Wildrose Homes for Sale is the topic of this analysis of our local real estate market. Watch the attached video discussion of pricing trends in the neighborhood, inventory levels, percentage of list price received and number of sales. Wild Rose is positioned for an interesting spring for both buyers and sellers because of changing market dynamics.  Check out why in the video! For more information or further questions, contact Scott Nowling at Prudential Starck, www.scottnowling.com, or 630-2540-5004.   02/10/2013

It was a great week at the Bettag House.  My oldest turned 14, tomorrow my 2nd oldest turns 12.  But the fun here was with my 4th, Grant.  Grant had his first reconciliation, a pre-requisite, prior to his first communion.  I was telling people that I''ll probably go to hell for this, but I couldn't resist.  Although a private confessional area, with a million kids, a lot of the priests had to create a makeshift area.  So I had to throw my camera up against the window to capture this moment.  Love it. There's Something Really Cool and Innocent about this Photo 02/10/2013

I have not blogged as much as I would have liked, but I am being consistent.  Frankly, that's a good thing for me. It means that I"m not depressed or suicidal, but I am ready to pull my hair out of my head because of all of the business that I'm dealing with right now. In the process of bulding and growing, I'm getting deals and sending deals. A couple of recent transactions made me think to myself..... DO YOU REFER OR DO YOU ENDORSE? First, there's a huge difference between the two. A referral is someone who is sent to from one party to another. I get referrals, but I love endorsements. Endorsements, to me, are special because, they are putting their name to it. I can't stand when people say: "here's three lenders, I like them all." That's a cop out As an attorney, (I carry malpractice... 02/05/2013

St. Charles Epic Fail St. Charles, IL is located along the Fox River and is located approximately 35 miles due west of Chicago. Tourism boosters will frequently picture the Fox River and the majestic Baker Hotel at the banks of the river in downtown St. Charles.   However, 20 yards from where the Baker stands today was the scene of one of the biggest failures in St. Charles history. In 1902, a train car from the Elgin, Aurora and Southern Traction Company broke through the Main Street bridge and landed in the Fox River. Not a testament to sound engineering! That said, the rebuild has lasted since. But once you're on it, well, I'd just keep moving. Seriously, why tempt fate?   02/05/2013

Gotta tell you, life isn't this simple.  It's not this easy, and there is no magic pill, but I will say that when the stars align and the kids are rested and fed, it really doesn't get much better than this.  Here is Grant and Tessa.  They're both running around like freaks over the Christmas Holidays.  Something about the holidays to put them both in the mood.  Maybe it's the gifts, maybe it's just not being at school, maybe it's just having a lotta love for each other, but today.....it worked! 02/03/2013

Harvest Hills Homes for Sale: A February 2013 Market Review Harvest Hills has experienced foreclosures and short sales over the past three years that have made selling a home in the neighborhood more challenging.  The attached video addresses the number of homes for sale in Harvest Hills that sold, the level of inventory for Harvest Hills homes for sale, the types of sales taking place in Harvest Hills and the prices that Harvest Hills homes for sale have been able to command. If you're interested in buying or selling in Harvest Hills, please contact me at 630-254-5004.   02/01/2013

Arbor Creek Homes for Sale experienced relatively little competition in the neighborhood from short sales or foreclosures from 2010-2012.  Despite that positive development, values struggled to stay flat in 2012. The attached video discussed the number of listings and sales in the neighborhood in 2012, the composition of traditional sales versus short sales or foreclosures, the available inventory and finally, pricing trends. I believe 2013 is an opportunity for sellers to begin to gain some of their value back.  If you'd like to hear why or how I can help, please call 630-254-5004.   01/30/2013

Fox Mill homes for sale did not experience the type of pricing lift experienced in many other areas in 2012. This is unfortunate as Fox Mill remains one of the premier subdivisions in Kane County with solid schools and homes for sale in Fox Mill which have quality workmanship in a peaceful setting. 42 homes for sale in Fox Mill closed in 2012. Market time for homes for sale in Fox Mill decreased to a 5 month supply, its lowest level ever. Fox Mill homes for sale decreased in value in 2012 vs 2011 and even more from 2010 levels. Watch the video below for 2012 pricing information. This representation is based in whole or in part on data supplied by Midwest Real Estate Data LLC for the period January 2010 through December 2012. Midwest Real Estate Data LLC does not guarantee nor is it in a... 01/29/2013

