Norridge News

Cook County Homeowners Can Now Appeal Assessments Online

2011-09-08T22:30:00.002-05:00

One of the most common complaints from homeowners that I hear these days is "if I want to sell my home I'll get less than last year, but my taxes are higher" - I know, it doesn't make much sense. However, Cook County finally made it a little easier for homeowners to appeal their assessment. Click here to go to the website and file your appeal. If you need help, contact me and I'll happily help you fight the power!

Have a Happy and safe Halloween!

2010-10-30T18:52:00.001-05:00

Here's wishing you all a happy and safe Halloween! Trick or treating hours in Norridge this year are from noon to 6 p.m. To find hours in other communities, click here.

Real Estate market takes major upswing in Norridge!

2010-10-23T11:36:00.003-05:00

Although I am constantly monitoring what is going on in the Norridge real estate market, every so often it is good to analyze the big picture. I am constantly asked if "things are getting better" and they are. But you don't have to take my word, just look at the numbers.

I went back over the last two years --from October 2008 to today and looked at home sales from each year in Norridge. Here is the results:

From October 23, 2008 to October 23, 2009: 80 homes sold at an average price of $280,275.
It took an average of 82 days once listed to sell the homes.

From October 24, 2009 to today: 123 homes sold at an average price of $296,700. It took at average of 83 days once listed to sell the homes.

So, while market time remained the same, the amount of homes sold rose a whooping 54 PERCENT! AND SALES PRICES INCREASED MORE THAN 5.5 PERCENT (OR $16,425.)

For more detailed information, feel free to contact me today at 847.878.3724 or via email.

Norridge to consider revising residential building code

2010-02-22T21:17:00.001-06:00

Adoption would require fire sprinklers in new construction homes

Following the lead of several near suburbs, the Norridge City Council is considering adopting a new residential building code, requiring fire sprinklers in new construction homes.

Norridge currently follows the 2003 version of the International Code Council’s Residential Code, according to Norridge Building Commissioner Brian Gaseor. The group issues new building codes every three years. Gaseor said he expects city council members to vote on whether to implement the ICC’s most recent residential code, which was issued in 2009, in the next 2-3 months. The major change in the code is the requirement of sprinkler systems in all new construction homes.

While Park Ridge, Des Plaines and Skokie currently require sprinklers, there are questions that they present.

George Met, a general contractor and remodeler from Met Builders, Inc. recently dealt with sprinklers at a home his company built in Skokie.

“The requirement was a surprise to us,” Met said, explaining that it was recently adopted when he submitted the blueprints to the Skokie Village for approval.

“My client wasn’t happy but we had to follow the rules. It was a five-bedroom home and cost him about $12,000 extra,” Met said, adding that cost was not the only issue they faced.

“The home had vaulted ceilings and with that you can’t install the sprinklers in the walls. You have to install the highest sprinklers in the attic and if you’ve ever been in an attic in the winter, it is like an icebox,” Met said. “You have to make sure the attic is properly insulated and also the pipes.”

That is a lesson Inverness resident Sam Francione learned the hard way –and somewhere pipes usually do not freeze – at his summer home in Scottsdale, Arizona where sprinklers are required. Francione, who was in Illinois at the time, arrived late one evening to his home in Scottsdale to what he described as “a disaster.”

“We arrived around 11:30 p.m. and water was running out the front door,” Francione said. “It was getting cold at night and my neighbor had turned on the heat for me that morning because he knew I was coming in. Everything was fine at that point. But by the time we arrived, it was a disaster.”

Francione said the one of the sprinklers in the ceiling had burst, either from the freezing temperatures or from a sonic boom caused by Air Force fighter planes that were training in the area. Either way, the result was a collapsed ceiling, extensive water damage to the master bedroom, two guest bedrooms, hallway, closets, living and dining room, furniture and Bose speaker system. He estimated the damage at $75,000.

“It was covered by my homeowners insurance but they tripled my rate after that,” Francione said.

Nathan Kriska, Supervisor of Building and Zoning in Skokie, said the cost to install the sprinkler systems can vary. “It is usually between $7,000 and $15,000 depending on the size of the home and the type of system. There are many options these days, including some with recessed heads that drop down.”

Kriska said that some residents complained about the initial cost but feels it is worth it for the added safety.

