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Winnetka Home Sales by Elementary School (Jan-Sept 2011)

You can always come to this site to get home sales data for your own North Shore community. But even in a village like Winnetka, market activity and prices can vary significantly by neighborhood. So, once or twice a year, I try to get even more granular and show the data for three individual elementary school neighborhoods (Greeley, Hubbard Woods and Crow Island). Note: some Winnetka homes are in the Avoca School District (District 37), but this is a relatively small area. And a few Winnetka homes (part of Indian Hill) are in Wilmette’s District 39.

Since Greeley’s footprint is exclusively in East Winnetka, it has the highest median and average price of the three schools, but had the lowest number of sales (32). Crow Island has the biggest footprint, with the highest number of homes for sale and the highest number of sales year to date.

As for distressed sales, Crow Island has had three foreclosures and one short sale so far this year, while Hubbard Woods has had one of each and Greeley has had two short sales.

Home Sales by Elementary School
Year to Date through September 2011

Source: MRED- Data for single family homes. Deemed reliable but not guaranteed

Interestingly, though Hubbard Woods had the lowest median and average price, it had the single highest priced sale ($5,375,000 for 1133 Taylorsport). Greeley’s highest priced home was $5,150,000 for 722 Prospect, Crow Island’s highest priced home was $3,275,000 for 261 Linden.

And, although people don’t think you can actually buy a single family house in Winnetka for this little, there were eight homes in Crow Island that sold for under $500,000 (including one for $227,000), four in Hubbard Woods and one in Greeley.

You can go to Market Statistics for more details on homes sold in each neighborhood. You can go here to search for homes for sale  in Winnetka.

Tags: home sales by school district

Odds of Selling Your Winnetka Home

Yesterday I wrote about the odds of selling your Wilmette home depending on its price point.

For Winnetka, you’ll see that the best place to be if you’re a seller is between $700K and $999K, especially between $800K and $899K, where demand actually exceeds supply. So, if you’re selling and your price is just above $1,000,000, you might consider reducing it to $989K to $999K so as to attract more buyers. If you are buying in the $800K-899K you might not be able to negotiate a big discount. Be prepared to make a strong offer if you want the house.

Odds of Selling Your Winnetka Home by Price Point

Source: MRED -single family home sales in Winnetka June-August 2011

Tags: home sales by price point, North Shore market data, odds of selling

Hounds for Hadley 2011

After “Pawgust, this is my three labs’ favorite fundraiser. (Assuming, of course, that I don’t make them get dressed up in Halloween costumes). They get to go on a walk in the crisp autumn air, mark some new territory, meet and sniff other dogs, bark and wag at everything, and enjoy treats. And it’s all for a good cause. What’s not to like?

Hounds for Hadley is an annual event to benefit the Hadley School for the Blind, which provides distance education  for people who are blind or visually impaired.  The benefit is a two-mile walk through Winnetka for dogs and their people. Even people without dogs are welcome. There will be complimentary refreshments, trick-or-treat fun and raffle prizes! Lots of people and their dogs come in costume so it’s a fun show. There will be a dog costume contest as well as prizes for “Top Dogs” – those who raise the most funds for a great cause. And remember, dogs (or costumes) are not required for you to participate in this community event.

Here are the details, or you can go to the event website for more information and to register.

When: Saturday, October 1

Where: The Hadley School for the Blind, 700 Elm Street, Winnetka, IL

Start Time: 9 a.m.

Check-in: 8 a.m. (Please allow a half hour to check-in.)

Registration fee: $30 in advance; $40 day of the event.

Here are some pix of last year’s event:

Tags: fundraisers, Hounds for Hadley

9/11 Remembrance Ceremonies on the North Shore

This Sunday marks the ten year anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania. I’ll never forget where I was when I heard the news and I doubt anyone else will either. Most of us know someone who was directly affected by the tragedy, and the wounds still feel fresh, even after ten years. You can take time out to remember those who lost their lives at one of the ceremonies taking place on the North Shore this weekend:

Evanston

The community is invited to join local public safety members of Fire and Law Enforcement, elected officials and community partners to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the Attacks of September 11, 2001.  Participants and guests are asked to gather for this event at 8:45 a.m. on Sunday, September 11. Members of Fire and Police Clergy, along with public safety officials and the mayor, will give speeches and music will be provided. A special dedication will also take place for the actual artifact from the World Trade Center.

