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Displaying blog entries 1-7 of 7

Elmhurst Open Houses for January 27-28

Saturday, January 27, 2018
by Thomas Makinney

Come check out two beautiful open houses that we'll be hosting this weekend!

165 Sunnyside, Elmhurst

Sunday, 1:00-3:00 PM


823 Washington, Elmhurst,

Sunday, 1:00-3:00 PM

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Elmhurst D205 to offer dual Spanish-English curriculum

Thursday, January 18, 2018
by Thomas Makinney


Beginning in the 2018-19 school year, students in D205 will have the opportunity to enroll in a dual language program (Spanish/English) at Conrad Fischer Elementary.

The classes will be regular curriculum classes taught in both English and Spanish, with an equal mix of native English speakers and native Spanish speakers. There will be at least 50% of instruction in each level, and the curriculum will match the regular English curriculum.

The program is aimed at not only helping native Spanish speakers learn English but also to help native English speakers become truly fluent in Spanish.

While providing bilingual classrooms and curriculum is mandatory for all public schools in Illinois who have 20 or more students of one language in the school, a dual language program goes a step further to fully integrate two cultures. The hope is that both groups will pick up a second language and emerge from the program fully fluent in both languages.

The goal of the program is that by the end of elementary school, all students in the program are fluent in both languages and have academic performance that exceeds their monolingual counterparts.

A recent study revealed that students who complete a dual language program enter middle school outperforming their peers by as much as one grade level in all subjects.

It’s a win-win situation where Spanish students will develop their native language rather than losing it (and close the gap between Spanish-speaking students and their English-speaking counterparts) while English speakers will add a second language without sacrificing English development.

For the first year, the program will focus on kindergarten, but it is expected to continue through fifth grade.

There were concerns from some parents that teachers wouldn’t be able to teach enough Spanish while others were concerned that the school doesn’t have enough room. Current plans involve extensive language training for teachers over the summer and two classrooms dedicated to the program.

There are numerous benefits to speaking two languages including increased executive functioning, protection against cognitive decline, and a cultural awareness, sensitivity, and appreciation for other languages and cultures.

And in this world of global citizenry, it’s hard to argue with that.

We’re so proud of Elmhurst for taking this leap and embracing a truly bilingual program. To learn more about our amazing schools and community, call us at (630) 441-5570 or visit www.gmregroup.com. 

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Elmhurst Open House List for Jan. 20-21

Thursday, January 18, 2018
by Thomas Makinney


749 S Fairview Ave. Elmhurst

274 E. Oneida Ave., Elmhurst

1200 S Prospect Ave

Elmhurst

01/21/2018

1:00-3:00 PM

$262,000

1200 S Prospect Ave

Elmhurst

01/20/2018

1:00-3:00 PM

$262,000

210 N Addison Ave

Elmhurst

01/21/2018

1:00-3:00 PM

$325,000

207 N West Ave

Elmhurst

01/21/2018

1:00-3:00 PM

$374,900

414 E Schiller St

Elmhurst

01/20/2018

11:00AM-1:00 PM

$389,900

558 S Hillcrest Ave

Elmhurst

01/21/2018

1:00-3:00 PM

$425,000

963 Chatham Ave

Elmhurst

01/21/2018

1:00-4:00 PM

$469,000

160 S Poplar Ave

Elmhurst

01/21/2018

1:00-3:00 PM

$484,900

818 S Hillside Ave

Elmhurst

01/21/2018

1:00-3:00 PM

$489,000

550 S Edgewood Ave

Elmhurst

01/21/2018

1:00-3:00 PM

$489,900

804 S Saylor Ave

Elmhurst

01/21/2018

11:00AM-2:00 PM

$609,000

972 S Spring Rd

Elmhurst

01/21/2018

1:00-3:00 PM

$749,000

180 S Lawndale Ave

Elmhurst

01/21/2018

1:00-3:00 PM

$774,900

255 E Forest Ave

Elmhurst

01/21/2018

1:00-3:00 PM

$779,900

991 S Mitchell Ave

Elmhurst

01/21/2018

1:00-4:00 PM

$880,000

415 N Highview Ave

Elmhurst

01/21/2018

1:00-3:00 PM

$889,900

749 S Fairview Ave

Elmhurst

01/21/2018

12:00-2:00 PM

$894,800

141 N Caroline St

Elmhurst

01/21/2018

12:00-3:00 PM

$969,900

141 N Caroline St

Elmhurst

01/20/2018

12:00-3:00 PM

$969,900

274 E Oneida Ave

Elmhurst

1/20/2018

2:00-4:00 PM

$1,249,900

245 N Elm Ave

Elmhurst

01/21/2018

1:00-3:00 PM

$1,185,000

969 S Mitchell Ave

Elmhurst

01/21/2018

1:00-4:00 PM

$1,199,000
 
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Don’t let your home sale be stalled by roadblocks

