Remove Common Odors from Your North Shore Home

Odor-removing tips for North Shore homeowners

If you are selling your North Shore home soon, working ahead on your spring cleaning, or planning for guests to visit for spring holidays or spring break, now is a great time to combat house odors! Often, the most common types of house odors are undetected by the homeowners. We get used to the smells we’re around all the time. But when someone else comes into the house, they might notice them. Getting rid of these odors is key, especially when selling!

As your North Shore real estate agent, here are some tips for removing some of the most common house smells:

Pet smells – If you have pets, you most likely have a pet scent going on in your house, whether subtle or not. Most pet owners worry about urine smell the most, but odors could also come from pet hair, ears, slobber, pet toys, etc. To remove the odors, first clean the pet! Give them a good DIY cleaning, or make an appointment. Vacuum not only your floors, but couches, pet beds, throw blankets, etc. Use a crevice tool to get in tight spaces. Use baking soda on the carpet, or if there are urine spots, use baking soda with a half-water, half-vinegar solution. Wash pet toys.

Must/mildew – Even if your nose is blind to these smells, your eyes aren’t blind to the sight of them! If you have a basement, crawlspace or anywhere you suspect mold or mildew, inspect the area for gray or white splotches. If you find any, use household cleaners on mildew. If it’s fuzzy, it may be mold and you may want to call in professionals. Prevent it from coming back with a dehumidifier in the basement, running the fan during showers in the bathroom, and improving air circulation. Deodorize these rooms in a pinch by setting out bowls of vinegar, baking soda, or even half an onion.

Old mattresses – It’s not your fault if old bedding has a smell to it. Every person sheds dead skin and body oils when sleeping, so these are going to build up no matter what. The easiest way to clean a mattress is to sprinkle baking soda over it, let it sit for an hour, then vacuum it up. Add a couple drops of an essential oil to the baking soda for a lasting good scent. Wash your sheets and bedding regularly. Use this trick on pillows if they can’t be washed, or run in washing machine if they can.

Kitchen odors – These are the most common types of odors, especially if you cook often. Take the trash out regularly, and put some baking soda or fresh coffee grounds at the bottom of a clean trash can to soak up smells. Clean out the fridge/freezer of spoiled food and clean the insides and all of the shelves. Open the windows/doors to help strong food smells escape faster.

For more odor tips, check out this House Logic article. When ready to sell and/or buy in Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook, Lake Forest, Wilmette, Evanston, Glenview, Riverwoods, Bannockburn, or other North Shore communities, give me a call! As your North Shore real estate agent, I am here and ready to help you accomplish your North Shore real estate goals as soon as you are!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert

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Sell Your North Shore Home This Holiday Season

If you need to sell your North Shore home this holiday season, give me a call, your North Shore real estate agent! I am here to help year-round with your North Shore real estate market needs. Even if you’d just like to sell your home soon, the holiday season might be the ideal time to do so. Did you know there are many perks to selling during the holidays? Here are a few of them:

1.  There is less competition. The biggest perk of all is that the holidays are typically the time of year with the least number of listings. Most homeowners don’t want to deal with staging, showings and open houses during the holiday season. However, if looking for a fast sale, it pays to sell now! There are only serious buyers looking right now. With less competition, you’ll have more buyers checking out your home and hopefully putting in strong offers. (This is true after the holidays as well, all winter long, until the spring market arrives.)

2.  You can use the holidays to your advantage. After the holidays are over, we’ve still got a few dark months with short, cold days ahead of us. At least during the holidays, you can liven up your North Shore home with neutral holiday décor and holiday aromas, making your home seem extra cozy and bright! You shouldn’t go too crazy with décor, but some well-placed garland, white lights, door wreaths and a staged Christmas tree can go a long way.

3.  The process will go faster. Because there is less activity in the North Shore real estate market during the holidays (and the winter season as a whole), the home-selling process may go faster. Once you accept a buyer’s offer, the mortgage loan process should go faster for the buyer, along with scheduling a home inspection, appraisal, closing, etc.

4.  It’s better if buying, too. If you are buying another home while selling your home, the holidays and winter season have advantages for buyers, too. You will score tax advantages sooner by purchasing before year’s end. The home-buying process will go faster for you with less competition and activity from other buyers. You might be able to negotiate a great deal. Mortgage rates are low right now. You could be settled into your new living space by the time the holidays arrive if you act fast!

