This is an opportunity to build your dream home in a charming community of over 300 homes nestled around a 60 acre lake, offering a lifestyle that is unique in the Chicagoland area. “Home Away From Home” is the way you feel when you enter this very unique section of Hinsdale. This property will give you the opportunity to build your dream home in a Lake Community in the heart of Hinsdale just south of 55th street…close to excellent Hinsdale Central High School and Ruth Lake Country Club. Lot size: 110.65 x 93.17 x 158.13 x 95. Value in the Land. Investors and Builders welcome! Homeowners all own an equal share of the lake and are highly encouraged to use it year ’round. Canoes, rafts, paddle boats and all other non-motorized boats are allowed on the lake. Fishing ranks high among the warm weather lake activities. Winter opens up to many other lake sports…skating, ice hockey, ice boating, snowmobiling, ice fishing and cross country skiing. Other areas for recreation include the large and small parks, also owned by the residents, where football and baseball games are popular. For those that are athletically inclined, Golfview Hills has a great offering of activities. Many builders and new homes are replacing older homes in Golfview Hills. When you choose Golfview Hills, you will buy a home and a lifestyle…one that has placed Golfview in high demand. It’s a warm and friendly community where you know your neighbors and “going home” has meaning!    REDUCED TO $433,000.  For additional information Contact Carla at 630-842-8812 or visit my website at www.CarlaSteuck.com.

LOT SIZE:  61 X 120.     LIST PRICE:  Reduced to $329,000.

This “ready to go” lot is situated on a Hinsdale tree lined street between two other fabulous new construction homes. The home that use to stand on this lot is now torn down, leaving the lot ready for your dream home! If you are looking to build a home in Hinsdale or would like to earn investment income, this could be the lot for you. Call Carla to view the house plan and site grading plan. Permit on hold, not issued.

DIRECTIONS: From Town of Hinsdale…North on Garfield. Follow traffic flow to York Road. North to Fuller. West to Home. South of Ogden.

As the property market cools down, it becomes a good time for property buyers. If you don’t have that much money to spend on a house, but you’re absolutely convinced that it’s the right time for you to move, then you need to learn how to make a lowball offer and get it accepted. Generally, a lowball offer is ten percent or more below the list price.

First and foremost, learn what types of properties you’re looking for in terms of both the house and the seller.

THE HOUSE

The properties you’re interested in have been on the market more than a month.  There’s not necessarily anything seriously wrong with them, but they’re just not generating much attention. Maybe they’re unattractive, on a busy street, or in disrepair.  The key is to find properties that maybe need a little repair work, but nothing major. Your lowball offer isn’t worth much if you have to spend all the money you saved on structural or wiring work.

THE SELLER

The seller you’re looking for needs to move ASAP.  Perhaps they’re relocating to a job in another city, or they’re already bought another house but want to sell the old one before leaving town. Maybe they’re selling the home of a recently-deceased relative, and they just want to get the whole thing over with. Maybe they’re defaulted on their mortgage payments and the house is foreclosing.  These are motivated sellers and they’re more willing to accept a low offer on their property.

THE SECRETS

• Get pre-approved for a mortgage before you start shopping.  It’ll make you more attractive to sellers.
• Shop at the right time. One of the best times to look is during the week between Christmas and New Year’s, simply because very few people are looking for them.  If you find the right house or the right seller at this time, it’s a great opportunity for getting a low-ball offer accepted.
• Make an intiitial offer that’s below what you want to pay, and prepare to be rejected. Let the seller feel that they’re negotiating a better deal with you and they’re more likely to accept your second or third offer. Note: in a competitive market this strategy isn’t advisable, but in a slow market it’s worth trying.
• Make offers on several properties. The more opportunities you create, the more likely you are to have a seller accept your offer.
• Hire a buyer’s agent. The seller’s agent is trying to get the best possible deal for their client and they’re not going to help you get a low-ball offer accepted.  A dedicated buyer’s agent will, and they’re most likely have more in-depth knowledge of the neighborhood and current market prices, too.
• Don’t use the list price as an indication of property’s true market value.  List prices are often inflated, so do your own research.  Get a Current Market Analysis (CMA) for the area and find out how accurate that list price really is.
• Give the seller a good reason to accept your price.  Offer to close quickly, offer to pay cash, and be flexible on inspection dates.  Accomodate the seller in every way possible, and if they’re motivated to sell they’ll be more amenable to your offer.

