Bourbonnais, Bradley, and Manteno IL real estate blog

WiFi Internet has come to Kankakee, IL

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hoots) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 04:58:00 +0000

The City of Kankakee is leading the way using technology to bring WiFi HotSpots that will cover many areas of the city. The service was designed to attract businesses and vistors to the area by offering an innovative free service that provides WiFi HotSpots to connect to the internet anytime you are in the coverage area.

Visit http://www.wifikankakee.com to request a free account that allows 15 hours of free internet each month.

Here is a map of the covered areas that allow access to WiFi HotSpots.

Contact Brian Hoots @ Speckman Realty for all your real estate needs in the Kankakee Area or Visit www.brianhoots.com to search for a home and more local resources.

In todays market you need more than a Sign in the yard!

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hoots) — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 15:02:00 +0000

The days of just "placing it on the MLS and hoping it will sell" are behind us. Times are changing fast with over 80% of homebuyers starting their home search on the internet. Potential homebuyers today search for homes and demand information about a home to be at their fingertips. You need a real estate professional that embraces technology, and continues to stay ahead of the curve in this ever changing real estate market . I use innovative marketing tools and multiple avenues of internet advertising to allow your home be "found" by as many potential homeowners as possible.

If you are looking to buy or sell a home, contact Brian today.

Tired of Paying High Phone Bills?

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hoots) — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 17:00:00 +0000

Magicjack might be the answer! Magicjack uses your Internet service to make and receive phone calls from a standard phone. If you miss a call it also has voicemail, and it sends you an email if you receive a voicemail. The first year is $39.95 which includes the Magicjack device that plugs into your USB computer port. After that the service is $19.95 a year! I have had the service for about a month now and have been very satisfied with the clarity of the calls and the overall performance. Best of all it has a 30 day guarantee. So why not try it out, you might enjoy it as much as I have.

Take Back our Roads!

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hoots) — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 19:57:00 +0000

We now have a place to let our voice be heard. Our local newspaper The Daily Journal has come up with a great way to inform fellow citizens and possibly road crews of those potholes in the area roads. Be sure to check it out and submit the local pothole(s) near you! Maybe you will see our friendly road patching crews in a town near you. Click here to Submit yours!

Have $40 Million to spend on your next home?

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hoots) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 01:51:00 +0000

What will $40 million buy in real estate these days? It will buy the most unique home situated on two of the highest condo floors in the world. The two story penthouse will consist of 10,923 square feet, including spectacular 360° of the greatest city (Chicago, of course)in the world. History will be made as this amazing building rises out of the ground with a projected completion in 2011. The Chicago Spire sales center opened in mid-january in the NBC Tower overlooking the future site where the Spire will be built. If the price tag is a little out of reach you can choose from the other 1192 units in the Spire. They will be priced from $750k to $10million.

Check it out at thechicagospire.com

Contact Brian@ Speckman Realty for all your real estate needs, no matter what the home price!

The Feds cut rates today, Now is a great time to buy!

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hoots) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 23:09:00 +0000

The Federal Reserve made a suprise rate cut of 0.75 points today. This is the first time since 2001 that the Federal Reserve has cut the rate in between monthly meetings. It does not directly affect the long term mortgage rates, but mortgage rates are falling also. If you are looking to buy a home. Lower Rates, More inventory of homes to choose from make it a great time to buy, Contact Brian today!

Check out today's rates.

New Feature! Introducing Friday Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hoots) — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 13:00:00 +0000

Its Friday! and we're introducing a new feature called Friday Photos. A variety of pictures from the Kankakee County River Valley and many other place will be featured each week. Here is the first many episodes of "Friday Photos" To start, some of my favorite photos are sunsets. Enjoy!

Brian Hoots @ Speckman Realty serving all your real estate needs in the Bourbonnais, IL area.

Interesting Facts about Kankakee County, IL

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hoots) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 02:30:00 +0000

Here are some interesting facts about Kankakee County that you may not have known.

Two new towns were incorporated in 2006 in Kankakee County- Limestone and Sammons Point

Kankakee, IL is the only city that can claim two Frank Lloyd Wright homes built next to one another. The homes are named the B. Harley Bradley House and the Warren Hickox House, both were designed in 1900.

More than 80% of Kankakee County real estate is farmland.

The Dairy Queen idea originated from a small Kankakee ice cream store owned by businessman Sherwood “Sherb” Noble. Sherb's was where the Dairy Queen product was first introduced, but the first franchise store was in Joliet, IL.

Kankakee county is a growing community consisting of Bourbonnais, Bradley,Manteno, and Kankakee Real Estate, it has a great location close to Chicago but far enough away to enjoy a laid back lifestyle.
Contact Brian Hoots @ Speckman Realty for all your real estate needs

source: images of kankakee river valley, IL

What a Great Ride It's Been!

