Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Outdoor Features That Could Sell Your North Shore Home This Summer

Spring is a wonderful time of year on Chicago's North Shore, but summer will be here before we know it! And if you're planning to list your home while the weather is warm, there is one area that you may want to turn your focus to in order to boost buyer interest— the outdoors!

Late spring and summer are ideal for spending days outside in the yard, gathering on the patio or entertaining on the deck and homebuyers will be looking for North Shore properties with outdoor spaces to offer. According to a new study, there are several outdoor trends that can help to sell your home this summer and I'm happy to share some of them with you below!

Privacy
In a past blog post, I shared how you can add privacy to your backyard in Glencoe, Winnetka, Deerfield, Northbrook, Highland Park and the surrounding areas— and for a great reason! Homebuyers are looking for their outdoor spaces to have an element of privacy, whether that means tall shrubs or hedges or even a gazebo.

Lighting
There is nothing like spending a summer night under the stars on the North Shore, but you'll also want to light up the space if you have evening gatherings. Add lights to the backyard or deck—solar lights are also an option if wiring is not available—to make your home more inviting in addition to safe.

Easy landscaping
Landscaping is a major part of curb appeal, which is known to pique buyer interest when searching for homes. However, it's not just any landscaping— it's low maintenance and easy upkeep that could seal the deal. Mulch and rocks will keep weeds away, while also reducing water evaporation, and perennials will provide color and charm without needing to be replanted every year.

Fire features
Does your North Shore backyard have a fire pit or outdoor fireplace? This could be a huge selling point for buyers house-hunting this summer! Consider staging your outdoor fireplace or fire pit with chairs around it to suggest the perfect entertaining spot.

It's going to be a beautiful summer here on the North Shore and I'm here to help you both sell your current property and purchase your next dream home in Glencoe, Winnetka, Deerfield, Northbrook, Highland Park and the surrounding areas!

Give me a call today!

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, May 11, 2016

This Is the Best Month to Sell Your North Shore Home

It seems once spring rolls around that the calendar begins to fill up. Holidays like Mother's Day, warm weather activities, end of the year school functions and graduations keep us busy, but there is just one more item you might like to add to your to-do list this time of year— Selling your home.

With housing inventory trending much lower than it has been in the past, the ball is in the home seller's court this spring— but you could gain an additional edge just by listing this month. May is one of the best times to list your home on Chicago's North Shore as homes typically sell quicker and for more money than any other time of year.

But if you're still on the fence about listing your North Shore home this month, below are three reasons to move ahead:

The school year
Homebuyers on Chicago's North Shore tend to time their move to a new property around the school year. They begin their home search toward the end of the school year to avoid changing districts, move during the summer months and settle in before the new term begins in the fall. Listing your home now will allow you to catch the eye of these buyers looking to stick to the summer moving timeline.

The busy season 
It is no secret that the real estate market picks up in the spring and summer. By listing your home in May, you are able to market your property to the eager and motivated buyers just beginning their search. Buyers are excited and ready to buy at the start of the busy season, but toward the end of the summer, many decide to put their house-hunting efforts on hold until the following year.

The weather
The weather in Glencoe, Winnetka, Deerfield, Northbrook, Highland Park and the surrounding areas is beautiful this time of year. Not only are more buyers out and about looking for homes when the temperatures are warmer, but the weather is ideal for moving. Remember, not many buyers (or you, as a homeowner) like to move during the winter, so now is a great opportunity!

As your North Shore real estate expert, I can help you with every step of the home selling process. Contact me today to discuss what your home might be worth and for a list of available properties in the area!

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. 

Friday, May 6, 2016

Winnetka Real Estate Market Stats for April 2016

City Active Listings: There are a total of 214 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,768,772 in Winnetka.

City Sold Listings: 18 properties closed last month in Winnetka with an average sales price of $1,504,125 The average time on market for these properties was 89 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. 

Deerfield Real Estate Market Stats for April 2016

City Active Listings: There are a total of 183 properties actively on the market with the average price of $689,394 in Deerfield.

City Sold Listings: 41 properties closed last month in Deerfield with an average sales price of $466,383 The average time on market for these properties was 43 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. 

Northbrook Real Estate Market Stats for April 2016

City Active Listings: There are a total of 290 properties actively on the market with the average price of $750,992 in Northbrook.

City Sold Listings: 61 properties closed last month in Northbrook with an average sales price of $472,892 The average time on market for these properties was 66 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 April 2016

City Active Listings: There are a total of 321 properties actively on the market with the average price of $945,316 in Highland Park.

City Sold Listings: 53 properties closed last month in Highland Park with an average sales price of $677,634. The average time on market for these properties was 79 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 April 2016

City Active Listings: There are a total of 111 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,434,221 in Glencoe.

City Sold Listings: 13 properties closed last month in Glencoe with an average sales price of $1,474,615. The average time on market for these properties was 41 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. 

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

How to Calm Your Nerves of Buying a Home on Chicago's North Shore

Buying a home is a big step, there's no doubt about it. And now that the busy spring and summer real estate season is upon us, North Shore buyers may find themselves with a few extra butterflies when thinking of making a move.

As your North Shore real estate expert, I can help you calm your nerves about buying a home in Glencoe, Winnetka, Deerfield, Northbrook, Highland Park and the surrounding areas! I'm sharing a few ways below, but do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions you have about buying this year!

Gather all of the facts about mortgages
Many homebuyers are unaware or misinformed of the requirements for securing a mortgage and as a result, put off buying altogether. To put yourself at ease, gather as many facts about mortgages as you can, explore the different loan options and what is necessary to qualify for each one. Once you've learned the in's and out's, you may find yourself much less apprehensive about buying.

Outline the costs
If you're worried about the costs of homeownership, it's time to sit down and map them all out. Write down what you currently pay for housing, utilities, maintenance, and other home-related expenses. You may be surprised to learn that the costs of renting are higher!

Be prepared
It is always wise to enter your homebuying journey with some savings as many homeowners will tell you, expenses can pop up when you least expect them. If you already have a savings in place, you can rest assured knowing that you will be prepared when these issues do arise.

Gather quotes
You can gather mortgage quotes from North Shore lenders across various mortgage loan programs— from 30-year-fixed-rate mortgages to 5-year-adjustable-rate mortgages. With these in your possession, you can better estimate what your monthly payment will be and if you can realistically afford to buy a home in Glencoe, Winnetka, Deerfield, Northbrook, or Highland Park.

Let's chat about how you can purchase a home on the North Shore this year, stress free! 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.