Skokie Real Estate & Much More!

Skokie Real Estate| Skokie Homes| Skokie Homes For Sale|

  

SKOKIE REAL ESTATE| SKOKIE HOMES FOR SALE| SKOKIE HOMES

The Skokie Real Estate market has been declining every month over the last two years. Just about every month, home prices are dropping and the amount of Skokie Short Sales and Skokie Foreclosures increases. This is something that can be said about most areas in Illinois and across the United States unfortunately.  February has brought more of the same to the Skokie Real Estate market. More of the same means more Skokie Short Sales and foreclosures.High listing times, decreasing home values and a surplus of distressed properties. Lets take a look at the Skokie Real Estate market for January 2011

SKOKIE REAL ESTATE DATA
SKOKIE HOMES DATA
(As Of July 2011)

Current Number Of Skokie Homes and Skokie Condos For Sale: 560
Average Listing Time: 240 days
Average Listing Price For 2bedroom Skokie Homes For Sale:$226,000
Average Listing Price For 3bedroom Skokie Homes For Sale $279,000 
Average Listing Price For 4bedroom Skokie Homes For Sale: $435,000
Average Listing Price For 5bedroom Skokie Homes For Sale: $575,000

Average Selling price For 2bedroom Skokie Homes: $177,000
Average Selling Price For 3bedroom Skokie Homes: $220,000
Average Selling Price For 4bedroom Skokie Homes: $291,000

Currently, the Skokie Short Sales and Skokie Foreclosure rate is
at 35% !! This is about average where the Skokie distressed rate usally is.. It ranges anywhere from 30%-40%

Looking to Buy Or Sell Skokie Real Estate? Please contact me for all of your Skokie Real Estate needs? Let my real estate experience and knowledge work for you!

Jim Kontos
President-Broker-Skokie Real Estate Expert-Skokie Realtors
RE/MAX 1st Class
RE/MAX Skokie
Cell 630 327 1936
Office 847 674 9797
jpkontos@gmail.com 
www.skokiehomes4sale.com
www.mychicagoshortsalesite.com

There are several Skokie Realtors out there to chose from, but only a handful of these Skokie Realtors can get you the results that I can get you!





 

RE/MAX 1st Class Skokie| 3947 W Dempster| Skokie Real Estate| Skokie RE/MAX

 

RE/MAX 1st Class| RE/MAX Skokie| Skokie Real Estate

Hello everyone and welcome to RE/MAX 1st Class. My name is Jim Kontos and I am the proud Owner and Broker of the premier Skokie Real Estate Office: RE/MAX 1st Class . We are located at 3947 Dempster at the intersection of Crawford and Dempster in Skokie, Illinois 60076.. We are the proven experts for all of your Skokie Real Estate, Skokie Short Sales and surrounding northshore area real estate needs! 

We are the Number #1 full service Skokie Real Estate Brokerage providing Residential and Commercial Real Estate Services since 2004.  Whether we are talking about skokie homes, skokie condos, skokie short sales, or skokie foreclosures, we have it covered! We service the following Northshore Suburbs: Skokie, Evanston, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Glenview, Niles, Park Ridge, Wilmette, Winnetka, Lake Forest, and the Northside of Chicago.

The Skokie real estate market has radically changed over the last 3 years and now more than ever do you need the services of a experienced, educated and knowledgable Skokie realtor to guide you through this difficult and tricky market.  

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE NEEDS
Skokie Condos
Skokie New Construction
Skokie Luxury Homes
Skokie Single Family Homes
Skokie Short Sales
Skokie Forecosures
Complete Market Analysis Preparation

COMMCERCIAL REAL ESTATE NEEDS
Shopping Centers
Strip Malls
Multi Family Buildings
Land
Property Management

Dont lose your Skokie Home To Foreclosure! Let Our Chicago Short Sales Team At RE/MAX 1st Class help you avoid foreclosure and all the negative aspects it brings. We are Skokie Short Sales and Chicagoland Short Sales Experts. Contact us today to schedule a confidential listing appointment to see if a short sale will work for you!

