Gambino Realtors: The Collection October, 2019

GAMBINO REALTORS THE COLLECTION

OCTOBER 2019

OREGON

Welcome to the October issue of The Collection! Fall is upon us with all of her glorious colors and crisp scents. The new season brings us numerous reasons to sell as well as find that perfect new home.

Perhaps you need room to entertain or you are seeking a low-maintenance condo lifestyle. In this issue you will find all of those components and so much more.

CALEDONIA

Cordially, Jonathan R. Krause, CRB President JKrause@GoGambino.com

ROCKFORD

THE COLLECTION Only Gambino Realtors places your home directly in the email inbox of 62,500 homeowners with a household income of $250,000.00 or more. Our reach through this luxury publication covers Winnebago, Boone, McHenry and Lake Counties in Northern Illinois.

815•282•2222 www.gogambino.com

ROCKTON

ROCKFORD

Five Reasons to Sell This Fall...

Below are 5 compelling reasons listing your home for sale this fall makes sense.

1. Demand Is Strong

more homeowners will be given the freedom to move.

The latest Buyer Traffic Report Many homeowners were reluctant from the National Association of to list their homes over the last Realtors (NAR) shows that buyer couple years, for fear that they demand remains strong throughout would not find a home to move to. the vast majority of the country. That is all changing now as more These buyers are ready, willing, and homes come to market at the higher able to purchase…and are in the end. The choices buyers have will market right now. More often than continue to increase. Don’t wait not, in many areas of the country, until additional inventory comes to multiple buyers are competing with market before you decide to sell. each other to buy the same home.

Take advantage of the buyer 3. The Process Will Be Quicker activity currently in the market.

Today’s competitive environment 2. There Is Less Competition has forced buyers to do all they Now can to stand out from the crowd, including getting pre-approved Housing inventory is still under for their mortgage financing. This the 6-month supply that is needed makes the entire selling process for a normal market. This means much faster and simpler, as buyers that in the majority of the country, know exactly what they can afford there are not enough homes for sale before shopping for a home. to satisfy the number of buyers.

According to Ellie Mae’s latest Historically, a homeowner would Origination Insights Report, the stay an average of six years in his or time needed to close a loan is 43 her home. Since 2011, that number days. has hovered between nine and ten years. There is a pent-up desire 4. There Will Never Be a Better for many homeowners to move as Time to Move Up they were unable to sell over the last few years due to a negative If your next move will be into a equity situation. As home values premium or luxury home, now continue to appreciate, more and is the time to move up. There is

currently ample inventory for sale at higher price ranges. This means if you’re planning on selling a starter or trade-up home and moving into your dream home, you’ll be able to do that in the luxury or premium market.

According to CoreLogic, prices are projected to appreciate by 5.2% over the next year. If you’re moving to a higher-priced home, it will wind up costing you more in raw dollars (both in down payment and mortgage) if you wait.

5. It’s Time to Move on with Your Life Look at the reason you decided to sell in the first place and determine whether it is worth waiting. Is money more important than being with family? Is money more important than having the freedom to go on with your life the way you think you should?

Only you know the answers to these questions. You have the power to take control of the situation by putting your home on the market.

Perhaps the time has come for you and your family to move on and start living the life you desire. That is what is truly important.

HILLTOP PRIVACY $595,000.00 Welcome to your space on top of the rolling hills in Oregon. Awake each morning to your spectacular views in this all brick, fully exposed ranch home featuring almost 7,000 square feet of living space. Entertain and revel in all of your space inside and out. The finished lower level boasts a second kitchen, large office, entry to a heated four and a half car garage, family room with walkout to the patio, and a full-length balcony with panoramic views. Chilly evenings provide the perfect time to relax in front of two full wall fireplaces. Enjoy the beauty of nature from the main floor four season room while you cook a delicious meal on the built-in brick grill. This unique property has it all. From 27.5 tillable acres and a Morton building to the crown molding and special touches throughout, this is a place you can call home.

