What Makes Your FICO Score Change Each Month?

YOUR FICO SCORE CAN CHANGE EVERY DAY 

Did you know that your credit score is different day-by-day?

Many U.S. consumers believe that credit scores are assigned and do not change. The reality is that FICO scores are fluid.

FICO credit scores are a snapshot of your credit record at the exact moment your credit report is pulled. Your scores, therefore, fluctuate as the information within in your credit report changes.

From day-to-day and week-to-week, there are a number of factors which affect your FICO score which, in turn, affects the mortgage rates you get from a bank.

The largest influencers are discussed below.

click here for the rest of the story from the mortgage reports

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

Rent Increases Expected to Continue through 2015

"Rents are rising because of strong demand that supply hasn't kept up with. Nearly all the new households are renters, and young people moving out of their parents' homes will keep fueling rental demand."

Rent Increases Expected to Continue through 2015

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

Christmas Decorating Tips | Easy Crafts and Homemade Decorating & Gift Ideas | HGTV

Christmas Decorating Tips | Easy Crafts and Homemade Decorating & Gift Ideas | HGTV

Change Your Look with Tile « Baird & Warner

Whether you want to replace your dining room floor, update your shower walls, or just add some interest to your kitchen, installing tile in your living space is a great place to start. Tile is a versatile product that can bring in a range of colors and textures to many areas of your home. However, shopping for tile can become a little confusing if you’re not sure what to look for. Here are some tips to help you out.

Material

Tile is available in a variety of materials, textures, and finishes.

• Ceramic tile is made of compressed, solidified clay and minerals. There are different types of ceramic tile, such as glazed, unglazed, porcelain, quarry, and terra cotta. Each has a different look and finish, from old-world style to mirrored and everything in between.
• Stone tile can be made of granite, slate, marble or limestone. Polished stone will have a smooth, reflective finish that is ideal for walls and accents. Heavily-textured stone, by contrast, provides slip resistance and a rustic look.

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Neal Paskvan is a full time Realtor specializing in Downers grove,







Darien,Woodridge, Westmont and Du page county Real Estate

Change Your Look with Tile « Baird & Warner

Whether you want to replace your dining room floor, update your shower walls, or just add some interest to your kitchen, installing tile in your living space is a great place to start. Tile is a versatile product that can bring in a range of colors and textures to many areas of your home. However, shopping for tile can become a little confusing if you’re not sure what to look for. Here are some tips to help you out.

Material
Tile is available in a variety of materials, textures, and finishes.

• Ceramic tile is made of compressed, solidified clay and minerals. There are different types of ceramic tile, such as glazed, unglazed, porcelain, quarry, and terra cotta. Each has a different look and finish, from old-world style to mirrored and everything in between.
• Stone tile can be made of granite, slate, marble or limestone. Polished stone will have a smooth, reflective finish that is ideal for walls and accents. Heavily-textured stone, by contrast, provides slip resistance and a rustic look.

click here for more





Neal Paskvan is a full time Realtor specializing in Downers grove,







Darien,Woodridge, Westmont and Du page county Real Estate

Gallery: 20 Incredible Cabins Around The World

Cabins are the best. Remote places with only nature and the passing of time. Whether it is an old rickety shack that compliments the snowy surroundings or a modern reinterpretation of a secluded retreat, it’s all about the longing for a distance from the everyday.  The simpilist of shelters between the earth and sky.  What’s your idea of escape?  These are some of our favorites.















CLICK HERE FOR THE SLIDESHOW

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

How Does a Reverse Mortgage Work - We Explain Everything You Need

A reverse mortgage is a loan for senior homeowners that uses  the home’s equity as collateral. The loan generally does not have to be repaid until the last surviving homeowner permanently moves out of the property or passes away. At that time, the estate has approximately 6 months to repay the balance of the reverse mortgage or sell the home to pay off the balance. Any remaining equity is inherited by the estate. The estate is not personally liable if the home sells for less than the balance of the reverse mortgage.

