Evelyn Santiago Realtor® Short Sale Specialist

The winds are howling and leaves are almost off the trees as one of the colder nights in Chicagoland begins. Looking back at another month of home sales in Oswego the numbers tell the story.

In the single family detached homes there are currently 219 active listings, 14 new listings less than 7 days old with 15 price changes, 66 homes in contingent stage and 10 pending a closing date. In October 31 homes were sold. Year to date 262 homes have been sold. Out of that number 61 were foreclosures and 32 were short sales. In 2010 we had sold 242 homes so we are ahead of the game this year!

In the attached single family category we have 66 active listings, 2 new listings, 25 price changes, 26 contingent with 8 sold homes in October. 91 homes have been sold year to date with 34 foreclosures, 20 short sales and 1 corporate own. By the same time 2010 we had sold 105 attached homes so we are also ahead in the attached homes.

If you are planning to buy or sell your home this year, remember that I am here ready to assist you reach your real estate goals!

Fall is definitely here with the rain, cool weather and thoughts of winter around the corner. For many of us who are ready to take the next step - retirement or those of us that are just tired of the cold and snow a change of location might be in order.

Now that I have my Real Estate Broker license in Florida and access to the Naples area MLS, I wanted to find out what is on the market/ Currently close to 6,000 active listings are available in the Greater Naples area.

A lot of variety with a broad range of prices to entice almost everyone. Whether looking for a simple home under $100K or your dream home in the millions, the Naples area has enough inventory - but multiple offers are starting to be common in the lower price points and prices are stabilizing and increasing. According to Realtor.com:

7. Naples, Fla.
Average list price: $713,087
Year-over-year increase: 15.13%

According to Realtor.com Florida has 10 out of 15 ciities that are seeing price increases so now is the time to make the move.

Under $100K - 3 bedrom 1 bath or 2 - 59 listings - short sales, TLC, foreclosures, some with pools even in various parts of Naples area.

Sure, these are not in the "gated golf communities" that Naples is famous for but many are on large lots of 1 acre and yes they need work but for those that are willing to do the work you can move and enjoy sunshine instead of cold and snow!

Some of the subdivisions represented are: Avalon Estates, Arrowhead Reserve, Naples Manor, Trail Acres, Golden Gate Estates, Golden Gate City, Jubilation and Shadowlawn to name a few. Under 1300 sq. ft on average.

$101K to $200K - 3 bedroom 1 or 2 bath - 177 listings - More variety - large square footage

$201 to $300K - 3 Bedrooms,w 1/2 baths - 177 listings - Variety, large square footage.

$301 to $500K - 3,4,5+ Bedrooms, 1/2+ baths - 516 listings - Many in gated communities with tons of amenities but along with the amenities come Quarterly association fees and restrictions. With subdivisions such as: Banyan Woods, Olde Cypress, Lake Placid, Wilshire Lakes, Island Walk, Imperial Golf Estates and similar lifestyle subdivisions.

$501K to 1M - 3, 4, 5, or more bedrooms - 1, 2 or more baths - 459

Location, Location - these homes are closer to the beach, in exclusive or old Naples subdivisions with the space and workmanship that the price range commands with large square footage, some are even totally furnished.

With 613 listings in the million plus category you can find an equivalent home from your Gold Coast, North Shore, Barrington or Naperville residence. From the $28M "Casita De La Playa" on 1.5 acres on the Gulf of Mexico, to the $1,050,000 5 bedroom home in Coquina Sands. With this much selection you are bound to find a home that appeals to your dreams of a Naples summer home or your final dream home.

Start your search here.

Before you know it Chicagoland will be knee deep in snow while further south they will be enjoying the sun and beach that the Naples Florida area is famous for. So what are you waiting for? Contact your personal connection to the Sunshine State! Same number for both states - 630-251-0059!

Evelyn Santiago

Naples Broker Realty - FL

Dynamic Real Estate Network, Inc. - IL

Perhaps when you picture Yorkville, iL you don't think of sushi, but after visiting Sushi Bay in the strip mall on the corner of Rt. 47 and Route 34 (Ogden) earler this year Yorkville and Sushi are no longer that far apart.

