Wednesday, April 25, 2012

7 Tips for Buying a Luxurious North Shore Home!


Chicago’s North Shore is filled with luxurious homes that are tucked on quiet, tree lined streets or near Lake Michigan’s shores.  If you’re considering relocating to Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Northbrook or Deerfield you may have started to research what homes are currently available on the North Shore Real Estate market, which is always a great way to start!
Yet, as you consider finding the luxury home of your dreams on Chicago’s North Shore, there are a few things you’ll want to know about buying in the high end market.  As a North Shore Real Estate agent in the North Shore Real Estate market for a number of years, I can tell you that there are some differences and new things to note; so I’ve posted them below for your review!
1. Learn the search process- Oftentimes, luxury properties will go unlisted to protect the seller’s privacy.  Having an experienced North Shore Real Estate agent by your side will ensure you have the inside connection to some of those unlisted properties. 
2. Go beyond the photos- While photos of a home can be helpful for getting an initial first impression of a home; don’t write off a home simply because of the online photos.  Luxury homes have many features that need to be seen in person to get a true feel for what the home has to offer. 
3. Find a North Shore Real Estate Expert- You’ll want to find a North Shore Real Estate agent who is very familiar with the area and neighborhood in which you want to buy.  Getting a showing appointment at a high-end home can be tough, unless your real estate agent has the necessary connections. 
4. Bank on your relationships- You’ll want to go with the bank with which you currently have a relationship.  They’ll have your portfolio ready and can be a great asset when you decide to move forward with the purchase.
5. Hire smart, reliable advisers- Aside from a trusted North Shore Real Estate agent, you’ll want to have a financial planner to discuss the purchase.  Your North Shore Real Estate agent can guide you, but your financial planner can help you in making those final decisions. 
6. Look into the future- If you are considering doing major renovations to the home before moving in, make sure you’ve considered the timeline.  Plan on delays since there’s always something that could go wrong, and make sure you’re okay with the time it may take to get everything done.
7. There's room to negotiate- The amount of time and money that a seller has put into their luxury property can boost the price tag of a North Shore home.  Your North Shore Real Estate agent will provide you with a list of comparable homes in the area and help you come up with an offer that is fair. 
If you are considering buying a luxury home in Chicago’s North Shore, please feel free to contact me!  I’ve lived and worked in the North Shore for over twenty-five years and have helped many buyers easily navigate through the home buying process.
I look forward to helping you find your luxury North Shore home!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert


North Shore Real Estate
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Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Highland Park Market Stats for March 2012


Highland Park Active Listings: There are a total of 304 properties actively on the market with the average price of $953,646 in Highland Park.
Highland Park Sold Listings: 43 properties closed last month in Highland Park with an average sales price of $388,707, the average time on market for these properties was 124 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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Deerfield Market Stats for March 2012


Deerfield Active Listings: There are a total of 155 properties actively on the market with the average price of $543,019 in Deerfield.
Deerfield Sold Listings: 21 properties closed last month in Deerfield with an average sales price of $347,354, the average time on market for these properties was 94 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 March 2012


Glencoe Active Listings: There are a total of 98 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,522,808 in Glencoe.
Glencoe Sold Listings: 8 properties closed last month in Glencoe with an average sales price of $1,645,063, the average time on market for these properties was 127 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
Visit My Website

Northbrook Market Stats for March 2012


Northbrook Active Listings: There are a total of 282 properties actively on the market with the average price of $594,582 in Northbrook.
Northbrook Sold Listings: 44 properties closed last month in Northbrook with an average sales price of $420,941, the average time on market for these properties was 120 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
Visit My Website

Winnetka Market Stats for March 2012


Winnetka Active Listings: There are a total of 164 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,853,142 in Winnetka.
Winnetka Sold Listings: 13 properties closed last month in Winnetka with an average sales price of $1,239,231, the average time on market for these properties was 164 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

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Sell Your North Shore Home Quickly with These 5 Tips!


