Top 10 Home Improvement Project Paybacks  Every year I have posted on my website Remodeling Magazine’s Improvement Project Payback Reports for my clients and prospective clients looking for this kind of valuable information.  This proves that every nail, fence post and shingles should ‘improve’ your home for maintenance and your sense of well being, your sense of home, your sense of style. Not only to improve value!  If you go down to Lowe’s or Home Depot and spend $20 in materials on your home – does it increase your home that amount?  If you spend $35,000 on a kitchen remodel does your home increase that amount?  What amount of increase do you see?Maintenance items do not increase your homes value – all homes need a roof or there is going to be big trouble to your investment! What a n... 12/10/2008

Schaumburg Real EstateDennis Toomey continuously monitors local real estate statistics to keep his clients informed and ahead of the real estate trends.  Below, at the end of the page you will find Schaumburg real estate statistics for the last 12 months as of December 8, 2008.To find the value of your home with a free, over-the-net home evaluation, please visit: www.KnowYourHomeValue.com/active or use this link http://www.knowyourhomevalue.com/remaxil/modules/global/forms/marketevaluation.asp?&acc=32722&s=active If you would like a free list of homes for sale in this area/neighborhood or would like more information about Schaumburg, please visit: www.GetYourRealEstateHere.com/active or use this link http://www.GetYourRealEstateHere.com/remaxil/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&pa... 12/08/2008

Are you buying, selling, or just curious about the real estate market? Check out my weekly market report on the local housing market. Don't make the mistake of not understanding market conditions when buying or selling a home. Take a look and the report for the current market and start understanding housing market in your area. If you need someone to help you find the perfect property, please call me at (630) 707-4734. I am more than happy to help. Greg Wilson 12/08/2008

Market Statistics CriteriaStatus: Active, Back on Market, Contingent, New, Price Change, Re-activated, Pending, Closed   Area: Schaumburg   Property Type: Detached Single, Attached Single   Months Back: 12 Months     Active Listings   Detached Single Bedrooms # Active Avg. LP Avg. MT All 201 $422,949 208 2 or Less 1 $339,000 170 3 95 $315,343 200 4 88 $483,959 217 5 or More 17 $713,400 208   Attached Single Bedrooms # Active Avg. LP Avg. MT All 507 $203,734 167 None 2 $99,450 168 2 or Less 401 $184,877 164 3 101 $278,313 179 4 3 $282,933 126   Off-Market Listings   Detached Single Bedrooms # Sold % Sold Avg LP (Sold) Avg SP SP:LP Ratio Avg MT (Sold) Avg LP (Unsold) % Expd All 246 99% $367,448 $346,451 94% 160 $288,950 0% 3 115 99% $304,721 $288,023 95% 148 $237,900 0% 4 124 99% $420,70... 12/06/2008

If you are currently in the market for a new home, you may be interested in how a real estate agent can help you.  You are about to make a great investment of both money and time.  I have a wealth of experience helping buyers of all categories like you make sound, informed decisions. Did you also know that we don't cost you a thing?  That's right - zip, nada, zilch! Here are some ways that a Buyers Agent can help you: Agents can help establish a plan for a home that fits your needs. Style, size, amenities, and other preferences will help determine what kind of home is best suited for you. They are familiar with all the floor plans and styles. They will help you to determine realistic spending limits. They can often explain alternative financing options or introduce you to a mortgage cou... 12/05/2008

 The power of Google Earth combined wth the Chicagoland MLS Algonquin Crestwood Hampshire Lakewood Oak Park South Chicago Heights Alsip Crystal Lake Hanover Park Lansing Oakwood Hills South Elgin Antioch Deer Park Harvard Lemont Old Mill Creek South Holland Arlington Heights Deerfield Harvey Libertyville Olympia Fields Spring Grove Aurora Des Plaines Harwood Heights Lily Lake Orland Hills St. Charles Bannockburn Dixmoor Hawthorn Woods Lincolnshire Orland Park Steger Barrington Dolton Hazel Crest Lincolnwood Palatine Stickney Barrington Hills East Dundee Hebron Lindenhurst Palos Heights Stone Park Bartlett East Hazel Crest Hickory Hills Long Grove Palos Hills Streamwood Batavia  Elburn Highland Park Long Lake Palos Park Sugar Grove Beach Park Elgin Highwood Lynwood Park City Summit Bedf... 11/29/2008

