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Landscape lighting is just the startMay 18, 2013 12:00 AM
Create a vacation destination in your own backyard. Plan carefully and implement high-end improvements over time, if necessary, say Jennifer Jensen and Thomas Reindl of NorthWest Lighting and Accents in Mount Prospect and McHenry.
Low-maintenance trend grows in landscaping May 4, 2013 12:00 AM
Not everyone has a green thumb. People can spend hours in the garden and still not be able to make their homes the showpieces they envision. With this in mind, more homeowners are looking for plants and shrubs that are low- or no-maintenance, said Jean Bragdon, operations manager at Lurvey's Garden Center in Des Plaines.
Landscaping, gardening expertise is found at COD Apr 27, 2013 12:00 AM
Homeowners with a growing concern of environmental issues, such as food production and yard waste, are heading back to school. Interest in topics like organic foods or sustainable landscaping are among the reasons people are taking horticulture classes, said Julia Fitzpatrick-Cooper of the College of DuPage.
Plote Construction associated with homes, too Apr 20, 2013 12:00 AM
The Plote name is well known for heavy road construction throughout the Northwest suburbs. But few realize the breadth of the family's interests and holdings, such as Plote Homes LLC, which was originally established as Par Development in 1989. The home-building company is run by Dan Shepard, executive vice president.
Retro doors, rain glass is ‘in’ in millwork Apr 13, 2013 12:00 AM
John Tobin Millwork has been a fixture in Villa Park since 1960, originally supplying millwork, windows and doors to contractors and builders, and later expanding to sell and install those same products in existing homes in the West and Northwest suburbs. In recent years, with new home construction reeling from the housing crisis, the family firm’s business has swung heavily toward retail sales.
Garages overflow from lack of organization Apr 6, 2013 12:00 AM
In many homes, the garage has become a dumping ground for seasonal items, sports equipment, gardening supplies and much more, to the point where many families cannot even park a car in their garage anymore, said Jim Melchert, owner of Garage Store, based in East Dundee.
Roofing practices evolve for better protection Mar 30, 2013 12:00 AM
The importance of keeping a roof over one's head has been well documented in literature for centuries. Everyone needs a place to take shelter during adverse weather conditions, so it makes sense. But those benefits are much decreased if the roof in question is leaky or lets the cold winds blow in.
Stronger energy efficiency rules kick in for builders Mar 23, 2013 12:00 AM
Homes built in 2013 will be 32 percent more energy efficient than those built under the energy codes that went into effect in 2006, thanks to new regulations put in place Jan. 1 by the state of Illinois, said Roger Gerstad, owner of Gerstad Builders of McHenry.
Suburban real estate market still strugglingMar 9, 2013 12:00 AM
Chicago area buyers are searching the market for homes, hoping to cash in on low interest rates and prices, but they aren't finding much inventory from which to choose, said Mary Beth Lynch, a Realtor with RE/MAX Suburban in Glen Ellyn. She said this is why more and more appropriately priced homes are getting multiple offers right now.
Duct-sealing system earns top endorsements Mar 2, 2013 12:00 AM
It seems like every house has one — a room that is barely used because it doesn’t warm up in the winter or it doesn’t cool down in the summer. However, chances are this forgotten room can be reclaimed, thanks to a process that seals gaps in a home’s ductwork, said Joseph St. Pierre, sales director of Aeroseal Solutions in Crystal Lake.
Airoom helps owners invest in their homes Feb 25, 2013 12:00 AM
Building room additions, both large and small, has been Airoom's primary business for 55 years. But today, the longtime Chicago-area contractor has expanded considerably to "keep up with the world" and provide the services today's homeowners want, said Tom Graham, president.
Reupholstery extends the life of quality furniture Feb 16, 2013 12:00 AM
Craig Goldstein has a passion for using his artistic talents to take something old and make it beautiful again. Goldstein, the owner of Ultimate Reupholstery in Long Grove, learned the upholstery trade from his father who once had a reupholstery and retail furniture shop in Chicago.
Fewer homes available in quality locationsFeb 9, 2013 12:00 AM
While not yet as healthy as in other states, the real estate market in the Chicago area "definitely shows signs of having bottomed out and early signals of an upturn," said Jeff Matheson of Century 21 Kreuser and Seiler in Libertyville.
Fiscal cliff deal benefits furnace buyers Feb 2, 2013 12:00 AM
As a result of therecent "fiscal cliff" budget deal, Congress brought back a tax credit for upgrading to a high-efficiency furnace, which had expired at the end of 2011, retroactive to the beginning of 2012, said Rich Edwards, sales manager and partner in All-Temp HVAC in Wauconda.
Ryland kicks work off at four new communities Jan 26, 2013 12:00 AM
Ryland Homes soon will conduct grand openings of new model homes in four communities during a four-week period. One of those new communities — Andare at Talamore in Huntley — is an active-adult community within a much larger Ryland master planned community. Builder Profile featuring John Carroll of Ryland Homes.
American-made draws customers to Dow Furniture Jan 19, 2013 12:00 AM
Three little words — Made in America — are all the rage today. But at Dow Furniture in North Aurora, those have been the watchwords, literally, since the store was founded by Bert Dow in 1959.
Realtor expects busy spring market Jan 12, 2013 12:00 AM
It appears we are poised for a very busy selling season, said Stephanie Doherty, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in St. Charles. "Things are usually very slow in January. That is when I generally take a vacation," she said. "But this year the phone started ringing on Jan. 2 with sellers wanting to list their homes. Instead of waiting until February or March, they want to list them now."
Lexington Homes back working at Rob Roy Jan 5, 2013 12:00 AM
Jeff Benach and his father, Ron, of Lexington Homes have decided the time is right to return to Prospect Heights and develop one long vacant parcel at Rob Roy. The company is now building Lexington Village at Rob Roy — a community of 15 townhouses using the same floor plans as those at Lexington Park in Des Plaines.
Removal company finds value in ‘junk’ Dec 29, 2012 12:00 AM
If one of your New Year's resolutions is to clean out your garage, basement, parents' house or the junk-filled foreclosure property you just purchased, Nick Degiulio and Corey Heidkamp of Lake Zurich-based Junk Remedy might be the answer.
Smaller inventory of homes is big factor in improved market Dec 15, 2012 12:00 AM
Jim Regan has been selling homes in the Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, Des Plaines area for 40 years, originally as the owner for National Sunrise Realty in Arlington Heights and, for the past decade, as an agent with RE/MAX Suburban in Mount Prospect.