RealEstateConsumerInfo.com: Illinois: Itasca

If you are currently in the market for a new home in Itasca IL, you may be interested in how a real estate agent can help you.  You are about to make a great investment of both money and time.  I have a wealth of experience helping buyers of all categories like you make sound, informed decisions.

Did you also know that we don't cost you a thing?  That's right - zip, nada, zilch!

Here are some ways that a Buyers Agent can help you:

• Agents can help establish a plan for a home that fits your needs. Style, size, amenities, and other preferences will help determine what kind of home is best suited for you. They are familiar with all the floor plans and styles.
  
• They will help you to determine realistic spending limits. They can often explain alternative financing options or introduce you to a mortgage counselor. Agents can arrange to have you "pre-approved", which can help improve your positioning in negotiations.
  
• Access to all home listings all in one place within the MLS enables them to evaluate homes based on your affordability and the qualities you desire.  You can also have custom searches of multiple areas on my website until you make a final choice on a particular town.  Not all companies offer this service!
  
• They have access to information on taxes, real estate values, and municipal services, all of which can aid you in your decision to buy.
  
• They can 'WORK FOR YOU' as a buyer's agent, helping to negotiate the best terms and price for you.
  
• They can make you comfortable with the closing process and they will obtain closing figures in advance for your review.
  

The median list price for a home in Itasca is $474,450 with the average market time of 334 days.  The lowest priced home available is $179,900 (DEAL ALERT!) and the highest is $2,350,000 for custom construction.  The best supply of homes available is in the $250,000 to $350,000 price range which you can see.

The above are just a few ways that a veteran buyers agent, like myself Lyn Sims, can help you in your journey towards buying your new home.  More information to prepare buyers can be found on my website or by calling me directly.  I'm confident that I can provide the kind of exceptional service that will make this process an exciting one.  Please don't hesitate to call or e-mail me with any questions you may have.

Lyn Sims RE/MAX Suburban (847) 230-7324   OR  Email her:   LynSims@remax.net

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

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.

Itasca Illinois Homes for Sale ©2009 Lyn Sims - RealEstateConsumerInfo.com and RealEstateBuyMe.com

Business Week produced an article on the 'Best Affordable Suburbs in the U.S. for 2009'.  

The overall winner in the U.S. was Pewaukee, WI a suburb of Milwaukee.  Itasca was nominated for the state of IL.

List of state winners.

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

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.

 Itasca - Best Affordable Suburb ©2009 Lyn Sims - RealEstateConsumerInfo.com and RealEstateBuyMe.com

If you are currently in the market for a new home, you may be interested in how a real estate agent can help you.  You are about to make a great investment of both money and time.  I have a wealth of experience helping buyers of all categories like you make sound, informed decisions.

Did you also know that we don't cost you a thing?  That's right - zip, nada, zilch!

Here are some ways that a Buyers Agent can help you:

• Agents can help establish a plan for a home that fits your needs. Style, size, amenities, and other preferences will help determine what kind of home is best suited for you. They are familiar with all the floor plans and styles.
  
• They will help you to determine realistic spending limits. They can often explain alternative financing options or introduce you to a mortgage counselor. Agents can arrange to have you "pre-approved", which can help improve your positioning in negotiations.
  
• Access to all home listings all in one place within the MLS enables them to evaluate homes based on your affordability and the qualities you desire.  You can also have custom searches of multiple areas on my website until you make a final choice on a particular town.  Not all companies offer this service!
  
• They have access to information on taxes, real estate values, and municipal services, all of which can aid you in your decision to buy.
  
• They can 'work for you' as a buyer's agent, helping to negotiate the best terms and price for you.
  
• They can make you comfortable with the closing process and they will obtain closing figures in advance for your review.
  

The median list price for Itasca is $469,900 with the average market time of 263 days.  The lowest priced home available is $239,900 and the highest is $2,940,000 for custom construction.  The best supply of homes available is in the $300,000 to $400,000 price range this year.

