CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS – South Loop, Lincoln Park, Norwood Park, Ravenswood, Evanston

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SOUTH LOOP

Today, Thursday 6/16, from 4:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. is the start of the South Loop Farmer Market in only its 2nd year. The Market will be held every Thursday from today through September at 1936 S. Michigan Ave. in the parking lot adjacent to the Second Presbyterian Church, which is one of the sponsors. Other sponsors include Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance, Central Station, and Friend of Historic Second Church. Up to 40 vendors may be on the scene selling produce, flowers, baked goods, meats and some prepared foods. Plus there will be activities for the kids and performances or cultural programs such as music, education and literacy within the sanctuary of the church.

LINCOLN PARK

Unfortunately it’s too late to register for Lincoln Park Zoo’s 2nd annual Brew to Be Wild tasting event for Saturday, 6/18. Saturday sold out quickly. However tickets are still available for tomorrow, Friday 6/17 from 6:00p.m. to 11:00p.m. Over 35 local and regional breweries will have more than 75 specialty brews for ticketholders to sample along the paths of the zoo where lawn games, food vendors, and DJ music will make for a memorable 21-and-over night of entertainment. General Admission ($49 for non-members, $44 for members) and VIP upgrades ($89) are available to sample 3 oz of each brew with a souvenir tasting glass. VIPs will also be allowed an extra hour of sampling starting at 5:00p.m., access to the private VIP lounge and restrooms, exclusive specialty samples, and complimentary snacks. There’s also Designated Driver Admission for only $20 so a responsible friend can attend for the entertainment and activities but abstain from sampling to ensure a safe ride once the festivities are over.

NORWOOD PARK

The weather forecast says it will be hot and sunny this weekend. Perfect weather for Norwood Park Historical Society’s annual Giant Yard Sale and Silent Auction at the Noble-Seymour-Crippen House (5624 N. Newark Ave.) this Saturday, 6/18, from 8:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. $2 per person admissions and proceeds from sales will benefit the Historical Society which contains a historical museum and multipurpose community center. In the meantime, do you have “unwanted items” you’d like to donate to the cause? No mattresses, clothing, shoes, large appliances, nor electronic equipment will be accepted but any other donation items may be left under the canopy by the garage in the rear of the Noble-Seymour Crippen House at any time. High-quality items may be used for the Silent Auction. You may even schedule a pick-up of larger donations, such as furniture, by calling 773-631-4633 or sending an email to info@norwoodparkhistoricalsociety.org. Also you may use these contact methods for more information or to volunteer for the event.

RAVENSWOOD

Ampersand Wine Bar at 4845 N. Damen Ave. will be celebrating its 1 year anniversary on Friday, 6/24, with a mini sidewalk street fest that will include its neighbors, Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits, Amy’s Candy Bar, Alapash New Home, Gallery 19, Groundswell Coffee Roasters, and One Key Yoga. Tickets to this 21-and-over event, called Amperbash, are $30 in advance or $35 at the door for wine tastings, some nibbles, storytelling, and live music.

EVANSTON

UberEats is expanding to include delivery to and from food service establishments in Evanston, as well as Wilmette and Kenilworth. Above is the website link for ordering and downloading the app to your cell phone. There’s a flat rate delivery charge of $4.99 which means you do not have to tip any further. According to EvanstonNow.com, North Shore residents can use promo code “NorthShoreEats” for $10 off their first order!

CATHY MALLERS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

5 Signs of a Shady Landlord

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Depending on where you live, you might find it tough to land a great rental unit that fits within your budget and meets all your needs. But even when you find a place that’s located in an awesome location and seems like an affordable deal, it can be a total nightmare if you wind up stuck with a terrible landlord. Sure, many landlords are awesome, but some are not. In fact, some are downright shady, and even break the law when it comes to screening renters and dealing with them on a regular basis.

To avoid having to deal with a shady landlord, make sure you look out for the following signs before you sign a lease.

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1. The Landlord Ignores Major Issues

While scoping out an apartment to rent, make sure you have your eyes peeled for certain issues that could wind up being a big problem after you move in. If you notice very weak water flow in the shower, signs of pests, and a faulty door lock, you’ll want to bring these issues up with the landlord and ask if anything will be done about them before you move in.

