judyo's Blog: All Categories

When my husband and I drove up to our current house during our house hunting phase 7 years ago we both knew this was the one.  I love old houses and although this is certainly not a landmark (it was built in the 1940's), it has a lot of charming features.  The wood walk-in pantry sealed the deal and we were up against another buyer so had to offer full price plus waive my portion of the commission. 

When we got married my youngest son was still living with me and my daughter lost her roommate and couldn't afford to rent the nice house she was in on her own.  She also had a new baby and couldn't handle it all so asked if she could move back home - after 11 years on her own!  Hubby and I talked it over and said yes. 

Our Beloved Home Fits Us Like OJ's…

Last month my husband and I joined my sister-in-law for her birthday trip where she rented a villa in Biot, France for 3 weeks (we went for the last week).  Not really knowing my France geography very well, it took a day or two to realize that where we were in the south of France was actually the French Riviera.  I just thought we'd be out in the country somewhere in the "south of France."

I love watching International House Hunters to see those European buyers (many from out of the country) and what they accept in some of these very old homes.  Many Europeans that want an historic home expect to find crumbling stone structures and relics of the past such as original stone wash basins found in one old property (for washing clothes). 

Some of the For…

There's a first time for everything.  I had a pre-approved conventional (10% down) buyer who had the best offer on a forclosed Oak Lawn home out of 8 offers.  She really wanted the home and was quite happy. 

As the financing process progressed, we needed to ask for an extension because the file was in underwriting for a very long time.  My buyer was no longer happy, even when I explained the ever-changing mortgage rules and regulations.  In fact, she blamed everything on the loan officer.

Thank goodness the buyer's attorney struck up a good rapport with the foreclosure seller's attorney since we needed an extension and it was granted without any fees.  Then the bad news hit.

The PMI company did not approve the financing because they had just changed…

Active Rain is currently giving away points (it was posted that 1000 points would be given for every hyper-local content post made - up to 7000 points - 1 post a day for the next 7 days).  I still post on AR (although I stopped paying attention to points a long time ago) and try to post on both REW and AR as much as I can (I have a list of all of my blogs and go down the list for each post to make sure they're evened out).  Sometimes it comes to once a week, sometimes less. 

I Wrote a Post That I Thought Followed the Recommendation

I posted about Orland Park Homes For Sale Under $200,000.  But I was told I should have dug deeper and posted about a more local and specific neighborhood or subdivision.  In my opinion, that was a niche in itself that would…

I'm saying that a lot lately.  It's sad watching the sellers' faces fall as I show them the reality of today's market.  Just yesterday I had to tell a senior woman whose family wants her to sell (because they fear for her safety in the town she lives in) that her house is probably worth around what she paid for it many, many years ago.  I could see the tears forming in her daughter's eyes and had to listen to the outrage of her son (not aimed at me personally, thank goodness).

The home owner had a mix of jubilance (she didn't want to move) and confusion on how the home she so lovingly cared for could be worth so little.  She lives in a town I don't work in much and only took it on because it was a referral from a friend.  This was a town that was always…

I was very happy to see that Morgan was putting on another REW Summit this year.  After attending last year's gathering I couldn't wait for the next one.  I originally planned to go without thinking twice about it.

However, I had hoped my husband could go on the trip with me and that we could spend a day or two in Seattle and at least one day in Victoria.  But my husband has a heavy schedule with his band in the summer and told me I'd have to go without him.  So I wasn't sure if I wanted to do that again.

Add to that the fact that we purchased a townhouse in Scottsdale, AZ at the beginning of the year and I won't even mention how much we spent on the purchase and furnishing the place.  Not to mention the 3 trips we've already taken and the fact that…

A highly respected tribe leader that had settled in Indiana was upset over a competing tribe member advertising his caves for sale.  He brought his grievance up with his local higher powers named MIBOR.

MIBOR wasn't sure how to interpret these ancient scrolls and they contacted the highest powers that be  called NAR.  Together, they reviewed these ancient scrolls to come to an agreed upon interpretation.

Even though the complaining tribe leader had signed an agreement of reciprocity, he did not understand what that meant.  He did not like sharing his wares with others.  He wanted to be the only tribe allowed to sell his inventory of caves.  Any cave buyers had to come directly to him to purchase his inventory.

Smoke Signals

You see, this…

Palos Park, IL is one of the highest priced southwest suburbs and is a very desirable place to live.  The average price for a Palos Park home for sale in 2008 was $543,485.  It was started as an artist's community many years ago and offers a rural feel that is still close to downtown Chicago.  In fact, you can jump on the Metra train that has a stop in this prestigious village.

I showed a very unique home yesterday that looked cute in the MLS print-out.  I was excited to see it myself.  The age is unknown but this cute and unique home has been there for quite some time. 

We drove up to the circular driveway and noticed the quaint cape cod style home nestled in a forest-full of trees - something Palos Park is famous for.  Before we went inside, we stepped…