If you’d like to sell your home in Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook, Lake Forest, Wilmette, Evanston, Glenview, Riverwoods, Bannockburn, and other North Shore communities, you must have a good reason for wanting or needing to move. Why put it off? As your North Shore real estate agent, I am here to help! Give me a call with home-selling questions, or to get started on the home-selling process. The sooner we begin, the sooner you will be settled into your new living space! I look forward to helping you out, this month or in the New Year.

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert

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Renovations to Do & Not Do Before Selling North Shore Home

North Shore Home Renovations

When you sell your North Shore home, you want to ensure that you’re getting the best price possible for your home! This might mean making some upgrades, if your home is outdated. As your North Shore real estate agent, I’m here to inform you which renovations are smart, and which are smarter to skip.

It’s important to realize that not all home upgrades are equal! Some have impressive returns on investment, or ROI, meaning you’ll get back most of what you put in. Others don’t have great ROI and could actually hurt your home value.

So, before renovating and selling your home in Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook, Lake Forest, Wilmette, Evanston, Glenview, Riverwoods, Bannockburn, and other North Shore communities, check out the best and worst home renovations:

Renovations to DO for your North Shore Home

Kitchen upgrades – Buyers love their kitchens! This is a make-it-or-break-it room for buyers. While an entire kitchen remodel costs a lot of money and might not pay off, small upgrades can go a long way, such as fresh paint, new counters or backsplash, or energy-efficient appliances.

Bathroom upgrades – Buyers love bathrooms and put a lot of their focus here as well. Create a space of tranquility and sensibility. An upgraded vanity is one great option, especially one that adds extra cabinet space or double sinks.

Paint – Freshly painted walls is one of the most affordable upgrades you can make for the best return on investment! Neutral, light colors appeal to most buyers. If you have wallpaper, you might want to consider taking it down and painting instead. Buyers don’t want to deal with this hassle.

Doors – Upgrading the doors of your house is a great way to modernize it, especially the outdoor doors, such as the front door or garage doors. A new front door yields the best ROI of all upgrades! If your door is already pretty new, consider giving it a fresh coat of paint.

Renovations to NOT DO for your North Shore Home

Sunroom – While some buyers will appreciate a sunroom, it’s more of a novelty than a utility. Most would rather have more outdoor space to enjoy. The ROI is only 45 percent for a sunroom. 

Pool – This entirely depends on the buyer. Some families with kids would love a pool. But, per the price of installing and maintaining a pool, the return on pools is less than 25 percent and could deter buyers who don’t want the hassle. 

Flooring – With so many options these days, flooring is a very personal choice. There’s a good chance your buyer will rip out your new flooring for their own choice, and buyers feel very strongly for or against carpeting. Your best bet is to clean or polish what you already have.

Converted garage – It sounds like a good idea, because buyers appreciate extra living space, but more buyers appreciate a place to store their cars, especially in the winter.

For more examples of renovations to make or skip, check out this MSN Money article. For help selling your North Shore home, contact me, your North Shore real estate agent! I am here to answer any home-selling questions you may have, and to help you achieve your real estate goals in Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook, Lake Forest, Wilmette, Evanston, Glenview, Riverwoods, Bannockburn, and other North Shore communities. Give me a call today!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert

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North Shore Curb Appeal with a Fall Flair

If you’d like to sell your North Shore home this fall, or you’re just looking to decorate your home for the season, take advantage of fall décor options! As your North Shore real estate agent, I’m here to fill you in on some excellent options for your exterior this time of year.

1.  Use pumpkins to your advantage. Everybody loves pumpkins this time of year, along with gourds, mums, haystacks, etc. Use these fall items to your advantage by decorating your front entryway with them. Prop some pumpkins on the steps leading to your front door, or flank your door with pots of mums. Create a scene of hay, pumpkins and gourds. Don’t overdo it, just a few well-placed items will do.

2.  Upgrade current items with fall replacements. Rather than cluttering your front entryway with fall décor, just replace items you already have with ones that have a fall flair. For example, take down your summery door decoration and replace with a fall wreath made of pinecones, fall leaves or anything in a fall hue. Replace your doormat with one that has fall colors or outlines of fall leaves.

