We will keep this information in mind as we work with our customers

I think that now might be a great time to think about picking up some land.....The government just gave potential home buyers and investors a very visible bottom - by taking over Freddie and Fannie on Sunday. Rates just dropped a whopping 3/8 of a percent today to about 5 7/8's. If rates stay low (and they may drop more) - home and land prices should not only stabilize - they should start moving up again at some point - as more buyers flow into the market.

Rick Hauser, ABR GRI Broker/Owner
Relocation Advisors Group Inc. - An Exclusive Buyer Brokerage
Specialists for Home Buyers and Investors
member: NAEBA, National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (http://www.naeba.org)

Each of the areas you list are too unique to appeal to the same buyer. Who are you building your spec homes for? If you want truly affluent buyers, Lake Bluff is good close to the lake but property decreases significantly in price and quality as you head west from the lake. Lake Forest is a solid bet but land is pricey everywhere and property taxes are high. Mettawa doesn't have too many large land parcels left for development and those that exist aren't cheap and/or have wetland issues. You need to identify what type of house you are building, who your buyer would be, and in what community those two factors are most frequently found. You need to get a feel for these markets yourself if you want to be successful.

Where did you obtain the information about Northfield being in a floodplain? People I know who built in Northfield did not have any water in the lower levels during the large August storm we had on the North Shore. Deerfield does have traffic problems along Lake Cook Road, but Lake Cook Road doesn't really have anything to do with the inner portions of the community. Lake Forest and Lake Bluff are far from the city and that is one thing that affects the desirability of the communities, but many people still make that sacrafice to purchase an expensive home in those communities. Did you understand the question?

Northfield is on a floodplain & major flight path to O'Hare airport. Deerfield has major traffic issues east to west during rush hour times. Lake Forest & Lake Bluff are very far north from city (an extra 15-25 minutes past highland park) up rt 41 which has major traffic at rush hour...... Mettawa is......horse country? we're talking north & west ie off rt 60 & st mary's rd almost hawthorn woods....Highland Park & Glencoe has high
bluffs down to lake michigan beach...........