About Kendall County, IL

It doesn't seem possible that the banks are still unable to streamline the short sale process after at least 2 years of doing the higher volume that they claim is slowing them down.

My latest bank is Citi Mortgage. After spending over a week trying to fax over my short sale package to their regular short sale faxes I was able to get an agent to feel sorry for me and give me a fax number that actually worked! Apparently they main fax numbers are handled by some processing company which scans everything into their customer database so all agents have access to the information.

If volume is such an issue I am sure there are plenty of fax vendors and software companies that can resolve the problem with busy faxes, insufficient memory, etc. by selling them updated equipment able to handle the volume. Coming from a technical corporate background - the hardware and software are available...stop paying the CEO Millions and invest in the right equipment to handle the volume of short sales or loan modifications currently in the pipeline.

I guess that would make too much sense so instead their customers and those of us that are trying to help get their non-performing assets back into hard money they can use have to suffer with their lack of thinking.

With at least 30 days before a negotiator is even assigned to my short sale package it appears that my latest short sale will be another lesson in patience, patience and even more patience. You know if they admit to 30 it will probably be even longer.

With a great 3 bedroom townhome in excellent shape in a bedroom community of Aurora, IL (Montgomery) I will hopefully be able to keep all the players together through this process.

So I will keep you posted on my trials and tribulation with this large player in today's housing market. Will they rise to the challenge or will they fail....to take advantage of the offer! Stay tuned.....and pray for me :)

What are Special Service Areas (SSAs)?

Special Service Areas (SSAs) are becoming more prevalent in the suburbs of Chicago, and similar areas are popping up in the St. Louis Metro-East area. SSAs are special taxing districts in municipalities that are established by ordinance, often at the request of developers of new housing subdivisions, in order to pass on the costs of the streets, landscaping, water lines, and sewer systems to homeowners who reside within the SSA. The SSA assessments pay off the municipal bonds that are issued to pay for the infrastructure. A Special Service Area can include a neighborhood, an entire subdivision, or an entire village.

What are the purposes of an SSA in a residential area?

There are three purposes for SSAs in residential areas: to pay for the repairs and maintenance of existing infrastructure, to pay for new infrastructure, or to be in place in the event a homeowners association dissolves and no longer maintains the infrastructure (these SSAs are also known as "shadow" or "fall back" SSAs). New homes in SSAs are typically marketed at lower prices because the infrastructure costs aren't rolled into the cost of the home. Instead, the infrastructure costs are paid annually through SSA assessments.

How is the assessment collected?

A Special Service Area assessment is a tax lien on the property, and the assessment will appear on a homeowner's property tax bill as a line item that says "Special Service Area Number X: $XXXX.00". Most assessments range from $1000 to $3000 per year, increasing anywhere from 2 percent to 5 percent per year, generally for a period of 20 to 30 years.

Is the assessment tax deductible?

Even though these assessments appear on property tax bills, they are only tax deductible if they are for the repairs or maintenance of existing infrastructure. The assessments are not tax deductible if they are for new infrastructure. The interest portion of the assessment is tax deductible only if the taxing body separates the principal from the interest, which is not done in most counties. For additional information on the tax liabilities, please refer to the Internal Revenue Service's Publication 535 on real estate taxes, which can be found at www.irs.gov, or contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

How do you know if a home is located in an SSA?

If the house is a resale, a simple check of the property tax bill will tell you if it's located in an SSA, as the assessment will appear on its own line. If there's a line for an SSA assessment that says $0, either the assessment has been prepaid, or the SSA is a "fall back" SSA that will only start assessing dollar amounts if the homeowners association fails and the municipality then has to maintain the infrastructure. If the home is newlyconstructed, there's a greater chance that it will be in an SSA, so it's a good idea to specifically ask the developer if the home is in an SSA. The SSA assessments on new construction homes won't appear on the property tax bills until the following year. For greater assurances, you can contact the county clerk's office and give the clerk the home's PIN, or you can call the municipality and ask if that home is located in an SSA. It's good practice to check with the county clerk or SSA administrator to find out the following: is the home in an SSA, what is the life of the bond, how much is the current assessment, at what percentage will the maximum increase each year, is the assessment available to be prepaid, and if so, what is the cost to prepay? It's also good to know who will maintain the infrastructure after the life of the bond. Most municipalities will take over the maintenance, but it's a good idea to check with the municipality to make sure. The ordinance establishing the SSA will state whether or not the municipality will take over the maintenance after the bond is paid.

