Aurora, Naperville or the surrounding areas, please call me at 630-341-1545 or visit www.lanitacates.com. As a proud RE/MAX agent, I'm here to make the buying and selling process as easy as possible for you. 07/13/2008

You haven't had a showing, well... EVER, and you refuse to reduce the price. Maybe it's time to rethink this situation? No amount of marketing I can provide will undo the damage of over-pricing your listing.  Yes, I'm talking to YOU!  The homeowner who insists that the custom painted interior will eek out the $$$ you paid for it.  (Personally I'm a do-it-yourself-er.  Home Depot, Baby.  Your custom paint job wouldn't mean a thing to me at all.  It's just paint! )  Or the homeowner who has the highest priced house in the neighborhood who refuses to part with their decade old appliances...  really?! If you want to sell in this market, you've gotta be smart about how you do it: Listen to your Realtor.  We know what we are talking about. Make any improvements that they suggest which you can... 07/12/2008

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! 07/12/2008

Not using a Plainfield or Naperville Realtor to purchase your next home never crossed your mind probably for good reason... you don't have to pay for your representation, the seller does it for you! Having buyers representation provided at the cost of the seller is a wonderful thing.  You are protected by the laws and regulations set forth by the state of Illinois in accordance with my licensing, and I get paid at the closing table for my time, knowledge and experience, in maintaining the transaction.  Win-win, right!? Well... almost.  There isn't a single moment in a buyers transaction that I am guaranteed to be paid for my time and effort.  My services are rendered in advance on the assumption that you will be purchasing a home sometime in the near future using me for your buyers repr... 07/02/2008

As you may have noticed I recently transferred real estate offices.  I joined RE/MAX Professionals South in Plainfield, IL this week, and I know that it was not only the best choice for me, but also for my clients. RE/MAX is the industry leader in real estate and they also hold the market share in the Plainfield, Naperville and Shorewood, IL.  I chose RE/MAX because of the brand recognition, and technology and support that they offer to their agents.  I was not only impressed with the office, but also by the brokers and staff the operate the office.  Rich Conte, Lisa Mulcahy, and Dan Persico welcomed me with open arms.  They were not only professional, but fun to be around.  I believe that energy is contagious and I wanted to be part of this from the second I set foot in the office on R... 07/02/2008

 Leave a comment » My husband and I moved here to Plainfield, IL almost 9 years ago.  There wasn't much out here way back then, but over the years I've watched 2 lane dirt roads transform into virtual highways, and strip malls appear out of thin air! I'll admit, back in 1999 it was a bit of a culture shock to leave the only place I had ever called "home".  I grew up in Addison, IL exactly 25 minutes west of Chicago.  It wasn't a metropolis, but compared to Plainfield circa 1999, it sure felt like it.  Now, 9 years later, Plainfield has become a settled and established community much to the likes of the neighboring cities of Naperville, Bolingbrook, Joliet and Aurora.  Speaking from experience, the Plainfield elementary school my children attend has the most amazing staff. Not only do we... 07/02/2008

The Farmstone Ridge neighborhood is located just off of Naperville/Plainfield Rd. and 127th St. in Plainfield, IL. Each home was custom built on a premium lot by local area builders. Construction in Farmstone Ridge began in 2003, and the subdivision neighbors the private nearby gated Lakelands Community. The students of Farmstone Ridge attend Liberty Elementary, John F. Kennedy Middle School, and Plainfield North High School, although Plainfield East High School will be opening as Plainfield's 4th high school this year. I've driven past the new school quite a few times over the last few weeks and it's coming along quite nicely!!! When I was still working at Zen Salon in the plaza at the corner about 5 years ago, I met a lot of clients who lived in the neighborhood, which was nice becaus... 07/02/2008

I'm sure there are lots of reasons why Plainfield and Naperville homeowners find it more appealing to try to sell their homes for sale by owner, and I'm sure the 4-7% commission that a Plainfield or Naperville Realtor would charge them for their service tops the list... but did you know that according to NAR, homes for sale by owner sell for 32% less than homes listed with a Realtor, on average? Wow, even if you figure in a 5% commission from a Plainfield Realtor, homeowners are still losing about 27% of their homes equity anually by chosing to eliminate the professional services of an Illinois Realtor. Yikes, 27% is a lot of money on a $250,000 house!  The median FSBO selling price in 2006 was $187,200, compared with $247,000 for agent-assisted transactions and in a faster amount of ti... 07/01/2008

