Wilmette's August Property sales were 56, up 12.0% from 50 in August of 2011 and 5.7% higher than the 53 sales last month. August 2012 sales were at their highest level compared to August of 2011 and 2010. August YTD sales of 309 are running 23.6% ahead of last year's year-to-date sales of 250. The Median Sales Price in August was $627,500, up 12.0% from $560,438 in August of 2011 and up 15.8% from $542,000 last month. The Average Sales Price in August was $675,982, up 10.5% from $611,868 in August of 2011 and down -1.9% from $688,989 last month. August 2012 ASP was at a mid range compared to August of 2011 and 2010. The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of August was 151, down -6.2% from 161 last month and down -32.6% from 224 in August of last year. August 2012 Inven... 09/06/2012

Wilmette, IL - August 2012 Market Report   47 homes and 11 condos sold in Wilmette during the month of August - the last big push before school started.   For single-family homes the average sale price was $770,425.  Market time averaged a fantastic 77 days and the good news is that the list:price ratio was 93% - much better than a year ago and 2% better than Winnetka. The least expensive house in Wilmette sold for $280,000 and the high-end price was $1,550,000. For condos and townhouses the average sale price was $254,727.  Market time again averaged 77 days and the list:price ratio was 87%.  The prices ranged from $80,000 for a foreclosure up to $419,000. Currently for sale in Wilmette: Condos: 59 units priced from $72,900 to $1,240,000 for a unit just listed today at 1618 Sheridan. S... 09/03/2012

California Department of Real Estate Steps Up Disciplinary Actions By Evan Nemeroff The California State Department of Real Estate cracked down on the amount of illegal mortgage activity taking place throughout the state over the last fiscal year by setting record highs in several categories. Through the end of June 2012, the DRE suspended, surrendered and revoked a record 1,109 real estate licenses for the fiscal year within the Golden State. According to the DRE, 781 real estate licenses were revoked FY 2011-12, which was up about 14% from the previous year when 686 licenses were taken away. Meanwhile, the DRE suspended 190 real estate licenses for cause, nearly an 80% increase compared to the 106 license suspensions in the prior year. License surrenders, which occur when an individua... 08/19/2012

    Something we probably don't like spending money on is homeowner's insurance for your Wilmette home. We all realize, however, that it's something we have to have if we own a home. Finding yourself without homeowner's insurance at the time of a loss is just not acceptable! Thinking about homeowner's insurance is another thing that's usually not high on our lists of things to do, but it is something that needs to be done every so often. When the time comes around to renew your policy or purchase a new one, that's a good time to see if your needs have changed. You may even be able to save some money. Here are a few things to consider when looking at your homeowner's insurance: 1. You'll want to ask your insurance agent if there are any discounts that would be available to you when you r... 08/14/2012

    It's a good idea to develop a game plan as to what to do once the selling, buying and moving have ended, and you find yourselves in your Wilmette dream home, surrounded by boxes of your stuff waiting to be unpacked! Hopefully, when you moved in, boxes were put in the appropriate rooms where they will be unpacked and put away. If not, that might be the first thing you'll want to do. Next, many home buyers want to establish a room where everything is in its place, and they can get away from the mess moving creates. This may be your bedroom, family room or even the patio. If you have kids, getting their bedrooms in order first is often a good place to start. Having their own space where they can establish themselves and their things goes a long way to making them feel more at home. Wha... 08/09/2012

Wilmette's July Property sales were 52, up 33.3% from 39 in July of 2011 and -10.3% lower than the 58 sales last month. July 2012 sales were at their highest level compared to July of 2011 and 2010. July YTD sales of 252 are running 26.0% ahead of last year's year-to-date sales of 200. The Median Sales Price in July was $546,000, down -22.0% from $700,000 in July of 2011 and down -2.9% from $562,500 last month. The Average Sales Price in July was $695,508, down -5.5% from $735,820 in July of 2011 and up 8.7% from $639,856 last month. July 2012 ASP was at the lowest level compared to July of 2011 and 2010. The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of July was 160, down -3.6% from 166 last month and down -32.5% from 237 in July of last year. July 2012 Inventory was at the lo... 08/08/2012

Winnetka and North Shore Homes for Sale Week of August 6 - 2012 Around ten new homes came on the market this week in Winnetka, Northfield, and Wilmette.   In Winnetka, 712 Ash, a Dutch Colonial just west of Green Bay Road, is a good value at $610,000 with four bedrooms. 1148 Scott - a proposed new construction home by George Adamczyk with 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms for $1,589,000 In Wilmette, there were 6 new listings including: 424 Prairie - a three-bedroom short-sale for $425,000 1529 Forest - an older home with 2 bedrooms on the main floor and 2 upstairs on for $465,000 1738 Wilmette - a 1924 home that has been extensively renovated and is a good value at $599,000 - a price which takes into account the location 3524 Riverside -  in the Avoca school district this is a 4-bedroom contem... 08/08/2012