2765 West Pines Road • NESTLED ON 40 ACRES • 4 BEDROOMS • FIRST FLOOR LAUNDRY • HEATED GARAGE

Dawn Karns 815|494|6507 Contact View Full Listing for Details

CUSTOM-BUILT BEAUTY $474,900.00

This rare 4,000 square foot Craftsman style home nestled on just over an acre features three fireplaces, main floor master bedroom with an elegant private bath and a gourmet kitchen that any chef would envy. The upper level offers two bedrooms sharing a Jack & Jill bath, a spacious bonus room or fifth bedroom and another full bath. The beautifully finished basement offers two stone (gas) fireplaces, a sixth bedroom, office, full bath with custom tile shower, and exercise room. Spend some time enjoying the private backyard with outdoor kitchen and fruit trees while using the wood burning pizza oven. Truly a high quality and meticulously maintained dream home that is just waiting for you to move in.

13113 Charleston Street • 4,000 SQUARE FEET • MAIN FLOOR MASTER • 5 BEDROOMS • 4 BATHROOMS

Scot Craig 815|985|8806 Contact View Full Listing for Details

SPACIOUS FAMILY ABODE $490,000.00 Amazing custom home with a Rockford address featuring Boone County taxes and Belvidere Schools.

Settle in this beautiful 5,000 square foot home with majestic brick exterior and professionally landscaped lot. The main floor boasts a dramatic entry foyer with a generous formal living room and dining room. The renovated kitchen is ideal for entertaining featuring granite, stainless steel appliances, island, and pantry. A handy mudroom and laundry are conveniently located at the back-yard entrance. Feel the comfort of Pella windows throughout each floor. Upstairs offers four-bedroom including a fabulous master suite with a designated deck. A spacious lower level expands livability and function. This home is the perfect place to create memories inside and outside in the nearly three-acre yard to enjoy from expansive deck and patio.

520 Schauer Lane • 4 BEDROOMS • 3 (+/-) ACRES • FIRST FLOOR LAUNDRY • BOONE COUNTY TAXES

Team Lunde 815|985|9522 Contact View Full Listing for Details

MOVE-IN READY DWELLING $375,000.00 What’s on your wish list? Quality construction and custom details? Open/spacious floor plan?

Modern amenities? Fabulous neighborhood? Wonderful schools? Look no further because this is your home. A gracious entry opens to a dining room on one side and a den on the other with an adjacent half bath. Off of the entry is a wonderful open space comprised of the great room, dinette, and dream kitchen. The granite, stainless, and marble kitchen is fit for a chef, including an island and buffet/serving/desk area. Sliding doors lead to a multilevel deck and patio for enjoying the outdoors, and a mudroom and walk-in pantry finish off the main floor space. Upstairs are four spacious bedrooms, including a master with a private bath. A Jack and Jill bath is accessible from two of the bedrooms as well as off of the hallway. Need versatility? The bonus room can be used as a fifth bedroom, family room, or playroom, depending on your needs. For convenience, there is a second-floor laundry. This home boasts beautiful Craftsman details throughout.

12171 Limestone Cour t • 4 BEDROOMS • 3,364 SQUARE FEET • BONUS ROOM • 3 CAR ATTACHED GARAGE

Karl Gasbarra 815|975|4218 Contact View Full Listing for Details

HISTORIC CHARMER $359,900.00

Feel the charm and warmth of over 100 years of history in this stately two-story nestled on a four (+) acre lot. Recently updated keeping with the home’s historical attributes, you will be privy to a chef ’s delight kitchen, three spacious bathrooms with modern touches and updated hardwood floors throughout. The four plus acre parcel is a nature lover’s delight as well as the perfect backdrop for the novice or beginning gardener to plant their favorite flowers, vegetables, and fruits. In addition, there is an outbuilding perfect for a she shed or man cave along with a two-car garage boasting a workshop. Not only is this a beautiful family home, the new owner could also turn this historic charmer into an Airbnb or bed and breakfast.

Serving as a nature lover’s retreat, this home is zoned agricultural, so horse lovers are welcome.

6510 South Main Street • 4 BEDROOMS • 3 FULL BATHROOMS • ZONED AGRICULTURAL • 4+ ACRE PARCEL

Brad Zimmerman 815|985|2830 Contact View Full Listing for Details

When searching for a home, you may end up selecting a property in a community with a Homeowners Association (HOA). Before you buy, it’s important to know how an HOA works and what they mean for you.

According to a recent article on realtor.com, “In a nutshell, an HOA helps ensure that your community looks its best and functions smoothly…The number of Americans living in homes with HOAs is on the rise, growing from a mere 1% in 1970 to 25% today, according to the Foundation for Community Association Research.”

