Homes for Sale Downers Grove

Cyndi Lauper's Connecticut Home - Singer Cyndi Lauper Sells Stamford House

noreply@blogger.com (Downers Grove and Real Estate Agent) — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 18:13:00 +0000

Cyndi Lauper's Connecticut Home - Singer Cyndi Lauper Sells Stamford House

Neal Paskvan is a full time Realtor specializing in Downers grove, Darien,Woodridge, Westmont and Du page county Real Estate

Lauper and her family reportedly sold the house because her son is away at college and she lives full-time in Manhattan.

A Retiree from Oregon Buys a Boeing 727 and Converts it Into a Home

noreply@blogger.com (Downers Grove and Real Estate Agent) — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 18:29:00 +0000

The Boeing 727 was one of the largest commercial planes in the past decades, and its size served a purpose. In case of an emergency landing, the plane would be easily spotted in a forest or field. For Bruce Campbell, its size proved to be helpful as well, but for different reasons.

er one Boeing 727 was designated for scrapping, Campbell decided to buy it for a whopping $100,000. He moved the plane to a land he owned, south-west of Hillsboro, which he acquired back in the '70s. But why would he do it and who was this man?

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Ford's Big Nugget is a tiny home built inside a Transit cargo van — see inside the 4-'room' vehicle

noreply@blogger.com (Downers Grove and Real Estate Agent) — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 17:00:00 +0000

Ford's Big Nugget is a tiny home built inside a Transit cargo van — see inside the 4-'room' vehicle

HGTV Buys Brady Bunch House, Beating Lance Bass Bid | PEOPLE.com

noreply@blogger.com (Downers Grove and Real Estate Agent) — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 02:23:00 +0000

UPDATE: After realizing it was HGTV that outbid him, Lance Bass tweeted a sweet response in favor of the network purchasing the home. “HGTV??! Aw man,” Bass wrote. “I’d be pretty upset if it were anyone else, but how can you be mad at HGTV?? My television is stuck on that channel. Kudos HGTV, I know you will do the right thing with the house. That was always my biggest worry. I can smile again.”

The Brady Bunch home is off the market, and HGTV is its mystery buyer!

On Tuesday, during an earnings conference call, the network announced they had the winning bid for the iconic California house, which served as the facade of Mike and Carol Brady’s home on the beloved sitcom from 1969 to 1974.

“I am excited to share that HGTV is the winning bidder and will restore the Brady Bunch home to its 1970s glory as only HGTV can,” Discovery Inc. CEO David Zaslav said on the call.

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THPEOPLE MAG STORY

Neal Paskvan is a full time Realtor specializing in Downers grove, Darien,Woodridge, Westmont and Du page county Real Estate

What It Really Costs To Keep Your Home Cool For The Summer | Patch

noreply@blogger.com (Downers Grove and Real Estate Agent) — Fri, 29 Jun 2018 03:14:00 +0000

What INow that summer is finally here, we're soaking up all of the sun-filled days we can. When we're outside, we don't mind the heat, but inside, we like to keep things cool and breezy.

Depending on the climate and the setup of your house, there are a number of different ways to keep your home at a comfortable temperature all season long. We've rounded up some of the most popular options and how much each one costs.CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY

alicante centro, alicante city centre downtown

noreply@blogger.com (Downers Grove and Real Estate Agent) — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 22:03:00 +0000

You may have a big credit score bump coming soon - Chicago Tribune

noreply@blogger.com (Downers Grove and Real Estate Agent) — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 02:41:00 +0000

f you've heard that some people might get a magic boost to their FICO credit scores in the 10-point range — without having to do anything — you're right. But hundreds of thousands of consumers' increases will be much larger.

According to a massive new study of 30 million credit files just completed by score developer FICO, many Americans will experience score bumps in the coming months, mainly modest increases of less than 20 points. But hundreds of thousands of the increases will be supersized — in the 40 to 60 points and higher range. The vast majority of consumers, however, will see no change in their scores.

