Winnetka Real Estate Market Report October 2012 In Winnetka, October was a relatively quiet month which is normal for this time of year.  Sales of single family homes looked like this: Number of Sales:    10 Average sale price:  $1,148,300 Average List Price to Sell Price Ratio:  89% Average Market Time:  193 days The average market time of 193 days is approximately 6 months which falls into the "normal" market range in terms of absorption rate.  Areas where homes sell in just a few months are considered a seller's market, and selling time greater than 6-7 months is generally a buyer's market.   Current inventory is: Homes for Sale:     107 Homes Under Contract:  22 Pending Homes:    14             Just a few years ago, Winnetka's inventory of homes for sale was over 200!  So the good ... 11/04/2012

Actress Jane Seymour Coming to the Book Stall in Winnetka Perennially youthful English actress Jane Seymour has just published a book in October.  "Open Hearts Family: Connecting with One Another" is a celebration of the families that we are born to and the family we create among friends and those who touch our lives.  She is coming to the Book Stall in Winnetka to speak about and sign copies of her book. The book is inspired by Jane Seymour's Open Hearts Collection of jewelry  and her paintings of "Healing Hearts." It is a collection of poems, stories, her artwork, moving quotes, and real-life stories from fans of her Open Hearts blog.   Her message is that if we keep our hearts open, Love will always find a way in. Meet Jane Seymour and buy an autographed copy of her book: The Book St... 11/03/2012

Wilmette Open House - 2915 Wilmette Ave $330,000 Cute updated three-bedroom and two-bedroom ranch home with many updates in Wilmette.  All hardwood floors, newly remodeled main bath, updated kitchen with granite and maple cabinets (plus new microwave), full basement with additional bedroom or office and full bath.  First floor freshly painted. New in 2005:  kitchen remodel, furnace, windows, and roof.  New transportation and schools. 2915 Wilmette Ave.                           Wilmette, IL Today - Sunday October 28 1-3 pm   10/28/2012

Is Now the Time To Sell?As we move into the historically quiet holiday period, many homeowners who are contemplating selling their homes now are holding off until the traditionally stronger spring market.  While the number of potential buyers will in all likelihood be greater in the spring, there are some startling events occurring in the current market on the North Shore that may make you want to re-think your plan. This chart reflects the number of active listings of single family homes (not including properties that are under contract) exactly one year ago compared to today: Village                        October 25 2011               October 25 2012               % change Wilmette                                 140                                           96                 -32%  ... 10/26/2012

Lance Armstrong...Is it Just Me?I am outraged by Lance Armstrong. Here is a guy who is a world revered celebrity.  He started a wonderful charity that has brought great attention and money to a very neccesary cause.  He is a testicular cancer survivor. He has earned millions and millions of dollars and had almost single-handedly turned the sport of professional road racing into an international phenonema.  In turn, many others (particularly his corporate sponsors) have profited greatly from the success which he has enjoyed. Lance Armstrong has been a role model for a generationOver the years, he has been accused of the most dastardly deeds imaginable for an athlete...He has been accused of cheating.  Throughout this time, he has steadfastly denied these accusations, labeling his accuser... 10/18/2012

I’m Just trying to Make an AppointmentMost of the real estate firms in Winnetka and across the North Shore market utilize a centralized showing service to set up appointments. Up until a few years ago, if I wanted to make an appointment to show a property, all I had to do was either call the listing office or the listing agent for approval and directions.  If the showing required approval from the homeowner, I usually received a prompt response.  If it was taking a while and I wasn’t updated by the person who took the call, it was easy for me to call the listing office and find out why. This system was very straightforward and efficient but apparently too expensive for most firms. © Copyright Malcolm Carruthers and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons LicenceNow, I am required... 10/16/2012

  Cook County Tax Appeal Seminar  in Winnetka Our homes are being reassessed for tax valuation purposes and we feel we are being charged too much.  It seems that if our homes prices have dived, so should our property taxes.   It doesn't always work that way but this tax appeal seminar might help you understand your tax bill and how to file an appeal.  There are many tax attorneys who specialize in helping you lower your tax bill - but it is absolutely not necessary to hire an attorney.  It can be done on your own and and there is plenty of help available. Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Dan Patlak will be hosting a seminar to explain the tax process which is being hosted by the Winnetka Village President and Council. Cook County Tax Appeal Seminar Monday, October 15 Winnetka Vi... 10/14/2012

