Marla Schneider - Move with Marla

In the deep, deep of winter, with the groundhog predicting still more to come, let your mind wander to your Glenview lawn. Will it need some perking up come spring? Get out those gardening books and catalogs or go online to see what you might come up with to spruce up your yard when winter finally bids us farewell.

One great way to add color, drama, and dimension to your landscape is with ornamental trees. Small in height but large in looks, there are a big variety of such plants to choose from. Here are five that you may want to consider as they are zoned for your northern Illinois area, and all will be happy in areas with full or partial sun.

Blackhaw Viburnum

This tree will grow to about 25-feet high at maturity. It's covered with dark green, glossy leaves in the summer that turn from red to purple in the fall. In the spring it's adorned with small white flowers and fruits in late summer.

Pink Dogwood

Growing to be 15 to 25 feet tall, the Pink Dogwood will be covered with pink blooms in the spring and red foliage in the fall. Its drought tolerant, and a neighborhood show-stopper when in full bloom.

Weeping Cherry

This is a rather new variety of ornamental tree and has been in high demand since 2006. As the name implies, it has weeping branches covered with snow-white blooms in the spring. It's your choice--let the branches droop clear to the ground or trim them up shorter. Either way this is a gorgeous 20 to 30 foot tall tree at maturity.

Dwarf Bing Cherry

The Dwarf Bing Cherry tree is more than just another pretty face on your Glenview lawn. It will produce bing cherries for baking or snacking. Try to purchase a tree that has been "branched", which means the tree has already been pruned which encourages growth, more cherries, earlier production, stronger limbs and an all-around healthier tree. A mature Dwarf Bing Cherry tree will be about 20 feet tall, so you can do a lot of your cherry picking standing on the ground.

Bloodgood Japanese Maple

One of the best ornamental trees available, the Bloodgood Japanese Maple has a variety of red foliage from spring through fall. It will be a burgundy color in summer which will turn to bright red as the days cool off in the fall of the season. Left alone, the Bloodgood Japanese Maple grows to be 15 feet tall, but depending on what you want your landscape to look like, this accent tree can be trimmed to fit tighter spaces.

At this point, spring may seem like a long way off, but in actuality, March 20th is the first day of spring, groundhog or no groundhog! So start preparing now. If a few trees won't do the job and what you really need is a whole new house, give the Marla Schneider Team a call at 847-657-3790 or contact us online. We're here to help you buy or sell your Glenview, Wilmette, or Northbrook home.

Do you want to get your Glenview home sold ASAP? Staging may be just what is called for. But it's hard to spend money on a home that you're planning to leave, right? Well, here are some great staging tips for home sellers that don't cost a fortune--or much of anything for that matter.

Step 1: Depersonalize
The first step in staging your home to sell is depersonalizing it. This means you need to take down the photo of Aunt Grace's 99th birthday party, the picture of your son's soccer team as well as his trophies, and all the dog's blue ribbons. Pack them up and move on to Step 2.

Step 2: Declutter
Now that a lot of your personal memorabilia is out of site, it's time to get rid of other clutter. This includes all those stacks of magazines, your collection of stuffed tigers, and the crocheted afghan you were so enamored with ten years ago. Pack the clutter and move on to Step 3.

Step 3: Define
Look at each room of your Glenview house by seeing beyond what you've been using it for and beyond what it's set up to do. Is there a room just off the kitchen? Could it be a dining room if the computer was taken out and a dining table put in? Voila! Yes it could. What about the third bedroom being turned back into a bedroom instead of your craft room? Don't want to buy a bed you don't need? How about an affordable blow-up mattress? Add a bedspread and pillows and you have a bedroom. When the house sells, you can use the mattress for unexpected guests in your new home. Make a list of each room’s purpose and move on to Step 4.

Step 4: Design
If you have lots of furniture crowding your rooms, consider moving some of it out. Then rearrange what's left to design inviting conversation areas, a lovely place for entertaining guests, quiet sleeping zones, and a real computer room. Now load up that extra furniture and move on to Step 5.

Step 5: Delight
Now, for some delightful curb appeal to grab the hearts of prospective buyers before they even step out of their cars try some easy steps. Come spring, pots of annuals in full and colorful bloom can be a great heart-grabber. A new coat of paint on the front door and carefully trimmed bushes and grass will dazzle visitors before they ever move into the beautifully staged interior of your home. Bikes and wagons have to go, however, so load them up with everything else and move on to Step 6.

Step 6: Deposit
Deposit all the stuff produced by Steps 1 through 5 in a self-storage unit. With any luck you may be able to get the first month or two at a reduced rate. Now your extra items are out of sight and out of mind of your prospective buyers.

Your house is staged, and you haven't had to spend a lot of money to get it that way. Your next step is to contact The Marla Schneider Team to sell it for you or to help you find a new home. We're the real estate experts in Glenview, Wilmette, and Northbrook and on the North Shore.

