The Blog Dog .net

Surrey Woods - Streamwood IL Townhomes

Lyn Sims and the Blog Dog© (RE/MAX Suburban) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:41:48 -0600

Surrey Woods Townhomes

Sales summary for the Surrey Woods Townhome community in Streamwood IL near 59 and Bode Rds. Very popular area surrounded by the Cook County Forest Preserve with wonderfully maintained walking, jogging and bike paths. Not to mention the great old oak trees in the area. There is also a pond and play area that is maintained by the Streamwood Park District too. The area is comprised of private entry 2-story styled townhomes with either a 1 or 2 car garage. Some basements are available but rarely go on the market. Square footage is approximately between 1100 to 1700 sq ft and prices between $165,000 to $230,000. Alot of great square footage for your money here!

2BR 1.5BA Brimfield Model, 1 car garage. One sale $150,000

2BR 1.5BA Cantebury Model, 1 car garage.

2BR 2.5BA, Den, Ashford Model, 2 car garage. One sale $160,000

There have been a total of 2 closed sales for the last 6 months. The average days on the market is 75 with some units taking longer. Both sales above were distressed.

Please let me know if I can help you with any more information on this great area that I specialize. There are a few homes on the market now that I would be able to show you now. I feel it's a great area that offers alot of space for the price!

Search Surrey Woods now!

Streamwood - Village Overview
Streamwood - What's the housing market like?

Streamwood - Who sells the most houses?
Market Update by Price - July to September 2009
Market Update by Price - April to June 2009

Chicago Agent Magazine Feature

Having someone in your corner with over 25 years experience will ensure every detail of your purchase or sale is handled smoothly!

Looking forward to working with you!

Please contact me Lyn, I need more information!

Lyn Sims and the Blog Dog©
                                                         (847)230-7324
            RE/MAX Suburban
    Email: LynSims@msn.com




The Blog Dog© knows Streamwood!

This darn dog and I proudly sell real estate in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago. If you are thinking about purchasing or selling your home in the communities of Streamwood, Bartlett, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg, Roselle, Palatine, Medinah, Itasca, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Hanover Park, Elgin, South Elgin, St. Charles and more importantly, want to work with a local area expert, contact me immediately.

Disclaimer: All data and information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. Lyn Sims makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, correctness, suitability or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from it’s display or use. Market Data MRED 3/8/2010

Surrey Woods - Streamwood IL ©2010 TheBlogDog.net and Lyn Sims

Elgin Illinois Home Sale - Who sold the most homes in Elgin?

Lyn Sims and the Blog Dog© (RE/MAX Suburban) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:50:08 -0600

RE/MAX is twice as effective than the next competing real estate company in Elgin for 2009! That's alot of real estate!

Looking to get your home sold in this tougher market? I'd love the get the job done!

Looking to buy a home and want someone experienced to help you avert the potential potholes?

Give me a call or email me so we can get started today!

Elgin IL Market Share 2009

South Elgin IL - Who had the most home sales?

Lyn Sims and the Blog Dog© (RE/MAX Suburban) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:49:26 -0600

RE/MAX is three times as effective than the next competing real estate company in South Elgin for 2009! That's alot of real estate!

Streamwood IL - Pet Rescue holds Lou Malnati's Fundraiser

Lyn Sims and the Blog Dog© (RE/MAX Suburban) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:42:45 -0600

YUMMMMM ....... Fundraiser at Lou Malnati's March 31st

The Almost Home Foundation ARF team has cooked up a delicious fundraiser at Lou Malnati's on March 31, 2010! Just print out the attached flyer and have dinner at Lou's and a portion of the sale will benefit AHF animals.

Dine-in, carryout or delivery at Lou's in Elk Grove Village, Schaumburg or Bloomingdale...as long as you mention the flyer when placing the order and present the flyer when paying, AHF animals benefit.

Please make copies of the flyer & pass them on to your family and friends. Enjoy dinner out on March 31, 2010 and help the animals at the same time.

Take me to their website to see all the cats & dogs available!

This is where 'The Blog Dog' was adopted from BTW!

Almost Home Foundation Fund Raiser 3/31/2010

Shared Loss Agreements, the FDIC and someone's hand in your pocket!

