Tax Breaks For Homeowners

Zillow

        

Flickr.com

Tax season is going to be upon us soon and there are many benefits waiting for homeowners:

• Mortgage Interest: This is a huge money saver and can be taken on both primary and secondary homes, as long as you itemize your return and your loan is less than one million dollars.
• Mortgage Points: Points, which are percentage based fees that a lender charges to originate a loan, are seen as a type of mortgage interest which is paid in advance. As long as you meet certain requirements, you can deduct these points in full the year they were paid.
• Property Taxes: The amount you paid in property taxes can be entered on your federal form for as long as you own the home. You can find this amount by looking at your annual statement that you just received by your lender. This must be an itemized expense.
• Home Improvements: Many homeowners took on various home improvement projects in the last year and you may have been one of those homeowners as well. Projects range from adding additional square footage, replacing the roof, etc. The money spent on these projects will help to lower your tax bill.

Happy Friday

Plainfield Among Top Places To Own A Home

Plainfield Patch

      

Flickr.com

Plainfield is ranked one of the top places in Illinois to own a home according to a study by NerdWallet! Plainfield landed #2 out of 121 towns in Illinois according to homeownership rates, median household income, selected monthly owner costs, and population change.

NerdWallet States:

"Will County's oldest community, Plainfield has a unique mix of historic buildings and new construction housing quaint shops and restaurants in its central business district. Three of its local sites even appear on the National Register of Historic Places. Agriculture and industry are also part of Plainfield's landscape, giving it a rural feel with suburban convenience. It's also a village with a commitment to the environment: the "Green Village" Program incorporates various plans and ordinances to ensure that new development and day-to-day activities remain sensitive to the environment. It also sits at the top of our list for median monthly household income at $9,303."

Happy Friday!

Illinois Fun Facts

rebootillinois

 Freedigitalphotos.net 

1. Illinois is home to the world's largest bottle of catsup-www.catsupbottle.com.
2. Illinois was the first state to ratify the 13th amendment to end slavery.
3. Illinois had two other state capitals prior to Springfield; Kaskaskia and Vandalia.
4. Only two buildings survived after the great Chicago fire; the Chicago Water Tower and Pumping Station.
5. Ronald Reagan's well known childhood home is in Dixon, IL but he was born in Tampico.
6. The Ice Cream Sundae was started in Evanston, IL.
7. The Chicago Post Office located at 433 West Van Buren is the only postal facility in the world that you can drive a car through.
8. The Nabisco factory located in Chicago is the world's largest bakery with a size of 1,800,000 square feet.
9. Elzie Crisler Segar, the creator of Popeye, was born in Chester, IL.
10. Illinois generates more nuclear power than any other state.

Happy Friday

Local Groupon Deals

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If you are looking for some fun things to do in Plainfield and the surrounding area, check out these deals from Groupon:

• $35 for 5 Yoga classes at Essence of Life in Shorewood ($75 value)
• $39 for a one or three month gym membership with personal training sessions at MPG Fitness LLC in Plainfield (up to 79% off) 
• $29 for 30 or 60 days of unlimited yoga classes at Twist Yoga Lounge in Plainfield (up to 76% off)
• 50% off wine tasting for 4, 10, or 20 with 50% off in store purchases at WineStyles in Shorewood 
• $9 to see American English (Beatle's tribute) and one drink at Moe Joe's in Joliet on Friday, December 19th at 9 pm
• $30 for wine tasting for 4, tapas, and a bottle of wine at Montage Wine Bar and Tasting Room in Morris ($75 value)
• $5 for a single day admission for two at the Joliet Area Historical Museum (regular price is $12)
• $28 for paintball for 2, 4, or 8 with marker, paintballs, and gear at CPX Sports in Joliet (Up to 71% off)
• $10 for ice skating admission and skate rental for 2 or 4 at Seven Bridges Ice Arena in Woodridge (up to 53% off)
• $64 for a three lap ride along or three hour driving experience at Mario Andretti Racing Experience in Joliet (up to 51% off)
• $41 for four 30 minute voice lessons at Music Lessons By Maggie in Joliet ($90 value)
• 5, 10, 20 or one month of unlimited marital arts classes at Chikara Martial Arts Academy in Plainfield (up to 60% off)

Getting Over A Cold

Plainfield Patch

          

Freedigitalphotos.net

           


With cold and flu season in full swing, many of us are looking for ways to help our kids get over being sick. Below is a recipe for electrolyte pops which will help your children stay hydrated while sick:

