Apr. 29, 2012 - May 2012 Newsletter

Judith’s May 2012 Newsletter

A Good Example Goes A Long Way

Two sons work for their father on the family farm. The younger son has for years been given more responsibility and reward, and one day the older son asks his father to explain why.

The father says, "First, go to the Kelly's and see if they have any geese for sale." The son soon returns with the answer, "Yes they have five geese they can sell us."

The father then says, "Good, please ask them the price." The son returns with the answer, "The geese are $10 each." The father says, "Good, now ask if they can deliver the geese tomorrow." And duly the son returns with the answer, "Yes, they can deliver the geese them tomorrow."

The father now asks the older son to listen while he speaks to the younger son, who he calls over from another field. "Go to the Davidson's Farm and see if they have any geese for sale."

The younger brother soon returns with the answer, "Yes, they have six geese for $10 each, or ten geese for $8 each; and they can deliver them tomorrow. I asked them to deliver the six unless they heard from us in the next hour. And they agreed that if we want the extra four geese we could buy them at $5 each."

Understanding dawns on the older son’s face.

It amazes me how a crystal clear experience says more than a book full of advice.            

What Mothers Know

What we say when we’re…

·      4 Years Old - My mommy can do anything.

·      8 Years - Mom knows a lot.

·      12 Years - Mom doesn't know quite everything.

·      14 Years - Naturally, my mother doesn't know what’s going on.

·      16 Years – Mom is so old-fashioned.

·      18 Years - That old woman? She's way out of date.

·      25 Years - Mom knows something about it.

·      35 Years - Before we decide, let's get mom's opinion.

·      45 Years – I wonder what mom thinks about it.

·      65 Years – I wish I could talk it over with mom.

 Mother’s Day falls on Sunday, May 13, 2012.

May’s Other Days

Mother’s Day is the day not to forget in May, but don’t forget these other occasions:

 May Day, May 1. May Day ceremonies vary greatly from region to region around the world and many unite both the holiday's "Green Root" (pagan) and "Red Root" (labor) traditions. In many countries, May Day is the same as Labor Day. The significance of May Day is that it is exactly six months from November 1, and represents the start of the growing season in the northern hemisphere.

May Day is Lei Day. In Hawaii, May 1 is set aside as a day to celebrate native Hawaiian culture. Invented by a poet and a local newspaper columnist in the 1920s, it has since been adopted by state and local government.

Cinco de Mayo, May 5. Nationwide in the United States and in increasing locations across Canada, the date is observed as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride, and is often a good excuse for a margarita party. In Mexico the holiday is called El Dia de la Batalla de Puebla and observed to commemorate the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. 

International Bike to Work Month. In cities across the US, May 18 is National Bike to Work day. In Canada, Bike to Work Day varies by region, with several in May, June, and even July.  This international event originated in Europe and is typically a seven day event that advocates the importance of bicycling as a means of transportation.

 There is only one pretty child in the world,
and every mother has it. ~ Chinese Proverb

Charisma Can Be Developed

Charisma means “divine gift,” and it’s used to describe people with powerful charm and personal magnetism. But it’s not always a gift—many people develop charisma by learning how to connect with people. You can too, using these techniques: 

Physical presence—Whether or not you’re handsome or beautiful, you can boost your physical charisma: 

·      Take care of your overall health. Healthy people are more attractive.

·      Make direct eye contact with other people when speaking.

·      Dress well.

·      Stand and walk straight, with your head held high.

Emotional connection—This is a vitally important aspect of charisma. Connect emotionally with people in these ways: 

·      Practice being clear and positive when communicating.

·      Focus on the people you’re trying to connect with, not on your own needs.

·      Listen without interrupting. Comment on what they said instead of launching into your story.

·      Express an optimistic outlook—people like to follow upbeat people.

Intellectual connection—Charismatic people engage other people’s minds: 

·      Expand your reading to include literary interests, not just business books.

·      Take a class in a subject you don’t know enough about.

·      Develop and use a better vocabulary.

I want my children to have all the things I couldn't afford. Then I want to move in with them. ~ Phyllis Diller 

The Art Of The Cheap Road Trip

The key to making your holiday road trips inexpensive is planning ahead. Here are some thoughts to get your wheels turning: 

Food: Most people save money by eating from their ice chest while road-tripping. Best are foods that stay somewhat dry, like bagels, cheese, nuts, and the like. Try to avoid foods that you have to eat soon or they go bad. Also, note that surveys show that if you try to just eat from the cooler, you’ll likely abandon the effort before too long—and there goes your plan for a budget trip. Try to be realistic and plan for your likely behavior. Think about mixing it up, like eating breakfast and lunch from the cooler and splurging on dinner.

Lodging: If you’re comfortable camping, great! You can also combine your camping with occasional hotel stays. Investigate campgrounds and plan your trip so that you connect up to nice facilities along the way. Some have a swimming pool, showers, and other conveniences. Be sure to compare. You might be able to stay at a budget hotel for as much as the nearby campground. Also be aware of the weather. For instance, campgrounds are very cheap at Lake Havasu in the summer—because at 110 degrees at night, who can sleep without air conditioning? 

