Wednesday, January 27, 2016

3 Key Tips for Buying A Home on Chicago's North Shore in 2016

In a previous blog post, I shared why 2016 could be your year to buy a home on Chicago's North Shore, from low mortgage rates to low down payment options to rents now at an all-time high! But if the question for you is not if you will buy a home on the North Shore this year, but how you will make the purchase, then I am happy to share the following tips to guide you on the right path!

Keep these tips in mind as you make preparations to buy a home in Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Northbrook, Deerfield and the surrounding communities and throughout your house hunt:

Don't wait too long
Did you know the majority of buyers who plan to buy a home over the next 12 months say they will likely wait until spring or summer to make a move? According to a new Realtor.com survey, buyers plan to sit back until the busy real estate season begins! However, the truth is that those who begin their house hunting early in the year will find less competition and yet just as many homes on the market!

Consider all of your options for homes
When you begin house hunting you will find both new and existing homes for sale on the North Shore. And while you may think purchasing an existing home or one that does not require customization or finishing is the best option, do not be too quick to rule out new construction! New construction is expected to see a boost this year, with new home sales rising 16 percent from last year's levels.

You may be met with less competition in the new construction market as well as find a larger variety of homes to choose from, but these new properties do tend to cost more. Before making your decision on which type of home to buy, be sure you've considered all of these factors!

Always shop for a mortgage
Many homebuyers on Chicago's North Shore may take the first interest rate quote they receive from a lender and be on their way, but that is not the most cost-effective choice! Shop around for a mortgage and gather quotes from more than one lender on the same day. As rates are expected to rise as high as 4.65 percent over the next year, a lower quote could mean thousands of savings over the life of your loan.

You can count on me as your North Shore real estate expert to provide you with the best tips for buying a home in our area this year! Contact me today with any additional questions you have about the process or for a list of available properties in Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook and the surrounding communities!

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, January 20, 2016

Winnetka Real Estate Market Stats for December 2015


City Active Listings: There are a total of 123 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,829,987 in Winnetka.

City Sold Listings: 16 properties closed last month in Winnetka with an average sales price of $1,479,125. The average time on market for these properties was 95 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. 

Northbrook Real Estate Market Stats for December 2015


City Active Listings: There are a total of 211 properties actively on the market with the average price of $727,384 in Northbrook.

City Sold Listings: 42 properties closed last month in Northbrook with an average sales price of $451,158. The average time on market for these properties was 82 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. 

Highland Park Real Estate Market Stats for December 2015


City Active Listings: There are a total of 230 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,047,976 in Highland Park.

City Sold Listings: 38 properties closed last month in Highland Park with an average sales price of $543,225. The average time on market for these properties was 81 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. 

Glencoe Real Estate Market Stats for December 2015


City Active Listings: There are a total of 63 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,413,109 in Glencoe.

City Sold Listings: 18 properties closed last month in Glencoe with an average sales price of $945,583. 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 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. 

Deerfield Real Estate Market Stats for December 2015


City Active Listings: There are a total of 104 properties actively on the market with the average price of $726,938 in Deerfield.

City Sold Listings: 19 properties closed last month in Deerfield with an average sales price of $357,163. The average time on market for these properties was 47 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
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, January 13, 2016

Priming Your North Shore Home for a Quick Sale in 2016

As much as 2016 is shaping up to be a great year for North Shore homebuyers, there are many ways home sellers can benefit too! There is talk of mortgage rates headed higher as we move forward into the new year and with a lower number of homes on the market, home sellers can put their property in the spotlight.

If you've been thinking about selling your home this spring, keep in mind the following ways you can prime your Winnetka, Glencoe, Deerfield, Highland Park or Northbrook area home for a quick sale:

Price your home correctly 
Working with an experienced North Shore real estate agent is the best way to accurately price your home for the current market. I will work with you to drive as much traffic as possible to your property, based on comparable homes and market value. This is one of the major factors in determining the success of a home sale, so it is best to get it right from the beginning.

Stage your home
Home staging presents your North Shore property in the best possible light and allows buyers to visualize themselves living inside. Simple projects like giving rooms a fresh coat of paint, cleaning windows to allow in more light, editing furniture down to allow for an easy flow throughout the house and eliminating clutter can do wonders in the eyes of buyers touring your home for the first time.

Time your home sale correctly
The beginning of the new year sets the tone for the spring real estate market when many North Shore homeowners will list their properties. Always consult your North Shore real estate expert for tips on the best time to list, not just in terms of spring and summer, but even the best day for your property to hit the market.

Cater to your target market
2016 is expected to be a popular year for Millennials buying homes on Chicago's North Shore and homeowners can cater their marketing to this demographic. Millennials tend to desire open floor plans, updated kitchens and outdoor space, so be sure to highlight these features if your home has them.

Do not hesitate to contact me for more information on preparing your Winnetka, Glencoe, Deerfield, Northbrook or Highland Park area home to sell this year! 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, January 6, 2016

3 Reasons Why 2016 Is Your Year to Buy A Home on Chicago's North Shore


In my last blog post, I shared how you can start with a clean slate in your North Shore home this year. However, if you're a first-time buyer or do not yet have that home to make your own, you're in luck! A variety of factors have created what's being called the "perfect storm" for homebuyers to jump into the market and secure the home of their dreams!

Below are three reasons why 2016 is your year to purchase a home on Chicago's North Shore:

Rents are at an all-time high
If you're still renting on the North Shore, you have likely noticed a few rent hikes throughout the years. In fact, rents surpassed home values in nearly all of the major housing markets across the country. The better option (and use of your money!) is to purchase a home and start to build equity, rather than say goodbye to a large amount every month never to see it again.

Rents are only going to go up from here, so why not take this chance to become a homeowner in Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook, Glencoe or the surrounding areas?

Low interest rates may not stick around
We have grown accustomed to interest rates under 4 percent in 2015, but the year ended with an increase, pushing them above that mark. The good news is that these rates are still considered "historically low," given they hovered around 18 percent in the '80s, but they may not be here to stay! Rates are projected to be up over 4 percent by the end of 2016, so don't wait!

Down payments are not as strict
Yes, there used to be a time when buying a home meant you needed to have 20 percent down or there was no deal. But those days are gone! Homebuyers on the North Shore can now purchase a home with as little as 5 percent down all thanks to programs designed to give buyers a boost. If you've been holding off on purchasing your dream home because of the down payment, now is the time to jump into the real estate market!

As your real estate expert on the North Shore, I'm here to walk you through the process of buying a home, whether it's for the first time or the fifth time! I've helped numerous buyers find their dream home in Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook, Glencoe and the surrounding communities and am ready to help you do the same for the new year!

Give me a call 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.