Lombard Park Distict Has Great Gifts

Each year around this time, I begin to receive invitations to Communions, Confirmations, Graduations and Weddings. This year I have already received three invitations to Eagle Scout Ceremonies.

If you have a special event coming up and are looking for an unusual gift, I have a suggestion. It’s from the Lombard Park District. They offer a memorial tree and personalized brick program.

You can have a tree planted in the honoree’s name for $150.00 – $200.00 depending on the size and type of tree. If you want something a bit less expensive, you could order a brick engraved with whatever you wish for as little as $75.00. When my mom, who was a forever gardener, passed away, some friends purchased a memorial brick in her name.

It sits below the Lilacia Park sign and each time I visit, I stop by to see it. What a very thoughtful gift.

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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

Out and About in Lombard – Gutter Maintenance is Important

Time to clean gutters

Last weekend I was showing homes in the Lombard and Glen Ellyn area. I was surprised at how many homes had visible debris coming out of their gutters.

Regular maintenance is the key to well working gutters. It is suggested that your gutters and downspouts are cleaned out in both the spring and again in the fall, once the leaves from nearby trees have fallen.

If you don’t clean your gutters and downspouts, the rain will not run off or drain properly and over time this can cause damage to your home’s foundation.

Inspect the gutters as you clean them, looking for any rust, holes or loose nails. Make sure they are securely fastened to the house. Run some water through the downspouts and make sure that the water running out of the downspout is being properly diverted with the use of a plastic or concrete diverter. You don’t want the water emptying out on the ground where it will cause erosion. A few hours on a nice day can save you thousands of dollars later. Your home is your most valuable asset; regular maintenance is a way to preserve it for years to come.

For the past few years, I have used Mark Keane of Keane Maintenance to do my gutters and have been pleased with his services. If you are like me and prefer someone else on your roof, his number is 630-595-1570.

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

Out and About in Lombard – Annuals and Perennials

I know we have had a few nice days recently. But if you are tempted to buy some annuals to plant outside, STOP. It’s just too soon to do it. The experienced gardener waits until at least Mother’s day to put those first beauties in the ground.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t begin to plan now. Take a walk around your house. Is it attractive and inviting? Are there wide open spots that could use a make over? This is the time to begin planning, not planting!

Many people find that annual flowers such as impatiens, geranium or snapdragon’s fill their need to have instant color. The term “Annual”, means that they complete their life cycle in one growing season. They grow, flower, produce seed and than die. Next year you will have to purchase them all over again.

I prefer perennials. Perennials come back year after year. And they come in fuller and more beautiful every year. Examples of these would be coneflowers, sedum, asters and salvia. Successful perennial gardens start with the soil. If you eliminate all the weeds prior to turning the soil, it will make your job much easier throughout the growing season and bring you years of color in your garden.

If you are looking to plant some perennials, give me a call, I just might share!

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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

Out and About in Lombard -17 days 17 hours 27 minutes 14 seconds

As of today, we have only 17 days left on the Home Buyers Tax Credit.

This can be the result of taking advantage of the tax credits available

In order to qualify you must have a completed purchase contract on a condo, townhouse or single family home dated by April 30th and close on that purchase by June 30, 2010.

If you are just now thinking of purchasing to qualify for this credit, you need to find a home that is NOT a short sale. Short sales are very attractively priced, but the chances of you closing on the deal before the end of the Home Buyers Tax Credit are just not in your favor. In January, I helped a young couple to close on a short sale purchase within two weeks, but had already waited almost two month before the initial contract was accepted.

Right now in Lombard we have 326 homes available for purchase. The inventory is high and there are many homes that might fit your individual need. But you will have to act quickly to qualify for the Home Buyers Tax Credit. We are not expecting this to be extended.

However, don’t lose hope. On May 1st, 2010, Coldwell Banker is coming out with a new program that is actually better than the government tax credit. It’s better because there are NO restrictions as to who can qualify. Keep checking my blog so you can be the first to hear the details.

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

Mortgage Tips For Lombard Area Buyers

These tips apply not to Lombard area buyers but buyers throughout Chicagoland.

If you are thinking of buying a new home, please keep this in mind:
Sometimes, it’s not getting the mortgage approval that’s tough.  It’s keeping the approval.

Don't lose your dream home by making one of the 8 mortgage mistakes

If you are applying for a conventional mortgage or going FHA, getting to the closing table can take up to 2 months, depending on the speed of the appraisal, bank signoff, and other factors.

It’s especially longer with short sales, foreclosures and short refinancing.

During those 60+ days, a lot can happen to a person that changes their underwriting disposition.  For example, one could lose their job, get injured, or have a home damaged by a storm.  The more time there is between application and closing, the more likely a catastrophic event is to occur.  Of course, catastrophe tends to lead to a mortgage turndown and, sometimes, bad things just happen.  However, there are things that you can plan for; things within your control.

Mortgage approvals are fragile, and nothing is done until it is done.  Good behavior matters.

Keeping that in mind, here are 8 things you should absolutely not do between the date of application and the date of funding.

Bad Mortgage Behavior, Defined

1.    Don’t buy a new car or trade-up to a bigger lease
2.    Don’t quit your job to change industries or start a new company
3.    Don’t switch from a salaried job to a commissioned job
4.    Don’t transfer large sums of money between bank accounts
5.    Don’t forget to pay your bills — even the ones in dispute
6.    Don’t open new credit cards — even if you’re getting 20% off at the register
7.    Don’t accept a cash gift without filling out the proper “gift” paperwork
8.    Don’t make random, undocumented deposits into your bank account

It may be impractical to follow every rule to the letter.  If your car lease is expiring, check with your Mortgage Advisor to see if extending the lease for short-term is a better solution than entering a new lease or buying.  The same goes for accepting cash gifts from parents.  There’s a right way and a wrong way to accept a cash gift.  Doing it the wrong way may preclude your ability to use the gift as a source of down payment without backtracking.

Check with your Mortgage Advisor, there are “gotchas” in Mortgageland and with underwriting times getting longer; it’s more likely that the average applicant will trip one.  Following the above 8 rules is a good start!

For more information, just give me a call at 630-730-8027 and I will put you in touch with a good Mortgage Advisor.

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