Wilmette's March Property sales were 21, equal to 21 in March of 2011 and 40.0% higher than the 15 sales last month. March 2012 sales were at their lowest level compared to March of 2011 and 2010. March YTD sales of 54 are running -6.9% behind last year's year-to-date sales of 58. The Median Sales Price in March was $466,000, down -13.7% from $540,000 in March of 2011 and up 25.9% from $370,000 last month. The Average Sales Price in March was $555,032, down -10.9% from $623,148 in March of 2011 and up 31.3% from $422,767 last month. March 2012 ASP was at the lowest level compared to March of 2011 and 2010. The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of March was 182, up 4.0% from 175 last month and down -20.9% from 230 in March of last year. March 2012 Inventory was at the l... 04/09/2012

   Backyard Barbecue in Wilmette Your Complete Grilling Store UPDATED 2022Some stereotypes are just plain true:  women love to shop and men love to grill.  The Backyard Barbecue Store in Wilmette will easily satisfy both desires.This great store, located on the corner of Greenleaf and Poplar in Wilmette offers a huge variety of grill-related items - grills, books, rubs, spices, accessories, plus a wide selection of cooking classes and private events.  The store carries over 5,000 individual items.  Longtime Wilmette resident, Dan Marquerite, the owner, has always had a passion for barbecue.  Together with his nephew who had experience with a barbecue store in Atlanta, they opened Backyard Barbecue in May of 2003.  The grills are the cornerstone of the business and he sells five differen... 04/04/2012

Our inaugural egg hunt was so successful last year we’ve decided to make it an annual event. So grab the kids and hop on over for some eggs-citement at Thornwood Park this Saturday morning, April 7, at 9:45 (the hunt will start at 10:00). The Come Home North Shore team is hosting our 2nd annual Thornwood Park Egg Hunt for kids 10 and under. It looks like we’ll have good weather for it. The forecast is for partly sunny skies and 65 degrees. Be sure and bring your camera to take pictures with the Easter Bunny. And don’t forget to bring a basket for collecting your eggs. We’ll have prizes for the kids and a drawing for the parents. Who: Kids 10 and under (but don't worry, we're not going to card your child!) Where: Thornwood Park in Wilmette (2400 Thornwood Ave.) When: Saturday, April 7. ... 04/04/2012

Why I Like Grocery Shopping  at the Jewel in Wilmette I have never enjoyed grocery shopping - not the list writing, actual shopping, or the worst of all, hauling the grocery bags into the house.   But when I grocery shop at the Jewel on Sheridan Road in Wilmette I have a different experience.  I don't know what it is about seeing the outline of  Lake Michigan just a few hundred feet away, but it brightens my mood. Suddenly, grocery shopping is a destination, not a chore. There are lots of good grocery stores in Winnetka and Wilmette - in fact Lakeside and Grand Foods were just named the best grocery stores in Winnetka (shhhh . . . they are the only two  grocery stores in Winnetka!)  But they are located five or six blocks from the lake - too far away for any uplifting views. Go ahead an... 03/28/2012

Wilmette's February Property sales were 15, up 66.7% from 9 in February of 2011 and -16.7% lower than the 18 sales last month. February 2012 sales were at a mid level compared to February of 2011 and 2010. February YTD sales of 33 are running -10.8% behind last year's year-to-date sales of 37. The Median Sales Price in February was $370,000, down -10.4% from $413,000 in February of 2011 and down -36.2% from $580,000 last month. The Average Sales Price in February was $422,767, down -31.9% from $620,889 in February of 2011 and down -49.3% from $833,972 last month. February 2012 ASP was at the lowest level compared to February of 2011 and 2010. The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of February was 169, down -1.7% from 172 last month and down -21.0% from 214 in February o... 03/07/2012

Are you interested in learning more about how you and your family can have a positive impact on our environment? Then you won’t want to miss the 6th annual Going Green Matters, a community event being held this Sunday, March 11 from 1-5 pm at the Woman’s Club of Wilmette. The event is organized by Go Green Wilmette, a citizen’s group founded in 2006, whose mission is to raise environmental awareness in Wilmette and inspire people to take action and make a difference.  The event draws hundreds of residents, not only from Wilmette but from around the North Shore. There are exhibits, displays and presentations about home energy conservation, renewable energy sources, green cleaning products, green landscaping, composting, organic food choices, birding on the North Shore, and more. There ar... 03/06/2012

On Saturday (yesterday), a distraught consumer contacted me about a rental property. I’ll call the consumer John. After I had given John the pertinent information, he asked if the property would be available for a month-to-month lease. When I advised him that month-to-month leases are rare and he should look into sublets or an extended-stay hotel … John told me the whole story! John sold his house a couple months ago, planning to turn around and buy another house in short order. Now time is running out. John further told me that he has a backup contract on a house. The buyer in the first position may back out due to lead paint and radon issues. Since John has young children, he’s now worried about the lead paint and radon issues himself! Meanwhile, his house is scheduled to close at the... 02/19/2012

