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10 STEPS TO PREPARE FOR HOME OWNERSHIP

Buying a new home?  Lyn Sims at RE/MAX Suburban offers 10 Steps to Prepare for Home Ownership!

Bartlett is a great small community located in Cook, DuPage and a small part in Kane Counties. The population was 37,000 by the 2002 census and has definitely grown from the original 360 in 1900.  Bartlett was incorporated in 1891 after Luther Bartlett who offered the right of way thru his land to the Chicago and Pacific railroad. The village has retained it's original railroad station built in 1873 in the downtown area.  The commuter station is the Metra Milwaukee West Line.

Bartlett Bike Path System is 19.6 miles and is a favorite with cyclists.

The Village owns and operates Bartlett Hills Golf Course. The 18 hole course includes a full-service clubhouse and restaurant. The course is primarily funded by user fees and a small portion of the property tax bill.  Villa Olivia Country Club operates an 18 hole golf course which includes a clubhouse, banquet facility and downhill ski hills for regular skiing and snowboarding. Snow is produced as necessary for the hill which is literally very "cool".

Forest preserve and nature sanctuaries include extensive acreage from the District of Cook and DuPage Counties.  Tri-County State Park is also 541 acres.

All public schools are entirely within District U46. U46 serves an area of some 90 square miles and almost 40,000 children are within it's boundaries. U-46 is the 2nd largest school district in Illinois.

The list average price of single family homes in Bartlett is $397,800.  The average price of "multi-family" homes which would include townhomes, condos, etc. is $251,400.  Obviously there are homes in all prices ranges to choose from, those were just the averages.

Village Profile

Aerial Map of Bartlett

Village of Bartlett Website

This is just a short overview of a great town named Bartlett.  If you are looking to buy or sell a home in the Bartlett Illinois area, please feel free to contact Lyn Sims of RE/MAX Suburban at (847)230-7324 or (800)637-9345.  Lyn can provide you with copious amounts of information on the many surrounding areas!

Lyn's Blog Dog

Lyn Sims (847)230-7324

Serving Bartlett, Streamwood, Carol Stream, Bloomingdale, Hanover Park, Elgin, South Elgin, Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, St. Charles, Carol Stream, Roselle, Medinah and Itasca areas of Northwest Suburban Chicago.

"Blog Dog"©2008 Lyn Sims

Updated 5/23/2008

                    10 Things to Take the Trauma Out of Homebuying

• Find a real estate professional who's simpatico.  Homebuying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one.  It's critical that the practitioner you choose is both skilled and a good fit with your personality.  Lyn Sims has been in the business for over 20 years helping people with their dream home!

• Remember, there's no "right" time to buy, any more than there's a right time to sell.  If you find a home now, don't try to second-guess the interest rates or the housing market by waiting.  Changes don't usually occur fast enough to make that much difference in price, and a good home won't stay on the market long.

• Don't ask for too many opinions.  It's natural to want reassurance for such a big decision, but too many ideas will make it much harder to make a decision.  Can I say that again - Don't ask for too many opinions.

• Accept that no house is ever perfect.  Focus in on the things that are most important to you and let the minor ones go.

• Don't try to be a killer negotiator.  Negotiation is definitely a part of the real estate process, but trying to "win" by getting an extra-low price may lose you the home you love.

• Remember your home doesn't exist in a vacuum.  Don't get so caught up in the physical aspects of the house itself-room size, kitchen-that you forget such issues as amenities, noise level, etc., that have a big impact on what it's like to live in your new home too.

• Don't wait until you've found a home and made an offer to get approved for a mortgage, investigate insurance availability, and consider a schedule for moving.  Presenting an offer contingent on a lot of unresolved issues will make your bid much less attractive to sellers.

• Factor in maintenance and repair costs in your post-homebuying budget.  Even if you buy a new home, there will be some costs.  Don't leave yourself short and let your home deteriorate.

• Accept that a little buyer's remorse is inevitable and will probably pass.  Buying a home, especially for the first time, is a big commitment, but it also yields big benefits.

• Choose a home first because you love it; then think about appreciation.  While U.S. homes have appreciated an average of 5.4 percent annually from 1998 to 2002, a home's most important role is as a comfortable, safe place to live.

Lyn Sims (847)230-7324 or (800)637-9345 Outside IL OR Email her at LynSims@remax.net

Home Search Website at www.LynSims.net to start your home search right now!

Over 20 years experience in Bartlett, Streamwood, Hanover Park, Elgin, South Elgin, St. Charles, Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Elk Grove Village, Roselle, Bloomingdale, Medinah, Itasca, and Carol Stream areas.