    Want to have a day of fun with your kids? Why not take them to the First Wilmette International Children's Film Festival presented by the Wilmette Theatre and produced in association with the Northbrook-based International Children's Media Center by Executive Director Nicole Dreiske. Recommended for kids from 2 to 10, the endeavor is supported by the Richard Driehaus Foundation at the MacArthur Foundation. The Festival is slated for Saturday, July 28th, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Wilmette Theatre, 1122 Central Avenue in Wilmette. There will be 44 international films featured from 19 countries around the world. Four age-appropriate shorts programs include two shorts for 2 to 5-year-olds, “Storytime Express” and “Friends Forever”. One short will be showing for the 5 to 8-year-old gro... 07/24/2012

 Blue Star Memorial Highway in Wilmette UPDATED 2020For years I have driven by this sign on Green Bay Road in Wilmette and had no idea what it meant. The Blue Star Memorial Highways are highways in the United States that have been marked to pay tribute to the American armed forces.This practice was started by the National Garden Clubs, Inc after World War II in 1945. It actually started in New Jersey where a 5 1/2 stretch of Highway 22 was beautified by planting 8,000 dogwood trees symbolizing service members from that state. This sparked the idea that highways should be memorialized throughout the country in honor of those serving in the armed forces.The goal went beyond placing markers, though. The intent was also to beautify stretches of the highway by protesting against billboards a... 07/22/2012

Wilmette's June Property sales were 57, up 11.8% from 51 in June of 2011 and 5.6% higher than the 54 sales last month. June 2012 sales were at a mid level compared to June of 2011 and 2010. June YTD sales of 199 are running 23.6% ahead of last year's year-to-date sales of 161. The Median Sales Price in June was $550,000, down -13.7% from $637,500 in June of 2011 and down -0.9% from $555,000 last month. The Average Sales Price in June was $637,221, down -9.5% from $704,052 in June of 2011 and down -3.8% from $662,514 last month. June 2012 ASP was at the lowest level compared to June of 2011 and 2010. The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of June was 160, equal to 160 last month and down -35.5% from 248 in June of last year. June 2012 Inventory was at the lowest level co... 07/08/2012

1015 Oakwood in Wilmette Picture Perfect and a Great Value   A home with a pretty wrap around porch is always a nice thing to have because your house automatically has great curb appeal.  Combine this with an interior that matches and you have a very charming east Wilmette home. With four upstairs bedrooms and 3 full baths, a den, a sun room, completely remodeled kitchen with granite and a full finished basement this home does not have much work  left to do.  In addition, the current owners just replaced the roof and repainted the exterior.  Plus they replaced most of the windows.  Plus they, well, you get the idea . . . it's move-in ready! Central School and New Trier High School. Price:  $799,000 Taxes:  $10,500 Please call, text or email me for more information on 1015 Oakwood Avenue... 06/20/2012

Some Days Just Bring a Little Smile I had a broker's open house yesterday at my new Wilmette listing at 1015 Oakwood Avenue.  The house has a beautiful wraparound porch that has a swing at one end.  As I opened the front door I noticed a small sign on the bench: Hmm.  Not something you see every day - a bird nesting in a potted fern.  I couldn't resist and tiptoed closer to find: Not robin's egg blue, but four beautiful eggs waiting for mom or dad to come back.  I did see a cardinal hovering nearby as well as several sparrows flying around. My home seller told me that she was replacing the old hanging ferns with new ones when she discovered the nest.  She gently put it on the bench and attached the sign - good thing because I had over 60 agents come through the house. Made me smile all ... 06/20/2012

      If you're thinking of selling your Wilmette home this summer, you may also be thinking of doing some painting to spruce it up before you put it on the market. Or maybe you just bought your dream home and want to convert those hot pink walls to something a bit more in line with your own personal tastes. Well, we're here to help! How about some tips on what to look for in a quality paint. Here goes: 1. Practicality: Your paint should be long-lasting when it comes to staying on your walls and continuing to look great. Look for one that says it's colorfast or fade resistant. 2. Coverage: Get paint that will go on smoothly and without a lot of light or dark spots or streaks. Most paint these days has great coverage, so if you're thinking back to a few years ago when you had to really w... 06/12/2012

