Wednesday, March 29, 2017

5 Things North Shore Home Sellers Often Forget to Do

When you've decided to sell your home on Chicago's North Shore, the process begins of preparing the home to appeal to today's buyers. From staging the property to making any necessary repairs, homeowners have their work cut out for them on the road to a successful home sale. In fact, in the midst of it all, it's only natural that a few tasks go overlooked.

As your North Shore real estate expert, it is my job to make sure nothing is left in the lurch and every box has been checked on your home seller to-do list. I've listed below five things North Shore home sellers often forget to do, so you don't make the same mistakes!

Clean inside everything
During your home seller prep, take care to clean inside of every nook and cranny of your Winnetka, Glencoe, Deerfield, Northbrook, or Highland Park home. Buyers will be peeking inside everything as they tour the property and a dirty kitchen cabinet or unkempt closet could turn them off!

Tend to details
Make sure you're paying attention to every little detail, including things as minute as the doorbell! If the doorbell doesn't work, buyers will likely gather a negative impression of the property and wonder what else you've neglected to fix.

Make a list of improvements or repairs
Whether or not you've made repairs or upgrades to your North Shore home, you will need to outline them for buyers so they have peace of mind. Even if you didn't fix that leaky faucet, be sure to disclose the issue to avoid problems later.

Go where the buyers are
That doesn't mean you need to physically move your North Shore home, but rather, market to buyers where they are looking. Your real estate agent should be marketing to buyers online, ensuring listing photos are high quality and the description of the property is detailed.

Define what is included
You never know what buyers are falling in love with as they tour your home— it could be anything from the window treatments to the washing machine. Before you officially list your home, make sure you make a mental note of what is and is not included in the sale and what is negotiable. This will make things easier after an offer is submitted!

Not sure if your home is fully ready to list this spring? Give me a call today for more information about next steps or to find your home value!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert


North Shore Real Estate
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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, March 22, 2017

North Shore Home Tax Deduction Mistakes to Avoid This Year

Your list of homeowner tasks to tackle this spring may be growing by the day, but there is one more item to check off your list that will likely require the most research and preparation— your taxes. Tax season can be a stressful time, but if you carefully sidestep the following mistakes, you can rest assured that you won't have any larger issues down the road.

Deducting the wrong energy efficient appliances
There is indeed a tax deduction available to Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Northbrook and Deerfield area homeowners who install energy efficient appliances, but you'll need to be sure you don't deduct those that don't qualify. Research what is eligible for the deduction every year as the regulations do change.

Deducting PMI above income limit
Did you know that you can only deduct PMI (private mortgage insurance) only if your adjusted gross income is less than $100,000? While this deduction can really be worthwhile for North Shore homeowners, it is important to make sure you don't attempt to take it if your income is beyond the limit.

Deducting the wrong property tax
If you escrow your property taxes, you might be quick to deduct the total amount in your account from your income. However, keep in mind that this amount is just an estimate and could be higher or lower than your actual tax amount owed. To be safe, it's best to look on your 1098 Form from your bank to learn how much you really paid in taxes for the year.

As your local real estate expert on Chicago's North Shore, I'm here to answer all of your questions about listing your home or buying new! Give me a call today for more information about today's market and your next steps whether you're ready to buy or sell.

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, March 15, 2017

4 Home Features That Will Hook North Shore Buyers

When you're motivated to sell your North Shore home, you will likely go to many lengths to ensure that your property is ready for the market, but also to ensure you hook buyers from the start! Of course that is dependent on many factors, one of the most important being pricing, but there are a few home features that can help you grab and keep buyer interest this spring.

The front door
Curb appeal is everything to North Shore buyers, so grab their eye immediately with your front door! A bold color could be just what they need to want to see more, especially if the exterior is rather neutral. But if bold color isn't your cup of tea, consider an architecturally appealing door instead.

Ceiling height
High ceilings are a buyer favorite, but they are not available in every Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Deerfield and Northbrook home. If you are not among the high ceiling crowd, you can achieve a similar feel by painting your entry white, including the ceiling, to create the illusion of wide, open space.

