Wednesday, February 28, 2018

4 Ways to Increase Your Winnetka or Glencoe Home Value Before Selling This Spring

Spring is upon us here on Chicago's North Shore and the real estate market will soon begin to buzz with more activity as it does every year around this time. More buyers will enter the local market, searching for their dream home, and yours could be it! But if you've been mulling over selling your Winnetka, Glencoe, Deerfield, Highland Park, Northbrook or Evanston area home, you might like to consider boosting your home value first in order to get the most from your sale.

Below are four ways you can boost your home value before listing this spring:

Paint your bathroom or kitchen blue
You may have heard of choosing a neutral paint color to appeal to the majority of buyers, but you likely have not considered blue. According to Zillow's 2017 Paint Color Analysis, which analyzed photos from over 30,000 sold properties, homes with blue kitchens ultimately sold for $1,800 more than those without. The same goes for blue bathrooms, as the analysis found that properties with blue bathrooms sold for $5,400 more.

Incorporate trendy features
Chalk it up to those renovation reality TV shows everyone loves to watch, but listings with farmhouse sinks and even trendy items like barn doors and tongue and groove paneling (or shiplap) have proved to sell for more money than their more traditional counterparts.

Add smart technology
To stand out in today's real estate market and pull a higher price tag, homeowners might consider installing smart features like digital thermostats and even smartphone-enabled security cameras. Not only do these items add interest, but they help a buyer feel more in control and safe at home— which will prompt them to pay more when they feel their home is light years ahead of the rest on the block.

Replace appliances
One simple way to boost your North Shore home's value is to say goodbye to your old appliances and bring in more energy-efficient models. Today's buyers in Winnetka, Glencoe, Deerfield, Highland Park, Northbrook, Wilmette, Skokie, Lake Bluff, and Evanston are looking for stainless steel appliances that cut down on energy bills and allow them to live a more "green" lifestyle.

Ready to make the move to sell your North Shore home? As your local real estate expert, I am here to guide you toward a successful sale! Give me a call today for more information about preparing for buyers and a home valuation.

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, February 21, 2018

Deerfield Real Estate Market Stats for January 2018

City Active Listings: There are a total of 130 properties actively on the market with the average price of $700,398 in Deerfield.

City Sold Listings: 21 properties closed last month in Deerfield with an average sales price of $473,496. The average time on market for these properties was 60 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!

Glencoe Real Estate Market Stats for January 2018

City Active Listings: There are a total of 78 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,434,437 in Glencoe.

City Sold Listings: 13 properties closed last month in Glencoe with an average sales price of $997,558. The average time on market for these properties was 130 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 January 2018

City Active Listings: There are a total of 254 properties actively on the market with the average price of $972,364 in Highland Park.

City Sold Listings: 15 properties closed last month in Highland Park with an average sales price of $509,090. The average time on market for these properties was 95 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!

Northbrook Real Estate Market Stats for January 2018

City Active Listings: There are a total of 217 properties actively on the market with the average price of $732,482 in Northbrook.

City Sold Listings: 33 properties closed last month in Northbrook with an average sales price of $426,344. The average time on market for these properties was 54 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 January 2018

City Active Listings: There are a total of 112 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,875,608 in Winnetka.

City Sold Listings: 17 properties closed last month in Winnetka with an average sales price of $2,360,907. The average time on market for these properties was 91 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!

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

How to Compete with Cash Buyers on Chicago's North Shore

When you've found your dream home in Winnetka, Deerfield, Highland Park, Northbrook, Glencoe, or the surrounding areas, you are willing to do what it takes to make sure it becomes yours. The last thing you want is to be outbid (or in some cases, underbid) by another buyer who turns out to have all cash!

To compete with cash buyers in today's real estate market, you will need to have a certain edge and as your local North Shore real estate expert, I'm sharing five ways for you to stand out below:

Don't hide anything
Being upfront with your finances can help a seller feel more confident in choosing your offer. Allow your lender to release financial details like your income, bank statements, and credit report. Providing this information may prompt the seller to consider your offer just the same as a cash buyer.