Hours of Operation
Monday-Friday
9am-5pm
Saturday-Sunday
9am-3pm

Jim Kontos
President--Broker--Skokie Real Estate Expert--Skokie Short Sales Expert 
RE/MAX 1st Class 
RE/MAX Skokie
Cell 630 327 9136
Office 847 674 9797
jpkontos@gmail.com
www.skokiehomes4sale.com
www.mychicagoshortsalesite.com

 

Optima Old Orchard Woods| Indoor Pool| Workout Room| Skokie Condos

 

Optima Old Orchard Woods| Indoor Pool| Workout Room

The Youtube Video posted above is of the Workout Room and The Indoor Pool at the Optima Old Orchard Woods Condos in Skokie.  The Skokie Condos at the Optima Old Orchard Woods were built in 2006 and is one of the most striking condo buildings anywhere!

While the Skokie Condos at the Optima Old Orchard Woods is not a full service building (there is no doorman) the additional ammenities are very respectable. The Indoor Infinity Pool is definitely the Crown Jewel of the ammenities.  The pool is located on the 3rd floor of the 9655 Woods Tower

There is one pool for the entire complex, however each of the three towers have their own workout room. There is also an outdoor tennis court and there is a on site dry cleaner and convenience store 

Looking to Buy Or Sell at the Optima Old Orchard Woods Condos? Contact me today to schedule a Confidential Listing Appointment or to schedule a Private Showing Of The Skokie Condos currently for sale at the Optima Old Orchard Woods Condos

Jim Kontos
President-Broker-Skokie Real Estate Expert- Skokie Condos Expert
RE/MAX 1st Class
RE/MAX Skokie
Direct 630 327 9136
Office 847 674 9797
jpkontos@gmail.com
www.skokiehomes4sale.com 

9655 Woods #1605| Skokie Short Sales| Skokie Condos

 

Optima Old Orchard Woods Condos| #1605| Skokie Real Estate

Skokie Short Sales and Skokie Condos are todays post topics! Once again we are looking at the Skokie Condos at the Optima Old Orchard Woods Building!  This Skokie Condo building is no stranger to distressed properties. Unit #1605 in the 9655 Building is a 2bed/2bath, 1100 sq ft condo building with basic finishes. This unit comes with 1 indoor parking spot included in the price

There are a bountiful of Skokie Condos For Sale currently on the market and a good portion of them are either short sales or foreclosures unfortunately. Skokie Foreclosures and Skokie Short Sales make up anywhere from 30%-40% of all the properties being sold currently in Skokie. Great for buyers, but bad for sellers

Skokie Condos| 9655 Woods #1605 (short sale)
Listed at $203,900
Taxes: $6300
Assessments: $251 (include h20,heat,air,gas,garbage/snow removal,tv/cable)

To schedule a Private and Confidential showing for the Skokie Condos at Optima Old Orchard Woods or to see other Skokie Real Estate, please feel free to contact me any time, day or night!

Jim Kontos
President-Broker-Skokie Short Sales Expert-Skokie Real Estate Expert
RE/MAX 1st Class
RE/MAX Skokie
Cell 630 327 9136
Office 847 674 9797
jpkontos@gmail.com
www.skokiehomes4sale.com
www.mychicagoshortsalesite.com

There are several Skokie Realtors out there to chose from, but only a handful of these Skokie Realtors can get you the results I can get you!

 

Optima Old Orchard Woods | 9655 Woods Drive| Skokie Condos

 

Optima Old Orchard Woods Condos| Skokie Real Estate| Skokie Condos

The Optima Old Orchard Woods Condos are todays Skokie Real Estate Post Topic! In terms of Skokie Condos and Skokie real estate, The Optima Old Orchard Woods Condos  are truly a sight to be see!. It is one of the sharper looking condo buildings I have seen in a while, and it is in Skokie of all places!! 

