We all know how much fun it is to get something new, especially something as substantial as new windows! We also know that an improvement like this in a traditional, single-family home would set the owner back thousands of dollars in labor and materials. In addition, most contractors require up front payment, leaving the homeowner with a HUGE expense to have to come up with. Not Cedarwood! Cedarwood Cooperative in Park Forest, Illinois does business much differently! They offer their members a chance to replace their old windows with new, energy efficient ones with NO UPFRONT COST! You heard right. Cedarwood members who elect to have their windows upgraded are placed on a 10 year, interest-free, low-cost, payment plan. And what's even better is that members aren't responsible for paying for the labor to install the windows! The only thing the members pay for is the cost of the materials (windows). The average cost is roughly $25 - $35 per month. That's cheaper than many people's coffee budget! This cost-sharing program has helped hundreds of members afford to improve their homes at a fraction of the cost. But what are the benefits of replacing old windows? Lots! Improve the Appearance of Your Home New windows, especially the white, vinyl windows most often chosen by Cedarwood Members, add a clean, bright look to every cooperative. As with any exterior improvement, new windows enhance a home's curb appeal. With the contrasting red brick and crisp, white windows, upgraded co-op's have an increased charm and a polished look. Save Money on Utilities Members who already had their windows replaced have reported significant savings on their gas and electricity bills. Old windows tend to warp and wither from years of contracting and expanding with the seasons. This damages the window's seal, allowing drafts and air leaks into the home. New windows create a firm seal, preventing air from passing in and out. This, in turn, keeps utility bills lower by holding heat inside during the winter and cool air inside during the summer. Less leak means more money savings! Increase the Resale Value of Your Home Previous members, who had new windows installed, also reported an increase in the dollar value of their home when it came time to sell. Even better is that the cost-sharing payment plan is completely transferable to the new incoming member. This ensures the selling member is not "on-the-hook" for any unpaid balances upon move-out. As you can see, the benefits of replacing old co-op windows far outweighs any cost to have them replaced. A simple phone call to the office is all it takes to begin the process. When you're ready to replace your windows, call the Cedarwood office at 708-747-3833 for full details. At a mere cost of only $25-35 per month, this may be one of the best investments you make for your housing cooperative!

Most Cedarwood Cooperative residents stay with us for decades because of the incredible value of co-op membership and the ideal location of Park Forest. But for the few that do decide to sell their units, we love to encourage the following to ensure they can efficiently move on to the next chapter in their lives and we can welcome a new member into our community. Tip #1 - Clean and Declutter There is no bigger turn off to prospective buyers than a messy, or worse, dirty home! Considering you are already in the "moving" stage, it is a great idea to go through the items in your home, choosing to discard, donate or pack up items you don't regularly use. Consider it an opportunity to start fresh, while still in your old space. Take your time, start slow, but get started. Choose a drawer a day or a room a week and remove all excess. This will not only help you when moving day arrives, but it will also help showcase the beauty of a tidy home to all those who walk through interested in buying. Tip #2 - Touch Ups Years of living in the same place can take a toll on the walls, floors and ceilings. Dents, bruises, scratches and bumps can bring down the look of a unit fast, making it look aged and unkempt. A simple wash down of the walls can significantly improve the look of the walls and will likely also reveal spots that need a little touch up. Use this opportunity to pull unnecessary nails from the walls, fill in small holes with wall putty and touch up the paint if needed. Just this little effort will go a long way for getting your home sold even faster! Tip #3 - Consider A Fresh Coat of Paint Consider hiring a professional painter to paint the walls inside your co-op. Of course you could do this yourself, but a professional will already have the equipment, time and knowledge to get it done better in half the time. Remember to choose neutral walls (white preferably) so your personal style doesn't get into the way of prospective buyers seeing themselves in your unit. For a small up front investment, prospective buyers will be more likely to consider your home over another one and willing to pay more for your coop. Tip #4 - A Friendly Face Some of us forget just how important a friendly face and great customer service really is. Your appearance and disposition while showing your home can be the difference between someone saying "yes" or "no" to buying your home. Considering the fact that all of the housing cooperatives at Cedarwood have generally the same layout, flooring and structure, your smile and pleasant conversation could be just the thing that convinces a buyer to want to move into your place; not your neighbors. If first impressions last the longest, make yours the best it can be with the above tips for selling your home fast. Not a Cedarwood resident yet? Planning on selling your home and looking for a new one? Give Cedarwood Cooperative a call today at 708-747-3833 to explore our unique alternative to home ownership and schedule a time to take a look at our available units!

