What You Should Know Before Refinancing Your North Shore Home

The idea of cutting your monthly mortgage payment down by refinancing your loan may sound intriguing to you as a homeowner on Chicago's North Shore, but there is much more to consider before diving in. In fact, there are cases in which refinancing does not truly pay off for the homeowner. But don't worry! As your local North Shore real estate expert, you can count on me to help you make the best decision for your situation.

Below are four factors to consider before making the decision to refinance your mortgage:

Refinancing is not free
Just as you likely paid some closing costs when you purchased your home in Northbrook, Winnetka, Evanston, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glencoe, Lake Forest, Wilmette, Glenview, Riverwoods, Bannockburn, and the surrounding areas, you will be required to again with refinancing. Closing costs are typically 2 to 5 percent of your loan amount and will need to be paid up front when you refinance. While your lender may offer a no closing costs refinance, be aware that it may come packaged with a higher interest rate. It's always wise to consider all of your options!

The savings should pay off quickly
When deciding if a refinance is right for you and your North Shore home, you need to look at the savings. Refinancing makes the most sense when your interest rate is more than 100 points above the current interest rates. The savings from your refinance should also recoup itself in under two years. For example, if your refinance cost you $2,800 and you end up saving $179 per month, the savings would be recouped in 15 months. It pays to crunch the numbers!

You may be able to cancel PMI
As we've talked about in the past, private mortgage insurance (PMI) is required for buyers that put down less than 20 percent on their new home. However, if you've gained enough equity in your home over the past years, a refinance may mean you're able to cancel your PMI. Just remember the loan balance needs to be 80 percent or less of your home's value.

Refinancing resets your loan
Perhaps one of the most important factors to consider is that a refinance is essentially hitting the reset button on your home loan. If you've had your loan for many years and have reached the point where you're paying down the principal instead of interest, refinancing may not be the best idea as you will likely reverse this dynamic.

Whether you're ready to tackle the home selling process on Chicago's North Shore or are simply looking to refinance to save a bit more each month, I am here to help! You can call on me to provide everything from a list of available North Shore homes to home seller tips and lender recommendations.

I look forward to hearing from you in 2019!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert

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Your Winter Checklist for Your North Shore Chicago Home

In a past blog post, I shared How to Brighten Your Glencoe, Winnetka Home in the Winter, but that is just one of many tasks to tackle during this time of year! There are dozens of steps to take to ensure your North Shore home is protected for the cold season ahead and I've listed the top must-dos below!

Inspect your chimney
The last thing you want during the winter months is a chimney fire! If you use your fireplace often in your North Shore home, it is key to have the chimney inspected and creosote build up removed. A good rule of thumb is to have a professional clean and inspect after every 70 fires.

Replace smoke detector batteries
Especially if you like to have fires roaring and keep the place cozy by cranking the heat, you will need to make sure smoke detector batteries are fresh. Take care to place a smoke detector in every bedroom and on every floor of your home to be safe.

Keep ice melt handy
Don't risk slips and falls outside of your North Shore home this winter! Keep a bucket of ice melt or salt handy by the front door or garage and sprinkle it if you suspect snow or the temperatures have dropped. You won't be sorry!

Cover the air conditioner
Excess moisture from snow and wet debris can take a toll on your air conditioning unit. Use a breathable cover to shield the unit from winter conditions and you will eliminate the risk of rust!

Install weatherstripping
If your home feels colder than it should, you might be losing warm air through gaps around windows and doors. Apply weatherstripping around these points of entry to keep the heat indoors where it belongs!

Bring in floor mats
The winter months make it easy to track snow and dirt all over your North Shore home. Use floor mats both indoors and out to protect your flooring and keep the wetness contained on a waterproof mat for boots and shoes.

Insulate pipes
Burst pipes can wreak havoc on your Glencoe, Northbrook, Winnetka, Highland Park, Evanston, and Deerfield area home. Insulate any exposed piping with heat tape or foam rubber to protect against freezing.