What should I know if I'm listing a home that is located in an SSA?

When listing a home that is located in an SSA, it's important to take the assessment into consideration when determining the listing price. Keep in mind that since the home's infrastructure costs aren't rolled into the cost of the home, the home's listing price will be lower than a similar home that isn't located in an SSA. However, if the homeowner has prepaid the assessment, the home should be listed with those costs included, just like a similar home that's not in an SSA. It's important to remind your client of this so that there's no confusion when the client points out that similar homes that aren't in SSAs are listed at higher prices. A home with a prepaid assessment is a benefit to a potential buyer because, while the home will be listed for a higher price than similar homes without prepaid assessments in the subdivision, the potential buyer will be able to deduct the mortgage interest, unlike the SSA assessments, on his federal taxes.

Would you like a list of available bank owned homes for sale in Oswego IL? I would be happy to email them to you for free! The list you will receive will be updated, current, detailed and include photos on most of the properties. If you are interested please contact me now by clicking here. Send me the FREE list.

Visit my website at www.markroncone.com

Yorkville Parks and Recreation department has created an integral system of parks throughout the city, each one having a unique characteristic or theme whether it's high adventure, sunflowers, farms, music, or riding trains, our parks offer it all! Below is list of existing parks in Yorkville.

Autumn Creek
A seven acre transportation themed park, this playspace can guarantee fun for all ages! The park has two separate playstructures, a mini-skate park, sledding hill, and asphalt path.

The shelter is complete with two gas pumps for the little driver to fill up their tank. The age 5 to 12 playstructure has overhead climbing events, and children ages 2 to 5 can play on the truck and car playstructures, and several swings are surrounded by an asphalt path striped like a road. Two working stoplights, directional signs, two crosswalks, and a railroad crossing will help kids learn the rules of the road. A parking meter and several parking spots are also included in the design. A mini-skate park helps young skateboarders learn to perfect their skills in an area designed just for them!

Beecher Community Park
Beecher Park is over 22 acres of athletic fields, playgrounds and baseball fields. This park is the main setting for the majority of the summer athletic programs offered by the Recreation Department and Youth Sport Organizations.

The Parks Department enhanced the appearance of Beecher Community Park with improvements to the playground area. Additions included a walkway around the play area, a service walk, landscaping, and permanent picnic tables and concrete slab.

Cannonball Ridge Park
To keep with the name of the Cannonball Estates subdivision, this park has a Civil War theme. The park is complete with a Civil War style fence, stone walls, and prairie grass. The park has a triple basketball court, two play structures, and a grind box and rail for the area skateboarders.

Cobb Park
Cobb Park, located on Colonial Parkway, was built on July 26th through the help of volunteers at Yorkville's Second Annual Community Build. The park now has an age 2-5 playstructure with a rock wall and roofs, climbing net, age 5- 12 playstructure with new swings, a sky runner and a picnic area. After the equipment was assembled, concrete footings were poured and the park was complete! New landscaping adds a finished look to the park.

Thank you to our volunteers and the generous dontations from area businesses! We appreciate your time to help us construct this park in just one day. We couldn't have done it without you!

Crawford Park
This park is located just north of Rice Park across the railroad tracks in the River's Edge Subdivision. This park has a short trail right along the river and a beautiful natural passive area to walk around.

