Hi! Rochelle Vayo here, and I just want to thank everyone for watching over the last couple of weeks! We are currently in a tough real estate market and buying the home of your dreams isn't easy. But that's why we're here to help you.

We want you to be the most informed buyer (and seller) in this market. Check out after the jump about the importance of taking "great" pictures of the home you are trying to sell.

And if there's something you want to know more about ... post your question on this blog! If we don't know the answer, we'll find it for you!

This truly is a great time to buy a new home. Prices and interest rates remain low and there's a great selection of homes to choose from.

Experts say the time to buy a new home is now!

Here's why:
1. Interest rates are low
2. The selection couldn't be better
3. Prices have dropped

But does that mean that now is the right time for you? If you're anything like me, and committing to an expensive pair of shoes makes you worry, then it's understandable that you might be a bit aprehensive to jump into the housing market.

Spring is finally here! With our first 70-degree days under our belts, many of you are probably gearing up to get your yards back into shape for summer. But all of those fragrant flowers and newly-trimmed shrubs are good for more than your neighborhood garden walk. According to the American Nursery & Landscape Association, landscaping actually increases property values by 7 to 14 percent!

All those years ago, Kermit may have had a point. But times have changed and these days it couldn't be easier to be green - especially in the most eco-friendly of the big cities, Chicago! Celebrate this Earth Day by taking a minute to think about your home and whether or not it might leave a big, gaping environmental footprint after you're gone. If you're looking for a new home, buying green is easy! According to the National Association of Home Builders new homes consume less than two-thirds the energy of older homes, per square foot. And if you have no plans to leave the home you've been in for years - fear not, Earth-lovers! Here are some easy tips to help you re-green your home!

For a first time homebuyer (and probably some 2nd, 3rd and 4th time buyers too!) the steps you take to secure a mortgage can be tricky. A lot of phrases get tossed around and if you haven't done your homework, then they're probably totally foreign to you! But, as a person who had absolutely no idea what she was doing when she set out to look for a new home, I can tell you, it's not as scary as it seems! There are 4 basic concepts regarding your mortgage that you should understand when you decide to buy a home. Here they are, explained:

It's time to once again go behind the scenes at HomesPlus and check out some of the outtakes from the show.

Hope you enjoy. Video after the jump ...

If you're thinking of entering the world of homeownership, right now is a great time! Prices are low, mortgage rates are good and the selection of homes on the market is pretty incredible. But for first-time homebuyers, the task of figuring out how much your new home is going to cost you can be intimidating. After all, presumably, this will be the biggest purchase you've made until this point in your life - and the costs can be staggering if you're not ready for them! According to the Federal Housing Administration, your mortgage payments should be no more than 29% of your gross monthly income if you carry some debt, or up to 41% if you have no debt.

Frustrated buyers, we have found a great tool for you! Beatyouthere.com is a real estate website that launched this week with over two million property listings - designed for the homebuyer who wants all of the info! Beatyouthere.com features a unique interactive tool, so that registered users can post comments and review listings, homes they've visited or even realtors that they've worked with. And it makes perfect sense. After all, we check out reviews of restaurants before we eat there, why wouldn't we do our homework on a purchase as major as a home?

Looking for a home that's as eco-chic as you are? Then maybe it's time to head out to Aurora and check out the latest from Bigelow Homes. HomeTown Aurora, an established community in the western Chicago suburb, is making it easier than ever to reduce your family's carbon footprint without sacrificing style. One of the latest additions to HomeTown is the Reserves, a neighborhood within a neighborhood, dedicated to green living.

Yes, it's a buyer's market right now - a fantastic time to buy, whether it's your first home or an investment property. But for every eager buyer, there's a seller doing his/her best to make their property tops on your list. If you're buying new construction - great! You should be in good shape! But if you're looking for a home with history, it's up to you to do your homework before you buy! Check out frontdoor.com's top ten red-flag items before you sign on the dotted line!

Okay, so now that I've got your attention...
If you're looking for a new home in Lincoln Hills, I'm about to make your day! Well, actually William Ryan Homes is, but you can still feel free to thank me! (I prefer dark chocolate...but I digress...) Right now, William Ryan is offering an incredible incentive on it's 2,800 square-foot, 4-bedroom, 2.5 bath Douglas model. Ready for it? It's $96,540 OFF of the purchase price! Which means, you can own it for just $349,990. This home is ready for immediate delivery and comes complete with...

It's a great time to buy, mortgage rates are low, yadayadayada...you've heard it all before and I'll spare you the spiel. But did you know that when you buy a brand new home - as in, from the developer - your bargaining power can get you way more than just a few bucks off the asking price? The thing is, when you buy new it's really hard to negotiate a lower price like you might try to do with a private seller. But what you can do is negotiate in upgrades that would normally cost you an arm and a leg - like granite counter tops, upgraded flooring and gorgeous master baths - for FREE! The current new home market is ripe with fantastic deals like this!

In the market for a big, beautiful new home where you can really spread out? The more spacious model homes you look at, the smaller your current home probably feels! Especially if you're in the city, space can be tight. So, until you upgrade to that 3,000 square foot spread in the suburbs, make the most of your space! Adding some color, picking up a few new pieces and re-arranging your old ones can make a small room look a lot bigger! Not to mention, more appealing to a potential buyer.

Whether you're buying or selling a home, I'm sure you've heard that neutral colors sell. For years, experts have pointed out that a house full of beiges and ecrus will allow the buyer to imagine their own furniture, styles and lives in the home - thus, speeding up a sale. But here we are, in the days of HGTV do-it-yourself design and buyers and sellers alike are breaking out of the safe world of black and white and painting a picture of their lives with COLOR!

You've heard it all before - it's a great time to buy a new home! This is especially true for first time home-buyers! If you're financially solid, there are some great deals to be had right now. But how much does it really cost just to get the ball rolling? Don't be scared off by that 20% down payment! While the days of no-money down are for the most part behind us, you can get your foot in the door for much less than 20%.

Have you found that beautiful new home of your dreams, but need to get out from under your current mortgage to move on? If so, then you've probably discovered first-hand that it's going to take a little more than it used to in order to find the right buyer for your home. Which is why it's important to remember Consumer Reports' five basic tips to selling in the current market...

If you're part of the population that currently has its home on the market and you're starting to lose faith, it's time to take stock. Stop seeing your house as your own and start viewing it as a buyer would. Do you see clutter? Lots of personal effects? Evidence that you own three great danes? Then perhaps it's time for some home staging!

In the world of home-ownership, curb appeal is king. And even if you're not selling, let's face it - you'd love your lawn to be the envy of the neighborhood, wouldn't you? Here's a few tips on how to keep your lawn looking luscious while you stay green - sans the harsh chemicals you may have used in the past.

