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Click the button to hear the current real estate market conditions in Chicago’s near western suburbs. Specific reference is made to the towns of Hinsdale, Western Springs, Clarendon Hills, Oak Brook, Downers Grove and Burr Ridge.

The second portion of this real estate audio broadcast addresses the opportunities which uniquely exist under the current market conditions.This month’s edition covers West Suburban Chicago real estate market activity and then we will talk about how with every change, there are hidden opportunities for both buyers and sellers.

Program length: approximately 6 1/2 minutes

Five Strategies For Choosing the Right Luxury Real Estate Agent

Once you have made the decision to buy or sell a luxury home, now it is time to select the real estate professional who can best assist you. Not all good agents operate effectively in the upper-tier market. It is a market segment that requires special competencies. Here are some general guidelines and recommendations for choosing a Realtor to help you in the upper-tier residential marketplace:

1. Look for market knowledge and real estate skills.
Not only should your agent know the city or area you are interested in, he or she should be knowledgeable about the price range you’ve targeted. A luxury home expert should be able to discuss the amount of inventory available, the average number of days a property is on the market before going under contract, the number of sales in the last 90 days, and the list to sales price ratio, all by price range.  The more knowledgeable the agent is about the upper-tier market, the more valuable he or she can be as a resource for you. When you schedule your first meeting with a prospective agent, let the agent know you want an overview of the market conditions based on price range. A solid track record of success is also a clear indicator of market savvy. Don’t choose an agent based on country club membership, the kind of car he or she drives, or similar criteria. Do choose your agent based on the answer to the question, "Does this agent have the skills and resources necessary to help me accomplish my real estate goals?"

2. Don’t assume that the best marketing plan is always the most expensive.

Listen to why the agent has included each element of the plan. Be sure that your home will be promoted Online as well as in more traditional ways. If the home is very expensive or the buyer is likely to come from outside the area, a luxury home magazine may be an important part of the plan. Recognize that the marketing plan in a fast-moving sellers’ market will differ from the plan to be implemented in a slower buyers’ market. Your agent should outline his or her proposed plan and explain it. Look at the quality of the marketing pieces the agent has used in the past as part of your evaluation process. Some agents will have access to special luxury home marketing systems with special marketing pieces that add value to their toolkit.

3.  Notice special luxury affiliations and designations and ask what they mean. 
To zero in on professionals who specialize in the fine homes and estates market, look at an agent’s memberships and designations.   Some agents are members of organizations specific to the luxury market such as The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, which awards an international designation (Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist or "CLHMS") to agents who meet education requirements and have a track record of success.  Some real estate companies offer special recognition to their associates who work successfully in the luxury market.  Some firms have special luxury marketing programs available to their agents.  All these memberships, affiliations and credentials add credibility.
If you are selling, ask that the listing presentation include a specific marketing plan for your property.

4. If you are selling, don’t let an agent "buy" your business.
This is the oldest trick in the book. Choosing your agent based on the highest suggested list price is counterproductive if the house is overpriced. The agent doesn’t set the price-the marketplace does. If your home goes on the market as an overpriced listing, agents and their prospects will quickly move on to other properties that offer more value relative to cost. Will they come back if the price goes down? In many cases, no.

5. Rapport and clear communication are important.
Buying and selling can be stressful. Choosing an agent with whom you communicate clearly will help simplify the process. Be sure he or she understands your needs and expectations and that you understand the process and the agent’s expectations of you. In short, specialized knowledge + quality tools + clear communication = an agent who can deliver the results you want in the luxury home arena.

Reprinted with permission by the Institute For Luxury Home Marketing.

This is a headline from USA Today October 1, 2008: Home Prices Hint At Stabilization. Hmmm. I thought the mass media was only allowed to overstate negative news.

 601 Kenmare in Burr Ridge IL is an absolute one-of-a-kind offering. It’s located in the quiet, scenic heart of the Fieldstone Club in Burr Ridge.

Beyond being  the largest floor plan offered, this specific home has an extra bonus room that’s simply not found on an other unit in Fieldstone Club. If you have the need and/or desire for a first floor master suite, you would be remiss not to take a look at this one.

Take a look at the interior virtual tour of 601 Kenmare in Burr Ridge IL.

