You have questions, we have answers.The Fox Valley Baird&Warner office is hosting two Just the Facts Open Houses for the public to come to the office and get facts and ask questions about the local housing market.  We will also have information about the $8000 First Time buyers credit, Foreclosure information, staging your home, appealing your property taxes, loan options.Thursday, April 165:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m.Sunday, April 191:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.Baird & Warner - Fox Valley962 S. Randall RoadSt. Charles, IL  60174Call Molly (630-345-7486) if you are not able to attend the open house and have questions. 04/09/2009

OK...so the results aren't finished, but it seems really clear.  Most of Campton didn't even vote.  The best issues that our leaders could come up with were the following:   QUESTION No. 1   Shall the Village of Campton Hills take steps to preserve the identity of the Wasco area?   Votes  % of Votes          Yes 1574 23.73%                 No 545 8.22%               QUESTION No. 2   Shall the Village of Campton Hills consider adopting a "Dark Sky" light ordinance?   Votes  % of Votes          Yes 1301 19.61%                 No 801 12.08%               QUESTION No. 3   Shall the Village of Campton Hills pursue an Intergovernmental Agreement with Campton Township in an attempt to assist development and maintenance of Open Space parcels within the Village through grants, land-cash contribu... 04/07/2009

OK, so we're at a new election here.  The Campton people are trying to justify the new positions by creating new ideas for Campton people.  Below are the ideas that our taxing bodies have come up with in all of the months since the last election.  This why we have elected big government.  It takes a lot of time to come up with three great questions for our village to consider utilizing it's efforts.  See the just awesome questions that we need to consider.       On April 7th the Village of Campton Hills will be asking voters for their opinion on three questions:           1.  Whether the historical character of the Wasco area should be preserved now that it has become part of the Village (this does not mean the Village Board is considering making the Wasco area an official historical di... 04/06/2009

There are currently 687 single family and townhomes listed for sale in St Charles. The average home is priced at $439,900. There have been 54 closings YTD which is down 48% from 2008. The median sale price of $261,440 is down 19% over last year. It's taking longer to sell a home this year as market time rose 15% to 207 days. This information was pulled from the Multiple Listing Service of Northern Illinois on Wednesday, April 1st, 2009. In Saint Charles the primary improvements consist of average single family residential structures with a typical mix of multi-family dwellings and commercial support improvements. There are no apparent adverse factors affecting the marketability of this general market area. The turnover rate & employment stability are also normal for this suburban market... 04/01/2009

I've been out of the political realm since the election this past fall.  I've been all about unity and not fighting the administration that ruins runs our lives in Campton anymore.  In truth, I have so much in common with many pro-campton people, but we disagree wholeheartedly on a need for more taxation and big government.  Yesterday, Judge Colwell gave reprieve to a group of homeowners who wanted to leave the Village of Campton.  I guess I find some relief in knowing that homeowners who bought property in unincorporated Kane County, get to go back to what they had purchased.  They got what they bargained for.  However, I'd be lying if I were to say that I wasn't a weeeeeeeeeeeee bit envious.  I've been in Kane County, specifically, Wasco, for over 12 years, but have lived in Campton T... 03/10/2009

There are currently 674 single family and townhomes listed for sale in St Charles. The average home is priced at $404,500. There have been 33 closings YTD which is down 42% from 2008. The median sale price of $242,500 is down 30% over last year. It's taking a longer to sell a home this year as market time rose 58% to 206 days. This information was pulled from the Multiple Listing Service of Northern Illinois on Sunday, March 1st, 2009. In Saint Charles the primary improvements consist of average single family residential structures with a typical mix of multi-family dwellings and commercial support improvements. There are no apparent adverse factors affecting the marketability of this general market area. The turnover rate & employment stability are also normal for this suburban market ... 03/01/2009

In 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. Should you have an interest in homes in a selected price range, send me your physical characteristics requirements. I will send complete details on those homes that meet your criteria. If you are contemplating a change in lifestyle, ie. a more luxurious home or the luxury of the amenities in a senior citizen development, I may be able to save you some money via discounts available to me.   Active Listings List Price Range # Listings Avg. Days on Mkt Less than $149,999 21 241 $150,000 - $199,999 61 202 $200,000 - $249,999 36 229 $250,000 - $299,999 55 153 $300,000 -... 02/27/2009

