CHICAGO PARKING METERS SEE INCREASE IN 2013; HIGHEST RATES IN NATION AT $6.50HR

We can all thank former Mayor Richard Daley for the change in parking meters before he left office.  It was one of his worst decisions during his stint as Chicago’s Mayor, along with the late night demolition of Meigs Field.   It was obvious the one billion dollar quick fix, leasing the meters to a private firm for 75 years, would cost city residents dearly.  But many may be surprised at the speed of the increase and amount.

The city has officially earned a title Chicago residents are dreading…the most expensive parking meters in the nation.  Effective January 1, 2013, get ready to dish out even more when parking in the city; including the loop and area neighborhoods.

The rates in the loop will increase to a whopping $6.50 per hour (up 75 cents), so you may want to ride the bus going forward.  It is an outrage that the Mayor sold us out for a one-time fix and the deficit was never even repaired.  Where did all that money go?  Why do we continue to suffer?

Just when we thought the ridiculous cost to park downtown could not get any worse…it did.  There was a day that New York city seemed over-the-top when it came to affordability, but now Chicago is closing the gap.

I would love to know what happened to the billion dollars…it sure did not fix our schools, roads, taxes or city jobs.  The only up side to this story, is that our current Mayor Rahm Emanuel is having the parking meter contract reviewed closely, to find any gaps.  But good luck with that, it was such a hasty decision they were sure to pull wool over the eyes of Daley.

Let’s face it, Daley was desperate and gave no thought to that contract, or he would have had a gradual (small) increase included.  Better yet, he would not have sold his soul to the devil in the first place!  This is a disgrace for our great city.

What do you think?

GREAT FULL ARTICLE ON THIS SUBJECT...http://theexpiredmeter.com/2010/03/the-meter-lease-deal-%E2%80%93-a-daley-double-part-1/

(PSY VIDEO) TOP WORKOUT SONGS FOR DECEMBER 2012; PSY AND TAYLOR SWIFT MAKE THE LIST

The results are in for the most popular workout songs for December 2012 according to popular website Run Hundred.  It looks like Taylor Swift is a fan favorite along with the Youtube sensation Psy.  When pumping iron and hitting the gym many are doing it Gangnam Style!

The Top 10 Workout Songs For December

Fort Wayne, IN – December 7, 2012 – Closing out the year is an eclectic bunch of tracks, which ought to help you polish off December in style. Present here is the latest of the Usher/Ludacris hits that began with 2004’s “Yeah!” Also, collaborating this month are Irish rockers The Script and Will.I.Am from Black Eyed Peas. Further mixing things up are Taylor Swift’s flirtation with dubstep and two different takes on the same song by Flo Rida and Bingo Players.

Here’s the full list, according to votes placed at Run Hundred–the web’s most popular workout music blog.

Taylor Swift – I Knew You Were Trouble – 77 BPM

Avicii – Silhouettes – 129 BPM

The Script & Will.I.Am – Hall of Fame – 87 BPM

One Direction – Kiss You – 90 BPM

Calvin Harris & Florence Welch – Sweet Nothing – 127 BPM

Ludacris, Usher & David Guetta – Rest of My Life – 129 BPM

Flo Rida – I Cry – 126 BPM

Fun. – Some Nights – 110 BPM

Bingo Players – Cry (Just a Little) – 128 BPM

PSY & MC Hammer – Gangnam Style / 2 Legit 2 Quit – 131 BPM
To find more workout songs, folks can check out the free database at RunHundred.com. Visitors can browse the song selections there by genre, tempo, and era—to find the music that best fits with their particular workout routine.

Contact:
Chris Lawhorn
Run Hundred
Email: Admin@RunHundred.com
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2012: BOLINGBROOK RESIDENT WINS $500K IN LUCKY DAY LOTTERY!

The Chicago Sun-Times reported this week, about a lucky Bolingbrook couple who won a whopping $500,000 in the Lucky Day lottery drawing.

Lissette Quinones and husband, Javier Bueno matched all 5 numbers, with a ticket purchased at the Bolingbrook 7-Eleven, 398 S. Schmidt Road, on November 2, 2012.