  In the table below lists all of the single family detached and single family attached homes currently on the market in Schaumburg, IL  The data lists available homes by price range with average time on market in each range. Should you have an interest in homes in a selected price range, send me your physical characteristics requirements. I will send complete details on those homes that meet your criteria. If you are contemplating a change in lifestyle, ie. a more luxurious home or the luxury of the amenities in a senior citizen development, I may be able to save you some money via discounts available to me.   Active Listings List Price Range # Listings Avg. Days on Mkt Less than $149,999 88 182 $150,000 - $199,999 219 158 $200,000 - $249,999 148 173 $250,000 - $299,999 64 164 $300,00... 11/28/2008

The Not Some Doom and Gloom Report – November 2008   Some positive financial and real estate market results that I think you should be made aware of.  With all the negative publicity day in and day out, just wanted to be sure that some positive information was also getting enough ‘air time’.  So here are some of my thoughts and articles that I compiled to explain current market conditions for our area.   Part One – Mortgage Money The media would have you believe that no one can get a mortgage out there or only the elite are doing it but that just isn’t the case.  This Mortgage Banking article says that in our area for the first half of 2008 we were churning out the loans – 20,009 to be exact in Cook County.  We happen to be #2 in the entire U.S.   People are refinancing their homes for ... 11/26/2008

Are you buying, selling, or just curious about the real estate market? Check out my weekly market report on the local housing market. Don't make the mistake of not understanding market conditions when buying or selling a home. Take a look and the report for the current market and start understanding housing market in your area. If you need someone to help you find the perfect property, please call me at (630) 707-4734. I am more than happy to help. Greg Wilson 11/24/2008

Santa Paws - Photos of you and your pets with Santa Claus! December 6                                PetSmart in Bloomingdale ILDecember 7                                162 S Gary Avenue near Stratford Square December 13                             (630) 307-8833December 14December 20December 21 December 13                             PetSmart in Schaumburg ILDecember 14                             140 N Barrington Rd. near Home DepotDecember 21                                                       (847) 798-1217 December 13                                                       PetSmart in Schaumburg IL   (847) 413-0982 December 14                                                       1440 E Golf Rd, near Meacham & Golf by Woodfield Looking to adopt a dog?                          Loo... 11/22/2008

Schaumburg Presents 11th Annual Christkindlesmarkt Celebrate the holiday season with Schaumburg's outdoor European influenced open-air holiday market November 29 & 30, 2008 at Schaumburg's Town Square, located at the southwest corner of Schaumburg and Roselle Roads.  Festival hours are 11am to 6pm on Saturday, November 29 and 11am to 5pm on Sunday, November 30. Based on the holiday festival of the same name in Nuremberg, Germany, the outdoor Christkindlesmarkt features ethnic and domestic crafts, holiday gift items, food, live entertainment, children's activities, and visits from Santa & St. Nicholas. At 5:30pm on Saturday, families are invited to participate in the Festival of Lights, a holiday singalong featuring members of the St. Peter Lutheran Choir, ushered in by children holding ... 11/20/2008

Are you buying, selling, or just curious about the real estate market? Check out my weekly market report on the local housing market. Don't make the mistake of not understanding market conditions when buying or selling a home. Take a look and the report for the current market and start understanding housing market in your area. If you need someone to help you find the perfect property, please call me at (630) 707-4734. I am more than happy to help. Greg Wilson 11/19/2008

Schaumburg Real EstateDennis Toomey continuously monitors local real estate statistics to keep his clients informed and ahead of the real estate trends.  Below, at the end of the page you will find Schaumburg real estate statistics for the last 12 months as of November 19, 2008.To find the value of your home with a free, over-the-net home evaluation, please visit: www.KnowYourHomeValue.com/active or use this link http://www.knowyourhomevalue.com/remaxil/modules/global/forms/marketevaluation.asp?&acc=32722&s=active If you would like a free list of homes for sale in this area/neighborhood or would like more information about Schaumburg, please visit: www.GetYourRealEstateHere.com/active or use this link http://www.GetYourRealEstateHere.com/remaxil/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&p... 11/19/2008

