Category Archives: Downers Grove

Market Flooded With Home Buyers in Downtown Chicago and Suburban Chicagoland Areas

Posted on April 8, 2013 | Leave a comment

Many Home Buyers in Market

Market Flooded With Home Buyers in Downtown Chicago and Suburban Chicagoland Areas.

This trend is due to the fact that home buyers are trying to take advantage of low prices now – before they keep rising – as well as low interest rates making homes more affordable on a monthly payment basis. The Fed’s policies have kept rates low, giving the market a sugar high. Inventory is low in many areas, making it hard for some buyers to find the home that they really want. We’ve been in open houses in downtown Chicago lately where there are anywhere from 20-40 buyers inside – running into each other!

Ukrainian Village New Construction Property / Real Estate

For example single home and land prices in West Town…East Village & Ukrainian Village..Noble Square etc. has shot up 5-8% in the past 3-4 months – with decent land or good tear down or gut re-hab property being snapped up by various builders instantly. So to “get ahead of the curve” – Buyer Broker Chicagoland helps buyers identify properties before they even come onto the market (using a variety of techniques), in order to get our clients a property they want – at a price that they want.

Since early February, the market has been flooded with home buyers in the Chicagoland area. Buyer Broker Chicagoland has logged it’s best quarter in new clients and home closings in it’s ten year history.

532 N Hermitage Sold Out

We’ve represented clients in the $400,000-700,000 range in the Lincoln Park and Lakeview areas, and 700k to $1 million range in Bucktown, Ukranian Village, East Village, Wicker Park and other areas.

We are also representing clients in Arlington Heights, Palatine, Hawthorn Woods, Kildeer, Long Grove, Lake Zurich, Libertyville, Schaumburg, Downers Grove, and Aurora areas from 300-800k.

Most of our clients have been referred to us from past clients. Despite things being less of a buyer’s market than 2012 – we still beat the average price off in the communities we’ve had closings in – by about double the average price off for the entire area.

That kind of performance can be attributed to our extensive credentials – Certified Negotiation Consultant, Certified Negotiation Expert, Accredited Buyer Representative, Competitive Intelligence Professional, Graduate of the Realtor Institute, and Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource expert. and years of specialized expertise as an Exclusive Buyer Broker.

Certified Negotiation Expert

When you want to pay the least possible price for real estate in the Chicagoland area (or be guaranteed to win in multiple offer situations without exceeding your budget), give the specialists at Buyer Broker Chicagoland a call at 847-566-7558 to schedule a no-cost initial consultation.

We are ALWAYS 100% on the Home Buyer’s Side – and NEVER represent sellers. No dual agency – no conflicts of interest. Just pure exceptional expertise for home buyers.

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Posted in Arlington Heights, Aurora, Bucktown, Downers Grove, Downtown Chicago, East Village, Exclusive Buyer Agency, Exclusive Buyer Agent, Hawthorn Woods, Kildeer, Lake Zurich, LIbertyville IL, Lincoln Park, Long Grove, Noble Square, Northwest Suburbs, Palatine Ilinois, Schaumburg, Ukrainian Village, west town

Tagged Arlington Heights, Aurora, Bucktown, Downers Grove, Downtown Chicago, East Village, exclusive buyer agent, hawthorn woods, Kildder, Lake Zurich, Libertyville, Lincoln Park, long grove, Noble Square, northwest suburbs, Palatine, Schaumburg, Ukrainian Village, west town

Chicago is Rated the Best Metro Area for Bargain-hunting Home Buyers

Posted on July 16, 2012 | Leave a comment

Chicago is Rated the Best Metro Area for Bargain-hunting Home Buyers

Still a Buyer's Market in Chicagoland

According to Zillow (notorious for poor price estimates) – of the 50 largest metropolitan markets, the Chicago area is the top buyer’s market.

In other words – Zillow says that buyers have more negotiating power than in most other markets.

