Chicago's North Shore - North and Northwest Suburbs Real Estate

It is always fun to try something new. How about Curling in North Shore? This unique sport is a growing favorite and is an Olympic event.

The North Shore Curling Club is located on the grounds of the North Shore Country Club (NSCC) at : 1340 Glenview Road, Glenview, Illinois 60025. Enter the NSCC grounds, head towards the main club, and the curling lodge will be off to your left.

The phone number for the curling lodge is (847)724-9762. The phone number for the Country club is (847)729-1200.

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Spring is among us and it is the time of year when people decide to list their houses and move on to their next place to call home. It is the time in between the listing, and the final sale, to the time when you are settling into your new house that can be overwhelming and stressful if not planned right.

In the coming weeks I will provide you with the information, tools and resources that will assist you with your move to help you and your family with this transition.

Part 1 of this moving guide will outline the three "types" of moves and which method will be best for you and your family.

Full-service Movers
This type of move is an all-inclusive type package. Full-service movers are professional and licensed and handle all aspects of your move from packing and loading to unloading. Full-service movers may cost more than the other options listed below, but keep in mind it may be well worth the investment to free up your own time and lessen the stress on you and your family.

Self Service Movers
If you want a little more control over the move, the Self Service move may be the way to go. Here you will be responsible for packing, loading and unloading of the moving vehicle provided by a professional and licensed mover while they take care of the actual driving. This is a popular option for small to medium interstate moves.

Do It Yourself Move
If working with a professional mover doesn't fit into you moving plan you can always "Do It Yourself". Consider the number of items you need to pack and move as well as the distance you need to go; it might be quit manageable on your ow using a rented truck. When renting a truck to drive yourself, you want to make sure it is large enough to accommodate all your boxes and furniture and whether or not the truck requires a special license to drive it.

Which ever method you decide to go with, try not to let it overwhelm you. There are a number of moving tips that we are going to share with you to make this transition as stress-free as possible.

Don't forget to check back for Part 2 of our Chicago Illinois Moving Guide.

When Northern Illinois homebuyers request a quote from a lender for a home loan, they will find that the quotes frequently include both loan rates and points. Most people are confused by what exactly a point is.

Mortgage points describe certain charges to be paid in order to obtain a mortgage on a home. Each mortgage point is a fee based on one percent of the total amount of the loan

A point is a fee equal to 1 percent of the loan amount. For example, A 30-year, $200,000 mortgage might have a rate of 6 percent, but come with a charge of 1 point, or $2,000. A lender can charge 1, 2 or more points. There are two kinds of points: discount points and origination points.

 •Discount points: These types of points are really prepaid interest on the mortgage loan. Because, the more points you pay, the lower the interest rate on the loan and vice versa. Borrowers typically can pay anywhere from zero to 3 or 4 points, depending on how much they want to lower their rates. The advantage to this type of point is that it is tax-deductible.
 
 •Origination fee: This is charged by the lender to cover the costs of making the loan. The origination fee is deductible if it was used to obtain the mortgage and not to pay other closing costs. The IRS specifically states that if the fee is for items that would normally be itemized on a settlement statement, such as notary fees, preparation costs, and inspection fees, it is not deductible.

The longer you keep the property financed under the loan that has the purchased points, the more money spent on the points will pay off.  And if the homebuyer has the intention to buy and sell the property or refinance in a big hurry, the buying points will actually end up costing more than just paying the loan at the higher interest rate.

Whether or not you pay points, or how many points can be effected by a variety of factors.  The amount of money you can put down at closing and also how long you plan on staying in your home can be a factor. If you are planning to stay in your home for a long time, you may find it worth it pay points so that it reduces your interest rate. Make sure to have your mortgage lender explain these fees with you at length if you have any questions.

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Enjoy thrilling adventures and favorite Disney tunes from the award-winning Northbrook Theatre Children’s Company. “The Jungle Book” is adapted from the popular movie about a boy who is lost in the jungle, saved from a ferocious tiger and raised by wolves. Characters include a bear, black panther, crazy monkey and Mowgli, the man-cub. Reserved seats are $8 in advance and $10 online or at the door.

The Northbrook Theatre Children’s Company is presenting The Jungle Book.  Enjoy the fun adventures and favorite Disney tunes Saturday, March 19^th at 4:00pm.   The Jungle Book is adapted from the popular movie about a boy who is lost in the jungle, saved from a ferocious tiger and raised by wolves. 

