Barrington IL Real Estate : March 2010

Come on folks, if every person on Active Rain sends $3.00 that would be over half a million bucks, Hey my family is tight on money but our circumstances pale into insignificance compared to this poor gal. Send $3.00, send $1 or $5, just count up your pocket change and lend a little love. if not please pray.

Lake Barrington Short Sales-Choose Your Realtor Carefully-You Don't Have To Be Another Foreclosure.

I am sad to learn today that one of my Lake Barrington neighbors has gone into foreclosure. The property is currently in the final redemption period but at this stage in the process it is very unlikely the owner will be able to pay all the missed payments and accrued interest.

This need not have happened and it makes me angry. Were they not informed about short sales? Property owners may feel a little stigma is attached to short sales and we all understand that, but many others do not even know what a short sale is or what other options are available to them. Our job as short sales professionals is to educate our clients-let them know they have options and find solutions.

The property in question was listed by a very experiened Barrington Realtor but that Realtor has never done a short sale. I wonder even if the Realtor knows of the situation. Before listing any property for sale in Barrington every Realtor should do a little due diligence to find out if the owner might be in trouble. This is not difficult to do folks. As Lake Barrington Realtors we have access to the tax records which might give us a clue or two. Even so as Barrington Realtors it is our job to collect relevant information from anyone selling a home. This would include mortgage statements, tax bills, plats and more.

The property in question has had one price cut in 10 months. I can explain to you why the house did not get any offers and why I have a plan of action to sell your home. Lethargy when marketing short sales is not an option.

When I see a mortgage statement and the amount owed seems to be very close to the market value of a home I can start enquiring about the circumstances of a sale. As a Barrington Realtor that has closed short sales-has short sale properties both listed and currently under contract-you'll know that I am not going to attack you like a bull in a china shop. I am empathetic to your situation and will do my best to get you the right assistance which sometimes is not a short sale. I have teamed with the best in short sales attorney groups in Illinois and together we make short sales happen.

If you are in financial trouble don't just call a Lake Barrington Realtor-list your home and hope for the best. Find a Barrington Realtor that has experience, closed short sales and is certified.  Call Corinne Guest-SFR-of Royal Advocate Realty in Barrington-your Short Sale Foreclosure Certified Realtor. 847-363-3686.

Copyright 2010 Corinne Guest All Rights Reserved  - *Lake Barrington Short Sales-Choose Your Realtor Carefully-You Don't Have To Be Another Foreclosure*

Chapel Hill Subdivision of Deer Park Illinois a Landmark Homes Community.

Welcome to Chapel Hill of Deer Park where Colonial style homes nestle in a park like environment and has the Cuba Marsh as a neighbor. This Landmark Homes Community has 52 homes and many are colonial style with a few Georgian and Traditional style homes.



Chapel Hill is located off Cuba Rd just before you reach the Ela Road junction. As you enter the subdivision you'll pass the Chapel Hill Park tennis courts on your right. Players can play until dusk every evening and for as long as you want if there are no other players waiting in which case you are limited to a 1 hour game.



Chapel  Hill in Deer Park was built in the late 1980's and early 1990's. The streets are:

• N Chapel Hill Drive
• W Bedlington Circle
• N Vesper Court
• N Mayfield Lane
• W Lancaster Court
• W Hearthside Drive

The last street joins this community to the neighboring community of Hamilton Park.



As I drove around this neighborhood, hoping the sun would finally poke it's head through the clouds, I noticed how big the park was. In addition to the tennis courts the green grass park area is big enough for active toddlers or soccer mad pre-teens to run wild and there is certainly enough space for flying a kite. As the spring settles in we will lose the soggy ground and dull grass and new shoots will bring life to the park area again.



If you are in the market to buy a home in Deer Park IL-Chapel Hill currently has 2 homes for sale both with 4 bedrooms. The average home here is about 3000 square feet, with 2 or 3 car garages and basements. Children are very close to the schools at Lake Zurich just along Cuba Road. Shopping at Lake Zurich is closeby and The Deer Park Shopping Mall is only a few minutes away. For commuters to Chicago you'll probably drive into Barrington to catch a train or hop on Route 53 south to get on I90.

To search all Deer Park Homes For Sale please visit my website-no registration required.

