WINNETKA   There were 12 closed home sales in Winnetka in September.   The current real estate market in Winnetka: Homes for sale:  151 Priced: $339,000 to $13,750,000 Homes under contract/pending: 38 Condos for sale: 8 Priced:  $300,000 to $649,000  View all Winnetka homes for sale  To CONTACT Margaret Goss, please call 847-977-6024 or email:  margaret.goss@bairdwarner.comMargaret Goss is a full-time real estate agent since 1998 servicing the North Shore communities of Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Glencoe, Northfield, Glenview, and Evanston.  See full BIO for Margaret Goss.  10/06/2017

 The most interesting fact about comparing the 3rd quarter home sales between 2016 and 2017 is how remarkably similar they are. The numbers hardly changed with both the number of sales and average sales price. Here are the actual numbers: There are a few numbers that jump out. For all villages except Glencoe the length of time it took a house to sell went up. Northfield is the only village to show an acrease in total sales - but it took almost twice as long to sell the homes. Otherwise, the market at this time of year has been static between 2016 and 2017. There is always lower inventory at this time of year however since our main selling season here is the spring market which is from February through May. Here are the absorption rates for each town: Winnetka: 7.1 months Wilmette:  4.5 ... 10/03/2017

UPDATED 2019 What would you like to do with the rest of your life? How can you learn to manage and understand your finances? Where can you go to discuss literature, poetry, or short stories? If only someone could help you discover your lost spirituality.  Where can you meet other like-minded, educated women to discuss things that are important or of interest to you? The Women's Exchange was started in 1983 by Joanne Ausperger and grew out of the Winnetka Congregational Church. Joanne was challenged to do something with social capital - start something where participants will go out and do good in their community. The first classes were Life Planning, and Financial and Social engagement. In 1983 many women were coming to understand that wife and mother was perhaps not all that they could... 09/28/2017

By Art Wilson, RealtorWinnetka’s August Property sales were 35, down -10.3% from 39 in August of 2016 and 2.9% higher than the 34 sales last month. August 2017 sales were at a mid level compared to August of 2016 and 2015. August YTD sales of 225 are running 14.8% ahead of last year's year-to-date sales of 196.The Median Sales Price in August was $1,150,000, up 11.9% from $1,027,300 in August of 2016 and up 10.3% from $1,042,500 last month. The Average Sales Price in August was $1,373,626, up 10.6% from $1,241,992 in August of 2016 and up 22.3% from $1,122,971 last month. August 2017 ASP was at a mid range compared to August of 2016 and 2015.The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of August was 162, down -3.0% from 167 last month and down -19.4% from 201 in August of las... 09/21/2017

UPDATED 2019 The Chicago North Shore communities of Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Northfield, Glencoe, and Glenview have some of the best public schools in the state. Our educational opportunities are so great here that local real estate values have reflected their excellence for generations. If public schools are not the route you plan to take for your family, we also have many fine private school options. From parochial schools to specialized schools, there are many choices for you to consider. Pre-K or Kindergarten through 8th Grade North Shore Country Day - Winnetka Baker Demonstration  - Wilmette Lake Forest Country Day - Lake Forest Parochial Elementary Schools: Sacred Heart - Winnetka Saints Faith, Hope & Charity - Winnetka St. Joseph  - Wilmette Saint Francis Xavier - Wilmette... 09/15/2017

  Just one new listing this month in Hubbard Woods:   1170 Westmoor - $3,395,000Almost 1 1/3 acres, this home has 6 bedrooms, 6 1/2 baths and a pool         Sold Hubbard Woods Homes  889 PrivateList price: $1,700,000Sold price: $1,100,000Days on market:  437     1258 Forest GlenList price: $1,250,000Sold price:  $1,150,000Days on market: 55    985 PineList price: $1,199,000Sold price:  $1,207,685Days on market: 3     152 Old Green BayList price: $1,200,000Sold price:  $1,262,000Days on market: 5      640 BlackthornList price: $1,845,000Sold price: $1,590,000Days on market: 384        1161 Pine List price: $1,850,000Sold price:  $1,763,000Days on market: 8      910 Private LaneList price: $4,875,000Sold price:  $4,375,000Days on market: 149     And . . . one home under contract:  809 Loc... 09/11/2017

   Winnetka Closed SalesAugust 2017     See all Winnetka homes for sale  Current homes for sale:  152Price range:  $430,000 to $13,750Under contract: 34Absorption rate: 6.8 monthsCurrent condos for sale: 10Price range:  $300,000 to $649,000Under contract:  1Absorption rate: 3.75 months   To CONTACT Margaret Goss, please call 847-977-6024 or email:  margaret.goss@bairdwarner.com Margaret Goss is a full-time real estate agent since 1998 servicing the North Shore communities of Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Glencoe, Northfield, Glenview, and Evanston.  See full BIO for Margaret Goss.     09/05/2017

