Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Costs to Expect When Rehabbing Your North Shore Home

If you're a homeowner on Chicago's North Shore, chances are you have a list of upgrades you would like to make around your home. These might include smaller projects like changing light fixtures and boosting curb appeal with new landscaping to full-blown renovations like opening up a kitchen and living space or overhauling a bathroom.

Each comes with their own set of costs and if you haven't crunched the numbers ahead of time, you may find yourself wishing you would have better prepared both yourself and your wallet. As your local North Shore real estate expert, I've included a few costs to expect when rehabbing your property in Glencoe, Winnetka, Deerfield, Highland Park, Northbrook, Evanston, Glenview, Wilmette, Lake Forest, and the surrounding areas:

Initial Set-Up
Before even the smallest nail can be removed, it is important to look into building permits. Will you need a permit for your project? In certain areas, even removing flooring to replace with new will require the proper permit. Permits do have a cost associated with them that you will need to prepare for, as well as any team you intend to hire for your project.

Supplies
Will you need to purchase specialized tools to complete your project? For instance, are you installing a new backsplash? You may need a tile cutter or saw to ensure the best fit for your kitchen. Are you gutting your bathroom? Plumbing tools may be in order. Be sure to factor in the costs of supplies before diving into your home rehab.

Inspection
If your intent is to sell your North Shore home when the rehab is complete, a home inspection may be in your future if you'd like to know all of the issues have been taken care of prior to listing the property.

Sale
As I mentioned above, if you plan to sell when the renovations are finished, you can expect the traditional costs of selling a home. For instance, the real estate agent's fees, staging, legal fees, and even certain tests like radon or lead may fall on the seller's shoulders.

Considering selling your home in Glencoe, Winnetka, Deerfield, Highland Park, Northbrook, Evanston, Glenview, Wilmette, Lake Forest or beyond? Give me a call today!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert


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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, September 20, 2017

3 Things to Know Before Upsizing to a New North Shore Home

If you've been considering buying a larger or more luxurious home on Chicago's North Shore, now is the time to start taking those next steps! Buyer demand is high, which means you could be competing with others for a property, however, with home prices and mortgage rates expected to increase, you won't want to wait any longer.

As your North Shore real estate expert, I'm here to help you through your next home purchase in Winnetka, Glencoe, Deerfield, Highland Park, Northbrook and the surrounding communities— and that means making sure you are an informed buyer, especially when upsizing. Below are three things you should know about moving up to a new home this year:

Note what you want vs. what you need
When it comes to your home search, it's important to note what you want versus what you need. Know what is absolutely essential in your new home, especially if you're upsizing. Do you need a bigger kitchen for hosting gatherings or do you just like the idea of one? Do you need a bigger yard due to pets and kids? Make a list of priorities before moving forward or you could risk ending up in a home with buyer's remorse!

Do the math
It's no secret that a bigger home will likely come with a bigger payment. You will need to do the math and research all costs involved before you commit to upsizing to a larger North Shore home. For instance, how much extra in maintenance costs will you have or will you need to purchase additional equipment to tackle it yourself? Is the home is in an association? How much are your dues every month? It's wise to have these all accounted for before starting your home search in Winnetka, Glencoe, Deerfield, Highland Park, and Northbrook.

Think about resale
No matter what size home you are buying, it is always smart to put on your future buyer hat and think about resale. If you choose the home and location wisely, you can make a profit when the time comes to sell. Think about what buyers will want, what area is up and coming or which neighborhood will be desirable given your timeline to sell. Think about the number of bedrooms and how that will affect resale. Even if you're upsizing now and plan to stay for decades, you will thank yourself later when it's time to potentially downsize.

Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions about buying a home on Chicago's North Shore! Whether you are upsizing, downsizing, or simply looking for a new home in a new neighborhood, you can count on me as your local real estate resource.

I look forward to hearing from you!

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, September 13, 2017

Glencoe Real Estate Market Stats for August 2017

City Active Listings: There are a total of 106 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,149,500 in Glencoe.

City Sold Listings: 14 properties closed last month in Glencoe with an average sales price of $1,215,575. The average time on market for these properties was 63 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!

Highland Park Real Estate Market Stats for August 2017

City Active Listings: There are a total of 360 properties actively on the market with the average price of $682,400 in Highland Park.

City Sold Listings: 58 properties closed last month in Highland Park with an average sales price of $556,590. The average time on market for these properties was 67 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!

Deerfield Real Estate Market Stats for August 2017

City Active Listings: There are a total of 201 properties actively on the market with the average price of $549,900 in Deerfield.

City Sold Listings: 30 properties closed last month in Deerfield with an average sales price of $498,000. 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 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!

Winnetka Real Estate Market Stats for August 2017

City Active Listings: There are a total of 161 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,269,000 in Winnetka.

City Sold Listings: 35 properties closed last month in Winnetka with an average sales price of $1,373,626. The average time on market for these properties was 59 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 August 2017

City Active Listings: There are a total of 329 properties actively on the market with the average price of $555,000 in Northbrook.

City Sold Listings: 82 properties closed last month in Northbrook with an average sales price of $514,501. The average time on market for these properties was 33 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!

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Your North Shore Home Improvement Checklist for September

Now that September has arrived on Chicago's North Shore, it's hard not to begin to think about what the fall season has in store. Cooler weather will soon set in and the leaves will start to fall from the trees, meaning—aside from raking—there are a few extra tasks to check off of your home improvement list this month.

Below are five tasks to complete around your home in Winnetka, Glencoe, Deerfield, Highland Park, and Northbrook in September:

Check for air leaks
When the weather gets cooler, your hand will reach for the thermostat and the last thing you want is for warm air to escape through cracks around windows and doors. Take some time to inspect seals around window frames and doors, identifying anywhere air could leak out. If you spot a problem area, you can simply apply a new bead of caulk or weatherstripping to remedy the issue.

Clean the gutters
Autumn is notorious for lower temperatures on the North Shore, as well as wet, windy weather and of course, falling leaves. Make sure your gutters are cleaned and working properly to route water away from your home and catch any new debris that may accumulate during this next season. There should be nothing left over from the summer inside your gutters as we head into fall!

Clean the chimney
It's best to leave this dirty job to the pros, especially as failing to do it well could result in a higher risk for fire inside your home. Schedule an appointment now as chimney cleaning companies can tend to book up quickly as the weeks progress and more homeowners look to cozying up by the fire.

Inspect your HVAC
Just as I mentioned above that chimney cleaners will book up quickly, so too will HVAC specialists. You will want to make an appointment now to have your system inspected and confirm everything is in working order for the cold months ahead. Also, if you haven't already, now is the time to change out your furnace filter.

Put away outdoor tools and gear
We likely have a few more weeks where your yard equipment (like lawn mowers) will come in handy, but you can take the necessary steps to store everything else. Clean garden tools to prevent rust, flush out the garden hose and turn off outdoor water, and clear a place either in your garage or another storage unit to store your patio furniture.

Whether you're ready to start fresh and sell your home on Chicago's North Shore or are a first-time buyer looking to find your dream home, you can count on me as your real estate expert to make your experience as seamless as possible.

Give me a call today for more information about the local real estate market and your next steps to achieve your buyer or seller goals this year!

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.