Just Listed For Sale - 1708 E Thomas Road in Wheaton

Charming Updated Ranch with Open Layout

Check out this meticulously and lovingly maintained, spacious 4 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom ranch home. This is the wide open floor plan you have been looking for with a large sunny family room a beautiful yard and deck and is completely open to the kitchen. Upgrades within the last year include the furnace, humidifier, dining room and basement windows and a dishwasher. New roof and professional landscaping done in 2010. Full and finished basement with a bedroom and full bathroom. Endless closet and storage space. Walk to Glen Ellyn schools from this locations!This is the home you have been waiting for - tastefully updated and charming for even the most discerning home buyer from top to bottom in desirable Wheaton with Glen Ellyn schools! Follow this link to view more property pictures and details 1708 E. Thomas in Wheaton .

1708 E. Thomas Master Bathroom

1708 E. Thomas Kitchen/Breakfast Bar

Information and service provided by Katie Oakes with The Champagne Realty Group at Keller Williams Premiere Properties in Glen Ellyn, IL. Contact Katie Oakes for more information about buying or selling your home in the Wheaton, Winfield and Warrenville area or simply visit Wheaton Homes For Sale online to start your search now!

Just Listed For Sale - 114 S. Milton Ave in Glen Ellyn Complete Rehab

Completely Renovated Glen Ellyn Home on Huge Lot

Check out this stunning Glen Ellyn renovation with a prime location. The property is just steps to Panfish Park and local schools. The home is situated on a surprisingly large lot measuring out at 50 x 200. The home has had a complete overhaul; some of the many updates include a new kitchen with new granite counter tops, a back-splash cabinets, and stainless steel appliances. Don't miss the spacious bathrooms which have also been completely updated with new vanities, granite tops and tile work. Gleaming hardwood floors run through the main and second level of the home, while the newly finished basement with a fireplace AND sub-basement feature brand new carpeting. This home has been freshly painted throughout with new light fixtures and also includes a new roof, driveway, garage door and landscaping. This is the home you have been waiting for - tastefully updated for even the most discerning home buyer from top to bottom in desirable Glen Ellyn! Follow this link to view more property pictures and details 114 S. Milton Avenue in Glen Ellyn .

Completed updated kitchen in 114 S. Milton in Glen Ellyn

Information and service provided by Katie Oakes with The Champagne Realty Group at Keller Williams Premiere Properties in Glen Ellyn, IL. Contact Katie Oakes for more information about buying or selling your home in the Wheaton, Winfield and Warrenville area or simply visit Wheaton Homes For Sale online to start your search now!

Home Renovation Return on Investment: Exterior Siding vs. Windows

Information and service provided by Katie Oakes with The Champagne Realty Group at Keller Williams Premiere Properties in Glen Ellyn, IL. Contact Katie Oakes for more information about buying or selling your home in the Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Winfield and Warrenville area or simply visit Wheaton Homes For Sale online to start your search now!

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Just Listed in Warrenvile: 30w021 Juniper Court

This is a must see bright and spacious ranch style town home. The large living room and formal dining area feature vaulted ceilings and overlook a private outdoor patio space. Check out the separate breakfast room or the huge kitchen pantry. The expansive master suite showcases a massive walk-in-closet along with a roomy bathroom. This property has tons of extra storage in the attached 2.5 car garage and in attic access. Town home assessments include access to the association pool and more! This commuter convenient location is a 10+  - Follow this link to view more property pictures and details 30w021 Juniper Court .

Information and service provided by Katie Oakes with The Champagne Realty Group at Keller Williams Premiere Properties in Glen Ellyn, IL. Contact Katie Oakes for more information about buying or selling your home in the Wheaton, Winfield and Warrenville area or simply visit Wheaton Homes For Sale online to start your search now!

DIY Flooring Installation

Installing a new floor is a great way to liven up your house. Before you change your floor, however, you need to decide what type of flooring is best suited to your budget and lifestyle. Hardwood floors are a classic choice, while many homeowners prefer the ease of tile or the affordability of laminate flooring. While some floors can be installed by an inexperienced homeowner, other floor types require the services of a professional or an experienced handyman.

Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood floors have always been a popular choice. Beautiful, traditional wood floors can last a lifetime if properly maintained and, because hardwood floors are more hygienic than carpet, they are a good choice for people with allergies. The National Wood Flooring Association, points out that wood is:

Low-maintenance

Renewable

Recyclable

Varied

Enduring

Hardwood floor types can be new or salvaged and might be smooth, distressed, or hand-scraped for an antique look. Stains give you a variety of color choices, even allowing oak to masquerade as rare exotic lumber. Research all your options before investing in a hardwood floor, as each of the many choices offers advantages of its own.

Maintaining Hardwood Floors

Prefinished hardwood flooring can be expensive, but it is easy to maintain. To keep your hardwood floor looking its best, you should put down area rugs in places that get a lot of foot traffic. You should also damp mop your floor frequently to remove dust and dirt. If your hardwood floors get a few minor scratches, you can repair them with a touch-up stick. Solid hardwood floors can be refinished if they have a lot of scuffmarks, which is one advantage over other products like laminate flooring.

