Downers Grove

Real estate transfer information is public record and is examined regularly by financial institutions, Realtors and companies that sell products to homeowners.

Real estate transfer information is public record and is examined regularly by financial institutions, Realtors and companies that sell products to homeowners.

The charming Bayberry model at 2081 W. Helen Drive, Romeoville, is one of the 2008 designs introduced by Sharp Homes.

Q: I noticed that one of my evergreen trees has a bunch of small brown sacks hanging on it. I thought they were pine cones, but they were soft and hollow when I tried to pick one. What are these things? They are on a part of the tree, which is looking terrible because some of the needles are missing. Do you think this object is the cause?

Real estate transfer information is public record and is examined regularly by financial institutions, Realtors and companies that sell products to homeowners.

Real estate transfer information is public record and is examined regularly by financial institutions, real estate agents and companies that sell products to homeowners.

Will County real estate transfer information is public record and is examined regularly by financial institutions, Realtors and companies that sell products to homeowners.

Real estate transfer information is public record and is examined regularly by financial institutions, Realtors and companies that sell products to homeowners.

Dear Jim: I want to use solar energy to cook some foods, such as steaming rice, veggies, etc., because my kitchen gets very hot. Is this feasible? Can I buy a solar cooker or do I have to try to build one myself?

The Rockford office of Century 21 Country North, located at 7210 E. State St., has recently received a new accolade: It has been named No. 1 in the region of Illinois and part of Indiana for being the most productive Century 21 office in transaction "sides" for the first half of 2008.

Lake County real estate transfer information is public record and is examined regularly by financial institutions, Realtors and companies that sell products to homeowners.

Donven Homes has announced the sale of its five beautifully decorated model homes in the now completed community of Ashbury Woods.

Hughes & Duggan Builders announces the availability of 58 ranch style townhomes at Bridges of Mokena, 25 of which have already been sold.

A mansion in the sky -- a condominium penthouse -- really is the height of elegance in luxury downtown housing, real estate experts say.

The golf course at Carillon Club in Naperville is now open for play. The private par three, three-hole golf course was developed by Cambridge Homes, builder of Carillon Club, for the exclusive use of Carillon Club residents. The golf course includes a practice putting green.

Urban renewal has begun in the village of Maywood with the first new construction condominium building to be built on a parcel of land bounded by First Avenue, Ohio Street, Des Plaines Avenue and Lake Street.

Contact cancellations are latest issue worrying condo developers.

As construction nears completion at Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago, new one-bedroom homes on the landmark building's 72nd through 85th floors have been released for purchase. These residences will mark the highest one-bedroom homes in the city when the building is finished. The homes contain 1,314 square feet and face northwest, offering city skyline and sunset views.

Nestled on the shore of Lake Michigan and located on Marina Island at 143 Anchors Way, Harbor Isle Resort LLC is a private housing and marina development on the St. Joseph River in the lakeside town of St. Joseph, Mich.

How many of us have packed up the family on a weekend afternoon and taken a drive to see those new model homes just down the street or in a neighboring town?

Gerstad Builders has a professionally decorated model in this year's Parade of Homes sponsored by Home Builders Association of the Greater Rockford Area.

Rolling Meadows-based Kimball Hill Homes has announced the grand opening of Mayfair, a community of 172 townhomes and courthomes located near the northeast corner of Route 59 and Audrey Lane, between 75th Street and Ogden Avenue in Naperville.

The rising cost of a college education weighs heavily on the minds of many parents, with tuition and room and board being the two largest expenses. Except for scholarships, there is little way around the price of tuition, but there are options when it comes to housing your co-ed. For example, purchasing a condominium for a student to live in over the course of his or her four-year education is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to paying for a dorm room.

From townhomes to villas, here are some of the Chicagoland communities that offer freedom from exterior maintenance and a worry-free lifestyle.

Real estate transfer information is public record and is examined regularly by financial institutions, Realtors and companies that sell products to homeowners.

Lakefront property is rare in the Fox River Valley, so this ranch home in the Boulder Hill community of Montgomery offers a unique homeowner opportunity.

If you have imagined moving into a picture-perfect ranch-style home on a large, manicured lot, then this week's featured home may be the answer to you dreams.

The Women's Council of Realtors, Fox Valley Chapter, invites people to its September meeting featuring Illinois Association of Realtors President Kay Wirth and Government Affairs Director Sharon Gorrell.

Real estate transfer information is public record and is examined regularly by financial institutions, Realtors and companies that sell products to homeowners.