Vehicle expenses Long before you take your trip, get your car serviced. Check the spare. Top off the fluids. On the road, get gas at the larger truck stops where gas is usually cheaper. Don’t allow your tank to get empty—top it off at ¼ tank. Seriously consider getting CAA/AAA or a similar road service plan. You don’t need it until you do! And there are many places that offer CAA/AAA discounts. And remember to drive at lower speeds. You could save 10% to 20% on your gas!

There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign.
~ Robert Louis Stevenson

Gas Waste

In case you’ve ever wondered…    

·      Speeding, rapid acceleration and braking can lower fuel efficiency by 33% at highway speeds and by 5 % around town.  

·      Improve gas efficiency by up to 3.3% (3 1/3 cents per dollar) by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure.  

·      Idling consumes gas too. Depending on engine size and air conditioner (AC) use, it could cost you 2 to 3 cents per minute of idle. Turning the engine back on will use about half a minute’s worth of fuel, so if you plan to be idle for more than 30 seconds, turn it off.
  

Thermogenic Foods Burn Fat

What is Thermogenic Food? It’s food that raises your metabolism slightly, helping to burn off calories. The best known of these foods are spicy peppers and green tea. But the actual thermogenic effects of those foods are fairly low—about 80 calories at most when consumed in high quantity.

The best way to get a thermogenic effect is to combine different foods. Since fat has the lowest thermogenic effect, and protein the highest, a diet low in fat and high in lean protein will give you the best burn. Also, reducing carbohydrates will help, since high carbs convert to fat.

When you combine the right thermogenic foods and essential fats, plenty of green veggies, and a limited amount of starchy carbs, plus 20-minutes a day of moderate exercise (like taking a brisk walk) your body will become a fat burning machine.

The Importance Of Advertising

An old blind man was sitting on a busy street corner at rush-hour begging for money. On a cardboard sign, next to an empty tin cup, he had written: 'Blind—Please help'. No-one was giving him any money.

A young advertising exec walked past and saw the blind man with his sign and empty cup. The ad exec took a marker from her pocket, re-wrote the sign, and went on her way.

Immediately, people began putting money into the cup. When it was full, the blind man asked a stranger to read the sign to him. "It says, ‘It's a beautiful day. You can see it. I cannot.' "

Mother's Day Without A Mother

1. Celebrate with another important woman in your life. Maybe you were raised by your grandmother, aunt, or an adopted mother. Or perhaps you have a best friend or mentor that has been like a mother to you. Show this person how much you appreciate her by taking her out to brunch, sending her flowers, or by spending the day with her.
2. Spend Mother's Day with one of your friend's families. Help your friends appreciate their moms by tagging along on another family's Mother's Day celebration. You will be surprised my how delighted many families will be to have you join in on their Mother's Day.
3. Spend time with your friends who don't have mothers or who are unable to see their mothers. It may be fun to host a Mother's Day party at your home. Consider hosting a Champagne brunch and make omelets and pancakes served with Bolinis. Afterwards, your friends can all go get manicures and pedicures.
4. Appreciate all the mothers in your life. You probably have some friends, coworkers, or family members who are great mothers. You probably notice them juggling their time between their work and family life. Let them know that you notice by making them a card, buying them flowers, or by taking them out to lunch. Just because this person in not your mother doesn't mean you can't appreciate her as a mother.

Just skip Mother's Day. Just because it's Mother's Day, doesn't mean you have to celebrate it. This mother's day could be your catch-up on my work day, or hang out with my boyfriend day, or just another lazy Sunday. Celebrate a beautiful Sunday in any way that makes you happy!

The Demanding Boss

The boss was adamant that everyone in his office start work precisely at 9 a.m. His employees were scared of getting fired, so they took great pain to make sure they arrived on time.

One day Johnson didn’t show up until 10 a.m. He was bruised, bleeding, and his clothing was torn. The boss looked at him and said, “Johnson! What happened to you?”

“The elevator was out,” Johnson panted, “so I took the stairs. I was almost here at 8:58 when I tripped and fell down all the way down, all three flights. I was almost killed, but here I am!”

“And that took you a whole hour?”

Apr. 26, 2012 - Increase In Home Rentals

Please feel free to check out my website at http://JudithWeiner.com to learn more about the buying and selling process regarding real estate or give me a call at 847-207-3444 if you want more information regarding homes for sale, listing your property or RENTALS in the Highland Park, Glencoe, Winnetka, Wilmette, Deerfield, Highwood, Northbrook, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods, Buffalo Grove, Gurnee, Lake Forest or surrounding Chicago suburbs in IL. You can also email me at Judith@JudithWeiner.com.

Apr. 26, 2012 - Proper Planning For Your Mortgage Application

Proper Planning for Your

Mortgage Application

With good preparation, most things are easier. That works in mortgages too! Today, I want to give you some ideas that can make your mortgage experience less painful.

