How to Tell If You're in a Seller's Market in Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Northbrook IL

It's no secret that the real estate market on Chicago's North Shore is always changing. Some years it leans in favor of buyers, others it's in favor of sellers— but how do you know which is which? What are the signs to watch for? There are specific factors to identify in the local real estate market to determine the best time to buy or sell and I'm happy to help you point them out!

As your local North Shore real estate expert, I'm sharing below three ways you can tell if you're in a seller's market:

Days on Market
The average days on market, sometimes referred to as DOM, shows the average age of the listing. If homes are selling quickly in your area—anywhere from 7 to 10 days—you are likely in a seller's market. This means sellers on the North Shore can expect their home to sell quickly and at a favorable price due to the number of buyers present in the market.

Home Prices
If you notice home prices on Chicago's North Shore are rising steadily over time, it is a good sign you're in a seller's market. I am always happy to share home prices in your area as well as what your property may be worth today— just give me a call!

Final Home Price vs. Asking Price
If the final sales prices of homes in you area are typically the seller's asking price or even more due to a bidding war, you can assume you're in a seller's market. It is when a property sells for below asking price that you are in a buyer's market as this would favor the buyer.

Ready to make a move in Glencoe, Winnetka, Deerfield, Highland Park, Evanston, Northbrook, or the surrounding areas? Give me a call today! No matter the type of market, I'm available to answer your questions, big or small!

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. 

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
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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 Brighten Your Glencoe, Winnetka Home in the Winter

It's no secret that winter shortens our hours of daylight on Chicago's North Shore and while it may make for cozy (earlier!) evenings, it can have your home feeling a bit darker than usual. But not to worry! There are dozens of ways to brighten up your Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Deerfield or Northbrook home and allow it to feel just as fresh and welcoming as it does in the spring!

Below are five ways to brighten your North Shore home:

Take off the screens
If you have screens on your windows, it's time to take them off and allow more light inside! Without them, you'll let 30 percent more sunlight in and warm your home at the same time! But don't let them go too far, you'll want to put them back up in a few months to avoid running your cooling system too much.

Refresh the paint
Darker paint colors can really emphasize the long, cold nights on Chicago's North Shore in the winter. Opt for a paint refresh with brighter, neutral colors like beige, gray, or of course, white. Especially in your living spaces, you will instantly feel as though the room is more airy and open.

Replace light bulbs
There is nothing like a dim light bulb to make your Winnetka, Glencoe, Evanston, Northbrook, Deerfield IL home feel dark and drab. Replace your light bulbs with energy-efficient models in a cool, white hue.

Bring in mirrors
Did you know that mirrors can make your home feel larger? What's more, they help to reflect any light that comes inside! If your home is lacking mirrors or feeling small and cave-like, it's time to bring in a few! You can bounce the winter light all over your home with even just one.

Trim landscaping
Outdoors you may have overgrown landscaping or trees that could be blocking precious light from streaming inside. Take a weekend to trim back any hedges or bushes in front of entryways and windows and remove branches that might be making your home darker than it needs to be.

Ready to get a jump on the new year with a new North Shore home? Give me a call today! I'm here to  help you find the perfect property to start 2018 in style!

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 Places to Enjoy Spring on Chicago's North Shore

Spring has sprung! The weather is warming, the flowers are blooming and the event schedule on the North Shore is only beginning to pick up for the busy months ahead. But that doesn't mean you cannot stop to enjoy a beautiful spring day in Glencoe, Deerfield, Northbrook, Highland Park, Winnetka or the surrounding areas!

Below are five places on Chicago's North Shore where you can enjoy the season and all that the local communities have to offer:

Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook Rd
Glencoe IL

A wonderful place to explore no matter the season, the Chicago Botanic Garden features a waterfall garden, cross bridges across glistening lakes, a Japanese Garden, English Walled Garden, trestles, art exhibits, tours by both train and foot— and so much more in their 26 gardens!

Glencoe Beach
999 Green Bay Rd
Glencoe IL

This North Shore beach is one of the most beautiful in the area! There are daily lifeguards on duty, a sprayground for kids, concession stand, volleyball courts, paddle boards, kayaks, sailboats and lessons in all of the above! What a great place to spend a spring day!

Ladd Memorial Arboretum 
2024 McCormick Blvd
Evanston IL

The Ladd Memorial Arboretum stretches along a 3/4 mile segment of McCormick Blvd on a 23 acre piece of reclaimed land. It is a hub of natural beauty and recreation and is open year-round for all to enjoy!