Welcome back to part 2 of common real estate terms used in the home buying process. Review Part 1 here. At Cedarwood Cooperative, we encourage responsible, educated home ownership. We want you to understand the entire process from viewing available homes to learning about types of home ownership to securing financing. While the following terms aren't always used when buying into a housing cooperative membership, they are all used during the decision making process for which type of home ownership you'd like to pursue. Hopefully, familiarizing yourself with the terms and concepts below (and in part 1 of this blog), will assist you during the process. When you are ready to enjoy the benefits of home ownership without the hassle of having to maintain a home, call us at 708-747-3833 to explore how our housing cooperative works! Common Real Estate Terms General Real Estate Tax A tax that is made up of the taxes levied on the real estate by government agencies and municipalities. Habitability A property that is suitable for living in or on. Income Property Property held for current income as well as potential profit upon its sale. Inflation The gradual reduction of the purchasing power of the dollar, usually related directly to the increases in the money supply by the federal government. Interest A charge made by a lender for the use of money. Investment Money directed toward the purchase, improvement, and development of an asset in expectation of income or profit. Listing Agreement A contract made between an owner and a real estate broker to employ a real estate agent to sell the owner's home. In exchange for the realtor's services, a commission equal to an agreed upon percentage of the home sale is paid. Market Value The most probable price property would bring in under normal conditions on the open market. Operating Budget A guide of the property's financial performance in the present and future. Also, a tool used in any business, including the management of Cedarwood Cooperative. Personal Property Items that do not fit into the definition of real property; moveable objects. Real Property The interests, benefits, and rights inherent in real estate ownership. Routine Maintenance Day-to-day duties such as cleaning common areas, performing minor carpentry and plumbing adjustments, and providing regularly scheduled upkeep of heating, air-conditioning, and landscaping. (Something Cedarwood Cooperative does for its Members.) Security Deposit A payment by a tenant, held by the landlord during the lease term, and kept (wholly or partially) on default, or on destruction of the premises by the tenant. Town House A type of residential dwelling with two floors that is connected to one or more dwellings by a common wall or walls. Title to the unit and lot vests in the owner who shares a fractional interest with other owners for the common areas. Zoning A regulatory tool that helps communities regulate and control how land is used. This is not an exhaustive list and should be explored in more detail prior to making any commitments. These terms have been provided by reference from the book Modern Real Estate Practice by Galaty, Allaway, and Kyle (18th edition).