Create an emergency kit
Should you lose power or your furnace go out, you will want to have a winter emergency kit handy! Pull together shelf stable food, batteries, flashlights, first aid supplies, blankets, and bottled water just in case!

As your North Shore real estate expert, I will be your guide to preparing your home for sale, finding the right buyer, and moving on to your next dream home! Give me a call today for more information about the real estate market in Glencoe, Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Winnetka, and beyond!

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. 

How to Keep Your North Shore Chicago Home Safe While on Vacation

Summer is a popular time for North Shore residents to head out on vacation— in fact, August is one of the busiest months for travel! But leaving home for any given amount of time means taking extra precautions to keep the property secure while you're away.

As your North Shore real estate expert, I've included several tips below to help keep your home in Winnetka, Glencoe, Deerfield, Highland Park, Northbrook and the surrounding areas safe and sound during your travels:

Take inventory of your home
Also a wise idea for insurance purposes, taking inventory of your North Shore home is helpful when you return from a trip to ensure everything is accounted for in the case of theft. Take note of your belongings, their value, how much you paid for them and store the list in a safe place away from your home, like a safety deposit box or safe.

Have your mail picked up or stopped
A common tip off that you are not at home is a pile of mail or packages by the front door. Enlist the help of a neighbor, friend or family member to pick up any mail that arrives and hold it for you until you return. You can also choose to have your mail stopped by the Post Office.

Let your neighbors know you're leaving
Fill your neighbors in on your plans and consider giving them a spare key. If you have pets, they may be willing to watch them and keep a closer eye on the place.

Be careful on social media
You may want to think twice about posting your whereabouts and travel plans on social media. Your blog or Twitter account are not the best place to announce you'll be away from home for weeks on end. It may be wise to hold off on posting pictures of your trip until you return.

Upgrade your lighting
Installing motion detectors on your garage and home can be one easy way to deter potential burglars from letting themselves inside. Putting your lights on timers is also a great way to create the illusion that someone is home, even while you're away enjoying fun in the sun.

I have decades of experience in helping North Shore homeowners and home buyers with their real estate goals. Give me a call today with any questions you have about selling your property or finding your dream home.

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. 

Common North Shore Homeowner Tax Mistakes You Can Easily Avoid

Being a homeowner on Chicago's North Shore comes with its advantages, and among them are the tax benefits available. But that doesn't always mean they are easy to calculate! If you haven't already filed your tax return this year, there are a few key spots you'll want to pay close attention to, especially when it comes to your North Shore home.

Deducting the wrong year for property taxes
North Shore homeowners are able to deduct property taxes, but be sure it is in the year you actually paid them. While you may be taxed a year behind (for instance, being billed for your 2013 taxes in 2014), it's important that you pay attention to the tax year. Homeowners should only enter the amount they actually paid in that year.

Confusing escrow amount and actual taxes paid
Your lender may escrow funds to cover your property taxes in Winnetka, Deerfield, Northbrook, Glencoe, Highland Park or the surrounding areas, but that doesn't mean you should just deduct the amount escrowed. Your lender may collect just over or just under the amount of your property tax bill and will adjust every year to set it back on track, but it is important to deduct only the amount in taxes noted on the form your lender sends. For instance, if your property taxes are $2,500, but your lender collects $2,400 or $2,600, you would deduct the $2,500.

Forgetting to track home-related expenses
When tax time rolls around, you may realize you forgot to track all of your North Shore home-related expenses. Instead of scrambling, scan or file expenses, documents and receipts as you go so you are prepared for the following year.

Forgetting to track capital gains
If you sold your home for a profit last year, you will need to pay capital gains taxes. Typically, homeowners can exclude $250,000 of any profit from their taxes or $500,000 if married filing jointly. For instance, if you purchased your home for $200,000 and sold it for $500,000, your gains are $300,000. As a single filer, you would owe $50,000 of gains.

