Articles filed under Real Estate

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Millennials jump into the mortgage market Jan 30, 2015 12:01 AM
By Ken Harney Call them the prodigal millennials: Statistical measures and anecdotal reports suggest that young couples and singles in their late 20s and early 30s have begun making a belated entry into the home buying market, pushed by mortgage rates in the mid-3 percent range, government efforts to ease credit requirements and deep frustrations at having to pay rising rents without creating equity.
Whirlpool tub isn’t meant to be shower Jan 30, 2015 12:01 AM
By Barry Stone Q. We just bought a remodeled older home. Our home inspector found no problems with the whirlpool tub and shower setup, but since moving in we are having problems with drainage around the tub rim.
Neighborhood profile features Red Bridge Farm, Lake Zurich Jan 30, 2015 12:01 AM
By Sherry Giewald An attractive neighborhood with good-size homes where kids can walk or ride their bikes to the elementary school, parks and library make the Red Bridge Farm subdivision in Lake Zurich an ideal location to settle and raise a family.
‘Tenants-in-common’ is best for unmarried buyers Jan 30, 2015 12:01 AM
By David Myers Buyers who aren’t married, even if they expect to walk down the aisle soon, have special concerns when deciding how to “take title” to a new home.
Average U.S. rate on 30-year mortgage rises to 3.63% Jan 29, 2015 11:11 AM
Associated Press Average long-term U.S. mortgage rates rose slightly this week after four straight weeks of declines, while remaining near historically low levels. Mortgage company Freddie Mac said Thursday the nationwide average for a 30-year mortgage edged up to 3.66 percent from 3.63 percent last week. The new average rate is still at its lowest level since May 2013.
U.S. pending home sales tumble in December Jan 29, 2015 11:11 AM
By Josh Boak Fewer Americans signed contracts to buy homes in December, a sign that low mortgage rates have yet to coax more buyers into the market. The National Association of Realtors said Thursday that its seasonally adjusted pending home sales index fell 3.7 percent last month to 100.7. The index ended the year below its 2013 average. But the Realtors project sales of existing homes will rebound in 2015 to 5.26 million, a 6.6 percent increase from last year.
Gateway signs to adorn Elk Grove Village business park Jan 29, 2015 5:48 PM
Daily Herald report Elk Grove Village’s business park is due to receive eight gateway signs at the entrance to its business park beginning this fall.
Tiny house trend can spark ideas Jan 29, 2015 6:00 AM
By Christine Brun Tiny houses are becoming fashionable as both retreats and environmentally responsible lifestyle statements. I have been watching a variety of TV shows about families living off the grid and it reminded me to re-examine some of the hottest concepts for a getaway home.
Architectural embellishments add a bit of awe to decor Jan 28, 2015 6:00 AM
By Joseph Pubillones Any room is just but four walls with a ceiling and a floor. What makes a room remarkable are the details. Just about every room in the world can be awe-inspiring — it all depends on what treatments and embellishments the room has or could have.
Geneva postpones vote on townhouse plan Jan 28, 2015 6:24 PM
By Susan Sarkauskas The Geneva city council has tabled discussion of a proposal to build 30 townhouses where seven houses now stand between Stevens and North streets, west of Route 31.
Wheeling’s proposed stormwater fee would take effect in August Jan 28, 2015 5:30 AM
By Katlyn Smith Wheeling officials are planning to start charging businesses and residents a stormwater utility fee this August. The proposed fee, showing up on water bills, would pay for projects designed to curb flooding and for the upkeep of the village's existing infrastructure. The other option would have been raising property taxes. "This has been a long time coming," said Trustee Ken Brady, who sits on the village's stormwater committee.
Schaumburg sets renewal policy for tax break Jan 28, 2015 1:53 PM
By Eric Peterson Schaumburg trustees have approved specific criteria to consider the growing number of renewal requests for Cook County’s Class 6B property tax incentive for industrial businesses. These require a demonstration of significant employment and business growth, substantial capital improvement, ongoing community involvement and the need for another 12 years of reduced taxes.
Elk Grove officials want new group to focus on business park Jan 28, 2015 5:30 PM
By Christopher Placek Elk Grove Village plans to disband its industrial and revitalization commission and replace it with a new group that officials hope will accelerate revitalization efforts in the village’s sprawling business park. The new group would include more owners of businesses in the park, officials say.
US new home sales jump 11.6 percent in December Jan 27, 2015 9:50 AM
By JOSH BOAK Sales of new U.S. homes accelerated strongly in December, a sign that home-buying may improve this year after a lackluster 2014. The Commerce Department said Tuesday that new home sales climbed 11.6 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 481,000. The gains were not enough to offset essentially flat home-buying over the course of 2014.
Wheeling Town Center delayed by ‘unforeseen’ gas line Jan 27, 2015 5:30 AM
By Katlyn Smith Construction on the $100 million Town Center — creating a long-awaited downtown Wheeling — will be delayed about three months after developers discovered “unforeseen,” underground utilities they want to relocate. But officials are optimistic the project can finally break ground by the end of the year. “We’ve got to get the shovel in the ground,” Village President Dean Argiris said.
Gurnee OKs $5.8 million in tax breaks for company Jan 27, 2015 5:29 PM
By Bob Susnjara Gurnee village board members have approved a multimillion-dollar tax incentive package for a technology company to relocate in a business park near the Tri-State Tollway. Village board trustees Monday night voted 6-0 in favor of what will be a combined $5.8 million in performance-based state and local tax breaks for AKHAN Semiconductor Inc. Village board members and about 25 spectators stood and applauded after the vote.
Cutting countertop is best left to professional installers Jan 25, 2015 12:01 AM
By Henri de Marne Our kitchen countertop overhangs the cabinets by a half-inch, and removing the half-inch will give us just the amount of space needed to install a 32-inch-wide refrigerator. My question is what is the best way to ensure a straight cut since I have only one shot at doing this right?
Lighten up! Time to brighten the house with new ideas Jan 25, 2015 12:01 AM
The Washington Post Drippy, dreary winter got you down? Time to brighten with ideas both practical and fanciful. Here are some ideas:
How can you be certain refinancing will save you money? Jan 24, 2015 12:00 AM
By Jack Guttentag How can you be certain that refinancing will save you money? Introducing the Integrated Refinance Calculator.
Population is growing and moving to urban areas Jan 24, 2015 12:01 AM
By Jim Woodard Our demographics are changing — both in size and location. A recent report indicates people are gravitating inward toward the center of places rather than outward toward the edges. Cities are growuing faster than suburbs, a reversal of the previous trend.