Now for the best part….The creative owner, who has a penchant for excellence, has completely re-worked, re-built and renovated this Fieldstone Club home like no other. The kitchen is brand new and has NEVER been used. It’s cabinets are imported from England and hand-glazed on site. The look is English Country. If you have never seen English-made custom cabinets before, open a drawer and be amazed at the thickness of the drawer fronts. Of courses, there’s world class commercial grade appliances.

New quarter-sawn oak floors have been installed (elegant yet unpretentious). So has all new oversized traditional trim. The pictures really don’t do them justice-contact Bryan Bomba of RE/MAX to take a look for yourself.

Click here to see all properties for sale in Burr Ridge.

Read on for the property details on 601 Kenmare Burr Ridge Illinois:

Main Level

Foyer ~

• New double front entry door
• New quarter-sawn white oak flooring with inlays
• All new trim with rope detail
• Turned oak staircase with carpet runner

• 9-foot ceiling height
• New quarter-sawn white oak flooring with inlays
• Freshly painted in neutral tones
• Triple bank of divided light windows

• New quarter-sawn white oak flooring with inlays
• Vaulted ceiling
• Two French doors leading to covered patio
• Bow window overlooking rear yard
• Designer light fixtures

• New quarter-sawn white oak flooring with inlays
• New, English country, beaded inset cabinets, glazed on site, with 1 ¼-inch thick door fronts and 1 ¼-inch thick drawer fronts
• New granite counter tops
• Appliance package includes Viking oven/range; Sub Zero refrigerator and Viking dishwasher
• Solid wood wainscot detail below chair rail height in breakfast area
• French door access to paver patio in back yard
• Designer light fixture
• Ample recessed lighting 

• New quarter-sawn white oak flooring with inlays
• Fireplace with new marble surround and mantel
• Electrified for art lighting in three places
• Two-story ceiling height
• Floor-to-ceiling full wall of windows
• Juliet balcony overlooking Family Room

• New quarter-sawn white oak flooring with neutral plush carpeting inset
• Tray ceiling
• Five windows allow in plenty of natural light

• Marble tile flooring with inlays
• His and her vanities
• American cherry cabinets with full overlay doors
• Marble slab counter top
• Marble tub and shower surround
• Whirlpool tub
• Steam shower with body sprays, rain head and bench
• Private commode room
• Walk-in closet with organization system

• New quarter-sawn white oak flooring with inlays
• Pedestal sink
• Tall base molding 

• New quarter-sawn white oak flooring with inlays
• Newly refinished upper and lower cabinets
• New counter top
• Mud/Laundry Room (continued) ~
• New laundry sink
• Window
• Direct access to garage

Loft ~

• Neutral plush carpeting

• Neutral plush carpeting
• Triple bank of divided light windows
• Shared bathroom

• Shared between Bathrooms 2 and 3
• Porcelain tile floor with inlays
• Pedestal sink
• Private water closet with vanity, commode and tub
• Marble tub surround
• Hand-held shower head

• Neutral plush carpeting
• Walk-in closet
• Palladian window
• Vaulted ceiling

Shared bathroom

• Neutral plush carpeting
• Tray ceiling
• Walk-in closet
• Private bathroom 

Bathroom 3 ~

• Private bathroom for Bedroom 4
• Granite tile flooring
• Marble shower surround
• Wood vanity

• Neutral plush carpeting
• Faux fireplace with slate surround and wood mantel
• Under-stair storage closet

• Neutral plush carpeting
• Arched entry
• Window well

• Neutral plush carpeting
• Two window wells

• Neutral plush carpeting
• Window well
• Walk-in closet

• Slate tile floor and shower surround
• Shower with bench
• Recessed lighting

• 21 x 7 storage room
• 22 x 13 storage room
• Security system
• Two 90%-plus furnaces with April Air humidifiers
• Two 38-gallon water heaters
• 200-amp electrical service
• Sump pump with battery back-up

• Brick, stone and cedar exterior
• Cedar roof shingles
• Three-car attached garage
• Covered front porch
• Paver patio in back yard

• All school scores can be viewed online at www.BryanBomba.com
• Gower West Grade School, District 62
• http://www.gower.k12.il.us/
• Gower Middle School, District 62
• http://www.gower.k12.il.us/
• Hinsdale South High School, District 86
• http://www.hinsdale86.org/hinsdale_south.htm
• Village of Burr Ridge Link ~http://www.burr-ridge.gov/

407 S. Lincoln in Hinsdale is nothing short of a screaming deal!

Dare to compare:

• Arguably, the most walk-friendly block in-town Hinsdale. Just steps to the Hinsdale Middle School, downtown Hinsdale, the Hinsdale Metra station, etc. Google Map of 407 S. Lincoln Hinsdale IL
• Now priced at $849,900. The owner paid $900,000 for this house and added a state-of-the-art kitchen in 2008 and the beautiful front porch you see in this photograph.
• The lot size is 66 x 165. The new house next door is on a similar-sized lot and sold this summer for $2,050,000.

