Category Archives: Real Estate
833 Verona Ridge Drive, Aurora IL MLS#07980816
Gorgeous Executive Home Backs to Nature Preserves
Many of today’s high-end homebuyers are looking for fairly similar features – a larger home with well-appointed interior in a location that’s both near everything yet provides privacy and seclusion. Many homes and areas provide one or a few of these but rarely all. One community that does is Verona Ridge Subdivision on the far west side of Aurora. These semi-custom homes built by Orleans Builders are located in the perfect area – with easy access to I-88 and prime shopping destinations. Yet the community is tucked back in acres of nature preserves. A gentle stream winds its way through the community and hiking trails crisscross the area and interconnect with miles of other nature trails. If this sounds like a setting you appreciate, continue reading to learn more about one of my newest listings at 833 Verona Ridge Drive.
When you pull up to 833 Verona Ridge Drive, the first thing that strikes you is the ideal location – on a cul-de-sac and just a couple minutes walk to the nearby Orchard Valley Golf Course. The home is located up on a small rise that overlooks the tranquil nature preserves it backs to. The way the home sits and the fact that there are no back neighbors gives this home an overall feeling of peace and seclusion. The exterior of 833 Verona Ridge is quite striking with a beautiful upgraded elevation and front porch. The 3-car garage is a side-load so the front of the home looks tidy. The home sits on nearly a half-acre lot – perhaps one of the best in the entire community. In the back, the home features a raised cedar deck and a walk-out basement. Continue reading
521 Oakwood Drive Geneva 60134 MLS 07914206
Completely Updated Ranch Home Near Downtown Geneva
If you’re shopping for an absolutely move-in ready home in an ideal location in the Tri-Cities area, look no further. This stunning ranch home has been completely redone and is truely something special. I know you’ve seen re-habs in the past and have been dissappointed with cut corners and cheap materials – that’s not the case here. The seller has really gone the distance to provide the next owner with a superior living experience. Plus a lot of work has been done “under the hood” to make sure this property is going to be worry-free. One of the big draws of this home is, of course, the location. Within walking distance of Downtown Geneva makes this property perfect for owners that enjoy the scenic downtown and all the festivals that occur throughout the year. Combine this with a large lot with mature landscaping on a quiet street that’s set back in the woods and you’ve got an absolutly ideal location.
I’m sure when you look at a home, one of the most important things is the kitchen. Having a kitchen with enough space and in a location that allows you to cook and entertain at the same time are features that many buyers prize in a home. This kitchen has been completely re-designed with this in mind. Start with new high-end cabinets with built-in soft-close technology and tons of storage space. Next, this home has been furnished with brand new stainless steel appliances and here’s another area where this home really stands out. Where most rehabbed homes provide you basic-model appliances, the seller has really gone the distance to provide high-end appliances. The oven is a higher-end model with cast iron burners and the side-by-side refrigerator/freezer includes a built-in icemaker and water dispenser. You’ll also find full granite countertops with a built-in breakfast bar and stylish glass tile backsplash. Where this home exceeds expectations is in the little details – for example, the under-cabinet lighting system. This all-new kitchen is the centerpiece of the home and ties in perfectly with the dining room and a pass-through allows you to entertain guests in the family room while you prepare meals. Continue reading
Posted in Geneva real estate, home sales, Real Estate
Tagged 521 oakwood geneva, geneva homes for sale, updated geneva home
2729 Borkshire Lane, Aurora, Illinois 60502 Townhome For Sale
Beautiful Like-new Townhome in Cambridge Countryside
In this crazy real estate market, it’s refreshing when you find a townhome that’s in pristine condition at a good price and isn’t another short sale or foreclosure. That’s exactly what you’ve found with 2729 Borkshire. This beautiful 2BR/2.1BA townhome is located in Cambridge Countryside on the far northeast side of Aurora near Fermilab and the Chicago Premium Outlet Mall. 2729 Borkshire is a single-owner property and has been impeccably maintained. It is being offered at a list price of $159,900 and there are several special financing options available. Please call Eric Rogers at (630) 346-1041 for any questions or for a private tour. Here are just a few of the exceptional features this townhome includes:
Beautiful Country Kitchen
Perhaps one of the most impressive features of this townhome is the large country kitchen. You’ve probably seen the typical townhome kitchen before – you usually have banks of cabinets on either side of basically an aisle with the stove on one side and sink on the other. Probably functional but definitely not high-end. If that’s what you’re expecting here, be prepared to be pleasantly surprised. This townhome features a full-sized modern kitchen with all the amenities. Start with enough space to move around freely, even with the large center island. All appliances are included and in perfect condition (a rarity in this market where most sellers take their appliances with them or they’re so trashed you don’t want them). The beautiful oak cabinets offer plenty of storage space and the hardwood floors are pristine. Two features you’ll love, particularly i you like to entertain, are the corner sink and pass-through window to the family room. That way, you can be working on meals and still be interacting with your guests. The kitchen also includes a large pantry as well as a large dining area. Continue reading