Emily Sleezer Park
This .25 acre park is located in the center of a new housing development, with growing needs. This park was added in 2002 and includes a large multi-age playground, picnic tables, benches, landscaping, and half court basketball. The entrance to the park is through a trail system that extends throughout the development allowing for easy access.

Fox Hill East and West
Fox Hill development has two park sites. One site at the entrance of the housing development has a multi-age playground, basketball court, trail system and open field area that has been utilized for a youth soccer practice field.

The second area, which consists of 18 acres with a combination of active use and open space, has a trail, baseball field, and recently constructed disc golf course. This 12 hole course is set in the natural area near the Rob Roy Creek and provides fun for all ages!

Gilbert Park
This park went through a complete renovation in 2005. This neighborhood park is now complete with a Tree Top themed playground.

Hiding Spot Park (formerly Prairie Park)
Hiding Spot Park is the oldest neighborhood park in Yorkville. At appoximately 1.6 acres, this park has Yorkville's music themed playground equipment, shelter, benches, and picnic table, two bocce ball courts and an open play area. The music theme promotes interactive play between children of all abilities. One of the most unique features of this park is the accessiblility by wheelchair to a 5' high deck! Several trees are planted at this site as part of the tree donation program.

As Yorkville's first community build, on August 18th, 2007, over 100 volunteers from the community came out to help build this park. Thank you to all those who donated materials and their time. We appreciate it!

CONGRATULATIONS! Illinois Park and Recreation Association announced their 2007 winners for the Outstanding Facility & Parks Awards, and Hiding Spot Park was named the Division II winner! Thanks to all those who made this project possible.

Hoover Educational Center
This property is owned by the City and the Kendall County Forest Preserve. The joint venture allowed the preservation of the old Boy Scout Camp, over 400 acres of woodlands and open space. This property holds many exciting opportunities for residents once it is developed. Staff is currently working on a conceptual design for this property.

Jaycee Pond
This natural area provides a quiet picnic area with a small pond.

Junior Women's Club Park at Heartland Circle

3...2...1...Blast off! This space themed park is complete with a 30' high rocket ship where kids can travel into outer limits of space. A sitting area and sandbox surround the playground and swings. The shelter, to be built in the spring, will be a 'Mission Control' station for the rocketship. A 3 hoop basketball court and mini-skate bowl are also located at this park. Final construction pieces will be finished in the spring, but the park is open for your use.

The skate park elements were constructed with a generous donation from the Yorkville Junior Women's Club. Thank you!

Kiwanis Park
This park is located in the Country Hills subdivision. The park has a half court basketball hoop complete with the Kiwanis logo. The park includes a shelter, a timber cabin playground and a swing set. For those who enjoy a quiet stroll around the park there is also a walking path.

Price Park
Price Park is located in a large subdivision on the south end of town. This three-quarter of an acre park is popular with both Yorkville residents and the surround communities. This park consists of a multi-age playground, tables, park benches, swings, half court basketball and a walkway surrounding the park. There is a retention area adjacent to the park that is maintained by the Parks Department, with additional development plans to establish some primitive plantings and natural areas to enhance the ecological and wildlife within this area.

Purcell Park
A small neighborhood park located on a corner east of 47 and Cannonball Trail, this park is targeted for preschoolers. With a small tot lot and swings, this park provides walking access for residents surrounding the park.

Raintree Village Park A
A dinosaur themed mini park on a one-acre site is located just east of the Raintree Village subdivision clubhouse. Four tot swings, an age 2-5 playstructure with a tiki hut, dinosaurs to climb, and slides await the children! Discover fossil prints in the sidewalk, but more adventurous children can dig in the sandbox to find a large dinosaur fossil!

Rice Park
Rice Park is located in the River's Edge Subdivision. This park is a big wheel themed park. The park includes such amenities as an interactive fuel filling station, a working parking meter, and a double sided stop and go light. The park also houses a shelter, funnel ball game, two spring riders and swings.