Some basics here: The changes are tied to forthcoming policy initiatives at the three national credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. As part of an agreement with a group of state attorneys general, in early July the bureaus will stop collecting and reporting public information on virtually all civil judgments (monetary damages awarded by courts against the losing parties in civil disputes) and roughly half of all tax liens (levies against properties when taxes go unpaid). The bureaus have determined that the accuracy of the public records in both these areas does not meet their quality standards. So they are going to remove them from the credit reporting process altogether.

CLICK HERE FORTHEREST OF THE STORY BY EXPERT KEN HARNEY - Chicago Tribune

noreply@blogger.com (Downers Grove and Real Estate Agent) — Fri, 12 May 2017 05:05:00 +0000

How 60 seconds of your time could save you thousands

It's my spring money-saving and comfort reminder... yes folks it's that time again looks like we will be blessed with some terrific weather over the next few weeks

Every year I always like to remind everyone it's very important to turn down or shut off your whole house humidifier for the summer the main purpose of your AC unit is to take humidity out of the air and a sometimes we forget to shut down the whole house humidifier which
obviously defeats the purpose of having the air-conditioning on

so before calling the AC guy thinking the AC is not working correctly make sure you shut down your whole house humidifierfor the summer

The second thing you want to check are the batteries in your thermostat, yes your thermostat may have wires coming out of the back… The chances are if it's a programmable thermostat it's using battery power... not a bad idea to make an investment in a couple of new batteries per the thermostats instruction manual if you threw it away chances are excellent you will find a copy online

Neal Paskvan is a full time Realtor specializing in Downers grove, Darien,Woodridge, Westmont and Du page county Real Estate

Another Tip on Keeping Cool Before You Call the A/C Guy- Check the Batteries in Your Programable Thermostat. - Darien, IL Patch

noreply@blogger.com (Downers Grove and Real Estate Agent) — Fri, 12 May 2017 04:01:00 +0000

Another Tip on Keeping Cool Before You Call the A/C Guy- Check the Batteries in Your Programable Ther

In a previous post I related a tip about making sure your whole house humidifier was indeed turned off for the summer.

By Neal Paskvan (Patch Poster) - July 14, 2012 4:28 am ET

Yes, it has been 100+ degrees here in ChicagoLand for a few days. I walked into
my house today, and it's not quite as cool as I think it should be.

I thought the A/C unit at this point just can't keep up. However the new A/C unit is only on its second season and it should be cooler.

Get free real-time news alerts from the Darien Patch.

Off to the Internet I go...

Seems my programmable thermostat has batteries in it to keep it "talking" to my A/C unit. A quick search on the 'net said most of them do. So I put some new batteries in and now all is cool!

The bottom line is ... keep that thermostat "talking" to your A/C unit.

This post is contributed by a community mostat. - Darien, IL Patch

Home Mortgages: Rates Up, Requirements Easing | Keeping Current Matters

noreply@blogger.com (Downers Grove and Real Estate Agent) — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 02:36:00 +0000

he media has extensively covered the rise in mortgage interest rates since last fall (from 3.42% last September to the current 4.1% according to Freddie Mac). However, a less covered aspect of the mortgage market is that requirements to get a mortgage have eased while rates have risen.

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) quantifies the availability of mortgage credit each month with their Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI). According to the MBA, the MCAI is:

“A summary measure which indicates the availability of mortgage credit at a point in time.”

The higher the index, the easier it is to get a mortgage. Here is a chart showing th

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Neal Paskvan is a full time Realtor specializing in Downers grove, Darien,Woodridge, Westmont and Du page county Real Estate

Understanding the VA’s Minimum Property Requirements

noreply@blogger.com (Downers Grove and Real Estate Agent) — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 02:04:00 +0000

When it comes to buying a home, you have your list of requirements: number of bedrooms, full basement, stainless steel appliances and probably scores of others.

The VA also has a list of requirements for a home. But its list is centered on protecting the buyer against unexpected, and usually expensive, surprises.

