Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Deerfield Market Stats for June 2015

City Active Listings: There are a total of 141 properties actively on the market with the average price of $687,795 in Deerfield.

City Sold Listings: 46 properties closed last month in Deerfield with an average sales price of $445,657. The average time on market for these properties was 42 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
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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.

Glencoe Market Stats for June 2015

City Active Listings: There are a total of 102 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,477,950 in Glencoe.

City Sold Listings: 11 properties closed last month in Glencoe with an average sales price of $969,409. The average time on market for these properties was 135 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
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 June 2015

City Active Listings: There are a total of 297 properties actively on the market with the average price of $941,693 in Highland Park.

City Sold Listings: 56 properties closed last month in Highland Park with an average sales price of $621,075. The average time on market for these properties was 59 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
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.

Northbrook Market Stats for June 2015

City Active Listings: There are a total of 304 properties actively on the market with the average price of $750,043 in Northbrook.

City Sold Listings: 92 properties closed last month in Northbrook with an average sales price of $511,500. The average time on market for these properties was 51 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
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.

Winnetka Market Stats for June 2015

City Active Listings: There are a total of 190 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,890,117 in Winnetka.

City Sold Listings: 39 properties closed last month in Winnetka with an average sales price of $1,416,038. The average time on market for these properties was 77 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
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.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Should I Wait to Buy a Home on Chicago's North Shore?

There are many questions facing today's North Shore homebuyers— when to begin looking for a home, how many bedrooms, square footage, neighborhood and location. But despite the increased traffic this summer, some buyers are still finding themselves asking if they should wait to purchase a home.

It may seem wise to "wait out" the real estate market, especially given the ever-changing mortgage rates, but this year, that is just not the case. Waiting to buy a home in Northbrook, Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park or Deerfield will cost you significantly more next year than if you made the home purchase right now!

Consider this example, for instance. With mortgage rates are currently hovering around 4 percent and a home with a purchase price of $250,000— your monthly principal and interest will total around $1,100, given you put the standard 20 percent down.

Using the same scenario, next year, when home prices are expected to appreciate by 5 percent means that that same North Shore home will now cost $263,000. In addition, mortgage rates are also projected to rise which would put your monthly principal and interest at $1,400 instead of the $1,100 it would cost this year!

Waiting to buy a home on the North Shore could cost you an extra $300 per month or think of it this way— $2,600 in added costs per year, when factoring in a 5 percent mortgage rate.

Those extra costs may not seem like much to you in the big picture, but you can also break them down in the following:

  • Your daily coffee run every morning ($2 per day) and buying lunch every day ($10)
  • Eating dinner out once every weekend ($50, 4 nights per month)
  • Buying a new car (monthly payment of $300)
  • That home renovation project you've always wanted to do ($2000)
  • Your annual family vacation ($2000)

Homeownership is one of the best investments you can make this year and as your North Shore real estate expert, I am here to help! Let me guide you through these smart homebuying decisions and at this time next year, you will be glad you're settled into your dream home!

I look forward to hearing from you!

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. 

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Adding Privacy to Your Backyard on Chicago's North Shore

With warmer weather on the North Shore comes spending more time outside! And while you may indeed love your neighbors, you may desire a little privacy in your backyard or on your patio. The easiest way to do this? Improving the landscaping around your North Shore home, which in turn boosts your curb appeal! 

Consider the following ways to add privacy to your yard in Winnetka, Glencoe, Deerfield, Northbrook or Highland Park:

Privacy Plantings
Planting around your property line can provide privacy year-round and their height is typically not limited by ordinances. If you have a side yard needing privacy, consider planting column-shaped evergreens or a privet hedge that can easily separate yards or block a line of sight from a kitchen or bedroom.

Layered Privacy Plantings
Perhaps you're looking for a more lush look around your North Shore home— that's where layered privacy plantings come into play. Plant a mixture of shrubs and perennials in groupings or staggered, starting with height in the back and moving down to flowers in the front. These can block lines of sight from a neighbor's second story or terrace and give your backyard a feeling of a private oasis.

