Good News! The Senate has passed a bill that will extend the first-time homebuyer tax credit that was set to expire at the end of November. And, current homeowners have an incentive to buy as well.

The House still needs to pass the bill.

Continue reading "Senate Extends/Expands Homebuyer Tax Credit" »

One of the surest ways to upgrade your bedroom's look from "college-leftover" to "mature adult" is to finally add a headboard to your bed. But, this is Chicago afterall, and even the most mature adult isn't guaranteed to have enough space for a great headboard (or enough money for that matter - we're in a recession, people!). So imagine my excitement when I checked in on one of my favorite design-on-the-cheap blogs and found these headboard decals! (Thanks, Kelly+Olive!)

Bilk Headboard Decals come in a variety of styles and colors and at $40 - $70 a pop, you can afford to switch out your style as your tastes change. Perfect for a post-college 20-something or a commitment-phobe of any age.

The Kenwood home whose claim to fame is its proximity to the Obama's Chicago house (right next door) finally has a price. According to Mary Ellen Podmolik of the Chicago Tribune, the house will be listed on the MLS tomorrow for $1.85 million.

When HomesPlus toured the home last month, it was on the market with no listing price because the listing agent, Matt Garrison, said it was impossible to determine what the "Obama factor" would be...apparently they've now figured it out.

The home would require plenty of TLC and a significant amount of renovation to bring it up to date, but the original character of the ornate plaster and carved wood moldings and the large stained glass window visible from the foyer remain. Check out the tour, below.

Dorothy Collins, of South Holland!

Dorothy's 70's-style bedroom is going to get some undivided attention from local designer Michelle Williams, who is excited to get started. Dorothy will receive a brand new Sealy mattress and boxspring from the Bedding Experts, as well as that $10,000 makeover! The makeover will take place in the coming weeks and will be aired on HomesPlus so that you can see Dorothy's story and her gorgeous new bedroom!

There was some really tough competition out there! Not to mention some very deserving Chicagoans...check back in a few days to see some of our favorite entries!

Congratulations, Dorothy!

This weekend on HomesPlus, we're touring an Oswego home that started out as a dairy barn - it's spacious, rustic and very green! From the natural materials used to build the home, to the fact that much of the original dairy barn was incorporated into the renovated home, it's an incredibly natural and quite impressive space.

The tour will air this weekend, but check out these behind-the-scenes pics from this shoot and see some from our past shoots!

The last day to submit entries for the Bedding Experts' Ultimate Bedroom Makeover is Sunday, October 18th! If you have a bedroom that's seriously in need of some design TLC then snap a picture and send it in before the contest closes Sunday to win! The winner and the fabulous new room will be featured on HomesPlus in November and will receive a stylish new room designed by Michelle Williams Interiors.

Just head to WGN's contest website to get the details!

And people, just because you haven't cleaned it in a while doesn't mean it needs a makeover - send in your rooms that need a whole new look, not just a maid :)

Good luck!