3.  Paint and clean. Sometimes all your curb appeal needs is some refreshing. Clean and repaint your front door to give it a real pop. You can opt for a fall color, such as bright red, yellow or orange, or go with whatever color suits you most. Clean your address numbers, front porch, siding, driveway, garage door, mailbox, etc., and give these a fresh coat of paint if need be.

4.  Don’t overdo it with the Halloween décor. Some homeowners just love to go all out on their Halloween décor, with fake spider webs, gravestones, Halloween-colored lights, motion-activated props and so on. If you are selling your North Shore home, you don’t want your listing photos to forever display a Halloween house, and you don’t want to turn buyers off. If you do decorate for Halloween, do so lightly, such as replacing your front porch light with a red or purple one. But sticking to neutral fall décor is best.

5.  Weatherproof your outdoor space. Show buyers that your outdoor space can also be enjoyed in the colder temperatures this fall. Hang curtains on a front porch to insulate it. Apply beautiful slipcovers to your outdoor furniture, and add rugs, pillows or throw blankets for added comfort. Play around with fall hues as color accents. Display lanterns, space heaters or candles for extra lighting and heat.

For more outdoor curb appeal ideas this fall, check out this House Beautiful article. When ready to sell your home in Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook, Lake Forest, Wilmette, Evanston, Glenview, Riverwoods, Bannockburn, and other North Shore communities, contact me! As your North Shore real estate agent, I am here to answer your questions and to guide you through the home-selling and/or home-buying process. Fall is a great time to accomplish your real estate goals, before the chaos of the holiday season arrives. Don’t hesitate to give me a call!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert

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Pricing Your North Shore Home to Sell

If you’d like to sell your North Shore home this fall, give me a call, your North Shore real estate agent! Together, we can come up with a listing price for your home and begin the home-selling process. There is a lot to think about when choosing a listing price wisely. Here are some considerations:

1.  Research the local market and recent sales. This is the most important step in determining the value of your home in Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook, Lake Forest, Wilmette, Evanston, Glenview, Riverwoods, Bannockburn, and other North Shore communities. I have the most recent stats on your local market and can find homes that have sold in the area that are similar to yours in age, size and location. I can see what they were listed for, what they sold for, how long they were on the market, and who the interested buyers were. This will help us determine a price range for your house.

2.  Determine your timeline. If you are eager to sell fast, pricing a bit on the lower end of the value range will attract the highest number of buyers. When they look at listings that include your home and homes similar to yours, if yours is priced a bit lower, they’ll flock to you. If it’s priced too low, they’ll wonder what’s wrong with it. We’ve got to get the number just right.

3.  Price it as an odd number. If we determine that your North Shore home is worth $500K, we might list it as $499K or some other similar number. Why not just list it as $500K? It’s psychology. The $499K looks like a smaller number to buyers, and if they search for houses below $500K, your home will come up in the search. You’ll notice that most listings aren’t given an even number.

4.  Listen to your agent. As long as you choose a North Shore real estate agent with years of experience and sales, you should feel confident in her pricing strategy. It’s our job as agents to know what works and what doesn’t. However, your sale price is an ongoing discussion, not a one-way street. You get a say. A lot of factors play in, so be ready to discuss and be flexible. The price may also change over time.

5.  Understand the appraisal process. Whether you get an appraisal before listing, or your appraisal comes in after you’ve accepted an offer from a buyer, don’t be surprised if it is different than what you expected, especially if you price high. Appraisers focus on many factors, such as the age of the home, square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, size of the lot, location and so on.

For more information on pricing a home to sell, check out this MSN Money article. If you have questions about pricing, listing or selling in the North Shore real estate market, give me a call! As an experienced North Shore real estate agent, I can answer your questions and guide you through the entire home-selling and/or home-buying process.

This fall is a great time to achieve your real estate goals in Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook, Lake Forest, Wilmette, Evanston, Glenview, Riverwoods, Bannockburn, and other North Shore communities Contact me today!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert

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Is It Time to Upsize or Downsize Your North Shore Home?

