Lights OUT This Saturday 8-9 P.M. for Earth Hour!

Can you turn off your lights this Saturday for just one hour for the good of our planet?

Hey, I just signed up on the new Earth Hour website for 2008 and I thought you might like to take a look and possibly sign up too.

Earth Hour is on  March 29, 2008 at 8pm, and it looks like it's going to be really big. So far, as well as Sydney, there'll also be Partner cities:

• Aalborg »
• Aarhus »
• Adelaide »
• Atlanta »
• Bangkok »
• Brisbane »
• Canberra »
• Chicago »
• Christchurch »
• Copenhagen »
• Darwin »
• Dublin »
• Hobart »
• Manila »
• Melbourne »
• Montreal »
• Odense »
• Ottawa »
• Perth »
• Phoenix »
• San Francisco »
• Santa Cruz »
• Suva and Lautoka »
• Sydney »
• Tel Aviv »
• Toronto »
• Vancouver »

Concerned and earth friendly citizans in all of these cities are all participating by turning off their lights for an hour in the name of fighting global warming.

Sign up for Earth Hour with me by visiting http://www.earthhour.org/sign-up and join the movement.

So far, per the web site, 237554 have already signed up!  Will you please join us?

How is the current market in Algonquin, IL?

As of this morning, per MLSNI, for the past 3 months:

We currently have 284 Single Family homes on the market in Algonquin that are active and available.

They have been on the market for an average of 198 days.

The average list price is Algonquin is $360,864.

During the past 3 months, 17 Single Family homes have successfully closed with the help of their Realtors.  This only represents 35% of the market that have had success.  They took an average of 189 days on the market to get SOLD.

The average list price of the SOLD Single Family homes is $261,747 and the average SOLD price is $251,700.

So, on the average Single Family homes in  Algonquin have been getting an average of 96% of their list prices, with the help of their Realtors.

We currently have 123 Attached homes on the market in Algonquin that are active and available.

They have been on the market for an average of 176 days.

The average list price is $219,883.

During the past 3 months, 13 Attached homes have successfully closed with the help of their Realtors.  This only represents 48% of the market that have had success.  They took an average of 152 days on the market to get SOLD.

The average list price of the SOLD Attached homes is $234,631 and the average SOLD price is $132,933.

So, on the average Attached homes in Algonquin have been getting an average of 95% of their list prices, with the help of their Realtors.

We are still experiencing a Buyer's Market in Algonquin.

If I can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to call or email me.  It will be my pleasure!  By the way, if you know of someone that could benefit from my high level of service, please call or email me with their name and daytime phone number and I will make sure to follow up and take great care of them.  My business keeps growing from your referrals.

I can be reached at my direct number at the office: 847.516.6760.  I look forward to hearing from you!

How is the current market in Fox River Grove, IL?

As of this morning, per MLSNI, for the past 3 months:

We currently have 44 Single Family homes on the market in Fox River Grove that are active and available.

They have been on the market for an average of 188 days.

The average list price is $339,348.

During the past 3 months, 6 Single Family homes have successfully closed with the help of their Realtors.  This only represents 46% of the market that have had success.  They took an average of 188 days on the market to get SOLD.

The average list price of the SOLD Single Family homes is $305,041 and the average SOLD price is $253,784.

So, on the average Single Family homes in  Fox River Grove have been getting an average of 94% of their list prices, with the help of their Realtors.

We currently have 7 Attached homes on the market in Fox River Grove that are active and available.

They have been on the market for an average of 143 days.

The average list price is $142,657.

During the past 3 months, 3 Attached homes have successfully closed with the help of their Realtors.  This only represents 43% of the market that have had success.  They took an average of 79 days on the market to get SOLD.

The average list price of the SOLD Attached homes is $142,567 and the average SOLD price is $132,933.

So, on the average Attached homes in Fox River Grove have been getting an average of 93% of their list prices, with the help of their Realtors.

We are still experiencing a Buyer's Market in Fox River Grove.

If I can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to call or email me.  It will be my pleasure!  By the way, if you know of someone that could benefit from my high level of service, please call or email me with their name and daytime phone number and I will make sure to follow up and take great care of them.  My business keeps growing from your referrals.

My Direct Number at the Office is 847.516.6760

How is the current market in Crystal Lake, IL?