Installing Hardwood Flooring

If you have never installed any type of flooring, you might want to hire a professional to lay your hardwood floors. Get an estimate, ask for references and never pay for the entire job upfront. If you do decide to do it yourself, do your homework because installing flooring can be tricky. The following tools are needed for installing hardwood floors:

Circular saw

Measuring tape

Nail gun or hammer

Table saw

T-square

Floor sealant

Nails

Safety glasses

According to Steve Seabaugh, director of technical education for the NWFA, installers of wood floors must take care to:

Check the subfloor for flatness.

Avoid laying over particleboard, which does not hold nails well.

Acclimatize wood to the space in which it will be installed.

Laying hardwood floors takes time, and this last step adds several days to your project calendar. The flooring should sit in your home for at least 48 hours before installation in order to expose it to the room's environment. This allows it to expand or contract according to the temperature and humidity of the room. If this takes place after the floor is laid, you'll wind up with shifting boards and uneven flooring. In addition to this brief period of acclimatization, plan to spend at least a few full days installing hardwood floors, depending on the size of your home.

Quick-Growing Alternatives to Hardwoods

Some homeowners choose cork or bamboo floors as an alternative to hardwood. These faster-growing products can be "green" in more ways than one - gentle on the planet and on your wallet. Prefinished bamboo is made from a grass and performs much like hardwood when it's used as flooring. Cork is a wood-bark product that can also make an attractive floor. According to BuildGreen's independently publishedEnvironmental Building News, the most eco-friendly bamboo floors are those with Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification.

Tile Flooring

Tile is another beautiful choice and a great option for DIY flooring. The price of tile varies greatly because there are so many choices, from ceramics and terra-cotta to marble and slate. Regardless of the price, tile is extremely durable and will last for decades with proper care.

Before installing new floors, you should first learn as much as you can about how to tile. Many hardware stores and home centers offer classes in tiling. You can also hire a professional to install your tile floor, but this will greatly increase the price of your total flooring expenses.

When you do undertake a tiling job, be sure you already understand the process. You'll need to be sure your subfloor is suitable and then create a level bed of mortar. Tiles will be set according to a careful plan, with room left between for grout. After the mortar has set, you'll fill the gaps with grout, carefully wiping the surface of the tiles as you go. Finally, a week or more later, you'll seal the grout to protect it from stains.

Tile-Laying Supplies

The basic supplies for laying tile include:

Grout floats

Mortar trowels

Sponges

Tile cutters

Tile grout, mortar, and sealant

Tile saw

Tape measure

Pencil

Level

Rags and a sponge

Installing tile flooring will take time, as grout and mortar take several days to dry. You should expect to get your hands dirty during this process, but the end result will be one of the most easily maintained flooring options out there.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is made from a synthetic material that looks like hardwood or tile. Laminate flooring is a great choice for anyone who wants the look of hardwood or tile but doesn't have a big budget to work with. Laminate flooring is usually less than half the cost of hardwood floors.

Another advantage of laminate flooring is that almost anyone can install it. For most types of laminate flooring, the manufacturer's instructions are easy to follow and the pieces snap into place for "lock and click" installation. According to the North American Laminate Flooring Association, glue and fasteners are usually not required. Durability and affordability are listed by NALFA alongside ease of installation as reasons to consider a laminate floor.

Eco-friendly Laminates

Environmental concerns can sway consumers towards laminates, too. A product with NALFA's green seal will have the following features, according to the association's website:

Natural ingredients such as wood chips

Recyclability

Low emissions

Recycled content

No VOC-producing installation adhesives

Easy to Buy, Install and Maintain

Caring for and maintaining laminate floors is very easy - simply sweep or wet-mop regularly. With excellent care, laminate floors can last up to 20 years. The time and skill required to install a laminate floor are relatively low, making this a popular choice for first-time DIY floor installations.

A Floor for Every Lifestyle

Whether you choose easy laminates, classic hardwoods, or beautiful tile, your floor will help define your home's personality. By matching your budget, taste, and skill to the best product for you, you can find a DIY flooring solution that will make your home more comfortable, beautiful, and valuable.

Information and service provided by Katie Oakes with The Champagne Realty Group at Keller Williams Premiere Properties in Glen Ellyn, IL. Contact Katie Oakes for more information about buying or selling your home in the Wheaton/Winfield area or simply visit Wheaton Homes For Sale online to start your search now!

Tips For Buying a Foreclosed Home

Homebuyers in the market for a deal on their dream home need two things: lots of patience and the stomach to do battle with investors. Any home that is in a decent area and priced right is facing keen competition in today's market. Homebuyers in the market for a foreclosure need those qualities tenfold. Buying a foreclosure is a lengthy process, and, although most investors prefer pre-foreclosure sales and auctions, you will face your share of competition for bank-owned homes. Let's take a look at some foreclosure-buying options and how to participate.

Buying a Foreclosure at Auction

• Homes that are sold at auction, typically carried out at the county courthouse, are those that homeowners have lost because they failed to bring the mortgage current during the reinstatement period.