Income Items:

1.             Gather your documents. Today, many people will have to produce 2 years’ complete tax returns, including W2′s, 1099′s, K1′s, and all the schedules, as well as a month’s worth of pay stubs.

2.            Be prepared to explain them. Deductions in your returns and your pay stubs may impact the income your lender will use to qualify you which, in turn, has a big impact on the loan you will get.

3.            Have a breakdown of base pay versus overtime for both your pay stubs and 2 years’ W2′s. Lenders treat overtime (and bonus income) differently than your base pay. Be prepared to explain any changes over the last few years because your loan officer will ask you about it.

Asset Items:

1.            Start accumulating your bank statements. Lenders look back 3 months from when you sign your contract of sale.

2.            You will have to explain any and all large deposits (which are defined as deposits greater than your regular pay check) because lenders want to make sure you haven’t taken out any new loans that aren’t on your credit report.

3.            Avoid any significant cash deposits. However, if you did have a cash deposit, understand that the lender will have you source it (a bill of sale and DMV receipt for that motorcycle, for example).

4.            If you will be receiving a gift, consult your loan officer on how to document it (from the donor’s ability to how you deposit it).

Credit Items:

1.             Ask your loan officer to run your credit and go over it with them. Believe it or not, most credit reports contain errors. Best to identify them and get working on correcting them as early as possible.

2.            Do what you can to pay down your balances to under 30% of available credit to help you get the best score possible.

3.            Do NOT close accounts or pay off collection accounts without discussing it with your loan officer. Either one of these logical moves can actually have a negative impact on your score.

When buying a home, remember the Boy Scout motto, “Be prepared”. Following these suggestions will make your loan approval easier and less stressful. Courtesy of KCM Blog

Please feel free to check out my website at http://JudithWeiner.com to learn more about the buying and selling process regarding real estate or give me a call at 847-207-3444 if you want more information regarding homes for sale, listing your property or rentals in the Highland Park, Glencoe, Winnetka, Wilmette, Deerfield, Highwood, Northbrook, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods, Buffalo Grove, Gurnee, Lake Forest or surrounding Chicago suburbs in IL. You can also email me at Judith@JudithWeiner.com.

Apr. 12, 2012 - 6 Dont's After You Apply For A Mortgage

6 Don’ts After You Apply For A Mortgage

by Dean Hartman·

I learned a long time ago that “common sense is NOT common practice“. This is especially the case during the emotional time that surrounds buying a home, when people tend to do some non-commonsensical things. Here are a few that I’ve seen over the years that have delayed (and even killed) deals:

1. Don’t deposit cash into your bank accounts. Lenders need to source your money and cash is not really traceable. Small, explainable deposits are fine, but getting $10,000 from your parents as a gift in cash is not. Discuss the proper way to track your assets with your loan officer.
2. Don’t make any large purchases like a new car or a bunch of new furniture. New debt comes with it, including new monthly obligations. New obligations create new qualifications. People with new debt have higher ratios…higher ratios make for riskier loans…and sometimes qualified borrowers are no longer qualifying.
3. Don’t co-sign other loans for anyone. When you co-sign, you are obligated. With that obligation comes higher ratios, as well. Even if you swear you won’t be making the payments, the lender will be counting the payment against you.
4. Don’t change bank accounts. Remember, lenders need to source and track assets. That task is significantly easier when there is a consistency of accounts. Frankly, before you even transfer money between accounts, talk to your loan officer.
5. Don’t apply for new credit. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a new credit card or a new car, when you have your credit report run by organizations in multiple financial channels (mortgage, credit card, auto, etc.), your FICO score will be affected. Lower credit scores can determine your interest rate and maybe even your eligibility for approval.
6. Don’t close any credit accounts. Many clients have erroneously believed that having less available credit makes them less risky and more approvable. Wrong. A major component of your score is your length and depth credit history (as opposed to just your payment history) and your total usage of credit as a percentage of available credit. Closing accounts has a negative impact on both those determinants of your score.

The best advice is to fully disclose and discuss your plans with your loan officer before you do anything financial in nature. Any blip in income, assets, or credit should be reviewed and executed in a way to keep your application in the most positive light.

This is just great advice so I am glad to preaent it to you. Please feel free to check out my website at http://JudithWeiner.com to learn more about the buying and selling process regarding real estate or give me a call at 847-207-3444 if you want more information regarding homes for sale, listing your property or rentals in the Highland Park, Glencoe, Winnetka, Wilmette, Deerfield, Highwood, Northbrook, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods, Buffalo Grove, Gurnee, Lake Forest or surrounding Chicago suburbs in IL. You can also email me at Judith@JudithWeiner.com.

Apr. 11, 2012 - Smart Advice About Your Credit

Smart Advice About Your Credit

Quick Tip Today:

Be aware that companies you do business with may sell your credit information. Now, many of the people buying the names and addresses of people who have given their credit information are legitimate marketing companies who are searching for a particular target audience. But lately, there is a rise of not-so-legitimate people who are buying your credit information to actually steal your credit profile.