Every week we bring you the latest and greatest in new homes across Chicagoland - but if you check out HomesPlus this weekend you're going to find a little something extra! In addition to the new communities we know you love to see, this weekend's show will be the first in a series of new episodes that highlight home design and decorating, tips from real estate pros on what's going on with the current market and how to make your home stand out from the rest! Not to mention, we'll be taking you through some incredible million-plus dollar homes on the market right now and show you what you get for the money in different neighborhoods across the city and suburbs!

With all of the ups and downs of the real estate market in the last 5 or 6 years, it's easy to see how today's buyer or seller can feel overwhelmed. According to Today's financial editor, Jean Chatzky, there are some basic rules to follow if you're making a move in today's market.

"Green" is the buzz word. Actually, I'd say it's been used ad nauseum the last couple of years. So, even though you're probably as sick of hearing it as I am saying it - it's still worth paying attention to! And Chicago is. So, if you're looking for a new home and being green is important to you, you can find everything you need right here in the city with the big shoulders and chartreuse ideals (trying it on for size...it doesn't quite have the same ring as "green" though, does it?) Either way, HGTV has named Chicago one of the best places to live if you're into saving the earth!

Since it's costing roughly a million dollars to fill up your tank every time you visit the pump these days (okay, so I'm exaggerating a tiny bit...), we're all trying to scrimp and save in other areas to make up for it. Which is why this summer travel season more and more people are staying home during their time off. It's the stay-cation and it's catching on! But it doesn't have to feel like the same old place! Here are some tips to make your home a place that feels fresh enough to keep you smiling your whole week off!

If the rising cost of gas and groceries is bringing you down and you find yourself sacrificing your home's style to pinch a penny - this blog's for you. Check out five easy ways to up the hip factor in your home for less than the price of filling up your compact's gas tank!

Big hype has surrounded the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 that was just signed by President Bush. But what does it really mean for home buyers? Well, if you're a first-time buyer it can mean about $7,500!

These days, we’re all so busy it’s hard to find time to hang a picture on the wall, let alone get your home ready to put on the market. But did you know that statistics show that a potential buyer decides whether or not they like a home within eight seconds of first seeing it? So, it's easy to see why as a seller, you should make sure your home has some serious curb appeal.

Perhaps you're like me and when money matters arise, your eyes start to glaze over. (Unless of course, someone is telling you that you've won the lottery or something, but that hasn't happened to me...yet.) If budgets and finances and spreadsheets (oh my!) don't top your list of interesting conversations, then my guess is that the topic of mortgages is probably somewhere at the bottom of the list - like right between toilet cleaning and toenail clipping. Unfortunately, if you're looking into buying a home, then you'd better brace yourself for plenty of conversations containing the word "mortgage." In order to get you brushed-up on your mortgage knowledge, we've compiled some quick-tips that will help get you through all of those conversations - and hopefully make the process of buying a home just a little bit easier.

You know, so when you win the lottery and buy that second home in Malibu you're an old-pro :)

Check out the videos after the jump...

Okay, raise your hand if you remember seeing "The Money Pit" and thinking that while it certainly served up some fine Tom Hanks comedy ("Two weeks? Two weeks!") it also served as a great big red warning sign of what you're getting into when you decide to buy a fixer-upper. Okay, put your hands down. That movie and many, many horror stories like it (most of which were probably not nearly as funny) could be the reason that home buyers these days opt for the move-in ready variety.

In a recent survey, Coldwell Banker Real Estate found that just 7% of their brokers have first-time clients that are in the market for an older home that would require a little TLC (read: Time, Labor and Cha-ching!), while 81% report having clients that want their pad in tip-top shape on moving day.

If your home has been living on the MLS for way too long already, perhaps it's time to consider throwing in a little something extra. Now, I'm not talking about incentives like a new car or a trip to Grand Cayman (though I hear it's lovely this time of year) - I'm thinking more in terms of furniture. Yours, to be exact.

Since buyers have so much inventory to choose from, you need to make your home scream "Buy me! I'm move-in-ready and oh-so-cozy!" And one way to do that is to be open to including some or all of your furniture with the sale of your home.

The big news in real estate this week is, of course, the bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac by the federal government. The move was made in order to help stabilize the market and allow prices to begin to rebound. Word on the street is that this will also create a dip in 30-year mortgage rates, allowing more people to make a move on that new home, thus speeding up the healing process for the market.

Just moved into your new digs? Or perhaps you've just renovated your kitchen? Whatever changes you've made to your home, chances are you'd love an opportunity to show it off! The perfect way to do that? Throw a housewarming party! If you've moved into a new neighborhood, throwing a house-warming is a great way to get to know your new neighbors and let them get to know you. And if you've just updated your home, having an open house is the perfect way to celebrate the end of the project while showing off your hard work!

Turns out satisfaction isn't so elusive after all, despite Mick Jagger's famous words. At least, it's not to buyers who have built a new home this year.

In the midst of a housing market which has left a huge inventory of homes hanging on the MLS and potential new buyers with more options than ever, builders are making extra efforts to keep their buyers happy. A JD Power and Associates customer satisfaction study, released last week, showed that home builders have received far better marks in 2008 than last year.

As many of us learned during the two-day monsoon that swept through Chicagoland last weekend, even the most high-quality construction is no match for mother nature. In my building we learned that our damage was due to the fact that our sump pump had simply been overwhelmed by the amount of work that was required to keep up with the rain and decided instead, to lay down and take an extended nap. Mr. Sump has since been fired.

But the thing is, you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who did not suffer water damage last weekend. So, if you've become all too friendly with your wet-vac recently, then read on!

Think you know all there is to know about buying a home? Take this quiz from Freddie Mac to find out if you have the information you need to make one of the biggest purchases of your life!

We're all looking for ways to lower our bills and still, somehow, continue to enjoy the lifestyles to which we've become accustomed. So, if you're building or renovating a home right now, there's good news for you. Adding energy-efficient products and parts to your house is a great way to not only save on your monthly power and water bills - but also to add some built-in appeal to your home when you put it on the market in the future. Some ideas?

As upbeat as we'd like to be about the current market (and believe it or not, there really is a silver lining - especially for new buyers) the fact is, many people are losing their homes due to foreclosure. And these days, you just can't have enough information when it comes to real estate. According to Freddie Mac, there are warning signs that you can look out for to avoid losing your home.

Yup, I thought that might get your attention.
In case you haven't caught the news lately, the economy has seen sunnier days. But while the decision-makers in DC try to hammer out a plan that will stick, first-time home buyers already have what they need to get out there and take advantage of this housing market. There is, of course, the big federal tax credit for first-timers that we've heard so much about - but did you know that our state and city governments are offering some financial perks as well?

The House's Monday rejection of the plan to bail out the financial industry may have blown everyone else away, but Fannie and Freddie didn't seem to notice much. Mortgage rates have actually remained pretty stable since the federal government seized Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac last month.