Bicentennial Riverfront Park
Bicentennial Riverfront Park was reconstructed through the dedication and expertise of community volunteers. Located at the Fox River on Hydraulic Street, this park is a favorite of visitors and residents during the summertime months. This park provides fishing access to the Fox River in a beautifully landscaped setting, playground, small picnic shelters and walkway areas.

Riemenschneider Park
Riemenschneider Park, located in the Prairie Meadows development, is a Fire-house themed park on Hayden Road, just south of the Bristol-Kendall Fire Department Station No. 2 located on Kennedy Road. A 2007 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant recipient in the amount of $400,000, the 8 acre park includes a baseball field, fire-truck themed tot lot, age 5-12 playstructure, swings, shelter, a perimeter walking path, and multipurpose open space.

A special feature for this park, hoses from a water tower spray feature will keep the neighborhood children cool on a hot summer day!

A commemorative courtyard garden at the entrance of the park, generously donated by the Fire Department, acknowledges the hard work and dedication of the volunteer Firemen and women.

Rivers Edge Park
This small park off of Fox Road is not yet developed. The conceptual plan is to have a sitting area with landscaping that will provide a serene atmosphere for local residents.

Rotary Park
This park is located in the Grande Reserve Subdivision. This park is for the adventurer in all of us. It includes a 90ft cable ride, a climbing wall, a skate area complete with two skate boxes, and a concrete start ramp. There is also a walking path and a bike rack.

Sunflower Park
The country is never too far away at Sunflower Park. This park has a barnyard theme which comes complete with a cow, barn styled shelter, and a farm themed playground. The park also includes a swing set with four bucket swings, four belt swings, two spring riders and much more.

Stepping Stones Park
This school themed design is next door to the Grande Reserve Elementary School. The playground is 100% wheelchair accessible, and an exciting 18' high climbing net provides extreme adventures. Other amenities include a shelter and walking path that meanders through the naturalized detention basins.

Steven G. Bridge Park
Located North on Kennedy at the intersection of Mill St., the Steven G. Bridge Park contains a three field lighted ballfield complex with a concession stand, Baseball themed play structure and plenty of parking! Also included in this area are naturalized detention basins to provide stormwater detention.

Town Square
Located in the heart of downtown Yorkville, this two-acre park is located adjacent to Route 47 and is highly visible to visitors and residents. This park hosts several seasonal events and rental opportunities with a large "Gazebo" shelter and well groomed landscaping. This park also is the prime site for the tree donation program. Town Square is also host to the American Legion Perpetual Flame in recognition to the veterans.

Van Emmon Memorial Park
This local ball field park is the true representation of a hometown feel. With a grass infield, this ballpark is a picturesque setting for the youth. Future enhancements to this park include paved parking areas, permanent bleachers, additional landscaping buffers, and minor improvements to ball field layouts.

West Hydraulic Park
This small natural area provides a serene picnic area right along the Fox River just west of Route 47.

TRAILS

Yorkville's trail system exists in several developments including Autumn Creek, Bristol Bay, Fox HIll, Grande Reserve, Heartland, Heartland Circle, Raintree Village, and Windett Ridge. As Yorkville grows, the trails will connect existing and future developments providing a network on alternative transportation routes.

As part of the 2008 update to the Park and Recreation Department Master Plan, a conceptual shared-use trails map has been created. This map shows locations of potential trail links throughout the city. See the Community Development Department webpage for information on the Integrated Transportation Plan (ITP) which focuses on off-road transportation and our downtown design elements.

Visit Yorkville real estate site and view all real estate listings in Yorkville, Illinois including short sales, bank owned homes and foreclosures in Yorkville, Illinois.

This is music to my ears! With the newly introduced tax credit for first time homebuyers for 2009, brings increased traffic to homes marketed under the $250,000 price point. Super Low Mortgage rates is a contributing factor as well. I have been working with more buyers than ever, and seeing their dreams of being a home owner become reality.

If you aren't buying real estate now, you should be!