Real Estate Information

The Wheeling Township site offers some key information which I am reprinting. One important issue is that years ago, once you were a senior you were a senior and didn't have to reapply. Today it is a yearly process. If you failed to re-apply for the senior exemption, you can go to the Assessors Office and they will help you fill out a Certificate of Error. Please call ahead, and ask what you will need to bring. Here's some key issues:

The Cook County Assessor’s Office mailed senior citizen renewal applications for senior citizen property tax exemptions in early January. Seniors should return the forms to the Cook County Assessor’s office by February 6 or as soon thereafter as possible.  Local senior citizens with questions or requiring help in completing the forms should feel free to call or visit the Wheeling Township Assessor’s office. 

Under current law, Senior Exemptions must be renewed every year.  In the past, it was not necessary to file annual renewals after a senior qualified for the exemption for the first time.  Two years ago, however, the law changed such that Senior Exemptions now must be renewed every year.  Accordingly, we urge all seniors to complete and return the recently-mailed renewal forms.

Eligibility for Senior Citizen Exemptions

There are two senior citizen property tax exemptions:

1)   The Senior Exemption, available to all seniors regardless of income, reduces the Equalized Assessed Value on your 2nd Installment bill by 4,000.  That equates into approximately $250 - $300 off the property tax bill.  It is available to any owner-occupied residential property whose owner was born in 1947 or earlier. 

2)   The Senior Freeze provides some seniors with additional savings if the combined income of all occupants in a senior’s household is less than $55,000, and if the senior has been an owner-occupant of the house since January 1, 2011.

The senior applications that have been mailed are for 2012 property taxes, (paid in calendar year 2013) and the savings from the exemptions will appear on the second installment tax bills that will likely be mailed in July of 2013. 

If you have been thinking about selling your home over the last few years, this could be the year to do it! We have shifted from a very strong buyer’s market to a seller’s market based on the time on the market. Throughout the Northwest Suburban area of Chicago inventories are down on average 23%, which is causing a huge demand for new homes to come on the market. For example, in Arlington Heights, at this time of year there were 56 single family homes on the market that were under contract. As of March 31 there were 87 homes under contract which is a 55.4% increase in active sales. Mt Prospect has had an increase in sales activity of 38.2%; Des Plaines 15.8%.

When you have this kind of activity you will get appreciation in value in the market place. Average price increases are as follows:

City                  March 2012 Average Price                March 2013 Average             Price    Change

Arlington Heights      $298855                                 $337188                                  12.8%

Des Plaines                $199463                                 $220483                                 10.5%

Mt Prospect                $260,778                                $237796                                 -8.8% *

Actually, Mt Prospect Median Price is up .09%; from 233,000 to 235,000 in 2013. Why the difference? This could be because of a huge sale in 2012 with not similar sale in 2013.

The inventory is shrinking and many buyers are just waiting for the right house to come on the market. Yours could be just the right match for them. By looking at the current new listing prices, I am seeing an increase in the asking prices, but the verdict is still out on how much appreciation you will receive. I will add that the likelihood of selling a home is the best it’s been in the past five years! Contact me today and see the results happen tomorrow. I am easily reached by cell phone at 847-274-0535 (text is fine) or email me at Janet@JanMcNulty.com.

If you have access to a computer, check out my websites at http://www.JanMcNulty.com or http://www.NwLineHomes.com. I‘d love to help you make your moving plans a reality for you!

A Family Tradition in Real Estate Service for 25 years

Jan McNulty, ABR, CRS, CDPE  Broker/Assoc.
RE/MAX suburban  847-259-0202
Cell: 847-274-0535  

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio .
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.
My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short – enjoy it.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye, but don't worry, God never blinks.
16.. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19.. It's never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative of dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have, not what you need
42. The best is yet to come...
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio .
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.
My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short – enjoy it.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye, but don't worry, God never blinks.
16.. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19.. It's never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative of dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have, not what you need
42. The best is yet to come...
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

 http://www.janmcnulty.com/property/259A-Woodland-Drive-Mount-Prospect-Illinois/pdf

The Daily Herald Reported today March 14, 2013 that the new pumps at Levee 37 prevent flooding in Mt Prospect!! Yeah!

The long awaited test of the system installed last year Levee 37 along the Des Plaines River has finally occurred and was successful. With the amount of snow and rain, the levee system which involves pumping stations worked really well, per Public Works Director Sean Dorsey. Per Dorsey as reported by the Daily Herald, "the pumps worked and de-watered our system efficiently. There were no instances of street flooding".

Hopefully, this has reduced the fear along this corridor of flooding issues. I would hope that new maps of the new system will reflect and correct the flood maps and maybe lower the flood insurance in the area, which many residences have had to pay and never placed a claim, as my listing at 259A Woodland Drive, Mt Prospect is.