Dear Bruce: My father recently passed away, and I am getting familiar with my mother's budget. My father was 67 years old when he died; he was retired, collecting Social Security and retirement from the military and the federal government. My mother just turned 65 this year, and she is retired. She is collecting city retirement and Social Security. After settling my father's estate, my mother has $255,000 in assets. She continues to live in the house they purchased in 1973. There is about $50,000 left on the mortgage, and the monthly payment is $1,200. Utilities average $500 a month. She has two cars, both of which are paid for. Her monthly income is Social Security $1,400, city retirement $800, and my father's retirement annuity of $100. The house needs some repairs, and she needs to get a newer car.

This split level home is situated on a large lot with green views. Inside, it offers plenty of living space with four bedrooms, and three baths.

Q: Our old apartment has a couple of odd nooks and crannies that frankly have me scratching my head how to furnish them - like the little butler's pantry we don't use because we combined the dining and living rooms to expand the kitchen. We could use a little guest room, but it's somewhat open to the kitchen.

Exciting architectural design has made Harris Builders' custom homes a legend in the Barrington and Inverness area for the past 35 years. By combining superior architectural design and the latest product trends, Evan Harris has been successful in building innovative custom homes and reaping repeat business.

The Chieftain Group is offering a special one-weekend-only incentive valued at $39,900 at Lexington Park Condominiums in the South Loop. Folks who reserve a condo Aug. 23-24 will get a free parking space for life along with free gasoline for one year.

More than 100 Chicago Architecture Foundation volunteer docents who daily educate thousands of visitors and residents on the city's outstanding developments were treated to an inside look -- a hard-hat tour -- of the city's most exciting new building, Aqua at Lakeshore East.

Homebuilders know there are plenty of highly particular buyers in the marketplace. These are buyers who can't leave well enough alone when they see a well-designed new home. For them, "well-designed" is not good enough for a major life investment. Only a custom-tailored solution will do.

Aurora has achieved high rankings on CNN/Money Magazine's "Best Places to Live" list. This year's list, released in mid-July, ranked Aurora 74th out of 716 small cities across the country. The ranking takes into account quality of life, schools, home prices, and access to cultural and recreational areas.

Shaken by the real estate downturn and the impact of risky adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) on the future of homeownership, worried Americans now are turning to old-fashioned fixed-rate home loans when they refinance, according to a new national study.

Kimball Hill Homes has released the final home sites in the Heritage neighborhood at Edgewater, a single-family home community in Shorewood.

Meadow Ridge in Northbrook is living up to its delightful name.

Pulte Homes has announced the return of its Perfect 10 sales event, taking place at all of its new home communities in the Chicago area on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 23-24.

Hearthside Homebuilders knows that home shoppers who do their homework will find good value on a new home as well as the right location. That's why the builder has chosen Manhattan as the setting of choice for its three newest communities: Sunset Lakes, offering semi-custom single-family residences; Manor Ridge of Leighlinbridge, featuring duplex-style townhomes; and Manor Lakes of Leighlinbridge, where only two townhomes remain.

Many intricate elements go into building a new home. Deciding to build a custom home means you'll have even more things to think about and consider throughout the building process. Here are some local homebuilders that will help you create your dream home without the stress.

The first residents have moved into the new Harbor neighborhood at Cambridge Lakes in Pingree Grove.

In just a short time, Easton Park, Lakewood Homes' beautiful townhome community located in west suburban Carol Stream, has become the neighborhood of choice for buyers looking for convenience, style and an outstanding location.

When I think of ranch-style homes, I'm reminded of the popular 1960's Western television series, Bonanza .

With inventories bulging, single-family home developers are reaching out to prospective buyers and offering attractive prices on a plentiful choice of new immediate-occupancy residences this summer.

Here are some local communities that offer rowhomes for buyers who want lots of square footage in an attached home.

Everything today is "going green." Not necessarily the color but protecting the environment. Everyone and every company is shouting out their support for Mother Earth. One local residential developer who has always been extremely conscious about working with the environment when developing high-end communities is Finnegan Construction Company, and its latest example can be found in its exclusive Homer Glen community, Erin Hills.

When early European settlers arrived in southeastern Chicago, they traveled west by following the sun. The summer June solstice was an important seasonal marker to help chart their arduous journey.

Focus Development President Tim Anderson believes that attractive pricing combined with preferred lender programs make Euclid Commons an attractive investment for first-time buyers and young urban professionals.

With the St. Charles First Street Redevelopment Project well under way and expected to feature dozens of popular retailers and restaurants, as well as a recent Newsweek magazine article ranking both St. Charles East and St. Charles North High Schools among the best in the country, it's no surprise that new home communities such as Ryland's Reserve of St. Charles have enjoyed a summer surge of interest among buyers.