In 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. Should you have an interest in homes in a selected price range, send me your physical characteristics requirements. I will send complete details on those homes that meet your criteria. If you are contemplating a change in lifestyle, ie. a more luxurious home or the luxury of the amenities in a senior citizen development, I may be able to save you some money via discounts available to me.   Active Listings List Price Range # Listings Avg. Days on Mkt Less than $149,999 6 156 $150,000 - $199,999 49 167 $200,000 - $249,999 107 217 $250,000 - $299,999 69 261 $300,000 -... 02/27/2009

I was sitting in a pub last Friday.  I had a hectic week and had a friend of mine come over for a 3:30 pm beer or two.  Then I went to the pub in my parking lot to have a brew with my friend.  Then my wife called and our niece was coming home for the weekend (there's another story on that) and my lovely wife (my only wife), Michelle said that she'd meet me for beer and a dinner there.  The other guy called his wife and within a few minutes we had a few appetizers and dinner.    So what's the deal with ACTIVE RAIN? I'm pretty transparent in my Active Rain posts.  I like being pleasant, but ultimately I need to be real.  During the election I made no bones about the fact that I really didn't like one candidate.  I was vocal about that. BUT WAIT...THERE'S MORE!!!!!!  I can't stand our new ... 02/19/2009

There are currently 660 single family and townhomes listed for sale in St Charles. The average home is priced at $418,400. There have been 21 closings YTD which is down 49% from 2008. The median sale price of $242,000 is down 27% over last year. It's taking a longer to sell a home this year as market time rose 66% to 203 days. This information was pulled from the Multiple Listing Service of Northern Illinois on Friday, February 13th, 2009. In Saint Charles the primary improvements consist of average single family residential structures with a typical mix of multi-family dwellings and commercial support improvements. There are no apparent adverse factors affecting the marketability of this general market area. The turnover rate & employment stability are also normal for this suburban mar... 02/13/2009

It's rare that I get the opportunity to refer or endorse someone who I can put my name behind.  I'm doing this today, but what makes this unique is that this person never asked me to promote him. Kevin Fitzpatrick, I'd like to call, is a world class Certified Public Accountant or CPA.  I have known Kevin for over 20 years.  Kevin is one of those people whom I would classify as the best of the best.  It's rare that I post about others, but since I've known Kevin for so many years I feel that it's important that the local community is aware of Kevin Fitzpatrick.  Kevin can do your tax returns and help with financial planning and consulting.  You can reach Kevin at 630-768-9103.  Kevin is a local CPA and has worked with very prominent clients as well as your average taxpayer.  With the eco... 02/03/2009

There are currently 645 single family and townhomes listed for sale in St Charles. The average home is priced at $418,900. Closings YTD are down with only 8 so far compared to 22 at this time last year. The median sale price of $218,500 is down but it's too soon to see a trend. Market time was up but again, too soon to tell. This information was pulled from the Multiple Listing Service of Northern Illinois on Monday, January 26th, 2009.In Saint Charles the primary improvements consist of average single family residential structures with a typical mix of multi-family dwellings and commercial support improvements. There are no apparent adverse factors affecting the marketability of this general market area. The turnover rate & employment stability are also normal for this suburban market ... 01/26/2009

In the last two years, I've been told that I'm the most disciplined person that people know.  I don't think so.  I want to have a beer on a Friday night and I end up having three.  I want to get up earlier than everyone else to do my quiet time, but I don't.  Here's what I've been disciplined with for the past two years. 1)  Get up and go to Panera and do Bible Study and prep work for the day. 2)  Noon, go and workout. 3)  Be home by 5 and spend time with all kids until bedtime with no phones on. 4)  Hang with wife and work on laptop until midnight.  Pre-read next day's bible study. 5)  Pass out. Now There's more to it than that, but it's been non-negotiable for me over the past two year.  What I'm finding new resurgance in is my health.  I have always eaten something after dinner.  If ... 01/22/2009

There are currently 633 single family and townhomes listed for sale in St Charles. The average home is priced at $425,000. Closings YTD are down with only 2 so far compared to 9 at this time last year. The median sale price of $384,500 was up but it's too soon to see a trend. Market time was up but again, too soon to tell. This information was pulled from the Multiple Listing Service of Northern Illinois on Tuesday, January 13th, 2009. In Saint Charles the primary improvements consist of average single family residential structures with a typical mix of multi-family dwellings and commercial support improvements. There are no apparent adverse factors affecting the marketability of this general market area. The turnover rate & employment stability are also normal for this suburban market ... 01/13/2009