“It’s a life-safety issue more than anything. It just gives someone that much more time to get out of the home,” Kriska said. “They don’t typically save your home. If it doesn’t burn it may flood it, but it can save your life.”

He added that Skokie, like most villages, had public hearings about the sprinklers.
“There was no real opposition. The truth is, most people don’t attend public hearings,” Kriska said.

The building code that Norridge will vote on was issued by the International Code Council, which is a group consisting of state and local government agencies as well as contractors and elected officials. ICC spokesman Steve Daggers said that it is important to note that the code is just a set of guidelines and not set in stone.

“Villages can follow them, take stuff out or add to them,” Daggers said.

In 2009, 12 building permits were issued for new construction in Norridge, according to the Village Building Department. The number was down because of the slow real estate market and poor economy, according to department officials.

Park Ridge is one of the cities in the area that has a sprinkler requirement –implementing its requirement in March 2001, well ahead of the ICC’s 2009 code, according to Steve Cutaia, Building Administrator for the city.

“We have almost 600 homes with sprinkler systems in them and very few complaints,” Cutaia said. He explained that another concern, besides cost, that some residents had was whether the sprinklers will go off if a resident burns food in the oven.

“The sprinklers are set off by temperature sensors, not smoke sensors,” Cutaia said. “And they don’t go off in every room if only one room is hot.”

While some may view sprinklers as a tradeoff between water and smoke damage, Park Ridge Fire Marshall Kevin Plach credited them for saving a home on December 23.
“It was a basement fire and the sprinklers confined it to that area. The house was saved and the residents were back in their home for Christmas.”

Plach added that the sprinkler requirement was “one of the best things we’ve done, especially considering how quickly new homes burn because of a lot of engineered construction.” As for resident objections, Plach said the requirement “did not slow construction in the least.

Free First-time & Repeat Homebuyer Seminar Febrary 27

2010-01-27T13:23:00.002-06:00

Because of the overwhelmingly positive response, along with the tax-credits that will expire soon, I am please to announce that I will be leading another free seminar.
The seminar will take place Saturday Febrauary 27 from 1-3 p.m. at the Eisenhower Public Library in Harwoood Heights. Be sure to RSVP soon as space is limited. Also, feel free to let friends know about this event. For more details, click here!

For all you doom and gloomers...

2010-01-05T11:50:00.002-06:00

Closed home sales in Norridge were up 60% in 2009 as compared to the year before! That's right, 114 homes were sold in 2009 compared to 72 in 2008. With the tax credits and low interest rates, the time really has never been better for buyers. If you are considering selling, you should give this serious consideration.

Yes, it is true that loans are tougher to obtain, but this is a good thing. Loose purse strings is what burst the bubble to begin with. While some have likened the market to a collapse - it is really a correction.

Real estate continues to be one of the best investments out there.

Top 10 reasons to sell during the holidays

2009-12-04T01:35:00.002-06:00

Many of you may think that the holiday season is a slow time for real estate. That misconception is often times fostered by Realtors who want to take the month of December off. The truth is,it is actually a great time, and NEVER MORE SO THAN THIS YEAR! With interest rates at ALL-TIME low and the extension of the first-time buyer tax credit, you cannot afford to waste time! Below is a list of some reasons why the holiday season is ideal to sell!

1. Buyers looking are truly serious
2. Your house looks great decorated
3. People are always looking 365 days/year
4. Less competition (less homes on the market)
5. Moving costs are usually less expensive
6. Interest rates are great!
7. May be a tax benefit (Especially for First-Time Buyers!)
8. Easier to schedule a closing
9. Be in your new home for the New Year
10. More time to shop while I show your home

Stay Tuned for the next seminar...

2009-09-28T09:13:00.002-05:00

I am happy to report that the free First-time Homebuyer Seminar went extremely well. Those who attended had all their questions answered and participated in a lively discussion. Because I have gotten more inquiries from those who couldn't make it, my team and I have decided to put together another seminar. We are discussing possible dates now and will update this blog once it is scheduled. Be sure to check back in a few days! Better yet, subscribe to the blog and you'll get the notification once we have it scheduled!

Norridge Man Creates "Friendly Confines" At His Home (Field)

2009-08-18T16:15:00.022-05:00

Most Cub fans like to visit Wrigley Field for day baseball, to look at the lush field and its ivy-covered walls and to relax in a great atmosphere. Some go as far as describing it as Heavenly. For Norridge resident Dean Igaravidez, it is home.