With February drawing to a close, the busy spring real estate season is just starting to heat up! Give me a call today to get started on your home search in Winnetka, Deerfield, Northbrook, Glencoe, Highland Park or the surrounding areas!

I'm here to help!

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. 

3 Places to Enjoy the Last of Winter on Chicago's North Shore

According to the Groundhog, we're in for an early spring on Chicago's North Shore! But before you start planning your garden and organizing your spring vacation, there are a few places in the area you might like to visit during these final few weeks of the winter season!

We'll all be heading outdoors soon, so why not venture indoors to get away from the cold and enjoy all that the North Shore has to offer? Whether you're dreaming of a weekend staycation or simply a day trip to a spot you've never been, I'm happy to share the following North Shore locales:

Winnetka Ice Arena
490 Hubbard Road
Winnetka, IL 

The Winnetka Ice Arena is the perfect place to show off your ice skating skills or try something new! Public skating is available Monday through Thursday until May 26 and Saturday and Sundays until March 20. Adults can skate for $7 and youth (ages 5 to 17) for $6, both with a $3.50 skate rental per session. You can also catch the Spring Skating Exhibition on March 12 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM to watch the Free Skate program participants demonstrate their skills!

Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook Road
Glencoe, IL

The Chicago Botanic Garden has been a must-visit on Chicago's North Shore for more than 40 years! It is one of the world's great living museums and conservation science centers, including 26 gardens, 4 natural areas, 385 acres and 6 miles of shoreline. Winter hours for the Garden are 8 AM to Sunset through March 31. You can also visit the Garden February 14 through March 14 for their renowned Orchid Show!

Athletico Center
1900 Old Willow Rd
Northbrook, IL

When the temperatures drop, head indoors to the Athletico Center in Northbrook! The Athletico Center is the North Shore's premier sports and event center and offers a variety of activities from leagues to classes to birthday parties. The space is home to the IBJI Fieldhouse (a massive indoor field surface), Basketball Court and Event Center (a 7,300 square foot court), a party and meeting room and an outdoor patio (a 2,600 square foot area with outdoor fireplace and grill).

Let me be your guide to the North Shore this year, whether you're looking to purchase your first home or sell your current property and move on to the home you've always been dreaming of! Give me a call today for more information about the local real estate market and a list of available properties!

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. 

3 Key Tips for Buying A Home on Chicago's North Shore in 2016

In a previous blog post, I shared why 2016 could be your year to buy a home on Chicago's North Shore, from low mortgage rates to low down payment options to rents now at an all-time high! But if the question for you is not if you will buy a home on the North Shore this year, but how you will make the purchase, then I am happy to share the following tips to guide you on the right path!

Keep these tips in mind as you make preparations to buy a home in Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Northbrook, Deerfield and the surrounding communities and throughout your house hunt:

Don't wait too long
Did you know the majority of buyers who plan to buy a home over the next 12 months say they will likely wait until spring or summer to make a move? According to a new Realtor.com survey, buyers plan to sit back until the busy real estate season begins! However, the truth is that those who begin their house hunting early in the year will find less competition and yet just as many homes on the market!

Consider all of your options for homes
When you begin house hunting you will find both new and existing homes for sale on the North Shore. And while you may think purchasing an existing home or one that does not require customization or finishing is the best option, do not be too quick to rule out new construction! New construction is expected to see a boost this year, with new home sales rising 16 percent from last year's levels.

You may be met with less competition in the new construction market as well as find a larger variety of homes to choose from, but these new properties do tend to cost more. Before making your decision on which type of home to buy, be sure you've considered all of these factors!

Always shop for a mortgage
Many homebuyers on Chicago's North Shore may take the first interest rate quote they receive from a lender and be on their way, but that is not the most cost-effective choice! Shop around for a mortgage and gather quotes from more than one lender on the same day. As rates are expected to rise as high as 4.65 percent over the next year, a lower quote could mean thousands of savings over the life of your loan.