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How to Clean Bathroom Exhaust Fans « Baird

How to Clean Bathroom Exhaust Fans « Baird

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

How to Avoid Sticker Shock at the Closing Table When Buying a House

Make sure that you are familiar with these fees and have budgeted for these home buyer costs.

• Downpayment - This is the most common fee that homebuyers are familiar with. Typically downpayment expenses run around 3.5% to 5% of the sales price, but there are options for 0% downpayment loans. Some homebuyers believe the myth that you need 20% down to purchase a home. The truth is that there are programs that make it possible to buy a home with no downpayment, if you and the property both meet the loan requirements. The best way to find out home much money you will need for your down payment is to talk to a mortgage lender. You can fill out the form on our loan pre-approval page for Colorado Springs to get this process started if you are at that point now.
• Earnest Money - Earnest money is not necessarily a fee, but it is something to be aware of because you will need the funds ready when you put in a contract on a house. Earnest money is basically a buyer’s proof that they “earnestly” want to http://www.greatcoloradohomes.com/uploads/agent-1/Don't-Be-Surprised-By-Homebuying-Fees-3.jpgpurchase the home. A purchase contract is a great start, but there needs to be some cash involved to protect the sellers interests while they take their house off of the market. In Colorado Springs, earnest money is usually around 1% of the purchase price of a home. A home priced at $250,000 would typically ask $2,500 for earnest money. This $2,500 is credited back to the buyer at closing.
• Closing Costs - This is usually the second largest out-of-pocket expense for a home buyer. I will break down these closing cost in more detail below, but I wanted to add it to this section because it should never be overlooked. Most of the fees involved in closing costs are associated with the preparation of your mortgage.
• Moving Expenses - This is an expense that seems to be rising every year. The cost of moving is dictated by the amount of items and the distance that you need to move. It’s not uncommon for homebuyers moving across the country to spend well over $10,000 in moving expenses. First-time home buyers typically don't have as many possessions and can usually move with much less expense.
• Home Inspection - The home inspection is technically an optional fee, but I would never recommend skipping this very important home buying step. In most states, our real estate contracts offer an inspection period for the homebuyer to have the property inspected by a professional. The real estate inspector will determine whether there are any problems that need to be addressed before moving forward with the home purchase.In Colorado Springs, this fee is usually around $300-$500, depending on the size of the home. There are also specific inspectors who specialize in certain parts of the home. You may also need to hire an additional inspector who specializes in one of the following industries below, based on the home you are buying:

How to Avoid Sticker Shock at the Closing Table When Buying a House

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

Home Energy Resource MN: Maintenance and Operation Instructions : Winterizing Outside Water Faucets

Winterizing Outside Water Faucets

You can prevent water damage to your home by winterizing your outside faucets each fall. Winter temperatures can freeze the water that is trapped in the outside faucets and pipe connections. In some cases, this can damage the faucet or cause the pipe burst in the wall. Turning off the water supply to your outside faucets is the best way to prevent this problem.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE FROM home enegry resources mn

A Deeper Dive Into Last Week’s Existing Home Sales Release

• 
  
• 
  
• Last week, NAR released a summary of existing home sales data showing that August’s existing home sales declined despite having the second fastest sales pace of the year. August marks the first dip after four consecutive months of increased sales, with figures dropping 1.8% from last month and 5.3% from one year ago.
• The national median existing-home price for all housing types was $219,800 in August, up 4.8% percent from August 2013.
• All regions showed growth in prices except the Northeast, which had a slight drop of 1.8% from last year. The West had the biggest gain in median price at 5.4% from a year ago.