It's a family affair for the Wennerstroms at Easton Park in Carol Stream.

"Quick" and "affordable" aren't words normally associated with buying a new home in one of Chicago's most sought-after suburbs. But at The Ponds of Naperville, a new condominium conversion, a selection of immediate-delivery homes gives buyers the opportunity to buy a Naperville residence from the $130,000s to the $180,000s and move in immediately.

Within the real estate industry many pundits believe the local housing market has hit bottom, and with the extremely low interest rates being offered, now is a great time to buy a new luxury home.

Is it nostalgia, is it convenience -- or is it both?

For the third time since 2005, Naperville has been named as one of Money magazine's Best Places to Live, based on qualities such as its award-winning schools and employment opportunities. And Kimball Hill Homes says those reasons and more are why the Rolling Meadows-based builder is pleased to be opening its newest community in this highly-regarded city.

Richland Trails in Cortland gives a family the opportunity to own a new single-family home with more than 1,800 square feet of living space for as little as $142,000.

Gander Builders is opening it's first luxury model home at Stone Creek in Frankfort, 1/3- to 3/4-acre homesites are offered around three lakes stocked with fish.

For a limited time, buyers can save on three Buckingham townhomes for immediate delivery at West Lake in Cary. Featuring finished walkout or English basements and appointed with decorator selected upgrades, these townhomes can be purchased at a savings of up to $62,443.

Real estate transfer information is public record and is examined regularly by financial institutions, Realtors and companies that sell products to homeowners.

Real estate transfer information is public record and is examined regularly by financial institutions, Realtors and companies that sell products to homeowners.

Three acres in the country is every wannabe rural family's dream, and this home goes a bit beyond. It also features a fenced yard, paddocks, horse/pole barn, dog run, deck and patio.

• Use low-flow fixtures. To reduce a home's water consumption, try the new low-flow shower fixtures that incorporate air into the process. The result is water pressure that feels just as strong as the old version.

Real estate transfer information is public record and is examined regularly by financial institutions, Realtors and companies that sell products to homeowners.

Dear Pat: Now that I am living alone, I can finally install a neat mailbox to replace my old black one. What types of decorative mailboxes do you recommend, and would it be difficult for me to install one myself?

This spacious ranch home offers a wonderful setting for the nature lover. It sits on a double lot backing to Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park. The home offers lovely wooded views and, in winter, views of the lake.

Q: One of my hosta plants has holes in the leaves. What can I do?

Lake County real estate transfer information is public record and is examined regularly by financial institutions, Realtors and companies that sell products to homeowners.

Kitchens have come a long way, baby. In the past, kitchens were small, cramped rooms located at the back of home, cut off from activities taking place in the rest of the home. Today's kitchens are the eye of the storm for family activities. This is the area where friends gather for parties, family members snack on food and discuss the day's activities, and of course the family chef prepares fine cuisine.

There's a little bit of country to be found amid Chicago's big-city congestion.

Whisper Glen, a single-family community by Phoenix Developers, has just about everything a homeowner would want ... a good location, excellent Plainfield schools and low Will County taxes.

Everything today seems to have a certain hustle and bustle about it, especially in a large city, such as Chicago. For those who want to enjoy the conveniences of a big town but with the charm of living in the country, here are a few communities that you will want to look into.

Chicago-based JFJ Development and Dionysus Development have announced the beginning of pre-sales for Broadway 3030, a mixed-use luxury condominium development in the heart of Lakeview East.

King's Court Builders and Sharing Connections Furniture Bank are presenting the first annual King's Court Builder's Showcase Home Tour.

It's a family affair for the Wennerstroms at Easton Park in Carol Stream.

Gallagher and Henry is offering something in the Orland Park area that no one else is -- custom homes surrounded by picturesque forest preserve land at prices starting in the upper $500,000s.

Soon the lazy days of summer will be over and families everywhere will be kicking into high gear to get kids off to school by the morning bell. To help make it easier to survive the school year hustle and bustle, Rolling Meadows-based Kimball Hill Homes offers a range of child-friendly floor plan with back-to-school features.

If you are shopping for an immediate-occupancy new-construction home at a bargain price, you cannot afford to miss the once-in-a-lifetime deal available at three C.A. Development single-family home communities on Chicago's Northwest Side.

Fans of That '70s Show on TV are familiar with the phrase "far out, man." A growing number of homebuyers in the Chicago Southland can use a different expression: "far in."

Green building and technology is at the forefront of items that people are looking for in a new home. Here are some communities and builders that are offering technological and environmental advances in their homes.

