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DARIEN REAL ESTATE- Newsletter- Neal Paskvan

The December issue hot off the press… ( well the word processer actually).  Lot’s of interesting news and ideas in this months issue on the local and national level.    Check it out and let me know what kind if information you would like to see in future issues!

Have a GREAT Holiday… All my best to you and yours.   Neal Paskvan- Baird Warner


Darien Real Estate Newsletter - December 2011

Check Out What's up in Your Neighborhood

You can check out past Sales as well a what's for sale in your Area

Downers Grove / Darien Home Sales Jan-Oct 2011 vs. 2010

There are Lots of Headlines out there about home sales and prices. In fact some of the headlines seem to come up with conflicting information using the same source!  You’ve got to get to the core of the story!

The reason there is confusion created by the media reports is actually simple to explain. There may be at least two different numbers reported:

• The month-over-month (M-O-M) comparison
• The year-over-year (Y-O-Y) comparison

Some other reports may reflect a National Trend vs. Local Trends

When reading a headline ask yourself the following questions prior to arriving at any conclusions:

• What market is being discussed? Remember different markets often go in opposing directions.
• What time periods are being compared? Are seasonal fluctuations being discussed or true prior year comparisons?
• How are Sales being defined? Are unit sales or sale prices being discussed? Unit sales may be plummeting but prices may be skyrocketing at the same time.

In an effort to keep you informed about what is up locally, and all Real Estate is indeed local, I’m posting the most up to date Closed Sales for you. You need know what is indeed going on with the Equity in your biggest investment.

As always, contact me with any questions!  neal.paskvan@bairdwarner.com
Cell: 1-630-724-4729

The following stats are provided by the Main Street Organization of Realtors Courtesy of  Midwest Real Estate Data LLC
(Click to Zoom in)

Mortgage Rates Hold Near Record Low - WSJ.com

Fixed mortgage rates in the U.S. again held near record lows over the past week, according to Freddie Mac's weekly survey of mortgage rates.

For the latest week, the survey's results found the average rate for a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to just above its all-time low of 3.26% hit in October.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.99% for the week ended Thursday, down a tick from 4% the previous week and below 4.61% recorded a year earlier. Rates on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 3.27%, down from 3.3% a week earlier and 3.96% recorded a year earlier

Click here to get the rest of the story

Real Estate 2011: House Prices in Chicago and the Suburbs - Chicago magazine - October 2011

 

THE NEW NEW RULES OF REAL ESTATE: Eleven years ago, Chicago offered a guide to making the most of the sizzling-hot housing market. What a difference a decade makes. Now, confronting the realities of today’s pinched economy, local real-estate pros weigh in with the best strategies for buying or selling a home. PLUS: Our annual survey of housing prices in nearly 300 neighborhoods and towns

By Dennis Rodkin

RULE NO. 1   Yesterday is gone

RULE NO. 2 Don’t play the “let’s just see what happens” game.

 

Get the rest of the story from Chicago Magazine by Dennis Rodkin here

…And the Changes Keep Coming

 

With an election year right around the corner, it seems obvious that the world is full of flip-floppers, so why should housing and mortgage policy-makers be any different?

• Remember when the Federal Government was trying to ease its way out of being the dominant provider of mortgage financing (and trying to move people more into the private sector and Private Mortgage Insurance)?
• Remember the days when government insured financing (through FHA loans) was capped at 85% of their conventional counterparts (from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac)?
• Then, the government recently decided to LOWER the conforming loan limits in high cost areas from $729,750 back to $625,500. The logic was sound. Home values have declined, therefore, so should conforming loan limits.

