I've been doing this a long time.  And, as you've probably noticed, I have plenty of stories about real estate.  Sometimes the stories are about buyers, and sometimes about sellers. Ocassionally the stories migrate to othe real estate agents, brokers and managing brokers. It doesn't mean that the way I do things is right, or wrong.  Or that my way is the only way to do things. It don't make it right, just because Alan says that's the way he does it, nor because Alan has more points than someone else. We all do things our own way... and we do it the way that's right for us, and that works for us. And ain't it grand that we do? That's what makes the world go 'round... or so says I. 04/27/2014

Let's see... what do I have today.... any open houses.... listing interview appointments... showings??   No?  Nuthin'?  This is that rare Sunday when I have nothing on my calendar. Hmmm... what's the weather like, maybe a nice walk to the beach with a good cigar.... hmmm... cold and rainy?? Where is that book?  Ahhh... here it is.  I'm just gonna sit and read this.... uh.... maybe I'll take a nap first. 04/27/2014

The  Last 3 Month Sales Statistics continues to show a downward trend in distressed sales but many cities are still in double digit numbers. City # Closed # Distressed % Distressed Evanston 69 16 23 Wilmette 66 7 10 Winnetka 33 2 6 Glencoe 19 0 0 Highland Pk 61 9 14 Glenview 85 17 20 Skokie 86 32 37 Northbrook 73 10 13 Northfield 15 1 6 - See more at: http://ilrealestatespecialists.com/2014/04/#sthash.bdpe1vdp.dpuf 04/25/2014

       It has been reported that home values are finally on the rise. The chart below shows the average price of a home in 2006 and what the appreciation is over that last 24 months. As this chart indicates appreciation is still in single digit numbers and the average home price is still off the highs found pre market crash of 2006. City Avg Price in 2006 Low Price High Price Avg Price 12 Mo Avg Price 24 Mo % Appreciation Evanston $755,000 $30,000 $4,000,000 $523,000 $517,000 1% Wilmette $1,071,000 $210,000 $1,955,000 $725,000 $722,000 0% Winnetka $2,552,000 $426,000 $12,700,000 $1,383,000 $1,317,000 5% Glencoe $1,754,000 $300,000 $8,000,000 $1,202,000 $1,106,000 8% Skokie $399,000 $100,000 $865,000 $274,000 $265,000 3% Lincolnwood $527,000 $175,000 $900,000 $373,000 $356,000 4% Northb... 04/25/2014

Seller Market: The supply of inventory in a seller market is under 6 month. Buyer Market: The supply of inventory in a buyer’s market is over 6 months. There clearly are fewer homes on the market this year than last year and as a result the market is shifting from a buyer’s market to a sellers market in many of the suburbs. If you are thinking about selling then this may be the year to sell. If you are buying it may cost you a little more this year but we are still below figures from all time high figures in 2006.   City # Active Listings # of Pending # Closed in 1 Month # Months of Inventory Buyer/Seller Market Evanston 103 100 29 3.4 Seller Wilmette 82 101 28 2.9 Seller Winnetka 116 60 10 12.0 Buyer Glencoe 68 32 12 5.6 Seller Highland Pk 139 98 26 5.3 Seller Glenveiw 146 113 37 3.5 S... 04/25/2014

Evanston IL is named hottest place to eat by the magazine Time Out Chicago. This is a huge honor for Evanstonians and makes me proud. You see in the past years we have expanded greatly and many new condo and rental building have been built. To go along with this, entertainment, shopping and dining is needed and the population has gone up quite a bit. I had a conversation with a coworker last week and we agreed that the caused data saying we have population of 74,486 in 2010 is way low now. Please let me quote Emily Stone the editor of the article I read who wrote this in the Evanston Patch. Emily said: You probably already knew this, but it’s nice to hear others agree: Evanston’s restaurant scene is hopping. Time Out Chicago just validated the fact by calling Evanston “the hottest place... 04/21/2014

The Evanston History Center is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the long gone Cellini shop that was in Evanston IL from 1914 through 1978. The event is starting April 25th 5:30 PM at the Dawes house which was built in 1894 on two acres of Evanston's lake front. This should be interesting to any Evanston Resident or if you are visiting town I recommend you come by the history center it is a part of history not to be missed. Charles Dawes was was the 30th vice president from 1925 through 1929 under president Calvin Coolidge. His former house is the site of the Evanston History center a historic landmark building that is very interesting to tour. As per the Chicagosliver web site Ernest Gerlach started a small metalcraft shop in Evanston, IL, a suburb of Chicago, in 1914.  Gerlach, who... 04/17/2014

