luxury homes

Homeowner associations’ role in a home sale

by

Home sale transactions in The Glen generally involve homeowner associations after an agreement has been reached between buyers and sellers. When the Village of Glenview Illinois took ownership of the former Naval Air Station Glenview in the late 1990’s it developed a master plan for its use. The result is what we now know as The Glen with large areas of luxury homes, a retail area known as Glen Town Center, commercial space for corporate and professional offices, and open space as well.

The residential areas were divided into several large parcels, and home builders were allowed to submit bids for development. This resulted in the following neighborhoods being built: Cambridge, Chapel Crossing, Glen Shore, Landings, Southgate, and Tower Crossing. Three additional developments have since been built: Regency, Patriot Commons, and Westgate. The latter two are still under construction. Homeowner associations, generally referred to as HOAs, were created; and they are governed by boards of directors composed of residents.

Generally speaking if a home is being sold in an area governed by a homeowners association – whether it is The Glen or elsewhere – that association will likely be asked to provide governing documents such as articles of incorporation, bylaws, covenants, rules, and regulations. They also are asked for financial information and the status of legal actions. Attorneys representing the buyer, seller, and lender review these documents. It is important for the buyer and the lender to understand the financial and legal health of the association. Among other things they want to know whether there are outstanding obligations that could impact the new owner. If there are lawsuits or excessive debt a buyer may not wish to complete the purchase and/or the prospective lender may choose to deny the home mortgage application.

The HOAs that I am aware of in The Glen are sound, and seldom do I hear of problems that result in a failure of a housing purchase. I am a Glen resident, and I am an active Realtor in the local real estate market. If you may be interested in buying or renting a home in The Glen, please contact me at 847-401-1802 or margaretludemann@gmail.com.

Margaret Ludemann, @properties Realtor

Regency at The Glen sales are picking up steam

by

Judging from 2015 real estate sales in the Glen’s Regency development, it’s obvious that this new’ish neighborhood is already turning over to second owners. While the development only sold out last year, several homes of early buyers have re-sold and others rented in the first half of this year. This is good news for buyers looking for Glen properties at somewhat smaller sizes with more modest price points than many other local neighborhoods.

Here’s a little background. Pulte Homes constructed 104 luxury townhomes, 38 ranch villas, and 2 single family homes in the Regency at the Glen development in Glenview Illinois. The townhomes are offered in 4 different models ranging in size from 1523 sq ft to 1835 sq ft. There are 2 models of villas (duplexes) ranging in size from 1883 sq ft to 2493 sq ft. Regency is located literally across the street from two wonderful golf courses, The Glen Club (18 hole championship course) and Glenview Prairie Club (9 holes). It’s also a short walk to Glen Town Center’s many shops and restaurants.

Six Regency homes have already been sold by their original owners in the first half of 2015, 4 of these were townhomes and 2 were villas. The townhomes each sold in the $400s, and the villas sold in the high $600s. There are 4 more Regency homes (all townhomes) under contract between their original owners and new buyers; these are expected to close in the third quarter of the year. Four townhomes have also rented this year.

So now is a great time for buyers who want to live in the Glen. Regency homes are on the market as well as single family homes, row homes, townhomes, and condos in other areas of the Glen including Chapel Crossing, Cambridge, Landings, Tower Crossing, Patriot Commons, and Southgate. I’ve lived in the Glen for 12 years, and as a leading Glen realtor I am familiar with each neighborhood and housing type. If you may be interested in living in Regency or any other area of the Glen, please contact me.

Margaret Ludemann, @properties Realtor

MargaretLudemann@cbexchange.com   847-401-1802

Walk to Glen Town Center’s restaurants and shops from your new condo at Patriot Commons

by

Condos in the Glen have always sold well. And why not? After all, not only do you get a beautiful home, but you also get the incredible lifestyle that only the Glen has to offer. Let me tell you more.

The Glen is the premier lifestyle community on Chicago’s north shore in Glenview Illinois. The focal point is Glen Town Center with its 17 restaurants, scores of shops including a great book store, a 10 screen movie theater, and much more. There are 9 residential neighborhoods with all types of luxury homes including single family, townhomes, row homes, condos, duplexes, villas, and two-flats. And…new construction is still available!