Deciding to buy a home can be exciting, confusing and frustrating but most of all, a learning experience. Determining which type of home is right for you can be your first step. Do you want a single family home, town-home or condo? Are you even ready to buy or should you stick with renting for a few more years? Have you ever considered a housing cooperative? What does escrow mean? How much money will you need up front? We cover a lot of the questions you might have in our article "What is a Co-op?" and we, at Cedarwood Housing Cooperative, are happy to discuss any questions you may have. Please stop by or give us a call to discuss more. Our Housing co-op offers the benefits of home ownership without the hassle of having to maintain a home. Interested? Call us today at 708-747-3833. Common Real Estate Terms Explore additional real estate terms in part 2. Addendum Any provision added to an existing contract without adjusting the original contract. Agent One who acts or has the power to act for another. A licensed real estate broker is a common agent during the home buying process. Amortized loan A loan in which the principle and interest are both payable in monthly (or some other periodic) installments over the term of the loan. Annual Percentage Rate The relationship of the total finance charges associated with a loan. This must be disclosed to borrowers by lenders under the "Truth in Lending Act". Appraisal An estimate of the value of the property; what the property has been deemed worth. Breach of Contract Violation of any terms or conditions in a contract without legal excuse. Example: failure to make payment when it's due. Civil Rights Act of 1866 An act that prohibits racial discrimination in the sale and rental of housing. Closing An event that indicates the transaction has been completed. The exchange of money for property, with all legal documents being signed by all parties. Collateral Something having value that is given to secure repayment of a debt. Cooperative A residential multi-unit building whose title is held by a trust or corporation that is owned by and operated for the benefit of the people living within the building who are the beneficial owners of the trust or shareholders of the corporation, each possessing a proprietary lease. Counteroffer A new offer made in response to an offer received. It has the effect of rejecting the original offer, which cannot be accepted thereafter unless revived by the offeror. Equity The interest of value that an owner has in property over and above any indebtedness. Escrow The closing of a transaction through a third party called an escrow agent, who receives certain funds and documents to be delivered upon the performance of certain conditions outlined in the escrow instructions. Fixture An item of personal property that has been converted to real property by being permanently affixed to the property. Example, a ceiling fan. This list continues in part 2 and is not an exhaustive list. These terms should be explored in more detail prior to making any commitments. Big thanks to the authors of MODERN REAL ESTATE PRACTICE 18th Edition: Fillmore W. Galaty, Wellington J. Allaway and Robert C. Kyle for the above definitions.

You've completed the application, secured financing, signed all the required documents and are now ready to move into a co-op at Cedarwood! How exciting...until you remember you have to pack and move all your stuff! Eekk! No worries! We've put together a few tips that will make moving day much easier for you. Remember to get started early, however, because you won't want to tackle all of these the day you rent the moving truck. Being proactive will significantly reduce the time it takes and stress it creates the day you relocate. Read on for some great ideas! Tip #1 - Declutter, Discard & Donate As soon as you begin looking for another home to move to, you may want to examine your current clutter. Many times, there are things that we've held onto that no longer serve a purpose. There's no sense in moving to your next home with those things so begin to carefully look through your closets, bedrooms, basement and garage to see what you can donate to charity or simply through out in the trash. Depending on how much you have, this process could take months to complete so start early! You'll be happy you did on moving day! Tip #2 - Pack an "Open First" Box Consider this box to contain all the things you would need to bring if you were staying at a hotel with a tiny kitchenette for a week. Put all your essentials in there and possibly important documents in case you need them. Store a plate, bowl, cup and kitchen utensils so you can eat without fretting about which box you put the spoons in! Don't forget soap, shampoo & conditioner, and changes of clothing for the next few days. After a long day of moving, you'll be happy that you can go to that one box for all your needs, including shower supplies and pajamas! Tip #3 - Mark Every Box Many of us start packing our house in an organized fashion; marking each box with the room it came from. Many of us also begin to toss everything and anything into an unlabeled box near the end just to be done with the chore of packing. Fight the urge to get messy and make sure you label each box clearly. If you have to label it "some bathroom, some kids room, some hallway" so be it. At least it is marked and it's not the mystery box that finds it way into the basement for years to come, unopened. Following these few tips are sure to bring you more peace on moving day. Plus, people you've enlisted to help you move will also appreciate how organized and efficient moving you was. Are you ready to explore a whole new concept of living? Our housing cooperatives are a great way to take advantage of owning a home without the added stress and financial burden of typical home ownership. Visit our Park Forest, Illinois office today to discuss how Cedarwood Cooperative could become your next move!