If you are a current North Shore homeowner or renter, now may be the time to consider if your living space is suitable for your current and future needs. This summer is a great time to sell your North Shore home, as buyer demand is high and prices have continued to increase at a steady rate. It’s also a great time to buy again after you sell, because mortgage rates have remained low!

As your North Shore real estate agent, I understand that homeowners and renters sometimes have to move, even if they love their home, so that it better fits their needs. If you’re considering a relocation in Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook, Lake Forest, Wilmette, Evanston, Glenview, Riverwoods, Bannockburn, and other North Shore communities, now is the time to contact me and get started!

If you’re not sure if you need to upsize or downsize your home, here are some questions to ask:

1.  Is there enough space for you? If you have a growing family, you may have started to notice that your kids are outgrowing their shared bedrooms, or that the kitchen or dining space feels crammed at mealtime.  If your family is continuing to grow, your North Shore home may need to grow, too.

2.  Is there too much space for you? On the other hand, perhaps you are retired or will soon be retiring, and your adult children have moved out. Your home is bigger than you know what to do with. If the stairs are becoming a nuisance, or the cleaning seems endless, it may be time to downsize.

3.  Is the yard too big or small? Buyers are seeking outdoor space, so if you have a growing family, with either kids or pets, you may be wanting a larger yard to enjoy. If you’re thinking of downsizing, keeping up with the mowing and gardening in your large yard might feel like too much work now.

4.  Could you use a location improvement? If you are growing your family, you may be seeking a new location with a more family-friendly neighborhood, community amenities, safety and better schools. If downsizing, you may be seeking a location closer to family or in walking distance to restaurants, stores or public transportation.

5.  Has your financial situation changed? If you recently got a better paying job or a promotion, you may be ready to move up to a bigger, better home. If you recently lost a job or had an unforeseen expense arise, or you’re retiring and want to do some traveling, you may be wanting to lower your mortgage.

Our needs are constantly changing in life, so it’s only normal for our real estate needs to change as well! If you think you might be ready to upsize or downsize your North Shore home soon, give me a call. As your North Shore real estate agent, I can answer your questions, help you sell, and help you find a home in Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook, Lake Forest, Wilmette, Evanston, Glenview, Riverwoods, Bannockburn, and other North Shore communities, that better suits your current and future needs!

     

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert

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Why to Work With a North Shore Real Estate Agent

If you’d like to sell in the North Shore real estate market this spring, it is best that you work with a real estate professional when doing so. Since I am a North Shore real estate agent, you don’t have to take my word for it! Here are some reasons that Inman News gives for sellers to definitely work with an agent when trying to sell:

1.  Reality vs. Knowledge. We have the internet at our fingertips, and therefore many homeowners in Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook, Lake Forest, Wilmette, Evanston, Glenview, Riverwoods, Bannockburn, and other North Shore communities might feel like they can research the home-selling process and know as much as an agent will. However, free instant valuation tools on the internet may not be accurate. What you think you know about your local market might not be accurate. Even if you find stats, they might be at least a month old. The market is constantly changing! Only an agent will know what houses like yours are selling for, how long they were on the market, who the interested buyers were, what features the buyers were interested in most, etc.

2.  Problem-Solving. Again, you can research how to deal with issues that arise during the home-selling process, but every situation is different, and no amount of research will help you make fast decisions that won’t make a buyer go running. If an inspection reveals the worst, or an appraisal comes in less than the contract sales price, it’ll feel like the end of the world to the seller, but agents face these issues regularly and will know how to handle them.

3.  Negotiations. Real estate professionals are full-time, professional negotiators. Overcoming objection is what we excel at! You may have a personal attachment to your home and take every criticism personally. We won’t. We will carefully gather the data and let you know if themes emerge as to why buyers walk away, or what buyers purchase instead. We will also know how to negotiate on your behalf, and whether you should counter an offer or reject a low offer. Buyers will be working with buyer’s agents, also professional negotiators. You’ll want a seller’s agent on your side!

4.  Marketing. Agents will get your North Shore home seen far more than you will alone! Signs in the front yard don’t cut it anymore. Most buyers find their home online. This means that you need professional photographs and description of your home, you need it listed in as many places as possible, you need it shared on social media, and you need an agent who has mad connections. All of this combined will ensure that your home is seen by as many potential buyers as possible!