Zillow’s calculations provides a wake-up call for sellers who’ve heard reports of a generally improving housing market and may expect a higher price for their home.

(Yet – we also see many situations where there are multiple offers on a property – especially short sale properties.)

Zillow found that in May, forty eight percent of homes in the Chicago area sold for less than their previous selling price (kind of a no brainer if the previous sale was 3-7 years ago), and the median number of days those homes were listed on Zillow was 182 days.

About forty percent of homes listed in May had seen at least one price cut, and the median cut was 6.92 percent. The average discount on homes sold in May was 5 percent less than their most recent asking price.

In the Chicago market, Downers Grove, Northbrook, Palatine, Buffalo Grove and Orland Park were considered the top five communities for buyers trying to get a “good deal.”

Which communities in the Chicago area were the best for sellers?

Of the top five, three — Crown Point, Valparaiso and Munster — are in Indiana. Bolingbrook and Aurora round out the list.

Zillow’s calculations looked at sale-to-list-price ratios, the number of days a property spent on Zillow and the percentage of homes on the market with a price cut.

Other buyer’s markets nationally were Milwaukee, Cleveland, New York, Philadelphia, Jacksonville, Fla., Providence, R.I., Cincinnati, Hartford, Conn., and Houston.

The top seller’s market was San Jose, Calif., followed by San Francisco, Las Vegas, Sacramento, Calif., Phoenix, Riverside, Calif., Washington, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City and Austin, Texas.

In May, the median price of a home sold in the Chicago area rose, by only $100, but it was the first positive movement in that indicator in 50 months.

Last month, RealtyTrac reported that foreclosure activity in Illinois in May rose fifty four percent from the year earlier, giving Illinois the fifth-highest foreclosure rate in the nation, just behind California and just ahead of Florida.

Buyer Broker Chicagoland represents home buyers exclusively in the Chicago Metro area. As such – we are always on the buyer’s side 100% of the time – unlike a traditional agent. We are also Certified Negotiation Experts – helping buyers get thousands or tens of thousands of dollars in better purchase price.

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Posted in Buffalo Grove IL, Chicago Suburbs, Downers Grove, Northbrook, Palatine Ilinois, Uncategorized

Tagged Aurora, Bolingbrook, Buffalo Grove, buyer, buyers, Chicago, Downers Grove, market, Milwaukee, Northbrook, Palatine, s market, Zillow

Live Music in the Chicago area – from Wauconda to Hawthorn Woods to Arlington Heights to Downers Grove to Des Plaines to Crystal Lake to Wilmette to Naperville and More

Posted on June 21, 2012 | Leave a comment

Live Music in the Chicago area - from Wauconda to Hawthorn Woods to Arlington Heights to Downers Grove to Des Plaines to Crystal Lake to Wilmette to Naperville and More

Live Music in the Chicago area – from Wauconda to Hawthorn Woods to Arlington Heights to Downers Grove to Des Plaines to Crystal Lake to Wilmette to Naperville and More.

Courtesy of Buyer Broker Chicagoland

The following 7 towns have a FESTIVAL this week: Downers Grove, Geneva, Hickory Hills, Homer Glen, Northlake, Minooka, and Wauconda (Wauconda Fest – starts Thursday) and the Long Grove Strawberry Festival. See “www.festing.com“ or the
cities web sites for more info. Some of the bands playing at these festivals are on the list below….

This weekend, Lake Bluff is holding its annual art show, 10-5 on Saturday and Sunday, with lots of music, food and artwork. For more info, check out their site at www.artistsonthebluff.org

Friday, 22^nd, CJ Arthur’s in Wilmette has a terrific guitar player, John McHugh.

Also on Friday, Viper Alley in beautiful Lincolnshire has a good John Cougar Mellenkamp cover band, Mellencougar, followed by 1969 which plays music from that wonderful era.