Before I digress, this post is not about the ministry....it's about the coolest guitarist ever. I mean....really cool. OK...so a year ago, Im in church and see some teenage girl after service come up and talk about this cool weekend for all the youth. It's about vocations, but it's all about FUN, FUN, FUN. I decide to go and I see this dude sitting up beginning to play guitar....but something weird is in front of me. The guy has NO ARMS. He was born without any arms at all. His parents said that they won't be around to take care of him when he's 80, so they make him self-sufficient. They enroll him in able bodies sports..... Thereafter, they buy him a guitar and say go figure it out....AND THEY'RE SERIOUS. Here's a 1-2 minute glimpse of what determination with no excuses can accomplish... 01/11/2009

Growing up as a kid, my dad worked for Hallmark Cards (headquartered in Kansas City, Mo.) and through his diligent work he was constantly being promoted.  In my first 12 years I honestly can't recall how many towns we lived in.  It seems we would move every few years between St Louis and Kansas City. It was an odd childhood, I recall one town in particular where it was the second time we moved there.  Going to school it was strange to hear kids ask, "Hey, remember me?"  I didn't remember them from the last time we had lived there.  Don't get me wrong, we always lived somewhere nice, but childhood was spent criss-crossing the great midwest. When  I was 12 we moved further than in the past.  Settling in St Charles, IL (a suburb about 40 miles west of Chicago) I had no idea I would end up ... 01/08/2009

There are currently 688 single family and townhomes listed for sale in St Charles. The average home is priced at $399,945. For 2008, closings were down 29% with 546. The median sale price of $360,000 was up 7%. Market time was up 21% over 2007 with the average home being on the market for 181 days. This information was pulled from the Multiple Listing Service of Northern Illinois on Friday, January 2nd, 2009.In Saint Charles the primary improvements consist of average single family residential structures with a typical mix of multi-family dwellings and commercial support improvements. There are no apparent adverse factors affecting the marketability of this general market area. The turnover rate & employment stability are also normal for this suburban market area. The Chicago commuter t... 01/02/2009

There are currently 705 single family and townhomes listed for sale in St Charles. The average home is priced at $399,900. Closings are down 29% with 541 YTD. The median sale price of $425,704 is up 3% from last year. Market time is up 20% over last year with the average home being on the market for 180 days. This information was pulled from the Multiple Listing Service of Northern Illinois on Sunday, December 28th, 2008.In Saint Charles the primary improvements consist of average single family residential structures with a typical mix of multi-family dwellings and commercial support improvements. There are no apparent adverse factors affecting the marketability of this general market area. The turnover rate & employment stability are also normal for this suburban market area. The Chica... 12/28/2008

Happy Birthday Michelle!  Today is her birthday and I need your help.  Today is the last birthday that SHE'LL EVER HAVE in the 30's.  Yes....today she is 39. I was the first to wish her happy birthday today when I got up.  Of course, I couldn't help bugging her a bit.  I welcomed her into the beginning of her 40th year of life.  I want to ease her pain as she moves gingerly into her mid-life crisis.  Humor aside, she is a bastion of strength in our home.  She works hard, diligently and never ending.  She needs to relax a little and enjoy the gifts that God has given her.  She works so hard for the family, sometimes I just wish that she'd relish in those moments more.  Often times it's hard as she's in the trenches 24/7.  She's a total proverbs 31 woman. So, today, I'm meeting her and so... 12/23/2008

There are currently 710 single family and townhomes listed for sale in St Charles. The average home is priced at $401,950. Closings are down 28% with 537 YTD. The median sale price of $360,000 is up 7% from last year. Market time is up 22% over last year with the average home being on the market for 180 days. This information was pulled from the Multiple Listing Service of Northern Illinois on Thursday, December 18th, 2008.In Saint Charles the primary improvements consist of average single family residential structures with a typical mix of multi-family dwellings and commercial support improvements. There are no apparent adverse factors affecting the marketability of this general market area. The turnover rate & employment stability are also normal for this suburban market area. The Chi... 12/18/2008