Paneling done right... the midwest version of Shiplap.

On a listing appointment today, I can across a great example of gorgeous paneling!  The homeowners have been working to paint the solid oak paneling that covers various rooms in the house.  Their daughter's room looks like a page out of Pottery Barn with the paneling painted a flat gray and the other walls in a light pink.   But it was the small powder room that caught my eye!

Traditional Midwest Paneling

Up here in northern Illinois, we don't have much in terms of "Shiplap."  If you don't know what Shiplap is, then you probably don't watch Chip and Joanna Gaines on HGTV's Fixer Upper.  Shiplap is pine paneling that was often used in barns and historic homes -- and often covered with plaster.  When Joanna finds it hiding behind plaster, it's like the gates of heaven open up because you know she's going to do something amazing with it.  Up here in the midwest, we have wood paneling without the drool worthy title of Shiplap. 

And sometimes the paneling is knotty pine which is not awesome if you are going for a contemporary feel in the house.

Who wouldn't want to pee in here?  It has wood paneling without looking like a sauna!

But here is an amazing example of what paneling looks like when it's done beautifully!  The homeowners said it took time to sand it, paint it, and then distress it, but wow!  Imagine how cute the rest of the house is!

I love how gorgeous it looks! The other walls are a light bluish gray and compliment the floors and our midwest "shiplap" amazingly well!   This cute and very handy couple took a bathroom that probably looked a bit dated with the darker oak paneling and completely changed the feel of it!

So, if you have paneling and know that removing it is going to be more work than you can handle, then paint it!


Do you have a great do it yourself project?  I'd love to feature it!  And as always, if you are looking to buy or sell in Lake County, Illinois, Just Ask Jamie!


Jamie Hering
847.345.2668
jamie@starhometeam.com
www.realtorjamie.com

What Do You Really Do Anyway?

The other day one of my clients posted on facebook that her car wouldn't start.  Since it was brutally cold that day, she had to walk to her substitute teaching job and was thankful they gave her a ride home!

However, that didn't solve her problem of having a car with a dead battery.  So, I gave her a call and my husband and I shoveled out her driveway, and jumped her car!

Do you know that the bare minimum a Realtor has to complete when he/she takes your listing is to:

• Accept delivery of and present to the clients offers and counteroffers to buy, sell, or lease.
• Assist the client in developing, communicating, negotiating, and presenting offers, counteroffers, and notices until a lease or real estate contract is signed and all contingencies are satisfied or waived.
• Answer the client's questions relating to offers, counteroffers, notices, and contingencies.

As a Realtor, I have a punch list of over 100 things I need to complete when taking a new listing.  Hiring a stager, taking and editing photos, posting the property to Zillow, Trulia, Homes, etc., marketing on facebook, putting in a yard sign, hosting open houses, printing flyers, arranging for the showing service to make the appointments for your home, contacting all the Realtors who show your home before and after, etc.   Heck-- I've shoveled walkways, salted sidewalks, and jumped cars.  I'm in the service industry and I am not a Realtor where you see me in the beginning to sign the paperwork and then never again. 

Plus, I do a ton of work behind the scenes for my clients, but I am never too busy to take a clients' phone calls or text messages.   I'm a firm believer in offering top notch customer service... and I think that shows every step of the way!  According to the Real Estate License Act, all I have to do is the three bullet points up above!  We both know that is the bare minimum and none of that is going to help MARKET your home.

I'm in a unique position with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate where I can use the PinPoint Marketing (provided by the Meredith Magazine database) to reach the potential clients who are looking to buy!  It's something only BHGRE Realtors have access to and it's one of the many technological tools we use to market your home. 

Looking to buy or sell in Lake County?  Give me a call!

Jamie Hering
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate
847.345.2668
jamie@starhometeam.com
www.realtorjamie.com

Just Ask Jamie: Emil's Tavern on Center

Grayslake has great restaurants, but one of my family favorites is Emil's Tavern on Center in downtown Grayslake.  We LOVE Emil's!  The wings, the pizza, the soups, the salads, the beer, the fish fry, the tv's...  you really can't go wrong except if you and the rest of Grayslake have the same idea and then there's a bit of wait for a table. 

I love that it's family friendly-- there's a bar side and a restaurant side, but it's never rambunctious during dinner time hours.  There's often live music on Saturday nights and even the occasional BINGO game on weeknights.  During the summer, there's a great outdoor beer garden where you can eat and socialize.

There's plenty of street parking and free parking lots right off of Center.

Emil's is a staple of Grayslake and I love running into friends every time we go! 

