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

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Best Ice Cream on the North Shore

June 24, 2016 by Lisa Finks Leave a Comment

By:  Rebecca Lee

As the temperature shoots higher, nothing tastes sweeter than some amazingly cool ice cream treats. We have tracked down the BEST ice cream treats on the North Shore.  Have we missed any of your favorites?

Dairy Bar

A regular customer eating a hard-shelled cone!

A regular customer eating a hard-shelled cone!

Dairy Bar has stood for more than fifty years as almost an institution of Glenview. A small but brightly colored stand on Harlem Ave, right across from the Glenview Public Library, you can expect to find a line trailing down the sidewalk on sunny days. Everyone from parents to toddlers love everything from the Candy Blast sundaes to the classic thick milkshakes.

The hard-shelled ice cream on a cone has proven to be a customer favorite. Dairy Bar offers safe but satisfying flavors such as vanilla ice cream in a milk chocolate shell, as well as around ten more adventurous flavors of shells, such as cake batter or blue raspberry, which are also highly recommended.

Not only are the treats at Dairy Bar quick and cheap, they are delicious, especially on a boiling summer day when you (or your kids) need to get out of the house!

Homer’s Ice Cream

Homers Ice CreamA banana split from Homer’s

All North Shore residents know and love Homer’s Ice Cream, which has stood for decades at the same location. The family of the original owner, Gus Poulos, continues the legacy of the widely cherished homemade ice cream. Especially during the heat of the summer, everyone from grandparents to toddlers stand in lines to grab a cone. In fact, the shop stays busy until closing at 10 PM, when you will typically find cars full of teenagers snacking on French fries and sundaes.

You have approximately forty flavors of classic ice cream (that you can also order in the form of a milkshake) to choose from, along with several flavors of sorbet. There is not one particularly recommendable flavor or treat that, because to be frank, they are all really, really good.

 

Dairy Queen

Dairy Queen, like Homer’s and Dairy Bar, has been serving frozen treats for approximately fifty years on Lake Avenue. Although a franchise store, the Wilmette location has proven to be a local favorite. Open only during the warmer months, the shop offers classic foods such as burgers and cones as well as uniquely signature treats such as the Blizzard. Dairy Queen has especially proven to be a popular after-school spot for students at New Trier High School and Loyola Academy, both of which are only minutes away. In fact, many students work there serving ice cream!

Liquid Fusion Cafe

Bingsoo“Bingsoo” is one of the most popular desserts at Liquid Fusion. The bowl contains shaved ice, vanilla ice cream, a variety of fruits, red bean paste, rice cakes, and honey!

Popular largely among residents of Glenview and Northbrook, Liquid Fusion Cafe serves both frozen and hot bubble tea, coffee and espresso drinks, and Korean desserts. You will find the most customers, mainly teenagers, late at night during the weekend, as the cafe closes at midnight!

Most bubble tea enthusiasts would agree that Liquid Fusion makes some of the best bubble tea around the suburbs of Chicago. You can mix and match fruit and even vegetables to blend, or you can opt for a frozen coffee drink, or even choose a tea! Most customers choose to add tapioca or lychee to their drinks. Specialty drinks such as the vanilla latte freeze and the taro freeze are especially popular. Those who prefer fruit freezes favor strawberry, mango, coconut, or all of the above. In general, though, combinations of fruits and vegetables and likeability of those combinations are totally personal!

Andy’s Frozen Custard

Freezes

On the left is a vanilla latte freeze and on the right is a strawberry watermelon freeze, both ordered with tapioca!

Andy’s Frozen Custard, located on Church Street in Evanston, is totally worth the longer drive. As the name suggests, the store serves delicious frozen custard in a variety of forms, from bars to sundaes to concretes. Customers can add toppings as they wish as well. The Triple Chocolate Concrete is a classic from Andy’s, and is very thick and sweet, as most of their treats are!

Filed Under: North Shore Restaurants

2016 Fireworks on the North Shore

June 23, 2016 by Lisa Finks Leave a Comment

The North Shore celebrates the Fourth of July like no other!  Some prefer the classic parade weaving through downtown Winnetka, others like to queue up the lawn chairs on Central Street to reserve the best view of Evanston’s lively parade.  Whether you prefer your fireworks on the 3rd, the 4th (or both) or over Lake Michigan or in Battery Park, we’ve got you covered.  Check out the Independence Day celebration schedules for Evanston, Glenview, Wilmette and Winnetka below.  Happy Fourth!

