Halloween Display at Naperville Luxury Home Attracts National Attention

Halloween Display at  Naperville Luxury Home Attracts National Attention

A Naperville luxury home is attracting thousands of viewers and has even gone viral online.

The front yard of south Naperville resident, 60-year old Nick Thomas, has become a YouTube sensation because of the light show he set up that is synchronized to music. 

Filled with lots of Halloween displays, dozens of skeletons, ghosts, and goblins, his entire Halloween display contains a total of 750 items.

The online videos of his light shows have even reached the attention of the artists like Fall Out Boy and The Kongos. 

It took Thomas an entire month to set up his Halloween display and light show, which according to him, was worth it because it warms his heart to see all the children enjoying it. 

Thomas has been putting up Halloween displays in the front yard of his Naperville luxury home for 20 years but it was only recently that he started using elaborate light shows that are synchronized to music. His Halloween display and light show last for an entire month and attract thousands of viewers (both actual and online).

Because of the volume of people coming to see Thomas’ display, their cul-de-sac is blocked and they get help from a police officer for traffic control. He estimates around 5,000 people come to his house every Halloween because last year, they used a counter for the kids and counted a total of 2,855 children, plus an estimate of 2 parents each.

The front yard of their 2-story Naperville home is filled with lots of coffins, figurines, pumpkins, and fake tombstones with funny epitaphs that aren’t too gory to keep a family-friendly vibe.

The genius behind the synchronized lighting display is his neighbor’s 25-year old son, Steve Jandick. It takes Jandick 40 hours to program the lights to one song. By now, there are 32 songs.  You can watch one of Jandick's own recordings of the display on his YouTube Channel: Halloween Light Show 2014, This Is Halloween, Thomas Halloween Naperville

The Thomas home has been featured on TV shows like Good Morning America and talked about in major newspapers like the Chicago Tribune, The New York Times and more. 

The neighbors don’t seem to mind the inconvenience of having thousands of cars around every October.  According to his neighbor, Jim Jandick, the thousands of cars become a minor inconvenience when you see the smiles on the children’s faces. 

Some people have offered him money to help pay for the Halloween display, but Thomas doesn’t accept any donations. Although this  year, they decided to raise funds for a charity. People can make donations by dropping money in a metal box near the Halloween display. The donations will go to a non-profit organization that supports children with Down's Syndrome and their families. 

This year, there are plenty of new things added to the display like a fortune teller, a guy in a cage, and a werewolf. 

Passersby are always amazed at his jaw-dropping display and even come back with their children or grandchildren. 

If you want to watch the light show at this Naperville luxury home, it starts at 6:00PM and ends at 9:30PM every weekday and at 10:30PM on weekends. The lights then stay on until midnight. 

If you’re looking for a trusted REALTOR® to help you find the best Naperville luxury home for sale, or for any real-estate related concerns, call Teresa Ryan at630-276-7575. Teresa Ryan is the owner/broker of Ryan Hill Realty

7 Staging Tips to Make Your Naperville Luxury Home Tour Memorable

7 Staging Tips to Make Your Naperville Luxury Home Tour Memorable

Make Your Naperville Luxury Home Stand Out With These Top Staging Tips From A Luxury Real Estate Expert

Staging your Naperville luxury home for sale is essential if you want it to stand apart from the competition.

Your Naperville luxury home for sale is unique in many ways -- I don’t doubt that you would have customized, refurbished, built-in, and expanded many features throughout the home.  Staging a home such as yours requires a higher level of presentation.

Here are the top luxury home staging tips you could do for your Naperville luxury home for sale:

Glamorize your curb appeal.

As a luxury homeowner, your property is almost certainly professionally landscaped.  Still, you can add features to make it really stand out.  Whether it’s new landscaping design or just adding an interesting feature like a fountain, keeping your curb appeal fresh and well-maintained is essential to getting a buyer’s attention.

You can also add exterior landscaping lights and update your door by replacing it with a more modern one or simply replacing the handle.

Make a memorable entrance.

Luxury home buyers have specific requirements and they are spoiled for choice.  When they view your home, you have a captive audience and a perfect opportunity to highlight its beautiful features.

Present an atmosphere that will appeal to all their senses from the moment they step into your elegant foyer.

You can put an oversized mirror or dramatic piece of artwork along the entryway and spruce up the smell of your home with fresh flowers and scented candles. Add elegant soft and comforting draperies or upholstery to the rooms closest to the foyer - make it spacious and bright.  Play soothing music at a low volume to add ambiance to their experience.

