Huntley, IL

This is an online version of a real estate newsletter I send to residents of Sun City Huntley. The print version resembles a newspaper and will be distributed within the next few weeks, so here it is in advance.

Rich's Real Estate Report

No Recipes, No Sports Schedules, Just Real Estate Information
Issue 8

Existing home sales up 2.9% in February

According to a March 24 report by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), sales of existing homes were up 2.9% nationally in February. NAR says that, although they do not expect a notable gain until the middle of the year, the February increase is a sign that the market is stabilizing. The national median home price was down 8.2% from the previous year.

Statistics from the Multiple Listing Service of Northern Illinois (MLSNI) shows the following for Huntley, zip code 60142:

From March 1, 2006 to Feb. 28, 2007:

From March 1 2007 to Feb. 29, 2008:

The above tables show that Huntley's average market time increased and the average sales price decreased during the last year, but not as significantly as the national figure. Average sales price was down 3.5%, and average market time up 28%.

Homes on the market in Sun City Huntley

As of April 4, 2008 there were 142 Sun City Huntley resale homes listed in the MLS. The average market time of active listings was 154 days and the maximum was 884 days on market, for these homes.

If you are interested in a detailed market analysis of your home, please contact me.

What is happening in new construction?

Pulte is currently completing neighborhood 37, the last neighborhood of Classic and Premier series homes. The next neighborhood to open, neighborhood 35, will contain manor homes, which are the familiar club home models situated on larger lots. Pulte anticipates completion of all new home sales in 2009. As a broker and Sun City homeowner I keep abreast this market. The market is constantly changing, so please contact me for current prices and incentives.

Buyers and sellers both need agents

If you have any friends who are interested in purchasing a home in the area, I can help with new construction as well as existing homes. I have represented both buyers and sellers and have earned the Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) designation. Remember, the people at the sales centers are nice, but they work for the developer, not the buyer. Also keep in mind that, typically, there is no cost to the buyer for professional representation.

What do designations mean?

The purpose of earning designations is to gain more knowledge and expertise. Every agent must take continuing education, but the majority do not go beyond this minimum requirement. The Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation was the most difficult of my designations to earn. From the CRS website: "The Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) is the highest Designation awarded to sales associates in the residential sales field. The CRS Designation recognizes professional accomplishments in both experience and education." It is held by fewer than 4% of all REALTORS® .

The incredible Del Webb Sun City Huntley is the premier 55+ community and is located in northwest suburban Huntley, IL just about an hour from the city of Chicago. Sun City Huntley has nearly 5,600 homes, 58 models, the Whisper Creek Golf Course, The Walleye Grill restaurant, two lodges with a variety of resort-like ammenities, and over 80 chartered clubs! You simply will not find a better active-adult community!

At Huntley Realty, we specialize in Del Webb Sun City Huntley! There is no other real estate office that has more knowledge of the Del Webb Sun City Huntley market! With 8 of our full-time REALTORS being residents of the community, you can be assured that we know Del Webb Sun City Huntley!

Check out all of my Del Webb Sun City Huntley listings at http://www.mattcrow.com/ and never hesitate to give me a call at 630-728-6051!

ABOUT HUNTLEY, ILLINOIS

Huntley is the Friendly Village with Country Charm! Ours is a growing and vibrant area! It doesn't matter if you are looking for your first home or empty-nester's looking to downsize, Huntley has a broad and varied Real Estate market to meet anyone's needs. Truly, it is the people that make Huntley special. In just a short time, you will know that Huntley is the right place to call home!

If you are 55+ and like the idea of an active adult community, Del Webb Sun City Huntley has a home for you! This spectacular, resort-like, ammenity laden community offers its residents 58 different models to choose from, so there is a home for all tastes and budgets!

For those not seeking a 55+ community, Huntley has a number of subdivisions to choose from. The newest, currently under construction community of Talamore offers a great clubhouse and a variety of single family and townhome plans.

Huntley is a dynamic market and will continue to grow for the next several years. Be a part of this incredible growth!

Call me today at 630-728-6051 and get additional information at http://www.mattcrow.com/

Sun City Huntley, by Del Webb which was opened in the spring of 1998, is a community for people age 55 or better. It is located on 2200 acres of land near Interstate 90, between Chicago and Rockford, Illinois. At completion, Sun City Huntley will have approximately 5,700 homes and an estimated population of 9000. The development also includes a fishing lake, two exercise facilities, three swimming pools, hiking and biking trails, meeting rooms, a restaurant, and a Billy Casper golf course. Del Webb has been honored by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service for an environmentally sensitive approach to land development. Sun City Huntley includes lots of open space and wetlands. I have been a Sun City homeowner since May of 2006.

Below is a photo of Wildflower Park at Sun City Huntley.

Below is a quick snapshot of the closed resale homes in Sun City Huntley in 2007. According the Multiple Listing Service of Northern Illinois (MLSNI), in 2007, home sales statistics in Sun City Huntley were as follows (excluding developer sales):

The developer, Pulte, is still building and has approximately 250 homes to sell before the development is completed.

I listed a great Potomac model in the incredible Del Webb Sun City Huntley on Monday of this week. Last night we came to terms on a very reasonable offer and the deal was done! We priced the home right from day one, I set very reasonable expectations with my sellers and we got the house SOLD in FOUR (4) days!

If you think the market is bad, you need to adjust your focus! The buyers are out there! Is your listing overpriced and under marketed? Is the home in "showing condition?" Did you manage the expecations of your sellers? People, we ARE the market! As long as professional REALTORS sit around and complain about the economy and listen to the national media, guess where we are headed? If you control your market, you control your future!

I am having a GREAT '08! This WILL be a super year for those with the guts to make it so!

Be of service! The rewards will come!

www.mattcrow.com