Mount Prospect Summer Block Party is this Saturday. Hip Pockit plays from 7 to 8:30pm. The Block Party is located in Prospect Heights at the intersections of Camp McDonald Road and Elm. For more info call the park district, (847) 394-2848.

Milwaukee Fest is next week – June 27^th through July 8^th Here is the live band schedule for this weekend in the Chicago suburban area (which Buyer Broker Chicagoland covers when you have a friend or relative – who needs expert representation and negotiation – with someone always on their side…)

FRIDAY June 221. 7th Heaven – FESTIVAL, 3rd Street and Rt 38, Geneva, 7:30 PM

2. Infinity – FESTIVAL, 151st and Cedar Road, Homer Glen, 8:30 PM, REO, STYX, Journey

3. Maggie Speaks – FESTIVAL, 600 N. Main Street, Wauconda, 8 PM

4. The Cryin’ Shames – FESTIVAL, Burlington and Forest Ave, Downers Grove, 7 PM, 60′s hits

5. The Neverly Brothers – CONCERT IN THE PARK, 262 E. Palatine Road, Palatine, 8 - 9:30 PM, Rockabilly to British invasion

6. American English – CONCERT IN THE PARK, Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster, Naperville, 7:30 PM, $10/pp, Beatles tribute

7. 5 Guys Named Moe – CONCERT IN THE PARK, 570 Penny Road, East Dundee, 7 PM

8. Midway Ramblers – CONCERT IN THE PARK, 914 Hillgrove Ave, Western Springs, 5 -6:15 PM

9. Kimi Hayes – CONCERT IN THE PARK, 2 Lagoon Drive, Hawthorne Woods, 6 PM

10. Phoenixx – Manhattans, 300 S. Schmale Road, Carol Stream, 9 PM – 1 AM, 60-70′s rock n roll oldies, dance

11. Trio – Morgan’s Charhouse, Rt 38, Winfield, 8 PM

12. Rick Lindy and the Wild Ones – Ki’s, 705 North Ave (Rt 64), Glendale Heights, 8:30 PM – 12:30 AM, Retro rock

13. The Incognitos – Johnny’s Charhouse, 15200 S. 94th Ave, Orland Park, 8 PM, 50-80′s rock n roll oldies, dance

14. Bossy Dog – John and Tony’s, 27W371 North Ave (Rt 64), West Chicago, 8:30 PM – 11:30 PM

15. Soda – Ballydoyle, 5157 Main Street, Downers Grove, 9 PM, 60-90′s rock n roll, dance

16. 1969 band – Viper Alley, 275 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire, 9 – 10:30 PM, 60′s Woodstock