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hoots) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 01:00:00 +0000

Real Estate is and remains a great investment. Real Estate in Kankakee County just finished another great year in 2007. The median sale price of homes rose 5% for the year over 2006 prices. Now is a great time to buy!

Brian Hoots @ Speckman Realty serving all your real estate needs in Bourbonnais, Bradley, Manteno and Kankakee, IL.

Bourbonnais IL Real Estate Market Report- 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hoots) — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 01:27:00 +0000

Bourbonnais, IL is showing that the News Media's obsession with the housing slump is not in affecting every market. Bourbonnais is steadily growing with new commercial developments, stable job growth and options for commuters. Homes in Bourbonnais, IL finished 2007 strong with 287 residential homes sold with a median home price of $210,467. The median home price rose 5.9% in 2007.

For all your real estate needs in Bourbonnais IL, contact Brian @ Speckman Realty

source: Brian Hoots/Promatch MLS, info deemed reliable but not guaranteed

Kankakee IL Real Estate Market Report -2007

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hoots) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 04:20:00 +0000

Even though Kankakee IL home sales were down about 24% compared to 2006. The median sales price for Kankakee IL Real Estate rose 2% from a year ago. Kankakee County as a whole has shown to be resistant to the housing downturn that is affecting many parts of the nation. Many changes are coming to the Kankakee area including downtown revitalization with new resturants and businesses that are opening soon. A Walmart SuperCenter is scheduled to open in March 2008 that will undoubtedly bring more commercial development to the southern edge of Kankakee.

Panel seeks to reduce "distracted driving"

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hoots) — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 17:20:00 +0000

In the age of Cell Phones and text messaging, here is a reminder that we should always think about using them safely while driving.

An Illinois government task force is looking into ways to combat "distracted driving" such as the use of cell phones and text messaging while driving. In 2006 according to IDOT officials, 1277 accidents were a result of "distracted driving" but that was down from 1382 accidents in 2005.

View the full article here.

Coming Soon! Rhapsody Cove at Rock Creek in Bourbonnais, IL

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hoots) — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 01:42:00 +0000

A master planned conservation community is coming to Bourbonnais, IL. Rhapsody Cove at Rock Creek is a 243 acre conservation community that will allow residents to enjoy living in harmony with nature. The community will consist of 107 home sites surrounded by..

21 acre sportman’s lake
17 acre family park
7 fully stocked fishing lakes
5 miles of recreational trails
20 acres of federally protected wetlands
Conservation Design Development’s commitment to preserving nature will undoubtedly make this a great place to live. I look forward to seeing the finished product.

Contact Brian Hoots @ Speckman Realty for all your Bourbonnais IL real estate needs.

Visit Rhapsody Cove or my website for more info.

Simple Tips to Save Energy and $$$

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hoots) — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 23:11:00 +0000

Here are a few tips to make your home more energy efficient.

Insulate your hot water heater: Take a quick trip to the hardware or home improvement store for a hot water insulation kit to wrap your water heater and save on water heating costs.
Use a programmable thermostat: Programmable thermostats automatically adjust the temperature of your home while you are away and while you are sleeping.
Seal and insulate your home: Sealing and insulating your home will improve comfort and reduce heating and cooling costs. To improve the “envelope” of your home, add insulation, seal air leaks, and choose energy efficient windows if you are in the market for new windows.
Maintain the right temperature in your refrigerator and freezer: Refrigerators can use up to 20 percent of total electricity in your home. To keep your power bills low, use only as much energy as is necessary. The refrigerator should be set between 38ᵒF and 42ᵒF. The freezer should be set between 0ᵒF and 5ᵒF.
Upgrade your refrigerator if it is over 10years old. Energy-efficient models can reduce energy consumption by up to half that of a 10year old conventional model.
Wash clothes in cold water: With today’s cold temperature detergents, most modern clothing cleans just as well in cold water. Wash in cold water on economy cycles and always have a full load. Keep in mind, 15 minutes of presoaking and 5 minutes of agitation get clothes cleaner than 15 minutes of agitation.
Take advantage of incentives and rebates: Check with your local utility to see what incentives or rebates are available for the purchase of energy-efficient appliances, lighting or heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.

What is EcoBroker®?

EcoBroker is an education and certification program for real estate professionals who care about the environment and want to promote energy-efficient and “green” features in homes and buildings. The Ecobroker logo is the symbol of environmentally responsible and sustainable practices in the real estate industry. Certified EcoBrokers meet buyer and seller demand for real estate professionals with a real understanding of the issues that drive current market decisions.

The above information was collected from “Energy Star’s Home Improvement Tips” and Bonneville Power Administration’s “Appliance Tips” and used with permission as a certified EcoBroker.

