Neighborhoods at a Glance: Pilsen

It won’t take you long to feel the decidedly Latino beat of the South side neighborhood of Pilsen.  Catch a glimpse of some of the area’s famous murals near 19th and Ashland, or 18th and Wood.  Find silver and stone jewelry, beaded keepsakes, and other local art at shops like Oxala (1653 W. 18th St., 312-850-1655).  Also stop in the National Museum of Mexican Art, which highlights Mexico’s rich culture from ancient times to the present and from around the globe to down the street.  Then dine at the authentic,  Nuevo Leon at 1515 W. 18th St.  It’s a family-run BYO since1962 and it’s sure to delight!  Or a quick bite at the no-frills at Tacqueria Los Comales at 1544 W. 18th.  Need a snack?  Be sure to grab some Mexican candies or chili-spiked lollipops from Dulceria Lupitas (1730 W. 18th St.).  Lastly along the hopping 18th street strip, be sure to check out Knee Deep Vintage for some stylish duds and killer boots (1425 W. 18th St.)!

For more information about the Pilsen neighborhood, or other areas of Chicagoland, please feel free to contact us at kjpremier@atproperties.com.  Or, if you are looking at home values, be sure to check the @report for detailed up to date information about your favorite neighborhood.

Looking for a Spring or Summer getaway!?

 Be sure to check out our cottage located on the inner banks of North Carolina!  Touted as the sailing capital of the world, the fishing, crabbing, and relaxing are second to none!  Dates are filling up fast, so be sure to contact our Rental Manager Trish May (her info is below!) to book your stay today.  I’m also available for any questions you may have or how to buy and own a second home getaway of your own!

Kjpremier@atproperties.com

 

Cribbs Cove – Spring Vacation on the North Carolina Coast

Spring is in the air!!   Now is the best time to visit and enjoy a relaxing stay on the North Carolina coast.  Bring your friends and family to a waterfront retreat for a trip full of outdoors activities, relaxing family time, and laughs with friends.   www.cribbscove7.com

Spring Fishing  It has been a long cold winter and great spring fishing is just around the corner.  Here’s what is happening now and what to come over the next few weeks. Shad are in the Neuse and they are already being caught.  This great ultra- light fish can break the winter doldrums with its great fight and hot action.  Stripers and catfish can also be found in the same areas of the river in the Vanceboro area. A nice mixed bag of stripers, specks, flounder, redfish and a variety of fresh water fish are in the New Bern area and the fishing should be good again once we shake off this cold front. The ocean near Emerald Isle is full of top of the slot redfish.  This is a very weather dependent fishery but if everything is right the action can be unbelievable.  The fish are schooled in the thousands!   For the best guide around, we recommend: Capt. Gary Dubiel Spec Fever Guide Service Fishing New Bern, Oriental and the Crystal Coast. www.specfever.com 252-249-1520   Have fun! “Sailing Capital of North Carolina”     When you stay at Cribbs Cove #7, you will be minutes away from Oriental, North Carolina, where sailboats outnumber residents three to one!  Sailing happens all year around, but is especially fantastic in the spring and summer, when the conditions are perfect! <!– –>

You and your family desire a vacation and getaway to the beautiful coast of North Carolina!  Consider Cribbs Cove #7 for your next vacation plans – you will be happy you did! Cheers!   Trish May Rental Manager email: trishmay@mac.com phone: 252-422-1999 www.cribbscove7.com

Websites to check out: www.cribbscove7.com www.visitoriental.com www.towndock.net

Neighborhood Look: Roscoe Village

As our tribute to the summer, and all that there is to do in and around Chicago, we will kick the season off right  by introducing one of my most favorite neighborhoods in all of Chicagoland.  Roscoe Village is nestled among Lakeview to the East, Bucktown to the South, and North Center/Lincoln Sq. to the North, and the Chicago River to the West.  With two bustling stretches of commercial life located along Belmont and Roscoe streets, the neighborhood has everything to offer.  From Breakfast at Orange on Roscoe which offers “frushi”–fruit sushi, and the delicious “green eggs and Ham,” to the catching the game at the Roscoe Village Tap, for any beer on tap you can imagine, to a casual yet trendy dinner at Volo, an intimate wine and small plate stop, this neighborhood has everything.  Catch a softball game at Hamlin Park, or take the kiddies for romp in the park at the new and improved Fellger Park at Belmont and Damen, or stroll down Damen with your Starbucks and hit the candy shop and new children’s boutique Twinkle, Twinkle.