Posted in aurora townhome, featured home, illinois homes, Real Estate
Tagged 2729 Borkshire, Aurora Townhome, Cambridge Countryside
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Real Estate Market Fall 2011
After a flat spring market, what’s in store for Northern Illinois for the rest of 2011? There are some factors that will be starting to influence prices and activity in the region beginning now – the most important being the rate of new foreclosures. Recent statistics show we’re currently at a 44 month low for new foreclosure filings. Also, the “shadow inventory” that was the big worry this spring has yet to materialize and many now believe that it was largely hype. As you can see from the graph, our downward slide in median price bottomed in May and since then we’ve seen things move up a bit. I would expect that to continue through this fall with perhaps a leveling off during the winter months. It remains to be seen what the current turmoil with the financial markets and uncertainty with Europe and the threat of a double-dip recession will do, if anything. I honestly don’t attribute our improvements since May to an increase in the number of new buyers – more of a combination of pent-up demand, fewer foreclosures and time of the year. There are lots of buyers “bottom shopping” this market – snatching up any juicy deals that come through. That’s causing an interesting situation where homes at certain price points are selling in days with multiple offers while others sit un-touched. Often the foreclosures in this market are garnering a lot of attention because they represent a quick purchase opportunity at great prices. Continue reading
Top 5 Foreclosure Misconceptions
The number of foreclosures on the market over the last 5 years has risen dramatically. Currently in Illinois, there are areas where most or all of the sales are actually bank-owned foreclosures. For many buyers, the process of purchasing a foreclosure is unknown and there are a lot of myths out there that really don’t help or are flat-out wrong. The process of buying a foreclosure, bank-owned, corporate-owned or REO property has changed drastically just over the past few years. This post is intended to highlight the top 5 misconceptions about purchasing a foreclosure. As I’m sure you know, the market is constantly changing. It’s important that you work closely with an agent that specializes in foreclosures and bank-owned properties. I can help you safely navigate this process and have many years of experience in the foreclosure market. Call (630) 346-1041 or email me at erogers@c21proteam.com for more information.
#1. Foreclosures are Trashed and Need Lots of Work
While this is sometimes the case, it is actually more common in this market that foreclosures are in much better condition than you expect. Because there have been so many, banks have gotten the sale of these properties down to a process. The banks and asset management companies that sell these properties have realized that more can be made by elevating a distressed property to a repaired property. For this reason, many foreclosures are being repaired or even rehabbed before they are listed. You will still occasionally find your typical torn up foreclosure or a mold house or similar out there, but there are also very good odds that you’ll find one with much less work to do and that most likely can be lived in while it’s repaired. Continue reading
2807 Margaret Drive, Montgomery IL. 60538 – MLS 07856510
Today’s featured property is a real gem. In my years of real estate I can’t quite remember a home that was this spotlessly clean that wasn’t new construction. This beautiful Essex model is located in Lakewood Creek West just south of Rt. 30 in Montgomery. If you know the area, you know that one of the big benefits of homes in Lakewood Creek West is that there is no SAS tax in this community. You also have access to a community pool, small clubhouse and tennis courts for rather small monthly homeowner’s dues. The price of these homes has been falling significantly over the past few years and has reached a point where the value of this home is extremely high. This home is being sold for $172,900, less than was originally paid for this home new in 2004. For a home that has been maintained so well it’s like-new, this affords an incredible value for the savvy home buyer looking for a home with tons of equity growth potential – these homes were selling in the $230′s just 5 years ago!
Here are just a few of the compelling features you will find in this property:
Family Room: The Essex model is known for it’s large family room with vaulted ceiling and double banks of windows that let in lots of natural light. The family room is located directly next to the breakfast nook and kitchen making it a great place for family to relax and watch TV and perfect for entertainment. The large windows give an excellent view of the back yard. The carpet is in excellent condition – clean and move-in ready. Continue reading
Posted in Real Estate
Tagged lakewood creek west, Montgomery Homes, Montgomery Real Estate
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Is 2011 the Year to Buy A Home?
For many buyers, this has been the big question of the past 5 years – when is the right time to buy? We can honestly say the market has not yet hit bottom and it’s not expected to before the end of the year. So the obvious answer is “no”, right? Wrong! There are several factors involved that really should get you thinking about getting ready to purchase soon.
