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        <title>Chicago Suburb Real Estate &amp; Area Guide</title>
        <link>http://www.cook-county-real-estate.net/blog/orland-park/</link>
        <description>New real estate listings, entertainment, recreation, news and things to do in Chicago and surrounding suburbs.</description>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.cook-county-real-estate.net/blog/orland-park-homes-year-end-sales-statistics-2011.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.cook-county-real-estate.net/blog/orland-park-homes-year-end-sales-statistics-2011.html</link>
            <author>judyorr@gmail.com (Judy Orr)</author>
            <title>Orland Park Homes Year End Sales Statistics 2011</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
I've been eagerly awaiting the sales stats for 2011 for Orland Park homes and surrounding areas, and they're finally out.  I've posted quarterly and semi-annual stats and now we have the whole story. 






# of Properties Sold



% Change



Average  Sale Price



% Change











2011



2010







2011



2010









282



266



6%



$318,088



$357,690



-11.1%







I was thinking we'd have a higher percentage of properties sold last year compared to 2010.  A 6% increase is better than nothing or a decrease, but I thought it would be better.


The bad news is a double digit decrease in prices.  Orland Park seemed to be holding price better than many other villages, but look at those average sales prices, comparing both years.  Will 2012 be better?  Only a year from now will tell!


This is the first double digit price decrease for Orland Park homes since I started posting statistics.  If you'd like to see different sales stats from 2005, click on Orland Park Real Estate Sales Statistics.  If you're thinking of buying and/or selling a home in Orland Park or surrounding areas, give Judy Orr a call at 708-536-8200 or Contact Me.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:16:32 -0600</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.cook-county-real-estate.net/blog/lots-of-news-for-2012.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.cook-county-real-estate.net/blog/lots-of-news-for-2012.html</link>
            <author>judyorr@gmail.com (Judy Orr)</author>
            <title>Lots of News for 2012</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Lots of "News" for 2012


For the first time in a while I feel optimistic for the upcoming year.  We are busier than normal at this time of year, so I feel 2012 will be even better, and might show a quicker start to the selling season.  We have some new things coming up and I'd like to briefly go over them here.


There's a new team in town


I have already introduced my husband Jimmy Herter and my son Matt Orr.  Jimmy got licensed last year and is now a Broker.  My son Matt has helped us out on and off over the years and he has committed to giving us more time.  Matt is our "new" photographer with his new camera.  Our photos have always received compliments from happy sellers, but we've now kicked them up a notch.


We have a new newsletter


Every year I start out writing my custom newsletters and do good sending them out until things get busy and I can't keep up.  I've actually gotten phone calls asking me where the newsletter is?  I was happy that they were missed, but I felt guilty not being able to keep up.


We have decided to set a goal of a quarterly snail mail newsletter and we will keep in touch with our friends, family, past and future clients in other ways during the year.  Because my newsletters are created by me, it takes up a lot of time.  I haven't found a pre-made canned newsletter that I would want to send.  So we'll commit to 4 a year and if it runs smoothly with our new team we might increase that to 6 issues a year.  We'd love to be able to put one out every month but I have other ideas for mailers so we'll see how it goes.


We have a new territory


About a year ago we moved from Oak Lawn to the Homer Glen/Orland Park area.  We have an Orland Park address but we're truly in Homer Glen.  We've always worked in this area but it was on the perimeter of how far we'd go.  Now it is our back yard and we want to focus on this area for new listings.  


If you live outside the general area (our main towns will be Homer Glen homes, Lemont, Lockport, Mokena, Orland Hills, Orland Park and Palos Park), don't think we can't work with you.  Call us first and let us know where you're looking to buy and/or sell and if we can't help you we will find you a great local agent who will.


We have a new marketing plan


Customer service and thinking out-of-the-box has always been our modus operandi, and we have put together an unsurpassed marketing program for our listings.  We'll be writing about some of them in the future and introduce our techniques individually.


The new year is almost here!