Read the rest of the story here

House Prices: Where They Will Be in the Spring

Here is what the “Experts” say  about Home prices in the Spring

As a Realtor working with buyers looking to grind down Home Sellers for the Best Deal and  working with Home Sellers looking to keep as much equity as they they can. You need to read this, Contact me if you need some help sorting this all out. Neal

Direct Phone  630-724-4729   email- neal.paskvan@bairdwarner.com

Click here to get the Story

Why Does My Dog... Sleep Belly Up? – Vetstreet

 

 

There are no solid stats to reflect the incidence of dogs willing to sleep belly up, but an informal survey of the dog owners you know will probably reveal something like this: 5 to 10 percent of pet dogs sleep with their bellies bared on a fairly regular basis.

Click here to get the rest of the story by Dr. Patty Khuly

Homes for SALE DOWNERS GROVE-Neal Paskvan

How to Figure the Fuzzy Math of Internet Home Values

How to Read Zillow, Trulia and Other Online Home Price Websites - WSJ.com

Jason Gonsalves worked hard to turn his 6,500-square-foot stucco-and-stone home in the suburbs of Sacramento into the ultimate grown-up party pad, complete with game room, custom wine cellar and an infinity-edge pool overlooking Folsom Lake. When interest rates fell recently, Mr. Gonsalves, who runs a lobbying firm, looked into refinancing his $750,000 mortgage. That's when he got startling news—the home had dropped more than $200,000 in value while he was renovating. Or at least, that's what one real-estate website told him. Another valued the house at only…

Read the Full Story Here

First-Time Home Buyer Expense Checklist

Buying your first home is one of life's major events. It's easy to get caught up in the euphoria of the decision and overlook the reality that it costs a significant amount of money not only to buy a home, but to keep it and maintain it.  Think about

Maintenance- Insurance- Property Tax- Earnest Money- Down Payment- Closing Cost.  Contact me and I’ll sent you a worksheet to help you figure it all out.!   neal.paskvan@bairdwarner.com 

Click here for the rest of the story

Will the 30 Year Mortgage Disappear?

Well “They” Sure are Talking about it!

The federal government is reconsidering their involvement in the home mortgage process. They plan to still ‘guarantee’ certain mortgages. However, they appear to be redefining what they consider a ‘qualified purchaser’. They are discussing stricter lending guidelines in four different areas:

Click Here for the Rest of the Story

6 lowball-offer errors home buyers make - MarketWatch

CHICAGO (MarketWatch) — For some home sellers, it was a long summer without a home sale. That means this fall, some buyers — smelling the desperation — may be able to cut a better deal.

Read rest of the story here

President Obama’s Plan Offers new Hope

Obama’s proposal to help home owners with mortgages underwater gives hope.

President Obama’s refinance program for home owners with mortgages underwater is getting a ton of media attention. It’s a great program if you’re a home owner whose house is worth less than your fixed-rate mortgage, but what about the remaining home owners suffering because of the housing crisis?
Check out the Rest of the Story

For Sale By Owner FSBO Guide : HGTV FrontDoor Real Estate

Are you Penny wise and a bit Dollar foolish? Best to ask a Professional Then YOU Decide.

 

For Sale By Owner FSBO Guide: Provided by HGTV FrontDoor Real Estate

Coyote Sightings Suggest Increased Aggression, Risk Posed for Small Pets - Darien, IL Patch

Residents report animals approaching houses, grabbing small dogs.

Coyotes are a common sight in DuPage County, but over time, they can become more aggressive, posing a problem for residents. At the Darien City Council meeting Monday, Alderman Joerg Seifert noted that in three months he has received three reports of coyote encounters from different Ward Four residents.

Click here for the entire story

Keep Your Time Away OFF the NET — Downers Grove TribLocal.com

Robbers watch woman's Facebook status and strike while she's at concert.

Just another reminder… Social Media is Cool. Have a Family Convesation about this!