Fences and walls
You may desire more privacy around a new pool, patio or playground or simply want to set it apart from the rest of your yard. One quick way to do this is to install a fence or wall. They come in various styles to match the architecture of your North Shore home and you can choose the stain to fit with the overall aesthetic of your yard and property.

Adding privacy to your backyard, deck or patio in Winnetka, Glencoe, Deerfield, Northbrook or Highland Park is a great way to improve curb appeal and transform the outdoor spaces into a private getaway. But like all other renovations, it requires careful preparation.

If you're thinking of selling your home this year, it is always wise to research what other homes in the area have in terms of exterior elements. Are fences and stone walls something you just don't find in your neighborhood? Take the time to research before you plan your updates!

Have questions about selling your home on Chicago's North Shore? Do not hesitate to give me a call!


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. 

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Keeping Your North Shore Home Closing On Track This Year

More and more homebuyers are growing motivated to purchase a home on Chicago's North Shore this year and that process comes with many steps. From browsing available properties in the area to meeting with a lender to ultimately closing on the home, each step has the potential to move quickly but also, the potential for delays.

One step in the real estate process that is prone to delays is the home closing— but don't worry! More often than not, delays in your North Shore home closing can be avoided by planning ahead. Below are three ways to avoid pushing back your closing this year.

Trust your agent
As your North Shore real estate expert, I have been through this process numerous times. You can count on me to watch for changes and surprises that can arise in the transaction, as well as check in with the parties involved. 

Stay in touch with your lender
Today's real estate transactions can require a lot of paperwork and for this reason, it's important to stay in touch with your lender. Check in regularly to make sure they do not need any additional documents, signatures or information. Putting off one small detail like signing a document can hold up your closing.

Keep your finances steady
Do not make any big changes to your finances like buying a new car or applying for a credit card while you're under contract to buy a home on the North Shore. The debt acquired from either of those, in addition to changing jobs, can affect your loan and in the worst case scenario, cause you to lose the loan entirely.

Buying a home in Glencoe, Winnetka, Deerfield, Northbrook and Highland Park is a process that can come with hiccups, but I am here to help you avoid them! Do not hesitate to reach out with questions about available properties, applying for a mortgage or the closing itself— I look forward to hearing from you!

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. 

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

How to Add Elegance and Sophistication to Your North Shore Home

When you move into a new home on Chicago's North Shore, the first step is unpacking— the next? Decorating! It's one of the tasks that can make the property feel like a home and gives you an opportunity to incorporate your style in the spaces.

But before you start purchasing new furniture and hanging pictures and art on the walls of your North Shore home, consider how you can add touches of sophistication. Not only will these ideas boost your home's overall aesthetic and appearance, but it can quickly become the envy of the neighborhood!

Add natural elements
Think about bringing the outdoors inside your home with fresh flowers and plants in varying colors. The easiest way to do this is to place simple vases on the dining table, the island in the kitchen and adding houseplants around the living spaces. You may have to replace the fresh flowers once a week, but it gives the space they're in that put-together feeling.

Add moldings
Once you've moved into your new home in Glencoe, Deerfield, Highland Park, Winnetka or Northbrook, you'll likely pick up the paintbrush to give the walls a fresh coat. In a past blog post, I shared how to paint your home like a pro, but let's look up even farther— the moldings! Add crown molding to the ceiling, the floorboards or even at chair height. Molding is easy to install and remember— the wider, the better!

Replace doorknobs
A quick and easy fix and shows you pay close attention to the details in your North Shore home! Swap out the humdrum doorknobs with brass or bronze or silver, depending on your color scheme. You can do the same with light switches! The change can be made within a few minutes and it quickly adds elegance to your home.

Hide your electronics
When you keep your cords, television and gadgets hidden behind closed doors or in storage units, it allows your home to truly shine! If you're hanging your TV, place it among framed art and photos to disguise it. Place it in an entertainment system that has doors and close them when the TV is off! When you have company, it will be much easier to socialize without the focus on your electronics.

With years of experience as your North Shore real estate expert, I can help you find a beautiful home in Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook and beyond to call your own. Give me a call today and you could be enjoying decorating and settling into a new space very soon!

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.