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Buying a condo not the provide less bang for the same as buying a home buck, generally covering only the most basic Stringent lending policies services. Higher fees often and the escalating costs mean the community of home ownership have offers more amenities, led many prospective such as a private pool home buyers to consider and gym for residents. condominiums instead Some people prefer such of single-family homes. amenities, while others Condos are typically would rather find better less expensive than deals on their own. But single-family homes, prospective condo buyers which makes lenders and must include fees in their borrowers alike feel more monthly budgets when comfortable. Lenders determining how much feel better because the they can afford to spend. loans aren’t as large, * Condos come with rules. while borrowers are more Owners of single-family c o m f o r t a b l e b e c a u s e homes can create their own such loans allow them to rules for their households, improve their standing while condo owners with lenders, potentially must agree to follow setting the table for a low- rules established by the interest home loan down homeowners association or the property management the road. firm responsible for maintaining t h e B u t t h e d i ff e r e n c e s community and enforcing between buying a condo the rules. Rules may not and buying a singleallow pets or only allow family home go beyond pets of a certain size. Other the bottom line. The rules may restrict how following are a few things owners can decorate their prospective buyers should condos during the holiday know about condos before season or how they can they view any properties. furnish the exterior of their properties, limiting patio * Condos come with fees. furniture to a set number Unlike single-family of chairs or tables. Some homes, condos come with condo owners are glad homeowners association such rules are in place, fees. These fees cover the while others might find cost of maintenance and such stipulations intrusive. repairs to the property. Each community has This includes landscaping different rules , a n d and garbage collection, prospective buyers should a s w e l l a s g e n e r a l familiarize themselves repairs throughout the with a community’s condominium complex. rules before buying any Fees vary significantly properties within that f r o m c o m m u n i t y t o community. community, and the best deal is not always * Condos often have the one with the lowest management firms. homeowners association Property management fees. Low fees tend to
firms can be great to deal with, but they can be troublesome as well. A good property management firm produces satisfied community members who speak glowingly of their communities, while a poorly run management firm can frustrate homeowners who feel they are not getting what they’re paying for. Some property management firms fail to collect homeowners association fees for months at a time, only to send letters demanding back dues down the road. Others simply don’t live up to expectations, failing to make repairs in a timely manner while letting the property fall into disrepair. If possible, speak to current community residents about how the property is managed. If residents are not available, potential buyers should attempt to attend a homeowners association meeting, which can shed light on what it’s like to live within a given community and how accessible the management firm is to community members and how well ittends to those members’ needs.
4HURSDAY $ECEMBER
* Condos are not as private as single-family homes. Much like apartment dwellers, condo owners often share walls with neighbors. That means condo owners will have to sacrifice some privacy. Prospective buyers who consider privacy a top priority may want to
View all area listings: www.ucburkerealty.com
Jim Burke National Advertising - Local Expertise Thompson
CRS, GRI, Broker
Broker Associate
4408002
3782151
7398155
MLS#122280
$89,000
REDUCED PRICE NEW CONSTRUCTION 6]LY ZX\HYL MVV[ YHUJO OVTL ^P[O ^HSR V\[ Ă„UPZOLK IHZLTLU[ ILKYVVTZ IH[OZ SH\UKY` J\YYLU[S` PU SV^LY SL]LS I\[ THPU Ă…VVY hookup in place. 5 acre parcel with massive NHYHNL ZX\HYL MLL[ .HYHNL PZ PUZ\SH[LK dry walled and painted. Perennials, shrubs HUK [YLLZ HJYLZ [PSSable. Zoned Ag 1. Virtual Tour @ www.UCBurkeRealty.com MLS #122064
New Price
$165,900
Jim Smith
Realtor Auctioneer
New Listing!
UPDATED ASHTON HOME! Has new roof, siding and windows. Freshly WHPU[LK 5L^ (* \UP[ ,H[ PU RP[JOLU SP]PUN YVVT HUK THPU Ă…VVY IH[O THPU Ă…VVY SH\UKY` WS\Z ILKYVVTZ \WZ[HPYZ WS\Z ZP[[PUN HYLH .VVK ZPaLK SV[ UL^ WH[PV HUK V\[KVVY ZOLK Alley access. AFC Schools. Virtual Tour @ www.UCBurkeRealty.com
Se Hablo EspaĂąol
Kevin Considine
vicky-turner.com
New Listing!
