Julie's Blog

If your curious about what your house might be worth these days, your not alone. In fact, many homeowners have lost touch with their homes current value over the last 12 months. The market has turned into what's known as a buyers market, and it's left a lot of people wondering...

What's my house really worth?

If your considering a move, or thinking about refinancing your current home, call me. I know what it's like to be curious about the market in your neighborhood... that's why I visit the MLS for every night to see what is happening all over the area. I'm addicted to real estate and quite frankly, I think that it's becoming a sickness.

If you want to know what your house is worth, JUST ASK! I perform property valuations for banks, which is the next best thing to an appraisal.

Julie Ferenzi |Realtor®
Chicago Suburban Real Estate

Century 21 Hometown
7821 W. Belmont Ave.
Elmwood Park, IL 60707
630-673-6233

If you've ever driven into Plainfield heading south on Rt. 59, just outside of downtown Plainfield, one of the very first things to connect with your line of vision is a strange tall old white building on the left side of Rt. 126.

I have no idea what this building had been previously used for, so your guess is as good as mine!

For years now, it has often become the setting for scary stories told among my kids and nephews. They call it "the prison" in their tales, although I have never taken notice to any resemblance to the structure.

Judging from the large chute on the side of the building, it makes me wonder if it could have once been a mill of some sort...

The Plainfield Historical Society is located a stone's throw from the building, so I guess I need to do a little research. Maybe the kids and I will try to take a trip over there sometime this summer to finally put an end to this mystery... unless of course, you know what that building is?!

Julie Ferenzi | Realtor®
Chicago Suburban Real Estate

Century 21 Hometown
7821 W. Belmont Ave.
Elmwood Park, IL 60707
630-673-6233

Are you thinking about selling your house?  Could it use a little sprucing up?

Here are a few things that will give you the most BUCK  for the BANG!

• Plant some flowers and pull those weeds!  If you are looking to add a  little curb appeal, this is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to do it!  Don't let nature take over your flower beds... PULL THOSE WEEDS!  Once their gone, replace them with some pretty and colorful flowers! 
• Do you have a blacktop or asphalt driveway?  Call one of companies that leave flyers in your door.  For $45 you can get  fresh coat of blacktop on your driveway and give your home  a sharp new appeal!
• Clean that carpet!  For less than $150 you can hire a professional carpet cleaning company to come and clean all of the carpets in your home.   (Check your mail for local Val-Pak for coupons for local  area businesses that service your area.)
• Replace old shower curtains with newer inexpensive ones from somewhere like Big Lots, or Tuesday Morning.
• Paint over those bold colors!  Not everyone loves a custom paint job.  If you have a room that has very "loud" or has an unusual paint color selection, consider buying a gallon of paint from Wal-Mart or Menards to make it more appealing to a broader range of potential buyers. It could save you both time and money on the sale of your home!
• Get rid of the garbage!  If you haven't used it in the last 6 months... YOU NEVER WILL!  Toss it, and rid yourself of litter you'll just have to take with you to the new house...
• Keep the yard well manicured and green!  Brown spots in the landscaping reduce the curb appeal the second a potential buyer lays eyes on your home!
• Don't fret over who gets the appliances.  The easier you make it on your buyer, the closer you will get to your asking price.  ( and then you can afford new ones!)
• Take down any old and worn wallpaper and repaint.
• Replace old lightbulbs.
• Fix the leaky faucet
• Repair that squeaky door!

These are just a few ways to increase the value of your home on a budget.  It's the little things, that truly mean everything!

Julie Ferenzi | Realtor®
Chicago Suburban Real Estate

Century 21 Hometown
7821 W. Belmont Ave.
Elmwood Park, IL 60707
630-673-6233