Noah Levy: April 2010

There are many Homes for Sale in Highland Park Illinois in various price points, condition and location.  Currently, there are a total of 317 Single Family Homes for Sale in Highland Park Illinois.

The least expensive Home for Sale is a two bedroom one bath home that is being marketed as a short sale and "in need of work/or a tear-down."  The most expensive Home for Sale is a six bedroom 4.2 baths home on a private lane. Between these two wide ranges of Homes for Sale is  a wide array of homes available for sale and viewing.

A very popular price range for many buyers who are looking for a home in Highland Park Illinois  is between 500k-700k.  There are 63 Homes for Sale in Highland Park between $500,000 - $700,000.  Bedroom counts in this price range are 3 -7 bedrooms and bathrooms range from 1.1 - 7.1  Keep in mind that some of these homes are in move-in condition while others need updating/repairs. This past week, over 80 showings were made for Coldwell Banker Listings marketed between 500k-700k.

Most of the homes are conventional sales but some are marketed as Short Sales or Bank Owned(foreclosed) Properties.  Bank Owned Homes are typically sold in As-Is condition but the Bank is able to give a quick response when a contract is presented from  a buyer.  Short Sales also typically sold in As-Is condition take much longer for the Bank to respond because many times the Bank does not become engaged until a Short Sale Seller sends in an offer which he/she has received from a Buyer.

As an active Real Estate Professional in Highland Park IL and other surrounding North Shore Suburbs I have created a Buyer Checklist  which I think is helpful for would be buyers. By having a checklist the home buying process is simplified and more enjoyable. Feel free to contact me  with any questions regarding your Real Estate needs.   Enjoy your home search!

Highland Park Illinois Spring Clean -Up Program is soon approaching.

Veolia Environmental Waste Services will be conducting their annual Spring Clean-Up Program for the City of Highland Park on four consecutive Saturdays, beginning May 1 and ending May 22.  This is a wonderful opportunity for Highland Park Residents  to declutter and get rid of JUNK.  Every year it amazes me how much "stuff" we accumulate to put out at the curb.

 As a REALTOR in Highland Park - I think that this annual Spring Clean-Up Program is fabulous for those who are selling a home and for those who  have bought a home.   If you are thinking about moving it is a great time to get rid of all of the things that you have kept throughout the years that you no longer need.  For the buyers who have just moved in - get rid of the boxes and wrapping supplies and of course "those extras" that you have no idea why you actually moved with.

Items for collection may be placed at the curb up to seven days prior to the collection date, but residents are encouraged to set out items as close to their collection day as is convenient. Often times, your garbage is taken prior to the actual Spring Clean-Up day by people who are driving/walking by your home.  As it is said "One Man's trash is another Man's treasure!" 

In order to guarantee collection, all items for collection must be placed at the curb by no later than 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled collection day.   Spring Clean-Up will coincide with residents primary garbage collection day (the primary collection day is the day when both garbage and recycling are collected).
                                         AREA COLLECTION DAY SPRING PICK-UP DAY
                                             SE MONDAY Saturday, May 1
                                             SW TUESDAY Saturday, May 8
                                             NE THURSDAY Saturday, May 15
                                             NW FRIDAY Saturday, May 22

If you are planning on getting rid of old appliances be sure to call Veolia Environmental Waste Services ahead of time.  A special number has been set up for appliance pick-up: 1-800-480-4337.  Also, Veolia will not pick up the following items:  Regular garbage; yard waste: debris from landscapers, tree trimmers, or contractors: demolition material from fences, roofs, or exterior building debris: rubber tires: batteries: and oil and household hazardous wastes, such as paint, pesticides, or pool chemicals.

This is an annual FREE PICK-UP which is  offered by Veolia Environmental Waste Services  - take advantage it!

The above article Highland Park Illinois Spring Clean-Up Program  was written by Noah Levy, REALTOR from Coldwell Banker in Highland Park,IL

Highland Park Illinois Real Estate Market is off to a great start.  It's hard to believe that the first quarter of 2010 has come to an end - time flies when you are having fun -helping buyers and sellers with their Real Estate needs.  The first quarter of  Highland Park's  Real Estate Market has been quite active.

Below is an overview of the Highland Park IL Real Estate Market:

                          2010 sold listings                                2009 sold listings

January                       20                                                     21

February                      13                                                      5

March                          27                                                      7

                          2010 accepted offers                            2009 accepted offers

January                         26                                                     11

February                        42                                                      8

March                            50                                                     12

                         2010 Average days on the Market           2009 Average days on the market

January                         161                                                      145

February                         98                                                        65

March                            142                                                     108

                         2010 Average Sold Price                       2009  Average Sold Price

January                 $588,000.00                                         $582,000.00                                      

February                $538,000.00                                         $491,000.00

March                    $472,000.00                                         $642,000.00

The Average Sold Price in Highland Park in 2010 has declined in comparing it to 2009 Sold Prices.  But,  the good news is that there were more closed sales during the first quarter of 2010 than there were in the first quarter of 2009 - 60 closed listings vs. 33 closed listings - a 45 % increase.  Additionally, there were 118 accepted offers in the first quarter of 2010 and in 2009 there were only  31 accepted offers accepted in the first quarter - a 74% increase in accepted offers.

For those buyers who can take advantage of the tax credits  time is running out - get out and take a look at the inventory - there are terrific homes for sale in Highland Park and other surrounding North Shore Suburbs.  Spring is a wonderful time to consider a move!

The above article Highland Park Illinois Real Estate Market Update was written by Noah Levy, REALTOR from Coldwell Banker in Highland Park, IL.

Chicago Botanic Garden located on Chicago's North Shore is one amazing place to visit.

The weather this past week in the Chicagoland Area  was absolutely gorgeous  and what a better way to spend the day then to stroll through the Botanical Gardens.  As a full-time REALTOR, wife and mother of two very active boys, it is a rare occasion to have some down time for myself.  The beauty of living and working in Chicago's North Shore Suburbs is to take advantage of what is in your backyard.

The Chicago Botanic Gardens is a wonderful place to visit for an hour or for the day.  This past weekend, I  took a long walk to the  Botanical Gardens.  Admission to walk through the glorious gardens is free but there is a fee for parking.  Taking a little bit of time to enjoy Nature is important for everyone and is a great way to clear your head of the hustle and bustle we encounter on a daily basis.

I have been going to the  Botanical Gardens for years - with my family, friends and even some of my clients.  In addition to the sensational gardens there are various special exhibits throughout the season.  One of my favorite memories of walking through the gardens was when my children were toddler's (they are quite a bit older now) and we walked through the train exhibit - the boys were so excited as this was when they loved playing with their Brio train set. 

If you are thinking about moving to Chicago's North Shore,  visiting the Chicago Area or live on Chicago's North Shore take an hour or two and visit the Chicago Botanical Gardens - You'll be glad you did!

The above article Chicago Botanic Garden was written by Noah Levy, Highland Park, IL REALTOR from Coldwell Banker Highland Park.