Don't Miss These 4th of July Events on Chicago's North Shore!

Summer is in full swing here on Chicago's North Shore and that means the Fourth of July is just around the corner! It's time for beach days, pool time, BBQs, and patriotic parades to celebrate our nation's birthday— And lucky for North Shore residents, there are dozens of events to choose from to do just that!

Below are upcoming 4th of July events to mark on your calendar:

Deerfield Fireworks Show
When: July 3, 2017; 5 PM to 10 PM
Where: Brickyards Park

Deerfield will host its own fireworks display on July 3! The gates open at 5 PM, with live music at 6 PM, flag raising and national anthem at 7 PM, and ending with the fireworks at dusk!

Winnetka Fourth of July Parade
When: July 4, 2017; 10 AM
Where: Parade begins at the intersection of Elm Street and Glendale Avenue

Support your local Winnetka organizations and join your neighbors in this patriotic parade! There will be orchestras, pipe bands, Dixieland bands, jugglers and of course, Uncle Sam on stilts! The parade will begin at the intersection of Elm Street and Glendale Avenue, head east through town, and end at the Village Green.

Winnetka Fourthfest
When: July 4, 2017; 6 PM
Where: Duke Childs Field

After the parade, there will be a series of events for the family at the Village Green, and later that night, the annual Fourthfest kicks off! With food, music, kids activities, and a fireworks display at 9 PM, this is the perfect ending to a fun-filled day!

Glencoe Fourth of July Celebration
When: July 4, 2017; 8 AM to 9 PM
Where: Lakefront Park

This FREE 4th of July event will include the Glencoe's Got Talent talent show at 12 PM at Kalk Park, parade at 2 PM at Central School, and live music, before the fireworks at 9 PM!

Highland Park 4th of July Parade
When: July 4, 2017; 10 AM
Where: Intersection of Laurel and St. Johns Avenues

This year's parade will begin at the intersection of Laurel and St. Johns Avenues, turning west on Central Avenue and continuing to Sunset Park. The children's bike and pet parade prior to the big Independence Day parade will begin at 9:30 AM.

Northbrook 4th of July
When: July 4, 2017; 7:30 AM to Dusk
Where: Techny Prairie Park and Fields

This year's festivities begin with the Liberty Loop 5K Run/Walk at Techny Prairie Park and Fields, before the Rotary Club's breakfast at Village Green Park from 7:30 AM to 11 AM. Next up is the family golf tournament at Sportsman's Country Club from 9 AM to Noon, the Mile-Long Parade at 2:30 PM covering Cherry/Western/Shermer/Meadow, and ending with fireworks at Meadowhill Park and Techny Prairie Park and Fields.

Glenview Fourth of July Parade
When: July 4, 2017; 11:15 AM
Where: Begins at Glenview Community Church, heading west on Glenview Road, ending before Glendale Road

Local kids ages 3-9 will lead the parade with their own bike parade! The bike parade route ends at Sheerer Road in the St. David's Episcopal Church parking lot.

As always, do not hesitate to contact me with any questions about the local real estate market, buying or selling a home in Glencoe, Deerfield, Northbrook, Highland Park, Winnetka or beyond!

I wish you a happy and safe Fourth of July!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert

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5 Mistakes That Can Keep You From Selling Your North Shore Home

Selling your North Shore home this time of year can be very lucrative given the number of buyers in the market and the little competition among other sellers. However, there are several mistakes that can keep you from selling your home successfully and in fact, let your home "sit" on the market for longer than necessary.

As your North Shore real estate expert, I've included 5 mistakes that will hold you back from selling your home in Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Deerfield, and Northbrook this year:

1. Overpricing
Every home seller wants to earn top dollar for their home, but overpricing your home from the beginning could have the opposite effect. Remember that even if your neighbor's home sells for a certain amount, that doesn't mean your home is worth the same. It's always best to ask your real estate agent about your value!

2. Not being flexible
If you hold firm at your price, especially if you've overpriced, you may not attract as many buyers as you would like. In fact, you will likely turn them away. Always consider making a counter instead of rejecting if you receive offers.

3. Using poor photos
As many homebuyers begin their search online, it is crucial to hook them in the first place they look! Your listing photos should be crisp, clean, and bright, highlighting your home in its best possible condition.

4. Not cleaning up
Clutter can instantly turn off a buyer on Chicago's North Shore. Before you list your home, especially before you take photos and allow buyers inside, take the time to clean from top to bottom. A buyer wants to envision themselves living there, not focus on your knick knacks.