• The lender's representative, known as the trustee, will be on hand to receive the money from the winning bidder, if there is one. The opening bid is typically equal to the loan balance, trustee's fees, accrued interest and other costs incurred by the lender during the foreclosure process.

• Can you get a bargain at auction? That depends on how much the homeowner owed before defaulting on the loan. The opening bid must be met or the trustee purchases the property and it then becomes an REO, or "real estate owned" by the lender.

• You may have seen foreclosure auction shows on TV. If so, you know it isn't the place for a novice to get a good deal. Most of the bidders are highly experienced flippers and investors offering up fierce competition.

• You will also not be able to view the inside of the home or perform inspections. Plus, if you're the winning bidder, you may have to evict the current occupants. Depending on the state in which you live, eviction may be costly and time-consuming.

• Finally, many foreclosures have additional liens against them, which you will take on if you purchase the property. Recorded liens are public information; you can search for them at the county clerk's office, the county recorder or the assessor's office. But not all liens are recorded.

• One way to ensure you're protected is by purchasing an owner's title insurance policy.

Buying an REO

• Purchasing a bank-owned property is much easier than buying a home at auction and much like a conventional purchase.

• You'll need a loan preapproval letter from your lender, unless you're paying cash, and the services of a real estate agent.

• Most REO properties are vacant and somewhat cleaned up. Although the bank won't supply you with property disclosures as sellers in a conventional transaction are required to, you will be allowed time for inspections.

• Many experienced REO buyers perform extreme due diligence, such as checking the city planning office for permits that may be on file for any work the previous owner performed. Have anything that looks the slightest bit suspicious inspected, from the roof to the foundation.

• Your buyer's agent should be able to assist you in learning as much as possible about the home's history. And, since real estate brokers are required to hold on to transaction files for a number of years (varying according to state), if the home sold in the past few years, your agent may be able to track down a past disclosure.

• Banks typically don't pay for repairs to the property and other transaction fees, so you'll need to take on those expenses. Ultimately, although it may seem that you're getting a bargain-priced home, once all is said and done, it may be worth it to purchase another home in better condition.

Contact Katie Oakes to start your home search today or to learn more about the process of purchasing a foreclosed home. All information and services are provided by Katie Oakes with The Champagne Realty Group at Keller Williams Premiere Properties in Glen Ellyn, IL. Servicing Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Winfield and the greater DuPage County area with over 130 million in closed sales volume.

The Advantages of Getting a Mortgage Preapproval

The homebuying process can be exciting, but also stressful. When there are a large number of buyers in the market for real estate, the odds of being able to purchase your desired home can be low. However, getting a mortgage preapproval prior to home shopping can dramatically increase the odds of success. 

Make Mortgage Preapproval Your First Step

A mortgage preapproval should be a homebuyer's first step when purchasing a home. A borrower can choose to meet with a lender or get an initial preapproval via the Internet. The preapproval process is similar to the actual mortgage process and will, in fact, eliminate a lot of time after a home has been chosen.

When obtaining a mortgage preapproval, the borrower will complete a mortgage application and submit the necessary documentation to the lender. The lender will pull a credit report and examine the borrower's credit.

Based on all of this information, the lender will determine the amount of funds that the borrower qualifies for. The borrower will receive a Conditional Commitment, which states the amount of funds that the lender agrees to lend provided that the conditions are met. While a preapproval is an important first step, it is not the final mortgage approval.

Impress Homesellers With Your Mortgage Preapproval

One of the advantages of having a preapproval is that this letter can be shown to real estate agents and sellers when looking for a home. By doing so, both the agent and the seller know that the borrower can qualify for a certain amount of funds. It is proof of the borrower's financial standing and ability to proceed with the home purchase.

Another advantage is that some of the work that is involved in obtaining a mortgage is already done. The lender has already examined the borrower's financial situation, including credit, income and assets. During the preapproval process, the lender will also discuss the most appropriate type of mortgage program that fits the borrower's needs, whether it is a conventional loan or a government loan.

This is significant because not all sellers will accept a buyer who is using a government loan. Knowing the details of what type of loan is appropriate for the borrower, the agent can then show them homes that will fit their preapproval both for cost and type of funding.

How Mortgage Preapproval is Determined

The preapproval is determined by putting the information given to the lender through automated underwriting. In most cases, the preliminary loan file goes through a preprocessing before the preapproval is given to the borrower. Since there is an actual examination of the borrower's documentation, the borrower will also receive a list of additional information that may be needed. The borrower can then submit this information while shopping for a home.

Once a home is found and the sales contract is signed, processing the loan is faster since most of the work for the credit file has been done. The final process involves verifications, ordering and receiving the appraisal, ordering title documents, obtaining insurance, etc. The final underwriting is the last step before the loan file is sent for closing.

The preapproval process is an important part of a home purchase. Since there is a lot of information involved in obtaining a mortgage, it eliminates many last minute problems that can arise. Obtaining a mortgage preapproval helps the home purchase process go smoothly.

Information and service provided by Katie Oakes with The Champagne Group at Keller Williams Premiere Properties in Glen Ellyn, IL. 

To start your home search now or for local lender recommendations contact Katie Oakes directly!