Chicagoland Home Buyer & Seller News & General Real Estate Information![]() Home | Profile | Archives | Blog Manager Recent PostsHome Buyer Tax Credit At A GlanceFour Ways the 2009 Economic Stimulus Plan Benefits Home Owners & Buyers Foreclosure Fraud Video Judith Weiner's Home News - February 2010 Rate Lock Duration CategoriesJudith's Home NewsBuyer Information Seller Information Mortgage Information Favorite LinksMy WebsiteSearch the MLS Quick Right Price Analysis of Your Home About Judith WeinerPosted at ,About Judith Weiner
By Referral Only …is the heart of my business. I focus 100% of my time providing world-class service to my clients. As a result, my valued clients and friends refer their neighbors, business associates, family and others to me for my trusted advice on buying or selling homes. It is my desire to build a business based on strong, lasting relationships – starting with you!
I am a compassionate, caring and knowledgeable real estate consultant working in the Coldwell Banker office in Highland Park. For over 19 wonderful years, I have consistently and systematically served the Northern Chicagoland Communities. My extraordinary team of detailed oriented office staff & over 100 sales associates work out of our attractive offices in downtown Highland Park on Sheridan Road. My car and home office enable me to ably serve the vast Chicagoland area.
Real Estate transactions often become a complicated maze of numbers and negotiations. Successfully maneuvering through these challenges requires a creative professional who can navigate the way in order to minimize stress and maximize success for home sellers and buyers.
I have been a member of the Chicagoland community all my life. My husband and I raised our three sons in the suburbs and have been residents of Highland Park since 1979. I have been a full-time residential real estate consultant covering the Chicago Suburban marketplace since becoming a real estate consultant in 1987 and have an in-depth knowledge of the North Shore, Northwest and Far North Suburban communities.
I pride myself in maintaining close contact with my clients and delivering World Class Service as well as paying close attention to the details to avoid problems and to ensure that their home sale or purchase experience is a very positive one. I have earned a reputation for leading clients through the entire experience of buying or selling in a caring and professional way. All of my personal and professional goals have been oriented around the care of other people. My people skills and exceptional business management skills enable me to put people at ease and help them find not just a home, but the right home. By listening hard to my clients needs, including the unspoken, I help provide the alternatives that fit their criteria.
My unique, creative and active rather than passive marketing programs effectively sell homes for the best price in the most realistic time. I have developed outstanding negotiation skills and when I put together a contract, you can be assured of a successful closing. I am committed to a long-term career in real estate as evidenced by my belief in placing a premium on continuing education so that you the buyer or seller can be the beneficiary of the latest information, skills and the technological advances. Above and beyond the sales person’s license required to sell real estate in Illinois, I earned my Broker’s license in 1998.
I have my CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) designation, awarded by the National Association of REALTORS® to experienced REALTORS® who complete advanced training in listing and selling. Only 5% of the REALTORS® in the country have earned the right to be called CRS® but they are involved in 25% of all real estate transactions.
I was awarded Graduate, REALTOR® Institute (GRI) symbol from the National Association of REALTORS® after attending a specific, intensive series of a minimum of 90 hours of classroom instruction. The GRI symbol is the mark of a real estate professional that has made the commitment to provide a high level of professional services to you by securing a strong educational foundation.
I was awarded the ABR® (Accredited Buyer Representation) designation that is given to real estate practitioners by the Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council, Inc. (REBAC) of the National Association of REALTORS®. The ABR® designation, the benchmark of excellence in buyer agency service, demonstrates to my clients that I have taken steps to continue my education in the field of buyer representation and have proven experience and training in order to deliver ethical and professional service to real estate buyers.
I have achieved the e-PRO certification awarded to REALTORS® who have taken and passed an extensive online course to help real estate professionals thrive in the competitive world of online real estate from the National Association of REALTORS®. I received my RECS designation from the Real Estate Cyberspace Society. That certification designates REALTORS® who have proven their skills in electronic marketing techniques.
I have achieved Cendant Mobility Inventory and Marketing Specialist (CMIS & CMMS) certifications. The CMIS course covers tasks for safeguarding and selling a transferee’s vacant property after his/her move and how to meet client performance metrics. The CMMS course teaches how to best market the transferee’s old house, and to decrease administrative burdens, and also covers the Amended Sale Program and Broker Market Analysis. I have also achieved Cendant Mobility Buyer Specialist certification (CMBS). This CMBS course covers how to provide transferee buyers top-flight service.
