GAMBINO REALTORS THE COLLECTION
MARCH 2020
Welcome to the March issue of The Collection! As we welcome the extended daylight and warmer temperatures, we are reminded of just how much our homes accentuate our daily lives. The real estate market is going strong and buying power is gaining even more strength. We invite you to explore these featured homes as well as those on our website so you can find your dream home today!
ROSCOE
ROSCOE
Cordially, Jonathan R. Krause, CRB President JKrause@GoGambino.com BYRON
THE COLLECTION Only Gambino Realtors places your home directly in the email inbox of 62,500 homeowners with a household income of $250,000.00 or more. Our reach through this luxury publication covers Winnebago, Boone, McHenry and Lake Counties in Northern Illinois. DAVIS JUNCTION
815•282•2222 www.gogambino.com
Thinking of Selling? Now May be The Time! The housing market has started off much stronger this year than it did last year. Lower mortgage interest rates have been a driving factor in that change. The average 30-year rate in 2019, according to Freddie Mac, was 3.94%. Today that rate is closer to 3.5%. The Census Bureau also just reported the highest homeownership rate since 2014 for people under 35. This is evidence that owning their own home is becoming more important to Millennials as they reach the age where marriage and children are part of their lives. According to the latest Realtors Confidence Index Survey from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), buyer demand across the country is strong. That’s not the case, however, with seller demand, which remains weak throughout most of the nation. Demand for housing is high, but supply is extremely low. NAR also just reported that the actual number of homes currently for sale stands at 1.42 million, which is one of the lowest totals in almost three decades. Additionally, the ratio of homes for sale to the number purchased currently stands at 3.1 months of inventory. In a normal market, that number would be nearly double that at 6.0 months of inventory. What does this mean for buyers and sellers? Buyers need to remain patient in the search process. At the same time, buyers must be ready to act immediately once they find the right home. Sellers may not want to wait until spring to put their houses on the market. With demand so high and supply so low, now is the perfect time to sell your house for the greatest dollar value and the least hassle. The real estate market is entering the year like a lion. There’s no indication it will lose that roar, assuming inventory continues to come to market. Contact Gambino Realtors for a complimentary market analysis.
CUSTOM BUILT SPLENDOR $428,000 Enjoy the perks of this beautiful, custom built brick two-story home with over 4,000 square feet of living space. The spacious five bedrooms as well as the four and a half bathrooms offer ample space for all. Sharpen your cooking skills in the modern kitchen with Viking appliances. Entertaining in this home is a breeze with the formal living and dining room. Escape to the luxurious master bedroom after a long day to revel in the en suite boasting a steam shower and large closet. The second-floor laundry creates convenience to your everyday tasks and the peaceful grounds offers lots of space for outdoor fun. With a great location in the award-winning Prairie Hill/Hononegah school district, this home has so much to offer.
13022 Red Rose Trail • FIVE BEDROOMS • 4,000+ SQUARE FEET • SECOND FLOOR LAUNDRY • BRICK EXTERIOR
Team Lunde 815|985|9522 Contact View Full Listing for Details
TRANQUILITY ON THE RIVER $325,000
Tranquility at its finest. Step into the kitchen offering hardwood floors, an abundance of quality cabinets with crown molding, granite counters, stainless Wolf appliances and buffet with builtin wine rack. Wood burning fireplace is open to the kitchen and dining/living room. The living room has a wall of windows overlooking a fabulous inground heated pool with tons of landscape blocks and fully fenced area. It also overlooks the beautiful Rock River as the home sits high on a hill. The main room is completed with hardwood floors, vaulted ceiling and skylights. The main bath has a large double vanity with lots of cabinets, tiled floor and tiled whirlpool. The finished lower level features gas fireplace, granite wet bar with wine cooler and double tapper for kegs, tiled floor and full walk out patio door. The second full lower bath includes granite vanity, tiled floors and stand up shower. The driveway turns into a private boat launch at the river. Total acreage is 1.74 with both lots combined.
9830 Fantail Place • RIVER VIEWS/ACCESS • THREE BEDROOMS • INGROUND POOL • DRIVEWAY/PRIVATE BOAT LAUNCH
Ryan Pearson 815|218|6923 Contact View Full Listing for Details
FIVE ACRE WOODED RETREAT $312,500
There is everything to love in this spectacular Byron home. The five acre wooded setting is stunning. Lounging under the Pergola will be your favorite spot during the warmer months. Quality craftsmanship abounds on the interior and the space is really wonderful. A formal living has a cozy fireplace and French doors leading to a charming screened porch for enjoying a book and morning coffee. A formal dining room is conveniently situated off of the beautiful updated kitchen. With granite counters, stainless appliances, a glass backsplash and quarry tile flooring, the kitchen is perfect. Off of the kitchen is a large family room and the main floor is complete with a half bath and nicely appointed laundry room. On the second level are three bedrooms including a large master with an ensuite bath and a walk-in closet. The remaining two bedrooms share a bath and are very gracious in size. Your living space is further enhanced with a professionally finished basement. This is a rare beauty.
