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Joliet, IL Real Estate News

By LaNita Cates
(REMAX of Joliet)
Whether you are a first time homebuyer or a seasoned purchaser, call me for all your real estate needs. From setting you up on searches, getting you preapproved, taking you out to view homes, negotiating price an terms, inspections, attorneys, walk-thru and closing, I'm with you every step of the way. Visit my website at www.lanitacates.com. As a RE/MAX Realtor, I will provide excellent service to you. Joliet, Plainfield, Crest Hill, Aurora, Naperville and surrounding areas.
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The most obvious way to mess your credit score up is to make a late payment.  Did you know that even if you have a solid credit score, a single missed payment could cost you as much as 100 points? According to the Fair Isaac, the company that calculates your FICO score, payment history accounts for 35% of your total score! Of course that credit score helps determine what kind of rates you can get when applying for home or car loans. Your FICO score is a number between 300 and 850 and is based on five criteria: 1. Payment history 2. Amounts owed 3. Length of credit history 4. New credit 5. Types of credit used According to Experian, the average credit score in America is currently 692. Those with a 700 or above will qualify for the best interest rates available. Call me to learn your buy...
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By Lori Gilmore, Realtor - Will County Illinois
(Baird & Warner Real Estate)
If you are looking for something to do in Joliet, IL this weekend, there are some great events to choose from.  The Taste of Joliet is happening and is going to be bigger and better than ever.  It's happening Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Memorial Stadium.  Come hungry. . .there are going to be 32 food vendors there ready to satisfy the pickiest eaters.  Big name entertainment includes Pat Benetar performing at 9:00pm on Sunday and Jo Dee Messina hitting the stage at 7:30pm on Saturday.  Sprinkled throughout the three days will be some great local bands and performers. Hours:     Friday, June 27   5pm to Midnight                Saturday, June 28   12pm to Midnight                  Sunday, June 30    1pm to 10:30pm Admission:   $3.00 Friday                    $3.00 12pm to 3pm Saturday ...
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Obtain the Best Rates & Lowest Closing Costs When you are ready to purchase a home, it makes sense to negotiate from the strongest position possible. In a strong real estate market, sellers can be more selective in the final buyer they choose to negotiate with. In such a crazed seller's market, it's not uncommon for a home seller to receive multiple offers on their property. With that said; there are certain things you can do to make certain that your offer is the one Seller goes with. The vast majority of Purchaser's today go about the process entirely wrong, putting themselves at an overwhelming disadvantage! Let's look at this from the Sellers perspective for a moment. If you were the Seller and had multiple offers on your property, all things being equal, would you accept the one wi...
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By Lori Gilmore, Realtor - Will County Illinois
(Baird & Warner Real Estate)
One of the things I love about living in Joliet, IL is that for a mere $11.30 ($5 on the weekends) I can jump on the Metra and enjoy the delights of Chicago and come right back home again.  There are benefits to living so close to the third largest city in the nation!  A particularly delightful excursion includes a trip to Briar Street Theater to see the Blue Man Group.  Tonight, I'm not taking the Metra, instead I will pile on a bus and accompany an excited group of high school students to a show that never fails to entertain, provoke and provide laughs galore.  As a former high school teacher, I love this annual adventure.  The students who have been to the show try to explain the performance to the others, with mixed results.  If you have never experienced the Blue Man Group live, it...
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By Lori Gilmore, Realtor - Will County Illinois
(Baird & Warner Real Estate)
For all intents and purposes, the Joliet real estate market is a buyer's paradise.  As of this afternoon, there are 937 detached single family homes and 241 attached single family homes on the market.  And this is in a city of approximately 110,000 people.  Lots of choices out there!  Day after day the news sources, be it print, TV, radio or web, broadcast the fact that the Chicago metro and suburban areas are in the midst of a buyer's market.  Gone are the days of quick sales, a dozen offers and closing prices well over asking. . . .or are they?I am working with a young teacher who is buying her first home. She is being level headed in her approach to home-buying and we have been searching in a price range that is comfortable for her, below what she is able to be approved for.  The hom...
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By LaNita Cates
(REMAX of Joliet)
This year alone I have either closed or have on the books more FHA loans than I did all of last year. FHA is the way to go for a lot of buyers.Not all buyers can come up with the 5% for conventional and many buyers can't get approved conventional. So, FHA comes to the rescue! FHA has been helping homeowners since 1934.If you are unsure about your past credit and don't have a lot of money to bring to the closing table, call me and I will have my lender check to see if you qualify for an FHA loan.  Visit me at www.lanitacates.com or call me at 630-341-1545. Serving Plainfield, Naperville, Aurora, Oswego, Joliet, Crest Hill Illinois real estate home buying.
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By Lori Gilmore, Realtor - Will County Illinois
(Baird & Warner Real Estate)
Each morning I scan the new listings. . . being in Will County, Illinois means that I am sitting in a hotbed of foreclosure activity, and more and more new listings are bank owned properties or REOs.In the past, these homes were usually in dire need of repair.  Because the judicial process in Illinios is 9 months long, many of these homes had been vacant for a long time before finally being placed on the market, and very often there were other serious signs of neglect.  OK, more than neglect. . .I have been in foreclosed properties that were stripped bare. . .no light fixtures, no cabinets and sometimes no interior doors.  These homes were suited for the rehabber or do-it-yourselfer who was looking to build some sweat equity.However, times have changed.  In recent tours of Joliet REO pr...