With its great location minutes from down town Yorkville and centrally located from both the older sections of town and the newer subdivisions such as Grande Reserve, for sushi lovers that discover this place its definitely a find. I have visited the local Panera Bread many tims before and really had not paid attention to this other restaurant but I am glad that some close friends asked me to meet them there and now I don't have to travel to Naperville or Batavia for sushi!

Not as large as its Naperville location, the food is just as good or even better. They were doing a brisk carry-out business while we were eating so many have discovered this great spot.

Make sure that when you are in the Yorkville/Oswego/Sugar Grove area you make a stop at this great spot!

Here is their website: http://www.sushibay.us/

If you live in town or are thinking of moving here, what follows is a quick overview of single family homes in Oswego, IL!

Currently we have 257 Active listings in the Single Family category. We have 118 attached homes (condos/duplex/townhomes).

In the single family category we had 31 homes sold in August, 2011 with 11 in pending status. In August of 2010 we closed 28 homes in single family, so we are ahead by 3. In August 2010 year-to-date there were 196 homes sold. In 2011 our year to date is 207 with 72 distressed as of August 31, 2011 so we are ahead again without the homeowner credit incentive.

In the month of August - attached family closings were only 7 with 4 in pending status. Compared to August, 2010 when there were 14 homes sold. in 2010. The YTD on August 31 was 93 sold to date. Currently in 2011 the year-to-date for attached homes is at 73 with 38 distressed - down from 2010 totals.

So, homes are selling in Oswegoland despite all the bad media news. Prices are slightly lower but in single family homes we are ahead of 2010. Good news for those that are selling. We only 34.78 of those homes that are either a short sale or a foreclosure so like most areas in IL we have people that have lost their homes due to the economy.

So if you are thinking of moving to our area give me a call. If you are lucky enough to already live here and are thinking of moving up or have decided to leave the area allow me to give you a market analysis of your subdivision so you can make an informed decision on what your pricing options are.

Labor Day weekend always signals the end of summer for me. I decided to go to Oswego's Farmer's Market on Sunday since I had not had a chance to go. After buying a few things I stopped at Oswego's Village Grind and sat and read the local paper. One story caught my eye and I had to bring it to people's attention.

Oswego resident, Pat Gavros started a project which she announced in her blog on July 18th which for some reason I totaly missed. I don't know Pat personally but one of the people I ran into at the Village Grind told me that she is working really hard to make her vision come true. A pair of shoes for each person that lost their lives on 9/11.

As of September 2nd, there have been 2,016 shoes donated. So Pat still needs shoes. Gently worned shoes, all sizes and kinds which will be donated to area organizations. If they are really worned please don't drop them off. I know I have several pairs that are taking up space in my closet. I have avery difficult foot to find shoes for but I love shoes so I have been known to fall in love with a pair only to find out that there is no way I can actually wear them!

So if you live near Oswego, get the word out..bring us your weary, gently used shoes so that we can remember that day that will never be forgotten and all those that lost their lives just by going to work.

Here is a list of dropoff points:

Village Grind Coffee Shop - Main Street

Castle Bank - Orchard & Rt. 34

Oswego Community Bank - Madison Street

Ledger/Sentinel Newspaper - Main Street

Prairie Point - Grove & Plainfield Road

Savvy Fashions - Mason Square

Maurices Clothing Store (receive 20% off with shoe donation) near Bed, Bath and Beyond

River Heights Veterinarian Clinic - Route 34

Oswego Chiropractic - Van Buren Street

26 E. Washington St. (corner of Monroe & Washington) box is on porch.

Monetary donations will also be accepted to offset the cost of plaques, flyers and signage.

My hat goes off to Pat Gavros for an inspiring idea. UPDATE - GOAL HAS BEEN REACHED - NO MORE SHOES NEEDED!

tHANKS TO ALL WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THIS EVENT!