There are 691 skokie condo units that make up the three seperate 20 story towers. The Optima company founded by David Hovey (real estate genius in my opinion) finished up construction on one of the phases of Optima Old Orchard in 2006 and started selling units in 2006.. There are 3 phases of construction for the Optima Old Orchard Woods:

Phase 1: Oak Tower
Phase 2: Elm Tower
Phase 3: Maple Tower

The Optima Old Orchard Woods Condos definetely put a positive light on the Skokie real estate and Skokie Condo market..Whether we are talking about downtown or suburban condos, the Optima Old Orchard Woods Condos have it all!

	One, two, three and four bedroom condominium residences, overlooking hundreds of acres of forest, the Chicago skyline and lake beyond.
•	Floor-to-ceiling vistas in every residence.
•	Private, recessed balconies and terraces.
•	Luxury standards include state-of-the-art baths and kitchens with stainless steel appliances, gas cooktops, designer cabinets, granite countertops, window treatments, and washer & dryer. Optional gas fireplaces are available.
•	Environmentally sensitive, green-roof system and sky garden.
•	A reflecting pool and fountain, serenely situated in the grand courtyard.
•	Formal gardens, flowering trees, deciduous shade and coniferous hedges.
•	An exterior color scheme in harmony with the bordering forest.
•	Professionally staffed design center with interior appointments and amenities of indisputable quality.
•	Two-story pool, spa, fitness center, tennis court and two-story party room with catering kitchen.
•	Minutes away from Old Orchard Shopping Center with exclusive shops, restaurants and entertainment.
•	Within walking distance to golf course, horseback riding, bike trail and jogging path.
•	Heated indoor parking is included; and there is plentiful guest parking.
•	Access to the Edens Expressway, as well as public transportation

Now while these Skokie Condos are a architectural masterpiece, areally cool building to look at and a spot where I would consider living, there are a few negative aspects:

1) You are paying downtown Chicago prices for Skokie... I have a big problem with suburban condo buildings charging downtown prices, it just doesnt make sense to me..
2) Plain and Boring interiors...Unless you pay top dollar for the upgrades from the developer you will be dissapointed
3) You really need a City View otherwise you arent looking at much
4) If you bought in 2006-2007 you Overpaid
5) High SHORT SALES and FORECLOSURE RATES
As of March 2011, there is about a 37% Short Sales and Foreclosure rate at the Optima Old Orchard Woods Condos 

Optima Old Orchard Woods Condos Data
(As of March 2011) 

Current Number Of Skokie Condos At Optima Old Orchard For Sale: 47 

Prices Range From $130,000 -- $1,125,000

Average Market Time: 182 days

Current Number Of Short Sales| Foreclosures At Old Orchard Woods: 15

Current Skokie Short Sales| Foreclosure Rate At Old Orchard Woods: 35%

Number Of Skokie Condos At Old Orchard Woods That Sold In Last 6 Months: 14

Prices Ranges From $131,000 -- $481,000 

Looking to Buy or Sell in the Optima Old Orchard Woods Building in Skokie? Please Contact Me today to set up a Free and Confidential listing appointment or to schedule a private tour of the Skokie Condos currently available in Optima Old Orchard Woods Building. 

Jim Kontos
President-Broker-Skokie Real Estate Expert-Skokie Condos Expert
RE/MAX 1st Class Skokie
RE/MAX Skokie
3947 Dempster Skokie,IL 60076
Cell 630 327 9136
Office 847 674 9797
jpkontos@gmail.com
www.skokiehomes4sale.com
www.mychicagoshortsalesite.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Skokie Foreclosures| 9423 Leamington| Skokie Homes For Sale

Skokie Homes For Sale| 9423 Leamington 

9423 Leamington is the latest Skokie Foreclosure property to hit the Skokie Real Estate Market.  While not as prevelant as short sales, Skokie Foreclosures are visible all throughout Skokie. Currently there are more foreclosure condos than single family homes on the market.

The Skokie Foreclosure property at 9423 Leaming is a 3bed/2bath split level Skokie Home. It has a finished basement and a 2 car detached garage. It is listed at $224,900.