click here for the rest of the storyfrom realtor.org

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

Where It's Still Safe for Single-Family Investors

Where It's Still Safe for Single-Family Investors

Darien home values up 11%

what is the trend in your area Neal Paskvan is a full time Realtor specializing in Downers grove, Darien,Woodridge, Westmont and Du page county Real Estate img width="400" height="300" src="http://mred.stats.10kresearch.com/infoserv/s-v1/NPu-HWg?img width="400" height="300" src="http://mred.stats.10kresearch.com/infoserv/s-v1/NPu-HWg?w=400&h=300" />w=400&h=300" /> img width="400" height="300" src="http://mred.stats.10kresearch.com/infoserv/s-v1/NPu-HWg?wimg width="400" height="300" src="http://mred.stats.10kresearch.com/infoserv/s-v1/NPu-HWg?w=400&h=300" />=400&h=300" />

Electrical Safety Tips « Baird & Warner

Whether you’re changing a light bulb or fixing up the wiring in your circuit board, you should always be safe about electrical work. We’ve compiled some safety tips recommended by the National Fire Protection Association so you can stay safe in your home.

Tamper Resistant Receptacles

If you have a house full of kids, there’s a chance at one point they’ve touched something they weren’t supposed to. To keep your children’s curiosity a safe distance from harm, make sure all your electrical outlets have tamper resistant receptacles. If kids stick something into an outlet, like a paperclip, the springs in the outlet won’t go off and shock them.

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY « Baird & Warner

Fireplace Safety Tips - Porch.com

This fall, make fireplace safety your number one concern. When temperatures dip we turn to our fireplaces to create heat as well as a cozy atmosphere for our home. But an increase in fireplace usage means that every homeowner should be aware of the hazards of unplanned fires and understand how to create a 

sadly, 14,000 house fires each year start from fireplaces. Nearly 6,000 injuries occur from these fires and a whopping 65% of these injuries are inflicted upon children under the age of 5. Accidental fires also cause $893,000,000 worth of property damage each year. Following these safety tips can not only save lives, it can help save your home from damage.

from our friend

Anne Reagan thank you 

click here for the rest of the story from porch.com

How poor credit costs you on homeowners insurance

If your home sits by the ocean, atop a fire-prone canyon or even in a not-so-nice neighborhood, you probably know you're paying more for homeowners insurance, but something even closer to home may be driving your monthly payments higher: your personal credit score.

Lower credit scores are widely known to impact mortgage availability and rates, but what most home buyers don't know is that they also increase the cost of homeowners insurance.

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY FROM THE LOVELY DIANA OLICK AT REALTY CECK

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

Dealing With Home-Equity Resets - NYTimes.com

The home equity lines of credit, known as Helocs, were originated before the housing market collapse when home values were still climbing. According to TransUnion, of the $474 billion in Heloc balances held by nearly 16 million consumers as of the end of 2013, nearly half of the loans were originated from 2005 to 2007, the peak year.

Many of these lines have a 10-year draw period, when borrowers may tap their credit and only make interest payments on the balance. As the draw periods come to an end starting next year, borrowers will have to begin paying both interest and principal on the outstanding balances. The TransUnion study estimates that more than half of the loans have balances of $100,000 or more.

CLICK HERE FOR RHE REST OF THE STORY FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES

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

5 Must-Have Items for Your Guest Bathroom | ApartmentGuide.com

5 Must-Have Items for Your Guest Bathroom | ApartmentGuide.com

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

Goodbye, Granite: The 6 Hottest Countertop Finishes - Reviewed.com Dishwashers

For years, granite has been the go-to material for high-end countertops. Despite its expense, weight, and ubiquity, it still remains the countertop of choice.

