I think that you will probably already know this, but I will say it anyway – Kitchens and Bathrooms sell homes! Buyers love them and sellers love to show them off!

Kitchens are always an important area in any house and when it comes to remodelling them you need to keep up with the latest trends - particularly if you are planning on selling your home anytime soon.

The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), founded in 1963 as The American Institute of Kitchen Dealers, has nearly 40,000 members. Earlier this year it released its top trends for kitchens in 2010, so sellers in NW Suburban Chicagoland take note!

Top Trends:

1. Concealed Kitchens – Subtlety is the key here – Kitchens where the area blends with the rest of home so that the kitchen doesn’t look “obvious” allowing more flexible use of space.

2. Thirst Quenching Stations – Undercounter refrigerators, wine coolers and built in coffee stations are all the rage right now! They offer convenience and a high end look.

3. Round Edges – Softer lines when it comes to countertops and cabinets. Rounding out those edges creates a smooth traffic flow and harmony to the room.

4. Varied Heights – Using islands and different height countertops is useful, popular and fun! It offers variety for the user and tricks the eye.

5. Asian Influences – Simple, minimalist and clean lines from the far east have been trendy for a long time and their reign continues. Using a piece of oriental artwork as a focal point in a kitchen can help enhance this feeling if you cannot remodel the entire kitchen.

Overall function is of the most importance – So for buyers – when looking at homes, a trendy kitchen can help you when it comes to resale. Sellers – if your kitchen is looking in need of a makeover consider some of these trends it could help you get a sale!

Whether you are a first time buyer trying to determine how much you can afford, or an experienced buyer who is selling your current property and ready to buy your next home I can help you with all your real estate needs in the Chicagoland Northwest Suburbs Area.

Finding your dream home or finding a buyer is only part of the challenge of a successful transaction. Click here to search Bartlett IL, Schaumburg IL and the Hoffman Estates using our complimentary MLS Search service. You can also view our fantastic range of featured properties!

Alternatively please contact me today if you need more specific assistance in your real estate needs. You can call the office on: 847-874-6731 or Cell phone on: 847-913-2606 or of course email me at: Joe@JoeStacy.com

My expertise, experience and dedication to you and your specific needs are anything but average – it’s why this office is number one in the Northwest Suburbs year after year!

Joe Stacy
2570 W. Schaumburg Rd
Schaumburg, IL 60194

Ok so we have just said that 2nd quarter Metro data is great right? NAR now have released their July 2010 figures, but the results are not as good as you might thing as it first may seem. Home sales grew thanks to the surge of buyers trying to get in to qualify for the homebuyer tax credits at the last minute but dropped sharply afterwards thanks to a false market.

However, do not despair there is definitely some great news in this lastest NAR release.

Lawrence Yun, NAR’s Chief Economist has said that slightly lower numbers may continue for a few more months after the surge of buyers but that they should level out due to the high level of affordability. In particular mortgage rates which are according to Freddie Mac below 4.5% last week for a traditional 30 year loan – can you believe that? It really is amazing!

In terms of sales there is actually some good news – if you look at 2010 as a whole, annual sales are expected to reach 5 million in 2010 because of healthy activity in the first half of the year and then projected stability for the latter part of the year. To place that in perspective, annual sales averaged 4.9 million in the past 20 years, and 4.4 million over the past 30 years meaning that overall 2010 is one of the best years in decades for home sales!

How about prices? Well there is some interesting national news on prices! The national median existing-home price for all housing types was up 0.7% from a year ago, Single-family median existing-home prices were higher in 11 out of 19 metropolitan statistical areas reported in July in comparison with July 2009. Which is important, showing price stability and potential future growth. So buyers reading this – current affordability levels are unlikely to continue for much longer!

Raw unsold inventory is 12.9% below July 2008 numbers which was the record, showing that things overall are trending in the right direction. The level of investor purchases also increased with investors accounting for 19% of sales in July, up from 13% in June.

I am the eternal optimist – on the face of it, NAR’s release looks negative but there is more too it than meets the eye! So despite a pause in the trend of home sales increasing the figures show that now is the time to invest in Northwest Chicagoland Real Estate!