This year flew by (don't we always say that).  We are excited to put our new plans and systems into action as a cohesive team in 2012.  If you are thinking of buying and/or selling please give us a call at 708-536-8200 or use our Contact Form.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sat, 17 Dec 2011 12:24:57 -0600</pubDate>
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        <item>
            <guid>http://www.cook-county-real-estate.net/blog/6-month-activity-for-homer-glen-lemont-orland-park-and-surrounding-suburbs.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.cook-county-real-estate.net/blog/6-month-activity-for-homer-glen-lemont-orland-park-and-surrounding-suburbs.html</link>
            <author>judyorr@gmail.com (Judy Orr)</author>
            <title>6 Month Activity for Homer Glen, Lemont, Orland Park and Surrounding Suburbs</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
I recently shared 1st half of 2011 sales activity for only 4 neighboring towns and decided to add more towns in my  service area.  The table below will show sales activity for the 1st half of 2011 for single family Homer Glen homes, Lemont, Lockport, Mokena, New Lenox, Orland Hills, Orland Park and Palos Park.  






# of Houses Sold  


Average Sale Price










Town


Sold YRD


Sold YRD


YOY


Avg Price


Avg Price


YOY




 


 2011


 2010


 % Chg


 2011


 2010


 % Chg




Homer Glen


 68


 81


 -16.1%


 $321,950


 $334,765


 -3.8%




Lemont


55


58


-5.2%


$383,940


$368,418


4.2%




Lockport


86


134


-35.8%


$176,621


$202,241


-12.7%




Mokena


58


55


5.5%


$305,268


$334,138


-8.6%




New Lenox


87


96


-9.4%


$241,805


$264,404


-8.6%




Orland Hills


16


25


-36%


$178,078


$196,206


-9.2%




Orland Park


126


151


-16.6%


$317,157


$345,934


-8.3%




Palos Park


17


27


-37%


$320,558


$369,345


-13.2%






As you can see from the above chart, Lockport, Orland Hills and Palos Park took more than a 30% downtown in the amount of homes sold for the first half of 2011 compared to 2010.  Lemont homes were the only real estate that actually appreciated in value.  Home values should be more important to a home owner than amount of homes sold, although that also shows us supply and demand, and there is too much inventory vs. qualified buyers.


If you have a home to sell in any of the above towns please give the team of Judy Orr and Jimmy Herter a call at 708-536-8200.  We have an unsurpassed marketing plan and would love to share it with you.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 18 Oct 2011 16:03:37 -0500</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.cook-county-real-estate.net/blog/6-month-activity-for-homer-glen-lemont-orland-park-and-palos-park.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.cook-county-real-estate.net/blog/6-month-activity-for-homer-glen-lemont-orland-park-and-palos-park.html</link>
            <author>judyorr@gmail.com (Judy Orr)</author>
            <title>6 Month Activity for Homer Glen, Lemont, Orland Park and Palos Park</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
The chart below will show market activity for single family homes for Homer Glen, Lemont, Orland Park and Palos Park for the first half of 2011.






Village


# of Sales 2011


# of Sales 2010


% Change


 Avg. Price 2011


Avg. Price 2010 


% Change




Homer Glen


68


81


-16.1% 


 $321,950


$334,765 


 -3.8%




Lemont


55


58


 -5.2%


 $383,940


 $368,416


 4.2%




Orland Park


126


151


 -8.3%


 $317,157


 $345,934


-8.3%




Palos Park


17


27


 -37%


 $320,558


 $369,345


 -13.2%






Every town has shown a decrease in homes sold.  Palos Park has been hit the hardest with a large 37% decrease in the sale of Palos Park homes.


Palos Park showed the only double digit price decrease of these four villages at 13.2%.  The only suburb in the list that showed a price increase was Lemont homes.  Lemont has held its title as being the most expensive southwest Chicago suburb, once again beating Palos Park.  In fact, Homer Glen homes were priced higher than Palos Park, which I find fascinating.  Palos Park has been the priciest southwest suburb since I can remember, and now it stands at #3.  Orland Park is a close 4th place pricewise.


You will also notice that in 2010 Homer Glen was the lowest priced suburb of the four, and has now risen to 2nd place.  I'm not treating this as a popularity contest and these changes are of much interest to me, especially since the move I made last year to the Homer Glen/Orland Park area, which makes these areas my new home base.


If you're interested in buying and/or selling in any of these suburbs, or any other suburbs that are close to these villages, give Judy Orr and Jimmy Herter a call at 708-536-8200.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sat, 01 Oct 2011 18:22:11 -0500</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.cook-county-real-estate.net/blog/the-new-invaders-to-play-at-taste-of-orland-park-on-sunday-the-7th.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.cook-county-real-estate.net/blog/the-new-invaders-to-play-at-taste-of-orland-park-on-sunday-the-7th.html</link>
            <author>judyorr@gmail.com (Judy Orr)</author>
            <title>The New Invaders to Play at Taste of Orland Park on Sunday, the 7th</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 



You might have seen The New Invaders at The Taste of Orland Park back in 2005, but the band is different today.  Jay Goeppner is the new lead singer and there has been a recent addition of Rick Mallin on keyboards.  Rick is singer Melody Mallin's Dad!  Rick has been in different bands, the most recent was The Runaways.


