7 Reasons to Own Your Home
1. Tax breaks. The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, your property taxes, as well as some of the costs involved in buying your home.

2. Appreciation. Real estate has long-term, stable growth in value. While year-to-year fluctuations are normal, median existing-home sale prices have increased on average 6.5 percent each year from 1972 through 2005, and increased 88.5 percent over the last 10 years, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. In addition, the number of U.S. households is expected to rise 15 percent over the next decade, creating continued high demand for housing.


3. Equity. Money paid for rent is money that you’ll never see again, but mortgage payments let you build equity ownership interest in your home.

4. Savings. Building equity in your home is a ready-made savings plan. And when you sell, you can generally take up to $250,000 ($500,000 for a married couple) as gain without owing any federal income tax.

5. Predictability. Unlike rent, your fixed-mortgage payments don’t rise over the years so your housing costs may actually decline as you own the home longer. However, keep in mind that property taxes and insurance costs will increase.

6. Freedom. The home is yours. You can decorate any way you want and benefit from your investment for as long as you own the home.

7. Stability. Remaining in one neighborhood for several years gives you a chance to participate in community activities, lets you and your family establish lasting friendships, and offers your children the benefit of educational continuity.
 
 
Home Sales Jump More Than 11 Percent in West,South Suburbs

 

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. - Sales of single-family detached homes went up 11.6 percent in July compared with the same period a year ago, according to statistics released today by the Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS® (MORe), indicating the second consecutive monthly increase.
 
MORe measured activity on homes in about 120 southern and western suburban communities through information from Midwest Real Estate Data LLC. Last month's data also showed a 1 percent increase in home sales.
 
"I think we're seeing a combination of very reasonably priced houses on the market and a built-up number of buyers who recognize now is a good time to take advantage of a large inventory and low pricing," said Christine Chase, Secretary/Treasurer of MORe, and a REALTOR® with Ryan Hill Realty, LLC in Naperville. "The sale increases indicate the federal and local incentives for first-time homebuyers are working; and with a fast-approaching deadline for the federal incentive program, people really need to act rapidly."
 
There were notable home sales gains across the 120-community area, where the numbers of homes sold leaped by double- and triple-digit percentages.
 
Standouts in the south suburbs for number of homes sold were Lansing (164 percent increase from a year ago); Matteson (64 percent); Orland Park (34 percent); South Holland (80 percent); and Tinley Park (113 percent).
 
In DuPage, home sale activity was highest in Addison (58 percent increase from a year ago); Darien (89 percent); Glendale Heights (113 percent); and Westmont (70 percent).
 
Exceptional sales figures were posted in the western Cook communities of Franklin Park (333 percent increase from a year ago); La Grange (213 percent); La Grange Park (111 percent); and Westchester (229 percent).
 
In addition, the number of homes under contract (but not yet closed) in the same West and South Suburban Chicago area was 36 percent higher than a year ago, the eighth consecutive month of year-to-year growth in pending sales.
 
There were standout increases in homes under contract in several suburban communities, particularly in Bloomingdale (225 percent increase from a year ago); Franklin Park (480 percent); Hillside (750 percent); Leyden Township (700 percent); Melrose Park (233 percent); Palos Park (450 percent); Westchester (111 percent); and Willowbrook (350 percent).
 
 
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  www.succeedwithmore.com.
 
 

Home Sales Show Year-to-Year Increase in West, South Suburbs

DOWNERS GROVE, IL - Sales of single-family detached homes went up 1 percent in June compared with the same period a year ago, according to statistics released today by the Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS® (MORe), the first such increase since December 2006.
 
MORe measured activity on single-family detached homes in about 120 southern and western suburban communities through information from Midwest Real Estate Data LLC.
 
In addition, the number of homes under contract (but not yet closed) in the same West and South Suburban Chicago area was 40 percent higher than a year ago, the seventh consecutive month of year-to-year growth in pending sales.
 