Lyn Sims and the Blog Dog© (RE/MAX Suburban) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:42:46 -0600

This is just a shameful situation of what banks are doing without the consumers/public knowledge.

We don't have to worry about 'The Mob in Chicago', now we've got the banks that are 'takin over'. The American Taxpayer/Consumer is not aware of the situation so it you can spread to word so others might know of this behavior.

Via Robert G Hertzog (Summit Home Consultants):

OneWest Bank Releases Their First Year Profit Statement $1.6 Billion- You Won't Believe This One!

Kudos to Scott Reckard with the LA Times. He wrote an article today that is sure to open some eyes. The article, titled "OneWest Bank Profit: $1.6 Billion" does an excellent job of pointing out some very interesting observations.

According to the article, OneWest paid the FDIC $1.55 Billion for the failed IndyMac Bank, and turned a profit of $1.57 Billion in it's first year. The article specifically addresses the shared-loss agreement that was also put in place by the FDIC, which is expected to cost the FDIC nearly $11 Billion.

The reason I'm posting this article is that it dovetails perfectly into my blog titled "Is The FDIC Killing OneWest IndyMac Short Sales" in September/2009. The blog, which ended up being the basis of the recent video produced by Think Big Work Small (without my knowledge or consent, by the way) deals with a transaction I handled for one of my clients with OneWest Bank. Rather than go into all of the details of the blog you can read it here. But basically, it centered on shared-loss deals, and how they are creating a disadvantage for consumers trying to accomplish loan modifications or short sales.

The FDIC was so upset with the video that they decided to issue an official press release on Friday, February 12th. The LA Times article specifically states that the FDIC refused to comment today on the profit statement released by OneWest today.

So let me get this straight... The FDIC issues an official press release on a YouTube video, but doesn't want to talk to anyone about the profits OneWest just reported today, and the possible effects of the shared loss agreement they have in place with them? Interesting. Anyway, enjoy the article. This story is beginning to "grow legs", as they say. With 93 other loss share agreements in place, according to a recent Business Journal article, I'm sure this is something we will all hear more about in the very near future.

Oops, I spoke to soon! While writing this article, I just found out that the FDIC just issued ANOTHER press release, this time announcing that they just sold La Jolla Bank in La Jolla, CA to, guess who? You got it, OneWest Bank! And guess what? That's right, they signed yet another Loss Share Agreement with them as well. Well, that makes a total of 95 loss share agreements, and counting!

Folks, it's time to stop this madness. The LA Times article shows what this program is costing the American Taxpayer. Some, like the FDIC (and their banker buddies) will tell us time and time again that the FDIC receives no taxpayer dollars, and is funded wholly by the FDIC premiums charged to the banks. Think about it... When banks have to pay more for increased premiums, where do you think they get the money? Quite simply, they raise their rates to YOU, the consumer, to cover these additional expenses. And, when they finally run out of money, they have a nice little $500 Billion "Credit Card" they can use at the U.S. Treasury. Where do you think this money comes from? Correct... YOU, the taxpayer.

So do your part and help spread the word. It's time to stop asking questions, and start demanding answers from our fearless leaders in Washington. Don't just read this and get mad. Read this and share it with all you know.

Bob Hertzog

www.foreclosureuturn.com

Carol Stream IL - Who sells the most houses in Carol Stream?

Lyn Sims and the Blog Dog© (RE/MAX Suburban) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:18:46 -0600

RE/MAX is twice as effective as the next competing real estate company in Carol Stream for 2009! That's alot of real estate!

Hanover Park IL Real Estate - Who sold the most homes in Hanover Park?

Lyn Sims and the Blog Dog© (RE/MAX Suburban) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:46:19 -0600

RE/MAX is twice as effective as the next competing real estate company in Hanover Park for 2009! That's alot of real estate!

Bloomingdale Homes - Who sells the most real estate in Bloomingdale?

Lyn Sims and the Blog Dog© (RE/MAX Suburban) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:59:54 -0600

RE/MAX is three times as effective as the next competing real estate company in Bloomingdale for 2009! That's alot of real estate!