Whether you are planning a purchase or sale of a home, I can help you determine its market value through a comparative view of the market. Based on local market data, such as active listings, pending sales and recent sales the CMA will compare your property to other properties of similar size, age, condition and location. We'll also view  homes that have not had success in the market, that is homes that have been withdrawn from the market.

This market information is valuable in setting a fair list price for your home, and also will give you a fair idea of how fast you can expect to sell your home. As a buyer, a CMA can help you decide on the negotiating room in a particular list price and how much is a fair offer.

A CMA works well to determine market, however when there hasn't been enough activity in the area, you may choose to hire an appraiser who will charge a fee for the report, but will help determine what a bank would loan on a property.

My promise to you is whether you are buying or selling a property, I will provide you the data so you can make an educated decision. My goal is to work hard and serve your best interests. Contact me at 847-274-0535 to discuss how I can assist you.

The biggest retailers in the world are bringing back Layaway (or at least now promoting it again). And in fact, it's reported that millions used Layaway programs last year to shop for the holidays.

What exactly is Layaway?

Layaway is a way to buy what you want now (especially for the holidays), and then get your items held for you while you pay for them over time. The beauty of layaway is that you pay for the item you want with cash and you don't put it on your credit card.

Some of the biggest retailers now doing this are Kmart and Sears.
What got me the most excited about the Kmart and Sears program this year is that while they offer Layaway 365 days a year, for the holidays they have WAIVED their Layaway fees.

While the fees to do Layaway are small, it's always nice to have "no fees". Secondly, Kmart and Sears are now bringing their Layaway program online, so you can shop online and use their Layaway program without ever entering a store. Once the item you buy is paid for, they ship it to you.

What happens if I change my mind?

If you put an item on Layaway and change your mind, it's no big deal. You can get a refund and you'll pay a small restocking fee. You'll be hearing a lot about Layaway this holiday season, as consumers continue to look for ways to shop smart and not go back into debt.

My suggestion is that you get planning now on the holiday shopping and consider Layaway programs as a smart way to avoid using your credit cards. Well, now if you don't have all the cash you can still buy it, and in a matter of months with smart planning, you can have it for the holidays without debt!

For details on Kmart Layaway program
For details on Sears Layaway programs

You know you are going to shop this holiday season, try using cash, or use Layaway, and imagine how good it will feel to get through the holidays and know you don't have debt on the other side, come January 1st.

 

The biggest retailers in the world are bringing back Layaway (or at least now promoting it again). And in fact, it's reported that millions used Layaway programs last year to shop for the holidays.

What exactly is Layaway?

Layaway is a way to buy what you want now (especially for the holidays), and then get your items held for you while you pay for them over time. The beauty of layaway is that you pay for the item you want with cash and you don't put it on your credit card.

Some of the biggest retailers now doing this are Kmart and Sears.
What got me the most excited about the Kmart and Sears program this year is that while they offer Layaway 365 days a year, for the holidays they have WAIVED their Layaway fees.

While the fees to do Layaway are small, it's always nice to have "no fees". Secondly, Kmart and Sears are now bringing their Layaway program online, so you can shop online and use their Layaway program without ever entering a store. Once the item you buy is paid for, they ship it to you.

What happens if I change my mind?

If you put an item on Layaway and change your mind, it's no big deal. You can get a refund and you'll pay a small restocking fee. You'll be hearing a lot about Layaway this holiday season, as consumers continue to look for ways to shop smart and not go back into debt.

My suggestion is that you get planning now on the holiday shopping and consider Layaway programs as a smart way to avoid using your credit cards. Well, now if you don't have all the cash you can still buy it, and in a matter of months with smart planning, you can have it for the holidays without debt!

For details on Kmart Layaway program
For details on Sears Layaway programs

You know you are going to shop this holiday season, try using cash, or use Layaway, and imagine how good it will feel to get through the holidays and know you don't have debt on the other side, come January 1st.

 

Aren't you glad there is only one Monday in a Week?

I feel like PollyAnna who kept in perspective that the worst day of the week for the Stock Market, Investors, Employers and everyone on this planet only comes once a week. Here are some interesting facts about Mondays:

1. The Titanic sank on a Monday.

2. 5 worst days in the history of the Standard & Poor's 500 index were Mondays, ie Black Monday Oct 19, 1987 and Oct 28, 1929. This year the Dow fell 142 points on June 11 because of worries about Spanish Debt. 

3. Anxiety is greatest on a Monday as illustrated with the Chicago Board of Options Exchange Volatility Index, a gauge of investor fears, tends to go up on Mondays.

4. Over 50% of employees are late to work on Monday, AND then the late person discusses how bad Monday is for 12.5 minutes. A British Medical Journal reported that Monday is a high heart attack day, and the reason might be because they went to work (how stressful is that!)

5. Now for some good news: You will get a better deal on a car on Mondays and it probably won't rain. :>)

6. Monday Night Football and or Sex on that day improves your outlook for the Week. (I think I heard this on Conan)

So there are some unusual facts about Mondays.