from the team of real estate experts at Sharon Harkness Inc.

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2401 Arden, Champaign, Illinois

Now and then a home comes on the market that offers lots and lots of space. This home has it. Not only is the location very convenient–right off of west Kirby near Centennial Park and High School and Jefferson Middle School.–but it is spacious enough for most Champaign home buyers who are needing space. There are four bedrooms and two baths and an open floor plan.

Arden outside

The home is situated on a large corner lot in a well-established neighborhood.

Ardem LR

The living area has large windows which flood the room with natural light.

Arden dining 2

The dining room which offers access to the deck – perfect for outdoor living.

Arden kitch

The fully-applianced kitchen with ceramic tile flooring offers an abundance of storage and counter space. Wood laminate flooring is found throughout bedrooms and living spaces. Oversized separate laundry room with shelving offers lots of storage.

Arden lower

Lower level with wall of built-in storage features plenty of space for a family room, rec are, office and more!

Posted by  |  June 14, 2013 | Categories: Champaign Urbana Real Estate | Tags: , , , | Leave A Comment »

Mata Ortiz Pottery at Cinema Gallery

Coming June 26- August 17 there will be a display of Mata Ortiz pottery at the Cinema Gallery on Main in Urbana. A variety of this work from Chihuahua, Mexico will be shown and offered for sale. Pots will range from 2″ to 20″ and from deep black to bright tones. All pieces are signed works from the home workshops of the tiny village of Mata Ortiz. Watch for details of the show.

IMG_8308

One of the hand painted Mata Ortiz pots to be shown

at the Cinema Gallery in downtown Urbana .

Posted by  |  May 23, 2013 | Categories: Events around CU | Tags: , , | Leave A Comment »

Biggby Coffee on Mattis

There is a new coffee house out west in Champaign. Its another Biggby- the first was at MarketPlace Mall.

Bigby Ext

They had guys out on the street the past few days waving placards (a job I always wanted to try like for a day or so.

Bigby sign

I ventured in to try the brew and it is decent. Also the space inside is not at all crowded- a welcome change from some of the other java places around CU.

Anyone been there? Your opinion?

Posted by  |  May 23, 2013 | Categories: Champaign Urbana Restaurants | Tags: , | Leave A Comment »

The “Echo Boom” Generation in Champaign Urbana

Who are echo boomers?

They are 18- 35 years old and there are some 103 million of them who have come of age during one of the biggest housing downturns in history- and a downturn that has been painstakingly slow to get back to “normal”. They have been characterized as the “me, me, me” crowd that lives with their parents and spends hours snapping pics of them selves and throwing them onto facebook and twitter.

This narcissistic horde is also an important part of the Champaign Urbana scene- increasingly so in the last 20 years as new job opportunities have opened up in CU. Good evidence of this is the resurgence of downtown Champaign and the thriving CU music scene.

Condos like this for sale in Champaign are often exactly what the echo boomers are seeking in real estate.

Condos like this for sale in Champaign are often exactly what the echo boomers are seeking in real estate.

Will echo boomers buy real estate?

In a recent article on this topic, RIS Media gives a resounding “YES” and this could have huge implications for the emerging Chamapign Urbana Real Estate market. Here are some ideas from the RIS Media analysis:

  • According to recently released national survey findings from Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, 75 percent of echo boomers surveyed believe owning a home is a fundamental indicator of success.
  • Those same respondents also believe they are more informed about home ownership than previous generations of buyers.
  • More than three-quarters (77 percent) of the next generation of American homeowners surveyed believe they have become increasingly knowledgeable about home ownership due to increased media coverage on real estate topics in the wake of the housing crisis.

With these changes in perspective and a healthy amount of homes for sale in Champaign Urbana, this demographic can make a huge difference over the next few months. Consider also that the good supply of lofts and upper story condos for sale in downtown Champaign offer desirable options for this market.

Posted by  |  May 17, 2013 | Categories: Champaign Urbana Real Estate, Homes for sale, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , | Leave A Comment »

Champaign County Real Estate

The market looks better and better for homes like this one for sale in Urbana.

The market looks better and better for homes like this one for sale in Urbana.

Real Estate Scene Looks Brighter

The Champaign County Association of Realtors reports that the real estate market in Champaign Urbana looks better and better. Association President Todd Salen made some comments quoted in a recent News Gazette article that give a very encouraging picture for the Champaign Urbana Market:

  • Median prices for homes is up from one year ago
  • Housing starts are up as well
  • The number of pending sales are 41 higher for April compared to a year ago
  • The forecast for the next two months is an expanding real estate market
  • Total value of homes sold so far this year is higher than a year ago
  • The job market in Champaign County is getting stronger

Salen also pointed out that the “echo boom” generation (an important part of the CU demography) are starting to invest in real estate.

So the indicators say this is a good time to list your home for sale…and it is a good time to buy as well.

