Real Estate in Barrington & The Northwest Suburbs: April 2010

Inverness On The Pond-Gated Community of Homes Inverness Illinois

One of the prettiest gated communities in my area is Inverness On The Pond which is located in Inverness Illinois. This community is home to about 400 resident families, lots of ponds and therefore geese, ducks and swans. I visited Inverness On The Pond to take pictures of a home that has unfortunately gone into foreclosure. I provide these for the banks when asked and give them an estimate of property value. Although today was not sunny it was nice to see the trees in bloom and the grass and shrubs are greening up nicely.

Inverness Illinois is home to primarily single family homes and most of the homes in this gated community - called Inverness On The Pond for very good reason - are also single family homes. There are a few townhomes here. Ownership is condominium which does mean they are condos. It is a type of ownership not a type of property. To you this means that your association is responsible for exterior maintenance, yard care, snow removal, for which you will pay a monthly assessment fee.

Access to this gated community is off Roselle Road just opposite the Inverness Golf Course entrance. Inverness On The Pond has a guard on the gate so only residents, service providers and those with appointments can get inside. This affords the residents with both security and a peaceful neighborhood.

Look at the swans on one of the ponds. Such majestic creatures - Mama to be is happily sitting atop her nest which no doubt has several eggs and signets will be here soon. There were a few Mallards around and both these birds live in relative harmony. The Canadian Geese were not around and generally do not get along with the swans very well. Swans are used as a deterrent to the Canadian Geese.

If you live at Inverness On The Pond you can take a leisurely walk around the gated community with a safe place for kids to ride their bikes away from constant traffic. Children will go to Marion Jordan Elementary School, Walter Sundling Junior High School and Fremd High School.

Real estate information for Inverness On The Pond in Inverness Illinois.

There are approximately 400 homes which were built in the 1980's. There are many ranches here which appeal to buyers like me with bad knees-too much skiing in my younger days! There are some 2 story homes. Construction is brick and frame and most homes have 2 car garages. Square footage ranges between 2000 and 3000 square feet. You'll find mostly 2 and 3 bedroom homes and full or partial basements are common. The townhomes are available in single story ranch style and 2 story.

An average real estate tax bill is $8000 a year and an average monthly assessment is $500

If you would like to view homes for sale in Inverness Illinois and the Gated Community of Inverness On The Pond feel free to visit my website.

Copyright 2010 Corinne Guest All Rights Reserved  - *Inverness On The Ponds-Gated Community of Homes Inverness Illinois*

 

Condos and Townhomes in Lake Barrington's Gated Golf Course Commity

My last post about this Gated Golf Course Community in Lake Barrington Illinois focused on the lifetsyle available to home-owners in Lake Barrington Shores. Today I am going to focus on the real estate available to you:

• Condos
• Townhomes
• Duplexes

Living in condos-townhomes-duplexes sounds boring-yet not here. These condos-townhomes-duplexes have the most beautiful setting in the Lake Barrington area. With 1317 units available in Lake Barrington Shores there are always plenty of choices for sale or to rent.

Currently there are 68 homes for sale with prices from $159,500 for a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo all the way up to $460,000 for a 4 bedroom, 3 and a half bathroom townhome. There are a lot of different floor plans, many units have basements-Standard-English-Walk-outs are available. Choose from a golf course lot, a waterfront home or duplex that backs up to mostly forest.

If you want to rent a condo or townhome in Lake Barrington IL and Lake Barrington Shores is somewhere you would just love to live there are currently only 8 homes available with prices from $1295 to $2300 a month.

The condos-town homes-duplexes in this gated golf course community in Lake Barrington were built in the late 1970's up to the early 1990's. When considering condos-town homes-duplexes for sale see if the kitchens and bathrooms have been updated, or are you looking at an original. This could be a major expense you are not ready for and cannot afford after the purchase. The same is true for the bathrooms. Is the kitchen going to be big enough for your needs. This is a very common question as many of the kitchens here are on the smaller side. Do you want a basement? Do you want a one or two car garage. Review the monthly assessment charges for each unit you look at. Likewise review the yearly real estate taxes. You have more to consider when buying a condo or town home in this gated golf course community in Lake Barrington Illinois. Do you want to join the Lake Barrington Shores Golf Club-fees are not including in your property monthly assessment amount-they are extra.