Edwardo Castillo 815-718-0631
Ted Hvarre
Broker Associate
9735548
Broker Associate
2886229
Price Reduction
Updated kitchen with beautiful oak cabinetry, IYLHRMHZ[ IHY PZSHUK 4HPU Ă…VVY SH\UKY` THPU Ă…VVY M\SS IH[O ILKYVVTZ \WZ[HPYZ HUK ILKYVVT KV^UZ[HPYZ WS\Z UK M\SS IH[O outdoor amenities include large yard, front screen porch, rear patio, newer garage built PU WS\Z HSSL` [V YLHY ;YLTLUKV\Z Z[VYHNL above garage with drop down stairs. roof new PU ZX\HYL MLL[ approximately (from previous appraisal.) Virtual Tour @ www.UCBurkeRealty.com
$94,000
MLS#122279
DOWNTOWN DIXON 3-STORY One of downtown Dixon’s most attractive buildings. Building needs some tender lov ing care but a great opportunity to own a beautiful piece of yesteryear in the thriving downtown Dixon business district. Building is being sold “as is.� MLS #114763
$117,500
New Price
1554 Mound Hill Rd, Sterling - $129,000 348 Meadow Trace - $139,900 2059 Diveley Rd, W Brooklyn - $145,000 515 Woodland Dr - $164,900 6393 Husking Peg Rd, Chana - $165,900 4583 S Nettz Rd, Oregon - $210,000 7834 Hoosier Rd, Ashton - $217,900 853 Riverside Dr - $254,000 412 Birch Ln - $299,000
703 Harriet - $77,900 2124 Sink Hollow Rd. - $79,900 114 Brown St, Fr. Grove - $88,800 416 N Hennepin Av - $89,900 1005 N 3rd St, Ashton - $89,900 348 S Elm, Fr Grove -$94,000 5 1LɈLYZVU 1612 Joliet Way - $124,900
Wishing You a Very Happy Holiday Season!
1201 1st Avenue, Rock Falls www.MyXtremeRealty.com
Dave DeVries Managing Broker 815-441-1446
Broker/Owner
Vicky Turner
Sharon U.
815-380-2500
EQUAL HOUSING
Condominiums are great options for people who want to own their homes but don’t have enough money or credit history to buy a single-family home. But buyers must educate themselves about condominium life before signing on the dotted line.
815-288-3303
REALTY
OPPORTUNITY
continue living in an apartment until they can afford to buy a singlefamily home. Though condo owners rarely have someone living above or below them, sharing walls with neighbors is still not as private as owning a single-family home.
Jerry Ratajczak 815-590-2077
Debbie Flannery 815-973-0533
Dawn Nielsen 815-441-3515
Wes Anderson 815-499-5146
Merdita Heald 815-718-2272
Louise Clark 815-499-0542
NEW G LISTIN
Nice Mobile Home ‡ ‡ %HGURRPV ‡ %DWKV ‡ %RQXV 5RRPV ‡ 1LFH &RYHUHG )URQW 3RUFK ‡ 3DLG :DWHU 6HZHU *DUEDJH
HOME WARRANTY
Relax it’s.....DebbieFlannery.com 815-973-0533
$18,000
MLS#122218
Motivated Seller!
Big Rancher!
Gorgeous 3+ bedroom, with 2.25 baths, 3 car garage, full basement, double corner lot, and relaxing hot tub!
EHGURRPV EDWKV LQFOXGLQJ D PDLQ à RRU master suite, living room and family rooms with ÀUHSODFHV IXOO EDVHPHQW DQG D IHQFHG \DUG
$239,900
$131,000
SuperDaveHomes.com 815-441-1446
MLS#120254
SuperDaveHomes.com 815-441-1446
MLS#121664
“Wonderful Farmette For Low $$� Remodeled 2 story country home on nearly 2 1/2 acres.