You’re absolutely entitled to be informed about any issues that seem off. If that information is not readily communicated to you, or the landlord seems to be brushing them off with a “don’t worry about it” type of answer, take that as a red flag and move on.

2. The Landlord Asks to Be Paid in Cash

Asking for rent to be paid in cash likely means the landlord doesn’t want any paper trails of the transaction. And if this request for cash is accompanied by the lack of a lease, then you’ve got double trouble. A lease stipulates your legal rights as a tenant. It protects you against illegal rent hikes, unnecessary fees and charges, and the right to quiet enjoyment of the property. Without a lease in place, you aren’t technically the resident of the unit in the eyes of the law. And if only cash is accepted as a form of rent payment, it could be a big sign that there is likely some illegal activity going on behind closed doors.

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3. The Exterior of the Property is in Shambles

The actual unit itself can be in tip-top shape and well-maintained. But if the rest of the building looks like it’s been neglected in comparison, this is a bad sign. Sure, you want the unit you’re renting to be immaculate, but the rest of the building or complex also contributes to the quality of life.

The landscaping, exterior, common elements, laundry room, parking lot, and other shared areas play a big role in how much you’ll be able to enjoy the property. Don’t be sucked into the appeal of the unit itself only to be stuck with a building that’s less than par.

4. The Landlord is Tough to Get a Hold of

If you’re already having a hard time getting in touch with the landlord before you even agree to move in, imagine how hard it’ll be once you’re actually tied to a lease. This can be a real problem, especially if there are pressing issues that you may have with your unit.

What if the A/C goes out on the hottest day of the year? What if you get locked out? Anything can go wrong, which can often require immediate attention. If the landlord doesn’t answer the phone, or doesn’t even offer a phone number at all, something’s up. If it takes days before the landlord returns your calls, don’t expect this behavior to cease once you’ve signed a lease.

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5. You Find Negative Comments Online

These days, nothing is hidden from the internet. You can literally find just about every answer you need simply by entering a search query in Google.

If the landlord or the property management company has bad reviews or has been linked to lawsuits or scandals in the past that are easily noted online, you might want to think twice before signing a rental agreement.

The Bottom Line

Don’t rush into a lease. Just because you fall in love with the first place you see, there’s still some homework to do. Be conscious of how the landlord behaves and how your questions are answered. Have a chat with other tenants if possible, and conduct an online search to see what type of information you can dig out. Once you sign a lease, you’re stuck for the duration of the agreement, so make sure you sign a contract only if you’re confident that the landlord has your best interests in mind.

TECHNOLOGY TIPS – Time To Register For Startup Battlefield

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Each year TechCrunch hosts what they call Disrupt SF. This year it will be held from September 12-14 in San Francisco at Pier 48. This event will host its Hackathon, where teams will develop a product within 24 hours. You’ll also be able to go through Startup Alley where you can learn more about early stage companies, technology and talent.  The Thought Leadership area will discuss the many topics of influence currently in the technology sector.  And then finally we have Startup Battlefield which is the main purpose of Disrupt.

Startup Battlefield is a competition for $50,000 and as TechCrunch calls it, “the illustrious Disrupt Cup.” Being a participant in this particular competition will garner a lot of exposure as well as connections especially for those start-ups that are looking to make them.

Remembering this is a competition, the deadline for applications is June 23 at 9pm PST. There is no cost to participate, but there are requirements for those teams selected. The only other cost is to get you and your team members to and from the venue. Some recommendations for those who are applying include using a video to showcase your product. The video does not need to be perfect production quality, merely a use case that will highlight the benefits of your product. Finalists are notified approximately one month after the close of the application deadline. If you know you’ll be attending regardless, be sure to purchase your booth and/or tickets now.

Startup Battlefield has an impressive list of alumni. Some of the companies you may know are Mint, Dropbox, oDesk, Trello and more. You can view details on past alumni at the Startup Battlefield Hub.

CATHY MALLERS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – Helpful tips on leaving for vacation

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I’m sure many of these are obvious but with our busy schedules it’s easy to forget to do one or more of these things. Some would result in a minor annoyance but some could be disastrous.

If you are going out of the country make sure all passports are up to date. Although you can pay extra to expedite it’s always a good idea to take care of this at least 6 weeks in advance. Contact all your credit card companies and let them know your travel itinerary. Then there won’t be any alerts when cards are used. Make sure your chargers will work. Some foreign countries have different outlets.