A.C. Neilsen Tennis Center
530 Hibbard Rd
Winnetka IL

A part of the Winnetka Park District, the A.C. Nielsen Tennis Center has 8 indoor and 12 outdoor courts, a nursery and complete pro shop. The Tennis Center also holds group and private lessons for all ages and abilities.

Northbrook Park District
545 Academy Dr
Northbrook IL

The Park District of Northbrook offers more than 1,000 recreational programs and facilities including outdoor aquatic centers, Sportsman's Country Club (with 27 holes of golf and lighted practice range!), the Northbrook Sports Center, Anestsberger Golf Course, Ed Rudolph Velodrome (for bicycle racing!) and more!

And remember, as your local North Shore real estate expert, I am always on hand to answer questions about the market, buying or selling a home! Do not hesitate to reach out!

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. 

Celebrate the Fall Season on Chicago's North Shore

The weather is changing, the leaves are turning color and even the local events are taking on a new theme— it's fall on the North Shore and a busy schedule is in store! The North Shore is beautiful no matter the season, but the fall is especially noteworthy.

As your local real estate expert in addition to a resident myself, I'm happy to share the many ways to enjoy our area! Mark your calendars for the following festive fall events in Glencoe, Winnetka, Deerfield, Northbrook, Highland Park and beyond:

Art and Big Fork Festival
When: September 18-20, 2015; Friday: 4 PM to 9 PM, Saturday: 10 AM to 9 PM, Sunday: 10 AM to 5 PM
Where: Downtown Evanston

Streets will be closed in downtown Evanston for this free fall festival including incredible artwork, live entertainment and dozens of art projects for the kids.

Winnetka Fall Fest
When: September 19, 2015; 4 PM to 10 PM
Where: Duke Childs Field
Winnetka

Winnetka's annual Fall Fest kicks off this weekend and gives attendees the opportunity to celebrate the community and explore local parks with food, drinks, friends and fun for the entire family. Activities planned include a hay ride, pumpkin patch, make your own scarecrow, pumpkin roll and more.

Shermerfest
When: September 20, 2015; 12 PM to 4 PM
Where: Village Green Park
Northbrook

Shermerfest features a collectible and antique car show, children's activities and local food vendors with everything from hot dogs to homemade sweets. This event presented by the Northbrook Historical Society is free to attend and is heralded as the community fall festival that transports attendees back in time.

Fall Bulb Festival
When: October 2-4, 2015; 10 AM to 4 PM
Where: Chicago Botanic Garden
Glencoe

With a harvest market, cider, live entertainment and more, the Fall Bulb Festival is the perfect seasonal event! The festival will host over 20 local vendors and their fresh herbs, vegetables, homemade baked goods and treats, in addition to over 225 varieties of bulbs. Varieties include daffodils, tulips, mums, peonies, asters, amaryllis and speciality bulbs, to name a few. There will also be gardening experts on hand to offer tips!

If you're interested in calling the North Shore your home this year, do not hesitate to give me a call! It is my top priority to walk you through the process of buying or selling a home, answering all of your questions along the way.

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. 

Buy Local, Eat Local at North Shore Farmers Markets

The North Shore of Chicago is a hub of culture, history, entertainment and shopping. This spring, there is so much to do and see locally that there is no need to even leave the area! One of those treasured events returning to North Shore communities this spring and summer is the farmers market.

Many North Shore locales— like Glencoe, Northbrook and Evanston—host farmers markets featuring their own home-baked goodies, flowers, fruits and vegetables, in addition to local wares. As the weather continues to warm up, be sure to make plans to visit one of the following farmers markets nearby:

• Evanston Farmers Market

Begins third week of May

When: Open Saturdays, 7:30 AM to 1 PM

Where: Held on University and Oak Streets

• Glencoe Farmers Market

Begins first Sunday in June

When: Open first Sundays in June through November,  9 AM to 2 PM

Where: Chicago Botanic Garden

• Glenview Farmers Market

Begins first week of June

When: Open Saturdays, 8 AM to 12 PM

Where: Wagner Farm, Lake Avenue and Wagner Road

• Northbrook Farmers Market

Begins first Wednesday in mid-June

When: Open Wednesdays, 7 AM to 1 PM

Where: Our Lady of Brook, Dundee Road

As your North Shore real estate expert, I am happy to share the many reasons why our area is such a great place to call home. Contact me today with any questions you have about buying a home on the North Shore or selling your current property!

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.