But at EuroCucina 2014, there was a huge variety of granite alternatives on display. From stainless steel to tempered glass, from ceramic to wood... we’ve seen the future of your kitchen, and it’s not granite.

click here for the complete list from reviewed.com

Wells Fargo Lowers the Bar on Jumbo Mortgages

In late July, the San Francisco-based bank lowered the minimum credit score on these fixed-rate jumbo mortgages to 700 from 720, Goyda said. Credit scores range from 300 to 850, and levels below"The purchase market is softer than we thought that it would be."
640 are often considered subprime.

click here for the rest of the story from aol











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

FICO launches new credit scoring model to benefit millions of consumers

According to a FICO statement, the credit score changes will weigh medical debt less heavily than unpaid credit card debt and other collection information.























click here for the rest of the story from wallstreet.com

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

Reverse Mortgage Pros and Cons | Learn the Disadvantages

click here for a list of pros an cons about reverse motgagesReverse Mortgage Pros and Cons | Learn the Disadvantages

Sellers often have some old-fashioned ideas about marketing their home that don’t include photography and that thing called the Internet | Inman News

Homebuyers ask for pictures and they want lots of them. They want great photographs that they can look at on their computer screens, tablets or smartphones.
The way buyers look for homes has really changed now that everything is on the Internet. Marketing homes on the Internet is old news for real estate agents and for homebuyers, but home sellers have not caught on.

click here for the rest of the story

Billionaire says Real Estate is Best Investment Possible

Billionaire says Real Estate is Best Investment Possible

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

If natural disaster strikes, you'll want these tools and supplies

click here for the rest of the story from tim carter at the tribune

If natural disaster strikes, you'll want these tools and supplies - chicagotribune.com

y Tim Carter, Tribune Content Agency Ask The Builder 4:30 a.m. CDT, July 18, 2014 Normally in my column I answer questions from people I've never met, but the inspiration for this column came at the dinner table recently. My oldest daughter and her husband are moving to California. We had a belated birthday celebration for both of them, and the gifts they requested all centered around survival and bug-out items. My daughter had asked me to make a list of emergency tools and supplies in case a big earthquake struck. I've decided to share the list with you. Millions of people here in the USA are susceptible to a large-scale natural disaster, and if one happens where you live, you may not receive timely help from first responders. RELATED Old Lumber vs. new: Preventing warping, twisting and rot How to cut a common roof rafter Metal pegboard is the cure for storage blues Here's why. Less than two years ago I completed training that spanned eight weeks. I'm now a member of my local CERT team -- Community Emergency Response Team. The first week of class was taught by our local fire chief, and he talked about the community pre-planning list of assets he and his department maintain. This list is ordered from most-valuable to least-valuable community assets. In the event of a large disaster, the fire department will protect and defend the most valuable assets first so that when the disaster is over, these assets will be there for the community survivors. Guess what's last on the list? Your house and mine. To understand why, stop and think about the number of first responders in your community. For every thousand citizens, you might have one first responder. How many fire trucks are there in your community? Ten, 20, even 100? How many homes are there in comparison? It's not that the first responders won't want to help you in the event of a large disaster; it's just they might not show up for days or weeks. You need to realize you'll be on your own -- as will all your neighbors. It's time for you to start thinking like my daughter and son-in-law. The tools I'd want in a storage box would all be hand tools. Forget about power tools, as you may not have electricity for days or weeks. All I have to do is go into my garage and start to pull tools down off my metal pegboard or my shelves. Here's the short list of what I'd grab: --Plumb bob --Two or more tape measures --2 and 4-foot levels --Compact hand saw --Framing square --Razor knife and spare blades --Hammers (20- and

40-ounce) --Pry bars and crow bar --Carpenter's pencils --Mason's string --Hatchet and axe --Sharpening files --Curved pruning saw --Fire piston As for supplies, I'd have the following stockpiled: --Various sizes of double-laminated waterproof tarps --Two rolls of strong duct tape --200 feet of 1/4-inch rope --20 pounds of 16 d sinker nails --Three rolls of 30-pound felt paper --Dryer lint and other dry tinder --5 pounds of 1 1/4 inch roofing nails I could go on about other tools and supplies I'd love to have, but soon I'd need a warehouse or small building to store them. As we discussed how close my daughter will be living to the infamous San Andreas Fault, I mentioned that it would be a good idea to store all these things outdoors. When the big one comes, the last place you want supplies are inside your house or garage. These valuable assets could be buried under

Foreclosure Inventory Down 37% over Last Year!

