Wednesday, August 29, 2012

4 Things To Do When Buying a North Shore Home this Fall!


A few weeks ago, I talked through a few of the key reasons why buying a home is better than renting in today’s North Shore Real Estate market.  As the market continues to improve, home prices will steadily increase and you’ll be left wishing you would’ve jumped on the opportunity to buy.  

Recently, an article from CNN noted the improvement of the national housing market.  The S&P/Case-Shiller national home price index, which covers more than 80% of the housing market in the United States, climbed 6.9% in the three months ended June 30 compared to the first three months of 2012. "We seem to be witnessing exactly what we needed for a sustained recovery; monthly increases coupled with improving annual rates of change," said David Blitzer, a spokesman for S&P, in a statement. "The market may have finally turned around."

If you are considering buying a home this fall; you’ll want to start now in order to get a head start on the competition.  As a North Shore Real Estate agent, I want to offer as much help as possible, so that you can be as successful as possible in buying a North Shore home.  Here are four key things you’ll want to do when going through the home buying process. 

DO # 1- Do Research the Neighborhood- Not only do you want to find a North Shore home that fits your needs and lifestyle, you’ll want to feel at home in the neighborhood as well!  Decide what you would and wouldn’t like to see in the neighborhood in which you live, and make finding the right fit in a neighborhood a high priority as well.

DO #2- Do Look at Many Houses Before You Buy
- Although you may fall in love with the first North Shore home you tour, it’s wise to view other homes in the area.  You never know if the home across the street is more in line with what you’re looking for in a home!  It’s also good to see the comparables to ensure you’re not overpaying for the home.  View at least three houses before making your decision and, if you still are in love with the first North Shore home you saw, make an offer!

DO #3- Do Invest in a Professional Inspection- While you may be trying to cut down on costs; this is one you don’t want to skip!  Sellers may not disclose everything about the home or they may have done a quick cover-up fix to a larger problem in the home.  Have a professional check over every detail of the house could save you thousands of dollars in the long run.  You’ll also feel very comfortable in making your final decision knowing  the condition of the home.

DO #4- Do Buy Based on Needs, Not Wants-  On average, Americans live in a home for nine years, so when thinking long term; it’s best to decide on a North Shore home based on your needs.  Some of the items you may want now, such as choosing a gourmet kitchen over square footage, may not be what you need in five years if your family is going to grow.  Make a list of your needs and be sure to follow it to be sure you don’t have buyer’s remorse down the road.

Of course as a North Shore Real Estate agent, I’m always here to answer any questions you have throughout the home buying process.  I would love the opportunity to talk with you about what you’re looking for in a home and guide you each step of the way!
Feel free to contact me today to get started!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert


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Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Enjoy the Tastes and Sights of Highland Park This Weekend!


It’s hard to believe that summer is coming to a close, and that we’ll be entering the beautiful fall season soon.  For those of you who currently live on Chicago’s North Shore, you know that the end of summer does not mean the end of great activities and events!  In fact, the charming city of Highland Park is hosting one of their most anticipated events this coming weekend which you’ll want to be sure to attend!

My goal as a North Shore Real Estate agent is to ensure that I’m not only providing you with the best service to find and buy your home on the North Shore, but that you’re able to seamlessly ease into the North Shore lifestyle as well.  If you are interested in learning more about the North Shore and, more specifically, Highland Park; you won’t want to miss this weekend’s Taste of Highland Park and the Port Clinton Art Festival!  

6th Annual Taste of Highland Park
Downtown Highland Park

Friday, August 24 - Sunday, August 26

- The 6th Annual Taste of Highland Park will kick off this Friday at 5pm in downtown Highland Park and will run consecutively with the Port Clinton Art Festival!  This is a great way to enjoy local, notable restaurants and the mouthwatering food they have to offer. In addition to the tasty fare, festival-goers will enjoy a variety of live musical performances from acclaimed bands and performers throughout the weekend!

29th Annual Port Clinton Art Festival
Downtown Highland Park

Saturday, August 25 - Sunday, August 26 from 10am to 6pm daily

- This nationally renown arts festival brings in over 250,000 art enthusiasts each year along with 260 distinguished artists from around the world! Exceptional artwork of all mediums is available at the festival, including ceramics, drawings, furniture, glass, jewlery, metal, paintings, photography and wood.  In addition to the juried artists exhibiting, the festival hosts a youth art division, which offers young artists, ages 18 and under, an opportunity to participate in one of the finest art festivals in the country. Throughout the weekend festival-goers will enjoy art activities for kids, including an art scavenger hunt and spin art, interactive art demos, performance speed painting, and, of course, original artwork offered by master artists from around the world!

I hope you’re able to experience all that Highland Park has to offer this coming weekend.  Whether you currently live in this great city or are hoping to relocate to the area soon; you’ll find it’s a unique way to get to know the community and culture of Highland Park.

If you have any questions regarding the Highland Park Real Estate market or are interested in looking at some of the homes currently available; please let me know.  I would be happy to meet with you to discuss your real estate goals and how we can achieve them together!

I look forward to hearing from you!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert


North Shore Real Estate
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Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Renting VS. Buying a North Shore Home

In the national real estate market this year, one of the great debates has been between buying or renting a home.  Since the market hit an all time low, many were leery of buying considering the current real estate market.  Yet, we’ve seen rent across the nation on the rise and, oftentimes, a monthly mortgage can actually be less expensive than renting.

As a North Shore Real Estate agent, I can see why potential buyers were opting to rent in previous years as the rise of foreclosures brought a reality check to our nation as a whole.  However, when it comes to the battle between renting or buying a North Shore home; I can assure you that buying a home is always the better choice.  Here are a few key reasons why!