Fill all your maintenance medications the week before. No scrambling the last minute to fill prescriptions. You don’t want to be out of town or worse yet out of the country and need medication.

Water all your house plants thoroughly. Even if you are gone for three weeks most plants will do fine. For delicate plants that need more there are many auto water solutions. Check out at your neighborhood garden center. As for the lawn schedule a service or hire a neighbor to help out. As far as neighbors go it’s a good idea to let them know you’ll be gone, they can keep an eye out for your property. Giving someone a key in case of emergency is also a good idea.

I know these are quickly going out of style but for those still using an answering machine never leave a message indicating you will be out of town. You don’t want to leave any signs you are out of town. Stop mail and newspaper delivery.

Don’t come home to a smelly house. Eat or throw out all perishable food. Take out ALL garbage and spray cans with bleach spray. Throw baking soda down the drains and toilets to prevent stagnant drain smell. Do laundry. You’ll have enough to do when you get home.

Save energy when you are away. Turn air conditioners to 80, 60 is sufficient in the winter. Make sure all electronics are unplugged.

And last but not least check every window and door to make sure they are locked up tight. This is of course a no brainer but it is easy to miss the odd upstairs or basement window or door.

Have a fun and safe vacation!

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

The Ins and Outs of Private Mortgage Insurance

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Can’t come up with 20% for a down payment? Be prepared to pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI).

Borrowers who are applying for a conventional mortgage and aren’t able to come up with a sizeable down payment towards a home purchase will have this additional fee tacked onto their mortgage payments. This is in addition to others like interest, escrow and taxes.

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PMI: Protecting the Lender

The more money you’re able to put towards the purchase price of a home, the less money you will have to borrow from your lender. The smaller that amount, the less risk you present to your lender in terms of defaulting on your mortgage.

On the other hand, the larger your loan, the higher of a perceived risk you’ll be to your lender. That’s where PMI comes into the picture: to protect the lender against any potential future loan defaults.

At the time of default, the lender will receive the difference between the market value of the property and the outstanding loan balance, up to a certain limit.

Used with conventional loans that are not backed by the government, PMI is arranged by your lender and offered by mortgage insurance companies. While it’s an added expense, it’s also a good thing for you if you can’t come up with at least 20% of the purchase price of your home through a down payment. Otherwise, you’d have a tough time qualifying for a conventional home loan.

How Much Does PMI Cost?

Just like all the other fees and expenses you need to cover when buying a home, you’ll need to factor in PMI costs in order to budget accordingly. But how much you pay will depend on a few factors, including the type of mortgage you’re applying for, the length of the loan, and the amount of your down payment. Generally speaking, you can expect to pay approximately 0.5% to 1% of the entire loan amount.

Let’s say the value of the home you buy is $300,000, for instance, and you put in a 10% down payment. Your PMI payments would be about $112.50 per month, assuming a 0.5% PMI fee. That’s not exactly chump change, especially when you factor in all the other fees you’ll be responsible for paying to operate your home.

It’s important to note that PMI payments don’t reduce your loan balance, nor are they tax-deductible like mortgage interest is.

PMI is Removed Once You Owe Less Than 80% of Your Home’s Value

The good news is, you won’t have to pay PMI forever, as long as you’re able to put enough money towards the principal to owe less than 80% of your property value. You’ll have to ask the lender to cancel PMI once you’ve reached this amount, as it’s not exactly automatically stopped. The PMI cancellation request needs to be made in writing, and you need to be current on your mortgage payments. Some home loans also have a minimum wait time – generally two years – before PMI can be canceled.

Once the loan balance drops to 78%, the lender is required to get rid of PMI. In fact, your lender is legally obligated to tell you at mortgage closing how many years and months it’ll take you to pay down your loan to have your mortgage insurance canceled.

But there are other ways to get rid of PMI. For starters, you could order a new appraisal if you believe your home’s value has increased to the point that you owe less than 80% of it’s worth. If you’ve made improvements to the property since buying it, you likely have increased its value. Keep in mind that appraisals will come at a cost of anywhere between $300 to $500.

You could also prepay on your loan, if your lender allows it. Even an extra $50 per month can translate into a significant reduction in your loan amount over time.

