North Shore Home Tasks to Check Off Your List Before Fall

Fall is nearly here! But before the leaves begin to drop from the trees and we finally turn down the AC, there are a few tasks to tackle around your Glencoe, Highland Park, Winnetka, Deerfield, and Northbrook area homes. From cleaning the gutters to turning off the water to the garden hose, I've compiled a list of fall home maintenance tasks to add to your to-do list.

Clean out the gutters
To make room for the leaves and debris that will fall into your North Shore yard this fall, it's important to clean out your gutters now. While you're on the roof, you can also check for any damaged shingles that may have occurred over the summer and take the necessary steps to repair them.

Turn off outdoor water
You probably have your garden hose hooked up and have used it all summer, but you'll want to turn off that outdoor water supply as the weather begins to get cooler. Of course we can have summer-like temperatures well into October here on Chicago's North Shore, so just keep an eye on the dropping temps to determine when to disable the outdoor plumbing.

Clean and store outdoor furniture
You likely won't be entertaining or lounging on your outdoor furniture during the autumn months, so now is the time to clean your outdoor chairs, tables, and other garden fixtures and put them into storage for the winter. At the very least, consider investing in a cover to shield your furniture from the elements over the next few months.

Inspect your furnace
When the temperatures drop, we'll reach for the thermostat, but make sure yours has been inspected by a professional and is in excellent working condition before you throw it into overdrive. Now is the perfect opportunity to make an appointment as HVAC experts' schedules will quickly fill up as we get closer to winter.

Organize a mudroom
If you don't have your entryway stocked with floor mats for dirty (and wet!) shoes, coat hooks, and an umbrella stand, take a weekend and organize accordingly. With wet weather and colder air comes the need for bulkier clothing and footwear, so you'll want to have a space to keep it stored and easily accessible.

Questions about buying or selling a home on Chicago's North Shore? Do not hesitate to contact me! I'm here to help with everything from finding your home value to starting a new home search!

Happy fall!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert

North Shore Real Estate
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5 Real Estate Reality TV Myths— Debunked!

By now, you've likely seen a real estate reality TV show or two— you may even have a favorite that you watch constantly. But whether you've watched one episode or twelve, it's important to note that not everything you see on your screen is indeed reality. If you've found yourself wondering if these shows do indeed portray how the buying, selling, or renovation process goes, I've included a reality check for you below!

Myth: Buyers Only Choose from 3 Homes
In nearly every reality TV show based on homebuyers, there are typically three homes toured and then the buyer makes a decision. While there may be a small percentage of buyers that buy one of the first few homes they see, the National Association of Realtors says the average homebuyer tours at least 10 homes during their search.

Myth: The Show is in Real Time
It may seem unrealistic that the homebuyers can go through the entire buying process, from search to closing, within a 30-minute time slot and that's because, it is. Real estate reality shows often follow buyers who are farther along in the process and have already chosen a home to buy, in an attempt to speed up the process for viewers.

Myth: The Homes are Still For Sale
Maybe you've spotted a home on your favorite real estate show that fits the bill, but unfortunately many of the homes shown on TV have already been sold and are off the market. The properties are staged for TV for the "home search" phase.

Myth: Your Home Will Sell at the Open House
Many times homeowners on TV will hold an open house and then choose from the dozens of offers that result from the traffic. However, it's important to note that just as many homes sell from regular showings and your property may not hook a buyer from the first open house. This is just a small piece of the marketing puzzle of your property.

Myth: Removing a Wall is Easy
These days, every homeowner wants an "open concept" floor plan and thus, real estate reality shows often show demo teams knocking down walls to make it happen. In reality, removing walls may not always been in your budget or even possible for your specific home. If the wall is load-bearing, there is much more structural work that comes into play and that can be more costly than you think!

Give me a call today for more information about available properties on Chicago's North Shore or with any questions you have on buying or selling your home in Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, or Northbrook.

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. 

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
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.