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By Lori Gilmore, Realtor - Will County Illinois
(Baird & Warner Real Estate)
The temperature on the bank registered -5 as I drove to the Inwood Athletic Club this morning at 5:30.  Call me crazy, but I am beginning to enjoy my early morning workouts despite the shock of crawling out of a warm bed and being greeted by a wall of cold air as I leave the house.  This habit of rising early to sweat is a new one. . .though I have been a long time exerciser, I find that shaking up my schedule, renews my body and my mind. The sun was rising as I ended my workout and I took some time to run a few errands. . .The I&M canal runs through the city of Joliet and the banks are joined by a series of lovely draw bridges.  When it is a particularly cold day, steam rises from the canal as the warmer waters hit the frigid air.  Today was one of those days. . .here are a couple of p...
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By LaNita Cates
(REMAX of Joliet)
2008 season under way at Rialto Square Theatre. Tickets can be purchased at the box office at 102 N. Chicago Street, Joliet or ordered by calling 815-726-6600 between 9a-5p Monday through Friday or between 9a - noon on Saturday. You can also visit www.rialtosquare.com.  John Corbett Band, Cats, One Night of Queen and Phil Coulter with the Irish Pops Orchestra are just a few scheduled performances.
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By Lori Gilmore, Realtor - Will County Illinois
(Baird & Warner Real Estate)
Joliet, IL happens to have a fabulous fitness facitility in the Inwood Athletic Club.  A Joliet Park District facility, the club offers a 25 yard, eight lane swimming pool, a 10,000 square foot fitness floor, two group exercise studios, a spinning room, steam rooms. . . suffice it so say, there is something for almost everyone. While the facilitiy is fantastic, what makes it a great place is the wonderful people who are members and the creative events and programs planned by the staff.*A unique and fun event is planned for this Friday, January 18. . .come and enjoy an evening of Yoga, Wine and Cheese! From 6:00 to 7:30 there will be special Yoga session held in Studio 2 followed by a wine and cheese tasting in the board room from 7:30 until 9:00.The wine is being provided by Winestyles,...
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By Lori Gilmore, Realtor - Will County Illinois
(Baird & Warner Real Estate)
With the tightening of lending guidelines, I am encountering more people who are delaying the purchase of a home until they are in a more stable financial position.  This is driving up the need for quality rentals in the Joliet area. Okay, maybe a little more spacious than the one pictured!  But, my point is that the strong rental market in the Joliet area provides a fabulous opportunity for investors who are ready take on the role of landlord.I recently had a condo for sale in a lovely building and a good portion of the phone calls I recieved were from people who were searching for a nice place to rent.While not everyone is cut out for the role, buying residential rentals can be a wonderful path to building wealth.  Not only does it afford you with regular cash flow, there are substant...
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By LaNita Cates
(REMAX of Joliet)
If you plan on buying or selling a home in the Joliet area, I hope to hear from you. I specialize in first time home buyers and would love to guide you throughout the entire process. Just call me at 630-341-1545 or visit www.lanitacates.com.  Take a minute and read my testimonials so you know the type of agent I am.
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By LaNita Cates
(REMAX of Joliet)
I'm thrilled with the buyers and sellers in Joliet and Aurora. These are two of the hottest areas and I love it. If you know anyone looking to buy in the Joliet area or the Aurora area (Montgomery, Oswego), let me know. I'm out there every week showing houses and would love the referral.
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By Lori Gilmore, Realtor - Will County Illinois
(Baird & Warner Real Estate)
July has come to an end, and I took a bit of time this morning to compile a market report for Joliet, IL.  So what is the state of the market in this town made famous by Jake and Elwood?  Well, lets start with the numbers.  Detached Single Family Homes:                   Current Active Listings : 1023      Average Market Time:  127 days                   Closings in July 07 : 97              Average Market Time:   81 daysSo what do these numbers mean?  Let me offer a quick translation. . .if sales continue at the same pace, we currently have 10.5 months worth of inventory on the market.  That's right, it will be May/June of 2008 before all of the homes currently listed have sold!  What about the townhouse and condo market?  Here is a quick snapshot:Attached Single Family Homes:         ...
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By Lori Gilmore, One Savvy Move Home Staging
(One Savvy Move)
Finally, we closed on an amazing house that was recently constructed in Joliet.  This home is among the most unique I have seen and represents what I hope to become a trend in infill construction.  Designed and built by local architect David Wayne McEachern, this home is quality and uniqueness from the foundation up.  A four bedroom two and a half bath home with four levels of living space, the interior is bathed in sunlight and the open floor plan welcomes visitors. Amazing hardwood floors stretch throughout the main level and the amenities abound, from a custom entertainment niche and a gas start fireplace in the hearth room, to a modern kitchen with custom island and recessed lighting.  There is nothing predictable or cookie cutter about this home. . .the bedrooms are huge and each h...
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