Posted by  |  May 16, 2013 | Categories: Champaign Urbana Real Estate, Homes for sale, Uncategorized | Tags: , , | Leave A Comment »

The Assembly Hall- Goodbye and Hello

The Assembly Hall...one of the truly unique facilities on the U of I campus now has a new name...State Farm Center.

The Assembly Hall…one of the truly unique facilities on the U of I campus now has a new name…State Farm Center.

The News Gazette this morning carried the news- a new name and sponsorship and a bright future for the iconic University of Illinois facility. State Farm has stepped up to the sponsorship plate and contributed to the old girl to assure that it will be renovated and maintained for years to come. There has been talk of The Hall being torn down and replaced over the past few years but thanks to our good neighbors to the west, it will remain.

Phylis Wise had some very sagacious words as usual: “The intent is to build a place like no other, where the community can assemble and, at the same time, preserve the architectural and academic heritage while renewing and rejuvenating it for future generations. It is our academic center, our athletic center, our cultural center, our community center and now it’s the State Farm Center.”

One other note: Tate and his cohort have won many awards over the years for their excellent work on the sports page. But I thought the headline for the Assembly Hall story should win special recognition in the “Oh my” pun category. Who says we don’t live in the heart of corn country!

Thanks once more to Tate and crew for blessing us with this headline.

Thanks once more to Tate and crew for blessing us with this headline.

Posted by  |  April 30, 2013 | Categories: Events around CU, U of I | Tags: , , | Leave A Comment »

Illinois Marathon Results

Well it was quite a perfect race day in Champaign Urbana and all went perfectly for the Christie Clinic Marathon.  Some ran for fun. Some were serious as this is a good opportunity to qualify for other marathons including the Boston Marathon.

The fifth annual Illinois Marathon went off without a hitch.

The fifth annual Illinois Marathon went off without a hitch.

For all the results see the Illinois Marathon site.

And…remember to save the date! Next year’s dates are April 24–26, 2014.

Posted by  |  April 29, 2013 | Categories: Events around CU | Tags: , | Leave A Comment »

Illinois Gardens- Happy Spring!

So it finally happened. This morning the sun came up clear and strong. There was no frost. It warmed up quickly. No rain (or snow) is forecast for today. Lets call it SPRING!

The blossoms are our all over town this morning and here are some caught in the Clark Park area of Champaign. Clark Park is one of those vintage areas with an abundance of well tended flower beds and gardens.

Violets are the state flower of Illinois and they grow in almost every lawn- a delightful weed.

Violets are the state flower of Illinois and they grow in almost every lawn- a delightful weed.

 

The tulips are in full swing now. Just remember to feed and care for them if you want them to bloom next year.

The tulips are in full swing now. Just remember to feed and care for them if you want them to bloom next year.

These pink dogwood are just opening.

These pink dogwood are just opening.

 

Posted by  |  April 29, 2013 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , | Leave A Comment »

Illinois Marathon Route

You want to be aware tomorrow that the Illinois Marathon might interrupt your driving for a bit in places all over Champaign Urbana. Notice the signs around town today on the route and take note that there will be delays tomorrow.

Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon

Here is the Illinois Marathon route map and you can get a better image of it at http://illinoismarathon.com/pdf/map_marathon.pdf

MarathonRoute

Posted by  |  April 26, 2013 | Categories: Events around CU | Tags: | Leave A Comment »

Illinois Marathon Security

Things will be a bit different at this years Illinois Marathon due to increased security in the shadow of the Boston Marathon bombing. There will be more police presence of course, but the biggest difference will be at the finish line in Memorial Stadium. Basically race officials are just going to enforce the standing rule that non-race people can’t go on the field and close to the finish line.

Here is a quote from WILL Radio:

Rick Atterberry of the Champaign County Emergency Management Agency says runners can meet up with family and friends at a nearby area, but not on the finish line.

And when their runner is done with maybe taking a photo down on the field with somebody else they’ve been running with, and picking up their belongings and grabbing refreshment, something to drink, a little something to eat, then they can meet up with their loved ones, their friends,” said Atterberry.

Atterberry said the rule barring spectators from meeting runners at the finish line was not new, but had been poorly enforced in the past. He says that out of caution in light of the Boston Marathon attack, the rule will now be more strictly enforced.

The Illinois Marathon finish line will be on the field at the University of Illinois Memorial Stadium, and runners can meet with spectators on the east side of the stadium.

The west side will be reserved for bag pickup — where runners pick up their bags of clothing and personal items that they dropped off at the starting line. That spot will also be closed to spectators — and only official Illinois Marathon bags will be permitted.

So be warned that sneaking on the field for pics or whatever will not be tolerated.

Have a great race!

The finish of the Illinois Marathon in Memorial Stadium- courtesy Body N Sole Sports,

The finish of the Illinois Marathon in Memorial Stadium- courtesy Body N Sole Sports.

Posted by  |  April 25, 2013 | Categories: Uncategorized | Leave A Comment »

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