Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Make a Great First Impression on North Shore Homebuyers

If you've decided to list your North Shore home for sale this year, making a great first impression on area buyers will be one of the first things to do. And while it may seem like a challenge in today's real estate market, it doesn't have to be!

As your North Shore real estate expert, I'm happy to share these five ways to wow buyers as they visit your home in Glencoe, Winnetka, Northbrook, Deerfield or Highland Park:

Tackle curb appeal
Go outside and attempt to view your home from the buyer's perspective. Does the lawn need mowed? Are your plants and flowers drooping? Remove any branches blocking walkways or those cluttering your yard, prune shrubs and hedges and say goodbye to all outdoor furniture you don't plan to take with you on your move.

Make an entrance
The entrance to your home on Chicago's North Shore should feel inviting and intriguing. Homebuyers should want to come inside and take a look around, just from the looks of the exterior! To make that happen, consider replacing your front door or giving your current one a fresh coat of paint. Replace the house numbers, give the mailbox a spruce or replace it altogether and wash all windows.

Clean the carpets and floors
Homebuyers can tend to wonder if you've let other parts of your home go just by looking at the flooring. Give the carpets a good cleaning—whether you hire the pros on the North Shore or do it yourself—and clean your wood floors to get rid of all dust and footprints.

Replace light bulbs
The simple act of replacing old light bulbs with maximum wattage bulbs can make your home feel much brighter and airier. Use as much wattage as the light fixture will take to bring more light into your North Shore home.

Remove signs of pets
Of course you love your pets, but potential homebuyers may not. Prior to listing your home or taking photos, remove any signs of pets from the property. Whether that means putting their toys into storage or putting away leashes, bowls and beds— this step can make a big difference for homebuyers that may not want to move into a home that has had pets.

Now is a great time to make a move to a new home in Glencoe, Winnetka, Northbrook, Highland Park and Deerfield! Give me a call today to discuss how to prepare your home for the real estate market and the benefits of selling now.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert


North Shore Real Estate
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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, August 19, 2015

5 Immediate Projects for New Homeowners on Chicago's North Shore


To-do lists for new North Shore homeowners are seemingly never-ending, even after the closing! They can include projects like shopping for new furniture, arranging your belongings, cleaning from top to bottom and even planning renovations.

However, there are more important tasks that need to be immediately dealt with after your move. Homeowners can indeed get caught up in removing things they don't like and skip straight to decorating, but these projects will be more important in the long run:

Reviewing the inspection report
These papers are typically filed with your closing documents, but don't wait until something goes wrong to search for them. The inspection report will outline issues with your North Shore home and it can serve as a timeline of what you should deal with first. If the inspector marked something as dire, it's best to start there.

Find the circuit breakers
As you move into your new home in Glencoe, Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield or Winnetka, you'll be flipping many switches to find out what they belong to. Take some time to locate the circuit breakers which may be clearly marked with what rooms they control. If not, have your spouse or friend stand in different areas of the home while you turn on and off different switches, then make notes.

Clean the gutters
If the previous owners of your North Shore home didn't clean the gutters, it's time you do! This doesn't need to happen on the first day you move in, but it should not go unattended. The build-up inside can start to rot or rust through and only cause problems for you when the rain comes.

Deal with other water problems
Did the inspector's report note any water issues like a leaky toilet or water heater? Make sure they are quickly take care of! A slow and steady drip from either of these can cause significant damage to the internal structure of the home.

Plan ahead
When you move into a new home on Chicago's North Shore, the last thing you may think to do is to plan for an emergency. However, it's better to be safe! Take note of exits and plan your escape route in such instances as a fire. Make sure your family knows how to get out and where to meet like the mailbox outside. This can also help as you arrange furniture as exits should have a clear path.

I'm happy to help you find your dream home on the North Shore this year! Whether great schools or proximity to shops and entertainment are important in your home search, we will work together to find a property that suits 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, August 12, 2015

Move Up to Your Dream Home on Chicago's North Shore

The housing market on Chicago's North Shore is constantly changing and this year, it has prompted many residents and homeowners to make a move. In fact, now is the best time to move up in Glencoe, Deerfield, Winnetka, Northbrook and Highland Park!

Many sellers are realizing that waiting to sell while mortgage rates are on the up and up is not wise. As these rates increase, the price of the next home you can afford will only decrease if you plan to stay within a certain monthly budget.

How much? With every quarter percent increase in mortgage rates on the North Shore, the value of home you can afford will decrease by 2.5%. Take a look:

On a $400,000 home:
3.75% interest rate = $1,852 monthly mortgage payment

On a $390,000 home:
4.00% interest rate = $1,862

On a $380,000 home:
4.25% interest rate = $1,869

On a $370,000 home:
4.50% interest rate = $1,874

On a $360,000 home:
4.75% interest rate = $1,878

With housing prices moving higher and mortgage rates projected to rise one full percentage point by this time next year, there is no doubt the timing is right to spring for your dream home. Make the most of your budget now by purchasing the home in Glencoe, Deerfield, Winnetka, Northbrook or Highland Park you've always wanted!

Ready to get started and take advantage of the currently low rates? Contact me today for more information about available properties on the North Shore— I'm happy to help!

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, August 5, 2015

How to Make Your North Shore House Feel Like Home

You've just bought a home on Chicago's North Shore and you're looking forward to packing up and settling into a new property, perhaps a new neighborhood. These new beginnings are exciting, but sometimes it can take a while before the house truly feels like your own.

The following five tips can help new homeowners usher out the old and start fresh in a North Shore home— it all starts with creating a welcoming feel!

Give the home a deep cleaning
Before you start settling in and arranging your furniture, take the time to give every room a deep cleaning. Cleaning from top to bottom—wiping down all windows, removing any odors that could be stuck in carpeting and even freshening the garbage disposals by adding citrus peel—is the best course of action. Starting fresh means starting with a clean slate.

Clear the walkways
Giving your North Shore home that welcoming feeling begins with the front door. Clear the walkways to the door and remove any obstacles that may be blocking a clear view of the front of the home. Once this has been done, you can then add landscaping or topiaries to either side of the entry.

Add plants
You may have created a welcoming entryway with beautiful flower boxes or landscaping, but what about the rest of the home? Carry over that aesthetic by bringing in plants like a rubber plant that is said to be the best for removing air pollutants inside the home.

Add signs of abundance
Think of those things that make you happy— flowers, bowls of fruit, bright pops of color. Fresh flowers can bring in feelings of abundance which can make your new North Shore home feel inviting and prosperous. Just make sure you're watering your flowers! You don't want signs of decay to offset those signs of abundance.

Think deeply about each space
Spend some time sitting in each room of your home in Glencoe, Deerfield, Winnetka, Northbrook and  Highland Park. What do you want each space to feel like, smell like, sound like? Set an intention for each room and then bring in the colors, furniture and accents that contribute to that specific vibe.

As your North Shore real estate expert, I am here to help you find your dream home! From scouting for the best neighborhood to deciding on must-have home features, I will be your guide. Contact me today!

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.