GET YOUR EXERCISE AND CHECK OUT ALL THE GREAT SHOPS AT WOODFIELD! WOODFIELD WALKERS GROUP MEETS ONCE A MONTH IN THE CENTER COURT!

TOTALLY INDOORS SO YOU CAN GO RAIN, SHINE, SLEET AND OTHER NASTINESS OUTSIDE! SET YOUR OWN PACE WALKING THE PERIMETER OF THE MALL!

ALEXIAN MEDICAL CENTER PRESENTS... WOODFIELD WALKERS MEETING
The Woodfield Walkers meeting is this Friday, July 25th, from 8:00a.m. - 9:00a.m. in Comcast Connections Court. This month's topic is "New Hope for Back Pain". Join Dr. Franklin Mardin for a presentation about treatments for spinal compression fractures. Dr. Mardin will discuss new procedures such as Vertebroplasty are providing relief to patients suffering debilitating back pain from spinal fractures.

Woodfield Walkers is a FREE club open to everyone. To sign up, simply fill out a form at Guest Services, next to Comcast Connections Court, after 10:00a.m. Monday through Saturday and after 11:00 a.m. on Sunday or log onto shopwoodfield.com/walkers. Your membership entitles you to receive a Passport to Savings booklet for valuable discounts to numerous Woodfield stores and restaurants.

LOOKING TO PURCHASE OR SELL A HOME IN THE SURROUNDING WOODFIELD COMMUNITIES? I'M THE PERSON TO CALL WITH OVER 20+ YEARS EXPERIENCE IN THE AREA!

Lyn Sims at RE/MAX Suburban (847)230-7324

Northwest Suburban Areas of Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Elk Grove Village, Roselle, Medinah, Itasca, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Hanover Park, Bartlett, Streamwood, Elgin, South Elgin, St. Charles.

I knew the day would arrive and it has. My biggest fear has finally surfaced and that being with was reported today by Kate Murphy from the New York Times. Your granite countertop may set off the Geiger counter! Kate Murphy reports that "allegations that granite countertops may emit dangerous levels of radon and radiation have been raised periodically over the past decade, mostly by makers and distributors of competing countertop materials. The Marble Institute of America has sdaid such claims are "ludicrous" because although granite is known to contain uranium and other radioactive materials like thorium and potassium, the amounts in countertops are not enough to pose a health threat." So, let's all just breath! WRONG, WRONG, WRONG ...... here's why:

"As the popularity of granite countertops has brown in the last decade - demand for them has increased tenfold, according to the Marble Institute of America, a trade group representing granite fabricators - so have the types of granite available. For example, one source, http://www.graniteland.com offers more than 900 different kinds of granite from 63 countries. And with increased sales volume and variety, there have been more reports of "hot" or potentially hazardous counterops, particularly among the more exotic and striated varieties form Brazile and Namibia.

So, after reading this article I went to our file cabinet to see wht the State of Illinois has to say about radon/radiation emissions. They are talking about the radiation from the ground level, the crawl spaces but who'd a thunk about the granite/marble countertops?!!! I mean, go check this out: http://www.radon.illnois.gov

"The average person is subjected to radiation from natural and manmade sources at an annual level of 360 millirem (a measure of energy absorbed by the body), according to government agencies like the E.P.A and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission," say Murphy. The limit of additional exposure set by the commission for people living near nuclear reactors is 100 millirem per year. To put this in perspective, she reports, passengers get 3 millirem of cosmic radiation on a flight from New York to Los Angeles."

So what are you talking about? I'm telling you that his is the next level like mold mitigation. This is to be taken seriously. I would strongly suggest having a test run on your client's countertop before they put the property on the market. Next, if you have a client who is purchasing granite, have them get the slabs tested before they have them cut and installed.

Do you want "hot" countertops? I don't. I don't like lawsuits and better yet, I don't like the "c" word. If you don't understand anything, let me put it to you this way...... Do you want your children eating toasted Cheerios?