Just a reminder to all you romantics out there that next Tuesday is Valentine's Day. If you're looking for a great dining experience for you and your sweetheart, here are a few select spots for celebrating Valentine's Day in Glenview that you might consider.

Wildfire
1300 Patriot Blvd.
Glenview
847-657-6363

For the past three years, Zagat has voted Wildfire the most popular restaurant in the Chicagoland area, so you know it's going to be great. Just for Valentine's dining, they're offering a special four-course dinner for two, which is available from February 11 through the 14th. Entrées will include such Wildfire favorites as New York strip, roasted prime rib, and cedar planked salmon. For those wanting to dine lite, soup and salad is always a great choice. If you just want something quick, there's everyone's favorite, pizza. Check the menu yourself. It's a good idea to call ahead for reservations at 847-657-6363.

Mitchell's Fish Market
2601 Navy Blvd.
Glenview
847-729-3663

If your Valentine loves fresh seafood, Mitchell's may be a great choice. If you're celebrating with the younger crowd this year (your kids), there's a kids' menu available, too. Dress is casual, parking is free, and you may think you've gotten lost and gone to the coast when you see how fresh the fish is!

Yard House
1880 Tower Drive
Glenview
847-729-9273

Shaggatini, anyone? Yes, if you go to the Yard House, that's one of their special Valentine's Day themed drinks, along with the Love Letter Sparkling Wine Cocktail. They're also offering, from February 11 through 14, a Valentine's Day menu with such choices as Kung Pao Calamari and Lobster Mac and Cheese. Yard House's biggest claim to fame, however, is their extensive selection of draft beer, available in the bar section or in the Keg Room. The Onion Ring Tower isn't a bad idea either!

There you have it. Three special places that can make your Valentine's Day special too. If you'd like to live in a community that offers such special places as these, you need look no further than Glenview. And to help you find your own special home, look no further than the Marla Schneider Team. Give us a call at 847-657-3790 or contact us online.

If your family has decreased in size, you want to have a lower house payment, utility bills or less yard work, or you just want to declutter your life a bit, downsizing may be in your future. So for those facing the decision to downsize your Glenview home or if you're already in the midst of the process, here are a few tips to help you make it through the process:

1. If you have time, it's best to start to declutter at least three months in advance of moving day. First, make a list of the things you simply cannot live without. Then move on to the rest of your clutter and ask yourself some questions: when was the last time I looked at, used or wore this item, will I have a spot for it in the new house, do I have to keep it (tax records and the like) for legal reasons?

2. Put items into three categories, either physically or on your list: Keep, Sell, Donate. It's best NOT to just throw things out for several reasons:
Donating or selling is better for the landfills
Donating helps out Glenview charitable organizations
Selling helps your own pocketbook
Donating or selling allows you to feel that things you've lived with and enjoyed in the past can go on to new homes where they can make a difference in someone else's life
Donating and selling will actually make it a bit easier to get rid of things

3. Once you've gotten rid of your unwanted clutter, organize it by labeling it with the room it will go into at your new home. After you've moved, keep your stuff organized by using plastic storage containers, baskets, shelves, or even boxes. This way your items can be enjoyed and will no longer need to be considered as clutter!

Are you hoping to downsize by moving to a smaller home? This is a great time to do it so why not contact The Marla Schneider Team to find the perfect home for your current needs? We're experts in finding you the best place to live in the Glenview, Wilmette and Northbrook areas.

If you are ready for a change in 2012, a new master bathroom remodel may be just what you need. Not only can it be a chance to build a master bath of your dreams, but it will help the resale value of your Glenview home as well.

Today, there are many great ideas and features on the market to increase the functionality and flow to your master bathroom. Here are a few tips to help you get started in customizing your master bath to suit you:

• Determine Your Wish List: Your ideas for your dream master bath will come from your life experiences and personal needs. Take the time to visit home shows, watch television shows and consult an experienced designer to help you determine your needs and wants to make this your dream master bath.
• Change Flow and Layout: If your current master bath doesn’t flow well, don’t be afraid to recreate the flow and space of the bathroom. Oftentimes, a two-sided couple bathroom could open up the space of your bathroom by splitting the sinks to sit on both sides but at different ends of the room; this is frequently done by also splitting the tub and shower as well.
• Specialized Equipment: If you have special needs or wants, take this opportunity to incorporate specialized equipment such as a large walk-in shower with a custom seating area and multiple shower heads or walk-in hydrotherapy tub to help prevent falls from slipping. You may even decide to go “all out” and consider a floor-level sunken tub that you can walk directly into.
• Add to the Closet Area: Most master bathrooms incorporate the closet-- typically his-and-her walk-in closets. Some great design elements that you can add to the closet design include a dressing area to sit, additional storage such as built-in drawers, shoe racks and even a safe for your jewelry and other valuables.

Remodeling your master bathroom can give added value to your Glenview home when it’s time to sell. If you are looking for a new Glenview home to personalize with your custom dreams, contact The Marla Schneider Team. We have been helping families buy and sell homes all along the North Shore for more than 15 years as a Top Producer.