Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Fall Events on Chicago's North Shore

Can you believe September is here? Summer is officially winding down, with just a few weeks left, and we're looking ahead to everything the fall season will bring to Chicago's North Shore. Soon enough, we'll be filling our calendars with trips to the pumpkin patch, apple orchard, fall festivals and more, so why not start now?

As your local real estate expert in Glencoe, Winnetka, Deerfield, Northbrook, Highland Park and the surrounding areas, I'm happy to share a few of the upcoming fall events on the North Shore!

Family Fall Festival
September 11, 2016; 9 AM to 11:30 AM
Kohl Children's Museum, Glenview IL

There is so much for the kids to enjoy at the Kohl Children's Museum's fall festival! From cranking an old apple cider press to riding on a horse-drawn wagon and playing a game of pumpkin bowling, celebrating fall has never been more fun!

Fallapalooza
September 18, 2016; 1 PM to 4 PM
Heritage Park, Wheeling IL

This free festival takes place at beautiful Heritage Park, with live music, a petting zoo, pony rides and hayrides just a few of the fun activities planned!

Doggie Dip
September 16, 2016; 6 PM to 7 PM
Glencoe Beach, Glencoe IL

Soak in the last moments of summer on the North Shore with your pup! Owners can bring their dogs to Glencoe Beach to watch them swim in Lake Michigan during an evening of fun!

Fall Fest
September 17, 2016; 4 PM to 9 PM
Duke Childs Field, Winnetka IL

With food, drinks, family, friends and fun, what more could you ask for in a fall festival? This year's event will include a hay ride, scarecrow building, music, pumpkin roll, chili and dessert cook-offs from 5 PM to 7 PM, science show, free ice cream, and a movie at dusk!

Shermerfest
September 18, 2016; 12 PM to 4 PM
Village Green Park, Northbrook IL

The Northbrook Historical Society and Northbrook Park District organize the annual Shermerfest year after year! You can expect an apple dessert baking contest, kids activities like face painting, balloon twisting and a magic show, afternoon music, food and beverages and more!

Autumnfest
October 1, 2016; 2 PM to 6 PM
Meadowhill Park, Northbrook IL

This free family event will include a fall hayride, hot apple cider, bonfire with s'mores, pumpkin pitch, pumpkin chuckin', magic show, petting zoo, face painting, fall sports challenge, food trucks and more!

Fall Bulb Festival
October 7-9, 2016; 10 AM to 4 PM
Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe IL

This fall festivals spans both indoors and outdoors, with live music, a harvest market, a gourd mountain, vendors offering fresh herbs and vegetables, kids activities like a straw-bale maze, and over 225 varieties of daffodils, tulips and speciality bulbs!

Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions about buying or selling a home on the North Shore this fall. I'm here to help!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert


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Wednesday, August 24, 2016

How to Spot a Great Neighborhood on Chicago's North Shore

There are many factors to take into consideration when buying a home on Chicago's North Shore. The number of bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage, style and of course, location will all affect your decision in the end. But when it comes to finding the best location, do you know what you're looking for?

If you feel you've found "the one" in Winnetka, Glencoe, Deerfield, Northbrook, Highland Park and the surrounding areas, here's how you can confirm the neighborhood will be a great fit for you.

Look for parks
A good local park is a great indication of a lively neighborhood. Does the park have new playground equipment? Are others visiting the park? Is the park clean and well-maintained? Be aware of your surroundings when viewing homes on the North Shore. If no one is visiting the park on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, you may get the idea they don't see much value in the area or in that particular park.

Look for grocery stores
As you search for the perfect home on the North Shore, take a look at the local grocery stores. For instance, did you know proximity to Trader Joe's has been known to boost home values? New grocery stores that have popped up in the recent past are a good predictor of an up and coming neighborhood or that businesses see value in opening in that area.

Look for restaurants
There are numerous must-visit restaurants in Winnetka, Glencoe, Deerfield, Northbrook, Highland Park and the surrounding areas, so keep your eyes open for those that may be near your potential new home. Proximity to great restaurants is something every homebuyer is looking for on their home search, so do not rule this out!

Look for coffee shops
Even if you're not a coffee lover, spotting coffee shops like Starbucks or other local gourmet coffee spots can be indicative of higher property values and higher-end communities. More affordable coffee options like Dunkin Donuts can often be indicative of nearby homes with lower price tags.

Look for farmers markets
While these are fun to visit during the warmer months, that isn't all farmers markets are good for when you're scouting a new location in which to buy a home! Farmers markets tend to reflect a strong sense of community, where residents enjoy meeting and spending time together. And you're in luck, many of the local North Shore communities boast excellent farmers markets!

Contact me today for more information on which North Shore area would be the best fit for you and your needs this year! I'm happy to help introduce you to Winnetka, Glencoe, Deerfield, Northbrook, Highland Park and beyond!

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 17, 2016

What You Need to Know About Your North Shore Home Value

As you think about selling your home on Chicago's North Shore, one of the first questions to cross your mind is likely, "How much is my home worth?" Your home value will play a major role in the success of your sale, but there are many aspects of finding this number that North Shore homeowners simply do not understand.