As of this morning, per MLSNI, for the past 3 months:

We currently have 611 Single Family homes on the market in Crystal Lake that are active and available.

They have been on the market for an average of 207 days.

The average list price is $391,882.

During the past 3 months, 47 Single Family homes have successfully closed with the help of their Realtors.  This only represents 36% of the market that have had success.  They took an average of 169 days on the market to get SOLD.

The average list price of the SOLD Single Family homes is $305,041 and the average SOLD price is $289,829.

So, on the average Single Family homes in  Crystal Lake have been getting an average of 95% of their list prices, with the help of their Realtors.

We currently have 171 Attached homes on the market in Crystal Lake that are active and available.

They have been on the market for an average of 191 days.

The average list price is $209,283.

During the past 3 months, 18 Attached homes have successfully closed with the help of their Realtors.  This only represents 56% of the market that have had success.  They took an average of 174 days on the market to get SOLD.

The average list price of the SOLD Attached homes is $183,907 and the average SOLD price is $174,999.

So, on the average Attached homes in Crystal Lake have been getting an average of 95% of their list prices, with the help of their Realtors.

We are still experiencing a Buyer's Market in Crystal Lake.

If I can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to call or email me.  It will be my pleasure!  By the way, if you know of someone that could benefit from my high level of service, please call or email me with their name and daytime phone number and I will make sure to follow up and take great care of them.  My business keeps growing from your referrals.

My Direct Number at the Office is 847.516.6760

How is the current market in Wauconda, IL?

As of this morning, per MLSNI, for the past 3 months:

We currently have 161 Single Family homes on the market in Wauconda that are active and available.

They have been on the market for an average of 172 days.

The average list price is $357,027

During the past 3 months, 6 Single Family homes have successfully closed with the help of their Realtors.  This only represents 24% of the market that have had success.  They took an average of 90 days on the market to get SOLD.

The average list price of the SOLD Single Family homes is $285,550 and the average SOLD price is $271,083.

So, on the average Single Family homes in Wauconda have been getting an average of 94% of their list prices, with the help of their Realtors.

We currently have 79 Attached homes on the market in Wauconda that are active and available.

They have been on the market for an average of 178 days.

The average list price is $241,218.

During the past 3 months, 4 Attached homes have successfully closed with the help of their Realtors.  This only represents 29% of the market that have had success.  They took an average of 168 days on the market to get SOLD.

The average list price of the SOLD Attached homes is $263,075 and the average SOLD price is $253,150.

So, on the average Attached homes in Wauconda have been getting an average of 96% of their list prices, with the help of their Realtors.

We are still experiencing a Buyer's Market in Wauconda.

If I can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to call or email me.  It will be my pleasure!  By the way, if you know of someone that could benefit from my high level of service, please call or email me with their name and daytime phone number and I will make sure to follow up and take great care of them.  My business keep growing from your referrals.

How is the current market in Barrington, IL?

As of this morning, per MLSNI, for the past 3 months:

We currently have 533 Single Family homes on the market in Barrington that are active and available

They have been on the market for an average of 245 days.

The average list price is $1,074,989

During the past 3 months, 20 Single Family homes have successfully closed with the help of their Realtors.  This only represents 24% of the market that have had success.  They took an average of 299 days on the market to get SOLD.

The average list price of the SOLD Single Family homes is $805,823 and the average SOLD price is $757,676.

So, on the average Single Family homes in Barrington have been getting an average of 94% of their list prices, with the help of their Realtors.

We currently have 116 Attached homes on the market in Barrington that are active and available.

They have been on the market for an average of 225 days.

The average list price is $328,742

During the past 3 months, 5 Attached homes have successfully closed with the help of their Realtors.  This only represents 45% of the market that have had success.  They took an average of 305 days on the market to get SOLD.

The average list price of the SOLD Attached homes is $324,160 and the average SOLD price is $303,700.

So, on the average Attached homes in Barrington have been getting an average of 94% of their list prices, with the help of their Realtors.

We are still experiencing a Buyer's Market in Barrington.  It is a GREAT time to buy!!

If I can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to call or email me.  It will be my pleasure!

1317 Baldwin Ct., Palatine, IL     $94,000

Priced Great To Sell.  Close To Pool. New Kitchen Floor. Large Kitchen W/Plenty Of Counter And Table Space. Low Cook County Taxes. Monthly Association Fee Includes: Heat, Gas, Water, Pool, Clubhouse & Extra Storage In Basement. Why Rent When You Can Own!!! Award Winning Palatine Schools. Great Central Location Close To Everything!  Large Rooms-Great Price!