Read more about what an agent can do for you as a North Shore home sellers in this Inman News article. If you’ve got questions, or you’re ready to begin the home-selling process in the North Shore real estate market, give me a call! As an experienced North Shore real estate agent, I am here to help in every way that I can!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert

North Shore Real Estate
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Real Estate Terms Every North Shore Buyer and Seller Should Know

No matter if you're buying a home or selling your property on Chicago's North Shore, you will undoubtedly run into a few real estate terms that you may not be familiar with. You could hear these used by your lender, your real estate agent or any of the parties involved in the real estate transaction.

But not to worry! As your local North Shore real estate expert, I'm happy to define a few of the essential terms you will hear throughout the process of buying and selling a home. Take a look through the glossary below and keep them in mind as you navigate the market:

APR
Stands for annual percentage rate and refers to the interest rate associated with your mortgage in Northbrook, Glencoe, Deerfield, Winnetka, Highland Park and the surrounding areas.

ARM
Stands for adjustable rate mortgage and refers to the type of loan whose rate changes after a specific amount of time or as market conditions change.

DTI
Stands for debt to income ratio and refers to the figure that many lenders will use to determine a buyer's eligibility for a mortgage. You can calculate your DTI by weighing all of your monthly debts, including credit cards and auto loans, against your monthly income.

PMI
Stands for private mortgage insurance. This applies to those North Shore buyers who put down less than 20 percent on a new home in Northbrook, Glencoe, Deerfield, Winnetka, and Highland Park.

HOA
Stands for homeowners' association. Homes and condominiums found within these communities typically have monthly dues or fees that cover maintenance, landscaping and snow removal.

Fixed Rate Mortgage
A fixed-rate mortgage unlike an adjustable rate mortgage that we discussed earlier has one rate that applies throughout the life of the loan. This type of mortgage does not have a rate that changes with market conditions.

Escrow
A third party is often involved in larger purchases to manage the funds associated with the transaction. Your money for a real estate purchase is held in an escrow account to show the seller that the funds are available.

Equity
If you're a homeowner on the North Shore, you've likely heard this term which refers to the amount of ownership you have in the property. You can find this figure by calculating what you owe on your mortgage and subtracting from its market value.

Appraisal
This is the process through which the value of your home is determined. Many lenders will want to know this figure before they determine how much to loan you via your mortgage to ensure the loan amount does not exceed the value.

Closing Costs
These costs include appraisal fees, real estate agent fees, loan origination fees, escrow fees, credit check fees and more. Typically paid by the buyer, a portion or all of the closing costs can sometimes be negotiated to be paid by the seller.

Have you heard other real estate terms that you're unsure about during your home buying or selling journey thus far? Want more information about the current real estate market on Chicago's North Shore? Give me a call today!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert

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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. 

What You Need to Know About Your North Shore Home Value

As you think about selling your home on Chicago's North Shore, one of the first questions to cross your mind is likely, "How much is my home worth?" Your home value will play a major role in the success of your sale, but there are many aspects of finding this number that North Shore homeowners simply do not understand.

I've included a few key ideas to consider as you research your home value and prepare to sell your home in Winnetka, Glencoe, Deerfield, Highland Park, Northbrook and the surrounding areas this year:

Listen to your real estate agent
Determining your home value is a task best left to the experts, so do not be afraid to consult your real estate agent. Your agent can run what's called a "comparative market analysis" to find similar properties that have recently sold in your area. You will want to look at similar homes that have the same number of bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as square footage, to get a better idea of what buyers may be willing to pay for your property.

Keep an eye out in the neighborhood
Are your neighbors selling their home? Or do you see others listed in your neighborhood? Research how much these homes are going for and how you think yours stacks up. For instance, if your neighbor's house is listed for $300,000, but you want to list yours for $400,000, it's important that you're able to explain why your home warrants the higher price.

Think of how buyers shop for homes
Many homebuyers on the North Shore set pricing parameters when searching for properties. For example, they may set up a search for homes in the $300,000 to $400,000 range. If your home is priced just outside at $405,000, you could risk being passed over entirely. Thus, it's important to consider how buyers shop for properties as you determine your home value.