  Wilmette's January Property sales were 13, down -53.6% from 28 in January of 2011 and -38.1% lower than the 21 sales last month. January 2012 sales were at their lowest level compared to January of 2011 and 2010. January YTD sales of 13 are running -53.6% behind last year's year-to-date sales of 28.       The Median Sales Price in January was $505,000, down -0.7% from $508,785 in January of 2011 and up 19.1% from $424,000 last month. The Average Sales Price in January was $714,731, up 18.9% from $601,145 in January of 2011 and up 39.3% from $512,963 last month. January 2012 ASP was at highest level compared to January of 2011 and 2010.       The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of January was 170, up 1.2% from 168 last month and down -6.1% from 181 in January of las... 02/04/2012

What Motivates an Unmotivated Seller? I spoke to a listing agent today regarding a home for sale in Wilmette that my client had an interest in.  I asked if I could get inside and take additional photos for her since she lives out of town and last viewed it in May. And this is what the agent told me.  The seller is not motivated to sell.  They have already rejected another offer and feel strongly that whoever buys their house should love it just the way they have always loved it.  The comps don't matter and an appraisal that won't appraise doesn't matter.  They have decided to sell it but are comfortably living in it for the long haul. So why even bother to sell (or even try.)  What is their motivation for not being motivated?   Is it a colossal arrogance in deciding that they can and wi... 01/30/2012

Updated 2019 Knobel Kitchens and Baths, Wilmette IL Knobel Kitchens and Baths in Wilmette has been around for a long while - since 1933 to be precise.  Longer than any of their local competitors.   Owned by brothers Peter and Paul Knobel, along with Peter's son Mark, the company is three-generational.  It was started by Peter's father's, a carpenter, in his basement, and then moved to a workshop in an area that is now the Mackenzie School field.  In 1948, he bought a building on Washington St. then moved a few years ago to Wilmette Ave. The Knobel brothers are Certified Kitchen and Bath Designers, an accreditation given by the National Kitchen and Bath Association.   They must take continuing education to retain this certification. Knobel Kitchens and Baths is a full service company tha... 01/26/2012

Getting expert advice on what your listing price should be before putting your Wilmette home on the market can make your home sell a lot faster than setting a price based on what you personally feel your home is worth. In order for an experienced Realtor® to set a listing price, they often do a Comparative Market Analysis. A Comparative Market Analysis uses comparable sales, or “comps” of properties that have recently sold in the Wilmette area. This will show what the market favors for a listing price. When looking at comparables, it’s important to consider certain similarities to provide an accurate current estimated value of your home: Same neighborhood – This will allow for the same type of house and year built to give a good comp. If in a subdivision, the same model is key. Same sch... 01/24/2012

UPDATED 2022Who is Joby Bermanand Why is There a Parking Lot Named After Her?Wilmette, IL    Joby is an old friend and neighbor of mine from Kenilworth. Unbeknown to most of us, the Wilmette Commuter Parking Lot for the Metra train (at the corner of Lake and Green Bay) is named after Joby Berman. You may miss the sign as you whiz by on Lake or Green Bay, but it's there. Have you ever wondered why?  Joby has a fascinating 50-year-long career in the transportation field for the city of Chicago, the state of Illinois, and the Illinois Tollway. She was, in fact, a feminist trailblazer who worked in a mostly male field. In 1960 she was the first non-clerical woman ever hired by the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. Her working background also included:  Hired as the first director of the Divi... 01/22/2012

Wilmette - Hurry, Homes are Selling! I wrote several posts last year about the positive sales statistics coming from Wilmette - it seems the good news just keeps coming.  Homes for sale in Wilmette are keeping pace. One way to gauge the health of the local housing market is to do an absorption rate analysis.  Simply put, it means how long would it take to sell existing inventory at the present rate of sale, if no new homes came on the market.   As you are well aware, it's been a lonely stretch of time since we've been in a seller's market in Wilmette. Normal Market - Absorption Rate is between 5 and 6 months. Sellers Market - Absorption Rate is lower (1-4 months) Buyers Market - Absorption Rate is higher (7+ months) Calculating the rate for Wilmette based on the past 6 months of sales (... 01/17/2012

