The Institute for Business & Home Safety, a national nonprofit organization funded by the insurance industry, offers these tips to for preparing a home for vacation: Adjust the thermostat. High temperatures and humidity can damage furniture and other items. To control the climate in your home, set the thermostat to no higher than 85 degrees. Protect plumbing. If you're leaving for an extended period, consider shutting off the water, and draining all water lines; have a professional plumber help. If you won't be gone long, or you decide to leave the water service turned on, take additional steps including turning off the water supply to appliances such as the washing machine, toilets, and sinks. Plan for high wind. Protect your home from severe weather. Trim dead limbs from trees and shr... 07/20/2007

HEART OF A MARINE FOUNDATION        2007 Golf Outing The Illinois Marine Corps League, 2nd District Detachment to Sponsor Annual Golf Fundraiser to Assist Local Military Personnel & Families.  Cary, Illinois, August 9, 2007:  The public is invited to participate in an annual Golf Outing Fundraiser to benefit The Heart of a Marine Foundation on Thursday, August 9, 2007 at the Chalet Hills Golf Club (943 Rawson Bridge Road, Cary, Illinois).  Starting time is 12:30 p.m. and the per person donation is $115 (includes 18 holes of golf, cart and locker room privileges, driving range, dinner buffet and patriotic music).  Early Bird registration before July 1st is $100 per individual golfer and $400 for a golf foursome.   Golf Chairman Ken Hauser adds that those who would like to support The Hea... 07/07/2007

HEART OF A MARINE FOUNDATION        2007 Golf Outing The Illinois Marine Corps League, 2nd District Detachment to Sponsor Annual Golf Fundraiser to Assist Local Military Personnel & Families.  Cary, Illinois, August 9, 2007:  The public is invited to participate in an annual Golf Outing Fundraiser to benefit The Heart of a Marine Foundation on Thursday, August 9, 2007 at the Chalet Hills Golf Club (943 Rawson Bridge Road, Cary, Illinois).  Starting time is 12:30 p.m. and the per person donation is $115 (includes 18 holes of golf, cart and locker room privileges, driving range, dinner buffet and patriotic music).  Early Bird registration before July 1st is $100 per individual golfer and $400 for a golf foursome.   Golf Chairman Ken Hauser adds that those who would like to support The Hea... 07/07/2007

Attention Boaters! Perfect starter home with great River views and water rights! House is across the street from the river, overlooking the park and river. Kitchen has Oak Cabinets and crown moulding. Walkout Basement is finished and can be used as Family Room or a huge bedroom or divided into smaller Rooms! 2nd Bathroom in lower level. Nice lot! Quiet one street river front neighborhood. $210,000!  Water rights included!   Check out more info about Cary.Village Of Cary InformationMap of Cary IllinoisPosted by Vicki Watzlawick Broker Owner Exit Platinum Realty  www.vickisdreamhomes.com 847-854-3800   07/05/2007

An Area Market Survey gives you the average, median, maximum and minimum statistics and sales in this specified area.I have gone back 3 months to give you an idea of what has been happening in this area, actives, under contract and sold properties.  To get an updated current list, please contact me at Properties@FindHomesWithTheresa.com or call me at 847-458-5525  Active ListingsList Price Range# ListingsAvg. Days on MktLess than $149,9993179$150,000 - $199,99926176$200,000 - $249,99930140$250,000 - $299,9995154  Active Listings Summary# UnitsAvg. MTMedian List PriceAvg. List PriceMax. List PriceMin. List PriceTotal Volume64157$206,010$205,211$285,000$133,900$13,133,524  Sold PropertiesSold Price Range# ListingsAvg. Days on MktLess than $149,9991130$150,000 - $199,9994154$200,000 - $249... 05/24/2007