Bartlett Illinois - Who sells the most homes in Bartlett?

Lyn Sims and the Blog Dog© (RE/MAX Suburban) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:35:03 -0600

RE/MAX is four times as effective as the next competing real estate company in Bartlett for 2009! That's alot of real estate!

Looking to get your home sold in this tougher market? I'd love the get the job done!

Looking to buy a home and want someone experienced to help you avert the potential potholes?

Give me a call or email me so we can get started today!

Bartlett IL Home Sales - Market Share 2009

Most Popular Dogs 2009

Lyn Sims and the Blog Dog© (RE/MAX Suburban) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:43:19 -0600

For the 19th consecutive year, the Labrador Retriever is the most popular purebred dog in America, but could this be the last year for the Lab’s reign?

According to American Kennel Club® (AKC) 2009 registration statistics released today during a press conference at Grand Central Terminal in New York City, the German Shepherd overtook the Yorkshire Terrier last year and is now ranked second most popular in the nation for the first time in more than three decades.

An American favorite since the time of Rin Tin Tin, the German Shepherd became the number one breed of the 1920s, but then slipped in popularity until after World War II.

"Labs have been America’s top dog for nearly two decades due to their loyal and gentle nature," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "But the German Shepherd has gained ground recently, quite possibly due to the increased attention they receive for their security efforts at home and abroad. Hailed as the world’s leading police, guard and military dog, this energetic and fun-loving breed is a loyal family pet, ideal companion and dependable K-9 partner when duty calls."

2009 Most Popular Dogs in the U.S.

1. Labrador Retriever

2. German Shepherd

3. Yorkshire Terrier

4. Golden Retriever

5. Beagle

6. Boxer

7. Bulldog

8. Dachshund

9. Poodle

10. Shih Tzu

Sources: AKC Newsletter, February 2010

2809 Effingham Ct - Schaumburg IL - Towne Place $250,000 Lyn Sims (847)230-7324 REMAX Suburban

Lyn Sims and the Blog Dog© (RE/MAX Suburban) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:54:44 -0600

Lyn Sims | RE/MAX Suburban | 847-230-7324

2809 Effingham Court, Schaumburg, IL

IMPRESSIVE 2STORY LIVINGROOM!

3BR/2+1BA Townhouse

offered at $250,000

Year Built	1995
Sq Footage	Unspecified
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2 full, 1 partial
Floors	2
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$211 per month

DESCRIPTION

2story Livingroom greets you in this spacious 2BR 2.5BA townhome with loft! Hardwood on 1st floor, Kitchen has granite counters & pantry, Formal Dinrm area. Vaulted Master offers window seat, 6 panel doors. Well maintained - come see us first!

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

- Central A/C	- Central heat	- Fireplace
- High/Vaulted ceiling	- Hardwood floor	- Living room
- Dining room	- Dishwasher	- Refrigerator
- Stove/Oven	- Microwave	- Granite countertop

COMMUNITY FEATURES

- Guest parking	- Clubhouse	- Swimming pool(s)
- Playground

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

- Hardwood Floors on 1st floor

- 2 Pools & Clubhouses here, walking paths, pond

- Walk to stores, grocery, banks, workout.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

2story Livingroom	Vaulted Master
Granite in Kitchen	Formal Dinrm
Hardwood in Loft	Front view

Contact info:

Lyn Sims

RE/MAX Suburban

847-230-7324

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Feb 5, 2010, 12:26pm PST

Is your veterinarian using a recalled drug?

What if your veterinarian was using a recalled drug -- and didn't know it?

That's not a hypothetical question. On Sept. 4, at least two veterinary drugs made by Teva Animal Health, Inc., a division of Israeli-based Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, were recalled by the FDA, which shut the company down in July. But few veterinarians or pet owners were aware of the recall until the end of December.

Although the reported deaths of five cats led the FDA to issue public recall notices on Dec. 22 and Dec. 29, just what products are involved, and over what time period they were manufactured and sold, remains unclear.

The recalls involve two commonly used injectable veterinary drugs: butorphanol, a fast-acting opioid used to control pain from surgical procedures in dogs and cats, and the anesthetic agent ketamine.