Electrolyte Pop
Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 1 cup filtered or coconut water
• 1 or 2 tbsp raw honey or organic maple syrup
• 1/8 tsp sea salt

Directions:

• Combine ingredients into a bowl until completely blended
• Pour into either pop molds or an ice cube tray and freeze halfway
• Add pop sticks and then return the pops to the freezer until completely frozen

Wine & Cheese by TCC

Freerangestock.com

Wine & Cheese by TCC, a fine wine and artisan cheese shop, wine bar, and cafe,  is located right in the heart of downtown Plainfield and offers fine wines, cheese, beer, accessories, gift baskets, and more.The cafe menu includes a wide range of  items  such as "build your own" cheese plate, grown up mac and cheese, salmon, scallops, hummus, etc. Menu offerings can also be taken to go as well.  They also offer a wine club, beer club, and cheese club. They host wine tastings twice a week and  many other fun events including beer tastings, wine cocktail tastings, a wine and cheesecake event, and much more. For more information, call (815) 436-3499.

7 Tips To Protect Yourself On Black Friday/Cyber Monday

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Great tips for busy shopping days

Happy Friday!

Happy Thanksgiving!

10 Tips For Being A Great Thanksgiving Guest

thekitchn.com

Flickr.com

Not hosting the big meal this year? Here are some tips to be an awesome guest!

Habits Of Highly Effective Home Buyers

phoenixrealestateguy

Freedigitalphotos.net

1. Get pre-approved: Meet with a lender to see if you qualify for a mortgage and if so, how much. It's important to know what your budget is while house hunting and it's crucial to be pre-approved before submitting an offer on a home.
2. Determine what your must haves, like to haves, and cannot haves are: The home search will be much easier if you can narrow down the features you absolutely need in a home, what you would like to have in a home but is not necessary, and features that you do not want in your future home.
3. Be realistic: Find out what homes are going for in the area you are interested in.
4. Be flexible: Unless you are custom building your dream home, it may be difficult to find every single thing on your wish list in a home. When touring houses, it's important to take in the whole picture and understand what things you can easily change to make the house your own.
5. Have fun: Buying a home does not have to be a stressful process; have fun with it and enjoy the journey to finding your new home!

10 Interior Design Trends That May Turn Buyers Off

realtor.com

Flickr.com

You desire for your home to look the best it can and you may feel inspired to try out some popular design trends, however, these may not bode well with potential buyers.

Happy Friday!

Nabby's Of Plainfield

Flickr.com

Nabby's of Plainfield will be offering 99 cent hot dogs and hamburgers this Saturday and Sunday, November 22nd-23rd. Owner Mike Vitullo is encouraging guests to donate their savings to the Plainfield Interfaith Food Pantry to help them prepare for Thanksgiving. 

Nabby's 

14802 N. Michigan Street

Hours: 6 am-9 pm Saturday

7 am-8 pm Sunday

9 Kitchen Trends With Staying Power

flickr.com

Remodeling your kitchen can be a huge investment, so make sure you are spending your money well by making choices that will last

Bedrooms That Prove Your Bed Doesn't Have To Be Against A Wall

Flickr.com

7 bedrooms with uniquely placed beds

Guide To Buying Bath Vanities And Cabinets

Flickr.com

These are great tips if you are in the market for bath vanities and cabinets!

Tips For Selling Your Home In The Winter

Veterans United

Flickr.com

1. Show the year round beauty of your home: With brown lawns and bare trees being the dominant scenery during the winter, landscaping doesn't usually look its best during the cold months. Show buyers the true beauty of your home by including pictures of your home during warmer months in the listing.
2. Keep your home warm and cozy: Create a warm and inviting experience for potential buyers by maintaining a comfortable temperature in your home (between 65 and 70 degrees), highlighting any working fireplaces (but don't have fires going for obvious safety reasons), open blinds and shades to allow natural light in, and have cozy blankets and throws draped on seating areas.
3. Decorate tastefully for the holidays: Holiday decor can make your home attractive to buyers as long as it is kept simple and not over the top.
4. Less inventory can be an advantage: Typically during the winter time there are less homes on the market which can be an asset to homeowners selling their homes during this time. Review comparable homes in the area and make a list of your home's unique features. Is your home one of the few houses in your price range that has a fireplace? Are you located in a great school district? It's important to determine what features your home has to offer, especially those that other similar homes may not have. Don't be shy about letting potential buyers know about all the great features your home has to offer.