I've included a few key ideas to consider as you research your home value and prepare to sell your home in Winnetka, Glencoe, Deerfield, Highland Park, Northbrook and the surrounding areas this year:

Listen to your real estate agent
Determining your home value is a task best left to the experts, so do not be afraid to consult your real estate agent. Your agent can run what's called a "comparative market analysis" to find similar properties that have recently sold in your area. You will want to look at similar homes that have the same number of bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as square footage, to get a better idea of what buyers may be willing to pay for your property.

Keep an eye out in the neighborhood
Are your neighbors selling their home? Or do you see others listed in your neighborhood? Research how much these homes are going for and how you think yours stacks up. For instance, if your neighbor's house is listed for $300,000, but you want to list yours for $400,000, it's important that you're able to explain why your home warrants the higher price.

Think of how buyers shop for homes
Many homebuyers on the North Shore set pricing parameters when searching for properties. For example, they may set up a search for homes in the $300,000 to $400,000 range. If your home is priced just outside at $405,000, you could risk being passed over entirely. Thus, it's important to consider how buyers shop for properties as you determine your home value.

Put on your buyer hat
Homeowners in Winnetka, Glencoe, Deerfield, Highland Park, Northbrook and the surrounding areas can tend to feel their property is worth more than it is due to their memories and attachment to the home. Remember to put on your buyer hat and leave your emotions out of the mix when finding your value or you could be tempted to overprice.

Questions about how much your home might be worth? Give me a call today!

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, August 10, 2016

Winnetka Real Estate Market Stats for July 2016

City Active Listings: There are a total of 219 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,945,164 in Winnetka.

City Sold Listings: 37 properties closed last month in Winnetka with an average sales price of $1,421,973. The average time on market for these properties was 68 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
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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.

Northbrook Real Estate Market Stats for July 2016

City Active Listings: There are a total of 322 properties actively on the market with the average price of $790,067 in Northbrook.

City Sold Listings: 92 properties closed last month in Northbrook with an average sales price of $464,065. The average time on market for these properties was 36 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 July 2016

City Active Listings: There are a total of 338 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,017,376 in Highland Park.

City Sold Listings: 48 properties closed last month in Highland Park with an average sales price of $593,401. The average time on market for these properties was 50 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 July 2016

City Active Listings: There are a total of 108 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,556,095 in Glencoe.

City Sold Listings: 16 properties closed last month in Glencoe with an average sales price of $900,031. The average time on market for these properties was 64 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 July 2016

City Active Listings: There are a total of 181 properties actively on the market with the average price of $711,970 in Deerfield.

City Sold Listings: 47 properties closed last month in Deerfield with an average sales price of $456,028. The average time on market for these properties was 56 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, August 3, 2016

August Events on Chicago's North Shore!

Back to school may be just around the corner, but there is still plenty of summer left to enjoy on Chicago's North Shore! From festivals to days at the museum to farmers markets and movies under the stars, you can count on your August being filled to the brim with events in Glencoe, Winnetka, Northbrook and the surrounding areas!

Be sure to mark the following on your calendar this month:

Ravinia Festival
Through September 17
418 Sheridan Road
Highland Park IL

As North America's oldest music festival, Ravinia holds over 140 different events throughout the summer, featuring a variety of genres. Now through September 17, you can catch acts like the GoGo's, Dolly Parton, Tony Bennett and more!

Garden Chef Series
Through October 9
Chicago Botanic Garden
Glencoe IL

Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis for these free demonstrations at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Here you can learn to cook with garden fresh ingredients with noted chefs sharing their recipes in a beautiful open-air amphitheater.

Northbrook Days
August 3-7, 2016
Village Green
Northbrook IL

Each year the Northbrook community puts on a 5-day festival for the local residents and those from surrounding areas. 100% of the proceeds from the event are channeled back into the community, so don't miss this opportunity to support a great North Shore cause! There will be grand prize drawings, live entertainment, rides, games, food, beverages and more!

Kite Festival
August 13-14, 2016; 10 AM to 3 PM
Chicago Botanic Garden
Glencoe IL

Enjoy an afternoon of stunt kite performances set to music and hosted by the Chicago Fire Kite Team and Kite Society of Wisconsin and Illinois. These organizations have been competing and showing off their impressive kite skills for 3 decades, having performed in both the US and abroad!

Movie in the Park
August 19, 2016; 6:30 to 9:30 PM
Hubbard Woods Park
Winnetka IL

Settle in for an evening under the stars as the Winnetka Park District presents a movie in the park! This event will feature the Traveling World of Reptiles from 6:30 to 7:30 where you can get up close and personal with reptiles and amphibians, before The Good Dinosaur movie begins at dusk!

Farewell to Summer Family Luau
August 27, 2016; 4 PM to 7:30 PM
Maple Street Beach
Winnetka IL

Say goodbye to summer in the best way possible! Lifeguards will be on duty until 6 PM and food, music and entertainment will be available throughout the duration of the event. From 6:30 to 7:30, you can even marvel over the live luau dance and fire show!

I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer on the North Shore and as always, feel free to reach out to me with any questions you have about buying or selling a home in Glencoe, Winnetka, Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield or the surrounding communities!

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.