Cable Hook-Up in Unit; Storage Unit and Coin Laundry Is In Basement-Front Door Key Will Work To Access Area.

For further information and photos, please email me and I'd be happy to help!

ONLY $299,900! 

All Brick Home Backs To Beautiful Chicago Park District Shabonna Park With Jogging Trail, Tennis, Baseball, Football, Basketball! Schorsch Village! GREAT Location Close To Shopping, Train, Restaurants, Everything! Approximately 2 Miles To Harlem Station Blue Line. Remodeled Kitchen And First Floor Bath, Hardwood Floors, Doors And Trim; Full Finished Basement With Summer Kitchen And Huge Laundry Room-Washer/Dryer Included. Carpeting Just Removed and Beautiful Hardwood Floors Refinished! Wonderful 3 Season Room To Enjoy Fenced Back Yard. Newer 2 Car Garage, Furnace, A/C, HW Heater, And Appliances-All Included.  Formal Dining Room And Two First Floor Bedrooms. Huge Master On Second Floor With Bath. Nice As Is Or Improve/Possibly Add On!  Very Pretty Area. All Appliances Stay. Quick Close Is OK!

For further information or photos, please email me and I'd be happy to help!

Cary, IL Market Conditions  (Cary is located in both McHenry and Lake Counties in Northern Illinois

How is the current market in Cary?

As of this morning, per MLSNI, for the past 3 months:

(The above home is SOLD-no wonder...it sure was cute!)

We currently have 249 Single Family homes on the market in Cary that are active and available.

They have been on the market for an average of 191 days.

The average list price is 347,814.

During the past 3 months, 17 Single Family homes have successfully closed with the help of their Realtors.  This only represents 40% of the market that have had success.  They took an average of 200 days on the market to get SOLD.

The average list price of the SOLD Single Family homes is 282,447 and the average SOLD price is 269,162.

<--This home in Cambria in Cary is already SOLD, but there are many others!

We currently have 61 Attached homes on the market in Cary that are active and available.

They have been on the market for an average of 185 days.

The average list price is 202,625

During the past 3 months, 4 Attached homes have successfully closed in Cary with the help of their Realtors.  This only represents 31% of the market that have had success.  They took an average of 110 days on the market to get SOLD.

The average list price of the SOLD Attached homes in Cary is 174,925 and the average SOLD price is 167,562.

So, on the average Attached homes in Cary have been getting an average of 96% of their list prices, with the help of their Realtors.

We are still experiencing a Buyer's Market in Cary.

If I can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to call or email me!

The new Lindy's Landing in Wauconda is FABULOUS!

I have dinner once a week with my Father, who lives in Port Barrington and my Sister, who also lives in Cary.  We all live on the Fox River so really enjoy going to establishments on the water and enjoy trying different places. We just tried the new Lindy's Landing, and I must say we were all very pleasantly shocked at the changes.  It used to be a very casual place and we had been there in the past for burgers...my Dad's favorite meal!  It was nothing fancy but had pretty good food and great views of the water. 

The metamorphosis of this place is phenomenal!  The building is gorgeous, with a cape cod kindof feel....huge white pillars, stone accents and a huge front porch complete with Adirondack chairs to enjoy when the weather gets a little better.  Inside, they have a welcoming lobby complete with friendly hostesses, a beautiful bar area with an abundance of large screen TV's....(would definitely be a great place to watch a Bears game!) and a magnificent dining area with volume ceilings, stone fireplace and floor to ceiling windows overlooking Bangs Lake.  Gosh, it sounds like I am describing one of my listings!  I can't wait to go back in summertime to enjoy the large outdoor deck area.  They even have a sand beach, plenty of boat parking, and slip rentals.  I hear there is already a waiting list for the boat slips!

Service was excellent and I regret I do not remember our waitresses name, but she was a definitely a pro. She has been there from before the renovation as well, so was full of interesting information.  They have many vintage pictures on the walls that give a glimpse of the local history.  The food also did not disappoint.  I had the Flatiron Steak Sandwich which was delicious and my sister had the Grilled Ahi Tuna, which was a very thick tuna steak and she loved it.  Our favorite was the mashed sweet potatoes.  And my Dad, who is THE Burger EXPERT, said the black Angus Burger was one of the best he has ever had and that is BIG coming from him!