Mr. Seller why am I good enough to stage your home and give you advice, but not good enough to list it? I am very sensitive and empathetic.  I ‘feel things' about a situation that a seller might have BEFORE they tell me what is going on at a presentation.  But here's a question for all future sellers out there in housing land - What do they expect of an agent and WHY? I pride myself on being very thorough and presenting the market as it truly is - no sugarcoating for me!  Languishing on the market with no action is just not my style - this Mr. Seller already had a 200 day market time with another agent from an out of the area brokerage. But I'll continue with a couple of questions for Mr. Seller ~~ How do you think I get paid?  I get paid because of knowledge and experience, both of whi... 11/16/2008

Are you buying, selling, or just curious about the real estate market? Check out my weekly market report on the local housing market. Don't make the mistake of not understanding market conditions when buying or selling a home. Take a look and the report for the current market and start understanding housing market in your area. If you need someone to help you find the perfect property, please call me at (630) 707-4734. I am more than happy to help. Greg Wilson 11/16/2008

 DUNBAR LAKES GOES GREENDunbar Lakes in Schaumburg has joined the green revolution. The complex recently installed energy saving Compact Fluorescent Lighting throughout the 424 unit complex. Dunbar Lakes is a mixture of town homes and quad style units in a choice Schaumburg location. The new lighting will provide better security and cost savings. Previously, the residents enjoyed having the private lake restored and beautified with native plantings and installation of limestone edging. The plantings, which include wildflowers and grasses, help reduce erosion and provide habitat for birds, butterflies and other species. Underway now is a complete pool installation. The board approved this project when it was learned the old swimming pool could be leaking up to 6000 gallons daily on the h... 11/14/2008

Please contact us for a three month market survey of the Schaumburg market area sorted by subdivision name.  This includes results for subdivisions (M-Z)   The report includes expired, cancelled, active, closed and pending listings on the market in the past 90 days. To request free access to the full report or request a free custom report built for you specific residence.     The full report includes specific details for each residence and photographs, if available.       Solid Source Realty - CMS Team Tumultuous real estate markets require not only a seasoned Realtor®, but a valuation professional to ensure accurate pricing; the CMS Solid Source team is comprised of experienced real estate sales and valuation professionals. Whether you are buying or selling, we have the expertise to as... 11/13/2008

The report includes expired, cancelled, active, closed and pending listings on the market in the past 90 days. To request a three month market survey of the Schaumburg market area sorted by subdivision name.  request free access to the full report or request a free custom report built for you specific residence.     The full report includes specific details for each residence and photographs, if available.      Tumultuous real estate markets require not only a seasoned Realtor®, but a valuation professional to ensure accurate pricing; the CMS Solid Source team is comprised of experienced real estate sales and valuation professionals. Whether you are buying or selling, we have the expertise to assist clients in all stages of the real estate transaction.  From a first-time home buyer to f... 11/13/2008

To request free access to the full report or request a free custom report built for you specific residence.    The report includes expired, cancelled, active, closed and pending listings on the market in the past 90 days. The full report includes specific details for each residence and photographs, if available.       Solid Source Realty - CMS Team Tumultuous real estate markets require not only a seasoned Realtor®, but a valuation professional to ensure accurate pricing; the CMS Solid Source team is comprised of experienced real estate sales and valuation professionals. Whether you are buying or selling, we have the expertise to assist clients in all stages of the real estate transaction.  From a first-time home buyer to full-time investors, our entire focus is to protect your interes... 11/13/2008

Top Selling Schaumburg Subdivisions – Multi-family homes which is 'MLS computer speak' for condos, coach homes, manor homes, quads, townhomes, and duplexes.  They will be done by price range because there are alot of different subdivisions to go through! Well you must be interested in Schaumburg if you're here!Or are you just curious?  This is a short piece on the top selling subdivisions in Schaumburg over the last few months of June thru October 2008.  There were a total of 221 Multi-family sales.  Only 7 are marked as short sales and I suspect a few are foreclosures.  One note of interest about the market - the bulk of sales were in the $150,000 to $200,000 range with a total of 103.  That suggests that first time homebuyers are the largest part of the sales taking place.All subdivis... 11/12/2008