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Lisa Finks, Compass Real Estate

Lisa Finks, Lourdes Arencibia and Carolyn Duris, REALTORS on Chicago's North Shore.

Archives for May 2016

Enter For A Chance to Win A New Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport!

May 31, 2016 by Lisa Finks Leave a Comment

What: $100 per ticket.  Max of 1,000 tickets sold.  Excellent chances to win this $40K car (estimated value based on MSRP)!  Enter here.  See the complete rules here.

jeepWhy: Rising property taxes haven taken their toll on all of us!  But for long-term citizens who are now seniors and for the disabled living in Wilmette, that effect is especially pronounced. For these residents, the 501(c)(3) “Housing Our Own” charity provides some relief with rental or property tax assistance.  Applicants are highly vetted and the requirements are stringent. By participating in this raffle, you not only have the chance to win this great car, but also you support helping these members of our community.  See more information about Housing Our Own and its programs here.

Thank you in advance for your support and good luck!   This organization really does provide a helping hand to those in our community that need it the most.

Void where prohibited.

Filed Under: Fun Events

Guess How Much This Home Sold For? Guess Who The Owner Is?

May 28, 2016 by Lisa Finks Leave a Comment

Note the $1,750,405.00 Zestimate.  Yet the home sold for $1,050,000 on February 29.  Guess who this home belonged to?  None other than Zillow CEO Spencer Rascoff!  Thereby proving that Zestimates can miss by a mile.

In fact, did you know that in Chicago, the Zestimate sports a median error rate of 9%?!?  That means a $1,000,000 home has a 50/50 chance of selling between $910,000 and $1,090,000.  That is quite a range.  While automated home valuations can be fun and get you in the ballpark (large as that ballpark may be), nothing can replace a market analysis by a real estate professional.  I am happy to provide you with a complimentary home valuation at any time!

I have posted an excerpt from Zillow’s own website describing the accuracy of the Zestimate.  Note that Chicago’s accuracy is only 2 stars.  Click on the full article from Inman News below.

The median error rate for Zestimates in Chicago is 9%

The median error rate for Zestimates in Chicago is 9%

Source: Zillow CEO Spencer Rascoff Sold Home For Much Less Than Zestimate

Filed Under: Home Values

Wilmette’s newly announced summer concert series

May 24, 2016 by Lisa Finks Leave a Comment

What could be better?  A taste of Ravinia right here in Wilmette!  Grab take-out from your favorite restaurant, crack open the wine and enjoy live music on the village green.  Click for full schedule!  Wilmette’s newest downtown offering for residents and visitors is a summer concert series, “Music on the Green,” that village official see as one more draw to an already-bustling business district.

Source: Wilmette plans summer concerts to introduce more people to village center – Wilmette Life

Final Say

Filed Under: Fun Events

What is Spray Foam? Why Should I Use It in My Next Remodel Project?

May 24, 2016 by Lisa Finks Leave a Comment

Ask the Expert: Greg Rekett, Sutherland Homes

Greg Rekett of Sutherland Home

Greg Rekett of Sutherland Homes

What is Spray Foam and Why Should You Use it in Your Next Remodel Project?

Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) is a spray-applied plastic that can form a continuous insulation and air sealing barrier on walls, roofs, around corners and other surfaces. SPF insulation is known to resist heat transfer extremely well and offers a highly effective solution in reducing unwanted air infiltration.

spray insulation

Spray Foam is an Energy Efficiency Solution

As much as 40% of a building’s energy is lost due to air infiltration. Gaps, holes and air leaks can make energy bills unnecessarily high. Spray foam performs as both insulation and an air barrier, closing gaps that let air escape and add dollars to monthly energy bills. As much as half of the energy used in a home goes to heating and cooling, according to EPA. Maintaining an optimal heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can make your home more energy efficient. With spray foam, HVAC sizing can be reduced as much as 35%. Air leaks that can waste energy and drive up utility bills can be filled with spray foam.

Some common spots for air leaks that can be sealed with spray foam include the area behind knee walls, attic hatches, wiring holes, plumbing vents, open soffits, recessed lights, furnace flue or duct chaseways, basement rim joists, windows and doors. “Cool roofs” are designed to maintain a lower temperature than traditional roofs. They are light in color and reflect sunlight. Spray foam applied to the roof of a building can provide cool roof performance when topped with a protective, reflective coating. Spray foam roofs do not require metal fastening, eliminating the potential for thermal shorts or bridges that allow heat to enter.

spray insulation installation

Closed-Cell Spray Foam Can Improve Building Strength and Durability

Applying an SPF roofing system can improve a building’s strength. In fact, SPF roofs have effective lifespans that can?exceed 30 years. SPF can help create a strong bond to protect the roof and can eliminate water seepage through weak spots. It can also be applied in a sloped manner to allow water to easily drain off the roof.  The bond that SPF forms can increase a building’s resistance to wind uplift. During periods of high wind, a building with a spray foam roof generally experiences less

damage than a building without SPF. One prominent spray foam technical consultant notes that “when added to the inside of a structure, spray foam ‘glues’ the whole building together, enhancing overall wind and pressurization resistance.” SPF insulation adds strength and resilience. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has classified SPF insulation as highly resistant to floodwater damage, saying, “These materials can survive wetting and drying and may be successfully cleaned after a flood to render them free of most harmful pollutants.”