We’ve all heard about identity theft, but how does it happen. Historically, it has usually been a case of the bad guys either rummaging through your garbage for old bank and credit card statements; or hacking a website where you entered info (like a credit card); or there have even been cases where bank databases where compromised. But, the sale of your information seems to be the most scary of them all. For between $40 and $80, would be thieves can really mess up your credit and life.

True, most identity theft can be fixed, but it can take months – even when you hire an expert. Especially when you are looking to buy a home or even refinance it, months can be fatal.

Please feel free to check out my website at http://JudithWeiner.com to learn more about the buying and selling process regarding real estate or give me a call at 847-207-3444 if you want more information regarding homes for sale, listing your property or rentals in the Highland Park, Glencoe, Winnetka, Wilmette, Deerfield, Highwood, Northbrook, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods, Buffalo Grove, Gurnee, Lake Forest or surrounding Chicago suburbs in IL. You can also email me at Judith@JudithWeiner.com.

Apr. 11, 2012 - Reasons Why People Buy Homes

Apr. 11, 2012 - You Want An "Expert" in Real Estate

What It Means To Be an ‘EXPERT’ in Real Estate

If you are either buying or selling a home in today’s market, you need a real estate expert. However, we must realize what the term ‘expert’ actually means. An expert in any area cannot give perfect advice as no one can predict the future. But they can give excellent advice based on their insight into their field.

If you go to an attorney with a legal challenge, he/she will look over your case and give you your options. They realize they cannot guarantee the outcome of any of the options. Still, they give the best advice possible and allow you to decide the option with which you feel most comfortable. They then will put together a strategy which hopefully will bring about the most favorable conclusion.

If you go to a doctor with a serious ailment, he/she will give you your options and work with you to develop the best treatment program. They cannot guarantee any program’s success. They will, however, monitor your progress and adjust your treatments or medications. They will stand next to you until the best result is achieved.

Real estate is no different. A true real estate professional will understand your options and simply and effectively explain them to you and your family. Once you chose an option, they will strategize a plan to help you accomplish your goals. They will standby you as the process evolves and will help you make the necessary adjustments if necessary.

They cannot see the future any better than doctors or attorneys and thus their advice will never be perfect. However, just like those other professionals, an expert agent will give you excellent advice that will bring about the best possible outcome.

Please feel free to check out my website at http://JudithWeiner.com to learn more about the buying and selling process regarding real estate or give me a call at 847-207-3444 if you want more information regarding homes for sale, listing your property or rentals in the Highland Park, Glencoe, Winnetka, Wilmette, Deerfield, Highwood, Northbrook, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods, Buffalo Grove, Gurnee, Lake Forest or surrounding Chicago suburbs in IL. You can also email me at Judith@JudithWeiner.com.

Apr. 11, 2012 - Women and Men Home-Buying Decisions

Women and Men Home-Buying Decisions

Coldwell Banker Survey Finds Women and Men Make Home-Buying Decisions with Head and Heart

PARSIPPANY, N.J. (March 27, 2012) – Square-footage and price are important elements to consider when selecting a home but according to a new survey from Coldwell Banker Real Estate of 1,000 men and women, they both also rely on how they feel and how their lifestyle fits into a home when looking for a place to live. The survey found 28 percent of women and 25 percent of men put more emphasis on their feelings about a home than they do on the layout, square footage, or price. The majority of women (62 percent) and men (61 percent) also know within the first visit if the home is right for them.

“A home is more than square-footage and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and this survey shows just how much emotion can play a role in home buying process,” says Jessica Edwards, Coldwell Banker Real Estate consumer specialist. “When two people are looking for a home together, there are many considerations to take into account. Of course, price and layout matter, but ‘feeling at home’ is an important factor.” 

The survey also reveals insights into the roles men and women play at home and finds some interesting differences between age groups. 

Women Take Charge of Making a House a Home:

·         Over half of women (54 percent) say that they take the lead when it comes to decorating.

o   However, younger men play a larger role in décor decisions than their older counterparts. Forty-eight (48) percent of younger respondents, age 18-44, say decorating is mutual; this decreases to 36 percent for respondents 55 and over.

·         Women also cook it up in the kitchen. Sixty-eight (68) percent of women say they are the “primary chef” for their household.

o   Not to be outdone, some men are also putting on the apron – occasionally.  Nearly a quarter of men (23 percent) say cooking is their job. 

Age Changes How Men and Women Feel “At Home”

·         Sharing financial decisions may get easier over time. Fifty-four (54) percent of people age 18-44 say major financial decisions are mutual, compared to 60 percent of those 45-54. This increases to 70 percent for people 55 and over.