Okay, we've all wished at least once that we could just win the lottery and be done with it, right? No more worrying about mortgage payments? I've done it and I don't even play the lottery. (But my totally unrealistic expectations in life is a topic for another blog...)

Well, if you're still crossing your fingers for that lottery win, this blog is for you. Potawatomi Bingo Casino in Milwaukee is "giving away the house" on October 30. Anytime you play between now and then you get entries into their $250,000 cash prize giveaway and the money is to be used towards a new home! Suddenly that dream home seems a little more attainable, doesn't it? And that's not all...

If you need some guidance in finding deals online, just ask Joanne Smith. She actually purchased a house on ebay last week for the low, low price of just a buck seventy-five. Yup, just $1.75 beat seven other bids and she is now the proud owner of an abandoned home in Saginaw, Michigan.

It's not unusual to drive down the street these days and see two, three or more "for sale" signs before you get to the corner Starbucks. Competition is fierce and everyone's trying to make their home the best on the block to appeal to buyers. But while keeping up with the competition definitely means keeping up appearances - both inside and out - it also means taking a better look at what your neighbor's home has that yours doesn't. Or on the flip side - figuring out what you have to offer that they might not.

According to the National Association of Realtors, The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in August, jumped 8.8% from about a year ago. The index is actually at its highest level since June of 2007.

As the weather cools off, many people's thoughts are preoccupied with how to manage home heating costs this winter. So, here's this week's energy-saving tip:
Clean your windows!
Did you know that cleaner windows can lower your home heating costs?

Today's housing market has meant a lot of changes for the buyer and the seller. Sellers are putting extra effort into making sure their home appeals to a variety of buyers and doing their homework on what sells. Buyers are enjoying having the upper hand, taking advantage of lower prices, huge selection and some interesting incentives. But where does that leave the real estate agent?

If the state of the economy has got you down, then just look ahead for a pick-me-up; the holidays are right around the corner! I know, I know, you're probably saying "It's not even Halloween yet, Rochelle! Get a grip!" But I can't help it, I'm a Christmas person. And with each passing year, I look forward to the tinsel and carols and cookies of December a little earlier. Many a family member has gotten annoyed with my eager anticipation of the season, but I digress...

If you love the holidays like I do, then you'll be happy to know that our design diva, Julea Joseph, is hosting a seminar to teach home owners, real estate agents and anyone else who is interested how to get a home into the holiday spirit! It's called "Packaging Your Home for the Holidays" and it's next Tuesday, October 21st.

Did you know that even if you have newer, energy efficient appliances, you can still do more to make sure that they're saving you money on your electric bill?
Major appliances need to be properly maintained to keep up their highest level of efficiency. For example, you know that grill at the bottom of your refrigerator? It's not just for show, that's where the coils are which release the warm air that's been removed from the inside of the fridge. When it gets clogged with dust and lint, the refrigerator has to work harder to cool the food inside - which translates to more money on your electric bill. So, use a vacuum to clean it once a month and keep those bills down.

The before and after pictures after the jump show how you can take a small space and translate it into separate living areas filled with style! The positioning of the furniture and carpet line clearly define a family room and separate dining area. Plus, furniture and accessories like this can be found at discount stores or even at your favorite furniture store in the "bruised" section. If you do your homework, you can definitely find some great deals.

A lot of emphasis has been placed on the importance of curb appeal when you're trying to sell your home. It makes sense - it is after all, the first thing people see as they drive by. But as the days get shorter and shorter, it's getting more likely that potential buyers won't get the best look at the hard work you've put into the exterior of your house. Putting an extra few bucks into landscape lighting could make a world of difference.

As things are cooling off outside, the inside of your home is probably ready for a little heat-up, courtesy of your furnace. You may not be mentally ready yet for the official start of the cold season, but it won't be too long before we'll all be cranking the heat while huddled underneath the afghan grandma crocheted, all the while complaining that it's still too cold. (Or is that just me?)
Either way, now's time to take a look at your furnace and your duct work to make sure that when you turn the that thermostat up, you only pay for the heat you're using.

The 2008 Olympics may be behind us, but if you're planning to put your home on the market anytime soon it's likely your training has just begun. Home sales typically pick up during the spring season, which starts right after the Superbowl in January. Which means you have about three months to get your home in tip-top shape if you want it looking svelte for potential buyers. The time to start is now...

It's no secret that homes aren't exactly flying off the market these days. But many people are forced to relocate anyway, because of job or life changes. If you're one of these people, you might find some temporary relief in the rental market.

Okay, so it looks like we might get some warmer temperatures over the next few days but admit it - this week has probably reminded you that what's coming might not be pretty. I'm talking about Chicago's frigid winter temps, gusty winds and general "I-don't-want-to-get-out-of-my-warm-bed" misery. We've got enough problems in the winter without worrying about what we're going to spend on heating the house, right? One way to lower your home heating cost in the coming months is to use your ceiling fans! Sound crazy? Well, guess what - they're made for winter too!

If you've noticed that the trees are going from gorgeous gold and fiery red to, well, a little naked - then you probably know it's that time of year. This weekend, we'll all turn back the clocks and say goodbye to daylight savings time, sort of an official welcoming of the new season. We get ourselves ready by putting away the flip-flops and breaking out the scarves and wool sweaters - so why not get your home prepared for the chilly months ahead as well?

If you're a buyer right now, then you know that you're in the drivers seat. You're in a position to negotiate a great price and possibly even some fancy-schmancy perks to go along with your new home purchase. But when you're out there looking for that dream house, don't forget to make sure that it's in a dream neighborhood. Because no matter how great a deal you're getting now, you'll want to be sure that when it comes time for you to move on, someone else will find it to be a great deal too. Choosing the right neighborhood is a big part of making sure you're making the most of your investment.

Tips on finding the right neighborhood after the jump...

Just like date night, open houses and showings call for putting your best face forward. But instead of the little black dress or that killer suit, we're talking cleaned out closets and spiffed up kitchens. If you want your potential buyer to ask for a second date...ahem...showing, then you'll want to take a look at these top ten tips for getting your home ready for the big date!

If you're still off your game after a week of it getting dark before 5 o'clock, then join the club. It will take some time to get used to the change, but you can make the transition easier on your home's energy bills by putting timers on the lights you use most. Timers are easy to use, only cost a few bucks and add convenience to your life - and money to your bank account!

With so many homes occupying so many days on the market, something's got to give. Many people who can wait are taking their houses off the market for the holidays, but some people aren't so lucky. An idea that's been gaining popularity for these people is renting out that home you can't sell as a vacation home - making you some extra cash while you wait for a buyer. Seen most often in vacation hotspots like Florida and California, the rentals appeal to vacationers because of the ammenities that you can't get in a hotel. And here in Chicago, though we may not have warm sunny skies all year long, we do have a certain tourist appeal that you can't get anywhere else - for one thing, a hometown President-elect.

