Special offer

Wilmette, IL Real Estate News

By Margaret Goss, Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate
(@Properties)
Wilmette District 39 2011-2012 School Calendar Oh yes - it's that time again.  We are just getting adjusted to the heat and humidity and suddenly we have to start thinking about Back-to-School.   Schools in Wilmette District 39 include Harper, Romona, McKenzie, Central, Highcrest Middle School, and Wilmette Junior High School. Wilmette District 39 School Calendar
Comments 1
By Margaret Goss, Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate
(@Properties)
   Centennial Pool - Cooling Off in Wilmette Updated 2022It's almost 100 degrees outside - and humid.  There are several places to go to deal with this:1.  Stay in an air-conditioned place2.  Go to the beach3.  Go to Centennial Pool in WilmetteFor some reason, that pool seems the most inviting right about now. What does the Wilmette Centennial pool offer?        Here we go: 8-lane 50-meter pool Leisure pool with zero-depth edge and water slides Wading pool with tot slide Diving pool with 2 boards and 2 drop slides Plus - locker rooms, party room, party rentals, and a concession stand. The pool is located at 2300 Old Glenview Road (the corner of Old Glenview and Crawford Roads.  For more information on hours, fees, etc, please visit Wilmette Centennial Family Aquatic Center    SEE ALL WI...
Comments 4
By Margaret Goss, Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate
(@Properties)
Wilmette's Oldest Tree - a Sad Farewell Living in the Midwest means that one is used to storms bareling through and leaving behind downed trees, fallen branches and electrical wires.  There was the super-storm,  mini-maybe-a-twister in 2008 -  then we had one in June, then again this past Monday morning, July 11. I may be used to storms but they don't usually happen in the mornings, and a Monday to boot.  In an instant, as I was preparing for an office meeting, the house went dark, the wind picked up, and the sky turned purple.  It was over in about 10 minutes - Alan May, who lives just north of me, wrote about the storm yesterday: Begone, before someone drops a house on you, too!. While I am always happy that there are no serious injuries, we did suffer one monumental loss:  the Bicent...
Comments 4
By Anne West, Your Guide to Real Estate on Chicago's North Shore
(Coldwell Banker)
If you live in or around Wilmette’s Kenilworth Gardens neighborhood, you won’t want to miss the 7th annual Thornwood Park Concert this Sunday, July 10. First conceived of by Harper parents Terri and Tony Lorenz, and sponsored by the Friends of Thornwood Park, the concert is truly a neighborhood event. Bring your lawn chairs and your picnic and relax for a few hours with friends, family and neighbors. As usual there will be performances by three bands of neighborhood dads who are frustrated rock stars. The opening act is the Junior Concert, with performances by some of our talented neighborhood kids. In addition to great music, there will be a balloon artist and face painting, as well as a bouncy house, sponsored by yours truly. Last, but definitely not least, we’ll look forward to a vi...
Comments 0
By Anne West, Your Guide to Real Estate on Chicago's North Shore
(Coldwell Banker)
I really have to applaud the Wilmette/Kenilworth Chamber of Commerce for some smart marketing.  This year they have repositioned the same-old, same-old Sidewalk Sale to something much more alluring: a SummerFest. Yes, there will still be a sidewalk sale with special deals at local stores, but SummerFest will be much more than that: there will be live entertainment, a beer garden, food, kids’ activities and an art festival. The event runs for two days, but if you want more than shopping, you should probably go on Saturday. When: Friday, July 8 from 9:00 am-5:00 pm and Saturday, July 9 from 9:00 am – 9:00 pm. Where: Wilmette Village Center, Wilmette and Central Avenues. Details: The live entertainment will go from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm on Saturday. The beer garden will be open from noon to...
Comments 2
By Judy Chapman
(Referral Network of Illinois LLC)
Hey, buddy, can you spare a dime? If you can spare more than a dime, take a look at the kind of elite residential properties your money can buy in Wilmette. La crème de la crème Is money no object? Then one of these spectacular homes for sale in June 2011 can be yours. Currently, 61 luxury-priced homes are available for purchase. Apart from offering exceptional homes in outstanding surroundings, the top reason Wilmette is so popular comes down to: Nearness to commuter rail lines Proximity to the lake Top-rated school systems   Data provided by the Midwest Real Estate LLC (MRED) multiple listing service and includes properties listed and sold by various participants in the MLS. Data supplied does not reflect all market activity in the area.   Throwing good money after better Housing styl...
Comments 0
By Judy Chapman
(Referral Network of Illinois LLC)
You earned it. You bought it. You loved it. Now you want to sell it. Your house in Wilmette, that is. Nothing can stop you if this is your must-have goal. You cannot test the market or dip your toes in the water. You have to go full throttle and pull out all stops to make your dream become a reality. Otherwise, you’ll just be spinning your wheels. Listing your house for sale isn’t the same as selling your house If you own a house in Wilmette, consider yourself fortunate to live in such a vibrant and popular community. It may be ‘cooler by the lake’, but it’s still a hot real estate market. Wilmette won’t ever go out of style. During the last 30 days, these luxury Wilmette houses were sold to the highest bidder.   Data provided by the Midwest Real Estate LLC (MRED) multiple listing servi...