Whether you are a first time buyer trying to determine how much you can afford, or an experienced buyer who is selling your current property and ready to buy your next home I can help you with all your real estate needs in the Chicagoland Northwest Suburbs Area.

Finding your dream home or finding a buyer is only part of the challenge of a successful transaction. Click here to search Bartlett IL, Schaumburg IL and the Hoffman Estates using our complimentary MLS Search service. You can also view our fantastic range of featured properties!

Alternatively please contact me today if you need more specific assistance in your real estate needs. You can call the office on: 847-874-6731 or Cell phone on: 847-913-2606 or of course email me at: Joe@JoeStacy.com

My expertise, experience and dedication to you and your specific needs are anything but average – it’s why this office is number one in the Northwest Suburbs year after year!

Joe Stacy
2570 W. Schaumburg Rd
Schaumburg, IL 60194

Remember my article back in March about “The Benefits of Homeownership In Northwest Chicagoland’s Suburbs” well NAR have stated again that Homeownership is really good for you!

After all, as they say, Homeownership and Stable communities go hand in hand. Most of us know that the higher the level of homeownership in a neighborhood, generally crime is lower and the quality of life is higher because homeowners are more active in their communities there are improved education opportunities and a higher level of happiness!

Homeowners move far less frequently than renters, and therefore are embedded into the same neighborhood and community for longer. This allows for social cohesion within the area. Because of this and their civic pride they often report feeling happier and physically healthier. Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates and Bartlett all have a great quality of life on offer for residents. So if you are looking at relocating to the area now is the time to do so!

Prices are still great for buyers. National Association of Realtor’s has also released its second quarter Metro home prices report. Which goes hand in hand with the latest home sales data. In the second quarter, 100 out of 155 metropolitan statistical areas had higher median existing single-family home prices in comparison with the second quarter of 2009, including 14 with double-digit increases. Nationally existing-home sales, including single-family and condo, rose 9.1% with sales increasing from the first quarter in 44 states and D.C., also 47 states and D.C. had increases over year-ago sales levels. Regionally, in the midwest, the median existing single-family home price increased 1.4% in the second quarter from the second quarter of last year. Existing-home sales in the midwest rose 14.5% in the second quarter & are 20.9% above the same period in 2009.

What more can we say – now is the time to buy a property in Chicagoland’s NW Suburbs!

Whether you are a first time buyer trying to determine how much you can afford, or an experienced buyer who is selling your current property and ready to buy your next home I can help you with all your real estate needs in the Chicagoland Northwest Suburbs Area.

Finding your dream home or finding a buyer is only part of the challenge of a successful transaction. Click here to search Bartlett IL, Schaumburg IL and the Hoffman Estates using our complimentary MLS Search service. You can also view our fantastic range of featured properties!

Alternatively please contact me today if you need more specific assistance in your real estate needs. You can call the office on: 847-874-6731 or Cell phone on: 847-913-2606 or of course email me at: Joe@JoeStacy.com

My expertise, experience and dedication to you and your specific needs are anything but average – it’s why this office is number one in the Northwest Suburbs year after year!

Joe Stacy
2570 W. Schaumburg Rd
Schaumburg, IL 60194

Schaumburg, Bartlett and Hoffman Estates offer such great options for those hunting for properties in the NW Chicagoland area.

The National Association of Realtors have released information on its Pending Home Sales Index. Nationwide their index is showing that pending home sales have decreased due to the end of the homebuyer tax credit.

This is expected, Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said lower home sales are expected in the short term however he notes that with exceptionally low interest rates then the market is expected to absorb the remaining inventory relatively quickly. He might be right mortgage applications have been said to have been on the up according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Of course this is the level of contracts, the level of closings or true sales is quite different. Data released at the end of last month, showed that single family sales jumped by 24% seasonally-adjusted basis over May, and were 19% above the totals for June 2009 nationwide. With the level of sales being up 21% in the Midwest. Even home prices are said to be up nationally, being 1.3% higher compared with the month before and a gain of 4.6% year-over-year.

So despite the news being mixed, it is exciting news to see how the market has improved year over year.

Whether you are a first time buyer trying to determine how much you can afford, or an experienced buyer who is selling your current property and ready to buy your next home I can help you with all your real estate needs in the Chicagoland Northwest Suburbs Area.

