North Shore Views

How Photos Can Prevent Your Home from Selling

By now most of us are aware that home buyers start their search online. According to the National Association of Realtors that number is currently 87% and growing. And 80% of people using the Internet rate photographs as the most important feature of their online search. In fact, these days, with large supply of homes available, most people see online photos as the easiest way to filter all the listings down to a manageable number. Here’s how it works:

If I like the pictures, the house stays on my list.

If I don’t like them, I click away, never to return.

Common sense, right?

So…it baffles me why home sellers and their agents (who should know better!) continue to commit the three deadly sins of real estate photography:

1. No photos when a listing goes onto the MLS

Here’s a common scenario: an agent gets a listing and immediately puts it into the MLS, even before taking photos of the property, figuring that the pictures can be added later. Or, the sellers pressure the agent to get their property into the system as soon as possible, thinking that the sooner it’s in the MLS, the sooner they’ll have an offer.

Here’s why that’s a mistake: most people beginning  the home-buying process set up online searches with automatic daily alerts for any new listings that hit the system. So, in the case of the aforementioned new listing, they get the alert but, since there’s no picture, they immediately eliminate it from consideration. Later, when the photos are added, they don’t get another alert, so those buyers never see that property again. Yes, agents will show the home to their clients if it meets their search criteria, but the sellers have inadvertently cut their buyer pool in half. The sad thing is, they don’t even realize it.

Give your home its best shot at finding the perfect buyer. Make sure you have your photos, floor plan and virtual tour ready before your listing goes in the MLS.

2. Not enough photos

In the old days, each real estate listing had one photo of the front of the house. But then again, in the old days people relied on their agent to show them all the homes that met their search criteria. Now, since home buyers are ” touring” homes online first, they want to see as many pictures as possible. At a minimum they expect to see the main rooms: kitchen, family room, living room, master bedroom. So, if they notice that some of these rooms are missing, guess what?  They assume that the seller is hiding something…that there must be something wrong with those rooms… and poof! The house is eliminated from consideration.

Make sure your house gets on the “must see” list of every target buyer by including great photos of all the key rooms of the house.  Try to include at least 9. You can also include some photos of your garden, neighborhood or nearby parks, beaches and other local features. Remember, you are not just selling a house, but a lifestyle, so use the photos that can accomplish this.

3. Bad photos

Bad photos come in two flavors: photos that are  bad because they’re dark or blurry and photos that are bad because the rooms are not staged or properly prepped for photography. Heck, some people don’t even bother to straighten the room they’re photographing. I’ve even seen one MLS photo where there’s a dog in the foreground licking himself.

I am always amazed at some of the pictures that people will include, thinking that these will help sell their home.

Do yourself a favor. Make sure your agent hires a professional photographer to shoot your listing photos. Believe me, it is worth every penny. A professional photographer has both the equipment and the expertise to show a home off to its best advantage.  A good agent will often include the photography as part of his or her marketing package.

The bottom line: think of the Internet as your first “showing”.  Just as you’d make your house shine for an open house or a showing, make sure your photos shine for that first virtual showing.

Tags: home selling tips, preparing your home to sell, real estate photography

Best Gas in Town

I know what you’re thinking. Gas is gas, right?

But this gas is different. Well, maybe not the gas, but the gas station. I’ve never been much of a loyalist when it comes to gas. It’s a convenience thing for me. I get gas wherever I happen to be when my car is on empty.

But a while back I came out of my house one cold morning and my battery was dead. Triple A gave me a jump but told me the battery was basically shot and I should get a new one ASAP. I was already running late that day so I went down the hill to Forrest’s Marathon Station (now owned by Duxler Complete Auto Care) at 1201 Green Bay Road in Wilmette to see if they could help me.