9423 Leaming
3bed/2bath
Split Level
Finished Basement
2 Car Garage
Taxes: $6400Listed at: $224,900 

To schedule an appointment for a private showing of the Skokie Foreclosure home at 9423 Leamington and for all other Skokie Real Estate inquiries, please contact me any time day or night! Let my Skokie Real Estate experience and education work for you!

Jim Kontos
President-Broker-Skokie Real Estate Expert-Skokie Short Sales Expert
RE/MAX 1st Class
RE/MAX Skokie
Cell 630 327 9136
Office 847 674 9797
jpkontos@gmail.com
www.mychicagoshortsalesite.com 

there are several skokie realtors out there to chose from but only a handful of these skokie realtors can get you the results that I can get you!
 

 

Skokie Homes For Sale| 8548 Karlov| Skokie Short Sales| RE/MAX Skokie

Skokie Homes For Sale| 8548 Karlove

My RE/MAX 1st Class team proudly presents another Skokie Home For Sale! The Skokie Real Estate Market is overflowing with Skokie Short Sales and foreclosures. Our new Skokie Short Sales listing at at 8548 Karlov is a must see!

8548 Karlov is a 3bed/2.1bath ranch home with a full, partially finished basement.  This Skokie Home does need some updating, but it is a steal at $199,000!!  This is a short sale property so please allow ample time to get a response from the bank!  

Skokie Real Estate|8548 Karlov
3bed/2.1bath
Full, partially finished basement
No Parking Garage
1300 sq ft
Taxes  $8600

Are you looking to buy or sell a Skokie Home Or Skokie Condo? Please contact me any time day or night for all of your Skokie Real Estate Needs! Let my real estate experience and education make your next home purchase or sale a pleasant experience!

Jim Kontos
President-Broker-Skokie Real Estate Expert-Skokie Short Sales Expert
RE/MAX 1st Class
RE/MAX Skokie
Cell 630 327 9136
Office 847 674 9797
jpkontos@gmail.com 
www.skokiehomes4sale.com
www.mychicagoshortsalesite.com

there are several skokie realtors out there to chose from, but only a handful of these skokie realtors can get you the results that I get you!

Negotiating Short Sales| Skokie Short Sales| Chicago Short Sales

When it comes to Skokie Short Sales or  Chicago Short Sales, there is alot of important information that individuals who are trying to short sell their homes need to know.  Everywhere I turn I see advertising for Chicago Short Sales realtors  and Skokie Short Sales Realtors who are so called  "experts"  in short sales and short sales negotiating.. And yes some of these real estate professionals actually do know what they are doing and can be characterized as experts in this field. While others have no idea what they are doing or let attorneys handle the leg work.

But the question is: How Much Negotiating Is Actually Done?

The Answer is: It Depends if seller has a Fannie Mae or Portfolio Loan

If a seller has a Fannie Mae loan and has Pmi, NO REALTOR can Influence whether Fannie Mae or the PMI company will accept the offer on a short sale!!!!! Please remember this!!  There really isnt much negotiating to be done when dealing with these types of loans. The negotiating that can occur on these types of loans deals  more with any money that needs to be paid back to the Pmi company or Fannie Mae the homeowner. Usually in the form of a unsecured loan that needs to be paid back over a certain amount of years.

If a seller has a has a Portfolio Loan (which means that your bank hasnt sold your loan on the secondary market yet  i.e Fannie Mae,Freddie Mac) then a realtor  Can Actually Negotiate A lot More With The Bank on your behalf to get the short sale approved 

Dont lose your home to foreclosure! Let my Chicago Short Sales Team help you avoid foreclosure and the negative effects a foreclosure brings! From Chicago Short Sales to Suburban Short Sales, we have the short sales experience you need!  Call or Email us now to schedule a Confidential consultation to see if a short sale will work for you!

From Naperville Short Sales To Chicago Short Sales To Skokie Short Sales
WE HAVE IT COVERED! 