·         Interestingly, as age increases, so does contentment with the current status of the home. Almost half (45 percent) of those older than 55 say they are very happy with their home just the way it is, compared to 25 percent of those age 18-44.

o   More men seem to be focused on making significant changes to the home (9 percent) compared to women (5 percent). 

For couples entering the home-buying process, here are Edwards’ tips for harmonious house-hunting:

• Each person should come up with a list of a few things that are most important and then come together as a couple to decide on a list of the top three to five things that are important for the home. 
• When looking for a home, communication is key.  Consider designating a point person for different aspects of the home-buying process, so that information is not delayed or communicated to just one part of the couple.
• Don’t get too many people involved; typically more people means more stress and what is most important is that the couple is happy with the decisions being made.
• Don’t forget to have fun! Remember that this home will be the place to build memories and a life together.

Survey Methodology: Coldwell Banker Real Estate engaged SSRS to conduct an omnibus survey via telephone in February 2012, among more than 1,000 respondents. This study was conducted in SSRS’s EXCEL Omnibus. EXCEL is a national, weekly telephone omnibus service designed to meet the standards of quality associated with custom research studies. The EXCEL survey consists of a standard set of introductory and demographic questions supplemented by a changing series of questions on various topics as contracted by participating companies. 

Sample Design: Each EXCEL survey consists of 1,000 interviews, with 50% men and 50% women. EXCEL uses a fully-replicated, stratified, single-stage random-digit-dialing (RDD) sample of telephone households. Sample telephone numbers are computer-generated and loaded into on-line sample files accessed directly by the CRT system. Within each sample household, one adult respondent is randomly selected using a computerized procedure based on the “Most Recent Birthday Method”. Respondents answering questions in an EXCEL insert specifically designed for this survey were 1014 men and women ages 18 and older.  

Margin of Error: Because this is a sample, and not an actual population, an associated margin of error applies. At a 95% level of confidence, the margin of error for this sample of 1014 is +/- 3.08%. This essentially means that we can be 95% certain that, for any percentage result for the total sample, the “true” percentage is within 3.08 percentage points of that which is actually reported. 

Significant Differences: Within this report, significant differences are reported at the 95% level of confidence.

Please feel free to check out my website at http://JudithWeiner.com to learn more about the buying and selling process regarding real estate or give me a call at 847-207-3444 if you want more information regarding homes for sale, listing your property or rentals in the Highland Park, Glencoe, Winnetka, Wilmette, Deerfield, Highwood, Northbrook, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods, Buffalo Grove, Gurnee, Lake Forest or surrounding Chicago suburbs in IL. You can also email me at Judith@JudithWeiner.com.

Mar. 30, 2012 - More Affordable to Buy than to Rent

More Affordable To Buy in 98% of Major Metros

Last week, Trulia released their Winter 2012 Rent vs. Buy Index. In the index, they report that:

“After years of home price declines and tightening rental markets, home ownership is now more affordable than renting in all but two of the 100 largest metros – even in expensive real estate markets such as New York, Los Angeles and Boston.”

The two metros where renting was more affordable were Honolulu and San Francisco. However, Trulia explains that, even in these markets, buying a home:

“…might make sense for people who plan to stay in their next home for at least five years and can benefit from the mortgage-interest tax deduction.”

This rent/buy ratio favors buying more so then at almost any time in history. In a recent article, Forbes Magazine quotes Jed Kolko, Trulia’s chief economist:

“Certainly prices have continued to fall nationally, but rents have been rising so this would be the lowest price-to-rent ratio that we’ve seen.”

Bottom Line

It might be time to talk to me about the possibility that buying a home makes sense for you and family. So please feel free to check out my website at http://JudithWeiner.com to learn more about the buying and selling process regarding real estate or give me a call at 847-207-3444 if you want more information regarding homes for sale, listing your property or rentals in the Highland Park, Glencoe, Winnetka, Wilmette, Deerfield, Highwood, Northbrook, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods, Buffalo Grove, Gurnee, Lake Forest or surrounding Chicago suburbs in IL. You can also email me at Judith@JudithWeiner.com.

Mar. 29, 2012 - The Spring Home Buying Market Looks Promising

Spring Market Looks VERY Promising

The Spring market is upon us. Professionals across the country are reporting that buyer activity is very strong. Purchasers are beginning to realize that this is one of the greatest times in American real estate to buy a home. There are basically four reasons for this: 

1.            They realize that it is the COST of the home that matters most not the PRICE.

2.            They realize that it is actually LESS EXPENSIVE to own than to rent in 98% of the country.

3.            They realize that SHORT SALES are a real bargain.

4.            EVERYONE is now saying it is time to buy.

The market is turning for the better. It may be time for you and your family to jump in.

Mar. 23, 2012 - Chicago Botanical Gardens Antiques & Garden Fair

CHICAGO BOTANICAL GARDENS
ANTIQUES & GARDEN FAIR

APRIL 20 - 22,2012,10 A.M. - 5 P.M.

