Real Estate Blog

Illinois currently has a Shelter in Place Mandate, asking all of us to stay in our homes and only going out for essential needs, such as food and medical supplies. With that said, Illinois has stated that real estate is an essential service, so real estate is still open for business.

This includes listing properties, buyers viewing those properties in person, and some agents are still holding open houses. Closings are occurring but they’re just being done differently. Most are not happening in a title company with 2 attorneys, 2 agents, buyers, sellers, and the title reps. Many are happening in the parking lot with paperwork being passed through windows with only the title rep & the buyers (sellers are signing prior to the closing by going into

16714 Westwind Dr, Tinley Park IL  60477

This is the lowest priced townhouse in popular Westwind subdivision (there is a lower-priced short sale currently under contract).  Now is your chance to get a 2 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath townhouse with an upper-level den/loft with a fireplace and a finished basement with a 2nd kitchen.  It's an estate sale that needs updating, but it's a great place with plenty of space.

There is an L-shaped living/dining room set-up.  All appliances will remain in both kitchens, plus the washer & dryer.  The master bedroom en suite offers a private full bathroom plus a walk-in closet.  The 2nd bedroom has double closets.  The loft/den with a fireplace is also on this level (as well as the full hall bathroom).

The lower

16504 67th CT, Tinley Park IL 60477

Click on the address link above to view a website created just for this Tinley Park home for sale.  Convenient one-level living with 3 bedrooms, 1 1/2 bathrooms (both updated), plus a garage.

As you step in the door off the covered front porch (for relaxing on fair weather days), you'll notice the open concept living room and kitchen with hardwood and tile flooring.  The kitchen is updated with a double-tiered island with an eating area plus the cooktop on the island.  Appliances will stay.

The three bedrooms include a master en suite with a private, updated half bathroom.  The full bathroom has been recently updated with a new Bathfitters tub and surround.  The laundry area is off the master bedroom.

The

Despite some recession scares predicted for 2020, we are in a lengthy healthy economy and many experts don't see things slowing down anytime soon. It is believed that the real estate market will continue growing in the coming year.

With that good forecast for 2020, we will see a recession at some point, and you might wonder how this will affect the real estate market when it occurs.  In the Great Recession of 2008, prices plummeted, but that hasn't always happened with prior recessions.  Most believe that prices dropped so drastically because they were highly inflated to begin with.  Income was not keeping up with the housing market and I knew it couldn't get much higher.

In our past 5 recessions, during three of them, home prices actually

Everyone is nervous about something bad happening on moving day. The majority of the mishaps one might hear and read about are, fortunately, very preventable. Supplies and know-how make the packing process a breeze, and turn moving day from a stressful trial to little more than a usual chore. Adding a few extra items to a pre-move checklist and learning a few tricks of the trade helps anyone prevent damages during their move, no matter how far their items will travel. 

Avoiding Damage to Your Items

The packing process for fragile items is mainly uniform. First, the items should be coated with some sort of protection. We recommend wrapping items in bubble wrap or packing paper. The added layer of protection helps absorb any shocks caused in

For most of us, we look forward to the upcoming holidays and celebrating with our family and at our workplaces.  In the past, we'd have to worry about pickpockets (we still do), but today's scams can hurt us without being near us physically. 

I've written an article about home security, and you need to take your credit and identity protection as seriously, if not more.  Scams, identity theft, and stolen charge card numbers spike around the holidays.  Following are tips on protecting yourself from 8 different scams:    

1. Data Breaches 

Using charge cards and doing online shopping during the holidays is great for the different stores and suppliers.  As we've seen, hackers and scammers can break into big company sites that we felt we could

16225 Lake Villa Ave, Tinley Park IL  60477

Click the address link above to see a website created just for this rare duplex-styled Tinley Park townhouse for sale - it's only connected to one other unit!  It is located in the popular Park Place subdivision.

This large unit offers 2 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, a main level, 2nd level, lower level plus an unfinished basement!  There is an attached 2-car garage that enters right into the kitchen, which is so convenient when coming home with groceries.

As you step into the private entry you'll notice the vaulted ceilings in the living and dining rooms.  There is brand new carpet throughout and fresh paint. 

Wait until you see the spacious kitchen full of white cabinets, offering plenty of storage. 

If you're looking for some cool gifts this holiday, you've come to the right place! We have compiled a list of today's popular technology gifts for the home.  Get some of these as gifts for others or buy them for your own home.

For Your Entryway

I posted an article this year about home security (the link to the post, with a video, is below this article).  Home security systems are becoming commonplace, but not everyone has jumped on the trend.  For those that are still on the fence, you might want to get them the gift of security. 

Smart Lighting

Did you know that the inventor of Ring video doorbells was turned down on Shark Tank?  They are kicking themselves now! 

The Ring Smart Light System offers accessories that work in conjunction

I have to admit that I'm kind of surprised when I begin working with a buyer and they truly don't know their FICO score or much about their credit at all.  I've worked with several buyers that assured me they were pre-qualified by a mortgage lender only to find out that they weren't.  These buyers just figured they could buy a house.  When I had them speak to one of my lenders, they had to clean up their bad credit.

The first thing you need to do before looking at homes is to check on your credit.  It's not a good feeling when you fall in love with a house only to find out you can't get a mortgage on it.  You put time, effort and emotions into house hunting and it really hurts when you find out you are not creditworthy to buy, after you've found

5329 Woodland Dr, Unit B, Oak Forest IL  60452

Click the address link above to see the website created for this unique main level condo with a private entrance and no one on top!  Located in popular Shade Tree subdivision, this cute Oak Forest condominium is affordable and move-in ready.  Check out more with multiple photos and room sizes here.

This unit has great curb appeal and the interior has been freshly painted and has brand new carpet in the two bedrooms.  The living/dining combo has wood laminate flooring and features a fireplace for those cold winter nights. The cute galley kitchen has a window and all appliances will remain.

The master bedroom is large with a wall of closets.  It also has access to the shared full bathroom.  There is a