In the kitchen, leave out flutes of champagne or a non-alcoholic sparkling wine, fresh fruit and a tray of hors d'oeuvres for all to enjoy.  Remember, it’s all about a feeling of elegant living with a homely touch.

All these simple tips could spell a huge difference in creating a good first impression.

Modernize your kitchen.

Update your kitchen with stainless steel appliances, which immediately add perceived value to your kitchen. Adding a glass-front wine cooler could also boost your kitchen’s appeal to luxury home buyers.

Luxury kitchen trends include indoor kitchen herb gardens, discreet hidden drawers and storage, sensory faucets, and more - all of these options are easily added to your kitchen before your next open house.

Bring luxury into your bathroom

Give your bathroom a 5-star spa look. Your average luxury home buyer has probably been to some of the best spas in the world.  Knowing that they can escape into a world of indulgence in their own home, can immediately relax even the most stressed out executives.

When staging a master bathroom, lighting and ambiance are very important.  Add luxurious thick Egyptian cotton towels in colors that compliment, a wooden tray with scented candles, and a small painting or accessory.  Remove all your personal belongings from the bathroom.

Turn your master bedroom into a peaceful sanctuary.

The master bedroom is a most personal and sacred space, it should show comfort, peace, and seclusion -- your luxury home buyer wants this room to be their sanctuary, their private space.  Is there room for a reading nook by the window?  Add a recliner, a floor lamp and a side table with a few great classics on display.

Add a full length mirror, it will enhance the space.  Leave the bed, bedside table and dresser but remove all the other furniture.  It’s also a good idea to remove personal items like photographs, jewelry, and clutter.

Dress the bed with a skirt, add plush bed linen and a beautiful cover that will compliment the color of the room.  Add a headboard to the bed, if it allows for it.  Hang up a painting or art print on a couple of walls and fresh flowers or a plant to your dresser.  Make sure all the colors complement one another with one item really popping to draw attention to a main area -- like a bedspread.

Make your home sound good.

Hook up your music player to wireless speakers placed around your Naperville luxury home for sale and play soft classics during the open house and private viewings.

Dramatize your outdoor areas.

If you have a small patio, you can put an oversized leaning mirror on the wall to add perceived space to the area. Place a small table with two chairs, two placemats and elegant napkins to give the idea of an extended outdoor dining area. You could also hang a candle-lit chandelier or outdoor light above the table. Install white sheer mesh curtains around your outdoor areas or trellises to give the billowy relaxing feel of a luxurious resort. Outdoor living and dining rooms impress buyers and add perceived value to your home.

Add more appeal to your home with these 7 simple and fast staging tips. Giving your buyers more reasons to remember their positive open house visit will definitely help your Naperville Luxury home sell faster and at a higher price. For more tips in staging your luxury home for sale, visit www.RyanHillRealty.com.

If you are ready to list your Naperville Luxury Home for Sale call me, Teresa Ryan at 630-276-7575.  As a Naperville luxury real estate expert and Broker/Owner of Ryan Hill Realty - www.RyanHillRealty.com, I have the experience and tools to help you sell your Naperville Luxury home.

---

Teresa Ryan

Broker/Owner, CDPE

Ryan Hill Realty

1001 E. Chicago Ave., Ste. 103

630-276-7575

TRyan@RyanHillRealty.com

4 Future Trends That Will Add Value To Your Naperville Luxury Home

4 Future Trends That Will Add Value To Your Naperville Luxury Home

To put it in simple terms, the future of Naperville luxury homes and traditional homes will include efficiency, health and sophisticated appliances -- all elements that will evolve into standard features in every luxury home.

According to HouseLogic writer, Deirdre Sullivan, here are 4 emerging home trends predicted to be most valued 25 years from now:

Extreme Energy Efficiency

As we see today, utility bills, the environment, a general love of nature and a plethora of other reasons are causing a lot of people - high and low-income alike, to implement energy-efficient solutions in their homes.  I previously covered ‘green-living’ in my article about LEED certification in How to Boost Your Naperville Luxury Home's Resale Value - in it, I pointed out the many measures luxury homeowners are putting into place to ensure environment sustainability.  The trend has influenced the home appliance industry as well with many of our washers, dryers, etc. bearing the ‘Energy Star’.

