What Every Homeowner Needs To Know About Home Insurance

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• What it covers: An average policy will pay for damage to your property and possessions due to certain storms, fire, theft, or vandalism. Similar to renter's insurance, it can also provide liability coverage if someone gets injured on your property and decides to sue. Your policy also covers shelter costs in the event that you are temporarily displaced from your home. Homeowner's insurance can also protect items outside of the home, such as items stolen from your car; auto insurance won't cover it but your homeowner's policy probably will.
• What it doesn't cover: A standard policy does have some exclusions; earth movements such as landslides, earthquakes, and sinkholes, power failure, war, nuclear hazard, government action, faulty zoning, bad repair or workmanship, defective maintenance and flooding. Wind storms are usually covered, including tornadoes, however some companies don't include tornadoes and hurricanes in high risk areas. Water damage can be hard; normally water from above (rainwater or a burst pipe) is covered but water from below (such as backed up sewers) usually isn't covered.
• Shop around: Don't just shop for a great policy; make sure you find an agent that you trust.
• Actions to reduce premiums: Having a working smoke detector may help lower premiums as will simply having a deadbolt on your door or having a burglar alarm system. A deadbolt can reduce a premium by about 5% and an alarm system can create a 15%-20% premium reduction.
• Replacement coverage vs. market value: Replacement cost covers repairing or replacing your entire home; market value is how much someone would pay for your home and the accompanying land in it's current (damaged) condition. 
• Don't wait to file a claim: When looking into policies, be sure to ask about time limits for reporting claims and then stick to them!
• Write everything down: To avoid any issues, be sure to write everything down about a loss-document it as best as you can. Keep all receipts, contracts, appraisals, and also document phone calls by writing down who you spoke to and when.

Price Reduction

3800 Indian Head Lane Joliet, IL 
NEW PRICE!! $224,900!! Plainfield schools! 4 bedroom home! Must see!

10 Real Estate Terms Everyone Should Know

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1. Buyer's Agent vs. Listing Agent: The buyer's agent represents the home buyers and the listing agent represents the home sellers.
2. Fixed rate mortgage vs. Adjustable rate mortgage: A fixed rate mortgage has a set interest rate for the life of the loan, usually 30 years. An adjustable rate mortgage has a variable interest rate, usually 5, 7 or 10 years. 
3. Pre-approval letter: A letter from the bank stating an estimate of how much they will lend you. This letter shows home sellers that you will be able to get a loan when needed and also helps to point you in the right direction when house hunting as far as what you can afford.
4. Listings: Homes for sale.
5. Inspection: After an offer is made on a home, the buyer needs to schedule an inspection which should cost around $500-$800 depending on the market. The inspector will thoroughly go through the home and look at the plumbing, foundation, walls, electrical, heating, and appliances. 
6. Appraisal: When an application for a mortgage is made, the lender will require an appraisal to be made of the home. A licensed appraiser will determine an estimate of the home's value based on comparable homes that have sold in the area.
7. Contingencies: When an offer is made on a home, it can be stated that certain conditions be met before the deal goes through.
8. Offers and contracts: Once you find your dream home, an offer will be made on the property with the assistance of an agent. Choosing an experienced Realtor is key to winning negotiations.
9. Closing costs: These are fees that go along with the purchase of a new home. These fees include items such as taxes, loan processing costs, and title insurance and can total about 2%-5% of the purchase price of the home.
10. Title insurance: After negotiations are complete and the seller has accepted an offer, a home title report will be received within about a week. Most lenders require title insurance to be paid; title insurers search public records to determine that the home seller had rights to the title and that there are no liens against the home.

5 Tips For Single Homebuyers

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1. Stay within your budget- Buy a home well within your means and ensure that you can afford it even during lapses in employment that you may experience.

2. Be aware of maintenance- If you are concerned about lawn care and other exterior maintenance, you may want to lean towards a home with a smaller yard or even in a newer community with homes requiring less up keep. If you are not interested in lawn manicuring or outdoor fixes you should look into a town home or a condominium.

3. Security- Being single means your home will be unoccupied more often than not and you want to ensure that you are in a safe neighborhood with a low crime rate so you can lock down your home before you leave and not have to worry about it.