I'm anxiously awaiting for my closing that occurred on Friday to fund today.  We had a client approved for the mortgage, but at closing there were issues.  But this time, it wasn't the typical closing issues, the seller forgot to tell his probation officer that he was moving.  If he left the residence he'd be arrested.  So we spent all day Friday and Monday anxiously awaiting for the funding. It seems that the seller was arrested and can't move without getting permission.  So, by the end of the day yesterday, we believe that the seller did get the probation officer to allow the seller to move out of the house to a new house, home, apartment or whatever, where he'll be monitored from there. Really?  an Ankle Monitor Holding up a Closing? Just when I thought I'd seen it all. CHECK OUT HIS... 01/29/2013

River Grove, St. Charles, Illinois About River Grove River Grove is a single family home subdivision. River Grove is located in St. Charles, Illinois west of 5th Avenue and north of Sunset Drive. Average taxes in River Grove $0 Average association fees in River Grove $0 Average home size in River Grove 0 ft2 Average lot size in River Grove 0.00 acres Average year built in River Grove 0 Homes for sale in River Grove None Sales Summary for River Grove  (Jan 30, 2012 - Jan 29, 2013) # of Sales Average Days on Market Average List Average Sale Ratio% 5 185 $150,240 $128,580 85.6% Recent home sales in River Grove Address Beds Baths Sold 35W440 Rockwell Ave. 3 1.0 $62,900 5N159 Oak Leaf Ct. 2 1.0 $52,000 35W330 Rockwell Ave. 2 2.0 $163,000 5N148 Oak Leaf Ct. 3 1.0 $138,000 35W293 Lambert Ave.... 01/29/2013

Sales 101 - Know me, like me, trust me. That's the fundamental mantra of those getting in sales. Last year I had the privilege of handing out 17 purchase constract referrals.  BUT I HAD NEVER REFERRED BUSINESS TO OUTSIDE OF MY LOCAL MARKET. WHY? BECAUSE I HAD NO, ZERO, ZILCHO, NADA RELATIONSHIPS OUTSIDE OF BACKYARD!!!!    UNTIL ACTIVE RAIN....   KNOW ME!!!! I have never had the ability to know or get the ability to trust someone outside of my demographic area. How could I do business with someone I don't know. How could I put my name behind them? I want someone with a simliar work ethic and someone with similar core values.  LIKE ME I know that I'm a bit off the wall.  I definitely swing to my own beat, and I really don't care. I used to care so much when I was younger, but now I feel t... 01/27/2013

There's a lot of responsibility when you're the head of THE FAMILY. Sure....I didn't really set out to do this. Just wanted to hang with the family, but when Don Vito Corleone went down, I got the call......as THE GODFATHER....OF "THE FAMILY." I will tell you that I never thought that Facebook would do this to me, but, now, I'm growing into this role and frankly, it's quite hard to shake. Let me take you back a year or so..... I decided that since I don't have a common name like Johnson, Smith or Jones, we needed a place on Facebook to really just bond. The history of our family isn't fully known, but most of us Bettags know a lot on our history. I created a facebook page called: BETTAG FROM AROUND THE WORLD I violated Facebook's rule on friending only those who you know and started fri... 01/24/2013

I see so many people getting it so wrong.  I have people who half ass it all day long, then one of two things happen.  They either live a life of want or they end up taking work home with them.  I am a nazi when it comes to my work ethic. Hy schedule is such that.... After the kids get off to school, I start to work...but I need a mental break by noon and; Go for a quick lunch workout and then eat my lunch at my desk back in the office, Work until 5:30 or so, and then am dad until my kids go down for the night; Hang with my wife until she passes out, then I boot up and work until I'm tired I know people who sit around the office and gab all day.  They are facebook masters and they have little production.  Then they complain about not having enough time to get stuff done.  They either li... 01/22/2013

Recently I wrote a post about credit scoring entitled What You Need to Know About Credit Scoring. There were 5 variables that affect the credit score of the borrower. Needless to say, I really think that while credit inquiries have the lest amount of weight towards your credit, it also happens to be the most misunderstood category. The 5 Categories that Specifically Impact your Credit are: Payment History Outstanding Credit Balances Credit History Type of Credit; and Inquiries Like I said, Credit Inquries are the least impactful, but probably the most frequently misunderstood. So... what's the 101 on credit inquries? What's an inquiry? Basically, it's when you specifically authorize lenders to look into your credit, specifically from a credit bureau. IF THE CREDIT INQUIRY WASN'T AUTHORI... 01/21/2013