Business Week recently released its list of "Best Places to Raise Your Kids" and a Chicago suburb beat out thousands of other cities for the top honor. Mount Prospect, a northwestern 'burb was chosen because of the impressive school system, cost of living, diversity, employment opportunities and its reputation as a tight knit community. And it didn't hurt that Mount Prospect is just a stone's throw from Chicago and the airport.

It would appear that more and more people these days are recognizing the importance of upgrading their home's appliances and features to be more energy efficient and sustainable. The Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Living Green Consumer Survey found that of 2,300 consumers, about half have paid more money for an energy efficient product in the past 12 months and one in three homeowners claim they would be willing to spend $5,000 or more on green improvements to increase a home’s appeal to potential buyers.

As the weather turns more and more winter-like, keeping track of where you might be losing heat in your home is important if you plan to cut down on those energy bills. Cracks and poor sealing around windows is a very common place to lose heat.

As far as the home is concerned - the kitchen is the center of the universe. It's where you gather, talk, help the kids with homework and eat standing up while you're looking for something to eat. Not to mention the fact that in most newer homes, the kitchen opens up to the main living area. So, it would logically follow that buyers are paying special attention to the kitchen these days.

Stupid question? Not really. A lot has changed in the market over last couple of years - and that includes the mortgage market. Okay, so maybe the definition of mortgage hasn't changed, but plenty of other things have. And that's why if you're in the market for a home - even if it's not your first time - it's not a bad idea to familiarize yourself with the basics all over again.

Ahhh, the beauty of direct bill pay. You never have to see a utility bill; the money just magically disappears from your account and voila! Bill paid. It's a wonderful convenience (not to mention the paper it saves) but it also allows us to ignore what we're spending each month on our utilities. One cost that we commonly overlook is our water bill. Sure, we tend to spend more on gas and electric, but that's no reason to keep spending more than you need to. The amount you shell out on H2o every month can be reduced with just a few minutes worth of effort.

We're all looking for ways to cut back a little and save a few bucks - and believe me, I'm always on the lookout for an opportunity to do something myself instead of hiring it out. But there are places you skimp a little (no one's going to know if that bag is designer or a knock off) and there are places you just don't. And one place it's never okay to cut corners is with your new home.

I recently spent a weekend with my in-laws and got to enjoy their gorgeous new home. Being a city girl, the spacious kitchen and formal dining room drew my envy of course (though I've gotten creative with my 1,400 square feet, there's only so much you can fit in a 2-flat) but the thing that really turned me green was - of all things - the mudroom.

Just imagine having so much space you can dedicate an entire room to dirt! It was perfectly organized to house boots, coats, mittens and all of the other outdoor-wear you could imagine in its perfectly designed cabinets and cubes. There was even a beautiful granite countertop and sink for rinsing those messy pieces before stowing them. The happy owners of this mudroom, my husband's brother and his lovely wife, instantly became genius in my space-deprived eyes. So, imagine my surprise when I sit down to check out the real estate section of the Tribune and find an entire article dedicated to - what else - designing a mudroom! Apparently everyone is catching on!

From everyone here at HomesPlus, we wish you a very happy turkey-day!
And if you're too full to leave the house, then take some time to check out our videos!

The holidays are here! But if your home is on the market right now, you might be feeling a little less merry and little more grinchy. Understandable. But don't let the less-than-jolly market conditions get you down this holiday season. It's all about properly packaging your home for your buyers; and this time of year staging takes on a whole new meaning.

Here's another tip to save some energy and cash at home:

Adding a low-emittance coating to your windows will help keep the heat inside during the cold winter! Low-E film coatings are available at most hardware stores and you can even apply them yourself.

Despite a sagging economy, consumers are projected to increase spending on their kids' bedroom furniture by 23.5% by 2012 - meaning sales will reach $6.3 BILLION that year. That's up $1.2 billion from last year. So, I guess it's safe to say that where there are growing kids, there are changing styles and design needs. That applies not only to your little ones' furniture, but also to the entire layout and design of your home.

Nobody likes moving. Least of all, me. The last time I moved, it was from an 800 square foot apartment to a 1,400 square foot condo with only two major pieces of furniture and at the end of the day (a very rainy, cold day I might add), my husband and I swore that we would never, ever move ourselves again. You just have no idea how much STUFF you have until it's time to move it!

If you're dreading a move of your own right about now, then check out SAM. SAM stands for "Store and Move" and it's probably the easiest way to essentially move yourself without alienating friends by asking them to sacrifice a whole weekend to help you out.

Why is it that while most of us find it totally acceptable to be fashionably late, the blustery winter season always finds it necessary to blow in early? Well, despite what the calendar says, winter is here. Like it or not. And this weekend's temps will prove it. So, while the wind is howling outside and you're tucked into your warm home, make sure that you're not losing heat to this cruel season. It doesn't take long to seal up your windows and doors - where you lose as much as 10% of your heating bill!

While many homes languish on the market for many months, some sell so quickly you'd think the market is flourishing. So, what is it that sets these homes apart? One thing that more and more buyers are looking for these days is an indication that the home is GREEN. Meaning, something that the seller has done to the home has made it more eco-friendly, energy efficient and will likely save the new owner money in the long run.

In today's iWorld, everything is online, amped up - connected at all times. And for all you sellers out there, it's worth taking note of, because most buyers do at least their initial home hunting online. And of all of the virtual open houses out there, the grassroots appeal of craigslist continues to draw homebuyers across the country. So, if you're selling - sign-in, upload those pictures that make your place look like a mansion and take a look at The Nest's list of do's and don'ts when you're selling on Craigslist.com...

Already fretting about your monthly heating bills? If so, you might be in for a very loooong winter...but there is something you can do about it (and no, I don't mean throwing the bills away and pretending you never got them...that could get you into trouble.)

The number one way to save money on your heating bills is to keep the heat in your home - how, you ask? Insulation!

If you've been paying attention to the news this week then not only are you sick of hearing the word "bleep" but you probably also know that interest rates have plummeted. Been thinking about buying a home? As far as interest rates are concerned, there's literally never been a better time...

Nothing makes you feel refreshed like a few hours at the day spa - facial, massage, maybe a mani/pedi...nothing major, but it's amazing how those few hours can change the way you feel and act; thus, making you more appealing to those you come into contact with.

See where I'm going with this? If your home is on the market - why not refresh it so that others (read: buyers) can see it as the charming home that you know it to be?

Merry Christmas from the team at HomesPlus!

In the midwest, fireplaces aren't just decorative. And unfortunatly for those of us without them, this has been a week perfect for sitting by the fire and sipping from a mug of steaming hot cocoa! But fireplaces come with a bonus - not only are they functional during our frigid winter months, keeping us cozy and helping to keep energy costs down, but more and more people are adding them throughout the house as a design element.