Where to find Tests and Testers:

To find a certified technian to determine whether radiation or radon is emanating from a granite countertop, contact the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technololgists (http://www.aarst.org) Testing costs between $100 to $300. Small price to pay to stay healthy for your life.

Information on certified tecnicians and do-it-yourself (I wouldn't recommend) radon testing kits is available from the Environmental Protection Agency's website at http://www.epa.gov/radon, as well as from state and regional indoor air environment offices, which can be found at http://www.epa.gov/iaq/whereyoulive.html

People please take this seriously, if not for yourself but for your family and clients.

Here is some of how we think an EFFECTIVE property search works. Further thoughts will follow in other postings.

7a. Go inside only those properties you think you might want to buy. The point is that you need to get quickly get to properties of highest potential-and not waste time on the rest.

Hints on how to do this will follow.

Visit our website to read more about Chicago multi-family homes: multi-units with two or more flats. http://www.chicagoland2to4flats.info/

Illinois-McHenry County-FOX RIVER GROVE REAL ESTATE MARKET CONDITIONS

How is the current market in Fox River Grove, IL?

Before we get to the fact and figures and nitty gritty details of the real estate market .....how about a little fun?  This year, as usual, the annual fireworks display was held by the Norge Ski Hill and Lion's Park in Fox River Grove.  They always give a great show! I love to go by boat and watch them from the Fox River as do many other boat and water lovers.  It was a great show!  Here's a peek at the finale for the Fox River Grove Fireworks:

How is the current market in Fox River Grove, IL?

As of this morning, per MRED MLS, for the past 3 months:

We currently have 50 Single Family homes on the market in Fox River Grove that are active and available.

They have been on the market for an average of 182 days.

The average list price is $359,347.

During the past 3 months, 7 Single Family homes have successfully closed with the help of their Realtors.  This only represents 54% of the market that have had success.  They took an average of 135 days on the market to be SOLD.

The average list price of the SOLD Single Family homes is $346,229 and the average SOLD price is $331,929.

So, on the average Single Family homes in Fox River Grove have been getting an average of 96% of their list prices, with the help of their Realtors.

Sunset on Ski Hill Road in Fox River Grove, IL

We currently have 12 Attached homes on the market in Fox River Grove that are active and available.

They have been on the market for an average of 114 days.

The average list price is $144,516.

During the past 3 months, 1 Attached home has successfully closed with the help of their Realtor.  This only represents a small percentage of the market that has had success.   

We are still experiencing a Buyer's Market in Fox River Grove.

If I can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to call or email me.  It will be my pleasure!  By the way, if you know of someone that could benefit from my high level of service, please call or email me with their name and daytime phone number and I will make sure to follow up and take great care of them.  My business keeps growing from your referrals.

My Direct Number at the Office is 847.516.6760

Since I work at home, I'm lucky enough to be able to take Zoey on walks at least twice a day. Last night, I failed to grab a bag before we headed out the door. The walk was a last minute decision and she had already "done her business" so I figured (wrongly) that she wouldn't need to go again. Well, you know what happened next. About a block from home.

Now, as a responsible pet owner, I am usually armed with bags and ALWAYS pick up after Zoey. So imagine my complete mortification when I realize I don't have any bags with me! I was forced to leave it there, hoping that nobody saw me fail to pick it up. Of course, as soon as we got home I hopped in the car and went back to pick it up, so if anyone did see me leave it - I hope they saw me return to pick it up as well!

Which begs the question (no pun intended): Are you a responsible pet owner?

Someone in my neighborhood sure isn't. Twice in the past few weeks I've found a big pile of you-know-what in MY front yard. Now, Zoey is hand-walked out into the back yard every time to do her business and we immediately pick it up. We don't have a fence and therefore never let her out without a leash. So it isn't hers. Plus, she is a little dog and these are, how else do I say this? BIG poops. (sorry)

To my unknown and irresponsible neighbor-who-owns-a-big-dog: Why did you let your dog go on MY lawn and fail to pick it up? Are you really that lazy? Because the "I ran out of bags" excuse is NOT an excuse, especially when you allowed your dog to do it on TWO separate occasions! YUK!