The agency utilizes a series of Minimum Property Requirements, or MPRs, that a home must meet in order to qualify for a VA loan. These requirements help ensure that veterans and military families have a safe place to call home.

If you’re on the fence about starting your VA home loan application, now’s a great time to get in touch with Veterans United and apply for a VA home loan.

Property Requirements

The MPRs are assessed during the VA appraisal process.

MPRs cover basic issues that can affect the value of the property or its safety. These are mostly big-ticket items that present immediate or near-immediate problems for veterans and their families.

When it comes to a VA loan, appraisers are looking for potentially major issues that revolve around the three S’s: safety, sanitation and structural integrity. There’s a host of Minimum Property Requirements that VA appraisers consider, including things like mechanical systems (heating & cooling), a reliable potable water supply, domestic hot water and a safe method of sewage disposal.

Some heating systems, like solar or wood, are required to meet certain standards and have more traditional backup systems as well. These are items that not only protect the marketability of the property, but also the safety and comfort of the buyer.

In some climates, a heating system may not be needed, but that determination is left completely in the hands of the VA. Neither the seller nor the lender can make that call.

Other items such as roofs, termites and ventilation fall under the MPRs. Specific requirements can vary based on the lender, local housing codes, VA guidelines and more.

Get a Home Inspection

The VA wants homes that are move-in ready. Problems with the property generally have to be corrected before a loan closes, although veterans can secure exemptions for some MPRs. In truth, these exemptions are more like extensions, as the problems will ultimately have to be corrected.

Borrowers whose prospective property fails to meet the Minimum Property Requirements will be hard-pressed to secure VA financing.

It’s also important to remember that the MPRs do not replace the need for an independent home inspection. The home inspection is a much more in-depth and thorough look at the property. Home inspections aren’t required for VA loans, but they’re of significant value for homebuyers.

This is also where a VA-savvy real estate agent can make a big difference. Realtors who know the requirements can help veterans avoid wasting time and money.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me at chris@vu.com.

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Neal Paskvan is a full time Realtor specializing in Downers grove, Darien,Woodridge, Westmont and Du page county Real Estate

Why So Many Renters Aren’t Buying Homes Yet

noreply@blogger.com (Downers Grove and Real Estate Agent) — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 19:29:00 +0000

The survey found that Americans with higher education and those earning more than $50,000 a year were the most likely to delay buying a home, along with Millennials. Even so, only 4 percent of those surveyed said they never planned on owning a home. Other recent studies that have similarly found that Millennials haven’t sworn off buyin

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Neal Paskvan is a full time Realtor specializing in Downers grove, Darien,Woodridge, Westmont and Du page county Real Estate

7 Curb Appeal Mistakes to Avoid

noreply@blogger.com (Downers Grove and Real Estate Agent) — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 04:28:00 +0000

Most homes have seen a bit of wear and tear, so it’s important to consider a fresh coat of paint — at least for certain details like the front door and shutters. Opt for neutral colors — gray, black, white and beige — rather than colors that are too personal or extreme — like pink, purple or bright yellow, saysNeal Paskvan of Baird and Warner, . “But add touches of color to avoid appearing too sterile,” she advises. That means a pop of red on the front door, or dark blue shutters on a white house. Photo

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY FROM YAHOO

First-time buyers are skipping the starter home and saving for the big house in the suburbs - MarketWatch

noreply@blogger.com (Downers Grove and Real Estate Agent) — Sun, 31 Jul 2016 23:16:00 +0000

forget the starter home. Today’s first-time buyers in DOWNERS GROVE want a place they’ll live in for a long time — possibly even into retirement. And this ideal home is most likely in the suburbs.

That’s according to a new Bank of America poll of more than 1,000 adults 18 and older who would like to buy a home in the future.

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY

Neal Paskvan is a full time Realtor specializing in Downers grove, Darien,Woodridge, Westmont and Du page county Real Estate

show your A/C SOME love this week

noreply@blogger.com (Downers Grove and Real Estate Agent) — Sat, 09 Jul 2016 20:00:00 +0000

Due to the wet weather this spring in Chicagoland the littlecottonwood “Snowflakes” fell early!

