Park Ridge TodayPark Ridge Illinois Real Estate and More

The Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce and Park Ridge Park District are partnering with PC Rebuilders and Recyclers to collect unwanted computer equipment and electronics to be reused, refurbished and recycled. 

The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 24th from 10a.m. – 2p.m. at the Senior Center in Park Ridge, located at 100 S. Western Avenue.  For additional information please call the Chamber of Commerce at (847) 825-3121.

I was doing some research on the HARP program and other mortgage plans that have been introduced and I stumbled onto a message board for people that are purposely walking away from their mortgages and mailing the keys to the lender, thus Jingle Mail.

Researching (sometimes called surfing) I found more on “Planned Foreclosures” in other parts of the country that have been affected the most by the housing markets.  I have to say, the argument is a good one, albeit one with many repercussions, mostly negative.

Without a doubt, this affects not just that homeowner, it affects the entire neighborhood. I’m sure most would agree that our lives have been affected by this; bad mortgages, overzealous lenders and fictional applications for homes. On the other hand, it is impossible to have 10% – 12% appreciation annually on a home, so something had to give.

We’re in the midst of pulling out of the worst of this, thankfully Park Ridge hasn’t been hit as hard as other parts of the country.

Here is a list from the Park Ridge Community Network for the arts in our great town:

Bog Theatre
The Bog Theatre is an Equity theatre company that is working to provide fertile ground for the arts in Park Ridge and suburban Chicago .
www.bogtheatre.com

Brickton Art Center
year-round fine arts classes, supporting and promoting artists through free professional art exhibitions
www.bricktonartcenter.org

Manifold Melodies
We offer private lessons in piano, voice and percussion to all ages. We also offer music awareness lessons to children from 18 months to 6 years old.
www.manifoldmelodies.com

Midwest Young Artists
Opportunities for Young Musicians.
www.mya.org

Park Ridge Art League
The Park Ridge Art League was organized in December 1943 to encourage artists in the expression of art, and develop a greater knowledge and appreciation of art in the Community.
www.ParkRidgeArtLeague.org

Park Ridge Cultural Arts Council, Inc.
The Park Ridge Cultural Arts Council invites you to explore the wide variety of arts & entertainment available in the Park Ridge area.
www.parkridgearts.org

StageCoach Theatre Arts Schools
StageCoach Theatre Arts Schools offers boys and girls ages 4-16 a comprehensive education in singing, drama, and dance.
www.stagecoachschools.com

I was recently talking to another Park Ridge agent and we were going over some showings last weekend when it was about 2 degrees outside. I know I’ve been very busy with showings and she told me she showed 27 homes last Sunday 1/3. Now, this was the weekend of the New Year’s Holiday and it was brutal outside, BUT if you have to look for homes, you’re going to look for homes.

The recent tax credit for both new and current homeseekers has really boosted activity. We are thankful for many of the programs that have been introduced to the ailing real estate market and even more thankful that some of them are working well.

Please feel free to contact me if you would like to know more about your real estate options.

Wow, where did those last ten years go? I know we might be saying where did those last 25 years go as well. Time flies and throughout these last 25 years, real estate has seen dramatic shifts in both directions as well as the mortgage industry.

I can say this for sure: This is one of the very best times to move up or buy your first home. The pricing will start to come back up and we have seen that already starting. Interest rates are still extremely low and we all know this cannot last.

Many are taking advantage of the tax credits and that has been the genesis of the latest surge in home sales. Inventory is declining and spring is not far off, which should allow for a continuation of the growth we have seen recently.

Here’s to a great decade!

The recent report on November Sales was very encouraging, to say the least. Homes are starting to sell thanks to the new tax credits that were introduced and extended for new homeowners. Us REALTORS are excited and thankful for the boost and would advise lookers to get moving because these programs do have expirations.

Here’s more info in the new tax credits.