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We have received word that the Governor’s office is going to announce drastic cuts – as much as $400 million – targeting human service programs this year.  Through a combination of budget cuts and payment delays, community services for persons with developmental disabilities and mental illness have faced more than $230 million in funding reductions over the last three fiscal years.  Clearly, any additional cuts to these programs will cause irreparable harm to community services throughout Illinois.

I think all of you are aware of the devastating impact further cuts would have on DSC and the people we serve in our communities.  

Governor Quinn has a history of reacting to voter’s calls and pressure, so it is very important that he hear from as many people as possible.  Please call his office at 217-782-0244.  You will most likely speak with an assistant who will take your message.  In addition to stating your name and where you are from, please be sure to say the following:

·         I have a (friend or family member with a developmental disability/mental illness) who receives services at (community agency) - OR - I am a supporter of community services for persons with developmental disabilities and mental illness.

·         Don't cut community services. People's lives depend on them.

·         Thank the assistant for taking your message.

We will pass along any new information that we get.  Please share this with anyone in your contact list.  

Thank you,

It is extremely important that you connect with a qualified lender. We can recommend lenders who have earned our trust and with whom we've had good experiences in the past. The lender will review your financial position to determine the price most suited to your ability to pay and your comfort level.

The Pre-Approval Process will help you in the following ways:

>You will know in advance what your payments will be.

>You won't waste time considering homes you cannot afford.

>You can select the best loan package without being under pressure. There are many options and programs to choose from in today's market. Your lender will explain the alternatives to help you select the one best suited to you.

>Sellers will find your offer to purchase more favorable if they know in advance of your ability to secure financing. This will make your offer more competitive if you are in competition with other offers. Nowadays, most listing agents require a pre-approval letter to accompany all purchase agreements.

>You'll have an estimate of your closing costs and we will explain them to you in detail.

>You'll have peace of mind.

Best piece of advice!

Take the pre-qualification one step further and get a full loan approval. This is the best approach!

The Buyer Notification System is a great tool we use to help you find the RIGHT Home for you!

What It Does...

~Searches for Properties that match your criteria.

~Gives Notification by mail or e-mail.

~Offers a Systematized buyer process to save you time.

~A Team of Trained Professionals who Work For and With You!

Once we have Your Criteria, we search the Multiple Listing Service daily to find properties that match that criteria. Once a match is found, we send the data sheets for that property to you, either by e-mail or postal mail. This allows you to look at properties on Your time and to review all of the details of each property. We are available via our Web Site, so you can easily send us an e-mail if you have any questions or would like to make an appointment to see a specific property with your Buyer Representative.

This is just one more step towards finding the Right Home for You!

Find a REALTOR you can trust!

The First Step...Now that you have chosen a specialized buyers representative who you can trust, you have accomplished the first step in the home-buying process. We will make sure that ll of your needs are met and will be representing you through the entire process of buying your new home.

Getting Pre-Approved

An important Step...We feel an important aspect when starting the process of buying a home is to meet with a lender and get a pre-approval. You buyer representative can put you in contact with a  lender, if you desire, who can give you information about your approval and also explain some of the financing options available to you.

Consulting Session

Important Information...Your buyer representative will meet you one on one to discuss the features you desire ina home as well as to pin-point the area you wish to live in.

The Search Begins

The Next Step...Once you've established the type of home you're searching for, it's time to start looking. Your buyer representative is available, by appointment, to help you find your Dream Home!

Your Offer

Be careful--This Is A Big Step...When you find your dream home, you should present a competitive offer immediately. your buyer representative has extensive experience in contract negotiations; he or she will ensure that you get the home you want for a fair price--a transaction in your best interest.

The Accepted Offer

We're Starting to Jog Now...When the seller accepts your offer, you will have what we call a pending offer. You want to make sure that every detail is handled accurately and immediately. We will ensure that your home closes properly and on time.

Inspections

You're on the "Home" Stretch!...Final details are handled and inspections are performed to ensure that the property is "perfect" for you. Contract details are further negotiated and  and we head to closing!

Signing the Loan Documents

Finalizing the Lender's Commitment...Be prepared to bring your cashier's check, insurance binder and driver's license to the closing. The next steps you take will be into your new home!

Now The Home Is Yours!

You Are Finally Home...After the deed is recorded and a possession date is decided upon, you're free to pick up the keys and move into your new home!

Your Dream Home...BOUGHT!