Quinones told reporter’s; “I checked my ticket over and over and I kept asking the clerk if I really did win. Then I got in my car and screamed and cried.  I feel so lucky.”  The couple plans to donate some of their winnings, invest in their retirement, and visit their new granddaughter. 

Well, good for them!  It is amazing to hear that we as Bolingbrook residents, can keep the dream of winning alive.  This is yet another great reason that Bolingbrook is an awesome place to live!

Congrats to the lucky couple and if you decide to sell your home and buy a new one…please look me up!  I would love to help find you a new home:).

What a way to start the holiday season!

12/4/12: HOME PRICES UP OVER 6% NATIONWIDE; LARGEST GAIN IN 6 YEARS; LOW INVENTORY IN CHICAGO

New reports released today, finally relayed good news for the housing market.  Nationwide home prices are up 6.3%; the largest gain in 6 years.  Anyone searching for a home recently knows this news is no surprise.   Multiple offers are up and homes are selling faster than ever.

The increase in average sales price is said to be up due to low inventory and low-interest rates.  Many homeowner’s have also begun putting their homes on the market again and previously nervous buyer’s are back out.  When you combine supply and demand with record-low interest rates, this is an obvious outcome.

As a Chicago agent, this news is no shock.  In recent month’s the amount of investor’s scooping up any good available inventory, has surged.   Owner occupants are also finding it harder to find homes and have been forced to compete in multiple bid situations on a regular basis.   The short market time is also increasing and many homes are snatched up within a week.

Recently, it took me three contracts before one of my buyers to secure a home.  After a frustrating month of wasting paper and preparing paperwork, we finally won the bid on a home which had three offers.  It confirmed that you will likely need to pay more than list price just to have a chance…hence price increases.   In the case of foreclosures, the banks are riding the wave and requesting the highest and best offers regularly.  This is also driving prices up, as buyer’s become anxious to win the bid they are willing to pay more.

If you are considering putting your home on the market, now is the time.  The traditional spring market is out the door.  It is the best time to get your home sold and buyer’s are still out even in colder states.  Obviously the low inventory increases your odds of getting the best price, within the shortest list time.  But don’t get too greedy…it still must appraise out.

The incredible surge in such a short time has many states previously in trouble, at the top of the list.  You may be surprised how the top 10 list shakes out.

Another thing to note; inventory is a 7 year low in Orlando….and in many other states.  Trust me, Chicago is also seeing low inventory as well.  If you are searching for a home in Chicago or need to sell your home…call a GREAT CHICAGO REALTOR!

TOP 10 LIST OF LARGEST HOME PRICING GAINS- Published 12/4/12

ARIZONA (Up 21%!) – Was one of the worst off states early on. 

ILLINOIS

CALIFORNIA

NEVADA

IDAHO

UTAH

COLORADO

NORTH DAKOTA

FLORIDA

MICHIGAN

READ FULL STORY HERE; http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-home-prices-corelogic-20121204,0,7028548.story

FANNIE MAE ANNOUNCES NEW DEED-IN-LIEU PROCESS; NEW GUIDELINES FOR SHORT SALES; FHA FLIP RULE EXTENSION

Fannie Mae announced a new deed-in-lieu process which is designed to help homeowner’s in trouble.  The surge in foreclosures and short sales has demanded a shift in how they do business and implementation of a new plan which will begin in March 2013.  It will essentially offer three alternatives for those looking for assistance.

Another new change, which will help streamline the short sale process, is that Fannie Mae no longer require servicers’ to obtain written approval when they want to postpone a foreclosure sale on a loan.   It will apply to loans which are more than 12 month’s delinquent as of the last paid installment date.

Investor’s will be happy to hear that the FHA 90-day flip rule has also been extended through 2014.   Check out Inman News for full story.

READ FULL STORY HERE: http://www.housingwire.com/content/fannie-mae-announces-new-requirements-deed-lieu-process

INTERESTED IN SELLING YOUR CHICAGO HOME?  USE A CHICAGO REALTOR.