4. Think about resale value- You may find yourself moving after a few years due to a job relocation or life change so when you are shopping for a home-keep the resale value in mind so that if you ever find yourself wanting to sell, you can do so easily.

5. Buy for the future- Although you are single now and may not need much room, plan for the future when you may add a spouse and children to your home. If you can afford it, it's a good idea to buy a home with an extra bedroom or two to spare.

New Listing In Joliet

3800 Indian Head Lane Joliet, IL 
NEW PRICE!! $227,900!! Plainfield schools! 4 bedroom home! Must see!
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Why Hire An Agent?

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• Education and experience
• Agents are buffers: If you are buying a home, they will keep builder's agents at bay and if you are selling your home, they will filter through the spam and get serious buyers to make an offer.
• Neighborhood knowledge: Agents know the inside scoop on neighborhoods, including school information, demographics, crime, and important information on comparable home sales.
• Guidance on price: Agents will guide clients on determining a price that is best.
• Information on market conditions: Agents will provide information on market conditions including average price per square foot for similar homes, median and average sales prices, average days on the market, etc, which will help guide the buying or selling process.
• Professional networking: Agents can provide recommendations for reputable services needed during the buying or selling process based on past positive experiences.
• Negotiation skills: Top producing agents negotiate very well and will present their clients case in the very best light, while holding client information confidential from competing interests.
• Providing support after closing: Professional agents will answer any questions and provide support to the client even after the closing.

First Time Home Buyer Guide

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• Determine Your Need: Make sure you are buying a home for the right reasons. Think about your future goals and family plans; do you plan on marrying and starting a family? Is your job stable or do you plan on making a big change in the near future? These are all important factors to consider when going through the process of buying a home.
• Do The Math: Think about what kind of down payment you will be able to put down as well as closing costs including taxes and property insurance. Do your research and look into property taxes for areas that you like and shop around for home insurance rates.
• Be Prepared: Having necessary documents ready to go will make the closing process go smoothly. In most cases, you will need a government issued ID, credit report (these can be obtained for free every year), verification form from your employer, W-2 forms, federal tax returns, and bank and asset statements. 
• Search The Inventory: A house is most likely the largest investment that you will ever make in your life so look around. Being a qualified Realtor, I am able to show you available inventory in any given area and can guide you in the process of determining what home is right for you.

Happy Friday

Declutter Your Home Through Philanthropy

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1. Gather items that you don't want: Pull together things you know you no longer want or call your favorite charity to see what items they need. Here's a list of the most commonly sought after items for popular charities:

Homeless shelters

• Food (especially high in protein)
• Grocery/fast food coupons
• Toiletries
• Clothing
• Blankets and sleeping bags
• Rain gear/small umbrellas
• Backpacks
• Hand warmers

Thrift Stores

• Computers
• Computer accessories
• Cellphones
• Clothing
• Housewares
• Books

Animal Shelters

• Blankets
• Plastic bags
• Cleaning supplies
• Batteries
• Heating pads
• Latex/rubber gloves
• Office supplies
•  Baby food with meat

2. What's  junk to you is probably junk to someone else: Don't give away things that are junk just to get rid of them. Junk is junk but other items that no longer work such as computers may be able to be salvaged for parts.

3. Find the right charity: It may be easy to simply throw items in a bag and drop it off somewhere but it can mean a lot more if you take the time to do a little research about where to send your donations. Try using an online resource such as Charity Navigator to find special organizations near you. For example, the Salvation Army has a Missing Persons Sector that locates an average of 350 people per year. 

4. Fundraising garage sale: If a specific cause is important to you, why not have a garage sale and donate the proceeds? For many organizations, cash is vital.

5. Tax deductible: Write off donations on your taxes. In order to do this, be sure to make a list of all items that were donated, their approximate value, and obtain a written receipt from the charity (usually required for donations of $250 or more).

3 Easy Landscaping Tips To Improve Home Security

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• Plant shrubs with thorns: Planting shrubs with thorns makes it more difficult for a burglar to hide in your yard and you can add even more protection by planting thorny bushes right under windows. Both Rose and Holly bushes are a great choice because they are both attractive and they can provide security.
• Avoid hiding spots: Burglars generally target homes with plenty of space to hide and windows and doors that are not highly visible. Avoid creating hiding spots by keeping shrubs and bushes trimmed low and by keeping your front door and windows clear of overgrown plants or trees.
• Use motion sensitive lighting: Motion sensitive lights can be a great security feature for a home. Install them near main areas such as the front door, garage, and first floor windows.