The climate of the housing market and in the state of the United States economy as whole is warm. Top economists are making predictions left and right. Leaders in the Obama administration are making proposals for improving the unemployment budget deficit and creating tax reforms along with a plethora of other proposals, reforms and bills. Basically, the state of the economy is not great, but according to former treasury secretary, Paul O’Neill, “We are moving forward at a pretty gradual pace,” he said. “But I don’t think things are terrible.” CNBC Real Estate Reporter, Diana Olick is in agreeance, according to her blog on Thursday January 20, 2011, where she stated, “Today's numbers were hands down, no argument, really good news for the housing market, but we're not out of the woods yet.” We might be heading up hill, but not without some pushing. In another blog, Olick said that, “High inventories and lower prices will either be too much for sellers to stomach or create the kind of bargain-buying bonanza that the market needs to find its footing.” Let’s just hope that improved tax reforms will create more revenue for the average American, which will improve consumer confidence. If Obama can come through with his plans to create margin in the jobless to employed ratio, then come spring, the market will start looking much more positive.

Let’s hope for some big improvements that will yield to a very exciting year in real estate!

15 Things Every Buyer Should Know Before Purchasing

1. Property taxes and qualified home interest are deductible on an individual's federal income tax return.

2. Many times, a home is the largest asset an individual has and is considered one of the safest investments available.

3. A homeowner can exclude up to $500,000 of capital gain if married filing jointly or up to $250,000 if single or married filing separately. The home must have been the taxpayer's principal residence for the previous  two years.

4. A portion of each amortized mortgage payment goes toward the principal, which is an investment.

5. A home is one of the few investments you can enjoy by living in it!

6. The majority of the time, a REALTOR can show you any home, whether it is listed with a company or a builder or is even a For Sale By Owner.

7. Working with a REALTOR to purchase a For Sale By Owner property is very advantageous, because someone will be looking out for your best interests.

8. A real estate professional who can provide you financial information with a computer will give you a distinct advantage in making the right decisions.

9. A pre-approved program will actually approve you for a specific loan amount subject to the property. This will give you confidence and will help when negotiating with the seller.

10. Your real estate professional can provide you with a list of items that you'll need to make a loan application, so yo'll be ready when the time comes.

11. The right to conduct a property inspection, included in your purchase agreement, gives you the ability to negotiate with the seller once you know all the facts about the property's condition

12. A Home Protection Plan can provide coverage for selected items, such as central heat and interior plumbing, built-in appliances, water heaters, etc. If the seller is not providing this coverage, you can purchase it yourself.

13. Ask your real estate professional if he or she is familiar with the neighborhoods you want to live in. Ask how many homes he or she has sold in these areas in the past year.

14. Working with a REALTOR who has an office "team" helps assure the buyer that the transaction will be handled smoothly.

15. In a "seller's market", don't go looking for a deal. Set your sights on the right house for you and then let your REALTOR help you negotiate the best price and terms.

Your Dream Home...BOUGHT!

9 Reasons to Buy Versus Rent your Home!

1. Pride in Owning: Most people buy homes to have control over where they live. Although investment features are important, the psychological reasons for buying--the satisfaction of owning and freedom from paying rent--are at least as important.

In a survey done by the National Association of Realtors of 6,000 homeowners and 2,000 renters--perhaps the largest survey ever of attitudes toward home ownership--it was shown that 76% of owners and 66% of renters considered pride of ownership an important reason for buying.

2. Dislike paying Rent: Close to 7 in 10 of almost equal portions of owners and renters expressed a dislike of paying rent as an important reason to buy. Renting offers a lifestyle that's nearly maintenance-free. That may appeal to you, but consider that renting offers you no equity, no tax benefit, and no protection against regular rent increases. Writing a rent check is just like watching your hard-earned money sail away! 

3. Settling Down: More than 6 in 10 renters said "settling down" was an important reason to by.

4. Good Investment: 76% of owners and 69% of renters said that the investment aspect of ownership was important.

5. Tax Advantage: Property taxes and qualified home interests are deductible on Schedule A, for itemized deductions.

6.Long-Term Appreciation: People consider homeownership a good investment because they view it as a long-term venture. Historically, home prices have risen at relatively steady rates. Existing home prices rose an average of 4% per year between 1980 and 1992.

7. Leverage Investments: People borrow a great deal to buy homes, yet they receive the full benifits of price appreciation. In the long run, investments in homes far out pace inflation rates.

8. Source of Savings: Homeownership always has been and continues to comprise the singel largest source of savings for American households. Howeowners build equity and can borrow against it.

9. Sacrifices Are Worth It: Almost 7 in 10 renters in the National Association of Realtors homeownership survey said that they planned to buy a home in the future. More than three-quarters of these people said they were willing to sacrifice to do that.

Discover what's important to you!

If there are projects around your house that need completed, now is the time to do it! Spending the money and effort will be well worth it when your house shows beautifully and sells quickly! Here are 25 more ideas for changes that can increase your chance of a quick sell!

1.Paint the walls a neutral color. Get rid of stains, scratches, and dents and freshen all of your walls with a nice new coat of paint. Using light, neutral colors can make a room stand out.

2.Secure loose wallpaper, or take it down altogether and paint.

3.Make decor simple and neutral. 

4.Add new, light and airy window treatments.

5.Put slipcovers over furniture that has been overused or store it and replace with something simple and fresh.

