Wednesday, March 23, 2016

5 Features to Ignore When Shopping for North Shore Chicago Houses

Now that spring has officially sprung and homebuyers are heading out in waves to begin searching for the perfect property on Chicago's North Shore, excitement is running high! And with the whirlwind of house-hunting, it can be easy to let certain home decor features cloud your judgment and force you to pass on what would have been the best home for you.

As you begin browsing homes in Winnetka, Glencoe, Deerfield, Northbrook, Highland Park and the surrounding areas, remind yourself to look past these five features— you can fix them later!

Paint color
Perhaps one of the easiest cosmetic flaws to fix and yet, the one that can get in the way of North Shore buyers seeing a home's true potential. The same goes for wallpaper or paneling! Keep in mind that you can change these in a single weekend and typically for under $50.

Ceiling texture
You've found a home that could be the one, but then you look up to find popcorn ceilings. This texture of the past can be found in older homes, but can also be scraped (either as a DIY project or by a professional) to restore the ceilings to your preferred, clean look.

Carpet or flooring
Once you step inside a home, you might be distracted by the odd-colored carpeting or outdated tile. But remember, you can easily pull up carpeting (at time, finding hardwoods underneath!) and replace tile with your desired flooring choice.

Older fixtures
If what is turning you off about a home is simply the old light fixtures or countertops, look past them at the big picture of the property. Does the floor plan work for you? Does it have your desired amount of bedrooms and bathrooms? If so, remind yourself that light fixtures can be swapped out in a matter of minutes.

Kitchen cabinets
Unlike countertops, kitchen cabinets in good shape can always be painted! With just a few hours of your time, you can give them an updated look with new paint and updated hardware.

Ready to buy a home on Chicago's North Shore this spring? Give me a call! I have years of expertise in assisting buyers find their dream property in Winnetka, Glencoe, Deerfield, Northbrook, Highland Park and the surrounding areas.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert


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