luxury homes

Real estate market losing steam? Not in The Glen!

by

I measured it.  It was ¾”.  That was the distance between two articles on page 3 of the Chicago Tribune’s Business Section of March 26.  One article said that home prices went down in January.  The other said that January’s prices had gone up “solidly”.  It’s no wonder that people get confused about the real estate market.

Now comes two new reports, one by the National Association of Realtors, the other by the Commerce Department.  If you only read the headlines you would believe that the sky is falling.  In fact Bloomburg’s report using Commerce Department data is entitled “Housing rebound in the U.S. loses steam…”  Ah, but the devil is in the details.  I’m here to tell you that there’s no loss of steam in The Glen’s (in Glenview) housing market.

As one reads these new reports carefully it becomes apparent that the loss of sales is primarily among homes priced under $300,000.  First time home buyers, therefore, are having a difficult time.  This is due largely to more stringent lending standards and higher mortgage interest rates.  Higher priced luxury homes, like those in The Glen, are selling well now that the severe winter is behind us.  Prices are continuing to rise as well.  Here in The Glen the only significant barrier to greater sales is low inventory.  But when quality homes come on the market, they are selling at a rapid pace; and this is true in most price points.  Homes in The Glen, depending on neighborhood sell from the mid-$300’s to well over a million dollars.  The average price paid for Glen homes in 2013 was $654,657.

So…the real estate market in The Glen is rolling along nicely.  I believe we will experience a very nice gain in sales, certainly in home prices, when we see year-end numbers next January.

If you may be interested in living in The Glen, please contact me.  I am a long time Glen homeowner and an award winning Realtor affiliated with @properties.

Margaret Ludemann  847-401-1802   margaretLudemannl@gmail.com

Curragh Irish Pub, MOOYAH & Pinot’s Palette join The Glen

by

I’ve often described owning a home in The Glen as having the best of both worlds.  It’s urban living…in the suburbs.  The suburban part of this description means great schools, safe neighborhoods, no congestion, golf courses, and plenty of room to walk, jog or run.  As for urban living we have Glen Town Center with its many restaurants, boutiques, theater, book store, museum, and coffee shop…all within an enjoyable 3 block stroll along Tower Drive.

Two new restaurants opened recently.  The Curragh Irish Pub is a traditional Irish eatery with a big menu.  You’ll find 11 starters, 9 soups & salads, 10 traditional Irish dishes, 5 additional entrees, 9 sandwiches + burgers, 6 tempting desserts, several sides, a children’s menu, an extensive wine list, and a full bar.  My family recommends the Guinness fish & chips, shepherds pie, and the Curragh reuben.  The ambiance is classy yet comfortable and fun.

If you are a burger connoisseur, you’re in luck.  A restaurant called MOOYAH opened a few weeks ago offering great burgers (including those of turkey and veggie varieties), and hot dogs with your choice of buns and different cheeses.  Several toppings and sauces are available, including something called “MOOYAH sauce” which is as tasty as it is mysterious.  The fries are fresh cut every day and made on site.  My husband loves the traditional burger, I enjoyed the turkey burger, and our son found the “real ice cream shakes” to his liking (no surprise there).

My third “find” in Glen Town Center is really fun.  It’s called Pinot’s Palette whose motto is “Paint.  Drink.  Have fun.”  It’s a place to learn to paint while having a glass of wine with friends.  Upcoming event themes include “girls night out”, “VIP night” and “date night”.  Staff members help you along the way, and as they say, a good time is had by all.

The Glen is an upscale residential and retail community on Chicago’s North Shore in the village of Glenview.  The residential real estate market offers luxury homes of all types…single family homes, townhouses, row homes, duplexes, two-flats, and apartment condos.  If you may be interested in living in The Glen, please contact me at 847-401-1802 or margaretludemann@gmail.com

Margaret Ludemann, Glen resident and @properties Reator

More news on new construction in The Glen

by

Since my last Glen blog a week ago, there have been developments relative to new construction housing.  As my regular readers know, The Glen is an upscale residential and retail development in Glenview, Illinois on Chicago’s North Shore.  There are numerous neighborhoods with luxury single family homes, townhomes, row homes, two-flats, duplexes, villas, and apartment condos.  The development is anchored by Glen Town Center which is home to scores of restaurants and shops.

Last week I reported on two new construction opportunities in The Glen.  The first is Regency, a Pulte homes development of townhomes and duplex villas.  At that time there were 5 homes still available in the neighborhood of 149 homes.  In the last week three of these sold, leaving only the two model homes for sale.  These homes are beautifully decorated, so they are perfect for buyers looking for new construction in move in condition.

