Most cities are affected by foreclosure.  Some more than others.  The entire State of Illinois has a high foreclosure rate overall.  However, some cities are not as badly affected as others.  When you view the December 2011 Foreclosure Rate Heat Map notice that Illinois is ranked high amoung most tates. 

Click to view: http://www.realtytrac.com/trendcenter/uiservices/heatmap.aspx?width=640&d=V1tGUoZxT3BMCbSlEOybOg%3d%3d

How is your city affected?  There are many factors that may lead to foreclosure: job loss, home owners relocating to new areas and being unable to sell their homes, businesses leaving an area can also lead to job loss.   In addition, some home owners may find themselves being upside down in their mortgages and just walking away from the property.

Can I find out how many homes are in pre-foreclosure or already foreclosed on? Yes,  most real estate websites can provide this information or you can contact your real estate professional to get the information.  For detailed foreclosure information feel free to contact me.

Post the city you are interested and I’ll share the data with everyone.

New Year Resolutions, Do You Have One? Can You Keep it?

Ok, 2011 has come and gone.  We are in a new year.  It’s time to move forward into a new year. If you didn’t succeed at your 2011 Resolutions let it go.  Many make new year resolutions. Some of the resolutions have already failed. It’s only January.  What can you do to get on track in 2012

If you are good at sticking to a resolution, good for you. Keep up the good work and tell us what you do to stay on track.  If you are among the rest of us that start but just can’t stick to the plan I have good news for you! You can achieve your goals, dreams and resolutions.

You don’t need a New Year Resolution to reach your goals.  Creating a plan may be just what you need to get on track.  Whether it’s buying a new home, exercising consistently or just getting out of debt you can do it!

Where do you begin? Let’s make a plan:

  • 1st write down when you want to achieve this goal (resolution)
  • How will you achieve it? If you want to exercise what days and times will you exercise (same time and days will help with your success).  If you want to save money to buy a home open a savings account and put in a specific amount of money there each time you get paid. (if you need a specific down payment how long will it take you to save it? (3 months, a year or maybe 2 years) Whatever the time frame stick to it and don’t spend the money on anything else.
  • Don’t look at the commitment. Take each day one day at a time.
  • Find a good friend that will help keep you accountable.  Accountability is the key to reaching your goals and even a New Years Resolution!

Remember you can reach your dreams, goals and resolutions.  If you need help let me know.  I’ll help you plan to buy a home, pay off your debt and yes, I can help you with an exercise schedule.

A Year In Review – Setting Goals For Your Future

Another year has come to an end.  While we prepare to celebrate New Year’s Eve take a moment to consider the wonderful things from 2011.  As you think on those things what can you take from what you’ve learned and implement into 2012.

Now that you’ve reviewed the past what can you do when you focus on the future.  Have you ever written down your goals? Or a new years resolution?  Do you follow through?  I say let’s all write daily goals, weekly goals and monthly goals.  Then achieve them.  Make your goals accomplishable.

Now, let’s think big.  Where do you want to be in 1 year, 5 years or even 10 years. Most of us forget that time is the one thing you cannot return or exchange.  Once it’s spent you can’t get it back.  Take time over the next week and plan.  We get older every day and now is the time to put those things in motion that you’ve always wanted to accomplish.  Maybe it’s going to school, building a better business, buying your 1st home, or even moving to a new state.  Whatever it is do it.  Then tell me about.  If it’s buying a home talk to me about it.

Happy New Year to my friends, fans and clients.

People Who Understand Money Say, “Buy A House”

People who understand money say now is the time to buy a house.  The Wall Street Jounal said it a few weeks ago. “It’s Time To Buy That House”

Why should you buy?  First, home prices are back to prices in 2006 and some areas of the Chicago land market you can find prices that mirror prices from 2000.  Second, Interest rates are affordable.

Check out the Wall Street Journal article on what people who understand money are saying about buying a home.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204774604576629443313035736.html

If you think you can’t own, Think again.  Still not sure.  contact me today to get on the road to home ownership.  [email protected]

Closed Sales for West Chicago, Illinois

Are you in the market to sell your home in West Chicago Illinois or any city in the Northern Illinois area?  If so, consider this:  Now when you consider a listing price you will be competing with shortsales and bank owned homes.   No longer are appraisers only reviewing traditional sales.  With so many short sales and foreclosed properties on the market all properties are considered when an appraisal is completed.

For example, in city of West Chicago, Illinois non-distressed sales are selling for near the same prices.  This is a trend in most areas.  So when you list your home today buyers aren’t just considering traditional homes they are also considering short sales and bank owned properties.  Click on the link for details.

Closed Sales for 185 – West Chicago.

Northern Illinois DuPage County and the Real Estate Market

Whether we want to believe it or not, homes are continuing to sell in DuPage County.  Home sales are not what they were several year ago but individuals and families are continuing to purchase homes in DuPage County.  In June of 2011 there were 943 listed homes that sold with an average sales price of $293,788 and a median sales price of $223,900.  These homes include single family homes and attached homes.

In June of 2010 the average sales price for a single family home was $368,417 and the average sales price for an attached home was $165,504.  There were a total of 1063 properties that sold in June 2010.  Comparing June 2011 to last years sales the sales prices for single family homes were $360,896 only an $8000 difference with an actual decrease of  2%.  On the other hand, when you compare the attached homes to last years sales in June the gap is much larger.   The average sales price for attached homes came to $138,066 a decrease of 16.58% from last years prices.

If you are on the fence about buying consider jumping off.  Now is a great time to own a home.  Don’t wait! Don’t over spend and be a part of the American Dream today!  If your home hasn’t sold it’s probably the price so talk to your real estate agent and get that price down where you can increase buyer traffic and hopefully receive an offer on that home.

Need an agent? Contact me today.  [email protected].

Data from the MLS in Northern Illinois.  www.mredllc.com

follow me on twitter today – www.twitter.com/carriebey 

Home prices as low as they were in 2007 in the Chicagoland area

Check out this great article on the home price changes.  As of April 2011, you can pretty much purchase a home near the same prices as in the year 2007.    If you are on the fence, get off and get on your way to homeownership.  Not sure where to being?  Contact me today for help in purchasing a home or investing in real estate.  [email protected] or click http://bit.ly/CarrieLewisBeyrealtor

 

http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/article/20110628/CRED0701/110629858/chicago-home-price-index-lowest-since-march-2001

Are you afraid to buy a home? Don’t Be!!!!!

“We can remain afraid to buy and let all of the great deals out there pass us by as the investors snag them all and rent them back to us until we’re ready to buy. Or, we can go and buy ourselves and take advantage of the instant equity that we can gain.”  Nathan Hosier

This market may appear to be an  intimidating time to purchase a home.  However, whether you believe it or not, now is the best time to own.  Home prices are as low as the home prices in 2004 and even 2000.  You can essentially purchase a home at the 2004 prices and get a better interest rate than you could during that year and years close to it!  Steve Harney and his team explain it well.  Click on the link to read more…..

http://bit.ly/l9hG9b

Understanding Real Estate Representation

Are you considering purchasing or selling a home?  Have you ever considered real estate agent representation?  If you have, maybe you should?  Real estate agents are trained to assist you in your home sale or home purchase.  We are here to help you find a home then assist you with your purchase through closing.  For more information and to read more click http://bit.ly/cE3LIR

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