5 Reasons to Never Buy A North Shore Home Without an Agent

When it comes to buying a home on Chicago's North Shore, you have many options laid in front of you— from the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, to the location, to your initial offer. However, one option you will want to avoid altogether is the decision to go it alone, without a real estate agent on your side.

Purchasing a home may seem like something you can handle yourself, but after doing all of the research, you will find the process is best left to the pros. Below are five reasons why you should never buy a home without the help of a real estate agent:

They have the experience
You could be on the brink of purchasing your second, maybe even fifth, home, but keep in mind that real estate agents have been doing this for years, some maybe even decades. Navigating the real estate market, home purchases and home sales day in and day out means agents know every possible step and hiccup that can arise in the process.

They have access
You can search for homes online, but did you know that real estate agents have access to even more homes? A real estate agent can find your dream home that may be hiding in plain sight. After all, it is our job to know the in's and out's of every neighborhood.

They do the negotiating
As you move further into the home buying process on Chicago's North Shore, you will notice that there are dozens of parties to negotiate with. And with the market heating up, those negotiations are going to be a bit more heated than they have been in the past. A Realtor knows how to seal the deal with your best interests in mind— Remember, we've done this before!

They have connections
With my years of experience as a real estate agent on the North Shore, I can help direct you to the best lenders, inspectors, moving companies and more. Realtors have a wide net of contacts that can help you with just about everything in your home buying journey.

They can provide advice
Your real estate agent is indeed searching listings for you, negotiating contracts and marketing your home (if you're selling also)— but they are also here to provide advice and listen to your concerns. This is the biggest purchase you will make, don't you want someone in your corner who knows the ropes?

Contact me today with any questions you have about buying a home in Glencoe, Winnetka, Deerfield, Northbrook, Highland Park or the surrounding areas this year!

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
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. 

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
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. 

4 Tips to Prepare Your North Shore Home to Sell!

As a seasoned North Shore real estate professional, I have worked with many sellers to prepare their homes for listing. The first impression your home leaves on buyers is so important!  While thoroughly cleaning your home is the obvious place to start, buyers will see beyond dirty floors and windows.  Here are 4 tips to help make your North Shore home ready for the eyes of buyers.

Start with your exterior.  If buyers like what they see on the outside, they’ll be excited to see the inside.  What impression is the exterior of your home giving?  Is your landscaping fresh?  Is your lawn healthy?  Is your paint or siding showing wear?  Look at your North Shore real estate with a critical eye because buyers most certainly will.  Don’t overspend on your exterior unless necessary, but definitely repair obvious issues.

Organize, organize, organize.  When buyers are viewing your home, they will want to see inside closets, cabinets, and possibly even drawers.  Storage space is important to many buyers, and they're going to want to see how much of it your North Shore home has to offer.  Clean and organize all storage areas.  This may be a good time to purge those items that you’ve been meaning to donate to free up some closet space.  Ensure that your basement and garage are neat and orderly as well.  

Appeal to the Senses:  Bad smells can hinder the sale of a home.  If there is anything in your North Shore home that is creating an unappealing scent, determine the cause and truly eliminate it.  While air fresheners and candles can enhance the buyer experience, don’t use them to simply cover bad smells.  “Floral Litter Box” isn’t a candle scent for a reason.  Common culprits can be water leaks, pets and cooking.   

Your agent knows best:  If your North Shore real estate agent recommends that there are certain belongings you should consider removing prior to showing your home, he or she is trying to make your home appealing to as many buyers as possible.  Depersonalizing your home allows buyers to envision their own belongings in the space.  The more buyers can imagine your North Shore home as their own, the more likely they are to make an offer! 

Taking the time to ready your North Shore real estate for showing can have a definite impact how quickly it sells.  With years of experience, I have developed an eye for what makes a home move in Chicago’s North Shore market.  If you would like assistance in selling or buying in the area, please contact me.  Let my expertise go to work for 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.