When looking for a new home, both novice and seasoned buyers can find something special in a townhome. Chicago has seen a burst of energy in the townhome market in recent months. With offerings from super-affordable to splendid luxury, townhomes are available in all parts of the west Chicago suburban area, and they come with big benefits, too.  As homeowners became more environmentally conscious, they realized that townhomes are more compact and would, therefore, require less energy to maintain. Builders began expanding the housing options, and today these homes occupy a place between a condos and single-family residences. In addition some Suburban Chicago townhome communities also have the added value of exterior amenities such as security, swimming pools, gyms and clubhouses. Townhomes might be affordable, but that does not mean they lack luxury and design. Townhomes can offer courtyards, and some row townhomes even have an elevator for convenience.  In many cases, homeowners are more than willing to give up a larger single-family home in favor of a luxurious townhome. There has been a trend toward smaller square footage with finer appointments. Chicago has seen a diverse range of buyers who choose townhomes. Some mature townhome buyers are downsizing from a large single-family home, while some buyers are first-time homeowners who want privacy without the shock of too much maintenance. Other buyers are parents who want to buy in a great neighborhood for the school district and even parents who buy townhomes for their children to live in while in college. People who are frequent travelers often find the ease of townhome living an excellent choice, as well. Most townhome buyers make their selection based on location, and it’s often a location they could not have bought into in a single family home. What really makes townhomes attractive is the location. Location is critical to the townhome buyer, and they will often choose an attached home due to a location close to the places they work, shop and play. When purchasing a townhome, homeowners are buying a lifestyle and should be prepared to stay in the property for a good five years. A buyer also needs to pay special attention to the monthly homeowner’s association fees and the covenants and restrictions for each community. A purchaser should also look to see if the community’s ownership is condominium or fee simple. With a fee simple home, the owner actually owns the land on which the home sits, which gives the owner more maintenance and responsibilities, but generally a lower monthly association fee. Some townhome communities, however, are structured like condominiums in which the land is jointly owned. In condo townhomes, the association takes care of maintenance, but monthly fees are usually higher. So many things to think about, but never fear Sothebys Luxury Home Team can help. 

Why sell your home in the winter months? Well, many new jobs start in January motivating these homebuyers to purchase early in the year. This time of year from New Years in January to Valentines Day in February to the upcoming St. Patricks Day in March yields holiday decor and warm feelings, which makes for positive showings and open hearts. Keep in mind that buyers willing to look at homes in the winter cold months are highly motivated and serious to brave the weather. There also tends to be less competition this time of year as others will take their homes off the market to ease the stress in preparing for family gatherings or escape from shoveling.  Additionally, lenders tend to be less active and can expedite the loan process. All of this coupled with positive Realtors, attention to detail and the energy and will to succeed…You’ll have success!

A fresh blanket of snow is evocative of the calming purity of nature. For many this season is celebrated as a time of change. If you are approaching a decision regarding your current or future residence, allow us to assist. We are members of the Sotheby’s International Realty^® network and take great pride in artfully uniting extraordinary homes with extraordinary lives.

PAULA and CARLA, Sothebys Luxury Home Team • 630.413.5504 • CIARDELLIandSTEUCK@CrawfordGroupSIR.com
Realtor Broker Associates, CRS, GRI, e-PRO • Luxury Living. Metro Chicagoland Areas. Hinsdale & the Western Suburbs
773.490.6889 Paula
630.842.8812 Carla
www.CARLAandPAULA.com

The Evolution of Extraordinary…..

Paula and I are very excited to announce that we are attending the 2013 Sotheby’s International Realty Global Networking Event, which will be held at the JW Marriott at L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles, California this year.  This will mark the sixth time Sotheby’s global network of brokers, owners, managers and sales associates will come together for extensive networking and learning opportunities.  Last year’s sold out event at the Fontainebleau in Miami was an energizing and unforgettable experience for all those who attended. This experience and networking opportunity can also be very positive for you!

If you are thinking about putting your home on in the spring market (or know someone who might be), here is your chance to showcase your property with Crawford Groups’s CIARDELLI & STEUCK Sotheby’s Luxury Home Team. We will be given the unique chance to present your home to the world of Sotheby’s International Realty first hand. We are inviting you to leverage the power of the Sotheby’s International Realty Brand and join a unique network of professionals when considering selling your property. Please contact us anytime at 630-413-5504  for your opportunity to list and have your property featured. Here are a few things you should know about Sothebys:

Sotheby’s Auction House

Since the founding of the Sotheby’s Auction House in 1744 as an auction bookseller, the Sotheby’s name has earned renown as a marketer of the world’s most valuable and fine possessions. This reputation is built as much on exceptional service to clients as it is on the notable art, antiques, jewelry and other holdings that pass through Sotheby’s offices around the world. It was out of this rich heritage that the Sotheby’s International Realty® brand was born.

An Extraordinary Brand is Launched

Founded on the same commitment to exceptional service that characterized the Sotheby’s Auction House for more than two centuries, the Sotheby’s International Realty® brand is launched and becomes known around the world for the distinctive properties it represents.

Designing the Future… By Building on the Extraordinary

Sotheby’s enters into a long-term strategic alliance with Realogy Corporation, the world’s leading real estate brokerage franchisor. The agreement provides for the licensing of the Sotheby’s International Realty® name. The brand begins offering membership in its franchise system to select real estate brokerage companies. Worldwide Momentum The brand surpasses the 100-office milestone in the United States in less than ten months. It also launches its successful “Portraits” advertising campaign and its website, sothebysrealty.com.

Unique Homes for the Connoisseur of Life

The brand also expanded its global reach with the additions of New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty, de Rham Sotheby’s International Realty in Switzerland and Kristina Szekely Sotheby’s International Realty in Spain.