Come celebrate 12 years of the leading antiques and garden fair in the Midwest. Featuring more than 100 exhibitors from the United States and Europe, this show is the leading venue for fine garden furnishings, botanical art, exquisite vintage items, and garden-themed accessories.

Highlights

Preview Evening

•  On Thursday, April 1 g, experience a night of visual splendor in tented exhibit gardens, priority shopping, sumptuous buffets, and libations (separate fee applies).

Lectures

•  Special presentation by David Easton, renowned interior designer, "A Design Journey of the Past, Present, and Future," on Friday, April 20 (separate fee applies).

•  Special presentation by David Howard, former head gardener at Highgrove for

H.R.H. Prince Charles. "My Gardening Life: on Saturday, April 21 (separate fee applies).

Fair

• Fabulous indoor gardens Interpreting this year's theme, "Around the Garden Table."

•  Free flower-arranging demonstrations by vendors on Saturday and Sunday, April 21  and 22.

Buy Fair and lecture tickets in advance and save!

For more information and to purchase tickets to the Preview Evening, Fair, and lectures, visit www.chicagobotanic.org or stop by the Visitor Center.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is one of the treasures of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County.

Call me if you have any questions about activities around the North Shore and please feel free to check out my website at http://JudithWeiner.com to learn more about the buying and selling process regarding real estate or give me a call at 847-207-3444 if you want more information regarding homes for sale, listing your property or rentals in the Highland Park, Glencoe, Winnetka, Wilmette, Deerfield, Highwood, Northbrook, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods, Buffalo Grove, Gurnee, Lake Forest or surrounding Chicago suburbs in IL. You can also email me at Judith@JudithWeiner.com.

Mar. 23, 2012 - Spring Has Sprung

Spring Has Sprung

Here comes Spring, historically the time of year when buyers awake from the winter slumber of the holidays and snowfall, and go on their pilgrimage to look for new housing. Houses look better in Spring with green grass, blooming trees, and flowers.

Plus, buyers who find a home in the next 60 days can close after the school year ends and enjoy the summer months in their new backyards. It’s almost a rite of passage; baseball teams go to spring training, buyers go look at homes, and the birds fly back north.

But this Spring is different than those of recent memory…

▪   Because of the warm weather we experienced here in the Midwest for most of this past winter buyers have been out for months – making offers and buying homes.

▪   Many sellers have finally come to understand that they need to have a compelling price on their home to attract buyers. The days of listing your home and negotiating down are over because there are homes on the market already priced correctly, and those are the homes that buyers are going to. The overpriced inventory doesn’t even get their chance to negotiate down.

▪   Rates have ticked up as economic news (like unemployment numbers) has improved. That, coupled with rising mortgage insurance premiums and guarantee fees, seems to have given some sense of urgency to buyers.

▪   The looming shadow inventory, which most certainly will keep downward pressure on home prices (when added to easier short sale approvals), has tended to encourage home sellers to be more realistic in their expectations.

▪   The abundance of information available to consumers has further increased their need for sound advice from top-notch real estate and mortgage professionals. The cream is certainly rising to the top in those professions.

Low interest rates, a tremendous selection to choose from, and the seasonality of it all makes for an exciting next 60-90 days. My advice to anyone looking to buy or sell is that waiting to be aggressive could be a fatal mistake if you hope to find the best deal. From my experience, the best deals come when more people are competing for them…and that time is NOW!

Please feel free to check out my website at http://JudithWeiner.com to learn more about the buying and selling process regarding real estate or give me a call at 847-207-3444 if you want more information regarding homes for sale, listing your property or rentals in the Highland Park, Glencoe, Winnetka, Wilmette, Deerfield, Highwood, Northbrook, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods, Buffalo Grove, Gurnee, Lake Forest or surrounding Chicago suburbs in IL. You can also email me at Judith@JudithWeiner.com.

Mar. 23, 2012 - First Time Home Buyers: The Stats

First Time Buyers: The Stats

Mar. 20, 2012 - Housing Crisis May End This Year

Capital Economics expects the housing crisis to end this year, according to a report released Tuesday. One of the reasons: loosening credit.

The analytics firm notes the average credit score required to attain a mortgage loan is 700. While this is higher than scores required prior to the crisis, it is constant with requirements one year ago.

Additionally, a Fed Senior Loan Officer Survey found credit requirements in the fourth quarter were consistent with the past three quarters.

However, other market indicators point not just to a stabilization of mortgage lending standards, but also a loosening of credit availability.

Banks are now lending amounts up to 3.5 times borrower earnings. This is up from a low during the crisis of 3.2 times borrower earnings.

Banks are also loosening loan-to-value ratios (LTV), which Capital Economics denotes “the clearest sign yet of an improvement in mortgage credit conditions.”

In contrast to a low of 74 percent reached in mid-2010, banks are now lending at 82 percent LTV.

While credit conditions may have loosened slightly, some potential homebuyers are still struggling with credit requirements. In fact, Capital Economics points out that in November 8 percent of contract cancellations were the result of a potential buyer not qualifying for a loan.