#1 – Real Estate is Unique – I’ve heard a lot of buyers make the statement that they’re going to wait until the absolute bottom before making a purchase. The issue is, buying a home isn’t like buying 100 shares of AT&T or pork bellies or oil futures. You can’t go to your broker and say, “I’d like to place a limit order to purchase a 4BR/2.1BA home with a big deck, corner lot and stainless steel appliances in the subdivision down the street for $120,000″. It doesn’t work that way. It looks pretty funny on paper and seems obvious, yet, this is the way some buyers are looking at the real estate market. If you’re really trying to find not just a good deal but a home to be happy with, you’re going to want to start looking when the market is CLOSE to the bottom, not AT OR AFTER the bottom. Besides, the bottom in one niche may not be the bottom in another because when it all comes down to it, we’re dealing with unique items and unique locations.
#2 – Qualified Residential Mortgages – despite pressure from the NAR and other groups, there will likely be some type of legislation passed regarding Qualified Residential Mortgages. In a nutshell, lenders are required to keep 5% of the loans they sell – they’re no longer able to package 100% of the loans they sell into securities, take a profit then make someone else responsible for the outstanding debt. The exclusion to this rule are “Qualified Residential Mortgages” (QRMs). Continue reading
Two Brothers Brewing Company Purchases America’s Roundhouse in Aurora
In perhaps one of the biggest real estate news stories of the spring, Two Brothers Brewing Company announced Tuesday evening that it had purchsed the former America’s Roundhouse in Aurora. Two Brothers Brewing Company is owned by co-founders Jason and Jim Ebel and currently operates a microbrewery and tap house in Warrenville. Two Brothers has been in operation since 1996 and has been constantly expanding – adding additional capacity and additional types of beer seemingly every year. Two Brothers beers have been distributed all over the midwest and have a cult-like following both at home and abroad for championing rare brewing styles and ingredient combinations.
Two Brothers Brewing Company reportedly paid around $1.1 million for the former Walter Payton’s Roundhouse in Aurora with plans to re-structure the operations there. The brewing company has been operating the Two Brothers Tap House in Warrenville for several years and it has become a prime destination for fans of Two Brothers beers. The addition of the huge America’s Roundhouse to the Two Brothers portfolio will no doubt allow the company to expand both its brewing operation as well as hopefully serve as a second brewpub with a central location to downtown Aurora. The Two Brothers facebook page has been abuzz ever since the announcement with fans of the company cheering the deal. Continue reading
Cosley Zoo in Wheaton a Great Summer Trip
Today my family and I took a trip out to Wheaton to visit the Cosley Zoo – lured out by the sunny weather and the promise of near-60 degree temperatures. It was a close choice between the Cosley Zoo and the Phillips Park Zoo in Aurora but we have been to the Phillips Park Zoo dozens of times and wanted to check out something new. I have to say, for a smaller regional zoo, the Cosley Zoo is excellent. We had a great time checking out the baby sheep just born on 3/31 and watching an American Kestral and a pair of Red Foxes being fed. A few of the animals were still off-exhibit for the winter but most of them were out and about. The facilities at the Cosley Zoo were pretty well-kept and the price was just right – free for Wheaton Park District residents and $3 for non-residents.
As the weather warms, many families are going to be looking for those short, cheap day-trips and I definately want to bring the Cosley Zoo up as a great way to spend an afternoon. Continue reading
Posted in fox valley entertainment, Real Estate
Tagged cosley zoo, cosley zoo wheaton, wheaton zoo
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Kane County Forest Preserve District Asks for $30 Million
One of the latest issues at hand is a Kane County Forest Preserve District referendum to ask permission to issue $30 million in general obligation bonds to fund the acquisitionof up to 2,000 acres of open land as well as maintenance and preservation of currently held lands and facilities. At such a sensitive time in the economy – when unemployment and foreclosure remains high and with gas prices soaring, many Kane County residents are having a hard time swallowing this request. I think the big question everyone is asking is this: is this the best time to burden the taxpayers with additional expenses for what could be called something that’s non-essential?
I, like I’m sure many others, have conflicting opinions on the subject. On one hand, I don’t like to see new taxes added to my bill. Officials have estimated the average tax burden for a $300,000 home to be about $15 a year. Now that doesn’t sound too bad but like the saying goes, those little pieces of straw can add up fast and quickly become back-breaking. For many Kane County homeowners who have sometimes had to choose between eating and making mortgage payments, $15 for more forest preserves seems ridiculous. Continue reading
Posted in Kane County, Real Estate
Tagged Kane County, Kane County Forest Preserve, land in Kane County
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