Evanston IL Real Estate Single Family Historical Data is an important issue to use to analyze the current market and what the future may bring. 2013 saw record sales of homes at 470 sold which was the largest number since 2005 when 517 houses were sold that year. We are now seeing more of a seller's market. Property is selling at close to asking price or even above in many cases. Buyers have to act fast if they want to get the house or condo they like and there is a need for more property to come to market. It is a great time to sell your home if you are considering a move. At the present time there are 176 Single family houses for sale in Evanston IL, 92 under contract and waiting to close and in the last 4 months 92 homes have sold. In the condominium scene in Evanston there are curre... 04/15/2014

Evanston Il Real Estate a look through the last few years tells us that 2013 took off on sales of Single family homes, the market really came back strong. In the first quarter of 2014 things are still very busy but not quite as much as a year ago yet.  Soon people are going to realize that they can get a good value for the home they own and wish to sell and things will get even stronger. We think 2014 will end up being another great year in Evanston homes sales but the properties still have to be priced correctly and marketed by a professional. Evanston IL has so much to offer that it is a very desirable place to live and many people want to become residents of the great town of Evanston that has grown so much in the last decade. Often as a Realtor I hear people saying they want to be a... 04/11/2014

60203 is considered Evanston but is in Skokie really and has become to residents Skevenston. Residents enjoy the Skokie property taxes which are a bit more reasonable and use of the Evanston schools. Today we are going to take a look at the real Estate and the 1st quarter of 2014.  Presently there are 12 single family home available for sale and 7 under contract and waiting to close. In the last 3 months 6 have closed. In the Condominium scene there are 2 available and 8 under contract and waiting to close. In the last 3 months, the first quarter of 2014 2 condos have closed and sold. If you are interested in seeing for yourself what Real Estate has sold or is for sale please feel free to click on the 60203 Real Estate link and you can browse as much s you would like. A little informati... 04/06/2014

Evanston Il real estate 60202 first quarter 2014 has been unusual. The time for a property to sell is down 39% to 92 days average market time from 152 days in the same time frame one year ago and 182 days the first quarter of 2012. Zip code 60602 is the area of Evanston South of Dempster Street. At this time there are 35 single family homes available for sale and 34 under contract and waiting to close.  In the last 3 months 17 Houses have sold in Evanston's 60202 Zip area. In the condo scene there 69 available and 60 under contract and waiting to close. In the first 3 months of 2014 44 condominiums have sold. The south Evanston 60202 area includes much of the historic landmark home district and has a huge verity of different properties to choose from. We have 1800's Victorian houses tha... 04/04/2014

By Art Wilson, Realtor   Evanston's March Property sales were 59, down -15.7% from 70 in March of 2013 and 51.3% higher than the 39 sales last month. March 2014 sales were at a mid level compared to March of 2013 and 2012. March YTD sales of 138 are running -14.8% behind last year's year-to-date sales of 162. The Median Sales Price in March was $259,000, down -20.8% from $326,950 in March of 2013 and down -7.5% from $280,000 last month. The Average Sales Price in March was $302,823, down -16.2% from $361,571 in March of 2013 and down -6.8% from $324,910 last month. March 2014 ASP was at the lowest level compared to March of 2013 and 2012. The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of March was 247, equal to 247 last month and down -19.5% from 307 in March of last year. Mar... 04/04/2014

Evanston Il real estate 60201 first quarter 2014 has been unusual. The time for a property to sell is down 40% to 93 days average market time from 156 days in the same time frame one year ago and 165 days the first quarter of 2012. Zip code 60601 is the area of Evanston north of Dempster Street.  At this time there are 51 single family homes available for sale in Evanston zip code 60201, Also 51 under contract and waiting to close and the first quarter of 2014 38 houses have closed and are sold. In the condo scene there are 73 available for sale and 56 under contract and waiting to close. There has been 41 condominiums sold in the first 3 months of 2014. This north part of Evanston includes the downtown which is seeing a lot of great new businesses open including many unique stores, res... 04/03/2014

