Tiny Homes Find Big Market

Fox Valley – While recently suffering from a nasty summer cold, I was able to flip through various cable TV stations and landed on FYI,. Crammed in between  the Feast and the Furious and Kitchen Nightmares was a show called Tiny House Nation.  So, once again, you really can find everything on TV with 500+ channels.

http://www.fyi.tv/shows/tiny-house-nation

There’s been a big push lately of advertising to showcase tiny homes that carefully tiptoe the fine line between storage shed and cramped living space,  or as real estate agents will say, “cozy”.  Noting that the average size of an American home today is over 2,300 square feet, the Tiny House Nation show firmly upholds that less is more.  Check out the entire episode of the production of a tiny home on their website:

http://www.fyi.tv/shows/tiny-house-nation/videos/river-escape

But wait, there’s more.

photo from homeideas.pics

Tiny home building companies like Tumbleweed, Tiny House Company,  http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/, are enjoying significant growth as folks from woodcarvers, to hobbyists, to new families are seeking to simplify and downsize, while reducing mortgage payments. Costs to purchase a tiny home on wheels range from $57,000 and up, depending on the size.

photos from The Elm, from Tumbleweed, Homes To Go

However, you cannot simply park one of these anywhere you wish, so be sure to allocate in advance for proper zoning and a private lot unless you currently own your home and have properly zoned space on site.

Tumbleweed also sells designs for building smaller footprint homes, which are exclusively built to be highly functional and space saving, but without the trailer/wheels.

The Harbinger Grande (below), for example, requires sufficient square footage on a lot as it is a permanent fixture (no wheels).  It can be built on ground level, on a concrete slab or over a basement.  The options are as wide open as one’s checkbook, as with most home options.  Although they have plumbing and electricity, few have central A/C or forced heat, so this style of living may not fit well in northern climates during a harsh polar vortex winter, or what we here in Chicago call “snowy”.

They can be installed with a contractor on your selected property.  Again, be sure to consult with local zoning and building professionals to ensure all requirements are met.

Photos from Tumbleweed Houses, the Harbinger Grande

Tiny houses are answering a need for many homeowners who seek privacy and customization in their living arrangements.  Not everyone is suited to tiny living, but having more high quality options available with great prices certainly makes a strong argument for downsizing.

 

Jennifer@ElginFoxValley.com

 

FSBO Running Out of Cardboard Signs?

Elgin Fox Valley, IL –You might need more than a cardboard sign and a Sharpie marker when trying to sell your (probably) biggest asset!

 If this is your marketing plan to sell your home, please let me know!   I recently stopped by this nice couple’s property and found an old water heater standing in front of the the signs, too.    I’m not sure if that was included in the deal or not.

And the details were a bit confusing on # of garages on the third sign:

I noted that the price listed on the sign ($295K) seemed high for the area, because as a licensed Realtor, I am familiar with this area and similar properties.  However, once the homeowners realized no one was stopping by (except for those pesky investor types), they did lower their price to $260K.  I expect an “Or Best Offer” probably in the next month when the frustration level rises again.

Now, I would love to give these nice folks a current CMA (comparative market analysis) and let them know what homes are currently selling for.  At $260K, for a 1700 square foot home 3bd/2bth that is not updated, in good condition, they are overpriced by nearly $46 a square foot!  And I should probably mention that location in real estate is very important, so the train tracks running directly behind the home are not adding to the home’s value.  I would also point out that while 1.25 acres is a very large lot,  the separate shed/garage is nice but probably not worth the full $60K it cost to build.

Unfortunately, none of these points will be made to this seller as they are convinced they can sell it on their own for a much higher price.   Why pay a huge Realtor commission of 6% when you could lower the price yourself by 12% from $295K to $260K?

Perhaps this will be the next sign we will see in their yard:

Are you a FSBO owner in need of a CMA?  Wondering what your home value is currently? The folks above used Zillow and you can see how accurate was it for them.  Come on and give an agent a call, at least use us for our data accuracy!

Jennifer@ElginFoxValley.com
630-854-4360

Try my new mobile app to search for homes on your tablet or device-Midwest Homes:  http://t.ikenex.com/?k=n0t
(Note: Use 240766 for agent ID to log in.)

Opening Your Wallet to Help Your Kids (again)?

Elgin Fox Valley – It’s June and the college towns across the plains of Illinois are hibernating in sleepy dormancy until muggy late August.  The raucous party campuses are calm seas of empty green space as the coeds have fled back to their individual home towns.  Lucky parents across the nation are enjoying having their adult children move back home, maybe for just the summer, or maybe for much longer.