You can count on me as your North Shore real estate expert to provide you with the best tips for buying a home in our area this year! Contact me today with any additional questions you have about the process or for a list of available properties in Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook and the surrounding communities!

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. 

How to Start Fresh for the New Year in Your North Shore Home

With the new year here, it's time to turn over a new leaf and start fresh in your North Shore home. If you haven't made a list of New Year's Resolutions yet, you might like to make one specifically to help you start with a clean slate at home.

As your North Shore real estate expert, I'm happy to share some suggestions with you for a happy, healthy new year!

Organize your closet
There is no better way to begin fresh for 2016 than by following the classic "out with the old, in with the new" strategy. Make it a point to clean out your closets, donating what you no longer wear or use and toss any items that may be broken. Move every item that you use on a daily basis to the front where you can quickly access them.

It pays to do this with every closet in your Glencoe, Highland Park, Deerfield, Winnetka, Northbrook home, not just where you store your clothes. Coat closets, pantries and storage closets all need attention too!

Brighten up your home
Do you have light bulbs in your home that seem to be dim? Not enough light for reading or working in the kitchen? It's time to upgrade your lighting! Replace light bulbs with energy-efficient alternatives and use the maximum wattage allowed. Consider adding more lighting to your living spaces— a new desk lamp, floor lamp or ceiling fixture can help your home instantly feel airier and more open!

Add colorful accessories
During the winter months, your North Shore home may tend to feel dark and dreary, so consider adding a few pops of color! Work in colorful throw pillows, blankets, exciting artwork or a new rug. If you're ready for a complete change in your home, bringing in new furniture can give your spaces a fresh feel!

Paint the front door
Just as I mentioned above, adding color to your home during the first few months of the new year can be just the update you need. Why not give the front door a fresh coat of paint? This project requires minimal work and will be one of the first things both you and your guests notice about your home. The front door also makes a statement about who you are as a North Shore homeowner, so choose something that makes you smile!

Do not hesitate to reach out with any questions about moving on to a new home for the new year, information about the real estate market or available properties in Glencoe, Highland Park, Deerfield, Winnetka, Northbrook and the surrounding areas!

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. 

Don't Let Holiday Shopping Ruin Your Chances of Buying a Home on Chicago's North Shore

The holiday season often means hectic schedules for many North Shore residents— from visiting with friends and family to the festive events I shared in my previous blog post to hours of holiday shopping. But did you know that the latter can really take a toll on your pre-approval for a mortgage if you're not careful?

Before you get carried away with gift-buying this year, it's important to keep the following in mind as a potential North Shore homebuyer:

Pay all of your bills on time
Holiday shopping can come with large bills and putting them off until your schedule calms down may seem like a great option, but in reality, it can compromise your chances of being approved for a loan. A payment over 30 days late can lower your credit score anywhere from 60 to 110 points, which can be a major loss even if you have a high score to begin with.

Even if you've already been pre-approved for a mortgage on the North Shore, that is not a free pass to fall behind on your bills. In fact, it's now more important than ever to pay bills on time and in full! You will not want to give a lender any reason to deny your loan altogether.

Don't take on new debt or credit cards
With online shopping, it's easy to reach for your credit card and keep those holiday purchases "out of sight, out of mind." However, acquiring more debt can impact your "Debt to Income Ratio" or DTI and raise a red flag to a lender that you may be more high risk than they previously thought.

The same goes for opening new credit cards. Opening a new card triggers a "hard inquiry" on your credit score and can impact your score in the process. As many lenders monitor debt during this time, new debt may cause them to rethink your qualifications.

Be careful moving around money
Transferring money from one account to another to fund holiday purchases may seem trivial, but it can create a hassle for lenders. They will need to monitor large sums of money going in and out and if they cannot track the funds, it may raise another red flag. North Shore buyers should be able to explain unusual deposits or withdrawals to keep their approval status on the right track.

Buying a home in Glencoe, Winnetka, Deerfield, Northbrook, Highland Park or the surrounding areas is a big step and as your trusted real estate expert, I'm happy to provide you with the steps to keep the process moving ahead, as seamlessly as possible.

