4150 Lawn in Western Springs Old Town-Closed

4150 Lawn in Old Town of Western Springs has 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and is updated. On the market for 132 days starting at $675,000 down to 649,000 and than 619,900. Closed in January 2012 for $580,000.

Preforeclosures and REO's in Western Springs

As of today there are 12 homes in Western Springs that are in preforeclosure and two that are REO's(bank ownded). This information is obtained from Realist through the MLS of Northern Illinois.

Western Springs Raffle Prize-- Week of January 30th

I will be stopping in at Stems and Twigs in Western Springs and I will have them make you a beautiful floral arrangement. If you are not a subscriber to my Western Springs Raffle please sign up now. Join the Western Springs Raffle!

2 more teardowns in Western Springs

Reid
These two homes are currently under construction. The one on Forest(right) sold for $330,000 and is a 50 x 183.5 lot that is across from a park and a block to Laidlaw Grade School. This home had sold in 1999 for $329,000. The other home is on Reid and has a 50 x 150 lot. Home on Reid sold for $285,700. Pictures are of homes torn down.

Looking to build-call me-looking to sell-call me. Linda at 708-334-5356

New listing in the MLS on Central in Old Town

Sharp home with front porch, 200 foot deep lot and a second floor screen porch. Listed 2 days ago by another agent this is a great location and a charming 4 bedroom, 3 1/2 bath home in walk to train location. $639,500

If you are looking to purchase a home this year I would love to be your buyer's broker. Call me to see some of the homes available now. It helps to start your search so you have perspective when you do find your next home.

Linda Hanley Kelly, Charles Rutenberg Realty, 708-334-5356

Closed in Forest Hills of Western Springs

5432 Wolf was on the market for $269,900 and was lowered to it's last list price of $224,900. Home closed on January 27th, 2012 for $199,400. 3 bedroom 2 bath with a screen porch on an 82 by 187 lot. Looks like a nice buy to me!

Teddy Bear Sleepover at Thomas Ford Memorial Library in Western Springs

On February 3rd there is a Teddy Bear Sleepover at the library for 4 and older. Hot cocoa and cookies and a few stories will be read before you say your good-byes. Make sure you bring a blanket for your friend. When the Library closes the stuffed animals will have all sorts of adventures. You will find out what they did when you pick them up in the morning! Registration is required. 708-246-0520.

Book Discussion Group at the Ford Library in Western Springs

March 7th at 7:30 pm they will be reviewing the book Little Bee by Chris Cleave. Stop in the library approx. a month before the discussion. They will have extra copies of this book. Check out the review!

Another teardown in Western Springs

Here is a cool older home that sits on a great lot. 90 x 180 this home was recently torn down and a new home is being built there. Sold for $700,000 in 2011. Located on Grove in Old Town of Western Springs this is an excellent location.

If you would like me to come over and give you my opinion of the value of your home please call me, Linda, at 708-334-5356.

Film Discussion Group at The Thomas Ford Library on February 3rd

Skin is based on a true story of a black girl who was born to two white Afrikaner parents in South Africa during the apartheid era. Doors open at 6:45 and the movie is at 7 followed by a lively discussion. Feb. 3rd-close to home. Maybe have dinner in town before the movie.

John Measner Magic Show at Western Springs Senior's 32nd anniversary celebration

Lunch and entertainment on February 13th at noon. At the rec center on Walker in Western Springs.

Are you thinking of buying in the Western Springs area this Year?

I will be happy to set you up on an automatic program that will send you the listings that are coming on the market. You will receive two updates per day. We can customize the list to meet your criteria. Simply email me at linhankel@aol.com or call me at 708-334-5356

I look forward to meeting with you and personally showing you homes that fit your needs. Linda

What is a short sale?

A short sale is a sale of real estate in which the proceeds from selling the property will fall short of the balance of debts secured by liens against the property and the property owner cannot afford to repay the liens' full amounts, whereby the lien holders agree to release their lien on the real estate and accept less than the amount owed on the debt. Any unpaid balance owed to the creditors is known as a deficiency.[1] Short sale agreements do not necessarily release borrowers from their obligations to repay any deficiencies of the loans, unless specifically agreed to between the parties.

