Jan McNulty

As most Realtors today feel, last year was better than 2009, but still a rough year for the real estate market in the Northwest suburbs of Chicagoland. However the interesting story is the expectations of 2011 to be a better year for homeowners, as well as buyers.

For the sellers, they have watched previously double digit devaluation for no fault of their own. They have reviewed listings on line, changed their future plans to accomodate a safer time to make major decisions in their lives. Their hopes and dreams of the glamorous beginning of 2000, where the combination of a great sellers' market, easy money from Wall Street, and an effort by the government to make housing affordable to all, inflated their value to unrealistic expections. When it was happening, the Realtors couldn't believe the double digit inflation of prices! Some of us even explained it as new and improved town renovations, better school reports,...oh, the explanations were amazing in retrospect.

But then we found that these buyers, who rushed to purchase and get in the wonderful investment, found that the inflation died as property values receded. Having little equity, and stretching themselves to the limit caused them undue stress. The stress of making every dollar count for a mortgage payment became too much. Marriages and jobs were lost. Short sales and foreclosures insued and government intervention in a free market happened.

Today, buyers have the enviable position of having wonderful financing and housing prices are extremely affordable rates. Our housing prices are at 2000 levels! Current rates are at 5%, however the reports from the lenders is that the rates will continue to grow until June and the crystal ball of Wells Fargo and Bank of America is that housing prices are going to appreciate for the first time since 2005. Could you read this again? Rates rising and Housing prices means your opportunity to take advantage is now until about June.

My hope is that we continue the stabilization in our economy and jobs are found for the under employed and unemployed. I'm polishing and putting on my rose colored glasses....want to join me?

Jan McNulty, RE/MAX SUBURBAN in Mt Prospect, IL. 847-274-0535

605 Fairview, Mt Prospect

Located in one of the nicest neighborhoods in Mount Prospect, this 3 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath split level is a comfortable home with numerous updates. Walk Score of 59, this home is ideally located and serviced by Fairview Elementary School, Lincoln Middle School and Prospect High School. At that, you are so close to Prospect, you can hear the Marching Band rehearsing in the summer. Walking distance to Fairview Elementary School offers great opportunities to play at the playground, or watch the local baseball games in the summer. Walking distance to Randhurst Shopping Center, Mount Prospect town, Library and train are just a few features of this mid-street location.

New carpeting, and freshly painted this home features:

• Newer thermal pane windows throughout
• Newer maple kitchen cabinets & pantry with a great eating area offering a desk/buffet
• Huge lower level family room for watching TV or having some computer time
• Helmet guard gutter system

View the website or see the virtual tour to see the wonderful room sizes and amenities.

Here's a view of the comfortable floor plan at 605 Fairview. Corner windows allows the sunny and bright feature people are looking for. Dining room L is toward the right that accessing the eating area in the kitchen.

Finding the right neighborhood, a home you can call your own is easy. Call Jan McNulty at RE/MAX SUBURBAN to show you the way home. Jan McNulty loves showing Mt Prospect homes that have pride of ownership, as this home has. Call her at 847-274-0535 or at the office 847-259-0202.

Halloween...only 9 days away!

And now I find out that Zillow, has named Chicago as a Halloween friendly score in the Top 20 places for the Zillow Trick-0r-Treat Housing Index. What fun! Though I don't want to be so analytical, Zillow compared the Home Value Index, population density, the local crime data as well as the handy Walk Score.

Chicagoland loves Halloween! Decorating their homes, putting out Halloween lights, or those huge blow up goblins, witches and cats, or even having funny grave stones in their front lawn. The retail experts say that Halloween is our second highest commercial holiday after Christmas and it's no wonder. Candy, costumes, home decorating items, special treat for your own children.

Another interesting fact: Harry Houdini died on Halloween. So Channel 11 or 9, I'm sure will have a Harry Houdini movie on.

Halloween Fact #3, The first Jack-O-Laterns were not made of Pumpkins, but out of turnips. It is real interesting to me that Illinois is the number one supplier for pumpkins.

Halloween Fact #4: One quarter of all the candy sold annually is for Halloween Night!

Now as a child, I will tell you all the neighborhood kids would meet at someone's house for last minute ghoul make up and then we would analyze who gave the best treats! As you might be aware, there was much note taking, and strategically planning the houses we would visit. One family known for fresh fruit was taken off the list, the man who gave quarters was on the top of the list, and we sometimes hit his home twice. Everyone walked the neighborhoods, rang bells and sang out "Trick or Treat". Our clown costumes from childhood went away to dark witches, skeletons, and ghouls. And somewhere at that point I remember parents handing out flashlights for our safety. We were given borders of where we could go, and of course, the popular "Stick together". I remember coming home with all the pillow cases of candy, and putting the candy on the kitchen table for my Mom to sort. I also remember counting my favorite candy, because I knew that there would be some missing the next day. I'm positive that the carmel bulls eyes and the licorice were stolen by my Dad.

The rules about Trick or Treating in Arlington Heights and Mount Prospect are simple: Children are asked to "trick or treat" on Halloween, October 31, from late in the afternoon until early evening. Generally the hours are from 3-8pm. Please only go to homes with outside lights on.

#5, Samhainophobia is an phobia or fear of Halloween. It can cause panic attacks to the sufferers. Other relevant phobias for this time of year are: the fear of witches (wiccaphobia), fear of ghosts (phasmophobia) and coimetrophobia (fear of cemeteries).

And finally the last known fact I could find. The favorite choice of Candy for kids and adults are the small Snicker bars.

Check list for Halloween:

1 Carved pumpkin and a tea light or Make some laterns outside to guide the kids to the front door.

Plenty of individual candy for the tricksters

So have a safe, and Happy Halloween!