In a tough market it seems sellers are willing to try anything if it means getting out from under their unwanted mortgage. Case in point: check out craigslist.com these days and you might notice that the category for "house swap" now includes postings from sellers looking to trade homes...permanently.

If you're buying a house, you know all about the "must have" list. You know, the list of items you just can't live without; the deal breakers of your new home. While my husband and I were home hunting we had about a dozen things on our list that we refused to budge on...then my car got towed from a meter in River North during rush hour (his fault, not mine of course) and a deeded parking spot shot to the top of our list, knocking most of our "must haves" off the list altogether. But I managed to hang on to the one thing that was my only non-negotiable from day one: decked out closets.

If your new year's resolution for 2009 is to spruce up your home, but your budget (or lack of it) is already getting in your way that doesn't mean you have to rule out hiring a professional designer. It just means you need to be a bit more selective about how you work it. Here are a few tips when you're considering bringing in a pro to tackle a home that's more shabby than chic.

30-year fixed rate mortgages are now down to 5.01 percent, according to Freddie Mac's most recent Primary Mortgage Market Survey. That's down from just last week when it averaged 5.10 percent. This is the lowest it's been since Freddie Mac began conducting the survey in 1971.

More info after the jump...

Green power can be produced in any number of ways; wind or solar power, hydro power and many more. The trick is finding out how to get it from your local provider. But with the Department of Energy's Green Power Network, it's now easier than ever.

Find green power in your area after the jump...

Winter brings cold temperatures, ice and frozen pipes (remind me again why I haven't fled south yet?), but no matter how careful we are, accidents can happen. So, why not bone-up on your winter weather know-how to avoid any unfortunate winter incidents at home? The Tribune posted some cold-weather tips for playing it safe this season, here's a few:

Tips after the jump...

Attention all Facebook users! HomesPlus now has a Facebook page so that you can become a fan and get all the latest updates on what's going on with real estate in Chicagoland! You'll find fresh video, behind the scenes pictures and you'll be able to meet up with other fans to share ideas and experiences you've had buying and selling in Chicago.

Town & Country is getting back to basics - build the home of your dreams and spend the rest of your life in a house that's all yours, building memories that will last a lifetime! Take a look at two of their Chicagoland communities that allow you to do that...

And if Town & Country considers you an "everyday hero" then you're in luck! Town and Country Homes is offering everyday heroes $5,000 off a new home in any one of their communities.

So, how does one know if one is, in fact, an everyday hero? Easy. Just go to their website and see if your profession qualifies you! Doctors, teachers, firefighters and at least a dozen other professions made the cut!

If 2009 is the year you see yourself in a new home, now's the time to start thinking about getting your home ready to sell. You may be thinking "What?! Christmas is barely over, I haven't even made my new year's resolutions yet!" and you're right. Kind of. It is early, but perhaps you've heard of a little thing called a "buyer's market." And if you're going to sell, then you need to be prepared for what you're getting into.

It's been a rough winter so far and it's only January. Not to be Debbie Downer, but I don't think I'm telling you anything you haven't already figured out for yourself - we have a long couple of months ahead of us! As each new sub-zero spell sets in, we're all looking for better ways to stay warm - without breaking the bank. One simple way to keep the heat in on those frigid nights is with blackout curtains.

More info after the jump...

Occasionally, my job takes me to homes that have so much space I could fit my entire city condo into the master bedroom. It's depressing and thrilling at the same time - so much space to play with! ...and none of it belongs to me.

But, it could belong to you if you're looking for a home right now. A couple of weeks ago, we visited a community in Oswego - Churchill Club, by Town & Country Homes - and the model was pretty incredible. But I really started getting the move-to-the-suburbs pangs when I discovered the bonus room. Aptly named because there was already a room for everything in this house, and this was just, well...a bonus.

More after the jump...

Trendy isn't just for the runway. Every year, the "experts" declare the hottest colors for the home and the predictions for 2009 are in. And not only will these colors make your walls pop; they just may affect your mood as well.

Read on for this year's shades and what they mean...

If you're a Chicago Magazine fan, then this weekend's HomesPlus will be a special treat for you. I'll be checking in with the windy city mag's Deal Estate writer, Dennis Rodkin, to get the latest news in Chicago area real estate.

How often do you change your pillow? It's probably not something you think about too much. But every year, millions of pillows are tossed into landfills, taking up lots of space and taking a lot of time to break down. Something to keep in mind the next time you replace your pillow and find yourself with one to toss. There's really no good way to throw an old pillow out, but there are plenty of ways to repurpose them.

Check out how after the jump...

Even if you're not putting your home on the market anytime soon, there's no reason to keep living with that lime-colored linoleum and beat-up old cabinets. Your kitchen is not only the heart of your home, it's also the place where potential buyers (and your guests!) look to guage the quality of your home. So if your kitchen is stuck in the 70's, now is the time to think about bringing it into the 21st century. Because it will only add value in the long run - and you may as well get to enjoy it while you still live there!

Check out what areas in your kitchen add the most value...

Last week, I interviewed a gentleman from Prudential Preferred Properties, who talked about a tool on their website that allows people to understand what's happening in real estate in their area. At first glance, Market Watch seemed like one of those basic reports that gives you realtor jargon and graphs that mean nothing to you, but I signed up anyway. When I started to receive the weekly reports via email I learned several things:

1- My husband and I should have waited another year to buy. (I kept that little nugget to myself)
2- The Market Watch report comes in an abreviated form (called a "summary report") for people like myself who suffer from self-diagnosed ADD.
and 3- There's no guessing - they tell you what all the graphs and numbers mean to you in straight, easy-to-understand terms. Love that.

More info after the jump...

Check out January's real estate wrap-up with Chicago Magazine's Dennis Rodkin. Hot topics this month included cancelled condo projects, falling interest rates and a $$5-million home sale with a lesson!

Video after the jump...

On nice days, when we're out walking the dog in our neighborhood, my husband and I like to check out the open houses of homes that look particularly impressive from the outside. It's kind of a guilty pleasure, because while we don't take up much of the realtor's time, we really don't go in with the intention to buy - we already have a home we love. But there's something about wandering through other people's homes that spurs creativity and gets you thinking of ideas for your own home. So, when I had the chance to check out a four story, 4,500 square foot home in Hinsdale last week, well let's just say I was eager to get to work!

More after the jump...

Is your home always too cold and yet the a/c keeps kicking on despite the fact that you have the thermostat set at what should be a comfortable level? If so, you might want to take a look at where your builder placed your thermostat. A thermostat in direct sunlight all day or one near warm-running appliances may sense that the house is warmer than it actually is, thus causing your a/c (or in a reverse situation, your heat) to kick on when it doesn't need to.