Wilmette Fireworks Bah'ai Temple Fourth of July

Sunday, July 3

  • Wilmette, Independence Day Festival, starting at 4 pm.  Gilson Park.  Rides, games, food and entertainment (Jesse White Tumblers – 7pm)
  • Wilmette, Fireworks at Lake Michigan, The Pier and Wilmette Harbor, 9:30 pm

Monday, July 4

Glenview Fireworks

  • Glenview, Parade, 11:15 am, kicks off at Harlem & Glenview.
  • Winnetka, Parade, 10:00 am, kicks off at Elm & Glendale, proceeding to Village Green
  • Evanston, Parade, 2:00 pm, kicks off at Central Park Ave East & Central, proceeding to Ashland (lawn chairs permitted beginning at 6 am on July 1)

 

  • Winnetka, Fourthfest, 4:00 pm, Duke Childs Field.  Games, food and entertainment (Jesse White Tumblers – 8 pm)
  • Glenview, Celebration, 5:00 pm, Gallery Park.  Games, food, entertainment
  • Evanston, Lakefront Concert, 7:30 pm, Lakefront

 

Evanstone Fireworks

  • Evanston, Fireworks, Dusk, Lakefront
  • Glenview, Fireworks, 9:00 pm, Gallery Park
  • Winnetka, Fireworks, 9:20 pm, Duke Childs Field

Tune into FM 90.5 for music accompaniment to the evening fireworks on July 4.

Filed Under: Fun Events

Ask the Expert: Tracy Kearney – Aren’t All Lenders the Same?

June 21, 2016 by Lisa Finks Leave a Comment

Guaranteed Rate

Aren’t All Lenders the Same?
Tracy Kearney of Guaranteed Rate

Tracy Kearney of Guaranteed Rate

Before joining the mortgage financing industry I didn’t even think to ask the question, “Aren’t all lenders the same?” – I simply assumed they were!  When my husband and I prepared for our home search, all of our focus, energy, and time was entirely committed to finding the right neighborhood, the right number of bedrooms, an incredible floor plan and, of course, all at a price we could afford.  It never even occurred to us to vet a lender.  We simply picked up the phone and dialed the number of the bank who serviced our checking and savings accounts and declared “we are ready to purchase a home – what are your rates?”

After receiving what appeared to be a competitive rate offer (we had compared rates on-line) and a preapproval for an amount “we could afford”, we began hunting. Within days of our initial conversation with our lender we found the home of our dreams.  We were excited to call our lender and exclaim “we’ve made an offer and we’re ready to lock in – let’s go for it!”   At that very moment, our excitement turned to confusion, frustration, and sheer disappointment.  The very same lender who preapproved us at a particular price point was now telling us that we did not qualify for our “dream home” (which was $25,000 below the approved amount) and, ultimately, we were unable to purchase the home.  Our lender had not advised us to consider the property taxes during our search and the taxes were too high on this property for us to qualify.

One of the most basic and primary details in any home purchase is having a plan to pay for it and knowing what you can legitimately and comfortably afford.   This is why it is important to work with a lender that not only has a comprehensive understanding of the mortgage process, but also takes the time to understand your personal situation and goals.  That lender should also help you understand the process, provide you with loan product options specific to your needs and, most importantly, ensure you fully understand the liability and responsibility you will be assuming before you commit to your loan product.

When choosing a lender, here are a few important considerations to keep in mind, as you begin your search:

Tracy Kearney of Guaranteed Rate

COMMUNICATION

Is the lender asking you the right questions to determine the best loan product to meet your personal goals?  Questions such as:

  • Where are you living now? Do you want to stay in your current neighborhood, or are you looking elsewhere?
  • How much have you saved for a down payment? Is anyone going to help you, by gift or loan with that down payment?
  • How much money do you currently spend monthly on your rent or mortgage?
  • How much money will you be comfortable spending monthly in your new home?
  • What price point have you been considering?
  • Are you looking to purchase a single family home or a condo or townhouse?
  • How long do you plan to stay in this home?
  • Are you a first time buyer? Are you a veteran?
  • Do you own other properties? Will you be living in this home or are you looking to treat this as an investment property?
  • How is your credit?
  • How much do you make annually? Are you self-employed?
LOAN PRODUCT

Home with mortgageThe answers to these questions will determine what loan product is right for you.  For example, if you are a first time buyer or a veteran, there are loan products available to help with your down payment. If you are planning to use gift funds, your lender will know the loan products that allow for use of those funds.  If you are only planning to stay in this home for 5 to 7 years, a 5/1 or 7/1 year arm may be the better loan product for you, as the rates are typically more competitive than a 30-year fixed rate.  If your credit is bruised, your lender will know to look for loan products that will provide the necessary leniency, like an FHA loan.

