Barrington Expert

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE IN AN IRISH FAMILY

2011-03-16T16:44:00.000-05:00

..I came across this and I have to say... it has a lot of truth in it! Being from an Irish Family builds character !!!Happy St. Patricks Day and remember

"Everyone is Irish on St. Paddy's Day!"

What it means to be in an Irish Family...

You will never playprofessional basketball.
You swear very well.
At least one of your cousins is a fireman, cop, bar owner, funeral home owneror holds political office.
and you have at least one aunt who is a nun or uncle who's a priest...
You think you sing very well.
You have no idea how to make a long story short!
There isn't a big difference between you losing your temper or killingsomeone...

Many of your childhood meals were boiled. Instant potatoes were a mortal sin.

You have never hit your head on a ceiling...

You spent a good portion of your childhood kneeling in prayer.

You're strangely poetic after a few beers.

Some punches directed at you are from legacies of past generations.

Many of your sisters and/or cousins are named Mary, Catherine or Eileen and

there is at least one member of yourfamily with the full name of Mary Catherine Eileen..

Someone in your family is very generous. It is more than likely you.

You may not know the words, but that doesn't stop you from singing...
You can't wait for the other guy to stop talking before you start talking.
You're not nearly as funny as you think you are ... but what you lack intalent, you make up for in frequency.

There wasn't a huge difference between your last wake and your last keg party.
You are, or know someone, named Murphy.
If you don’t know Murphy then you know Mac. If you don't know Murphy or Mac,then you know Sully... Then youprobably know McMurphy.

You are genetically incapable of keeping a secret.

You have Irish Alzheimer's...you forget everything but the grudges!

'Irish Stew' is a euphemism for 'boiled leftovers.'

Your skin's ability to tan.... not so much. (Only in spots!)

Childhood remedies for the common cold often included some form of whiskey.

There's no leaving a family party without saying goodbye for at least 45minutes.

At this very moment, you have at least two relatives who are not speaking
to each other. Not fighting, mind you, just not speaking to each other

ERIN GO BRAUGH!

The Cost of Waiting for Prices to Fall...YIKES

2011-02-14T14:45:00.000-06:00

by The KCM Crew...

This is great information..Get on with life..I am here to help you!

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Many purchasers have been sitting on the sidelines waiting for home prices to hit bottom. They want to guarantee that they are purchasing at the best possible price. Like them, we also believe that prices still have some room to fall in most markets. However, we disagree that waiting is a good financial decision. The buyer should not be concerned about housing prices. They should be concerned about cost.
The cost of a house is made up of the price AND THE INTEREST RATE they will be paying. Two different pieces of news released yesterday highlight this point.

PRICES

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) released their 4^th quarter housing research report. In the release, they reported that home sales rose 15.4% in the 4th quarter over the 3rd quarter. They also showed that prices remained stable during the year:

The national median existing single-family price was $170,600 in the fourth quarter, up 0.2 percent from $170,300 in the fourth quarter of 2009.

A buyer who delayed a purchase might find solace in the fact that prices have not increased. However, the other news released yesterday paints a different picture.

INTEREST RATES

The Primary Mortgage Market Survey was released by Freddie Mac which showed that the 30 year fixed rate mortgage was at 5.05%. Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist of Freddie Mac said:

“Long-term bond yields jumped on positive economic data reports, which placed upward pressure on mortgage rates this week…As a result, interest rates on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to the highest level since the last week in April 2010.”

So prices have remained stable but interest rates have risen dramatically in the last 90 days. What does that mean to a buyer looking to purchase a home this year?

The price is the same. It just costs more.

Let’s show you what the news means:
By sitting on the sidelines for the last 90 days a purchaser lost:

$89.44 a month
$1,073.28 a year
$32,198.40 over the thirty year life of the mortgage

If you buy a $340,000 home, double all these numbers.

Bottom Line

Even if prices fall another 10% this year, the cost of a home will increase if interest rates go up more than 1%. Buyers should not worry where prices are going. They should be concerned where costs will be later in the year.

What are prices going to do this Spring?

2011-01-12T16:53:00.000-06:00

Here is another great article from KCM crew...m-m-m..makes you think..doesn't it????

"We believe that things are usually as they seem. We are not the type of organization that believes in conspiracies. However, there is something interesting in some of the housing price studies we are seeing in our research. It seems that some of the groups making the predictions are the same ones that have the greatest power to affect the prices they are projecting.
Most housing analysts warn that the heaviest downward pressure on prices will be created by distressed properties and the speed at which they will be released to the market. Research shows that ‘short sales’ sell at a 20% discount and foreclosures sell at a whopping 40% discount. Obviously, when and how much discounted real estate enters the market will have a major impact on prices of surrounding properties.

Back to our research

We are now seeing that a certain segment of those projecting future pricing have two things in common:

They believe prices will fall rather dramatically in the first half of 2011
They have control of the flow of discounted properties to the market

Predictions for the first half of 2011 by firms that fall in the above category:

Bank of America projects that prices will fall 3.7%
Fannie Mae predicts that median prices will drop $12,500
Wells Fargo reported that they feel home prices will drop 8%

Not a coincidence

"We are beginning to realize this is not a coincidence. The organizations which should best know when the surge of foreclosures will be released are saying house prices will be hit the hardest in the first half of the year. We are not asserting that there is anything devious in what we have found. We are just reporting that those who have control over the flow of distressed properties must think/know that inventory is about to be released. Why else would so many of them be predicting a sharp decline in home values in the next 120 days?

Bottom Line

If you currently have your house on the market and are hoping that you will see a better price after the snow melts or the temperature warms up (aka Spring), BE CAREFUL! Those in the know are warning you the best price might be attained TODAY!"
Call me today! I am here to help you!
Judy
www.JudyGibbonsProperties.com

The New Foreclosure Mess: What it means to you by KCM Crew

2010-10-12T10:48:00.000-05:00

Last week, we reported on the beginnings of the mess the banks created by using ‘robo-signers’ to fast track foreclosure filings. We detailed the challenge and said that “the process of foreclosing may grind to a screeching halt”. And, it has. Bank of America has announced that it has halted foreclosures in all fifty states. Other major lenders have ceased foreclosures in 23 states and some politicians are calling for a total industry-wide moratorium.

Wow..important information you need to know about foreclosures..

by The KCM Crew on October 12, 2010 ·

142Share

Today, we want to explain what is actually taking place and what impact the situation may have on you and your family over the next several months.
Currently, many banks have ceased foreclosure procedures in all states which require a judicial process. You can find out whether your state requires such a process by visiting All Foreclosure.com which lists foreclosure procedures by state. It is our belief that all fifty states will eventually be impacted by the controversy.

How will it impact you?

That depends on where you are in the real estate process. We will look at three situations: your home is in foreclosure, you are selling or you’re buying a foreclosure.

You are a homeowner in the foreclosure process

It appears that some banks will be backing away from following through with normal foreclosure processes until they can be assured that their paperwork is in order. Early estimates are calling for a potential 30-90 delay to many foreclosure procedures (notices, repossessions, sales, etc.) However, there is absolutely no way for anyone to be sure whether your particular situation will be delayed.

You are currently selling a house

We have reported often on the affect foreclosures have on home prices in a community. The actual impact is measurable.
According to RealtyTrac, bank-owned properties went for an average of 35% less than non-foreclosure sales. Foreclosures not only absorb buyers but also impact the appraisals of the homes that surround them.
Obviously, if there are less distressed properties coming to the market, there will be less downward pressure on pricing in the short term. The Washington Post, in an article last week, reported:

Stretching out the foreclosure process would reduce the number of houses dumped on the market over the next six months, which could help firm up housing prices in the short term and put some extra support under a sagging economy.

There may be a window of opportunity for a seller to maximize the price they receive for their home if they sell in the next 90 days.

You are currently buying a foreclosure

A portion of the inventory of foreclosed homes on the market has been frozen. Banks and title companies (who insure good title to the property a buyer purchases) want to make sure the bank actually owns the property legally before they sell it.
The Washington Post in an article last week reported:

Nick Chaconas, a Maryland real estate agent, said he was one week from completing a foreclosure deal for one client, who was buying a $470,000 fixer-upper in Potomac, when an e-mail arrived putting the deal on the skids.
The e-mail, from the title insurance company involved in the deal, said the mortgage lender PNC was suspending foreclosure sales for at least 30 days “due to a review being undertaken on all foreclosure files.”

If you are buying a foreclosure, anticipate potential delays. We do not believe there will be large numbers of cancellations. Be patient and realize that you are getting a substantial savings on the purchase.

How long will the challenge persist?

The impact this will have on the housing recovery will be determined by both the depth and width of the challenge. Are there large numbers of homes that were mistakenly foreclosed on? We doubt it. Will the instances where errors (or even fraud) did exist cause mass delays? Maybe.
Peter J. Henning who follows issues involving securities law and white-collar crime for DealBook’s White Collar Watch explained:

The revelation of potential problems stretching across the foreclosure landscape means that civil suits against the parties to the process are inevitable. In individual foreclosure proceedings, homeowners would probably challenge any attempt to take title to the property, which may allow them to remain in their houses a while longer, or even stop the proceeding altogether.
On a larger scale, there are likely to be two potential classes of plaintiffs pursuing civil suits against the banks and others for their roles: first, homeowners who earlier lost their properties to foreclosure in which questionable documents were filed, and second, title insurance companies that may be on the hook for claims by purchasers of foreclosed properties who now have a cloud on the title to their house. Each may claim that the faulty documentation in the foreclosure cases caused them harm.

If class actions suits start to dominate this story, it could be a long time before we normalize the situation.

How will it impact the market overall?

There could be widespread ramifications. The Washington Post in an article last week:

It would not help the recovery of the economy, or the real estate market, if the foreclosure process became so hopelessly tangled that banks and investors effectively lose the ability to recoup the remaining value of their collateral. That would provide some immediate financial relief to households facing foreclosure, but it would encourage many more homeowners to begin shirking their mortgage payments in the belief that they would also be able to avoid the consequences. The long term consequences of that would be that mortgage rates would be higher and mortgage loans would be smaller and harder to get.

Bottom Line

As we said last week, fewer foreclosures coming to the market right now will mean prices will be less impacted. However, these properties will eventually come to market; if not now, than later. That will delay the housing recovery – perhaps for years.

NAR Reports Existing U.S. Home Sales Rise 7.6% in August Posted by Michael Gerrity 09/23/10

2010-09-23T09:40:00.000-05:00

Read this uplifting article written by Michael Gerrity

"According to the National Association of Realtors, Existing-home sales rose in August following a big correction in July, according to Existing-home sales, which are completed transactions that include single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, increased 7.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.13 million in August from an upwardly revised 3.84 million in July, but remain 19.0 percent below the 5.10 million-unit pace in August 2009.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said home sales still remain subpar. "The housing market is trying to recover on its own power without the home buyer tax credit. Despite very attractive affordability conditions, a housing market recovery will likely be slow and gradual because of lingering economic uncertainty," Yun said.

According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage fell to a record low 4.43 percent in August from 4.56 percent in July; the rate was 5.19 percent in August 2009.

Yun added, "Home values have shown stabilizing trends over the past year, even as the economy shed millions of jobs, because of the home buyer tax credit stimulus. Now that the economy is adding some jobs, the housing market needs to steadily improve and eventually stand on its own."

The national median existing-home price for all housing types was $178,600 in August, up 0.8 percent from a year ago. Distressed homes rose to 34 percent of sales in August from 32 percent in July; they were 31 percent in August 2009.

NAR President Vicki Cox Golder, owner of Vicki L. Cox & Associates in Tucson, Ariz., said consumers have been getting mixed signals about the housing market. "People understand the good affordability conditions with stable home prices in most areas, but they're concerned about the economy and speculation on Wall Street," she said. "We need to stick with the facts about the long-term value of homeownership and avoid unrealistic assessments. Tight credit and slow short sales are ongoing problems - expediting short sales will help the market to recover more quickly."

Total housing inventory at the end of August slipped 0.6 percent to 3.98 million existing homes available for sale, which represents an 11.6-month supply at the current sales pace, down from a 12.5-month supply in July.

A parallel NAR practitioner survey shows first-time buyers purchased 31 percent of homes in August, down from 38 percent in July. Investors rose to a 21 percent market share in August from 19 percent in July; the balance of purchases were by repeat buyers. All-cash sales slipped to 28 percent in August from 30 percent in July.

Single-family home sales rose 7.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.62 million in August from a level of 3.37 million in July, but are 19.2 percent lower than the 4.48 million level in August 2009. The median existing single-family home price was $179,300 in August, up 1.2 percent from a year ago.

Single-family median existing-home prices were higher in 10 out of 19 metropolitan statistical areas reported in August from a year ago (the price in one of 20 tracked markets was not available). Existing single-family home sales were down in all 20 metro areas from August 2009.

Existing condominium and co-op sales increased 8.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 510,000 in August from 470,000 in July, but are 17.1 percent below the 615,000-unit pace in August 2009. The median existing condo price was $174,000 in August, which is 2.8 percent below a year ago.

Regionally, existing-home sales in the Northeast rose 7.9 percent to an annual level of 680,000 in August but are 24.4 percent below August 2009. The median price in the Northeast was $260,300, up 7.6 percent from a year ago.

Existing-home sales in the Midwest increased 5.0 percent in August to a pace of 840,000 but are 26.3 percent below a year ago. The median price in the Midwest was $149,600, up 0.4 percent from August 2009.

In the South, existing-home sales rose 5.2 percent to an annual level of 1.62 million in August but are 13.4 percent below August 2009. The median price in the South was $155,000, down 1.5 percent from a year ago.

Existing-home sales in the West jumped 13.8 percent to an annual pace of 990,000 in August but are 16.1 percent lower than August 2009. The median price in the West was $214,700, which is 2.5 percent below a year ago."

Remember I am here to help! Call me with any real estate questions!

Cheers,

"Anything is Possible" by Deana DiIaconi

2010-09-16T09:08:00.000-05:00

Believe in Yourself,and Remember thatAnything Is PossibleBelieve in what makes you feel good.Believe in what makes you happy.Believe in the dreams you've always wanted to come true,and give them every chance to.Life holds no promisesas to what will come your way.You must search for your own idealsand work towards reaching them.Life makes no guarantees as to what you'll have.It just gives you time to make choicesand to take chancesand to discover whatever secrets might come your way.If you are willing to take the opportunities you are given and utilize the abilities you have,you will constantly fill your lifewith special moments and unforgettable times.No one knows the mysteries of life or its ultimate meaning,but for those who are willingto believe in their dreams and in themselves,life is a precious gift in which anything is possible.~ Dena DiIaconi ~

Keep believing..and enjoy whatever "Season" you are in!
Cheers,

Back Away from your TV and throw the Newspaper out!

2010-08-26T12:21:00.000-05:00

Ok..Let's just face it..Sometimes, maybe most of the time..The news wants to shock us! So..I say "Don't Listen"...I have uploaded the latest figures from Barrington..sorry it's a little tough to read but take a minute and look at the numbers...Since July 2008 to July 2010 109 more homes sold! That's a 10.7% increase.Homes Under Contract is up 2.5% and Sold is up 24.4%.Are we back to the "good ole days"??? NO...will we ever be??? M-m-m not so sure..but one of the lessons we can all learn is your home is not and should not be considered your piggy bank!

The 5 dumbest Reasons Given for Not Buying a Home

2010-08-02T11:48:00.000-05:00

This is such a great article written by Steve Harney..I just had to share it!

"It is so easy to kick someone who is down. It doesn’t take much effort and there is little fear of retaliation. Many people are jumping on the band wagon riding against homeownership in this country. People are pontificating on every aspect. Whether it is pricing or the more intrinsic values of owning a home doesn’t seem to matter. Some believe that homeownership is bad for you and maybe even bad for the country. Are these people crazy?A few years of a down market does not wipe out over 200 years of American real estate history.

Owning your own home is as much a part of the American dream today as it was when my great grandparents entered this country. There are people flocking to America every day with the hope that they too will be able to someday purchase their own home: a place where they can raise their families and invite their friends; a place where they can build the memories that become the family stories that will be passed down from generation to generation.Each Wednesday for the next five weeks I am going to take one of the five dumbest reasons people use to explain why you shouldn’t buy a home today. We will start today with:

Dumb Reason #1: Real Estate is no longer a good investment

There is no doubt that houses in this country have lost substantial value over the last five years. We could make the argument that the purchase of a home should not be looked at as a financial decision. However, that would just embolden those who make this argument. We will, instead, take this subject on directly.The naysayers love to shout:If you think real estate is a good investment, ask someone who bought in 2006. They are 100% correct. People who bought a home in 2006 and need to sell it today could lose as much as 25-30% of its value.

However, a person who placed money in the Dow in 2007 and sold it in January 2009 would have lost 49.3%. Even if they sold today they would still be at a 26.7% loss. Does that mean that we should never again invest in stocks?If someone bought gold at the end of 1987 and sold it in 2000 they would have lost approximately 50% of their investment. I am sure there were people in 2000 who decried gold as an investment when it dropped to almost $250 an ounce. I hope people didn’t listen as gold is now trading for over $1,200 an ounce.

