In Sunday's Chicago Tribune, real estate writer and observer Kenneth Harney, writes:"Goodbye big fat McMansions.  Your boom time is over.  Hello townhouses and smaller homes - you're where the action is headed."He goes on to say that the decades-long big-house market is making way for more smaller homes and townhouses.  Square footage dropped in new construction starts by about 3% in the 2nd quarter of 2016. New construction of townhouses has increased by 25% since last year over the 2nd quarter and 13% of all new construction starts are townhouses.The reasons are obvious:  cost is the most important factor.  First time Millenial buyers and downsizers (the largest buying groups) in particular cannot find affordable alternatives.  I myself have recently sold two properties to young famil... 09/06/2016

August had a good number of closes in the North Shore - it's the last month before buyers want to settle in before school starts.WINNETKA WILMETTE KENILWORTH NORTHFIELD  GLENCOE     09/04/2016

UPDATED 2020 The sounds of cement trucks and hammers have been buzzing a lot in the Hubbard Wood area of Winnetka.  Two local and well-known builders both bought single large lots within blocks of each other and divided them into two buildable lots.  Thus four new, large homes for sale.  The first two homes that started construction are on the corner of Gordon Terrace and Chatfield, just across the street from Hubbard Woods School.  They are being built by George Adamczyk and one is nearing completion:855 Gordon Terrace is at the corner with a 70 x 207 sized lot (14,490 sq. ft.)  The home has 5 bedrooms and 6 1/2 baths and an attached 2-car garage.  The builder is stating that the home will have 8050 sq. ft. and I'm assuming that includes the basement which has a great room, bar, and th... 08/29/2016

Good and bad news inWinnetka  real estate - as always.  I've looked at home sales year-to-date in Winnetka from 2015 to 2016.  Below is a chart that shows that more homes sold in 2016, but the prices dropped by 4%. However, home sellers have been pricing their homes better and the list price to sell price ratio has risen to 93%.  Market time, did rise by an average of two months though. This chart shows home sales from January 1 through August 9 in  2015 and 2016.     2015 2016       # Houses sold 141 152 Average sold price $1,456,300 $1,401,000 Ratio of list to sell price 91% 93% Days on market 125 184    08/09/2016

 UPDATED 2019Are open houses a waste of time?  It depends on whose time we're talking about.  If we mean the listing agent and the home owner, then it's usually a waste of time.  But for the open house attendees, it's a fruitful time.  But that, unfortunatley, does not result in sales.A case in point is this past weekend when I held an open house and had four groups of people come through.  It went like this: An agent looked at the property for herself - she lived nearby and wanted to move into something larger.  That's legit - a real buyer. A young couple with a small child - perfect!  Not so fast . . . they were looking for his parents who lived out of state and need to sell first.  They have not listed their home for sale yet so it looks like it this sale won't happen soon.  They wer... 08/09/2016

By Art Wilson, RealtorWinnetka's July Property sales were 37, up 23.3% from 30 in July of 2015 and 12.1% higher than the 33 sales last month. July 2016 sales were at their highest level compared to July of 2015 and 2014. July YTD sales of 157 are running 1.3% ahead of last year's year-to-date sales of 155. The Median Sales Price in July was $1,315,000, up 21.3% from $1,084,500 in July of 2015 and up 4.0% from $1,265,000 last month. The Average Sales Price in July was $1,421,973, up 14.7% from $1,239,467 in July of 2015 and up 1.3% from $1,403,913 last month. July 2016 ASP was at highest level compared to July of 2015 and 2014. The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of July was 219, up 2.3% from 214 last month and up 19.7% from 183 in July of last year. July 2016 Invento... 08/03/2016

It's that time again - let's look at the new listings (some very high end ones,) homes that sold, and other crazy foibles that went on in Hubbard Woods in July. New Hubbard Woods Homes for Sale 250 Woodlawn - $649,0004 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths + screened porch      1152 Scott - $875,000Nice house with 4 bedrooms and  . . . 4 1/2 baths!  Only downside is that the home does not have central air.  But for less than $20,000 you can install space-pak and have a great house.    1289 Forest Glen - $899,000Nice home with a great kitchen.  However, only 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths which look original, and a 1-car garage.       1275 Asbury - $1,185,0004 bedrooms + 4 bathrooms.  The home is designed to have a great room - no family room.  Needs updating.      1353 Tower - $1,495,000This house is a gem!  ... 08/02/2016

