Honesty tops the list!  98% say honesty is the most important quality they seek in their Realtor.  95% say knowledge of the purchase process is very important to them. They want a Realtor who will stick with them and educate them every step of the way.  92% say market knowledge is very critical. Most buyers have reviewed homes of interest on the Internet first. However, they do not necessarily know the neighborhood or community they are interested in that well.  93% say responsiveness is right at the top of their list of important qualities in a Realtor.  Nothing is worse for a buyer or seller working with a Realtor who does not return their calls, text or emails in a timely manner. 

Great Service is the name of the game. It is the it separates the great Realtors from the ones without business!

SHARP 3 BEDROOM, 2 FULL BATH HOME WITH PRIVATE BATH IN MASTER.SECLUDED FENCED YARD & DECK WITH PANORAMIC VIEW OF LARGE NATURE AREA . NEUTRAL CARPET AND PAINT THROUGHOUT. WOOD BURNING FIREPLACE, TWO CAR GARAGE & STORAGE SHED. ALL APPLIANCES INCLUDING REFRIGERATOR, DISHWASHER, WASHER &DRYER STAY. PETS O.K. LIIMIT OF TWO PETS. OWNERS ARE REALTORS. SUBMIT APPLICATION WITH RECENT CREDIT CHECK.

END UNIT WITH PRIVATE ENTRANCE LOCATED ON QUIET CUL-DE-SAC. SPACIOUS MASTER BED/BATH SUITE, LARGE EAT-IN KITCHEN. FIRST FLOOR DEN/OFFICE. FULL FINISHED BASEMENT WITH REC/MEDIA ROOM AND 3RD. BEDROOM. TWO BEDROOMS AND LARGE LOFT ON SECOND FLOOR. FRESH PAINT THROUGHOUT MOST OF HOME. SECOND FLOORLAUNDRY ROOM. BACKS TO SIMILAR HOMES. LIGHT AND BRIGHT, MOVE IN READY. QUICK CLOSE POSSIBLE.

QUIET CUL-DE-SAC. FOUR BEDROOM TWO BATH HOME. (LAST TENANT OCCUPIED FOUR YEARS). FIREPLACE, KITCHEN ADJ. TO FAMILY ROOM EAT-IN AREA OVERLOOKING DECK & BACKYARD. LARGE COZY TREED LOT PERFECT FOR ENTERTAINING, CHILDREN, & PETS. FRESH PAINT CLEAN & MOVE-IN READY. QUICK OCCUPANCY AVAILABLE.!!! HIGHLYACCLAIMED DIST. 203 SCHOOLS. CREDIT & SECURITY CHECK NECESSARY. SOME CLEANING STILL IN PROGRESS. ***NO SIGN IN Yard***

COUNTRY LIVING FEEL WITH COMMUNITY POOL, TENNIS & CLUBHOUSE AMENITIES. WIND YOUR WAY THROUGH WOODS AND TREE LINED STREETS TO REACH THIS COZY SETTING. NEW STONE AND SIDING EXTERIOR. FIVE BEDROOMS. FULL FINISHED BASEMENT WITH REC. ROOM, BATH AND SAUNA. 3 SEASON PORCH OVERLOOKING LARGE DECKAND MATURE TREES. KIDS PARK 1 BLOCK, GOLF COURSE 1/2 MILE AND BLISS FOREST PRESERVE 1 MILE. EZ ACCESS TO I-88.

STUNNING RED BRICK AND CEDAR EXTERIOR TRIMMED BY METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED AND MATURE LANDSCAPE, SPACIOUS EAT IN GOURMET KITCHEN WITH LARGE FAMILY ROOM. SLIDERS TO OVERSIZED DECK. THE PERFECT SETTING FOR FAMILY AND ENTERTAINING FUN. LUXURY MASTER BEDROOM SUITE WITH PRIVATEBATH AND WALK-IN CLOSET. ALL OF THIS IN THE STILLWATER POOL TENNIS AND CLUBHOUSE COMMUNITY. NEUQUA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL.