5. Leaving pets at home
During showings, it is important to take your pets with you or make arrangements for them to stay elsewhere. Sure, you love your pets, but buyers may not and this could be the factor that gives them the wrong feelings when touring your property. Ultimately, this could cost you a sale.

Give me a call today with any questions about listing your North Shore home, your home value or how you can set yourself up for success!

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. 

What Not to Do When Buying a Home on Chicago's North Shore

Your real estate agent is indeed on your side to guide you through buying a home this summer, answering every question along the way. However, there are certain things buyers tend to do that can really throw a wrench in the process.

Don't: Change your mind over and over
Changing your mind help you at times— for instance, when you realize you'd be better suited for another home in Winnetka, Glencoe, Northbrook, Highland Park, or Deerfield, one with more square footage, in a different location, or with a different number of bedrooms. However, changing your mind so much that it's difficult to nail down what you're looking for in a property, or how much you'd like to spend, the answer could just be that you're not ready to make a move at this time.

Don't: Make lowball offers without reason
Everyone wants a good deal on a home on the North Shore, but that doesn't mean you can make low offers without justification. If you're offering considerably less than asking price because you want a bargain, chances are the offer is going to be rejected and you could risk insulting the sellers. You are more than welcome to offer below asking price, but keep your expectations grounded in reality.

Don't: Go overboard at showings
Showings are important to the buying process— after all, it's the time for you to get to know the property better. One thing buyers tend to do is show up with contractors, designers, friends and family, spending hours on end measuring rooms and critiquing every single feature. If you repeat this at every home without making an offer, it can be frustrating for your agent.

Contact me today for your next steps on buying a home on Chicago's North Shore! I've helped numerous buyers in Winnetka, Glencoe, Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield and the surrounding communities and I'm here to help 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. 

Northbrook Real Estate Market Stats for May 2017

City Active Listings: There are a total of 344 properties actively on the market with the average price of $768,735 in Northbrook.

City Sold Listings: 93 properties closed last month in Northbrook with an average sales price of $497,476. 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 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!

Winnetka Real Estate Market Stats for May 2017

City Active Listings: There are a total of 172 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,944,686 in Winnetka.

City Sold Listings: 19 properties closed last month in Winnetka with an average sales price of $1,272,026. The average time on market for these properties was 87 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!

Highland Park Real Estate Market Stats for May 2017

City Active Listings: There are a total of 362 properties actively on the market with the average price of $962,272 in Highland Park.

City Sold Listings: 58 properties closed last month in Highland Park with an average sales price of $568,243. 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 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 May 2017

City Active Listings: There are a total of 106 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,496,275 in Glencoe.

City Sold Listings: 24 properties closed last month in Glencoe with an average sales price of $1,178,348. The average time on market for these properties was 39 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 May 2017

City Active Listings: There are a total of 196 properties actively on the market with the average price of $734,162 in Deerfield.

City Sold Listings: 40 properties closed last month in Deerfield with an average sales price of $466,859. The average time on market for these properties was 20 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!

Who Pays Closing Costs on Chicago's North Shore?

You've found your dream home on Chicago's North Shore, you've estimated your mortgage, and now it's time to go to the closing table. There is one more set of costs to consider before the deal is said and done, but as many local buyers wonder this same question, I'm here to answer— Who pays the closing costs?

The answer is both sides of the real estate transaction pay closing costs. The amount you owe in closing costs can easily be figured based on the mortgage loan amount of the purchase price, but below are a few more important points to note:

Buyers typically have more expenses
The majority of the North Shore buyer's closing costs stem from the loan. Costs including the appraisal fee, origination fee, credit report fee, recording fee, notary fee, title insurance, prepaid insurance, prepaid interest and the like will all come due at the closing table. To avoid any surprises, ask your lender to go over each expense and how it may affect your loan.

Sellers typically pay more
While buyers in Winnetka, Glencoe, Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield and the surrounding communities may have more expenses outlined in their final closing cost statement, sellers tend to pay more. Why? The seller is often responsible for paying the real estate commission which is based on a percentage of the total sale price of the home.

You can negotiate costs
Just like anything else in a real estate offer, you can always negotiate as there may be some wiggle room with closing costs. For instance, instead of asking for a reduction in the purchase price of the home (which may have very little affect in your overall monthly payment), you can ask for a credit toward closing costs which can allow you to save some of the out-of-pocket expense when the time comes to write that check.

Ready to buy a home on Chicago's North Shore? As your local real estate expert, I am here to guide you through the process! Give me a call today with any questions or for a list of available homes in Winnetka, Glencoe, Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield and the surrounding areas!

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.