Brian Hoots, Realtor Certified EcoBroker @ Speckman Realty serving all your Manteno, Bradley and Bourbonnais IL real estate needs.

Now is a Great Time to Buy!

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hoots) — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 17:28:00 +0000

It’s the beginning of a New Year. If the news media's right and the housing market isn't doing so good, as a potential homebuyer this is great news! As the old saying goes, Buy Low and Sell High means this is a great time to invest in your future and buy a home. More choices of available homes and low interest rates are making it attractive for more people to buy a home. Contact me today and lets start working together to find a home that meets your needs.

Brian Hoots Realtor and Certified EcoBroker @Speckman Realty serving all your real estate needs in Manteno, Bourbonnais, Bradley, Kankakee and the South Suburbs of Chicago, IL. www.brianhoots.com

Bourbonnais IL Real Estate Report- December 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hoots) — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 17:26:00 +0000

Bourbonnais, IL a growing community about one hour south of Downtown Chicago. Home to the Chicago Bears training camp on the campus of Olivet Nazarene University. I am a lifelong resident of Kankakee county. Let me show you around the area, it is a great place to live.

For the Month of December 2007:

10 homes sold ranging in price $157,900 to $255,000
The median price of the homes sold was $214,032
188 homes are currently on the market between $114,000 and $795,000
Real estate continues to be a good investment and now is a great time to buy. If you are interested in buying or selling a home, contact me today.

Brian Hoots, Realtor and Certified EcoBroker @Speckman Realty serving all your real estate needs in Manteno, Bourbonnais, Bradley, Kankakee and the South Suburbs of Chicago, IL. www.bourbonnaishome.com

Brian Hoots earns his EcoBroker Certification

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hoots) — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 05:59:00 +0000

I have recently successfully completed a unique and informative training program on the energy and environmental issues that affect real estate transactions. I join the movement of professionals pushing the real estate market toward energy-efficient, sustainable and healthier design/features iin homes and buildings. The “performance home” movement is getting a boost thanks to this type of high quality real estate professional earning the EcoBroker designation. EcoBrokers througout the country are forging this market and creating competitive advantages for their clients. With national surveys indicating that 80% of consumers consider themselves “green-minded,” real estate professionals with the EcoBroker designation are in a better position to serve the real estate consumer. From windows to moisture control to energy savings, I now have more resources at my disposal to help my buyers and sellers make better real estate decisions. The EcoBroker designation doesn’t make me an energy and environmental expert, but it allows me to better understand the issues and to convey this understanding to my buyers and sellers.

Click Here for more info.

EcoBroker International provides a unique energy and environmental curriculum to licensed real estate professionals, leading to the EcoBroker Designation. EcoBroker’s mission is to broaden and improve the base of training and continuing education for real estate professionals and in doing so, encourage improvements to the quality of buildings, while reducing their impact on natural resources and the environment. EcoBroker is a Building America and Built Green Colorado Education Partner; the most successful green-building program in the
United States. EcoBroker provides state-approved continuing education courses to licensed real estate professionals in states throughout the
U.S. EcoBroker can be reached by phone at 1-800-706-4321, online at www.ecobroker.com, and by email at customerservice@ecobroker.com

Updated 3bed, 2bath Mobile Home

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hoots) — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:53:00 +0000

For all your real estate needs www.brianhoots.com

Kankakee County Median Sales Price Rises

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hoots) — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 13:44:00 +0000

Kankakee County median home sale price rose 5.9% to $143,000 in the second quarter of 2007 according to the Illinois Association of Realtors (IAR). Illinois’ economy continues to expand and homes sales are expected to pick up toward the end of the year according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) latest market outlook. “Mortgage disruptions will hold back sales in the short term, but long term fundamentals are favorable. With the population growing, the demand for homes isn’t going away–it’s just being delayed,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR senior economist. Local market conditions are often not the same as other areas of the country. It’s always best to work with a real estate professional that has expertise in the local housing market.
Kankakee County is a growing community consisting of Bourbonnais, Bradley, Manteno and Kankakee Homes. Contact Brian Hoots @Speckman Realty for all your real estate needs or visit www.brianhoots.com

Preparing your Home to Sell

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Hoots) — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 13:52:00 +0000

Here are a few tips to preparing your home for potential buyers.
1)Declutter and depersonalize your home
2)Check out your curb appeal, prune bushes and plants of overgrowth, pull weeds in landscaping, consider painting front door or shutters with fresh coat of paint.
3)Remove any smells and if possible have carpets cleaned
4) Clean your home throughly. Always keep in mind what a buyer possibly will be seeing when they enter home.
Looking to sell your home in Bourbonnais, Bradley, Manteno or Kankakee Contact Brian Hoots @ Speckman Realty for all your real estate needs.