My New Blog

Whether you are going to buy a home or sell a home, you should receive my real estate newsletter.

Here's why:

1. It comes out only once a month.  You will not be bombarded with email.
2. You will find valuable information no matter if you are a first time home buyer, seasoned buyer or a home seller.
3. You will receive items of value from Lowe's home improvement centers including coupons.

Just send your name and address to mariannehofmann@att.net and put subscribe in the Subject line.

Thank you.  I hope you enjoy your newsletter.

I am sponsoring a newsletter along with Lowe's Home Improvement Centers.

If you are thinking of buying a home, selling a home, plan to stay in the home you own now or renting, you should sign up for this great newsletter.  Here are some of the reasons why:

1. You will receive great information about improving your home.
2. You will occasionally receive coupons to help with purchases.
3. You will receive the newsletter once a month.
4. Your information is kept private.  We do not sell or provide your information to anyone.

Simply reply with your name, address and e-mail address and you'll start receiving helpful information and save money at the same time. 

We all know that there is a lot of competition for buyers because there are so many homes for sale.

Here are some ideas to make your home stand out among the competition and for very little money - and let's face it, everyone wants to save money and also make money!

1. Paint your front door.  If your house is dark, paint the door white - you may also want to add some light colored window boxes.  If your home is a neutral color or white then a bright green, blue or red door will give it pizzazz.
2. Window boxes with bright colored flowers spell "home".
3. If installing window boxes doesn't appeal to you, purchase a couple of large flowering plants from a home improvement center.  The cost will probably be under $20 for two.
4. Make sure your shrubbery is trimmed to showcase all windows.
5. Keep grass cut and as weed free as possible.  Rake in seed and water in bare spots.
6. Keep the front yard free of children's toys.
7. Make sure the garage door is down and no cars are parked in the driveway if possible.
8. A wreath on the front door is always welcoming.
9. To help you save money on your home spruce-up, email me with your address and I will have a 10% off coupon from Lowe's home improvement centers sent to you.  Then you will periodically receive a newsletter from Lowe's with a coupon.  Every little bit helps!
10. To see 100,000 homes for sale visit www.mariannehofmann.com.

Naperville has been voted one of the best cities to live in the United States.  It started in 1997 when a Washington D.C. organization voted Naperville one of the top "kid-friendly" cities with populations of more than 100,000.

Money Magazine chose Naperville as the second best place to live in 2006 and the third best in 2005.

RelocateAmerica named Naperville the number one city in the United States that people would choose when they are relocating and one of "America's Top 25 Places to Live to Go to School."

AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) named Naperville among the top ten small cities for seniors.

Walking Magazine put Naperville on its list of ten best walking towns.

The American Library Association has named the Naperville public library system system as the best for a city its size for a number of years.

Kudos go to the Naperville government and its employees including educators, park district, health workers, merchants and citizens!

Did you know that there are 172 single family homes for sale in DuPage County for $200,000 or less?

There are 128 single family homes in Bolingbrook and Plainfield (Will County) in the same price range.

Interest rates are lower than they have been in ages.  So, if you are a first time home buyer or starting over, there may be a home for you.

Check out all listings at www.mariannehofmann.com.

If you have any questions, please give me a call at 630-664-9472.  You may find that owning may be the right choice for you! 

Now may be the time to get rid of things you no longer need or want, help someone in need and potentially gain a tax deduction.  Here are some charities to consider:

APPLIANCES
St. Vincent DePaul Society 630-231-4658 and Restoration Ministristries 708-876-8413 will pick up items and give them to the needy or sell them and use the proceeds to help the needy.  Items must be in good working condition, and typically not more than 7 years old.

BABY ITEMS
The Care and Counseling Center serves women with crisis pregnancies from diagnosis through delivery and on through the first years of their children's lives.  The center helps women and their families make the transition into parenting or work with adoption agencies.  communityresources.net/careandcouncelingcenter2.html  630-960-1060.