Over the years I have received prestigious awards given to the top Coldwell Banker® real estate agents worldwide such as Coldwell Banker’s International President’s Circle, Coldwell Banker’s International President’s Elite and membership in Coldwell Banker’s prestigious International Diamond Society.
To provide excellence in service and support throughout the process of buying or selling, I have assembled a team of top professionals in lending, appraisal, title, inspection and relocation. I also have all the superior resources available that come with being a part of the Coldwell Banker network of real estate agents.
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.
Home Buyer Tax Credit At A GlancePosted at ,$8,000 First-time Home Buyer Tax Credit at a Glance
The $6,500 Move-Up / Repeat Home Buyer Tax Credit at a Glance
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View more entries tagged with: None Four Ways the 2009 Economic Stimulus Plan Benefits Home Owners & BuyersPosted at ,Four Ways the 2009 Economic Stimulus Plan Benefits Home Owners and Buyers There are four primary sections of the 2009 economic stimulus plan that could be very beneficial if you own or are buying a home. Benefit #1 - Expansion of Home Improvement Tax Credit Benefit #2 - Expansion of First-time Home Buyer Tax Credit Benefit #3 - Higher Reverse Mortgage Loan Limits Benefit #4 - $729,750 FHA and Conforming Loan Limits Restored in High Cost Areas
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View this Freddy Mac video to get the low down on Foreclosure Scams. Judith Weiner's Home News - February 2010Posted at ,
If love sometimes leaves you at a loss for words, here are some quotes you may find inspirational:
If I had a flower for every time I thought of you, I could walk in my garden forever. – Alfred Lord Tennyson
You’re nothing short of my everything. – Ralph Block
Sometimes your nearness takes my breath away; and all the things I want to say can find no voice. Then, in silence, I can only hope my eyes will speak my heart. – Robert Sexton
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach.
– Elizabeth Barrett Browning
I can conquer the world with one hand, as long as you’re holding the other. – Unknown
I love you: Those three words have my life in them. – Alexandra to Nicholas II
If I could reach up and hold a star for every time you made me smile, I would have the whole night sky in the palm of my hand.
– Unknown
You will always be the answer, when someone asks me what I’m thinking about.
– Unknown
Come live in my heart, and pay no rent.
– Samuel Lover
Sometimes the right words are the best Valentine gift of all!
Why Does An Itch – Itch?
We’ve all scratched an itch and felt better for it. But why do we get relief?
Scientists uncovered an answer with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a study where participants were scratched with a small brush – 30 seconds on and 30 seconds off – for a total of about five minutes. Researchers were surprised when areas of the brain that are associated with unpleasant or aversive emotions and memories became less active when participants were being scratched.
Scientists hope this knowledge will lead to help for people who suffer from chronic itching (for example, about 42% of patients who undergo kidney dialysis) by developing a drug that inhibits the same areas of the brain that scratching does.
Eight Mysteries Of Life
Take a few moments to ponder some of these wonderful mysteries of life:
1. If swimming is so good for your figure, why are whales so fat?
2. What should you do if you see an endangered animal eating an endangered plant?
3. If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?
4. When cheese gets its picture taken, what does it say?
5. If it’s true that we’re here to help others, then what exactly are the others here for?
6. What is a free gift? Aren’t all gifts free?
7. How come you never hear about gruntled employees?
8. Before the invention of drawing boards, what did people go back to?
How To Break A Bad Habit
Are you an interrupter? If you are, you might want to rethink your decision to barge in on another’s words the next time the urge strikes you. Why? In addition to generally being considered rude behavior, Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love, says that when she interrupts someone, no matter how she tries to justify it, the truth is that her behavior is telling the other person that what she’s saying is more important than what they’re saying. When you get right down to it, such behavior says, “I’m more important than you.”
If that’s not the message you want to send to your loved ones, in the workplace, during a job interview, or during any interaction, the next time you’re tempted to interrupt, stop and take a deep breath. Take another deep breath. Repeat as needed.
Do You Know Your “nyms”?
The English language has its challenges – even if it’s your native tongue. Here’s a short refresher course in “nym” words, “nym” from the Greek onoma, meaning a name:
Acronym: a word formed from the initial letter or letters of a series of words such as NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
Antonym: a word opposite in meaning to another, e.g., fast and slow.
Autoantonym: a word that can take two (or more) opposite meanings; for example, fast means both moving quickly or fixed firmly in place.
Capitonym: a word that changes its meaning (and sometimes pronunciation) when it’s capitalized: march and March.
