Blog on Bourbonnais

Residential sales of homes in Kankakee County have slowed in the first half of the 2008 compared to 2007 sales.

The following numbers are from January until the end of June in Kankakee County. 

• 392 Residential Sales in the county.
• Average Days on the Market are 125.
  
• Average selling price was $134,079 which is down 4.6% from the same time frame in 2007.

• Bourbonnais- 103 homes sold averaging $208,599
• Manteno- 22 homes sold averaging $193,767
• Kankakee- 161 homes sold averaging $83,940
• Bradley- 56 homes sold averaging $113,228

Homes that are priced correctly are still moving quickly in this buyers market,  if you need help selling or pricing your home correctly.  As a local real estate agent,  I use my knowledge and expertise of our local market and we also utilize the latest in technology to reach the maximum number of potential home buyers with each one of my clients to achieve a successful home sale. 

The 44th Annual Kankakee County Fair starts July 30-Aug 3 this year.   The fairgrounds are located about one mile south of I-57 @ Exit 308.

Here are the feature events for each day during the fair.

• Wed.- The Extreme Figure 8 School Bus demo derby in the grandstand and it is a Free Event.
  
• Thur.-  The Figure 8 car demo derby starts at 7pm
  
• Fri.- U.S. Lawn Mower Racing 7pm  Free Event in the grandstand.
  
• Sat.- Another Free Event in the Grandstand, I.P.R.A Championship Rodeo at 7pm
• Sun.- Illiana Pullers Assoc. of Truck and Tractor Pulls at Noon and is also a free event.

For complete details and schedule of activities visit www.kankakeefair.org

The Chicago Bears Training Camp is getting ready to start up again on the campus of Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, IL.

Here are some of the special events taking place during training camp.

• Family Night @ ONU- Wed. July 30 A host of activities for all ages will start at 6pm, the Bears practice wiil take place at 7pm with a fireworks show to follow.
  
• Family Night @ Soldier Field - Fri. Aug. 1 The Bears take their practice to Soldier Field, the gates up at 5pm and practice begins at 7pm.
  
• Armed Forces Day Sun. Aug. 10 - A special day dedicated to our armed forces including reserved seating for those who dress in uniform.
  

For complete details on all the special days during training camp, visit the Chicago Bears website or the Bears training camp website for more info!

Come out to the Iroquois County Fair on July 16-21 in Crescent City, IL.  Here are some of the events going on during the Fair.

• Wed. 7/16  Fair Queen Contest- 7pm Grandstands
• Thurs. 7/17  Demolition Derby-  7:30pm Grandstands
• Fri. 7/18  "The Ultimate Johnny Cash Tribute" - Terry Lee Goffee, Tribute Artist  8pm Grandstands
• Sat. 7/19   Figure 8 Demo Derby  7:30pm Grandstands
• Sun. 7/20  ITPA Tractor and Semi Pull
• Mon. 7/21  4H and FFA Livestock Sale  1:30pm Showbarn

For complete details of events and exhibits visit - www.iroquoiscofair.com

The Village of Manteno's Fireworks will take place on Saturday July 5th at dusk. as they have for many years the fireworks show will take place at the Manteno Sportsmen's Club.  which is located at 851 N. Main St. on the north end of town.  The Bakersfield Band is set to perform from 7pm to 12am.

Here is a list from The Daily Journal of some area fireworks shows

The 4th of July is here again and the City of Kankakee will sponsor the Fireworks over the Kankakee River this year on July 4th.  The festivities begin with the gates opening at 3pm.  The Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra will perform at 7pm and the spectacular fireworks display will follow at dusk that evening.  Food Concessions will be available.  Admission is $15 per carload with all proceeds benefiting the Symphony Orchestra.  Hope to see you there!

For More info

Map to Kankakee Community College

Brian Hoots @Speckman Realty, visit my website for all your real estate needs in the Bradley,Bourbonnais and Kankakee, IL Area.

Visit www.815Peony.info for more detailed information on this home!

This Home features an Open Floor plan with cathedral ceilings and a stone fireplace. Kitchen includes upgraded KitchenAid appliances and corian countertops. Large Master Bedrm with trayed ceilings, Master Bath features a walk in shower with dual showerheads, whirlpool tub and dual touchless sink faucets. Basement has 9' walls and a 12'x12' tile bathroom with shower. Enjoy the hot summer days on the 18'x28' deck with hot tub. Driveway and sidewalk to the home is stamped and stained concrete.

Contact Brian Hoots @ Speckman Realty GMAC for more information or to setup a private showing today! (815)405-5253

Brian Hoots @Speckman Realty, visit my website for all your real estate needs in the Bourbonnais, IL Area. 

Visit blueharborvideo.com for more info on Real Estate Video Tours, HomeSites (single property websites), Photo Services and FloorPlans.

Come out to the 33rd Annual Friendship Festival in Bourbonnais this weekend!  Located at the Municpal Center in Bourbonnais.  Here are some of the highlights on Saturday and Sunday..

Saturday

• Kids Fishing Derby  9am
• Jesse White Tumbling Team  7pm
• Fireworks!   10pm

Sunday

• 5K Run and 2mile Walk   8am
• Grand Parade   1pm
• Bean Bag Tournament   3pm

For complete information visit www.bourbonnaisfriendshipfestival.com

Brian Hoots @Speckman Realty, visit my website for all your real estate needs in the Bourbonnais, IL Area.

A fellow AR member Jeff Turner posted about a great tool to easily create panoramic photos.  AutoStitch is an awesome program that could not be easier to use, all you have to do is choose which photos you want to use to create a panoramic photo.   The best part is AutoStitch is free to download.  Here is what I came up with...

I used these three photos in the AutoStitch program and the photo below is the result.

Brian Hoots @Speckman Realty, visit my website for all your real estate needs in the Bourbonnais, IL Area. 

and Visit blueharborvideo.com for more info on Real Estate Video Tours, Property Websites and FloorPlans by Blue Harbor Media.

The City of Kankakee is leading the way using technology to bring WiFi Hotspots that will cover many areas of the city.  The service was designed to attract businesses and vistors to the area by offering an innovative free service that provides WiFi Hotspots to connect to the internet anytime you are in the coverage area.

Visit  http://www.wifikankakee.com/ to request a free account that allows 15 hours of free internet each month.  

 
Here is a map of the covered areas that allow access to WiFi HotSpots.

Contact Brian Hoots @ Speckman Realty for all your real estate needs in the Kankakee Area or Visit www.brianhoots.com to search for a home and more local resources.