1. You can determine your homes’ energy efficiency-  From adding insulation, to upgrading your air conditioner or hot water tank; you are in control of the energy efficiency of your home.  Making these bigger changes, that you wouldn’t make in a renting situation, will save you money in the long run and will make you feel better about what you’re doing for the environment.

2. You can customize your space- This is an important part in making a house feel like a home.  You don’t have to worry about paint colors, what you put on the walls, and even have the freedom to knock out walls to reconfigure a space!  Owning a home means you have endless possibilities to make your North Shore home exactly what you envision.

3. Homeowners buy less furniture
- For the most part, homeowners will stay in a space longer than those who rent.  Moving every few years means you’re constantly investing in new furniture for a place, whereas in owning a home; you can get the furniture that fits your space and feel comfortable with your decisions for years.

4. You know what you’ll be paying from year to year
- Unlike rent, a fixed mortgage means your monthly payment won’t change.  With inflation, rents oftentimes increase each year and you can get caught with paying more than you imagined.  A fixed mortgage is great in allowing you to determine your yearly budget and stick to it.

5. Tax deductions are available for homeowners
- While the main tax perk of owning a home is being able to deduct mortgage interest payments, there are other deductions available.  For instance, eligible expenses such as energy efficient improvements, can provide an even greater tax benefit.

6. You can take advantage of currently low interest rates and prices- Last but certainly not least, the current home prices and low mortgage rates are a huge advantage of buying a North Shore home now.  According to real estate site, Trulia, overall rent prices rose by 5% while home prices lowered by .7%.  With the market leaning heavily in the favor of buyers, now is the time to buy!

As you can see, there are many advantages to buying a North Shore home as opposed to renting.  While the home buying process may seem overwhelming, especially to those of you who are first time home buyers; having a trusted North Shore Real Estate agent by your side to walk with you throughout the entire process can be exactly what you need to find real estate success!

I’m always available to answer any questions you have about the North Shore Real Estate market, and would love to meet up to show you some of the beautiful and affordable homes currently on the market.

Please feel free to contact me today to get started!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert


North Shore Real Estate
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Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Highland Park Market Stats for July 2012

Highland Park Active Listings: There are a total of 276 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,003,501 in Highland Park.

Highland Park Sold Listings: 52 properties closed last month in Highland Park with an average sales price of $485,756, the average time on market for these properties was 125 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
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Glencoe Market Stats for July 2012

Glencoe Active Listings: There are a total of 79 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,540,948 in Glencoe.

Glencoe Sold Listings: 17 properties closed last month in Glencoe with an average sales price of $980,302, 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 Glencoe 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 July 2012

Northbrook Active Listings: There are a total of 269 properties actively on the market with the average price of $618,793 in Northbrook.

Northbrook Sold Listings: 58 properties closed last month in Northbrook with an average sales price of $402,233, the average time on market for these properties was 100 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 July 2012

Winnetka Active Listings: There are a total of 150 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,914,437 in Winnetka.

Winnetka Sold Listings: 33 properties closed last month in Winnetka with an average sales price of $1,172,937, the average time on market for these properties was 119 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
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Deerfield Market Stats for July 2012

Deerfield Active Listings: There are a total of 144 properties actively on the market with the average price of $482,508 in Deerfield.

Deerfield Sold Listings: 31 properties closed last month in Deerfield with an average sales price of $441,470, the average time on market for these properties was 84 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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Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Sell Your North Shore Home This Fall!


Can you believe it’s already August? It feels like just yesterday we were discussing the North Shore’s mild winter weather. If you are in the position to sell your North Shore home, now might just be the time to do it! With school starting in just a couple of weeks and the summer activities winding down, you have more time to mull over your options, get your home market ready and find the North Shore real estate agent that will make the transaction a success. 

While you’ve heard of calculated home staging and enhancing curb appeal, there is much more that goes into a successful home sale. As your Chicago North Shore real estate agent, let me walk you through some tips and tricks to make your home selling experience as smooth as possible. 

Have an Inspection: One of the best ways to show off your home is to have a professional inspection. While you have taken care of your home throughout the year, you never know what flaws (big or small) could be hiding. Having an inspector walk through your home will bring light to (or eliminate) the possibility of any major issues. Of course the buyer will have their own inspector, but having your own personal record is beneficial to the overall outcome. It will also show buyers that you are serious about selling and care that the house is in the best condition possible for its new owner. 

Give an Incentive: People love this. Think of it like a bakery – they may be offering two cookies for the price of one. You can apply this same concept to your home sale. Whether it be lawn or pool maintenance or footing the trash bill, there are plenty of ways you can offer a little something extra.  You can make the buyer’s life a little easier by offering a service to keep the lawn mowed or the pool clean. This can be worked into the overall price and will also set you home apart from its competitors. Your North Shore real estate agent can help you come up with a plan that will be beneficial to everyone. 

Find the Right Agent: This might be the most important step in your North Shore home sale. While many people choose to sell their home on their own, I think it’s best to seek the help of an experienced listing agent. Not only can they answer any questions you might have, but they will also be working behind the scenes to make sure the transaction is running smoothly.  They will help you study the market, get your home market ready, and of course, determine a fair and realistic price for your home. 

I hope these tips have given you some insight for your next home sale! Making sure that your North Shore home is in the best shape possible is the key to a successful transaction. If you’re in the position to buy or sell in Chicago’s North Shore area, feel free to contact me anytime. I would love to be your go-to-guide throughout the entire process.

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert


North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
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