They also offer catering and private parties, a Friday fish fry and Sunday brunch.

I'd highly recommend paying them a visit or two or three or four.....

You can reach me direct at 847-516-6760. 

I am looking forward to helping you with all of your real estate needs! 

Search over 120,000 listings at:
http://www.debrakukulski.com/ or http://www.mchenrycountyproperties.com/
Or http://www.foxriverproperties.com/
Re/Max Unlimited Northwest
My designations and what they stand for:
A.B.R. (Accredited Buyers Representative);
RECS (Real Estate Cyber Specialist);
G.R.I (Graduate Realtor Institute).;
e-PRO (e-Professional)
If you have a friend or family member looking to buy or sell a home please
pass their name and number along to me and I will give them the same great
service I give to all of my clients.  I can also help you find a Realtor
nationwide!   Your referrals are VERY important to me.  Thank YOU:-)
Licensed in Illinois
 

http://www.lindyslanding.net/lindysrestaurantbar.html

Free Barrington Workshop Coming Up!

Looking for some new GREEN landscaping ideas?  Why not use native plants which are not only beautiful to enjoy all year round, but also support our local wildlife, reduce pollution and help our environment?

Barrington's Citizan's For Conservation is putting on a workshop at the Barrington Area Library on March 29th, 2008 from 9:30a.m. to 11:00a.m.

The event is free but donations are accepted and very much appreciated at the door.  Please RSVP:-)

Click Here: For more information on the event and to RSVP

Click Here: For More Barrington Library Events

Enjoy!

Health Insurance for Realtors-Or Any Other Small Businesses, Individuals or Self-Employed.  Are There ANY Good Options?

As far as I know, there really are not any good and affordable options out there for self employed people or small businesses like us.  I could go on a big rant about this but I will try not to! 

When I looked around a few years ago and did some research, I found the only option for GROUP insurance under the current laws which restrict our associations from forming a group like any corporation can, was through NASE-National Association for Self Employed. 

This was the only GROUP policy I could find at that time. Does anyone know of any others?  It is expensive, like any insurance, but at least it does not keep going up by very much each year like it does with an individual policy. They (MEGA), like most insurance companies, try to not pay out as much as possible, so that can be a hassle.  But I felt the fact that they can not single you out and cancel your policy like an individual plan could was a HUGE plus.  Can you even imagine getting ill....and it would already be a hardship not to be working because if we do not work, we have no chance of getting paid.....but then your insurance company decides to cancel your health insurance ***because they can***...and then you not only have no income, but no health insurance and NO insurance companies willing to take you on because now you have a pre-existing condition?  And it happens all the time!

I am also wondering if anyone knows of a good Dental Policy let me know, because this one is the pitts...it hardly covers anything!

Does anyone else think this is outrageous that we can not form a group through our associations?  

Has anyone else seen Michael Moore's movie about this, called Sicko?

It is a sick situation, for sure! So stay positive and stay healthy:-)

I hope this information is useful for you!  If I may be of assistance with your Northern Illinois (McHenry County, Lake County, Kane County, Cook County) real estate needs, please do not hesitate to contact me:-)

Happy Easter Weekend!

My broker provided us with this from the IRS and I thought it was very good information for all!  Just think....a little extra money to go towards your down payment for a great buy in this market:-) 

Current schedule for mailing of Tax Relief Checks

THESE ARE THE DATES YOU WILL BE RECEIVING THE  TAX RELIEF CHECKS.  IT IS SCHEDULED BY THE LAST 2 NUMBERS OF YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.  IF YOU FILED A JOINT RETURN IT WILL BE UNDER THE HUSBANDS SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
 

The check is in the mail Week Last 2 digits of your SSN Receive your check by week of 1 00 - 09 July 23 2 10 - 19 July 30 3 20 - 29 August 6 4 30 - 39 August 13 5 40 - 49 August 20 6 50 - 59 August 27 7 60 - 69 Sept. 3 8 70 - 79 Sept. 10 9 80 - 89 Sept. 17 10 90 - 99 Sept. 24 For married taxpayers who filed a joint return, the first Social Security Number on the return determines the mailing date.Source: Internal Revenue Service

It is a GREAT time to Buy or Move-up in Northern Illinois!

