Rockford home sales hit second-highest mark in eight-year recovery | The Rock River Times

 

Rockford Area Realtors sold 4,032 homes and condos in Winnebago, Boone and Ogle counties in 2014, the second-highest total since the 2007 housing bubble burst, which then sent the nation into a recession.

Rockford market sales were down 49 homes in 2014, just a 1.2 percent drop from 4,081 properties sold in 2013.

Steve Bois, CEO, Rockford Area Realtors, said the local market could have hit a higher total in 2014 than 2013, “except for the polar vortex and the especially harsh winter early in the year, which crippled sales in the first quarter.

“This was a year of gradual continuing recovery,” Bois continued, “which, in many respects, is a good thing. It was fueled by significant improvements in the economic fundamentals for most Americans and historically low mortgage rates.”

The 2014 Rockford housing market showed steady advances over 2013, with significant improvement in the following key housing metrics:

• Prices up — The three-month average rolling price finished the year with six straight months of year-to-year increases. August through December average rolling prices reached their highest levels in the last five years.

• Foreclosures considerably down — 2014 saw fewer foreclosures and short sales in the composition of Rockford market transactions, from a high of 55 percent of sales in January 2014 to a low of 20 percent in August. In total, seven of 12 months had foreclosure levels below 30 percent.

• Less time to sell a home — It took 5.41 months to sell a home in December, matching the same level reached in March. This was the lowest absorption rate since the average home sold in just five months in April 2007.

Three major factors excite and somewhat concern Realtors heading into 2015: inventory levels, the economy and mortgage rates.

The Rockford housing market ended the year with the lowest monthly inventory in 12 years. Inventory levels were at 1,818 in December, the lowest since November 2003.

“One concern is that the local housing market may not meet the demand forecasted due to regional industrial growth,” Bois remarked. “What happens when the announced expansions hit our region in the near future? We need inventory to help meet that demand.”

The improving economy will also play a major role in the local housing market in 2015.

Unemployment dropped to 5.6 percent in December with nearly 3 million jobs created in 2015, the best job performance since 1999.

“Economists are predicting the economy will come closer to full employment in 2015 and that average wages will finally start rising,” Bois said. “This would lead to more folks feeling secure enough in their job situations to become first-time homebuyers.”

Mortgage rates continue to be a major positive factor in spurring on sales (especially among first-time buyers), but may go up in 2015. The 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.66 percent for the week ending Jan. 15, down from 3.73 percent the previous week and 4.41 percent a year ago. This is the lowest level since the week ending May 23, 2013.

However, rate projections from Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the National Association of Realtors and the Mortgage Banking Association predict a rise in the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage to an average 4.28 percent in first quarter, 4.5 percent in second quarter, 4.78 percent in third quarter and 4.98 percent at year’s end.

“Interest rates will inch up,” Bois said, “but on the other hand, even if we end up at 4.5 percent, that is still a great interest rate.”

Bois said a significant housing development in 2014 was the growing understanding of housing as a major driver of the economic rebound.

“Congress has realized how critical all aspects of housing are to the overall health of the economy,” Bois said. “If the government takes any steps that affect housing this year, they should do so gingerly.”

Following are Rockford market home sales by year:

2014 — 4,032

2013 — 4,081

2012 — 3,815

2011 — 3,213

2010 — 3,341

2009 — 3,642

2008 — 3,978

2007 — 5,844

Posted Jan. 16, 2015

Rockford home sales hit second-highest mark in eight-year recovery | The Rock River Times

The Belvidere Daily Republican Featured News

Sons of American Revolution induct new members

Nov. 24, 2013

ROCKFORD – The Kishwaukee Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (S.A.R.) held their annual meeting on Nov. 16 in Rockford.

The Chapter was honored to have the Illinois Society S.A. R. President, Bruce Talbot of Bolingbrook, Ill. present for the event, to conduct official ceremonies, and deliver the key-note address.

President Talbot inducted two new members, R. Nathan Bliss of Rockford, and Mark Kaletka of Batavia.

The primary purpose of the S.A. R. organization is declared to be patriotic, historical and educational. Membership is open to any man, at least 18 years of age, who is a lineal descendant of an ancestor who was loyal to, and rendered actual service, in the cause of American Independence during the Revolutionary War.

The Kishwaukee Chapter is headquartered in Belvidere, but includes several counties in north central and northwestern Illinois.

 

Boone County real estate transactions recorded Nov. 12

Nov. 24, 2013

BOONE COUNTY - Following is a list of the Boone County real estate transactions recorded during Nov. 12-15.

Recorded Nov. 12

1248 Candlewick Dr. NW, Poplar Grove, $245,000, Patrick C. Brady and Christine E. Brady to Robert Hayes and Kathryn Hayes.

7555 Garden Prairie Road, Garden Prairie, $550,000, LUSYD Acres, Inc. to 7555 Garden Prairie, LLC.

311 W. Perry St., Belvidere, $72,000, Louis R. Morrall, trustee, to Albert and Susan Williams.

12847 Prairie Meadow Way, Belvidere, $195,000, Andrew Dallas Hutchison to James T. and Evelyn A. Palek.

Recorded Nov. 13

1727 13^th Ave., Belvidere, $60,100, Secretary of HUD to Jeannette Knutson.

114 King Henry Road SE, Poplar Grove, $90,500, Keith Kelly to James G. Origer and Mary C. Origer.

1132 Kishwaukee St., Belvidere, $81,851, Intercounty Judicial Sales to Secretary of HUD.

Recorded Nov. 14

302 Edson St., Poplar Grove, $130,500, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to Rodney L. Wilken.

2329 Malmaison, Belvidere, $315,000, Federal National Mortgage Assoc. to Sergio and Heather Velazquez.

418 W. Perry St., Belvidere, $65,000, Marion J. Downey to Amy L. Ortiz.

Recorded Nov. 15

17 King Henry SE, Poplar Grove, $90,837, Bank of America, NA to Bank of America NA.

157 Hastings Way SW, Poplar Grove, $77,400, Federal National Mortgage Assoc. to Leonardo Oliveira.

824 Allen St., Belvidere, $47,000, Derby Run LLC to Pedro H. Banuelos.

414 Wren Lane, Caledonia, $370,000, Kimberly Mackenroth and Danny Cessop to Harneet S. Bath and Komaljit Bath.

 

Hearings on property assessments to start Dec. 2

Nov. 24, 2013

BELVIDERE - The Boone County Board of Review will begin hearings on the 2013 appeals of property assessments on Dec. 2 at 9 a.m.  Hearings will continue on Dec. 5-6 at 9 a.m., and if further hearings are necessary, more dates will be scheduled.