Give me a call today!

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. 

Staging Your Home on Chicago's North Shore During the Holidays

In a recent blog post, I mentioned not to wait until after the holidays to sell your home on the North Shore. This time of year is not only ideal for homeowners to find the right buyer and take advantage of a lack of competition, but the holiday season can actually help move your sale along.

How so? The holiday decor present during November and December evokes cozy feelings and emotions in buyers that no other season can. North Shore home sellers can actually prepare to wow buyers in the winter months with classic lights, simple wreaths and a clean and clutter-free mantle, to name a few.

Keep Your Home Free of Clutter
When you list your home in Glencoe, Winnetka, Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield or the surrounding areas, it's important to remember that buyers will be trying to visualize themselves and their own belongings inside. With too much holiday decor, this can be complicated! You can, of course, deck the halls with garland perhaps and your Christmas tree, just stick to classic, white lights and ornaments in one color or color scheme.

Your home itself should be the one drawing attention, not your bold tree ornaments, so keep them to a minimum.

Allow the Features To Shine
Just as I suggested to keep the decor streamlined and simple, it's especially important around your North Shore home's best features. A picturesque fireplace or large bay window should not be blocked by your tree, stockings on the mantle or a giant wreath. Remove any decor around these elements and allow area buyers to really see their beauty.

Emphasize Curb Appeal
The snow on the ground pairs beautifully with strands of twinkling lights and a cheery, welcoming front door. Just like indoors, keep your lights either white or one single color. Try not to mix both white and multi-color holiday lights outside your home or it could begin to look like a hodgepodge of decor.

Place a simple live wreath on the front door and add a large red or green bow if you want to amplify the holiday tone. Outdoor decor like inflatable Santa Clauses, seasonal signs and lawn figures should be avoided as these can turn off North Shore buyers. If you feel a wreath just isn't enough, drape garland above the doorframe or consider placing topiaries on either side of the front door. Natural greenery will bring a more sophisticated feel to your home's exterior decor than any inflatable snowmen.

These next two months have been named the best times to both buy and sell homes on the North Shore, so do not hesitate to give me a call with any questions! From providing a list of available homes to finding your home value, I'm here to help!

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. 

5 Easy Ways to Prepare Your North Shore Home for Thanksgiving

As I mentioned in my past blog post, North Shore homeowners should not wait until after the holiday season is over to list their homes. It is indeed a busy season, but there is one more thing you need to get a head start on— preparing your home for guests!

If you will be opening your home to friends and family in Glencoe, Winnetka, Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield or the surrounding areas this Thanksgiving, keep these five easy tasks in mind that will save you later as you welcome the holiday hustle and bustle inside.

Clean the silverware

Thanksgiving is a holiday built around feasting, so take some time to clean the silverware. Instead of chemicals to make them shine, try placing them in a pot of water, salt and baking soda. Bring to a boil for a few minutes and then place the silverware into warm, soapy water. Each piece should clean up nicely with a bit of scrubbing. 

Dust ceiling fans and blades

Your living spaces in your North Shore home are one place you'll want to focus on this holiday season. Clean the windows and reach up high to dust ceiling fans and blades. You may find your home getting warmer as more people gather inside and if you haven't checked your fan recently, turning it on may spread the dust around. Slide each fan blade into a pillowcase and wipe clean; this traps the dust inside instead of pushing it into the air.

Think about your guests

Go over your guest list for Thanksgiving. Will you have small children in attendance? You may like to childproof the areas of your home where they will be spending the most time— living room, dining room and bedrooms. Use outlet caps to keep little fingers out, move electrical cords out of reach and consider blocking off stairways with a gate.

Test the heating system

The holidays do tend to bring colder weather to the North Shore and if you haven't had your HVAC system inspected, now is the time to do so. You can even go a step farther to test where airflow is heaviest and lightest in your home by closing vents in rooms you don't often use. 