Area Market Survey CriteriaStatus: Active        Property Type: Detached Single        Area: Itasca

Lyn Sims at RE/MAX Suburban (847)230-7324                                                       10/13/2008

Single Family Homes Available in Itasca IL

List Price Range # Listings Avg. Days on Mkt $200,000 - $249,999 1 167 $250,000 - $299,999 5 247 $300,000 - $349,999 14 278 $350,000 - $399,999 10 121 $400,000 - $449,999 7 307 $450,000 - $499,999 5 188 $500,000 - $549,999 3 159 $550,000 - $599,999 1 349 $600,000 - $699,999 6 177 $700,000 - $799,999 12 454 $800,000 - $899,999 6 274 $900,000 - $999,999 2 618 $1,000,000 - $1,999,999 4 49 $2,000,000 - $2,999,999 1 221

Active Listings Summary

# Units Avg. MT Median List Price Avg. List Price Max. List Price Min. List Price Total Volume 77 263 $469,900 $597,947 $2,940,000 $239,900

The above are just a few ways that a veteran buyers agent, like myself Lyn Sims, can help you in your journey towards buying your new home.  More information to preparebuyers can be found on my website or by calling me directly. I'm confident that I can provide the kind of exceptional service that will make this process an exciting one. Please don't hesitate to call or e-mail me with any questions you may have.

Lyn Sims RE/MAX Suburban (847) 230-7324   OR  Email her:   LynSims@remax.net

Having someone in your corner with over 20 years experience will ensure every detail of your purchase is handled smoothly!  Looking forward to hearing from you!

Lyn Sims at (847)230-7324

Northwest Suburbs of Chicago - Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Palatine, Elk Grove Village, Itasca, Medinah, Roselle, Bartlett, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Hanover Park, Streamwood, Elgin, South Elgin, St. Charles.

Homes for Sale in Itasca IL©2008 Lyn Sims - RealEstateConsumerInfo.com 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.

Why Now is a Smart Time to Buy!

Now is a great time to buy a home, say the financial gurus at the Wall Street Journal.

The Journal calls it a buyers market and offers these suggestions for first-timers getting their feet wet. While their advice is solid, it's not revolutionary, but some potential customers might find it reassuring.

Remember this is a place to live not a stock market investment, they say. Lenders want buyers to spend no more than 28 percent of their gross monthly income on mortgage payments, real estate taxes, and home insurance. Buyers shouldn't count on stretching further because lenders won't approve their loans.

• Cash is king.  Having enough money in the bank to pay closing costs that are typically an additional 2 percent to 3 percent of the price of the home is necessary.

• Location, Location, Location.  As any good real estate professional knows, homes in good school districts where the crime is low are much more likely to hold or increase their value.

• Compare.   Besides just looking at the comps(houses that sold), buyers should examine what it would cost to rent a similar house in the same area and they might consider what it would cost to buy land and build a comparable home.

• Think long haul.  It will probably take at least six or seven years of living in the house to be able to sell and come out ahead.

So this is how the my market graphs work.  Let's say that your pre-approved purchase price is in the $250,000 to $275,000 range and you would like to start looking for a townhome, condo, duplex, etc.  There are currently 14 home selections in that range in Itasca.

Area Market Survey Criteria Lyn Sims at RE/MAX Suburban (847)230-724                                                         5/21/2008

Active Listings for Itasca IL

List Price Range # Listings Avg. Days on Mkt Less than $149,999 8 127 $150,000 - $199,999 2 56 $200,000 - $249,999 3 17 $250,000 - $299,999 14 141 $300,000 - $349,999 12 176 $350,000 - $399,999 5 188 $400,000 - $449,999 1 21 $450,000 - $499,999 3 42 $500,000 - $549,999 5 95 $550,000 - $599,999 8 95 $600,000 - $699,999 1 24

Active Listings Summary

# Units Avg. MT Median List Price Avg. List Price Max. List Price Min. List Price Total Volume 62 123 $317,400 $347,851 $619,900 $108,900

Like the article said, this is a great time to start looking for a new home, purchase a larger home, or retire to something more manageable!  Interest rates are expected to be lowered soon which makes it even more affordable.

My homesearch website makes it easy to get started finding your new home!  My site offers purchasing advice, selling advice, mortgage calculators, mortgage advice and dictionary, home inspection advice, school district info, METRA info, community & town info too!  No need to jump from site to site - all the homes listed in the MLS for sale are in this site! 

Having someone in your corner with over 20 years experience will ensure every detail of your purchase is handled smoothly!  Looking forward to hearing from you!