A short sale is often used as an alternative to foreclosure because it mitigates additional fees and costs to both the creditor and borrower; however both will often result in a negative credit report against the property owner.
This is a good definition. Taken from Wikipedia

When considering a short sale talk to your own accountant to find out exactly how it is going to affect you. And also call your bank.

For an opinion of the current value of your home please call me-Linda at 708-334-5356

Here is what is being listed this week in Western Springs

We have a home coming on the MLS in Old Town of Western Springs. They tried the market in 2009 at $625,000 down to $609,000 and than again in 2010 at 599 to 579. This year they have come on the market at $539,000(sold in 2005 $516,500).

Ridgewood of Western Springs has a home that was sold in 2003 for $482,500 and is now listed for the first time since then for $559,000. Updated since purchase this is a cool contemporary home.

Ridge Acres has a 2 story brick home updated and asking $559,900. Hasn't been on the market for a long time. Last sold in the 90's. 4 br, 3 bath on a 45 x 214 lot.

Having been through the sale process in 2009 on a home we had rehabbed in Springdale I fully understand the higher prices that were originally asked on many homes. We had bought and rehabbed in 2007. Asked in the upper 500's or perhaps even the low 600's. Turned down 525...moved into the home...rented out our home....sold in 2009 for $482,000. So never think I am critical of people having asked higher prices in the past years. Lived it and get it! The market this year will be good as long as the sellers continue to price their homes to compensate for all the changes that have taken place in real estate. Buyers coming from city condos are taking less than they expected, jobs are still an issue, lenders have changed their requirements, appraisars have to be very careful....All of this equals if you want to sell your home price it competetively---if you need to sell your home fast---price it compellingly! And most important-call me.

Let's look at 2 of last year's teardowns in Western Springs

Johnson in Field Park lot 50 x 131 sold for $335,000 Bottom picture
Grove in Old Town sold for $520,000 lot size 75 x 151 x 85 x 151 Top Picture

New listing in Old Town of Western Springs

Home built in 1998, 5 bedrooms, 3 story only a couple of blocks to train. Newly, relisted in the MLS. Previously offered for $999,000 and now being listed for $865,000. If you are looking to buy in 2012 please give me a call. I love helping people find the right home for them. I have lived in Western Springs for the past 37 years but I have sold homes from Elmhurst to Park Ridge to Downers Grove to Chicago. Before you buy let's meet and see if we are a fit!

New for 2012 - Listings in Western Springs

Today there were two new listings. One of them had been on the market in 2007 for 469,000 and then rented out. It is now on the market for $340,000 as a short sale with an approved price by the bank. The Lis Pendens was filed in 2007. The other listing is a new listing-not listed previously. Nice ranch in Springdale for $399,000. Call me to start looking at houses this year.

Pink Flamingos fundraiser-LT National Honor Society

Happy Birthday - Congratulations - Surprise! These are the three signs that you can choose from to accompany your order of Flamingos. Orders will start up again from March until May 2012. The cost of a flocking is $25.00 and must be ordered at least two weeks in advance and located within the LT district.

Parent University at Lyons Township High School Feb. 4th from 8 am until 1:30 PM

15th annual LTHS Parent University will be at the South Campus. Cost is $20 with advance registration and $25.00 at the door. Continental breakfast will be served.

Keynote speaker Diane Leamy, PhD,LCSW will address "Taming the Worry Monster:Anxiety to Calm". There will also be breakout workshops. Find out more...

Closed 600 50th Place in Springdale of Western Springs

This 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath split level was first put on the market in 2010 for $649,900 and taken off after 63 days. Back on in 2011 for $599,000 and lowered to $590,000. Taken aff after 90 days and relisted for $569,900 for 14 days. Closed for $535,000. 70 x 125 lot, 2 tier deck, sunroom, 2 fireplaces and updated!