Additionally, Capital Economics says “any improvement in credit conditions won’t be significant enough to generate actual house price gains,” and potential ramifications from the euro-zone pose a threat to future credit availability.

Please feel free to check out my website at http://JudithWeiner.com to learn more about the buying and selling process regarding real estate or give me a call at 847-207-3444 if you want more information regarding homes for sale, listing your property or rentals in the Highland Park, Glencoe, Winnetka, Wilmette, Deerfield, Highwood, Northbrook, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods, Buffalo Grove, Gurnee, Lake Forest or surrounding Chicago suburbs in IL. You can also email me at Judith@JudithWeiner.com.

Mar. 20, 2012 - Buying A Home? The COST Is More Important Than The PRICE

Buying a Home? The COST Is More Important Than the PRICE

This came from the KCM Blog post and I thought it was an excellent article to share with all of you:

‘We have often advised buyers to look at the COST of purchasing a house more than the PRICE of the home. Obviously, price is part of the cost equation. The other piece, assuming you are not an all cash buyer, is the mortgage rate. The mortgage rate to finance a purchase can have a dramatic impact on the overall cost. Recently, there are more people talking about the possibility that mortgage rates could begin to increase.

HSH.com studies trends in mortgage rates. They explain:

“A better economic climate almost always brings higher rates, and a lessening of the troubles in Europe from massive central bank assistance adds to the movement of money from safe havens to more risky assets, driving rates upward.”

Dan Green of The Daily Market Reports recently stated:

“The Fed sees growth coming faster than originally expected. There’s suddenly less chance that the Federal Reserve will intervene to help keep mortgage rates low. Absent Fed intervention, mortgage rates are apt to rise and Wall Street is now betting that the Fed has bowed out. With no stimulus, mortgage rates rise.”

Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Assoc of Realtors, recently wrote:

“Mortgage rates will be starting to rise. From the 3.9 to 4.0 percent average rate in the past five months on a 30-year fixed mortgage, the new rates will soon be in the range of 4.3 to 4.6 percent.”

Yun explains his logic here.

Yun explains that we do not attempt to predict future interest rates. We leave that up to the experts in the field. However, we want our readers to understand the potential impact on the cost of purchasing a home if they do rise. Here is a simple table that shows, even if the PRICE of a home softens, the COST of a home could increase.

Bottom Line

Many purchasers think they should wait until they are sure that prices have hit bottom. Deciding whether or not to wait should be determined by where the COST of a home is headed.’

Please feel free to check out my website at http://JudithWeiner.com to learn more about the buying and selling process regarding real estate or give me a call at 847-207-3444 if you want more information regarding homes for sale, listing your property or rentals in the Highland Park, Glencoe, Winnetka, Wilmette, Deerfield, Highwood, Northbrook, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods, Buffalo Grove, Gurnee, Lake Forest or surrounding Chicago suburbs in IL. You can also email me at Judith@JudithWeiner.com.

Mar. 19, 2012 - Baby Boomers And The Real Estate Market

Mar. 16, 2012 - 2.6M of Shadow Inventory To Be Resolved

Please feel free to check out my website at http://JudithWeiner.com to learn more about the buying and selling process regarding real estate or give me a call at 847-207-3444 if you want more information regarding homes for sale, listing your property or rentals in the Highland Park, Glencoe, Winnetka, Wilmette, Deerfield, Highwood, Northbrook, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods, Buffalo Grove, Gurnee, Lake Forest or surrounding Chicago suburbs in IL. You can also email me at Judith@JudithWeiner.com.

Mar. 14, 2012 - Short Sale Success: What is an Acceptable Hardship?

Short Sale Success: What is an Acceptable Hardship?

A short sale, in most instances, is a complex transaction. However, there are two very simplistic characteristics that every qualified short sale possesses:

1. The house must be valued at less than the homeowner owes on their mortgage debt obligation. In other words, the home must be "underwater".

2. The homeowner must have a qualified hardship.

It is the second characteristic that we would like to touch upon in this blog post.

One question that we answer frequently is "My house is underwater. Is this an acceptable hardship?" Unfortunately, the answer is always "No."

The simple fact that a homeowners mortgage obligation is in access of their house value is not an acceptable hardship. A Short Selling bank will entertain a short sale when and only when there is a hardship that will, now or in the future, affect the borrower's ability to pay their mortgage.

The following is a list of acceptable hardships that may be used when submitting a short sale package:

Mortgage Rate Adjustments

Loss of Employment or Reduction in Wages

Business Failure

Medical Hardship

Death in the Family

Divorce/Separation

Military Service

Overwhelming Debt Obligations

Job Relocation

As always, should you have questions as to the acceptability of a hardship scenario, you should seek advice from an expert that has been trained in the short sale field. courtesy of KCM Blog

Please feel free to check out my website at http://JudithWeiner.com to learn more about the buying and selling process regarding real estate or give me a call at 847-207-3444 if you want more information regarding homes for sale, listing your property or rentals in the Highland Park, Glencoe, Winnetka, Wilmette, Deerfield, Highwood, Northbrook, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods, Buffalo Grove, Gurnee, Lake Forest or surrounding Chicago suburbs in IL. You can also email me at Judith@JudithWeiner.com.