 The Green Bay Trail in IllinoisWILMETTE TO HIGHLAND PARKUPDATED 2022The Green Bay Trail is one of the first things I like to tell my clients about because it appeals to everyone. It runs alongside the Chicago Metro North Shore Line and whether you run, walk, bike, hike, rollerblade or just meander, you will enjoy the ride.  The land was originally the old right-of-way for the North Shore Railroad (some of its pillars can still be seen along the trail.)  The villages along it - Wilmette, Kenilworth, Winnetka, Glencoe, and Highland Park bought the land and leased it to the Green Bay Trail Committee which developed it.It runs almost 10 miles in a straight line beginning at the Wilmette Fire Station on Lake Avenue just east of Green Bay Road in Wilmette. Heading north the official paved tr... 06/11/2012

Wilmette's May Property sales were 54, up 92.9% from 28 in May of 2011 and 58.8% higher than the 34 sales last month. May 2012 sales were at their highest level compared to May of 2011 and 2010. May YTD sales of 142 are running 29.1% ahead of last year's year-to-date sales of 110. The Median Sales Price in May was $555,000, up 3.5% from $536,250 in May of 2011 and up 22.8% from $452,000 last month. The Average Sales Price in May was $662,514, up 6.8% from $620,489 in May of 2011 and up 28.9% from $514,158 last month. May 2012 ASP was at highest level compared to May of 2011 and 2010. The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of May was 156, down -16.1% from 186 last month and down -38.6% from 254 in May of last year. May 2012 Inventory was at the lowest level compared to M... 06/10/2012

My neighborhood is gearing up for the first annual Kenilworth Gardens Neighborhood Yard Sale, which is set for May 19, and it looks like it's going to be the biggest multi-family sale in Wilmette. I do love to purge my house of stuff we no longer use, though you’d never know that if you came over to my house right now and saw the piles of clutter everywhere. Normally I just haul everything over to the rummage sale at my church, but this year my daughter is dying to have a yard sale. Which got me to thinking that it would be a lot more fun to make it a neighborhood event. I proposed sponsoring the sale to my partners at the Come Home North Shore real estate team and they thought it was a great idea. We started contacting neighbors with fliers and emails and got a terrific response. So f... 05/13/2012

Wilmette’s April Property sales were 34, up 41.7% from 24 in April of 2011 and 61.9% higher than the 21 sales last month. April 2012 sales were at their highest level compared to April of 2011 and 2010. April YTD sales of 88 are running 7.3% ahead of last year's year-to-date sales of 82.   The Median Sales Price in April was $452,000, down -14.3% from $527,463 in April of 2011 and down -3.0% from $466,000 last month. The Average Sales Price in April was $514,158, down -11.5% from $581,091 in April of 2011 and down -7.4% from $555,032 last month. April 2012 ASP was at the lowest level compared to April of 2011 and 2010.   The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of April was 184, down -2.6% from 189 last month and down -24.6% from 244 in April of last year. April 2012 Inve... 05/09/2012

Distressed homes are keeping the price of your home from appreciating A ‘distressed’ property is one that is being sold as a short sale or foreclosed/bank-owned house. While your home may not be a distressed property, the market value is still being adversely affected by short sales and foreclosures. Here’s why. Short sales are routinely sold at a discount of 10% or more compared regular properties. Depending on condition, foreclosures can be discounted up to 20% or more. So what does that do to the value of your home? It forces it down, or at the very least, doesn’t allow it to appreciate the way it would in a normal market. Short sales and foreclosures are called ‘distressed’ for a reason. They’re usually in poorer condition due to neglect or lack of maintenance. And they usually requ... 04/25/2012

The Wilmette and North Shore real estate market has woken up - buyers are flocking back to the market after staying put most of last year.  No, prices are not increasing - but the good news is that they are holding steady - but just so. But your home is languishing on the market?  Why? Consider these important factors: Your house is priced too high - This is the single most important reason why your home won't sell - in any market!  This is where a knowledgeable and experienced realtor can help you with comparable homes for sale and sold properties.  It always come down to price. Not Staging and Repairing- unfortunately, many of us live with the little idiosyncrasies of our houses until we get ready to sell.  We think if it was okay for us, it'll be okay for the buyers.  Not so - this i... 04/20/2012

Getting ready to move to Wilmette or Northbrook, but your new home may not be ready when you have to leave the old house? Never fear, pods are here.What are pods? They're giant moving bins that are transported to the house you're moving from and unloaded into your driveway or other area near your home. For easy packing, they're just a short step up off the ground so you don't have to use a ramp to pack or unpack. They also are equipped with rings or grommets in the walls so you can easily secure your items with rope or bungee cords.Pods are purported to be able to stand up to high winds and are weather and water resistant. And you lock them with your own lock and keep the key, so no one else is able to enter them.One of the best things about this moving option is that you will have plen... 04/10/2012