Summer will be here before you know-here are some great Summer Camps

Summer Camps

An interesting article on the water here in Western Springs

Find out about the water we will be drinking until the new plant is done.

Closed 5324 Johnson in Springdale of Western Springs

3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath listed for $295,000 and sold for $280,000. Built in 1957 and has a screen porch. On the market for 17 days

Closed in Springdale of Western Springs 5118 Harvey Avenue

Built in 1976 this 4 bedroom, 3 1/2 bath listed for $649,900 and closed for $590,000 Lot size 85 x 125 Updated 2 story. 35 days on the market

The process of a foreclosure

I am looking at a new listing that is bank owned. It had a lis pendens filed in July of 2009 and again in January of 2010. On June 16, 2011 a sale to the bank was recorded. The home was than listed on February 8th, 2012. This home is being offered until Feb. 23 through the Freddie Mac First look Initiative. People are always trying to understand how the process of a short sale and a foreclosure work. There is no one way. It depends on so many factors-which bank, how many mortgages on the property, and many, many more factors. Buying a bank owned property is not so difficult because by that point it is owned and able to be sold. On many of those sales there are multiple offers. Short sales are different. Most of them are not approved by the bank until weeks or even months after the offer is presented to the bank. Some go through with relative ease and others never end in a sale. Let me work with you to find the right home for you. Either a privately owned home, short sale, bank foreclosure.

Nice price reduction in Forest Hills of Western Springs

I noticed a home in Forest Hills that is a very nice 4 bedroom, 2 bath ranch on a 50 x 187 lot that was just reduced to $375,000. If you are looking for a buyer's agent to show you this home call me today!!!

Valentine's Day Raffle Prize for the Western Springs Raffle

This is the prize I will be raffling off on Monday the 13th. You will get a 16 piece box of fine chocolate truffles and I will also be bringing you a quart of ice cream from Oberweis. You pick the flavor! My receiving this coupon in the mail is your good fortune. If you do not get my newsletter currently sign up now so you can be part of the fun. WesternSpringsRaffle.com

Coming soon to the multiple listing service - Walk Score

I am forever amazed at all the advances in the listing information over the years. The computer has made it that you can stay at home and see everything we are listing in the comfort of your home along with many interior pictures to help you get a feeling for the home. However, if you are ready to seriously pursue buying start looking at the actual properties so you can see the total picture - where are the doors, windows, how does it sit on the lot, what do the surrounding homes look like, do I like the neighborhood? Some pictures on the MLS are very deceiving! But here is what I really wanted to tell you. A new feature will be added soon called Walk Score. It will give a rating of the walkability of the property to schools, churches, restaurants, towns, transportation and more. It should be a very nice feature that will help in the buying process. Stayed tune-it is not officially launched yet. Looking to buy? Call me- Linda at 708-334-5356 Full-time broker who has been doing real estate as a career for the past 30 years. I am the key to the door and much more. I will help you until you have found the home that you truly love. And when you do I will help you negotiate a fair, possibly even a great price. But remember not every home out there is over-priced and not every home out there is priced right. Together we can find the right property at the right price. check out Walk Score

Winner of the Floral Arrangement from Western Springs Raffle

Mary won the floral arrangement. She lives in Old Town and the new construction is a view from her front yard. Things seem to be heating up here in Western Springs.

Western Springs Raffle Prize for February 6th

The Historical Society will be giving this flag to number 86. See what all they do at their website. If you want to be part of the raffles sign up at WesternSpringsRaffle.com Clicking the enter link on the raffle brings you here and you are in for the prize!!! You cannot enter until you receive my newsletter next week.

Western Springs Senior Day Trip-Feb. 23rd

The Seniors will be taking a day trip to The Chicago History Museum for a one hour guided tour and lunch followed by a short visit to the Garfield Park Conservatory. February 23rd at 9:15 am. To find out more call 708-246-3299. I realize I have lived here all my life and I have not been to either of the places they will be going on the 23rd!

Preschool Screening for School District 101 in Western Springs

For children three through five who live in school district 101 and who will not be registering for kindergarten for the 2012 and 2013 school year will occur on April 26 and 27. A trained team from the Western Springs schools will screen and assess development in the areas of speech and language, vision and hearing, motor skills, and cognitive skills. These screenings will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church, 4370 Woodland Avenue in Old Town of Western Springs. Appointments can be made by contacting Mrs. Mary Zebert at the Board Office at 708-246-3700 between the hours of 8:30 am and 4 pm March 19-22 and again on April 2-4.

Kindergarten Screening in Western Springs District 101

April 9-11 at All Saints Episcopal Church, 4370 Woodland Avenue in Old Town of Western Springs. Screenings are by appointment only. Contact Mrs. Mary Zebert at the Board of Education Office at 708-246-3700 between the dates of March 5 and March 16 from 8:30 am to 4 pm. The kindergarten screening includes an opportunity to register for kindergarten. Please bring copies of county issued birth certificate, child's social security number and two proofs of residency(real estate tax bill and utility bill preferred). Only bring copies not originals. Registration and screening will take approximately one hour.

St. John of the Cross Pancake Breakfast February 12th

February 12th St. John of the Cross Pancacke Breakfast $7 for adults - 5-10 $3 and 4 and under FREE 8 am until 12:30 pm Sponsored by the St. John of the Cross Men's Club and Boy Scout Troop 117.

Looking for guest bloggers for schools that Western Springs children go to

I was hoping that some of you who have children at all the local schools would be so kind as to be a guest blogger on my site. People looking to move here love to know about out schools. Let me know!

Closed in Old Town of Western Springs 4244 Garden

On the market for 139 days. Listed at $469 down to 459 - 449-439-420-399 and Closed on February 2, 2012 for $396,000. Home has many updates including kitchen, baths, windows and a finished basement. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths on a 50 x 132 lot. Home had closed in Sept. of 2007 for $533,500. This reminds me why I bought a home in 2007 for my son to rehab just to loose $70,000. Having been a realtor for over 25 years I had believed the day would come when everything would have to stop going up and yet I waited until 2007 to buy a home to rehab! The fall was big and unexpected yet expected.

Coming soon 80 x 131 lot/house in Field Park

My office will be listing a property in the 350 range this week-end. If you are looking for a rehab or teardown give me a call. Linda 708-334-5356

Closed in Old Town of Western Springs 3929 Hampton

Closed on February 1, 2012 3 bedroom, 1 1/2 baths on a 50 x 150 lot. Listed for 299,900 and lowered to 275,000. Closed for 260000.

Cook County Tax Appeal Deadlines

I just received a call from one of my past clients wanting to know when the 30 days to appeal taxes is for this year. I went on to the Cook County Tax Appeal website to find out that right now it is Riverside, Norwood Park and River Forest.

I called over to the the Assessor's office for Lyons Township and they told me it is a very good idea for anyone that is planning on appealing their taxes to stop in now at their office and find out what they will need. Their office is located at 6404 Joliet Road in Countryside.

The Assessor gives the township dates but at the present time they do not know what they will be for this year. When they receive their dates they post them in the paper and you can follow the Cookcountyassessor.com for more information.

Hope this is helpful...appealing your taxes can help you keep them from getting out of control.