When buying a condo-town home-duplex in this Lake Barrington gated golf course community a buyer is typically required to pay 3 months assessment to the association at closing. Lake Barrington Shores are very proud of this gated golf course community and take the necessary financial steps to keep it looking beautiful and pristine.

You can search for your condo-townhome-duplex right here on this post. No need to go 'Googling' somewhere else. Of course if you have any questions about buying a condo-townhome-duplex in Lake Barrington's Gated Golf Course Community I am just a quick call email or text away. My number is  847-363-3686 but in the meantime please use the search below to see if the right home is available for you.





Or you can hop over to my Barrington Real Estate Web Site to search for all Barrington area homes for sale or to rent.

Copyright 2010 Corinne Guest All Rights Reserved  - *Condos and Townhomes in Lake Barrington's Gated Golf Course Community*

Northern Illinois Short Sales-Buying and Selling-Disclosures Required

Whether you are buying or selling a Northern Illinois Short Sale be informed-Property Disclosures are mandatory in Illinois. I am surprised to find a statement similar to this on many of the homes listed in Northern Illinois for sale as Short Sales. "Seller does not provide property disclosures"

It would appear that incorrect information is being given to the seller or that the listing agent assumes that because bank owned homes do not provide many of the property disclosures; and because short sales need the banks approval that they can literally wave them away with a flick of the hand.



Not So. Banks are not required to give some of the disclosures because they did not own the home nor live in it and therefore have no knowledge of it. For Northern Illinois Short Sales this is not the case. The owner has owned the home, even if they have not lived in it all property disclosures are still required. These are:

• Residential Property Disclosure Report
• Lead Based Paint Disclosure
• Radon Disclosure
• Mold disclosures are encouraged although not mandatory
  

The residential property disclosure report has a space for the seller to indicate whether or not they have lived in the home in the last 12 months.

If you are about to list your Northern Illinois home as a Short Sale you must complete the disclosures. If you are buying a Northern Illinois Short Sale make sure your Realtor gets the disclosures. If the listing agent starts to argue the case, I will refer them to read the rules of short sales and disclosures which is available to them in the members part of their real estate boards web site or refer to their broker.

If you would like to search the Northern Illinois Short Sales property listings they are available at my web site, no registration is required.

Copyright 2010 Corinne Guest All Rights Reserved  - *Northern Illinois Short Sales-Buying and Selling-Disclosures Required*

Radon in Barrington IL Homes  -  Your Real Estate Inspections and Tests

When you decide to buy a home in Barrington IL it is recommended that you have a home inspection carried out to assess the condition of the home. Many issues that come up are clearly visible. Radon on the other hand is not. It is a gas and the only way to find out if the home has acceptable levels of Radon is to have a Radon Test performed. The following diagram shows how radon can enter a home.

You might ask your Realtor whether you should have a Radon test performed. I cannot advise you but I always recommend it. To make a fully informed decision I will give you a Radon leaflet to read so you understand what it is all about. email me if you would like a Radon leaflet, I am happy to send you a pdf version today. The test is simple. A radon testing company will place the equipment in the home and after 2 or 3 days return to collect the equipment and take the readings. An acceptable level is 4 pCi/L. Anything higher is considered not acceptable for humans.

Details of the test are also outlined in the leaflet but it is dependant on the home being closed up apart from normal ingress and egress.

You might think it is not worth worrying about but my team has had 3 for 3 excessive readings in the last month. Two were over 7 and the last one this week was over 6. Two of the sales have since closed and both sellers were required to install a system to reduce the levels. The third is under review but likely will go the same way.

The cost of a test is not excessive and well worth the money. A local specialist charged 2 of my recent buyers $195.00. It can vary according to how much equipment is needed.


Copyright 2010 Corinne Guest All Rights Reserved  - *Radon in Barrington IL Homes  -  Your Real Estate Inspections and Tests*

Lake Barrington Shores Real Estate-Condos and Town Homes For Sale in this Gated Golf Course Community

Over the last 2 days I have spent much of my time in Lake Barrington Shores either looking at condos and town homes for sale with clients or attending home inpections for homes my clients have decided to buy. Based on my personal experience in the last two weeks Lake Barrington Shores is an in demand gated golf community in Lake Barrington.