No, Igaravidez doesn’t actually live at Wrigley Field. Instead he’s turned where he lives into Wrigley...well, at least the back yard!

Complete with ivy covered walls, distance markers, a miniature infield, and numerous signs that one would find at the real Wrigley, Igaravidez can enjoy most of the comforts of Wrigley without leaving home.

Igaravidez, a 58-year-old produce manager, said the idea for his tribute started about eight years ago when he was in his backyard at 4059 N. Ozanam Ave., looking at his detached garage.

“I thought it would make a nice outfield wall,” Igaravidez said. So, the next step for him was to call a landscaper friend and plant some ivy.

“We only planted three plants. It’s Boston Ivy, which is the same as at Wrigley, Igaravidez explained. “The first year after I planted it, nothing really grew. Then one day I arrived home from work and bam! It had sprouted.”

Despite the fact that the ivy comes back every spring, there is some maintenance that is required. “You have to continually trim it and in August it starts to fade a bit …kind of like the Cubs,” Igaravidez joked.

After the Ivy took off, Igaravidez turned his lawn into an infield, cutting out the grass by hand to create the base paths and a raised pitcher’s mound, which he then filled with the same type of clay-dirt that they have at Wrigley Field.

Igaravidez said one perk of working at a Lincoln Park grocery store is getting to know many people -- such as beer distributors who are Cub fans who have access to different items, several of which have made it into his yard. “I have people,” Igaravidez joked.

Indeed, a sign-maker friend donated the home-run distance signs that hang on the “outfield” wall on the Ivy. He also has the numbers of all the Cub hall-of-fame players and Ron Santo on the outside of the garage door, along with a Waveland Avenue street sign. A new scoreboard is currently being made, after the last one had to be retired due to harsh weather. Of course, the “W” flag is a must, although these days Igaravidez, who jokingly described himself as “old,” explained that he only has the energy to fly it after big wins.

“I never flew the “L” flag,” he added.

Besides having to keep the ivy from overgrowing, Igaravidez said it is a challenge to cut the grass properly and also to keep the family’s chocolate Labrador “Brando” from relieving himself on “sacred ground.”

Brando the Cub critic!

“He always urinates on the side of the garage where he is supposed to go, but sometimes he goes number two in left-center,” Igaravidez said. “Maybe he’s trying to tell [Alfonso] Soriano something.”
Driving past the front of Igaravidez home, one probably would not notice anything out of the ordinary. The house is a well-kept white frame-house with lots of flowers and a nicely manicured lawn. Of course, the doorbell does play ‘Take Me Out To The Ballgame.’

“The house is my wife Jill’s domain, I have the yard and garage,” he explained. Indeed, when asked his wife’s opinion of his tribute, Igaravidez said “she hates it,” and clarified, saying, “Let’s just say she’s not as enthused as me.”

A few minutes later, unaware that her husband was being interviewed, Jill Igaravidez arrived home and gave a look that reminded me of Alice looking at her husband Ralph Kramden in The Honeymooners, wondering what scheme he was up to now. And while Jill admitted that while she also is a Cub fan, she said she did not warm up to it until their three grandsons, between age 2 and 8, began to appreciate it. One difference between his yard and Wrigley Field (although debatable lately) is that Elmo currently occupies the pitcher’s mound at the Igaravidez home.

“That is for the grandkids, obviously.” Igaravidez explained.

One great thing about having two Major League baseball teams in Chicago is the friendly rivalry that often occurs between friends. Of course, in Norridge, the population is overwhelmingly Cub friendly. Igaravidez said his neighbors do not mind that his devotion is on display and no one ever stole or damaged anything. Last year though, he did receive a letter in the mail from a White Sox fan.

“It had a Bridgeport return address,” Igaravidez said. “It was before the playoffs and he just told me that he hoped the Cubs choked. He sent another letter after they did lose,” Igaravidez said.

“Once in a while we will be sleeping late at night and someone will drive by and yell something,” Jill said. “Some of the things aren’t repeatable,” she said with a laugh.