Over the last 10 years, plenty of new retail as added to the convenience of the ‘hood as well as the growth of residential development.  With only a few larger condo buildings to speak of (one being the Pencil Factory Lofts at 1800 W. Roscoe), the neighborhood offers mostly single family homes, and 2-4 unit walk up buildings, thus giving way to tree lined streets with yards and gardens, making it an inviting community to so many.  If you are curious about the home values here, be sure to check out the @report and search Roscoe Village to see what your home is worth or if you’d like to live here!

And while you’re out and about, be sure to check in on one of Roscoe Village’s fun and fabulous street festivals, like Retro on Roscoe.  For more information about Roscoe Village or other Chicagoland neighborhoods, please contact us today at kjpremier@atproperties.com.

$8000 Tax Credit May Now Be Used for Down Payment!

Previously, first time buyers would not be receiving their $8000 credit until filing their tax returns, until now.   The Federal Housing Administration just announced that they would allow lenders to use the first time buyer credit as a portion or all of a buyers down payment at the closing table.

Shaun Donovan, secretary of the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development addressed a group of Realtors at the NAR mid year meeting and had some other positive things to speak about.  “Since January we’ve seen both home sales moving up and down around a relatively stable number and we are seeing the first signs that the rapid decline in home prices is starting to abate.”  He also commented that the overall market was beginning to stabilize.

This is great news, both as a first time homebuyer, and as a seller looking to sell and move up.  The first time market will continue to purchase, thus allowing the buy up seller to spend in a higher price point.  To read the full story, click here.

To find out if you qualify for the first time buyer tax credit, or to help with pricing your home for a quick sell, contact us today at kjpremier@atproperties.com.

Mortgage Rates/Update

30 Yr Fixed Conforming:     5.000%     APR  5.089%

5 Yr ARM Conforming:       4.000%     APR  4.070% 

30 Yr Fixed Jumbo:          6.375%     APR  6.445% 

5 Yr ARM Jumbo:             5.625%     APR  5.695%

  

Prime Rate is at 3.250%

 

Mortgage News

Mortgage markets faced a broad sell-off last week, sparked by the Federal Reserve and consumer sentiment. 

 

This caused mortgage rates to spike from Wednesday to Friday and it caused the “lowest rates of all-time” to seem like an opportunity lost.

 

It’s the first time in 4 weeks that mortgage rates rose overall.

 

Last week was a strange week, to say the least.  Aside from the large docket of economic data, there was also:

• A Federal Reserve Meeting
• 160 of the S&P 500 firms reporting earnings
• A global public health emergency

It all combined to make for a volatile week in mortgages and the biggest losers were the people that hadn’t yet locked a mortgage rates.  Based on the current market, each quarter-percent that mortgage rates rose added $32 per month per $100,00 borrowed.

 

This week, the market should be similarly jumpy. 

 

1. If the outbreak’s intensity grows, look for Safe Haven to lower rates much like it did last Monday.

 

Also, be aware and listen for Stress Test rumors.

 

Thursday, the government is expected to release its bank Stress Test results.  However, history shows that markets often make large movements before news is ever official — mostly on rumors. As a result, expect mortgage markets to carve out wide ranges on Tuesday and Wednesday in advance of the reports, making it very hard to “time” low mortgage rates.

 

And lastly, Friday brings us April’s employment data.  There’s nothing the report can show us that we don’t already know so the biggest risk here is that employment is not as bad as we all expect it to be. 

 

If that’s the case, stock markets will rally and mortgage rates will rise.

