Foreclosure grace period law is extended

The Illinois Homeowner Protection Act, which offer certain homeowners a 90-day grace period before foreclosure proceedings are initiated, now will be in effect until July 2016. The measure was adopted in 2009.

Under the act, mortgage servicers must notify homeowners who are at least 30 days late on their mortgage payments that they have 30 days to seek housing counseling before a foreclosure action would be initiated. Homeowners who enter counseling then get another 30 days to work out a payment plan or refinance their loan.

I hope this information is useful.

Should you need assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact

Supreme Manor Real Estate Services 773-881-9224. 

Have a Supreme Day!

Sheila M. Wilkinson-Sanders

Chicago Festival this week

1) Square Roots

When: July 12-14, Fri 5pm-10pm, Sat noon-10pm, Sun noon-8pm

Where: Lincoln Ave, between Montrose & Wilson Aves.

Cost: $10, $5 senior over 65 and children under 12, $20 families; donation Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce and Old Town School music program.

 The Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce and Old Town School of Folk Music Co-present live entertainment on four stages from 35 acts including jams, dance and family activities.

2) Dragon Boat Race for Literacy

When: July 13 8am-5pm

Where: Ping Tom Memorial Park, 19^th St & Wentworth Ave.

Cost: Free

 This fast-paced traditional dragon boat race attracts 10,000 spectators to Ping Tom memorial Park for a fun-filled family day including music, arts and crafts, dance and cultural performances ethnic food and corporate vendor booths.

3) Dusable Museum of African American History Arts/crafts Festival

When: July 13-14 noon-8pm

Where: 57^th St & S.Cottage Grove Ave

Cost: Free

 This annual celebration, words, music and dance showcases the creativity of the Hyde Park community’s African American artists in an outdoor gallery. This festival also includes live entertainment, educational seminars, Book signing, films, affordable outdoor dining, and many family activities.

4) Roscoe Village Burger Fest

When: July 13-14 11am-10pm

Where: Belmont St& Damen Ave.

Cost: $7 donation benefits the Roscoe Village chamber of commerce

 The savory patty and rockin’ music lineup are in the spotlight at this burger extravaganza. In addition to flippin’ good food and music, the weekend fest’s menu includes arts and crafts and a kid’s zone.

I hope this information is useful.

Should you need assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact

Supreme Manor Real Estate Services 773-881-9224. 

Have a Supreme Day!

Sheila M. Wilkinson-Sanders

Alderman Debra Silverstein Passes Vital Bed Bug Legislation

Alderman Silverstein said.  “This legislation will ensure that property owners and tenants are responsible for maintaining their property and will stop the spread of bed bug throughout a building and to neighbors.” The increase in bed bug infestation is a major concern throughout the city, and this legislation is an important step in improving the quality of life in our communities by addressing this issue and halting its spread.

The amended ordinance imposes fines on landlords who fail to exterminate infested units according to the regulations dictated by the ordinance. It also makes tenants responsible for notifying landlords immediately and cooperating with the bed bug treatment and eradication process. Bed bugs are resistant to many forms of treatment techniques, making cooperation vital for the successful eradication of the infestation.

I hope this information is useful.

Should you need assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact

Supreme Manor Real Estate Services 773-881-9224. 

Have a Supreme Day!

Sheila M. Wilkinson-Sanders

City Council adopts rules to protect renters in foreclosures

 

The Chicago City Council adopt a Keep Chicago Renting ordinance that will require most entities that take ownership of foreclosed rental buildings to offer legitimate tenants rent-controlled leases for as long as they own the building or give them $10,600 per unit in relocation assistance.

The new law is applied to lenders of foreclosed rental buildings at court-supervised foreclosure auctions and to buildings that run the gamut from single-family rental homes to high-rise apartment buildings. If the lender selects to keep the renters in the building, it must offer those leases with annual rent increases of no more than 2 percent higher than previous rent. Purchasers of foreclosed buildings at auction also would have to provide notice to tenants of the change in ownership and the renters' rights.

I hope this information is useful.

Should you need assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact

Supreme Manor Real Estate Services 773-881-9224. 

Have a Supreme Day!

Sheila M. Wilkinson-Sanders

Low-Maintenance Plants for Easy Landscaping.

Here are 6 varieties of low-maintenance plants that save you time managing your garden.

1. Velvet Cloak Smoke Tree (Height: 10-15 feet/ Width: 15-20 feet)  : The velvet cloak smoke tree has beautiful, deep purple leaves. Large shrub or small tree with deep purple leaves and "puffs" of pink flowers in early summer. Plant it in average garden soil and well-drained; tolerates some salt. Plant it in full sun in spring or early full to prevent winter damage.