Our market has been equalizing........

That's GREAT NEWS for about 75% of current homeowners and those who want to be homeowners. Here's why . .

If you have a home and have been thinking of moving up, this is the best real estate market for you.  For example, consider your home is worth $300,000 based on recent sales, but with a high inventory of homes for sale and a sluggish market, we need to price and/or accept $15,000 (5% lower) to get the property sold.  Your immediate reaction would be that you lost  $15,000 and you say to yourself , "I should have sold last year when the market was hot for sellers!".   But you really didn't lose.   In fact, you gained because you are moving up.  For example, if you are buying a $500,000 home, that seller may be faced with the same sluggish market we may have faced when we sold your home.  You may now be able to also buy the $500,000 home for $475,000 (5% lower). Although you sold for $15,000 less, you bought for $25,000 less so you benefited by $10,000.

In an opposite market where houses sell fast and often for more than the asking price, you can lose money when moving up.  Also, and more importantly, this is the best market for us to find the "best house for you" because we have more time to shop and the inventory of  homes for sale is larger, so there is more to choose from, also.

In a sellers market, you may end up "settling" for a home because the choices are slim and you are pressured to buy quickly before values keep rising.  Buyers have so many choices now of very well priced properties and motivated sellers. 

If you are a first time buyer with a small or zero down payment, this is the best time to buy.  Sellers now will be more likely to welcome buyers with low or no down payment and some sellers may even help pay your closing costs.  In an opposite market, the sellers usually won't even consider any offers unless there is a high down payment which prohibits most first time buyers from buying.

If you are a long term real estate investor, now is a great market to buy.  The higher inventory of property allows us to find the ideal rental property that meets your investment criteria.  Also, we will be more likely to negotiate excellent terms with the help of your Realtor, me:-)

Please do not get me wrong....this is not a depressed market and some local markets may differ quite a bit from each other.  We call it "equalized".  We just have been coming off the very long stretch of being a sellers market.

Everyone wants to buy low and sell high but it's virtually impossible to time markets.  This is called speculation.  If you view real estate as a long term investment, 5 to 10 years minimum, you will more than likely catch a "wave" of appreciation.  Remember, you will never catch the wave unless you are in the water.

Have a great weekend!

Debra Kukulski, Realtor

A.B.R. (Accredited Buyers Representative);

RECS(Real Estate Cyber Specialist);

G.R.I(Graduate Realtor Institute).;

e-PRO(e-Professional)

‘Re/Max Unlimited Northwest
847-516-6760 Direct

If you have a friend or family member looking to buy or sell a home, please pass their name and number along to me and I will give them the samegreat service I give to all of my clients! I can also help you find a Realtor nationwide!  Licensed in Illinois

Spring Migration on the Fox River in Cary, IL

I am fortunate enough to live on the Fox River in Cary, IL.  Besides being able to go boating in the summer, all the way up to the Chain of Lakes, there are beautiful views and nature to enjoy year round.

I have lived on the Fox River for over 16 years, and over the past couple of weeks I have been getting glimpses of a duck I have never seen before. We do get the biggest variety of birds and waterfowl in spring and summer, when they are migrating through.  Well, I have been trying to get a good enough look at this duck for a couple of weeks and usually by the time I get down to my pier with my binoculars, they move up the river just enough that I can't get a good enough look to identify them.  They are small, black and white and definitely diving ducks, so several times when I had them in view, they would just disappear under the water and re-appear later in a different spot.   I have been seeing a group of 6-8 near my home over the past couple of weeks.  Last Saturday, as I drove over the Rawson Bridge in Cary for an appointment in McHenry, I saw about 20 of them swimming around by the Broken Oar.  I could not stop then but on the way back to Cary, I saw them again and stopped for a minute .....trying to zoom in on them with my digital camera.   Still not close enough!!

On St. Patrick's Day, we went to the Broken Oar on the Fox River in Cary for the traditional corned beef and cabbage....which was delicious by the way!  It was amongst the BEST cabbage we have ever had, in fact, I would love to know their secret!  But the Broken Oar, although it is very casual, does have good and very reasonable food, so check it out if you have never been there.  Great views of the Fox River, too!