It bothers me when people look at just the monetary price of a home. Its value is so much more than that. Your house provides shelter and a place to spend time with friends and family. Yet, your home also is expected to provide a return on investment. What other big ticket item that we buy do we expect that from? We don’t expect cars to appreciate. We don’t expect a boat to appreciate.But, if a return is what you are looking for, let’s compare housing to the stock market. Not in short term intervals but over the long run. Here is the percentage return you would have on May 31, 2010 if you invested money in each of these instruments on January 1, 2000:

Real Estate was the best investment even throughout one of the most difficult decades in American homeownership."
When you see these numbers..it speaks loud and clear. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???
Please call me with any questions you may have about Real Estate..I am here to help!
Cheers,

Home Sale information for Barrington...still ahead of last year!

2010-07-23T21:39:00.003-05:00

Great information...Sometimes when you are watching the news..you are not really getting the correct information for our "neck of the woods" For instance...sales in our Multiple Listing Service are actually up!!

"Annualized Existing Home Sales for June dropped 5.1% from May, but were still 9.8% above the pace a year ago, according to a report released by NAR today. “June home sales still reflect a tax credit impact with some sales not closed due to delays, which will show up in the next two months. Only when jobs are created at a sufficient pace will home sales return to sustainable, healthy levels,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR Chief Economist.

“Despite market swings, total annual home sales are rising above 2009,” said NAR President Vicki Cox Golder.

Note: The RE/MAX National Housing Report on 54 metro areas, which is not annualized, showed a 5.6% increase over June 2009 sales.

June Annualized Existing Home Sales

	June 2010	May 2010	1 Mo Change	June 2009	1 Year Change
National	5.37mil	5.66mil	-5.1%	4.89mil	+9.8%

Northeast	.960mil	.890mil	+7.9%	.820mil	+17.1%
Midwest	1.23mil	1.33mil	-7.5%	1.10mil	+11.8%
South	2.01mil	2.15mil	-6.5%	1.81mil	+11.0%
West	1.17mil	1.29mil	-9.3%	1.16mil	+0.9%

June Inventory Levels

1. Total residential inventory = + 2.5% to 3.99 million homes

2. Months Supply = 8.9 months up from 8.3 in May

June Median Sales Price

1. National All Residential = $183,700, which is 1.0% higher than June 2009

June Survey

1. Distressed homes were 32% of all sales up from 31% in May

2. First Time Buyers purchased 43% of all homes, down from 46% in May

3. Investors accounted for 13% of all sales down from 14% in May

4. All-Cash deals were 24% down from 25% in May

5. 30 yr fixed average = 4.74% down from 4.89% in May and 5.42% a year ago.

(National average commitment rate from Freddie Mac)

So folks...if you want to know what is happening in "our neck of the woods" call Judy!
cheers!

4th of July Festivities in Barrington!

2010-06-29T18:11:00.000-05:00

"O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!

America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassion'd stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness.

America! America!
God mend thine ev'ry flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law.

O beautiful for heroes prov'd
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life.

America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness,
And ev'ry gain divine.

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears.

America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea."

This is going to be a busy week in Barrington...festivities actually start on June 30th! Click below to check out what's happening and hope to see you!

Here is the schedule for the 4th of July in Barrington

Remember to Thank a Veteran --without them we would not be celebrating The 4th of July!

Cheers!

Father's Day Quotes

2010-06-19T19:27:00.001-05:00

Happy Father's Day! Enjoy your day and enjoy your children! My new favorite father's day quote "Call your Dad..because I wish I still could" William "Red" Logue..the world's best Dad!

The greatest gift I ever had
Came from God; I call him Dad!
~Author Unknown

Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a dad.
~ Anonymous

A man's children and his garden both reflect the amount of weeding done during the growing season.
~ Anonymous

A father is always making his baby into a little woman. And when she is a woman he turns her back again.
~ Enid Bagnold

The father who does not teach his son his duties is equally guilty with the son who neglects them.
~ Confucius

If the new American father feels bewildered and even defeated, let him take comfort from the fact that whatever he does in any fathering situation has a fifty percent chance of being right.
~ Bill Cosby

You know, fathers just have a way of putting everything together.
~ Erika Cosby

Be kind to thy father, for when thou wert young, who loved thee so fondly as he? He caught the first accents that fell from thy tongue, and joined in thy innocent glee.
~ Margaret Courtney

How true Daddy's words were when he said: "All children must look after their own upbringing." Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands.
~ Anne Frank

I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection.
~ Sigmond Freud

A man knows when he is growing old because he begins to look like his father.
~ Gabriel García Márquez

It is a wise child that knows his own father.
~ Homer

It is a wise father that knows his own child.
~ William Shakespeare

It is much easier to become a father than to be one.
~ Kent Nerburn

He who is taught to live upon little owes more to his father's wisdom than he who has a great deal left him does to his father's care.
~ William Penn

None of you can ever be proud enough of being the child of such a Father who has not his equal in this world - so great, so good, so faultless. Try, all of you, to follow in his footsteps and don't be discouraged, for to be really in everything like him none of you, I am sure, will ever be. Try, therefore, to be like him in some points, and you will have acquired a great deal.
~ Queen Victoria of England

It doesn't matter who my father was; it matters who I remember he was.
~ Anne Sexton

That is the thankless position of the father in the family - the provider for all, and the enemy of all.
~ J. August Strindberg

For thousands of years, father and son have stretched wistful hands across the canyon of time.
~ Alan Valentine

The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.
~ Henry Ward Beecher

Sherman made the terrible discovery that men make about their fathers sooner or later...that the man before him was not an aging father but a boy, a boy much like himself, a boy who grew up and had a child of his own and, as best he could, out of a sense of duty and, perhaps love, adopted a role called Being a Father so that his child would have something mythical and infinitely important: a Protector, who would keep a lid on all the chaotic and catastrophic possibilities of life.
~ Tom Wolfe, The Bonfire of the Vanities

"By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he's wrong."
~ Charles Wadsworth quotes

"Becoming a father is easy enough, but being one can be very rough"
~ Wilhelm Busch

"It is a wise child that knows its own father, and an unusual one that unreservedly approves of him"
~ Mark Twain

"Other things may change us, but we start and end with family"
~ Anthony Brandt

"To be a successful father there's one absolute rule: when you have a kid, don't look at it for the first two years"
~ Ernest Hemingway

"Every parent is at some time the father of the unreturned prodigal, with nothing to do but keep his house open to hope"
~ John Ciardi

"If the new American father feels bewildered and even defeated, let him take comfort from the fact that whatever he does in any fathering situation has a fifty percent chance of being right."
~ Bill Cosby

"My father didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it."
~ Clarence B. Kelland

"A father is always making his baby into a little woman. And when she is a woman he turns her back again."
~ Enid Bagnold

"One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters."
~ George Herbert

"My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, "You're tearing up the grass"; "We're not raising grass," Dad would reply. "We're raising boys";"
~ Harmon Killebrew

"Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him father!"
~ Lydia M. Child

"A king, realizing his incompetence, can either delegate or abdicate his duties. A father can do neither. If only sons could see the paradox, they would understand the dilemma."
~ Marlene Dietrich

"I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection."
~ Sigmund Freud

"It doesn't matter who my father was; it matters who I remember he was."
~ Anne Sexton

"Sometimes the poorest man leaves his children the richest inheritance."
~ Ruth E. Renkel

"When a father gives to his son, both laugh; when a son gives to his father, both cry."
~ William Shakespeare

"That is the thankless position of the father in the family-the provider for all, and the enemy of all."
~ August Strindberg

"When one has not had a good father, one must create one."
~ Aziza Friedrich Nietzsche

"He who is taught to live upon little owes more to his father's wisdom than he who has a great deal left him does to his father's care."
~ William Penn

"When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years."
~ Mark Twain

He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.
~ Clarence Budington Kelland

My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, "You're tearing up the grass." "We're not raising grass," Dad would reply. "We're raising boys."
~ Harmon Killebrew

One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters.
~ George Herbert, Outlandish Proverbs, 1640

Fatherhood is pretending the present you love most is soap-on-a-rope.
~ Bill Cosby

Father! - to God himself we cannot give a holier name.
~ William Wordsworth

Henry James once defined life as that predicament which precedes death, and certainly nobody owes you a debt of honor or gratitude for getting him into that predicament. But a child does owe his father a debt, if Dad, having gotten him into this peck of trouble, takes off his coat and buckles down to the job of showing his son how best to crash through it.
~ Clarence Budington Kelland

A father is always making his baby into a little woman. And when she is a woman he turns her back again.
~ Enid Bagnold

Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him father!
~ Lydia M. Child, Philothea: A Romance, 1836

It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us fathers and sons.
~Johann Schiller

When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years.
~ Mark Twain, "Old Times on the Mississippi" Atlantic Monthly, 1874

Dad, you're someone to look up to no matter how tall I've grown.
~ Author Unknown

There's something like a line of gold thread running through a man's words when he talks to his daughter, and gradually over the years it gets to be long enough for you to pick up in your hands and weave into a cloth that feels like love itself.
~ John Gregory Brown (Decorations in a Ruined Cemetery), 1994

Happy Father's Day!