Jim Kontos
President-Chicago Short Sales Expert-Skokie Short Sales Expert
Founder Of Kontos Short Sales Group
RE/MAX 1st Class
RE/MAX Skokie
Cell 630 327 9136
Office 847 674 9797
jkontos@remax.net
www.mychicagoshortsalesite.com
www.jkontos.illinoisproperty.com

YOUR CHICAGO SHORT SALES and SKOKIE SHORT SALES Experts

Steps Of A Short Sale| Skokie Short Sales| The Short Sales Process| Skokie Real Estate

The Skokie Short Sales rate is at an all time high unfortunately.. Over the last 2.5 years, the Skokie Short Sales and foreclosure rate has been climbing just about every month. Over the last year, the Skokie Short Sales rate has ranged any where from 34%-40%.. So basically, almost 4 out of every 10 Skokie Homes For Sale is a distressed property! 

With the increasing Short Sales rates throughout Skokie, Chicago and basically the entire United States, people are going to have questions about short sales (what they are, how they work etc...) This is one of the reasons why I started this blog. To inform the public about short sales and to help people avoid foreclosure by short selling their properties. Whether we are talking Skokie Short Sales or Chicago short sales, the process is basically the same.

The following is basically how The Short Sales Process Works

The Steps Of A Short Sale
*These are the usual steps of a short sale. however please note that there are always exceptions as every deal is not the same

1) Bank authorization forms signed
The authorization form gives the realtor or whoever is handling your short sales access to your private loan information and allows you to speak to the bank on your behalf. Without this being signed no one will be able to negotiate on your behalf 

2) Send bank authorization to the bank(s)

3) Prepare the Short Sales Package
The short sales package are all the documents  and financial forms that the lender requires for a short sale.. It is important to have the SHORT SALES PACKAGE  in place so when you get an offer on the property, you can send the completed short sales package with the sales contract immediately instead of wasting time looking for the documents after you receive an offer.. The short sales process begins when and ONLY WHEN the bank receives the completed short sales package

4) Market the home

5) Find a buyer

6) Negotiate purchase price/terms with buyer

7) Negotiate any/all issues with the buyers contract, including inspection issues

8) Send Completed Short Sales Package To Bank
Now the Short Sales Process Begins!! 

9) Follow up with the banks assigned negotiator

10) Insure that the buyer is pursuing a mortgage.

11) Continued follow up with banks assigned negotiator

12) Finalize short sale with the bank(s)

13) Order payoff letter from bank(s)

14) Get adjusted payoff letter from bank(s) for title company.

15) Close the property

16) Check that the bank(s) recorded the payoff.

17) Make sure that the client knows if he/she is required to pay tax on the loss..(This Isnt Always The Case).. I strongly recommend speaking to a licensed accountant about the tax implications of a short sale!

Whether we are talking about Skokie Short Sales or Chicago Short Sales, the 17 steps that I just outlined is the typical short sale process.. There are always exceptions, as every deal is not the same.. This is just one reason why working with a experience short sales realtor such as myself is very important to getting your short sales approved!

Don't lose your Skokie home to foreclosure! If you or someone you know is dealing with financial hardship and is on the verge of losing their home, please contact me immediately!  Let my experienced Chicago Short Sales Team help you avoid foreclosure.. Our help is only a phone call or email away! Call or Email Us to schedule a FREE and CONFIDENTIAL consultation to see if a Short Sales will work for you!

Jim Kontos
President--Broker--Skokie Short Sales Expert--Chicago Short Sales Expert
RE/MAX 1st Class 
RE/MAX SKokie
3947 Dempster, Skokie IL
Cell 630 327 9136
Office 847 674 9797
Office #2 312 643 2087
jkontos@remax.net
www.mychicagoshortsalesite.com 

There are several Skokie Realtors out there to chose from, but only a handful of these Skokie Realtors have the experience and knowledge that I give my clients!