Jay Goeppner has brought new life to this 60's-early 70's rock band.  Jay still performs with the Beatle Brothers and was with Instant Karma Band.  He has played with many other bands, including back-up for Cheap Trick.  Look for Jay's bio on The New Invaders website to see all of the famous people Jay has worked with.


The band will be playing on Sunday, the 7th, at 4:00-6:00, opening for American English.  Come early to see both acts.  Taste of Orland will be held at 147th &amp; Ravinia Ave, Orland Park.  This is my favorite local festival and I hope to see you there!  I will personally be there for The New Invaders show, as my husband and real estate partner, Jimmy Herter, is a band member.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 05 Aug 2011 17:09:46 -0500</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.cook-county-real-estate.net/blog/orland-park-homes-sold-1st-quarter-2011.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.cook-county-real-estate.net/blog/orland-park-homes-sold-1st-quarter-2011.html</link>
            <author>judyorr@gmail.com (Judy Orr)</author>
            <title>Orland Park Homes Sold 1st Quarter 2011</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
For the past two years, I have been more interested in sales statistics than ever before.  I'm interested in seeing the trend of sales and prices.  We hear and read statistics on the news and Internet, but real estate is local.


Following are sales statistics for Orland Park homes for the first quarter of 2011






# of Properties Sold


% Change


Average  Sale Price


% Change










2011


2010





2011


2010







64


49


30.6%


$335,876


$352,742


-4.8%






 


The good news is we have seen a hefty increase in the amount of Orland Park homes sold.  Prices are still declining, but at least they are in single digits.


If you are interested in Orland Park homes for sale feel free to search the Orland Park MLS.  You can use your personal search parameters such as price, number of bedrooms and baths and more.  You can even search multiple towns in one search.  Or call Judy Orr at 708-536-8200 or contact her and she can set you up for an automated e-mail search.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sun, 22 May 2011 18:15:46 -0500</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.cook-county-real-estate.net/blog/is-home-ownership-losing-popularity.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.cook-county-real-estate.net/blog/is-home-ownership-losing-popularity.html</link>
            <author>judyorr@gmail.com (Judy Orr)</author>
            <title>Is Home Ownership Losing Popularity?</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Everyone knows that prices continue dropping in many areas, including Illinois suburbs.  But those low prices could be good enough for buyers to consider making a purchase this year.  An easy way of figuring out if it's worthwhile purchasing a home vs. renting is to figure out what your mortgage payment would be compared to current rental prices.  You also need to take into consideration tax deductions for mortgage interest and real estate taxes for home owners, although they might not last forever.  Feel free to use my mortgage calculator, although this does not compute any tax deductions.


There is More to it Then Just Monthly Payments


Even if your mortgage payment is more than a local rental, there is a completely different lifestyle in owning your own home vs. living in someone else's property and having to follow their rules.  Many landlords don't allow painting or pets. 


With today's low prices and interest rates, you could purchase a single family home for the same or a little more than an apartment rental payment.  Instead of living the apartment lifestyle with other tenants close by, you could own your own piece of property, and possibly have a yard to relax in, garden and have a place for children and pets to play in.


When I was younger and rented my first apartment, my goal was to own my own home as soon as I could.  I purchased my own home at the age of 21 and I've never looked back.  


I made a profit on every home I ever sold except one, which was sold during the recession of the '80's.  I was getting divorced and we agreed to sell, even though we had only lived in the home for less than 3 years.  We didn't take a huge loss, but at that time it wasn't common to lose money on a real estate sale.


Look at Home Ownership as a Lifestyle, Not an Investment


Most home owners feel grounded and a part of their community.  They usually stay put longer than renters.  When I was growing up, we only moved once into a brand new home.  I was 10 at the time and not happy about the move, but I made new friends quickly and loved our new house.  My parents kept that house until my Dad retired and they were ready to move to Arizona.


For some reason, people have become transient and don't stay put as long as they used to.  Many younger people do not want to live in a "starter home" and some of those people purchased their dream home during the seller's market when it was easy to get a mortgage.