For full disclosure, I am also a Cub fan, and was sure to wear a Cub shirt for the interview. When asked if he would have talked to me had I worn a White Sox or other team shirt, Igaravidez explained that since I wasn’t family, it was fine. Asked if his three daughters are also Cub fans, he laughed and said “of course, or they wouldn’t be welcomed home.”

Ironically, Igaravidez said if it wasn’t for Wrigley Field he may have grown up a (Heaven forbid!) White Sox fan.

“My grandfather was a White Sox fan because they had a Latin manager [Al Lopez] and they were good, having won the American League Pennant in 1959,” Igaravidez said. Despite the winning ways of the White Sox and the poor record of the Cubs at the time, Igaravidez said his love affair began the first time he entered Wrigley Field as a boy.
“I really fell in love with Wrigley Field first, then the Cubs.” Asked about his relationship with the Cubs today, Igaravidez described it as “religion.”

These days Igaravidez doesn’t go to the real Wrigley Field as much as he used to, (he was a bleacher bum in 1969), mostly because of the inflated prices and because he is “not as young as I used to be and am not crazy about the hassle of the huge crowds.” And although Igaravidez admits to falling asleep before the end of the late away games on the West Coast, he still watches or listens to most games, even while working.

“Luckily Lincoln Park is Cubs country so when there is a game on they will put it on the televisions in the store,” Igaravidez said.

As for the Cubs chances to break their 101-year championship drought, Igaravidez said they have the talent but injuries and inconsistent play are holding them back. He added, half-seriously, that “if they do win, life would be over; there would be nothing left to live for. At least we can say wait until next year.”

Looking into his yard, he lamented the end of season and the start of football. “I should also tell you that I’m also a big Bears fan,” he said with a smirk. “…No, I don’t have room,” Igaravidez said, answering the question before it could be asked.

The time to start looking for First-Time Buyers is now!

2009-07-30T10:09:00.003-05:00

Remember that to get the $8,000 tax-credit from the government, your home must be closed by December 1. So, if you are a first-time home buyer who is thinking about buying, the time to start looking is now. I'm more than happy to help you, so contact me today. Also, go to Newbiebuyer.com for great first-time buyer resources!

Norridge, a great town for first-town home buyers

2009-07-22T16:27:00.004-05:00

Good schools, a safe community and affordable homes make Norridge an ideal place for first-time buyers. And now, with prices low as well as interest rates, not to mention the $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers --- the time has really never been better to buy.

To learn more about the tax credit, watch this brief video below. Be sure to contact me for more information and to answer your questions!

Also be sure to click here for more resources for first-time home buyers!

Pricing your home correctly is still the key in today's market in Norridge

2009-07-13T20:31:00.002-05:00

The Chicago Tribune, quoting data from Clear Capital, a Truckee, Calif.-based provider of real estate valuation data to investors, reported that in the past 90 days, 43 percent of home sales in Cook County have been bank-owned foreclosures.

They've sold faster, too, with an average local marketing time of 53 days for a foreclosure compared with 73 days for a traditional sale. The reason for this is simple: Bank-owned properties feature sellers who are Wall-Street finance-types with no emotional attachment to the home. Their decisions are made on raw data - like square footage and mortgage-margins. They don’t put these properties in the newspaper, but exclusively online because they cannot afford to lose any more money or time. And while they reject crazy buyer offers with the flick of a pen, they also set prices squarely in the market. Sometimes, even lower than average, because they are unemotionally trying to sell the property, without ego. They price it to attract buyers and sell. So, when your neighbor’s house has been on the market for a year –it’s probably because he is trying to sell it for what he could have gotten in 2005, not 2009! Pricing something right is essential and is why you need a Realtor to help you. I cannot stress how important this is, especially in this competitive market.

Luckily the foreclosure picture in Norridge is a lot better than the rest of Cook County. Right now in Norridge, of the 99 single family homes currently on the market, less than five are currently bank owned. But when you combine the bank-owned with those in pre-foreclosure, it brings the number up to 15, or 15%, still less than the 43 percent in Cook County overall but enough that it has impacted home values in town.

How much?
Well I analyzed data from the last five years and discovered that prices this year are averaging 63% of its high in 2005, down to $260,217 from $410,922. Keep in mind that 2005 was the peak of the speculation frenzy, when every Tom, Dick and Harry believed he was going to be the next Donald Trump. What resulted was a price run-up that was way out of line with reality. So, while prices may be lower than they ideally should be right now, I believe the current market is closer to reality than it was in 2005.