I had no sooner settled in with my newspaper and complimentary cup of coffee when they told me I was all set. The new battery was already installed. I don’t think it took five minutes. After I paid for the battery I realized I needed gas so I pulled up to the pump and started to get out to pump my gas when Ed came bounding up and said, “I’ll take care of that”. I thought he was just being nice because I had just had my car serviced there. But no. Turns out that they actually pump everyone’s gas.  I’ve always been a do-it-yourselfer when it comes to gas, but I have to say that, when it’s 20 degrees out and sleeting, it sure is nice to sit in my warm car and have someone else do it for me.

Today I needed gas again, so I headed down to my new favorite gas station. This time I brought my camera, snapped some pix and talked to the owner, Glenn Moak. Duxler has three other locations (Evanston, Northbrook and Skokie) but this one is the only one that has gas. Glenn says their goal is to put the service back into service stations. They pump the gas and, no, it’s not more expensive than self-serve places; in fact, it’s a bit cheaper. They have a full-service garage and tire replacement operation. They also have the cleanest bathrooms in town. They’ll even top off the windshield wiper fluid in your car and give you a lollipop when they’re all done. You can’t beat that.

ATTENTION LADIES: Thursdays are Ladies’ Day at all Duxler locations. For every oil change, Duxler will donate $2.00 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and you’ll also be entered in a drawing to win a day spa certificate.

So, if you’re sightseeing on the North Shore or touring homes for sale or just driving your kids’ carpools and need to make a pit stop, Duxler’s Marathon Gas is the place to go.

Tags: best gas station, Wilmette

It’s TV Tune Out Week!

Think your family can go for a week without TV or any other form of “screen entertainment”?

If you’re up for the challenge, North Shore businesses are here to support you. All week long sponsors of the “holiday” are providing tons of activities for those who want to experience life unplugged.

This year’s theme is “Power on Your Imagination” and the fun kicks off Sunday, March 7 with a performance by the Chinese Acrobats– at 3:30 p.m. in the Washburne School gym, 515 Hibbard Rd., Winnetka.  All week long you can take part in dozens of alternative activities – including acting classes, art projects, treasure hunts, story hours, behind-the-scenes tours,  sports and community service opportunities. Or, you can just enjoy time with your family at home, without the distraction of TVs, computers and video games.  Play board games, read together, bake cookies, or go on a family expedition.

TV Tune Out Week was started in 1995 by the Winnetka Alliance for early Childhood and has now spread to surrounding communities. Over 5500 children participate in the program, whose goal is for families to evaluate the role TV plays in their lives, to explore other options and to become more educated about screen media.

Ideas for family fun and information about community activities are all  listed in The 2010 TV Tune Out Guide, which is available at participating schools or at various locations throughout the community.  For more information about TV Tune Out Week, visit www.winnetkaalliance.org.

Also see:

• Activities at The Book Stall
• Drop in at The Botanic Garden

Tags: Family fun on the North Shore, TV Tune Out Week

Condo Bargain at 715 Ridge Road in Wilmette

My best buy for this week is a condo in Wilmette. It’s a one bedroom, one bath unit with a large combo living /dining room.

It just came on the market and is listed at $134,900. Here’s why it’s such a great buy:

• It is the least expensive condo in Wilmette, Winnetka or Glencoe, so if you need or want to live in this area and are on a tight budget, this could be a great option for you.

• It’s spacious and bright, with an easy living floor plan. Two bay windows in the living room flood the unit with light. The living room is very large and the kitchen is big enough to comfortably accommodate a table for four. There are several closets and plenty of storage.

• It’s centrally located between the Harper and McKenzie school districts and convenient to the PACE bus and shops along Ridge Road and Lake Avenue.

So, what’s the catch? The only drawbacks are: 1) the unit is dated (but not offensively so); 2) there’s no in-unit laundry (but the laundry room is easily accessible on the first floor of the building); and 3) there is no covered parking (but the unit does come with an assigned parking space).

If this looks like something that could work for you, just give me a call. I’d be happy to show it to you. 847-687-5957

Tags: Real estate, Wilmette

North Shore Market Update: January-February 2010

For the first two months of 2010 sales of single family homes on Chicago’s North Shore were up 47% over the same period last year. The big winners were Highland Park and Lake Forest, which both more than doubled their sales vs. last year. Kenilworth, which only had one sale in the first two months of 2009, had five this year.