Community Garage Sale

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The Shorewood community garage sale will take place on Friday, April 24th. Garage sale location maps are available to download at the Village of Shorewood Parks and Recreation website or for pick up at Shorewood Village Hall, Shorewood-Troy Public Library, Troy Township Community Center, Heartland Bank, 7-11, PostNet, and WinTrust Bank.

New Plainfield Listing!

Impeccable! Well cared for duplex located on premium lot backing to water! No neighbors behind! Private entrance! Huge fenced yard! Large family room! Living room! Kitchen offers backsplash, pantry, and upgraded cabinets! Wood laminate floors on first floor! All appliances stay! Huge master bedroom suite has sitting room, vaulted ceiling, WIC and private bathroom! Loft! 2nd floor laundry! New AC and paint! Deck! Premo!


2542 Stonybrook Drive Plainfield, IL

Happy Friday!

3 Local Shorewood Restaurants That Hit The Spot

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Looking for a great place to grab a bite to eat in Shorewood? Here are three local eateries that are sure to hit the spot:

• Breakfast: Matty's Grill and Pancake House, 955 Brookforest Drive, Shorewood. This is a family owned restaurant with a bright and inviting atmosphere and great omlettes.
• Lunch: Mark's on 59, 714 Cottage Street, Shorewood. Mark's offers a myriad of American classics and they specialize in beef and sausage. 
• Dinner: Skooter's Roadhouse, 700 W. Jefferson Street, Shorewood. The atmosphere is fun and the food is great-especially the brisket.

Getting Ready To Sell: De-Clutter The Kitchen

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When selling your home, it's important to get the kitchen clean, organized and ready to sell since many consider the kitchen to be the heart of the home.

• Clear the counters as best as you can. Put away appliances and only take them out to use them.
• Put rarely used pots, pans, and dishes in storage
• Clean out any "junk drawers"
• Create as much empty space as possible in drawers, cabinets, and the pantry
• If your pantry is crammed full, begin to use as much of it as you can. You don't want to be moving a lot of food when you leave and it will also help to create a clean space that will appeal to buyers
• Clear out as much as possible from underneath the sink. Move any extra cleaning supplies out and make sure that the sink is free from any leaks
• Give the kitchen a scrub down including the counters, sink, cabinets, floors, etc.

Amy's Organics

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Amy's Organics offers fresh and healthy food delivered to your door. Amy's offers produce, eggs, dairy, meats, and other extras. Weekly home delivery is available to Plainfield, Shorewood, Aurora, Bolingbrook, Crest Hill, Joliet, Montgomery, Naperville, Oswego, and Yorkville. During the summer months, you can find Amy's Organics at the Plainfield farmer's market on Saturdays and the Oswego farmer's market on Sundays. For more information, including prices and an online shopping site, visit amys-organics.myshopify.com.You can also call (815) 483-8627 or email amye@amysorganics.org.

What Groceries Do You Need When Moving Into Your First House?

• Pantry items: Pasta, rice, oats, breakfast cereal, snacks, canned vegetables, canned fruit, beans, peanut butter, canned tuna, etc.
• Fridge items: Condiments, sauces, milk, fresh fruits and vegetables, cheese, yogurt, eggs, etc.
• Freezer items: Chicken, ground beef, fish, frozen fruits and vegetables, pizza and  bread items such as tortillas and bagels can also be frozen to keep them fresh until you are ready to use them.
• Keep a few items on hand for nights that you don't feel like cooking such as your favorite canned pasta sauce and pasta, taco shells to make quick tacos from defrosted hamburger, or canned soup.

Happy Friday!

What Is An Escrow Account?

Redfin

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An escrow account is a bank account used by the lender to pay your property taxes and insurance. Monthly payments are made into the escrow account at the same time that payments are made on the mortgage. The lender then uses the money in the escrow account to pay the property taxes and homeowner's insurance when they are due.

