Why I Love Historic East and West Urbana, Illinois East Urbana or West Urbana…I love both of these historic neighborhoods, and I’ll admit to having a biased opinion: I live there. When my husband and I bought our house, we honed in on this location for all the following reasons: Walking distance. Historic Urbana is walking distance to, well, just about everything! Walk to the university and everything that goes with it, walk to the local schools, walk to downtown Urbana, walk to the Farmer’s Market at Lincoln Square…I LOVE that we can go out to dinner, or to a concert and not need a car! Carle Park. It’s one of the most peaceful places on Earth, in my opinion, and the homes surrounding it have incredible views. My dog loves it, too, mostly for all the squirrels… Victory Park. This one’s... 06/23/2010

Urbana Blues, Brews, & BBQ Festival 2010: Urbana, Illinois You know summer is in session once the local FESTIVALS get going! On June 25th - 26th the Urbana Blues, Brews, & BBQ Festival will be taking place in downtown Urbana! The name says it all...good food, good drink, and good entertainment. There will even be a place for the kids to hang out! Click here to check out the details on the Urbana Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival website! Hope to see you there! 06/20/2010

The homes in Historic East Urbana, Illinois are a combination of character and affordability...in an unbeatable location! This neighborhood is bound by Vine St. to the west, Main St. to the north, Glover Ave. to the east, and Washington St. to the south. Many of the homes are nearing, or even more than, 100 years old. The mature trees and brick streets interspersed throughout the neighborhood offer proof of the area's age. Within walking distance are downtown Urbana and Lincoln Square, one of the nation's oldest indoor shopping centers and home to the farmer's market during the warmer months of the year. Also within walking distance of East Urbana is a unique area of Main Street where you'll find an antique shop and a veterinary clinic among other small businesses that have thrived on t... 05/11/2010

Stone Creek is a subdivision in southeast Urbana offering a variety of homes to meet a variety of needs. Situated on a golf course, the community has a “country club” feel to it without the exclusivity. This neighborhood would offer a great solution to those seeking an active lifestyle. A jogging lane is laid out along the main road stretching from one end of the subdivision to the other providing an approximately two and a half mile pathway for the residents. In addition, Stone Creek Golf Course sits amid the houses offering the residents not only convenient golf outings, but incredible views, as well. Like many golf courses, Stone Creek was designed to incorporate small ponds, rolling hills, and beautiful greenery. The greens are exceptionally well-kept, and those homes with views of ... 05/04/2010

Why do I feel as though spring has finally arrived? Because the Urbana Farmer's Market opens for another season this Saturday May 1st at Lincoln Square! You'll find lots of exciting new updates to the market this year. First of all, there will be a vendor selling CHOCOLATE. Now you'll be able to purchase your healthy foods AND your not-so-healthy foods all in one place:-) Another improvement is that the city is helping to implement a token system, whereby you can use your credit card, debit card, etc. to purchase tokens and use those tokens at any vendor's stand instead of having to bring cash. Several times I've gotten halfway to the market only to realize that I forgot to grab some cash before leaving the house, and I had to turn back. Needless to say, I'm thrilled about the convenien... 04/28/2010

Homes in Historic West Urbana, Illinois- Glimpse of a Neighborhood The neighborhood of West Urbana has a distinct historic feel to it. Many of these homes were built in the early 1900s, making it one of the oldest neighborhoods in the community. Not only are the homes old, but most of them have been well cared for. And hundred-year-old trees line the streets, blanketing them throughout all seasons. (See below for more pictures.) West Urbana scores many points for location. The public elementary, middle, and high schools are all within walking distance of the homes in this neighborhood. Also within walking distance are the University of Illinois and downtown Urbana, providing the residents access to restaurants, libraries, shops, banks, the farmer’s market and more, all without needing a... 04/24/2010

If you are looking for one of the best displays of Christmas Lights in Champaign County you will have to check out Candlestick Lane (aka Grant Place) in Urbana, IL Dating back to 1963, Grant Place/Candlestick Lane has hosted an extremely decorated Christmas neighborhood.  This tradition started when the Grant Place residents won a contest sponsored by Illinois Power Company and shared the $100 prize to buy candlestick ornaments for each home.  The lighting ceremony was canceled last year (bah humbug!) due to lower participation but 5 new home owners on the street plan on participating this year so the event is back on. I'm pretty excited to see the decorated homes this year and I know our 3 year old is looking forward to it too!   In my mind I'm picturing Clark Griswold hanging from the... 12/11/2009