Setting the Standard for Excellence

The network grows to approximately 9,000 sales associates located in more than 470 offices worldwide. The brand is named winner of Franchise Business Review’s 2008 Best in Category for Real Estate Franchisee Satisfaction award. It also is named to the organization’s top 50 for client satisfaction and is number five for all franchise categories with more than 200 locations. As well, the brand is rated the most prestigious real estate company by high-net worth consumers in the Luxury Institute’s 2008 Luxury Brand Status Index survey.

A Year of Recognition 

The brand is named #1 in its category and #7 of the more than 400 franchises surveyed for Franchise Business Review’s 2009 Franchisee Satisfaction award. It also is named to the Franchise Times Fast 55 list, and RESIDE® magazine is honored with a 2009 Hermes Platinum Award for creative excellence and outstanding design and editorial in the overall magazine category.

The Framework of an Extraordinary Brand

The brand proudly launched its newly redesigned website, sothebysrealty.com, and its official YouTube channel. It also won Franchise Business Review’s Best in Category for Real Estate Franchisee Satisfaction award for the fourth year in a row. The brand also grew the office count within its global network by more than 7 percent in 2011, ending the year with more than 600 offices and nearly 12,000 sales associates located in 45 countries and territories worldwide.

Building on the Momentum

The brand debuted its iPad® application and announced it won Franchise Business Review’s Best in Category for Real Estate Franchisee Satisfaction award for the fifth year in a row. 2012 Global Marketing Strategy The Essence of an Extraordinary Brand

Please enjoy Sotheby’s International marketing video…

Congratulations to the Hinsdale 4th Grade Small Cheerleading Squad! Under the direction of Carla Steuck and Karen Eck they placed 1st at last weekends (Illinois Recreational Cheerleading Association) IRCA State Competition Cheer/Pom Competition at Sears Centre on December 3-4th, 2011. The hard work, dedication, and talent of these athletes won them a bid to the state competition after they took 1st place at the BGYFL competition at the end of October. Thank you again to our football team for all your support and the parents for your enthusiasm. Special thanks to all the Hinsdale residents and family members that came to cheer the girls on. They competed against seven fabulous teams that also won a prior competition to get them to the state level. Our three teen coaches include Morgan Steuck, Mimi Gee and Nicole Claycomb. Our team members include Sophia Bruni, Mary Coffey, Brynn Cummins, Ramona Dawson, Vivian Eck, Kayleigh Excell, Olivia Fallon, Gigi Gee, Maddy Glasby, Charlotte Gleason, Jackie Pergantis, Katie Turgeon, Claire Watkiss, and Izzy Wychocki. Congratulations to this first year Hinsdale Falcon Team for earning the title of State Champions 2011!!!

With its topnotch schools, wealth of parks and recreation venues, and a raft of other excellent facilities and services, it’s no wonder that Hinsdale, IL homes doesn’t fail to attract buyers. Hinsdale, IL homes generally appeal to a wide demographic, but are particularly popular with families and those who have the means to lead an executive lifestyle.

The schools in Hinsdale’s District 181 and District 86 are one of the reasons why the village is the relocation magnet that it is. District 181 is made up of nine elementary and middle schools serving not just Hinsdale, but also Clarendon Hills and portions of Oak Brook, Burr Ridge and Willowbrook. All of the district’s schools feature regularly in yearly rankings of the state’s top 25 and top 50 schools. Average scores in state and nationwide achievement tests for District 181 are in the 90th percentile and above.

At District 86, which is comprised of Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South high schools, an impressive 97 percent of graduates go on to pursue higher education. Standard & Poor’s has recognized the district to be one of 69 academic outperformers in the state and both high schools have been included in Newsweek magazine’s ranking of the top 1,000 high schools in the country.

Clearly, providing their children with the best education possible is one of the top priorities of most owners of Hinsdale, IL  homes. Should you need more information about schools in the area, as well as Village of Hinsdale real estate, please don’t hesitate to contact your Hinsdale Realtor, Carla Steuck. A seasoned Realtor and longtime resident of the area, Carla is actively involved in the community and is a parent herself. She can provide you with in-depth information on the public school system, private schools, daycares and pre-schools based on research and personal experience.

Apart from the easy commute to and from Chicago and the excellence of the community’s schools, the Village of Hinsdale offers something that is a result of a harmonious blend of these and other varying elements – a quality of life that’s simply beyond compare. Take a look at Hinsdale, IL homes and let your Hinsdale Realtor, Carla Steuck, introduce you to everything that this exceptional community has to offer.

Enjoying yourself and spending quality time with your family is easy to do in Hinsdale, just ask your Hinsdale Realtor. The village has many strategically located parks as well as a choice selection of country clubs, health clubs, private clubs and fitness centers located in and near the community. The Ruth Lake Country Club features a par-71, 18-hole regulation length golf course, as does the Hinsdale Golf Club (which is technically in Clarendon Hills).  

The parks are equipped with facilities for ice skating, tennis, soccer, swimming, baseball and a host of other sports and activities. The 52-acre Katherine Legge Memorial Park and Lodge not only provides scenic views, it’s also where you’ll find the Hinsdale Center for the Arts, a designated “Established Regional Arts Institution” and host of a variety of cultural programs throughout the year.

Hinsdale also has its own hospital, Hinsdale Hospital, which was founded in 1904 and was DuPage County’s first medical center. A state-of-the-art 462-bed facility staffed by more than 500 physicians, the hospital is one of the most highly regarded in the region today.

Come to Hinsdale and see why this community has become one of the most sought-after in Chicagoland. Consult with Hinsdale Realtor Carla Steuck and let her help you make the move. Carla can be contact on her cell at 630-842-8812 anytime for more information.