Comments 3
By Anne West, Your Guide to Real Estate on Chicago's North Shore
(Coldwell Banker)
One of the things I love about summer on the North Shore is the number of outdoor concerts you can enjoy, many of them free. One of my favorite music venues is Plaza del Lago in Wilmette. Every Thursday evening for six weeks in the summer, Plaza del Lago hosts free summer concerts in the parking lot. The concerts run from 6:00 to 8:00 pm (weather permitting) and you can bring a picnic or purchase your dinner from the restaurants in the plaza and eat al fresco as you enjoy the music. Here’s the line-up for 2011: June 30 – Moss/Realtime (original post-modern instrumental) July 7 – The Dang-Its (Honky Tonk, Western Swing and Americana) July 14 – Gone 2 Paradise (The Ultimate Jimmy Buffett Tribute Band) July 21 – The New Invaders (British Rock) July 28 – Ac*Rock (a cappella Rock ‘n’ Roll) A...
Comments 4
By Marla Schneider, Move with Marla
(The Marla Schneider Team)
Whether you are looking to buy a home in a safe community, with great neighbors, and a rich history, or simply planning a day trip with the family or with out-of-town visitors, the North Shore is sure to not disappoint. The are many North Shore inspirations to visit that represent the best of North Shore living; including everything from Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie-style houses down to the roads we drive on. Here are just a few suggestions of where to visit while exploring the North Shore this summer: The Glencoe Train Station  Train stations of the North Shore tell great stories about their towns. This one in particular has beautiful architecture with its bold turret and striking massing up against the rough stonework. Mahoney Farm Preserve, Kenilworth   The ‘farm preserve' is actuall...
Comments 0
By Margaret Goss, Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate
(@Properties)
   North Shore Farmer's Markets - Wilmette, Evanston, Northfield, and  Glenview - Summer 2011   Even though I've worn a turtleneck for the past few days, my calendar says mid-May and I know that means it's farmer's market time again.  The reopening of the markets are always eagerly anticipated by many of us tired of months of grocery store squishiness and ho-hum produce.   These markets are uniquely different - check them out and see why: Evanston - Saturdays, May 7 through November, 2011 from 7:30 am to 1:00 pm.  The Downtown Evanston Farmer's Market is located at the intersection of  University Place and Oak and has 37 vendors selling fruits, vegetables, flowers, cheese, breads and meat.  In addition, this year from July 9 through the 30 and August 6 and 13, local Evanston artists (Ho...
Comments 0
By Margaret Goss, Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate
(@Properties)
Two Things to do This Weekend in Winnetka and Wilmette This Sunday, May 15, there are two events that will help keep you outside and perhaps get a little exercise. In Wilmette, the Wilmette Historical Museum's Spring Housewalk will go from 1-5 pm.  This year's theme is "Architecture Through the Decades" and four homes will be featured that were designed by noted architects between 1890 and 1950.  The housewalk will demonstrate the dramatic changes in architecture during those decades.  To read more about the homes and register online, please see:  Wilmette Housewalk. Tickets purchased before Sunday are $40 for museum members, $50 for nonmembers, and $25 for students.  Tickets purchased on the day of the housewalk are respectively $50/$60/$25.  Tickets can be purchased at the museum betw...
Comments 0
By Margaret Goss, Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate
(@Properties)
Wilmette Flea Market - Sunday May 1 at Heritage Trail Antique Mall 9-5 Heritage Trail Antique Mall in Wilmette and its neighbors are having their twice-yearly flea market on Sunday, May 1 (2011.)  Last time I attended, the back parking lot was filled with vendors,old and new, with great items at reduced prices.  Most of the vendors inside the store will also be participating and everything will be 15% off. Heritage Trail Antique Mall and two new antique stores are located on Ridge Road, just north of Wilmette Avenue.  The two new stores are: Pandora's Box 416 Ridge Row 847-251-4416 www.DomesticEclectic.com alexis Vintiques design 406 Ridge Road 847-370-9455 and Heritage Trail Antique Mall 410 Ridge Road 847-256-6208  
Comments 1
By Judy Chapman
(Referral Network of Illinois LLC)
If you want to sell your Wilmette house with the least hassles, make sure to give your house the home-selling edge. The only way to give your house is home-selling edge is to know what you’re up against. The only way to know what you’re up against is to get the facts. In the world of real estate — just like gambling on a horse race — ‘facts’ means statistics and raw numbers.   Running neck and neck If you’re trying to sell your home — your beautiful one-of-a-kind thoroughbred — against the other horses houses on the block ... And your house is 1 of 286 other houses vying for the same scarce homebuyers ... And all other things being equal ... How fast do you think it would take to sell your house in today’s climate? Does 11 months sound like a winning ticket? Didn’t think so. Put your b...