Please analyze the chart that I put together and let me know if you have any questions or comments. Post them on this blog or email me at Chiarito@kw.com

You’ll discover that prices probably have bottomed-out and that market time has actually decreased – a lot closer to the quick market times of 2005 and 2006 than the previous two years WHEN LISTED WITH A REALTOR. For those who still attempt to sell on their own, market times are longer than they’ve ever been. Another example as to why it is essential to enlist the help of a professional.

The stats I’ve compiled are definitely interesting and can spark a lot of discussions. I look forward to helping answer your questions and helping you to sell your home quickly and for the most money possible.

Baseball Sunrise @ Norridge Park "Let's Play Two"

2009-06-15T21:49:00.001-05:00

Picture of the Week - Intense Debate on the Bocce Court! (Norridge Park)

2009-06-15T21:45:00.003-05:00

Harwood Heights barred from stimulus funds

2009-05-15T16:23:00.002-05:00

Harwood Heights is one of three suburban Chicago police departments that have been barred from the $1 billion in federal stimulus funds headed for law enforcement agencies. A total of 26 departments from across the nation have been barred.

Harwood Heights, Calumet Park and Stone Park received funds from the Community Oriented Policing Services program formed in 1995. But their failure to meet the program's guidelines will bar them from stimulus funds.

According to federal officials, Stone Park failed a requirement to retain police officers a year after the COPS grants expired. Calumet Park misspent about $37,500 in money from the program. Harwood Heights misspent $362,000.

Harwood Heights officials declined to comment.

Happy Easter and Happy Passover!

2009-04-10T15:07:00.003-05:00

One of the great things about Norridge is the "community-feel" of the town. This afternoon I arrived home and a few minutes later heard some voices outside. I did not think much of it at first but after a few minutes I wandered to my front window to see where it was coming from. It turns out that it was parishioners from Divine Savior -- doing their Stations of the Cross Procession on Good Friday. Turns out the front of my house is one of the stations -- I hope this is a good thing for me!
Whatever your faith, I hope you have a great weekend and Happy Easter!

Village Trustee Named Acting Norridge President

2009-03-29T14:23:00.003-05:00

Norridge Village Trustee Ronald Oppedisano is now the acting village president.

According to a report in the Pioneer Press, following the March 20 death of Village President Earl Field and funeral services Wednesday, Oppedisano was chosen to serve as acting village president during a special meeting Thursday night at Village Hall. The motion was made by Trustee Dennis Stefanowicz and seconded by Trustee Dominic Falagario.

Oppedisano most recently served as the Chairman of the Streets, Sidewalks and Alleys, and Information Technology Committee.

In addition, as a Trustee, Ron also serves on the Law and Ordinance Committee and on the Village Properties, Environment and Economic Development Committee; and he has led the way for the formulation of a Master Plan for the future development of our Village. Ron is also a member of the Emergency Telephone System (911) Board.

For more information on Oppedisano, click here

First -Time Homebuyer Credit Form

2009-03-10T19:57:00.003-05:00

As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the IRS has officially released Form 5405 -- better known as the First-Time Homebuyer Credit Form.
True to tax code standards, the 10-field form is accompanied by 3 pages of instructions. Form 5405 is a helpful, go-to resource for home buyers with questions about the tax credit. For example, the form distinguishes tax consequences for homes bought in 2008 versus 2009, and clearly defines the term "first-time home buyer".
In addition, Form 5405 highlights the math behind the tax credit.

In general, the First-Time Homebuyer Credit is equal to the lesser of:
$8,000 for homes bought in 2009
10 percent of the home's purchase price

Married couples filing separately are entitled to half of the expected credit, and homes sold within 3 years are subject to a credit repayment in the year the home ceases to be the "main home".

Form 5405 is a comprehensive reference. However, be sure to check with your accountant for specific questions about your personal returns and how the First-Time Homebuyer Credit may impact your finances. There is no substitute for professional, paid advice.
Download the form here!
For more information vital to first-time buyers, click here!

First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit Explained!

2009-02-28T18:13:00.002-06:00

Young families are attracted to Norridge for a lot of reasons. Proximity to downtown, great parks and schools, affordibility... the list goes on and on. Fortunately, first-time buyers can now take advantage of tax savings!