Copyright 2010 Corinne Guest All Rights Reserved  - *Chapel Hill Subdivision of Deer Park Illinois a Landmark Homes Community*

Barrington Hills Polo Club - A Very Well Kept Secret

Polo players, horse lovers and equestrian residents of Barrington Hills are likely to know all about The Polo Club of Barrington Hills.  Yet The Polo Club of Barrington Hills is a very well kept secret and cannot be found on an easy drive around the Barrington Hills Countryside. To visit the club you must be either a member or be invited as a guest.

So where is it and what goes on there? Although the formal address is on Bateman Road in Barrington Hills the Polo Club can only be reached by crossing private property. It is therefore necessary for the owners of that property to grant an easement for access to the polo club field. Members and guests that visit the club to play or watch matches or training must drive down a private residential road. So regardless of whether you know where it is or not, you cannot just go and watch, you must be a member or be invited. This is due to the restrictions laid down by The Village of Barrington Hills.


Originally founded in the late 1980's the Barrington Hills Polo Club has both a regulation grass field with full irrigation and a regulation outdoor arena as well as 2 smaller indoor facilities for the winter months. Barrington Hills Polo can be played year round. Barrington Hills Polo Club is the only Chicago-land club to have a training school. They offer fast paced matches and training as well as a juniors club. So even if you have never played before the school can have you playing polo on your very first lesson. Teacher are USPA rated players and students follow a proven-effective program. Guys and gals all welome to join.

If you would like to join and start playing polo call the lub at (847) 854-1415
The only "Open to the Public" event at Barrington Hills Polo Club in 2010 will be The Annual Kalaway Landowners Cup on September 12. See you there! The rest of the year is filled with events but remember-Members Only.

Copyright 2010 Corinne Guest All Rights Reserved  - *Barrington Hills Polo Club - A Very Well Kept Secret*

Barrington IL Houses For Sale-Lakeview in Barrington Subdivision

Amongst the hundreds of Barrington IL Houses For Sale there are homes available for buyers interested in homes on the subdivision of Lakeview in Barrington. This is a subdivision of masonary and cedar sided homes of approximately 3000 to 4000 square feet in size and offers an opportunity to buy a larger home in the boundaries of the village. Located off Hillside Ave or Eastern Ave by Route 14 the subdivision of Lakeview got it's name from it's neighbor Bakers Lake -The Heron Rookery of Barrington Illinois.



There are 80 properties in Lakeview in Barrington Subdivision and all the homes conform to the neighborwood.  The homes are between 10 and 15 years old wth 4 to 5 bedroom and 2 and a half bathrooms up  to 4 and a half, 2 or 3 car garages and lot sizes are on average 0.30 acres. The average home size is 3500 square feet but you can buy smaller or larger as needed for you and your family.

Street names are:

• Lakewood Drive
• Lakewood Court
• Oakland Drive
• Oakland Court

Although the subdivision is fairly young the landscaping has become much more established in the last 5 years now the trees have grown and filled in. During the summer Lakeview in Barrington is alive with deciduous trees with gorgeous foliage added to the numerous conifers that provide year round greenery. On my visit the landsapers were busy mulching all the common flowerbeds and Daffodils were poking their leaves up in anticipation of warmer weather. Both entrances to Lakeview In Barrington appear very well cared for. There is an annual assesment of $700 which covers the maintenance and landscaping of Lakeview in Barrington.



If you are looking at Barrington IL Houses For Sale and do not want an acre or more to care for then this may be the place for you. Perhaps you want a house in Barrington Village so you are close to the Metra Line for commuting-if so Lakeview in Barrington is perfect for you too. The location is also close to the elementary and middle schools and not too far from Barrington High School either.

Currently there are 4 homes on the market with prices from $685,000 to $799,000. One of the homes in under contract. Not all of the basements in Lakeview in Barrington are finished - some are walk-out or English. If you are in the market to buy or sell your Lakeview in Barrington home I would be happy to assist you. Well priced young homes like these will sell under average market time which currently stands at 251 days  for the entire Barrington area.

To search these and all Barrington IL Houses For Sale please visit my Barrington web site.