Park Forest is located in the south suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, an ideal location for getting around to all the Chicagoland attractions. Sometimes, however, staying close to home can be the best option! We discovered 5 fun things to do this fall near Park Forest that you may have never tried, but are surely missing out on! 1. Trick-or-Treating in the Village Local businesses set up tables and open their doors to trick-or-treaters every Halloween for hours of candy collection and fun! Parents can enjoy learning what new local offerings are available in town while the kids get to show off their costumes and ask for treats. The Village of Park Forest also hosts an annual costume contest with winners at every age level. If you haven't taken the family out for a Halloween night on the town in Park Forest, you're missing out. Visit the Village for hours and more details. 2. Annual Fall Festival at Somonauk Park Join residents of Park Forest for the annual Fall Festival in late October. Sponsored by the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board, this festival offers tons of fun activities for children: hayrides, pumpkin decorating, games, and more. Kids of all ages can participate in trunk-or-treating, stories by the bon-fire and smores making! For more details, visit the Village website. 3. Crete Pumpkin Fest Just a short drive southeast is the little town of Crete, Illinois. During the first full weekend of October, residents of Park Forest and surrounding towns are invited to enjoy the festivities at the Crete Pumpkin Fest. Featured activities include: craft show & farmer's market, zipline down Main St., exotic animal exhibit, inflatable bounce houses, carnival games, great pumpkin competition, scarecrow competition, live entertainment, and a pumpkin pie eating contest! 4. Annual Flossmoor Brew Fest This event offers a fun opportunity to hang out with friends in the next town over from Park Forest. Spotlighting breweries in the South Suburbs of Chicago, the Flossmoor Brew Fest offers ticket holders a chance to try different brews from multiple breweries in one central location. One ticket provides you with a chance to sample up to 20 selections and your very own sample cup! If you don't like beer, they also have hard cider as an option. 5. Fall Family Fun Day in Frankfort This event offers families yet another opportunity to show off their costumes, stock up on Halloween candy, and paint pumpkins! Kids can even sign up to make a habitat for a Chubby frog or a tarantula for a small fee, while learning all about their new pet! With a day full of workshops and shopping, this fall fest is a must attend event. Do you know of another fun thing to do during the fall near Park Forest? Contact us to let us know and we might just feature it on our blog! Cedarwood Cooperative is the premier housing cooperative in the Park Forest area, close to all the attractions above. Surrounded by a large forest preserve, Members of Cedarwood Co-op can enjoy the sights and sounds of nature year-round by strolling the trails just outside their backdoor. With low monthly fees, spacious interiors and an excellent team of maintenance professionals ready to handle any of your repairs, it's time you call for a tour 708-747-3833 today.

Let's face it, in the 1940's when these housing cooperatives were built, big bathrooms were not all the rage. A modest sized washroom was all that was needed to accommodate the returning war veterans and their families. In today's magazine-worthy climate, however, it seems the bigger the better. While we can't increase the space of our bathrooms here at the co-op, what we can show you is how to maximize your bathroom space so you get the same function and beauty as those fancy Cosmo bath suites for a fraction of the cost! Then, sit back a fall in love with your cute, quaint co-op bathroom. BUILD UP THE WALL Many of us think about surface level storage, but building up a wall will dramatically increase the capacity of storage in a small bathroom. The example below shows a shelf hung above a clock and a towel rack which also doubles as a caddie-holder for shower supplies. When done neatly, this design technique can add tons of interest and functionality to your co-op bathroom for pennies on the dollar! INSTALL NEW CABINET AND VANITY Rethink your bathroom cabinet and vanity. Does your bathroom have a flat mirror and a pedestal sink? While that may appear to give you more space in a small bathroom, what it doesn't give you is storage for things you don't want everyone to see. Choose instead a slim, sleek designed cabinet and vanity set that offers both storage and a low profile. Make sure you fill out an "Alter of Dwelling" form beforehand as this one is considered a more substantial change, requiring consideration from management. PORTABLE SHELVING Whether you choose an open shelved unit like the one shown in the image below or an enclosed one, a small, portable cabinet can fit into the crevices of your bathroom, giving you storage right at your fingertips. If your lucky, you can even find a shelving unit to fit snugly into a corner, maximizing space even more! MOVE ITEMS TO THE WALL From a bar of soap to a toothbrush and floss, having small items around your sink can make a space look cluttered and closed in. Clean it up with hanging organizers as shown in the image below. Carefully install (or ask our maintenance guys do it) a hanging soap dish and toothbrush holder to have regularly used items at your fingertips, but not crowding your space. TRANSFORM THE INSIDE OF YOUR VANITY Use small organizers on the inside of your vanity to increase storage space and bathroom function. These small, stick-on organizers make a great addition to that new upper vanity you recently had installed due to the excellent advice from...well you know who... (image courtesy of Plitt Original Design Systems) Now you have the tools to maximize your bathroom space. Whether you choose one idea or them all, we would LOVE to see what you've done with your co-op bathroom. Send us an email or post your pics on Facebook.

