Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Home Staging vs. Hiding— How to Inspect Homes on Chicago's North Shore

It's easy to get distracted when shopping for homes on Chicago's North Shore. You may find yourself focused on the kitchen updates, the backyard, and of course, the neighborhood, but quickly overlook issues hiding in plain sight. North Shore home sellers may go so far as to hide certain problems with home staging—underneath large furniture or behind hanging pictures, for instance—and it's up to you to recognize them when you arrive for a showing.

As your North Shore real estate expert, I am here to help you make the best decisions when buying a home in Northbrook, Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield and the surrounding areas. Below are four signs a home seller could be hiding a problem area with staging:

Listing Language
Before you even arrive at the home, you can get an impression about what you might find just from the language used in the listing description. Keep an eye out for phrases like "quaint," "cozy," "low maintenance," or "fixer upper," as these can often mean small properties that need a great deal of work.

Rugs
Rugs can be a great addition when staging a home for sale on the North Shore, but as a buyer, don't always assume they're just for decoration. Rugs and runners can sometimes be hiding pet damage, warped floors, or larger structural damage. Walk over the rugs several times, paying attention to how the floor feels, if it creaks, cracks, or feels sloped. If so, you'll want to take a closer look before moving forward on the home.

Painted Floors
You love your own pets, but how many pet owners want to move into a property to deal with someone else's pet damage? Not many. If you find yourself in a North Shore home with painted floors or happen to pull up the carpet and notice spots that have been painted, the sellers may be trying to cover up pet damage or water spots.

Furniture Arrangement
If the furniture placement in the home feels off,  the seller could be covering up problems underneath or around the area. For instance, is there a large couch in the center of the room? Are there picture frames hung in odd places? Look underneath or around the couch, checking for floor damage, or behind picture frames for signs of water or cracking.

Ready to buy a home but don't know where to start? Found your dream home in Northbrook, Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, or Deerfield? Give me a call today for more information about the buying process or to take those next steps toward becoming a homeowner!

I look forward to hearing from you!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert


North Shore Real Estate
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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, June 20, 2018

Winnetka Real Estate Market Stats for May 2018

City Active Listings: There are a total of 173 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,867,236 in Winnetka.

City Sold Listings: 30 properties closed last month in Winnetka with an average sales price of $1,616,877. The average time on market for these properties was 70 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 May 2018

City Active Listings: There are a total of 345 properties actively on the market with the average price of $718,216 in Northbrook.

City Sold Listings: 86 properties closed last month in Northbrook with an average sales price of $509,978. 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 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 May 2018

City Active Listings: There are a total of 348 properties actively on the market with the average price of $913,989 in Highland Park.

City Sold Listings: 65 properties closed last month in Highland Park with an average sales price of $549,615. The average time on market for these properties was 80 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 2018

City Active Listings: There are a total of 123 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,377,347 in Glencoe.

City Sold Listings: 17 properties closed last month in Glencoe with an average sales price of $1,219,274. 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
Visit My Website


Local Expert... with National Connections!

Deerfield Real Estate Market Stats for May 2018

City Active Listings: There are a total of 163 properties actively on the market with the average price of $663,132 in Deerfield.

City Sold Listings: 49 properties closed last month in Deerfield with an average sales price of $497,478. 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 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, June 13, 2018

4 North Shore Home Renovations to Make for Maximum Return

Summer is a popular time for North Shore homeowners to tackle home improvement projects from installing new landscaping to new front doors— or even a whole new kitchen! However, before you take those first steps or plan full-scale remodels, it's important to consider what will bring you the greatest return on your investment (ROI).

According to real estate news outlet Keeping Current Matters, the following four projects will net North Shore homeowners the greatest ROI:

Minor Bathroom Remodel
The #1 return on investment for homeowners is a minor bathroom remodel including a tub replacement, tile replacement, new toilet, sink, vanity, and other fixtures. This project will return homeowners an average of 102 percent!

Curb Appeal
This improvement project, including upgrading landscaping, adding shrubs, trees, and other flowers, walkways, planters, and mulch will yield homeowners 100 percent of their investment. The cost may be around $4,900, but you will likely recoup all of the investment at resale.

Minor Kitchen Remodel
A minor kitchen remodel is the project with the third highest ROI for homeowners, recouping 98.5 percent of the investment! Minor cosmetic upgrades like new countertops, flooring, refacing cabinets, or adding new lighting could cost as much as $15,000, but homeowners will see a high return at resale.

Exterior Improvements
Making updates to your North Shore home's exterior, such as new siding, a new front door, or even new light fixtures comes in at #4 for projects with the highest return. Homeowners can expect to recoup 95.5 percent of their investment.

Knowing where to invest your money wisely for resale is key for homeowners in Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glencoe, or Winnetka. Contact me today for more information about your home value or listing your home 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. 

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

4 Real Estate Red Flags Your North Shore Home Inspection Could Miss


When shopping for homes on Chicago's North Shore, you'll likely be distracted by home features like updated kitchens, bathrooms, and even the size of the yard. You won't necessarily be looking for red flags like flaws in the roof or foundation and even when you get to the inspection, there is a chance the inspector could miss them too!

Below are four real estate red flags to spot when shopping for homes on the North Shore:

Structural Issues
Luckily, when it comes to roofing structure and foundation, an inspector does know how each should look and can point out when there might be a problem. However, when it comes to how bad the problem is or how much it will cost you, you will need to consult a structural engineer.

HVAC Problems
Your heating and air conditioning system may be working well on the day of the inspection and fail the day you move in— you just never know! The only way to know if there is a real problem with the system is to bring a proper HVAC specialist to the property who can assess any issues. However, it may ultimately be a gamble as to purchasing a new unit and hiring an HVAC contractor; the two can cost relatively similar amounts.

Electrical Disruptions
Depending on the age of the home, the inspector may find electrical wire and connections that have failed or will need to be replaced. They will point these out to you in their report, but they will not always know the source of the problem or how much it will cost to repair. You will need to bring in an electrician to find the answers.

Leaks
If a property's water has been turned off for some time, the leaks may have dried for now, but once the water is running, they will return. Remember that the inspection cannot possibly identify all problems if they are not present on the day of, so the only way to spot leaks prior to the sale is to check drains in spots like under cabinets.

As your North Shore real estate expert, it is up to me to help you find the best property and make the best decision for your real estate goals. Give me a call today for more information about homes for sale in Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Northbrook, Deerfield, or the surrounding areas!

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.