DuPage County and Wisconsin Flea Markets

Do you like Flea Markets?  If you do, you need to put this one on your calendar. On Saturday, August 21, the town of Wheaton, Illinois will be hosting an all night Flea Market. Yep. Last year this event brought in over 10,000 shoppers! They host it at the Dupage County Fairgrounds at 2015 W. Manchester Rd in Wheaton. Imagine six acres of sales! They have approximately 250 vendors along with costumed actors, magicians and food! Bring your flashlight and for more information: www. zurkopromotions.com .

If you are looking for a weekend trip, I have one that I highly recommend. Located in beautiful Princeton, Wisconsin, there flea market is considered Wisconsin’s Largest Weekly Outdoor Market. It opened in April and goes till October 16. There is no admission fee to get in, but be sure to bring some money because you will find plenty to buy. They have antiques of all types, garden items, artwork, flowers, fresh produce, cheese, sausages and honey.  My favorite things to buy are the Hot sugar and cinnamon mini donuts that are sold from a stand. Ummm. If you can’t find what you are looking for here, you probably don’t need it! They open at 6am and close about 1:30pm.

After the flea market is over, go into town and walk the charming downtown area with many stores that carry items that you have not seen before. Every year, my friends and I make a weekend trip. We stay in Green Lake and a visit to Princeton is always on our list of things to do.

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To talk to a Realtor® who knows Lombard and the surrounding areas like the back of her hand, Call Caryn Kuhlman 630-730-8027

Remember the old Drive Ins?

Summer has arrived! School is over. The kids are back at home and they are already bored. Looking for something interesting to do with them? How about a drive in movie? Yep, we are fortunate to have one still in operation in the western suburbs! Cascade Drive in is located at 1100 E. North Avenue in West Chicago.  You can find out what is playing by going online to: www.cascadedrivein.com .

Grab the family; pack a cooler (you are allowed to bring food into the drive in) In fact, if you bring your own charcoal they even have grills for you to use in their picnic area!  If you want to be a big spender, they have a small snack bar where you can purchase burgers, popcorn and soda and rumor is after the first show they will sometimes drop the prices down to a dollar! Yes! They actually still have double features! Two shows for the price of one!

Cascade plays 50’s and 60’s music until the first show begins around 8:30. I can remember vividly going to the drive in with my family at the Harlem and Irving Drive-in in Harwood Heights. We would get into our pajamas before we went so my parents could carry us back into the house without waking us up.
We would go with our cousins and sit on the back of the station wagon watching the stars and sometimes even the movies! I am sure some of you have memories as well!

The prices are $8.75 for adults, kids (5-11) $4.75 and kids under 5 are free.  
One word of caution: They only take CASH! No checks or credit cards will be accepted.
The box office opens at 7pm and they are open seven days a week, rain or shine!

I hope you are enjoying these blogs; if you have something you would like me to blog about, give me a call at 630.730.8027.

To subscribe to this blog by email use to box near the top of the left hand column.

To talk to a Realtor® who knows Lombard and the surrounding areas like the back of her hand, Call Caryn Kuhlman 630-730-8027

Great Food in Lombard and Downers Grove

As summer begins, I try to take advantage of all that our area offers. I call up a friend or two and try the many restaurants and events going on in the area. Here are this week’s offerings.

I took the opportunity to celebrate a friend’s birthday at breakfast the other day. Five of us tried the new Honey Jam which is located at 3000 Oak Grove Road in Downers Grove. They took over the old Bakers Square on Butterfield Road across from the Portillo’s. We were greeted warmly and although it was crowded, it only took a few minutes to seat us. I tried the Julian Benedict which was truly phenomenal. Our server was wonderful and gave us a Very Berry Waffle to share with the birthday girl. We actually were sitting next to Mr. Portillo who is the owner of this establishment. What a great guy! If you have something or someone to celebrate, I would recommend this new place.

Last Thursday night, I met a friend at Brio’s at 330 Yorktown Center in Lombard. We sat outside on their couches, had a glass of wine and enjoyed one of the first nights of summer. Our server suggested their $2.95 appetizer special that goes from 5-9pm. We both chose the quarter burger, I also had the eggplant and shrimp and my friend ordered the steak bruchetta. We were very surprised to find that we had misread the appetizer list and the quarter burger turned out to be a full sized burger quartered! It was way more than we expected. The service was wonderful, the ambiance is decadent and the appetizers were excellent.