Ketamine is part of a "cocktail" of drugs that induces anesthesia in animals, including dogs and cats. It can be used, usually with valium, prior to surgery, a dental cleaning and sometimes as a form of restraint for procedures such as an imaging scan. It's not the only drug that can be used in this way, but it's one of the most common.

The only explanation so far given as to just what's wrong with the recalled ketamine came in a press release issued by the FDA on Dec. 22, which said, "This recall is being conducted as a result of an increased trend in serious adverse events associated with this product, including lack of effect, prolonged effect, and death."

See the rest of the article here!

Previously posted by 2010 SF Gate

Selling your Home When Everyone Else Is - Gearing up for Spring

Every winter sellers begin to think about moving and putting their homes on the market 'IN THE SPRING'. This post from Lisa Udy, in Utah gives a perspective on waiting to list your home or doing a price reduction can actually cost you more money.

Are you 'chasing' or setting the market for your home? Did you wait on an advised price reduction?

More homes are always put on the market in the Spring months and who knows what the 'market' will hold this year of 2010? It used to be the norm but who knows now? What used to be is no longer in the real estate market - better prices and increased activity just can't be guaranteed!

The market is the market - right now! Enjoy this post.

Via Lisa Udy Realtor Utah Real Estate Specialist (Logan Utah Real Estate The Platinum Real Estate Group):

In the last month I have had a few sellers that have taken their Logan Utah homes off the market. They decided they just wanted to wait until spring time, and didn't want their homes to become stale on the market. Some of these seller's homes were on the market for some time, and I couldn't talk them into reducing their prices. The market had spoken, their homes were overpriced.

Just because you wait to sell in the spring doesn't mean your home is priced to sell.

Everyone knows in the real estate business, spring time is the busiest time of the year. There are more buyers in the spring, but there is also a lot more competition.

If your home is on the market for an extended amount of time, the worst thing you can do is take it off the market and wait to price it exactly the same a few months down the road when you are going to have twice the competition.

Here's Why:

The market has already shown your home isn't priced correctly, if it was, it would have sold no matter what season it is. Price is the #1 factor for selling a home, no matter what condition it is, if it's priced correctly, you can sell it.

Your mortgage payment isn't going to go away. Every month you stay in your home, you have to pay for your mortgage. Which means more money you pay your lien holders in interest. That money is gone forever.

The longer your home is on the market, the more behind the market it becomes. If your home was priced competitively in the first month, but soon after you start noticing homes selling in your price range for less then what they were the month before, you have to adjust your strategy. It may have been priced right 3 months ago, but how does it compare today? The real estate market is a living creature, it changes, and no one knows where it's going until it has already been. Price your home ahead of the market.

If you think it's going to be hard to sell your home in the winter, imagine how hard it's going to be when inventory goes up 30%.

Now, don't get me wrong, I understand you need a certain amount of money out of your home. The problem with that thinking is, the market doesn't care how much money you need out of your home. The market doesn't care that you can't sell your home for the price the market says it's worth. The market provides the price a buyer is willing to pay, and nothing more.

Take a deep breath, look at the facts, and think about your motivations for selling your home. If you can't price your home at the price the market dictates now. Why would you want to wait until the busiest time of the year, with more competition, higher interest rates and then price it at the same as you did with less competition, better interest rates, and in a market that is heading into the unknown?

What are your motivations for selling? Are you relocating? Are you trying to move into a bigger home? Are you downsizing?

If you have all the time in the world to wait out the market, that's great and you are in a unique situation, but be prepared to wait a long time. If you want to sell your home fast, price it to sell in today's market, and you will actually save a lot of money in the long run.

This market is, to be blunt, insane. No one knows what's going to happen over the next few months, and if you wait until the grass is greener on the other side, you may find that someone has poisoned the grass.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lisa Udy, Logan Utah Real Estate Copyright © 2009

If you are considering buying or selling a home in Utah, you deserve local expertise and advice to be provided by a professional in real estate. Lisa Udy, is a Utah REALTOR® providing full time, professional real estate services to home buyers and sellers in the cities of Logan, Providence, North Logan, Hyde Park, Smithfield, Richmond, Nibley, Lewiston, Cornish, Trenton, Amalga, Clarkston, Newton, and all surrounding cities in the Cache County Northern Utah area.

