Here in Suburban Chicago we are so lucky, we have some gorgeous real estate in Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates and in Bartlett, our homeowners enjoy great communities and an enviable quality of life which causes us to be a relocation destination considered by many.

However, while we as a community may be unique and desirable, there are always those boring, everyday life situations that you cannot avoid – such as; bills! Namely your electricity bill.

As we all know, small habit changes can add up to big savings when it comes to electricity. During the summer of course we turn the air down and our bill goes up! Here are some tips to use this summer to help cut the bill down to size:

1. Unplug devices: don’t just switch them off! Unplug from the outlet!

2. Replace Bulbs: switch out old fashioned lightbulbs with compact fluorescent Light bulbs – these last ten times longer than traditional bulbs and will pay for themselves in six months.

3. Replace Appliances: Energy Star Rated only! These use alot less energy and save you big bucks over their lifetime.

4. A/C Timing: Turn it up when you are out during the day and turn the temperature down when you are in.

5. Lights Out: Turn off the lights in rooms you are not using.

Savings are not always immediate but these small habit changes will pay dividends over months and years!

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

Hot off the press!

Exciting news from Congress - the home buyer tax credit closing deadline – that the National Association of Realtor’s pressured to be moved, has been moved!

The new legislation will allow the thousands of homebuyers who are waiting for their under contract homes to close who missed the June 30th deadling will now be allowed to claim the credit if you close by September 30th.

NAR estimates around 180,000 home buyers are effected and are delighted that they can still claim the credit.

Also, Congress has passed the National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act of 2010 allowing those will stalled transactions to go forward.

Of course this news really is overshadowed by the great tax credit extension – this is such a fantastic opportunity for those buyers who are under contract.

Prices are still great and rates are still at historic lows – even without the credit, those considering buying a property now should definitely start looking now before prices and rates go up!

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

Exciting, uplifting news as the Schaumburg Childrens Center is dedicated – a great community resource for all.

This last week the Children’s Home and Aid of Illinois dedicated the Marletta Darnall Schaumburg Child and Family Center.

The Center was originally to be constructed from state funds before they were frozen back in 2003 – thanks to Marletta and Bob Darnall who donated $500,000 to complete the center it is now open for business!

Getting the center open, from a dream through to construction has been a struggle and the dedication ceremony reflected that – with many stories of the path that the center has taken.

A childrens center is a great resource for the local Schaumburg community. A place for fun and learning, it is open from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., 250 days a year for child care services. 

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

Summer is here and if you are like me, you are naturally looking forward to the barbecues, parties and 4th of July celebrations that signal the summer to many.

But, we have to be serious for a minute. It may sound boring, as looking after your home can be a tough task. But using this summers weather and longer daylight hours..get out there and do some work on your home! Remember that a well maintained home will give you less trouble and can maintain its value better. Spending a little time giving your home the once over can save thousands in potential future repair bills.

So here are my tips/areas to focus on in summer home maintenance in Northwest Chicagoland Suburbs:

1. Outside space – pressure wash the outside of the home, check patios for cracks and repair. If you have a deck, now is the time to check for any rot and replace any problem pieces of wood and if needed, treat and seal.

2. Roof – Debris and dirt can build up on a roof thanks to storms, heating and cooling, so the message here is CLEAN, CLEAN and CLEAN SOME MORE! Roof’s are fantastic as they last for years and work so well that people generally do not spend any time on them. But, a little time spent on maintaining it can save you thousands of dollars in potential repairs. Replace broken slates/tiles and visually inspect for problem areas. If you do not want to get on the roof yourself, get a roofing contractor/home inspector to have a look and inspect it for you.

3. Water/Piping – Check exposed pipes for loose joints, cracked pipes and leaks across your whole piping system. Also, a great thing to do is to drain your water heater tank if you have one – this will help clear any sediment build up. This can add years to the lifespan of the tank. Also, if you have a septic tank, why not get it pumped? Better than having the septic system back up in winter!

4. Air conditioning and heating  system – give your heating and air conditioning system a maintenance check. Have the unit serviced by a professional. Change air filters to protect your home from allergent and air pollutants – this is very cheap and easy to do. This can be something that will help your general health. So worthwhile doing!

5. Recreation – service the ATV, clean the pool and hot tub, and yes, clean the grill! Use the better weather to your advantage!

We hope these tips will help you have a great, productive summer around the house!

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 National Association of Realtor’s has been releasing lots of encouraging news of late about home sales data. This is pertinant to what is occuring here in Northwest suburban Chicago.