Cottonwood Clogs A/C COILS

Think about it for a moment… During the peak of cottonwood season, fuzzies are flying around your neighbor hood. This is when they attack your air conditioner. No they don’t use magic, or contain some sort of chemical agent. Instead, they are sucked into your condenser coil, and the result is reduced air flow across the coil. This will first cause your air conditioner to loose some of its energy efficiency. Although this is a problem, losing a little efficiency will only cost you pennies, but the bigger problem of an over heated compressor can cost hundreds.
Picture this, its 100 degrees outside and your cottonwood seed packed coil can’t cool itself off. Do you see the problem here? Those cute little fuzzies we chase around as kids just burnt out your compressor! Now you have to call up for an emergency service call in the high heat of summer.

From what the experts' tell me, the simple solution is to just fully hose down the grill work around your A/C unit so it can do it’s job!

Click here to see a Video on how it's done

“Neal Paskvan is a Real Estate Agent in Downers Grove with Baird and Warner” Neal Paskvan is a full time Realtor specializing in Downers grove, Darien,Woodridge, Westmont and Du page county Real Estate

3 reasons 20-somethings should invest in real estate - Business Insider

noreply@blogger.com (Downers Grove and Real Estate Agent) — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 04:49:00 +0000

Investing in real estate can be a good way to diversify your portfolio. And it can be particularly appealing to 20-somethings who are comfortable taking risks and who want to earn bigger returns.

If you’re in your 20s and you’ve toyed with the idea of becoming a landlord or putting money into a real estate investment trust, here are three key reasons to jump on the property bandwagon.

Real estate can be a hedge against the market

If you pay any attention at all to the stock market, you know that things aren’t always stable. A great day of trading can be followed by a huge tailspin and it’s that volatility that makes 20-somethings so leery of investing. In fact, millennials are so cautious when it comes to investing in stocks that they’re keeping 70% of their portfolio in cash.

Real estate, on the other hand, offers an added layer of insulation against bumps in the market. The recent housing collapse aside, real estate tends to remain stable even when stocks tumble. If you’re not sold on putting a big chunk of your savings into stocks, investing in property can be a more lucrative alternative to letting your money sit in your bank account.

LICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY FROM BUSINESS INSIDER

Under one roof: Multigenerational housing big for builders

noreply@blogger.com (Downers Grove and Real Estate Agent) — Sat, 28 May 2016 03:26:00 +0000

"Everybody has their own privacy and their own space, so for instance, my mom has her own suite," said Jennifer. "It is essentially a full one-bedroom apartment on the main floor, so I don't have to worry about her falling down the stairs. She has her own front door, she can have her own decor there, she can stay up however long she wants and not interrupt the family either and also, we have enough space as a family to have a regular family unit, and then she can have her separate

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16 Reasons Appraisals Come In Low | RubyOne Mortgage

noreply@blogger.com (Downers Grove and Real Estate Agent) — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 02:27:00 +0000

There’s no bigger emotional turning point in the home buying process than the moment a buyer makes an offer on a home. The transition from merely shopping to formally putting some skin in the game introduces higher levels of anticipation for everyone involved in the transaction. Things get very real.

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Neal Paskvan is a full time Realtor specializing in Downers grove, Darien,Woodridge, Westmont and Du page county Real Estate

Inaccurate Zillow 'Zestimates' a source of conflict over home prices - LA Times

noreply@blogger.com (Downers Grove and Real Estate Agent) — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 02:33:00 +0000

en "CBS This Morning" co-host Norah O'Donnell asked the chief executive of Zillow recently about the accuracy of the website's automated property value estimates — known as Zestimates — she touched on one of the most sensitive perception gaps in American real estate.

Zillow is the most popular online real estate information site, with 73 million unique visitors in December. Along with active listings of properties for sale, it also provides information on houses that are not on the market. You can enter the address or general location in a database of millions of homes and probably pull up key information — square footage, lot size, number of bedrooms and baths, photos, taxes — plus a Zestimate.