The Boone County Board of Review has the responsibility to hear complaints from property owners concerning the valuation of their property based on the market value or the use of the property.

Residential appeal forms are available in the County Assessor’s office, 1208 Logan Ave., Belvidere or online at http://www.boonecountyil.org/content/bor-residential-appeal-form.

Phone 815-544-2958 with any questions.

 

Capron Rescue seeks new station in Candlewick Lake area

Nov. 24, 2013

By Bob Balgemann

BOONE COUNTY - Capron Rescue Squad District has a new station on Poplar Grove Road and is renovating what used to be the main office in Capron.

Now officials are looking at the possibility of a third station, to help serve the southern end of the sprawling, 144-square-mile district. Sites in and around Candlewick Lake and the village of Timberlane are among the possibilities.

Owen Costanza, president of the district board of trustees, said that before he was appointed to the board there had been talk with Candlewick Lake officials about having a station in that area.

"They offered us space along (Illinois 76), but that was before my time," he said. "In my view, there's too much traffic around there."

Beyond that, he said Candlewick Lake owns property off Dawson Lake Road, on the south side of that community, which connects Caledonia Road and Route 76. "That would be a good place for a building," he said.

Just under 50 percent of the rescue squad's calls come from within Candlewick Lake.

The squad has money in its budget to explore locating a third station.

Costanza said he has asked Tony Stepansky, assistant chief of the squad, to renew that search.

Capron Rescue is transitioning to a paid on premises service, in an effort to improve response time. That means paramedics and EMTs, when on duty, must be at or in close proximity to the station. Before, they just had to be somewhere in the district.

Personnel since earlier this year have been able to spend all of their shift in the new station, a two-story, former farmhouse on the west side of Poplar Grove Road, just south of Quail Trap Road. Soon, they will be able to sleep over at the Capron station, too.

Stepansky said he is doing the due diligence on the search for a third station. "We're looking at 2014 to build or do something like we did in Poplar Grove," he said. "We want to be sure it's in the right place to do the most good."

Investment policy

POPLAR GROVE - There was a time several years ago when the village was $500,000 in the red. Now it is showing a surplus and officials are talking about the possibility of investing some or all of it.

There is disagreement as to whether that should happen.

Trustee Jeff Goings said at the October village board meeting that he thinks the two loans on the books at Poplar Grove State Bank should be paid off before any investing is done.

But village treasurer Maria Forrest said those loans are water and sewer debt, which would require the general fund to loan the money to the water and sewer fund to retire the bonds.

Still another view came from Trustee Bob Fry, who's also chairman of the village's finance committee. He thought the village could make more money by paying off the bonds than leaving the extra money sit in the bank.

He added that the village has worked hard to reach the point that it has six months worth of operating capital in the bank. That means it has enough money to run the town for six months if its revenue streams were severed. "A lot of municipalities have gotten into trouble because they didn't have any savings," he said.

While nothing definite was decided, Trustee Ron Quimby observed, "It all goes back to building blocks. This (issue) is part of the foundation."

Read the current Featured Stories by clicking on the following:  rvpnews | Belvidere Daily Republican

The Belvidere Daily Republican Featured News

Truck parking issue returns to county board

Nov. 19, 2013

By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

BELVIDERE - The question of whether Mladenko Josipovic is allowed to park a semi-tractor and trailer on his 5.2 acres along Caledonia Road is up for reconsideration Wednesday night (Nov. 20) by the Boone County Board.

The issue has been on a roller coaster ride since the requested special use permit was first considered last summer.

Unanimous recommendations for approval came from the zoning board of appeals (ZBA) and planning, zoning and building committee (PZB), the latter a standing committee of the county board made up of five county board members. Planning staff recommended denial, primarily because of the proximity to so many homes.

The county board voted 10-1 to deny the special use at its Sept. 18 meeting.

But Josipovic appeared at the Oct. 2 PZB meeting and asked that his case and the county board vote be reconsidered. The committee agreed to forward the matter to the county board for discussion on Oct. 16.

County board members then voted 7-5 on Oct. 16 to reconsider their action of Sept. 18. County state's attorney Michelle Courier said a vote to reconsider automatically would table the issue until the November meeting.

Josipovic neighbors John and Christina Porto have been at all the meetings, steadfast in their request that the special use not be granted.

Points to remember

They plan to be at the Nov. 20 meeting with John Porto asking the board to consider the following points before making a decision:

At the Aug. 27 ZBA meeting Josipovic swore under oath that as soon as he applied for a special use permit on June 20. He reduced the number of trucks on his property to only his own and that he would park the semi-cab in his garage, with only the trailer parked outside.

Porto plans to ask the board to remember that photographs and letters of violation were sent out, showing that promise was not kept.

He also plans to remind the board that at the Sept. 18 meeting he and his wife submitted more photographs of the semi parked outside. They also complained that his tractor was still idling along the property line, near their home. And they expressed concern about Josipovic blocking both lanes of Caledonia Road while backing his tractor and trailer on to his property.

Interim planning director Kathy Miller, in an e-mail sent to county administrator Ken Terrinoni and county board chairman Bob Walberg, stated Josipovic said he was out of town Sept. 18 and unable to attend the board meeting.

Porto will ask the board to remember his submitting documents containing information that Josipovic returned home about 5 p.m. that night and also filed a police report the same evening.

It is Porto's opinion that the county board denied Josipovic's special use permit because of his continued noncompliance and absence from the Sept. 18 board meeting. In addition, he said no valid reason was given for reconsideration of the Sept. 18 vote.

The reasons for denial still hold, the Portos believe, and they are asking the board to uphold its Sept. 18 action.

Bliss said in a follow-up interview that he had visited the Josipovic property after Oct. 16, when he was in the Candlewick Lake area on other calls, and did not see either the tractor or trailer.

 

Growth Dimensions launches new website

Nov. 19, 2013

BELVIDERE – Growth Dimensions announced the launch of its new website: www.growthdimensions.org. The new site is designed to showcase the character of Boone County and its business community.

The website also includes the professionally produced video entitled Boone County Anthem.

Belvidere-Boone County is strategically located in relation to major expanding markets for goods, services and suppliers. The area is part of the budding I-39 and I-90 Logistics corridor, close to major employment centers and is served by interstates, rail and air service.  Boone County is the heart of the Midwestern industrial belt and is only one hour from Chicago.