UP TO $2,000. TO BUYER FOR CLOSING COSTS!!! MOVE IN READY HOME LOADED WITH NEWS; REFRIG., STOVE, & MICRO 2008), WASHER & DRYER (2007), FURNACE & WATER HEATER (2010). FRESH LOOKING NEUTRAL CARPET AND PAINT THROUGHOUT. FULL FINISHED BASEMENT WITH 4TH BEDROOM/OFFICE AND REC. ROOM. OVERSIZED DECK AND FENCED YARD. PERFECT FOR OUTDOORENTERTAINING, KIDS AND PETS. SPACIOUS EAT IN KITCHEN WITH ADJACENT FAMILY ROOM. SEPARATE DINING ROOM. MUST SEE!!!

SECLUDED DECK SURROUNDED BY FENCED LAWN, SHRUBS & TREES PROVIDES PEACEFUL RELAXATION. MOVE IN READY! NEWER ROOF, CARPET(07), FURNACE(04), & CENTRAL AIR(03). FRESH NEUTRAL PAINT THROUGHOUT. SPACIOUS EAT-IN KITCHEN WITH ADJACENT PRIVATE DECK FOR PRIVATE FAMILY/FRIENDS FUN. WALK TO PARKAND LAKE. MINUTES TO SHOPPING AND MAIN HIGHWAYS. PRICED TO SELL AND INTEREST RATES ARE FAVORABLE.

The FHA 203k Renovation loans allows repair/renovation costs to be rolled into the loan. Major items are allowed; foundation repair, kitchen & bath rehabs etc. Low down payment (3.5%) and seller can pay up to 6% towards closing costs. Only one closing. Money disbursed on a draw basis. The loan can go up to 110% of the “after improved value” from the appraisal.

Interested?? Give us a call: 630-803-2437.

This is definitely a market that favors buyers. Sellers are not realizing the gains of two years ago. If you want to relocate consider the following, you’ll get less than you would have two years ago….you’ll also spend less on the new home you buy.  Most importantly, you’ll move on with your life’s dreams and not be held prisoner by your existing home.  Just imagine that the current home you live in now is in the past and you are settled into that new dream home. That will help you get through this challenging yet rewarding move.  One last question, how much are you willing to pay to stay in a depreciating asset?   

SHORT SALE!!! WHITE EAGLE GOLF COURSE, POOL & TENNIS COMMUNITY!! WALK TO PARK & ELEMENTRY SCHOOL. FOUR BEDROOM TWO-BATH HOME. SPACIOUS GOURMET KITCHEN ADJACENT TO TWO STORY FAMILY ROOM WITH GRANITE AND ALL APPLIANCES. EAT-IN AREA WITH ATRIUM DOOR TO DECK. HARDWOOD FLOORS, SKYLIGHTS, FIRST FLOOR DEN/OFFICE, SECURITY SYSTEM, SPRINKLERS, AND THREE CAR GARAGE. FULL FIN.BASEMENT. PERFECT FOR KIDS ACTIVITIES!

The good news for buyers is they are purchasing homes at lower prices than they normally would. The bad news for sellers is they are walking away with no capital from the home and they will get a ding on their credit report.

Short sales are definitely increasing at a accelerated rate. From 2009 to 2010 YTD, short sales have increased 19% in Plainfield, 53% in Oswego, 21% in Bolingbrook and 35% in Naperville. For more information regarding short sales, please email us at piketteamrealtors@hotmail.com.

WONDERFUL CURBSIDE APPROACH FEATURING MANICURED LAWN AND BLOOMING FLORA, WELCOMES GUESTS TO AN IMPRESSIVE FOOR PLAN PERFECT FOR ENTERTAINING. GOURMET COOKING IS DONE WITH UPDATED APPLIANCES & AMPLE GRANITE COUNTERTOPS. ADJACENT FAMILY ROOM AND PATIO PERFECT FOR FAMILY FUN. OTHER FEATURESINCLUDE 3-CAR GARAGE, SPRINKLER SYSTEM, SPACIOUS BASEMENT, 6 PANEL DOORS THROUGHOUT AND FIRST FLOOR DEN.

