If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles.                                         Doug Larson  Be sure everything you do allows time for your important things. Make this your best week ever.   Here is the link for the Simple Home Warranty. If SLS Home Inspections does the inspection, your buyers have 18 months of protection, starting the day of close.http://illinoishomewarranty.net/12 month warranty is available if inspected by any other inspector. Same great conditions apply...no waiting period, choose your own contractor, no appliance prorating, no pre-existing conditions.  All these bonuses are FREE with every home inspection.  ​ CHECK OUT  ******* SMART Home Service Plan- Extend the warranty on your home after the inspect... 08/07/2017

I was all of 7 or 8 years old. My Dad had run out of deodorant. He gave my Mom the command to stop what she was doing and run out to the grocery store to get him a new supply. She was probably cooking or working on one of her sewing projects at the time. She did what Moms do, she called out to me asking “Sugar, would you run to the store real quick and get your Dad some more “Arrid” deodorant?”   The local “High-N-Low” grocery store was just around the corner. I was happy to do the assignment, even more proud I found the brand and purchase it.  I rush right home and presented it to my Dad.   When he saw what I had purchased, the look he gave me sent terror through my bones. He began yelling for my Mom commanding her to his presence in the bathroom.  He fiercely scolded her for not carry... 06/06/2017

Volunteering 'a calling' for area real estate agent Dale Taylor received the Humanitarian of the Year award from Re/Max Northern Illinois. Dale Taylor describes the volunteer work he does for South Suburban PADS, which provides shelter for the homeless, as "a calling." In the summer of 2005, the New Lenox real estate agent helped pitch in when the nonprofit was tasked with helping care for 100 Louisiana residents who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina and being housed at the Tinley Park Mental Health Center. Within a few weeks, Taylor found himself managing one of PADS' shelter sites, which he continues to do today. The Frankfort resident said it has "turned out to be one of the most rewarding activities I could do in my volunteer time." An agent with Re/Max 10, Taylor was recently the... 03/31/2017

Sara Springs, Frankfort, Illinois - February 2017 About Sara Springs Sara Springs is a single family home subdivision built starting in 2007. Sara Springs is located in Frankfort, Illinois west of LaGrange Road and north of Steger Road. Average taxes in Sara Springs $7,368 Average association fees in Sara Springs $400 ($0 - $400) Average home size in Sara Springs 4,373 ft2 Average lot size in Sara Springs 0.25 acres Average year built in Sara Springs 2016 Photos of Sara Springs  Homes for sale in Sara Springs Address Beds Baths Built Price 22827 Sara Springs Dr. 4 4.0 2017 $539,000 22795 Sara Springs Dr. 4 5.1 2014 $735,075 11036 Riverside Dr. 0 0.0 0 $125,000 11094 Riverside Dr. 4 3.1 2016 $670,000 Sales Summary for Sara Springs  (Feb 25, 2016 - Feb 24, 2017) # of Sales Average Days o... 02/24/2017

Cobblestone Walk, Frankfort, Illinois - February 2017 About Cobblestone Walk Cobblestone Walk is a single family home subdivision built in 2005. Cobblestone Walk is located in Frankfort, Illinois south of Laraway Road and west of Wolf Road. Average taxes in Cobblestone Walk $14,661 Average association fees in Cobblestone Walk $750 ($750 - $750) Average home size in Cobblestone Walk 4,034 ft2 Average lot size in Cobblestone Walk 0.50 acres Average year built in Cobblestone Walk 2005 Photos of Cobblestone Walk  Homes for sale in Cobblestone Walk Address Beds Baths Built Price 11610 Diamond Ct. 4 4.1 2005 $629,900 Sales Summary for Cobblestone Walk  (Feb 25, 2016 - Feb 24, 2017) # of Sales Average Days on Market Average List Average Sale Ratio% 6 145 $680,283 $639,000 93.9% HomesByMarco s... 02/24/2017

Real Estate Tips for Buyers and Sellers Thinking about starting a home search or selling your home soon?  The 2017 real estate season is upon us, and if you are anticipating a home search, or selling a property, here are some top tips to help you navigate the real estate market in your area this spring and summer.  For Buyers Don't go overboard with an offer While you might be inclined to get into a bidding war over your dream home (the market is pretty competitive), don't overspend to the point where if the market stabilizes your home will have an overly inflated price and make it difficult to resell in the future.  If you plan on living in the property for a long time, paying a high price isn't a bad thing, but it's a good idea to set a limit on how high you're willing to bid for a ho... 01/02/2017