Clean your oven

There is no harm in cleaning your oven with a bit of baking soda, lemon juice and vinegar, but avoid self-cleaning the oven at all costs. Self-cleaning increases the risk of the oven breaking, blowing a fuse or thermostat and putting a damper on your holiday cooking plans.

I wish you a happy Thanksgiving, whether you're staying put here on the North Shore or traveling for the holiday. As always, feel free to reach out for more information about buying a home or selling your current property.

The fall and winter are great times to make a move!

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. 

Don't Wait Until After the Holidays to Sell Your Home in Winnetka, Northbrook, Deerfield, Highland Park, Glencoe

We are embarking on one of the busiest times of year, the holiday season! Schedules can fill up quickly with travel, holiday gatherings, local activities and gift shopping, oftentimes leaving little time for thinking about selling your North Shore home. But does that mean you should wait until after the holidays?

The answer is no! There are many reasons to sell your home during the holidays, one being the motivated buyers in the real estate market. Home sellers can truly reap the rewards and as your real estate expert on Chicago's North Shore, I'm here to fill you in on why you shouldn't waste any time listing your home this time of year:

Lack of competition
One reason to list your home during the holidays? There are simply fewer homes for sale. Inventory tends to be lower during the time of year as many homeowners in Glencoe, Deerfield, Winnetka, Highland Park and Northbrook will wait until spring arrives to sell. The holiday season allows North Shore sellers to give their home time in the spotlight that it may not receive as more homes hit the market.

Buyers are motivated
Homebuyers shopping for properties during the holiday season often have a motivating factor behind them— a job relocation, a move to a new community, the need to upgrade or even downsize. Buyers will want to settle down before the new year and as a result, will be starting their home search now.

Spring is on the horizon
As you may have heard, the start of spring brings a wave of new buyers and sellers to the real estate market. More homes pop up for sale, more buyers start visiting open houses and real estate activity picks up! Listing your home now allows you to avoid all of that and move on before the "busy season" even begins.

The holiday decor
The holiday season evokes cozy feelings, beautiful lights and decor. Staging your home this time of year can help potential North Shore buyers feel more at home and welcomed to your property. Homes tend to show better during the holidays and stagers suggest it is one of the best times to instill an emotional connection in area buyers.

If you have questions about selling your home this time of year, do not hesitate to give me a call!

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. 

Important Things to Do After Closing on Your New North Shore Home

After your home closing on Chicago's North Shore, you may be eager to settle in, put your feet up and simply enjoy the new property. But not so fast! There are a few important projects to handle before you can truly relax and some even before you move in!

Here is a list of things to do once you have the keys to your new home on the North Shore:

Plan your work ahead of time
If you have renovation plans in your head, it's time to put them to work! Don't wait until after closing to start coordinating with a painter or contractor. You can begin getting bids for work during your final walk-through or at a special appointment after all contingencies have been removed. And if you need a referral, do not hesitate to ask!

Set up utilities
Waiting until your moving day to think about utility set up can be a big mistake— don't assume everything will be turned on when you arrive with your moving truck! Many utility companies have a grace period from when a homeowner cancels and the new owner calls, but that isn't always the case. The best course of action is to call and set up utilities well in advance of closing.

Change the locks
It's best to assume everyone has a key to your new home, so it's time to change the locks! Real estate agents, neighbors, maintenance or cleaning crews could all have keys and you'll sleep better at night knowing you've taken this security precaution.

Hire a cleaning crew
Showing up on moving day only to find the home has yet to be cleaned can be a homeowner headache. Start with a clean slate and allow a cleaning crew to start scrubbing the minute after you close. The bonus is that you'll be able to arrange furniture without having to mop the floors first.

You can consider me your go-to resource for all things North Shore real estate, from how to prepare to sell your home to finding the perfect property in Northbrook, Glencoe, Deerfield, Winnetka, Highland Park and beyond!

Feel free to reach out with any questions you may have about buying or selling a home on Chicago's North Shore! I'm here to help!