It is still difficult for sellers to understand that they cannot get the prices that homes were selling for during the seller's market.  Unless someone absolutely has to move I always suggest they stay put.  I can understand job transfers or financial difficulties, but if you want a larger or smaller home this might not be the time to sell.


But if you have enough equity or you're just starting out, it might be the greatest time to buy.  Call Judy Orr at 708-536-8200 or James Herter at 708-207-5324 if you are interested in buying and/or selling.  Or fill out our Automated Home Finder's Form to get listings sent directly to your e-mail.


We specialize in Orland Park or Homer Glen homes but sell in a large area of the southwest and near west Chicago suburbs.  If we don't work in your area we can find you a great agent that does.  Give us a call first!
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 13 Apr 2011 18:57:35 -0500</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.cook-county-real-estate.net/blog/search-tools-for-chicago-suburbs-real-estate.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.cook-county-real-estate.net/blog/search-tools-for-chicago-suburbs-real-estate.html</link>
            <author>judyorr@gmail.com (Judy Orr)</author>
            <title>Search Tools for Chicago Suburbs Real Estate</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
I receive many registrations daily from people who have found my website by using search terms such as Orland Park real estate or Homer Glen homes, for example.  Sometimes, I wonder how some people find my site since their searches are not in areas I work in, but they found my website using some kind of search terms.


The visitors that register to use my MLS search (or IDX) are free to search in our very large multiple listing service that covers Northern IL and some portions of Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana.  Our multiple listing service used to be the largest in the nation, but I know there are newer ones that have surpassed our MLS.  


This means I don't service all of the areas that are in my MLS.  I only work in the southwest Cook County and northeast Will County areas.  When you register for my MLS search, you are free to put in any area(s) you want.  If I do not service that area I can find you a local agent that does.


When you read through the features of a listing, you have the ability to save it and/or e-mail me directly to ask for more information.  Every once in a while I'll get a site visitor that sends me multiple properties every day that they want "more information" on.  Most of the time I can't provide much more than what is in the description from my website.


My listing descriptions are very good and give a lot of information, including the current status of a listing (towards the bottom left of the description page).  If you see a status of Contingent, that means there is an accepted offer but it has not closed yet.  In most cases, there are no further showings.


Not all agents list the words "foreclosure", "bank owned" or "short sale," not even in our MLS.  Sometimes I can only tell if I look in an area for agent comments only.  So no matter where you find the listing, you cannot read that private information.  However, there are words that are give aways that it is a foreclosure such as corporate owned, seller will not pay for survey (and a list of items the seller won't pay for).  


My website listing description is not 100% the same as a listing straight from the MLS.  If you want to be set up for an automated MLS search with new listings sent to your e-mail, then feel free to fill out my Homefinder Form.  This way you don't have to keep searching daily and possibly miss that perfect property.  You can also check mark the properties you're interested in and I am able to view those so you don't have to double your work by sending me further addresses or MLS numbers.


I have strived to make this website easy to use and navigate while providing you with the information you need and want as a buyer or seller.  Please use it as it best suits you and know that you have a couple different ways of accessing listings in your area, your price range and with your amenities.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 09 Feb 2011 10:32:22 -0600</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.cook-county-real-estate.net/blog/osteria-ottimo-favorite-restaurant-in-orland-park.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.cook-county-real-estate.net/blog/osteria-ottimo-favorite-restaurant-in-orland-park.html</link>
            <author>judyorr@gmail.com (Judy Orr)</author>
            <title>Osteria Ottimo, Favorite Restaurant in Orland Park</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
I don't consider myself a food critic - as long as I don't have to cook it and clean up after, I'm pretty happy.  I will admit as I've aged my palette has become a bit choosier and I've actually stopped going to some restaurants if I don't like what I ordered or if the service was bad.


I've never been attracted to Italian restaurants as I usually don't order pasta and if I do, I prefer a sweeter sauce than many Italian restaurants make.  My favorite pasta/meat sauce is bolognese, which some restaurants do not make the way it should be (with carrots, which gives it a deep flavor).  I love it when I find a place that makes it correctly.


One weekend evening my husband and I were driving around looking for a place without a long wait.  We ran into Osteria Ottimo but there was a wait.  We left but wanted to come back and give it a try.  And I'm so glad we did.


Osteria Ottimo is my Favorite Restaurant


I have been back many times, as I want to try everything that looks interesting to me on their menu.  Just as I have a dish in mind, one of their daily specials catches my eye.  Everything I've ordered has been wonderful, and I always take home a doggie bag for a much anticiapted lunch.