Heteronym: words that have the same spelling, but different meaning and sometimes different pronunciation, such as lead (to conduct) and lead (a metal).
Homonym: words having the same sound and often the same spelling but different meanings: quail (to cower) and quail (a bird). Not to be confused with homophones, which are homonyms that have the same sound but different spelling and meaning (to, too, and two).
Metonym: a word that designates something by the name of something associated with it; e.g., the Crown referring to the monarchy.
Synonym: a word having the same or nearly the same meaning as another in the language, for example, joyful, elated, glad.
Wrapped Vs. Unwrapped
If you’re looking forward to enjoying some Valentine candy but you’d like to enjoy a bit less of it, here’s something to consider.
A study presented at the American Heart Association Conference found that eating candy in wrappers might help us eat less, as opposed to eating unwrapped candies. Researchers found that people who ate candies and kept the wrappers in plain sight ate only about half as many as those who did not.
Lead study author Brian Wansink (www.mindlesseating.org) says, “Having a visual reminder of how much you eat keeps you honest and eating less. Your stomach can’t count, but your eyes can when they see the empty wrappers.”
It also helps to keep the candy in a less convenient location rather than right at your elbow, Wansink says. Relocate the candy bowl five or 10 feet away so you have to get up and walk to it, rather than just reach for it.
How To Help Your Child Learn
Asking your kids about their school day is a good idea. Why? Researchers who study how kids learn already knew that children learn best with their parents or a peer, but it wasn’t clear whether this was because the children were getting feedback and help, or merely because they were explaining their solutions to someone. In a recent study, researchers had mothers simply listen to their children without providing any assistance.
They learned that it’s really effective to get kids to explain things themselves instead of just telling them the answer. Explaining their reasoning – to a parent, peer, or other people they know – helps kids understand the problem and apply what they’ve learned to other situations.
Get Your Dreams On Board
If you have a goal that you want to make into a dream-come-true, take some time to make a treasure map, says personal growth expert and author Shakti Gawain in her book Creative Visualization. A treasure map of what? Your dream!
Here’s what Gawain says to do to get yourself focused on bringing your life in line with your dreams:
Whether you call it a “treasure map,” a “dream board” or a “visioning board,” start with a piece of light cardboard and decide how big you want it to be. Do you want to carry it around with you? Or do you want to hang it on a wall? Whatever your choice, focus on a goal in one area of your life. For instance, if you want to travel the world, decide on where you want to go first, then draw or cut out pictures from magazines or print pictures from the Internet of the destination you have in mind. Then include a picture of yourself doing what you’ve always dreamed of doing when you travel to your dream destination. Look at your treasure map every day so it has a chance to make a strong impact on your consciousness, Gawain says. For an even stronger impact, write a daily affirmation: “Here I am in Tahiti, staying in a luxury hotel with plenty of money to do exactly what I please.” The most important thing, says Gawain: Remember to have fun.
That’s No Mermaid!
In 1493, Christopher Columbus logged seeing three mermaids while he was sailing near the Dominican Republic. He wrote that he was surprised they weren’t as attractive as the depictions he’d seen in paintings. So did the famous explorer actually see three half-fish, half-female creatures frolicking in the sea?
Not likely, experts say. Columbus’ mermaids were probably manatees, which can grow to lengths of up to 12 feet and weigh up to 1,200 pounds. Manatees look somewhat like aquatic elephants, and some think that the romantic depictions of mermaids with long green or blue hair might have been manatees breaking the water surface with seaweed hanging from their heads.
So, while manatees and mermaids are vastly different, there is something lovable about manatees. These bewhiskered, gentle, slow-moving plant eaters are air-breathing mammals – just like us. They communicate with each other using chirps, whistles and squeaks, and just like us, they’ve been observed participating in loosely organized, playful activities such as bodysurfing and follow-the-leader.
Caregiver Challenges
Are you responsible for the care of an elderly family member? If so, you know that being a caregiver can be mentally and emotionally challenging. The National Center on Elder Abuse estimates that one to two million older people have been injured, mistreated, or exploited by someone they depended on. And more unsettling, 75% to 95% of the abuse was committed by family members.
Elder abuse can arise as a continuation of a longstanding pattern of abuse within families. But more commonly, elder abuse occurs because of altered living arrangements and changes in the senior’s health – and the transformation of family dynamics as a result. It’s a complex matter and often misunderstood. The adjustments you have to make as a caregiver can be staggering. So how can you balance your own needs with those of the individual you care for?