"Many first-time home buyers are taking advantage of the $8,000 federal tax credit. This is helping to reduce the inventory of homes on the market," said Mike Drews, president-elect of MORe, and a REALTOR® with Charles Doss, REALTORS®, in the Aurora and Oswego areas. "First-time buyers can receive the tax credit if their home purchase closes by December 1st, so to take advantage of that credit, they really need to have a home under contract by October 1st."
 
There were notable home sales gains in many suburban communities, particularly in Addison (89 percent increase from a year ago); Bellwood (150 percent); Bloomingdale (350 percent); Calumet Park (200 percent); Flossmoor (100 percent); Geneva (59 percent); Markham (138 percent); Matteson (122 percent); Maywood (156 percent); Oak Lawn (58 percent); Richton Park (167 percent); West Chicago (59 percent); and Winfield (150 percent). 
 
The average 40 percent increase in contracts across the 120-community area was fueled by dramatic advances in some towns, where the numbers of homes under contract leaped by double- and triple-digit percentages.
 
Standouts in the south suburbs for number of contracts were Burbank (146 percent increase from a year ago); Harvey (150 percent); Lynwood (1,000 percent); Markham (133 percent); Matteson (107 percent); and Oak Lawn (93 percent).
 
In the DuPage County area, contract activity was highest in Addison (118 percent increase from a year ago); Bensenville (700 percent); Hinsdale (59 percent);
Villa Park (100 percent); Warrenville (160 percent); and West Chicago (69 percent).
 
Outstanding numbers for contracts were posted in the western Cook communities of Bellwood (250 percent increase from a year ago); Elmwood Park (333 percent); Franklin Park (217 percent); La Grange (75 percent); Melrose Park (200 percent); and Westchester (243 percent).
 
For nearly a century, MORe has been dedicated to anticipating and serving the needs of more than 14,000 REALTORS®, affiliates and licensed appraisers in South and West Suburban Chicagoland. MORe is the second largest REALTOR® member organization in Illinois, and the seventh largest in the nation. To learn what a REALTOR® can do for you, email Veronica@PrimeAnytime.com

 
 

I will be hosting an open house this weekend at 816 Sherwood in LaGrange Park. It's a very cute colonial with tons of charm near all of the great amenities the LaGrange area has to offer. I will be at the property from 12 pm to 2 pm this Sunday, April 5th. Hope to see you there!

 
Post Title. 01/28/2009
 

 Real Estate Property Tax Reduction

Real Estate Tax Attorney, Anastasia Poulopoulos
&
State Certified Appraiser, Nicholas Masella

Property Values Are Down ↓

Property Taxes Are Up ↑

What Can You Do About It?

Come to our FREE SEMINAR on Real Estate Property Tax Reduction

Get Answers to Your Questions:

•         Learn How To Appeal Your Own Real Estate Property Taxes

 

•         Learn How Declining Home Values Affect Your Tax Bill

 

•         Learn 6-Ways To Save Money On Your Tax Bill Without Appealing

 

•         Learn the 4-Reasons Why Most People Fail When They Appeal

 

•         Learn What to Know and Look for When Choosing an Attorney

 

Come Join Us For This FREE Informative

And Potentially Money-Saving Seminar.

 

When:         Tuesday February 3, 2009             

 

Where:       
Prime Property Partners             
114 Calendar Avenue, 2nd Flr.      
LaGrange, IL 60525                    

 

Time:          7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.                  

Refreshments Will Be Served.

Seating is limited. Call Veronica Sandoval at 630.418.2239
Or e-mail me at Veronica.Sandoval@PrimeAnytime.com and reserve your seat today.

 
 

I will be hosting an Open House this Sunday, 1/18/09, 1-3 p.m. at 436 S 6th Avenue in LaGrange. This property is a 6 bedroom, 3.1 bath home , gleaming oak hardwood flooring, crown molding, gourmet kitchen, all on an oversized lot in a walk to town location!!!

 
First Post! 01/15/2009
 

Hello Everyone! I hope you find my new site an exceptional resource for your real estate needs! I am having a blast putting this site together and cannot wait to see the finished product. If anyone has suggestions as to how to make it better, please feel free to comment on this post or just email me! Take care and stay warm out there!!!! (It's -12 in Chicago today)