Winter weather is coming fast. Bourbonnais, Illinois was 36 degrees last night.      There are a few things that are worse than a furnace acting up in the middle of the winter, but for the life of me I can't think of any right now. Your furnace or boiler needs an annual checkup. REPEATING   Your furnace or boiler needs an annual checkup. Don't wait.     If you put it off until November or December, you're asking for trouble. Waiting until the snow flies means you waited about 3 months too long. Now if you're depending on something like this old furnace to keep you warm through the winter, then you might want to invest in a space heater. Or rent a hotel room and also check your Carbon Monoxide detector, because this Ol Smokey is a death trap. Furnaces need regular annual tuneups for bett... 10/24/2021

  Head Over to the New Park 'N Bark Dog Park in Mokena These days, it seems like dogs are everywhere!   For good reason.  Did you know that ... Dog ownership has grown 29% over the last decade? Multiple-Dog households grew at an even faster rate? The growth in the number of Dog Owners far exceeds our population growth? Millennials and Boomers lead the way in growth in dog ownership? There are many health benefits to be found for all those dogs (and their owners) during daily dog walks and playtime.  But dogs receive benefits from playing with other dogs too.  Pups are very social creatures.  They run and play harder when other dogs are involved.  They rid themselves of pent-up energy, become more social, and can even improve their behavior and social skills by playing with other canines... 12/20/2017

 School Year 2017 - 2018: Mokena School District 159 Students Head Back to Class School will soon be back in session for children attending Mokena School District 159 schools, (the Mokena Meteors) … “Where Children are the First Priority” …  The first day of the 2017-2018 school year is slated for August 23, 2017.  (For a full school year/downloadable calendar, click HERE.)The schools within Mokena School District 159 are:Mokena Elementary SchoolMokena Intermediate SchoolMokena Junior High      If you have children and are considering a move into Mokena School District 159:  Mokena School District 159 provides many handy resources to assist you during your decision-making and move.  The School District’s boundary map can be viewed HERE. Registration of students NEW to Mokena School Dist... 08/01/2017

Homes for Sale in Creekview Mokena ILCreekview Mokena, Market Update: As of 6/09/2016, there are 9 Homes on the market in Creekview Mokena, with an average list price of $351,145. Highest priced property on the market with 5 bedrooms, 3 full baths and 3,520 sqft of living area is listed at $414,900. Lowest priced property with 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 1 half bath and 2,429 sqft of living area is listed at $289,900.Active Listings: 6Under Contract Listings: 3Looking for a Property in Creekview?Interested in finding Homes in Creekview Mokena? Click on the link to find all the currently available Homes in this area of Mokena.Selling a Property in Creekview?Interested in finding information on Recently Sold Homes in Creekview, Mokena? Click on the link to find details on Homes sold in this... 06/08/2016

Burnside Station Mokena, Market Update - May 23rd, 2016As of 5/23/2016, there are 6 Townhomes on the market in Burnside Station Mokena, with an average list price of $175,500. Highest priced property on the market with 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 1 half bath and 1,631 sqft of living area is listed at $188,500. Lowest priced property with 2 bedrooms, 1 full bath, 1 half bath and 1,526 sqft of living area is listed at $164,900.Active Listings: 4Under Contract Listings: 2Looking for a Property in Burnside Station?Interested in finding Townhomes for Sale in Burnside Station Mokena? Click on the link to find all the currently available Townhomes in this area of Mokena.Selling a Property in Burnside Station?Interested in finding information on Recently Sold Townhomes in Burnside Station, Mokena... 05/22/2016

JOIN THE BEST IN THE INDUSTRY... Best trained, best equipped, best commissions, best period.   Jump Start Your New Professional Chapter with the Best in the Industry! Period   Real Stories From Real People...             Give Yourself a Raise!  Here's the OLD method: Based on a $6870.00 commission  What's your current split... 40% to you $2748.00? Your broker keeps $4122.00  50% to you $3435.00? Your broker keeps $3435.00  60% to you $4122.00? Your broker keeps $2874.00  70% to you $4809.00? Your broker keeps $2061.00  80% to you $5496.00? Your broker keeps $1374.00 Or maybe you pay hundreds or thousands monthly to your broker for a small space to work from that you may not use. Now add up your additional expenses. Let me put it this way, if you earn just $30,000 in gross sales commiss... 06/16/2015

  A Very Satisfying Mortgage Closing        Some might say that I'd worked almost a lifetime to experience the Closing on a recent loan ...       How's that?     Take a look at the pic below.  It was taken a little over 2.5 decades ago during a program presented by a class at St. John's Pre-school in Mokena.        The cute little guy on the far right wearing an elf's hat is my youngest son, John.  The little cutie wearing the big red heart in the front?  She's my latest successful mortgage client, Carrie.  As of last Friday, she's a brand new ... very happy home owner.       Both were a little over 3 years old at the time this picture was taken.   Told you I'd been working on this Closing for a while!     Some transactions are unbelievably satisfying.  This one ... well it was definite... 02/09/2015