Norwood Builders still has a good, although more limited, selection of low-maintenance luxury residences available at Park Street Crossing, a community of 62 luxury condominiums located at the corner of Park and Main in Roselle. Several plans are now sold out and the community is nearly 50 percent sold.

Homebuyers looking to move into one of the most exciting new communities in the Chicagoland area will want to take a look at the new models at Parkside at Prairie Ridge in Hampshire.

It's ironic that I write a column for Today's New Homes because I have to tell you; I love old houses.

Few developers can offer luxury condominium buyers unobstructed views forever, but that is the promise at One Museum Park, an elegant 62-story high-rise now nearing completion overlooking Grant Park at Roosevelt Road and Columbus Drive in the South Loop's Central Station neighborhood.

Though it may be out-muscled by its across-the-street neighbor Millennium Park, the multifunctional park that is visual anchor of Lakeshore East brings a soothing touch of country living to the $4 billion mixed-use complex.

Chic Martin Signature Homes, a luxury builder who has constructed high-end custom homes in Lake Forest, Libertyville, Long Grove, Ivanhoe, Barrington, and South Barrington, is bringing its 38 plus years of experience to the Village of Grayslake with a new line of exciting condominiums and lofts. Beginning immediately, the builder's sales center at 101 Center Street will be open for buyers to gather information about the homes that will be available at Whitney Centre Condominiums and Whitney Lofts.

In Debbie Szwast's personal view of the real estate market, the sky is certainly not falling. In fact, the sky's the limit for Szwast now that she's moved up from a small starter ranch to a spacious new two-story home at the Residences at the Shorewood Towne Center -- Distinctive Companies' newest and biggest community to date, which features 340 semi-custom, single-family residences in Shorewood.

While many suburbs have downtown districts that thrive during the day, too often these downtowns turn into ghost towns after 5 p.m. However, now a handful of new suburban mixed-use developments are offering residents the same type of exciting nighttime dining and entertainment options right outside their doorstep that many city dwellers enjoy.

Everyone with a roof over his or her head is applauding Congress's passage of the housing stimulus bill as the most important legislation affecting real estate since President Franklin Delano Roosevelt created the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) during the Great Depression, experts say.

The summer months are the last opportunity home shoppers have to take advantage of pre-construction pricing at Lincolnshire Place on the Village Green, the latest community in the northern suburbs by veteran builder Weiss Development Corp. The community will hold its grand opening in late September.

What could be more perfect than purchasing the condominium of your dreams with the love of your life in mind?

Richland Trails in Cortland gives a family the opportunity to own a new single-family home with more than 1,800 square feet of living space for as little as $142,000.

Every home buyer and their family wants to be able to get there from here, quickly and conveniently, with the least amount of hassle. They want access to interstates and major arterials, a nearby post office and commuter rail station, and lots and lots of shopping and restaurants.

Heritage Harbor Ottawa, the new vacation-home, marina-resort community located on the banks of the Illinois Waterway, has held its grand opening, attracting homebuyers who seek a range of recreational options.

For the third time since 2005, Naperville has been named as one of Money magazine's Best Places to Live, based on qualities such as its award-winning schools and employment opportunities. And Kimball Hill Homes says those reasons and more are why the Rolling Meadows-based builder is pleased to be opening its newest community in this highly-regarded city.

Real estate transfer information is public record and is examined regularly by financial institutions, Realtors and companies that sell products to homeowners.

ELGIN -- If location is the key to real estate, then this week's featured home rises to the top of the list of most desirable properties.

If you have been searching for a superbly constructed brick ranch, then this home at 745 Meadow Drive, Joliet, is for you.

Will County real estate transfer information is public record and is examined regularly by financial institutions, Realtors and companies that sell products to homeowners.

Ever since it was first developed by McIntosh, the triangular subdivision known as Fox River Farms has enjoyed unincorporated status even though land-locked by the city of Elgin.

Q: We live in a bungalow, only about 1,700 square feet. My husband's teenage son from his first marriage is asking to move in; he wants to attend the local community college.

Dear Jim: My mortgage payment just shot up and I need to lower expenses. I was wondering if installing and using a whole-house fan, instead of the air-conditioner as much, would save much on my utility bills?

Dear Pat: I am planning to get a ceiling fan for my living room and I want to install it myself. There is light fixture in the center of the ceiling now. What is the best method to install the fan?

An increasing number of prospective home buyers are seeking a true dream luxury home - specifically, a multimillion dollar residence located on a picturesque island and loaded with amenities.

Dear Bruce: My husband and I have been married for 18 years and have nearly $700,000 in joint assets, which include a home, cars, etc. I also have a 401(k) worth nearly $120,000. We have no children. If one of us dies, does the other automatically retain all the assets solely without any legal or tax issues? How can we protect ourselves from probate or the paying of unnecessary taxes?