Scary but true Click here for the Rest of the Story- Youtube

Obama stresses refi plan won't 'solve all problems'

Click here for the Story provided by HousingWire

Long Term Benefits of Buying vs Renting

 

 

Click here for more info Long Term Benefits of Buying vs Renting

TV anchor sells Naperville home - chicagotribune.com

blog this in windows live writer - Google Search

 

blog this in windows live writer - Google Search

8667 Wood Vale Dr Darien 60561

Super Home for Sale in Darien  Presented by Neal Paskvan

Take a Tour

Over 1400 Open Houses This Weekend Oct 22-23 Free Search

Check them out on line first! Powerd by Baird Warner
See a home you like?  Call Me for all the details

Click here to search Open Houses for Oct 22-23

Super LaGrange Park Home for Sale

Don't even think about a "LowBall" offer on this one  (welp yes we can a bit).. Check it out on line and Contact me and I'll take show it to you so you can decide for yourself if it's right for YouBuyer

LaGrange Home For Sale

Another Home Sold Neal Paskvan

Another Darien Home SOLD

bw tv neal

http://bairdwarner.tv/?AgentCode=28154

Some New Listings In Darien

Darien Homes for Sale.Wonderful Homes Get the Deal Now
http://bairdwarner.tv/?AgentCode=28154

Preparing to Sell Real Estate | Baird & Warner

 

Preparing to Sell Real Estate | Baird & Warner

Keep Your Time Away OFF the NET — Downers Grove news, photos and events — TribLocal.com

 

Keep Your Time Away OFF the NET — Downers Grove news, photos and events — TribLocal.com

Technorati Tags: Darien Homes for Sale,Neal Paskvan

Neal Paskvan Another Dream Come True Crest v7.0.wmv - YouTube

 

Neal Paskvan, Downers Grove Real Estate Agent | Baird & Warner

 

Neal Paskvan, Downers Grove Real Estate Agent | Baird & Warner

Real Estate is Not DEAD!

To all those who have declared the real estate market dead, we want you to know that over 13,780 houses sold yesterday, 13,780 will sell today and 13,780 will sell tomorrow

http://www.houselogic.com/blog/landscaping/leaf-removal-equipment-tips/

A Simple Soultion To Yard Clean UP

Maybe not the Best Way

http://www.houselogic.com/blog/landscaping/leaf-removal-equipment-tips/

Interesting Advice from Mary

Click her to find out more

Great New Home Search Here

Another Plainfield Home SOLD ABOVE the Asking Price BY Neal Paskvan

Plainfield Home SOLD ABOVE asking Asking Price

HOME SOLD in Plainfield, IL 60585

Take a lesson from the hurricane: prepare for calamities by Terry Savage

Great article by Terry Savage Finance Guru  about being prepared for the unexpected

Real estate agents may have 35 days to get their sellers to price their homes right. After that, buyers are going to become even more scarce.

Don’t get too excited about today’s jobs report. It’s the October report – the one where the government revises the previous months’ data – that REALTORS need to prepare their sellers for. Especially if past revision reports are any indicator.


Sellers May Only Have 35 Days Left to Sell

Money to Purchase AND Renovate Your Home

Whether you’re looking at a foreclosed home, bank REO, a Short Sale or really any home, you need to be aware of the FHA 203K Program. The general condition of real estate has taken a dip over the past few years, as homeowners are not sprucing up their home as they have in the past.

Check out More About The FHA 203K Program Here

As always feel free to contact me with any Questions
Neal

Create a Home Inventory for Insurance

Have you updated all the updates in your Home for Insurance?

Click here to get tips on Taking a Home Inventory

Fast Fix Gutters

Flush them now Video

get them Gutters Cleaned out While the Weather is nice

Home Values...Distressed Property's..... and You

Great article from a home appraiser and about what this all may mean to you.
I'm here to help you protect your Equity
Contact me any time

Home Values and Distressed Property's and You

The Appraiser’s Role in Today’s Real Estate Transaction

It seems we have reached that point in the real estate market.
The appraiser is challenged with finding comparables, and once potential comparables are identified, there is a great amount of time attempting to identify the “terms” of the sale – was it an arm’s length transaction in which both parties were equally motivated? Was it a relocation transaction where a corporate owner was attempting to shorten the time on the market to find a buyer? Or was it a distressed sale in some way – a short sale, a foreclosure, or a court-ordered sale. Regardless, the pool of comparables is both limited, and muddied.