Privacy
Don't have an open concept home? Don't worry! Many buyers love the idea of privacy between rooms, especially living and dining spaces. It's the differentiation between spaces that will set your property apart! Talk it over with your agent as buyers differ by location, but you may even like to consider adding a wall to achieve this feel.

Separation from the pack
Regardless if your North Shore home is located in a neighborhood full of similar looking properties, if yours has even one different identifying factor like a paint brick instead of the typical red, you could be on your way. Buyers today are looking for that something that sets your property apart from the rest, especially as many homes in today's newer neighborhoods tend to look the same.

I've helped numerous North Shore home sellers prepare their properties for the market and achieve a successful sale— let me do the same for you! Give me a call today for more information about the current market and the best time to list your home.

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, March 8, 2017

Winnetka Real Estate Market Stats for February 2017

City Active Listings: There are a total of 157 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,882,634 in Winnetka.

City Sold Listings: 12 properties closed last month in Winnetka with an average sales price of $836,875. The average time on market for these properties was 110 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
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Local Expert... with National Connections!

Northbrook Real Estate Market Stats for February 2017

City Active Listings: There are a total of 265 properties actively on the market with the average price of $766,778 in Northbrook.

City Sold Listings: 37 properties closed last month in Northbrook with an average sales price of $599,511. The average time on market for these properties was 69 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
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Local Expert... with National Connections!

Highland Park Real Estate Market Stats for February 2017

City Active Listings: There are a total of 310 properties actively on the market with the average price of $893,618 in Highland Park.

City Sold Listings: 22 properties closed last month in Highland Park with an average sales price of $482,233. The average time on market for these properties was 111 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
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Local Expert... with National Connections!

Glencoe Real Estate Market Stats for February 2017

City Active Listings: There are a total of 100 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,497,791 in Glencoe.

City Sold Listings: 6 properties closed last month in Glencoe with an average sales price of $662,000. The average time on market for these properties was 49 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
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Local Expert... with National Connections!

Deerfield Real Estate Market Stats for February 2017

City Active Listings: There are a total of 143 properties actively on the market with the average price of $777,539 in Deerfield.

City Sold Listings: 19 properties closed last month in Deerfield with an average sales price of $538,084. The average time on market for these properties was 45 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
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Local Expert... with National Connections!

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Your North Shore Homeowner To-Do List for March

March has arrived and before we know it, the birds will be singing, the grass will be green again and the weather will finally warm up. But before we can get there, there are a few tasks you will want to cross off of your North Shore homeowner to-do list— cleaning your gutters, for instance.

Below are four tasks to add to your homeowner to-do list this month and you will be ready to enjoy the spring season ahead!

Clean your gutters
Leaves and debris are likely built up in your gutters at the moment and if not tended to, can cause a variety of problems both inside and outside of your North Shore home. Take a weekend to clean out the gutters and flush water through to ensure the spouts are in proper working order.

Repair cracks in walkways
It is not uncommon for the winter to bring about cracks and gaps in your sidewalks and driveway. Use a sealant to fill these gaps and prevent further cracking, not to mention keep trips and falls at bay!

Caulk windows and doors
Check around windows and doors for any caulking that may have been damaged over the winter and repair if necessary. As spring weather tends to bring more rain than usual, you will want to ensure that no water is able to get inside.

Clean your home's exterior
No matter if you're staying put or planning to move to a new home on Chicago's North Shore, cleaning your home's exterior is a must this March. Consider renting a pressure washer to spray away any dirt and grime that may have built up on your siding over the winter and doing the same to your deck or patio area. These two small tasks will do wonders for curb appeal and impressing buyers!

Every North Shore homeowner is looking forward to the spring season, but especially those who are interested in selling! Give me a call today for more information about listing your home in the Winnetka, Glencoe, Deerfield, Northbrook, Highland Park areas or for next steps about preparing your property for today's buyers.

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.