Comments 1
By Judy Chapman
(Referral Network of Illinois LLC)
In Wilmette, the average sales price of residential homes over the last 12 months increased $29,000, or roughly 4%, compared to the prior 12-month period. This trend is not only good. It’s excellent! Especially in light of what’s happening in so many other areas of the North Shore, where the trend is down instead of up. Cut to the chase As you can see from the chart below, prices rose slightly in the latter quarter of 2009, stayed flat throughout most of 2010, and have risen slightly in the first quarter of 2011. A word of caution: don’t get too excited too quickly. The upswing in the most recent months may have been skewed by the spike seen in February. During that month, there were only 3 sales — all at the upper end. The months before and after had considerably more sales, which caus...
Comments 3
By Judy Chapman
(Referral Network of Illinois LLC)
Want to know what sold in Wilmette during March 2011? And for how much? These real estate statistics should give you a feel for the current market value. They will also illustrate the right way to price your house ... and the wrong way. Believe yourself or your own lying eyes All you have to do is run your eyes over these rows and columns, and you’ll see a pattern emerge. Go on. Try it now. Data provided by the Midwest Real Estate LLC (MRED) multiple listing service and includes properties listed and sold by various participants in the MLS. Data supplied does not reflect all market activity in the area.   Are you done? Did you see the warning indicators? Did you see the connection between days on market and ratio of sold to list prices? If you didn’t, take another look while keeping th...
Comments 2
By Margaret Goss, Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate
(@Properties)
Wilmette Retail Space Available Wilmette, as well as Winnetka, has a lot of empty retail space and landlords are more willing to negotiate and help with build out.  When interviewing the owner for a  post about Green Bay Cycles, he told me his landlord was more than accommodating in helping get his business started in Winnetka. Wilmette's website now has a list of retail properties with their rental price per square foot.  For more information to get  your business situated in Wilmette, please go to Available Retail Space in Wilmette
Comments 0
By Marla Schneider, Move with Marla
(The Marla Schneider Team)
One way to update your Wilmette home is by doing a green remodel in your kitchen. When it's time to sell your home, potential buyers will appreciate the added value of a green kitchen. Before you panic thinking that making your kitchen "green" will break the bank, an earth-friendly remodel can work wonders without breaking your household budget. An eco-friendly kitchen can mean a healthier kitchen for your family. By eliminating or reducing the invisible and odorless toxins in your cabinets and countertops, you will take giant steps toward going green in your kitchen. Most cabinets are made of particleboard which is most commonly made with urea formaldehyde resin - a known carcinogen - which can emit this toxin for the life of the cabinet. If replacing cabinets is not within your budget...
Comments 0
In the familiar Aesop fable, it was the slow but determined tortoise who eventually won the race against the cocky and speedy hare. The moral of the story was ‘slow and steady wins the race’. When it comes to positioning the listing price of a home for sale, however, strategizing how fast ... or slow ... to run the race can often mean the difference between selling tortoise-slow ... or hare-fast. The tortoise or the hare Like the tortoise, when homeowners first list their home for sale, they often have 2 selling prices in mind. the price they really want and the price below which they won’t go In a declining market, both prices can easily slip away like a distant memory. But strategizing long before they have to take a psychological loss can often save homeowners both bucks and months. ...
Comments 0
By Judy Chapman
(Referral Network of Illinois LLC)
Sales in Wilmette have softened in the most recent 3 months, no doubt due in large part to the traditional winter-season slowdown. This data was provided by the Midwest Real Estate LLC (MRED) multiple listing service and includes properties listed and sold by various participants in the MLS. Data supplied does not reflect all market activity in the area. State of the current market While real estate in the Chicago market is traditionally affected by seasonal trends, certain facts are worth noting. Even though sales dropped off, homeowners who couldn’t sell last year are hanging on. ‘For Sale’ signs are planted in front lawns all over the North Shore, gathering icicles. Meanwhile, more homeowners have put their houses on the market, modestly increasing inventory levels. Short blip or lon...
Comments 0
By Margaret Goss, Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate
(@Properties)
Wilmette School Tax Referendum - More Sources for Information Two weeks ago I wrote a post about this important referendum for increased funding for the Wilmette schools:  Wilmette District 39 - School Tax Referendum Coming Up. There are, of course, opposing sides to this referendum.  Those supporting the referendum call themselves "Citizens for Wilmette Schools" and their website is:  supportwilmetteschools.com Opposing the referendum is "Decline 39" whose website can be found at:  Opposing Wilmette District 39 Referendum. To recap the issue, the Wilmette school district is projecting a $5.5 million deficit in the current school year after having made substantial cuts.  Officials say that without the revenue generated by the tax increase, they will be forced to made even deeper cuts th...
Comments 1