According to the latest CoreLogic National Foreclosure Report, “approximately 660,000 homes in the US were in some state of foreclosure as of May 2014”. This figure is down 37% from the 1 million homes in May of 2013. May marked the 31st consecutive month in which there were year-over-year declines.

Mark Fleming chief economist for CoreLogic revealed:

“Significant gains have been made in the last year to reduce the foreclosure stock. Yet, these improvements are occurring disproportionately in non-judicial states. The foreclosure inventory in judicial states is averaging 2.1% which is more than twice the 0.9% average that is occurring in non-judicial states.”

The foreclosure process in the twenty-two judicial states can take, on average, anywhere from 180-400 days according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. The lack of initial court intervention in non-judicial states, often means that the process of foreclosure takes significantly less time.

Therefore, judicial states as a whole, have taken longer to catch up to the rest of the country in liquidating

All five states with the highest f foreclosure inventory.

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

What is holding back the Real Estate Market?

While inventory levels remain below historic norms, it will remain a seller’s market. This being the case, if you are considering selling your home, now may be the time to list it for sale.

click here for the rest of the story from kereping current matters





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

Burglar uses spare key

Burglar uses spare key: A burglar used a hidden spare key to enter a home near in Orange County where he stole $400 in cash. (Video by Fox35)

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

Man Arrives To Find Family Living In His Home « CBS Miami

 South Florida renter came home to find people living inside his house but the family illegally squatting inside said they are not leaving.

click here for the rest of the story and video

Your Home Has 3 Zones

YOUR HOME'S THREE ZONES

Did you know every well designed home has three basic zones?  Each of these zones is for a specific need, including

Service

 Social

 Private.

 How they work together will determine how well your home will serve you. Let's take a look at the three zones.

Neal Paskvan Baird And Warner

The first is the Service Zone.   This is where the busy work takes place, such as laundry and cooking. It's usually the place where you'll find major appliances, a utility area, kitchen, hobby room or garage. The hum of the washer and dryer, odors of food being prepared, along with the noise of power tools let's you know this is where it all happens. Having this area away from the social and private zones facilitates the reduction of noise and it's safer.

The second zone is the Social Zone.   It's where family members enjoy the company of each other, dine with guests, watch TV or play games. These activities take place in the dining and living rooms, the family and rec rooms, breakfast room, den or on the deck and patio. We usually pay more attention to the decor in these spaces, making them attractive, inviting and comfortable.

The Private Zone is the third area.   It's the most personal and important of all spaces. This is where family members sleep, bathe or just spend quiet time alone. Good design calls for these spaces to be the most secluded and buffered from the social zone.

There are exceptions to the above rules. For instance, some owner's suites will include a stackable washer and dryer in the private bath. It can offer great convenience. Likewise, many people entertain in the kitchen, making this a combination social and service area.

Whether staying put, remodeling or buying, take a look at these zones and see how your home stacks up. Just keep in mind that the best arrangement is the one that works for you.

Copyright PropertySource Network 2009

How to Pay Off an Ex-Spouse When Seeking a Mortgage

How to Pay Off an Ex-Spouse When Seeking a Mortgage

Buying your spouse out of a property can be dicey.

By Scott Sheldon Stuck paying for a house that's no longer yours? Buying your spouse out of a property can be dicey, especially if both parties disagree with one another on the debt and equity objectives. So here are some ways to separate and pay off an ex-spouse when getting a mortgage. Net Yet Divorced or Separated?: First, if you and your ex are still legally married, but are not yet legally separated or officially divorced, this can pose problems related to the scope of the desired split when separating property and liens (loans). If you're buying a home for yourself, your spouse would have to sign a quit claim deed releasing their interest in the property you are buying since you are still legally joined with that person. The key is that the spouse must consent to releasing their interest in the transaction. Divorced & Still Tied to Another Property: Let's say you're trying to purchase a home, you are legally divorced and the previous property has been awarded to your ex-spouse in the divorce decree. However, for whatever reason your ex-spouse is not able to qualify for a new mortgage to refinance you off of it. Your credit report shows a mortgage that your name is tied to on a property you no longer own nor have responsibility for. In the eyes of the mortgage lender, because the liability (loan) is tied to the property and has not been paid off with your name associated with it, the liability is still considered to be joint.