Tomorrow is Valentine's day. Some of your will go Cupid-crazy - buying dozens of roses or perhaps enjoying a reservation at an impossible-to-get-into restaurant (tip: If you don't already have a reservation, I hear the name Abe Froman tends to get you in with the maitre'd. Just go along with it when he asks if you truly are the "Sausage King of Chicago..."). Others have labeled tomorrow the "Hallmark holiday" and will do nothing at all. But for all of you in-betweeners, there is a way to celebrate without going overboard and the best part is that you can enjoy it for many days after February 14th.

Bringing a little romance into your home is the Valentine's Day gift that keeps on giving...

With the highest sales tax in the country, a high cost of living and a real parking problem many city-dwellers might wonder just what they're still doing shelling out all that cash just for the privelage of being a windy city resident. Conversely, countless suburbanites fight the traffic into the city everyday, plan special occassions at Chicago's finest restaurants and take the kids into the city to check out the lake and museums on the weekends. They might be wondering what am I doing out in the 'burbs??

If you've ever wondered how the other half lives - and at what cost - here's your chance. Gorgeous decked out house in the suburb of Huntley vs. gorgeous decked out condo in the north side neighborhood of Lincoln Park.

Check out the video after the jump...

If you feel your tax assessment is too high, you may not be totally stuck. Homeowners have until March 16 to appeal their tax assessments in Cook County. Here are some tips on what you need to do...

Our ten-week countdown of room-transforming accessories continues this week with #8...find out what it is by watching HomesPlus this weekend or watching it in the video player, above. Here's a hint - it's simple and it's all about adding a touch of whimsy to any room!

If you haven't seen the first two week's featured room transformers, check them out below!

I recently visited the IKEA in Bolingbrook and their resident design pro showed me how today's kitchen should not only be beautiful, but functional as well. Everything they're doing there, from top-lift cabinets to pull-out shelves serves the purpose of keeping you organized so that you don't have to call for take-out instead of pulling out the pots and pans! And since we're all looking to save a buck - they do it at a very affordable price!

Take a look...

With everyone talking about low home prices, low interest rates and a wide selection of homes on the market, it can be hard to resist the "it's a great time to buy!" pressure. And while it's true that pricing, selection and interest rates are making it a good time to be on the buying side of the equation - it's only a good time to buy if it's a good time for you. Meaning, if your credit isn't great, you don't have a down payment or you're just not comfortable with the idea of keeping up a home, right now might not be the time for you to buy your first home.

But how do you know?

Animal lover? Then this week's accessory is for you! Not keen on the clean-up and care that goes along with having a pet? No worries - this week's room transformer is still perfect for your home. It's a great conversation piece, works in a variety of different settings and adds a touch of elegance to any room!

Celebrities...they live just like us. Well... at least some of them do. We love it when local celebs give us the scoop on their on-the-market digs - and we love it even more when we get a tour! Take a look at this multi-million dollar Hinsdale home and you'll see that aside from the wine collection - probably worth about as much as the house itself - this local celebrity pretty much does live like the rest of us! Just with a bit more space and a few more toys!

Between HGTV's umpteenth Dream Home giveaway and the increasing number of home design mags and tv shows, chances are you've dreamt up your own version of heaven-on-earth. In the Dream Home gallery, below, you're sure to find a design that suits your taste. The fun part is comparing your favorites to your friends' favorites - you'll probably find that one homeowner's dream is another's nightmare...to each his own!

This week's room transformer (#7) is a little bit practical, a little bit artistic and according to Chicago designer, Michelle Williams, will make a HUGE impact in your home. It's the Modern Man table...and for the feminist side of you, there's a Modern Woman version too! If you're not into the human form as art, try any home goods store to find a side table that suits your style. As with most home accessories, side tables come in a wide variety of styles - and prices!

Your home has sold (phew!) and you're packing up to get your move on. Now, the real stress begins. Moving from one home to your next is always a test in patience - items get lost, broken, or in the case of a friend of mine during her move from Chicago to Baltimore, moldy. (long story, but in the end the movers replaced the ruined furniture.) The point is, it's not easy. And no move is ever without its stress points. But there are some things you can do ahead of time to make it a little more bearable.

If you're finding yourself avoiding the evening news to keep from hearing words like "recession," "housing crisis," "AIG," and that nasty f-word - "foreclosure" then this post is for you. Foreclosure has hit one of the most popular families in the country - and it's hilarious.

If you've been sitting by, waiting for mortgage rates to get nice and low before going for that refinance - this could be the time! After the Fed's announcement that it would buy another $750 billion worth of debt this year we could be seeing the cheapest mortgages most of us will probably ever see.

This week's room transformer does more than just allow you to take a load off! The Francis Leather Weave Chair makes a stylish statement in any room, but you can find an accent chair to match your taste at any home store, antique store or discount store! Take a closer look at this week's pick...

If you're looking for a few extra bucks every month and you have some space to spare, it might be worthwhile to consider renting a room in your home. But before you proceed, do your homework. Becoming a landlord requires a little prep work beforehand to make the best of the situation whether it's short-term or permanent.

One of the Windy City's finest has put his River North townhome on the rental market, according to luxist.com. Vince Vaughn's furnished 4 bedroom, 3 1/2 bath is being offered at the low, low price of $9,500/month. The place is a spacious 4,000 square feet with a rooftop terrace, three garage spots and a 7-seat home theatre where the lucky renter can spend rainy days memorizing lines from the wedding crasher's long list of comedies.

So, if you're in the market for a River North rental, it's time to "grab that net and catch that beautiful butterfly, pal..."

If you look back on the 90's as your finest decade, then surely this little nugget of information will be of interest. Aaron Spelling's LA mansion has been put on the market for the bargain price of $150 million, making it the most expensive home on the market in America right now. The man who gave us a decade of Beverly HIlls, 90210 (and plenty of other hit series before that...if you don't know who he is, then I can't help you at this point) left the home to his wife Candy who has purchased a $47 million dollar high-rise condo to "start a new chapter" in her life. And not even she knows how many bathrooms this compound has.

And since I don't imagine Mrs. Spelling is planning an open house, here's what deep-pocked buyers can expect to see...

#5 on our list of room transforming accessories: beautiful birdseye maple breadboards! Functional and stylish! Chicago designer, Michelle Williams, says that used as a backsplash or in a grouping on the wall, these babies are eye-catching...and fully-functional!

The weather is warming up (kind of) and before you know it, your life will move outdoors once again. So instead of a couple folding lawn chairs with ripped nylon seats, how about filling your outdoor space with something you'll actually enjoy this spring and summer? Making your home a place you'll enjoy is especially important if you're one of many cutting back on travel this year. So instead of going on a vacation - enjoy a STAYcation right at home! Here are some ideas...