UPDATED 2021 As our short summer begins to give way to fall, our melancholy memories of days on the beach fade away. Always more pressing things to deal with - perhaps getting children ready for school, or (gasp) winterizing the home. But Lake Michigan is a constant wonder all year round even if it's off our radar. And it can be very moody indeed - from just barely lapping the shore to waves that can almost (almost)remind me of the Pacific surf when I was growing up in Los Angeles.  Living alongside a body of water is a necessity for me - as well as for many others -the sea coasts along the entire country are the most populated.  But the Great Lakes (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior) are sometimes referred to as the "Third Coast" and hold 21% of the world's freshwater.  For w... 08/29/2017

 Winnetka public schools open on Tuesday, August 29 with the new kindergarten assignments in place. Because of overcrowding at Crow Island School and the decision to make kindergarten full-day, all Winnetka District 36 kindergarteners will be attending either Hubbard Woods or Greeley. This is a temporary solution and will be in effect for one to two years. The district's website has all the kindergarten information parents need and should be bookmarked: Winnetka District 36 Kindergarten Overview.  The website is packed with information including schedules, before and after day care, and busing options.  Parents have the option of choosing half-day or full-day kindergarten.  Full day kindergarten schedule:   Half day kindergarten schedule: The schools will also offer two options for afte... 08/25/2017

There are certain real estate mantras that will always be true (location, location location!)  Also near the top of the list is curb appeal, a devastatingly important detail when selling your home.  Pleasing curb appeal translates to: you only have a few moments to make a great first impression.  And a first impression can be a lasting impression.If you don't have it, you must create it. And if you do have good appeal, check and recheck to make sure it's the best it can be. Most homes in Winnetka and the North Shore are simply gorgeous - but even they can have flaws that buyers will notice.There are many things you can do to fix or enhance your home's curb appeal - here are the 5 quickest and easiest to do and they make a world of difference. Clean Windows and DoorsSpiderwebs and rainst... 08/22/2017

By Art Wilson, RealtorWinnetka’s July Property sales were 34, down -8.1% from 37 in July of 2016 and -29.2% lower than the 48 sales last month. July 2017 sales were at a mid level compared to July of 2016 and 2015. July YTD sales of 190 are running 21.0% ahead of last year's year-to-date sales of 157.The Median Sales Price in July was $1,042,500, down -20.7% from $1,315,000 in July of 2016 and down -6.0% from $1,108,750 last month. The Average Sales Price in July was $1,122,971, down -21.0% from $1,421,973 in July of 2016 and down -14.6% from $1,314,915 last month. July 2017 ASP was at the lowest level compared to July of 2016 and 2015.The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of July was 164, down -9.9% from 182 last month and down -26.1% from 222 in July of last year. Ju... 08/17/2017

Every day I read real estate related articles from around the country.  The theme - now and for the past several years - has been low inventory.  A lack of housing is causing prices to climb and some people to stay put because they don't think they can buy a new home in their hot market.As many of you know, that does not seem to be the problem in the North Shore communities of Winnekta, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Glencoe, and Northfield. The common refrain is "Gee, there sure are a lot of For Sale signs around."  Yes, there are. But does that mean that we have high inventory? Homes in Winnetka are not, except in rare cases, selling in a few days with multiple offers. In Winnetka, there is a wait to get under-contract and it usually involves some price adjustments.  Of the 152 homes available... 08/14/2017

 New Hubbard Woods homes for sale: Six new homes came on the market in July:  1280 Scott - $850,0004 bedrooms/2.1 baths        1022 Dinsmore  - $885,0004 bedrooms/ 2 1.2 bathsMediterranean style - no garage      1502 Edgewood - $1,169,0005 bedrooms/4.2 bathsBeautiful renovation      1129 Taylorsport - $1,400,0004 bedrooms/2.1 bathsI didn't think I could like contemporary style but this home is well laid out, light, and airy      1161 Pine - $1,850,0004 bedrooms, 2.1 bathsAn acre of land, not sure if a builder bought it but I imagine that's what happened      860 Lamson - $2,750,0008 bedrooms/7.2 bathsA large house needing large work but has good bones. The house faces Lamson and the yard backs up to Tower Rd.         Sold Hubbard Woods Homes in July Eight homes closed in July - six of t... 08/07/2017

Winnetka homes that closed in July 2017 are listed below - including address, price, number of bedrooms and bathrooms.   WINNETKA   See all Winnetka homes for sale To CONTACT Margaret Goss, please call 847-977-6024 or email:  margaret.goss@bairdwarner.comMargaret Goss is a full-time real estate agent since 1998 servicing the North Shore communities of Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Glencoe, Northfield, Glenview, and Evanston.  See full BIO for Margaret Goss. 08/02/2017