Lyn Sims at RE/MAX Suburban (847)230-7324          www.LynSims.net

Northwest Suburban Chicago IL homes for sale in Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Elk Grove Village, Bartlett, Roselle, Medinah, Itasca, Carol Stream, Bloomingdale, Palatine, Hanover Park, Streamwood, Elgin, South Elgin, St. Charles.

Lyn's Email:  LynSims@remax.net

Now is a great time to buy a home, say the financial gurus at the Wall Street Journal.

The Journal calls it a buyers market and offers these suggestions for first-timers getting their feet wet. While their advice is solid, it's not revolutionary, but some potential customers might find it reassuring.

Remember this is a place to live not a stock market investment, they say. Lenders want buyers to spend no more than 28 percent of their gross monthly income on mortgage payments, real estate taxes, and home insurance. Buyers shouldn't count on stretching further because lenders won't approve their loans.

• Cash is king.  Having enough money in the bank to pay closing costs that are typically an additional 2 percent to 3 percent of the price of the home is necessary.

• Location, Location, Location.  As any good real estate professional knows, homes in good school districts where the crime is low are much more likely to hold or increase their value.

• Compare.   Besides just looking at the comps(houses that sold), buyers should examine what it would cost to rent a similar house in the same area and they might consider what it would cost to buy land and build a comparable home.

• Think long haul.  It will probably take at least six or seven years of living in the house to be able to sell and come out ahead.

So this is how the attached market graphs work.  Let's say that your pre-approved purchase price is in the $250,000 to $350,000 range and you would like to start looking for a single family home.  There are currently 14 home selections in that range in Itasca

OR

You are looking for a townhouse, coach home, or condo in the $200,000 to $250,000 price range and your current selections are 14 shown in the lower graph for Multi-family homes.

Lyn Sims at RE/MAX Suburban (847)230-7324                                    4/15/08

Active Single Family Listings for Itasca, IL

List Price Range # Listings Avg. Days on Mkt $250,000 - $299,999 7 231 $300,000 - $349,999 7 319 $350,000 - $399,999 8 102 $400,000 - $449,999 6 147 $450,000 - $499,999 9 185 $500,000 - $549,999 6 186 $550,000 - $599,999 3 157 $600,000 - $699,999 1 381 $700,000 - $799,999 10 378 $800,000 - $899,999 9 357 $900,000 - $999,999 3 398 $1,000,000 - $1,999,999 3 114 $2,000,000 - $2,999,999 1 39

Active Listings Summary

# Units Avg. MT Median List Price Avg. List Price Max. List Price Min. List Price Total Volume 73 243 $499,900 $616,650 $2,940,000 $289,000

Lyn Sims at RE/MAX Suburban (847)230-7324                                        4/15/08

Active Listings for Itasca (Condos, townhomes, quads, duplexes, etc)

List Price Range # Listings Avg. Days on Mkt Less than $149,999 12 144 $150,000 - $199,999 2 19 $200,000 - $249,999 1 316 $250,000 - $299,999 10 154 $300,000 - $349,999 11 152 $350,000 - $399,999 10 326 $400,000 - $449,999 1 280 $450,000 - $499,999 2 202 $500,000 - $549,999 7 143 $550,000 - $599,999 8 58

Active Listings Summary

# Units Avg. MT Median List Price Avg. List Price Max. List Price Min. List Price Total Volume 64 167 $332,200 $342,219 $589,000 $99,900

Like the article said, this is a great time to start looking for a new home, purchase a larger home, or retire to something more manageable!  Interest rates are expected to be lowered soon which makes it even more affordable.

My homesearch website makes it easy to get started finding your new home!  My site offers purchasing advice, selling advice, mortgage calculators, mortgage advice and dictionary, home inspection advice, school district info, METRA info, community & town info too!  No need to jump from site to site - all the homes listed in the MLS for sale are in this site! 

Lyn Sims at RE/MAX Suburban (847)230-7324          www.LynSims.net

Northwest Suburban Chicago IL homes for sale in Elk Grove Village, Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Bartlett, Roselle, Medinah, Itasca, Carol Stream, Bloomingdale, Palatine, Hanover Park, Streamwood, Elgin, South Elgin, St. Charles.

Lyn's Email:  LynSims@remax.net