Major corporations in automotive, food processing, and manufacturing grow and prosper in Boone County, including Chrysler, General Mills, Dean Foods, Grupo Antolin, Franklin Display Group and others.

The new website, a virtual repository for economic development information for Boone County, offers a streamlined user experience. The new sleek and vivid site features pages covering topics of: Business Growth, Workforce Development, Community Living, as well as News and Events. Other important components include demographic, labor and educational statistics, maps, current images, featured sites and buildings, and information on incentives such as the Belvidere-Boone County Enterprise Zone. The site enables the user to easily access all of this useful and timely information in a clear-cut and organized format. The website was designed with the mobile visitors in mind, automatically adjusting itself to fit different screen widths to accommodate computers, tablets, and mobile phones.

Then Boone County Anthem video weaves together business, workforce, and the quality of life in Boone County to tell the story of why this is a great place to live, work, and play. We invite you to view and share the video.

 

Boone County real estate transactions recorded Nov 5-8

Nov. 15, 2013

BOONE COUNTY - Following is a list of the Boone County real estate transactions recorded during Nov. 5-8.

Recorded Nov. 5

135 Lamplighter Loop SE, Poplar Grove, $70,500, Federal National Mortgage Assoc. to Dustin Coursey.

4135 Chandan Blvd., Poplar Grove, $99,900, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to Della Springer.

3000C Trillium Tr., Poplar Grove, $50,000, Edmund Der to Mariola E. Kordek.

8779 W. Ridge Dr., Belvidere, $162,900, Federal National Mortgage Assoc. to Thomas White and Beverly White.

Columbia St. lot, Belvidere, $29,919, Smith Investment Co, LLC to Central Commodities, Ltd.

Recorded Nov. 6

288 Edgewood Lane, Belvidere, $105,000, Mary Drexler Collins, trustee, to Adam M. Hodzic.

384 Prairie Knoll Dr., Poplar Grove, $134,900, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to Melissa S. Behm and Linda A Hoving.

Recorded Nov. 7

1712 Foxfield Dr., Belvidere, $117,500, Dennis A. Paul to Claudia Vazquez.

13850 Beaverton Road, Poplar Grove, $164,900, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to Emilio F. Vallez and Sarah J. Vallez.

501 Bounty Dr. NE, Poplar Grove, $74,000, Federal National Mortgage Assoc. to Cynthia Speer.

8785 Sheffield Dr., Belvidere, $81,500, Thomas Boettcher and Helen Boettcher to PMI Acquisitions, LLC.

669 Illinois Rt. 173, Caledonia, $44,000, Lyle R. Spencer to Tammie R. Marks.

Caledonia Road acreage, Caledonia, $105,000, Gordon D. Lucas, trustee, to Dennis Luckey.

Recorded Nov. 8

1407 Iles Ave., Belvidere, $124,900, Wells Fargo Bank NA, trustee, to Steven M. Riley and Lydia R. Riley.

200 Staffordshire Dr. NE, Poplar Grove, $69,701, Judicial Sales Corp. to American Homes 4 Rent Properties Five, LLC.

1015 Maple Ave., Belvidere, $40,000, Secretary of HUD to Andrew Anderson.

1621 Kirby Ct., Belvidere, $198,000, Federal National Mortgage Assoc. to David E. Dunham and Lisa M. Dunham.

706 Tuneberg Ct., Belvidere, $80,000, Ron Davison to Rosa Maria Altamore.

To read Belvidere Daily Republican’s recent features go the the following:  rvpnews | Belvidere Daily Republican

Belvidere Daily Republican

 

Boone County real estate transactions recorded Oct. 7-11

Oct. 9, 2013

BOONE COUNTY - Following is a list of the Boone County real estate transactions recorded during Oct. 7-11.

Recorded Oct. 7

135 Pembroke Road SW, Poplar Grove, $48,000, US Bank, to Juan Manuel Perona and Miriam Donato.

I-90 and Carlson Road acreage, Garden Prairie, $26,000, Michael Ettner to Illinois State Toll Highway Authority.

815 Tuneberg Dr., Belvidere, $172,000, U.S. Bank as trustee, to Daniel R. Hughes.

809 Union Ave., Belvidere, $19,500, Gregory Branson to Ekbeg and Leonard Properties, LLC.

722 E. Lincoln Ave., Belvidere, $41,000, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to Heidi Lykken.

613 Highland St., Belvidere, $75,000, Judy K. Salley and Larry A. Welley to Daniel L. Kazy-Garey III.

158 Columbia St. N W, Poplar Grove, $85,000, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to Russell D. Hern Jr. and Phyllis F. Hern.

3400 Partridge Lane, Belvidere, $170,000, Vincent E. Lange Estate to Brian M. Flanagan and Jill P. Atkinson.

619 Florence Court, Belvidere, $68,500, Steinbis Properties, LLC to Roberto Zavala and Zenaida Zavala.

Recorded Oct. 8

704 W. 10th St., Belvidere, $41,000, Secretary of HUD to Baldemar Murga Rodriguez.

601 Ruth Circle, Belvidere, $62,900, Champion Mortgage Co. to Jason and Janet Dodd.

2106 Oakbrook Dr., Belvidere, $88,001, Secretary of HUD to Mateo Hernandez.

4049 Bloods Point Road, Belvidere, $260,119, Michael L. and Wendy E. Prather to Augustin Medina.

Recorded Oct. 9

4466 Ratcliffe Dr., Belvidere, $130,000, Michael and Jennifer Roloff to Alejandro Gomez and Claudia Najera Nunez.

Recorded Oct. 10

405 Muirfield Close, Poplar Grove, $230,000, Bank of America, N.A., Seven Oaks Consulting and Management, LLC.

Recorded Oct. 11

1802 7th Ave., Belvidere, $93,385, Judicial Sales Corp. to Secretary of HUD.

9566 Henninger Dr., Belvidere, $185,000, Federal National Mortgage Assoc. to Daniel L. Reid and Rebecca A. Reid.

609 Buchanan St., Belvidere, $35,000, Royal D. Trudo and Sara L. Trudo to Alberto M. Rosales.

9388 Steeplebush Dr., Belvidere, $450,000, David E. Pendery and Curtis J. Stroud to Mark E. and Anne M. Johnson.

810 S. State St., Belvidere, $40,100, Secretary of HUD to Joseph A. Brinkmeyer.

117 Valhalla Dr. NE, Poplar Grove, $58,013, Secretary of HUD to Corey R. Lee and Sharon A. Woolsey.

The above is taken from:  rvpnews | Belvidere Daily Republican

Boone County real estate transactions recorded Sept. 17-23 | Belvidere Daily Republican

 

Written by Administrator

 

BOONE COUNTY – Following is a list of the Boone County real estate transactions recorded during Sept. 17-23.