In 100 episodes of HomesPlus, I'm not proud to say that there were PLENTY of goof-ups, prop malfunctions and just plain bad behavior caught on camera. But since we only have so much time, we had to pick some of our favorites to show you. Take a look at what 100 episodes of HomesPlus does to a host...or three.

This week's pick is possibly the easiest to find of all of our top home accessories! A beautiful charger can change the look of your everyday dinnerware, or substitute as a serving dish or display plate. Check out the video of this week's favorite: Annie Glass Chargers!

If you find living in a sky-high penthouse that overlooks the river, the lake, Navy Pier and the city skyline to be just a little cost-prohibitive, then go ahead and live vicariously through this HomesPlus Inside View. And if this $5.2 million-dollar, 2-story beauty is calling your name, just click here.

In my home, spring = out with the old, in with the new. And lots of summer house guests = fun design projects that I need to complete before June! Once again, I'm finding it difficult to get started, but when I finish, it's always totally worth it.

This got me to thinking...I'm in a pretty good position to incorporate some funky new ideas into my home - after all, I get to work with design experts all the time. I come across fantastic ideas, unique accessories and insider tips constantly when it comes to home design. I usually store it away in the old brain and sometimes it comes out in a new design project at home and sometimes it just...fades away. Well, my momma taught me "waste not, want not," so in the interest of keeping mom happy, I vow to waste no good design ideas or cool accessories!

From now on, as I find them - I'm sharing them with you! Look for new design ideas in this blog a couple times a week...or more accurately, whenever I find something I like - starting NOW!

Read on for my limestone inspiration...

During the tour of a $3.9 million dollar home in Lincoln Park today (look for the tour in the show next week!), I saw something that had such a cool factor I just had to snap a shot and pass it along. The main floor of this home had two separate living/dining spaces, separated by a long modern kitchen which was wide open to both. The builder/architect, Greg Tomb, apparently has quite the eye for design because among the kitchen toys (built-in cappuccino machine and double hidden dishwashers to name a few) was a piece of art so built in to the architecture of the home that you couldn't imagine the space without it.

It may look like any other brick two-flat in Chicago's south side Park Manor neighborhood, but this modest brick home houses some history behind the front door. The Capone family bought it in 1923 for $5,500...considerably less than the $450,000 that it's listed at today.

This week's room transformer is all about creating an overall feel for your room - a pleasant scent = an inviting home! Plus, it's pretty to look at...

Saturday, April 25th marks the 24th annual Parenthesis Kitchen Walk in Oak Park and River Forest. The walk features 10 amazing kitchens that have been renovated in the last year - plus, you can opt to tag along for an 11th stop which will feature a pro chef cooking up a storm in a totally state-of-the-art kitchen. Some of the designers of the kitchens will be on-hand to answer questions for inquiring minds. It's open to anyone who'd like to sneak a peak into some incredible homes!

Click here for more info or to order your tickets.

In honor of Earth Day (April 22nd), HomesPlus is going green. We always try to bring you the hottest green design ideas and tips on greening your home, but this weekend we are 100% earth-loving, tree-hugging, all about eco-chic - GREEN! You'll see which new community has a commitment to the earth, what new-to-Chicago organization saves tear-downs from landfills, tour Chicago's greenest home and get some fantastic new eco-friendly design ideas.

Watch this weekend, Saturday @ 9am & 1pm and Sunday @ 9am!

With Earth Day around the corner, I've set out to find fantastic design ideas that qualify as "green." And as we all know, using something that already exists as opposed to buying new is super eco-friendly. One of my new favorite places to find home treasures is the Rebuilding Exchange in Chicago. Maybe it's the hunt that gets me. I don't know, but this place is a warehouse full of home items that are screaming for some creativity - and some are so unique you probably wouldn't find them in the store if you tried. And of course, they've all been salvaged from Chicagoland tear-downs, so you may as well be hugging a tree.

My pick today - circular windows...

This week's room transformer is perfect timing for Earth Day! It's an easy way to add a pop to any home - and the one we're showing is totally eco-friendly because it's made from recycled men's ties! Intriqued? Take a look-

If you're renovating or straight-out tearing down your home, then you might want to consider donation as an alternative to demolition. Yes, I know it's fun to see that wrecking ball smash through the walls, but consider this: the average home weighs about 80 tons and Chicago leads the country when it comes to tear-downs that end up in landfills. That's a lot of building materials buried beneath trash. But there is a local organization you can call to deconstruct your home, instead of demolishing it.

If you just checked out the show and you're inspired to spend the rest of your weekend doing some shopping for your home, take a look at these places to find the items that you saw on HomesPlus -

If you're one of those people that shuns animal print in any form, then listen up! This week's room transformer (and the last of our ten weeks of featured accessories!) is WILD! Designer Michelle Williams showed me why animal print - in small doses - is a very, very good thing for any room!

Just because one person tosses it doesn't mean it's trash. No one knows that better than the folks at the Rebuilding Exchange on Chicago's south west side. If you follow this blog, then you've seen a few of the treasures I've found there, but now you can get a good look at the whole place and see what they're all about! Check out this video to see how you can get a deal on home materials (even REALLY basic ones like lumber) that are all recycled and donated by their previous owners.

Step away from Facebook - there's another way to Indulge your voyeuristic side this spring! Take a peek inside other people's homes by tagging along on one of the many house walks taking place over the next couple of months. From Madison, WI to Evanston to southwestern Michigan, you can get a ticket for a few bucks (which goes to a good cause - each walk has a different one) and walk through the homes of complete strangers.

If you tune into HomesPlus this weekend, you'll hear Dennis Rodkin of Chicago Magazine telling me about some recent homes sold at auction - for much, much less than comparable homes sold for just a few years ago. If you're interested in finding some local auctions for yourself - take a look at these properties. They're being auctioned in the coming months...

Pending home sales rose 3.2% in March and 1.1% from the same time last year, according to the National Association of Realtors. This is based on signed contracts to buy re-sale homes. Does this mean we've seen the worst and we're on our way back up? Are you sick of hearing the projections of when we'll "hit the bottom??" How has the housing market affected you? Share your thoughts...

Who knew a stroll down the street could be so informative? If you're one of those "oooh, I wonder how much that one is?" people and you're an iPhone user (is there anyone left who's not?) then you'll be happy to know that Zillow now has an iPhone app that allows you to see the values of homes as you track yourself walking by them with your iPhone gps. It's so 21st century.

HomesPlus puts me in regular contact with real estate professionals in and around Chicago and I'm always curious how their listings are doing. I've had a few tell me they simply aren't taking listings unless the seller is fully aware of what they're getting into and absolutely MUST sell the home. One realtor explained to me that in some Chicago neighborhoods there is currently a year's worth of home inventory on the market right now - meaning that if starting today, no additional homes were put on the market, then it would take 12 months for all of the homes already on the market to sell.

