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Trade show offers advice on real estate

If you’re looking for a vast amount of information about real estate — everything from renovation projects to ownership legalities — you should hit the Association of Condominium, Townhouse and Homeowners Associations, aka ACTHA, Spring Conference & Trade Show on April 21 at Drury Lane, …

Real estate insiders tap flat-fee MLS

Spring has sprung, and the real estate market is picking up. That’s why I thought it’d be a good time to let you know about a smart and affordable option for people wanting to sell their home on their own. It’s called a Flat Fee …

Proposed lead paint legislation could curb remodeling costs

Remodelers and construction workers may soon get what will surely be a much appreciated break because earlier this month, Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) introduced legislation that, if passed, would improve the lead paint rule for homeowners and remodelers. The rule currently states that for homes …

Bungalow owner goes green, sees savings

Janet Jaback is not the type to seek the spotlight, but the Elmwood Park resident is getting her 15 minutes of fame for making it easy to be green. Jaback, who lives in a circa-1927 bungalow, received the first Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Silver …

Workshop to offer tips on energy savings

Are you an Oak Parker who’d like save some bucks on your energy bills? If so, check out this free upcoming workshop. The event, which is for Oak Park residents only, is sponsored by Energy Impact Illinois (EI2), a public-private partnership working to help Northern …

Condo living even better with new bathroom

When Oak Park resident Linda Scannicchio started thinking about putting her condo on the market, she called an appraiser, who immediately suggested that in this market, what still increases value is a remodeled kitchen and bathroom. “That’s what people predominantly look for,” said Scannicchio. “The …

Historical designation pleases Oak Park neighborhood

You may have heard by now that the Oak Park Village Board of Trustees last week voted unanimously to expand the current boundaries of the Frank Lloyd Wright-Prairie School of Architecture Historic District. The designation was a long time coming — and a happy ending …

Hemingway’s house for sale in Oak Park

The boyhood home of Ernest Hemingway is on the market for $525,000. Steve Scheuring, an agent with Baird & Warner in Oak Park, has landed the listing. What a fantastic opportunity for anyone wanting to own a piece of American history. The Clarence and Grace …

Building Blocks program shows promise

Kudos to Gov. Pat Quinn who recently came to Berwyn to announce a pilot program targeting vacant and foreclosed properties in six Cook County communities. I’m really hoping that this promising-sounding pilot program soars. Called the Illinois Building Blocks Pilot Program, the endeavor provides $40 …

River Forest kitchen wins design award

They’re cooking over at Normandy Remodeling. Kitchen designer Leslie Lawrence recently won a second award on a kitchen she designed for a River Forest home. “It’s very exciting,” said Lawrence, who grew up and lives in the western suburbs. Normandy Remodeling is a Design/Build remodeling …

Word is real estate market to improve

I received several e-mails within the last couple of weeks regarding the real estate market outlook for 2012. All suggested a brighter outlook for the new year, thanks to a strong close to the 2011 housing market, and December’s falling unemployment numbers and addition of …

Real estate question: How low is too low when making an offer?

When is an offer on a house so low that it’s insulting? What should both buyer and seller keep in mind when determining a fair price and offer for a home? I recently ran across a situation where those questions came into play. A townhome …

New development approved

Congratulations to Michael Glazier, developer of the 20-story, 270-unit, steel and glass rental apartment building that received a unanimous thumbs-up from the village last week for downtown Oak Park. Glazier is a principal at Sertus Capital Partners, which has an office in downtown Chicago but …

Know ins and outs of fire insurance

Have you ever been involved in a house fire? Up until Dec. 30, I hadn’t. But that day, my cottage up in Door County, Wis., caught fire. The cottage is under construction, and my husband had hooked up a wood-burning stove for warmth. The day …

Winter provides time to reinvent indoor spaces

Has my life become beige? That’s what I wondered as I looked around my house the other day. Everything seemed to look beige, or drab, boring, mundane. I don’t know why they talk about spring cleaning, because it’s usually in the wintertime, when I’m spending …

Developer: Oak Park needs apartments

What do you all think about the 20-story, 270-unit, steel and glass, rental apartment building proposed for smack dab in the middle of downtown Oak Park at Lake Street and Forest Avenue? I talked to the project’s developer, Michael Glazier, principal at the Chicago-based Sertus …

View Santapalooza during holiday housewalk

Five local home owners have decked their halls in their holiday finest, as part of the Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society’s 13th Annual Holiday Housewalk and Market event, Dec. 2 and 3. Come on down and start your tour at the Koehneke Center …

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