Baird Warner CEO Comments on Real Estate

The CEO of Chiago's Baird and Warner Shares his thoughts on the Chicago Real Estate Trends

Steve Baird on Real Estate

For Sale By Owner is Great... But Not for Every One

 Protect You Biggest Investment... The Former CEO of For Sale By Owner Did..Sometimes It's Just BEST to Call a Professional... You Get What you Pay for

Former FSBO CEO sells home the traditional way

For Sale By Owner Not for Every One

ForSalebyOwner.com founder gives up on own listing, hires real estate broker!


http://agentgenius.com/real-estate-news-events/forsalebyowner-com-founder-gives-up-on-own-listing-hires-real-estate-broker/

Beach Boy Home for Sale

Wouldn't it be nice to own this Luxury Home

Listing Provided by Betty Theison-Placek at Caldwell Banker Residental


St. Charles, IL 60174 $1,490,000 Bedrooms: 5 Full Bath: 6 Partial Bath: 2 | Baird & Warner

Simple Way to Clean Your Gutters Video

Check out a Solution to your Gutter Problems
Click the Link for more info

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1465406675?bctid=64390839001

Your Not The only one!

 

TV anchor sells Naperville home - chicagotribune.com

Another Luxury Home Sold Neal Paskvan Baird Warner

A Tip on Keeping Cool

Something to check before you call the AC repair man

If you feel your AC is not really keeping up inside, with the hot outside, you may want to check your whole-house humidifier and make sure it is unplugged! Putting humidly into the air wile the AC is working to remove it is, well, not cool. Sometimes the humidity controls upstairs get stuck and don't really shut the humidifier down.

Neal Is a Full Time Broker Helping Home Buyers and Sellers Move ON and Move Up

Insuring Against Natural Disasters

With all the Crazy Weather we have had Creating Power Outages, Damage to Homes so much here's Some stuff you should know and thingk about!

Info Provided By House Logic


Insurring Against Natural Disasters

What impact does rising unemployment have on the real estate market?

Unemployment’s Impact on Housing

by The KCM Crew on July 11, 2011 · 3 comments

in For Buyers,For Sellers

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• 248Share

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• Share248

What impact does rising unemployment have on the real estate market?
Actually, it is quite simple:
Rising unemployment creates uncertainty.
Uncertainty creates fear.
Fear creates paralysis.
Paralysis prevents people from moving forward with their lives.
Don’t allow fear to stop you from getting on with your life. Realistically look at your personal situation and decide what is best for you and your family.

Unenployment And Housing

As a Home Seller Wanting to Move On... Here are some things to consider!

It's Best to keep informed...As Always Feel Free to Contact me for updates

Neal 

Uneployment and Housing

Open House Search For July 10th

Over 2100 Open Houses this Weekend- Check them out On Line First | Save Gas

Open House Search for July 10th 2011

Call Me if you need some Help   

Neal 630-251-0486

Robbers Use Facebook to Rob Home

Hey Everyone... Just a reminder

Aurora Another Dream Come True

Aurora IL Homes for Sale. Another Dream Comes True

AURORA Real Estate Another Dream Come True

Open House Search Over 2500 Open Houses this Weekend June 26th

Save on Gas.  Check out Open Houses on Line First. If you see a Home that May be  Right for You.
Call me and I'll get You all the Details and Help you make sure you can afford it

Open House Search Powerd by Baird Warner for 7-26-11Click Here to Get Started

Luxury Home-Downers Grove $849,900. 4 Bedrooms 5.1 Bath Featured by Neal Paskvan Baird Warner

This large 4 bedroom, 5.1 bath home has 4700 sq ft of traditional charm with open floor plan. Chef's kitchen with LARGE eating area flows to Family room with floor to ceiling fireplace. 1st floor den with/fireplace and full bath. Additional 970 sq ft in finished basement has media room with/wet bar, full bath and office/5th bedroom. 3 car garage with/storage loft. Gorgeous landscaping with private patios. Did I say WOW?!!