8:45 a.m. Gathering
9:00 a.m. Welcome – Video Presentation
9:11 a.m. Moment of Silence
9:15 a.m. Comments from Mayors, Fire Chief, Fire Clergy, Police Chief, Police Clergy, Police/Fire Honor Guard Presentation, Ringing of the Bell 3-4-3 to Honor the 343 Fallen Firefighters; National Anthem; Dedication of 9/11 Artifact – Fire Chief; and Closing Comments

Winnetka

The Winnetka Village Council and the Winnetka Park Board cordially invite all Winnetkans, friends, and neighbors to attend a Ten Year Remembrance Ceremony on Sunday, September 11, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. on the Village Green.  Scout troops from the Village, students from NTHS, our public safety chiefs, and representatives from local religious congregations will participate in a brief ceremony honoring those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks. In the event of rain, participants will gather in the Winnetka Club.

All are also invited to participate in the planting of the memorial flags on the Village Green, beginning at 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 10th.

Glenview

You are cordially invited to join the Glenview community at an event commemorating the 10th anniversary of that fateful day as we gather in gratitude to and recognition of all first responders who every day put their lives on the line for citizens. 7:00-8:00 pm in Gallery Park (Patriot and Chestnut).

The evening’s tribute will include:

• Bagpipes & Drums of the Emerald Society
• Glenbrook South High School vocal groups Nine and Solace
• Boy Scout/Girl Scout Flag Ceremony
• Police 3-Volley Salute
• Firefighters’ Last Alarm Bell Ceremony
• The playing of “Taps”

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: September 11

Winnetka Neighborhoods: Winnetka Heights

I am not sure that Winnetka Heights actually qualifies as a neighborhood, and most people in town don’t even know that it has a name, but Winnetka Heights is a one block by three block section of Winnetka that was developed in the 1920′s. Its name comes from the fact that its elevation is one of the highest in Winnetka. Its boundaries are Westmoor Rd. on the North, Pine St. on the South, Locust St. on the East and Rosewood Ave. on the West. There are two interior one-block streets: Starr and Dinsmore, both named after the first two Winnetka casualties of World War I.

Originally there were thirty six 100′ x 188′  lots that were set back 50 feet from the street. Most of the homes were designed specifically for their sites by known architects of the day and were primarily Tudor, Colonial and Prairie designs. In recent years some of the lots have been subdivided and now there is a fair amount of new construction in among the older homes and a greater variety of styles.

This is most definitely NOT a neighborhood of starter homes. Homes in Winnetka Heights are large and typically sell for between $2,000,000 and $3,500,000. Most have at least five bedrooms and four baths. There are only two homes currently for sale in Winnetka Heights, both on Rosewood Ave:

660 Rosewood Ave,

660 Rosewood
This brick manor house is probably one of the larger homes in the neighborhood. It has sixteen rooms, seven bedrooms and seven and a half baths. It sits on over an acre that includes a pool, spa, blue stone terraces and exquisite gardens. It has been renovated and updated inside with a DiGuilio kitchen and is currently listed for $3,795,000.

You can see more photos here.

630 Rosewood
This Mediterranean style home on over a half acre has thirteen rooms, five bedrooms and four and a half baths. It has gorgrous gardens with secluded terraces and a private courtyard off the kitchen.  It is listed for $3,295,000.

You can see more photos here.