Wait a second, perhaps not all parents are thrilled with the boomerang child scenario.  Maybe some parents are ready to pack them off to home of their own as soon as possible.  Parenting is hard enough trying to figure out how much help to offer to someone whom you taught to ties his shoe laces.  Do they want to own a home?  How much help do they need to buy a home of their own?  Unless you live in Illinois, which offers free grant money for new first time home buyers (ask me for details!).  Stepping in with a checkbook and a quick down payment might get them out of your home faster and empty the nest, but as compiled in the Wall Street Journal’s article below, stepping up the pace to get them to a new address may offer more aggravation than assistance in the long run.

 http://online.wsj.com/articles/should-you-help-your-child-buy-a-home-1402684361?mod=WSJ_3Up_RealEstate&utm_source=Campaigner&utm_campaign=Thursday_June_19_2014_-_3&campaigner=1&utm_medium=HTMLEmail

Have questions about the new Illinois home buyer down payment assistance program?  Email me and I’ll get the answers you need ASAP.

Jennifer@ElginFoxValley.com

 

 

 

 

Local Elgin Company Helps Families, Saves Lives With Mobile App

Elgin, IL –

Hospital waiting rooms no longer need to be frustrated islands of isolated long waits for family and friends of surgery patients, thanks to the Family Advocate Waiting Room app (patent pending),a  new mobile application from InSight Apps, LLC, located in Elgin, IL.

Working with top health care systems across the state of Illinois, the Family Advocate Waiting Room mobile application allows family and friends access to the patient update status board and allow instant smartphone updates anywhere in the hospital, including chapels, ICU, front lobby and the cafeteria.  This application offers a unique opportunity for waiting room occupants to cut the cord from a single waiting room while never missing missing an update.  The app will work in various foreign languages, include a countdown to the next update as well as allow follow up appointments to be made with a few simple clicks.

According to InSight Apps, LLC Mobile Systems Architect Eric Kinzle, this app was created in direct response from  consumer requests. “Not only can it improve patient care, it can save lives by making the follow up appointment easy to set up.  Nearly 60% of surgery patients fail to make a follow up appointment, causing the hospital thousands in readmission fees.  This app pays for itself with the first patient to make the appointment.”

In addition, this app allows for individual hospitals to customize a wide array of features and robust data handling.  It does not require any additional updates or training on behalf of the staff or doctors in a hospital, but will be customized seamlessly via direct programming specifics on individual status board metrics.  HIPPA secure and anonymous to viewers, users must enter a patient code to view a status, which feeds to a private user’s smartphone or handheld device.

InSight Apps, LLC, based in Elgin, IL, was launched in 2014 under Chicago native Eric Kinzle, Mobile Systems Architect, MA in Computer Science from DePaul, MBA student at NIU and over a decade of healthcare systems experience.   The Family Advocate Waiting Room app is InSight App’s first mobile business application dedicated to hospital waiting room facilities, now available nationwide.  Contact Eric Kinzle direct at kinzle32@gmail.com or 630-854-4369 for more information.

InSight Apps, LLC is based out of Elgin, IL and is currently operated  with select partners for marketing, maintenance, development and deployment.

 

For more information on the new app, please visit here:

http://youtu.be/HyVoF6umcZU

Hungry To Get Immediate Results

Elgin, IL –  Forget Toys for Tots-this is Summertime!  Was the last time you made a charitable donation back in the arctic blast?  How about adding local community volunteer to your resume and gain instant satisfaction that your hard work and efforts made a lasting impact for your local Elgin neighbors?  Check out the local food pantry, Food For Greater Elgin and become a Volunteer.  This is a great place to start and no experience is needed!  They serve over 1,200 families every month, which equates to 5,500 individuals, half of which are children.

Visit here to learn about more ways to volunteer, along with times/schedules:

http://www.foodforgreaterelgin.org/volunteer/
Do you know of someone who needs assistance with food insecurity?  Helping local Elgin families on tight budgets, the City of Elgin will be offering free lunches this summer to children.  According to a recent article from the Courier News, Elgin Parks & Rec, the Northern Illinois food bank, local non profits and churches are coordinating free lunches this summer for local area children (ages 18 and under) from June 9 to August 15, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm at the listed locations below:

East of Fox River

• Eastside Recreation Center, 1080 E. Chicago St.
• Clara Howard Park, 448 Fremont St.
• Observatory/Kiwanis Park, 259 National St.
• Salvation Army, 316 Douglas Ave.
• St. Francis Park, 277 Jefferson Ave.

West of Fox River

• Clifford/Owasco Park, 825 Clifford St.
• Cornerstone Park, 1540 Mulberry Lane
• Buena Vista Townhomes, 1285 Fleetwood

For more information, visit the link below or contact the Elgin City Parks and Rec Department at (847) 531-7000.

 http://couriernews.suntimes.com/27921491-417/elgin-is-offering-free-summertime-lunches-for-kids.html#.U59xUPldXEV

HARP your way to savings!

