Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Brian Sells Chicago · Just Listed – 439 Maple

http://ift.tt/1rlTcOf 439 Maple Avenue Carpentersville, IL 60110 MLS#: 08792094 Price: $169,977 House Type: Raised Ranch Bedrooms: 3 Full Bathrooms: 2 Half Bathrooms: 0 If you’re looking to start the New Year actually living in your new home and not working on it, you’re in the right place. All the work has been done for you! In the past four years, owners have upgraded to Energy Star Windows, installed a New Furnace, updated the Walkway, Retaining Wall, and Drainage, as well as UPGRADED the Kitchen and Both Bathrooms. New coil is in place if you want to add central air – very easy! The information being provided is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All information must be verified by the purchaser. Listing information courtesy of: RE/MAX AT HOME The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Broker Reciprocity program of Midwest Real Estate Data LLC. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than RE/MAX Northern Illinois are marked

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Brian Sells Chicago · Check out my presentation Dec 2!

Post by Selling Houses Exposed. Uncategorized

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Total Peace of Mind: Home Selling Smart, Safe, and Simple - Key Concept Networking (Hoffman Estates, IL) - Meetup



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Brian Sells Chicago · Install Efficient Windows

Window glass is not known for being very thick, and single-pane windows are notorious energy loss culprits. One option is to replace current windows with storm windows. Storm windows “reduce temperature loss by sealing leaks and creating a dead airspace between window panes” (motherearthnews.com). Storm windows can be expensive, but their return on investment is about 10 years, which is relatively short. Another option, if installing new windows is not feasible, is to cover windows with transparent material to help improve insulation. This site has great techniques on conserving energy in your home by implementing winter window treatments. Uncategorized

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Saturday, November 22, 2014

Brian Sells Chicago · Seal Air Leaks

A home is rarely airtight, and checking for air leaks is a great way of determining where warm or cool air could be escaping and adding money on to your energy bill. There are a number of areas where air escapes: windows, doors, electrical boxes, ceiling fixtures, attics and more. You can help reduce or eliminate leaks by caulking and/or weather-stripping doors and windows, installing foam gaskets behind outlets and switch plates, or using foam sealant on larger gaps around windows and baseboards. Taking the time to find air leaks and fix them will help save you money and keep your home warm or cool. Uncategorized

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Thursday, November 20, 2014

Brian Sells Chicago · Install a Programmable Thermostat

Heating and cooling your home uses more energy and costs you more money than any other area or system in your home. Heating and cooling makes up almost half of your utility bill, so knowing how to eliminate energy waste when it comes to heating and cooling will save you money each month. By installing a programmable thermostat you help to automatically adjust your home’s temperature to when you’ve programmed, which helps it stay warm (or cool) when you need it to be. When I last purchased mine, I bought one of the cheapest ones I could find at around $80 and it has served its purpose for over five years. I just saw one advertised for $25, so you really can make this economical. My next one will be the $250 Nest (now a Google product.) I get giddy over the idea of programming my home from my phone or computer, but I’m nerdy like that! Uncategorized

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Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Brian Sells Chicago · How to Save Energy in Your Home

Fall is upon us (OK, yeah in Chicago we started winter early, but technically it’s fall) and in the months generally known for colder weather, keeping our homes warm is a top priority. Even in those geographic regions where the mercury doesn’t drop below 50, knowing your home is not losing energy is a relief when you spend your hard earned dollars keeping your home warm or cool. Saving energy in your home is not a difficult process. There are many easy free and low-cost ways to save energy and money on your heating and cooling bills. Over the next half a dozen posts or so I will provide you some great ways to save money and stay warm. If you have more to add please let me know! Uncategorized

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Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Brian Sells Chicago · Home Styles – Pueblo Revival

The Pueblo Revival is a style favored in the Southwest, highly influenced by the ancient Pueblo’s simple multifamily homes. This home style favors materials sourced from the earth — adobe, concrete, stucco or mortar, and wood beams — and the homes tend to feature enclosed courtyards and flat or sloping roofs. The Pueblo style is also characterized by rounded exteriors that exhibit square windows, weathered wood doors and exterior stone accents. This is the last one in our series. I put it to you, dear readers, to find some better examples of the Pueblo Revival. We definitely don’t see these in Chicago! Uncategorized

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Sunday, November 9, 2014

Brian Sells Chicago · Home Styles – Mediterranean

The Mediterranean style became very popular in the United States in 1918 to 1940. This style is modeled after the hacienda style, where red tile roofs, arches, and plaster surfaces play a large part in the exterior of the house. Mediterranean style homes have become popular again, but the style has adopted more design elements like porticoes, balconies, and ornamental details that include heavy wood doors, tiles in multiple colors or designs, and balconies with ornate iron railings and embellishments. As a real estate professional, I guess I should know what a portico is? I have to admit that word does not come up too often around here! Uncategorized

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Friday, November 7, 2014

Brian Sells Chicago · Home Styles – Spanish

Spanish style homes incorporate a fusion of design elements from European and Native American architecture. The Mission Revival style is the most popular, which has its roots in Spanish churches built by missionaries. Spanish style homes tend to have clay roof tiles, arcaded porches, arched corridors, bell towers, square pillars and quatrefoil windows (these windows resemble flowers). You won’t see this very often (or at all?) in Illinois. I think I should move somewhere where these are more common! Uncategorized

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Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Brian Sells Chicago · Home Styles – Contemporary

Contemporary homes have an almost futuristic look to them, but many contemporary homes look to connect the indoors with the outdoors. Natural light plays a large part in the contemporary home, as do flat roofs and simple horizontal and perpendicular lines. Contemporary homes embrace industrialism and put an emphasis on the use of efficient and affordable materials, and the homes emphasize an importance of combining materials (steel, glass, wood, stone, etc.) to create a fluid space. I don’t know, though… This style has been around long enough that I think we’re past it now. The sterile look appeals to me for some reason. Would you want a house like this? Uncategorized

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Monday, November 3, 2014

Brian Sells Chicago · Home Styles – Colonial

Colonials are another home style that have a distinct appearance. Symmetry plays a large part in Colonials — evenly spaced shuttered windows, dormers, columns, and old Colonials will have many fireplaces. The most common Colonial in the United States is the Georgian Colonial, characterized by its strict symmetry, box shape, paneled front door below a decorative crown, simple or flattened columns, and the most notable feature of five shuttered windows across. Other notable Colonial styles in the United States are Dutch, Federal, and Spanish. I’m picturing the Banks’ house from “Father of the Bride” right now. Does that make me sound old? Uncategorized

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Saturday, November 1, 2014

Brian Sells Chicago · Home Styles – Ranch

Ranches are also known as ‘Ramblers.’ Ranches are characterized by their single-story construction and low pitched roofs. Ranches became very popular in the post World War II era, with a large resurgence in the 1960s as ‘mid-century moderns.’ Most newer construction relies on a second story for additional square footage, meaning you’re likely only going to find ranch styles in older homes. I think this might be a mistake – I mean, I like stairs for exercise, but not for lugging my tired butt up to bed every night! Uncategorized

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