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Winnetka, IL Real Estate News

By Art Wilson, Realtor - Chicago's North Shore
(Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage)
By Art Wilson, RealtorWinnetka's March Property sales were 15, down -6.3% from 16 in March of 2015 and 25.0% higher than the 12 sales last month. March 2016 sales were at a mid level compared to March of 2015 and 2014. March YTD sales of 44 are running 2.3% ahead of last year's year-to-date sales of 43. The Median Sales Price in March was $959,000, down -13.8% from $1,112,500 in March of 2015 and down -4.8% from $1,007,000 last month. The Average Sales Price in March was $1,138,667, up 0.6% from $1,131,363 in March of 2015 and up 18.6% from $960,154 last month. March 2016 ASP was at a mid range compared to March of 2015 and 2014. The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of March was 185, up 10.8% from 167 last month and up 6.3% from 174 in March of last year. March 2016 I...
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By Margaret Goss, Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate
(@Properties)
UPDATED 2019  Communal condo living brings freedom from certain homeowner chores like landscaping, lot repaving, or installing a new roof. Unfortunately, those projects are considered "common" areas and still need to be done and paid for! This is typically done by the condo association which collects an assessment from each condo owner.The condo associations, called HOAs (home owner's association) are comprised of that particular condo's residents and are required to maintain stable reserves that must be audited periodically.  These assessments (typically paid monthly) are divided to cover the current year's operations with the remaining going into the reserve fund.So while condo living might be considered "maintenance free" the assessment actually pays for maintenance.  So why do condo...
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By Margaret Goss, Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate
(@Properties)
 The first quarter of 2016 is behind us and has left some interesting statistics.  The chart below shows that the Winnetka real estate market has slowed down this year.  While sales are slightly up (+3) the average sale price is lower and the average market time is longer - quite a bit longer.    I usually use the average prices as my barometer - this time I am also showing the median price because of the large variation.2015 1st Quarter median price:  $1,288,000.  36 homes priced between $350,000 ad $1,750,000 is somewhat close to the average price.2016 1st Quarter median price:  $982,000.  39 homes priced between $365,000 and $3,905,000 has a much lower median than average because of the big spread in prices.Final home prices are ending up at 92% of the original list price, which is i...
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By Margaret Goss, Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate
(@Properties)
Spring has sprung for real estate in Hubbard Woods - 12 new listings (not including ones that had been on last year and relisted) and 3 closed sales. 3 new listings under $1 million:1447 Tower - $699,000     1508 Edgewood - $715,000     256 Woodlawn - $929,000       6 new homes listed between $1-2 million 986 Asbury Ct. - $1,399,000 (under contract)     1169 Scott - $1,479,000        828 Bell - $1,890,000     699 Walden - $1,795,000     1182 Asbury - $1,895,000     1414 Asbury - $1,995,000     3 new listings over $2 million 2 new construction homes by Heritage Homes at         830 Locust - $2,395,000       826 Locust - $2,875,000      975 Pine - $3,335,000     There were 3 closed home sales: 1422 AsburyList price:  $1,095,000Sold price:  $1,050,000Market time:  6 days   925 Forest Glen ...
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By Margaret Goss, Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate
(@Properties)
 See all homes that sold in your village - Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Glencoe, and Northfield in March. WINNETKA   KENILWORTH  WILMETTE  NORTHFIELD  GLENCOE    
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By Margaret Goss, Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate
(@Properties)
900 Gordon TerraceOpen HouseSunday, March 20, 20161-3 pm   Hardwood floors throughout New roof - 2015 Screened porch plus deck Loads of storage 2 blocks to Hubbard Woods Train Station 1 block to downtown Hubbard Woods 2 schools within walking distance Well maintained and cared for  
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By Margaret Goss, Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate
(@Properties)
This spring has seen a profusion of high-end luxury homes hitting the market in Winnetka and other North Shore communities.  While the general consensus of luxury varies from area to area, I've looked at the price ranges in Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Glencoe, and Northfield and they stack up like this: Homes for sale over $1 million:  388Homes for sale over $2 million:  120Homes for sale over $3 million:  44Homes for sale over $4 million:  19Homes for sale over $5 million:  13 So where does true luxury start - it's more subjective than analytical.  But for the sake of space, I'm saying over $5 million - based more on price than on how someone might categorize luxury.  Of the ten luxury homes shown below, seven are on the lake front.  The 10 Most Expensive Homes in Winnetka and the ...