10 Kitchen Design Mistakes To Avoid

Flickr.com

If you are planning on designing or remodeling a kitchen, steer clear of these mistakes!

Awesome Housewarming Gift Ideas

Flickr.com

Here are some ways to go above and beyond by giving your family and friends awesome and unique housewarming gifts...

Happy Friday

25 Costco Shopping Secrets

Flickr.com

With the holidays just around the corner, I bet many of us will be making a Costco run at some point in order to prepare for all of the big meals ahead of us. Here's some Costco secrets that go well beyond the free samples....

Unique Garage Conversions

Flickr.com

Garage Renovations That Wow

Common Holiday Hosting Problems And How To Avoid Them

Redfin

Freedigitalphotos.net

Imagine that you have the turkey all brined, the side dishes and desserts ready to go into the the oven, and 25 people on their way to your home. You go to put the turkey into the oven and uh oh-the oven won't heat up! What do you do now?? Many of us have experienced a stressful hosting situation; here are some ways to avoid common problems that may come up just in time for a holiday get together.

• A cold oven: One way to avoid this issue is to not use the self clean option on your oven until after the holidays. Using the self clean option on an oven may blow a fuse or thermostat and finding an oven technician can be very difficult around the holidays. 
• Clogged kitchen sink: The day after Thanksgiving is the busiest day of the year  for plumbers, mainly due to the kitchen drain not being used properly. Keep in mind that fat and cooking oils can become solid and clog the pipes under your sink so never dispose of them by putting them down the drain. Always ensure that your garbage disposal is running before anything is put down it and don't put fibrous foods down it such as poultry skin or potato peels. If your sink does clog, avoid using chemical products that can harm the pipes. It's best to use a snake which is available for around $15 at your local hardware store. 
• The heat goes out: Regular maintenance of your HVAC system is very important; every 90 days a new one inch pleated furnace filter should be installed. If you haven't done this in awhile, now is a good time to do that. Inspect the insulation on refrigerant lines that lead into your house and replace any that are missing or damaged. 
• The fridge doesn't stay cool: Get a thermometer for your fridge and make sure that each shelf stays below 40 degrees. Look at the condenser coils which are either on the back of the unit or underneath it and make sure they are not obstructed or dirty which can prevent air from circulating.

A Warm And Cozy Home

Flickr.com

Tips On How To Create A Warm And Inviting Space

Gravity Defying Houses

Good Housekeeping

Unique homes that are NOT for the faint of heart!

Turkey Raffle

Flickr.com

The Plainfield Fire Department is hosting their annual Turkey Raffle on Saturday, November 15th at the Fire District Administration and Training Facility beginning at 7 pm. The event is for adults only and there will be turkeys, hams, and door prizes raffled off. For more information, you can call (815) 436-5335.

Fire District Administration and Training Facility
23748 W. 135th Street

Heartwarming Local Plainfield Story

Plainfield Patch

Plainfield Woman Loses Ring While Passing Out Halloween Candy And Gets A Surprise

Happy Friday

Weekend Brunch Recipe: Breakfast Braid

Credit: allrecipes.com

Ham Breakfast Braid (6 servings)
allrecipes.com

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup of milk
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 8 eggs
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 (8 oz) packages of refrigerated crescent roll dough
• 4 ounces cooked ham, thinly sliced
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Beat milk and cream cheese together until smooth. Mix in eggs and season with salt and pepper. Heat a lightly oiled skillet over medium high heat and cook egg mixture until they are almost set.
3. Form one package of crescent rolls into a rectangle shape on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Place the rolls from the remaining package along the edges of the two long sides of the rectangles with the broad half of the rolls on top of the first layer of rolls and the pointed ends extending over the sides of the pan.
4. Place the ham along the center of the dough. Spoon the cooked egg mixture over the top of the ham and then place the cheddar cheese on top of the eggs. Bring the corners of the rolls together over the cheese to form a braid.
5. Bake in a preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the rolls are golden brown.
6. Enjoy!

Plainfield Named Among Top 100 Safest Cities In The Nation

www.plainfield.patch.com

Credit: Freedigitalphotos.net 

For the second consecutive year, Plainfield ranks among the top 100 safest cities in the nation according to Neighborhoodscout.com. The list is comprised of cities having a population of at least 25,000 and is based on the total number of both property and violent crimes per 1,000 residents (Neighborhoodscout).  This honor is given to the city of Plainfield shortly after NerdWallet established Plainfield as one of the best places to own a home in Illinois.