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. 

Don’t Miss the Evanston Art and Big Fork Festival This Weekend!

A variety of artists will feature their original art at the festival.

Are you looking for a fun activity to do outdoors with your family this weekend? The fall weather is looking absolutely gorgeous for the EvanstonArt and Big Fork Festival!

The streets of downtown Evanston, IL will be closed both Saturday and Sunday from 10am-9pm for this event. Tonight (Friday, Sept 26) there will be live music and food from a variety of restaurants from 5-9pm.

The very best artists will be featured at this event and all art is original and crosses the spectrum of price points. Art will be available to purchase from classic categories such as paintings, sculpture, photography as well as unique categories such as handmade jewelry, glass, wood, art made from recycled materials and one-of-a-kind furniture.

In addition to having a variety of art to enjoy and even purchase, this festival also includes a wide variety of Evanston’s great restaurants and have live music playing.

The Evanston, IL Green Living Festival is also taking place this weekend, on Saturday starting at 9am. This event will include a variety of “green” exhibitors and various educational areas for adults and children. And of course, no event would be complete without a delicious menu of food to choose from!

Fall can be an excellent time to list your house and to shop for a new North Shore home. If you are in the market for a North Shore real estate agent, you have come to the right place. I have a wealth of experience with North Shore real estate and would be happy to help you find the home of your dreams!

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

5 Common North Shore Home Buyer Questions

With over 25 years of experience in North Shore real estate, I have encountered many home buyers.  So often North Shore home buyers have many questions regarding the process, especially first time buyers.  It’s always a good idea to educate yourself as much as you can when making a major life purchase, a home or otherwise.  I make it a priority to keep my clients informed at each step of buying their North Shore homes.  If you are considering the purchase of a home on Chicago’s North Shore, here are 5 questions that may be weighing on your mind.

What can afford?  Most lenders prefer that your mortgage payment, including interest, taxes and insurance, is no more than 28% of your gross monthly household income.  Think beyond just your mortgage payment though.  You also must have money for a downpayment and closing costs on hand, which can be as much as 25% of the purchase price of the home and in some situations even more.  Also take homeowner's association dues, maintenance, and utilities into account when determining your monthly housing budget.

Should I get pre-approved?  There are a few good reasons to get a mortgage pre-approval.  First, a pre-approval will allow you to establish a price range, also giving you an idea of how much you will need as a downpayment.  Second, it will make you more appealing a seller when you're ready to make an offer.  Since the seller will know that you are actually able to purchase the home, you will have the upper hand compared to a buyer without a pre-approval.  Finally, it will streamline the buying process by giving you the opportunity to resolve any issues that may arise during the approval process, preventing any holdups in the closing process.

How long does buying a take?  Obviously the time it takes a buyer to find a home varies depending on exactly what the buyer is looking for. With regard to the closing process, it will usually take a month to a month and a half.  Getting pre-approved is a great way to speed up the closing process.

What should I expect to pay in closing costs? Closing costs are usually in the neighborhood of 3% of the purchase price of the home but can vary from one buyer to the next for a variety of reasons.  A day before your closing you will be able to review your HUD-1 Settlement Statement which specifies all of the fees that make up your closing costs,  You will want to review the document for accuracy, and be sure to ask for clarification on anything that you don't understand.

Should I work with a buyer’s agent?  Having an agent on your side while going through the home buying process can alleviate much of the stress that can come along with it.  A buyer’s agent can handle most of your home search for you, supplying you with a list of homes that meet your needs and scheduling showings for you.  A buyer’s agent will also handle negotiations for you, if you would like him or her to do so.  Plus, a buyer's agent works at no cost to the buyer. 

I realize that these are probably only a few of the many questions that you may have, and you will probably have even more once you actually begin searching for your North Shore home.  Please contact me if you are interested in partnering with an experienced North Shore realtor to start your search.  I’m happy to answer all of your questions and will help you to find the perfect home on Chicago’s North Shore.  

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