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By Art Wilson, Realtor - Chicago's North Shore
(Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage)
By Art Wilson, RealtorWinnetka's February Property sales were 12, up 33.3% from 9 in February of 2015 and -29.4% lower than the 17 sales last month. February 2016 sales were at their highest level compared to February of 2015 and 2014. February YTD sales of 29 are running 7.4% ahead of last year's year-to-date sales of 27. The Median Sales Price in February was $1,007,000, up 6.0% from $950,000 in February of 2015 and up 10.7% from $910,000 last month. The Average Sales Price in February was $960,154, down -16.4% from $1,147,944 in February of 2015 and down -26.7% from $1,309,663 last month. February 2016 ASP was at a mid range compared to February of 2015 and 2014. The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of February was 165, up 19.6% from 138 last month and up 10.0% fro...
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By Margaret Goss, Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate
(@Properties)
UPDATED 2022WINNETKA IL SCHOOLSHUBBARD WOODS, GREELEY,  and CROW ISLAND Winnetka has three elementary schools that are for grades kindergarten through 4th grade.  After completing 4th grade, students go on to Skokie School (grades 4 & 5) and Washburn Junior High (grades 6th through 8th.)  Then all students proceed to New Trier High School.The three elementary schools are:Hubbard Woods School  - 1110 Chatfield Road, 847-446-0920.  Located along the northern end of Winnetka, homes in this area can be close to the train or the expressway. Prices range from $600,000s up to $8 million or more.See all homes for sale in Hubbard Woods School district.  Greeley School - 275 Fairview, 847-446-6060.  Greeley is located on the east side of Winnetka and is the closest to New Trier High School.  Beca...
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By Margaret Goss, Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate
(@Properties)
Comparing January and February sales for 2015 vs 2016, we can see that the numbers bring both good and not-so-good news.The market areas shown here are for Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Glencoe, and Northfield.  Total sales of homes rose slightly, but the average price dropped by 12%.  Market time is slightly better this year over last year and both years show that North Shore sellers are getting approximatley 90% of their original listing price.  It's too early in the year to make bold predictions about the year.  However, I've seen prices softening and it will be interesting to see if this trend continues or it's a result of sales at the end of 2015 that were lower for some reason.  We can't blame the weather this year for any sluggishness in the market.  As we head into March the s...
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By Margaret Goss, Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate
(@Properties)
Just a few homes sold and closed in February in Hubbard Woods: More new construction coming soon . . .!This home, 826 Locust, at the corner of Burr and Locust has just sold and closed to Leo Birov of Heritage Homes.  He bought both this home and the separate lot behind it.  The total for both was $1,375,000.  The house was 140x194x92x200  and the piece of land fronting Locust was 56 x 194.  Combined, they're a 1/2 acre.  While zoning will allow two homes to be built, Heritage typically builds one very large home.  680 Locust closed for $1,700,000. Original list price:  $1,795,000Days on market:  160       There were six new listings in Hubbard Woods in February - running the gamut from under $1 million up to $9million:  900 Gordon Terrace - listed for $669,000.  Lovely flow and space pl...
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By Margaret Goss, Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate
(@Properties)
Here are the February 2016 home sales in Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Glencoe, Northfield, and Glenview.  On the light side, to be expected at this time of year.WINNETKA WILMETTE KENILWORTHNo closed sales in FebruaryGLENCOENo closed sales in February NORTHFIELD  GLENVIEW     
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By Margaret Goss, Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate
(@Properties)
900 Gordon TerraceOpen HouseSunday, February 21, 20161-3 pm   Hardwood floors throughout New roof - 2015 Screened porch plus deck Lots of storage 2 blocks to Hubbard Woods Train Station 1 block to downtown Hubbard Woods 2 schools within walking distance Well maintained $699,000  
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By Margaret Goss, Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate
(@Properties)
 Are There Enough Homes for Sale in Winnetka and the North Shore? I have been reading many reports of low housing inventory in certain parts of the country.  California comes to mind - a strong seller's market with multiple offers on every property. From DW News: "Low inventory has been cited by many analysts as a concern for the housing market in 2016 as the market continues to heal from the foreclosure crisis which began nearly eight years ago."From Housing Wire:“A lack of housing inventory continues to drive developments in the market. As demand has slowly recovered, low inventory levels have weighed on home sales and put upwards pressure on house prices,” the report said."But as we all know, housing is local.  Everything about housing - pricing, sales, trends, market time is local. ...