While prices were down 7% from this time last year, the rate of decline does seem to be slowing and the market may be nearing the bottom. Market times are up over last year but down versus previous months and there is less inventory on the market now.

North Shore Market Trends: Jan. – Feb. 2010 (vs. year ago)

Town	Units Sold % chg	Avg. Price % chg	Mkt Time % chg
Evanston	35%	18%	31%
Wilmette	20%	-14%	-27%
Glenview/Golf	16%	1%	3%
Northfield	-25%	-27%	84%
Kenilworth	400%	126%	65%
Winnetka	50%	-19%	11%
Glencoe	9%	-23%	1%
Highland Park	190%	14%	157%
Lake Forest	100%	-14%	-20%
NORTH SHORE	47%	-7%	8%

Source: MRED LLC -Deemed reliable but not guaranteed

Tags: North Shore market data, North Shore real estate trends, North Shore sales trends

Guide to Winnetka Preschools

Winnetka Community Nursery School

800 Pine St., Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 446-4432
www.winnetkacommunitynurseryschool.org

This is a play-based program whose goal is to foster the social, emotional, cognitive and physical development of young children. Its philosophy is that young children learn primarily through play. The emphasis is on developing social skills, fostering a positive self concept and emotional well-being, encouraging thinking, reasoning, language and literacy. Key activities include: imaginative play, cooking, sensory activities, music and singing, manipulative toys, gross motor play, outdoor play, dramatic play and experiential art.

There is a two-day a week program for older 2 year olds; three and four day programs for 3 and 4 year olds; a five day program for 4 and 5 year olds. Half day and full day (8:45am -3:00pm) programs are available. There is also an extended day program and a summer camp.

Winnetka Public School Nursery

1155 Oak St., Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 446-5153
www.wpsn.org

Founded in 1926, Winnetka Public School Nursery is a play-based program where children learn to think critically, express themselves creatively and relate constructively to the world.  It is a Reggio-Emilia inspired school that believes that the child’s environment is the “3rd teacher” that inspires exploration, collaboration and joy. The program balances blocks of child-initiated activity with group experiences led by the teacher. Its name (Winnetka Public School Nursery) is misleading as this is a private, non-profit school, not a public school.

For 2 year olds and younger 3’s the program is thee days/week from 9:00-11:15 am 3 and 4 year olds can attend either 4 or 5 days/week from 9:00-11:15 am or 12:45-3:00 pm.

Willow Wood Preschool

684 Oak St, Winnetka, IL 60093
(847)-441-6393
www.willowwood-preschool.org

Willow Wood is a play-based program for children 3 – 5 years old that encourages children to learn through exploration, creativity and problem solving.

Three year olds have a choice of 2 days/week or 3 days from 9:00-11:15. Four year olds go 4 days and 5 year olds go 5 days/week, either mornings or afternoons. Willow Wood also runs a summer camp.

Harkness House for Children

630 Lincoln Ave., Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 501-2549
www.harknesshouse.org

Harkness House is located in the Winnetka Community House and accepts children as young as six weeks. It is the only true “day-care” program here in that it runs year round and operates from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm with full day or part day options available.

Activities include art, music, sensory table, manipulative toys, socialization, gross motor and out door play.

Sacred Heart School

1095 Gage St, Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 446-0005
www.shwschool.org

Sacred Heart School in Hubbard Woods runs a preschool program for 4 year olds concentrating on four main areas of development: cognitive, emotional, social and physical. It is a child-centered curriculum allowing for flexibility and creativity. The main activities are language arts, dramatic play, cooking, music and art.

Children attend mornings from 9:00-11:30 am or afternoons from 12:40-3:10 pm. Parishioners have first priority and others are welcome when space is available.