Picture it...today is the Fourth of July, it's 80­­° outside, the barbecue is smoking and you are surrounded by friends and family. You may or may not have had a few beers while enjoying a day off of work to celebrate America's freedom. As night falls, the kids get the idea to light off a few fireworks. As the head person in charge, you decide to take responsibility of the night's light show. First firecracker goes off without a glitch, then the second and the third. You are on a roll until you get to the fourth. That fourth one is defective, but not the 'it won't light' defective, no, this is the 'faulty construction' defective that blows up on your hand as soon as you introduce a flame to the wick. Now what? A trip to the hospital, potential recovery time off of work, a lengthy hospital bill and restricted use of your hand moving forward. Was it really worth it? As much as we may like to enjoy a personal display of fireworks in our backyard, the risk outweighs the reward. According to the National Fire Prevention Association, "Fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires per year, including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and 16,900 outside and other fires. These fires caused an average of three deaths, 40 civilian injuries, and an average of $43 million in direct property damage." As a member of Cedarwood Housing Cooperative, fireworks are not only a bad idea, they are against the community bylaws. If caught setting off any type of fireworks, Members run the risk of hefty fines and possible eviction. Management does not tolerate any firework displays as this behavior presents serious risk of bodily danger and personal property damage. Your health and your personal investment into your home is their top priority so understand these laws are well-founded. But don't worry! You can still have a great time on the 4th of July by heading to downtown Park Forest and watching the firework display put on by licensed professionals. In fact, head down to the Village Green around 6pm when all the festivities begin and please, have a safe, happy holiday! 2019 Park Forest 4th of July Schedule: Parade at 6pm The July 4th parade route will start at Main St. and Orchard. The parade route provides plenty of opportunity for viewing, as the parade winds its way around Central Park--Orchard to Westwood, Westwood to Lakewood and Lakewood back to Orchard. Concert - 7pm-9pm FREE concert by BBI on our main stage on the Village Green (Main St. & Cunningham Dr.). BBI lays down the classics from Motown, R & B, rock and roll, to current dance hits! Fireworks - 9:15pm After the concert on the Village Green (Main St. and Cunningham Dr.), turn your chairs around and enjoy the 15 minute fireworks display. Fireworks will be launched from Central Park.

Park Forest has been getting lots of heavy rain. While this water is great for brightening up the grass, trees and flowers, it can be problematic for low land areas. When the land is saturated with water, like it is right now, keeping our basements dry can be difficult. Homes all over naturally begin to develop tiny cracks in the foundation from the constant exposure to water. Water, being a powerful force to recon with, must be diverted away from our homes and we must take steps to preventing water from sitting stagnant anywhere near a structure. Cedarwood Housing Cooperative is no exception. Built in the 1940's, our homes have had plenty of time to develop little tiny cracks, which maintenance has done an exceptional job at repairing. But over time, water can still find its way inside. This is where each Member comes in. As a housing co-op, we encourage our Members to take pride in the maintenance of their homes. We ask that each Member do their part in preventing stagnant water from settling in or our around their homes. If water does creep inside the basement, we also ask each Member to mark the location of the leak with a piece of tape and contact the office immediately so it can be sealed properly by maintenance. Our #1 goal is to ensure these buildings last for many generations to come and we appreciate your cooperation in helping us achieve our goal. Here are simple ways that you, as a Housing Cooperative Member, can help prevent all this rain water from leaking into your home: Clean out debris from the window wells regularly. Once in the spring and once in the fall should be sufficient in keeping organic material from collecting and decomposing inside your window well. Do not store anything in the window wells. Never step inside the window wells. Wells are not engineered to handle the stress of body weight. Always perform cleaning from outside the well. Purchase a window well cover from your local hardware store. Covering the window well, after cleaning it out completely, can prevent large amounts of rain from flooding the well. It will also prevent leaves, sticks and other lawn debris from collecting down in the well. Inspect and clear your downspouts regularly. Debris can build up in a downspout, preventing the water from moving away from your home effectively. Clear out debris regularly. Also, if a downspout deposits water onto a downward sloping area of your property, contact the office to request maintenance to look at it. It may require an extension that can divert the water farther away from your home, preventing it from settling next to your home's foundation. Ensure your water spigot is turned off after every use. A dripping spigot can lead to a big problem. Always ensure it's tightened completely. That's it! If you follow these guidelines, all this rain should bring you nothing more than a beautiful lawn; not a wet basement! Again, if your co-op develops water in the basement, mark the leak with a piece of tape and contact the office to repair. Have any additional ideas on preventing water from coming into your home? Give us a call so we can add them to our list!