In the next 25 years, utility bills are expected to drastically increase, resulting in more efforts into using sustainable or renewable energy and green households. Waterless toilets will most likely become a household standard in the future since residential water rates in the U.S. are rising and 27% of our total water use is from toilets. High tech water purification systems that can recycle waste water into drinking water will also be a big trend in the future. The orbital shower is a good example of this since it saves 90% of the water and 80% of the energy used. This saves the homeowner as much as $1,000 off their energy bills every year.

Back-up Power

A back-up power generator might seem like a trend but it is a part of life for people who live in remote areas.  A friend who lived in the Shenandoah Mountains in Virginia talked about how amazing it was that power and water would fail for days in the extreme winter months but their back-up generators allowed them to keep warm, bathe, cook and help their neighbors!  With power bills increasing and extreme weather conditions causing power outages, homeowners in more central areas are adding back-up power sources like whole-house generators to supplement their needs.

Indoor Gardens

I read a report by Fortune Magazine recently stating that McDonald’s sales have dwindled worldwide. The reason behind it is because people are becoming more health-conscious.  Also, the US market is now choosing to buy organic food more because of negative impact of pesticides and genetically modified food.

The desire to eat healthier organic food will continue in the future. This will make indoor gardens a staple for most households. Hydroponic gardens allow Naperville Luxury homeowners to create a farm-to-table experience in the comfort of their own kitchens. Aside from the convenience it offers, urban farming also combats increasing food prices and reduces the carbon footprint of transporting food.

The desire to eat healthier, better-tasting food is a trend that is currently in full play and will only increase in the future.

Sophisticated Appliances and Fixtures

Today, we have technology like *XFINITY® Home, a futuristic security system that you can activate or deactivate through an app on your smartphone or tablet.

In the not too distant future, it won’t be all about smartphone app-controlled features, but appliances that work harder and smarter and make life easier. Faucets in the future may not just dispense water but also ice, other beverages, and even vitamins! Kitchen sinks can double as dishwashers. Future laundry machines will clean and fold clothing into compact-sized pellets that will allow users to carry several outfits in a single bag or purse.

If you remember a cartoon called The Jetsons, you might have an idea of what we’re talking about!

If you are planning to resell your Naperville Luxury, consider incorporating these trends to make your home more valuable in the future.

If you are ready to list your Naperville LuxuryHomes For Sale call me, Teresa Ryan at 630-276-7575.  As an owner/broker of Ryan Hill Realty - www.RyanHillRealty.com, I have the experience and tools to help you sell your Naperville Luxury home.

* DISCLAIMER: The product XFINITY® Home is a product and service of Comcast Corporation.  I am not endorsing the product in any way.  It is mentioned purely as a point of reference for the purpose of this article.

Teresa Ryan

Broker/Owner, CDPE

Ryan Hill Realty

1001 E. Chicago Ave., Ste. 103

630-276-7575

TRyan@RyanHillRealty.com

Top Reasons Why Naperville Is NOT a Snobby City (Part 1)

Top Reasons Why Naperville Is NOT a Snobby City (Part 1)

Naperville was ranked as the 4th “Snobbiest mid-sized city in America” by real-estate blog Movoto.

The criteria included Naperville luxury home prices, income, number of private schools, population with a college degree, number of country clubs and number of art galleries. Naperville, IL had the highest percentage of residents with a college degree (66%). Naperville also has the second highest household income.

Mayor George Pradel, considered to be Naperville’s most passionate advocate, took this in a positive light, saying that this recent survey has put Naperville on the map again. "If you look at their statistics, the background, homes, income, education, one could assume that this could be a snooty area. But it's not until you actually get out in the community when you find out that's really not what's happening here," says Mayor Pradel. "That's just kind of looking at it on the surface. You find that this is a very, very friendly city with generous people who care about each other."

Mayor Pradel has all the right reasons to say so. Here are the top reasons why Naperville is NOT a snobby city:

Naperville IL has been ranked 3rd Best Place to Live in America.

Money Magazine rated Naperville as the third best place to live in America in 2005. Other citations and rankings Naperville IL has received are:

• America’s Best Place to Be A Kid (U.S. Census Bureau, 2005)
• Top 10 Small Towns for Senior Citizens (AARO, 2000)
• One of the Top 10 Best Walking Towns (Walking Magazine, 1999)
• Seven-time Top 1 Best Public Library System (American Library Association)

Naperville is also considered the best place in Illinois to find a job and the best place for new graduates, with an unemployment rate of only 5.5% among 25 to 34-year olds. 