Put on your buyer hat
Homeowners in Winnetka, Glencoe, Deerfield, Highland Park, Northbrook and the surrounding areas can tend to feel their property is worth more than it is due to their memories and attachment to the home. Remember to put on your buyer hat and leave your emotions out of the mix when finding your value or you could be tempted to overprice.

Questions about how much your home might be worth? 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. 

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
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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 Add Elegance and Sophistication to Your North Shore Home

When you move into a new home on Chicago's North Shore, the first step is unpacking— the next? Decorating! It's one of the tasks that can make the property feel like a home and gives you an opportunity to incorporate your style in the spaces.

But before you start purchasing new furniture and hanging pictures and art on the walls of your North Shore home, consider how you can add touches of sophistication. Not only will these ideas boost your home's overall aesthetic and appearance, but it can quickly become the envy of the neighborhood!

Add natural elements
Think about bringing the outdoors inside your home with fresh flowers and plants in varying colors. The easiest way to do this is to place simple vases on the dining table, the island in the kitchen and adding houseplants around the living spaces. You may have to replace the fresh flowers once a week, but it gives the space they're in that put-together feeling.

Add moldings
Once you've moved into your new home in Glencoe, Deerfield, Highland Park, Winnetka or Northbrook, you'll likely pick up the paintbrush to give the walls a fresh coat. In a past blog post, I shared how to paint your home like a pro, but let's look up even farther— the moldings! Add crown molding to the ceiling, the floorboards or even at chair height. Molding is easy to install and remember— the wider, the better!

Replace doorknobs
A quick and easy fix and shows you pay close attention to the details in your North Shore home! Swap out the humdrum doorknobs with brass or bronze or silver, depending on your color scheme. You can do the same with light switches! The change can be made within a few minutes and it quickly adds elegance to your home.

Hide your electronics
When you keep your cords, television and gadgets hidden behind closed doors or in storage units, it allows your home to truly shine! If you're hanging your TV, place it among framed art and photos to disguise it. Place it in an entertainment system that has doors and close them when the TV is off! When you have company, it will be much easier to socialize without the focus on your electronics.

With years of experience as your North Shore real estate expert, I can help you find a beautiful home in Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook and beyond to call your own. Give me a call today and you could be enjoying decorating and settling into a new space very soon!

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. 

Glencoe, Deerfield, Winnetka Home Sellers: Staging Tips for Your North Shore Home

Warmer weather typically brings busy schedules to North Shore residents and when selling your home, your to-do list is bound to grow! Now is the time to spring clean from top to bottom, toss out old furniture and knick-knacks, work with your real estate agent to ensure you're on the right track and get ready to welcome North Shore buyers inside.

Staging your home is key to allowing buyers to visualize themselves and their belongings inside the property. As you clean out the clutter this month and begin to set the scene for homebuyers, take into account these must-do's and absolute do-not's of home staging.

Say goodbye to the old
Picture yourself walking into a home in Glencoe, Winnetka, Deerfield, Northbrook or Highland Park and find that the homeowners have old, worn-out furniture. It will likely have an impression on your opinion of the home overall— just for that one reason. When staging your own home to sell, choose the furniture that showcases your home well!

Focus on the home itself
One of the best ways to showcase the features of your home is to allow them to speak for themselves. Don't overwhelm buyers with wallpaper, dozens of knick-knacks or loud decor or distracting wall colors. Keep it simple and when in doubt, do an edit of the space! Anything you feel might take away from a space should be removed.

Be consistent
Think of your North Shore home as a book— every room should be a part of the same story. If you leave one space in disarray while the rest of the home is clean, tidy and updated, buyers will notice. Consistency from room to room is key! Every space should feel comfortable and reflective of the love you have for the property.

Say no to themes
Using themes or bright, bold colors can be a distraction for North Shore homebuyers. In fact, one of the main rules of staging is to stick to a neutral palette. Soft, calming tones allow a buyer to envision their own furniture inside and harmonize with the home, instead of overpowering it.

Remember, there is always a chance North Shore homebuyers will not like your staging job. If you have questions about what buyers are looking for this year, always feel free to reach out to me! With years of experience in area real estate, I can provide you with insight into local buyer's minds!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert

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