If you are interested in seeing these or any other homes in Winnetka, please give me a call or email me. I would be delighted to show them to you

630 Rosewood Ave.

Tags: Winnetka Heights

Winnetka Neighborhoods: Forest Glen

Forest Glen is a small neighborhood within the larger neighborhood of Hubbard Woods in the northern part of Winnetka. It is just north of the intersection of Tower Rd and Hibbard Rd., with two entrances onto Tower Rd. marked by pillars. A twenty acre rectangular parcel, Forest Glen was originally the estate of Thomas and Virginia Dennehy, a wealthy Chicago couple who summered here with their seven children during the 1920′s and 30′s. The estate included a mansion, stables and a large greenhouse which housed a swimming pool and exotic plant collection.

The land was sold in 1939 to North Shore architect and builder C.A. Hemphill, who subdivided it into 57 lots and began building single family homes. Homes in the west section were built between 1939 and 1941, but building ceased during World War II and did not begin again until late 1945, when the east side was developed.

Most of the houses in Forest Glen are two story brick or stone Colonials. The lots sizes are irregular, but most are around 8000-10,000 square feet. Prices range from $700,000 to just over $1,000,000. Currently there is only one house for sale in Forest Glen, at 1289 Forest Glen South. It is one of the original Hemphill designed homes, with an eight rooms, three bedrooms and two and a half baths.  It’s currently listed for $769,000. You can see more photos here.

1289 Forest Glen South

Forest Glen is a friendly and welcoming neighborhood that is popular with young families due to its proximity to Hubbard Woods shops, restaurants and Metra station. It is also a short walk to Hubbard Woods Elementary School and Sacred Heart Catholic Church and School. There are traditionally two neighborhood parties during the year: a block party in the fall and a holiday party in December.

You can search all the homes in Winnetka here. If you’d like to learn more about Forest Glen or Winnetka’s other neighborhoods, just call me at 847-687-5957 or email me. I’d be happy to help you.

Tags: Forest Glen, Hubbard Woods, Winnetka neighborhoods

Remembering Martin Luther King’s Speech in Winnetka

A lot of people think that, because Winnetka is an affluent and mostly white suburb, that it is not a very progressive community.

So I wonder how many people know that Winnetka was the site of the first-ever civil rights rally in an all-white suburb and that Martin Luther King spoke here before a crowd of more than 8000 supporters in the summer of 1965.

Even most Winnetkans under the age of 60 didn’t know about the part their town played in the civil rights movement until a school teacher named Cecilia Gigiolio and her class raised the money to erect a monument to commemorate this historic event on its 40th anniversary.

The monument was placed in the southwest corner of the Green, which is now known as “King’s Corner.” Interestingly, despite the fact that Dr. King spent extensive periods of time in Chicago working on civil rights issues, the monument on the Village Green of Winnetka is the only monument to this great man in the whole Chicago area.

Why did King come to Winnetka, of all places, to hold a civil rights rally? Here’s a little background: Back in the early 60′s a group of young North Shore mothers were concerned that their children were growing up in a community that lacked diversity. At that time housing discrimination was common, as were the real estate practices of steering and blockbusting (which thankfully are now illegal). These women teamed up with local clergy and community leaders to organize the North Shore Summer Project. They surveyed residents to determine their attitudes towards opening their community to home buyers who were not screened on the basis of color or religion. As part of their effort to end housing discrimination, they invited Dr. King to speak.

King arrived in Winnetka late on the afternoon of July 25 after speaking at five other rallies in Chicago. The estimated crowd of eight to ten thousand people is the biggest gathering ever on the Village Green, and it was a peaceful group who were mostly supporters of King. As part of his speech he spoke the now famous words: “We must now live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”

Today marks the 46th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s speech on the Village Green of Winnetka.

Tags: Martin Luther King, North Shore Summer Project, Winnetka Village Green

Imuka Singers: From Tanzania to Winnetka

The North Shore is in for a rare treat this Tuesday night when Winnetka Congregational Church hosts a performance by the Imuka Singers, a 30 voice ensemble all the way from Tanzania.

Imuka means “rise” in the language of the people living on the Northwestern shore of Lake Victoria. The Imuka Singers “rise” from the villages of East Africa to brighten the world with their soaring melodies, rich harmonies, exhilarating rhythmic vitality and diverse cultural creativity.

