Here are some tips that will help you get organized and make moving day a lot easier in Champaign!

1. Change your address and notify companies before you move. Start by filling out a change of address form in advance of your move. Doing this ahead of time can help you to avoid hassles like past-due bills, service lapses and even identity theft. It is also a good idea before you move to set dates to discontinue your utilities at your old address as well as arrange for these services to be turned on at your new address. .

2. Create a moving schedule.
It is a good idea to set up a moving schedule a few months before you move. Set it up as a week-by-week checklist to manage the process and help to stay on track. A moving schedule helps you to keep track of the little details or things that may be over looked, thus helping you to avoid last minute headaches. 

3. Establish a packing system.
Packing is a major time consumer so think about coming up with a packing system so all of your boxes end up in the right rooms when they get to your new home. Many professional movers recommend that you use the color code system where you color code each box with a particular room to avoid any confusion with the movers. It is also helpful to give your movers a floor plan of your home with each room labeled.

4. Get rid of unnecessary items.
The less boxes you pack the less you have to move and finally unpack. So it makes sense to thoroughly go thru your items and get rid of the things you just don't need. Items such as unread books, half-empty cleaning products, clothes that you know you wont wear again should be given away or sold at a garage !sale. You don't want to bring the clutter to your new home!

 Are you ready to find and move into your dream home? Contact me today to see how I can help!

**

If you love art and are looking for something to do this weekend then take a look at local Champaign art during this exhibit.

Recognizable figures from famous paintings in art history take on new meaning in artist’s Kenneth Hall’s paintings, to be featured in a Parkland Art Gallery exhibit opening Monday, February 13.

“Fragments: Recent Paintings by Kenneth Hall” will run in the gallery through Tuesday, March 27. An artist reception takes place from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, February 16, with gallery talk by Hall at 7 p.m. and music by the Urbana High School Jazz Band. Hall will provide an additional lecture in the gallery earlier on February 16, at 1:15 p.m.

Support local Champaign artists by checking out this lecture and exhibit!

**

You may not be the only one who is overwhelmed by a move to Champaign, your children may be extremely nervous or even downright dreading the move! Here are some tips that can help:

1. It's a good idea to inform your children about moving as soon as possible and not delay the news. Children need time to let the big news sink in and you will need the time to help them prepare!

It can be natural to assume that the less time kids have to think about moving, the easier it will be for your children. However, experts say it is actually the opposite. Kids need time to get used to the idea of moving. Don't put off telling them about moving.

2. Welcome your children's questions about moving.

Open lines of communication will go a long way toward helping your children feel comfortable with moving. And it's okay even if you can't answer all their questions right now. Your kid's questions can give you an idea of how they're feeling about moving — whether they're excited or uneasy. Some questions may also offer an ideal way to get them involved in the moving process, such as suggesting they get online to locate nearby libraries or parks.

3. Be positive and upbeat about the move.

Your attitude about the move will influence your children's attitude as well. If you dread moving, then the move will seem dreadful to them too. Be enthusiastic, upbeat, and positive about the experiences and opportunities in store, and your children will be more likely to feel the same way.

4. Let your children know they can help with the move.

This is a good time to emphasize that the move is a family event and that everyone will be part of the planning, packing, and perhaps even choosing the new home. Start your kids on thinking of things they can do and how to get ready for the move. Assure your kids that their contributions, however small, will be valued and greatly appreciated

Have you mastered the art of moving with children, please contact us to share your tips - we'd love to hear them!

**

Did you know that heart disease is the number one killer of women? February is Heart Health Awareness month and now is the perfect time to fight back against this disease.

For example, by exercising at least 30 minutes a day you can reduce your risk of heart disease. Take the stairs, and know that every time you make a decision to chose a healthier option you could be saving your life.

Studies show that for every hour of walking you may increase your life expetancy by two hours! The time to get moving is now!

Start with small workouts and find friends in Champaign to help you meet your goals. Very soon, you'll be enjoying the benefits of an active lifestyle.

Do you have any words of motivation for our readers who are just beginning the journey to heart health? Contact us and share them!

**

It's time for an annual Champaign/Urbana event which features an American Indian story teller for the Winter Tales event each February. 

This year, in partnership with Spurlock Museum, Prairie Elementary is proud to host Gene Tagaban, a teller and raven dancer from the state of Washington.

Gene Tagaban is a speaker, motivator, trainer, and performing artist of Cherokee, Tlingit and Filipino heritage. With over 20 years of storytelling experience, Tagaban uses his gift of storytelling, dance, and music, as he travels across the country performing, presenting, and facilitating workshops on suicide prevention, empowerment, leadership, relationship-building, communication skills, self-awareness, spirit and honor to participants of all ages.

The storytelling assembly will be held at Prairie Elementary School on Friday, February 3rd, at 9:00am.

