Spring may mean weddings, graduations, youth sports or just allergies for you and your family; but for real estate agents and brokers, spring is the busiest time of the year. It’s the time they kick it into high gear, with packed schedules, busy days and nights showing and listing homes, meetings with clients and more. And this spring, that is especially true. So the expert team at the Equifax Finance Blog is sharing its top three real estate trends for buyers to watch this busy buying season in the recent article, “Real Estate Trends to Watch this Spring.”
Whether you are a first-time, move-up or downsizing buyer, it’s important to know what’s happening in the market. Read More→
With the housing market improving and homes in Illinois required to be more energy efficient than ever, now is a great time to purchase a new home in Poplar Grove. Currently, Gerstad Builders has a beautiful new home featuring the Biltmore floor plan available at The Trails of Dawson Creek.
Priced at $154,990, the Biltmore home features 1,382 square feet of living space with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a full basement. Elegant interiors showcase an open layout that is perfect for entertaining or everyday life with a beautiful kitchen, breakfast room and great room.
New energy efficient features of the home include 2×6 walls, 90+ efficient furnace, insulated basement, R-38 insulation in the attic and a wall cavity insulate to R-30. Additionally, the home has passed a blower test to confirm how much air infiltrates the homes. Not only do these energy efficient features provide you with a healthier home, but they also help you save money on monthly bills. Read More→
McHenry County’s popular Human Race is back this year and is expected to be bigger and better than ever. Scheduled for Sunday, April 21 at 9:00 a.m., this 5K run/walk is a great opportunity for experienced runners or newcomers to get some exercise while supporting local charities.
Walkers and runners from nearby McHenry homes are encouraged to start registering for the race today. Participants can sign up online at www.active.com for $30 through April 17. After that date, individuals may register on the day of the race for $40. Proceeds from race registrations and fundraising will benefit non-profit organizations throughout McHenry County. Participants can designate which organization will receive the proceeds of their race when they register. A wide variety of organizations benefit from the Human Race, including school booster clubs, food pantries, Habitat for Humanity, Girl Scouts and much more. Read More→
2013 is a great year to purchase a new home, especially for buyers in the state of Illinois. As of January 1, all new McHenry County real estate will be 32 percent more energy efficient than those built under the old energy codes put into effect in 2006.
What does that mean for you the buyer? Before a home is even built, it must go through a modeling program to determine the energy efficiency and, if necessary, modify the building specifications to make sure it will meet code. Then, before it is occupied, a home must meet a pressurization test to make sure the home is built tight enough to meet the code of five air changes per hour or less. Read More→
Sometimes life throws you a curveball and that results in your parents coming to live with your family. As they took care of you when you were a child, it is now your time to return the favor. While living in the same house, it is important that your loved one feel comfortable and enjoy a sense of privacy. Gerstad Builders has designed the perfect home to allow all members of the family to co-exist comfortably under one roof.
Loved ones transitioning to a family member’s house can come as the result of a number of reasons, including financial stress, health reason or just love, but no matter the reason, it is important to make that person feel like they are at home and not just a guest. Gerstad Builder’s brand new Multi-Generation Prestwick plan features a 566 square foot in-law suite that showcases a spacious bedroom, large walk-in closet, handicap accessible bathroom and sitting area. The doorway between the in-law suite and kitchen is 36-inches wide, perfect for wheel-chair users. Read More→
Since the first St. Baldrick’s event in 2000, thousands across the country have sacrificed the hair on their head to help fund the research of the Children’s Oncology Group. The first event, hosted by creators Tim Kenny, John Bender and Enda McDonnell, raised $104,000 and had 19 individuals shave their heads. Last year, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation celebrated a milestone, reaching $100 million dollars in raised funds. McHenry County is one of several communities that host a Community Shave each year and residents of nearby McHenry County neighborhoods are invited to join the fight against childhood cancer by going bald for a cause.
Sponsored by the McHenry County High School and hosted at the West Main school gym, the community shave is scheduled for Thursday, March 14th beginning at 5:00 p.m. As a McHenry County home builder, Gerstad Builders encourages residents to participate in this local event. If you are not sure about shaving your head, you can buy t-shirts or send money with your children to school, as several local schools have put together teams for this event. Read More→
Snow is covering the ground, which means now is the time to pull out your skis and enjoy the white wonderland that covers the ground near your McHenry new home. This weekend, March 1-2, 2013, Crystal Lake will host a cross-country candlelight ski for skiers of all ages to enjoy. This unique winter activity is a great time to enjoy a night with family and friends.
Skiers will have the opportunity to enjoy some cross-country fun both nights from 5-9 p.m. and will be held at The Hollows in Cary. Unique to this night event, trails will only be lit by candlelight. Participants are asked to bring their own skis and invited to enjoy refreshments afterwards around a campfire. Every level of skier from beginner to advanced is invited to attend this family-friendly event. Read More→
The McHenry County housing market had an impressive January to get 2013 started off on the right foot. According to an analysis by RE/MAX, McHenry County saw an increase of 28 percent in new home sales.
As a McHenry County home builder, Gerstad Builders is excited about these signs of improvement. “Continued improvement shows that the housing market is not only rebounding, but it is gaining momentum,” stated Roger Gerstad, President of Gerstad Builders. “We are thrilled by the increase in activity and excited to assist home buyers in their quest to purchase the home of their dreams.” Read More→
Are you a home buyer looking to purchase your first McHenry County new home, but in need of some assistance? The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) can help you go from potential home buyer to first-time homeowner through their SmartMove assistance program.
This excellent program offers affordable interest rates and down payment assistance for buyers needing a little help in order to purchase their dream home. Highlights of the program include:
- First mortgage with an affordable interest rate.
- Second mortgage up to $6,000 for down payment and/or closing cost assistance.
- Variety of loan products including FHA, VA, USDA and conventional loans.
- Reduced PMI pricing for conventional loans. Read More→
While students residing in Richmond new homes may already be back in school for the spring, the Nippersink School District Two board’s decision over a tax abatement to accomplish its goals is still pending. Recently, board member met to discuss the suggested $3 million abatement, but they put off the decision until March in order to wait for a more comprehensive plan outlining the school district’s goals.
However, the abatement isn’t the only item on the board’s agenda. As the economy continues to improve, the board is now considering bringing back programs, such as the foreign language program, that had been cut from the budget during tougher times. In order to gauge the interest level among parents and teachers, the board will send out a survey to these groups asking if the program should be reinstated and if so, at what grade level. Read More→
