LaNita Cates

Sixty-one homes closed in Plainfield, IL in the month of March, 2009. The lowest being a foreclosure that sold for $80,000. The highest priced home sold for $540,000.

Compare in March of 2008 when seventy homes sold. The lowest sold for $130,000 and the highest sold for $526,000.

As you can see, the numbers are very similiar.

For all your home buying and selling needs, call LaNita Cates at REMAX 630-341-1545 or visit www.lanitacates.com!

Stunning 3 bed/2.1 bath home with beautiful hardwood floors throughout entire first floor, stairway to upstairs and upstairs hallway. All appliances stay. Huge deck with fenced yard. Family room in finished basement. Neutral paint throughout. Bonus room off of 2nd bedroom perfect for office or toyroom. You will not be disappointed with this gorgeous home! This is NOT a short sale or foreclosure.

Call LaNita Cates at 630-341-1545 or visit www.lanitacates.com

I finally have my website up and running and it's been awesome! Go to www.TheDayMyBabyWasBorn.com and blog or order the book or read my bio. The book is out and getting lots of positive feedback so if you know anyone expecting a baby, this is a GREAT read! It's really funny and heart warming! The publicity kicks in next week, so it's going to be crazy busy with real estate and promoting a book. But, I'm SO excited!

The path to purchasing a new home is a huge accomplishment that requires additional responsibilities. For many, it is the investment of a lifetime, insuring you and your family will have a safe and healthy home for a long foreseeable future. Many homes that are newly purchased may require remodeling or additional repairs. This is often the case with older homes, which still run with old, corrosive methods that were once used to build structures.

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was used in construction applications for the greater part of the 20^th century. Potential Illinois home buyers or those seeking to remodel an older home built before 1980 should be aware that the potential for asbestos materials to be present exists. This does not mean you should be afraid because asbestos exposure is easily prevented by taking simple precautions. Many eco-friendly insulation options exist which make the use of asbestos obsolete.

When asbestos deteriorates and its fibers become airborne, it has the potential of causing severe lung ailments such as mesothelioma and asbestosis. The amount of incidents in relation to the asbestos scandal has lead to mesothelioma lawyer firms protecting victim rights throughout the country. The asbestos and corporate industries were aware of the health hazards involved with asbestos, but continued the widespread manufacturing of the substance anyways. Millions of people have been wrongfully exposed for financial gain.

If you locate any suspected asbestos, most experts advise to leave it alone. If you are having home renovations, performed, do not panic. A professional home inspector can determine the best course of action. In most cases, the best action is no action in regards to asbestos.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Asbestos Unit assists in protecting citizens of the state from asbestos exposure. This organization assists home or property owners with enforcing National and state laws' concerning asbestos in regards to demolition, renovation and disposal of asbestos. It is important to hire professional abatement contractors who can inspect and remove asbestos from the designated locations.

There are now a multitude of healthy replacements to asbestos such as cotton fiber and lcynene. These options should be considered upon removal. Studies show that the use of recycled building materials can reduce annual energy costs by 25 percent!

Cotton fiber is made from recycled batted material and treated to be flame resistant. With the implementation of these recycled materials, waste is also decreasing in landfills. These options will provide a safe and healthy home, free of any damaging materials.

The Timbers of Shorewood invites the public to enjoy a musical performance by opera singers The DiBella Duo at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 9, at The Timbers of Shorewood, 1100 N. River Rd., Shorewood.

Bernadette Hammond, lyric spinto soprano, and Leonard Lauricella, tenor, have performed as a duet for the past eight years, presenting opera classics at festivals and entertainment venues across the Chicagoland area.

The Timbers of Shorewood is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments as well as a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay - a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information call Judy Malin at (815) 609-0669 or visit http://www.timbers-shorewood.com.

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For all your real estate needs in Shorewood and the surrounding areas, please call LaNita Cates at REMAX of Joliet at 630-341-1545 or visit www.lanitacates.com.