In the photo, you will see the sign says "Ottimo Ristorante."  Their website (and I believe the menu) has a longer title, "Osteria Ottimo Ristorante Italiano".  I looked up the definition of osteria and Wikipedia states:  "An osteria (Italian pronunciation: [oste'ria]) is an Italian-style eating establishment where the emphasis is generally placed on maintaining a steady clientele rather than on haute cuisine. Osteria in Italian literally means a place where the owner "hosts" people."


It's a Small Place


The tables are close and the restaurant does get busy.  They take reservations and you can wait in the nice lounge, although that can also be SRO.  Check out this Orland Park Italian restaurant's website for all the details.  You'll read about Wine Time Tuesday, Tuesday Night Spaghetti &amp; Meatball Family Style Dinner and Lasagna Night on Thursday.  Maybe you'll see me there!


Ottimo Ristorante is open for lunch and dinner (check the website for times) and is located at 16111 S. La Grange Rd., in Orland Park.  It is nestled in back of a shopping/dining center on the east side of the street.  The phone number is 708-403-3366
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 21 Jan 2011 13:09:42 -0600</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.cook-county-real-estate.net/blog/have-we-hit-bottom-yet.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.cook-county-real-estate.net/blog/have-we-hit-bottom-yet.html</link>
            <author>judyorr@gmail.com (Judy Orr)</author>
            <title>Have We Hit Bottom Yet?</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Have we hit the bottom of low home price values?  The optimists keep saying we should see an improvement at the end of 2011 and into 2012.  They might be somewhat correct, let's face it, they're talking a year down the road.


Today's low interest rates are tempting


Others are saying that the current low interest rates are another government ploy to keep buyers in the market.  And they might be correct, depending on how low prices drop in the future.  At today's current rates, you'd be better off with 4.5% interest rates vs. a 10% reduction at 6% based on an average home price of around $300,000.  You can try out my financing calculator to play around with rates on different price ranges. 


How low will prices go?


No one can say for sure, but some are predicting closer to 20% vs. 10%.  There are several reasons stated:




interest rates will rise, keeping many buyers out of the market unless sellers reduce


home prices are still too high, even with current price corrections - home prices are still outpacing income


there will be many more distressed sales such as foreclosures and short sales coming down the pipeline


unemployment is still too high




Will interest rates really go up in this economy?


I would love to think they will remain this low, but I do not see that happening.  I've heard statements that they will rise to around 6%.  I still think that is low; when I purchased my first home in the 1970's my interest rate was 10.5%, and we didn't blink an eye.  The price of that home was just under $20,000!  We sold it around 3 years later for the upper $40,000's.  Interest rates were still around the same.  In the early 80's (after a recession), interest rates fell to 8.5%, causing a seller's market!


Aren't foreclosures winding down a bit?


They might be down right now a slight percentage, but there are still future adjustable rate loans that are scheduled to reset.  Some mortgage holders will not refinance into a fixed rate because their rates might actually go lower and some can't refinance since their home isn't worth what they paid for it.  If interest rates go up next year then those buyers might not be able to afford the next reset.  That will keep short sales and foreclosures coming.


Should we wait to purchase?


I just purchased a home at the beginning of the year.  I am taking a loss on my resale Oak Lawn home.  I purchased a foreclosure and although we are remodeling it, I feel we got a great deal.  Even if the true value of my remodeled home falls 20%, we plan on living here for a minimum of 10 years, possibly more.


Although we feel we made a good investment, the reason we bought is because we outgrew our other home.  We needed more space.  Lucky for us, we found a home that is perfect for us and was a foreclosure that only needed cosmetic fix-ups/remodeling.  


We felt the need to move and went for it.  We are so happy in our Orland Park home.  It's tough losing money on our resale home (and that's not even taking into consideration all of the money and work we put into it) that we lived in for 7 years, but it worked out for us in the end. 


If you are currently renting and want to own a property, then with these low interest rates you should really consider purchasing now, before interest rates spike.  Keep in mind, different towns will depreciate at different rates.  There are many areas in Cook county that have already fallen by double digits.  An average drop of 20% does not mean that figure will occur in every single town.


It might be a gamble to wait


No one can predict the future, but if you're ready to buy a property, you might regret waiting.  Feel free to fill out my Automated Home Finder Form to see what's out there right now, while interest rates are so low.


  
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sun, 19 Sep 2010 13:56:38 -0500</pubDate>
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