Accelerate the loan
Cash transactions move quickly and for sellers, that is a major perk. When you use financing to purchase a North Shore home, the closing process is not as swift and therefore, your offer may not look as appealing. However, you can always ask how you can speed up the process. Depending on your lender, they may be able to turn around the loan in as little as 14 days, pending all documents are submitted efficiently and the appraiser is dispatched on time.

Bid higher
Cash buyers tend to offer a lower amount for a property simply because there are fewer hoops to jump through for the seller given there is no financing. If you don't want to lose the home, consider bidding higher. Offering more than you think the home is worth could put you ahead of the cash buyer and in the long run, it likely will not change your mortgage payment much.

Make yourself known
Oftentimes, sellers want to know who their house is going to and including a personal letter could be just what they need to accept your offer over a cash buyer. Make yourself known to the sellers, tell them who you are, what you love about the property, and what you plan to do with it. In today's market, it couldn't hurt!'

Move along the inspection
When a seller accepts your offer over a cash buyer, there is still one more potential hurdle aside from financing and that is the inspection. If you can conduct your inspection within days after your accepted offer, this assures the seller that they made the right decision and you can follow through with the sale.

Ready to start the search for your North Shore dream home or found what you're looking for and want to seal the deal? Give me a call today! I've helped numerous buyers become homeowners in in Winnetka, Deerfield, Highland Park, Northbrook, and Glencoe and I'd be happy to help you do the same!

Looking 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. 

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Winter Events This Month on Chicago's North Shore!

While the temperatures may be colder, that does not mean the calendar comes to a halt on Chicago's North Shore! There are dozens of events to attend this month, from Valentine's Tea Parties to a Winter Farmers' Market and as your local real estate expert, I'm happy to share them with you!

Below are five events you will want to add to your schedule this month in Glencoe, Northbrook, Winnetka, and beyond!

Winter Farmers Market
Saturdays, 8 AM to Noon
2024 McCormick Blvd, Evanston IL

Pick up the best of seasonal fruits, vegetables, meat, flowers, cheese, baked goods, and more at the Evanston winter farmers market! Through April 28, the market is held indoors at the Ecology Center, from 8 AM to Noon.

Victorian Valentine Tea Party
February 12, 2018; 1:30 PM to 3 PM
Winnetka Historical Society Museum and Headquarters
411 Linden St, Winnetka IL

Take a trip back in time with this old-fashioned tea party set in Winnetka's 19th century museum! Participants will make Valentine's Day cards and enjoy an early afternoon tea with treats, parlor games, and vintage toys! Dress-up clothes, hats, stuffed animals and dolls are welcome!

Grand Valentine's Event
February 14, 2018; 5 PM to 7 PM
Max and Benny's; Northbrook IL 

Celebrate Valentine's Day at this Northbrook locale where kids (and grandkids!) can decorate cookies and cupcakes in the party room after dinner! Each will be able to decorate one cookie and one cupcake to enjoy at the restaurant or take home!

Glencoe Skate Night
February 16, 2018; 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Watts Ice Center; 305 Randolph St; Glencoe IL 

The Glencoe Park District is throwing a special Skate Night for the 21+ crowd for Valentine's Day and you're invited! Skate rental is included in the $25 per person cost and mulled wine, hot chocolate, and desserts will be served.

Wine and Beer Tasting
February 23, 2018; 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Winnetka Community House

Back by popular demand, the 2018 Winnetka Wine and Beer Tasting will be held at the Winnetka Community House and feature premium wine, craft beer, and delicious food!

Ready to call the North Shore your home this year? Give me a call today! I've helped numerous buyers become homeowners right here in Glencoe, Highland Park, Evanston, Deerfield, Glenview, Winnetka, and the surrounding areas and I can help you do the same!

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.