Today we closed on a really nice 1200 square foot vintage co-op at 821 Ridge unit 2 in Evanston IL. It is a 1923 built beautiful home with lots of wood work and large fireplace. My clients the buyers were smiling at the closing. This property is a blocks away from Main street on Ridge placing it in a location close to transportation, many stores, shops and great places to eat in Evanston. The market for buyers is so hot now that we needed to scoop this up with an offer on the second day it was available and a signed contract through multiple offers in a week. If you are frustrated with missing out on finding the home of your dreams then you need a real estate company that deals with all of Chicago land, the largest and most experienced company Coldwell Banker. The expertise to find you ... 04/01/2014

Evanston IL Real Estate & Central Street Upgrade Project is on the minds of many people these days. Evanston Aldermen (and women) are being asked to approve a $300,000 engineering study of improvements to the streetscape and sidewalk improvements in the Central Street and Green Bay Road business district.  Central Street is a thriving business district with many different and wonderful shops, restaurants, antique stores and anything you would want. It has always been popular but in recent years more and more people gather in that area and it is an interesting community within Evanston's already great neighborhoods that have so much to offer. It is lined with vintage condos and just a few blocks away, many beautiful family homes, you can just walk around and find a coffee shop, top of th... 03/25/2014

Here is an update on Evanston IL Real Estate in 60201 & 60202 zip codes for today March 24 2014. At the present time there are 105 single family homes for sale and 79 under contract waiting to close. In last 3 months 52 homes have closed, are sold.  In the Condo scene there are presently 136 for sale and 123 under contract and waiting to close. In the last 3 months, 79 have condominiums have closed and are sold. If you are interested in seeing for yourself what is happening in the Evanston IL Real Estate market then click on the Evanston Real Estate link for up to date  information. 2014 is expected to be a strong year for sales and many people are out looking for property. The Evanston Chamber of Commerce's Fountain Square Art Festival is now offering discounts to local artist in prepa... 03/23/2014

Evanston IL 60201 & 60202 condo report of the Real Estate Market looks great. 2013 was a booming year and 2014 is looking to be strong too. Currently there are 142 condominiums available for sale at this time. 105 are under contract and waiting to close. In the last 12 months 598 have sold a pretty impressive number.  Many people move to Evanston because they find the city of Chicago too congested, like the little city feel of the town, are attending Northwestern University or even we see couples wanting to start a family and are interested in the fantastic selection of schools available for their children. Whatever your reason is if you are interested in Evanston Real Estate to freely browse or want some help then please click the Evanston Real Estate link and find out for yourself. It... 03/11/2014

Evanston Il Real Estate Sales are at the highest point since 2005. In 2013 479 single family homes sold and the last time this figure was exceeded was in 2005 when 517 houses sold. 2014 looks to be an even better year.  Three is a lot of value to be had in Evanston and maybe this Spring you might consider checking out what the town has to offer. Since the town has been developed so much in recent years there is many things for people to do. American Towns is a great site I have always liked to inform the reader about many different activities going on around town and has been around for years. The Evanston Patch one of our online news sites also lists many different events and activities going around town. If you are interested in what is going on in Evanston IL in the Real Estate World... 03/10/2014

Evanston is the second city in the nation to be awarded a 4-STAR Community Rating for national excellence in sustainability. This information came from this information was  Submitted by the City of Evanston.Evanston is a wonderful place to live and offers so much.  Our location to downtown Chicago, the culture we have here in the way of great music, dining and different community events makes Evanston IL a choice place for families, couples and many singles. There are endless fun things to do. The City received the recognition from STAR Communities for its participation in the STAR Community Rating System (STAR), which evaluates economic, environmental and social factors to measure sustainability. In line with its tradition of leadership and its goal of being the Most Livable City in A... 03/07/2014

The Evanston Il Real Estate List to Sell time is down 38.6%. Homes and Condos are selling at record rates and this is the best stats we have seen in years. In the period of March on 2011 through February 2012 homes took an average of 166 days on the market to sell. March 2012 through February 2013 it was down 5% from the previous year at 157 days. In the period from March 2013 through February 2014 it is 97 days and that is down 38.6%.  Wonderful news for Evanston home owners wishing to sell their home. Prices and demand are up and many buyers are trying to find a home. The weather has been so bad that we have also not seen as many homes come on the market. It is already getting warmer so if you are interested in selling your home soon you may want to take a look at the possibilities. A... 03/06/2014