Copyright 2010 Corinne Guest All Rights Reserved  - *Barrington  IL Houses For Sale-Lakeview in Barrington Subdivision*

Barrington IL Townhomes For Sale-Lochshire of Barrington

Hillside Ave just off Route 14 in Barrington is home to a townhome complex called Lochshire of Barrington IL. Lochshire is home to 1 bedroom condos as well as 2 and 3 bedroom townhomes all in the brick and tudor syling shown below. Homes have 1 car garages.

The street names for Lochshire of Barrington are:

• Queens Cove
• Bristol Drive
• Hillside Ave

Lochshire Barrington is in a great location for commuters to Chicago. Just a minute to the Metra line station in Barrington or a 10 minute walk which will save your parking charges. Or just hop on Route 14 for a quick drive to the Village of Barrington or head south towards Palatine and Arlington Heights.The complex  is very close to Bakers Lake, home to hundreds of herons and other protected birds. Many units have a view of the lake.



You can buy a 1 bedroom condo in Lochshire for about $160,000 although there are no units available today. There are 2 townhomes available both with 2 bedrooms. One is a short sale listing at $220,000 the other also listed at $220,000 is not a distressed home. Both are updated homes with hardwood floors, granite counter-tops and stainless kitchen appliances. The units were built in the late 1970's and the complex looks well cared for.



Homes have 1 car garages but there are extra allocated parking spaces for many of the homes and visitor parking for friends and relatives as well. Some of the end unit town homes have fenced in personal courtyards for outdoor patios and grills.

Taxes on units here are less than $4000 a year and the monthly assessments are around $250.00 for the townhomes. The complex allows cats and dogs and with your close proximity to Bakers Lake walking Fido will be a joy not a chore. You can sit at the observation point and watch all the birds on the lake, it's right outside your front door. Keep Fido on his leash though, he'll be temtped to go for a swim on a hot summers day.

If you are ready to look at Barrington IL Townhomes For Sale, let's put Lochshire of Barrington on your list of places to consider. You might like to search for other condos and townhomes at my Barrington Real Estate web site.


Copyright 2010 Corinne Guest All Rights Reserved  - *Barrington IL Townhomes For Sale-Lochshire of Barrington*

Shorely Drive-Shorely Woods-Barrington Illinois-Condos For Sale

Shorely Woods of Barrington Illinois offers condos and townhomes for sale that are now priced very well and offer a great way for 1st time buyers to enter property ownership in one of the nicest and most respected villages  in the northwest suburbs of Chicago Illinois.



Shorely Drive is the only street in Shorely Woods Barrington IL which  is a small complex on a no through road and is located in the heart of the village. You can walk to the Barrington Library although most shops and the Metra station are probably a little too far to walk.



Both the condos and town homes are all brick construction and the homes were built in the early 1970's. You can buy a 1 bedroom condo at an entry level price of about $120,000. Other options are 2 bedroom condos, or 2 or 3 bedroom townhomes. Current prices go up to $195,000. Many of the townhomes also have basements.



Above you'll see some of the units are laid out in a courtyard style. There is adequate parking in front of your home as well as extra parking on both sides of the street which is still wide enough for 2 lanes of traffic. Not that it is every that busy here. Many of the units, even a 1 bedroom condo can have a garage.



The landscaping at Shorely Woods of Barrington Illinois is well established. With towering trees and conifers this small subdivision of condos and townhomes is very pretty especially in the summer. The subdivision is very well cared for and they certainly have a head start on their green grass, mine is still brown after all the snow. If you would like to buy a well priced condo or town home in Barrington IL, consider Shorely Woods. I would be glad to help you find a home here that is perfect for you.

Call me today 847-363-3686 or search for Shorely Drive Homes. 

Copyright 2010 Corinne Guest All Rights Reserved  - *Shorely Drive-Shorely Woods-Barrington Illinois-Condos For Sale *

It's Chilly Today at The Heron Rookery on Bakers Lake in Barrington Illinois.

Bakers Lake in Barrington Illinois is a natural beauty of the area. Located on the northwest outskirts of the Village of Barrington motorists drive up and down Route 14 every day passing the lake and might wonder what the contraption is that is in the middle of the lake and it's purpose. Today I visited the lake and spent some time watching the bird activity from the Bakers Lake Observation point which is just off Hillside Ave and Route 14. On a warmer day you can sit on the benches or wander along the trails but it was a little nippy as our temperatures are falling and the wind has picked up.