17. Frank and Dave – Eaglewood Resort, 1401 Nordic Road, Itasca, 8 – 11 PM

18. Person To Person – Venuti’s, 2251 W. Lake Street, Addison, 9:30 PM

19. R-Gang – Tavern on LaGrange, 5403 S. LaGrange Road, Countryside, 9 PM, R&B, Blues

20. The Rhythm Rockets – City Gate Grill, 2020 Calamos Court, Naperville, 8:30 PM – 12:30 AM

21. Rick Saucedo – Tuscano’s, 4926 River Road, Schiller Park, 9 PM, Elvis tribute

22. Cindi Cronin – Tuscany, 1415 W. 22nd Street, Oakbrook, 7 – 11 PM

23. Second Hand Soul band – Chambers, 6881 N. Milwaukee Ave, Niles, 8:30 PM

24. Debe Welch (solo) – Potbelly, 4999 Old Orchard Center, Skokie, 11:30 – 1:30 PM

25. C-Factor – DC Cobbs, 226 Main Street, Woodstock, ? TIME

26. Selective Recall – Cabana Charlies, 6315 Main Street, Woodridge, ? TIME

27. Smokin Gun – Last Shot Bar, 812 N. LaFox Street, South Elgin, 9:30 PM, Country

28. Cirrus Falcon – Weber Grill, 2331 Fountain Square, Lombard, 6 – 9 PM

29. Modern Day Romeos – Rivers Casino, 3000 S. River Road, Des Plaines, ? TIME

30. The Moods – (Maurice solo) – Villaggio’s, 1242 W. Lake Street, Roselle, 7:30 PM, R&B, Blues

31. The Wind Gypsys – Foxfire, 17W State Street (Rt 38), Geneva, 7:30 PM

32. Sundance – Blues Bar, 2 W. Busse Ave, Mount Prospect, 9:30 PM

33. The Wiggle-O’s – Brink Street Bar, 85 Brink Street, Crystal Lake, 9:30 PM

34. Mellencougar – Viper Alley, 275 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire, 8 PM, John Mellencamp tribute

35. Vito Zatto show – Dolce Amore, 2112 Winding River Road, Naperville, 8 PM

36. The Vampire Orchestra – American Legion, 310 W. Butterfield Road, Elmhurst, 8:30 PM

37. LaVerne and Paul – Milano Ristorante Italiano, 40W188 Campton Crossing Drive, Campton Hill (near St Charles), 6 – 9 PM

38. ABBA Salute – The Wallace Bowl, 1200 Wilmette Ave, Wilmette, 8 – 10 PM

39. Swinging The Standards – Vincitori Italian, 14 N. Cass, Westmont, 7 PM

40. Lisa McClowry – Luigi’s, 778 N. Rt 59, Aurora, 8 PM

41. Chicago Style Trio – Casey’s, 415 E. North Ave, Lombard, 7:30 – 11:30 PM
———————————————————————
SATURDAY June 23

1. Looney Train – FESTIVAL, Wolf Road and Whitehall Ave, Northlake, 6:30 PM

2. Flat Cats – FESTIVAL, Burlington and Forest Ave, Downers Grove, 4:30 – 6 PM

3. The Renditions – FESTIVAL, Wolf Road and Whitehall Ave, Northlake, ? TIME, 50-70′s rock n roll oldies, dance

4. Hi Infidelity – FESTIVAL, 113 S. Third Street, Geneva, 8 – 9:30 PM, REO, STYX, Journey

5. R-Gang – FESTIVAL, 600 N. Main Street, Wauconda, 7:30 PM, R&B, Blues

6. The Neverly Brothers – FESTIVAL, 94th Street and Roberts Road, Hickory Hills, 7 – 10 PM, Rockabilly to British invasion

7. American English – FESTIVAL, Wolf Road and Whitehall Ave, Northlake, 9:15 – 11:15 PM, Beatles tribute

8. ARRA – FESTIVAL, Wabena Ave and Mondamin Street, Minooka, 8:45 – 11:30 PM, REO, STYX, Journey

9. Friction – FESTIVAL, Cook Park, 600 N. Main Street, Wauconda, 9:30 PM

10. Hillbilly Rock – FESTIVAL, 600 N. Main Street, Wauconda, 5:30 – 7 PM

11. The Incognitos – CONCERT IN THE PARK, Village Hall, 600 Harvest Gate, Lake in the Hills, 7 – 8:30 PM, 50-80′s rock n roll oldies, dance

12. Libido Funk Circus – CONCERT IN THE PARK, 110 W. Camp McDonald Road, Prospect Heights, 9 PM

13. Midnight band – CONCERT IN THE PARK, 173rd Place and Oak Park Ave, Tinley Park, 7 – 10 PM

14. The Meteors – Lakeside Lodge, 3555 Grand Dominion Circle, Mundelein, 5 – 8 PM, outside, 50-70′s rock n roll oldies, dance

