North Shore Views

Stunning and Spacious Contemporary Home in Deerfield

If you love to entertain friends and family in a relaxed and casual setting, this house at 8 Kenmore Avenue in Deerfield might just be the home for you.

It’s a 6 bedroom, 4.1 bath contemporary that has room for everybody. It sits at the end of a cul-de-sac,  just blocks from South Park Elementary School. It has a flexible an open floor plan that fits well into any lifestyle. The great room is the perfect gathering space, with its cozy fireplace, wet bar and game area. The spacious and bright eat-in kitchen will undoubtedly become everyone’s favorite hang-out.  A first floor bedroom can also double as an office allowing you to have a convenient “command central.” In warm weather the half sports court will draw everyone outside for a game of hoops as steaks sizzle on the grill. Upstairs the master suite has vaulted ceilings, a spa-like bath and large walk-in closet. There are three more bedrooms plus a hall bath. The lower level has a rec room big enough for all your toys: ping-pong, billiards, air hockey and foosball. There’s also a sixth bedroom and private bath that’s perfect for guests or an au pair.

This home has been meticulously maintained and has many features that make it the ultimate worry-free home: A whole house generator means you’ll never have to worry about power outages. The two furnaces with built-in humidifiers were new in 2010. There are two large hot water heaters, one of which was new in 2011, so there’s always plenty of hot water for laundry, dishes and showers. There are three sump pumps (count ‘em, three!) so flooding and seepage are never a problem. The security system gives added peace of mind.

The home is is a great value at $699,000. You can see a virtual tour here. If you’d like to see it in person, please give us a call at 847-881-6657 and we’d be happy to show it to you.

Tags: Deerfield, Homes for sale, South Park School

North Shore Inventories Declining

For a while there it seemed like every other house had a For Sale sign in the yard.  Fortunately, things seem to be looking up for home sellers on Chicago’s North Shore. There are fewer houses on the market, so if you are a seller that means less competition for the buyers that are out there. It also means you will probably get your home sold more quickly than this time last year or the year before.

Almost every town had double digit declines in inventory, with Wilmette having the most dramatic decrease. In fact, Wilmette now has less than five months’ supply of houses, which is considered a balanced market (neither a buyer’s nor a seller’s market). So, if you live in Wilmette and are thinking of selling anytime soon, now might be a good time.

Three Year Inventory Comparison
Number of Houses for Sale

Source: MRED – Number of single family homes for sale as of Jan. 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011

Tags: Homes for sale

Affordable Ranch in Indian Hill Estates

My best buy for this week is 908 Illinois Rd. It’s a three bedroom, two bath ranch home in Indian Hill Estates. It’s priced at $475,000 and here’s why it’s such a great value:

• It is light and bright with a comfortable floor plan. It has a private master suite with a full bath and spacious walk-in closet. It’s even got a workshop in the garage, so if you’re a tinkerer, it might be the home for you.

• It’s the least expensive single family home in the Harper district, so if you want or need to live in this area and are on a budget, this could be a great option for you.

• It’s conveniently located just steps from the PACE bus route and walking distance to both Harper School and Highcrest Middle School.

The downside? The house has no basement, but it does have plenty of storage in the attic and in the garage.

The listing agent is Maureen Spriggs. You can see a virtual tour here. If you’d like to see it in person, just let me know. Maureen or I would be happy to show it to you.

Tags: Homes for sale

Adorable and Affordable: 903 Willow Road, Winnetka

My best buy for this week is 903 Willow Road in Winnetka. It’s an adorable vintage Dutch Colonial style home with 9 rooms, 3 bedrooms and 2.1 baths.

It’s priced at $599,000 and here’s why it’s such a great value:

• Lots of space in the house, the yard and the garage: It has good-sized rooms. Plus there’s a large screened in porch which expands the living area. There’s lots of living space and storage in the finished lower level. The yard is larger than comparably priced homes at 50′ x 187′ . And there’s a 4 car garage, part of which could be converted into an office or studio.

• It retains its vintage feel, but is updated where it counts (kitchen and bathrooms) and the updates are in keeping with the character of the house. The floors have been refinished, central air has been added and the windows were replaced within the last ten years.

• It is very conveniently located. You can walk to town and trains as well as to Crow Island School.

The downside?  If there is a downside to this house it is that it is on Willow Road, which does have a fair amount of traffic during morning and afternoon rush hours. But if you’re used to living in the city, this might not bother you.

See the virtual tour of this house here. If you’d like to see it in person, just let me know. I’d be happy to show it to you.

Tags: Homes for sale, Real estate, Winnetka

Best Buy in Wilmette

No I’m not talking about the big box chain. I am talking about best buys in real estate.

The market has been in such turmoil and there is so much inventory to sort through that it can be downright overwhelming for buyers, unless they have a lot of help from their agent. Naturally in my line of work I see some great buys out there and I am going to share them here.  Sometimes they will be my listings or my partner’s, but mostly not. I am going to be as objective here as I possibly can.

Today’s pick:
811 Ouilmette Lane in Wilmette.

It is currently listed at $710,000 and
here’s why it’s such a great value:

• It is the only home for sale in Wilmette or Winnetka below $799,000 that has 5 bedrooms and 3.1 baths. At this price point you will find mainly 3 bedrooms or 4 at the most. To have both 5 bedrooms AND 3.1 baths (including a separate master bath) is a real find. Plus it is a solid brick home in a classic colonial style.

• The property, located west of Ridge Rd, east of Hunter and south of Lake, is on a quiet street in the desirable Harper school district. The downside of some of the other homes in this price range is location on a busy road.

• It is in pristine condition and needs no work. The kitchen is new, as is the family room. Some of the other homes you’ll find at this price in Wilmette and Winnetka are fixers or need considerable updating.

Now, in the spirit of full disclosure I will tell you that this one is my partner’s listing. But that is not why I wrote about it. It really is a great bargain. Take the virtual tour and see for yourself. If you’d like to see it in person, just give me a call: 847-687-5957.

Tags: Homes for sale, Real estate, Wilmette