Their music combines the diverse cultures of East Africa to bring together rare singing techniques, electrifying choreography, hand drumming and elements of traditional dance from the oldest African folk songs and dances. The energetic and uplifting music will appeal to all ages.

The Imuka Singers are on their first tour of the U.S. and added Winnetka to their schedule on the request of Dr. Robert Harris, Director of Music at Winnetka Congregational Church after hearing them perform in Chicago. Here are event details:

When: Tuesday, July 12 at 7:30 pm

Where: In the Sanctuary at Winnetka Congregational Church

Cost: No charge, but a $10 donation is suggested

You can learn more about the Imuka Singers here.

Tags: Imuka Singers, performances, Winnetka Congregational Church

Winnetka Children’s Fair 2011

For 65 years, the Winnetka Children’s Fair has been a tradition of community and family fun, fellowship and participation.  The Fair kicks off the summer with an end-of-school celebration that includes rides, games, craft booths, face painting and food.

The Fair is coordinated by the Board of Directors of Winnetka Community Nursery School. More than 1,000 volunteers donate their time, energy and enthusiasm to bring this event to life. It was conceived of as a fundraiser for the school. Today, there are probably a lot more efficient and less labor intensive ways to generate the same amount of money. But the fair has become part of the fabric of summertime in Winnetka, so the school continues to put it on for the enjoyment of the community.

This year’s fair is on Friday and Saturday, June 10 and 11, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Winnetka’s Village Green (Maple between Oak and Elm).  Hopefully, the weather will be more cooperative this year. Last year the fair was interrupted by torrential rains, which put a real damper on the fun.

Tags: summer fun, Winnetka Children's Fair

Spring Housewalks on the North Shore

There are two North Shore housewalks rapidly approaching (one today, in fact):

Wilmette Historical Society Housewalk

Sunday, May 15 from 1:00-6:00 pm
Tickets: $50 for members and $60 for non-members
Visit www.wilmettehistory.org to purchase tickets.

“Architecture through the Decades” showcases four homes designed by innovative and nationally recognized architects. Built between 1890 and 1950, they demonstrate how housing design changed over the first few decades of the twentieth century:

• 1890′s American Foursquare designed by George Maher
• 1920′s Spanish Revival by Alfred Alschuler
• 1930′s International Style by George Fred Keck
• 1950′s Modern by Harry Weese

Here’s a little context for what you’ll be seeing: the American Foursquare style (sometimes called the “Prairie Box” and popular from the 1890′s to the 1930′s) was a reaction to the ornate elements of the Victorian style that was popular in the latter half of the 19th century. It is characteristically plain, incorporating elements of the Prairie and Craftsman styles. Typical of the style is a hipped roof, arched entries between common rooms, built-in cabinetry and Craftsman style woodwork. The house by George Maher also features large single-pane windows and beautiful art glass.

The Spanish revival house at 1000 Chestnut Avenue was part of the retrospective craze that took place following World War I.  The house had suffered from years of neglect and was slated to be torn down until the current owners purchased it and began its restoration. The home was the recipient of a special Preservation Excellence Award in 2010.

In the 1930′s traditional styles were increasingly rejected in favor of the International Style that was popular in Europe. The Keck house was one of the first to use plate glass in its design. You can see it in the picture above as it forms a dramatic column that encloses a spiral staircase.

The fourth and final house on the tour showcases Harry Weese’s emphasis on functional, efficient spaces, such as the counter back-splash in the kitchen that can be folded down to create a buffet in the adjoining dining room.

Winnetka Women’s Club Housewalk

Wednesday, May 18 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Tickets: $60 for the tour and $35 for lunch at Michigan Shores Club
Order your tickets here and pick them up at the Women’s Club (485 Maple St., Winnetka)

“Lifestyles” presents five beautifully decorated homes of differing architectural styles, including:

• a French Provincial built in 1937
• a 1920′s Tudor
• a new Tudor style custom home
• a Italian Villa with a contemporary interior

Tags: housewalks