Wilmette, IL

Wilmette's February Property sales were 15, up 66.7% from 9 in February of 2011 and -16.7% lower than the 18 sales last month. February 2012 sales were at a mid level compared to February of 2011 and 2010. February YTD sales of 33 are running -10.8% behind last year's year-to-date sales of 37.

The Median Sales Price in February was $370,000, down -10.4% from $413,000 in February of 2011 and down -36.2% from $580,000 last month. The Average Sales Price in February was $422,767, down -31.9% from $620,889 in February of 2011 and down -49.3% from $833,972 last month. February 2012 ASP was at the lowest level compared to February of 2011 and 2010.

The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of February was 169, down -1.7% from 172 last month and down -21.0% from 214 in February of last year. February 2012 Inventory was at the lowest level compared to February of 2011 and 2010.

The February 2012 Months Supply of Inventory of 11.3 months was at its lowest level compared with February of 2011 and 2010. A comparatively lower MSI is more beneficial for sellers while a higher MSI is better for buyers.

The average Days On Market (DOM) is how many days the average Property is on the Market before it sells. An upward trend in DOM tends to indicate a move towards more of a Buyer's market, a downward trend a move towards more of a Seller's market. The DOM for February was 136, up 7.1% from 127 days last month and up 142.9% from 56 days in February of last year. The February 2012 DOM was at its highest level compared with February of 2011 and 2010.

The Selling Price vs Original Listing Price is the average amount that Sellers are agreeing to come down from their original list price. The lower the ratio is below 100% the more of a Buyer's market exists, a ratio at or above 100% indicates more of a Seller's market. The February 2012 Selling Price vs Original List Price of 86.7% was up from 83.9% last month and down from 94.6% in February of last year.

The number of New Listings in February 2012 was 62, up 44.2% from 43 last month and up 1.6% from 61 in February of last year.

Are you interested in learning more about how you and your family can have a positive impact on our environment? Then you won’t want to miss the 6th annual Going Green Matters, a community event being held this Sunday, March 11 from 1-5 pm at the Woman’s Club of Wilmette.

The event is organized by Go Green Wilmette, a citizen’s group founded in 2006, whose mission is to raise environmental awareness in Wilmette and inspire people to take action and make a difference. The event draws hundreds of residents, not only from Wilmette but from around the North Shore. There are exhibits, displays and presentations about home energy conservation, renewable energy sources, green cleaning products, green landscaping, composting, organic food choices, birding on the North Shore, and more. There are also activities designed to both entertain and educate children about the environment. An interactive Eco-Zone has displays for all ages. Here are some of the fun things kids can see and do:

• Wiggly Worms: Watch worms at work making rich soil from kitchen food scraps with Urban Worms Girls. Learn about how to start composting with worms.
• Arts, Crafts and Storytelling: Help color a large mural or make a poster to take home. Read nature books together or stay for some lively storytelling with friends from the Library.
• Nature in Wilmette Photography Exhibit by Carol Freeman. Can you guess what each picture is and where it was taken?

During the fair you can also bring batteries, electronics and styrofoam for recycling at 600 9th St. (one block east of the Woman’s Club). For more information about recycling resources, go here.

When: Sunday, March 11 from 1-5 pm

Where: Woman’s Club of Wilmette, 930 Greenleaf Ave., Wilmette

Tickets: FREE!

Get more information about Go Green Wilmette and get involved!

(Originally posted at NorthShoreViews.com)

Wilmette's January Property sales were 13, down -53.6% from 28 in January of 2011 and -38.1% lower than the 21 sales last month. January 2012 sales were at their lowest level compared to January of 2011 and 2010. January YTD sales of 13 are running -53.6% behind last year's year-to-date sales of 28.

The Median Sales Price in January was $505,000, down -0.7% from $508,785 in
January of 2011 and up 19.1% from $424,000 last month. The Average Sales Price in January was $714,731, up 18.9% from $601,145 in January of 2011 and up 39.3% from $512,963 last month. January 2012 ASP was at highest level compared to January of 2011 and 2010.

The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of January was 170, up 1.2% from 168 last month and down -6.1% from 181 in January of last year. January 2012 Inventory was at the lowest level compared to January of 2011 and 2010.