161 Center St., Grayslake, (847) 543-8879, www.emilsonline.com

Looking for a home close to Emil's?

Call me today!

Jamie Hering, Realtor
847.345.2668
jamie@starhometeam.com

310 Stevens Ct. Grayslake $179,500

310 Stevens Ct in Grayslake is a fantastic townhome with a pretty amazing floorplan.  With large windows, it has just under 2000 square feet of living space, is freshly painted, and has three levels of living.  The three bedrooms have vaulted ceilings and large closets, there's 2.5 bathrooms, a living room, and a walk out basement.  This townhome offers plenty of space!  And, there's no monthly/annual HOA fee.  Many residents have put up a fence or deck to make their townhome perfect to fit their needs.

310 Stevens Ct is zoned for Woodland School District K-8 and Grayslake Central High School.

$179,500
3 bedrooms
2.5 bath
Finished walk-out basement
Includes Home Warranty (covers all major mechanicals and appliances for 12 months)

For more info, visit here!

 http://starhomes.bhgre.com/agent/jamiehering/homes/detail/EDG.RFG.2945C14A-E176-40EE-B6F5-014FF8B38F85/

I would love to show you this home!  Contact me so we can set up an appointment!

Jamie Hering
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate
www.realtorjamie.com

847.345.2668
jamie@starhometeam.com

Best Family Games for 2016

I know my blog is mostly about real estate, but I couldn't pass up sharing what has brought my family closer together this year!  I have to make the most of my family time and my family loves games-- and not your traditional Monopoly, Sorry, Connect 4 types.  While we do have a thing for Monopoly (we love a quick game of Monopoly Empire or Monopoly Here and Now), we've tried to find games that have amazing Amazon reviews but are more unheard of.  My kids have voted and here are their favorites!

The PPT Award for best game goes to:

 

#3 Forbidden Island.   Forbidden Island is a game where you work together to capture the four sacred treasures before the island sinks.  The water continue to rise and you need to work with your teammates (not against them like in most games).   We had to read through the directions closely the first time and our first game was really slow, but after that, we figured it out.   The entire family loves it (and it really requires us to THINK), but my only complaint is that as family of 5, it's really only made for 2-4 players.  We make playing with 5 people work but we have to adapt the rules a bit (like only having 4 cards in your hand instead of 5).   The game won the 2010 Mensa Favorite Brainy Games Winner (so obviously I feel smarter playing it).  Buy it here for around $20: http://www.amazon.com/Gamewright-317-Forbidden-Island/dp/B003D7F4YY

 

#2 Dixit.  Dixit  was the surprise hit of the season. It's a game for 3-6 players where each player gets 6 beautifully illustrated cards.  One person chooses a card from their hand and then comes up with a word or phrase that alludes to their card.  The other players pick a card from their own hand that could match that word or phrase and then everyone guesses which card was the original inspiration.  Points are awarded and the players advance on the game board.  My kids LOVE this game and request to play it all the time.   I love that it makes them think and improves their communication skills.  It also helps their critical thinking skills (without them even realizing it).  I also like that expansion packs are sold so if you are bored of seeing the same cards, you can add new ones to your game.  It's best for 4-6 players and it's very easy to learn.   This game costs a bit more, but it's been in heavy rotation in my house. http://www.amazon.com/Dixit-Cover-Art-May-Vary/dp/2914849656/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1451673019&sr=1-1&keywords=dixit

#1 Exploding Kittens.  Exploding Kittens is a ridiculous card game that works for kids and grown ups.  There is an explicit content version and obviously as a mom, we are playing the family friendly version.  It's for 2-5 players (up to 9 players if you combine two sets) and each game is full of tension and laughter!  My husband and I find ourselves playing a quick pick up game of Exploding Kittens after the kids go to bed just because it's a fun way to connect and laugh together.  Even the 70+ year old grandparents played it and were laughing and trying to defuse their exploding kittens!  Exploding Kittens was the most backed project in Kickstarter history and I can see why.  It's a silly game, but one that we've played multiple times every day, has caused us to laugh, helped my kids handle losing (because once you are out, you are out), and caused great battles of who really is out to get one another (and it's me-- I'm always the mean one).  Buy it here for $20.  http://www.amazon.com/Exploding-Kittens-About-Explosions-Sometimes/dp/B010TQY7A8/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1451674070&sr=1-1&keywords=exploding+kitten

 

Have fun!  And if you need a new home to play these games in, I'm here to show you the way home!  

Jamie Hering

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate

847.345.2668

jamie@starhometeam.com

www.realtorjamie.com