In the middle of the lake is an island is a utility pole construction that was constructed for the sole purpose of providing a safe environment for the herons to live and breed. It is home to a number of protected breeds of heron and provides over 200 nests. The lake is 112 acres but the nature preserve is 209 acres and does provide a sanctury for many other birds and wildlife. It was dedicated to the endangered herons in 1984 but underwent renovation in 2000. After Christmas every year Cook County Forest preservation who is responsible for maintaining the area adds used Christmas trees to provide the birds with nesting material.



The Heron Rookery is home to Colonial Nesting Birds; Black-Crowned Night Heron, Great Egret, Double Crested Cormorant and Great Blue Heron. There are many other birds supported by the lake especially during the migration season. Late March and Early April will see the arrival of many of the birds. You will need a pretty good scope to see them. I could see a few flying and resting but later on in the spring the lake will become populated with hundreds of birds.



Bakers Lake is large and would be a temptation for boaters and swimmers but neither are allowed. In the distance you can see a home. There are a few properties that have lake frontage on the west side of the lake, no doubt the scenic views are breathtaking.

Bakers Lake is owned by Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Barrington Park District and Village of Barrington.

Copyright 2010 Corinne Guest All Rights Reserved  - *It's Chilly Today at The Heron Rookery on Bakers Lake in Barrington Illinois.*

Today I Have More Time Than Yesterday-I Outsourced Something-Who Hoo

Clients, CMA's, BPO's, research, photos, coaching, homework, CE, writing blogs, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Active Rain, Wordpress, changes to web site, connecting and networking, giving broker advice, office meetings, monitoring transactions, previewing homes, attending walk-throughs, closings, home inspections, meeting with peers online and off, lunch with a mortgage lender, webinars for more learning, email enquiries - well you know how it goes. The things we all have to do in our business can become overwhelming.

Things cannot go on like this, I am going to burn out.

It does not matter what business you are in there comes a point where things start to slide, then things get postponed and then before you know it you forgot all about it. The to do list gets longer, the days seem to get shorter and your organization gets messier. Now you spend too much time trying to work out what you were going to do today, or prioritizing tasks for the rest of the week and month.

If you work at home you sit down to work much too early, you forget to eat even though the kitchen is 2 yards away. If you work at the office you leave home earlier and get home later, just in time for an hour conference all.

Yes my working life has become too much for one person to handle. So today I sat back and looked at all the things I have to do to see if anything could be done by some-one else. Bingo. Something I spend 1 to 2 hours everyday doing because it results in an income can be partially done by some-one else. Really! I can get back 2 hours every day just by getting some-one else to do this one daily thing. Awesome.

After a little thought I decided this was best done by some-one locally made a few calls and I have myself a part-time assistant. Boy do I feel liberated! Who-Hoo!

If you are struggling to do all the things needed in your business, take a step back and ask yourself. Do I really have to do this myself? Does this have to be perfect. Would it benefit me to have some-one else do this even though they may not do it as good as me? Make the best use of your own time.

Copyright 2010 Corinne Guest All Rights Reserved  - * Today I Have More Time Than Yesterday-I Outsourced Something -Who Hoo*

I feel compelled to reblog Katerina Gasset's post about HAFA in regard to short sales. Just last week I found out a colleague of my husband is coming back to live in the USA. They choose to work with another real estate company and had been looking at short sales. Colleague was having a discussion with my husband who is a licensed Realtor about how short sales were not going to be a problem for them.

They have a house to sell in the UK which works in a different way to us. Their Realtor had told them they did not need to worry about their home sale contingency it was not going to be an issue with a short sale. (Assumming he even knows how sales work in the UK-this is clearly bad advice) He also told them that come April they could make an offer on any short sale home and under the new HAFA rules they would automatically get an answer from any lender in 45 days.

My husband politely told them they need to be sure that they are being told the right truthes because he was sure they were not. I hope they read this because I know they read my blog. Guys Katerina is an expert on short sales in Florida and has published this about the HAFA program so consumers can be better educated. Feel free to show your Realtor.