So why is Lake Barrington Shores Real Estate popular?  First let's discuss the lifestyle. Look at the grounds as shown in these photos, think about a very large lake for leisurely boating and fishing - a club house with 2 swimming pools-one indoor - a fitness center - conference rooms and ballrooms - the 18 hole golf course - walking paths through-out the community - beaches and outdoor grills along the shoreline of the lake - a bike riding path - well now perhaps you can imagine that this is a little like being on vacation year round.

One of my clients has decided to buy a Lake Barrington Shores Townhome and this is the spring view from the front of that home. Many of the condos and town homes are located on small cul de sacs like this and the landscaping is gorgeous. Although there are no flowering trees or gardens during the winter there are towering evergreen trees providing some very pretty scenes with the snow so your view will never be dull. The landscaping companies are out in full force adding mulch - weeding - trimming and tidying up.

Residents whether real estate owners or renters have full access to Lake Barrington Shores Clubhouse. The view above shows the back of the clubhouse across from one of the many ponds and is where the outdoor swimming pool is with a big area for relaxing. It was almost warm enough for the umbrellas to go up on the picnic tables but the pool is not yet open. I expect in May if our weather holds they will open it up but for now the indoor pool is the place to be.

If you enjoy wildlife there is plenty of it in the gated golf course community of Lake Barrington Shores. Be prepared for deer-geese-squirrels-ducks-chipmunks and more. As i was sitting a home inspection I watched Mr and Mrs Mallard duck wandering across the back of the home no doubt on their way from pond A to pond B. And then comes along Mr Mallard no 2. I wondered if he had a crush on Mrs Mallard he was certainly in a hurry!

On an April day the weather here in Lake Barrington Shores was glorious. At 65F with the sun high in the sky the lake was beautiful. The trees are in bloom or halfway to full leaf coverage and now all you can see are the rooftops of the homes across the water. The Canadian Geese were pausing on the beach. Looks like he wanted to go back to swimming and she was heading for some grass for lunch.

If this type of lifestyle living is what you are looking for in the Barrington Illinois area - Lake Barrington Shores real estate is the place to be. You can search for your perfect condos and townhomes at my Barrington real estate web site or map the condos and townhomes for sale in Lake Barrington Shores and see which location would be perfect for you.

You can read more about my recent days in Lake Barrington Shores and the real estate for sale in my next blog post.


Copyright 2010 Corinne Guest All Rights Reserved  - *Lake Barrington Shores Real Estate-Condos and Town Homes For Sale in this Gated Golf Course Community*

Showing Luxury Homes in South Barrington Illinois-Thank you Listing Agents for A Successful and Smooth Week

South Barrington is considered to have the most luxurious homes in the Barrington Illinois area. The prices are therefore much higher than other areas and often listing agents do not use lock boxes for keys but they and the sellers prefer to accompany any showings by a buyers agent with their clients.

Relocating clients often have a limited amount of time in which to view homes as visits to the area are on weekends or they can only spare a few days at a time. For the last 2 and a half days I have been busy on a home showing marathon with relocating clients and the homes we have looked at are all in the luxury homes markets of South Barrington, Barrington Hills and Inverness Illinois. With lock boxes on the homes it is easier to show because there is a little more flexibility on time. When the listing agent wishes to accompany a showing it is only natural to want a more precise time.



I spent considerable time setting up our schedule to make sure all the Luxury Homes we viewed in South Barrington were in a logical order. I also made sure I could call the South Barrington listing agents when I was nearing their listings to give them enough time to get to the property-their time is valuable just like mine. I even knocked on an owners door to apologize that we were early but that we had to leave before viewing. The listing agent for that home had the courtesy to call and say thank you for not just abandoning the seller-thank you I appreciate your call.

My thanks and appreciation goes to all the Barrington listing agents, and their assistants for making my schedule fit around theirs, for being on time and respectful of our time as much as we were of theirs. I am especially thankful for an assistant that jumped through hoops today to fit a second showing in for a very nice Luxury Waterfront home in South Barrington Illinois on short notice just 2 hours before my client was due to hop on a plane to get back to work.

Rather than complain at the inconvenience factor of no lock-boxes it really is not that difficult. A little more effort on the part of the buyers agent to create a logical sequence for showing the homes, spending an extra minute here and there to make advisory phone calls, and keeping the client informed as you go will work wonders. The odd property we were able to get in on a lock box created a little buffer for schedule adjustments and when we had a spare 20 minutes we stopped for a quick subway.