(If my blogs like this are helpful and/or I have ever served you, please allow me to  Wish you a Happy New Year filled with pleasant surprises, great health, and more prosperity. I need a huge Holiday Favor that would be a Gift that keeps on giving. Would you visit me at http://zillow.com and give me a 5-star rating. Once at the site please click on Agent Finder, under Location please type New Lenox, Il., under Name please type Dale Taylor, and I will appear twice. Please, in either location please give me a 5-star recommendation. Your kind consideration is so appreciated). So you’ve been giving it some thought and you’ve come to the conclusion that you’d like to buy a home.  Congratulations! You’re about to begin one of the biggest moments of your life. If you’re a Millennial, you’re p... 12/30/2016

You Can Buy and Sell Real Estate During the Holidays(Need a big favor in the form of a holiday gift that is like the gift that keeps on giving. Please, if my posts like this one are helpful in anyway and/or I have ever served you, please consider visiting me at http://zillow.com and giving me a 5-star rating.  Once at the site please click on agent finder, in location box type new lenox, il., in name dale taylor.  I will appear twice, and in either place you can give me your 5-star recommendation.  I really appreciate this special holiday gift from you in the form of your kind consideration.)It's common knowledge that most people are advised to get their home on the real estate market in late spring or early summer as that is 'real estate season.' While the majority of homes do sell in ... 12/23/2016

Things To Do Before Listing On The MarketListing a home or property for sale is no small task, and it takes a lot of preparation for a seller to be ready to list. If you've been thinking about selling your home, but you're not completely ready to pull the trigger (maybe you'd like to list within the next few months or even within a year), consider some of the tips listed below to help prepare your home or property for when you're comfortable listing it on the real estate market.Remove Personal ItemsWhile you've spent a lot of time turning your house into your home, when you decide to sell and list it on the market, there will be a number of people looking at your property (either in person or via the Internet). A step you can take prior to listing is to remove the personal items in your... 11/29/2016

Buying a home is a big decision.   After my Buyer has gotten pre-approved for their mortgage financing with Loan Officer Vincent Redd, I have found my buyer the perfect home, they love the neighborhood, the schools, and the shopping that’s close. However, we need to make sure they don’t overlook a critical part of the home purchase: the home inspection.   The physical checkup of the home is a wise investment to ensure the home is in good shape. What does the home inspection provide? It provides an “Out”- A quality home inspection can uncover critical info about the homes condition. Knowing if any major repairs or maintenance issues are present is invaluable information for a buyer to decide if this really their ‘dream home”. Safety- The presence of radon, mold, carbon monoxide, and eve... 11/28/2016

I love it when my good friend Vincent Redd takes time out to have a conversation with me on how we can collectively help potential Buyers achieve their homeownership goal.  He asked me to share the following credit worthiness tips.  Please know Vincent is awaiting you calling him if you'd like to know your credit score, or what to do to procure financing, or with any financing questions.  His contact information is below...   When buyers decide to make a major financial transaction like a home purchase, their credit score plays a huge role. The following are 5 of the biggest factors that can affect their score: Payment History Buyers should have a good history so that lenders can trust them to pay a mortgage. They should continue to pay all bills on time and avoid default. Amounts Owed... 11/28/2016

As you know, buying a home is a big decision to make as my good friend Loan Officer Vincent Redd discussed with me recently.  We talked about the importance of a Tenant accepting the fact of every month they make a rent payment they are most likely helping a Landlord to make a mortgage payment without the benefits of making a mortgage payment.   It is a nice benefit to just allow Vincent to help you determine if home ownership is an option for you, and the inquiry does not obligate you to doing anything with the knowledge.  Please consider the following advice.However, when a buyer is stuck between renting and owning, it's easy to see why home ownership is most beneficial.  Safety Net If for some reason inflation went wild, a homeowner would be able to protect themselves from being left... 11/27/2016

Buying or selling a home seems to be a way of life for a lot of people in today's world. When you buy,you definitely want to get the most for your money. Many people think they can go it alone when it comes to buying or selling a house, and it's definitely true that some people are able to handle all the details of buying and selling a home or property, but in reality the real estate process is intricate and requires a lot of knowledge about the local real estate market, contracts, escrow, appraisals and referrals. While some home owners and buyers are in a position to go it alone, for those intimidated by the market or those who don't have the time or energy to sell or buy a home on their own, here are some reasons why it's a smart move to use a real estate agent during your next real... 11/24/2016

