NEW YORK (Reuters) - Applications for home mortgages jumped last week, fueled by increased demand for refinancing as interest rates fell, an industry group said on Wednesday. The Mortgage Bankers Association said its seasonally adjusted index of mortgage application activity, which includes both refinancing and home purchase demand, rose 7.5 percent in the week ended Feb 3.

Updated: February 7, 2012 5:30PM The real estate market is moving forward in Lake Forest and Lake Bluff, according to a presentation at the Gorton Community Center last week. While sales and prices are not at the peak levels of 2005, activity is picking up. “I’m definitely encouraged,” said Deb Fischer of Koenig & Strey in Lake Forest, speaking after the gather

Very soon property tax bills will hit homes in Oak Park. They will be higher this time. That is not news. Neither is the fact that in general, the property tax rate in Oak Park is nearing three percent, and the sum homeowners pay swings from about $5,000 up to $25,000. OK, the jaw-dropping amount is for homes assessed and taxed at a million dollar-plus bracket, although, $5,000 isn't chu