Contact me for Your Private Showing  630-964-1855   / neal.paskvan@bairdwarner.com


Click Here For More Pictures and Area Information

Feel Free To Comment or Follow

We Welcome your Ideas, Comments and Input !   To Assure we ALL Stay SPAM FREE... You will need to read and duplicate one of those "squiggly words in a box" to do so.  Better to be Safe than Sorry as Mom used to say.

Any Tips for articles is appreciated!

Over 2 Thousand Open Houses this Weekend SAVE ON GAS.. View on Line First!

June 4 and 5  Open House update For Downers Grove and ChicagoLand
Click on the Link Below to Check them out on line first.

OPEN HOUSE SEARCH for June 4 and 5 Powerd by Baird and Warner

All My Best,   Neal

Fact is.. You May Need to Sell Your House Twice

Appraisals: Why You Must Now Sell Your House Twice

by Neal Paskvan on May 24, 2011 ·

Bottom Line

Every house now has to be sold twice: FIRST, to a potential purchaser and THEN AGAIN to the bank appraiser. And, it seems that the second sale may be the more difficult of the two. Sit with a local Real Estate Professional and make sure you put together a plan for both sales.

inShare

Banks have become very conservative when lending mortgage money today. With the current foreclosure challenges in the country, we can’t really blame them. The requirements now necessary to qualify for mortgages have gotten much more stringent and it seems will get even more stringent as we move forward. The banks want to make sure the prospective buyer has the ability to repay the loan. However, this does not just involve the borrower buying the property.
The second way a bank can protect their investment in the mortgage is to make sure that the collateral backing that mortgage is secure. That is where the appraisal comes in. The bank wants to make sure that, should the buyer not be able to make their payments, the house they will be forced to take back will sell for an amount at least equal to the balance left on the mortgage. For that reason, the banks seem to be getting more conservative with appraisals also.
This past week, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) released their Existing Homes Sales Report. In that report, they said:

“11 percent of Realtors® report a contract was cancelled in April from an appraisal coming in below the price negotiated between a buyer and seller, 10 percent had a contract delayed, and 14 percent said a contract was renegotiated to a lower sales price as a result of a low appraisal.”

One out of four real estate transactions was either cancelled (11%) or renegotiated to a lower sales price (14%)

Contact me if you would like an Update   630-964-1855 or E-mail at neal.paskvan@bairdwarner.com


Research  Provided By Keeping Current Matters   http://kcmblog.com/2011/05/24/appraisals-why-you-must-now-sell-your-house-twice/

Over 2 Thousand Open Houses this Weekend SAVE ON GAS.. View on Line First!

Need a List of  Open Houses in the Chicago Area.  Save Gas and View On Line First.
Search by Area_ Price_ and Type of Home!
Click on the Link Below to get Started. It's Free and Easy and No Salesperson will call!

Feel free to contact me if You need some Help

.
Open House Update May 20 2011

Your Mobile.. So Are We and Have Been Since 2009 !

Baird & Warner's Mobile App will bring your home search process to the next level. This all-new interactive application obtains your physical location and instantly returns information about homes for sale in the area. It uses the GPS system already in your cell phone if available. If your phone is not enabled with GPS, you can search by address, city, community or zip code to achieve the same results.

Click on the Link Below to Learn More and Get Started.
All My Best.  Neal Paskvan

http://www.bairdwarner.com/mobile.cfm

Deal of The Week in Downers Grove

Unique custom built ranch w 3800 sf of living space. Perfect location in north DG in popular Orchard Brook with its own private pool. A bright home with dramatic windows and private picturesque views from every room. Impressive room sizes throughout, full living space in above grade basement. Two grand stone fireplaces, 3 1/2 baths, a library/fifth bedroom, wet bar, walkout patio, workroom, and enormous family room!