Should You Buy a Home in Today's Market? Before we start, let us give you one reason to not buy a new home right now. How long do you intend to live there? A rule of thumb is that it rarely makes sense to buy if you expect to move within two years. That's because when you do sell, there are costs associated with selling. We're not just talking about sales commissions to the buying and selling real estate brokers. Most owners rely on home appreciation to pay those costs and to provide the down payment and closing costs when they buy their next home. So buying a home when you expect to move before too long is a risk, especially in an uncertain market. However, most buyers live in their new home an average of seven years or more. If that fits you, it almost always makes sense to buy rather... 06/26/2008

Looking for fun things in Plainfield to do this summer with your kids? Check out http://www.plainfieldparkdistrict.com for a complete brochure of tons of activities including swimming lessons, basketball, arts, fitness, soccer, tennis, golf and so much more.  They also offer open swim Monday thru Friday from 1:00-4:30pm and weekends from 1:00-8:00pm for only $4.00 per resident. Visit www.lanitacates.com if you are thinking of buying or selling! LaNita Cates is a Realtor with RE/MAX of Joliet serving Aurora, Plainfield, Naperville and Joliet as well as surrounding areas. 06/12/2008

Obtain the Best Rates & Lowest Closing Costs When you are ready to purchase a home, it makes sense to negotiate from the strongest position possible. In a strong real estate market, sellers can be more selective in the final buyer they choose to negotiate with. In such a crazed seller's market, it's not uncommon for a home seller to receive multiple offers on their property. With that said; there are certain things you can do to make certain that your offer is the one Seller goes with. The vast majority of Purchaser's today go about the process entirely wrong, putting themselves at an overwhelming disadvantage! Let's look at this from the Sellers perspective for a moment. If you were the Seller and had multiple offers on your property, all things being equal, would you accept the one wi... 06/12/2008

Just over a year ago, it was nearly impossible to imagine buying a Plainfield single family home under $200,000; but right now there are currently 10 properties on the market below $199,900 which is great news for first time home buyers looking for Plainfield real estate. Due to MLS photo cloning rules I can't include the MLS photos of these properties, but you can search for them by address by clicking on the Property Search link at the top of this page or contact me for more information on any of the following homes: (I promise not to stalk you :) 4501 Wood Duck in Pheasant landing is listed at $179,900.  It's a 3 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath two story home with a partial basement.  Features of this home include walk in closets, fenced in yard, pergo flooring, ceiling fans, and deck.  It is a ... 06/11/2008

Plainfield Real Estate | Mayfair subdivision  Leave a comment » Mayfair by Leach Homes in Plainfield, IL began construction in 1993 and was completed in 1999. The neighborhood consists of a almost 1,000 homes located near Caton Farm Rd. between River Rd and County Line Rd. across from the Ashford Place subdivision and bordering the Clearwater Springs/Aspen Falls neighborhood. Mayfair includes about 10 different floor plans ranging between 3 and 4 bedrooms, all of which include basements. There are several ranch style homes available in the neighborhood as well as bi-level, tri-level and quad-level homes. Closed house prices in Mayfair from January through June 1 2008: 6507 Langsford Ln.6606 Klinger Ln.  2509 Ruth Fitzgerald Dr.6606 Whalen Ln.6609 Irma Harvey2812 Frank Turk Dr.6608 Peyla... 06/04/2008

Recently came across this information thought some of you might find it interesting. The Senate Banking Committee has just passed the Federal Housing Finance Regulatory Reform Act of 2008 by an overwhelming and bipartisan vote of 19-2. Buried in the proposed legislation is something new and revolutionary, an effort to stop mortgage walk-aways. Walk-aways arise when a borrower can no longer make monthly mortgage payments or sell the property. Rather than wait for foreclosure, the borrower simply sends the keys back to the lender. This is not a minor matter. Fitch Ratings reports that "the apparent willingness of borrowers to 'walk away' from mortgage debt has contributed to extraordinarily high levels of early default, which is particularly noticeable in the 2007 vintage mortgages." Unfo... 06/02/2008