To all Lake Zurich dog owners: May I remind you that picking up after your pooch is not just good etiquette or common courtesy. It's important for the environment and the health of our children and pets. It is unlawful, smelly and polluting our community.

So be a good neighbor dog owner. Pick it up, please.

Kelly Sibilsky provides a superior level of real estate services to home buyers and sellers in Lake Zurich and the Northwest Suburbs of Illinois. Please visit www.getmovingwithkelly.com to search for homes in Lake Zurich or anywhere throughout Northern Illinois.

Kelly Sibilsky, RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest, (847)909-2337, ks@getmovingwithkelly.com.

Illinois-McHenry County-FOX LAKE REAL ESTATE MARKET CONDITIONS

How is the current market in Fox Lake, IL?

How is the current market in Fox Lake?

Before we get to the fact and figures...let's have a little fun!  This year the annual fireworks display was in a new spot on the Chain of Lakes.  The heavily attended (by land and water!) 4th of July Fireworks show has usually been held in Minneola Bay of Fox Lake and this year it was in Meyer's Bay in Pistakee Lake.  I love to go by boat.  It was a great show!  Here's a peak at the finale for the Fox Lake Fireworks:

As of this morning, per MRED MLS, for the past 3 months:

We currently have 102 Single Family homes on the market in Fox Lake that are active and available.

They have been on the market for an average of 436 days.

The average list price is $327,919.

During the past 3 months, 6 Single Family homes have successfully closed with the help of their Realtors.  This only represents 33% of the market that have had success.  They took an average of 142 days on the market to be SOLD.

The average list price of the SOLD Single Family homes is $349,722 and the average SOLD price is $328,655.

So, on the average Single Family homes in Fox Lake have been getting an average of 94% of their list prices, with the help of their Realtors.

In the below picture you will see all of the boats starting to gather for the 7/5/08 fireworks show in Meyers Bay, Pistakee Lake, Chain of Lakes, Fox Lake, IL.

We currently have 113 Attached homes on the market in Fox Lake that are active and available.

They have been on the market for an average of 177 days.

The average list price is $171,593.

During the past 3 months, 13 Attached homes have successfully closed with the help of their Realtors.  This only represents 65% of the market that have had success.  They took an average of 158 days on the market to get SOLD.

The average list price of the SOLD Attached homes is $141,912 and the average SOLD price is $133,616

So, on the average Attached homes in Fox Lake have been getting an average of 94% of their list prices, with the help of their Realtors.

We are still experiencing a Buyer's Market in Fox Lake.

If I can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to call or email me.  It will be my pleasure!  By the way, if you know of someone that could benefit from my high level of service, please call or email me with their name and daytime phone number and I will make sure to follow up and take great care of them.  My business keeps growing from your referrals.

My Direct Number at the Office is 847.516.6760

Are you buying, selling, or just curious about the real estate market? Check out my weekly market report on the local housing market. Don't make the mistake of not understanding market conditions when buying or selling a home. Take a look and the report for the current market and start understanding housing market in your area.

Are you buying, selling, or just curious about the real estate market? Check out my weekly market report on the local housing market. Don't make the mistake of not understanding market conditions when buying or selling a home. Take a look and the report for the current market and start understanding housing market in your area.

Are you buying, selling, or just curious about the real estate market? Check out my weekly market report on the local housing market. Don't make the mistake of not understanding market conditions when buying or selling a home. Take a look and the report for the current market and start understanding housing market in your area.

Are you buying, selling, or just curious about the real estate market? Check out my weekly market report on the local housing market. Don't make the mistake of not understanding market conditions when buying or selling a home. Take a look and the report for the current market and start understanding housing market in your area.