Educating my clients about the real estate market is part of my job. For a relationship based on trust, knowledge and expertise when buying or selling your next home, give me call at 630-842-8812 or email me at Carla@CarlaSteuck.com. I look forward to speaking with you!

Close with Success. CARLA STEUCK. Where your Dreams Come Home…

Crawford Group Sothebys International Realty sells Hinsdale, Illinois luxury residence built by J.P. McMahon Builders, Inc. for $5,200,000.

     In the first quarter of 2008 fifty two Hinsdale homes sold at an average of 92% ratio of List Price to Sale Price. The average market time for a home to be on the market before it sold was 316 days for single family homes and 270 days for attached single family homes.  From January 1, 2008 to April 30, 2008 thirteen homes were reported sold in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) of Northern Illinois in the price range under $500,000, twenty one homes were sold in the range from $500,000 to $999,999, and twenty five were sold over one millions dollars.  The highest priced home sold for $4,200,000.  The average selling price was $1,139,057, while the average list price was $1,345,748.

DETACHED SINGLE FAMILY

• 7208 Vine, $325,000, Closed date:  January 19, 2008.
• 741 W. Eighth, $360,000, Closed date:  March 7, 2008.
• 16W751 89th Place, $360,000, Closed date:  January 2, 2008.
• 723 S. Adams Street, $370,000, Closed date:  January 4, 2008.
• 737 S. Bruner Street, $375,000, Closed date:  January 18, 2008.
• 220 S. Grant Street, $415,000, Closed date:  March 25, 2008.
• 408 Briargate Terrace, $430,000, Closed date:  January 25, 2008.
• 948 S. Bruner Street, $450,000, Closed date:  April 30, 2008.
• 831 Jefferson Street, $477,500, Closed date: February 15, 2008.
• 709 S. Grant, $512,000, Closed date:  April 16, 2008.
• 743 Town Place, $524,000, Closed date:  January 18, 2008.
• 316 Justina Street, $550,000, Closed date:  March 7, 2008.
• 13 N. Bruner Street, $560,000, Closed date:  January 31, 2008.
• 415 S. Bruner Street, $580,000, Closed date:  March 14, 2008.
• 139 S. Madison Street, $609,000, Closed date:  March 30, 2008.
• 525 N. Vine Street, $625,000, Closed date:  March 24, 2008.
• 530 Pamela Circle, $710,000, Closed date:  April 7, 2008.
• 423 N. Garfield Street, $717,812, Closed date:  February 29, 2008.
• 607 N. Elm Street, $812,500, Closed date:  March 25, 2008.
• 5630 County Line Road, $815,000, Closed date:  February 7, 2008.
• 628 Lakeside Drive, $850,000, Closed date:  February 25, 2008.
• 9 S. Monroe Street, $850,000, Closed date: April 17, 2008.
• 509 N. Clay Street, $871,733, Closed date:  April 10, 2008.
• 364 Hampton Place, $875,000, Closed date:  April 24, 2008.
• 617 N. Oak Street, $875,000, Closed date:  April 8, 2008.
• 31 S. Bodin Street, $890,000, Closed date: March 20, 2008.
• 112 E. Hickory Street, $917,000, Closed date:  January 31, 2008.
• 136 N. Washington Street, $960,000, Closed date:  March 20, 2008.
• 744 W. 6th Street, $975,000, Closed date: March 24, 2008.
• 320 N. Justina Street, $1,002,400, Closed date:  March 25, 2008.
• 710 N. Elm Street, $1,020,000, Closed date:  January 22, 2008.
• 414 Glendale Road, $1,126,000, Closed date:  March 18, 2008.
• 5620 S. County Line Road, $1,136,000, Closed date:  April 30, 2008.
• 405 S. Bodin Street, $1,170,000, Closed date:  March 13, 2008.
• 613 56th Street, $1,177,000, Closed date:  March 17, 2008.
• 5507 S. Garfield Street, $1,200,000, Closed date:  April 29, 2008.
• 28 S. Adams Street, $1,271,000, Closed date:  April 11, 2008.
• 515 E. First Street, $1,300,000, Closed date:  April 11, 2008.
• 227 W. Hickory Street, $1,437,500, Closed date:  February 15, 2008.
• 311 W. Ninth Street, $1,500,000, Closed date:  March 31, 2008.
• 309 W. Ninth Street, $1,650,000, Closed date:  January 7, 2008.
• 5510 S. Park Street, $1,695,000, Closed date:  January 11, 2008.
• 527 Chicago Avenue, $1,757,777, Closed date:  March 14, 2008.
• 220 S. Clay Street, $1,860,000, Closed date:  March 5, 2008.
• 5500 S. Washington Street, $1,870,000, Closed date:  February 26, 2008.
• 133 N. Washington Street, $2,050,000, Closed date:  March 26, 2008.
• 630 S. Oak Street, $2,450,000, Closed date:  April 2, 2008.
• 750 Wilson Lane, $2,500,000, Closed date:  March 26, 2008.
• 728 Wilson Lane, $2,650,000, Closed date:  March 10, 2008.
• 125 S. Park, $2,900,000, Closed date:  January 31, 2008.
• 836 S. Park, $3,600,000, Closed date:  March 26, 2008.
• 812 S. Garfield Street, $3,630,000, Closed date:  February 22, 2008.
• 704 S. Elm Street, $4,200,000, Closed date:  March 14, 2008.