You may be relocating to or from Utah due to any number of reasons , whatever the case, when searching for a real estate professional outside the state of Utah, please feel free to Contact Me or call me at 435-881-3022 as I am more than honored to provide to you the contact information of exceptional agents across the U.S.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Seller Advice - I'll have to take a pass on that Dalmation Paint Job

I fired myself and here's why!

Did you ever have one of those listing presentations that just didn't get off on the right foot from the get go? Saturday I had an appt. for a listing that was either to be for sale or for rent as the seller was moving shortly to Florida. She wanted to know her options in this tough market so I offered my expertise and to come see the property.

Well, you know what happens when the seller just expounds too much about the condition of her home? No, Lyn I've lived here 5 years and there is no need to paint! The carpet is in fabulous shape but she can't even tell you what color it is? Neutral - now that's a color. I'll have to jot that down.

Upon arrival I asked for the customary tour and unfortunately what I expected surrounded me. Lots of clutter, way too much furniture and an extreme need for a paint job! In fact, this had 'paths' in a couple of rooms that I happened to mention made the rooms look terribly small and guess what 'we're selling square footage here right'?

Next was the interview from the parents - ahhhh, and that did not go well. I was trying to be respectful but who owns this home and who is going to sign the listing agreement? As it turned out, voices started to get louder and louder and Dad's face getting redder and redder by the minute when I seem unflapped by his statements. 'I don't care if you've been selling real estate for 50 years - we are not going to spend the money to paint'!

So when you move the furniture what do you expect to find? Alot of bad paint. And Dad's suggestion seemed to be the 'dalmatian method' of painting. Turn the entire house into 'clean spots' and 'dirty spots'! After a few minutes of his blood pressure getting elevated, I gently gathered my things from the couch and began to put them away.

That's it folks, I'm packing up and leaving this circus! And that's what I did!

Five Keys to Unlock the Secret to a Successful Sale

Hanover Park IL - Hanover Township Reassessment

Assessment Notices Mailed to Hanover Township Taxpayers

First-Ever Downward Market Adjustment Lowers Assessments of Hanover Township Homes; All Hanover Township Taxpayers Being Notified of Changes in Levels of Assessment

Chicago – January 19, 2009 – Cook County Assessor Jim Houlihan announced today that residential property owners in Hanover Township were mailed notices reflecting a reduction in the assessed values of their properties. The impact of these reductions will be seen in second-installment tax bills payable in the fall of 2010.

"The situation we are facing in the real estate market is extraordinary, and the downturn has had an impact on home values," Houlihan explained. "After analysis of market sales and foreclosure data, we determined that Hanover Township homeowners should not have to wait until their properties are reassessed next in 2010 for the downturn to be reflected in their assessments."

Normally, properties are reassessed and receive notices every three years. The north suburbs are not scheduled to be reassessed again until 2010; the south and west suburbs will be reassessed next in 2011. This year, the City of Chicago will be reassessed.

Due to this first-ever downward market adjustment, residential properties in each suburban township will receive adjustments of their assessed values. A 7% decrease will be applied to the assessed values of all residential properties located in Hanover Township.

The deadline to file appeals for properties located in Hanover Township is February 22, 2010.

These market reductions come as the Assessor’s Office is implementing the 10/25 Ordinance, a measure passed by the County Board last year which was designed to simplify assessment levels. Homes will now be assessed at 10% of market value. Commercial and industrial properties will be assessed at 25% of market value. All Cook County property owners will receive notices telling them of the changes in assessment levels this year.

These changes in assessment levels will neither increase nor decrease assessments. They will simply give taxpayers the ability to review their assessments and determine if they accurately reflect the market value of their properties.

"If Hanover Township taxpayers want to appeal their proposed assessments, we encourage them to do so online," Houlihan said. "Our newly redesigned Web site is easy to navigate, contains a wealth of information, and makes it easier than ever to appeal a proposed assessment."

Hanover Township Assessor can be reached at 630-837-0301 from 8:30 am to 4:30pm. They are located on Rt. 59 just south of W. Bartlett Rd.