Related Posts:

• Guide to North Shore Preschools
• Glencoe Preschools
• Kenilworth Preschools

Tags: Preschools, Winnetka

March Family Fun on the North Shore

Looking for things to do with the kids this month? Here are some fun North Shore activities worth checking out:

Seussical Jr.
Wilmette Rec Center, 3000 Glenview Rd., Wilmette
3/5 & 3/12 at 7:00; 3/6 & 3/13 at 2:00 and 7:00; 3/7 & 3/14  at 2:00 ($8/person)
Seussical, Jr., a delightful musical filled with characters from beloved Dr. Seuss books, is the featured spring production of the Wilmette Children’s Theatre’s 50th Season. Follow Horton the Elephant as he discovers the smallest planet in the universe and sets out to convince the other animals in the jungle that “a person’s a person, no matter how small.”

Maple Syrup Harvest
Heller Nature Center, 2821 Ridge Rd., Highland Park
3/6 at 10:00 am ($6/person)

Celebrate the first rites of spring as naturalists demonstrate tapping trees, collecting sap and reveal the process of making syrup during this age-old tradition!  After making rounds through the maple trees at Sunset Woods Park, sample tasty sap and syrup!  Everyone is welcome, however content is appropriate for adults and children over the age of six.  Please dress for the weather.

Three Little Pigs
Wilmette Theater, 1122 Central Ave., Wilmette
3/6 & 3/13 at 10:00 am  ($12/person)

Performed by the Chicago Kids’ Company – Sing along with Roxanne, Petunia and Babe as they set out to build their houses.

Gumballs & Superballs
Chicago Botanic Garden, Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe
3/16 and 3/13  from 9:30-11:00 or 1:00-2:30
($17/child and $20/adult)

Discover amazing plants of the rainforest in our greenhouses.  Find out how people use parts of rainforest trees to make chewing gum and rubber. Create your own bouncing ball and flavorful gum to take home.

TV Tune Out Week Kick-Off: Chinese Acrobat Performance
Washburne School, 515 Hibbard Rd., Winnetka
3/7 at 3:30  ($8/person)

Kids can learn and practice math basics while focusing on one of our fave foods, pizza! ‘Pizza: Any Way You Slice It!’ encourages playful, open-ended exploration by focusing on three areas: making, delivering and eating pizza. Children are instantly drawn to this exhibit that informally teaches counting, sorting, measuring, gathering, matching, patterning, sequencing, role-playing and sharing.

Old and young will enjoy this family favorite, complete with kid and adult beverages, popcorn, and prizes! Extra bingo cards will be available for purchase.

Tags: Family fun on the North Shore, Things to do with kids

Time is Running Out on Home Buyer Tax Credit!

If you are a buyer seeking to take advantage of the home buyer tax credit, you have only 60 days left to get a home under contract to be eligible for the tax credit. The deadline is April 30, 2010 to have binding contract. You then have 60 days (til June 30) to close on the transaction.

Sounds like a lot of time, but believe me, in this environment, it’s not.

First you have to sort through all the homes that meet your criteria and find THE one. Then you have to negotiate an offer. And get approved for a loan (actually, you should get pre-approved before you even start looking, so you know exactly what you can afford). This whole process can take time, so you should probably get started soon.

Here are some facts about the tax credit:

First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit = $8,000

• A first time buyer is defined as anyone who has not owned a home in the last 3 years.

• Income limits are $125,000 on a single return and $225,000 on a joint return.

• Maximum home purchase price allowed is $800,000.

Repeat Home Buyer Tax Credit = $6,500

• Buyers must have lived in their home for 5 consecutive years out of the last 8 years.

• Income limits and maximum home price are the same as for first time buyers.

• Home must be primary residence. Cannot be vacation home or investment property.

Whether or not you qualify for the tax credit, another reason to consider buying now is that interest rates are at an all time low right now and are predicted to begin rising in the next few months.

Tags: home buyer tax credit

Guide to Kenilworth Preschools

This is Part 3 of my preschool series, with a list of Kenilworth schools. Kenilworth is a small town so there are not many, but you also have access to the preschools in nearby Winnetka and Wilmette.

