RE-DIRECT

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The Best French Toast in the Barrington Area

Life in the suburbs can be a little boring sometimes, but I am o.k. with that. I try to keep my life as drama-free as is reasonable. So, one of my favorite things is brunch. This is a low-pressure, low-expectation meal. And, after trying just about every place in the Barrington-Palatine metro [...]

Cook and Lake Counties: First Quarter Report, 2008

First quarter reports are out. Well, there are no huge surprises, but one little surprise. Sales were down from last year, way down: -29% in Cook County and -29% for Lake County. We all saw that coming. And, the average sale price in Lake County was down 2.5% from last year. [...]

Getting a Feel for Barrington

I meet a lot of people at open houses from Chicago and from out of state. They’re in town to explore Barrington, and I often send them to my blog to find out more about real estate in the area. But, the best way to get to know Barrington is to drive around. [...]

A Personal Note for Buyers Waiting for a Crash in the Real Estate Market

My husband and I bought our home in the fall, and we are just now finding out what master gardeners the previous homeowners were. Perennials are popping up everywhere. My little dachshunds are running up and down the yard and in and out of the flowers. This may be one of my [...]

Have the March Stats for Cook and Lake County Come Out Yet?

LC (Laura Cannon): Yes.
IP (Interlocuter): So, how were they?
LC: Eek. Not great. I think April numbers will be better.
IP: So, how bad were they?
LC: Well, let me start with the good news: In Cook County, sales were only down about 26% over last year.
IP: What kind of spring bounce is that?!
LC: I [...]

Barrington and Palatine: There is Still a Spring Market Bounce

There is no way to not make this entry lame. I am posting just to say I won’t be posting for a few more days. Sorry about that. I’ve been really busy. This spring market feels like a sale at Macy’s in December: confusion, but some great deals if you [...]

Economic Unpredictability: What is the Impact on the Barrington Real Estate Market?

Noted economist Paul Krugman said in an interview published earlier this week that we could see an average of a 25% drop in housing prices across the country (How Bad is the Mortgage Crisis Going to Get? Fortune, 3/17/08). This is a big statement.
But before we panic, before we make this dire forecast come [...]

Office Buzz in Barrington and Market Feel in Palatine and Inverness

This entry is a little more anecdotal than statistical. The office buzz at my home-base, Keller Williams in Barrington, has been a shared feeling of cautious optimism and anticipation this past week. The mood was especially cheery and alive on Monday after the weekend. Colleagues reported an increase in open house attendance and [...]

Fight the Power! Barrington Stands up to Canadian National

Thousands of residents of Barrington, Lake Zurich and nearby communities have mobilized to protest Canadian National’s purchase of the old EJ & E, or what long-time residents used to call “the J.”
Who would have thought those old, sleepy rails held such destructive potential?
Under Canadian National’s ownership of the railroad, we may see 20 long freights [...]