Advantages of an escrow account

• Built in savings account: Property taxes are usually due once or twice a year, so after not making tax payments for long periods of time, it can be easy to not have the cash needed to pay that bill when it rolls around. An escrow account ensures that you have the necessary funds to pay the bill when it's due.
• Less stress for you: Your lender is the one responsible for paying your tax and insurance bills on time and in full, so if any errors are made on that, your lender is responsible for correcting the mistake and paying any penalty fees that may have been incurred. 
• Better mortgage terms: Many lenders require borrowers to agree to an escrow account before obtaining a mortgage. An escrow account is one way that lenders protect their investment, so often times an escrow account comes along with the best rates and options for the mortgage.

Front Yard Patios

House Logic

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Patios are gaining popularity; in a National Association of Home Builders 2004 survey, 73% of home buyers ranked patios as desirable or essential. In a 2012 survey, that number soared to 82%. A patio that is well laid out can create a unique home exterior, especially if you live in a "cookie cutter" subdivision. There are several ways to make a front yard patio both attractive and functional which will increase the curb appeal of your home:

• Patio containers: Planting flowers or flowers mixed with veggies and herbs is both practical and creates a beautiful, lush look.
• Fire pits: These are cozy, fun, and can be used in both the summer and the fall. Sit outside in the warmer months and enjoy making smores or put on your favorite fall sweater and relax around a warm fire in the cool autumn air. Be sure to check into local laws regarding open fires and remove anything flammable from the area.
• Incorporate trees: Patios can be built right around an existing tree to include it directly into the patio design. Be sure to leave some space around the tree to allow it to grow and use patio material that allows for water to reach the roots of the tree. Putting sandstone or brick over sand works well as do permeable patio pavers which allow water to flow directly through to the tree.
• Furnishings: Put out some attractive and comfortable patio furniture to make your outdoor space feel like you are sitting in the comfort of your home. Just be sure not to invest too much in the furnishings; patio furniture can be difficult to secure.

Getting Value From Outdoor Upgrades

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When adding features to your yard, it's important to not only install what you love, but to think about adding something that adds value as well. The Residential Landscape Architecture Trends Survey ranks outdoor features that are rising in popularity:

• Outdoor lighting: (98.3% of architects rated this as very popular) Lighting can be a low cost upgrade as well with both solar and LED lighting available.
• Terraces, patios, and decks: (97.7%) These features are desirable and can add value to your home because it's like adding another room to your house.
• Low maintenance landscaping: (95.4%) Well done landscaping can add up to 28% to the value of your home and really increases the curb appeal.
• Fire pits and fireplaces: (95.4%) Building your own fire pit can be a low cost and easy DIY project.
• Built-in seating: (89.6%) Adding seating to outdoor areas such as patios and decks adds functionality to the space and is almost like adding square footage.
• Fencing: (88.5%)
• Native plants: (84.5%)
• Drip-water efficient irrigation: (84.5%)
• Pergolas: (82.8%)
• Water features: (81.6%)

These are less popular outdoor features so make sure if you install these, you are really going to love them:

• Geo-thermal heated pools: (27.2%)
• Outdoor cooling systems: (37.2%)
• Movie/TV theaters: (42.3%)
• Shower/bath: (46.8%)
• Gazebos: (48.5%)
• Turf lawns: (54%)

Boosting Your Credit Score

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• Monitor your credit: It's difficult to improve your credit score if you don't know what it is to begin with. There are many sites that offer a free credit report yearly and other sites provide you with your score from each of the three bureaus as well as daily credit monitoring so you are notified about any changes in your score as well. Some sites even let you know how your score might improve if specific actions are taken.
• Correct any errors: After looking over your credit score, you may find an error. Some errors may be simple office mistakes and others may be something more serious such as identity fraud. In fact, in 2012 alone, 52 million Americans had errors on their credit report according to the FTC. If an error is found, contact the credit bureau that the error was found in.
• Lower your credit utilization ratio: Aside from correcting any errors found and making payments on time, it's also important to not use too much of the credit available to you. Having credit available to you is a good thing, however, using a high percentage of that available credit will be reflected negatively on your credit report. To help keep this ratio down, don't close old credit accounts, even if you no longer use them. Make an effort to not max out credit accounts. If you don't have very much credit available to you, try opening a new credit card with a low APR; many credit cards offer 0% APR for the first 12-18 months. If you don't think you will be approved for a credit card, avoid applying for one since an inquiry into your credit history may slightly lower your score in the short term.
• Be aware of balances and payment due dates: Always know what your account balances are and when the payments are due. Making late payments definitely lowers your credit score and if you are delinquent on an account, try to start making at least the minimum payments as soon as possible. If you are paying off a credit card and paying a lot of interest at the same time, try transferring your balance to a card with 0% interest.