South Barrington Illinois has some beautiful luxury homes available. I enjoyed showing my clients the homes they choose to look at but after 2 and a half days of non stop showing I am ready for a day with a little less activity! To start your luxury homes search please visit my Barrington Illinois web site. Or use the search below.

In our daily lives we hear the constant grumblings about the real estate market. We all know that our property values have decreased and not just a little bit. We all know it takes longer to sell homes than it used to. But why all the doom and gloom. I've got news-Homes in Barrington are selling.

I am not going to provide a graph this quarter with things that mean very little to you, I want to give you some numbers to digest.

In the months January to March inclusive in the Barrington area there were 433 new residential real estate listings. That includes condos, townhomes, single family homes, multi unit properties and vacant land. Now that is a lot of new listings. Please bear in mind though that this is an active period for new listings. Also consider the number includes homes that may have been listed last year and did not sell, listings than expired and were re-listed so they are not all totally fresh. Again though it's a fair quantity.

During the same 3 months 164 listings were cancelled. This might be because a seller gave up, got foreclosed on, re-listed with another Broker.

43 Expired Listings. This is where the original listing agreement came to an end. Some may have re-listed.

So far these numbers really don't mean that much with nothing to compare them to and I am not going to go there at all. We need to focus on now.

What I really want to shout from the rooftops are the following numbers.

In Barrington Illinois during January, February and March there were 53 closings. That's 53 homes sold to buyers. That's 53 families able to move forward with their post sale plans and 53 families about to start a new chapter in their lives in a Barrington home.

Currently we have 109 properties under contract. 83 of those went under contract during January to March. The rest were either in 2009 or in April 2010. That's 109 properties that will close sometime in the near future. We'll get one or two that will not get to close and will go back on the market. But 109 properties in Barrington with contracts. 109!  

Now here is a nice number. Of the homes listed in January, February and March-39 have contracts. That means 39 properties will have sold in under 90 days. It may only be 10% of the new listings but think how those 39 sellers feel. Prices for these contracts are from $60,000 up to $3,500,000.

Now I am not going to tell you that prices are climbing or that things are how they used to be-that clearly is not going to happen. But when I see property after property go under contract it is encouraging for Barrington sellers to know that we have buyers. So please don't feel too despondent if you have a home to sell in Barrington. Make your home the one that our Barrington buyers want.

The numbers above show you can sell in 90 days if you are priced right, presented properly and marketed online.

Copyright 2010 Corinne Guest All Rights Reserved - *The Barrington IL Real Estate Market Quarterly Report - Homes are Selling*

Chicago Northern Illinois Suburbs Equestrian Estates - Horses First

There is no doubt that one of the finest suburbs in Northern Illinois and Chicago to offer Equestrian Estates is Barrington Hills. The typical lot size in Barrington Hills Illinois is 5 acres which provides space for one or two horses. There are also many homes on lot sizes of about 10 acres which gives a little more flexibility in overall design of your horse property. More paddocks-stables-pastures. If you need more acreage the choice is more limited and you might have to forgo some of your wants and needs in favor of your horses-after all it's horses first!



Property ages in Barrington Hills IL vary with some older than 100 years and many built in the mid 1900's and even new construction. There is certainly a lot to choose from but not all will have ready to go horse facilities. Although zoned for horses not all owners have them. You might need to find the perfect home and then build your own fences-stables-barns. There are some very well established estates with older homes-you might consider buying the estate-knocking down the house to build a new one and you'll have a fantastic Illinois Equestrian Estate you'll certainly be proud of.

Barrington Hills Illinois is home to the Barrington Hills Polo Club and has many riding trails. The trails are maintained by the private property owners because the trails are indeed on private land.



Barrington Hills in Northern Illinois is an upscale village and property prices might be too high for you. Maybe you are more flexible about location as long as you are in Northern Illinois or the Suburbs of Chicago. Perhaps you need something that is not available in Barrington and are open to looking in other areas.



The Suburbs of Chicago and Northern Illinois is a vast area. The farther out from the city you go the cheaper the land becomes. Other areas you might consider that have a minimum of 10 acres are:

• Antioch Northern Illinois
• Harvard Illinois
• Hebron Illinois
• Libertyville Illinois
• McHenry Illinois
• Richmond Illinois
• Woodstock Illinois
• Elburn Illinois
• Hampshire Illinois
• Crete Illinois
• Monee Illinois

and many others that are even farther away from the City of Chicago. Many of the properties in these Northern Illinois towns have acreage from 25 to 100 or more.

