Wednesday, May 24, 2017

2017 Chicago North Shore Memorial Day Events

The unofficial kick off to summer has arrived! This Memorial Day weekend, you can rest assured there is a busy schedule of events here on Chicago's North Shore! Whether you're hosting a BBQ in your backyard, are ready to enjoy the beautiful weather on one of our area's beautiful beaches, or plan to attend a Memorial Day service— you'll find it all right here!

Memorial Day Service
Monday, May 29, 2017; 11 AM
Highland Park High School Auditorium
Highland Park IL

Sing along as the Highland Park High School band plays patriotic songs, listen to Mayor Nancy Rotering and other guests speak, and visit with representatives from the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Jewish War Veterans.

Memorial Day Service
Monday, May 29, 2017; 10 AM
Veterans Memorial, Jewett Park
Deerfield IL

Hosted by the American Legion, a procession will begin at Jewett Park and end at Deerfield Cemetery.

Memorial Day Ceremony
Monday, May 29, 2017; 11 AM
Veterans Memorial Park (Rain venue: Takiff Center)
Glencoe IL

This year will mark the 100th anniversary of Glencoe residents who served in World War I, so join along as the Village and the Glencoe Historical Society honor their service to our country.

89th Annual Memorial Day Observance
Monday, May 29, 2017; 10 AM
Corner of Glendale and Elm (Rain venue: Skokie School Auditorium)
Winnetka IL

The Winnetka Park District, Village of Winnetka, Great Lakes Naval Command and US Coast Guard will present this year's Memorial Day observance. The honored guest speaker will be United States Army Staff Sergeant Justin R. Craggs.

Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony
Monday, May 29, 2017; 10:30 AM
Cherry and Western St
Northbrook IL

Attend this year's parade and ceremony and enjoy bands from local schools marching and performing. Immediately after the parade, everyone is encouraged to attend the American Legion Memorial Day ceremony at the Village Green Park.

I wish you a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend! And as always, do not hesitate to reach out with any questions you have about the local real estate market in Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook or the following communities!

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, May 17, 2017

4 Issues to Fix Before Listing Your North Shore Home

Every North Shore homeowner has a successful sale in mind when they list their property, but did you know there are several common issues that can cause the transaction to come apart at the seams? If you are aware of any problems prior to listing your Glencoe, Winnetka, Deerfield, Highland Park, or Northbrook home, it is always wise to remedy them. I've included a few of the common red flags to watch for around your property before you place that For Sale sign in the yard.

Worn, old roof
When searching for homes on Chicago's North Shore, buyers can quickly make a note of those whose roofs look like they may need replacing. If your roof is coming to the end of its road (typically 20 to 25 years), replacing it could help you sell faster.

Old appliances
Today's homebuyers are looking for updated kitchens with newer appliances. They do not want to have this expense upon their move into your home. If you have dated appliances, buyers may also wonder what else you've failed to replace.

Difficult, creaky windows
If buyers cannot open your windows or can hear every car go by while inside, they may consider moving on to the next property. Replace your old, sticky windows with newer, dual-paned models to help eliminate sound and appeal to buyers.

Foundation cracks
There is no greater red flag to North Shore buyers than a crack in the foundation. This can mean larger, more expensive issues down the road and your home may "sit" on the market longer than you'd like. Be ready to fix this issue if you've already listed or speak with someone prior to taking that first seller step.

Unsure if you're ready to list your North Shore home or have questions about your home value? 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. 

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Winnetka Real Estate Market Stats for April 2017

City Active Listings: There are a total of 174 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,850,173 in Winnetka.

City Sold Listings: 29 properties closed last month in Winnetka with an average sales price of $1,075,198. The average time on market for these properties was 77 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!

Northbrook Real Estate Market Stats for April 2017

City Active Listings: There are a total of 313 properties actively on the market with the average price of $766,126 in Northbrook.

City Sold Listings: 66 properties closed last month in Northbrook with an average sales price of $461,786. 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 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!

Highland Park Real Estate Market Stats for April 2017

City Active Listings: There are a total of 354 properties actively on the market with the average price of $899,879 in Highland Park.

City Sold Listings: 49 properties closed last month in Highland Park with an average sales price of $640,520. The average time on market for these properties was 108 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!

Glencoe Real Estate Market Stats for April 2017

City Active Listings: There are a total of 114 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,469,338 in Glencoe.

City Sold Listings: 16 properties closed last month in Glencoe with an average sales price of $1,257,050. 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 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!

Deerfield Real Estate Market Stats for April 2017

City Active Listings: There are a total of 174 properties actively on the market with the average price of $787,329 in Deerfield.

City Sold Listings: 37 properties closed last month in Deerfield with an average sales price of $540,321. The average time on market for these properties was 77 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!

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

What You Don't Know About Your North Shore Home Appraisal

You've decided to sell your North Shore home, you've prepared the property for the market and decided on a listing price. But then comes the home appraisal and you're confused about what that number means for the sale— What are you missing? As your local real estate expert on Chicago's North Shore, I am here to help clear up some of your questions!

Below are three things you may not know about your home appraisal in Northbrook, Winnetka, Glencoe, Deerfield, Highland Park and the surrounding areas:

1. The home appraisal is not the same as the inspection
While the home inspection and appraisal are both designed to provide protection for the buyer, they are drastically different from each other. The home inspection points out flaws in the property, what is currently wrong and what may cause problems in the future. The appraisal takes into account a variety of factors including comps in the area, location, condition and more to determine the market value.

2. The appraisal does not decide what the buyer will pay
The appraisal will determine the property's market value, but it by no means says how much the buyer will pay for your home. Another point worth noting is that if the appraisal comes in lower than what the buyer has agreed to pay via financing, the lender will likely not be so willing to come up with the difference.

3. More amenities and more square footage equal a higher appraisal
The appraiser will take into account certain factors like the condition of the property, its location, square footage and compare it to similar homes in the area, but know that more does not always signal a higher appraisal value. For instance, if your property has a home theater, but others in the area do not, don't be too quick to expect a spike in your value; buyers probably aren't looking for that specific feature in your neighborhood.

Have more questions about selling your home on the North Shore or ready to get started with listing your property? 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.