Articles filed under Residential Real Estate

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Elgin downtown group celebrates rebuilding along Fox May 21, 2013 12:00 AM
Aurora is developing a new park along the Fox River. Batavia's downtown has a streetscape project. Geneva is known for its development of Third Street. St. Charles, too, has focused on beautifying its downtown and harnessing the Fox River as a natural resource. "I think it's just amazing what's going on in all of our communities up and down the Fox River," said Tom Armstrong, chairman of Elgin's Downtown Neighborhood Association design committee who met with other town leaders to share ideas.
A colorful mudroom serves a wide range of functions May 19, 2013 12:00 AM
With her three kids' busy school and sports schedules, it's no wonder Jamie Adcock requires a one-stop spot in her Willowbrook home to keep all of their gear organized and clean. As a bonus, her mudroom is also a style powerhouse thanks to vividly colored cabinetry that hides clutter and makes a statement.
Front-burner issues from a food writer’s renovation May 18, 2013 12:00 AM
A few months ago I took the plunge and had my kitchen redone. For years I'd put it off because it was so expensive. Also, as a cookbook author and food writer, I spend nearly all of my waking hours in and around the kitchen. Being without one for six to eight weeks seemed unimaginable.
Trump to take stand Tuesday in Chicago trial May 13, 2013 12:00 AM
Donald Trump is set to testify Tuesday at a civil trial where the developer-turned-TV personality is accused of enticing investors to buy condos at his namesake skyscraper in Chicago with promises of profit-sharing, and then quietly reneging on those promises. Attorneys for both sides suggested in their opening statements to jurors Monday that a key aspect of the trial will be the management style of Trump, who has gained famed for firing contestants he deems incompetent on his popular TV show, "Celebrity Apprentice."
District 211 students ready to show off houses they built May 13, 2013 12:00 AM
After two years of work, three homes built by Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 students are ready for families to move in. An open house will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 19, at the homes, located at 72 W. Illinois Ave., 86 W. Illinois Ave. and 151 Boynton Ave. in Palatine. The public will have an opportunity to bid on the houses at the open house events.
Moms show their kids the real estate ropes May 12, 2013 12:00 AM
When Jeff Cadwallader moved back home from Colorado to help his mom Jeanne with her business, he became a third-generation Realtor. On this Mother's Day weekend, Jeanne and Jeff are one of many mother-child Realtor teams working in the Chicago suburban market.
As housing prices rise, homeowners start delayed wish-list projects May 11, 2013 12:00 AM
Claudia Brown, a kitchen and bathroom designer for Home Depot, is witnessing what she's rarely seen in the past six years: customers knocking down walls again. Spurred by rising home prices, homeowners who spent the worst housing downturn since the Great Depression taking on only must-do repairs are again starting wish-list projects.
Decorating tips for making a rental space your own May 11, 2013 12:00 AM
It's yours, but it isn't. A rented apartment or house can be a wonderful place to live, and a challenging place to decorate. The restrictions are many: Landlords often want their white walls to stay white.
Home builders need workers to keep up with demand May 9, 2013 12:00 AM
The resurgent U.S. housing market has sent builders calling again for Richard Vap, who owns a drywall installation company. Vap would love to help. And he would — if he could hire enough qualified people. “There is a shortage of manpower,” says Vap, owner of South Valley Drywall in Littleton, Colo. “We're probably only hiring about 75 or 80 percent of what we actually need.”
St. Charles man explains why ‘complicated’ addition has taken decadesMay 9, 2013 12:00 AM
Why has it taken Clifford McIlvaine decades to finish an addition to his St. Charles home? "It's complicated," said the 71-year-old after offering the local media a tour of his property Thursday. "It's not a simple home structure. That's what people don't understand. What is the crime for taking too long to do something? I should be commended for taking time to do it right."
Barrett a good name for Palatine facility May 6, 2013 12:00 AM
Letter to the editor: Patricia Herrmann says the proposed supportive housing facility in Palatine is welcome news, indeed. "Thank you to Palatine for being a leader in recognizing the need for this facility," she writes.
Saving ash trees is even more urgent May 6, 2013 12:00 AM
Letter to the editor: Christine Sacks argues that with the recent flooding, saving the ash trees instead of felling them becomes even more urgent.
Adler-designed lake mansion inspires decorator in all of us May 5, 2013 12:00 AM
Designers who can update a 1916 Italianate villa and make its 15,000-square-feet warm and welcoming can surely answer some of your decorating quandaries. Renowned architect David Adler designed the home, chosen as this year's Lake Forest Showhouse.
Housing rebound is facing obstacle: Too few homes May 5, 2013 12:00 AM
Some markets along the East and West coasts have grown red-hot. A handful of other cities remain depressed nearly four years after the Great Recession ended. But many more places are like Grand Rapids — a metro area of roughly 1 million that is strengthening, but a shortage of homes is slowing the recovery.
Do-it-yourself wallpaper, fabric now popular in the home May 4, 2013 12:00 AM
Many companies have begun to offer consumers the chance to create custom fabrics and wallpapers. Advances in printing have made it more affordable to create small runs, and to make high-quality products faster and cheaper, said Aaron Kirsch, president of Astek Wallcovering Inc. in Van Nuys, Calif.
U.S. rate on 15-year mortgage at record 2.56 pct. May 2, 2013 12:00 AM
The average U.S. rate on the 15-year fixed mortgage fell to a new record low last week, and the rate on the 30-year fixed loan declined. Cheaper mortgages have encouraged more home-buying and refinancing.
Buffalo Grove weighs mandatory fire sprinklers in new homes May 1, 2013 12:00 AM
New single-family homes in Buffalo Grove would need to include a fire sprinkler system under a measure proposed to the village board this week. The proposal, touted by Fire Chief Terry Vavra, would apply only to newly built homes, not existing, renovated or rehabilitated properties. The village already requires sprinklers in commercial and multifamily structures.
U.S. home prices up 9.3 pct., most in nearly 7 years Apr 30, 2013 12:00 AM
U.S. home prices rose 9.3 percent in February compared with a year ago, the most in nearly seven years. The gains were driven by a growing number of buyers who bid on a limited supply of homes. The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller 20-city home price index increased from an 8.1 percent year-over-year gain in January. And annual prices rose in February in all 20 cities for the second month in a row.
How Kane County flood victims can get property tax breaks Apr 29, 2013 12:00 AM
Kane County residents who experienced major flood damage on their residential home may be in line for a reassessment or tax freeze if they rebuild. Neither of those will affect this year's tax bill, though.
Glen Ellyn OKs 22-home development Apr 29, 2013 12:00 AM
The largest new housing development in Glen Ellyn in a decade is scheduled for construction, now that necessary zoning approvals have been granted that allow the project to commence. The village board Monday voted 6-0 to approve variance requests of K. Hovnanian Homes, which plans to build 22 single family homes at the northwest corner of Sheehan Avenue and Route 53.