The following is my selected Equestrian Estates for April 2010. If you are ready to buy your next Equestrian Estate In Northern Illinois and not too far out from Chicago then I am here to help. Call me with your needs and I'll search all the listing for matches for you today. Corinne's cell is 847-363-3686. Alternatively my web site has all the Equestrian Estate Listings.







Copyright 2010 Corinne Guest All Rights Reserved  - *Chicago Northern Illinois Suburbs Equestrian Estates - Horses First*

No matter which part of the USA you live in there are plants, trees and shrubs that will thrive in your yard. It is important to know your gardening zone so you  buy the right plants. Barrington Illinois is in zone 5A.

If you are visiting your local gardening center or nursery you'll know that the shrubs and trees available are right for your zone. If you are going to order saplings from an online gardening retailer be sure you pick the right items. Most plants for our area will show that they are fine for zones 4 to 9. Not too cold and not too hot or dry.



One of my favorite shrubs is the Magnolia. We have only been clear of snow for 2 weeks, the temperatures moderating and we have had a few unseasonably warm days. The Magnolias have taken the cue and within 2 days have gone from little white buds to flowers everywhere. They are always to the first to blossom in my yard and a great sign that spring is here. The blossom does not last long and gives way to a very leafy shrub.



These shrubs can grow to 20 or 25 feet depending on which variety you have but they take their pretty time.

Copyright 2010 Corinne Guest All Rights Reserved  - * Magnolias are a Good Shrub to Grow in the Barrington Illinois area.*

Prairie Creek Kildeer IL - Brick & Stone Luxury Homes Amongst Natural  Open Space and Winding Trails

Established in 2002 Prairie Creek in Kildeer is a beautiful community of mostly brick and stone traditional style luxury homes offering luxurious appointments with nature right at your doorstep. Even though this community is young the landscaping is well established with numerous evergreen and deciduous trees.

Prairie Creek Kildeer has 2 streets, N Prairie Rd which meanders across the creek and Savanna Lane. Many of the homes will have the creek running at the back of their yards. Owners also enjoy the conservation like open areas, the meandering walking paths that run through the subdivision, there are benches and even a swing for you to enjoy.

Homes in Prairie Creek Kildeer are situated on lots about a half acre in size.  A typical home is about 4500 square feet in size on the main levels, with 4 or 5 bedrooms, 3 or more bathrooms. Basements can be walk out but all are full size. Elevations are of brick, stone, stucco and some homes are cedar sided. You'll enjoy many fine features including gourmet kitchens with high level appliances, grantite counter tops, islands and more. Some homes have finished basements and many have included a theater for their personal enjoyment.

Homes in Prairie Creek Kildeer IL have fireplaces, dens or libraries,  and sunrooms or Florida rooms can be found. Most homes have 3 car garages.

School Information

• KILDEER COUNTRYSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
• WOODLAWN MIDDLE SCHOOL
• ADLAI E STEVENSON HIGH SCHOOL

This view of the large pond in Prairie Creek Kildeer IL shows a calm and warm spring day and there were a few ducks in the distance gracefully out for a swim. I also saw plenty of birds hoping and hovering by the pond. I think they were a little wary of me by their home but it is clear they like it here.

Currently there are 3 homes for sale in Prairie Creek Kildeer IL with prices at $969,900 to $1,399,000.

The is a Home Owners Association for Prarire Creek Kildeer for which the owners pay an annual fee of $1500. This takes care of the common area maintenance and entry way.

Kildeer IL has homes built from the 1960's to today. Prairie Creek Kildeer IL is one of the newer subdivisions and still have a few lots available for your custom dream home. Right across the street from this subdivision is The Ponds of Kildeer where homes are on similar sized lots but are a little older. More established neighborhoods are Farmington and Pine Valley. Kildeer does not occupy much land space it is a small Illinois village but has it's own village hall and police force that also serve the residents of Deer Park.

For homes in Kildeer IL or Deer Park IL call Corinne today: 847-363-3686 or chat with her online.

Copyright 2010 Corinne Guest All Rights Reserved  - * Prairie Creek Kildeer IL - Brick & Stone Kildeer Illinois Luxury Homes Amongst Natural  Open Space and Winding Trails*