Winnetka's September Property sales were 13, down -50.0% from 26 in September of 2011 and -60.6% lower than the 33 sales last month. September 2012 sales were at their lowest level compared to September of 2011 and 2010. September YTD sales of 189 are running 5.0% ahead of last year's year-to-date sales of 180. The Median Sales Price in September was $970,000, down -10.9% from $1,088,375 in September of 2011 and up 4.9% from $925,000 last month. The Average Sales Price in September was $965,346, down -11.1% from $1,085,842 in September of 2011 and down -13.6% from $1,117,568 last month. September 2012 ASP was at the lowest level compared to September of 2011 and 2010. The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of September was 145, up 1.4% from 143 last month and down -19.0... 10/07/2012

Winnetka Real Estate Market Report Third Quarter 2012 Why does it feel like so many more homes are selling in Winnetka?  Oh wait, that was during the first and second quarters of the year.  But really, the third quarter is doing just fine - actually almost exactly the same as in the third quarter of 2011.  July, August and September are the summer months when things just slow down a bit. WINNETKA SOLD HOMES THIRD QUARTER 2012   # Homes Sold Average Sold Price Average Ratio List:Sell Price Average Days on Market Homes 72 $1,187,631 89% 159 Condos 9 $430,69 87% 232 The list price to sell price ratio is still fairly low but I do use the original list price, not the last, or reduced, asking price.  I do this to highlight the importance of pricing your Winnetka home for sale correctly from t... 10/05/2012

Winnetka Inventory of Homes for Sale is Down It does seem like there are still a lot For Sale signs scattered around town, but in spite of this, inventory is actually down.  The Multiple Listing Service shows 192 homes and condos for sale in Winnetka as of today, October 1.  This includes homes that are under contract because they may yet come back on the market. This chart, from the MLS, compares the past three years worth of  inventory for Winnetka Homes for Sale: Essentially, we have 100 fewer homes on the market than we did two years ago - a good thing for sellers but not for buyers.  But this lack of availability has not affected the average price as shown by this companion chart:   So I see a somewhat unbalanced market for Winnetka Homes for Sale.  There are too few homes to satis... 10/01/2012

Winnetka & North Shore New Listings on the Market for September 24, 2012 Yesterday I saw just a few new listings - not too many came on this week.   A magnificent estate on Indian Hill Road in Winnetka listed for $7,999,000 that was beautifully appointed, very expansive with seven bedrooms plus a finished basement and media room, plus several bonus rooms that could be used as an office, library, or sitting room.  It is in the Crow Island School District and situated on almost two acres of land. A lovely older brick center-entry colonial in East Winnetka came on for $1,375,000 - a much better price than several years ago. A Winnetka home on Sheridan was lovely with a very sweet back yard and patio, listed just under $1 million. Kenilworth had one new listing on the west side between Ridg... 09/26/2012

Hubbard Woods in Winnetka, IL 60093 Updated 2022 Hubbard Woods is a charming section of Winnetka that is located along the north end of the village. It was named after Gilbert Hubbard who lived and developed the area in the 1870s after the great Chicago fire.Hubbard Woods is one of the three main shopping areas of Winnetka - along with east Elm and west Elm. The stores here straddle both sides of Green Bay Road from Tower Road north to Scott Avenue.  This strip of road includes some very popular stores including many design and antique stores. Plus there are beauty salons, barbers, tailors, art dealers, gift stores, a thrift store, and several clothing stores. Finally, the area's only McDonald's.  See all homes for sale in Hubbard Woods. Homes for sale in Hubbard Woods range from aroun... 09/25/2012

We’ve lived on the North Shore since the early 80’s.  First in Evanston for five years.  Then on to Winnetka for a long, long time beginning in the mid 80’s.  We lived in several houses in Winnetka.  We bought older homes that needed “loving care” and we renovated, rehabbed and added on, before selling and moving to the next. It was fun, time consuming and financially rewarding. Our children did not like it as much as we did. For the last ten years, we have been on a continuing journey of downsizing.  Our most recent move, five or six years ago brought us to Glencoe....approximately four blocks north of Winnetka.  While we love where we live for a variety of reasons, we still think of ourselves as Winnetkans because this is where our children went to school, our office is there and so a... 09/13/2012