6.Group furniture. Create open spaces that are easy to navigate.

7. Establish a focal point. If you have a fireplace or a nice armoire  center furniture around tha areas in order to create a cozy feel.

8.Bring on the light. Add higher watt light bulbs to make every room feel bright and airy.

9. Tone down hard to change elements by arranging furniture in a way that takes the focus to another spot. Adding a simple mirror or neutral picture frame can also draw focus without taking away from the room.

10.Make traffic flow smoothly. If more than one person is looking at your house you don't want them to be tripping over each other. Arrange furniture in a way that aids in the movement of multiple people without hassle.

11.There is no room for pets when showing your house. Remove litter pans, food bowls and bedding. If possible, arrange for your pet to stay with a friend or relative while your house is being shown.

12.Put away kids toys and clean and organize closets. Buyers like to touch and see every area of the home they are looking at. 

13.Splurge on new bed linens. You can do this for a reasonable price and it will make the bedrooms seem much newer and fresher.

14.Polish your dining room table and use a centerpiece to add some color.

15.Remove stains from sinks and appliances.

16.Repair cabinet hardware.

17.Fix leaky faucets.

18.Wax the floors and clean carpets.

19.Clean up tile or grout in bathrooms/utility rooms.

20.Recaulk faulty joints around bathtubs and sinks.

21.Buy a neutral shower curtain for your bathroom. It will make the entire bathroom feel newer and cleaner.

22.Remove oil stains from driveway and garage floor.

23.Clean furnace and area around it.

24. Make sure basement is clean and free of clutter.

25.Clean doors and paint. Make sure hardware on front door and doorbell, if applicable, are in working order.

Remember, not everyone is going to like every feature of your home. Make needed repairs and feel confident that you are presenting a great home that will be perfect for someone!

So, you might be a bit overwhelmed by the plethora of information available out there about selling a house; tips, tricks, and every piece of advice under the sun.  To make it simpler, Cain and Company has put together a list of “Seller Reminder Points” that are extremely simple, to the point, and helpful. They aren’t intended to be every bit of information you’ll need during the selling process, rather, they are meant to be an aid in the “showing” process.

Seller Reminder Points

1. Don’t “sell” your home. Let the agent do his/her job. The agent will show the benefits based on

the Buyer’s needs, wants and perceptions.

2. “Fire Drill” time is: Opening blinds, turning on lights, turning the television off, put soft music on.

3. Agent drive bys/drop ins. Say “I’ll be happy to allow you to show the home. Can you give me 3

minutes?” Then it’s Fire Drill time!

4. Greet your Buyer and agents at the door (if you are at home) and direct them to listing information

book about your home. Then please leave the home to allow the buyers to look in leisure.

5. Say “If you have any questions, I’ll be in the back/front yard” and leave the house at this time.

6. Keep track of how long the buyers are in the house. If any buyers are in the home more than 25

minutes, they may be very interested.

7. If asked an uncomfortable question, i.e. lower price, modifications the buyers may want, types of

people that live in the neighborhood, etc., simply say “I think it is something my agent would be

happy to talk with you about.”

8. Remember “real” buyers want to touch, smell and explore. Have your kitchen drawers, closets and

garage organized.

9. Never apologize for the present condition of the home. If it is unclean, or toys are out, don’t

mention why.

10. Most agents may not arrive on time when showing property. Many will be ahead of or behind

schedule, or may not even show up at all.

 “The Fire Drill”, along with these other reminders, is a great plan to have in place in order to be ready to open your door to prospective buyers with only a few minute’s notice and still Wow them from their first step inside!

WASHINGTON — Home prices are falling across most of America’s largest cities, and average prices in eight major markets have hit their lowest point since the housing bust.

The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller 20-city home price index fell 1.6 percent in November from October. All but one city, San Diego, recorded monthly price declines.

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“Everything in this report is still sliding — it’s still pointing downward,” David M. Blitzer, Chairman of the Index Committee at Standard & Poor’s, told CNBC Tuesday. “We still seem to be, at best, scraping along the bottom.”

In other economic news Tuesday, the Conference Board said its closely-followed Consumer Confidence Index rose in January to its highest level in eight months with Americans growing a little more confident about the job market and business conditions.

Separately, the Labor Department said the unemployment rate rose in 20 states last month as employers in most states shed jobs, but it was unchanged in another 15 states. That’s nearly the same as in November, when the rate rose in 21 states, fell in 15 and was the same in 14.

Prices in Atlanta, Charlotte, Detroit, Las Vegas, Miami, Portland, Ore., Seattle and Tampa have set new lows since home prices peaked in 2006 and 2007.

Over the past year, prices have risen in four major cities. Prices rose 3.5 percent in Washington, the largest gain. Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco also posted gains.

Some of the worst declines came in cities hard hit by foreclosures.

Prices have fallen 1.6 percent in the past year, sharper than the 1.4 percent predicted by economists polled by Reuters.