Contact Me for more info

630-964-1855
email: neal.paskvan@bairdwarner.com 

Luxury Home Under Crontract in Just 27 Days !

Click here to See all this Homes Details

 5316 Fairmount Avenue    Downers Grove, IL 60515

 $720,000 | 4 bedrooms, 3 baths | MLS# 07763629

   

Warm & Inviting! 2 Story Foyer From Covered Porch. Hardwd Flrs, Plant. Shutters, Crowns, Professional Paint Thruout! 1st Flr Office/5br W/full Bath. Kitchen W/ss Appl, Cherry Cabinets, Granite. Master Suite Getaway. Fenced Yard W/paver Patio/firepit. 3-car Garage - Extra Wide Lot! Lovely Inside & Out. A+ Location . Steps To Randall & Patriot Parks Walk To School, Train & Town. Have It All! Financing Incentives Avail.

The Home of the Week in Westmont

Open Floor Plan yet Plenty of Personal Space for the entire Family...An Absolute Deal!! 

Enjoy this Easy Living Brick & Cedar Home on a Tree-lined Street Neighborhood. Updated Kitchen, Master Suite, Freshly Painted, Vaulted Ceilings, Newer Windows, Large Closets, Walk-out Family Room, 2 Fireplaces, In Ground Sprinkler System, Sun Room with Sliding Glass Doors to Enjoy the Beautifully Landscaped Yard with Pond & Deck. DGN Schools, Near Town, Parks, Expressways & Shopping.

Contact me for more Details

neal.paskvan@bairdwarner.com
 Cell or text  630-251-0486

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Sir Issac Newton

San Francisco's Low-Flow Toilet Push Has Been A Little Too Successful

The problem with San Francisco's uptake of low-flow toilets is that they were too popular. Each flush lacks the pressure to force solid waste through existing sewer pipes. In other words, the city's poop is backing up. You can actually smell it in the streets in some areas, particularly in the summer. "Stank" is the word you're looking for.

Using Bleach to Fight the Stench: Not Environmentally Sound
San Franciso is stockpiling bleach to treat the waste water before it flows into the bay.

You read that correctly San Francisco will dump 8.5 million pounds of bleach into San Francisco Bay to manage the rollout of low-flow toilets, which were touted as an environmental measure. The bleach option is being slammed as overkill, especially when less-toxic options (probiotics, hydrogen peroxide) are also viable.

WIt's bad enough that the bid to save water (which worked: the City flushes 20 million fewer gallons per year down the loo) led to neighborhood-wide stench clouds, but compounding the issue by poisoning the bay with millions of pounds of bleach should have been examined a little more closely under a standard common-sense lens.

Electronic Pickpocketing is now the Latest Thing

Check out the latest sacm

Electronic Pickpocketing

Electronic Pickpocketing

I Want to Rob Your Home!

Hey Kids... As Vacation time approaches.... Be aware that the way You and Yours all now share info  on the net  Be it Facebook  Twitter or any " Social Media"  posts...  That there are folks that follow your posts from you and yours that may take advantage of your time away ... Have a family sit down and everyone on the same page about this ok?

An Update and History of "Villa Taj" in Burr Ridge Monument Turned Nightmare

  Financial troubles doomed $25 million Burr Ridge mansion that  
  owner says was a tribute to cultural integration

April 01, 2011

By Ted Gregory, Tribune reporter

 Dr. Husam Aldairi envisioned his dramatic mansion as a monument to the blending of cultures. He named it Villa Taj and made it hard to miss.Situated on a prominent intersection in the exclusive Chicago suburb of Burr Ridge, the home has a gold Jerusalem limestone exterior done in neo-Byzantine Moorish revival. The interior, appointed in Brazilian wood and Italian marble, features nine fireplaces, a soaring ballroom and 20-car basement garage.