Recorded Sept. 17

9284 Centerville Road, Capron, $180,000, Jeffrey A. Swanson to Jorge Zendejas.

1615 Danesfield Dr., Belvidere, $152,000, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to Lucio Chaidez.

805 W. 12^th St., Belvidere, $35,426, Secretary of HUD to Rosa C. Barrientos.

20152 Free Church Road, Caledonia, $360,400, Archie R. and Leila L. Linn, Jr. to Mary B. Kasper.

308 Marquette Dr., SW, Poplar Grove, $68,800, Judicial Sales Corp. to Secretary of HUD.

Recorded Sept. 18

14770 Front St., Caledonia, $58,500, Federal National Mortgage Assoc. to Joseph T. Lettier and Michelle C. Lettier.

339 Rockton Road, Roscoe, $200,000, Elena G. Hoeflich to John R. and Diana Schultz.

1080 W. Jackson St., Belvidere, $80,000, David W. Cross, trustee, to Katherine Veley.

1008 Grover St., Belvidere, $28,500, Federal National Mortgage Assoc. to Rigoberto Medina Rojas.

922 Fremont St., Belvidere, $77,000, Steven J. Martenson and Janet L. Martenson to Joel Gonzalez, Jr.

514 Constitution Dr. SW, Poplar Grove, $56,000, Secretary of HUD to Jeffrey D. Coticchio.

1654 Danesfield Dr., Belvidere, $84,000, Secretary of HUD to Serafin Moreno.

22980 Burr Oak Road, Harvard, $245,000, David Sullivan to Neil and Jane Crouch.

715 East Ave., Belvidere, $35,000, Pedro Davila to Dickerson Investments, LP.

204 Hastings Way SW, Poplar Grove, $37,500, Deutsche Bank to Peter A. Patterson.

977 Natalie Way, Belvidere, $155,000, Bank of America to Bradley D.  Hayes.

111 Liverpool Dr. SE, Poplar Grove, $42,900, Judicial Sales Corp. to Secretary of HUD.

1106 Ruby St., Belvidere, $41,399, Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. to James E. Trevathan Jr. and Barbara Trevathan.

104 Bree Dr., Poplar Grove, $110,251, H&R Block Bank to Eric L. Chastain.

5621 Rustic Waters Dr., Belvidere, $178,000, Joe Contarino Inc DBA Contry Homes of IL to Adam D. Brooke A. Stark.

409 Franklin St., Belvidere, $31,000, Luke Lykken to Steinbis Properties LLC.

Recorded Sept. 19

2419 Winfield Lane, Belvidere, $110,000, Secretary of HUD to Paul Joseph Dote.

724 N. Main St., Belvidere, $28,000, Blackhawk Bank to Dickerson Investments, LP.

Recorded Sept. 20

11785 Coon Trail Road, Harvard, $350,000, Katherine L. Webster, trustee, to Michael F. Sujak and Heidi Sujak.

7370 IL Rt. 173, Poplar Grove, 75,000, Dale E. Worley Sr. to T10 Unison Site Management LLC.

1507 Dawngate Dr., Belvidere, $115,000, Wendee Anagostpoulos to Matthew P. Cox.

4482 Deer Valley Close, Belvidere, $380,000, Vivian Wierman, trustee, to Nicholas T. Hengles.

Recorded Sept. 23

1112 9^th Ave., Belvidere, $130,000, Bobby J. Wilson, trustee, to Bobby J. Wilson and Mary J. Wilson.

639 W. 6^th St., Belvidere, $76,000, Christina M. Jones to Sheryl K. Carlton.

2780 Newbury Lane, Caledonia, $416,950, Paul D. Johnson and Karen L. Johnson to Ronald Joseph McGuire and Adrea Beth McGuire.

516 W. 6^th St., Belvidere, $67,000, William Pruitt and Judi Pruitt, trustees, to Rebecca A. Spears.

9002 US Rt. 20, Garden Prairie, $58,000, Nanette C. Hesseltin to Cecilio Rubalcava.

Boone County real estate transactions recorded Sept. 17-23 | Belvidere Daily Republican

10 Cities That May Not Make It Back From the Crash - Yahoo Finance—Rockford is 2nd worst

By Ilyce Glink | CBS MoneyWatch

You can sum up the U.S. real estate market this year in one word: recovery.
Across the nation as a whole, prices have grown by more than 10 percent, and double or even triple that rate in some regions. Some of the hardest-hit states -- California, Florida, Nevada -- are also growing the fastest. Even cities like Modesto, Calif., were real estate prices went off a cliff during the housing crisis are coming back. Although home prices in Modesto are down 49 percent from their pre-crash peak, they have grown 30 percent from this time last year.
But not every town and city is on the comeback trail. At the other end of the spectrum, there are places like Farmington, N.M. Home prices there plunged 20 percent from their peak during the meltdown and are up only 0.03 percent this year. At that rate, it would take centuries for the city's housing market to recover. The reality is that homeowners in the city may never recoup their losses.

And Farmington is in better shape than the communities around the country on this list, which have yet to show any signs of rebounding from the meltdown. Using data compiled for CBSNews.com by real estate analytics provider, we looked not only at cities where home prices have the farthest to go to climb back to their pre-bubble peak, but also where prices are still declining

1. Kankakee, Ill.
Growth needed to match peak: 39.2 percent
Growth this year: -3.5 percent

Creative Commons

Kankakee faces a similar problem as Rockford, Ill. The population is stagnant and its unemployment rate hasn't been below 10 percent since mid-2008. Even selling the city's many foreclosed properties is unlikely to boost home prices much. Unless the city sees a serious economic turnaround, it will be nearly impossible to recover that 39 percent drop in home values.

2. Rockford, Ill.
Growth needed to match peak: 31.5 percent
Growth this year: -3 percent

Residents of two cities in Illinois have the bleakest prospects of seeing home prices rebound. The state's high unemployment rate is the biggest factor restraining prices. At the peak of the recession, Rockford's jobless rate shot up to a whopping 20 percent unemployment rate, and it remains high at around 10 percent.

Read about the rest, click on following:: 10 Cities That May Not Make It Back From the Crash - Yahoo Finance

Boone County real estate transactions recorded Aug. 13-19 | Belvidere Daily Republican

 

BOONE COUNTY – Following is a list of the Boone County real estate transactions recorded during Aug. 13-19.

Recorded Aug. 13

253 Brooke Lane, Rockford, $225,000, Federal National Mortgage Assoc. to Scott Greenfield and Elissa Greenfield.

113 Queens Place SE, Poplar Grove, $80,000, Richard R. Viles and Lynda M. Viles to AH4R-IL, LLC.

2959 Naak Dr., Belvidere, $139,900, Susan M. Rasmussen to Bryan A. Holder.

Recorded Aug. 14

Hunter Road acreage, $302,500, Harvard State Bank, trustee, to Hunter Road Woods Inc.

Recorded Aug. 15

469 Old Orchard Lane, Poplar Grove, $322,500, Walter J. Whited and Rhonda L. Whited to Matthew D. Kolinski and Michele L. Diedrichs.

502 Atlantic Dr., NE, Poplar Grove, $85,000, Timothy A. Finkenhofer, to Fredonia Coleman.

5256 Hunter Road, Poplar Grove, $96,500, Daniel R. Shaw to Mohsin Khan.

161 Hastings Way, Poplar Grove, $73,000, Bank of New York Mellon to Susan B. Curran.

230 Rochester Road, NE, Poplar Grove, $500, Candlewick Lake Association to Karl Steiskal Jr.

117 Callaway Cove, Loves Park, $232,250, Frank and Lorri Papke to Thomas and Jackie Norland.

Recorded Aug. 16

1010 Warren Ave., Belvidere, $180,635, Judicial Sales Corp. to Secretary of HUD.

Recorded Aug. 19

2143 Derby Lane, Belvidere, $70,000, Adam P. Klos to Christine S. Tabb.

163 Muir Dr., Loves Park, $247,000, Kevin M. and Michelle L. James to Steven D. and Roberta L. Schlichting.

Boone County real estate transactions recorded Aug. 13-19 | Belvidere Daily Republican

Boone County real estate transactions recorded during July 22-26 | Belvidere Daily Republican

 

Boone County real estate transactions recorded during July 22-26

Written by Administrator Both comments and pings are currently closed.

BOONE COUNTY – Following is a list of the Boone County real estate transactions recorded during July 22-26.

Recorded July 22

207 Bear Dusk Way, Belvidere, $135,000, Jose G. Vasquez, MKM Rental, LLC.

8477 Center Court, Belvidere, $150,300, Albert W. Williams and Susan J. Williams to Mariusz Maka.

1115 9th Ave., Belvidere, $40,000, NationStar Mortgage, LLC to Equity Trust Co.

157 Rivers Edge Dr., Unit 34A, Cherry Valley, $147,000, Thomas G. and Suzanne L. Williams to Dennis and Lisa Johnson.

Recorded July 23

1348 Caswell St., Belvidere, $77,000, Steve Neubert, Executor, to Jennifer Koehn.

503 W. Lincoln Ave., Belvidere, $161,971, Judicial Sales Corp. to Secretary of HUD.

4442 Countryside Estates Dr., Poplar Grove, $55,400, Federal National Mortgage Assoc. to Susan Burton.

Recorded July 24

120 Ogden St., Belvidere, $79,000, Adam E. Tegen and Jenny L. Tegen to Emanuel L. Bud and Thelma S. Bud.

1375 Willowbrook Dr., Belvidere, $73,101, Judicial Sales Corp. to American Homes 4 Rent Properties Five, LLC.

4214 Hearthstone Ave., Belvidere, $68,001, Judicial Sales Corp. to American Homes 4 Rent Properties Five, LLC.

Recorded July 25

131 Pembroke Road SW, Poplar Grove, $2000, Dennis J. Moss and Sheila A. Moss to Roger W. Fidder and Mark A. Fidder.

1586 Kirby Ct., Belvidere, $280,107, Specialized Loan Services LLC to Seven Oaks Consulting and Management LLC.

12732 Vestas Place, Belvidere, $265,000, Ronald W. Allen and Donna L. Allen, trustees, to Michael C. Morris and Kristi E. Morris.

1535 Maryland Court, Belvidere, $90,000, Secretary of HUD to Miguel Zepeda.

1004 Logan Ave., $40,100, Federal National Mortgage Assoc. to Sabahudin Ejub and Atjena Ejub.

Recorded July 26

Vacant Land, River Bend, $856,845, Susan-Mijanovich-Key Trust to Grant 5 LLC.

608 E. Locust St., Belvidere, $84,900, 1st Property Investments, LLC to Jeremy S. Havens.

1586 Kirby Court, Belvidere, $280,107, Seven Oaks Consulting and Management, LLC to Paul C. Stahmann and Emily W. Stahmann.

107 Gables Dr., SW, Poplar Grove, $37,555, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to Adriana De Loera.

1208 S. State St., Belvidere, $38,000, Secretary of HUD to Christopher A. Jones and Shana Runge.

530 E. Lincoln Ave., Belvidere, $108,498, Intercounty Judicial Sales to Secretary of HUD.

150 Sundance Trail, Capron, $174,496, Judicial Sales Corp. to Secretary of HUD.

Taken from:  Boone County real estate transactions recorded during July 22-26 | Belvidere Daily Republican

Lisa Madigan says $70 million will help ease foreclosure woes - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

 

The geographic scope of this award includes Winnebago County, Boone County, Ogle County, Stephenson County, Whiteside County, LaSalle County, Lee County, Jo Daviess County, Carroll County and DeKalb County.

Purpose: Homestart and its partners will redevelop properties in three neighborhoods within Rockford, Freeport and Belvidere. Additionally, the money will support a pilot foreclosure mediation court program and a resource center providing counseling, financial literacy and other housing-related education.

Read the entire article by clicking on the following:  Lisa Madigan says $70 million will help ease foreclosure woes - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Boone County real estate transactions recorded during July 2-3 | Belvidere Daily Republican

 

BOONE COUNTY – The following is a list of the Boone County real estate transactions recorded during June July 2-3.

Recorded July 2

2416 Anderson Dr., Belvidere, $172,500, Roy D. and Sally L. Abramat to Calvin and Lisa Downey.

12123 Callanish Lane, Loves Park, $224,000, Calvin and Lisa Downey to Eric D. and Rachel O. Freeman.

12203 Ayrshire Lane, Loves Park, $170,000, Thomas A. Richardson and Cindy S. Richardson to Matthew T. Richardson.

2425 Anderson Dr., Belvidere, $440,000, Jan and Laura Aten to Jason and Alisa Pryor.

625 E. 5th St., Belvidere, $32,000, Chad E. Baxter, Administrator, to Randy L. Baxter.

134 Middle Road, South Beloit, $78,637, Federal National Mortgage Assoc. to Cameron McKee.

405 Calgary Way, Belvidere, $117,500, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to Cathleen E. Berkowski and William A. Kotz.

9625 Denver Dr., Belvidere, $112,000, Bank of America, N.A. to William W. Oestmann.

303 Britnie Dr., Poplar Grove, $147,500, Federal National Mortgage Assoc. to Timothy Ferguson and Brittany C. Mariani.

Recorded July 3

County Line Road acreage, Garden Prairie, $355,000, Hazelwood Trust to Openlands.

906 E. 6th St., Belvidere, $155,000, David L. Lee and Margie L. Lee to Richard J. Ciesielczyk and Karen A. Ciesielczyk.

1107 Candlewick Dr. NE, Poplar Grove, $110,000, Jonathan L. Bouriaque and Kyonghwa Bouriaque to American Homes 4 Rent Properties Five, LLC.

12152 Leighton Dr., Caledonia, $465,000, Dana J. Pelan and Francine M. Pelan to Chicago Title Land Trust Co.

4 Thistle Trail, Caledonia, $179,900, James D. Bowman Jr. and Colleen A. Bowman to Daniel J. Salley and Katherine E. Klimek.

8788 Sheffield Dr., Belvidere, $112,000, Peggy L. Chesher, trustee, to Toni D. Payne.

Boone County real estate transactions recorded during July 2-3 | Belvidere Daily Republican

Boone County real estate transactions recorded during July 2-3 | Belvidere Daily Republican

 

BOONE COUNTY – The following is a list of the Boone County real estate transactions recorded during June July 2-3.

Recorded July 2

2416 Anderson Dr., Belvidere, $172,500, Roy D. and Sally L. Abramat to Calvin and Lisa Downey.

12123 Callanish Lane, Loves Park, $224,000, Calvin and Lisa Downey to Eric D. and Rachel O. Freeman.

12203 Ayrshire Lane, Loves Park, $170,000, Thomas A. Richardson and Cindy S. Richardson to Matthew T. Richardson.

2425 Anderson Dr., Belvidere, $440,000, Jan and Laura Aten to Jason and Alisa Pryor.

625 E. 5th St., Belvidere, $32,000, Chad E. Baxter, Administrator, to Randy L. Baxter.

134 Middle Road, South Beloit, $78,637, Federal National Mortgage Assoc. to Cameron McKee.

405 Calgary Way, Belvidere, $117,500, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to Cathleen E. Berkowski and William A. Kotz.

9625 Denver Dr., Belvidere, $112,000, Bank of America, N.A. to William W. Oestmann.

303 Britnie Dr., Poplar Grove, $147,500, Federal National Mortgage Assoc. to Timothy Ferguson and Brittany C. Mariani.

Recorded July 3

County Line Road acreage, Garden Prairie, $355,000, Hazelwood Trust to Openlands.

906 E. 6th St., Belvidere, $155,000, David L. Lee and Margie L. Lee to Richard J. Ciesielczyk and Karen A. Ciesielczyk.

1107 Candlewick Dr. NE, Poplar Grove, $110,000, Jonathan L. Bouriaque and Kyonghwa Bouriaque to American Homes 4 Rent Properties Five, LLC.

12152 Leighton Dr., Caledonia, $465,000, Dana J. Pelan and Francine M. Pelan to Chicago Title Land Trust Co.

4 Thistle Trail, Caledonia, $179,900, James D. Bowman Jr. and Colleen A. Bowman to Daniel J. Salley and Katherine E. Klimek.

8788 Sheffield Dr., Belvidere, $112,000, Peggy L. Chesher, trustee, to Toni D. Payne.

Above is taken form:  Boone County real estate transactions recorded during July 2-3 | Belvidere Daily Republican

Boone County real estate transactions recorded during June 10-17 | Belvidere Daily Republican

 

BOONE COUNTY – The following is a list of the Boone County real estate transactions recorded during June 10-17.

Recorded June 10

Poplar Grove Road lots, Poplar Grove, $1,375,000, Boone/Poplar Grove LLC to JBM Story, LLC.