This North Chicago split-level home sits on a one-third acre lot with beautiful landscaped grounds. Relax in the yard or entertain guests from the comfort of a screened patio.

Lake County real estate transfer information is public record and is examined regularly by financial institutions, Realtors and companies that sell products to homeowners.

Homebuyers in the southwestern suburbs have found a new place to call home. White Feather, located in the quiet community of Manhattan, has emerged as the place to be. This fresh, vibrant community is developing into a family-friendly place that offers everything families are looking for in a community.

Budget-minded first-time home shoppers hunting for an affordably priced new or renovated condominium should take a tour of several projects being marketed by Jameson Realty Group.

Donven Homes has opened three dramatic luxury model homes at their new community of Woodglen in Lemont.

Most growing families reach the point at which it's time to move up from their current house to a larger, more spacious one to accommodate the children and all of their toys. These Chicagoland communities offer a wide variety of floor plans and plenty of space for those families looking to move on up to a larger home.

The village of Libertyville targeted the open area along School Street, east of Milwaukee Avenue and south of Newberry Avenue, as a natural site for residential development as the village's commercial center continued to evolve along Milwaukee Avenue.

This home offers more than 3,600 square feet of high-end finishes and distinctive styling.

Spirit -- that's what Manteno's name, based in its Pottawatomi Indian roots from the 1850s, means. In its peaceful, natural setting, in its historic downtown, in the community events such as Oktoberfest and antique car shows, Manteno remains a town dominated by spirit though two centuries have flipped since the early Native American settlers wandered this rural landscape 50 miles south of Chicago.

Focus Development President Tim Anderson believes that attractive pricing combined with preferred lender programs make Euclid Commons an attractive investment for first-time buyers and young urban professionals.

This summer has been a real challenge for those of us who need to drive to work each day. With soaring gas prices, the cost of driving keeps on going up. While there may not be much relief at the gas pump, these Chicagoland communities offer locations that are close to public transportation, allowing buyers to give their cars a rest and take the train or bus to get to where they need to go.

"Quick" and "affordable" aren't words normally associated with buying a new home in one of Chicago's most sought-after suburbs. But at The Ponds of Naperville, a new condominium conversion, a selection of immediate-delivery homes gives buyers the opportunity to buy a Naperville residence from the $130,000s to the $180,000s and move in immediately.

Homebuyers can have a grand time during Gladstone Homes' $150-Grand sales event, now through Aug. 17 at Grande Reserve in Yorkville, when purchasers of any Gladstone Premiere Series home will receive $150,000 in free options and upgrades.

The Front Street Lofts will be a key sponsor of the first Downtown Block Party for the village of Lemont, scheduled for Aug. 9 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. The event will be held on Stephen Street, Canal Street and Lemont Road.

Even though Kris Cozzo and Brian Wille have built more than 700 homes in the nearly 50 combined years they've been in the business, they just can't stifle their enthusiasm for their latest development in Oak Creek of Lockport. That's because the duo is developing this community of 161 custom homes, the only way their years of experience and wisdom allow them to operate.

Magellan Development Group, a Chicago-based high-rise residential developer, has created a consulting service -- Magellan Project Services -- to assist financial institutions coping with development challenges or underperforming assets in the current difficult real estate environment.

Chicago-based Lexington Homes has announced the beginning of sales and the opening of three models at Lexington Park, a community of 120 townhomes in northwest-suburban Des Plaines. Lexington Park marks the second of three communities Lexington Homes plans to launch in the suburbs and city this year.

The first residents have moved into the new Harbor neighborhood at Cambridge Lakes in Pingree Grove.

Kimball Hill Homes has released the final home sites in the Heritage neighborhood at Edgewater, a single-family home community in Shorewood.

Is it nostalgia, is it convenience -- or is it both?

Contrary to repetitive reports about the housing industry's slowdown, Focus Development's Palatine Place is writing an exciting tale of success by briskly outselling the area competition.

With the St. Charles First Street Redevelopment Project well under way and expected to feature dozens of popular retailers and restaurants, as well as a recent Newsweek magazine article ranking both St. Charles East and St. Charles North High Schools among the best in the country, it's no surprise that new home communities such as Ryland's Reserve of St. Charles have enjoyed a summer surge of interest among buyers.

It's summertime and the living is fun, easy and exciting for residents of Churchill Club, Town and Country's beautiful master-plan clubhouse community in Oswego.

Real estate transfer information is public record and is examined regularly by financial institutions, Realtors and companies that sell products to homeowners.