  Winnetka's August Property sales were 33, up 17.9% from 28 in August of 2011 and -5.7% lower than the 35 sales last month. August 2012 sales were at their highest level compared to August of 2011 and 2010. August YTD sales of 176 are running 14.3% ahead of last year's year-to-date sales of 154.   The Median Sales Price in August was $925,000, down -15.2% from $1,091,000 in August of 2011 and down -2.5% from $949,000 last month. The Average Sales Price in August was $1,117,568, down -13.4% from $1,289,875 in August of 2011 and down -2.1% from $1,141,611 last month. August 2012 ASP was at the lowest level compared to August of 2011 and 2010.   The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of August was 138, down -8.0% from 150 last month and down -23.3% from 180 in August of l... 09/06/2012

Winnetka, IL - August 2012 Market Report 28 homes and 5 condos sold in Winnetka during the month of August - the last big push before school started.   For single-family homes the average sale price was $1,237,268.  Market time averaged  204 days and the good news is that the list:price ratio was 91% - much better than a year ago.  The least expensive house (and the 2nd) were both short sales and sold for $399,000 and $431,000.  The high-end price for a Winnetka home in August was $2,475,000. For condos and townhouses the average sale price was $447,250.  Market time averaged 289 days and the list:price ratio was . . . oops 84%.  The prices ranged from $290,000 up to $715,000. Currently for sale in Winnetka: Condos: 15 units priced from $205,000 to $699,000. Single Family Homes:  125 ho... 09/03/2012

New Winnetka Foreclosure - $999,950!   People are often interested in purchasing a Winnetka foreclosure without understanding the process about how one of these homes comes on the market.  Many internet sites that advertise foreclosures are homes that may never become available. Here is one house in east Winnetka that has just become available at an unbelievable price.  Previously priced as high as $2,237,000 and most recently at $1,497,000 it has now come on as a bank-owned home and they want to get rid of it quickly.  They have listed it for $999,950. This corner home was built in 2008 and has 4 bedrooms (plus an additional one in the basement) and 5 bathrooms.  If it had a flaw it's that it is missing a room on the first floor.  Depending on how you want to live, it does not have eit... 08/22/2012

Winnetka and North Shore New Listings on the Market for August 20, 2012 It is slim pickings on Tuesday mornings in August - the flood of new listings earlier in the year has sloshed down to a mere brooklet.  But it is to be expected - school will be starting soon and that yearly occurrence puts the brakes on everything else.   Again,there were several homes that I felt were overpriced for what they offered - both in Wilmette and Winnetka. But some were well priced, one in particular with a huge yard that needed work. It's a diamond in the rough in my opinion. Some highlights of what is new this week: Kenilworth 164 Oxford ($1,295,000) - nice Kenilworth location - will probably be torn down Wilmette: 2414 Greenwood ($949,000) - 4 bedroom home near Harper School that feels like new constr... 08/21/2012

Baird & Warner in Winnetka  Consistently Beats the Opposition! If you are planning to sell your Winnetka or North Shore home, why not list with the company that will get you the most money?  In my market reports, I often discuss the ratio between list and sell price and why it is so important to price correctly from the beginning.  You will end up with more money when you don't overprice your home. This chart shows closed sales between January 1 and July 31, 2012.  As you can see, Baird & Warner Real Estate agents in Winnetka gets their sellers 95% of their asking price, better than eight local competitors.   Experience and keen knowledge of the local marketplace combine to assure that we get you the highest price possible for your home. Call me for more information or a free market app... 08/20/2012

...And You Thought The Inventory Was Small Now?It seems to be a universal problem.  There is very little fresh inventory in most residential markets. This is particularly true in Winnetka, Wilmette, Evanston and Glencoe. We’ve heard all kinds of reasons why: Homeowners who have been holding on this long are seeing improvements in the market and are deciding to wait a little longer; Underwater homeowners, are hesitant to commit to short sales and feel that they can’t sell; Those thinking about “moving up” or “downsizing” are reluctant to take a hit on their current homes; and Countless other theories. © Copyright Steve Fareham and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons LicenceHave you Thought About This?                                  No matter what your political beliefs, most... 08/17/2012

Winnetka Schmidt-Burnham House - Open Sunday at 1:00 An Open House You Can't Buy! The Schmidt Burnham home - a 1830s era log house, will be open this Sunday, August 19, 2012, for a small fee of $5.00 ($3.00 for children.) The original portion of the house remains in its pristine state, and an addition was built in 1917.  The home was moved to its current location in Crow Island Woods several years ago.   Costumed docents will be on hand to guide visitors through the house.  The Winnetka Historical Society hosts the event. Schmidt Burnham House 1140 Willow Road (just west of Crow Island School) Winnetka, IL 08/16/2012