Shoppers, sellers and buyers routinely quote Zestimates to realty agents — and to one another — as gauges of market value. If a house for sale has a Zestimate of $350,000, a buyer might challenge the sellers' list price of $425,000. Or a seller might demand to know from potential listing brokers why they say a property should sell for just $595,000 when Zillow has it at $685,000.

ICLICK HERE FOR RHE REST OF THE STORY FROM LA TIMES

Neal Paskvan is a full time Realtor specializing in Downers grove, Darien,Woodridge, Westmont and Du page county Real Estate

Mortgage 101: How to Conquer the 7 Biggest Homebuying Fears | Matt Rayburn | LinkedIn

noreply@blogger.com (Downers Grove and Real Estate Agent) — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 03:53:00 +0000

Terrified of jumping into the homeownership circle? As with any large purchase, buying a home can be unnerving for someone who has limited knowledge of the homebuying and financing process. As the mortgage world is constantly changing, there are also several misconceptions about what it takes to buy a home.

Here's how to set some of those fears and misconceptions aside when thinking of buying a home.

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORYFears | Matt Rayburn | LinkedIn

Neal Paskvan is a full time Realtor specializing in Downers grove, Darien,Woodridge, Westmont and Du page county Real Estate

Why Do Half of Millennials Still Live With Mommy and Daddy?

noreply@blogger.com (Downers Grove and Real Estate Agent) — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 03:51:00 +0000

Many twenty-somethings are eager to get out of debt, but not all debt is bad. I go into debt if it will produce income for me. The problem is most Millennials are in bad debt—student loans and such. There is a simple fix to get out of debt except to increase income. Income solves all.

3 Things Millennials Need to Be Doing:
1) Make a conscious decision to increase income.

2) Promote and sell yourself (in that or HERE FOR THR REST OF THE STORY

8 Things Millennials Want in a Home

noreply@blogger.com (Downers Grove and Real Estate Agent) — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 04:01:00 +0000

The Millennial generation represents the largest share of homebuyers, according to a generational trends report by the National Association of REALTORS®. Weighing in at 32 percent of homebuyers, millennials are looking for different needs in a home than their predecessors. According to REALTOR Magazine®, these are the top wants of millennial homebuyers.

Affordability

Millennials are spending-savvy, especially when it comes to their home purchase. After seeing parents reel from the recession and facing the repayment of their own student loan dent, millennials want affordable, budget-friendly houses without going into their maximum approved purchase price.

Efficiency

Via Pinterest

This generation is extremely waste-conscious. With that being said, they're looking for homes in which every space has a purpose.

Flexibility

Millennials see their homes as an extension of the rest of their lives, not just a place to go after work. So they want casual and flexible spaces in a home that can be customized to fit their needs, whether that be a play room for their children, a home office, a home gym, man cave, or an extra bedroom.

"Green" Homes

Via Pinterest

Ten percent of millennials who purchased a newly-built home said they purchased new for green/efficiency reasons, according to an NAR study. Think new appliances, sustainable building materials, and energy-efficient LED lighting.

Entertaining Possibilities

Via Pinterest

It's no surprise that this generation of homebuyers want their homes to be a hub for entertaining family and friends. Open floor plans, fire pits, game rooms, outdoor living spaces, and "man caves" appeal greatly to millennials.

Location, Location, Location

These young homebuyers place importance on being close to urban necessities and entertainment. Home serves as a base for these active homebuyers and they're willing to compromise home size in order to be closer to certain amenities.

Move-In Ready

Growing up in the age of technologic advancement, millennials are accustomed to having things done in an instant. This generational trait transitions into their housing preferences, as well. The more a seller has done, the better. Millennials want updated and upgraded homes, and they want it done before they move in.

Maintenance-Free Materials

Millennials work long hours and have lots of interests outside of the home, so materials that require minimal time and care are key. For example, they prefer tile, laminate or vinyl flooringthat mimics wood over the maintenance of the real thing.