Cheers!

Jennifer Michaels Hair Studio..making news

2010-06-14T14:21:00.000-05:00

Barrington’s local salon, Jennifer Michaels Hair Studio has been creating quite the “Buzz” lately..and no I don’t mean that as in hair terms you know like “Buzzcut”!! The salon recently participated downtown Chicago in a live hair and photo shoot with GlamLive, a high fashion production company. The theme of the show was “Rockabilly”. The girls were “rocking” out hairstyles all night long! Models came in although-out the evening to get styled up and then were photographed. Check out the photo’s!Become a fan of Jennifer Michaels Hair Studio or go to their website www.Jennifer-Michaels.com

And I don't know about you..but I am really thinking about cutting my hair short!!!
Remember to tell them Judy sent you!

2010-06-04T19:41:00.000-05:00

4 Tips to Determine How Much Mortgage You Can Afford

Article From BuyAndSell.HouseLogic.comBy: G. M. Filisko This is a great article..please share it with anyone you know that is thinking about purchasing a home! Remember..I am here to help!

"By knowing how much mortgage you can handle, you can ensure that home ownership will fit in your budget.

Homeownership should make you feel safe and secure, and that includes financially. Be sure you can afford your home by calculating how much of a mortgage you can safely fit into your budget. Instead of just taking out the biggest mortgage a lender qualifies you to borrow, consider how much you want to pay each month for housing based on your financial and personal goals. Think ahead to major life events and consider how those might influence your budget. Do you want to return to school for an advanced degree? Will a new child add day care to your monthly expenses? Does a relative plan to eventually live with you and contribute to the mortgage? Still not sure how much you can afford? You can use the same formulas that most lenders use, or try another of these traditional methods for estimating the amount of mortgage you can afford.

1. The general rule of mortgage affordability

As a rule of thumb, you can typically afford a home priced two to three times your gross income. If you earn $100,000, you can typically afford a home between $200,000 and $300,000. To understand how that rule applies to your particular financial situation, prepare a family budget and list all the costs of homeownership, like property taxes, insurance, maintenance, utilities, and community association fees, if applicable, as well as costs specific to your family, such as day care costs.

2. Factor in your down payment

How much money do you have for a down payment? The higher your down payment, the lower your monthly payments will be. If you put down at least 20% of the home's cost, you may not have to get private mortgage insurance, which costs hundreds each month. That leaves more money for your mortgage payment.

The lower your down payment, the higher the loan amount you'll need to qualify for and the higher your monthly mortgage payment.

3. Consider your overall debt

Lenders generally follow the 28/41 rule. Your monthly mortgage payments covering your home loan principal, interest, taxes, and insurance shouldn't total more than 28% of your gross annual income. Your overall monthly payments for your mortgage plus all your other bills, like car loans, utilities, and credit cards, shouldn't exceed 41% of your gross annual income. Here's how that works. If your gross annual income is $100,000, multiply by 28% and then divide by 12 months to arrive at a monthly mortgage payment of $2,333 or less. Next, check the total of all your monthly bills including your potential mortgage and make sure they don't top 41%, or $3,416 in our example.

4. Use your rent as a mortgage guide

The tax benefits of homeownership generally allow you to afford a mortgage payment-including taxes and insurance-of about one-third more than your current rent payment without changing your lifestyle. So you can multiply your current rent by 1.33 to arrive at a rough estimate of a mortgage payment. Here's an example. If you currently pay $1,500 per month in rent, you should be able to comfortably afford a $2,000 monthly mortgage payment after factoring in the tax benefits of homeownership. However, if you're struggling to keep up with your rent, consider what amount would be comfortable and use that for the calcuation instead. Also consider whether or not you'll itemize your deductions. If you take the standard deduction, you can't also deduct mortgage interest payments. Talking to a tax adviser, or using a tax software program to do a "what if" tax return, can help you see your tax situation more clearly.

More from HouseLogic

More on the mortgage interest deduction (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/mortgage-interest-deduction-vital-housing-market/) More on the tax advantages of homeownership (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/tax-tips-homeowners-preparing-2009-returns/)

Other web resources

A worksheet on home affordability (http://www.ginniemae.gov/2_prequal/intro_questions.asp?Section=YPTH) Freddie Mac information on home affordability (http://www.freddiemac.com/corporate/buyown/english/preparing/right_for_you/afford.html)"

Any questions you may have..just give me a call! Or email...JudyGibbons@remax.net

or send me a message on www.facebook.com/judygibbons

Short Sale Myths..from Certified Distressed Property Expert

2010-05-14T14:24:00.002-05:00

Short Sale Myths

"A short sale can be an excellent solution for homeowners who must sell and owe more on their homes than they are worth. Unfortunately, a number of myths about short sales have developed, and it is important to understand the reality of this process should you find it meets your current needs.

Myth #1 – The Bank Would Rather Foreclose than Bother with a Short Sale

This is one of the most common misconceptions. The reality is that banks do not want to foreclose on your property because the foreclosure process is incredibly costly. Banks, investors, and even the federal government have all publicly stated that if a person is qualified for a short sale, the deal needs to be considered. Overwhelmingly, banks receive more on their investment through a short sale than a foreclosure.
The qualifications for a short sale include:

1. Financial Hardship – There is a situation causing you to have trouble affording your mortgage.

2. Monthly Income Shortfall – “You have more month than money.” A lender will want to see that you cannot afford, or soon will not be able to afford your mortgage.

3. Insolvency – The lender will want to see that you do not have significant liquid assets that would allow you to pay down your mortgage.

Myth #2 – You Must Be Behind on Your Mortgage to Negotiate a Short Sale

While this may have previously been the case, today lenders are looking for verifiable hardship, monthly cash flow shortfall, or pending shortfall and insolvency.

If you meet these three requirements and believe that you soon may be unable to afford your mortgage, act immediately. Any delay could limit your options. Do not wait until the countdown clock to foreclosure has started and you have even less time left.

Myth #3 – There is Not Enough Time to Negotiate a Short Sale Before My Foreclosure

This is a myth that probably hurts homeowners the most. Many do not realize that foreclosure is a process, and that there is time to make decisions that may result in better outcomes.

The foreclosing party—in most cases a lender—can stall a foreclosure up to the final day of the process. Today, many lenders will stall a foreclosure with as little as a phone call from you explaining that you are trying to sell, and almost all lenders will stall a foreclosure with a legitimate contract. For real estate professionals who understand foreclosures and short sales, there is time available until the foreclosure process is complete.

Myth #4 – Listing My Home as a Short Sale is an Embarrassment

It is understandable to have reservations about letting the world know that you owe more on your home than it is worth. However, according to recent estimates, more than one out of eight homeowners in the U.S. is in the same situation. You are to be congratulated for admitting you need help, taking action, and finding a professional who can work with you toward a solution.

With recent estimates showing 40-60% of U.S. sales will be short sales or foreclosures, you are not alone.

Myth #5 – Short Sales are Impossible and Never Get Approved

This is a complete falsehood. Are short sales more difficult to execute? Yes. Do you, as a homeowner, need to learn about a new process? Yes. Are they impossible? Absolutely not.

For example, agents with the Certified Distressed Property Expert® (CDPE) Designation receive thousands of short sale approvals on a monthly basis. These professionals have undergone extensive training in methods to help homeowners in distress and process short sales. While there are no guarantees in any transaction, more and more short sales are being approved regularly. This is far from an impossible process.

Myth #6 – Banks are Waiting on a Bailout and Not Accepting Short Sales

You may have heard this, but the reality is that banks (and the U.S. government) are trying to do anything they can, within reason, to avoid foreclosing on properties. It is preposterous to believe they would deny a short sale in hopes that some future legislation would pass and pay them for losses.
Today, more banks are aggressively pursuing short sales and working with agents who understand how to process them. Freddie Mac recently hosted a national training Webinar for real estate agents where they expressly stated the organizational goal of “eliminating distressed assets through modification or short sale.”

Myth #7 – Buyers are Not Interested in Short Sale Properties

This is a myth that potential sellers hear all the time. Thankfully, this is just not true. In fact, many agents are getting calls from buyers who say they only want to look at foreclosure and short sales.

For buyers, short sales and foreclosures have become synonymous with “good deals.” More specifically, international buyers are targeting these properties. Listing with an experienced agent who is educated in the short sale process will provide you with a great chance of quickly seeing a contract on your property.