Updated Ranch TM
Don’t Buy Or Sell A Home Without Us Michael Musgrave, CMI P.O. Box 942 Sterling, IL 61081
Barns, corn crib, large machine
Montmorency School District. Corner lot on DFUHV EHGURRPV IXOO SDUWLDOO\ ÀQLVKHG basement with loads of storage space! New carpet, vinyl & countertops!
Merditaservesyou.net
$129,900
MLS#122245
shed and more. Beautiful coun-
$124,900
try setting. Enjoy the country. MLS#121383
Wes Anderson 499-5146
Phone: 877-535-0990 Michael@allinhomeinspections.com www.allinhomeinspections.com
Brick Home - Corner Lot!
Retirement Place
Spacious and move in ready loads of updates! Windows, new baths, updated kitchen, 4+ bedrooms & sun room! Complete & ready for you!
2 bedroom in over 55 complex. Condo living with southern exposure. Attached 1 car garage. What a price! Jerry Ratajczak 815-590-2077 $88,500 MLS#122129
Merdita Heald 718-2272 Merditaservesyou.net
$99,900
MLS#120243
Cute as a Button!
3 (large) bedrooms, all appliances, fenced yard, 2 car garage, 2 storage sheds, central air, and private a deck!
GOOD NEWS For Seniors!
SuperDaveHomes.com $74,900 815-441-1446 MLS#121759
Great Family Home ‡ %HGURRPV %DWKV ‡ ([WUD /DUJH /RW
HOME WARRANTY
Relax it’s.....DebbieFlannery.com 815-973-0533
$77,500
MLS#121325
40x24 Garage!
ON LARGE CORNER LOT
3-4 bedrooms with 1.75 baths, 4 car garage (24x40), 2 screened porches, new roof, new furnace, new central air!
3 bedrooms with built-in hutch in separate dining room, has original oak woodwork with an open stairway. Has newer roof and furnace. Just add your touch! SELLER MOTIVATED!
$74,900
$68,500
SuperDaveHomes.com 815-441-1446
MLS#119951
Jerry Ratajczak 815-590-2077
MLS#121090
Sauk Valley Media would like to offer you 3 Bedroom Ranch
CLASSIFIEDS
Attention handymen! Income potential with this 4 bedroom, 2 bath home. Roof new this year. Sold-as-is.
$64,900
$62,000
$49,900
SAUK VALLEY dailyGAZETTE
TELEGRAPH
815-625-3600 or 815-284-2222 Following restrictions apply: No Rummage Sales, Real Estate, Rental Ads or
Morrison
3 bedrooms, maintenance free exterior, privacy fenced corner lot, 2 car garage.
www.SeeDawnsHomes.com 815-441-3515
$14.00
CLOSE TO SCHOOLS & HOSPITAL
Great Northeast Sterling Location close to shopping and restaurants. New roof, siding & gutters in 2000.
MLS#122164
Priced to Sell!
www.SeeDawnsHomes.com 815-441-3515
MLS#121692
This Move in Ready Home
Call Louise Clark 815-499-0542
MLS#121482
Endless Possibilties
3 bedroom, 1 1/2 story home with large 2 car detached garage. 1,483 sq. ft. of living space. Sold-As-Is.
)HDWXUHV D IRUPDO GLQLQJ URRP DQG PDLQ à RRU laundry. Home also features an enclosed porch, a sunroom, enclosed backyard, 2 car garage with DOOH\ DFFHVV DQG D SDUWLDOO\ ÀQLVKHG EDVHPHQW $ great buy on this home!
Large property currently being used as a church. Features kitchen, dining area and two restrooms. 2 RIĂ€FH DUHDV DV ZHOO /DUJH SDUNLQJ ORW DQG DGGLWLRQDO residence on property that requires work.
$49,900
$56,900
$49,900
Call Louise Clark 815-499-0542
MLS#120639
Ed Castillo 815-718-0631
MLS#122238
Ed Castillo 815-718-0631
MLS#121582