Tag Archives: home value

In 2011 “green” means home value!

I’ve been an advocate focused on green and energy efficient homes for over two years now. To me, the green movement has always been about dollars:  helping families cut their monthly bills, while adding value to their homes.  The good news … Continue reading

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Retrofit Adds Value! see GreenHomes America

Thanks to my friends at GreenHomes America for allowing me to guest post today!  http://t.co/pXni6bo

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Prices Not So Down in Elmhurst

Chicago Magazine is out with their annual review of home prices in the Chicagoland area.  It is my annual market value bible as a great resource for clients!  Kudos to Dennin  Rodkin and his team for their hard work every … Continue reading

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It’s PITITUM, not just PITI to Manage Your Budget

What the heck is PITITUM???!  PITI is a common mortgage term and stands for Principal, Interest, Taxes & Insurance.  But I have started advising homeowners to get on the PITITUM bandwagon and get a more realistic handle on their budget, and what they can … Continue reading

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First peek at post-tax credit sales…not great

The Wall Street Journal reported this weekend that home sales are looking down in May.  The federal home buyer tax credit expired on April 30th.  This is consistent with what I am seeing in the market.  I am expecting a … Continue reading

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Sellers, Do you Want a “For Sale” Sign…or a Moving Van???

When I work with potential sellers I always go over what I call the “Moving Van” slide.  Too often, sellers size up who they think it their competition – homes with a “for sale” sign.  But I tell them, you … Continue reading

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Get with the Green Grid – For your wallet AND the planet!

The tagline for my business is “sage living” – be smart (sage) about going green!  My favorite sage way to go green is through a home energy-efficiency retrofit.  It’s the best way to make an impact with fewer dollars.  I … Continue reading

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New Home “Affordability” Study Shows the Value in Elmhurst!

You know all those friends of yours who moved out to Aurora and bragged about how cheap their homes are?  Well, the Center for Neighborhood Technology today released a way to look apples to apples at what it really costs you to … Continue reading

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On the Hill & Main Street: HOME STAR this week!

While President Obama was at Savannah Tech in Georgia on Tuesday announcing his HOME STAR plan, I was on Capitol Hill promoting the same proposal to several Congressional representatives or their staff!  As Obama outlined in his speech, the proposal … Continue reading

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Cost, Value and Payback – Part 2: The Quick Win!

Out of the whole Remodeling Magazine survey this year, one project jumps out at me – entry door replacement.  This year in the Midwest a new entry cost $1229 and added $1106.  It recouped 90.1%, putting it in the top … Continue reading

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