The Bottom Line

It’s easy to understand why lenders would want to protect themselves against the potential of loan defaults, especially when you consider what happened during the chaotic housing crisis in 2008. But you don’t have to be a slave to PMI. You can avoid it altogether if you can save up at least 20% of the purchase price of the home, or at least get rid of it some time in the future as your equity build ups. The sooner you can get it off the books, the more money you can free up to put towards paying down your mortgage principal.

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – APPRECIATING ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL JUNE WEEKEND!

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Summer in Chicago is full of hundreds of large and small street festivals and can make it difficult to decide which ones to attend with this weekend being no exception. But no matter which ones you do decide to attend just remember to appreciate another beautiful June weekend here in Chicago!

Celebrating the 45th anniversary of Chicago’s Alligator Records (Friday) and concluding with a special tribute (Sunday) to the legendary Otis Rush, this year’s Chicago Blues Festival will once again take place in Grant Park (337 E. Randolph St.) in The Loop. Also, Southwest Airlines® is featuring The Porch Sessions each day of the festival and invites you to join them on the front steps of the Blues Porch for a series of intimate appearances by legendary and emerging Blues musicians where you’ll meet the artists, hear their stories and even get to enjoy some impromptu performances! Stop by and see for yourself why Chicago is truly the “Blues Capital” at the world’s largest FREE blues festival!!

It’s Back! Ribfest Chicago returns to the North Center neighborhood at Lincoln Avenue, Irving Park Road and Damen Avenue this Saturday and Sunday (12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.) with 30 food vendors serving up ribs and non-rib seasonal favorites along with 20 original bands for one of the most unique live music lineups of the fest season! Kids Square also returns with inflatables, games, activities, dancing, mini golf and more for Chicago’s families. A $5 donation for Kids Square will earn each child a prize and a chance to win a bike! It doesn’t get any better than BBQ, music and Chicago summer fun!!

One of Chicago’s most legendary street festivals, Andersonville Midsommarfest, returns for its 51st year to 5200 N. Clark Street in the Andersonville neighborhood this Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Filled with tangy international food, energetic entertainment on five stages, unique artisans and vendors, and an array of family-friendly interactive activities, this fest transports you back to old-world Swedish traditions! It’s one of the most diverse festivals in the City!!

This beautiful June weekend also brings us two very popular Chicago art fairs to the Old Town Neighborhood –

The Old Town Art Fair returns for its 67th year to the Old Town Triangle Historic District (1763 N. North Park Ave.) this Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. This show features a wide range of art mediums from 250 juried fine artists, a food court, live music, kids’ activities and a mapped Garden Walk of over 50 beautiful gardens within the Old Town Triangle! Voted as the #1 art fair in the country, this Art Fair may well be worth your time to check it out!!

The Wells Street Art Festival returns for its 42nd year to North Wells Street between North Avenue and Division Street this Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. This show features an eclectic mix of juried art in all mediums from over 225 artists from across the continent, tasty cuisine from 20+ neighborhood restaurants, live entertainment in the rear lot of O’Brien’s Restaurant (1528 N. Wells St.) and a children’s play area where kids can do arts & crafts, participate in a performance or just goof off! Once again, this is one of Chicago’s most popular art happenings!!

Back for its 6th year but held in a new month, Remix Chicago returns to a new location as well on Milwaukee Avenue between Fullerton and California Avenues in the Logan Square neighborhood this Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Not only does this event feature a unique mix of juried art made from recycled and found materials but it also features tasty food, an awesome music lineup and educational workshops! Another Chicago street fest that is actually worth your time!!

Don’t Waste This Beautiful June Weekend! Get Out There and Enjoy It!!

SUE MOSS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS – LOOP, PORTAGE PARK, LAKEVIEW, GOLD COAST, OAK PARK

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LOOP

Tomorrow, Friday 6/10, is the last day applications are being accepted for the Women’s Business Development Center’s (8 S. Michigan Ave.) 6 month LEAD Program, which stands for Latina Entrepreneurial Accelerated Development, that begins on June 22nd. This intensive leadership training program will focus on only 25 Latina business owners who have been in operation for at least 2 years and have at least 2 employees. The cost is only $200 for the program of seminars by successful peers who will connect, assess, and help actualize plans to move businesses forward. Follow this WBDC link for more information and to apply before the deadline.