In conclusion, Agents with the CDPE Designation have been trained in all aspects of the short sale process, and know how to deal with the parties involved in foreclosures. Finding a CDPE can explain what options you have, and get you on the path to recovery."

That's me! I can help you! I am a CDPE and a SFR.
Remember, anything we discuss is confindential!

Home Sale information for Barrington...WOW! Look at these numbers!

2010-04-29T09:57:00.000-05:00

MLS Stats as of March 30, 2010
Mar-09			Mar-10
Total MLS Active Residential Listings	64,710	60,557	Down	-6.42%
Average Market Time of Pending Listings	214	168	Down	-21.50%
Average Market Time of Active Listings	350	192	Down	-45.14%
Number of Solds for Month	3,153	4,371	Up	27.87%
Median Sales Price (for December)	$180,000	$180,000	EVEN	0.00%
Number of Properties Under Contract (Dec)	4,227	6,796	Up	37.80%
Months Supply	12.7	7.0	Down	-44.88%
Percent Under Contract	6.50	11.20	Up	41.96%
Barrington Sold Homes YTD (Thru April 25)	56	84	Up	33.33%
Number of Solds Total Year	7,636	10,127	Up	24.60%

PEOPLE....NOW is the time to sell your home!

Call me if you have any questions!

Cheers!

Happy Earth Day! Great Article from Houselogic

2010-04-22T12:23:00.004-05:00

Here is a lot of great info you can use to save money and help our world be a little greener!
Happy Earth Day!
Here is a picture of me..before we walked from St. Anne's School in Barrington to the center of town carrying signs for the 1st ever Earth Day! Wow..that was a long time ago...and we as a community have so much farther to go!

Start a Shared Tool Co-op
Save money and have access to a truly stunning tool collection by starting a neighbor-to-neighbor lending program or a tool library. Read
Saving Money with Salvaged Building Materials
Salvaged building materials allow you to improve your home inexpensively—but might require an extra investment of time and energy. Read
Start a Bartering Co-op
A barter co-op helps neighbors share their skills and talents with each other by trading tasks instead of money. Read
5 Programs for Improving Local Waste Recycling
Unique waste recycling programs help save tax dollars by diverting trash from the landfill and into the recycling stream. Read
Start a Community Garden: Find and Design a Site
Find the right spot for your community garden, and you can potentially boost property values while saving money on produce. Read

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Peak House Prices ..when will they return?

2010-04-13T16:27:00.001-05:00

Thought this was a very interesting article from Diana Golobay....

Peak House Prices Will Return to Sand States after 2025: Fiserv

by DIANA GOLOBAY

Housing markets that experienced the greatest inflation in house prices — including certain metro areas in sand states California, Florida, Arizona and Nevada — will not see a return of peak-level home prices before 2025, according to financial services technology provider Fiserv.
According to the Fiserv Case-Shiller indices measuring historical home price data and forecasts for more than 375 local markets, scattered metropolitan areas could recover home prices before 2013 (highlighted below, in blue):

“Nationally, Fiserv Case-Shiller data points to a further 7% decline in home prices through the end of this year, with a prolonged recovery beginning early in 2011. In many markets, the emphasis is on the word ‘prolonged,’” said Fiserv chief economist David Stiff in a statement this week.
Other factors besides a run-up in house prices are dragging down recovery times in the industrial Midwest — including Michigan, Indiana and Ohio — where steep job losses in the manufacturing sector could keep housing demand low for some time.
But the data is not “uniformly grim” across all states, Stiff added.
A number of trends have defined initial signs of recovery in the housing market in recent months, including rising home sales. In particular, Pittsburgh, PA; Columbia, SC; and several metropolitan areas in Texas, Washington and upstate New York could see peak-level prices return within the next few years.

Remember "knowledge" is power! And I am here to help you make the right real estate decisions for you!

Latest Foreclosure News..I can help!

2010-04-06T09:58:00.000-05:00

News from Realty Trac:
Top 10 Foreclosure Metro Areas February 2010 - Total Properties With Foreclosure Filings

1.Miami-Fort Lauderdale FL 19,033

2.Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA 18,118

3.Chicago-Naperville, IL 16,186

4.Phoenix-Mesa, AZ 13,830

5.Riverside-San Bernardino, CA 12,840

6.Detroit-Warren MI 12,078

7.Atlanta-Sandy Springs, GA 9,096

8.Las Vegas-Paradise 9,012

9.Orlando-Kissimmee, FL 6,823

10.Tampa-St Petersburg, FL 6,681

According to Realty Trac, Foreclosure filings-default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossesssions were 2% lower than previous month but still 6% higher than reported in Feburary 2009. 1 in 418 US hones recieved foreclosure filing. Though is is the smallest increase since January 2006.

Remember, if you have any questions regarding purchasing a foreclosure or short sale or if you know anyone that might be late on their payments and possibly facing losing their home...I am here to help. I am a Certified Distressed Property Expert as well as an Shortsale Foreclosure Resource.

The Harder I Work The Luckier I Get!!!

2010-03-17T11:57:00.001-05:00

I don't need the "Luck of the Irish" to help you with your Real Estate needs...and that's "No Blarney"
Here a few of my favorite Irish Blessings and Sayings:

May you always have
Walls for the winds,
A roof for the rain,
Tea beside the fire,
Laughter to cheer you,
Those you love near you,
And all your heart might desire!

May you be in
Heaven a half hour before the
Devil knows you're dead!

When Irish eyes are smiling,
Tis like a morn in spring.
With a lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing
When Irish hearts are happy
All the world is bright and gay
When Irish eyes are smiling
Sure, they steal your heart away.

May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.

There are many good reasons for drinking,
One has just entered my head.
If a man doesn't drink when he's living,
How in the hell can he drink when he's dead?

May the best day of your past
Be the worst day of your future.

I'm looking over a four leaf clover
That I overlooked before
One leaf is sunshine, the second is rain,
Third is the roses that grow in the lane.
No need explaining the one remaining
Is somebody I adore.
I'm looking over a four leaf clover
That I overlooked before.

May you live to be a hundred years
With one extra year to repent.

May those who love us, love us
And those who don't love us,
May God turn their hearts
And if he can't turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles
So we will know them by their limping!

As you slide down the banister of life,
May the splinters never point in the wrong direction!

May luck be our companion
May friends stand by our side
May history remind us all
Of Ireland's faith and pride.
May God bless us with happiness
May love and faith abide.

Leprechauns, castles, good luck and laughter
Lullabies, dreams, and love ever after.
Poems and songs with pipes and drums
A thousand welcomes when anyone comes.
That's the Irish for you!

There's a dear little plant that grows in our isle,
'Twas St. Patrick himself, sure, that sets it;
And the sun of his labor with pleasure did smile,
And with dew from his eye often wet it.
It grows through the bog, through the brake, through the mireland,
And they call it the dear little Shamrock of Ireland.

May your neighbors respect you,
Troubles neglect you,
The angels protect you,
And Heaven accept you.

May you have:
A world of wishes at your command
God and his angels close at hand
Friends and family their love impart,
And Irish blessings in you heart.

May God grant you many years to live,
For sure he must be knowing
The earth has angels all to few
And Heaven is overflowing.

These things I warmly wish to you-
Someone to love
Some work to do
A bit o' sun
A bit o' cheer
And a guardian angel always near.

Here's to a long life and a merry one
A quick death and an easy one
A pretty girl and an honest one
A cold beer and another one!

May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light,
May good luck pursue you each morning and night,

O Ireland isn't it grand you look
like a bride in her rich adornin?
And with all the pent up love of my heart
I bid you the top o' the mornin!

May the lilt of lush laughter lighten ever road,
May the midst of Irish magic shorten every road.
May you taste the sweetest pleasures
that fortune ever bestowed,
And may all your friends remember
all the favors you are owed.

Go mbeannai Dia duit
(May God Bless You)

May your home always be too small to hold all your friends.
God is good, but never dance in a small boat.

May you live as long as you want,
And never want as long as you live.

If you're enough lucky to be Irish...
You're lucky enough!

My wild Irish rose
The sweetest flower that grows
You may search everywhere
But none can compare to my wild Irish rose
My wild Irish rose
The sweetest flower that grows
Someday for my sake she may let me take
A bloom from my wild Irish rose

'Tis better to buy a small bouquet
And give to your friend this very day,
Than a bushel of roses white and red
To lay on his coffin after he's dead.

For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way-
Good health, good luck, and happiness
For today and every day.

And remember...Everybody is Irish on St. Paddy's Day!
See you at McGonigal's in Barrington (105 S Cook Street)?!!
Cheers!

Spring Break or Spring Broke???