Spray foam prevents moisture and condensation throughout the building, helping prevent mold and mildew.  Applying closed-cell spray foam in the cavities of the walls increases durability of the wall system because of its ability to conform and adhere to the surface upon which it is sprayed. A wall with spray foam insulation is better able to maintain its shape under duress than a wall assembly without spray foam. Spray foam insulation provides these benefits:

  • Seamless protective layer
  • Eliminates air leakage through building envelope
  • Excellent adhesion to substrate
  • Fast application
  • Prevents thermal bridges
  • Reduces the cost of heating / cooling
  • Environmentally-friendly
  • Does not support mold growth
  • Healthier living
  • Significantly reduces energy consumption and investment in quality insulation
  • Sound insulation
  • Lightweight

While Spray Foam costs more than traditional insulation methods, that cost is easily made up within 5 to 7 years.  After that point, it will pay dividends forever more. . .

To contact Greg Rekett of Sutherland Builders with any questions or project needs, email him at:  gregr@sutherlandhomes.com.

Sutherland logo

Filed Under: Ask The Expert, Home construction

Midwest Summer Music, Food, and Film Festivals Worth a Road Trip For

May 22, 2016 by Lisa Finks Leave a Comment

Summer is Road Trip time!  Check out these unique destinations!  Party with vikings, winos, and deep-fried fanatics.

Light Fest
Source: Midwest Summer Music, Food, and Film Festivals Worth a Road Trip For

Filed Under: Fun Events

Organize Your Bedroom, Improve Your Sleep!

May 21, 2016 by Lisa Finks Leave a Comment

The evening air temperatures have been perfect for getting that restful night’s sleep – here are some additional tips for making sure every night is as restful as possible.

Great article from Houzz.com

Filed Under: Home Decor & Garden

Relax. Take a deep breath. Moving to the suburbs is going to be OK. – Chicago Tribune

May 19, 2016 by Lisa Finks Leave a Comment

North Shore kidsI remember declaring that I would raise my kids in the city and couldn’t imagine a move to the ‘burbs.  We had our school, our friends, our church, our routine.  But our excellent private school kept raising tuition, the kids got bigger, the house seemed smaller and without a yard, spontaneous play was a challenge.  My husband pushed for it and in 2008 we moved our 3rd, 1st and Pre-schooler to Wilmette, Illinois (I, begrudgingly).  Once on the North Shore, I was amazed at how much easier and cheaper our life became.  An attached garage, free and plentiful parking spaces, top notch FREE public schools – all while still having access to the Lake, shopping and excellent restaurants (albeit not quite so many).  Life is great in Wilmette and I am thankful we made the move when we did.  This excellent article from the Chicago Tribune runs through some of the considerations and emotions of such a move.  As a local Realtor, I especially love working with people relocating from the city.  I feel a connection with what they are going through and, as a highly involved suburban resident and parent, I feel well qualified to walk buyers through all of the little details of finding that perfect home and creating a new life in the ‘burbs!  Check out my website for lots of information on Wilmette and other North Shore communities.
Source: Relax. Take a deep breath. Moving to the suburbs is going to be OK. – Chicago Tribune


Filed Under: North Shore Lifestyle

New Construction in Glenview from the $750’s

May 18, 2016 by Lisa Finks Leave a Comment

Gorgeous NEW Construction homes in Glenview beginning in the $750’s!

Gorgeous NEW Construction homes in Glenview beginning in the $750’s!

What if this was your backyard?  A slice of the great outdoors in super convenient Glenview!  I spent some time at The Enclave in Glenview before the official opening and I have the scoop!  The Enclave features 48 gorgeous NEW construction homes (with first floor masters) starting in the $750’s!!  The homes have tons of natural light and open plans.  Really beautiful.  Contact me for more details.  I am happy to share floorplans, site plan, arrange a showing, etc.

Filed Under: Home construction

Ashley Olsen In Contract to Buy Greenwich Village Condo – WSJ

May 17, 2016 by Lisa Finks Leave a Comment

Ashley Olson condoRemember the Olsen twins?  All grown up and buying real estate. . . Former child actress and fashion designer Ashley Olsen is in contract to purchase a condo at Greenwich Village’s 37 East 12th Street. (more)
Source: Ashley Olsen In Contract to Buy Greenwich Village Condo – WSJ

Filed Under: Odds & Ends

Every State’s Most Important Food Innovation

May 17, 2016 by Lisa Finks Leave a Comment

I am officially hungry now! I feel they have may have missed the mark with Illinois. You?? (more)

I am officially hungry now!  I feel they have may have missed the mark with Illinois.  You??  (more)
Source: Every State’s Most Important Food Innovation

Filed Under: North Shore Restaurants

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Lisa Finks, Lourdes Arencibia & Carolyn Duris, 565 Lincoln Ave, Winnetka, IL (847) 778-0540 info@northshoreaddress.com

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© 2019 Lisa Finks, Compass Real Estate. All Rights Reserved.

LISA FINKS, LOURDES ARENCIBIA & CAROLYN DURIS ARE REAL ESTATE AGENTS AFFILIATED WITH COMPASS, A LICENSED REAL ESTATE BROKER WITH A PRINCIPAL OFFICE IN CHICAGO, IL, AND ABIDE BY ALL APPLICABLE EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY LAWS. ALL MATERIAL PRESENTED HEREIN IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. INFORMATION IS COMPILED FROM SOURCES DEEMED RELIABLE BUT IS SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, CHANGES IN PRICE, CONDITION, SALE, OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. NO STATEMENT IS MADE AS TO ACCURACY OF ANY DESCRIPTION. ALL MEASUREMENTS AND SQUARE FOOTAGES ARE APPROXIMATE. THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO SOLICIT PROPERTY ALREADY LISTED. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS LEGAL, ACCOUNTING OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL ADVICE OUTSIDE THE REALM OF REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE.