I wrote two posts about Mancari Chrysler in Oak Lawn, Illinois with their “Buy One - Get One for a Dollar” deal.  The second post I wrote was about people calling me as if I were Mancari Chrysler, just because I posted the story.

We know the auto industry is in trouble, just as the housing industry is.  I got my real estate license during the recession of the 80’s.  I don’t remember any buy one - get one free offers from auto dealers back then.  I do remember as soon as I got my license interest rates jumped from 10.5% to 12.87% to 18% and I think we even had rates above 20%!  Our rates are still historically low today, but the housing market is in a terrible slump.

Now a long-time Tinley Park automobile dealership, Bettenhausen Dodge, is offering a “Buy One - Get One Free” deal.  Not a dollar, but free!  And unlike Mancari Chrysler, who offered only one deal (they wanted to get rid of 6 gas guzzling Chrysler Pacificas (priced from $37,000 - $40,000) and you’d get a PT Cruiser for a dollar, Bettenhausen is offering what looks like 4 combinations:

• A 2008 Durango SXT with a 2008 Avenger
• A 2008 Charger RT with a 2008 Caliber
• A 2008 Grand Caravan with a 2008 Sebring
• A 2008 Dakota with a 2008 PT Cruiser

Although the ad shows prices for each of the cars I couldn’t read the fine print for the exact details of this deal.  I’m assuming you pay for the highest priced vehicle but these prices don’t seem overinflated, although I haven’t checked Bluebook values.  I’m sure there’s even finer print and am not in the market for a car so I won’t dig too deeply.

But I hope they sell some cars and I hope the public gets some great deals.

That is the lament my husband has lately, and I had to join him today. This morning I left Oak Lawn to go show some Tinley Park real estate. I took my normal route of Central Ave. to 115th St. to Ridgeland to Oak Park Ave. and then to the first showing. I was early since I wasn’t stopped by a train on Central. I’m always afraid of that.

On the way home I ended up on Harlem Ave. which was down to one lane going North because of construction. I got off on the first street which was 143rd. Of course, many others did too but I wasn’t sure when the construction ended.

When I reached 95th & Central, there was sewer work being done although I just had to cross the intersection so it didn’t really bother me. I will say that I do love those smooth new 95th St. Oak Lawn roads. I tried to take a photo the other day in the car but it’s difficult taking a picture of a street, especially from a car. The angle wasn’t good. But those streets sure are pretty now!

Reduced to $300,000

6948 Olde Gatehouse Rd., Tinley Park IL  60477
Click link for virtual tour

Huge price drop on this great oversized 3-step ranch situated on a third of an acre lot on an eyebrow cul-de-sac.  It offers 3 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths plus a 2 1/2 car attached garage with a side drive.

Enter the large ceramic tiled foyer and you’ll see the living/dining room “L” to the left.  Walk straight through and you’ll enter the unique kitchen which is set-up different than most 3-step ranches, making it larger and more open.  Look up and you’ll see the double skylight with a ceiling fan. 

The main floor family room with a fireplace is larger than most and opens up from the kitchen.  Another thing you don’t usually see in the 3-step is the nice sized main floor laundry/mud room for convenient laundry time.  A half bath is also located on the main level.

Up a few stairs you’ll find 3 large bedrooms including the master suite.  One of the bedrooms is currently used as an office.  There is also the hall bathroom with a skylight.

The basement area also features a large crawlspace for storage.  It is unfinished so you can finish it to your specifications.

The park-like backyard features a sprinkler system and beautiful landscaping.  Relax on the large patio while viewing the beautiful trees, shrubs, flowers and foliage.

For still photos and room sizes go to Tinley Park home for sale.  Call Judy Orr at 708-536-8200 to see this great property.

more…

I want to acknowledge the five women who lost their lives in such a senseless, brutal way in the shooting deaths that occurred in a Lane Bryant store in Tinley Park, IL, supposedly from a botched robbery. I also want to share my joy that one of the six victims survived. Hopefully, she will be able to give enough details so this callous criminal can be apprehended.

This horrific event affects everyone; Tinley Park residents, all the Chicago suburbs, all of Illinois and the nation. We are so shocked because something like that doesn’t happen here.

This brings back memories of the Brown’s Chicken massacre that occurred in Palatine, IL in 1993. No one was brought to justice until May 7, 2007, when one of the criminal pair, Juan Luna, was found guilty. He was sentenced to life in prison. It seems like the other perpetrator, Jim Degorski, is still awaiting trial.

I hope it doesn’t take as long to find the Tinley Park murderer. I offer my condolences to the victims’ family, friends and acquaintances. It will take a long time for everyone to heal. Hopefully, they will find some closure and sooner than it took for the Palatine case.