15. Denny Diamond – Dog N Suds, Rollins Road and Washington Street, Fox Lake, 6:30 PM, Neil Diamond tribute

16. Sam Savage – Ki’s, 705 North Ave (Rt 64), Glendale Heights, ? TIME

17. Hot Rocks – Cheeseburger in Paradise, 2970 Finley Road, Downers Grove, 9 PM – 12:30 AM, Rolling Stone tribute

18. Rick Lindy and the Wild Ones – Strawberry Festival, 132 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove, 6 – 8 PM, Retro rock

19. Rick Lindy and the Wild Ones – Sergio’s, 280 N. Rohlwing Road, Itasca, 8:45 PM – 12:45 AM, Retro rock

20. Mike and Joe – Ballydoyle, 28 W. New York Street, Aurora, 10:30 PM

21. The Fairlanes – El Sombrero, 1100 S. Elmhurst Road, Mt Prospect, 9:30 PM – 1:30 AM, 50-60′s rock n roll oldies, dance

22. Rico – Harley Davidson, 9950 Joliet Road, Countryside, Noon – 4 PM

23. The Crown Vics – Dell Rhea’s Chicket Basket, 645 Joliet Road, Willowbrook, 8 PM – midnight

24. Karen Hart band – Strawberry Festival, Rt 53 and Rt 83, Long Grove, 3 PM

25. Downtown Charlie Brown – Carlucci, 1801 Butterfield Road, Downers Grove, 9 PM, Blues

26. Cindi Cronin – Melinas, 940 N. York Road, Elmhurst, 6:30 – 10:30 PM

27. Tony Ocean show – Tavern on LaGrange, 5403 S. LaGrange Road, Countryside, 9 PM – midnight

28. Cadillac Casanovas – Ed and Joe’s, 17332 Oak Park Ave, Tinley Park, 8:30 PM

29. 7th Heaven – Arboretum, 100 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington, 4:30 PM

30. 7th Heaven – H.O.M.E. Bar, 1227 N. Rand Road, Prospect Heights, ? TIME

31. Modern Day Romeos – DC Cobbs, 226 Main Street, Woodstock, ? TIME

32. Cirrus Falcon – Festival of Fine Craft, Sheridan and Park, Highland Park, 10 AM – 5 PM

33. Cirrus Falcon – Lovells, 915 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest, 8 PM

34. The Wind Gypsys – Village Tavern, 135 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove, 6:30 PM

35. Blue Road – McBride’s Pub, 7162 Caton Farm Road, Plainfield, 9 PM – 1 AM

36. Vito Zatto show – Tuscano’s, 4926 River Road, Schiller Park,7 PM

37. The Cruisers – American Legion Post 1080, 2625 Ingalls Ave, Joliet, 8 PM – midnight

38. The B-Side band – Docks, 313 E. Liberty Street, Wauconda, 7 PM

39. Trio – London Club, 394 W. Virginia Street, Crystal Lake, 9 PM

40. Windy City Revups – Francesca’s Passaggio, 3124 S. Rt 59, Naperville, 7 – 10 PM

41. Assisted Living – Bistro One, 1 West Illinois, St Charles, 7 – 10 PM

42. LaVerne and Paul – Elks Club, 495 Lee Street, Des Plaines, 6:30 – 10 PM

43. White Saddle band – Strawberry Festival, Old McHenry Road and Robert Parker Coffin, Long Grove, Noon

44. Friction – Arboretum, 100 Higgins Road, South Barrington, 3 PM

45. Laura Preston – Charlie’s Charhouse, 1180 W. Devon, Elk Grove Village, 7 – 11 PM

46. Shindigs – Chianti’s, 3rd Street, Geneva, 7 – 11 PM, 60-70′s rock n roll oldies, dance

47. Cover Story – Strawberry Festival, 132 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove, 3 PM, 50-70′s rock n roll oldies, dance