That's right! The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 features an $8,000 tax credit for first-time buyers who purchase a home on or after Jan. 1, 2009 and before Dec. 1, 2009.For detailed information, contact me. For an overview, I have posted a brochure for you to read and share! To view the brochure, click here

This month's Person You Should Know: Michael Pugliese - Cutting hair and solving problems one customer at a time..

2009-02-16T09:36:00.009-06:00

From the early morning until evening, six days a week, Michael Pugliese helps to solve all the world’s problems from his business in Norridge. No, he’s not a philosophy teacher at Ridgewood High School, dealing with hypothetical scenarios. He’s the proprietor of Michael’s Barber shop, just down the street from Ridgewood.

Located at 7539 W. Montrose, the barber shop has been a Norridge institution since 1956. There, 47-year-old Pugliese, along with fellow barbers Joe Briguglio and Tony Cucinella cut the hair of clients aged 1 to 100.

A simple barber shop lined with auto and sports magazines, newspapers and a television tuned to the local news or sports action, Michael’s is a place for customers to catch up with each other, share local gossip and also to vent about things.

“We solve all the problems in the world here,” Pugliese joked. When asked to give an example, Pugliese declined, exhibiting a sort of attorney-client privilege between him and his customers.

While customers come from as far as Schaumburg and Mundelein, Pugliese said most of his clientele are split between Norridge residents and Chicago’s Northwest Side, many of the latter being city workers. Pugliese estimated that it takes about 20 minutes to cut the average customer’s hair, and while some are in and out for a quick haircut, others linger to shoot the breeze, especially in the weeks before Christmas, when he sets up a table to share homemade cookies and wine.

Pugliese came to America in 1984 from Calabria, Italy, and has been cutting hair since he was a young child. “In Italy, after school I would work for the local barber. I would sweep the floor of his shop, watch how he worked and then learned how to cut hair,” Pugliese said.

Upon arriving in America, Pugliese worked at the now shuttered Quasar factory in Franklin Park while taking part-time night classes to earn his barber license. Two years later, armed with his barber license and a better handle on the English language, Pugliese resumed his life’s passion, working as a barber at a shop in Franklin Park.

In 1997 Pugliese ventured off on his own, buying what is now Michael’s Barber Shop. Initially handling all clients, Pugliese hired Joe Briguglio six months later and the pair is still working side by side. In addition, Tony Cucinella also cuts hair three days a week. And while the shop has always been busy, the size of the shop always has been more than he needed. So, in 2003 Pugliese remodeled the back of his shop and began renting it to Eva Luviano, who operates Eva’s Hair Salon. Eva’s is an appointment-only salon that caters to mostly women. The two shops share the entrance, but nothing more --the waiting areas of both shops are far enough apart where the mostly-male clientele at Michael’s can feel safe talking and joking amongst themselves and not feel like they are being spied on by friends of their wives!

Since he began cutting hair, Pugliese said prices have increased a bit, [it is $15 for a haircut at Michael’s] and styles have come and gone.

“Kids hairstyles change a lot… short, long, spiked, etcetera. You have to be with the times,” Pugliese said.

Standing on your feet six days a week may seem hard, but Pugliese said he loves working for himself. Luckily for his customers, Pugliese says he has no plans to put his shears down anytime soon.

“You gotta love your job because you’re not going to become rich cutting hair,” Pugliese said. When asked how long he pictures himself working, Pugliese laughed and said he’ll probably retire in 20 to 25 years.

(Michael Pugliese and Joe Briguglio)

When he’s not working, Pugliese enjoys spending time with his wife Marisa and three children, ages 8, 10 and 12 at their home in Norridge. He also is an avid supporter of Ridgewood High School Athletics and soccer fan.

Michael’s Barbershop is located at 7539 W. Montrose. Hours are 9a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Mon-Friday and 9am-5pm on Saturdays. Walk-ins only. Phone is 708.583.9739.

Recent snapshot

2009-02-09T10:11:00.002-06:00

In June I posted a six month activity report for Norridge, letting you know how many homes sold from January to June 2008, the avergage selling price, and other facts.

I am happy to report, despite the "slow market," from July 2008 to present, 48 homes have sold at an average price of $301,327. This is up from the 25 homes that sold the previous six months. Yes, it is true that the average selling price has lowered, but this just proves what I've always preached -- that price is the number one obstacle to selling your home!