ATTACHED SINGLE FAMILY

• 5A Kingery Quarters, $123,000, Closed date:  January 25, 2008.
• 13A Kingery Quarters, $139,000, Closed date:  March 14, 2008.
• 11S474 Rachael Court, Emeral Ridge, $237,000, Closed date:  February 28, 2008.
• 202 Racquet Club, Racquet Club, $370,312, Closed date:  January 11, 2008.
• 420 Ashbury Drive, Ashbury Woods, $500,000, Closed date: February 21, 2008.
• 1431 Fox Lane, Graue Mill, $600,000.  Closed date:  March 22, 2008.
• 1217 Hawthorne Court, Graue Mill, $1,100,000, Closed date:  April 29, 2008.

With its tree-lined streets, numerous transportation options and top-ranked schools, Hinsdale, located 18 miles from Chicago, is one of the most desirable suburbs and home to nearly 17,000 residents. Hinsdale is an affluent Chicago suburb with a quaint downtown that contains chain stores, as well as, sophisticated boutique shops, antique shops, a variety of restaurants from cafes to gourmet, and is a 20-minute train ride to downtown Chicago on the BNSF Railway Line. Hinsdale is well known for its excellent public school system, ranked among the best on all levels in the state of Illinois.

I have been selling homes in the Chicago western suburbs since 1989. During this time I have had the pleasure of working with hundreds of buyers and sellers. I love what I do, I love to help people, and I love the real estate business. I have systems in place that will aid you in fully exposing your home or in expediting your home search. Once I show you the systems that I have in place, I think you will agree that I spend more time, money and resources on my clients than most other Realtors.

I have found ways to not just write your address on a ‘list’ of properties for sale, but to actually become pro-active in selling properties. I have also found ways to make sure my clients know about newly listed properties right away, so they don’t miss out on the home of their dreams.

- Carla