But the path to completion became a nightmare. Residents who mistakenly thought a mosque was being built phoned Village Hall and complained. Aldairi, a dentist, says officials unfairly imposed excruciating construction delays. Then came a sexual harassment judgment against his business — not him — and a bankruptcy filing. Finally, in late February, pipes burst in the unoccupied mansion and an estimated 6 million gallons of water soaked the home.

An estate once valued at $25 million is now in receivership. The village is expecting a crew to strip the interior and cart away debris. And what was meant as a monument to cultural fusion — the name Villa Taj is an Italian-Persian mix meaning "crown jewel country residence" — now faces an uncertain future.

Read The Rest of Ted Gregory's Tribune Report Here

Home buying more than an investment question Terry Savage A Expert on Personal Finance Anwsers

 Is now the right time to buy a place of my own? As a Realtor... I get asked this All the Time
Terry Savage.. A  nationally known expert on personal finance answers the Question so well and Honestly I just had to post this.

Thanks Terry...

Q. Home prices keep falling and we’ve been waiting to buy our first home. We’ve saved up enough for about a 15 percent down payment. But now we’re beginning to wonder if we should buy at all — or keep renting.

A. Well, you’re right about home prices. The most recent Case-Shiller Home Price Index shows that prices fell 3.1 percent, year over year, compared with January 2010. The 20-city composite index, as of January, has fallen 31.8 percent from its peak in July 2006.

In fact, there’s talk of a “double-dip” housing recession, which would be defined by the Case-Shiller 20-city price index hitting a new low — even lower than the bottom made in April 2009. As of January, the 20-city index was only 1.1 percent above that low point.

The decline in home prices, combined with previous lenient lending standards, has resulted in nearly 25 percent of homeowners having a mortgage that is larger than the current market value of the home. (Keep in mind that nearly one-third of the homes in America are owned free and clear, without a mortgage.)



Read Terrys Entire Article HERE

Downers Grove "Good Sam" Rates as one of the Best in the Nation

For the second time, Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital was recognized as a 100 Top Hospital in the nation by Thomson Reuters.

The award recognizes America’s best hospitals for their excellence in clinical, efficiency and service outcomes and closely follows Thomson Reuters’ November announcement that Good Samaritan Hospital is a 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospital.

Read entire story here

Congrats to the Tivoli Movie Theatre

'Best Movie Theatre' by the readers of West Suburban Living 3 years in a row

The Tivoli Theatre, located in downtown Downers Grove, was the first Classic Cinemas theatre. The theatre pre-dates Classic Cinemas by 50 years, having opened on Christmas Day 1928 as one of the first theatres in the country built to show “talkies.” Sound continues to be a major focus today, and the Tivoli has Dolby Digital sound and an HPS4000 sound system with the acoustic power of 10 symphony orchestras.

More Tivoli Info Here

Happy 156th Birthday Baird and Warner

March 28 marks B&W's 156th year in business! The oldest independent real estate brokerage in the nation started in Chicago over a century and a half ago on March 28, 1855 when Lucius Duncan Olmsted loaned $5,000 to Edward Casey & Brothers, taking security mortgages on property along Washington Street between Franklin and Market.


B&W is recognized as a true pioneer on the American business landscape -- and most especially on the real estate scene -- with a proud heritage of local leadership and stability that is unprecedented in Chicagoland and across the nation. Yet, it's the way in which we continue to reinvent, reinvigorate and redefine ourselves that continues to keep our brand fresh in each successive generation.

"While other companies have come to a standstill or faded away entirely in the current economy, we've gotten stronger," noted Steve Baird in marking the occasion. "Because we know that staying ahead of the curve is the secret to sticking around. It really is no surprise that the real estate company with the most firsts is the one that lasts."

First that include a sales team that routinely outperforms the market ... and continues to set the highest bar for industry integrity and performance each and every day.

Firsts like doing what's right., taking a stand and making a difference for people in real estate -- like our our longtime commitment to Fair Housing, or the way we help the communities that we serve with our Baird & Warner Good Will Network.