Now that the tax credit has boosted sales things are definitely looking up! Nationally, home sales were up 22.8% in April from 2009, distressed homes, such as those in foreclosure, accounted for 33% of sales nationally in April, down 2 percent from the month before – this is exciting news as this means that some of the foreclosure “backlog” is being cleared! Also, the overall existing home sales figures were up 7.6% over the previous month according to the National Association of Realtors.

As a whole region, the midwest of the country had great real estate data news with existing-home sales rising 9.9% in April over the previous month and are 29.1% above a year ago. The median price in the Midwest was $146,400, up 5.8% from April 2009.  I am very excited, as often the press paints a negative pictures about the midwest of the United States, but data like this shows that the region is very much, alive and kicking!

Locally, data from the Realtor Association of Northwest Chicagoland shows the following stats:

HOFFMAN ESTATES +20.6% Single Family Home Sales Year over Year

BARTLETT + 47.4% Single Family Home Sales Year over Year

SCHAUMBURG +64.9% Single Family Home Sales Year over Year

This is fantastic news!

Affordability is also important – buyers who are on the fence need to consider that while affordability is high for a 5th consecutive month according to the National Association of Home Builders (courtesy of Realty Times), it is unlikely to get better. 

 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

Graduation season is passing and this makes us think about the next step for many.

Alot of people find higher education – or “going to college” a stressful time – whether going after an AA, AS, BA oor eventually an MBA, phD often the process and choices can be overwhelming.

For parents often it can be hard, with their beloved travelling to the other side of the country to go to school. BUT! That said, why not explore local options?

Here in Chicago and the Chicago suburbs like Schaumburg we have a great environment for undergrads and grads – with plenty to do when not studying and plenty of local college selections.

If you look online you can see that just here in Schaumburg and closeby we have -

International Academy of Design & Technology (IADT) – Schaumburg

Illinois Institute of Art

Argosy University Schaumburg

Roosevelt University

As well as the Chicago Campus of the University of Phoenix

Roosevelt University in particular is a great option – it’s campus in Schaumburg is the largest four-year university in Chicago’s Northwest suburbs, serving roughly 2,500 students. It has one of the most diverse programs for a private university of its size in the country -  There are more than 60 undergraduate majors and pre-professional programs, 40 master’s degree programs, and selected doctoral programs.

So as you can see there are some options to explore here in suburban Chicago!

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

Often when writing for this blog it can be difficult to convey the real feeling of a place where you live, work and play all the time!

Schaumburg is like that, often you forget the amazing local amenities that you have around you. So here is a little more detail about Schaumburg for those looking to move here.

Schaumburg benefits from all that the metro Chicago area has to offer, being under 30 miles from downtown Chicago, 8 miles from O’Hare international it has access to it all.

Locally however, Schaumburg has a lot to be proud of, it has the worldwide headquarters of the Motorola corporation, one of the two Ikea stores in Illinois as well as other local attractions such as the Woodfield Mall & the Streets of Woodfield – which now has a huge international following with visitors from as far away as Japan! (Let’s not forget nationally acclaimed restaurants as well as shops! Like the new Season’s 52!) Also, lets not forget that we have the Schaumburg Park District which contains over 1000 acres of land make moving to Schaumburg a good choice for those who have children. The Schaumburg Park District is made up of the Spring Valley Nature Sanctuary, an indoor family aquatic center, five swimming pools, three community fitness centers, two gymnasiums, two golf courses, 53 outdoor athletic fields, and 47 playgrounds!

Schaumburg grew from very humble beginnings of a rural, isolated community. When the Village incorporated back in1956 the village covered 2 square miles and contained 130 residents. Its great, sustained growth has been attributed to the foresight of the planners in the late 50’s and early 60’s which have lead to the bustling community of over 75,000 today – asides from O’Hare, Schaumburg even has its own regional airport serving the general aviation community. The community also has great schools!

One example of this huge growth is the Schaumburg convention center - back in the year 2000, the village purchased 45 acres of land and developed it into the Schaumburg Convention Center, which is actually a 500 room Renaissance Hotel that opened back in 2006. Construction on the property began back in 2004 and cost $156 million, now the center which features a 100,000 sq ft exhibition hall, 48,000 sq ft of meeting room space, and a 28,000 sq ft ballroom, all of which can be divided to provide many configurations.

For those moving to the area, the Schaumburg Village government website actually has a nice comprehensive relocation page, which covers everything from Vehicle licenses through to cat and dog permits.

