The Glen

Rising Home Sales & Prices in The Glen

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Recently I was asked to give a presentation about the real estate market to a group of business men and women.  While preparing my presentation I was struck by the words I saw on my laptop’s screen, words that I had written, but startling none-the-less:  sales are up, prices are up, time on market down, far fewer distressed properties.  Seeing these words on the screen put a smile on my face.  I decided to create another slide that I would have prepared not very long ago:  sales stagnant, prices flat & still falling in some areas, time on market still way too long, too many distressed properties dragging down prices.

Bob Dylan was right, The Times…they are a-changin’

Real estate in The Glen is doing quite well.  Most north shore communities saw increases in prices in 2012 of between 2% – 3%, most of those gains being won late in the year.  But prices in zip code 60026 (dominated by The Glen) rose 4.5% last year, in contrast with greater Glenview (zip code 60025) at 2.9%.  While there are many reasons for The Glen’s superior price performance, I believe the attractiveness of our community’s lifestyle is at the top of the list.  Glen Town Center’s many shops and restaurants (as well as its theater, spa, book store and art gallery), along with Lake Glenview, Gallery Park and golf courses, make this a particularly wonderful place to live.  Our variety of homes, from stately single family homes in Southgate, Chapel Crossing, and Landings to stunning townhomes and villas Tower Crossing, Cambridge, and Regency also attract buyers.

Improving prices are welcome news to Glen homeowners, but buyers have reasons to smile as well.  Prices are still well below their peaks of 5 years ago.  North shore communities are still between 20.5% and 26.1% below those highs.  So this is a great time to buy a Glen home while prices are still below their peaks and before they get any higher.

Margaret Ludemann, resident of The Glen, @properties Realtor

New Glen Homes On the Drawing Board

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With less than 1% of The Glen’s existing homes currently for sale, it was encouraging to hear of a new development on the drawing board.

Glenview officials preliminarily approved a plan to sell 29 acres of land in the Glen to Edward R. James Partners.  Upon final approval and closing, the James group proposes to build a new housing development north of West Lake Avenue and west of Shermer Road.  This would place the development to the southeast of the new Pulte development called Regency and within a couple of blocks of two golf courses, The Glen Club and Prairie Golf and Paddle Club.  It will be a 5 – 10 minute walk to Glen Town Center.

While James has not as yet released details, I do know that two and three story townhomes are planned in addition to “cluster homes” which will offer first floor master bedroom suites.  Each home is likely to include three bedrooms.  The target market for the new James homes is empty nesters.  In fact, James predicts that the development will add only 22 children to school districts 34 and 225.  Edward R. James Partners has a reputation for quality, and has won numerous awards during its 50+ years of home building.  It also has experience in the Glen; it was the developer of the very popular Southgate neighborhood.

The James development, unnamed as yet, will compete with other new construction in the Glen.  Regency and Patriot Commons both plan additional phases.  Regency is currently selling phase 2.  Patriot Commons’ development schedule is unknown.  3 existing developments, fully built and sold, provide other town homes and villas, sold by current owners. These are Tower Crossing, Cambridge, and Southgate.

Margaret Ludemann

Glen Resident and @properties Realtor, 847-401-1802

Prairie Golf & Paddle Club Almost Ready

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The Glenview National 9 Golf Course in The Glen (of Glenview, Illinois) has added a new 2600 sq ft clubhouse over the winter months.  I got a sneak preview this weekend, and I really mean “sneak”.  I was taking photos of the exterior of the new facility – which has NOT yet opened – when an employee came out an asked me what I was doing.  I explained that I am a local Realtor who blogs about The Glen regularly.  When he walked back inside…I followed him, much to his surprise.

The new clubhouse is beautiful and functional.  When opened (best guess, early May) it will have a pro shop, bar & grill area, fireplace, and event space.  An outdoor patio is also under construction.