An HOA is governed by a board nominated by those living in the neighborhood. It is designed to make sure the residents have a support structure to maintain the value of the community while abiding by a set of guidelines called Common Restrictive Covenants (CC&R), “Simply put, CC&Rs are just the rules you’ll have to follow if you live in that community. Unlike zoning regulations, which are governmentimposed requirements on how land can be used, restrictive covenants are established

by HOAs to maintain the attractiveness and value of the property.”

It’s important for homeowners to understand that each HOA is a little different, and they usually have monthly or quarterly fees required for homeowners. These fees can vary based on property size, number of residents, amenities, and more. There may be additional fees charged to homeowners if the reserve fund for the HOA cannot cover a major or

unexpected cost, like severe storm damage.

The fees, however, also help maintain common areas such as swimming pools, tennis courts, elevators (for highrise buildings), and regular wear and tear. Although they are an added cost to the homeowner, an HOA can be a major benefit when it comes to maintaining the value of your neighborhood and your property.

The same article continues to say, “After your offer to buy a home is accepted, you are legally entitled to receive and review the community’s CC&Rs over a certain number of days (typically between three and 10)…If you spot anything in the restrictive covenants you absolutely can’t live with, you can bring it up with the HOA board or just back out of your contract completely (and keep your deposit).”

Most lenders will factor your HOA fees into your loan package, ensuring the amount of the loan is appropriate for what you can truly afford.

There are some great benefits to having an HOA oversee your neighborhood, and it’s important to understand what fees, structures, and regulations will come into play if there is an HOA where you’d like to live.

When you’re looking at a potential property to buy, be sure to work with a professional who can help you understand the neighborhood’s HOA structure and fees. This way, you’ll feel confident and fully informed when buying a home.

What Buyers

Need to Know About

HOA’s

NO SHOVELS NEEDED 5592 Spring Brook Rd. | Rockford

• LAKE VIEWS • 3 BEDROOMS • FINISHED LOWER LEVEL Gorgeous lake views in this remodeled condo with newer kitchen, flooring, ceiling fans, water heater, furnace, roof (2018) and granite.

Open floor plan, huge deck just stained, slide out shelving in kitchen, see through fireplace to master bedroom, master bath open to bedroom and loads of closets. First floor laundry, deep garage, large newer shed, and finished walk-out lower level.

4920 Sky Mist Way | Rockford

Jill Jarek | 815•621•5255| jjarek@gogambino.com • 2,052 SQUARE FEET • 3 BEDROOMS • NEW WINDOWS 2019 This 2,052 square foot condo includes a finished lower level with third bedroom and full bath. Great room boasts volume ceiling and loads of natural light. Warm up by the brick gas fireplace and enjoy views from the wall of windows/slider to the patio. The kitchen has granite, stainless appliances, and huge breakfast bar. White trim, six panel doors and plank flooring as well as granite tops in all three baths. Great room has bayed eating area and all the windows are new (2019).

1503 Boulder Creek Ct. | Rockford

Karen Barbagallo | 815•988•5577| kbarbagallo@gogambino.com

• 3 BEDROOMS • FINISHED LOWER LEVE • MAIN FLOOR MASTER Impeccably maintained one owner custom-built condo. Large foyer leads into massive open concept dining, kitchen and great room with vaulted ceilings. Kitchen has large tiered island, staggered cabinets, stainless steel appliances and pantry. Perfect for entertaining and hosting those holiday gatherings. Hardwoods in foyer, hallways, dining and great room with stone tile in bathrooms, first floor laundry and kitchen. Main floor master, two car garage all nestled on a cul-de-sac.

1841 Bright View Dr. | Loves Park

Kathy Heeren-Ellis|815•708•4061|kellis@gogambino.com • 2 BEDROOMS • LOW HOA DUES • CONVENIENT LOCATION Enjoy the condo lifestyle in this two bedroom, one bathroom unit boasting an excellent location near great restaurants, shopping and schools. Relax on the deck while the sun sets and relish in the comforts of the no maintenance life. The spacious layout includes an attached garage and plenty of storage space.

Mary Shreve|815•262•7726|mshreve@gogambino.com

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Call Gambino Realtors 815 | 282 | 2222 Or log onto gogambino.com to start your home buying and selling process today!