2010-03-07T15:41:00.000-06:00

Just remembering the days of taking the kids on Spring Break. I would be exhasted before we left the house.
I would start to pack and realize the girls had grown over the winter..thus spring clothes would have to be purchased..except of course for the littlest one..oh hand me downs weren't so bad! Except if they were in pink..pink was not and still is not her color! Then off we went...always happy to be heading somewhere warm and a change of pace from Barrington!
Now, the thought of packing up the family is a distant memory...sports, jobs and the price of airline tickets have changed the way we think of spring broke..I mean spring break!

PS..if you are heading somewhere for Spring Break and find a fabulous condo or home you would like to purchase..STOP..call me and I will find you the best agent in the area to help you make a smart decision!

What is a short sale?

2010-02-26T11:18:00.000-06:00

I am not going to mince words in my blog today...DO NOT WALK AWAY FROM YOUR HOME!
Yes, we are all feeling the pinch of this economy and many of us have had a "change" in our circumstances--from losing a job,health issues,divorce, a fluctuating mortgage and/or the inability to refinance... just to mention a few.
There are ways to work out a settlement with the bank/mortgage holder.
Currently in Barrington , there are 151 homes (about 50 is vacant land) that have missed payments on their mortgage. 17 are going through the auction process and 41 are bank owned.
Most of these properties are not even on the market! Please if you or someone you know has missed a payment or will be soon..Let's talk about the possibility of a "short sale"
A short sale is when you sell your home for less than is owed on the mortgage.
I have been awarded a Certified Distressed Property Expert Designation as well as an SFR..Shortsale Foreclosure Resource. You know how I feel about Knowledge...it is Power!!!
Remember, I am here to help!
Cheers,

Living Large in a Small(er) Home...

2010-02-19T12:38:00.003-06:00

After years of super-sizing, Americans are looking for more modest living spaces.

Baby Boomers are now becoming “empty nesters” and are looking for simplification in their lives and downsizing fits the bill to a “T”! Young adults are keen on leaving less of a “footprint” and women lead the way in head of household homes that are being purchased. With the average home size declining, owners are being more creative with the square footage they have or will purchase.

Baby boomers are retiring, young adults are delaying marriage and the economy is still sputtering along. Although the average square footage of a new house is still double what it was in 1960, in the last year, it decreased slightly to 2,215 square feet from a high of 2,277 square feet in 2008, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Smaller houses require owners to rethink what they have and how they use things.

Often I have to work with my clients on “placing” furniture as we walk thru a prospective home and it can become a sticking point if “grandma’s dining room table won’t fit. I have also seen clients walk away from a gorgeous new home because the T.V wouldn’t be able to sit front and center!

This is where my staging expert comes in…

Mary Kalesz of McKenna and Me is a certified staging and redesign expert that has been helping clients re size their lives. Mary can help rearrange their furniture to maximize floor space, reuse and re-purpose …. Mary understands that the average size of a new home has decreased for the 1^st time in nearly 30 years. Also, Mary works with me to help you get your home ready to sell!

Mary says “If you wanted to move into a certain neighborhood 40 years ago, you'd only have one or two homes to choose from. Now you've got six homes on a block. People need to take that extra step. Staging will preserve more of the purchase price. And that's what people need to do - all that they can to increase the perceived value of their home ".

Here is a list of a few of Mary’s comprehensive services:

Home Staging and curb appeal consulting, de-cluttering and re-organizing, wall color and lighting schemes,inspired room configurations,window treatments, and attention grabbing finishing accents.You can contact Mary at 847-209-3221 or email her at mcandmedesign@sbcglobal.net. Check out Mary's website

Remember..I am here to help!

Cheers!

Once upon a time in a far away land...

2010-02-11T19:20:00.000-06:00

Ok..don't hate me because I was able to leave the frigid temps in Barrington,Il for the island paradise of Koh Samui, Thailand. WOW! Am I lucky or what!! We really enjoyed ourselves and meeting the wonderful Thai people..but there is no place like home! My father always would say "take your time going..but hurry home!"
http://www.youtube.com/my_videos

Grab your long undies!

2010-01-28T04:46:00.001-06:00

You have heard..when life gives you lemons make lemonade..well here is my new take on this winter in Barrington.... when its icy and (burrr) cold...put your skates on!
Here's a link to all the skating in Lake County

Have some winter fun and don't forget the hot chocolate!

so much to learn...so little time...

2010-01-22T18:09:00.002-06:00

Do you ever feel like the you are "living" the quote..."two steps ahead..one step behind"???
I pride myself on trying to know "what's going on" especially with 3 daughters to keep me in line..The constant banter of teens and the "Oh mom you aren't going to ask to be my facebook friend are you? And many other comments I can't possible repeat here! And you know what...I can deal with anything they want to say/think because at the end of the day I believe (I could be wrong but...)They will remember me as a person that never wanted to stop learning. So once again...knowledge is power...should I get that tattooed?? OH MOMMMMM!!!!

Did You Know: Social Media - Watch more Funny VideosDid You Know: Social Media - Watch more Funny Videos

Life can change in an instant...

2010-01-14T16:20:00.000-06:00

Why is it that tragedy has a way of finding its way to those who can survive it the least?

Though it seems like a "world away"the devastation in Haiti touches us all!

Haiti is the poorest nation in the western hemisphere, a place where malnutrition is widespread and less than half the population has access to clean drinking water. At 4:53:09 p.m. on Jan. 12, a 7.0 on the Richter scale earthquake devastated this country.

Wireless customers can send $10 donations
to the Red Cross International Relief Fund to help earthquake victims in Haiti.

Type in the word HAITI and send it to 90999. A confirmation message will arrive within a few minutes, to which the customer replies "yes" to finalize the donation. 100 percent of all money donated will be passed on to the Red Cross.

And then I suggest that you immediately hug everyone you love and count your blessings.

2009-12-29T10:03:00.000-06:00

9 Tips for Improving Your Credit Score

Well it’s almost that time of year..you know..when we “need” to make resolutions..usually it has to do with how many cookies/chips/sodas we will NOT have…or how many trips to the gym we WILL make….here’s a better suggestion.. IMPROVE YOUR CREDIT SCORE!!!

Drumroll please….

1. Review your current credit report for accuracy. Everyone is entitled to one free credit report per year from each of the three credit bureaus—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Get a copy of your credit report and look at it for accuracy. First, make sure that the information in your file is about you and only you, not someone who has a similar name or a similar Social Security number. It is very common for your credit reports to have mistakes or incorrect information. At a minimum, make sure that the information you are being evaluated on is current and correct
.

2. Fix credit report mistakes. If you find something on your credit report that is incorrect or missing, you should dispute the mistake by contacting the credit bureaus directly. All credit bureaus have their dispute procedures on their website. They are also required by law to investigate any disputed items and these investigations will usually be done within 30 days of your request.

3. Pay your bills on time. Sounds like a no-brainer, right? Payment history accounts for roughly 35% of your credit score. Paying bills on time is the most important thing to do. If you’re struggling to catch up, contact your creditors to work out a payment schedule.

4. Increase the length of your credit history. This accounts for about 15% of your score. Don’t cancel your old card or get a lot of new ones in a short time span because this can hurt your score.

5. Keep credit card balances low. It’s a good idea to keep the balances below 25% of your available credit. Even if you pay off your credit cards every month, a high average balance will impact your score. This accounts for about 30% of your credit score.

6. Keep new credit requests to a minimum. This accounts for 10% of your score. Every time a lender runs your credit, an inquiry is recorded. If you are trying to get a loan, don’t apply for new credit cards first. DO NOT..I repeat..DO NOT open store accounts to get that 1 time 15% discount.

7. Be aware that paying off a collection account will not remove it from your credit report. It will stay on your report for seven years. I know..it doesn’t seem fair..but…

8. Pay off debt rather than moving it around. The most effective way to improve your credit score in this area is by paying down your revolving credit. In fact, owing the same amount but having fewer open accounts may lower your score.

9. Beware credit-repair scams. By all means, don’t pay someone to wipe away the negative items in your file. If they don’t follow through, the damaging items will reappear in two or three months. It just takes a little bit of your time and follow through.

Please keep in mind that I am NOT a mortgage lender. For more information on how your credit score will impact your loan and interest rate, please contact your mortgage lender or call me 847-274-4983 and I will recommend an experienced mortgage broker.

Please remember..I am here to help!
Cheers,

Christmas Gift Suggestions

2009-12-24T12:54:00.001-06:00

"TO YOUR ENEMY...FORGIVENESS
TO AN OPPONENT...TOLERANCE
TO A FRIEND...YOUR HEART
TO A CUSTOMER...SERVICE
TO ALL...CHARITY
TO EVERY CHILD...A GOOD EXAMPLE

AND TO YOURSELF...RESPECT"
by Oren Arnold

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas in Barrington and around the world!