Selling your North Shore home this spring is a great idea considering the fact that more buyers hit the North Shore Real Estate market this time of year.  Yet sellers are oftentimes leery of the busier real estate market since they see it as a time for greater competition.  
In working with sellers for a number of years in Chicago’s North Shore cities of Winnekta, Glencoe, Northbrook, Highland Park and Deerfield as a North Shore Real Estate agent; I know the ins and outs of what it takes to get your home sold.  While the market has probably changed a bit since you purchased your North Shore home, selling in today’s market is not impossible and can be a stress free transaction!
Here are a few key ways that you can help boost the appeal of your home for North Shore buyers and ensure you have a smooth and efficient home selling process
1. Research- While your North Shore Real Estate agent will provide you with comparables of what other homes in your neighborhood are selling for, taking the time to do a little research on your own will help you prepare for what you can expect.  Take note of home prices in your area and what upgrades those homes have to offer.
2. Fix it Up- You’ll want to know what needs to be fixed before buyers begin looking at your home.  Having a “pre-inspection” by a home inspector will allow you to fix any necessary repairs so that they don’t come up in the buyers home inspection.  This can help speed up the process once you find an interested buyer. 
3. Act Like a Buyer- If you were looking at your home as a buyer, what would you see?  Are there any updates you’d want to make such as paint, appliances or finishes?  Acting like a buyer for your own home will give you insight into what you can do to make your North Shore home more attractive to buyers.  
4. Make it Move In Ready- Today’s buyers have the option to be picky and many want a home that’s move in ready.  Your home will need to have those key factors that are now considered standard in a North Shore home such as granite countertops and stainless steel appliances.  
5. Price it Right- This is a key factor that cannot be stressed enough.  Pricing a home correctly from the beginning will help you sell your home more quickly.  Your North Shore Real Estate agent will work with you to show you what other homes are selling for and to determine a fair market value for your home. If your home is priced too high, it  will sit on the market and you’ll eventually have to lower your price.  If you decide on a price that is the lowest you’d like to go, be prepared to offer buyers other incentives such as closing costs or a flexible closing date.  
I hope these tips will give you an idea of what it takes to get your home sold in today’s North Shore Real Estate market!  I would be more than happy to sit down and talk with you about getting your home sold quickly.  My experience in selling North Shore homes and my extensive marketing strategy will allow you to rest assured that your home is in the best hands!
Please feel free to contact me today to get started!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert


North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
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Wednesday, April 4, 2012

10 Tips for a Beautiful North Shore Garden!

Spring on the North Shore is an ideal time to begin outdoor projects on your North Shore home.  Whether you’re looking for a way to brighten up your outdoor living space and curb appeal or you’re considering selling your North Shore home this spring; you’ll want to take a look at the following ten ways to create a beautiful garden and welcoming backdrop for your North Shore home.  
In living in the North Shore and working as a North Shore Real Estate agent, I can attest that first impressions of a home are lasting.  If you’re thinking of putting your North Shore home on the market; you’ll want to do your part to ensure the first impression is a lasting one!  Here are ten ways to do so!
1. Bulbs- Want full, rich colors in your North Shore yard?  Begin planting bulbs of dahlia, lily, gladiolus and tuberous begonia.  
2. Annuals- Now is the time to plant hardy annual such as petunias, dianthus, snapdragons and pansies.  If you’re worried about frost, simply cover the plants with plastic at night.  You can also opt for hanging mixed baskets filled with fuchsias, geraniums and impatiens which can easily be moved inside if threatened by a frost. 
3.  Perennials- As you begin to see these return, be sure to give these plants some fertilizer to ensure they’re fed for the season. 
4. Lawn care- Now is the ideal time to assess the needs of your lawn if you haven’t already done so.  Begin cleaning away weeds and debris that settled during the winter.  Begin fertilizing grassy areas and do any trimming to give a well manicured appearance.
5. Vegetables- Before you begin planting, consider the timing of your plants as well as who makes the best neighbors.  Plant hardier veggies such as lettuce or potatoes now and wait until it’s consistenly 60 degrees before planting the more delicate plants.  Beans, celery an cucumbers are happy to be planted near each other, but be sure to keep bean plants away from aromatic vegetables such as garlic.
6. Planting- Buy new plants along with replacements of those that may not have made it through the winter months.  
7. Fertilizing- This is key to keeping your plants well fed and growing all season.  Don’t forget to give your well-loved plants their food!  Be sure that you don’t “over-fertilize” as it can kill the plants or cause “leaf burn.”
8. Pruning- Pruning needs vary by climate zones.  Be sure to check on more details of pruning for the Chicago area.  
9. Weeding- No one likes to do it, but weeds need to be nipped in the bud before they get out of control.  Spraying weed killer is a great option, just be sure to spray on a warm day with limited wind. 
10.  Preparing Your Patio- With consistent warm weather just around the corner, you’ll want to make sure your patio is spruced up and the furniture is cleaned and in good working order so you can enjoy long summer days outdoors on the North Shore!
I hope these tips are helpful as you prepare your North Shore lawn and garden for the warm months ahead!  If you are hoping to sell your North Shore home this spring or looking to buy a home on the North Shore; please let me know!
I would enjoy the opportunity to talk with you about your real estate needs!  As an experienced North Shore Real Estate agent; I can guide you easily through the home buying or selling process!
I look forward to working with you!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert


North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
Visit My Website