Finding your dream home or finding a buyer is only part of the challenge of a successful transaction. Click here to search Bartlett IL, Schaumburg IL and the Hoffman Estatesusing our complimentary MLS Search service. You can also view our fantastic range offeatured properties!

Alternatively please contact me today if you need more specific assistance in your real estate needs. You can call the office on: 847-874-6731 or Cell phone on: 847-913-2606 or of course email me at: Joe@JoeStacy.com

My expertise, experience and dedication to you and your specific needs are anything but average – it’s why this office is number one in the Northwest Suburbs year after year!

Joe Stacy
2570 W. Schaumburg Rd
Schaumburg, IL 60194

You may remember I wrote about Schaumburg’s Prairie Center a while back, the premier arts venue for the Northwest Suburbs, our Mayor of Schaumburg, Al Larson has announced this arts seasons 2010-2011 lineup.

Tickets go on sale monday and those who love the arts in the area are very exciting!

Among the most prominent acts scheduled are singer-songwriter Leon Russell on Oct. 2 and the band Los Lonely Boys on Oct. 17th. Also, Aimee Mann on Sept. 17 and Colin Hay on May 6th amongst many more! Including Louise Harrison, the sister of the late former Beatle George Harrison who will present the music of tribute band Liverpool Legends. Other performers also include the tribute to Ricky Nelson by his sons.

Exciting music aside – the eighth version of the Prairie Center’s Mystery at the Theatre, will be performed March 4 and 5 and the fifth annual Screen Test Student Fest, will run April 15 and 16.

Before we even think about 2011, the foundation’s big annual fundraiser, Celebration 2010 takes place on Sept. 18. It takes place both outdoors and indoors and features a variety of food and music as well as dancing.

As you can see it is all happening here in Schuamburg! With such a great community feeling NW Chicagoland makes an idea relocation destination.

Whether you are a first time buyer trying to determine how much you can afford, or an experienced buyer who is selling your current property and ready to buy your next home I can help you with all your real estate needs in the Chicagoland Northwest Suburbs Area.

Finding your dream home or finding a buyer is only part of the challenge of a successful transaction. Click here to search Bartlett IL, Schaumburg IL and the Hoffman Estatesusing our complimentary MLS Search service. You can also view our fantastic range offeatured properties!

Alternatively please contact me today if you need more specific assistance in your real estate needs. You can call the office on: 847-874-6731 or Cell phone on: 847-913-2606 or of course email me at: Joe@JoeStacy.com

My expertise, experience and dedication to you and your specific needs are anything but average – it’s why this office is number one in the Northwest Suburbs year after year!

Joe Stacy
2570 W. Schaumburg Rd
Schaumburg, IL 60194

Here in NW Chicagoland real estate we have some great homes with fantastic interiors, but sometimes buyers or sellers need to renovate spaces within the home to help sell their property. So here are some great tips in helping decorate smaller spaces, which also often includes minor bathroom renovations. After all, the smallest room is often the bathroom too!

A small space  needs to have style and look as large as it can. With the right color, furniture and accessories it can have all this! The main thing to do when renovating a small space is to make the most of the natural light that pours into the room. Clean windows, skylights and more! Bright, neutral colors on the walls also help reflect the light around better than darker colors that tend to “absorb” the light.  Outside of daylight hours, using cool ambiant lighting does the trick!

In a small space, decluttering is important and having storage solutions is vital – shelves, cabinets and other smart storage solutions are a must. Spaces can often be made to look larlger through the use of mirrors, glass features and accessories. On this note, when selecting furniture – choose size appropriate pieces. After all that huge sofa may look great in the living room but may be overpowering in a smaller space. Similarly if a bathroom, with larger than average cabinets. Choose smaller pieces that compliment a rooms size and design.  

Cleaning is of course of major importantance, but right now in addition to that buyers are loving green features such as low flow shower heads, toilets and faucets etc.

Hopefully these tips will help you homeowners, buyers and sellers here in NW Chicagoland!

Whether you are a first time buyer trying to determine how much you can afford, or an experienced buyer who is selling your current property and ready to buy your next home I can help you with all your real estate needs in the Chicagoland Northwest Suburbs Area.