48. Hillbilly Rock – Jameson’s Pub, 2755 Black Road, Joliet, 10 PM

49. Bruce Oscar Trio – Morgan’s Charhouse, 27W150 Roosevelt Road, Winfield, ? TIME

50. Hip Pockit – Block Party, Camp McDonald Road and Elm, Prospect Heights, 7 -8:30 PM

51. MissBehavin – Clark’s Saloon, 37895 N. Sheridan Road, Beach Park, 9 PM

52. Pianoman – Church of the Holy Spirit Family Fest, 1451 Bode Road, Schaumburg, 8:30 PM, Elton John and Billy Joel tribute

53. Billy Croft and 5 Alarm – The Dam Bar, 65 N. River Lane, Geneva, 7 PM

54. Mike Valetine – Mama Vesuvio East, 6361 W. College Drive, Palos Heights, 7 PM

55. Diva Crossing – Alibi, 12N 3rd Street, St Charles, 7:30 PM
———————————————————————
SUNDAY June 24

1. Evolution – FESTIVAL, Burlington and Forest Ave, Downers Grove, ? TIME, REO, STYX, Journey

2. Beach Bum band – FESTIVAL, Cook Park, 600 N. Main Street, Wauconda, 5 PM

3. The Neverly Brothers – CONCERT IN THE PARK, Geneva Commons next to Houluhans restaurant, Geneva, 5 – 7 PM, Rockabilly to British invasion

4. Trio – CONCERT IN THE PARK, Hudson Crossing Park, Oswego, Noon – 2 PM

5. Flat Cats – CONCERT IN THE PARK, Mitchell Park, Deerfield, 5 – 6:30 PM

6. HillBilly Rock – CONCERT IN THE ROCK, 9446 S. Raymond Street, Oaklawn, 7 – 9:30 PM

7. Soda – Captain’s Quarters, 38283 N. Bolton Place, Antioch, 3 PM, 60-90′s rock n roll, dance

8. Libido Funk Circus – Block Party and Music fest, 100 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington, 3 PM

9. 7th Heaven (unplugged) – Strawberry Festival, 132 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove, 4 PM

10. R-Gang – Breidert Green, Kansas Street, Frankfort, 6:30 PM, R&B, Blues

11. ABBA Salute – Church Of The Holy Spirit Family Fest, 1451 Bode Road, Schaumburg, 8:30 PM

12. Wind Gypsys – Strawberry Festival, Towner Green, Long Grove, 3 – 5 PM

13. Kimi Hayes – Blarney Island, 27843 W. Grass Lake Road, Antioch, 3 – 7 PM

14. Cirrus Falcon – Festival of Fine Craft, Sheridan and Park, Highland Park, 10 AM – 5 PM

15. The Cruisers – CD and ME, 23320 S. LaGrange Road, Frankfort, 3 – 7 PM

16. Modern Day Romeos – Block Party Music Festival, Arboretum, South Barrington,
———————————————————————-
MONDAY June 25

1. Aprils Reign – Classic Car Cruise, 222 E. 9th Street, Lockport, 6:30 – 8:30 PM

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Posted in Arlington Heights, Bands, Crystal Lake, Des Plaines, Downers Grove, Festival, Fests, Hawthorn Woods, Live Music, Long Grove, Naperville, South Barrington, Wilmette

6724 Meadowcrest Drive, DOWNERS GROVE, IL 60516

Posted on June 21, 2012 | Leave a comment

6724 Meadowcrest Drive, DOWNERS GROVE, IL 60516

RANCH LOCATED ON A CUL-DE-SAC AND BACKING TO McCOLLUM PARK. REMODELED KITCHEN WITH CENTER ISLAND W/ NEWER TILE, LIGHTING & PLUMBING FIXTURES, AND STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES. REMODELED BATH WITH NEWER TILE, LIGHTING, SOAKING TUB AND PEDESTAL SINK. THERMOPANE WINDOWS, LARGE REAR DECK .