Overall, the Millennial generation doesn't view their home as a status symbol but as long-term investment that will suit the needs of their busy and active lifestyles now and evolve with each life stage.

If you're interested in purchasing your first home, download our free Mortgage 101 Handbook, a great resource of all things home buying and financing for first-time buyers.

Download: Mortgage 101 Handbook

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY BY Liz Bandstra

Neal Paskvan is a full time Realtor specializing in Downers grove, Darien,Woodridge, Westmont and Du page county Real Estate

Multigenerational households are becoming more common: Pew survey on living with parents.

noreply@blogger.com (Downers Grove and Real Estate Agent) — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 18:39:00 +0000

Barack and Michelle Obama have very busy schedules, of this there is no doubt. It’s a good thing they have some help, not just from staffers, but also from family: Michelle Obama’s mother, Marian Robinson. Before her arrival, the last presidential grandmother to occupy the White House was Elvira Doud, Dwight Eisenhower’s mother-in-law.

Fewer American families live like this today than in 1953. But according to a new report from the Pew Research Center, multigenerational households are becoming more common. In 1980, some 12 percent of families had two or more adult generations living under the same roof. Now, 18 percent do, and the total number of Americans with this living arrangement has doubled, to 56.8 million. Almost half (48 percent) are in households that working parents share with luckless “boomerangs” sheltering in their old childhood bedrooms. But nearly as many are living with three generations or more. In fact, 20 percent of Americans age 65 or older live in multigenerational households, compared to 16 percent in 1990.

Moreover, many retiree baby boomers—let’s call them “boomerees”—say they would like to be close to family. For an earlier generation, retirement meant a secluded Sun City with a golf course, far from offspring. But “today’s retirees report wanting to stay in their communities and engage with younger generations,” says Donna Butts of Generations United, a family research nonprofit and advocacy group. Boomer grandparents dote on grandchildren, and increasingly care for them.Intergenerational affinity between parents and children is high. “People actually like each other,” says Butts—some enough to live under the same roof.

An increase in the number of immigrants over the past several decades has also boosted the number of multi-generational households.

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY by BOER Ding

Neal Paskvan is a full time Realtor specializing in Downers grove, Darien,Woodridge, Westmont and Du page county Real Estate

6 Pitfalls to Avoid in Your First Year of Homeownership

noreply@blogger.com (Downers Grove and Real Estate Agent) — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 23:58:00 +0000

As a first-time homebuyer, you have a lot on your plate. From saving for a down payment and closing costs to keeping your credit score mortgage-ready and finding a home that suits your needs, you’ve accomplished a lot even before purchasing your first home.

Now that you’ve closed on your home, there are still some mistakes you should avoid to keep your first year of homeownership a positive experience.

Not Planning for the Other Immediate Costs of Buying

You’ve made your down payment and paid the closing costs, so you’re done writing checks for a while, right? Well, it depends. Even if your new home is move-in ready, you’ll still have to consider various other costs for making your new home your own, including but not limited to:

A moving company (or moving truck, at the very least)

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY byLiz Bandstra

Neal Paskvan is a full time Realtor specializing in Downers grove, Darien,Woodridge, Westmont and Du page county Real Estate

Are You Underestimating Your Home Equity? | Matt Rayburn | LinkedIn

noreply@blogger.com (Downers Grove and Real Estate Agent) — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 04:09:00 +0000

A home is likely the biggest investment most Americans will make in their lifetime. Underestimating that asset's value may keep many U.S. homeowners from advancing financially with their home equity. According to Fannie Mae, homeowners who have a "negative perception gap" also likely underestimate:

Their ability to qualify for a new mortgage.
How large of a down payment they could make with their

CLICK HEREFOR THE REST OF THE STORY BY MATT RAYBURN

Neal Paskvan is a full time Realtor specializing in Downers grove, Darien,Woodridge, Westmont and Du page county Real Estate