2 bd / 2 bt TH in Evanston – NOT YET ON MARKET

Just got pics back for this one. Not yet listed. Great location. Outside is overly pleasing to the eye, yet the inside is sharp. Good sized yard also belongs to the unit.

Take a look at this: http://tours6.vht.com/STD/T50035761

2626 Prairie #B, Evanston, IL

Listing price TBD. Call/email for more info.

Why You Need Vinegar If You Live In Chicago

This is the outside of my right boot – ie. it is the one I use to drive, so I’m on my heel most of the time:

This salt stain is not good for the leather, I’m guessing. Yet, since I am in my car a lot, I am grateful for how effective Chicago is at clearing the roads – using salt, of course.

A friend told me that vinegar and water is effective at removing salt stains from leather goods. Deciding to do my own research, I stumbled across this website that has tons of uses for household vinegar.

Most intriguing use of vinegar? When frying doughnuts, add 1/2 teaspoon to prevent them from soaking up extra grease.

I’ll let you know how it goes. The boot clean up, I mean.

Car Safety: 13 Things You Need In Your Car Right Now

This post I grabbed from The Art of Manliness blog – but don’t let that fact deter you, since:

• Many of the items focus on things for winter , which starts this Monday.
• This is great information for EVERYONE, and
• The blog is actually co-written by a woman Kate, the wife of blogger Brett McKay.

From personal experience, two things on that list I find indispensible: jumper cables and a folding shovel.

The latter, BTW, was because I needed one and didn’t have one.

Property Owners: Your Tax Refund Check Is Waiting

The City of Chicago’s Property Tax Relief Program could have some money for you. Check here to see the parameters.

On your principal residence, if:

1. Your property taxes increased more than $50 from 2007 to 2008, and
2. Your household income is less than $200,000

you may be eligible for a refund (after 6-8 weeks of processing time, anyway).

Deadline for filing is March 31, 2010.

Video Explaining Home Warranty Coverages

This 10-minute video courtesy of Home Warranty of America is worth watching to educate yourself on benefits, and restrictions, of available policies and coverages. These can be used as an effective “nibble” at the end of negotiations.