Thursday, January 18, 2018
by Thomas Makinney


If you’ve ever wondered why some houses sit on the market for weeks or months while others get snapped up in a matter of days, we have some answers. There are some frequent roadblocks that often lead to a languishing listing. Luckily, they’re all easily fixable.
 
1.     Mediocre Asking Price. Buyers are often indifferent if the price is too high compared to similar homes. And often, you’re missing an entire segment of the market who are only searching in a certain range. The right price makes the home stand out in comparison, especially if it’s an oversupplied sub-category. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that a higher price gives you more negotiating room. In reality, the right buyers either don’t see it or move on when they see better homes in the same price range.
2.     Outdated or dirty. Homes should either be beautifully dated or updated and CLEAN. A clean, dated, and staged home with a compelling asking price sells and so does a clean, updated, staged home with a compelling asking price. Make sure walls, ceilings, and floors are washed and cleaned (and wipe the countertops frequently).
3.     Too much clutter. Buyers want to envision themselves in a home. It can be hard to see beyond too many knickknacks or papers or laundry. Too much furniture makes rooms feel smaller and claustrophobic.
 
If your home is still languishing despite having the right price and being properly updated and clean, consider staging. Staging involves someone coming in and helping place furniture, artwork, plants attractively as well as removing excess items that may make buyers think the home is smaller or has too little storage space.
 
Here at Gracik Makinney, we help all of our clients not only price their homes but offer advice and tips for what to update, clean, and remove. Call us for more information, (630) 441-5570 or visit our website www.gmregroup.com.
 
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Best financial investments for Elmhurst homes before going to market

Monday, January 15, 2018
by Thomas Makinney

Thinking of putting your house on the market in the new year? Before you do, you might want to get your house in order. Not sure where to start? Wondering where you can get the biggest bang for your buck? We have some guidance on the best investments you can make in the current market.

First off, neutral painting of walls, trim, doors, ceiling, and even cabinetry is HUGE (don’t forget the outside as well as inside). Updated flooring also makes a major difference. You want to convey to the buyer, “Move in, get comfortable, and take your time making it your own.” It’s hard to see beyond dirty walls and stained carpeting.

Take a look at your front entryway. In the real estate market, people really do judge a book by its cover. Pretend you are a potential buyer walking up to the front door and waiting for the agent to open the home up. Take a sharp critical look at what you see—from overgrown bushes to chipped paint on the door to dim lighting in the entry.

It would be great if every home on the market had an updated kitchen and bath, but this is unrealistic and often cost prohibitive. However, some enhancements can be done for a modest price and really make a big difference. Consider updating appliances, countertops, plumbing fixtures, lighting, and textiles.  

Beyond that, you’ll want to make sure all major problems are fixed. Broken air conditioners, leaky roofs, dripping faucets should all be taken care of before your house goes on the market. If you don’t want to replace a roof, consider a credit to the buyer as part of the sale price.

Other solid investments include a fresh coat of exterior paint, new garage doors, energy-efficient windows, and updated appliances. If you do decide to do a kitchen or bathroom remodel, make sure you don’t price yourself out of the market (or take shortcuts for a high-end home). You don’t want to put a luxury kitchen in a $250,000 home.

If you have specific questions about what you need to do to your home before you put it on the market, please reach out to us at (630) 441-5570 or through our website, www.gmregroup.com. We’ve sold thousands of homes in the area and can give you a free consultation. 