I would highly recommend the Patriot Commons development which offers breathtaking condos ranging in size between 1050 and 1400 square feet. One and two bedroom units (some with dens) are for sale offering hardwood floors and stunning chef’s kitchens with granite counters, stainless steel appliances, and Kohler faucets. Some units have dramatic views of The Glen Club Championship Golf Course; and all homes have private balconies. Indoor parking is available for all units.

But the homes are only part of the story. Patriot Commons homes are only a few steps from Glen Town Center, so your “commute” to an evening out is – if you’re walking slowly – about a minute or two. You can also walk to The Glen’s Metra Station with train service to Chicago’s Union Station in about a half hour.

Patriot Commons FINAL PHASE is over half sold out, but there are still 14 striking homes available with delivery expected in the fall of 2016. Home prices range between $325,000 and $482,000. If you would like to see Patriot Commons please contact me. I am a Glen homeowner and an award winning Realtor affiliated with @properties.

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

The Glen is a commuter’s dream…train to the city in about a half hour

by

“There’s something about the sound of a train that’s very romantic and nostalgic and hopeful.”  So said singer/song writer Paul Simon. To that I would add – though less poetically – that they beat sitting for hours on the Edens and Kennedy expressways to downtown Chicago.

The Glen, a prestigious north shore development in Glenview Illinois, has frequent Metra train service to the city. In fact commuters can travel from the Glen to Chicago’s Union Station in as little as 34 minutes. By driving standards, that’s warp speed. The men and women who designed the Glen wisely decided that the development should have its own train depot (a beauty, I might add). Because of their foresight, on weekdays Glen residents can board any one of 25 trains to the city beginning as early as 5:37 a.m. and as late as 11:03 p.m. There are also 24 weekday trains that return to the Glen, some of which are express trains that leave Union Station in the late afternoon and early evening. The Glen is a commuter’s dream. Not only do Glen residents live in beautiful homes, golf on two great local courses, and eat in any of 17 restaurants in Glen Town Center, they can get to their city offices quickly and enjoyably.

Weekend service is also available for Glen residents who love to go into the city for shopping, dining, sporting events, and Chicago’s many wonderful cultural offerings. 10 trains go to the city on Saturday and again on Sunday. They leave as early as 6:28 a.m. 9 trains return to the Glen throughout the day and evening.

The nearby Glenview train station provides Amtrak service, particularly beneficial for locals who want to catch the Bulls or Cubs when playing in Milwaukee where tickets are more readily available. It takes an hour and 7 minutes, and there are only 2 stops. One of those stops is at Milwaukee International Airport (a 52 minute ride from Glenview), a less busy travel option that many locals enjoy rather than using O’Hare or Midway.

There are countless benefits to living in The Glen including easy access to the city and points in between. If you are interested in living in this incredible community, please contact me.  There are many homes for sale and rent.  I am a Glen resident and an award-winning Realtor affiliated with @properties.

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

 

Beaver Cleaver would love this Glen home, and so will you.

by

The Cleaver family would love this home. So would Ozzie and Harriet.

I generally don’t blog about my individual sales listings. And today’s blog isn’t really about this specific house; it’s more about a style of home found in the Cambridge subdivision in the Glen in Glenview Illinois. It’s a throwback to the 1950’s, and I love it.

I scheduled an open house at this home at 2458 W. Lake Avenue in Glenview a few days ago; and after I set everything up I took a glass of lemonade out to the front porch. (Yes, a front porch!) While enjoying the great weather and my view of Lake Glenview and Gallery Park across the street, my husband dropped by delivering some treats I like to serve at open houses. He joined me on the porch, and the stress of life in 2015 just oozed out of our bodies. It was quiet, a little warm but with a light breeze, and…we just sat there. Just like people did when Ike was President, Elvis was king, and cars had fins.

There are many housing types in Cambridge ranging from row homes, townhouses, duplexes, two-flats, large estate homes, and traditional single family homes. Several of the other Glen subdivisions have a single home type. Tower Crossing has its red brick Georgian townhomes, Southgate its huge estate homes, Glen Shore its luxury condos. But Cambridge is a wonderful mix of…well, of everything.

Anyway, if you like the idea of a front porch, tidy yard, and pretty flowers bordering your front walk, maybe you should visit Cambridge. Just give me a call or send an email. I am an award-winning Realtor and a long term resident of the Glen.

Margaret Ludemann, @properties Realtor

847-401-1802    margaretludemann@gmail.com