5 obstacles to millennial home buying The Millennial Generation is poised to become the next major demographic of home buyers, but studies have been showing that many of them are still hesitant about committing to the idea of homeownership.   My good friend Vincent Redd was just having a concersation with me about this.  Realtors and lenders alike are questioning what it is that could be holding them back, but some have started taking a closer look at possible factors. 1. Student Loan Payments Many Millennials are currently either enrolled in college, graduating soon or already have graduated and are still on the hunt for a career. Either way, many of them will be or already are dealing with student loan payments, and with the job market as it currently stands, many Millennials are fin... 11/24/2016

Loan Officer Vincent Redd knows for Buyers buying a home is a big decision to make. However, when a buyer is stuck between renting and owning, it's easy to see why home ownership is most beneficial. Safety NetIf for some reason inflation went wild, a homeowner would be able to protect themselves from being left out to the streets. The homeowner is the only one that owns the keys to their home. InvestmentWhen an individual buys a home, they’re making a lifetime investment. Through monthly payments, they increase the amount of the home they have control over. It also increases the value of the home and the value of the equity the homeowner has invested into the property. Renters on the other hand, don’t have much to show for their monthly payments. Tax Advantage Each year during tax time,... 11/21/2016

More often than not, as homeowners, the last thing we want to do is home repairs. Not only do they take time (and many of us don't have a lot to spare), but they can also be costly and sometimes tedious. Sure, changing a light bulb or fixing a leaky faucet can be put off until it's absolutely necessary to fix, but there are some home repairs that should never be put off. Unfortunately, many of these involve major things (and can come with an even more major price tag), but avoiding the repairs listed below could actually cause bigger problems down the road for your property. The following are some of the top home repairs that should never be put off.Roof IssuesNo house is complete without a roof. Probably one of the most important parts of any building, the roof is a major player when i... 11/01/2016

SUMMER SHELTER PROGRAM:Over 29 Guests were housed over the summer months three evenings a week with the Bethel Ministry providing their Chicago Heights, Illinois location. South Suburban Pads Culinary Expert Kareem Roberts provided a hearty meal each night. FALL WINTER AND SPRING SHELTER PROGRAM:Calvin Christian, Southwest Alliance, and Our Lady of the Ridge are returning as Shelter sites in the Northern-Tier of the Chicago-Southland shelter network. Please visit http://sspads.org for their and other locations. TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT FOR THE SHELTER-SITE MANAGERS AND VOLUNTEERS:South Suburban Pads has procured the services of Midwest harm Reduction Institute of Heartland health Outreach to train in various areas of Harm Reduction, Mental Health First Aid, and more. SOUTH SUBURBAN PADS... 10/12/2016

Exterior Updates to Boost Resale Value   One of the best tools in a seller's arsenal is curb appeal.   The outside of a home or property is one of the first things a buyer sees, and while many times it's not on the outside that counts, when it comes to real estate, the outside of a home plays a huge part in whether a buyer is going to want to take a look inside. If a property can catch a buyer's eye from the get go, the probability that the buyer will want to look inside exponentially grows.   If you've put your property on the market and are not attracting the number of potential buyers you'd like, or you're considering putting your property on the market and would like to give it a step above the other options on the market, consider these exterior home updates to help attract more bu... 08/30/2016

What “out of the box” tactics do you use when following up with a CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) request or other seller lead? How do you make sure you’re unforgettable? I make the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) my good friend. I make all the great technologies serve my potential Seller Clients well. When, for whatever reason the potential Seller elects not to list with me at the initial in person listing appointment, which is very rare, I ask permission to continue in serving them. I explain the MLS has the ability to keep them informed on the activity of relevant properties in their neighborhood complimenting their home’s potential increased value. I trigger a natural curiosity all Sellers have in wanting to know what homes are selling, how much they are selling for, how long on th... 08/15/2016

 Updates, Renovations and Remodels When selling a home or property, one of the main goals of the seller is to get the highest offer possible. If the market is hot, the chance of getting a high offer is relatively high. If the market is on the cooler side, many sellers look to alternative options to make their properties more marketable, usually by way of a remodel, a renovation or by updating the property. But what is the difference between a remodel and a renovation? Is an update something that's easy or difficult? While there are no doubt projects that see better return on investment than others, homeowners have a number of options when it comes to boosting their property's value. If you're not particularly ready to put your property on the real estate market, but are looking for ways... 08/12/2016