Ann Jones: June 2013

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Home prices up 9% in latest Case-Shiller data

Monday, June 24, 2013

Sidewalk Sale this Weekend

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Housing prices rising too high, too fast?

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Friday, June 21, 2013

What's happening with housing prices?

Crain's posted an interactive map of home prices -- Where do the North Shore Suburbs come out?
Check out the interactive map.

Going UP

Glencoe

Lake Bluff

Highland Park

Winnetka

Wilmette

Evanston

Going DOWN

Lake Forest

Home Sales up

"Existing-home sales rose in May to the highest pace since November 2009, when buyers were rushing to make a tax-credit deadline, pointing to a continuing recovery, the National Association of Realtors reported Thursday.

Existing-home sales rose 4.2% in May to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.18 million. These sales were 12.9% higher than during the same period in the prior year. Economists polled by MarketWatch had expected the pace of existing-home sales to hit a rate of 5 million in May, compared with an April rate of 4.97 million..."

Existing-home sales highest since 2009
Market Watch

Top markets for buyers and sellers

"If you're considering buying a home, you might want to know whether we're in a buyers or sellers market.

Tight inventory favors sellers in the Southwest, while buyers have the upper hand in some Midwestern and Eastern cities..."

Top markets for buyers and sellers

MSN Real Estate

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Happenings in Lake Forest and Lake Bluff

Chicago leads nation in vacant homes in foreclosure

Home sales jump as time on market falls

New trend in housing

"An estimated 51.5 million people live in multi-generational housing, which typically means three generations under one roof. That number is expected to increase as baby boomers get older. At least 10,000 Americans will turn 65 each day for the next 19 years, according to the Pew Research Center.

Whether to take care of elderly parents or just to make ends meet for young couples and parents, more families are moving in together...."

Housing trend: Builders offer 'home-within-a-home'
CBS News

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Garden Conservancy’s Open Days on the North Shore

The Garden Conservancy’s 2013 Open Days season has begun!

As many of you may know, the Garden Conservancy offers one the ability to explore and enjoy magnificent gardens not normally open to the public. This weekend, private gardens on the North Shore (two in Winnetka, two in Lake Forest and 1 in Highland Park) will be open for viewing. If you love beautiful gardens as much as I do, I hope you'll check it out and consider taking advantage of this fabulous national program!

Art Festival this weekend in Lake Bluff

Artists on the Bluff

Monday, June 17, 2013

Builder confidence moving in the right direction

"For the first time in over seven years, the nation's home builders are feeling solidly confident about the housing market. A monthly sentiment index from the National Association of Home Builders jumped eight points in June to a reading of 52. Anything above 50 means builders view sales conditions as good."

Home Builder Confidence Soars to 7-Year High
CNBC

Friday, June 14, 2013

SWANCC Promotes Home Composting and Natural Lawn Care Options

The Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) built a composting demonstration system at its Glenview Transfer Station where several types of backyard bins are on display and used for hands-on workshops. This summer, SWANCC is sponsoring three workshops for residents that live in a SWANCC member community to learn the science behind mixing yard waste, such as leaves, grass and small twigs, with acceptable food scraps to make a nutrient-rich soil amendment for lawns, gardens, flowers, and plants. The workshops for SWANCC are on the following dates:

Wednesday, June 26, 2013   6:15 pm to 7:15 pm
Thursday, July 18, 2013   10:00 am to 11:00 am
Thursday, August 15, 2013   6:15 pm to 7:15 pm

There is no charge to attend a Composting Workshop, but registration is required and space is limited. Again, residents must live in one of SWANCC's member communities. To register and for more details, contact Mary Allen, SWANCC Recycling and Education Director, at mary@swancc.org or (847) 724-9205, extension 204.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Uneven Recovery

"Double-digit home-price gains from San Francisco to Detroit to Miami have some aspiring home buyers racing back into the market. But buyers, beware. The housing market may not be as strong as you think..."

Wall Street Journal
Corporate Buyers Boosting Prices in House-Sales Boom