Here are the sales, by price and address, for all homes sold in Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Glencoe, and Northfield in July 2016. WINNETKA   WILMETTE KENILWORTH NORTHFIELD GLENCOE 08/01/2016

By Art Wilson, RealtorWinnetka's June Property sales were 33, down -15.4% from 39 in June of 2015 and 37.5% higher than the 24 sales last month. June 2016 sales were at a mid level compared to June of 2015 and 2014. June YTD sales of 119 are running -4.8% behind last year's year-to-date sales of 125. The Median Sales Price in June was $1,265,000, up 0.9% from $1,253,500 in June of 2015 and up 21.6% from $1,040,000 last month. The Average Sales Price in June was $1,403,913, down -0.9% from $1,416,038 in June of 2015 and up 12.5% from $1,248,125 last month. June 2016 ASP was at a mid range compared to June of 2015 and 2014. The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of June was 210, down -4.1% from 219 last month and up 5.0% from 200 in June of last year. June 2016 Inventory ... 07/19/2016

I just saw this home this morning during the broker's open house. My first thought was:  teardown.That was a mistake.It may be unassuming on the outside, but the inside is delightful and full of surprises. This home is updated, compact (without being small), and has a great garden.  There are three bedrooms on the second floor and two full baths.  The kitchen is updated and the family room is adjacent to it.Some nice surprises include an extra room through the master bedroom closet (which is huge!) which can be an office, reading or television room, or exercise area.  Then head to the finished basement which has a second full kitchen, bedroom, and full bath.  Perfect for a multigeneraltional family.Deck and paver patio!And it's all very charming.To see more information about this Winnet... 07/19/2016

 UPDATED 2019 I have seller clients who decided to sell their solid, well-built house in Winnetka. It needed some updating inside but nothing too expensive or outlandish. They never liked the color of the exterior but made peace with it years ago.  As their Winnetka real estate agent, I consulted with them regarding what changes to consider to make the home more appealing to buyers. The inside of the home needed staging help - too much stuff that needed to be packed away, donated, sold, or tossed. All of it was done and the house was ready to go on the market!While I did discuss the exterior of the home and ways to improve it, the sellers decided that they had done enough work (and they had!) and the exterior color would have to live on.The home had many showings but the feedback was al... 07/14/2016

It is time once again for another session of Ask Geoffrey from Chicago's PBS station WTTW. I find this very interesting because the area Geoffrey is talking about is very familiar to me. I passed it many times as a kid and still do once in awhile. The question is "There is a small but ornate bridge on Sheridan Road in Kenilworth located between Winnetka Avenue and Kenilworth Avenue. There does not appear to be anything under this bridge. An old map of the area refers to this site as the Skokie Ditch. What exactly is the Skokie Ditch?"Check out this interesting video with me when you get a moment. 07/08/2016

Yes -- lots of cats and dogs are coming to Winnetka and hoping to find new homes here in the area.  All you have to do is come to downtown Winnetka and stroll along Lincoln Ave and Elm Street and you'll find dozens of adoptable cats and dogs.  Around three dozen stores will be hosting these homeless pets for the afternoon!This Angels of Tails event is brought to you by Paws and local business Winnetka Animal Hospital, Merrick Pet Care, and Carson's.  They are sponsoring several animal rescue groups including Paws, As Good as Gold, Golden Retriever Rescue, Evanston Animal Shelter, Greater Chicago Cavalier Rescue, and Heartland Animal ShelterI support adopting a shelter pet (I have 2!) - one can find almost any type of cat or dog, age, or temperament while helping to slow the booming over... 07/08/2016

June is a busy month for closings while new listings tend to wind down.  Here's what's happened in Hubbard Woods real estate for June: NEW LISTINGS1065 Vine - $579,000 (original price $599,000)Already under contract, this cute is very sweet and in move-in condition.  The yard, however, is all the front, with just room for a patio in the back.     1295 Sunview - $899,000Beautiful lot (in the flood plain, though) with a large kitchen and family room.  Only two bedrooms which are on the main floor.  Could be added on to, though.    957 Euclid - $925,000 (and under contract)Good solid house with 5 bedrooms      1003 Westmoor - um . . . $2,499,000New construction, but still?  4 bedrooms and 5 1/2 baths.       855 Gordon Terrace - $2,949,000One of the two new homes being constructed at the co... 07/05/2016