Strong Sense of Volunteerism and Community Service

Naperville has a strong sense of community. You get a sense of how much people care about local and national citizenship through the overall amount of volunteer work and contribution done by its residents. Naperville offers numerous opportunities for volunteer work and community service opportunities. Even its famous landmark, the Riverwalk, was originally built by voluntary labor.

When you’re in Naperville, you will see how hard its citizens work to make it the wonderful place it is. 

Cultural Outreach Program

Naperville’s Cultural Outreach Program was created by Mayor George Pradel to help foster connections with its residents of diverse cultural backgrounds. Amongst these cultures are European, Asian, South Asian, Hispanic, African-American, American Indian, Alaskan, Mixed and more!  Mayor Pradel’s Outreach Program was created to ensure that all cultures were connected and well represented to make Naperville a better city by bringing these communities closer.

This active promotion of interracial unity proves that Naperville is far from being socially exclusive, as the term “snobby” might imply.

Naperville is Named the “Safest City of Its Size” in Illinois

The crime level in Naperville is far lower than is typical for Illinois’ largest cities, according to NBI statistics.

One big reason why Naperville has less crime than most other cities is the relative lack of gang activity in town. This is mainly due to Naperville’s proactive approach in implementing anti-gang programs. Since the 1980’s and 90’s, when gangs were starting to gain hold of other cities in the State, the Naperville city government, with the help of its citizens, has been working to keep gangs from gaining a foothold in Naperville.

The police have built strong partnerships with citizens and groups in Naperville. Many residents participate in anti-crime programs like the Neighborhood Watch and Community Radio Watch to help make Naperville safer. It’s not just one person or group that makes crime rates low in the city, it’s the whole community of Naperville residents who care about their city’s safety. 

Safety has always been one of the first things people look at when deciding to move, and that’s one of the reasons why a lot of people are moving into Naperville, IL.

Naperville Responds for Our Veterans Program

This program assists Veterans and their families in need by raising funds for donations, building materials, and professional labor for building, repairing, and donating homes.

Businesses that comprise and support Naperville Responds For Our Veterans (NRFOV) include financiers, builders, and real estate agents who have donated their resources to help our Veterans, and one of them is Ryan Hill Realty.

These are only some of the top reasons why Naperville is far from snobby. In next week’s article, we’ll discuss 5 more reasons why Naperville is such a great place to live.

For inquiries regarding Naperville Luxury Homesfor Sale call me, Teresa Ryan, a Naperville resident, at 630-276-7575.  As an owner/broker of Ryan Hill Realty - www.RyanHillRealty.com, I have the experience and tools to help you buy or sell your Naperville Luxury home.

Teresa Ryan

Broker/Owner, CDPE

Ryan Hill Realty

1001 E. Chicago Ave., Ste. 103

630-276-7575

TRyan@RyanHillRealty.com

Top Tips to Successfully Sell Your Naperville Luxury Home

Top Tips to Successfully Sell Your Naperville Luxury Home

If you are selling your Naperville luxury home, you need a strategy that goes beyond the ordinary market. 

Here are top tips to succeed in selling your Naperville luxury home: 

Move out and stage your home.

Naperville luxury homes for sale need to look flawless and elegant. The best way to achieve this is to move out and have your home staged by a professional stager. Keeping the home well-maintained is also important, even between showings. Make sure that the lawn is mowed, and that the gardens are kept vibrant and alive.

Hire an experienced real estate photographer.

With Naperville luxury real estate, taking great photos is critical in attracting buyers. You need your photos to look stunning and they should highlight your home’s best features. Hiring a professional photographer with experience in real estate photography is a good investment and a smart move since an amazing photo of your home can say much more than a thousand words can.

Work with an experienced luxury real estate agent.

Any agent can represent a luxury home seller, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they can do it well. The luxury home real estate market requires expertise and knowledge only an experienced luxury real estate professional can bring to the table. Selling luxury homes in Naperville IL means high-end promotional marketing nationwide and internationally, as well as an established network of buyer representatives and known buyers who trust the Realtor’s reputation for quality homes. 

Promote the community.