WHAT'S THE LATEST IN HOME PRODUCTS

2009-12-16T20:00:00.001-06:00

COOL STUFF TO CHECK OUT..NEW WEBSITE COMING FOR HOMEOWNERS IN FEBRUARY..HOUSELOGIC.COM

Hot Home Products for 2010

Hot home products for 2010 include peel-and stick innovations, dynamic new paint concepts, valuable entry door/security solutions, affordable designer treatments for ceilings, an easy way to save water with new green technology, and a classic phone zapper that gives telemarketers the boot, says home improvement “What’s New Guru” Don Logay.

Among Logay’s recent finds and all-time favorites:

Giani™ Granite Countertop Paint : Got a kitchen countertop that’s seen better days? Laminate chipped and discolored? Solid surface counter stained and scratched? Giani™ is a granite paint kit for countertop makeovers. Get the premium “look” of granite at a fraction of the cost—with lots of extra benefits too.

Water-based paint kits come in five color combinations and include everything needed to go “granite” in three easy steps in 24-hours or less. One $39.95 kit covers 35 square feet (16 running feet of 24-inch wide counter). Available at paint and hardware stores nationwide. Visit www.GianiGranite.com or call 1-800-650-5699.

One2Flush™ Dual Flush Conversion Kit : The One2Flush™ toilet conversion kit turns a standard water-guzzling tank-type toilet into an eco-friendly, high-efficiency, water-saving dual flush model. One2Flush—with its “half flush for liquids and full flush for solids”—reduces water use by more than 38% and can save an average family over 10% on monthly water bills. Fits all standard 2-piece toilets, 1.6 gallon flush and up. Available nationwide at most hardware stores (Ace, True Value, Do-It-Best). For more information, visit www.one2flush.com.

Easy Crown Molding© by EZ-A-PEEL : Budget-minded? Not up for hammering and sawing? Renting? Add elegance to almost any room with “peel-and-stick” Easy Crown Molding©. Kits offer quick and easy installation and an inexpensive alternative to fancy millwork. Vacuum-formed thermoplastic design overlaps and adjusts to length without measuring. Can also be trimmed with scissors. Installs in about one hour and can be left white or painted to match décor. Offered in three popular crown molding profiles for various sized rooms with 16 inside and 4 outside corners included. Kits start at under $50. To order call 1-888-EZAPEEL(1-800-392-7335) or visit www.easycrownmolding.com.

Dead Bolt Secure™ Entry Lock Protection : The Dead Bolt Secure™ offers a low-cost, ingenious solution that makes standard deadbolt locks (with a lever or twist-type inside handle) virtually pick-proof. It even blocks entry for anyone with a legitimate key. How? A simple spring-loaded device that installs in minutes flips down to prevent a dead bolt’s handle form turning—no matter how it is being unlocked. Offered in brass and satin nickel. The best part? It only costs $9.95. Order online at www.arclink.net.

Aspect™ Peel and Stick Metal Wall Tile: Create a designer kitchen look quickly, easily and affordably with new Aspect™ peel-and-stick 3” x 6” metal tiles. Offered in three popular brushed finishes (stainless, copper and bronze) for dramatic and dazzling accents, whether a gleaming over-the-counter backsplash or an entire luxurious floor-to-ceiling wall. Aspect tiles adhere sub-surfaces (drywall, plaster, paneling, and old tiles) and are offered with horizontal or vertical graining. Gives kitchens and baths a fresh, new look. Box of eight tiles covers one square foot and costs about $20. The only limitation is your imagination. Available at some Lowe’s stores or order online at www.aspectideas.com.

Telezapper® / Blocks Telemarketer Calls : Get rid of annoying telemarketer calls once and for all. This device plugs into your phone cord and only intercepts computer-generated calls—indicating this number is disconnected—which automatically takes you off their list. Over time, calls dwindle until you are practically telemarketer-free. Offered at www.amazon.com and via online search engines at prices ranging from $40 to $10. Additional info at www.telezapper.com.

Liquid Stainless Steel™ Brush-on Paint Kit : Want to give your dingy, old kitchen appliances a gleaming stainless steel finish? Liquid Stainless Steel™ is a brush-on/roll-on “real stainless steel” finish designed to give older stoves, refrigerators and dishwashers a new lease on life. Complete kits are easy to use and update an average size refrigerator for $49 or a range and dishwasher combo for only $19.95. Works on cabinets, table tops and in many other places too. Available at paint and hardware stores nationwide. Order online at www.liquidstainlesssteel.com or call 1-800-650-5699.

Schlage® Keyless Entry Locks and Wireless LiNK™ Option: Tired of fumbling with keys? Reluctant to offer extras to visiting guests and service providers? Schlage® electronic keypad entry locks and deadbolts—using four-digit access codes—sell for $120 to $150. Company also offers Schlage LiNK™, a DIY wireless system allowing 24/7 remote control for keypad locks and other home management functions via the Internet. Lock or unlock doors from anywhere, add/remove access codes and control lights. Options include adjustable thermostat ($149) and cameras ($149 wired/$179 wireless) to see who is coming and going. Schlage LiNK Starter Kit ($299) offers choice of keypad lock (deadbolt or lever-handle) and everything needed to set-up a Z-Wave® wireless system. Monthly subscription cost $12.99. Available at Lowe’s, Radio Shack and www.amazon.com or visit www.consumer.schlage.com for  retailers.

Evoba™ Modular Wood Ceiling System : Put the warmth and beauty of a coffered wood ceiling in any room without the cost of custom millwork using the pre-fabricated Evoba™ system (that’s “Above” spelled backwards). Pre-engineered main beams and cross-tee grid components surround two-foot square, beautifully finished, recessed panels and offer easy installation. Available as a suspension or surface mount system, in a variety of wood species and finishes, at $12 to $30 per square foot. Available at www.acpideas.com.

INVISILED™ Low Profile Accent Lighting Tapes: Create dramatic indirect lighting effects almost anywhere with strips of miniature LED lights. Spaced one inch apart, and placed on thin flexible strips only 1/8 inch thick and 7/16 inch wide, INVISILED™ by WAC Lighting offers five basic colors (white, amber, red, blue and green). One- and five-foot peel-and-stick or screw-mounted sections can be cut at every inch. New Palette™ system offers continuous red-green-blue changing colors with control for speed and brilliance.

Aura™ system creates white “daylight” to amber “sunset” with variable control. Cost ranges $75 to $90 per foot. Plug-in drivers cost $60 to $120. Maximum spans from 25 to 40-feet. For information and retailers visit www.waclighting.com or call 1-800-526-2588.

SOURCE: http://www.whatsnewguru.com/

REMEMBER..KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!

Would of , Could of, Should have……

2009-12-09T16:55:00.002-06:00

Don’t let this be YOU! Today’s real estate market has some of the best buying opportunities that we have seen in years!

1. Current inventory levels and prices are stabilizing plus there are historically low interest rates.

2. Don’t forget the home buyer’s tax credit that has been expanded to include homeowners that have lived in the same principal residence for any five consecutive-year period during the eight year period that ended on the date the replacement home is purchased. THERE ARE ONLY 142 MORE DAYS TO CLAIM YOUR CREDIT!

3. Housing remains an excellent long term investment. The median price for a home is Illinois in 2008 was 23% higher than it was in 1998 (10 years!)

4. It pays to own versus rent! A typical homeowner’s net worth is 49 times that of a renter’s according to the National Association of Realtors®.

5. Sellers can recoup on the buy side! To sell quickly in today’s market make sure your home has a compelling price not just a comparable one. You know my saying “This is not brain surgery people!” PRICE IT RIGHT!!!!
What a seller may lose on the sell side can be more than recovered on the buy side.

So, for every action there is a reaction...Do you want to control your life? Or do nothing out of fear of doing "something"???

I am here to help you…

Cheers,

Santa is coming to town!

2009-12-02T19:18:00.003-06:00

You know it is never too late to get on the "good" side of Santa. You still have time to receive gifts instead of coal..I know this personally..(don't ask!!) Anyway..here is a list of places in the area to meet "the man of the hour" Mr. Santa Claus himself..
Barrington Dec. 5th Santa House on Park Ave
Barrington Dec.5-24th Icehouse Mall
South Barrington Dec 12th 10:15 South Barrington Park District ..he will arrive by Helicopter
Deer Park Brilliant Sky Toys & Book Dec. 12,13,19 & 20th
Dundee Dec2-Dec 23rd Spring Hill Mall
Palatine Twin Lake Clubhouse Dec 12th 9-1045am or 11:30-1:15pm Breakfast/Brunch w/Santa
Schaumburg Dec.2-Dec.23rd Woodfield Mall

Wishing you time with your family and friends...

Cheers,

Gratitude

2009-11-24T16:45:00.001-06:00

Here are a couple of great quotes on Gratitude.....

Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone.-G.B. Stern

Gratitude is the memory of the heart.-J.B.Massieu

Praise the bridge that carried you over.-G. Coleman

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are

conscious of our treasures.-T. Wilder

When eating bamboo sprouts, remember the man that planted them.-

Chinese Proverb

I think my favorite is praise the bridge...how often in our life have we forgotten to say thank you to those that have helped or even those that have caused us pain...We are and always will be the sum of all our experiences!

We make choices in our lives and the biggest choice we make everyday is whether we choose to be happy or not.

I choose HAPPY and GRATEFUL! Happy Thanksgiving!

So True..

2009-11-19T19:35:00.001-06:00

How inspiring..

http://natureofsuccessmovie.com/

JUDY A. GIBBONS

I am always ready to help you, your friends or family!

RE/MAX OF BARRINGTON

847-274-4983 cell

847-381-8800 x314 office

JudyGibbons@remax.net

www.JudyGibbonsProperties.com

Posted via email from judygibbons's posterous

2009-11-14T09:11:00.002-06:00

125.5 Million Americans Watched 10.3 Billion YouTube Videos in September! WOW! A lot of people have A LOT of time on their hands!

comScore Video Metrix announced that more than 168 million U.S. Internet users watched nearly 26 billion videos online during September 2009 -- an average of 154 videos per viewer. That's good news, isn't it?

To try to get you to wrap your head around this..., Super Bowl XLIII achieved the largest television audience in U.S. history with a total audience of 151.6 million viewers, according to official national ratings data released by Nielsen Media Research.

In other words, more Americans are watching online video each and every month than watch the Super Bowl once a year. Get it? Got it? CRAZY!!!

YouTube accounted for close to 40 percent of the 26 billiion videos viewed during September, to remain the market leader by a wide margin.

According to comScore,

-- 84.8 percent of the total U.S. Internet audience viewed online video in September.

-- The average online video viewer watched 9.8 hours of video that month. (WHAT???)

-- The duration of the average online video was 3.8 minutes.

-- 125.5 million viewers watched nearly 10.3 billion videos on YouTube.com -- which is 82.4 videos per viewer.

Now, let's compare these numbers to ones that search marketers should know by heart.

According to comScore qSearch,
"Americans conducted 13.8 billion core searches in September 2009. They watched nearly 26 billion videos online that month. This means Americans are watching almost twice as many videos as they conducting searches at the five major search engines. "

Interesting isn't it?
So..that's why I am now showing my listings on Youtube. Enjoy and let me know if you or someone you know wants "World Class Service" from your Hometown Realtor with a world of experince!
Cheers!

Fall Fun!

2009-11-05T16:53:00.000-06:00

I love Fall!!! The crisp air, the sound of crunchy leaves under your feet and did I mention sweater, coats and boots! I like just about everything about Fall except the time change! Oh well…not much I can do about that!

Anyway, I was driving to an appointment and the sun was shining and the air was crisp and I happened to drive past a school where the kids were outside playing at recess. And all at once I was taken back to my childhood and the joys of taking a break and running, playing, jumping and laughing. Wow! What a concept! Don’t you think we should “allow” ourselves that break each day? Like my mom always said ”Go outside ..the fresh air will do you some good!” So before I head outside to rake the leaves I wanted to make sure you knew about the Lake Barrington Family Fun and Fitness Fair…its Sunday November 8th from noon-4pm at the new Lake Barrington Field House 28156 W NorthPointe Pkwy. It will be indoors but with lots of fun things to do like free massages, free haircuts for kids, free health screenings and a professional chef with recipes and samples. And of course there will be a Holiday boutique! The event is free but you are urged to bring a food donation for the Cuba Township Food Pantry.

Recycle and Renew Hope

2009-10-12T08:32:00.000-05:00

I am sure you have heard the word "Green" recently! And here is a great way to do your part!
Please consider recycling your gently used clothing, furniture and household items to Home of the Sparrow thrift stores. I have been volunteering for Friends of Home of the Sparrow for over 13 years and needless to say the need to help women and children in our area has not diminished.
So the next time you reach into your closet and say .."I don't have a thing to wear and you run out to your favorite haberdashery...choose a few items you could donate..they will even pick up furniture! Also, you can donate your time! HOS can always use your help at the stores!

380 N Northwest HighwayCary, IL 60013 847.639.4082
3714 W. Elm St.McHenry, IL 60050 815.363.6008
275 E. Northwest HighwayPalatine, IL 60067 847.705.6852
120 East Calhoun St. Woodstock, IL 60098 815.206.5070

And remember...EVERTHING YOU DO MATTERS!

Cheers,

How to sell a house quickly!

2009-10-06T12:22:00.000-05:00

I just listed a great home in the Village of Barrington and we received and accepted an offer after 5 days on the market! How did that happen you ask? Here are a few tips...

4 things sellers need to know...Price,Terms,Condition and Location. Every single one of these items need to be taken into consideration if you want your property to sell. Remember this----PRICE fixes everything! When the buyer perceives there is value (because of the price)..they will quickly buy the home!
The other variables can affect the price.
Terms: Owner financing is a great carrot to dangle! Buy down mortgage!
Condition: Always fix what needs to be fixed! Stage the property! Start packing!
Location: It is the only variable that cannot be changed! A bad location is a bad location..so price it right and it must be picture perfect inside!
Ok folks, like I always say.."This is not brain surgery!"
Buying a home is an emotional response to what "feels" right. Key into those emotions and your home will sell quickly!

Barrington High School Homecoming

2009-09-29T21:14:00.000-05:00

It feels like Fall...so it must be Homecoming time!

Here's the lowdown on what's happening...

Friday, October 2nd --BHS Spirit Day-Homecoming T-shirt Day

Pep Assembly (1:48 – 2:35pm)

Main Gym -Announcement of Queen & King

Filly Football Game 7:00pm (Stadium)

Saturday, October 3rd - HOMECOMING DAY

Pancake Breakfast 8:00am-12:00pm (Café)

Varsity Tennis Invitational 8:00 a.m.

Freshman Red/White Football 9:00/10:30 a.m.

JV Soccer 10:00 a.m. in F.O.D.

Parade 10:15 a.m.

Varsity Soccer 11:30 a.m. (Stadium)

Varsity Football 2:00 p.m. (Stadium) GO BRONCO'S!!!

Homecoming Dance 8:00-11:00 p.m. (Main Gym)

I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A SAFE AND EXTREMELY FUN WEEK-END!!!

Cheers!

Barrington Expert

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE IN AN IRISH FAMILY

The Cost of Waiting for Prices to Fall...YIKES

by The KCM Crew...

This is great information..Get on with life..I am here to help you!

PRICES

INTEREST RATES

The price is the same. It just costs more.

Bottom Line

What are prices going to do this Spring?

Back to our research

Not a coincidence

Bottom Line

The New Foreclosure Mess: What it means to you by KCM Crew

Wow..important information you need to know about foreclosures..

How will it impact you?

You are a homeowner in the foreclosure process

You are currently selling a house

You are currently buying a foreclosure

How long will the challenge persist?

How will it impact the market overall?

Bottom Line

NAR Reports Existing U.S. Home Sales Rise 7.6% in August Posted by Michael Gerrity 09/23/10

"Anything is Possible" by Deana DiIaconi

Back Away from your TV and throw the Newspaper out!

The 5 dumbest Reasons Given for Not Buying a Home

Home Sale information for Barrington...still ahead of last year!

4th of July Festivities in Barrington!

Father's Day Quotes

Jennifer Michaels Hair Studio..making news

4 Tips to Determine How Much Mortgage You Can Afford

1. The general rule of mortgage affordability

2. Factor in your down payment

3. Consider your overall debt

4. Use your rent as a mortgage guide

More from HouseLogic

Other web resources

Short Sale Myths..from Certified Distressed Property Expert

Home Sale information for Barrington...WOW! Look at these numbers!

Happy Earth Day! Great Article from Houselogic

Start a Shared Tool Co-op

Saving Money with Salvaged Building Materials

Start a Bartering Co-op

5 Programs for Improving Local Waste Recycling

Start a Community Garden: Find and Design a Site

Peak House Prices ..when will they return?

Latest Foreclosure News..I can help!

The Harder I Work The Luckier I Get!!!

Spring Break or Spring Broke???

What is a short sale?

Living Large in a Small(er) Home...

Once upon a time in a far away land...

Grab your long undies!

so much to learn...so little time...

Life can change in an instant...

Christmas Gift Suggestions

WHAT'S THE LATEST IN HOME PRODUCTS

Would of , Could of, Should have……

Santa is coming to town!

Gratitude

So True..

Fall Fun!

Recycle and Renew Hope

How to sell a house quickly!

Barrington High School Homecoming