In this thrilling adventure, at your local theatre,  you will see characters including a bear, a black panther, a crazy monkey and Mowgli, the man-cub.  Reserved seats are $8 in advance and $10 online or at the door. You can see this exciting adventure at 3323 Walters Avenue in Northbrook.

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Whether you are buying or selling a Northern Illinois property, home inspections are a vital part of the process.  When you are hiring a home inspector, do your research and make sure they are a qualified individual or company.

Here are some things to keep in mind and ask your potential inspector:

• What are your qualifications?
• How many home inspections do you perform in a year that is similar to my home?
• Can you provide a list of references that we can contact?
• What is your turnaround time to receive the report?
• What will be included in the report?
• How much will the report cost? 

Your Home Inspector will perform a “visual” inspection to determine the condition of your home:

• Foundation and Framing
• Roofing and Flashing
• Gutters and Drainage
• Siding
• Decks and/or Porches
• Driveways and Sidewalks
• Doors and Windows
• Stairs and Railings
• Ceilings and Walls
• Electrical
• Plumbing
• Heating and A/C
• Ventilation
• Attics
• Basement
• Garage

For an easy, quick search of certified Home Inspectors in your area you can visit The American Society of Home Inspectors or the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors.

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The Celtic Knot Public House, located at 626 Church Street in Evanston is your traditional Irish pub with a bit of sophistication of a modern European restaurant.  The Celtic Knot is a fun and inviting place to gather for friends of all nature.

Here you can enjoy the Pub Grub, which is a fish and chips, Shepherd’s Pie or a Guinness Pasty. Or you can choose to sample the dinner specials! Here you might get to try Lemon Infused Sole, Pecan crusted Salmon or an amazing steak served with Black Peppercorn sauce.

Try a new wine or fine beer at their full bar that will compliment any meal or you can just enjoy it alone!  And of course a proper pint of Guinness is always ready for you.

The relaxing atmosphere is the perfect place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Evanston.

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The saying “You only have one chance to make a first impression” rings true especially with potential buyers. You must make sure your Chicago North Shore home is in the best shape it can be in for showing. Your agent will let you know any major things, if any, you need to do, however prior to your showing here are a few things you can do to be assured you are ready to show:

1.       Tidy Your Home

2.       Unclutter cupboards and closets

3.       Make any minor repairs

4.       Cut lawn in the summer and shovel walks in the winter

5.       Put away all valuables

6.       Lock up pets or take them with you

7.       Open all drapes and blinds

8.       Make beds

9.       Turn on all the lights

10.      Leave the house

The competition is tough but the little things do make a difference. Doing these few things will help create a lasting great impression for each potential buyer that comes through your door!

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Bring the family on Saturday, March 5th at the Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, where the hit musical How Can You Run With A Shell on Your Back is playing.  This production shows how creativity and an open mind can unlock the magic in any situation.  Here, six wildly different students ranging from the jock to the nerd not only learn valuable lessons but also how important individuality and friendship are.

Head over to 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire and enjoy this event with your family.  It all begins at 10:00 AM. Ticket prices are $15 per person plus tax and handling fee and can be purchased at the Marriott Theatre Box Office or online at Ticketmaster.com. Groups of 20 or more receive a discount: Call the group sales department for pricing at 847-634-5909 or visit www.MarriottTheatre.com.

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Have you ever heard of a “piggyback loan?' This is a home financing option where the property is purchased using more than one mortgage from two or more lenders.  While there are many variations, the piggyback loan which is also known as the 80-10-10 loan, can be typically defined as a 10 percent second mortgage coupled with a traditional 80 percent first lien and a 10 percent down payment.  This loan can be mixed in a variety of different ways to make up the difference between a conventional loan and almost any amount of down payment.

A piggyback loan is basically a second mortgage that they give you at the time of a home purchase or refinance.  These types of loans allow you, the home buyer, acquire or refinance a home with less than a 20 percent down payment or equity. One advantage to this style of loan is that the homebuyer isn’t required to carry private mortgage insurance.

Homebuyers can also use this piggyback loan as a source of funding for making a bigger downpayment on their new home. This can be to their advantage because private mortgage insurance can be quite expensive and it is not tax deductible.

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Calling all Chicago Fans!! We are not talking about the town but the legendary band!

Take a drive to the Flatlander’s Restaurant and Brewery at 200 Village Green in Lincolnshire to check out 25 or 6 to 4-the Chicago Experience. They are the ultimate tribute to one of the greatest rock bands in history: Chicago!

The show starts at 10PM and ends at 12:30 AM on February 26th. 

What is your favorite Chicago hit?

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