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Elmhurst Open House List for Jan. 13-14

Thursday, January 11, 2018
by Thomas Makinney

 

We'll be hosting 6409 Prescott Lane in Westchester 
Sunday from 1:00-3:00PM

600 S York St

Elmhurst

01/13/2018

10-:00-11:30 AM

$220,000

2409 Prescott Ln

Westchester

1/14/2018

1:00-3:00 PM

$295,000

656 S York St

Elmhurst

01/14/2018

1:00-3:00 2PM

$329,900

207 N West Ave

Elmhurst

01/14/2018

1:00-3:00 PM

$374,900

414 E Schiller St

Elmhurst

01/14/2018

12:00-2:00 PM

$389,900

323 E Harrison St

Elmhurst

01/14/2018

1:00-4:00 PM

$429,900

760 S Bryan St

Elmhurst

01/14/2018

2:00-4:00 PM

$469,900

550 S Edgewood Ave

Elmhurst

01/14/2018

1:00-3:00 PM

$489,900

384 S West Ave

Elmhurst

01/14/2018

1:00-3:00 PM

$550,000

822 S Hillside Ave

Elmhurst

01/14/2018

1:00-3:00 PM

$749,900

15W732 Lexington St

Elmhurst

01/14/2018

1:00-3:00 PM

$749,999

646 W Armitage Ave

Elmhurst

01/14/2018

1:00-4:00 PM

$789,000

299 W Claremont St

Elmhurst

01/14/2018

1:00-4:00 PM

$840,000

415 N Highview Ave

Elmhurst

01/14/2018

1:00-3:00 PM

$889,900

126 Melrose Ave

Elmhurst

01/14/2018

1:00-3:00 PM

$900,000

141 N Caroline St

Elmhurst

01/13/2018

12:00-3:00 PM

$969,900

141 N Caroline St

Elmhurst

01/14/2018

12:00-3:00 PM

$969,900

117 Joanne Way

Elmhurst

01/13/2018

12:00-2:00 PM

$1,129,000

140 Joanne Way

Elmhurst

01/14/2018

11:00AM-4:00 PM

$1,129,000

140 Joanne Way

Elmhurst

01/13/2018

11:00AM-4:00 PM

$1,129,000

148 Joanne Way

Elmhurst

01/13/2018

11:00AM-4:00 PM

$1,139,000

148 Joanne Way

Elmhurst

01/14/2018

11:00AM-4:00 PM

$1,139,000

245 N Elm Ave

Elmhurst

01/14/2018

1:00-3:00 PM

$1,185,000

114 N Berteau Ave

Elmhurst

01/13/2018

11:00AM-1:00 PM

$1,199,000

114 N Berteau Ave

Elmhurst

01/14/2018

11:00AM-1:00 PM

$1,199,000
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Elmhurst Open House List for Jan. 6-7

Thursday, January 04, 2018
by Thomas Makinney

714 S Berkley Ave, Elmhurst


749 S Fairview Ave, Elmhurst

165 S Sunnyside Ave, Elmhurst


274 E Oneida Ave, Elmhurst

445 S Parkside Ave, Elmhurst

448 W Avery St

Elmhurst

01/07/2018

1:00-3:00 PM

$269,000

210 N Addison Ave

Elmhurst

01/07/2018

1:00-3:00 PM

$325,000

656 S York St

Elmhurst

01/07/2018

12:00-2:00 PM

$329,900

414 E Schiller St

Elmhurst

01/07/2018

12:003:00 PM

$389,900

160 S Poplar Ave

Elmhurst

01/07/2018

1:00-3:00 PM

$484,900

774 S Euclid Ave

Elmhurst

01/07/2018

1:00-4:00 PM

$549,999

591 S Fern Ave

Elmhurst

01/07/2018

1:00-3:00 PM

$559,000

714 S Berkley Ave

Elmhurst

01/07/2018

1:00-3:00 PM

$774,900

452 N Emery Ln

Elmhurst

01/07/2018

1:00-3:00 PM

$825,000

749 S Fairview Ave

Elmhurst

01/07/2018

2:00-4:00 PM

$894,800

165 S Sunnyside Ave

Elmhurst

01/07/2018

2:00-4:00 PM

$900,000

141 N Caroline St

Elmhurst

01/06/2018

12:00-3:00 PM

$969,900

141 N Caroline St

Elmhurst

01/07/2018

12:00-3:00 PM

$969,900

114 N Berteau Ave

Elmhurst

01/06/2018

11:00AM-1:00 PM

$1,215,000

114 N Berteau Ave

Elmhurst

01/07/2018

11:00AM-1:00 PM

$1,215,000

274 E Oneida Ave

Elmhurst

01/07/2018

2:00-4:00 PM

$1,249,900

445 S Parkside Ave

Elmhurst

01/07/2018

2:00-4:00 PM

$1,339,900
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Displaying blog entries 1-7 of 7

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