Traditions at Harvest Hills, St. Charles, Illinois About Traditions at Harvest Hills Traditions at Harvest Hills is a single family home neighborhood built in the early 2000's by Town & Country Homes. Traditions at Harvest Hills features homes with floor plans ranging from 1,655 to 2,953 square feet of living space. Traditions at Harvest Hills is located in St. Charles, Illinois on Route 64 west of Randall. Average taxes in Traditions at Harvest Hills $8,774 Average association fees in Traditions at Harvest Hills $379 ($240 - $900) Average home size in Traditions at Harvest Hills 2,964 ft2 Average lot size in Traditions at Harvest Hills 0.38 acres Average year built in Traditions at Harvest Hills 2001 Homes for sale in Traditions at Harvest Hills Address Beds Baths Built Price 262 Plea... 01/18/2013

Majestic Oaks, St. Charles, Illinois About Majestic Oaks Majestic Oaks is a single family home neighborhood built by Keim Corporation in the early 2000's. Majestic Oaks is located in St. Charles, Illinois east of Kirk Road and north of Route 64. Average taxes in Majestic Oaks $19,453 Average association fees in Majestic Oaks $250 ($250 - $250) Average home size in Majestic Oaks 4,974 ft2 Average lot size in Majestic Oaks 0.25 acres Average year built in Majestic Oaks 2003 Homes for sale in Majestic Oaks Address Beds Baths Built Price 2421 Majestic Oaks Ln. 5 4.1 2002 $820,000 1870 Cool Creek Dr. 4 3.1 2005 $559,000 2502 Majestic Oaks Ln. 4 4.0 2001 $649,000 Sales Summary for Majestic Oaks  (Jan 17, 2012 - Jan 16, 2013) # of Sales Average Days on Market Average List Average Sale Ratio% ... 01/16/2013

There are many things that people should know about FHA loans. They're great for a variety of reasons, but I'm going to give you my list of favorite reasons for considering and FHA mortgage. First time homebuyers can generally come in with less of a downpayment. Truthfully, conforming or conventional loans generally want 5% down. FHA loans only need 3.5% down. How cool is that? The entire downpayment for an FHA loan can be in the form of a gift. There are gift restrictions as to who can give you a gift, but generally, if you're related, you can help someone out by gifting them the entire downpayment and closing costs. Borrowers can put zero of their own money into the transaction. You know that with conventional loans no matter what the borrower needs to put 5% of the purchase price int... 01/15/2013

  The table below lists all of the single family detached and single family attached homes currently on the market in St. Charles, IL The data lists available homes by price range with average time on market in each range.     Included in this list are many Foreclosures and Short Sale properties. Contact us for information on how we may assist you in seeing these properties.   Active Listings List Price Range # Listings Avg. Days on Mkt Less than $49,999 2 118 $50,000 - $99,999 6 322 $100,000 - $149,999 23 238 $150,000 - $199,999 41 323 $200,000 - $249,999 25 295 $250,000 - $299,999 36 205 $300,000 - $349,999 33 350 $350,000 - $399,999 34 237 $400,000 - $449,999 23 206 $450,000 - $499,999 32 316 $500,000 - $549,999 17 275 $550,000 - $599,999 18 310 $600,000 - $699,999 28 325 $700,000 -... 01/07/2013

So...I'm finally getting back to my regular posting...and yes, it's Friday Night...so now it's time for my Friday Night Tunes. I love acoustic covers. Here's a great remake of Drops of Jupiter by Train, being remade by Boyce Avenue. A great way to relax.... Happy Friday.I hop you enjoy it as much as I have. 12/28/2012

  The table below lists all of the single family detached and single family attached homes currently on the market in St. Charles, IL The data lists available homes by price range with average time on market in each range.     Included in this list are many Foreclosures and Short Sale properties. Contact us for information on how we may assist you in seeing these properties.   Active Listings List Price Range # Listings Avg. Days on Mkt Less than $49,999 1 222 $50,000 - $99,999 6 176 $100,000 - $149,999 25 228 $150,000 - $199,999 44 311 $200,000 - $249,999 27 293 $250,000 - $299,999 36 224 $300,000 - $349,999 33 369 $350,000 - $399,999 37 251 $400,000 - $449,999 23 203 $450,000 - $499,999 32 314 $500,000 - $549,999 19 335 $550,000 - $599,999 18 301 $600,000 - $699,999 28 347 $700,000 -... 12/28/2012