Schaumburg is a relocation destination for those within the Chicagoland area as well as for those in other parts of the country looking for  a great place to live, work and play that is convenient for all that metro Chicago has to offer. Schaumburg has homes to fit every lifestyle, from single-family properties to condominiums.  Many of the Schaumburg, IL neighborhoods are bordered by forest preserves, nature trails and parks, while still offering convenient access to schools, transportation, local libraries, shopping and more

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

Exciting news for Schaumburg – I know I just wrote about the Woodfield Mall and the surrounding shopping district - well we are soon to get an exciting addition to the restaurant offerings just across the street!

A Seasons 52 is to open next month on May 10th here in Schaumburg!

Orlando, Florida based restaurant group, Darden, owners of Oliver Garden, Red Lobster et al, is to open a Seasons 52, another part of its group, the popular fresh grill and wine bar restaurant will be the first the group have opened in the midwest. The restaurants itself include a warm, welcoming atmosphere with fresh, seasonally inspired cuisine. There is live music nightly at the piano bar and a selection of 100 wines. Seasons 52 debuted in 2003 and currently operates locations in Florida, Georgia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania and its new location in Illinois will certainly please many!

For those who have never dined at a Season’s 52 here is a selection of items from the menu:

Menu highlights include:

Year Round Favorites – Cedar Plank Atlantic Salmon, Grilled Rack of New Zealand Lamb, Caramelized Sea Scallops and Char Crust Filet Mignon and more!

Seasonal Specialties – Chicken Tortilla Soup, Steak & Cremini Mushroom Flatbread, New Zealand Venison Chop, Blackened Mahi-Mahi and Wood-Roasted Pork Tenderloin

Lunch Selections – Spicy Chicken Chile Relleno, Mediterranean Shrimp Salad, Blackened Fish Sandwich, BBQ Grilled Chicken Salad and Oak-fired Western Buffalo Burger

Award-Winning Mini Indulgences – Perfectly portioned servings of Key Lime Pie, Pecan Pie with Vanilla Mousse, Mocha Macchiato, Old-Fashioned Carrot Cake, Rocky Road with Belgian Chocolate, Mango Cheesecake, Market Fresh Fruit and Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse

It all sounds delicious and shows that Schaumburg and the region as a whole are an area on the grow!

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

Exciting news released from NAR shows that Pending Home Sales have risen! February 2010 was a great month for real estate in the US!

Experts agree that there is likely a potential second surge in home sales thanks to the homebuyer tax credit. NAR’s Pending Home Sale Index rose 8.2% in February and is 17.3% above February 2009.  For example here in the Midwest the Index jumped 21.8% and was 18.7% up over last year.

Also there have been rumours of multiple offers on properties and also price rises in certain areas of the country. This is exciting news for all – I will report on this blog the existing home sales data when it is released.

NAR also have exciting news for green real estate - with the general drive to go green, real estate has tried to be at the forefront of the green revolution. Marketing and identifying green homes just got easier for home buyers and sellers with the new Green MLS Tool Kit. The National Association of Realtors now offers the tool kit for Realtors to help them add a Green initiative to their local MLS.

Buyers are becoming more eco-friendly and environmentally aware and want green real estate. All Realtors are seeing this trend and here in Northwest Chicagoland I am seeing a change – consumers are asking for more information on energy bills – see our post on water bills for more information.

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

Get out, get fit and healthy here in Northwest Chicagoland!

Here in Bartlett – The Bartlett Park District is hosting its 30th annual Apple Blossom Run on Saturday, May 8, 2010.

This event has really become a great Bartlett tradition with participants of various ages entering into a 5k or 10k run. Children beetween 2 and 5 can enter the 50 yard dash and children 6-10 can enter the 1/8 mile run! Races will be held indoors on the track of the LifeCenter. Registration forms and waivers required.

Walkers and Strollers Divisions for the 5K only. T-shirt and correct size guaranteed to all pre-registered runners BUT they are only available while stocks last. Race Day registration available from 6:30-7:30am. 8am is the start of the run…

It is expected that there will be in excess of 500 runners and walkers for this event on the roadways and sidewalks.

The Bartlett Police Department  (an excellent local Police force!) is providing traffic control throughout the following locations:

South Bartlett Road at Pipers Drive
South Bartlett Road near Wilcox Drive
Prospect Avenue at Country Drive
Prospect Avenue near Wilcox Drive

The route itself for the run can be viewed here.

Bartlett Parks District is an integral part of the community and was formed back in 1964 and this event really has become a staple part of its calendar.

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