Look for resources to help support you. Try to find a way of giving yourself a break. Adult daycare might be one solution, or find someone to come in a few hours every week to help with difficult tasks or allow you to get away for awhile.
Consider residential care if things are really getting out of hand and you need a respite. Though you may feel guilty, you need to look objectively at the situation. A good residential facility would probably be better than the compromised care you might give once you lose your ability to cope patiently with your elderly ward.
Seek counseling if you need help with personal problems that could be contributing to your stress as a caregiver. It may take time, but you can learn new patterns of relating to the person you care for. Ask your doctor for a reference. If you can’t afford a private therapist, check with state and local mental health facilities which may offer free or sliding-scale-fee help.
Be honest with yourself about the situation at hand. Denying that you’re overwhelmed can lead to serious problems – and possibly put someone’s health or life in danger.
Signs You May Need Help As A Caregiver:
· You had a poor relationship with the individual prior to being the caregiver.
· You’re curt and impatient with the individual.
· You view your new role as a burden.
· You feel burned out, stressed out, or depressed.
· You worry that you might become violent.
Check the government sections of your telephone directory for “Aging Services” or “Social Services” for organizations that assist the elderly. There are numerous online resources as well, such as www.eldercarecanada.ca and www.eldercare.gov.
Look Within
Infinite riches are all around you if you will open your mental eyes and behold the treasure house of infinity within you. There is a gold mine within you from which you can extract everything you need to live life gloriously, joyously, and abundantly.
– Joseph Murphy Are You A Library Lover?
February is Library Lovers’ Month, and research shows that everyone loves libraries, but no one thinks about them very much. Here are six simple ways to love your library:
1. Honor a friend or relative’s birthday by purchasing a book for the library.
2. Buy your library a subscription to a popular magazine.
3. Donate your used books to the Friends Of The Library book sale.
4. Volunteer your time by reading stories to children or helping with class visits.
5. Use your skills to help with programs and fundraising events.
6. Write to your city government and state legislators to urge them to invest in libraries as a vital community resource, one that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more literate and productive.
7.
Have A Tactful Valentine’s Day
When most people think of Valentine’s Day, they probably aren’t worried about appropriate etiquette for the office. But etiquette expert Lizzie Post of the Emily Post Institute says the subject deserves a little loving care. Her advice: Don’t flaunt your plans – either before or after they’ve happened – when chatting with coworkers or friends.
Valentine’s Day can make people who are not part of a couple feel bad, Post says. Don’t even talk about your plans unless you’re asked to. Try to use the day to celebrate compassion, she advises, to give a little attention to those who might not be feeling as fortunate as you do. While people are probably genuinely delighted about your happiness, being modest in what you share is the most thoughtful approach.
Are You Clinging To The Past?
Some people hate change and so cling desperately to what they know. They find comfort in routines, even if those routines no longer produce what is needed. Instead, according to Price Pritchett and Ron Pound in The Employee Handbook For Organizational Change, some employees merely want to hang on to the familiar, to snuggle into the comfort of what they already know.
People like to feel in control. And generally they dig in their heels because they’re afraid of the unknown, rather than being in love with the way things have been.
But in this day and age of seemingly constant change it’s a good thing to consider how you react to change. Does ambiguity make you nervous? If so, you’re probably going to have to do some work to let go of your grip on the past.
But here’s one thing about change that can have a huge impact on your life: If you resist, you’re liable to seriously damage your career. Even if you’ve been a good and reliable employee for a long time, resisting change can earn you a reputation as a troublemaker; you could become known as someone who gets in the way of progress. You’ll be better off taking hold of the future, rather than hanging on to the past.
Quotes
Spare no expense to make things as economical as possible.
– Samuel Goldwyn
The world is moving so fast these days that the one who says it can’t be done is generally interrupted by someone doing it.
– Harry Emerson Fosdick
Vitality shows in not only the ability to persist but the ability to start over.
– F. Scott Fitzgerald
Rate Lock DurationPosted at ,Rate Lock Duration
Lock durations can vary for mortgage financing, but most lenders lock in the interest rate for 60 days from the date the loan application is submitted. As long as the loan is closed within that lock-in period, the lender honors the agreed upon interest rate.