Please feel free to check out my website at http://JudithWeiner.com to learn more about the buying and selling process regarding real estate or give me a call at 847-207-3444 if you want more information regarding homes for sale, listing your property or rentals in the Highland Park, Glencoe, Winnetka, Wilmette, Deerfield, Highwood, Northbrook, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods, Buffalo Grove, Gurnee, Lake Forest or surrounding Chicago suburbs in IL. You can also email me at Judith@JudithWeiner.com.

Mar. 7, 2012 - Real Estate Commissions: You Get What You Pay For

Real Estate Commissions: You Get What You Pay For

 Does it make sense to pay a full commission to your real estate agent in today’s market? Sellers, buyers and even agents are debating what should be charged to assist a consumer in completing a real estate transaction. Forget what the actual amount of the commission is. The bigger question is whether you should pay a ‘full fee’ when hiring a real estate expert to guide you through the complexities of today’s rapidly changing housing environment.

If a full fee were the rule in 2006 when completing a deal was so much simpler, why would you now consider cutting the fee of your agent in today’s tumultuous market? You are depending on this person to help you reach your goals in a sale or purchase. In 2006, buyers were willing to pay almost anything to a seller just to get into a home. Banking entities seemed to be willing to mortgage any property for any buyer. The process was rather simple.

Today, a person looking to buy or sell should be willing to pay a full fee for two reasons:

You need an expert guide if you are traveling a dangerous path

The field of real estate is loaded with land mines. You need a true expert to guide you through the dangerous pitfalls that currently exist. Finding a buyer willing to pay fair market value for your home at a time that there are mass inventories of foreclosures and short sales will take a true real estate professional. Finding reasonable financing can also be tricky in today’s lending environment.

Experts in any profession do not discount their fees; especially when the job is becoming much more difficult.

You need a skilled negotiator

In today’s market, hiring a talented negotiator could save you thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of dollars. Each step of the way – from the original offer, to the possible re-negotiation of that off after a home inspection, to the possible cancellation of the deal based on a troubled appraisal – you need someone who can keep the deal together until it closes.

When an agent is negotiating their commission with you, they are negotiating their own salary – the salary that keeps a roof over their family’s head; the salary that puts food on their family’s table. If they are quick to take less when negotiating for themselves and their families, what makes you think they will not act the same way when negotiating for you and your family? If they were Clark Kent when negotiating with you, they will not turn into Superman when negotiating with the buyer or seller in your deal.

Bottom Line

We believe that famous sayings become famous because they are true. You get what you pay for. A good agent just like a good accountant or a good attorney will save you money…not cost you money. From KCM Blog

Please feel free to check out my website at http://JudithWeiner.com to learn more about the buying and selling process regarding real estate or give me a call at 847-207-3444 if you want more information regarding homes for sale, listing your property or rentals in the Highland Park, Glencoe, Winnetka, Wilmette, Deerfield, Highwood, Northbrook, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods, Buffalo Grove, Gurnee, Lake Forest or surrounding Chicago suburbs in IL. You can also email me at Judith@JudithWeiner.com.

Mar. 5, 2012 - Months Supply of Shadow Inventory of Foreclosures of Homes

Please feel free to check out my website at http://JudithWeiner.com to learn more about the buying and selling process regarding real estate or give me a call at 847-207-3444 if you want more information regarding homes for sale, listing your property or rentals in the Highland Park, Glencoe, Winnetka, Wilmette, Deerfield, Highwood, Northbrook, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods, Buffalo Grove, Gurnee, Lake Forest or surrounding Chicago suburbs in IL. You can also email me at Judith@JudithWeiner.com.

- About Judith Weiner

 About Judith Weiner 

Hello! I am Judith Weiner, Realtor® with Coldwell Banker Highland Park Illinois. I specialize in Highland Park as well as the neighboring communities of Lake Forest, Winnetka, Wilmette, Libertyville, Vernon Hills, Gurnee, Grayslake, Glencoe, Deerfield, Lincolnshire, Lake Bluff, Northbrook, Glenview, Kenilworth, Evanston, Buffalo Grove and other areas in Cook County and Lake County. To search the Multiple Listing Service via my own website go to www.JudithWeiner.com.

Whether your need is a first home, a growing family home, an investment property or a home for the retirement years, I know I will be an excellent guide and manager for each transaction. I look forward to the opportunity to be of service.

Please check out my website at http://JudithWeiner.com or my blog at http://Move2ChicagoSuburbs.com or give me a call at 847-207-3444 if you want more information regarding homes for sale, listing your property or rentals in the Highland Park, Glencoe, Deerfield, Highwood, Northbrook or surrounding suburbs. You can also email me at Judith@JudithWeiner.com.