Anyhow....as we left to go back to the office, I saw 20-30 of them and had my binoculars with so was able to get a good enough look to identify them, and I am pretty sure they are Buffleheads, which I have never seen here before.  If you live on or near the Fox River, try to get a glimpse of them, they really are beautiful!   They are mates for life and nest in tree cavities made by Northern Flickers, one of the most colorful local woodpeckers we see here.  They dive for food and eat while underwater.  They are actually the smallest diving duck in North America!  If you live on or near the Fox River, try to get a glimpse of them before they continue their journey north. They really are beautiful! 

Here is a link to some detailed information: Bufflehead Duck

If you are looking to buy or sell a waterfront property, please contact me DEBRA

Short Sales, REOs, Foreclosures and Pre-Foreclosures:" What Are They and How Do They Work?" Asked My Buyer......

If only there was an easy and accurate answer to that question, right?  Usually we, as the Realtors, can and do help our clients navigate through a plethora of different scenarios in the buying process.  It is one of the many ways we bring value to the transaction.  We have been through many different situations before and from experience, can help to guide our clients through them.  However, as John MacArthur states in his blog post, All that appears short....is not a short sale......, the situation is always different and there really are no industry standards regarding these types of sales. Each situation seems have it's own set of challenges, the biggest, as I see it, being the ability to communicate effectively with someone at the bank or asset management company that is both organized (meaning, for example, they do not lose the paperwork so you have to start over almost every time you call!) and able to make a decision in a timely manner.  Whether you are representing the seller or buyer, this seems to be the place where everything stalls, or in some cases, even comes to a screeching halt!  You would think, with all of the properties they need to get off their books that they would be motivated to not only review but also respond to offers in a timely manner so that this can be accomplished.  But the sad and maddening truth is they usually do not!

I was fortunate enough to represent an excellent seller to work with on a REO property recently that actually had a contact I could pick up the phone and talk to, or email, and was able to get a quick response.  This seller, with my help, was able to procure a contract within the first two weeks on the market, yes, even in THIS buyers market. We even had two competing offers for this property.  It is amazing what we can accomplish when there is cooperation and communication!   This situation was definitely the exception to the "rule". In another case I know of, there has been an offer on the table almost two months, that the lender has yet to respond to.....BECAUSE NO ONE IS ASSIGNED TO HANDLE THE SALE AT THE BANK!!!  There was also a second offer as well, so they had two to pick from, but those buyers got weary of the wait and walked away. And that was a higher offer, too, that they lost out on by not responding.

So, my buyer asks me, what is a short sale and what is the process?  After defining what a short sale is, which usually means they are selling for less than what is owed....we get to that maddening "process" part of the question.  And my most honest and accurate answer is that if, as a buyer, you want to consider purchasing a short sale, REO, foreclosure or pre-foreclosure property, you most importantly have to have the luxury of patience and plenty of time. 

*If you want to close on a certain date, this may not be for you!  

*If you have to coordinate your selling and purchase closing dates so you are not homeless in-between, this may not be for you!

*If you have the type of personality where you get easily frustrated or like fast resolutions, this may not be for you!  

*If you are not a risk taker, and let your real estate attorney explain this to you, this may not be for you!

I have put in offers for buyers that have been responded to in a week to a couple of weeks (this is the GOOD scenario), to as long as three months just to get an answer from the seller.  You would not believe how thrilling it can be to get a "heartbeat" from the other side after so much time has passed! Do you really want to put your home search on hold for an indefinite amount of time while waiting for a response to your offer?

There are SO many GREAT opportunities in this market for buyers. This is the BEST buyer's market I have seen in 15 years, so do get out and buy!  Short Sales, REOs, Foreclosures and Pre-Foreclosures are not the only "good deals" out there.  We have an abundance of both motivated and realistic sellers to also work with that actually respond to an offer on their property and can even get to the closing table, sometimes in less time that it even takes for a lender to even respond.

I am not saying that you should not consider these sales, especially since they are a substantial part of our inventory today, not only in Mchenry, Lake, Kane and Cook Counties in IL, but thoughout the country. I am just giving a bit of caution.  There really is no way, in my opinion, for the Realtors to standardize this process until the banking industry gets control of it themselves.  In the meantime....let your personality and time frame be the key to if you should consider these types of properties and let your Realtor guide you through the buying process, so you can successfully get to the closing table in a time period that meets YOUR needs.