Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Celebrate a North Shore New Year's Eve!

Ready or not, here comes 2012! Our North Shore communities offer some of the best fine dining and entertainment to be found in the Chicago area. For those of you needing last-minute ideas for a North Shore New Year’s Eve, here’s a sampling of events!

 The Chicago/Northbrook Hilton hosts a spectacular bash featuring a four-course dinner, wine service, live music and dancing. This upscale night out includes overnight accommodations. $325 per couple includes tax and gratuity.

The Benjamin Restaurant in Highland Park is hosting a Frank Sinatra-themed New Year’s Eve, with prices starting at $99 per person. The four-course prix fixe dinner menu allows you to choose your combination of appetizer, soup/salad, entrée, and dessert. How about the Double Chocolate Toffee Mousse Torte? Live piano music featuring Sinatra tunes and 50’s-era jazz.

The Westin North Shore in Wheeling has several party and accommodation offerings starting at $199 for single occupancy. You can go ala carte, or include a full evening of dining and festivities according to your preference.

If you’re looking for a family outing, the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe has a Wonderland Express exhibit that will enthrall kids of all ages. With 750,000 holiday lights greeting you from the outside, and 10,000 square feet of elaborate miniature trains and landmark displays inside, you’ll be immersed in visual splendor. Exhibit runs through Jan 1, 2012.

As your North Shore Real Estate agent, I enjoy sharing our local lifestyle and all it has to offer. Whether you are new to the area, or you have lived here for years, there is always something new to experience! And when it’s time to buy or sell a home in Deerfield, Glencoe, Highland Park, Northbrook or Winnetka, I will be here to help you. Contact me for North Shore market expertise.

Wishing you the very best in 2012,

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert

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Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Applying a Cash Gift to Your North Shore Home Purchase

Is it better to give than receive? If you are looking to buy a North Shore home, a cash gift from family could help you fund the down payment. It would certainly be good to receive! But there are a few points that you and the gift-giver need to know. Here’s the latest on the subject, quoted from the New York Times:

“If you are giving a cash gift for a down payment, the giver must remember that under Federal law, each individual is permitted to give away money/valuables worth up to $13,000 to a single recipient in a calendar year. A married couple could jointly bestow up to $26,000 to a recipient in a calendar year. Anything above the annual maximum could be considered a taxable gift, and must be reported to the IRS.”

In other words, consult your tax preparer before moving any funds around!

Cash gifts are a hot topic in Newsday as well. Here’s a quick look at how different mortgage types treat cash gifts:

FHA – the entire 3.5% down payment can consist of gifted funds. Because of the loan amount limits on FHA-backed mortgages, you’ll want to ask your lender if an FHA loan would be an option for the price range you’re in.

Freddie Mac – if 80% of the property value is being financed, the buyers would have to produce at least 5% of the down payment from their own funds; the rest could come from gifts.

Fannie Mae – the entire down payment may be from gifts.

Speak to your mortgage lender in advance of receiving gift funds from family. Each mortgage type has conditions about the documentation needed for cash gifts. Knowing the underwriting criteria in advance will help you satisfy the paper trail.

Home ownership is truly the gift that keeps on giving! As your North Shore Real Estate agent, I’m happy to share industry news and information about the Chicago North Shore Real Estate market.

Our North Shore communities are a wonderful place to live! If you would like to buy or sell a home in Deerfield, Glencoe, Highland Park, Northbrook,Winnetka or nearby locales, Contact me for North Shore market expertise. You can trust my 25 years of experience for all your real estate needs.

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert

North Shore Real Estate
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Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Simplify Your North Shore Home Search!

Overwhelmed by information? You’re not alone! As a North Shore Real Estate agent, I see firsthand the ton of real estate information that floods the media. It can sidetrack a home search and cost you valuable time.

If you’re looking for homes in the North Shore Real Estate market, you can simplify your search with these tips from RISMedia:

List the important must-haves; school district, number of bedrooms and baths, ect.

Obtain a mortgage pre-approval and know your purchase power. This is essential in our current market.

Now that you know your priorities and price range, use the criteria to narrow your home search. Start with my Featured Listings to see examples of beautiful North Shore homes. Personalize your search according to your own criteria on the “Search All Listings” page.

Stay focused on the priorities! Interior photos may not do a home justice, and décor can always be changed. Make a list of the homes that meet your needs and price, in the location you most desire.

Contact me for North Shore market expertise! Having an experienced North Shore Real Estate agent on your side will make for a smooth home buying process.

Whether you’re looking for a home in Deerfield, Glencoe, Highland Park, Northbrook,Winnetka or any of the North Shore communities, I can help you find the perfect home. Contact me to arrange a personal showing of any home in the North Shore area!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert

North Shore Real Estate
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Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Deerfield Market Stats for November 2011


Deerfield Active Listings: There are a total of 176 properties actively on the market with the average price of $500,991 in Deerfield.

Deerfield Sold Listings: 21 properties closed last month in Deerfield with an average sales price of $297,879, the average time on market for these properties was 74 days.



To view the complete report including additional detailed data, charts ad graphs, please view the Deerfield market statistics!


Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert


North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
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Glencoe Market Stats for November 2011


Glencoe Active Listings: There are a total of 96 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,454,759 in Glencoe.

Glencoe Sold Listings: 8 properties closed last month in Glencoe with an average sales price of $1,301,563, the average time on market for these properties was 223 days.



To view the complete report including additional detailed data, charts ad graphs, please view the Glencoe market statistics!


Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert


North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
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Highland Park Market Stats for November 2011


Highland Park Active Listings: There are a total of 327 properties actively on the market with the average price of $845,146 in Highland Park.

Highland Park Sold Listings: 20 properties closed last month in Highland Park with an average sales price of $621,720, the average time on market for these properties was 122 days.



To view the complete report including additional detailed data, charts ad graphs, please view the Highland Park market statistics!


Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert


North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
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Northbrook Market Stats for November 2011


Northbrook Active Listings: There are a total of 318 properties actively on the market with the average price of $534,916 in Northbrook.

Northbrook Sold Listings: 25 properties closed last month in Northbrook with an average sales price of $263,920, the average time on market for these properties was 86 days.



To view the complete report including additional detailed data, charts ad graphs, please view the Northbrook market statistics!


Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert


North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
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Winnetka Market Stats for November 2011


Winnetka Active Listings: There are a total of 135 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,923,818 in Winnetka.

Winnetka Sold Listings: 11 properties closed last month in Winnetka with an average sales price of $1,164,963, the average time on market for these properties was 107 days.


To view the complete report including additional detailed data, charts ad graphs, please view the Winnetka market statistics!


Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert


North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
Visit My Website