PORTAGE PARK

Friends of The Chicago Academy have their Summer Flea Market fundraiser coming up this Saturday, 6/11, from 9:00am – 3:00pm to benefit The Chicago Academy Elementary School at 3400 N. Austin Ave. There will be lots of vendors on the front lawn of the Academy for a neighborly shopping experience. There will also be a donation table for items you’d like to donate to the cause. It’s not too late to purchase a 12′ by 12 ‘ vendor space for $25. All proceeds go to The Chicago Academy but you get to keep your profits from your sales. Contact Julie Aleyne via email at alleynejulie@gmail.com for more information as soon as possible.

LAKEVIEW

Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce’s Summer Fashion Show & Shopping Event will bring five neighborhood retailers together next Thursday, 6/16, from 7:00pm – 8:30pm to showcase their wares at a fun, glamorous event. WineHouse will host and provide wine samples at 3164A N. Broadway St. with boutique fashions from Colette Collection (2858 N. Clark St.) and Spare Parts (2949 N. Broadway St.) on display. Models’ hairstyles will be created by Ingmar James Salon (3255 N. Broadway St.) and Vanille Patisserie (3243 N. Broadway St.) will tempt your taste buds with macarons and petit fours at this $10 per person event. Reservations are required! Follow the link above to Register Now.

GOLD COAST

We’re giving you fair warning to get your pups in a row for the Gold Coast Neighbors Association’s inaugural “Best in Gold Coast” Dog Show which will be held on Saturday 6/25 from 1:00pm – 3:00pm at the Southeast Corner of South Lincoln Park, along North Ave. near Astor St. General admission to attend is only $10 but to participate, proof of dogs’ vaccination, City of Chicago registration, and tickets ranging from $50 – $125 are required for your dog to be part of the show. There are also volunteering opportunities for any true dog lovers out there so email LaurenBurny@hotmail.com if interested, or call GCNA at 312-332-6122 for more information. Proceeds will benefit SitStayRead which was founded in 2003 to improve literacy skills in children from low-income families by engaging and putting them at ease with the help of trained dogs in the classroom.

OAK PARK

The Oak Park Board of Trustees is joining the City of Chicago by cracking down on tobacco use with a new ordinance that raises the tobacco-purchasing age from 18 to 21. According to CityofChicago.org, Chicago’s ordinance will go into effect on July 1st. OakPark.com reports that the age increase will go into effect on August 1st, and sellers of tobacco products must also be aged 21 years or older. This may force retailers to have to think twice about hiring and scheduling to ensure that a properly aged worker is on hand at all times. This issue was brought up during the Board’s meeting but was reasoned out that most retailers of tobacco also sell alcohol and already have to take their workers’ ages into account. The new ordinance received unanimous approval.

CATHY MALLERS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Will Your Student Loan Affect Your Chances of Getting a Mortgage?

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Still got massive student loan debt on the books? Join the 43 million other borrowers who do too. And among all the millennials who are still chipping away at their student loan debt, over one-third of them plan on buying a home within the next five years.

But with all that debt still to be paid off, is getting a mortgage and purchasing a property a futile endeavor?

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Student loan debt – just like any other type of debt – can be an obstacle to overcome when it comes to getting approved for a mortgage.  But while the situation isn’t exactly ideal, it’s less dreadful than many millennials might think.

Understanding how student loan debt can affect lenders’ decisions will help you determine the likelihood of getting approved for a mortgage, and what type of interest rate you can expect to be offered.

Monthly Payments Matter

Lenders look at a bunch of things when figuring out if you make a good candidate for a mortgage, including how much debt you’re currently carrying and how much it takes up your monthly income. This is referred to as your debt-to-income ratio – the percentage of your monthly gross income dedicated to paying off debt – which lenders look at before they consider approving you for a home loan.

If you’ve got a ton of outstanding student loan debt and your current salary isn’t very much just yet, your debt-to-income ratio won’t be the greatest. Lenders usually like to see a debt-to-income ratio of no more than 36, but each lender might have their own threshold that they may agree to work with.

Let’s say your gross monthly income is $5,000, and other monthly debt obligations – including your student debt – amounts to $2,000. That means your debt-to-income ratio is 40%, and that’s not including what it would be after adding a monthly mortgage payment on top of it.