The bigger news is the addition of four paddle tennis courts just outside of the clubhouse.  Paddle tennis is a cross between tennis and racquetball played in enclosed 60′ X 30′ courts.  These courts (and the clubhouse) are directly across the street (Lake Ave) from the north commons area of the Tower Crossing townhome development, which means it is also across the street from The Glen Club Championship Golf Course designed by Tom Fazio.  They are about one block from the western edge of the Cambridge development which has single family homes, townhomes, villas and duplexes.   In fact the course, clubhouse and paddle tennis courts are within a short walk of many Glen homes and within a few minutes drive from any home in The Glen.

Because of the addition of paddle tennis, the old name (Glenview National 9) is being replaced by a new name, Glenview Prairie Golf & Paddle Club.  From my brief, very unofficial tour of the new clubhouse I would say it’s about 95% done.  A few small things are still to be done inside, and I see that landscaping is missing a few items yet to plant.  If you would like more information about living in The Glen, please contact me at 847-401-1802.

Margaret Ludemann, resident of The Glen and Coldwell Banker Realtor

 

Market Update: Townhomes in The Glen

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It has been a busy spring for attached homes (townhomes, row houses, villas) in The Glen, the premier residential, retail, and dining venue in Glenview, Illinois.

The newest housing development in The Glen is called Regency.  Pulte Homes is currently building 109 townhomes and 40 villas ranging is size from 1523 sq ft to 2493 sq ft.  The development is not yet sold out, but homes are moving rather quickly.  Buyers are attracted to The Glen, and also by the prospect of purchasing new construction at competitive prices in an area known for excellent schools.

The row homes and villas in Southgate were built approximately 9 years ago; the development offers 38 row homes and 24 villas ranging in size from 1585 sq f to 2055 sq ft.  There are no homes on the market currently.  (Homes do show on the MLS and in this website, but they are under contract.  They are removed from the MLS and website when the purchases close.)  3 have sold so far in 2013 and 6 were sold in 2012.  These homes are so popular that they sell rapidly.

There are 3 Tower Crossing townhomes currently for sale.  This development includes 154 homes in 6 models which range in size from 3031 sq ft to 4105 sq ft.  2 of the homes currently for sale are Drake models (3075 sq ft) with elevators!  They have direct views of Lake Glenview and Gallery Park.  The other home for sale is an Astoria model with 3210 sq ft.  There are 2 Tower Crossing homes for rent currently.  7 homes in this development have sold or are under contract so far in 2013, and 3 have rented.  11 sold and 12 rented in 2012.

If you are interested in a luxury townhome or villa on the North Shore, please contact me at 847-401-1802.

Margaret Ludemann

 

Living near The Glen Club, Glenview Illinois

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Spring is just around the corner, and it’s time to be thinking about golf!  One of the great benefits of living in The Glen is proximity to The Glen Club’s 18 home championship golf course designed by Tom Fazio.  The course is open to the public, and it also offers memberships.

The Glen Club opened in 2001 to rave reviews.  It is the only golf course in the country that was named in all three of the Top 10 New Course lists (Golf Digest, Golf Magazine and Sports Illustrated). More accolades followed including the Zaget Survey which put the club on its list of America’s Top 50 Golf Courses (2003 – 05); and Great Lakes Golf Magazine named it the best golf course in Illinois.  The club has been host to numerous Nationwide Tour tournaments; and it is the permanent home of the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame.

The Glen Club is located in The Glen within walking distance of nearly every home.  55 homes in the Southgate On the Glen development and 8 Tower Crossing townhomes border the course, and several other homes in these developments have course views.  In addition to these neighborhoods, homeowners in Regency in The Glen and Cambridge at The Glen are particularly close to the clubhouse.

The Glen is unique and wonderful in so many ways.  Homeowners’ proximity to one of the country’s premier golf courses is one of them.  The Glen Club is located at 2901 West Lake Avenue in Glenview, Illinois.  You may reach the club by phone at 847-724-7272.  If you will be visiting from out of town, the club offers elegant hotel rooms in the clubhouse.

Margaret Ludemann,   Resident of The Glen, @properties Realtor

Phone:  847-401-1802,   Email: margaretludemann@gmail.com