June is always a strong month for house closings. All those homes that went under contract in the busy spring period are now closing. WINNETKAWILMETTEKENILWORTH NORTHFIELD  GLENCOE   07/03/2016

Here's a list of local firework shows throughout the Chicago North Shore area.  Nobody just does fireworks anymore!  All the villages offer a full roster of day long activities including parades, races, concerts, and of course, fireworks. WINNETKA - Monday, July 49:00 pm at Duke Child's Field (corner of Happ and Winnetka Aves.)  Festivities start way before that however, see the full Winnetka Fourth of July schedule WILMETTE - Sunday, July 3 (please note the date)9:30 pm at the Wilmette Beach, the pier, and Wilmette Harbor.  Wilmette Fourth of July celebrations GLENCOE - Monday, July 4 at Lakefront Park.  Glencoe Fourth of July schedule EVANSTON - Monday, July 49:15 at Clark Street Beach, tune your radio to 90.5 FM, sit back and enjoy.  See all Evanston Fourth of July fun GLENVIEW - Mon... 06/29/2016

 MAY PROPERTY SALES FOR CITY OF CHICAGO Property Sales May Property sales were 2,864, up 5.1% from 2,725 in May of 2015 and 7.1% higher than the 2,674 sales last month. May 2016 sales were at their highest level compared to May of 2015 and 2014. May YTD sales of 10,584 are running 4.8% ahead of last year's year-to-date sales of 10,099. Prices The Median Sales Price in May was $294,250, up 2.3% from $287,500 in May of 2015 and up 2.3% from $287,700 last month. The Average Sales Price in May was $374,574, up 3.9% from $360,652 in May of 2015 and up 0.5% from $372,817 last month. May 2016 ASP was at highest level compared to May of 2015 and 2014. Inventory & MSI The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of May was 7,765, down -1.5% from 7,882 last month and down -21.8% from 9... 06/13/2016

By Art Wilson, RealtorWinnetka's May Property sales were 23, down -4.2% from 24 in May of 2015 and 27.8% higher than the 18 sales last month. May 2016 sales were at their lowest level compared to May of 2015 and 2014. May YTD sales of 85 are running -1.2% behind last year's year-to-date sales of 86. The Median Sales Price in May was $1,075,000, down -3.5% from $1,114,000 in May of 2015 and down -10.6% from $1,202,500 last month. The Average Sales Price in May was $1,261,739, down -15.9% from $1,499,750 in May of 2015 and down -16.1% from $1,504,125 last month. May 2016 ASP was at the lowest level compared to May of 2015 and 2014. The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of May was 213, down -0.5% from 214 last month and up 10.4% from 193 in May of last year. May 2016 Inve... 06/09/2016

UPDATED 2020 As a Winnetka or North Shore home buyer, you are likely to be wowed by the pleasing interior of a home.  A kitchen with all the familiar updates, nice baths with granite tiles and steam showers. Perhaps closets with organizers and plentiful shelving  or trendy window treatments.  Maybe the decorating is exactly what you've wanted in your own home. All these things make a home more desirable - potential buyers think there is nothing left to do and they can move right in.  Homes in this condition also are priced higher and sell higher and faster because they "show well."  In contrast to this, you see a home with a galley kitchen that is tight, dated, and small.  The bathrooms have short vanities, tile from the 40s, and a bathtub with no gizmos.  The location is not great eith... 06/01/2016

 NEW HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGS 966 Pine Tree Lane$995,000Almost 3/4 of an acre and also being sold as "land"      1206 Tower$1,325,000Lovely older home with huge rooms, large lot, and pool     997 Vine$1,499,999Just west of Green Bay Road     1293 Westmoor Trail$1,550,000Beautiful remodeled home with 7 bedrooms     889 Private Road$1,700,000Older home with lovely lot and great space     1170 Oakley$1,795,000 (under contract)Purchased in 2013 for $1,705,000, I hear these folks are moving to Switzerland!     177 Scott$1,999,000 and reduced to $1,879,000Purchased in 2010 for $1,7000,000 the current selles have added significant upgrades including a new DiGiulio kitchen.    690 Ardsley$2,799,000Purchased in 2010 for $2,015,000 (as a short sale)Renovation and expansion was done     SOLD HUBBARD... 05/31/2016