Great Recipes To TRY If You Are Not Going Out

If you aren’t in the mood to go out, why not invite a few people over for lunch. It doesn’t have to be hard. The other day I was invited to a friend’s house for lunch and she had a wonderful salad that I have included below. She served it with iced tea, rolls and had a great cake that I will also include. Give it a try and let me know how you liked it.

Joanne’s Salad:
Mixed Greens
Thin Pear slices
Crumbled Blue Cheese
Walnut pieces
Cranberries
Grilled Chicken

She just tossed the hot chicken over the other cold ingredients, topped it with poppy seed dressing and served. Delicious.

Coconut Cake:
Prepared white cake mix
1 can of Coconut cream
Cool Whip
Coconut (bagged)

Simply prepare cake mix as directed. Poke holes in cake every 3 inches or so. Pour over the can of coconut cream, refrigerate. Prior to serving spread the cool whip over the cake and sprinkle coconut over entire cake. It looks as good as it takes. Perfect for a warm night’s lunch or dinner.

If you have an idea for my next blog, drop me an email at CarynKuhlman@att.net.

To subscribe to this blog by email use to box near the top of the left hand column.

To talk to a Realtor® who knows Lombard and the surrounding areas like the back of her hand, Call Caryn Kuhlman 630-730-8027

Homes For Sale in Lombard IL for $300,000

Lombard is a suburb that truly has something for everyone. Recently on a real estate tour, I concentrated on the $300-330,000 price range and was pleasantly surprised at what I found.

If you are just starting out or perhaps tired of the maintenance a house requires, a condominium or townhouse might be the answer for you. In Lombard today, you have a wide selection:
•   Built in 2005, this 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom town home has all the bells and whistles that you are craving. Stainless appliances, granite countertops, beautiful cabinetry, all located in the center of town.
•    Brand new condo located within walking distance to the train, this 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom condominiums that was gorgeous.
•    Located on the south side of Lombard, I found a 1900 square foot condo that has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a fireplace.

Now, if a condo or town home isn’t for you, there are many styles of single family residences to choose from.

•    A block away from Madison Meadows, you can find a four bedroom, 3 bathroom split level with an attached two car garage. The kitchen has been remodeled and the home is both sunny and spacious.
•    Built in 2000, this lovely ranch has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, a first floor family room with fireplace and a finished basement.
•    A brick two story Georgian with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and an updated kitchen with hardwood floors and granite countertops.

You might also be interested in a brick two flat that is available. Each of the two units in the building has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. You could live in one and rent the other to a friend or family member.

Click on pictures to see larger images

As you can see, $300,000 in Lombard can give you much variety and bang for your buck. If you would like to see one of these homes, give me a call.

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To talk to a Realtor® who knows Lombard and the surrounding areas like the back of her hand, Call Caryn Kuhlman 630-730-8027

Growing Economy May Mean Higher Rates for Everyone

Many buyers are not aware that the interest rates that we have been seeing for many years are historically low. In 1985, when I purchased my first home the interest rate was at 12%. Today, you would be shocked if a lender offered you a mortgage rate that high. But as the economy grows, it may mean higher rates. Expect those low 4 and 5% interest rates to begin to rise soon.  Thirty year fixed rates may rise to 6% by December and 6.5% by the end of 2011.

Today, you have an unbelievable choice of housing to select from. Hundreds of good, solid homes are on the market at reasonable prices. Without a doubt, if you are a first time buyer and your credit and income are good, this is THE time to purchase.

Take a look at what is available on my website at: 123HomeSweetHome.com.

You can view homes for sale in Lombard as well as all other areas areas throughout Chicago and the Western Suburbs with no sign in required. Just browse and look at the opportunities out there.  And if you see something that you would like to see in person, just give me a call at 630.730.8027 and I would be happy to schedule an appointment for you.

To subscribe to this blog by email use to box near the top of the left hand column.

To talk to a Realtor® who knows Lombard and the surrounding areas like the back of her hand, Call Caryn Kuhlman 630-730-8027