OPTIONS

If you work with a Mortgage Broker (like me) versus a loan officer with a traditional bank, chances are your Broker will provide you with more loan options because Brokers have a multitude of lender relationships with whom to shop your loan.  Also, a Mortgage Broker will more than likely have the ability to process, underwrite, and close your loan faster than a traditional bank since they specialize in the mortgage process and have better platforms in place to do so.  Many larger lenders and banks take longer to underwrite mortgages since this is simply one of several services they provide.

SERVICE

Once you and your lender have agreed on the right product for you, an experienced and reputable lender will disclose the following before locking you into your loan:

  • The Origination Fees the lender will charge you to process your loan. These fees vary from lender to lender and you should be fully aware, upfront, of what these will be so you have the opportunity to compare to other lenders.
  • Settlement fees, title fees, and recording fees should remain consistent but may vary by a small percentage as these are third party, fees associated with all mortgage financing.
  • Finally, your lender should be able to give you a very good estimate of the amount of money you will need to have available to deposit into your escrow account, for both your taxes and insurance. The exact amount will not be known until your closing date has been determined.
EXPECTATIONS

The mortgage industry is a highly regulated industry and therefore a complicated process.  Again, before locking in, your lender should thoroughly explain the role you will play in the process and the importance of it.  Your lender will tell you that what documentation he/she will need to receive and will explain when and how those documents need to be provided.  It is imperative that you follow your lenders direction, provide all information requested, and do so in the timeframe they have communicated, as incomplete files or missed deadlines can literally kill your deal. The process can feel stressful and overwhelming.  An experienced and reputable lender will be there to walk you through every step of the process, keep you informed, and therefore alleviate much of the anxiety you could potentially be experiencing.  Bottom-line, it is your lender’s responsibility to provide you the support and service you deserve throughout – this is your loan!

Had my husband and I realized that ALL LENDERS ARE NOT THE SAME when we first began looking for our first home, that “dream house” with which we fell in love might have become more than just an unattainable dream!

To contact Tracy Kearney of Guaranteed Rate with any questions or lending needs, email her at:  tracy.kearney@guaranteedrate.com.

 

Filed Under: Ask The Expert, Home Finance

10 Goofproof Outdoor Plants | Real Simple

June 20, 2016 by Lisa Finks Leave a Comment

Outdoor plantsIf tending to your flora is leaving you feeling wilted, take heart: These plants are almost impossible to kill.  Here are the top 10 hardiest:

  1. Verbena
  2. New Guinea Impatiens
  3. Geranium
  4. Euphorbia
  5. Purple Fountain Grass
  6. Coleus
  7. Calibrachoa
  8. Sweet Potato Vine
  9. Begonie
  10. Lantana

Source: 10 Goofproof Outdoor Plants | Real Simple

Filed Under: Home Decor & Garden

Tax Benefits of the CAGE – Wilmette

June 13, 2016 by Lisa Finks Leave a Comment

Do you know about the huge tax benefits of the CAGE? The CAGE is one of the most desired areas in all of the North Shore, and especially Wilmette.  Its proximity to the lakefront, as well as downtown Wilmette, make its expansive lawns and grand homes very popular.  About 600 homes in the CAGE fall within the Ouilmette Historic Landmark District and this can have a huge impact on the property tax bills for these homes.

Tax Benefits of the CAGE – Wilmette:  Ouilmette Historical Landmark District

When purchasing a home within this historic district, if you spend 25% or more of the home’s fair cash value (as determined by the assessor’s office), you can receive a property tax freeze for 8 years, with a graduated step-up for an additional 4. Purchasing an older home in this historic district can really benefit your pocketbook and maintain an important piece of Wilmette history.  For details about the tax freeze, click here.  If you would like help in finding your dream home in the CAGE or elsewhere in Wilmette, please email or call me at 847-778-0540 – I’d be happy to help!

Ouilmette North National Register District Map

Filed Under: Home Values, Real Estate Tips

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

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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.