Village of Mokena, IL Military Fee Waiver Program      The Village of Mokena, IL has provided one more great reason for military veterans (United States Armed Forces) hoping for a new home in the Chicago Southland - Will County, or Lincoln-Way Area, to consider living within its borders ...     The Village Trustees of Mokena honors its military veteran residents, and the service they provided to our country, via its Village of Mokena Military Fee Waiver Program.     The guidelines for the Village of Mokena Military Fee Waiver Program are as follows: An Application for the Fee Waiver Program is mandatory To qualify for the Fee Waiver Program, Mokena residents must:            * Be deployed (active combat or an emergency situation) for 6 months or more. Proof of active deployment (i.e., ... 12/03/2014

  Attend the Mokena Park District's Easter Bunny Brunch on April 12th, 2014   The Easter Bunny is coming! The Easter Bunny is coming!                   Hop your way over to Aurelio's Restaurant in Frankfort (IL) on Saturday, April 12th for the Easter Bunny Brunch being held by the Mokena Park District, Mokena, IL.        The Easter Bunny will be entertaining those in attendance with face painting and special gifts during the hours of: 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. that day.      The Fee to visit with the Easter Bunny at Aurelio's Restaurant on Saturday 12th is:  Residents:  $13/per person.  Non-Residents:  $16/per person.  Children under the age of 2 years old are FREE, but do not receive lunch or gifts.  There will be no refunds given for the Easter Bunny Brunch.      A Buffet Lunch will be... 02/07/2014

  Mokena School District 159 Students Heading Back to Class for School Year 2013-2014                  School will be back in session soon for children attending Mokena School District 159 schools.  The first day of the 2013-2014 school year is slated for August 21, 2013.  (For a full school year/downloadable calendar, click HERE.)       There are multiple schools within Mokena School District 159.  They are: Mokena Elementary School        *  Contacts for MES:  HERE Mokena Intermediate School Mokena Junior High        *  Contacts for MJH:  HERE       If you have children/are considering a move into Mokena School District 159, the school boundary map can be viewed HERE.  A Handbook for Mokena School District 159, school year 2013-2014, can be downloaded  HERE.      School Supply lists f... 08/09/2013

Market Analysis & Community Report for Mokena, IL 60448 Are you considering buying or selling a home in Mokena, IL 60448? Then you need to register to get your complimentary Market Analysis & Community Report for Mokena, IL 60448. Are you comparing this community with others in order to make an informed decision on where to live and the best schools for your children? Get your complimentary Market Analysis & Community Report for Mokena, IL 60448. Would you like to know about sales recent activity and get details on schools and the community? Get your complimentary Market Analysis & Community Report for Mokena, IL 60448. Want to know what homes are currently available for sale in Mokena, IL? Get your complimentary Market Analysis & Community Report for Mokena, IL 60448. Looking for valua... 05/08/2013

Brightwood, Mokena, Illinois About Brightwood Brightwood is a single family home subdivision built in the 1950's. Brightwood is located in Mokena, Illinois south of Francis Road and east of Townline Road. Average taxes in Brightwood $4,156 Average association fees in Brightwood $0 Average home size in Brightwood 1,400 ft2 Average lot size in Brightwood 0.50 acres Average year built in Brightwood 1955 Homes for sale in Brightwood Address Beds Baths Built Price 19916 Hillgate Rd. 3 1.0 1955 $149,900 Sales Summary for Brightwood  (Apr 5, 2012 - Apr 5, 2013) # of Sales Average Days on Market Average List Average Sale Ratio% 5 107 $193,506 $177,800 91.9% Recent home sales in Brightwood Address Beds Baths Sold 19906 Hillgate Rd. 3 1.0 $180,000 11606 N. Brightway Dr. 3 2.0 $195,000 20027 Edge... 04/05/2013

      There are Many Joys and Benefits to Working with      Long Time Referral Partners and Friends ... But Today I Won't be Experiencing Them        Having been in the mortgage business for so long and having served many of the same referral partners during that entire time, has its good points and its bad.  I think the good ones are fairly obvious.  Who doesn't love having established long term relationships and working with those that have, after so many years, become good friends too?      But as many pluses as there are to these situations, there are also those times when you experience, and must deal with, the "other" side of the coin.  I experienced one of those times today.  Here's what's happening:      A long time referral partner/agent sent me a lead for a mortgage.  Good!  A... 03/19/2013

Cambridge Place, Mokena, Illinois About Cambridge Place Cambridge Place is a townhouse community built from the early to mid 1990's. Cambridge Place is located in Mokena, Illinois north of La Porte Road and west of La Grange Road. Average taxes in Cambridge Place $4,745 Average association fees in Cambridge Place $175 ($175 - $175) Average home size in Cambridge Place 0 ft2 Average lot size in Cambridge Place 0.00 acres Average year built in Cambridge Place 1992 Homes for sale in Cambridge Place Address Beds Baths Built Price 9702 Chelsea Pl. 2 2.0 1992 $179,000 Sales Summary for Cambridge Place  (Mar 6, 2012 - Mar 6, 2013) # of Sales Average Days on Market Average List Average Sale Ratio% 6 108 $194,567 $179,983 92.5% Recent home sales in Cambridge Place Address Beds Baths Sold 10001 ... 03/06/2013

Burnside Station, Mokena, Illinois About Burnside Station Burnside Station is a townhouse subdivision built by Burnside Construction in the late 1990's and early 2000's. Burnside Station is located in Mokena, Illinois east of La Grange Road and south 87th Street. Average taxes in Burnside Station $4,387 Average association fees in Burnside Station $137 ($125 - $150) Average home size in Burnside Station 1,550 ft2 Average lot size in Burnside Station 0.00 acres Average year built in Burnside Station 1999 Homes for sale in Burnside Station Address Beds Baths Built Price 18766 Burnside Station Dr. #1 2 1.1 2000 $175,000 9229 Huntington Ct. 3 3.0 1997 $184,229 9214 Huntington Ct. #A 2 1.1 1999 $179,900 9212 Huntington Ct. 3 2.1 1999 $189,808 9239 Arquilla Dr. 2 1.1 2001 $174,900 18889 Vand... 02/04/2013

Barrington Square, Mokena, Illinois About Barrington Square Barrington Square is a single family home subdivision built in the early 1990's. Barrington Square is located in Mokena, Illinois south of 191st and east of Schoolhouse Road. Average taxes in Barrington Square $0 Average association fees in Barrington Square $0 Average home size in Barrington Square 0 ft2 Average lot size in Barrington Square 0.00 acres Average year built in Barrington Square 0 Homes for sale in Barrington Square None Sales Summary for Barrington Square  (Jan 31, 2012 - Jan 30, 2013) # of Sales Average Days on Market Average List Average Sale Ratio% 6 109 $344,100 $330,833 96.1% Recent home sales in Barrington Square Address Beds Baths Sold 10632 Celtic Ct. 4 2.1 $299,000 10645 Halligan Way 5 2.1 $265,000 1071... 01/29/2013

Two of my favorite things, Pizza and Santa, who can argue with that? A tradition that never gets old, dinner with Santa. As a kid I remember going every year to breakfast with Santa and it's wonderful to see the tradition continue. Dec. 12 2012 from 4:30pm to 7:30pm Santa will be visiting Aurellios Pizza in Mokena. Aurelliios is a very popular restaurant known for their pizza. They do however have a variety of items on their menu so if you don't have the taste for Pizza, you do have other options. Some of my favorite moments in my childhood were wrapped around Christmas and Santa. Some of these memories include going to see Santa in the mall, breakfast with Santa, going to parties with Santa, writing Santa a note and leaving cookies and milk for him. Waking up the next morning with all ... 12/06/2012

    Coming Soon to Mokena, IL ...  "Rapid Recovery" Service  for Residents with Special Medical Conditions                The Village Board of  Mokena, IL  recently approved a new service for its residents with special medical conditions such as  Down Syndrome,  Alzheimer's, neurological disorders, and other disorienting health conditions that would cause them to wander off or become lost.             Scheduled to start soon, the Rapid Recovery Service will be offered to all Village of Mokena residents FREE of charge.                  Specifics regarding the new Village program will be released over the next few months.    Mayor Joe Warner and the Mokena Village Board  members ask that residents "stay tuned" to the Village website, www.mokena.org,  for further information regarding this... 08/27/2012

    Being Pre-Qualified for your Mortgage Financing doesn't have to be Scarey.  Eliminate the Fear Factor                    Even after reading only a few of my mortgage posts, you'll probably pick-up on this  recurring theme  ... the importance of being prepared for your mortgage processing.        I feel strongly that whether you're in the infant stage of your pursuit, further along and actively seeking a property and financing for that home, or heading to the Closing itself, your success is dependent to an unbelievably large degree on how well prepared you are.           But I have to admit, at times I fear that by emphasizing the need for preparation as strongly as I do ... I risk scaring you some.        I've mentioned in prior posts, that the number of pieces of info I need as you... 08/07/2012

Need Something to Cheer You Today? This Should Help              I've meant to share this pic ever since I received it from my son, Tom, and daughter-in-law, Jenny.            This is a photo taken of our 8 month-old grandson, Henry, while he was visiting his other grandpa from the Houston area.  Explains the cowboy hat, right??       Yeeehawww!!       There's no denying it ... this pic makes me smile each and every time I see it.  I keep it on my computer as my wallpaper.   I've got a copy of it sitting on my desk at work. We have a copy in our family room at home too. Hard to imagine staying worked-up or stressed after seeing this little face, right?           Henry's cute smiling face is the last thing I see each night when I shut my computer down.  He helps his grandpa out just by ... 07/26/2012