Finding your dream home or finding a buyer is only part of the challenge of a successful transaction. Click here to search Bartlett IL, Schaumburg IL and the Hoffman Estates using our complimentary MLS Search service. You can also view our fantastic range of featured properties!

Alternatively please contact me today if you need more specific assistance in your real estate needs. You can call the office on: 847-874-6731 or Cell phone on: 847-913-2606 or of course email me at: Joe@JoeStacy.com

My expertise, experience and dedication to you and your specific needs are anything but average – it’s why this office is number one in the Northwest Suburbs year after year!

Joe Stacy
2570 W. Schaumburg Rd
Schaumburg, IL 60194

So, selling your home in any market is tough and right now NAR have just released figures which show that despite home sales last month being 8.5% up over last year nationwide, numbers have slowed a little thanks to the ending of the tax credit – this has resulting in a slight bump up in inventory.

Focus on lightly renovating certain areas for little money can have a big impact in the sale-ability of your home - here are some ideas on where to put your efforts;

1. The Kitchen – clean, tidy up, declutter and repair chipped cabinets, counters and a lick of paint can go a long way!

2. Hig traffic areas - carpets, doorways, handles, baseboards etc. clean, repaint and clean again!

3. The yard – mow the lawn, water plants and trim edges.

4. Bathrooms – Regrout, recaulk, replace cracked tiles and clean!

5. Windows – clean! More light = a larger looking space!

Of course if I am your Realtor then I will work tirelessly to ensure that your home is marketed to all potential buyers in the area.

Whether you are a first time buyer trying to determine how much you can afford, or an experienced buyer who is selling your current property and ready to buy your next home I can help you with all your real estate needs in the Chicagoland Northwest Suburbs Area.

Finding your dream home or finding a buyer is only part of the challenge of a successful transaction. Click here to search Bartlett IL, Schaumburg IL and the Hoffman Estates using our complimentary MLS Search service. You can also view our fantastic range of featured properties!

Alternatively please contact me today if you need more specific assistance in your real estate needs. You can call the office on: 847-874-6731 or Cell phone on: 847-913-2606 or of course email me at: Joe@JoeStacy.com

My expertise, experience and dedication to you and your specific needs are anything but average – it’s why this office is number one in the Northwest Suburbs year after year!

Joe Stacy
2570 W. Schaumburg Rd
Schaumburg, IL 60194

The mortgage market these days still offers great rates for consumers who are looking to purchase a new property. However we all know that mortgages can be confusing – after all understanding all those fees and how the loan works, can make you feel like you need a degree in finance and economics to comprehend it all!

But help is at hand! Recent legislative changes have helped tidy up the industry enough that things are a little easier to read these days.

Really it is not too diffult to understand when you look at just two of the most important documents: the GFE (Good Faith Estimate) and the HUD-1 Settlement Statement.

Under the federal Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), since Jan. 1, 2010, home loan originators must give you the mandated Good Faith Estimate (GFE) within three days of accepting your application.

Also, before closing the lender must provide a copy of the HUD-1 Settlement Statement – the itemized list of costs and who is responsible for them in a line, by line fashion! It really is a complete and final list of all your charges and credits. In addition to the cost of the property, your down payment, the financed amount, your monthly payment, and loan terms, it includes your loan type, annual percentage rate (APR), points, commissions, yield spread premiums, originating fees and other loan costs as well as title and escrow fees, closing costs, tax and insurance payments, inspection fees, attorney fees, and information and costs related to rate locks and prepayment penalties

You will also receive the HUD guide: “Shopping For Your Home Loan: HUD’s Settlement Cost Booklet” this breaks down the HUD-1 and the GFE so you can understand it all.

So, get educated and look at this booklet now – follow the link above – to prepare yourself ahead of time!

Also, note that I, Joe Stacy am on hand to help you – when you buy or sell a home with me, I am always there throughout the process to answer any questions you may have.

Whether you are a first time buyer trying to determine how much you can afford, or an experienced buyer who is selling your current property and ready to buy your next home I can help you with all your real estate needs in the Chicagoland Northwest Suburbs Area.

Finding your dream home or finding a buyer is only part of the challenge of a successful transaction. Click here to search Bartlett IL, Schaumburg IL and the Hoffman Estates using our complimentary MLS Search service. You can also view our fantastic range of featured properties!