How to Pay Off an Ex-Spouse When Seeking a Mortgage

The problem here is that your credit history and credit score are directly affected by your ex-spouse's sole ability to make timely mortgage payments on the joint credit account. The only way to remove the responsibility from you, beyond the divorce decree, is for the other party to sell the house or refinance the mortgage, and taking your name off the loan, thus omitting the

liability from your debt-to-income ratio on your new purchase. Refinancing to Buy Out the Ex-Spouse: Say both you and your spouse own a home together. Without the divorce degree and without a separation agreement, both parties collectively agree that one spouse will stay in the pro

Thinking of Selling? New Construction Will Soon Be New Competition

Thinking of Selling? New Construction Will Soon Be New Competition

Bottom Line

If you areFor the last several years, home sellers had to compete with huge inventories of distressed properties (foreclosures and short sales). The great news is that the supply of these properties is falling like a rock in the vast majority of housing markets. Many homeowners are now thinking of selling as the impact of this substantially discounted competition has disappeared.

However, every seller of an existing residential property must realize that there is a new form of competition about to hit the market: newly constructed homes.

As the economy improves, builders will again be bringing their housing developments to the market. Trulia recently reported that the purchaser, given a choice, actually prefers new construction. Here are two charts showing the results of the Trulia survey: thinking of selling, perhaps you should do it now to avoid the additional competition that will come to the market later this year.

click here for the rest of the story from keeping current matters

Time to downsize? Not for baby boomers

In an edited interview, the director of strategic planning for Fannie Mae's economics group said that though such a wholesale change probably is inevitable, boomers these days show little inclination to leave the single-family home lifestyle that, to an extent, has defined their generation:

Q: Isn't there a general story line that boomers hit 65, become empty nesters, look around at the unused bedrooms that the kids once occupied in their houses, and announce that they're paring down to a smaller space where somebody else will handle the maintenance?

click here for the rest of the story from Mary Umberger- Chicago tribune 

A: Yes. There's a perception, particularly in many media reports, that this massive generation born between 1946 and 1964 is altering its "housing consumption." It's true that they're becoming empty nesters in droves.

DOWNERS GROVE REAL ESTATE
Baby boomers not ready to downsize - chicagotribune.com

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Keep the Bugs Out « Baird & Warner

Keep the Bugs Out « Baird & Warner

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





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hot off the press july 2014newsletter

Yes, hot off the press the July 2014 Baird Warner newsletter is out chock-full of money-saving ideas and other stuff just makes senseFind out where the closest drive-in movies are to get out there and see one Neal Paskvan is a full time Realtor specializing in Downers grove, Darien,Woodridge, Westmont and Du page county Real Estate

You Don't Need That Much of a Down Payment

Consumers believe they need 11 percent to 15 percent in order for lenders to approve them for a loan, aaccording to a survey of renters and non-home-owners



But in reality, home buyers often can qualify for a conforming, conventional mortgage with a down payment of as little as 5 percent — and sometimes even 3 percent 







click here for the rest of the story from Realtor magazine

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

Baird & Warner goes big on neighborhood focus with StreetAdvisor | Inman News

Baird & Warner Inc., the Chicago area’s second-largest brokerage, has released a new version of its website featuring a vast, new neighborhood section complete with in-house videos, professional write-ups, and neighborhood info and ratings powered by StreetAdvisor.







click here for the story from inman news

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

Kitchen remodel cost: Where to spend and how to save

http://www.today.com/home/kitchen-remodel-where-spend-how-save-2D79749253 While no renovation adds as much equity to your home or is likely to be more enjoyed, kitchen remodel costs can get out of control quickly. When it comes to remodeling your kitchen, check out where experts suggest splurging — and where you can cut some corners.

