http://www.illinoislandandhomes.com/blog Real estate news and observations about the Fox Valley area in Illinois. en http://www.illinoislandandhomes.com/blog/real-estate/homebuyer-tax-credit-extension-up-for-vote.htm In two short days, the current First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit is up for renewal. This Friday, November 6th, a bill extending this popular tax credit goes to full vote in the House of Representatives for approval. Already approved by the Senate, this bill would extend the current $8, 000 tax credit for first time homebuyers until April 1st, 2010. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:35:05 +0000 http://www.illinoislandandhomes.com/blog/general/case-shiller-home-price-stabilization.htm The S&P/Case Shiller index released yesterday, September 29 is a major indicator of national and regional home price movement. The new values for August displays the 6th consecutive month of improvment in home prices across the country from a low point in February/March. In our region, it is the 3rd consecutive month of improvment for [...] Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:39:18 +0000 http://www.illinoislandandhomes.com/blog/real-estate/2009-real-estate-updates.htm Wow, a lot has happened since I’ve had a chance to post. First a few updates: 2009 has been an interesting year. There have been ups and downs in the real estate market just like with everything else. We started the year with a high rate of foreclosures and short sales. While these remain higher [...] Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:18:07 +0000 http://www.illinoislandandhomes.com/blog/aurora_real_estate/future-illinois-home-searching.htm Technology has been transforming the real estate industry. Less than a decade ago, finding homes for sale on the internet was a waste of time. Today, the internet is where it’s at. When I developed my business strategy years ago, I decided that one of the most important things was to always be on the [...] Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:51:45 +0000 http://www.illinoislandandhomes.com/blog/fox-valley-news/illinois-flavors-of-greece-festival-opa.htm Over Memorial Day weekend, my wife and I were first-time attendees at the annual Flavors of Greece Festival presented by St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church in Aurora. This two-day festival is held at the Kane County Fair Grounds in St. Charles and brings together the sights, sounds and flavors of everything Greek. It’s no secret that [...] Tue, 03 Jun 2008 22:01:29 +0000 http://www.illinoislandandhomes.com/blog/general/lakes-of-bliss-woods-feature-prime-custom-homes-in-sugar-grove.htm Sugar Grove has a reputation of being the “next” community on the forefront of development pushing outwards from Chicago. For the most part, it’s still known as a small farming community. However, in The Lakes of Bliss Woods, what they’re growing are beautiful and stylish custom homes. Located in the northeast part of the community next [...] Tue, 27 May 2008 03:28:15 +0000 http://www.illinoislandandhomes.com/blog/general/celbrate-our-nations-heroes.htm I wanted to dedicate a post today to all of our nation’s heroes both past and present. We are who we are today because of the actions of our armed forces in unceasingly defending our country. The men and women who have died defending our nation and those that have served both overseas and here [...] Mon, 26 May 2008 15:16:21 +0000 http://www.illinoislandandhomes.com/blog/real-estate/tanner-trails-subdivision-nears-completion.htm The Tanner Trails subdivision located off of Tanner Road in North Aurora is finally nearing completion despite a bankruptcy filed by the primary builder – Neumann Homes in October 2007. Many residents were concerned with the unfinished status of several of the streets and parks. However, in a decisive move, the Village of North Aurora [...] Wed, 21 May 2008 05:23:20 +0000 http://www.illinoislandandhomes.com/blog/real-estate/avoid-home-hunt-burn-out.htm Buyers really have it good in today’s market. In some cases, too good. I have found in several circumstances that the extreme number of homes on the market right now is causing an interesting problem. The wide selection of choices available is causing some buyers to get “burnt out” of house hunting. The problem begins with [...] Mon, 19 May 2008 14:45:57 +0000 http://www.illinoislandandhomes.com/blog/real-estate/reserves-at-tanner-trails-spec-homes-models.htm If you’re shopping in the $400-500, 000 range, you really have the run of the store. You can pretty much choose your community, area and style of home. If a new home is on your shopping list, you might want to consider one of the custom homes located in The Reserves at Tanner Trails in North [...] Wed, 07 May 2008 21:53:23 +0000