Buyers of Naperville luxury homes are buying more than just a property, they're also buying into the neighborhood and lifestyle that comes along with it. Who better to represent a neighborhood than a Naperville Luxury Realtor with local market knowledge? Even better is a Realtor who resides in a high-end home in Naperville. They can make the marketing message and representation of your Naperville luxury home far more personal than say, a Realtor in Chicago. A personal approach helps potential buyers get a sense of how it feels to belong to your community.

For inquiries regarding Naperville Luxury Homes for Sale call me, Teresa Ryan at 630-276-7575. As a long-term resident of the beautiful City of Naperville, a reputable luxury home seller representative, and owner/broker of Ryan Hill Realty - www.RyanHillRealty.com, I have the experience and tools to help you sell your Naperville luxury home.

Teresa Ryan

Broker/Owner, CDPE

Ryan Hill Realty

1001 E. Chicago Ave., Ste. 103

630-276-7575

TRyan@RyanHillRealty.com

Food, Fun, Fireworks and 4th of July Events in Naperville IL

Food, Fun, Fireworks and 4th of July Events in Naperville IL

If you’re like every other American, we know you love celebrating Independence Day with plenty of fun, food and fireworks! Residents of Naperville Il luxury homes, as well as neighboring communities, also look forward to the annual 4th of July Ribfest in Naperville IL, and this year will be no exception! 

The Ribfest goes on all weekend long from July 3 to July 6, 2014 and will be held in Knoch Park, Naperville Il. Invite your family and friends to join in the fun! Tickets are $15 per person, but you can get the Early Bird Special for only $12 if you buy tickets online.

Aside from great food and fun for the whole family, you also help raise funds for a good cause! Proceeds of the Naperville Ribfest will help fight domestic violence and child abuse.

The highlight of the Ribfest will be on the 4th of July, when fireworks will light up the sky at 9:30PM. Public entry starts at 7:30PM.

You can also choose from these equally fun-filled 4th of July celebrations across Naperville:

Lisle Eyes to the Skies

Where: Lisle Community Park, Short Street, Lisle, IL

When: July 3, 2014 at 9:45pm

•  July 4, 2014 at 9:45pm
•  July 5, 2014 at 9:45pm

Taste of Oak Brook

Where: Polo Grounds off of 31st Street between Spring and York Roads, Oak Brook, Il

When: July 3, 2014 at Dusk

Wheaton Fourth of July Celebration

Where: Graf Park 1701 Manchester Road in Wheaton, IL

When: July 3, 2014 at Dusk

Burr Ridge July Fourth Fireworks

Where: Walker Park 7425 S. Wolf Rd in Burr Ridge, IL

When: July 3, 2014 at Dusk

Bolingbrook All American Celebration

Where: Bolingbrook Golf Club, 2001 Rodeo Drive, Bolingbrook, IL

When:  July 4, 2014 at 9:15pm

Glen Ellyn 4th of July

Where: Lake Ellyn 645 Lenox Road, Glen Ellyn, IL

When: July 4, 2014 at Dusk

Westmont 4th of July Fireworks

Where: Ty Warner Park Plaza and Blackhawk Drive, Westmont, IL

When:  July 4, 2014 at Dusk

Freedom Fest 2014

Where: Kendall County Fairgrounds, Yorkville, IL

When: July 4, 2014, 10:00 AM    

Come and enjoy the Freedom Fest 2014 in Yorkville! Only a 33-minute drive from Naperville, the Freedom Fest is a 2-day music event over the 4th of July weekend to pay tribute to our veterans and military men and women.

Naperville Ale Fest 2014
Where: Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St. Naperville, IL
When: July 19, 2014, 12:00 to 5:00 pm

Don’t miss one of Naperville’s favorite events, the second annual Naperville Ale Fest on July 19! Showcasing over 200 unique beers from craft breweries all over the country, the Fest also features food from some of the best restaurants in Naperville as well as live music. A portion of the proceeds of the Naperville Ale Fest will go to the Naper Settlement and Naperville Heritage Society.

Living in Naperville is synonymous to a lifestyle of luxury and fun. Make your next Independence Day a fantastic celebration right in your very own Naperville Luxury Home!

For inquiries regarding Naperville Luxury Homes for Sale choose the best real estate broker Teresa Ryan and call 630-276-7575. Teresa Ryan is the owner/broker of Ryan Hill Realty - www.RyanHillRealty.com.

 

Teresa Ryan

Broker/Owner, CDPE

Ryan Hill Realty

1001 E. Chicago Ave., Ste. 103

630-276-7575

TRyan@RyanHillRealty.com