2740 Blackhawk in Wilmette Imagine the Possibilities! This well-built solid house is located right in the middle of Indian Hill Estates in Wilmette just one block west of Lake St.  Well-built because there is concrete between the floors - the original owner  wanted the house soundproofed because he was a musician and didn't want to disturb his family. It is situated on a lovely one-third acre parcel on a beautiful street in the Harper School District and has four bedrooms and four and one-half bathrooms. It is a great buy for someone interested in rehabbing this 1936 home - the space is there - it just needs some tweaking.  Local architect and kitchen designer, Mike O'Brien of  Change Design Group (formerly of DeGuilio Kitchens)  has drawn plans for a complete kitchen and family room ma... 01/10/2012

Wilmette's December Property sales were 20, down -16.7% from 24 in December of 2010 and -9.1% lower than the 22 sales last month. December 2011 sales were at their lowest level compared to December of 2010 and 2009. December YTD sales of 335 are running -2.0% behind last year's year-to-date sales of 342. The Median Sales Price in December was $419,500, down -14.4% from $490,000 in December of 2010 and down -6.6% from $449,250 last month. The Average Sales Price in December was $479,861, down -15.7% from $569,167 in December of 2010 and down -6.7% from $514,564 last month. December 2011 ASP was at the lowest level compared to December of 2010 and 2009. The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of December was 166, down -9.8% from 184 last month and down -10.8% from 186 in D... 01/10/2012

At our house we have gotten a little lax in the Christmas decorating department, and at this point I’m wondering when we’ll even have time to go get the Christmas tree between hockey games and pageant rehearsals. But luckily for us, most of our neighbors take this decorating thing a bit more seriously and we can enjoy their Christmas lights. One neighbor, in particular, puts on a display worth going out of your way to see. It’s grown every year and has gotten so popular that this year they set their lights to music and invited everyone over to munch on cookies and drink hot cocoa while enjoying at the show. Even Santa stopped by to hear last minute gift requests from neighborhood kids. Steve Maris, a self-proclaimed Christmas junkie, has been decorating with lights every year, adding m... 12/17/2011

Wilmette Homes Sold in November 2011 18 Wilmette homeowners sold their homes. 0 home(s) sold were Foreclosures. 1 home(s) sold were Short Sales. 151 homes are currently available for sale. Given these statistics, it will take 8 months to sell all homes, not counting other homes coming on the market every day. Following are some of the fabulous homes that sold in Wilmette in November. Data provided by the Midwest Real Estate LLC and includes properties listed and sold by various participants in the MLS. Some charts powered by 10K Research and Marketing. Many of the homes sold were for prices considerably below Original List Price. If a home is overpriced, the market—i.e., homebuyers—will communicate the fact by simply not showing up. A house cannot sell if homebuyers don’t see it. So if ... 12/13/2011

    The North Shore is rich with history and family events for all ages. If you have never visited the Wilmette Theatre in the Village of Wilmette, you can bring the entire family to share in the nostalgia and holiday traditions this weekend Friday December 16th at 7pm - The Wilmette Theatre is showing the original 1946 version of It’s A Wonderful Life. Bring the entire family to see this holiday classic, have some hot cocoa and even have your picture taken with Santa Claus. You can Buy Tickets for $10 to partake in this Wilmette tradition.  Saturday December 17th at 10am & Noon – ATC Repertory Company presents the live performance of It’s Christmas Charlie Brown! The Musical! Kids are sure to enjoy this musical as Charlie Brown tries to find the true meaning of Christmas. You can buy t... 12/12/2011

McKenzie Square is the neighborhood adjacent to McKenzie Elementary School. I don’t think it’s the official name of the neighborhood. I think it was the invention of some real estate agent somewhere along the line. Anyway, the boundaries of McKenzie Square are Lake Ave. to the north, Wilmette Ave. to the south, Ridge Rd. to the west and 15th St. to the east. This is not the entire McKenzie School footprint. That extends north of Lake, south of Wilmette and as far as Green Bay to the east.McKenzie Square is a super-convenient place to live because it’s centrally located in Wilmette and you can easily walk to town, the train, the library and several parks, as well as to McKenzie Elementary and Highcrest Middle School as well as St. Joseph Catholic Church.The neighborhood is full of tradit... 12/01/2011

Can’t bear the thought of giving yet another sweater or scarf this holiday season? Here’s your chance to get something really unique for your loved ones while helping out those in need. At the Woman’s Club of Wilmette’s 70th Annual Antiques Show and Sale you’ll find everything from furniture to maps, prints, books, linens, vintage jewelry, and more. Dealers returning this year include Ralph Spano Antiques, Neil Zuehlke Antiques, and T.S. Hotter Gallery. New dealers include Silver Acorn (miniature books and vintage jewelry), The Good Stuff (American Indian jewelry), Plain Tales (antique books), Maison Suzanne (textiles and tapestries), and Dovetail Joint Antiques (Americana and furniture). You’ll also be able to shop for holiday foods and hostess gifts  at the Holiday Boutique. Do you ha... 12/01/2011