If you would like more information on this local Champaign event, contact Prairie Elementary Principal, Yavonnda Smith, at 384-3628.

**

I don't know anyone who enjoys packing up all their belongings and moving them to a new home, but if you are organized about the entire process it can be a lot less stressful to get ready for your move!

• Plan ahead and research the best price and service if you will you require the assistance of a moving company. It’s a good idea to price this out ahead of time by using a moving calculator.
• Stock up on the following supplies: strong packing boxes (more than you think you will need), markers and tags to label boxes, rolls of packing tape, bubble wrap for fragile items, packing paper, scissors and a knife for opening boxes. 
• Pack room-to-room keeping similar items together and use smaller boxes for heavier items so it is easier to lift. 
• You don't need to spend a lot of money on packing items to protect your delicate items. You can use towels, linens and curtains to line the bottom and sides of boxes with fragile items. All fragile items should be individually wrapped and clearly marked FRAGILE.
• Make sure that any opened boxes or jars are tightly sealed before packing them. You don't want to find out that the bleach spilled once you have reached your new home! 
• Use colorful tags to identify the contents of the box and which room it will be taken to in your new home. 
• There will be so much to do and it will be easy to forget what you have. Make a master list of all household items and personal belongings.
• Finally pack a box with all the essentials and mark it “Open Me First.” This box may contain items such as: a few basic tools (flashlight, pocket knife, masking tape, light bulbs), bathroom essentials (toilet paper, soap, shampoo, toothbrushes & paste, hand towel), Kitchen items (paper towels, coffee maker & filter, paper plates, cups, utensils, pet food, trash bags).
   

Do you have any tips or tricks for moving into your new Central Illinois home? 

**

Are you ready to get on stage with the official band of the Chicago Blackhawks for some live band karaoke? Make plans for this weekend to head over to Boomerangs in Urbana!

There are over 300 songs to chose from, lyrics provided, so you're bound to find something you want to perform!

Karaoke starts at 9pm and goes until 1am! Get there early to grab a $5 pitcher and order from the full menu until 9pm, appetizers until midnight.

Boomerang is located at 1309 E Washington, Urbana - next to Silver Bullet. Don't be shy and get on stage!

**

Have you looked at your neighbors home and though, "There goes the neighborhood!" Before you were trying to sell your Champaign home your neighbors overgrown lawn, chipping paint and littered driveway may have been unsightly and annoying, but now there unkempt property is a hindrance to you selling your home. How can you expect to get your asking price when your neighbor's house is not a good selling point?

Here are a few actions you can take to make your neighborhood a little more presentable:

1. Your best bet is to start by being neighborly and simply communicating with them. You may uncover a problem that you can help to solve. Is your neighbor elderly or ill? Perhaps you could help out with lawn care or basic maintenance. You might even get other neighbors involved to lend a hand.
2. If you have an HOA, you can go to the president or governing committee. Most HOA’s have strict requirements for upkeep, and they take quick action to correct violations.
3. Call the city code enforcement. If your neighbors’ grass is knee high and they have a rusted out Chevy in the front yard, they are probably in code violation.
4. Use a fence or landscaping to hide unsightly side or back yards.
5. Some home sellers who are serious may offer to pay to haul off trash or try to work out another option to try to help the situation.

Another property de-valuer, especially in today’s economy, is the foreclosure. While it is true that you unfortunately cannot personally do anything about a foreclosed home in your neighborhood, you should be prepared to take a hit on your home’s appraisal value. As unfair as it is, it is a good idea to be aware of the home values in your neighborhood and what other sellers are listing their homes for. You may need to consider discounting your home or offering incentives to counteract the foreclosure.

Foreclosure is so commonplace now that it probably won’t affect people coming to your neighborhood – in fact, it may draw potential buyers. You just have to be ready to compete with the ‘bargain’ a foreclosure may present.

Have you been in a similar situation? Share your tips with us - we would love to hear them!

**

There is an interesting trend in the market that is gaining attention in Champaign/Urbana as well as the entire country.  Federal officials  are hoping to launch a pilot program in early 2012 to convert government-owned foreclosures into rental properties.

The program, which was cited by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke last week as one way to address the housing crisis, would sell foreclosed homes now owned by Fannie Mae (FNMA, Fortune 500) and Freddie Mac (FMCC, Fortune 500) to investors in bulk. The properties would then be converted into rentals.

The initiative began back in August, when the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the Treasury Department and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced they were seeking suggestions on ways to dispose of repossessed homes now owned by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Housing Administration.

In addition to getting the properties off the government's books, officials are hoping putting the homes back into productive use will stabilize neighborhoods and housing values. Also, it is looking to expand the supply of rentals, which are increasingly in demand.