Alternatively please contact me today if you need more specific assistance in your real estate needs. You can call the office on: 847-874-6731 or Cell phone on: 847-913-2606 or of course email me at: Joe@JoeStacy.com

My expertise, experience and dedication to you and your specific needs are anything but average – it’s why this office is number one in the Northwest Suburbs year after year!

Joe Stacy
2570 W. Schaumburg Rd
Schaumburg, IL 60194

I love local Chambers of Commerce – they are real beacons for local businesses and can give those who are new to a community a great networking opportunity.

The Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce is a great organization that is loved by all. Its mission statement is to “effectively promote and advocate for the interests of the Hoffman Estates business community”

It is the voice of more than 350 local businesses from the small entrepreneur through to a corporate HQ! It helps Hoffman Estates by ensuring that the thriving atmosphere that the community benefits from continues and there are more jobs, services and revenue to the village.

Of course they are always holding fundraisers and other events - so it is a great chance to get involved, not just in business but in your local community.

Hoffman Estates has so much to offer new residents and existing residents. Our population is in excess of 50,000 and our demographic is of young, driven residents who love their community.

Hoffman Estates makes a great relocation destination – even if relocating from a neighboring community such as Bartlett or Schaumburg or somewhere as far away as South Africa or Australia! It has it all!

Whether you are a first time buyer trying to determine how much you can afford, or an experienced buyer who is selling your current property and ready to buy your next home I can help you with all your real estate needs in the Chicagoland Northwest Suburbs Area.

Finding your dream home or finding a buyer is only part of the challenge of a successful transaction. Click here to search Bartlett IL, Schaumburg IL and the Hoffman Estates using our complimentary MLS Search service. You can also view our fantastic range of featured properties!

Alternatively please contact me today if you need more specific assistance in your real estate needs. You can call the office on: 847-874-6731 or Cell phone on: 847-913-2606 or of course email me at: Joe@JoeStacy.com

My expertise, experience and dedication to you and your specific needs are anything but average – it’s why this office is number one in the Northwest Suburbs year after year!

Joe Stacy
2570 W. Schaumburg Rd
Schaumburg, IL 60194

So, what do you want when it comes to a home? 

Imagine this situation: you are shopping for a new home in the Metro Chicago area – you have narrowed your search down to somewhere in Northwest Chicagoland. BUT! Here is the dillemma. What do you do next? What do you want from a home?

Well, making a wish list of features is probably a good idea ! So start by making a list of dream home features. This sounds easy! But, it might be tougher than you think!

Take some time to stop and have a good think – what do you want from a new home in Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Bartlett or the surrounding area? What do you see in your mind as the perfect home?

Here some categories to divide the list into:

Location – Or shall I say, “Location, Location, Location”! How far is work? Where are shops and restaurants?

Neighborhood – Are their features in a particular neighborhood you like? (a clubhouse or community park for instance) or is there a school district you want to be in or remain in?

Style – Modern? Traditional? Open Floor Plans? How about the type of properties – condos or single family homes mostly?

Property Features – a pool? Hot tub? a mother in law suite? three car garage? games room? are these features sounding less than usual? Decide what you want from a home that could help narrow the search!

Property Condition – did you want brand new home, a fixer upper or something in between!?

Of course this list is not exhaustive and there are many factors that influence a home purchase – in essence this is just the starting point, but don’t worry I am here to help!

Whether you are a first time buyer trying to determine how much you can afford, or an experienced buyer who is selling your current property and ready to buy your next home I can help you with all your real estate needs in the Chicagoland Northwest Suburbs Area.

Finding your dream home or finding a buyer is only part of the challenge of a successful transaction. Click here to search Bartlett IL, Schaumburg IL and the Hoffman Estates using our complimentary MLS Search service. You can also view our fantastic range of featured properties!

Alternatively please contact me today if you need more specific assistance in your real estate needs. You can call the office on: 847-874-6731 or Cell phone on: 847-913-2606 or of course email me at: Joe@JoeStacy.com

My expertise, experience and dedication to you and your specific needs are anything but average – it’s why this office is number one in the Northwest Suburbs year after year!

Joe Stacy
2570 W. Schaumburg Rd
Schaumburg, IL 60194