Saturday, December 31, 2011

Year-end report on number of single family homes sold in Western Springs

There were 104 homes reported sold this year through the MLS. The lowest price sale was $200,000 and the highest price was $1,980,000. There were 11 sales in the 200's(that price range had disappeared but looks like it is back), 28 in the 300's(in the height of the teardown craze many of these would have been over 400),
23 in the 400's, 13 in the 500,000's, 6 in the 600's, 5 in the 700's, 4 in the 800's and 8 in the 900's. Over a million there were 6 sales. $1,135,000, $1,145,000, $1,325,00, $1,326,000, $1,435,000 and $1,980,000. These homes over a million were all built between 2002 until 2011.

There were 5 foreclosures in the above, 1 court ordered sale and 2 short sales.

If you are planning on selling in the new year call me for my professional opinion. I would love to meet with you.

Closed 3837 Forest in Old Town of Western Springs



This home had a finished 3rd floor, finished basement, 5 bedrooms, 5 1/2 baths and a 50 x 167 lot. Home was completed in 2008.

This home was originally listed in 2007 for $1,249,500 and on the market for 665 days during that period with an end price of $1,149,000. Back on in November 2008 for $1,095,000 for 52 days. Put back on in January 2009 for $1,095,000 and on the market for 463 days ending at $899,900. Put back on April 23, 2010 for $899,900 and cancelled on Sept. 7, 2010-138 days. Home was but back on November 9, 2011 for $631,378 and sold for $660,000 in 10 days.

This home was a foreclosure. This year in Western Springs there were 5 foreclosure sales reported through the MLS and 2 short sales plus one court ordered sale.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Closed Dec. 28th 5240 Central in Forest Hills of Western Springs


Home was originally listed in July of 2010 for $549,000 and lowered to 482 than 445 and it expired after 189 days. Back on at $419,900 lowered to 394,900 than 364,900 and 319,000. It got a contract on it in Oct. but was reactivated and the price was put back at $329,000 on 10/26. Home closed for $329,000 on Dec. 28th.

Excellent lot 85 x 150 and a 4 bedroom(all bedrooms on 2nd floor), 2 1/2 bath split-level with a sub-basement. 2 1/2 car attached garage-home built in 1967. on the market for 299 days. Sold "As is". In my opinion at the price it sold it is a good rehab or a teardown.

Call me to discuss real estate. Over 30 years as a full-time realtor.

Market Time for 558 - Western Springs

Market Time for 558 - Western Springs

Here are some interesting charts showing the market time for a traditional sale verses REO(bank owned) and short sales. My prediction is bank owned homes will start selling quicker this year. There are a lot of bank owned properties that will hit the market and they often come on at unbelievable prices. I don't know how many there will be in Western Springs. Short sales continue to take a long time. In some rare cases they are quick but it depends on the bank.

Closed Sales for 558 - Western Springs

Closed Sales for 558 - Western Springs


Here are the number of homes that sold this year. Currently there are 100 homes on the market. Many more will come on in the new year. If selling is part of your plan call me so we can discuss price and condition.

Linda

Percent of Orig. List Price Received for 558 - Western Springs

Percent of Orig. List Price Received for 558 - Western Springs

Homes in Western Springs have been selling for 89% of the original list price for the past three years. If you must sell Price you home aggressively from the beginning. Most homes have had multiple price reductions before they sell.

Need a realtor in 2012???---Call me!!!

Median Sales Price for 558 - Western Springs

Median Sales Price for 558 - Western Springs

Friday, December 23, 2011

Closed in Ridgewood of Western Springs 5723 Ridgewood Dr



On the market for 168 days. Originally listed for $329,000 and lowered to $309,000 and than $299,000 and last list price was $284,500. Closed for $263,5000 on December 23rd. 3 bedroom, 2 bath with a master bath. 100 x 138 x 101 x 101

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Closed 5219 Howard in Springdale of Western Springs


Sold in 22 days. Listed for $492,000 and sold for $500,000. 3700 sq. ft. house on a large lot. Basement w/fpl and family room, first fl. family room, large master suite. Hardwood floors. Sold in 2007 for $820,000. This was a bank owned property.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Closed 4700 Howard Western Springs


This home sits on a 75 x 131 lot and was built in 1967. 5 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths. On the market for 156 days. Started at $699,000 and lowered to $649,000 and closed for $580,000.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Old Town South winner of the $10 Western Springs Gift Certificate



Megan lives on Woodland in Old Town South. They moved here in June and love it! They got a new home walk to Starbucks and train. Welcome to Western Springs...it is a great place to live and raise a family.

Join the fun and signup for the Western Springs Raffle at www.WesternSpringsRaffle.com

Winner of the $10 Western Springs Gift Certificate



Peg on Prospect was the winner of a gift card to the local merchants. Peg lives on a great block in Old Town North.