Elgin Fox Valley, IL – Don’t throw away free money!   Many of my clients have enjoyed much lower mortgage payments by simply obtaining a new lower interest rate via the HARP program.  If you are a homeowner who hasn’t refinanced their mortgage, there is still time to save.  The federally subsidized HARP program is still in effect and saving homeowners money now through December 31, 2015. Restrictions apply.   See the link below for details.

http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/programs/lower-rates/Pages/harp.aspx

Eligibility:

“You may be eligible for HARP if you meet all of the following criteria:

• The mortgage must be owned or guaranteed by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae.
• The mortgage must have been sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac on or before May 31, 2009.
• The mortgage cannot have been refinanced under HARP previously unless it is a Fannie Mae loan that was refinanced under HARP from March-May, 2009.
• The current loan-to-value (LTV) ratio must be greater than 80%.
• The borrower must be current on the mortgage at the time of the refinance, with a good payment history in the past 12 months.

*Eligibility criteria are for guidance only. Contact your mortgage servicer to see if you are eligible for HARP.”

 

Check with your local mortgage provider for more details.  Freddie and Fannie Mae loans only.

 

Midwest Homes mobile app is now available

Elgin Fox Valley, IL – Saint Charles, Elgin, South Elgin and surrounding towns, here’s a free new mobile app called Midwest Homes just for you!  This super easy, 100% free mobile app offers a ZIP code search, radius search, map overview of active listings, save to favorites feature, send to friends and all the pictures that come with every single home.  Search like a licensed pro and see what the brokers see, live, up-to-the minute active listings!

Try it out today and let me know what you think.

Download the mobile app Midwest Homes here:  http://t.ikenex.com/?k=n0t

Note: Use 240766 for agent ID to log in.  In case the setup gets interrupted, simply tap the link above again.

 

Jennifer Kinzle, e-Pro Broker
Charles Rutenberg Realty, Elgin

Housing Market Improves in South Elgin

South Elgin, IL – Recent reports from the MLS database indicated that the property market is on an upward streak.

Homes are going under contract fast!  We are going under contract in just over 2 months’ time from the date a listing begins.

South Elgin property prices are on the upswing this spring and summer!  This reflects an average 14% increase in sales prices as compared to the same time last year.

 

With average market time (Days On Market) dropping to under 90 days’ time, inventory is tight and homeowners are getting fast offers for top dollar.

 

Thinking of getting a market analysis on your home?  Contact me for details on getting one started.

Or, check out local homes for sale with a new mobile app, Midwest Homes by clicking here: http://t.ikenex.com/?k=n0t
Note: Use 240766 for agent ID to log in.  In case the setup gets interrupted, simply tap the link above again.

Midwest Homes mobile app is now available

Elgin Fox Valley, IL – Saint Charles, Elgin, South Elgin and surrounding towns, here’s a free new mobile app called Midwest Homes just for you!  This super easy, 100% free mobile app offers a ZIP code search, radius search, map overview of active listings, save to favorites feature, send to friends and all the pictures that come with every single home.  Search like a licensed pro and see what the brokers see, live, up-to-the minute active listings!

Try it out today and let me know what you think.

Download the mobile app Midwest Homes here:  http://t.ikenex.com/?k=n0t

Note: Use 240766 for agent ID to log in.  In case the setup gets interrupted, simply tap the link above again.

 

Jennifer Kinzle, e-Pro Broker
Charles Rutenberg Realty, Elgin

Elgin FireFighters spark interest with new fire explorers

Elgin, IL – It’s summertime and the city of Elgin wants to spark interest in their brand new Fire Explorers program.  If you’ve got a teen or know of a young person who has wished they could follow the racing fire trucks and blaring sirens-this career exploration program is for them!  Elgin has developed a brand new program to introduce young people (ages 14-20 yrs) about careers in the firefighting field. Check the link below for more information.

http://www.cityofelgin.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1220

Requirements include:

• Must be between the ages of 14 and 20.
• Must be in good physical condition and pass a “basic physical abilities test”.
• Must submit a letter of recommendation from and adult who is not the candidate’s parent or guardian.
• If in school, candidates will maintain acceptable academic progress, which will require that all grades are C’s or better to remain eligible.
• Quarterly school report cards submitted along with teacher contact information for any class that receives a grade below C.
• The candidate will pass a general knowledge written test.
• The candidate will participate in an interview process with the advisory board.
• The advisory board will recommend the initial 20 candidates. Future interview processes will include explorer post officer members on the board.

This program is still under development, so contact the City of Elgin at 847-931-6181 or 847-931-6177
fireexplorers@cityofelgin.org for details.

Also, Elgin is hosting an Open House for the Fire Explorer program on Saturday, July 12, 2014 at Fire Station 2 located at 650 Big Timber Dr. Elgin, Illinois 60123, from 9am-12pm.  Come with questions and find out the answers.