Active ListingsList Price Range# ListingsAvg. Days on MktLess than $149,9993252$150,000 - $199,99915121$200,000 - $249,99957140$250,000 - $299,99958118$300,000 - $349,99934145$350,000 - $399,99929211$400,000 - $449,9991887$450,000 - $499,99920147$500,000 - $549,99917155$550,000 - $599,99913114$600,000 - $699,99914238$700,000 - $799,9997157$800,000 - $899,9992208$900,000 - $999,999287$1,000,000 - $1,999,999115  Active Listings Summary# UnitsAvg. MTMedian List PriceAvg. List PriceMax. List PriceMin. List PriceTotal Volume290145$317,000$369,145$1,180,000$90,000$107,052,072  Sold PropertiesSold Price Range# ListingsAvg. Days on Mkt$150,000 - $199,9996250$200,000 - $249,9992109$250,000 - $299,9996150$300,000 - $349,999464$350,000 - $399,9993151$450,000 - $499,999139$500,000 - $549,999147$550... 05/24/2007

Events       Notify The Illinois Marine by phone, mail or email and list Department, District,  Detachment or Unit events here. *****  DONATE A VEHICLE, BOAT, MOTORCYCLE OR MOTORHOME TO BENEFIT THE DEPARTMENT OF ILLINOIS MCL - CALL 1 847 - MARINES  *****6/7-10/2007 - Annual Department of Illinois Convention will be held at the Decatur Hotel and Conference Center.  Room rate is the same as last year, $79 + tax.  Call after Jan. 25th to reserve your rooms. Department Convention update: For those attending the Department Convention, the Decatur Hotel and Conference Center front desk/reservation numbers are 1-217-422-8800 or 1-877-352-8800. Department Convention Luncheon (chicken) tickets must be purchased by May 15th from Dottie Habben,18791 Felton Rd., Morrison, IL  61270.  $14 each. habb... 05/21/2007

This is a great way to get out of the house play some golf and help a worthy cause while having fun, meet new people and make some new friends, what better way to spend a day. If your not familar with the Marine Corps League you can email me for more information: george@exitplatinumrealty.com    05/21/2007

If you live in the Cary area you probably feel very lucky, The Fox River Valley is turning green and Spring is in full force. If you have friends that a thinking about relocating to the area please have them contact me and i can show them homes in the area. From waterfront homes, townhomes to condos you can expect great service. Go to my website and start your search, use my tools to be an informed home buyer, If your looking to get a larger home or a senior looking for a simpler life style be sure to log in. Thanks and have a great Day. George Lainwww.southelgintownhomes.com   www.LithTownhomes.com George@EXITPlatinumRealty.com Direct Line (847) 354-9431 05/14/2007

What happens to property values when a gravel pit is proposed to be developed adjacent to the property?  We are touring a home today - family likes the home - and we have pulled comps in anticipation of writing an offer.  How do we adjust (if we do) for the proposed gravel pit and its affect on the property values?  The proposed pit is owned by Meyer Material Company and has been proposed to be developed over a 10 year period beginning immediately upon approval in Cary, IL.  Mining will take place 6 days a week from sunup until sundown.  Has anyone had experience with this? 05/12/2007

I had the pleasure of witnessing families behaving nicely yesterday at two closings....each was buying the other's home.  The noon closing was the sale of my client's who still had so much to move out of the home.....the 4pm closing was the purchase of his buyer's home.  While they had agreed to allow my seller to keep a few things in the garage (never thought to charge him) he was nowhere near complete even by 4pm.  What ended up happening was that the food I brought for my seller's movers was shared by both moving parties at one of the homes.  Meanwhile the cold weather had moved in with the threat of snow which didn't reach us until overnight.  Everyone ended up moving into their respective homes and all without one threat or rude comment.  It made me think about how it is easy to be... 12/01/2006

Staging is a wonderful marketing tool to present homes at their best.  However, we still have to get the prospective buyers into the home to appreciate it.  Because over 70% of buyers sift through homes on the internet before they select those they would like to visit, photos must capture their attention.  In front of a computer screen, one buyer can click rapidly from photo to photo.   Photos with the least amount of eye noise are those that they are more likely to linger on.  Similar to a presenter on a real stage, gestures that feel a bit "exaggerated" actually come off as "natural" because of the distance between the presenter and the audience.  For example, we often find that homeowners have lots of small treasured items displayed neatly on shelves, yet when the photos are taken th... 11/22/2006