All Things Bright and Beautiful Preschool

222 Kenilworth Ave., Kenilworth, IL 60043
(847) 251-6120, ext. 16
All Things Bright and Beautiful website

Run by the Church of the Holy Comforter, this preschool program is open to children 2-4 years old. There is also a “Mommy and Me ” program for younger children. It offers a play-based program focused on the social, emotional and spiritual growth of its children.

A Joyful Noise Preschool

211 Kenilworth Ave., Kenilworth, Il 60043
(847) 853-1738
Joyful Noise website

A Joyful Noise is a program of Kenilworth Union Church for children 2 -4 years old. Its purpose is to provide a school based on principles of child development and values of the Christian faith.  The focus is on activities that enhance the whole child, helping them grow socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically. It is a structured, yet flexible curriculum that balances group experiences with individual discovery. In addition to regular preschool activities, Joyful Noise teaches Bible stories, Christian songs and lessons in forgiveness, caring, and inclusion.

Children attend two days a week from 9:00-11:00 (Tuesdays and Thursdays or Wednesdays and Fridays). There is also a summer program.

Joseph Sears School

542 Abbotsford Rd., Kenilworth, IL 60043
(847) 256-5006
website

Joseph Sears School is the public school in Kenilworth for grades JK-8. The Junior Kindergarten provides a warm and nurturing environment in which children can learn through interactive play and problem-solving.  Activities include art, music, dramatic play, outdoor play, math, science, reading and pre-writing. Different levels of ability, development and learning styles are expected, accepted and used to design appropriate activities.

Related posts:

• Guide to North Shore Preschools
• Glencoe Preschools
• Winnetka Preschools

Tags: Kenilworth, Preschools

Guide to Glencoe Preschools

In my first post about North Shore preschools I talked about some criteria for selecting a preschool. In this post I share my top picks for preschools located in Glencoe.

Children’s Circle Day Care Center

999 Green Bay Rd., Glencoe, IL 60022
(847) 835-3035

Children’s Circle is a program of the Glencoe Park District that serves children 15 months to 6 years old, offering a full day preschool program, as well as before and after kindergarten care. It operates year round and children may attend 2,3,4 or 5 days a week.

The focus is on helping children learn to navigate their world by supporting healthy social and emotional development and an enthusiasm for learning.

St. Elisabeth’s Nursery School

556 Vernon Ave., Glencoe, IL 60022
(847) 835-0609
www.sensglencoe.org

St. Elisabeth’s Church runs a non-religious morning preschool program (9:00-11:15 am) for 3 and 4 year olds. The program is designed to give young children a positive social experience, laying the foundation for them to become enthusiastic lifelong learners.
It also offers an extended day enrichment program from 11:15-12:45, with music, art, math, science and language activities.

North Shore Congregation Israel – Gates of Learning Preschool

1185 Sheridan Rd., Glencoe, IL 60022
(847) 835-0724
North Shore Congregation Israel – Gates of Learning Preschool

Gates of Learning Preschool is a great place to play and learn about Judaism. The warm and nurturing environment fosters the social, emotional, intellectual and physical development of its students. The program integrates Jewish customs with conventional preschool activities such as arts & crafts, music, dance, drama, science and outdoor play.

The program serves children from 15 months to 4 years old, with a parent-tot class for children under 2 years old. Older 2’s attend either two or three days a week; 3’s attend three or four days and 4’s attend five days a week.

J.C.C. Early Childhood Services at Am Shalom

840 Vernon, Glencoe, IL 60022
(847) 835-0008
website

Children 2-4 years old have fun while learning Jewish values and practices, Hebrew vocabulary and honoring Shabbat. This unique program combines education about Jewish traditions and heritage with a best in class early childhood development program. It integrates Reggio Emila into the learning experience, which encourages learning through probrlam solving, exploration, discovery and experimentation. J.C.C.also offers a summer camp.

Related posts:

• Guide to North Shore Preschools
• Winnetka Preschools
• Kenilworth Preschools

Tags: Glencoe, Preschools