Sharing Connections provides furniture and household items to low-income families helping them transform a bare apartment or house into a home.  sharingconnections.org  630-971-0565

CLOTHES
Women's Alliance is a national organization of independent community-based members who provide professional attire, career skills training and related services to low-income women seeking employment.  In the Chicago area contact the Bottomless closet at 312-527-9664  bottomlesscloset.org

Poised for Success is a not-for-profit organization which promotes economic self-sufficiency in women by providing business clothing to women in financial need.  630-961-1455  volunteermatch.org/orgs/org44557.html

Second Chance Resale Shop is run by Family Shelter Service, which provides help and hope to victims of domestic violence and their families.  They accept men's, women's and children's clothing and shoes,  as well as household items.  630-847-7268

COMPUTERS, PRINTERS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT
Educational Assistance Ltd helps turn excess or unwanted inventory and gently used equipment into college tuition for needy students.  They accept a wide rang of new and used inventory including, tools, computer and lab equipment, furniture, paper shredders, weed killer, industrial components, electronics, building supplies and more.  These items are then given to colleges and universitiews, who create and award scholarships to student with demonstrated financial need.  ealworks.org  630-690-0010

Computers for Schools is a non-profit dedicated to providing a low cost alternative for achieving technology in the classrooom.  pcsforschools.org  1-800-939-6000

FURNITURE AND HOME FURNISHINGS
The Courtyard - proceeds from the sale of items go to Wellness House, a not-for-profit organization that encourages, educates and emotionally supports people working to overcome the effects of cancer in their lives.  shopthecourtyard.com  630-323-1135

Sharing Connections provides furniture and household items to low-income families helping them transform a bare apartment or house into a home.  sharingconnections.org  630-971-0565

WEDDING AND BRIDESMAID DRESSES
Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation - gowns are sold in a nationwide tour of gowns, called "Brides Against Breast Cancer," and proceeds provide an opportunity for metastatic breast cancer patients to fulfill a dream or wish.  makingmemories.org  503-829-4486

GENERAL
The following organizations accept a variety of general household items, clothing, furniture, books, etc.:
Community Nurse Health Association - provides health care and social services to low-income families.  communitynurse.org  708-352-0081

Goodwill Industries - a network of community-based, autononomous member organizations worldwide that serves people with workplace disadvantages and disabilities by providing job training and employment services.  goodwill.org  1-800-664-6577

Merillac House - donates items to needy families or sells them in their thrift shop, with the proceeds benefiting the needy.  773-722-7440

Morningstar Mission - donates items to needy families or sells them in their thrift shop, with the proceeds benefiting the needy.  815-722-5780

Peoples Resource Center - provides a lifeline for the refugee or for those who find themselves in a difficult life situation, by providing a "library" of resources to help people remain self-sufficient.  630-682-5402

Please be aware that many places can only accommodate in-season items, since storage space is usually limited.  So pack up those lawn chairs, beach toys and summer clothes and put them in a safe place until spring.

Reprinted with permission of From "Piles to Smiles", www.pilestosmiles.com

IDHA First Time Homebuyer Program > www.ihda.org
The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) offers a lower-than-market rate downpayment to first-time borrowers or those who have not owned a home in three years.

IHDA I-Loan Program > www.ihda.org
This program offers a below market 30-and 40-year fixed rate mortgages.

Our Own Home - Illinois State Treasurer's Office > www.ourownhome.net
This program helps people purchase their first home, or refinance if payments have been missed due to circumstances beyond the homeowner's control.

FHA Loan > www.hud.gov.buying/loans.cfm
The Federal Housing Authority offers a single-family low downpayment loan, which allows wider debt ratios.  This is a type of loan for those borrowers with little downpayment savings.

More Good News
Interest rates on a 30 year conventional mortgage are currently at 5.25%.

Please give me a call if I can help with your real estate needs - 630-664-9472.     

There is nothing quite like the pride of ownership that owning your own home brings.  Now is a great time to buy a home.  Interest rates are very favorable, hovering around 6% for a 30 year conventional loan.

Buying a home has tax advantages also.  You can deduct your mortgage interest, property taxes and some closing costs.  Check with your tax advisor about these and other deductibles.

Did you know that there are 74 three bedroom single family homes for sale in DuPage County under $200,000?  Or that there are 145 three bedroom townhomes and duplexes in DuPage under $200,000? 

Check out thousands of homes at www.mariannehofmann.com.

     Chicago area home sales plummeted 24 percent in November compared to November 2006, but prices managed a weak gain, the Illinois Association of Realtors said Friday.

     Interest rates may still come down a bit and so may housing prices.    Of course, mortgages resetting in 2008 may bring more foreclosures.  More homes for sale means more choices for buyers and may contribute to lower prices.  However, it is believed that housing prices have bottomed out.

     Mortgage bankers and brokers are being much more careful to whom they lend money.  Good credit is very important and FHA loans will once again become popular.

     Whether buying or selling or both, I wish you the very best.  Let me put my marketing and negotiating skills to work for you to make 2008 a great year for you!

Happy New Year!