206 Picadilly Dr. SE, Poplar Grove, $45,000, US Secretary of HUD to Ronald J. Bauer.

8778 Belvoir Dr., Belvidere, $151,000, Renee Kremer (NKA Renee Melton) and Mark R. Melton to Traci Hulsey.

444 Franklin St., Belvidere, $52,713, Federal National Mortgage Assoc. to Signature Preferred Properties, LLC.

Recorded June 11

1789 Greenfield Ct., Belvidere, $140,000, Lisa M. Williams to Carissa L. Sweeney.

Recorded June 12

11375 Olson Road, Belvidere, $1,075,000, Trust AET-1 to George W. and Janice M. Knoll.

2112 Candlewick Dr. SE, Poplar Grove, $38,875, US Secretary of HUD to Yredi – Profit Sharing Plan.

1521 Fremont St., Belvidere, $72,000, Federal National Mortgage Assoc. to Penny Seele.

12244 Callanish Lane, Loves Park, $222,000, Brian L. Swope and Beth A. Swope to Thomas J. Logan and Cheryl L. Logan.

113 Liverpool Dr, SE, Poplar Grove, $145,000, Judicial Sales Corp. to US Secretary of HUD.

100 Waldemar Court SW, Poplar Grove, $75,483, Judicial Sales Corp. to US Secretary of HUD.

Recorded June 13

114 Brandywine Dr. SE, Poplar Grove, $82,000, Anthony M. Paul and Lisa S. Paul to Steven P. Wieczorek.

212 Marquette Dr. SW, Poplar Grove, $51,100, Federal National Mortgage Assoc. to Marilyn Harris.

300 W. Marshall St., Belvidere, $37,000, Federal National Mortgage Assoc. to Claudio Ramos and Clara Ramos.

Recorded June 14

685 Southtowne Dr., Belvidere, $74,000, Marcia L. Flegler to Maria del Rocio Parra.

5060 Tuneberg Parkway, Belvidere, $212,000, Richard B. Conner, trustee, to Mark D. Kneller and Angela L. Kneller.

2100 Chamberlain St., Belvidere, $115,000, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to Christopher D. Allen.

406 Douglas St., Belvidere, $37,500, US Secretary of HUD to Jose D. Medina.

389 Roosevelt St., Belvidere, $110,000, Clara E. Bolanos to Yvetteia L. Kingdon.

Recorded June 17

7731 Bel Mar Dr., Belvidere, $25,000, John Fincke to RGirls Trust.

5325 River Run Parkway, Belvidere, $300,000, Mariusz Bider and Urszula Bider to Steven M. Clymer and Jennifer L. Clymer.

401 Brooke-Linsee Pl., Poplar Grove, $145,000, Lonnie D. Hollis and Laurie Hollis to JAT Corp.

200 Bounty Dr. NE, Poplar Grove, $44,299, US Bank National Assoc. to Karl Steiskal Sr. and Ellen Steiskal.

The above is taken from:  Boone County real estate transactions recorded during June 10-17 | Belvidere Daily Republican

Real estate taxes greater than mortgage?

Well not quite, take a look at this house for sale in Belvidere.   With a 20% down payment the monthly payment of $388 or 4656 per year is $12 more than the $4,644  in 2011 taxes.  

This is currently available at: http://rockfordil.prustarckrealtors.info/details/start.aspx?PropId=169R000072436&vip=PruREfooter

 

Here is one that makes it.  Monthly mortgage $257 or $3,084 per year taxes 2011 $3,396 or taxes $312 more than annual mortgage payment.

From:  http://rockfordil.prustarckrealtors.info/details/start.aspx?PropId=169R201301066&vip=PruREfooter

 

Boone County real estate transactions recorded May 13-17 | Belvidere Daily Republican

 

BOONE COUNTY – The following is a list of the Boone County real estate transactions recorded during May 13-17.

Recorded May 13

1535 Maryland Ct., Belvidere, $168,633, Intercounty Judicial Sales to US Secretary of HUD.

2950 Prairie Road, Belvidere, $200,000, Gail A. Sullivan to Donald C. Gruss and Laura J. Hagen.

201 Tamarack Hollow St. SW, Poplar Grove, $45,000, Stephen and Adreane Braden to Geraldine Messina.

Recorded May 14

413 Lamplighter Loop SE, Poplar Grove, $96,000, US Bank National Assoc. to American Homes 4 Rent Properties Three, LLC.

1105 Maplewood Ct., Belvidere, $98,000, E*Trade to American Homes 4 Rent Properties Three, LLC.

9633 Beaver Valley Road, Belvidere, $184,900, Earl P. McNamara, Sr., Earl P. McNamara, Jr., Michael J. McNamara, Thomas P. McNamara to Lowell Steven Hilden and Lori G. Hilden.

304 Greenbriar Blvd., Poplar Grove, $100,201, Secretary of HUD to Ryan J. and Kelcie L. Letzter.

Recorded May 15

13 S. Heather Court, Caledonia, $95,000, Linda S. Snarski to Anthony R. Anderson.

8754 Olson Road, Belvidere, $191,050, Nancy E. Peterson, Trustee, to Randall F. Baker.

436 Andrews Dr., Belvidere, $73,801, Judicial Sales Corp. to Ned W. Flack and Tari J. Flack.

Recorded May 16

222 Thornhill Dr., SW, Poplar Grove, $52,000, Jason McGehee and Brigid McGehee to Chelsea L. Johnson.

405 E. Lincoln Ave., Belvidere, $255,000, John T. Cygan II and Debrah V. Cygan to Sophia Hazinski.

9033 Smokethorn Trail, Belvidere, $825,000, Betty Piske to Jon A. Thompson and Lisa J. Thompson.

Recorded May 17

1221 Candlewick Dr., Poplar Grove, $90,100, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to Craig Fry and Marguerite Fry.

The above is taken from:  Boone County real estate transactions recorded May 13-17 | Belvidere Daily Republican

Boone County real estate transactions recorded April 8-12 | Belvidere Daily Republican

 

BOONE COUNTY – Following is a list of the Boone County real estate transactions recorded during April 8-12.

Recorded April 8

502 East Ave., Belvidere, $74,000, Betty L. Smith heirs to Jason E. Tornero and Elizabeth A. Woznicki.

2579 Anderson Dr., Belvidere, $182,500, Peggy R. Matz Karlson, trustee to David R. Langan and Barbara A. Langan.

1015 Johnson Ct., Belvidere, $154,900, Steven J. and Christine M. Devlieger to Ryan P. and Kimberly A. Minnihan.

2629 6^th St., Belvidere, $156,000, Louis J. Caputo and Susan D. Caputo to Leslie Marie Anderson Trust.

1020 Caswell St., Belvidere, $86,000, Signature Preferred Properties, LLC to James Lembke.

Recorded April 9

200 Brandywine Dr. SE, Poplar Grove, $60,000, Judicial Sales Corp. to Secretary of HUD.

119 Staffordshire Dr., Poplar Grove, $42,000, US Dept. of HUD to Norman and Christina Hamilton.

432 Sherman Lane, Poplar Grove, $129,790, US Dept. of HUD to Daniel Shank and Melissa Shank.

229 Briar Cliff St. SW, Poplar Grove, $55,000, US Dept. of HUD to Anthony R. Tripoli.

1904 Paddock Ct. Unit 12, Belvidere, $72,000, Derby Run LLC to Mark Wagner.

1401 Douglas Ct., Belvidere, $90,000, Roberta Callahan, Trustee, to Marcten, LLC.

448 Stone Hollow, Poplar Grove, $120,000, Federal National Mortgage Assoc. to Elizabeth A. Long.

Recorded April 10

412 Talladega Dr., Poplar Grove, $90,000, Ohio Investments LLC to Jennifer M. Creviston.

Recorded April 11

961 S. Main St., Belvidere, $42,000, US Dept. of HUD to Norma Cortes.

10803 Shaw Road, Belvidere, $80,000, Bankord Family Trust to Grant and Michelle Hulstedt.

115 E. Jackson St., Belvidere, $43,000, Federal National Mortgage Assoc. to Lucia Magana.

Russellville Road -39 acres, Capron, $354,087, Donald Busch, Michael Busch to Raymond K. Love and Phyllis M. Love.

Russellville Road –40 acres, Capron, $360,000, Donald Busch, Michael Busch to Joshua Waddell.