Relaxing in your co-op living room while watching birds feed out of your feeder can be a very rewarding experience. Many people question what species the birds are so they may be easily named as they arrive. Below, we have listed the top 5 birds you are likely to find feasting on your Cedarwood Co-op feeder and their favorite foods so you can provide, if you wish, exactly what they want. AMERICAN GOLDFINCH These beautiful little rays of sunshine will brighten up any co-op backyard from late spring to early fall. After that, they typically migrate to the southern states. Fun to watch flying around, if you don't see them mid flight, look around for a thistle plant, as their favorite food source, you're sure to see one perched. Feeding: Feeders with tiny holes, containing thistle seeds, cannot be enjoyed by birds much larger than the Goldfinch. Their tiny little beaks are perfect for the occasion. Fill up a feeder with thistle, then sit back and enjoy! NORTHERN CARDINAL This strikingly beautiful bird is one of the most recognizable birds in all of Northern Illinois. Many children refer to them as "red birds" and will stop in awe as they see one fly past. For the most part, Cardinals will not migrate away from this area during the winter, therefore, they can make for excellent entertainment on a cold, white, winter day if food is provided. Feeding: Cardinals love sunflower seeds but can make quite a mess. They crack open each seed, leaving the shell behind on your lawn. To reduce the mess, you can purchase shelled seeds, however, they are a bit more expensive. BLUE JAY Another iconic, easily-recognizable bird is the Blue Jay. Although a beauty to see anywhere, anytime, they are aggressive birds that will drive away other birds quickly. They prefer acorns and if none are found in the area, you probably won't find them near your housing cooperative, even if you leave food out for them. Feeding: Blue Jays enjoy sunflower seeds, peanuts and cracked corn. BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE "A permanent resident across the northern U.S. and in parts of the Appalachian Mountains, Black-capped Chickadees are energetic little birds that prefer mixed, open woods and forest edges. Easy to identify by their white cheeks sandwiched between a black cap and chin, chickadees also live in suburban environments and are popular feeder visitors, where they can readily be identified by quick bursts of their namesake call: chick-a-dee-dee-dee." (source) Feeding: Chickadees love sunflower seeds, peanuts and suet and will fight all day for their turn at the feeder. Favoring a strict pecking order, only one Chickadee is allowed to snatch up a seed at a time and if the alpha is present, all others must wait their turn. Chickadees can quickly empty your feeder as they will remove many seeds at once, stash them elsewhere, and come back for more until the supply is gone, but they sure are fun to watch! DOWNY WOODPECKER Although more elusive than it's other feathered counterparts, the Downy Woodpecker can be seen throughout Illinois feasting on insect beds inside the cracks of trees. "The downy is the smallest and most abundant woodpecker we have, occurring across the U.S. year-round, save for the arid Southwest. Easy to attract to your yard with a suet feeder, Downy Woodpeckers can be found in a variety of habitats, from deep woods to urban parks and backyards." (source) Feeding: Woodpeckers prefer a good chunk of suet, but will also nibble on peanut feeders as well. Do you have a feeder/bird combination that you have found successful at Cedarwood Cooperative? Contact us to let us know and we'll happily add it to this list!