The January 2012 Months Supply of Inventory of 13.1 months was at its highest level compared with January of 2011 and 2010. A comparatively lower MSI is more beneficial for sellers while a higher MSI is better for buyers.

The average Days On Market (DOM) is how many days the average Property is on the Market before it sells. An upward trend in DOM tends to indicate a move towards more of a Buyer's market, a downward trend a move towards more of a Seller's market. The DOM for January was 124, down -23.5% from 162 days last month and up 36.3% from 91 days in January of last year. The January 2012 DOM was at a mid range compared with January of 2011 and 2010.

The Selling Price vs Original Listing Price is the average amount that Sellers are agreeing to come down from their original list price. The lower the ratio is below 100% the more of a Buyer's market exists, a ratio at or above 100% indicates more of a Seller's market. The January 2012 Selling Price vs Original List Price of 84.6% was up from 82.4% last month and down from 87.4% in January 2011.

The number of New Listings in January 2012 was 43, up 186.7% from 15 last month and up 16.2% from 37 in January of last year.

I spoke to a listing agent today regarding a home for sale in Wilmette that my client had an interest in. I asked if I could get inside and take additional photos for her since she lives out of town and last viewed it in May.

And this is what the agent told me. The seller is not motivated to sell. They have already rejected another offer and feel strongly that whoever buys their house should love it just the way they have always loved it. The comps don't matter and an appraisal that won't appraise doesn't matter. They have decided to sell it but are comfortably living in it for the long haul.

So why even bother to sell (or even try.) What is their motivation for not being motivated?

Is it a colossal arrogance in deciding that they can and will sell, come hell or high water. Do they feel vastly more informed in their knowledge of the real estate market than the professionals?

Is it boredom with life? Let's have some fun and trot people through but not consider any reasonable offers.

Are they the kind of sellers that must have have the upper hand? This is a fantastic house and you all should know it!

Could they be perilously close to being underwater and don't want anyone to find out?

Divorcing and need the money and are willing to wait it out - for how long?

Or are they perversely bullheaded and unwilling to accept the realities of today's real estate market?

Could there be other reasons I have not thought of? Why would you put yourself and many others through the charade of selling your house when you have absolutely no motivation to sell it for the current market rate?

I suggest, Mr. and Mrs. Seller, that you take your house off the market. You are idling and wasting gas. Buyers will still be here when you come back and perhaps the market will finally catch up to you. But please stay away until you are ready to play ball.

Knobel Kitchens and Baths in Wilmette has been around for a long while - since 1933 to be precise. Longer than any of their local competitors.

Owned by brothers Peter and Paul Knobel, along with Peter's son Mark, the company is three-generational. It was started by Peter's father's, a carpenter, in his basement, and then moved to a workshop in an area that is now the Mackenzie School field. In 1948, he bought the current building where they remain to this day on Washington Street just west of Green Bay Road.

The Knobel brothers are Certified Kitchen and Bath Designers, an accreditation given by the National Kitchen and Bath Association. They must take continuing education to retain this certification.

Knobel Kitchens and Baths is a full service company that will work with you to design and install your new kitchen or bath. They work with many designers and architects and are current on up-and-coming trends in the industry. In order for you to better visualize your dream, they are happy to take you to a recent job and show you their kitchen work - where you have the opportunity to see their workmanship first hand as well as find out a little about their work ethic from the homeowner.

Peter says that white kitchens are still very popular, and darker woods are being used in innovative ways such as a walnut drawer head installed into a painted cabinet. Non-porous countertops such as Silestone, Cambria, and even Corian are being used more often because they don't require sealing like granite. Some of these materials are being made to look more similar to granite, which is still the favorite. LED lighting is being used more often in kitchens as well.

They also do many bathrooms, including masters that are incorporating deluxe features like extra-large showers with rainheads and body sprays, and even televisions being inserted into mirrors.

Knobel Kitchens and Baths is available for all remodeling projects, except room additions. They employ skilled carpenters who can remodel family rooms, bedroom suites, media rooms, basements, or any other room in your home. They will stay on task and follow the job carefully from beginning to end. They are excellent at space planning and detail, and work diligently to deliver a competitive price to you.

Knobel Kitchens and Baths
1218 Washington Ave.
847-251-4465