Join the fun...sign up at Westernspringsraffle.com

Winner of an Oberweis Gift Card



Elaine had a choice between Oberweis and Starbucks and went for the Oberweis gift card. I could use a tin roof sundae right now!

Closed in Forest Hills of Western Springs 4832 Grand Avenue


On a large 65 x 187 lot this home has 3 br's, 2 1/2 baths, sunroom, family room and a finished basement. Sold in 11 days. Listed for $689,000 and closed at $635,000.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Closed 3901 Ellington in Field Park of Western Springs



Originally listed May 10, 2006 for $1,545,000-lowered to $1,515,000 to $1,445,000 than $1,399,000 and cancelled on May 18, 2007 after 374 days. Put back on May 18,2007 for $1,389,000 lowered to $1,319,000 expired in 57 days. Back on in August 2007 for $1,299,000-stayed on for 183 days. Back on June 2, 2008 for $1,290,000 for 96 days. Taken off the market from Sept. 2008 until October 2010. New in October 2010 for $1,230,000 lowered to $1,199,800 than $1,179,800 than $1,156,000 to $1,132,880 to $1,122,880 to $1,100,000 to $1,060,000. After 393 days it closed on December 12, 2012 for $922,500.

Home has 5 bedroom and 1 in LL, 6 1/2 baths and was completed in 2007. Lot 59 x 131

Closed on December 12th 212 51st in Springdale of Westerm Springs



Estate sale-this home has 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and was on the market for 106 days. Originally listed for $470,000 and lowered to $450,000 than $430,000. Sale price was $380,000.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Check out the Gift Items at Passing Fancy

1) Handcrafted cards, handmade gift tags, and cards specially designed to hold gift cards
They can be used for birthday, holiday, thank-yous, anything... as they are "exquisitely decorated" on the outside, lined and blank in the inside for you to write your own personalized greetings or well wishes, etc. Each card is a mini piece of art!

2) Hand knitted accessories crafted with a variety of interesting yarns, fibers, patterns and a rainbow of colors! There are caps, hats, scarves, capelets, mini purses with handles, etc You'll want to try them on and it'll still be a difficult decision!

3) Jewelry - lots of beautiful, unique pieces to choose from and made from beads, gems, glass, crystals, fibers, fabric; colorful or muted choices. You'll feel like you're in a jewelry candy shop!There are necklaces, bracelets, earrings and pins - sold as individual items or sets.

4) Hair accessories - the latest in style! wrapped headbands, embellished with flowers, gems or feathers - it'll be hard to choose!

5) Paintings and cards - From portraits, landscapes, still life subjects and different sizes to choose from. Professionally painted with watercolors and oils and pastels. Something for everyone!


This collection can be found in the storefront of the Old Town Art Studio, 1052 Hillgrove Ave, Western Springs.The studio is located on the next block west from The Community Bank of Western Springs and is sandwiched between Initially Ewe, the yarn shop and barber shop. e by local artists. Open Friday Dec. 9th from 11-5 and Sat. 11-3:30

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Is it a good time of the year to buy a home?

I think so. And no, it is not because I am a realtor. I would also like to kick back and do very little for the rest of the month. That is funny-there is more to do in December than most months both at home and socially.

But back to buying a home. There is less competition for the homes that are on the market. Sellers who keep their homes on the market during the holidays generally are very ready to make a sale. Interest rates are still at a 50 year low. I believe this type of environment lasts through Jan. But come Feb. 15th we see more buyers out there and the competition for homes in a certain price range picks up.

So if you are done with your mall shopping and want to look at houses call me. I would be happy to be your realtor.

Closed 313 Burlington-2 flat in Western Springs


2 flat located on the southside of the tracks. Listed for 1150 days. First put on the market in 2008 for $474,850. Price was changed to $429,500 down to $415,500 in 2009. In 2010 price lowered to $385,000 than 365 to 349 and the MAGIC NUMBER for this property was $335,000. At this point it sold and closed on November 15th for $310,000.

Side-by-side townhomes with 2 br, 1 1/2 bath on one side and 3 br, 1 1/2 bath on the other side. Unfinished basement.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Sold 5221 Lawn in Forest Hills of Western Springs


On the market for 70 Days. This home started at 319,900 and was lowered to 299,900 and than 279,900 and closed for $245,000. This is a 3 br, 2 bath home with a sub-basement. I think this was an incredible buy for a home on a 50 x 187 lot. This size lot was selling in the low 400's not long ago. All of us who know Western Springs had seen prices in the 200's disappear but they have returned this year.

I am not saying the market it bad but prices have adjusted even in my town!