Some consumers are misled by advertising that quotes unrealistically low rates based on 15- or 30-day lock durations. This is called 'short-pricing.' The lender basically knows the borrower doesn't have time to meet their conditions and have all the necessary paperwork in order within that brief time period. As a result, the lender is not obligated to honor the low rate that was listed in their advertising. For simple refinance transactions, a 45-day lock-in period is more realistic. For purchase transactions, which are typically much more complex, you're much safer going with a 60-day lock, even though the interest rate might be a little higher than the rate you see quoted on billboards and the Internet. Borrowers should make sure they have a written rate lock agreement, and allow themselves a reasonable amount of time to close their loan. I prefer to lock in all my clients as soon as their application is filed, rather than gamble with predicting short-term interest rate movement. My team and I focus more on assisting clients with long-term goals and management of their mortgage debt to secure a strong financial future. Greg Schneider
V.P. Residential Lending PHH Home Loans Phone: (847)686-0158 Fax: (847)686-0158 gxschneider@cbburnet.com http://www.GregSchneiderOnline.com The Truth About AppraisalsPosted at ,The Truth About Appraisals
Greg Schneider Choosing a Fixed Rate LoanPosted at ,
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View more entries tagged with: None PMI deductible for many homeownersPosted at 12:49 PM, Jan. 20, 2007New tax law tweaks home-buying mathBush signs legislation that makes PMI deductible for many homeowners.NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- A $40 billion tax bill signed into law Wednesday by President Bush extends several popular tax breaks and introduces a new one - tax-deductibility of private mortgage insurance (PMI). Only homeowners with adjusted gross income less than $110,000 and who itemize their deductions will be eligible to reap the benefit. But for those buyers, it will change the math of buying a house with a low or no down payment. "I love it," says mortgage broker Bob Moulton of Americana Mortgage Group, "Even though it's limited in who can qualify, it helps people get into a home." Most lenders require buyers putting less than 20 percent down to purchase PMI because borrowers are more likely to walk away from a mortgage when they have less of their own money invested in the property. Lenders use PMI to protect themselves against that risk. The alternative to PMI is an equity loan "piggybacked" on top of the first mortgage. According to Moulton, extremely low interest rates on home equity loans (HELs) and lines of credit (HELOCs) encouraged buyers to use piggybacks instead of PMI the past several years. In addition, equity loan interest is tax deductible. With that advantage and the low rates, piggybacks became far cheaper than PMI. That situation has reversed because equity loans are based on the prime rate, which has climbed from about 4 percent to 8.25 percent. Today, according to Moulton, on a $225,000 home, the piggybacked portion of the loan would cost about $4,000 a year while the PMI payment would come to about $3,000 - or less - depending on the borrower's credit score. The tax deduction on the equity loan would be about $1,600 for a borrower near the upper income limit. With the new law, the PMI tax break would be about $1,200. That means choosing PMI would cost $1,800 compared with $2,400 for the piggyback loan, an $800 savings. "It's tough to justify going for a piggyback now," says Moulton. { Permanent Link }
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View more entries tagged with: None The ABC's of Radon in IllinoisPosted at ,The ABC’s of Radon in Illinois Test your home for radon today. Radon, an indoor air pollutant, is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas. Radon comes from naturally occurring uranium in the soil. The only way to tell how much radon you have in your house is to TEST. BE AWARE
The USEPA estimates that approximately 13% of lung cancer deaths are radon related. The remaining 87% of lung cancer deaths are related to smoking. The USEPA has also concluded that smokers are at higher risk from radon. The USEPA recommends that indoor radon levels be below 4 picocuries per liter of air. Most radon enters a home because of air pressure and temperature differences between the home and the outside air. When air is vented from buildings by natural or powered ventilation, radon and other soil gases are drawn in from the surrounding soil through openings between the house and the soil. Elevated radon levels have been found throughout Where Do You Obtain Kits? • Kits may be available at your county health department, local extension office, hardware store, or home improvement store. • Call the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA)-Division of Nuclear Safety Radon Program at 1-800-325-1245 for a list of laboratories that sell radon kits, or visit our website at www.state.il.us/iema. • IEMA also has a list of measurement professionals who can test for you. For consumer protection, the Radon Industry Licensing Act (RILA) requires measurement professionals who test for radon and mitigation professionals who reduce radon in structures to be licensed by IEMA. If your home has elevated radon, IEMA has a list of licensed radon reduction contractors (mitigators) who can fix your radon problem. IEMA recommends hiring a licensed mitigator because they have the proper equipment, specialized training and technical skills needed. Using a professional can offer peace of mind. Don’t let radon be a problem in your house. Where Do You Get Information About Radon? Courtesy of: The Illinois Emergency Management Agency-Division of Nuclear Safety Radon Program, 1035 Outer Park Drive, Springfield, Illinois 62704, Radon Information Line:1-800-325-1245 and at www.state.il.us/iema
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