Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Labor Day Weekend on Chicago’s North Shore


Celebrating the Last Weekend of Summer 

North Shore Real Estate
Labor Day on the North Shore

We’ve had a lovely summer on Chicago’s North Shore, but it’s almost time to welcome fall once again. Since Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer, everyone should get out and experience what the North Shore has to offer. No matter which community you live in, there is plenty happening. Here are 4 fun-filled events this Labor Day weekend on the North Shore.

Labor Day Weekend Concerts at Ravinia

The concert series at Ravinia will come an end for the season later in September. If you haven’t already, this coming weekend is a great opportunity to get out there and enjoy some phenomenal live music performances. Friday night features Michael McDonald and Toto, while Saturday offers Billy Corgan or the jazz stylings of pianist Dan Tepfer. Sunday and Monday both feature classic pianists, Andrew von Oeyen and Alexandra Silocea, respectively. Tickets are still available for all shows.

Closing Weekend at the North Shore Beaches

Our local beaches are about to close for the season. With over a dozen North Shore beaches to choose from, maybe you should take the opportunity to visit one that you haven’t before for one final day of beach fun this summer! Pack a blanket, a picnic and some sunscreen, and go enjoy the lakefront before you have to wait until next season.

Art Fair on the Square

On Sunday, August 31st and Monday, September 1st, The Deer Path Art League hosts its 60th annual art festival. This event will feature specialty art booths, an interactive children's art tent, the entrepreneurial Young Artists gallery, the Emerging Artists area and more. The event is held at Market Square in Lake Forest and will begin at 10am both days.

The Mousetrap Machine Show

Don't miss this special one-time live performance at the Winnetka Community House on August 31st at 4pm. In this science themed stage show, Smarty Pants transforms his award winning balloons into working levers, wheels, pulleys, inclined planes and screws. Your child may even have the chance to participate on stage, as the show requires over 25 volunteers. The show also ties directly into the science curriculum for Illinois.

This is just a handful of the ongoings on the North Shore this weekend. While Labor Day may mean that summer is coming to an end, the North Shore will keep buzzing long into the fall and winter. That’s the beauty of Chicago’s North Shore — no matter what time of year it is, there is always something happening here. It’s one of the many things that makes the North Shore such a wonderful place to live.

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert


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Monday, August 18, 2014

Winnetka Market Stats for July 2014

City Active Listings: There are a total of 157 properties actively on the market with the average price of $2,235,675 in Winnetka.

City Sold Listings: 28 properties closed last month in City with an average sales price of $1,323,205, the average time on market for these properties was 42 days.

WInnetka Real Estate
Winnetka Properties Sold - July 2014

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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Locally or across the country, think of me as your national connection. I can help you with all your real estate needs anywhere in the United States

Northbrook Market Stats for July 2014

City Active Listings: There are a total of 272 properties actively on the market with the average price of $755,449 in Northbrook.

City Sold Listings: 76 properties closed last month in Northbrook with an average sales price of $481,019, the average time on market for these properties was 34 days.

Northbrook Real Estate
Northbrook Properties Sold - July 2014

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
Local Expert... with National Connections!

Locally or across the country, think of me as your national connection. I can help you with all your real estate needs anywhere in the United States

Glencoe Market Stats for July 2014

City Active Listings: There are a total of 86 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,727,626 in Glencoe.

City Sold Listings: 13 properties closed last month in Glencoe with an average sales price of $1,149,635, the average time on market for these properties was 70 days. 

Glencoe Real Estate
Glencoe Sold Properties - July 2014
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
Local Expert... with National Connections!

Locally or across the country, think of me as your national connection. I can help you with all your real estate needs anywhere in the United States

Highland Park Market Stats for July 2014

City Active Listings: There are a total of 251 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,117,157 in Highland Park.

City Sold Listings: 46 properties closed last month in Highland Park with an average sales price of $551,001, the average time on market for these properties was 59 days.

Highland Park Real Estate
Highland Park Sold Properties - July 2014

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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Local Expert... with National Connections!

Locally or across the country, think of me as your national connection. I can help you with all your real estate needs anywhere in the United States

Deerfield Market State for July 2014

City Active Listings: There are a total of 115 properties actively on the market with the average price of $623,956 in Deerfield.

City Sold Listings: 40 properties closed last month in Deerfield with an average sales price of $492,221, the average time on market for these properties was 31 days.

Deerfield Properties Sold - July 2014
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
Visit My Website
Local Expert... with National Connections!

Locally or across the country, think of me as your national connection. I can help you with all your real estate needs anywhere in the United States

Monday, August 4, 2014

4 Financial Questions to Ask Yourself When Buying a North Shore Home

Are you financially prepared to buy a home on Chicago's North Shore?

North Shore Real Estae
Your Finances & Buying a Home

When contemplating the purchase of a home on Chicago’s North Shore, you must consider your financial standing very carefully. Evaluating your finances goes beyond just looking at your credit, as there are many other financial considerations involved. But what are those considerations? Here are 4 questions to ask yourself when considering the purchase of a North Shore home:

How much can I afford? Your mortgage payment should not exceed 30% of your net household income. While the amount will vary based on the type loan that you are trying to obtain, you will also need to have liquid cash available for a downpayment as well. There are many mortgage calculators available to help you get an estimate of what you can afford. You will also want to account for additional monthly costs, such as insurance and taxes.

Do I have a firm budget in place? Before purchasing a home, it’s important to have a budget in place. A budget will help you monitor you money more closely, which will be very important as you go through the approval process for a mortgage. It should be reevaluated often to ensure that you are staying on track and that no adjustments need to be made. Maintaining a budget can also help you pay down debt and put more money into savings.

How does my credit look? Your credit rating is highly important when purchasing a home. The second that you begin considering the purchase of a home, you should obtain a copy of your credit report. Verify the accuracy of your report and also evaluate your debt-to-credit ratio. Derogatory marks on your credit or too much  revolving debt can prevent you from getting approved for a loan. A strong credit rating can also help you get a lower interest rate.

Should I get pre-approved? While not required, it is a very good idea to get pre-approved for a mortgage if you feel you are ready to start seriously looking for a home. This is the only way that you will know the actual amount that you will be able to finance. Your offer will also be more appealing to sellers because a pre-approval assures them that you are financially capable of purchasing the home.

Especially into today’s stringent lending environment, having a strong grasp on your finances is incredibly important if you are looking to buy a North Shore home.  Asking yourself these 4 questions will help you determine if you are financially prepared to buy a home on Chicago's North Shore.  If you feel like you and your finances are ready to buy a home, the next step is to find an experienced North Shore realtor to help you through your home search process. It would be my pleasure to assist you in finding the perfect North Shore home to suit your needs, so please contact me today to start your home search!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert


North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
Visit My Website
Local Expert... with National Connections!

Locally or across the country, think of me as your national connection. I can help you with all your real estate needs anywhere in the United States