THE FOLLOWING IS TAKEN FROM:  Boone County real estate transactions recorded April 8-12 | Belvidere Daily Republican

Real Estate Transactions

Following is from:    http://www.belvideredailyrepublican.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7140:boone-county-real-estate-transactions-recorded-oct-nov-1-4&catid=108:boone-county&Itemid=510

Click on the photocopy to enlarge:

Is your house underwater?

Slump Alters Jobless Map in U.S., With South Hit Hard

Several Southern states — including South Carolina, whose 11.1 percent unemployment rate is the fourth highest in the nation — have higher unemployment rates than they did a year ago. Unemployment in the South is now higher than it is in the Northeast and the Midwest, which include Rust Belt states that were struggling even before the recession.

Unemployment remains high across much of the country — the national rate is 9.1 percent — but the regions have recovered at different speeds.

Now, with the concentration of the highest unemployment rates in the South and the West, some economists and researchers wonder if it is an anomaly of the uneven recovery or a harbinger of things to come. ….

West has the highest unemployment in the nation. The collapse of the housing bubble left Nevada with the highest jobless rate, 13.4 percent, followed by California with 12.1 percent. Michigan has the third-highest rate, 11.2 percent, as a result of the longstanding woes of the American auto industry. …

Brookings analysis, which found that many auto-producing metropolitan areas in the Great Lakes states are seeing modest gains in manufacturing that are helping them recover from their deep slump, while Sun Belt and Western states with sharp drops in home values are still suffering. The areas that have been hurt the least since the recession, the study said, rely on government, education or energy production. Places that were less buoyed by the housing bubble were less harmed when it burst.

Click on the following for all of the story:  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/27/us/unrelenting-downturn-is-redrawing-americas-economic-map.html?_r=1&hp

Boone County real estate transactions recorded Sept. 12-15

BOONE COUNTY - Following is a list of the Boone County real estate transactions recorded Sept. 12-15.

Recorded Sept. 12

1220 Farmers National Dr., Belvidere, $140,500, Paul Batson to Alexander O. Kunets and Michelle L. Kunets.

300 Royal Ave., Belvidere, $124,000, Joan Connell to Victor R. and Arlene E. Trimble.

11124 Cemetery Road, Capron, $170,000, Joan J. Messenger, Trustee, to Stephen E. Nelson.

301 E. Grove St., Poplar Grove, $113,000, Charles A. and Carol A. Anderson, to Brian K. and Dawn L. Kreutzer.

Recorded Sept. 13

710 E. 2^nd St., Belvidere, $35,199, Wells Fargo to Jarrid Clark.

2334 Squaw Prairie Road, Belvidere, $140,000, John W. and Linda L. Ackerson to Marty Liston.

Recorded Sept. 14

1534 9^th Ave., Belvidere, $69,000, Antonio Cabral to Celina Cabral.

933 Bradley Lane, Belvidere, $121,000, Federal National Mortgage Association to Jeffrey and Megan Hursh.

2912 County Meadow Lane, Belvidere, $304,000, Daron A. Domino and Lisa R. Domino to John A. and Wendy J. Hart.

414 Wren Lane, Caledonia, $360,000, Jack E. Teela and Mary K. Teela to Kimberly A. Mackenroth.

1523 9^th Ave., Belvidere, $46,199, US Bank to Jose Mancillas.

Recorded Sept. 15

1404 Walts Way, Belvidere, $249,900, Kim L. and Amy C. Larson to Deanna Rasmussen-Walkey and Jeremy Walkey.

Illinois AG gets help in robo-signing investigation

July 20, 2011

By Andrew Thomason Illinois Statehouse News

SPRINGFIELD — A group of 12 county recorders in Illinois are providing documents to Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan for her investigation into an illicit practice relating to the national real estate and subsequent foreclosure crises, known as "robo-signing."

“Robo-signing is actually a variety of practices. It can be mortgages individuals signing a document that they have no idea of what’s contained within the document and without verifying the information,” said Champaign County Record Barb Frasca. “It can mean someone forging an executive signature on a document or using their own name on the document with a fake title.”

Madigan launched her investigation earlier this year into Lender Processing Services and Nationwide Title Clearing, two of the largest loan servicing companies in the country.

County recorders, one for each of the state’s 102 counties, are stewards of deeds and other documents relating to real estate ownership, and often receive paperwork from loan servicing and other mortgage processing companies. Josh Langfelder, Sangamon County recorder, said he and the 11 other recorders voluntarily are assembling documents for Madigan.

“They gave us a sample of documents that may be related to our investigation, and they are gathering more documents to provide,” attorney general spokeswoman Robyn Ziegler said. “We’re reviewing the information they provided.”

Ziegler would not identify the documents provided or comment on whether the initial sampling will help in Madigan’s investigation, because it is ongoing.

When the global recession hit and the real estate bubble burst, banks and other mortgage holders were flooded with foreclosures. To keep the surge of paperwork moving, some institutions disregarded safeguards that would protect homeowners, such as providing an affidavit verifying the identity of the mortgage owners.

These practices led to a temporary halt in foreclosures last fall, as sloppy paperwork turned into unnecessary foreclosures. Without proper documentation, confusion emerged over who owed what to whom.

“We want to be protective of the homeowners, people who have perchance been foreclosed on that perhaps the ownership (of the mortgage) was not clearly identified, or someone who has bought a foreclosed home,” said Rock Island County Recorder Pat Veronda.

Similar county officials in Minnesota and Massachusetts, for example, are working with their states’ attorneys general in robo-signing investigations. For example, the county recorder office for Essex County, Mass., claims to have nearly 1,200 documents with 22 different handwriting styles that all read “Linda Green,” according to the Associated Press.

"Linda Green" signatures have found their way to Illinois as well, said Glenda Johnson, chief deputy recorder for St. Clair County.

The Massachusetts example "made us look further into it. She is all over out there," Johnson said.

While companies have claimed to stop the practice of robo-signing, recent investigations by the AP and Reuters indicate this is not happening, which could prove troublesome as the rate of foreclosures refuses to drop to prerecession levels.

While foreclosure rates dropped by nearly 25 percent for June when compared with the same period this past year, they inched up by 4 percent from May, according to RealtyTrac, a company that monitors foreclosures nationwide.

Illinois had 11,014 foreclosures in June, or one in every 480 housing units, mainly in the counties surrounding Chicago. Only Michigan, Arizona, Florida and California had more foreclosures in June than Illinois