Projects That Can Increase Home Value

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• New front door: Replacing a front door with a new steel door costs about $1,162 with a 96.6% return
• Kitchen updates: A minor kitchen remodel costs about $18,856 with an 82.7% return
• Bathroom remodel: The average remodel costs around $16,128 with a 75.2% return. If a remodel is not in the budget, simply replacing fixtures with new brushed chrome ones makes a big difference as does replacing all of the caulking around tubs, sinks, toilets, etc.
• Replace windows: Replacing 10 existing 3 ft by 5 ft double hung windows with insulated, low-E windows runs about $16,798 for wood frames with an expected return of 74%.
• Fresh paint on both the interior and exterior if needed
• Updating hardware-especially in the kitchen and bathrooms
• Add landscaping: Landscaping is a great way to showcase your lawn. Cut down any overgrown bushes and plant a border of small, neutral colored flowers instead.
• Service the systems: Taking care of your furnace, air conditioner, etc will show a potential buyer that you take pride in your home and that it is well taken care of.
• Thoroughly clean appliances, especially the oven and the stove.
• Declutter: Remove any belongings that are not necessary and strive to keep counter tops, vanities, top of the fridge, etc, clear.

Happy Friday!

Accessorize Your Grill

Consumer Reports 

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• Master Forge grill wok: $17 Lowes. Keeps vegetables and small seafood from falling through the grates. The small holes keep the food in but still allows for juices to drain. 
• Brinkmann rib rack: $18 Home Depot. This product is able to cook several half or full racks of ribs at once and it is also easy to clean. Be sure to use tongs when taking the racks off the grill because they do get very hot.
• BakerStone Pizza Oven Box: $150 Bed, Bath & Beyond. The Pizza Oven Box is capable of cooking many pizzas, one after the other, that are similar to wood fired pizzas. This accessory is compatible only with grills that have 3 or more burners and it does take 30 minutes to heat up.
• Grillbot: $130 from Grillbot.com.  This gadget scrubs a cooled grill clean and can be set for 10, 20, or 30 minute sessions. The product cleans the grill when the lid is closed so it can be noisy and it also doesn't remove residue from in between the grill grates. The Grillbot is great if you want your grill to be cleaned while you attend to something else or if you are just tired of the elbow grease it takes to clean the grill by hand.

Landscaping Secrets

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• Evergreens: These trees are a great choice because they don't lose their leaves or needles so they provide a splash of color all year round. They are also great for providing privacy in your yard as well.
• Pathways: Do you have a trail of trampled and dead grass going from your patio/deck to your firepit? Instead of allowing that to happen, why not create an intentional walkway made of brick, flagstone, stepping stones, or crushed stones? The creation of a pathway looks great aesthetically because it ties together the most important parts of your yard.
• Create a berm: If you have a very flat yard and are looking to add some interest, try creating a berm in the corner of your yard. A berm is a mound that you make and then cover with a flower bed or some trees. A berm adds height and dimension to an otherwise stale yard.
• Create a natural looking water feature: Water features, either a large one in the yard or even a small one built into a patio can really add to the appeal of your property. The key to a water feature is to make it look natural by not making it too busy and by possibly using the same materials that your house was built with.
• Outdoor seating: Carving out a private seating area near the end of your lawn can allow you to have more seating while in a more private area of your lawn. Pouring concrete or laying paver stones to create this outdoor oasis can allow you to have an area to relax while enjoying plants/flowers that are planted around the area.
• Use a variety of plants: Be sure to choose a wide range of plant species that bloom at alternate times of the year. This way everything is not blooming at once and you are left with beauty all year round.
• Add interesting edging: Often times, flower beds as well as the foundation of the home are edged. Instead of edging using straight lines, try curved lines. Curved edging adds even more interest and is there all year providing a more dynamic lawn.
• Illumination: Adding landscape lights to show off your yard after hours and to light up walkways will add to the beauty as well as functionality of your home's exterior. 

Habits Of Highly Effective Home Buyers

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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!