If you find that you’re over the limit of what your lender deems acceptable, you can always choose to extend your repayment period to reduce your monthly payments. However, it’s important to note that it’ll take a lot longer to pay off your mortgage this way, not to mention the fact that you’ll be paying more in interest over the life of the mortgage.

Refinancing your private student loan to a longer loan term may also be an option. You might even find that you can lower your interest rate too by going this route. However, just like in the above scenario, you need to be prepared to accept a longer repayment term. Even if you’re able to negotiate a lower interest rate when refinancing, you’ll still likely be paying more towards overall interest by the time the loan is fully paid off.

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Deferring Your Loans Plays a Key Role

You’ll likely have the option to defer your student loan for a certain amount of time, depending on your lender. That means you temporarily won’t be obligated to make your regular monthly payments towards your student loan debt. Sometimes you might even be able to work something out where no interest is accrued despite the absence of payments.

Deferring your payments for a short period of time can be a great way to save you money for a sizeable down payment, which will work in your favor when mortgage lenders look over your credentials.

On the other hand, this option may have a negative effect on your application. Lenders will estimate what your monthly payments will be based on the amount of money you still owe on your student loan, but this estimate does not factor in how much your payments would be if you opted for an extended repayment plan, for instance.

It’s important that you fill your lender in on precisely how much you’ll be paying every month after the deferment period ends so that the most up-to-date and accurate data is used to grade your mortgage application.

Your Payment History is a Critical Factor

The amount of money that you owe in student loan debt – among other types of debt – as well as your income, are important factors that your lender will consider, but they are not the only ones. Your credit score also plays a critical role, and it’s heavily influenced by your history of making payments.

If you’ve been delinquent on payments, your credit score will plummet. In fact, even one missed payment can shave off as much as 100 points from your credit score.

Making your monthly payments on time and in full is essential to maintaining a healthy credit score. If you’re scraping the bottom of the barrel just to make your payments, then reducing your monthly payment amounts by extending your repayment period or consolidating your debt might help to bring your monthly payments down. That way, the amount you have to pay each month will fit more comfortably within your budget, and will help you stay on track with timely payments.

The Bottom Line

Student loan debt isn’t exactly something that mortgage lenders want to see on your books, but with millions of millennials looking to buy over the next five years, it’s something they’re becoming increasingly accustomed to. The fact of the matter is, student loan debt doesn’t mean you’ll be written off completely.

Your income and overall debt amount certainly count, but so does your proven ability to repay whatever loans you’re currently responsible for. Solid money management can go a long way in boosting the odds of your mortgage lender stamping “approved” on your loan application.

KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – Fire safety in and around the home

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We try to keep our families as safe as we can. It’s good every once in a while to make sure fire hazards are kept to a minimum around the house. There are easy ways to minimize the danger of fire.

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In the house-

At least one smoke /carbon monoxide detector on every level and near every bedroom.

Have a working fire extinguisher in the home and make sure everyone knows how to use it.

Make a fire escape plan. Make sure everyone knows two exits from every room and have a central meeting place outside so all can be accounted for. Have all windows able to be opened easily. Teach even the very youngest children their address and show them how to dial 911. Check and clean the furnace annually. Wood burning fireplaces and chimneys should always be checked by a professional. Make sure your electric panel is up to code. Over tapped circuits are a fire hazard.

Don’t overwork extension cords, actually use them as sparingly as possible. Always make sure to use a proper weight cord for the job. Cords should not be frayed or damaged. Never cover with rugs.

Outside the home-

Be safe grilling. Always have grills, both gas and charcoal, on a cement level surface away from anything flammable. Know the proper way to maintain your propane tank. Keep children and pets away from the grill. Working grills should be monitored at all times by a sober adult.

Make sure all flammable liquids are kept in properly labeled containers and kept out of the reach of children. Keep properly stored paint and rags. Paint rags can spontaneously combust as well as piles of brush and wood.

If you use a fire pit, care needs to be taken here too. Always place portable burners on a fire proof platform, not right on the wooden deck! Again, always monitored by a sober adult. Make sure fire is COMPLETELY out at the end of the night.

Take a little care and make sure everyone knows the rules for fire safety.