Signs are also pointing to higher interest rates in the near future. The Fed has accumulated a trillion dollar portfolio of mortgage backed securities. They have been indicating for some time that this will not continue. If private investors do not step up and purchase these securities, mortgage loans will get tighter and rates could move up.

Now is the to purchase that new home!!

Mortgage rates are still very good. However later in the year the Wall Street Journal on Nov. 3, 2009 said, “Some bond investors are expecting mortgage rates to rise as the Federal Reserve finishes its planned purchases of nearly $1.5 trillion in mortgage-related bonds.” Rates are predicted to rise 5% to 8%, depending who you are talking with.

The CME group on January 1, 2010 predicted a fall in the home prices at the beginning of 2011 and will not start rising back up to 2010 levels until November 2013. So it looks like 2010 will be the best year to sell in the next three years!

1. The $8,000 First Time Homebuyer tax credit extended to April 30^th, 2010 & close by June 30, 2010. Also a $6,500 credit for homebuyers who have lived in their present home for 5 consecutive years within the last 8 years.
2. Interest rates are still low! You can lock now in for the life of the loan.
3. Home prices are at the lowest in years. Values are everywhere and in all price ranges. 

Please email us today for a free online home search in the area and price range of interest. piketteamrealtors@hotmail.com or kevinpiket@johngreenerealtor.com.

Dryvit is a common name for EFIS-Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems. It is sometimes referred to as Synthetic Stucco. It is a well insulated exterior with an elegant stucco look. Many homes use brick or stone trim with the EFIS. There are several manufactures of this type of exterior; Dryvit, Sto, and Senergy are the major players in the industry.

When first introduced to the Chicago suburbs, many builders were not careful in the selection of application subcontractors. Thus, due to faulty installation, moisture problems and subsequent class action lawsuits plagued the industry. Corrections in application procedures and quality of subcontractors have resulted in much better results.

Synthetic Stucco is more energy efficient than other types other exteriors. The EFIS systems add more “R” value to the home, less expensive gas and electric bills. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory funded through The U.S. Dept. of Energy completed a study in 2007 highlighting the benefits of Synthetic Stucco. For more information on Oak Ridge Labs see www.ornl.gov.

With proper maintenance your Dryvit home will put you ahead of the “going green” movement in the country. For more information on Dryvit please e-mail us at pikettrealtors@hotmail.com, or call 630-803-2437.

The first time home buyer is defined as someone who has never owned a home or has not had any ownership in a home for three years prior to the new purchase.  Income limitations are $125,000 for single people and $225,000 for married people.  The limitation on the sale price of the purchased home is $800,000. 

This tax credit is a true credit. There is no payback required as long as the buyer stays in the home, as a principal residence, for three years from purchase date.  Please contact us for further details on the tax credit or to set you up on a home search at kevinpiket@johngreenerealtor.com. 

Consider FHA’s 203K loans for homes in need of improvement and repairs. The FHA section 203k program is specifically designed to rehab and provide repair dollars for single family homes. This includes improvements to the kitchen, bath rooms and basement for updates and upgrades.

The most popular version is the 203k “streamline” loan. This is limited to $35,000 for the rehab portion of the purchase. The streamline version is for cosmetic improvements only. Structural improvements fall into the regular 203K program.

If you desire more information regarding this program, e-mail us at piketteamrealtors@hotmail.com or call 630-803-2437.

Now, to the question of waiting to sell your home; the current tax credit through April, 30, 2010 should stimulate buyers in the first quarter.  Business Week in 9/09 says “With any luck, three years should be long enough for the U.S. economy to recover and for the nation’s housing inventory to shrink to more normal levels.”

USA Today has looked at the housing situation by state.  Illinois' excess housing is predicted to be reduced by 2012 or later. If you want to sell or need to sell January through June 2010 seems to be a good time.  After that, we’ll have to wait and see how fast housing inventories will grow.  For more details, please contact us at piketteamrealtors@hotmail.com.