But, there are plenty of people in a position where they simply don't have a choice - a life or career change is forcing them to sell. If you're one of these people, then take a look at the videos below - find out what you're getting into when you decide to sell and what you should do to prepare your home to get it sold fast and for as close as possible to your asking price. Because these days, it's not just about your realtor - you have your work cut out for you if you want your home to sell...

The days of showing off your wealth by building a great big McMansion for your family of three are definitely gone. While being a seller in the market today is tough, it seems that more and more people are selling their too-big-to-handle homes and downsizing to a home that makes a little more sense for their family. In fact, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average home shrunk by 300 square feet last year. The focus for these people is to make smart use of space instead of just adding more. Downsizing, or "rightsizing" as many are calling it, creates major savings on heating and cooling bills and many families say that it allows for more family face-time as well (I suppose because those teens no longer have their own wing to skulk off to in lieu of the family dinner).

If you're thinking of losing the wasted space and downsizing, here are some things to consider that will help you make the most of your space...

If your home is on the market then you know what staging is. You also probably know that while it used to be something that only high-end homes and developers were worried about, now it's something that every seller needs to do just to keep up with the competition. This weekend, we're featuring an on-the-market home in Homewood in which staging made a huge difference.

There's a home around the corner from my house that used to be owned by Danny Devito's doppelganger. He was such a dead ringer for the rotund renaissance man that when I realized what house he lived in I thought he must be related. The house is a beautiful brick single family and when he and his family moved away in the fall of '07 I was eager to see who would take up residence in the home. Fast forward about a year and a half and I'm still waiting. Rumor has it the home was foreclosed on and for some reason still hasn't sold. It's a shame too, because now that the window treatments are gone, you can see that it's quite a beauty on the inside as well.

But it turns out, while foreclosures are in many cases a total steal for the buyer - they also pose a lot of threats because of how long they might be sitting empty. Which might explain why the Danny-look-alike's home is still empty.

I imagined that would be the headline for my untimely death as I hung three stories above the ground while shooting a HomesPlus promo last month (and by "headline," I mean page 45 of the local weekly circular). I, of course, did not fall to my death. Mostly due to a couple of skilled window cleaners who were managing the ropes and talking me through my descent, but I like to think it's also because I kept my cool and handled that swinging seat with skill...unfortunately there's footage to prove that was definitely not the case. Take a look at this outtake video that our lovely promotions producer edited together to share my humiliation with the world...she got way too much enjoyment out of this project!

See the actual promo...

Just in case you were wondering.

Painted with 24 karat gold to "evoke a summer day," this toilet is part of TOTO's Miyabi Collection and with a price tag that more closely resembles a car than a toilet, I'm thinking it had better evoke a lot more than that. But alas, it appears toilets are following in the footsteps of the refrigerator...if you're not going to hide it - then it had better look good. Fashion toilets are finding their way into many new collections - check out this photo gallery of today's most glamorous.

Technology changes pretty much every five minutes and we all want to hop on the latest, coolest tech-trend, which means a lot of household electronics end up in landfills with the rest of our discarded trash. But when you're spring cleaning this weekend, there's a better way to get rid of your out-of-date computers, monitors and PDAs. Recycle them!

With the unofficial start of summer behind us, it's time to start gearing up for all of those summer street-fests throughout Chicago. My favorite thing about them? The local art! My first summer in Chicago, I found a gorgeous piece of art at the Retro on Roscoe festival which takes place every August in Roscoe Village. An artist had her booth set up with dozens of hand-painted city scenes, all done on windows discarded from old torn-down homes and buildings. I brought home the largest piece in her booth that day and it remains my absolute favorite thing in my home (except my husband of course).

But every time I venture out to a Chicago neighborhood festival I'm always struck by the creativity that exists in our city. Whether it's a city-scape, a photograph of the El or some other abstract Chicago-related work, local art definitely adds a little flair to your home - not to mention a fantastic conversation piece when you have guests. Plus, by buying your home's artistic accents in our city, you're doing your part to keep our local economy in decent shape. And buying local is always in style.

Find a street fest near you this summer by clicking here.

We're no stranger to the spotlight here in Chicago. There always seems to be a movie being filmed, but few become classics. Ferris Bueller's Day Off is one of them. So when Cameron's (played by Alan Ruck in the '86 hit) pristine glass-enclosed house went on the market this week - it got our attention.

The 4 bedroom, 4 bath Highland Park home looks more like a gorgeous tree house from the outside. But on the inside - it's all wide open space and modern features. Listed at $2.3 million, it overlooks that famous ravine where Cameron's dad's car reversed to its death. ("What did I do?" "You killed the car." ...you gotta love that part.)

The home is just blocks from the lake and is listed with Sotheby's realtor Meladee Hughes.

Priceless 1961 Ferrari not included.

**Check out a tour of the home on HomesPlus 6/13 & 14!**

The market is primed for buyers right now, but people are still a little wary of jumping into the world of homeownership. And understandably so - they're watching a lot of current owners struggle right now. But according to homeowners that I've spoken with over the last few months, the state of the market is at the bottom of the list when it comes to reasons to buy. Yes, it's a great time price-wise but it's a lot more important to consider your own personal situation. Do you see yourself staying in one place for several years? Is it the right time for your family? It's the personal stuff that really makes owning a home a good idea in the long run - not necessarily how the market's doing when you buy.

Take a look at this video to check out the right reasons to buy...

In the tour that will air on this weekend's show, you'll see how the past seamlessly meshes with luxury living of the 21st century in Winnetka. The 7,000 square foot home has a Great Gatsby-esque backyard that leads right down to its own private beach. It was built in the late 1800's and just standing in the backyard, looking up at the house you can imagine how a band would have been perfectly placed on the grand 2nd floor terrace, entertaining a party of socialites. It was definitely one of the more interesting tours I've had the pleasure of doing! The home itself actually had a scent of history. If you've ever toured a historic landmark then you'll know what I mean. And this place has been pretty well cared for over the years, so it did actually have a museum-like quality, but without being too stuffy - the perfect place for a history buff with the need for a lot of space!

Special thanks to Heidi Ziomek and Dennis Rodkin for letting us tag along with cameras for this tour!

See the video after the jump...

The cheapest way to create a new feel in your living room (or any other space for that matter) is to use what you have and arrange it in a different way, adding just one or two new accessories. And since most of us are cutting back and staying in, entertaining at home instead of going out - you want your living room looking its best! Check out these tips to create a well-designed living space...

As spring cleaning gives way to summertime garages sales, you may be thinking of hosting one of your own. After all, it's a great way to clear out the "junk" you don't use anymore and make a buck or two to spend on some new home accessories! Plus in an era of green - it's just not socially acceptable to throw things in the trash anymore.

While watching the Today Show this morning, I caught some great ideas on how to make your garage sale stand out from the others on your block. And I've added a few of my own ideas after the video.