The agency is not releasing details on how the rental program would work, instead saying it is "proceeding prudently but with a sense of urgency to lay the groundwork for the development of good initial transactions in early 2012."

Administration officials said they are continuing to work with the agency to develop the program.

Housing, stocks, gold and oil: Hot or not in 2012?

Until now, most foreclosed homes have been sold individually because investors have demanded bigger discounts to buy large numbers of properties.

But federal officials are warily eyeing the expected surge in foreclosures as banks ramp up their action against delinquent homeowners. The process had been stalled since late 2010 when banks' shoddy paperwork practices came to light.

There are close to 2 million homes in the late stages of delinquency, according to Lender Processing Services. Since foreclosed properties often sell below market value, they can wreak havoc on home prices.

Converting these homes to rentals can both help the neighborhood and minimize losses to Fannie, Freddie and the FHA, which hold about 250,000 properties, Bernanke told lawmakers last week.

He urged lawmakers to ramp up their efforts to fix the housing market, placing particular emphasis on the problem of vacant homes on the market.

"Restoring the health of the housing market is a necessary part of a broader strategy for economic recovery," he said.

Bernanke's comments launched a full-court press by Federal Reserve officials last week to raise awareness of the continuing problems plaguing the housing market.

His proposals were quickly followed by Fed Governors Sarah Bloom Raskin, who spoke on ramping up enforcement of mortgage servicers, and Elizabeth Duke, who said Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could do more to help heal the housing market.

Meanwhile, New York Fed President William Dudley gave a speech that touched on a wide range of housing policies -- including principal reduction and mortgage refinancing -- that he believes will boost the economy.

The Fed has already tried to boost real estate sales by pushing mortgage rates down to record lows through massive bond-buying programs.

But the renewed push for housing help indicates that the Fed, which has basically run out of monetary policy ammunition to revive the real estate market, is urging the federal government to ramp up its efforts.

"The Federal Reserve is signaling in even stronger terms the need for the government to do more to help housing," said Jaret Seiberg, a policy analyst with the Washington Research Group.

Thank you to Tami Luhby at CNN Money for the information.

Contact me to learn more about this trend, or to buy or sell a home in Champaign, IL! 

**

Calling all tea fanatics! Tea drinking has soared in popularity in recent years and tea and tea drinking accessories are the latest trend. Find an unique piece of art at the invitational teapot show at Cinema Gallery located at 120 W. Main, Urbana.

There will be over 60 teapots by ceramics faculty in Illinois colleges in a wide range of styles and prices.

Support your local Champaign artist and join locals for the All Steamed Up Teapot Show! Click here for location/directions.

**

Are you a first time buyer looking for your perfect home in Champaign, IL? If so, you may wonder what a home appraiser does. Home appraisers are a necessary part of your real estate transaction and it is important to know exactly what the appraiser's responsibilities are.

One of the most common misconception about appraisers is that they work for the home seller. Actually, appraisers are hired to be impartial and provide an accurate "value" to your home in order for lenders to determine if the collateral supports the debt. These same lenders are also putting a lot of pressure on appraisers which result in higher than market value home appraisals.

If you are buying or selling a home it is a good idea to do some research on the role of appraisers and how they effect you.

Below are some quick facts your should know about the appraiser and the process:

•Appraisers are licensed by individual states after completing coursework and internship hours that familiarize them with their real estate markets.

•The lender might use an appraiser on its staff, or contract with an independent appraiser. If you are allowed to choose the appraiser, and it isn't someone the lender is familiar with, the results might be subject to review before they are accepted.

•The appraiser should be an objective third party, someone who has no financial or other connection to any person involved in the transaction.

•The property being appraised is called the subject property.

•You will probably pay for the appraisal when you apply for your loan.

What You'll See on a Residential Appraisal Report

Appraisals are very detailed reports, but here are a few things they include:

•Details about the subject property, along with side-by-side comparisons of three similar properties.

•An evaluation of the overall real estate market in the area.

•Statements about issues the appraiser feels are harmful to the property's value, such as poor access to the property.

•Notations about seriously flawed characteristics, such as a crumbling foundation.

•An estimate of the average sales time for the property.

•What type of area the home is in (a development, stand alone acreage, etc.).

Contact us if you have any advice or experience with home appraisers that you would like to share that might help local homebuyers!

**

Support local Champaign Agriculture programs by coming out to the Illini Farm Toy Show at the Holiday Inn and Convention Center on Sunday, January 8th from 9am - 2pm.

There will be Open Trading, Live Auctions, a Kiddie Tractor Pull and more. There will be great sales and toys for all ages!

The Holiday Inn- Urbana is located at 1001 Killarney Street, Urbana, IL 61801.

Start off the new year right by supporting our local programs, getting some great deals and having fun with the family at this unique event!

**