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By Margaret Goss, Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate
(@Properties)
Five new homes were listed in Hubbard Woods in January - getting a jump on the Spring market.  Other than one bad weekend, the weather has been more agreeable and I'm seeing considerably more homes coming on this market this time of year than last year.New Listings: 875 Burr - at the corner of Burr and Tower Roads.  With 5 bedrooms and 3 1/2 baths, this house has lots of great features including an updated kitchen, and a new 2-car garage.$875,000     1422 Asbury - listed on January 25 and already under contract!  A really nice red brick Georgian with 4 bedrooms and 3 1/2 baths.  $1,095,000     669 Walden - beautiful renovated home with grand space.  It has 4 bedrooms and 4 baths, plus a library and sitting room.  The lot is approximatley 15,000 sq. ft.  The only downside is that it back...
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By Margaret Goss, Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate
(@Properties)
Wilmette IL had another strong year for home sales in 2015.  The average price rose almost 3% in 2015 and the total number of units sold in each year was almost identical (see below.)Single Family Homes The ratio looks very good too - I use the original list price (before price reductions) and compare to the final sold price.  So 4-5% off the original list is very strong and means that Wilmette home sellers are pricing their homes appropriately for the market.Market time is also excellent - anything under 6 months indicates a seller's market which we've been in for almost two years.See Wilmette homes for sale:Under $500,000$500,000 to $1 million$1 million + Now let's look at the condo market:Condos/TownhousesAgain, condo sales were down slightly and the average price rose 2%.  The list-...
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By Margaret Goss, Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate
(@Properties)
I have written several articles about recycling in Winnetka and the North Shore, including:Recycling Your Plastic in Winnetka and the North ShoreNews on Winnetka Recycling - Cardboard CartonsWhat's the Skinny on Plastic Recycling in Winnetka and the North Shore In checking the Winnetka website, I came across yet more information on recycling.  For instance,  metal cans are also accepted (I thought it was just soda cans) aluminum foil and pie plates!   envelopes - window style are okay too any refrigerated or non-refrigerated gable top cartons such as milk, soup, juice packs, wine   Don't forget:  most caps on bottles, even though plastic, are not accepted.  Please remove the caps before tossing into the recycling bin.  If there is no recycling symbol on the bottom of the item, it's not ...
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By Art Wilson, Realtor - Chicago's North Shore
(Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage)
By Art Wilson, RealtorWinnetka's December Property sales were 16, down -5.9% from 17 in December of 2014 and 33.3% higher than the 12 sales last month. December 2015 sales were at a mid level compared to December of 2014 and 2013. December YTD sales of 238 are running -0.4% behind last year's year-to-date sales of 239. The Median Sales Price in December was $1,190,000, up 60.8% from $740,000 in December of 2014 and up 71.2% from $695,000 last month. The Average Sales Price in December was $1,479,125, up 33.3% from $1,109,506 in December of 2014 and up 86.9% from $791,481 last month. December 2015 ASP was at a mid range compared to December of 2014 and 2013. The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of December was 123, down -16.9% from 148 last month and up 11.8% from 110 ...
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By Margaret Goss, Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate
(@Properties)
Winnetka and North Shore villages like Wilmette, Kenilworth, Northfield, and Glencoe are primarily comprised of single family homes.  Tucked into the edges of town or along busy streets are many condo complexes that offer seniors a way to downsize or young families a way to buy into the village less expensively.  In 2015 there were 161 condo sales in the villages listed above - compared to 808 single-family homes.  So the condo market here represents around 17% of all sales in the North Shore.  I'm sure it would be higher if we had more condos to offer - there is a serious lack of condo/townhouse living because of our fairly substantial number of residents wishing to downsize.Broken down by village, condo sales looked like this in 2015:Winnetka  27Northfield  40Wilmette 83Glencoe  11Ken...
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