UPDATED 2019 There are many ways to search for a new home in the North Shore. Whether you are looking for a home, condo, rental, new construction, particular school, or certain area, I have it all covered!The property searches below are all on the market and available. They are in real time and you won't have to wonder if they sold six months ago!SCROLL DOWN TO SEE HOMES FOR SALE IN WINNETKA, WILMETTE, KENILWORTH, GLENCOE, AND GLENVIEW.  WINNETKA Homes under $500,000Homes between 500,000 and  $1 millionHomes between $1-2 millionHomes over $2 millionNew construction homesCondos/Townhouses for salePet-friendly condos for saleHubbard Woods School District homes for saleGreeley School District homes for saleCrow Island School District homes for sale Ranch homes for saleForeclosures/short sa... 08/01/2017

UPDATED 2019 Well, do you just sign where told or take the time to read all the terms?Most residential real estate is sold as an "exclusive right-to-sell" listing.  That means that only one brokerage has signed with you to list, market, and sell your home. This means that the brokerage acts as your agent and you (the seller) agree to pay a commission to the agency regardless of whether the property is sold through the efforts of the listing broker, the sellers, or someone else.You sign the contract with me (your agent) when you list your house for sale.  You are actually granting Baird & Warner Real Estate the exclusive right to sell your property - I am listed as the "designated agent."  The main parts of this listing contract are: Your name and property address The agreed upon listing... 07/26/2017

By Art Wilson, RealtorWinnetka’s June Property sales were 48, up 45.5% from 33 in June of 2016 and 140.0% higher than the 20 sales last month. June 2017 sales were at their highest level compared to June of 2016 and 2015. June YTD sales of 156 are running 30.0% ahead of last year's year-to-date sales of 120.The Median Sales Price in June was $1,108,750, down -12.4% from $1,265,000 in June of 2016 and up 12.3% from $987,500 last month. The Average Sales Price in June was $1,314,915, down -6.3% from $1,402,610 in June of 2016 and up 4.8% from $1,255,175 last month. June 2017 ASP was at the lowest level compared to June of 2016 and 2015The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of June was 174, down -0.6% from 175 last month and down -19.1% from 215 in June of last year. June ... 07/13/2017

Lots, that's what! There is always a lot hopping in Winnetka - particularly during the summer months. Here's what you can still squeeze in before the month is out! WINNETKA/NORTHFIELD SIDEWALK SALESaturday and Sunday, July 14 and 15The yearly tradition returns again this coming weekend  (In Northfield, the sale starts Wednesday, July 10.)  Area merchants along with a few hand selected specialty vendors will be setting up their wares in East Winnetka, West Winnetka, and Hubbard Woods.  Browse unique shops and salons and find incredible deals. NEILSON USTA PRO TENNIS TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPJuly 10-14 at the Nielson Tennis CenterThis recurring one-of-a-kind event attracts some of the finest tennis players in the world with both national and international participation. Find out more at:  2017 ... 07/12/2017

 Nine new homes listed for sale  in June in Hubbard Woods:   809 Green Bay Road - $499,0003 bedrooms + 2 baths        870 Locust - $849,000 (land value)1/3 acre       1359 Tower Road - $979,0004 bedrooms + 2.2 baths      109 Old Green Bay - $1,050,000 (under contract same day as listed.)5 bedrooms + 4 1/2 bathsOlder home needing updating with lots of space and yard      985 Pine  - $1,199,000 (under contract in 2 days) 4 bedrooms + 3.1 baths      1258 Forest Glen South - $1,250,000 reduced to $1,199,0004 bedrooms + 3.1 baths       152 Old Green Bay  - $1,200,0004 bedrooms + 4.1 baths       1493 Asbury - $1,675,000Just completed new construction with 4 bedrooms and 5 1/2 baths.      966 Pine Tree - $3,475,000Proposed new construction by Heritage Homes with a 2018 completion date     635 ... 07/04/2017

 Across the board, every one of the local villages has seen the lowering of sales prices from the first half of 2017 to the first half of 2017.  In some cases just a few percentage points, in others a more substantial number.    Winnetka, Kenilworth, and Glencoe all showed an increase in total sales which were substantial.  But the numbers show that the North Shore market is more than flat, it's declining in price.  The list to sell price ratio is decent in Wilmette and Northfield, but some of the other towns have a very low number indicating that the original list prices were too high.  This is a continuing problem with newly listed homes in the North Shore. Most agents understand that regular price reductions will bring the price down to a level where buyers can perceive value.  While... 07/03/2017