Lincoln Ridge| 7450 Lincoln| Skokie Condos| Skokie Real Estate

 

Lincoln Ridge| 7450 Lincoln| Skokie Condos| Skokie Real Estate

The Skokie Condos at Lincoln Ridge at 7450 Lincoln in Skokie,IL is the topic of todays Skokie Real Estate post! The first half of the 2000's brought several new construction Skokie Condos to the Skokie Real Estate market. Lincoln Ridge located at the corner of Lincoln and Skokie Blv was another one of these projects.  The layouts and square footage for the units at Lincoln Ridge are above average. The layout of the 1bed/1.1bath + den "12" units is my favorite.. They are huge!!!  

The downside to this building is lack of ammenities, which is a common thing amongst Skokie Condo buildings..

Lincoln Ridge Condos| Skokie Condos
Built: 2000
Number Of Units: 60
Pet Friendly
Assessments Range From: $280-$400
Assessments Include: Heat, Water, Gas, Garbage/Snow Removal
1bed/1.1bath layout
2bed/1.1bath layout
2bed/2bath layout
3bed/2bath layout

The prices at Lincoln Ridge have been dropping heavily over the last two years, with no recent sales at Lincoln Ridge for almost 1 year.. Spending  in the very low $200,000's for a 2bed/2bath is about where you would want to be right now

Skokie Real Estate Data For
Lincoln Ridge| 7450 Lincoln
(as of March 2011)

Current Number Of Skokie Condos at Lincoln Ridge For Sale: 5

Prices Range From $199,000-$265,000

Avg Listing Time: 200 days 

Number Of Skokie Condos Sold At Lincoln Ridge In Last 6 Months: 0

Looking to Buy Or Sell at Lincoln Ridge at 7450 Lincoln in Skokie? Please contact me to set up a confidential listing appointment or a private showing for the Skokie Condos available at Lincoln Ridge.

Jim Kontos
President-Broker-Skokie Realtor-Skokie Condos Expert
RE/MAX 1st Class
RE/MAX Skokie
Cell 630 327 9136
Office 847 674 9797
jpkontos@gmail.com
www.skokiehomes4sale.com
www.mychicagoshortsalesite.com 

There are several Skokie Realtors out there to chose from, but only a few Skokie Realtors can get you the results than I can get you.


 

Madison Place| 5105 Madison| Skokie Condos| Skokie Real Estate

SKOKIE CONDOS| MADISON PLACE| 5101 MADISON

The Skokie Condos at Madison Place are todays post topic! The Skokie Real Estate Market has several skokie condos for buyers to choose from.  Madison Place at 5105 Madison is another recent condo project.  Norwood Builders  was the builder and developer behind Madison place.  The layouts and room sizes are all well done and spacious, but the building does lack in ammenities for the residents. If you are looking for a Skokie Condo building that has a pool or workout room, then Madison Place isnt for you.

Madison Place| 5105 Madison| Skokie Condos| Skokie Real Estate
Total Number of Units: 60
Pet Friendly: yes
Assessments Range From $200-$550
Assessments Include: H20,Gas,Heat,Air,Garbage and Snow Removal
1bed/1bath layout
2bed/2bath layout
3bed/2bath layout

The prices for some of the condos in this building are completely over priced and rival downtown condo prices and prices at the Optima Building In Skokie.  So before placing an offer on one of the Skokie Condos at Madison Place, make sure your realtor does his/her homework for you!

Skokie Real Estate Data For
Madison Place| 5105 Madison
(as of March 2011)

Current Number Of Skokie Condos For Sale at Madison Place: 2

Prices range from $249,000-$289,000

Number Of Skokie Condos That Have Sold At Madison Place In Last 6 Months: 0 

Looking to Buy or Sell at Madison Place at 5105 Madison place in Skokie? Please contact me to set up a Private and Confidential Listing Appointment or a Private Showing Of Skokie Condos available for sale

Jim Kontos
President-Broker-Skokie Real Estate Expert--Skokie Realtor
RE/MAX 1st Class
RE/MAX Skokie
Cell 630 327 9136
Office 847 674 9797
jpkontos@gmail.com
www.skokiehomes4sale.com

There are several Skokie Realtors out there to chose from, but only a few Skokie Realtors can get you the results that I can get you!