Currently there are 83 homes on the market in Norridge with the average asking price of $423, 725. (The most expensive being $1,299,000 and the least expensive $132,950. Most are in the 270-380K range.)

In addition, there are 7 homes currently under contract -- ranging from $169,500 to $362,000.

I anticipate a plethora of homes coming on the market soon. If you are thinking of selling, it may be wise to get your home on the market before the onslaught! Please contact me today to pick my brain!

Bob Chiarito
847.878.3724
Proud to live and work in Norridge!

Fourth try, but Ridgewood's referendum doesn't pass

2008-11-07T20:39:00.002-06:00

Will Supporters Keep Marching On?

With 21 of the 22 Norridge and Harwood Heights precincts reporting Tuesday night, things did not look good for supporters of a referendum for Ridgewood High School District 234.
The unofficial results from the Cook County Clerk's Office showed that 55.83 percent, or 3,311 voters responded "No" to a question asking for their permission to raise the limiting rate on their property taxes for a year. A little more than 44.17 percent, or 2,620 voters were willing to go along with it.
The measure would have amounted to a property tax increase equivalent to roughly $20 a month for the owner of a single-family home.
Representatives of the school district discussed the results Tuesday night at Vince's Italian Restaurant, 4747 N. Harlem Ave., in Harwood Heights. They didn't have much to celebrate. As Republican presidential candidate John McCain giving his concession speech in the background shortly after 10 p.m., school board Secretary Maria Palmieri-Smith talked about the results in the District 234 race.
"It doesn't look like we won. But we got the message out. We got huge excitement with the kids in the community, with the parade.... At least we got the message out."
Jojo Hajduk, a parent and a major booster of the referendum said she isn't ready to give up, even after four tries and four failures.
"We need to go again and get the message out again," she said. "I think there are a lot of people out there who go for education first and a lot of them live in Norridge and Harwood Heights. It starts right in their own community, right there on their own block.
"In order for them to succeed, their schools need the funding. Even if they need to get rid of one pizza a month -- it's $20 a month -- they need to do it. I already made cutbacks. Our children -- my daughter is a sophomore -- are the future."
Paul Draniczarek, school board president, said he isn't sure what the next move would be.
"We need to see what the (official) results were, then we need to sit back and evaluate it and see what our next step is going to be. There are a lot of possible things to look at. There are elections in the spring.
"We had hoped we would have been able to reinstate some things, but its going to be pretty hard to do that. Now we'll have to look at whether we'll have to cut back on some more stuff."

Mint condition Fredrickson raised ranch -- 1 block from Park!

2008-11-07T19:07:00.002-06:00

4504 N. Ottawa Avenue, Norridge

I am happy to let you know about this fantastic Fredrickson raised-ranch in Norridge that just came on the market. It has two bedrooms (with room for a third), two baths, hardwood floors throughout, a large eat-in kitchen with granite counters and stainless appliances, updated bathrooms, a second kitchen in the finished basement, new furnace, newer a/c, roof, electric and much more. Move right in! For more details, click here contact me asap at 847.878.3724 or email chiarito@kw.com

ATTENTION HOME SEEKERS IN NORRIDGE!

2008-09-13T21:08:00.003-05:00

I am happy to be able to share information about two homes in Norridge that will be listed very soon. Both are raised ranches built by Fredrickson and are both in move-in condition. For more details, contact me asap at 847.878.3724 or via email.

6 Month Activity Report for Norridge

2008-06-11T14:25:00.002-05:00

In the last six months, 25 homes have sold at an average of $344,756 in Norridge.
The averate time to sell is 166 days, or about 6 months.
While $344,756 is the average, the highest priced home sold for $620,000 and the lowest was $249,500.

Of the 25 homes that sold, nine went for between 300 and $350,000.

Currently, there are 11 homes under contract and 130 homes actively for sale.

There are many keys to selling is this market and I'd be happy to advise you and/or assist you in the sale of your home.
Of course, the number one factor is always the price. If you are too high, you are only helping the other homes in the area sell and are wasting your time. Besides price, there are things you can do and ways to market that are unique from the others. Give me a call to learn more --no obligation!

Bob Chiarito 847.878.3724
Proud to live and work in Norridge!