 

Like always, mortgage markets can change in an instant — especially when there’s outside influences on “normal” trading like we’re seeing with Swine Flu and the Stress Test.  If you’re offered a rate and it fits your budget, consider locking right away.  It may not last long.

If you have further questions regarding interest rates or finding what’s right for you and your housing needs, please contact us at kjpremier@atproperties.com.

*Information provided by Guaranteed Rate.

Mary Anne Simmons voted to RisMedia Top 5

A wonderful and experienced broker in Lexington, Ky as well as 5 other states, Mary Anne Simmons, whom we partner and work with as part of our Team has been voted by RisMedia, to their prestigous Top 5 in Real Estate.

Norwalk, CT- Reaching the pinnacle of her profession nationally, MaryAnne Simmons, of Premier Real Estate & Home Services, was accepted as a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, the most prestigious of all industry achievements. 

More than just a sales-driven recognition, the Top 5 in Real Estate Network® meets a need that heretofore has never been addressed – helping consumers identify the most professional real estate agents in North America.  To qualify, each member must first meet a stringent set of criteria, based upon performance, as well as educational and professional skills and service to the consumer.  

Members of the Network are carefully selected and managed by RISMedia, which has provided the real estate industry with objective, unbiased news for nearly 30 years. As a Member of the Top 5 Network, Simmons is among the first real estate agents to be accepted into this elite organization.  

Allan Dalton, the President of RISMedia’s Top 5 Network congratulated Simmons for earning this top status within the industry. “MaryAnne has reached the very highest level of North America’s residential real estate industry. Not only are her professional accomplishments extraordinary, she has long been a true champion for home buyers and sellers in her area.  It is a pleasure to welcome MaryAnne into this elite group of industry leaders.”   

According to John Featherston, Chairman of RISMedia, the significance of Top 5 in Real Estate is that consumers deserve full transparency regarding all matters related to the real estate transaction, which often begins with the need to select a highly competent, experienced and results-oriented real estate professional. Top 5 in Real Estate has been established to both empower consumers with leading real estate content through Top 5 members, as well as to ensure that consumers are made fully aware that there is a material difference between average and exceptional real estate professionals.

MaryAnne Simmons, a 26-year real estate professional, is a licensed broker in six states (KY, FL, SC, NC, TN, AL) presently, and is the owner/broker/president of Premier Real Estate & Home Services. Simmons is a Guild Member of The Luxury Home Marketing Institute, a Resort Second Home Property Specialist (RSPS), a Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS), a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), an Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR), a Certified Home Marketing Specialist (CHMS), and a Consumer-Certified Real Estate Consultant (C-CREC). What sets her company apart is the Home Services Division of her brokerage which includes:  a staging/merchandising division with 3 sets of furniture (Premier Designing Details), a Concierge Service (www.Maximize), a Commercial/Investment Division with a Broker/CPA as a part of her Team, an International Sales and Marketing Division, a Second Home Division (she is a member of 52 MLS services throughout many states), an Auction Division, a New Construction/Development Division, a Property Management & Rental Division (with local rentals and vacation rentals), as well as the Residential and Luxury Residential Divisions.  What’s more, she also has her own seller videos/tours/stories website and a website translated into 13 languages with properties for sale in six states as well as Paris, France’s MLS listings for sale. For more information, call 859-296-4663 or visit www.maryannesimmons.com.
yourmoments.com

For more information on RISMedia’s Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, please visit www.top5inrealestate.com or contact Member Services at 203-853-2167 ext. 139. 

RISMedia’s Top 5 in Real Estate Network^® is a membership network of leading real estate professionals providing leading real estate information to consumers. To qualify for membership in the Top 5 in Real Estate Network, agents must meet specific criteria in five key categories: experience; results; education; information technology; and commitment to community. RISMedia, the leader in real estate information systems, has been providing the industry with news, trends and business development strategies for nearly 30 years through its flagship publication, Real Estate magazine, its leading website, RISMedia.com, and its renowned networking and educational events.