Comcast turning Chicago homes into public Wi-Fi hot spots Network will also be available to no

Comcast customers looking for a Wi-Fi hot spot might want to try their neighbor's yard. The cable and Internet provider has begun to turn hundreds of thousands of Chicago-area homes into virtual coffee shops, using existing Comcast equipment to build out its publicly accessible wireless network. Neal Paskvan is a full time Realtor specializing in Downers grove, Darien,Woodridge, Westmont and Du page county Real Estate

Celebrity Homes 2013

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

More Home Owners Carve Out Outdoor Entertainment Spaces

Fifty-six percent of home owners surveyed say they are making updates to improve their yards for entertaining, and 55 percent say they are tackling projects to solve issues of flood, sun exposure, and privacy.

More Home Owners Carve Out Outdoor Entertainment Spaces

More Home Owners Carve Out Outdoor Entertainment Spaces

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

How to Get Rid of Dust - 15 Easy Ways - Bob Vila - Bob Vila

How to Get Rid of Dust - 15 Easy Ways - Bob Vila - Bob Vila

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

Know your rights if mortgage sold to another lender

click here for the rest of the story from the chicago tribune by Benny L. Kass 

Q: My mortgage was sold twice, ending up with an out-of-state lender. That is when the problems started. It paid our insurance from escrow when we are escrow waived and have been for 24 years. Then they dropped my wife's name from the account and have even sent us a default notice. All of these are "keystroke" errors as they told us. On top of that, they have the worst customer service I have ever seen. I never asked for this company; we were sold to them.

A: Unfortunately, you have no choice what your initial lender will do with your loan. Most mortgage lenders are not loaded with cash, so to make more loans, they have to sell their loans. In many cases, that lender will continue to service the loan. This means that you will continue to make your payments to that lender. However, many loans are sold to third parties — could be to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, or could be to one of the syndicates we have heard so much about during the mortgage meltdown.

But if your lender or the servicer of your loan is making mistakes, you have certain rights. Make sure any mistake does not affect your credit rating.

You can also file complaints against your lender. At the federal level, contact the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Reserve Board. In your state, complain to the attorney general.

If your current loan carries a high interest rate, you can refinance.

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

Solid vs. Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Solid hardwood floors and concrete do not like each other
fortunately there is a product especially made for that application

Prep Your Air Conditioner for summer by baird and warner

April 9th, 2014

Imagining hot summer weather can be difficult right now, but we promise that you will be using the air conditioner before you know it.

Preparing the air conditioner for a season’s worth of use is an important step in keeping a comfortable home. Ignoring preventative maintenance can be very costly, so get a jumpstart on your prep work before a failing unit jumps on your budget.

Clean the Condenser
A good first step is to wash your unit’s condenser, the part that facilitates the transfer of hot and cold air. The condenser needs to be clean and free from grass, leaves and other debris to work at high efficiency. Inspect the unit, and clean dirt from the evaporator fins with a brush. If no dirt is present, you can clean the unit with running water, a blower or a vacuum. If you need extra oomph, purchase a commercial cleaning product specifically for condensers and follow the instructions.

Replace the Filter
Replacing a unit’s filter is the single most important thing to do when preparing an air conditioner. In fact, the filter needs to be replaced every month. The filter cleans the air before the blower motor cycles your conditioned air throughout the house. You will usually find the filter on the bottom of the inside unit, and it should be fairly easy to replace.

Inspect the Ductwork
Visually inspect the ducts running through your basement or attic. Also, turn the fan to “ON” and feel for air that blows out of all vents evenly. If you do not feel any air from a vent or group of vents, there may be a hole or broken joint in the ductwork.

Call an HVAC-Certifie