Looking for a home in Downers Grove in the 200-300k range? We can certainly show you homes like this. Over 95% of our clients are first time home buyers. How we differ is that we point out the NEGATIVES of given homes – giving you insights you wouldn’t have with a typical agent. We are also professional negotiators, and Certified Negotiation Experts. Unlike a traditional “buyer agent” (they and their company list properties for sale) – as an Exclusive Buyer Brokerage – (Exclusive Buyer Agents) – we are ALWAYS on the home buyer’s side, and never represent sellers. Should you choose to explore having the best form of representation for your home purchase in Downers Grove IL, please call us at 847-566-7668 or e-mail us to schedule an appointment, so we can see if you are a good fit.

We're sorry, but we couldn't find MLS # 08041143 in our database. This property may be a new listing or possibly taken off the market. Please check back again.

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Posted in Downers Grove, first time buyer, Single Family Home

The Real Estate Market is Hopping With Home Buyers in Chicago’s Suburbs and Downtown Chicago This Spring – From Lake Zurich and Palatine, to the North Shore – to Downers Grove, Lombard and Naperville, to Bucktown and Wicker Park

Posted on April 26, 2012 | Leave a comment

The Real Estate Market is Hopping With Home Buyers in Chicago’s Suburbs and Downtown Chicago This Spring – From Lake Zurich and Palatine – to the North Shore, to Downers Grove, Lombard and Naperville, to Bucktown and Wicker Park

It is off-to-the- races for home buyers in the Chicagoland area!

Folks – the market has changed. It’s off-to-the-races for home buyers. I can’t tell you how many offers there are now on short sale, foreclosure, new construction and owner occupied homes this spring….. LOTS. In many cases, we are encountering multiple offer situations for homes that are priced right that have been well taken care of (and that are not too dated for the price) or for short sale properties.

We are swamped with new home buyer clients

We are swamped with home buyer clients wanting Chicagoland’s best real estate negotiator on their side! We’ll lead you along a safe path to closing – after negotiating a killer price.

Downtown Chicago

We have a client heading to closing on a Bucktown property, and 5 clients in the Downers Grove / Lombard / Naperville area, and a number of clients in the Northwest Suburbs (Palatine, Lake Zurich, Vernon Hills), and a North Shore client.

Rates are down, but with the economy improving they are expected to go up – so there are a lot of people flocking to buy low and lock in a low rate. By summer, and certainly by fall – we expect that interest rates will tick higher.

Home Sales are Up across the Chicagoland area. From Palatine, Lake Zurich, Vernon Hills, to the North Shore to Downers Grove, Lombard, Naperville to Bucktown, Wicker Park and Downtown Chicago

Today – it was revealed that pending sales of existing homes rose to their highest level in nearly two years in March, according to the National Association of Realtors’ latest Pending Home Sales Index.

The index, which represents contracts signed but not yet closed, jumped a seasonally adjusted 4.1 percent from February to March, to 101.4. That’s the highest index level since April 2010, when the deadline for a federal homebuyer tax credit program loomed. The index was 111.3 then. Pending sales were up 10.8 percent from the same time a year ago on a non-seasonally adjusted basis.

An index score of 100 is equal to the average level of sales contract activity in 2001, a robust year for home sales and the first year examined. The index typically represents about 20 percent of all existing-home transactions. Contracts signed in March typically close one or two months later.

“First-quarter sales closings were the highest first-quarter sales in five years. The latest contract signing activity suggests the second quarter will be equally good,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist, in a statement.

Home sales turned a corner

“The housing market has clearly turned the corner,” Yun said. “Rising sales are bringing down inventory and creating much more balanced conditions around the county, which means home prices will be rising in more areas as the year progresses.”

If you’d like to put Chicagoland’s best real estate negotiators on your side, and have an agent who is TOTALLY ON YOUR SIDE (versus half on your side as a so-called “buyer agent” can be – ie – they and their company list property for sale) then call 847-566-7558 to set up an initial consultation to see if you qualify. You can visit Buyer Broker Chicagoland for more information.