2. Jules Verne Peony (Height: 32 inches/ Width: 28-32 inches): Jules Verne peony is fragrant deep pink flowers. Plant it in full sun to light afternoon shade; cut back foliage after frost. Plant shallowly in rich, but well-drained soil; fertilize in spring; divide in autumn, if desired. Plant in spring or early fall 
3. Variegated Ribbon Grass (Height: 18-36 inches/ Width: 24-36 inches): Plant it in full sun to partial shade; foliage and flowering is better in full sun; prune to the ground in late winter. Plant in average garden to wet garden soil; can be aggressive in a wetland setting.  Plant it spring or early fall.
4. Bloody Cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum var. striatum) (Height: 6-10 inches/ Width: 12-14 inches) : Pink flowers adorn the cranesbill hardy geranium in summer. Hardy perennial grown for its palmate foliage and pale pink shade. Divide in spring as needed. Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving

5. Firewitch Dianthus (Dianthus gratianopolitanus 'Firewitch') (Height: 6 inches/ Width: 10-12 inches): Mounding evergreen perennial grown as a groundcover with silver foliage and pink flowers that resemble small carnations. Plant it in moist, but well-drained soil and in full sun. Plant it in spring or early fall Shear back after flowering to promote re-blooming. 
6. Endless Summer Hydrangea (Hydrangea Macrophylla 'Endless Summer' ) (Height: 8-10 feet/ Width: 8-10 feet): Be sure to plant them where deer cannot get to them, such as in containers on an elevated deck. Tolerant of most soil conditions with moderate moisture.  Plant it in full sun to light shade early fall; prune while dormant in winter. 

I hope this information is useful.

Should you need assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact

Supreme Manor Real Estate Services 773-881-9224. 

Have a Supreme Day!

Sheila M. Wilkinson-Sanders

Fireworks: July 4th Thursday

Special 4th of July Lakefront Fireworks is ONLY at Navy Pier. In June 2011, the City of Chicago announced that there will be no official city-run July 3rd or July 4th fireworks show. In years past, the annual Taste of Chicago event in Chicago’s Grant Park concluded with a fireworks display. Navy Pier Chicago will present the exclusive fireworks show at 9 p.m. on July 4th. The 15-minute Navy Pier firework show is sponsored by the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, who operate Chicago's Navy Pier.

From backyards to Navy Pier, here are some of the best Fourth of July fireworks displays in the area:

l   Navy Pier, 9:30 p.m.

l   Arlington Heights - Arlington Park Racetrack.

l   Evanston - Clark Street Beach at 9:15 p.m.

l   Glenview - Glenview Park Golf Club.

l   Itasca - Hamilton Lakes after 9:45 p.m.

l   Lake Forest, Deerpath Park, 9:30 p.m. (music, food, more starts at 6 p.m.)

l   Naperville - RibFest. 9:30 p.m.

l   Skokie - Niles West High School.

I hope this information is useful.

Should you need assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact

Supreme Manor Real Estate Services 773-881-9224. 

Have a Supreme Day!

Sheila M. Wilkinson-Sanders

A Financial Plan for Your Home

Your home is one of your biggest investments. So you should manage it carefully. You should have a financial plan that includes your mortgages, insurance, repairs cost and taxes

 1. The mortgage: Pay it—and then some

1) Less debt means more money to spend later.

2) It feels darn good to own your house outright as soon as possible.

3) Minimal tax loss. Toward the tail end of the life of a loan most of your payment goes to the principal, not the interest, so you’re getting only a small tax break anyway.

Of course, if you’re still saving for retirement, put the 100 bucks toward.

a) A retirement plan

b) An account for the inevitable home repairs

c) An account for discretionary improvements, which can raise your home’s value

2. Insurance: Protect your property

1) Homeowner’s insurance: it covers loss or damage to your home.

2) Liability coverage. It protects you from a lawsuit if someone gets hurt on your property,

3)Various disaster insurance policies: Optional policies cover catastrophes. You can buy flood insurance, but first, you need to have your standard policy already place

·         If you make structural improvements, such as adding storm shutters, your insurer may give you a break.

·         If you belong to certain groups, such as AARP or veterans’ organizations, your premiums may be lower.

3. Repairs and renovations: By choice or necessity? 
Part of your home financial plan, should prepare to be to spend 1% to 3% of the market value of the home annually on maintenance. Here are some estimated life spans:

1) Roof: 20-25 years

2) Heating systems: 15-20 years

3) Range/ovens: 11-15 years

4) Water heaters: 8-13 years

Then get estimates on what replacements will cost and start saving. 

4. Taxes: (Almost) no way around them

Even if your lender handles your property taxes from an escrow account, you need to budget for them in your home financial plan. They creep up almost every year, it seems. Take responsibility for tracking the changes in your area: Look over past tax bills to get a sense of how quickly they’ve risen in the past. 

If you want to reduce your tax there are some ways to get a reassessment. Do your homework first: Are comparable houses taxed less than yours? Ask the local assessor what formula is used to set tax rates. You can challenge the assessed value and get yourself a rollback.

I hope this information is useful.

Should you need assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact

Supreme Manor Real Estate Services 773-881-9224. 

Have a Supreme Day!

Sheila M. Wilkinson-Sanders

Student Loan Rates Doubling Today

Students preparing to take subsidized government loans will see their interest rates double to 6.8% from current levels, starting today Monday, July 1, 2013.  This could affect over 7 million college students slated to take Federally subsidized Stafford loans this year.

If Congress chooses to, they can change the rates and any tweak to the law is to be retroactive July 1st.

Everyone needs to contact their congressman and urge them to put interests rates back to 3.4%. 

We need affordable options for our students to get a quality education!  A mind is a terrible thing to waste.

I hope this information is useful.

Should you need assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact

Supreme Manor Real Estate Services 773-881-9224. 

Have a Supreme Day!        

Sheila M. Wilkinson-Sanders