This beautifully maintained 3 bedroom/1 bath home is a must see!  It is located in a friendly, quiet neighborhood and features a spacious, open, updated kitchen with walk-in pantry, breakfast bar, and newer appliances.  The bathroom has been recently remodeled, the electrical wiring has been updated, and the whole house has new carpet (2009).  There is plenty of closet space making this house not only beautiful, but practical as well.  The private, fenced backyard is a peaceful, park-like setting with established herb, flower, and vegetable gardens and a screened-in porch. To directly access this property, use this shortcut: http://www.fizber.com/illinois-buy-single-family-home-11647722.html 08/15/2009

Price: $115,900 FIZBER.com ID 11143675 Single Family with 3 bed, 1.0 bath, in 1004 E Pennsylvania Ave Urbana, IL, 61801 http://www.fizber.com/11143675/ 1004 E Pennsylvania Ave - For Sale By Owner Property Details: Type: Single Family Address: 1004 E Pennsylvania Ave, Urbana, IL, 61801 Sq footage: 875.0 Floors: n/a Bathrooms: 1.0 Bedrooms: 3 Year built: 1954 View full property details and seller's contacts. View more Illinois homes for sale. Homes for Sale by Owner. Description: Well-maintained, fully updated bungalow with upgraded appliances and dry basement with daylight. Charm, comfort and space, in excellent location near shopping, bus lines, schools and university. Features Beautiful hardwood floors throughout. Central air and heating, cable TV ready. Full basement: Rec room, laund... 04/16/2009

If you haven't had a chance please go and check out the Urbana Free Library located at 210 w. Green Street in downtown Urbana. It's a great place to take your children and get out of the house during these cold winter months. There are many activities, toys, computer terminals and of course books. My daughter and I have enjoyed many evenings there learing and playing. I have attahced a link to their website for you!!!   Click Here   01/09/2009

Urbana, IL - Real Estate Market Update (August, 2008) What better time than August to give an update on Urbana's real estate market?  As the end of the 'prime-time' months for real estate draw to a close (May, June, July & August) let's take a look at what has been going on compared to the previous year. Take a minute to review the chart and you'll find my take on the local market below.   2007 2007(1/1 thru 8/25) 2008(1/1 thru 8/25) % Change   From PriorYear Closed Sales 584 436 297 -32% Median List Price $129,900 $128,700 $129,900 0.9% Average List Price $140,598 $135,599 $144,587 6.6% Average Sale Price $136,814 $132,282 $139,832 5.7% Avg LP to SP 97.3% 97.6% 96.7%   DOM 75 75 89 19% High Sale Price $925,000 $695,000 $740,000   Low Sale Price      $37,560 $37,560 $34,000   Overall, t... 08/25/2008

Tom Kachich, a columnist and editor with the News Gazette in Champaign, IL, had an article in a recent edition of the paper talking about Spring, getting outside and places you could take a nice walk in Champaign and Urbana.  A few of his top 10 included: The Boulware Trail in south Champaign.  This is a relatively short path at 1.25 miles but very nicely decorated in the Spring and Summer.  It is most frequently used by employees on their lunch hours.  It runs from Windsor almost to Kirby Ave, just west of Neil StreetMeadowbrook Park in Urbana.  This is one of my personal favorites.  It includes sculptures, prairie landscape, wildlife (including deer), and even playground equipment near one of the entrances.  The easiest access is off of Windsor Rd. in UrbanaUniversity of Illinois Camp... 04/06/2008

Well, Spring is just around the corner and the weather has started to look A LOT better.  That is starting to translate into a lot more home sales with.  Their are now 316 pending home sales reported in the CCAR MLS.  That reflects some big increases over the last week.Looking at the year to date totals it seems that our local market continues to be a stable place to own a home but did have a bit of a slow start.  A good portion of that could be attributed to the weather as we kept getting hit with winter storms.   Comparing YTD 2007 to 2008 the average sale price rose 1.7%, from $143,744 to $146,180.  But the dollar volume and number of sales is actually down a little bit, 7.5% and 6% respectively.January 1, 2007 thru February 28, 2007 Total # Sold and Closed:  305Dollar Volume:  $43,8... 03/14/2008

While I've referenced it in another post, I have finally finished the whole book, "Your First Home, The Proven Path to Home Ownership".  The principles included really should be shared with anyone looking to buy a home, not just first-time home buyers.  One of the top articles that caught my eye dealt with the main roles of a Real Estate Agent.Inform & Educate - We should be informing our clients of the local market.  In my case this would deal with real estate in Champaign and Urbana, IL.Analysis & Consulting - What are the wants and needs of the client?  What will those things cost?Guiding - The obvious, helping a home buyer find the home that matches their searchCoordination & Administration - One of my main jobs is to make sure all the 'players' are active in the right point in the ... 02/27/2008