Winnetka, IL

Computer and Electronics Disposal in Winnetka - Update

You don't have to travel far out of Winnetka to dispose of old computers and other electronics - read my post from last year: Computer and Electronics Disposal in Winnetka.

But now there's an update to be aware of if you have continued to throw out certain items in your regular trash. The State of Illinois previously had enacted legislation that banned televisions and computer monitors from being put into Illinois landfills.

Recently, Governor Quinn and the Illinois legislature expanded the list to include:

The deadline is near if you are planning to nominate a home for Winnetka's annual Preservation Awards. Each year, Winnetka honors construction projects that are done in keeping with the history and character of the village. Their are three categories: Restoration, Rehabilitation, and New Construction.

Rehabilitation
The project restores the property to its original appearance using original plans and required research. The project may be a full-scale or partial restoration. An example of a partial restoration would include the replacement of an asphalt shingle roof with original roof material, or the restoration of a porch to its original condition

Restoration
The project is sympathetic to the building's original design. Original plans and research materials are not available, but the project upholds the spirit of the building's style, use of materials and finish. Room additions or garages represent examples of rehabilitation.

New Construction
Emphasizes the project's compatibility with its neighborhood. In this respect, issues regarding style, massing, scale, color, trees and context to adjacent properties feature in consideration.

To obtain an application and read the rules, pleae click Village of Winnetka Preservation Award Application . You may also call Ann Klaassen at 847-716-3525

Previous Winners

Something’s happening here...

What it is, ain’t exactly clear...

For what it’s worth, something is happening in the North Shore real estate market.

Since Labor day, there had been an unusually small number of new listings hitting the market on the North Shore, particularly in Winnetka and Wilmette. Sure, there is always a seasonal slowdown, but it was much more pronounced this year.

Since then, some properties have been sold...some that were “for sale” were rented and some listings expired and did not return to the market. Others were taken off the market for the holidays.

2012 began with the fewest active properties for sale in years....

great scenario for sellers!!!

(photo courtesy of e_monks photostream on Flikr http://www.flickr.com/photos/e_monk/2704329009/sizes/m/in/photostream/)

Since the beginning of the year there has been a steady flow of new listings. Unlike the past few years, it seems that many of the new sellers are being realistic in their pricing and as a result, there have already been a lot of transactions....

great scenario for buyers!!!

Sure, there is pent up supply...

but there is also a whole lot of pent up demand.

What we are seeing the most of is pent up confidence

Stocks are at multi-year highs.
Unemployment seems to be easing down.
Distressed sales appear to be declining.

One new (not-distressed) listing came on the market last Friday and the listing agent reported that there were 19 showings over the weekend. It was under contract by Monday. Other listing agents reported six or more weekend showings for new listings at all price points including those over $2 million.

For what it’s worth, something is happening here....what it is ain’t exactly clear.

The American dream seems to be alive and well...but you better check back in a few weeks for an update.

Winnetka's January Property sales were 6, down -33.3% from 9 in January of 2011 and -62.5% lower than the 16 sales last month. January 2012 sales were at their lowest level compared to January of 2011 and 2010. January YTD sales of 6 are running -33.3% behind last year's year-to-date sales of 9.

The Average Sales Price in January was $1,863,271, up 127.8% from $817,769 in January of 2011 and up 126.2% from $823,568 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 130, up 7.4% from 121 last month and down -21.7% from 166 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 21.7 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 170, up 65.0% from 103 days last month and up 37.1% from 124 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 81.8% was down from 85.4% last month and down from 85.2% in January of last year.

The number of New Listings in January 2012 was 33, up 230.0% from 10 last month and down -5.7% from 35 in January of last year.

Junuary is Over..Febuly is Just Beginning

We are lifelong residents of the Chicago area. We relish in experiencing all of the seasons. Otherwise we would choose to live somewhere else. Right? We understand lots and lots of snow and incredibly cold temperatures. We Midwesterners are hardy folk.

In October, we received the expected forecasts. According to Accuweather.com Expert Long-Range Meteorologist Bob Smerbeck, "Last winter was nasty in Chicago. This winter could be just as bad."

Also in October, according to Paul Pastelok, AccuWeather.com Expert Long-Range Meteorologist and leader of the Long-Range Forecasting Team, “this winter will be similar to last year, in terms of both snow and cold. "The difference, though, is that last year, Chicago was hit with heavy snow later in the season. This year, it will be earlier." He added, "They had one big storm last year that brought their snowfall to well above average. This year, there could be several big ones."

These stories were news headlines last fall. You could hear the collective “Oh No”.(look at picture very, very closely for green shoots of daffodils)

One year ago tomorrow was the infamous “Groundhog Day Blizzard” which dumped approximately 24 inches of snow in the Chicago area accompanied by a deep freeze.

I don’t have to tell anyone what our winter weather has been like. It has snowed twice. The official snowfall total to date has been under 10 inches. The average daily temperature has been several degrees above normal. We have yet to have a sub-zero low. We have just passed what is typically the coldest two week period of most winters.

On Monday, the high temperature was 53 , it was 57 yesterday and is expected to be close to 50 today. It's been sunny, sunny, sunny. The snow that fell last week is long gone. This pattern has repeatedly been in place since Thanksgiving.

While trying to discourage my dogs from running around in our very muddy back yard this morning, I made two very exciting discoveries. I spotted some daffodils popping up in one spot and irises in another. Typically this doesn’t occur until late February or early March.

It doesn’t really matter what happens from this point forward. We’ve passed January (Junuary) and we’re into Febuary (Febuly) and even if we see an extreme reversal in weather patterns, which doesn’t seem likely, it will soon be April and the risk of snow and cold will be over.

Of course, spring in Chicago is another issue...but let’s cross that bridge when we come to it.