December 2005 
There are 6 blog entries for December 2005.
Penny Rides in Chicago For New Year's Eve
Saturday, December 31st, 2005 at 3:15pm. 435 Views, 0 Comments.
To ensure the safety of those celebrating New Year's Eve with alcoholic beverages, Chicago is keeping its tradition of offering penny rides on the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Pace. CTA buses, trains and Pace buses will offer penny rides from 8:00p.m. tonight (Saturday) through 6a.m. tomorrow (Sunday, January 1st).Extra service will be established on several routes. The CTA will run on its usual holiday schedule on Monday.
Have a safe and happy New Year 2006.
Illinois Housing Outlook
Tuesday, December 27th, 2005 at 10:08pm. 585 Views, 0 Comments.
If you ask someone what their opinion is on real estate in 2006 with interest rates inching up, you'll get many different answers. Here are some of them:
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The Illinois Association of REALTORS® (IAR) interviewed several people. The first is Diane Swonk of Mesirow Financial in Chicago. Diane feels the market will be slower but not a collapse. I agree with Diane that although Illinois certainly felt the real estate boom of the past 5 years, we were not on the highest end of that frenzy. So our softer market won't be as drastic as other markets.
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IAR also interviewed Lawrence Yun of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). I will sum up his interview. Mr. Yun feels that rising interest rates are certainly not going to be good, yet at a
What's "In" & What's "Out" in Real Estate Today
Thursday, December 22nd, 2005 at 4:19pm. 384 Views, 0 Comments.
I'm not sure if I agree with all of the findings of the article put out by Broker Agent News, but see if you do. Smaller square footage in? Not in my Chicago suburbs area. Hardwood floors out? Another one I question, although it's mainly talking about laminate woodgrain flooring. Gas grills that use a tank? These are usually not left with the home since they are portable.
Although there are some homes with awnings in Chicago suburbs, I never really thought of them as being popular to begin with. On some homes with extremely sunny windows they are a good thing. As long as they're in good shape I certainly would not recommend that a home owner should remove them in order to sell their property.
I have to agree with bold decorating
…Chicago Suburb Snow Facts
Saturday, December 10th, 2005 at 1:52pm. 356 Views, 0 Comments.
1. The average snowfall in Chicago is about 35 inches annually.
2. Most heavy snowfalls occur at 15 degrees F. or warmer, although it’s never too cold for snow.
3. Snow is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of people each year because of traffic accidents, overexposure and too much exertion.
4. If you think only northern states have snowfall you’re wrong. Almost every place in the United States has had snow. Even southern Florida has seen snow flurries.
For detailed weather information be sure to check out my Chicago Weather page.
Chicago Passes Smoking Ban - Cook County Might Follow
Friday, December 9th, 2005 at 12:11pm. 1071 Views, 0 Comments.
I was surprised to find that the smoking ban was passed as discussions I had seen and heard made it seem unlikely that this ban would actually be implemented. Smoking will be banned at all stores, restaurants, sports arenas and other public areas as of January 16, 2006.
The exception to the above is taverns and restaurant bars/lounges that have until July 1, 2008 to comply with the ban. A tavern is considered as any establishment that earns at least 65 percent of proceeds from the sale of alcohol. After January 16th of 2006, smoking will only be allowed within 15 feet of the bar and will be banned within 15 feet of the entrance of any building where smoking is banned.
There are exceptions to the ban. Smoking will be allowed at private clubs
…Is It Worth It To Remodel Your Home?
Tuesday, December 6th, 2005 at 8:28pm. 448 Views, 0 Comments.
One of the reports I really look forward to each year is the National Association of Realtors' (NAR) "Cost vs. Value Report". The report is created with the partnership of Remodeling Magazine.
The main article is in the middle of the page & the different reports per remodel are in the blue links to the right side
of the page. This can help you make your own determination on whether a remodel project is worth it to you and gives you an idea of what you should be able to expect as a return on that investment.
If you're thinking of doing a remodeling project for the sake of selling your home I would suggest speaking to an agent or two before doing anything. I've noticed that sometimes sellers want to do too much or they want to fix and replace
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