First like our Website Quality Certified online portal -- www.bairdwarner.com -- with full screen photos on all of our listings, and more ways to easily search for homes than any other website. No wonder our online presence is continuously ranked #1 versus all our local competitors.

First like our cutting-edge B&W Texting Solution and B&W Mobile App -- new tools that are leading the way in the mobile marketing arena with impressive early results.

"Congratulations to the entire Baird & Warner team on reaching this incredible milestone," continued Steve. "We could not have gotten here without all of your hard work. And, know that as proud as I am of where we've been ... I am even more excited about where we are headed!"

Welcome to Lou Malnati's in Downers Grove- Neal Paskvan

Thanks Lou !

Click on the Link Below to get all the info on the new Downers Grove Location

http://www.loumalnatis.com/Locations/Details.aspx?ID=32

Great News from My Team That Keeps me "In Line"

We Are Expanding – Introducing Our Second Location


Starting in April, we will be opening our second location! We couldn’t be more excited to open up this second location, which is located inside a state-of-the-art athletic training facility. We will be operating inside Get Fast Inc, located in Willowbrook, which will allow us to have access to all their equipment to help with your rehabilitation needs. Look for more information in the next few weeks on our website

We Are Expanding – Introducing Our Second Location

Are You or Yours Putting Your Time Away from Home on the Net?

I had some wonderful first time buyers  that bought a Home last year and were so excited they posted the closing date and time... wile we were at the closing ..truck pulls up.. takes all the new appliances out..

Neighbors thought nothing of if... figured it was just movers...

Everybody is trying to figure out how to pay the rent.. one way or another!  Don't let this happen to you!



Another Luxury Home SOLD by Neal Paskvan

This Home has it All and was SOLD at 95% of listing price...

What are Homes Selling for in Downers Grove

All I can give you are the FACTS... Contact me anytime

http://www.bairdwarner.com/agents/neal_paskvan.cfm

Need Some Advice on Short Sales

Are you in Dupage County and a bit behind your payments or "Under Water" (owe more on your home than it's Valued at in this market?

I May have some help for you!  I am Certified in Short Sales and Forclosures and can help you put together a team of folks to help you work through the process!

Feel Free to contact me

Neal Paskvan-  Baird & Warner- Downers Grove  630-964-1855

http://www.bairdwarner.com/agents/neal_paskvan.cfm

The Most "Under Water" Home in Illinois? $ 25 Million Burr Ridge Mansion Flooded

Pricey Burr Ridge Mansion Flooded

Burr Ridge has declared the 450,000-square-foot home an unsafe building

By LISA BALDE and CHARLIE WOJCIECHOWSKI

Even Villa Taj, the most expensive home on the Illinois market, is susceptible to water damage.

Earlier this month pipes burst in the vacated home's second-floor bathrooms and spilled a whopping six million gallons into the 45,000-square-foot Burr Ridge mansion.

The water accumulated over several weeks before a real estate agent for the home, which was listed in 2009
 for $25 million, discovered it on March 5.

That much water could supply the village of Burr Ridge for two to three days, according to Community Development Director Doug Pollock, and it ultimately did damage on every floor. Floors have buckled and ceilings collapsed. 

  

"I don't know how much the bill would be, but it will be a lot," Pollack said. "And we will bill [the owner] for it." 

The home is known as "the crown jewel of the Midwest" for its 160 tons of imported Gold Jerusalem stone, 20-car heated garage and 15,000 square-feet of terrace space.

The village declared the building unsafe.

The post-flood listing price of the home isn't known. At its height, Villa Taj flaunted features such as:

• Five master bedroom suites, each with bathrooms, walk-in closets, fireplaces, and handcrafted ornamental doors


• Jacuzzi-equipped bathrooms


• Conservatory, library, cigar room, wine cellar, dining lounge, formal dining room, grand kitchen, family entertainment room and a 2,400 square foot central ballroom


• Two-lane bowling alley 

Get it Sold Now