5 Tips to Get Your North Shore Chicago Home Ready for Winter

The temperatures have been slowly dropping on the North Shore and we all know snow is on its way! It won't be long before we're bringing out the shovels and lighting a fire to stay warm inside, but there are just a few steps to take to ensure your home is fully ready for the winter ahead.

In order to maximize energy efficiency in your Deerfield, Glencoe, Winnetka, Northbrook or Highland Park home and lessen the chances of emergency repairs when the weather takes a toll, now is the time to take care of the following maintenance tasks:

Assess insulation 
There should not be any gaps in insulation or crawl spaces that expose pipes to cold air. If pipes are left exposed, North Shore homeowners run the risk of freezing and bursting!

Look into heating
Your home's heating system is never more important than in the winter months! It is wise to invite a licensed technician to inspect your heating elements this fall before the cold weather requires you run the system every day.

Block out the cold
Older homes can be drafty, especially as the blustery, winter wind picks up. Take precautions to block any drafts around doors, windows and baseboards with weather stripping or caulk to prevent heat loss and what every North Shore homeowner desires to avoid— higher energy costs.

Inspect your fireplace
You'll likely be using your home's fireplace often this winter, so it's time you call your local chimney sweep. An experienced chimney sweep can clean your fireplace to prevent the risk of fire from blockages or years of buildup.

Re-route your fans
Did you know you can set your ceiling fans to rotate clockwise to force the rising warm air back down? Not only does this keep your home warmer during the winter months, but it also helps you keep heating costs on the lower side.

You can count on me to provide helpful tips for homeowners, sellers and buyers alike! As your North Shore real estate expert, I am here to make your real estate journey run as smoothly as possible. Do not hesitate to reach out!

I am happy to answer any questions you have about buying or selling a home as well as provide a list of available properties in Deerfield, Glencoe, Winnetka, Northbrook, Highland Park and beyond!

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. 

Spring and Summer Inspiration for Your Home on Chicago's North Shore

Now that the weather is getting warmer on the North Shore, homeowners are venturing outside to spruce landscaping, plant gardens and even bring in new furniture for a fresh look. But instead of going with your usual spring and summer routine to boost curb appeal, it's time to inspire yourself! The upcoming Antiques Garden and Design Show April 17 through 19th at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe provides just the atmosphere to do so. 

Formerly known as the Antiques and Garden Fair, the 2015 show is offering a whole new format for inspiring stylish living and homes on the North Shore. This year is all about showing North Shore homeowners the new and extraordinary, featuring beautiful gardens and objects that you may have never seen before.

The Antiques Garden and Design Show in Glencoe will display indoor gardens, a horticulture section (new this year!) and an opportunity to enjoy shopping, local cuisine and complimentary valet parking at the Preview Evening on Thursday, April 16th. 

The following are just some of the highlights you can expect to find at this year's show:

• Display gardens

New, indoor gardens in the spring colors of green and chartreuse are a breath of fresh air after the long, winter.

• Lectures

Lecturers include an internationally-acclaimed interior designer and garden journalist and historian to share tips on decorating your North Shore home this season and creating simplicity in your outdoor spaces. 

Held April 17-19, 2015; 10 AM to 5 PM, Friday through Sunday, this popular show on Chicago's North Shore is an excellent opportunity to get inspired to create fresh, new spaces in your home. 

If you are ready for a fresh start in a new home this spring and summer, do not hesitate to contact me! I am a seasoned North Shore real estate expert and am happy to help you navigate the market to find your dream home.

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

Sell Your North Shore Home This Fall!

Can you believe it’s already August? It feels like just yesterday we were discussing the North Shore’s mild winter weather. If you are in the position to sell your North Shore home, now might just be the time to do it! With school starting in just a couple of weeks and the summer activities winding down, you have more time to mull over your options, get your home market ready and find the North Shore real estate agent that will make the transaction a success. 

While you’ve heard of calculated home staging and enhancing curb appeal, there is much more that goes into a successful home sale. As your Chicago North Shore real estate agent, let me walk you through some tips and tricks to make your home selling experience as smooth as possible. 

Have an Inspection: One of the best ways to show off your home is to have a professional inspection. While you have taken care of your home throughout the year, you never know what flaws (big or small) could be hiding. Having an inspector walk through your home will bring light to (or eliminate) the possibility of any major issues. Of course the buyer will have their own inspector, but having your own personal record is beneficial to the overall outcome. It will also show buyers that you are serious about selling and care that the house is in the best condition possible for its new owner. 

Give an Incentive: People love this. Think of it like a bakery – they may be offering two cookies for the price of one. You can apply this same concept to your home sale. Whether it be lawn or pool maintenance or footing the trash bill, there are plenty of ways you can offer a little something extra.  You can make the buyer’s life a little easier by offering a service to keep the lawn mowed or the pool clean. This can be worked into the overall price and will also set you home apart from its competitors. Your North Shore real estate agent can help you come up with a plan that will be beneficial to everyone. 

Find the Right Agent: This might be the most important step in your North Shore home sale. While many people choose to sell their home on their own, I think it’s best to seek the help of an experienced listing agent. Not only can they answer any questions you might have, but they will also be working behind the scenes to make sure the transaction is running smoothly.  They will help you study the market, get your home market ready, and of course, determine a fair and realistic price for your home. 

I hope these tips have given you some insight for your next home sale! Making sure that your North Shore home is in the best shape possible is the key to a successful transaction. If you’re in the position to buy or sell in Chicago’s North Shore area, feel free to contact me anytime. I would love to be your go-to-guide throughout the entire process.

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert

North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
Visit My Website