I also told you about Westgate, a new development which will offer 173 townhomes, row homes and single family homes.  Over the weekend I visited the site, and I see that “coming soon” signs have appeared on the property.  The sales center is under construction, and I noted some early signs of infrastructure occurring on the property.  As soon as I receive a definitive date when homes will be offered for sale, I will be very active working with the buyers who have contacted me with interest in this neighborhood.

Both Regency and Westgate are particularly close to the Glen’s two golf courses, The Glen Club’s 18 hole championship course and Glenview Prairie Club, a beautifully maintained 9 hole course.

There is one other new construction opportunity in the future, and I failed to mention it in my last blog.  Patriot Commons is a stunning development on the south edge of Glen Town Center bordering The Glen Club course.  68 townhomes and condo apartments were completed a few years ago.  The developer, Toll Brothers, put further development on hold due to the difficult real estate environment that existed at that time.  I am told that Toll Brothers will complete the development sometime in the next year or two.

If you are interested in living in the Glen, please contact me at 847-401-1802 or margaret.ludemann@gmail.com.

Margaret Ludemann, Glen resident and @properties Realtor

New construction homes in The Glen

by

There are two neighborhoods in The Glen available to buyers seeking new construction.  One is available now, and the other will be available soon.

First, a little background:  The Glen is an upscale residential and retail development on Chicago’s North Shore in the community of Glenview, Illinois.  There are several distinct neighborhoods with two things in common:  They have stunning, luxury homes; and homeowners enjoy the “urban living in the suburbs” lifestyle that the Glen is known for.  The various neighborhoods are anchored by our retail hub, Glen Town Center.  OK, now I’ll tell you about the new construction real estate opportunities in The Glen.

Regency:  While nearly sold out, the new Pulte development called Regency still has 5 beautiful townhomes available for purchase.  The development, when completed, will have 149 homes.  Among the available 5 homes are the two models, fully decorated.  These are likely to sell soon, so if you’re interested I suggest you move quickly.

Westgate has cleared the final administrative hurdles, and it should get under way soon.  I walked over to the site this morning, and I see that the sales center is being developed.  This E. R. James Partners development will have 173 homes including 71 row homes, 68 Mews townhomes, and 34 single family homes.  The row homes and single family homes will have first floor master bedrooms making them particularly attractive to downsizing empty-nesters.  This development will be extremely popular.  Not only will this be the last new Glen development featuring single family homes, but E. R. James is known as a high quality builder.

If you are interested in Regency you should contact me now so that I can get you into the models and explain your options.  If Westgate strikes your fancy please let me know so that I can contact you at the appropriate time.  I can be reached at 847-401-1802 or margaretludemann@gmail.com.  Meanwhile you can learn more about these developments at www.homesintheglen.com.

Margaret Ludemann, Glen homeowner and @properties Realtor

Must move quickly to buy in The Glen

by

If you want to buy a great home in The Glen (Glenview, Illinois) you need to be prepared to move quickly and decisively.  That’s the theme developing in The Glen’s real estate market in the early months of 2014.

The inventory of Glen homes for sale is extremely limited.  Sellers know that prices are appreciating, and many are waiting to list until prices rise even further.  When a well maintained home comes on the market, chances are that it will receive buyer visits on the first day and up to a dozen or more visitors during the first week…unless it goes under contract immediately.

2299 Thistle is a good example.  This stunning single family home resides in the Landings neighborhood of The Glen, adjacent to the Chapel Crossing development and particularly close to Attea Middle School and the Glenview Park Center.  Built 13 years ago the home was meticulously maintained and offers 5+ bedrooms.  I listed this home on March 20, a Thursday.  I had agreement with buyers within 24 hours at 99.5% of the asking price.  Buyers hoping to see the home that weekend found the property already under contract.

2068 Valor Court is another example.  I listed this luxury townhome in the Tower Crossing neighborhood on January 7.  There was strong interest from day one.  One potential buyer expressed interest, but waited too long to make an offer.  Meanwhile a couple who was prepared to move quickly came in with a strong offer and flexibility in negotiations.  The home was under contract barely 17 days later.

The take aways are these:  1)  If you are serious buyer who wants to live in the North Shore’s premier lifestyle community you need to see newly listed Glen properties immediately, and 2) come to the table with what I call a “Godfather offer”…one that the seller can’t refuse.

If you would like to live in the Glen please give me a call at 847-401-1802 or send an email tomargaretludemann@gmail.com.

Margaret Ludemann, @properties Realtor