"Blog Dog"©2007 Lyn Sims

TIPS FOR FIRST TIME BUYERS - If you are currently in the market for your first home, you probably have lots of questions. You are about to be making an important decision for your future, a great investment of both money and time. I have a wealth of experience helping first time buyers like you make sound, informed decisions. Here are some tips that can help make your home buying process successful:
 

• Tip #1: Do Your Homework
  The perfect home won't find you by itself. The key step in buying a home is doing the proper research. Educate yourself on local schools, neighborhoods, and the kinds of homes available. By visiting my website (www.LynSims.net) and reviewing properties, you can start to put together your idea of the perfect home.
  
• Tip #2: Start Planning
  Most decisions benefit greatly from proper planning, and home buying is certainly no exception. By marking your favorites, you'll start a file that we can review together. My website is a great resource for property information.
  
• Tip #3: Get PreQualified
  Getting prequalified for a loan normally only requires a short phone conversation with a lender, and can greatly help your home search. Prequalification does not guarantee you a loan, but it does provide you with an estimated monthly payment and a price range to use as a guide when shopping for homes. Being prequalified indicates to sellers that you are a serious, prepared buyer.  Deciding on the financing for your home can be as important as choosing the home itself.
  
• Tip #4: Look for Value
  When shopping for homes, it's important to consider potential value. Even if you're not planning to sell the home some time down the line, it's a good idea to consider the future value of the home. You may not think of a new home as a means to make money, but it's an important investment that requires careful consideration. Lyn Sims can show you which areas are the best value and which are not!
  
• Tip #5: Decide What You're Looking For
  Settle on the home features that are important to you (parking, hardwood floors, architectural style, etc.) and make a prioritized list. Having well established guidelines will help narrow down your search and will prevent you from being shown properties that lack your key amenities. It can help you make the decision not to buy an attractive property that doesn't really fit your needs. My website has a search feature that allows you to filter thousands of listings based on attributes that you select. If you know you want a brick house with gas heat and a garage, you can get the results you're looking for. MY WEBSITE SHOWS YOU ALL THE HOMES LISTED FOR SALE - ALL IN THE SAME PLACE - NO NEED TO JUMP FROM SITE TO SITE TO FIND YOUR PERFECT HOME!
  
• Tip #6: Relax
  You don't have to make an offer on the first home you see. Make sure to look at other listings in the area to get a feel for the marketplace. When you decide to make an offer on a house, I'll be there so that all of your questions are answered.
  
• Tip #7: Protect Yourself
  Paying for a quality home inspection is absolutely critical! You can save yourself thousands in repair costs by having a professional evaluate the soundness of the home you are considering. Never give up your right to a home inspection - the costs is usually around $350.00 and is worth every penny in your peace of mind! 

More information for first time buyers can be found on my website, by giving me a call, or emailing me at LynSims@msn.com.   I'm confident that I can provide the kind of exceptional service that will make this process a funa and rewarding one.  Don't hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have, I would love to be of assistance to you.

Lyn Sims (847)230-7324 or (800) 637-9345 Outside IL

Lyn and the "Blog Dog"

 "Blog Dog"©2008 Lyn Sims

Bartlett is a great small community located in Cook, DuPage and a small part in Kane Counties. The population was 37,000 by the 2002 census and has definitely grown from the original 360 in 1900.  Bartlett was incorporated in 1891 after Luther Bartlett who offered the right of way thru his land to the Chicago and Pacific railroad. The village has retained it's original railroad station built in 1873 in the downtown area.  The commuter station is the Metra Milwaukee West Line.

Bartlett Bike Path System is 19.6 miles and is a favorite with cyclists.

The Village owns and operates Bartlett Hills Golf Course. The 18 hole course includes a full-service clubhouse and restaurant. The course is primarily funded by user fees and a small portion of the property tax bill.  Villa Olivia Country Club operates an 18 hole golf course which includes a clubhouse, banquet facility and downhill ski hills for regular skiing and snowboarding. Snow is produced as necessary for the hill which is literally very "cool".

Forest preserve and nature sanctuaries include extensive acreage from the District of Cook and DuPage Counties.  Tri-County State Park is also 541 acres.

All public schools are entirely within District U46. U46 serves an area of some 90 square miles and almost 40,000 children are within it's boundaries. U-46 is the 2nd largest school district in Illinois.

The list average price of single family homes in Bartlett is $397,800.  The average price of "multi-family" homes which would include townhomes, condos, etc. is $251,400.  Obviously there are homes in all prices ranges to choose from, those were just the averages.

Aerial Map of Bartlett

This is just a short overview of a great town named Bartlett.  If you are looking to buy or sell a home in the Bartlett Illinois area, please feel free to contact Lyn Sims of RE/MAX Suburban at (847)230-7324 or (800)637-9345.  Lyn can provide you with copious amounts of information on the many surrounding areas!

Lyn's Blog Dog

Lyn Sims (847)230-7324  Working in Bartlett, Streamwood, Hanover Park, Elgin, South Elgin, St. Charles, Carol Stream, Bloomingdale, Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Roselle, Medinah, Itasca.

"Blog Dog"©2007 Lyn Sims