6526 Marrill Road • WOODED SETTING • THREE BEDROOMS • MAIN FLOOR LAUNDRY • FINISHED BASEMENT
Karl Gasbarra 815|975|4218 Contact View Full Listing for Details
CUSTOM BUILT TWO STORY $259,900
Enjoy the peace and relaxation in this beautiful Sean Adams custom built home. Upon entry you are welcomed into a two-story foyer reflecting the spacious vibe throughout the floorplan. Entertain in the eat-in kitchen or create a formal dinner for family and friends to be enjoyed in the wellappointed dining room. Spend an afternoon outdoors enjoying the brand-new fireplace or escape to the master boasting a bath with a whirlpool tub. The direct vent fireplace creates a cozy space for relaxation in the colder months. This home is far from cookie cutter and features new carpet, charming oak window seats, a low 8.8 tax rate and a great location close to a neighborhood park.
122 Parkview Drive • FOUR BEDROOMS • NEW PRIVACY FENCE • FORMAL DINING ROOM • WHIRPOOL TUB IN MASTER
Brad Carlson 815|871|6333 Contact View Full Listing for Details
Opportunity in the Luxury Market This Year
Homes priced in the top 25% of a price range for a particular area of the country are considered “premium homes.” At the start of last year, many of the more expensive homes listed for sale hadn’t seen as much interest, since much of the demand for housing over the past few years has come from first-time buyers looking for starter homes. It looks like buyer activity, however, is starting to show a shift in this segment. According to the January Luxury Report from the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing (ILHM): “In a snapshot of 2019, despite pessimism at the start of the year, the last quarter showcased a strengthening, with an upswing in the luxury market for sales in both the single family and condo markets.”
at the upper-end, historically low interest rates, and increasing average wages, the stage is set for buyers with an interest in this tier to embrace the perfect move-up opportunity. The report highlights the increase in buyer activity in this segment, resulting in growing sales toward the end of 2019: “According to reports from many luxury real estate professionals, the significant increase in number of properties bought at the end of 2019 versus 2018 is reflective of an early 2019 holding pattern.
Many of early 2019’s prospective luxury buyers held off while waiting to see how prices would react to new tax regulations and other policy changes. Buyer confidence returned in Momentum is growing, and those late spring and compared to looking to enter the luxury market 2018, above average sales were are poised for success in 2020 as reported in the final quarter of well. With more inventory available 2019.”
With evidence of strong buyer confidence, this is great news, as more homeowners are building equity and growing their net worth throughout the country: With a strong economy and a backdrop set for moving up this year, it’s a great time to explore the luxury market. Keep in mind, luxury can mean different things to different people, too. To one person, luxury is a secluded home with plenty of property and privacy. To another, it is a penthouse at the center of a bustling city. Knowing what characteristics mean luxury to you will help your agent understand what you’re after as you define the scope and location for the home of your dreams. If you’re thinking about upgrading your current house to a luxury home, or adding an additional property to your portfolio, let’s get together to determine if you’re ready to make your move.
CHARACTER AND DISTINCTION ABOUNDS 4802 Spring Creek Road | Rockford
• 3,000+ SQUARE FEET • LOWER LEVEL WALKOUT • FIVE BEDROOMS Gorgeous contemporary five-bedroom home with over 3,000 square feet of living space. Stylish foyer welcomes family and guests. Gourmet eat-in kitchen with plenty of cabinets and counter space boasting newer appliances. Spacious living room and dining room combo that is light and bright. Enjoy the wooded yard from upper deck and lower patio or cozy up to the three-sided tower fireplace. So much entertaining space and a unique master loft all located close to amenities.
302 East 4th Street| Pecatonica
Jay Dowthard | 815•289•7530| jdowthard@gogambino.com • SCREENED IN PORCH • ABOVE GROUND POOL • WALK-UP ATTIC Feel the warmth of this turn of the century home that has been family owned for four generations. Grand wrap around porch with pillars makes a statement. Original woodwork, gracious foyer with open staircase and the main floor features a vast array of ten-foot ceilings. The first-floor laundry with the three generous sized bedrooms upstairs and a bath on every floor create convenience and privacy. With many updates and historic charm, this home is an entertainer’s delight.
311 Spring Creek Road | Rockford
Ginny Meyer| 815•262•8082| gmeyer@gogambino.com
• JESSE BARLOGA TUDOR • 2+ ACRES • FOUR BEDROOMS This stunning estate home was designed by Jesse Barloga in 1926. Huge sunken living room with stone fireplace leads to an adjacent family/ sunroom featuring slate flooring and beautiful windows. The second floor master bedroom boasts his and hers closets, balconies and original full bath. The gated property consists of a three-car detached garage with walk-up attic, garden shed, pool, pump house with half bath, summer house, playhouse and guest house. A truly one of a kind estate.
1220 National Avenue | Rockford
Matt Koch|815•543•7945|mkoch@gogambino.com
• JESSE BARLOGA CHARM • ROCK RIVER VIEWS • FINISHED LOWER LEVEL Stunning National Avenue masterpiece built by renowned local architect Jesse Barloga. Nostalgic touches throughout while enhanced with significant updates. Welcoming foyer greets you and leads to the grand living room with gas fireplace and generous windows offering river views. Gorgeous wood floors, spiral staircase, updated plumbing, furnace and a/c. A spacious screened porch provides enjoyable space for morning coffee or evening cocktails.
Team Lunde|815•985•9522|michael@teamlunde.com
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Call Gambino Realtors 815 | 282 | 2222 Or log onto gogambino.com to start your home buying and selling process today!