Bringing The Playground Indoors

Flickr.com

Now that the cool weather is here and winter is not far away, the kids aren't able to play on the playground as much-or are they? These homeowners decided to bring the playground to them and put one inside their own home!

Indoor Playgrounds

25 Things To Do With Leftover Candy

Flickr.com

Since most of us will be up to our ears in candy later today, here are some ideas for using up all those extra sweets:

Using Up Leftover Candy

Happy Halloween!

Halloween

Freedigitalphotos.net

Trick or Treating Tips and Hours Plainfield Police Department

• Keep costumes shortened to avoid falling
• Try using makeup instead of masks; masks can obstruct children's view when trying to cross the street or go up and down stairs
• Make sure kids wear light colored clothing or have reflective tape on their costumes while trick or treating
• Have older kids go trick or treating with other kids and map out a safe route for them to take so that parents know where they are
• Tell kids only to stop at familiar houses that have the outside lights on
• Encourage kids to trick or treat while it's still light out and if they go when it's dark, make sure they have flashlights and that they stay on well lit streets
• Remind your kids not to go into the homes or cars of strangers
• Follow your communities trick or treat hours
• Remind your kids not to eat any treats until they get home
• Inspect all treats in a well-lit area before your kids eat them
• Only eat unopened treats that are in their original packaging. Thoroughly inspect any fruit.
• If you are driving that night, be extra cautious; drive slowly and stay off your cell phone

Plainfield: 6-9 pm

Shorewood: 5-7 pm

Joliet: 4-7 pm

Oswego: 3:30-8 pm

Morris: 5-7:30 pm

Naperville: No official hours

Addison: 3-7 pm

North Aurora: 4-8 pm

Palatine: 3-7 pm

Frankfort: 4-7 pm

Amazing Apple Desserts

Flickr.com

One of the best things about fall is enjoying apples in different ways.  Even if you have your go-to apple recipe perfected, take a look at these 37 delicious apple recipes to try. The Baked Apples With Salty Caramel Sauce look especially good!

Irresistible Apple Desserts

Haunted Houses For Sale

Flickr.com

Check out these creepy real life haunted houses on the market....

Haunted Houses For Sale

The Biggest Air Leak In Your Home That You Don't Even Know About

HouseLogic

John Riha for House Logic

Have you caulked all of your windows and replaced any damaged weatherstripping on doors? That's great but the biggest leak in your home is probably somewhere you never thought about....

The largest air leak in your home could be coming from a hole that the plumber makes in the sub floor to create room for the drain assembly at the bottom of the bathtub. Since the drain assembly is so large, plumbers usually cut a very generous hole to make room for connecting the pipes. This large hole is usually left open to the space below.

How do you know if you have this hole?
If your first floor bathroom is over the crawlspace or unheated basement, it is likely that you have one of these giant energy wasting holes in your home.

Is it a big deal?
Having one of these huge holes can waste about as much energy as leaving a window open a few inches all day, every day. Another problem? These holes are big enough for critters to get into your home!

What is the best way to fix the leak?
Plumbers can stuff around the hole with loose insulation but that is a temporary fix since fiberglass insulation sags over time, especially if it gets damp. Here's a better solution:

1. Crawl under the bathroom to look at the drain assembly from underneath.
2. Patch the hole with pieces of foam board that are cut to fit around the pipes and then screw them into place.
3. Seal any remaining gaps with spray foam insulation which only costs around $8 a can.

If you decide to have a plumber do the job instead, it will probably cost about $100-$150 but is worth it so you can know you are both saving energy and keeping unwanted animals out of your home!

Witches Hat Recipe

Looking to make a Halloween treat but don't enjoy baking? Try these cute witches' hats-the kids can help and no oven is required!

Ralph Anderson-My Recipes

Ingredients:

• 1 (4.25 ounce) tube of orange or red decorating frosting
• 1 (11.5 ounce) package of fudge-striped shortbread cookies (32 cookies)
• 1/2 (13 ounce) bag of milk chocolate kisses, unwrapped (32 pieces)

Directions:

Pipe a small mound of frosting onto the center of the bottom of each cookie; press a chocolate kiss onto the frosting. Lastly, pipe a band and bow around the base of each kiss. 

Happy Fall Weekend!