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

8 Things You Should Know About Living in a HOA Community

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When you buy a condo, townhouse, or any other type of property in a planned development, you’re bound to the rules of the Homeowners’ Association (HOA). While you might have already known that rules existed when you bought, you likely never gave them a second thought, until there’s a problem.

It’s obviously important to know how much you have to pay in HOA fees to cover the cost of maintaining common areas of the building or community. But there’s a lot more to know about HOAs and how they work before you decide to make a purchase in one of these communities. 

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1. The Unit Needs to Be in Compliance With HOA Rules

HOA rules are to be followed by every unit owner in the building or complex. If a unit is non-compliant with the current rules, the HOA will step in. You’ll basically be inheriting problems if you buy into a property that’s already raised red flags with the HOA, which can give you nothing but headaches afterward. Before you make a purchase, find out what the rules are, and if the property is compliant.

For instance, a unit may have tile flooring on the balcony or a BBQ hooked up that the HOA strictly prohibits. If the unit is not currently compliant, determine what changes will need to be made before you seal the deal. 

2. HOAs Can Dictate How Your Landscaping is Maintained

If you live in a gated community or subdivision that’s governed by an HOA, you’ll have to abide by its landscaping rules. For instance, many HOAs don’t allow the use of pesticides and fertilizers on the grass, or they’ll limit the size of vegetable gardens. You might even be prohibited from installing solar panel systems or building compost. Make sure you identify any restrictions before making any buying decisions.

3. You Need to Make Sure You Can Tolerate Stringent Rules

What is your personality like? Are you the type of person who isn’t fond of being told how you can and can’t maintain your property? If so, you may want to rethink a particular HOA complex, or forego HOAs altogether.

One of the things that homeowners love about owning a home versus renting is the freedom they have to modify their properties. But HOA rules can have a huge impact on this liberty, depending on how strict the rules are.

4. Details About the Fees Should Be Identified

Everyone knows that along with HOA community living comes fees, but it’s up to you to find out exactly what these fees cover, aside from just the amount you need to pay each month. Find out how these fees are determined, and how often increases will occur.

Identify what the fees have historically been over the last few years to get an idea of what to expect as far as potential increases in the near future. And don’t forget to ask about the reserve fund, and if it’s capable of covering any major repairs that may be on the table.

5. Under-Management Can Be a Major Problem

Property management plays a critical role in HOA communities. They’re responsible for maintaining the property, dealing with problem residents, ensuring the HOA rules are followed by all unit owners, making repairs, and resolving owner complaints.

An under-managed property will have a team that is not present very often, and doesn’t seem to really care about the well-being of the property nor the concerns of the residents. Try to find out what the property management company is like, and see what current owners have to say about how they manage the property.   

6. Does the HOA Have Catastrophe Insurance on the Building?

This is a particularly important point if you are considering buying in a building or complex that’s located in an area that’s prone to natural disasters, such as floods, hurricanes, fires, or earthquakes.

Of course, freak disasters can happen just about anywhere, so it’s best to find out if the HOA you’re thinking about buying into has catastrophe insurance. If it doesn’t, and the complex is damaged as a result of a natural disaster, the HOA may go after the owners to pitch in to cover for repairs.

7. How Will the HOA Affect Your Finances?

The purchase price of the unit itself is one financial factor to consider when creating a budget, but you also need to understand how the monthly fees will affect your finances. It could very well be that high HOA fees could cost you a lot more than a freehold detached home that you think doesn’t fit into your budget.

8. Conflict on the Condo Board of Directors Can Be an Issue

The condo’s board of directors is made up of owners of the HOA. Ideally, all members should have the best interest of the complex and its owners in mind, and should get along. However, many boards are made up of owners who don’t see eye to eye, and are conflicted on just about every issue brought to the table.

Sometimes board members may have an agenda aside from running the building, including hiring companies that they have direct interest in just to put some money in their pocket. Other members may be on a power trip and don’t make decisions based on the good of the building.

Speak with the current owners to get a sense of what the current board is like, or have a chat with the members themselves. You may even want to become a member yourself after buying into the community so you can be more involved in making the community a better place.

Even though laws exist that govern how HOAs behave, these associations still have a lot of power over your homeowner rights. As such, you’d be well-advised to find out as much about the HOA before buying into the complex.