Buffalo Grove Days has been a community tradition for over 50 years. It seems like everyone in town has either marched in the parade or enjoyed the festivities at least once.
It was in 1958 that Buffalo Grove residents came together for their first community picnic. This fun filled event is planned entirely by volunteers for the entire village to enjoy. Today in 2010 Buffalo Grove Days has grown to a five day event which includes a carnival live entertainment, parade, fireworks, bingo,food tent,arts and crafts fair,business fair, pancake breakfast, bbq challenge, and a kids craft tent! New this year the Healthy Kids events will be added to the festivities.
If you are in need of the best Real Estate Service Remember to call me at 847 465 3622 or by email Ed.garfield@cbexchange.com
ITS A GREAT TIME TO GET A MORTGAGE, BUT THE RULES OF THE GAME HAVE CHANGED
For those who qualify, it’s one of the best time to get a mortgage. Last week rates for a 30 year – fixed
rate loan fell to 4.57percent, the lowest average since 1971. And, if you missed out on US home-buying
tax credit, the rates may more than make up for that lost $ 8,000.
“A tax credit is immediate gratification,” said Leonard Baron, professor of finance at San Diago State University,
“but long-term, with rates this low, you can get much more value.”
The game has changed. Your credit must be at least 620, or you’ll have a harder time finding a loan.
The more you can put down becomes a big variable.
CAN YOU OVER STAGE A HOME FOR SALE?
Michael M, wrote me last week, “I was just wondering, is it possible to over stage a place, or go to far with the decluttering?” Yes and maybe. According to Stager Invasions Lisa Lynch, a home can be over staged when there is something in every space. What Lisa refers to as over staging is in my opinion an example of over decorating. Another example of over staging via over decorating is decorating a home for sale in a style that is inappropriate for the home An example would be decorating a bungalow as if it were a mansion It is not what buyers are expecting and would distract them from the home itself.
Over staging versus over decluttering would be easier for buyers to visualize a home as theirs or visualize changes they might like to make. I think it depends on the home. An example of going too far with decluttering that I think hurts a homes appeal is emtying some rooms. but not others, it creates confussion as to whether someone is living there or not and disrupts the flow of the home as buyers walk through it.
If you’re considering selling a home, schedule a time to talk with me. If you have a question, email me.
Buffalo Grove Knows How To Celebrate
Annual Buffalo Grove Independence Day Concert
July 4,2010 7:00pm Rotary Village Green Buffalo Grove, Ill.
Returning for the eight year at this event The Band will help celebrate Americas Birthday with new and old favorites. Pack a picnic basket,grab your blankets and lawn chairs, and come early to get a great seat for both the concert and the fireworks- This is an annual tradition in our village.
What Buffalo Grove Real Estate Buyers Are Looking For
In today’s competitive real estate market there some features that almost every buyer seems to want. Here is our Buffalo Grove Hot List in no particular order.
- 42″ cherry kitchen cabinets
- Hardwood floors
- Granite Counter tops
- Updated Baths
- Kohler Plumbing Fixtures
- Tierd woood Decks
Call or visit our web site. We will show you where to get all these GOODIES
Buffalo Grove Farmer’s Market Starts June 27
Starting June27, 2010 Come and shop at Buffalo Grove’s Farmer Market where you will find farm fresh vegetables, fruit, eggs, flowers, meats and other home grown home made items from local farmers. Other vendors selling good products will also be there. The Market is located in the parking lot in front of the Spray n Play Park 951 McHenry Road on Route 83 and Deerfield Parkway. The market is held on Saturday only Between the hours of 7:30am to 12:30 pm. Walk, bike or drive. And learn more about where your food comes from and how it is grown or made.
Buffalo Grove Market Activity
With so many questions about the economy and the overall market, its very important to be knowledgeable before making any purchase or sale in real estate.
So how does the Buffalo Grove real estate market look these days?
Currently Buffalo Grove 156 homes for sale with an average of $ 430,241 list price and a average market time of 164 days. There are 261 condos and townhomes for sale with an average price of$198,303 and a average market time of 201 days. Since January thru May there have been 95 sales of homes with an average sale price of $349,377. There have been 94 sales of condos and townhomes from January thru May with an average sale price of $161,444.
Contact us for the most up to date information regarding the Buffalo Grove home market or surrounding areas such as Long Grove, Lincolnshire, Hawthorn Woods, Kildeer.
BE a Grilling Guru
Barbecuing is a great way to cook in the summer; it brings the family together, keeps heat out of the home, and lets you enjoy the beautiful weather. But while cooking on a grill, be sure to keep safety in mind. Each year grill-related accidents result in countless injuries and $27 million in damages. Many of these accidents can easily be avoided through regular maintenance and safe use. Best practices vary depending on the type of grill(i.e. gas, charcoal) but here are a few tips to help you have a safe grilling season:
1) Operate your grill outside(never in garages or breezeways), and at least 10 feet away
from your home and other structures.
2) Keep your grill clean. Grease built up from previous use can cause and spread unexpectedgrill fires.
3) If you have a gas grill, check the hoses for cracking, brittleness, holes, and food grease.
If you would like to find just the right home to set up your grill, give Ed Garfield and Sharon Benjamin a call. They have the experience and know how to find you the perfect spot.
SHORT SALES ARE ANYTHING BUT
Today I showed houses in Des Plaines to a couple. Most of the homes I showed were short sales. A short sale is a situation where the sale proceeds are less (short) of what is owed on the mortgage.
Probably the biggest difference between a short sale and a regular home sale is that the process can take much longer. Since the the decision to accept an offer is being made at least in part by a financial institution, it can take weeks or even months to get an answer. If you want to be in a new home fairly soon, don’t waste your time considering short sales. If you can wait a short sale can be a good deal.
If you are considering buying a home, schedule a time to talk to me. If you have a question email me.
TO STAGE YOUR HOME OR NOT TO STAGE WHEN SELLING
Selling your home in Buffalo Grove or the surrounding areas is not easy these days. One way to increase your chances of selling and selling for a better price is to use staging. Staging basically is setting up your home and property to show in the best possible light to potential buyers.
Staging your home does not have to be expensive, the cost can be as low as $250 to $2500 or more. Statistics show that 95% of staged homes will sell twice as fast as fast and for 5-10% more money. For an average home, that’s a $30,000-$50,000 increase in sale price.
With this type of windfall,how can one not afford to invest in home staging? What matters the most is removing the clutter that may exist, emphasizing as much space as you can in your home, and creating an environment where a buyer could envision a home that they can move in right away.
Staging must start from the exterior of of the home. Since the exterior is what most prospect buyers would see first, this is the most important aspect to focus on initially. Creating a nice appealing front yard with basic landscape if you have one, would be ideal. Adding some lighting, spray washing the exterior or painting if needed.
For the interior, adding a neutral paint color seems to work best, spacing out furniture, removing any clutter from closet space, and cleaning up all spaces is very important.