More information on 407 S. Lincoln Hinsdale IL. Further details on 407 S. Lincoln in Hinsdale IL.

If you are considering the purchase of a home in this price range and have been waiting for the right opportunity, contact Bryan Bomba of RE/MAX. We need to talk.

Some call it a trend in tradition. Some call it the "Hamptons" style. Others refer to it as "those cedar houses of coastal architecture". Whatever it’s called, it’s uber popular in the near western suburbs of Chicago like Hinsdale, Western Springs, LaGrange and Clarendon Hills.

Specifically, I am referring to a trendy architectural style that’s actually an updated classic. It’s most prominent characteristics are the cedar siding (whether it’s horizontal boards or shingles), light earthy colors (faded grays and muted greens and blues)  with white trim and a light feel (as opposed to the castle-like homes which were more popular in the 1990s.

In addition to the overall look, buyers like the feel as, in this age of frugality, theses coastal feel more informal. This is true even thought the price tags start at $1,000,000 and go over $3,000,000.

A perfect present day example is 723 S. Adams in Hinsdale. It’s a new home by Courtyard Custom Builders in the hot Madison grade school area. For the young families delight, the home is just three houses away from Dietz Park. The home is priced at $1,299,900.

Oak Brook IL  Autumn Festival

Westmont Oktoberfest

Downers Grove: Kelly Miller Circus

Downers Grove Oktoberfest

Oak Brook: Haunted Forest Tour

Hinsdale: Fall Family Festival

Westmont: Halloween Fun Fair

Brookfield: Boo At The Zoo

Every so often, you learn of a home that has so many superlatives, you are left gasping for air. Clearly, this is the case for this estate quality home located at 3 Oak Court in Oak Brook, IL.

It is idyllically set on a quiet cul-de-sac lot which is so convenient to Interstate 294, downtown Hinsdale and Ogden Avenue. The 1.2 acre site has some of the most scenic water frontage in all of this market area.

The home measures some 11,000 square feet. Better yet, each square foot was expertly designed by Caprio Prisby, a most-respected local architectural firm.

If you are not familiar with the low real estate tax liability in Oak Brook, then you are in for a pleasant surprise. This is particularly impressive when you learn that 3 Oak Court is in the jurisdiction of the Monroe Elementary School, Clarendon Hills Middle School and Hinsdale Central High School!

Completion is expected in the first quarter of 2009. Contact Bryan Bomba of RE/MAX for updates.

The map of 710 S. Monroe in Hinsdale IL tells the whole story. It’s a beautiful, tree-lined street that is uniquely low in traffic. Translation: It’s great for kids. Additionally, 710 Monroe is just three blocks from Madison Grade School, four blocks from St. Isaac’s church and school, five blocks to the  Metra train depot and five blocks to Hinsdale Central High School. By all local standards, it is true "walk to".

This house is so incredibly well-maintained, it makes sense to compare it heads up against new construction. There are new homes in this same neighborhood on similar-sized lots that are priced over $2,000,000. I cannot imagine wanting to burn over $250,000 on a new house when 710 S. Monroe is available at $1,749,000.

The finishes in the house are flat out over-the-top. I’m taking about big dollar improvements, design components and finishes that are simply not available elsewhere:

• $90,000 home theater system (and it’s as easy to use as an iPod)
• Heated floors in master bathroom, basement and garage
• Two full-sized Sub Zeros in the kitchen
• Two first floor powder rooms (one in the mud room!)
• Cabinets. They’re beaded inset design with paint and glaze. The bathrooms have built-in pull-out stools for the kids.
• Huge 2nd floor laundry room with folding area
• A w-i-d-e lot with a real back yard
• The world’s most impressive playhouse (see photo)

Still hungry for more information? Read on for more details.

  If you have read this far, the next step is to contact Bryan Bomba of RE/MAX for a private showing.