What to Do While Stuck in Your North Shore Home

North Shore Home Improvement Tips

Many of us are responsibly practicing social separation by staying in our North Shore homes until coronavirus blows over. If you find yourself already getting cabin fever, consider now a great time to accomplish some of the projects you’ve been wanting to do around the house! As your North Shore real estate agent, allow me to offer you some ideas, before you go stir crazy.

Declutter. Now is the perfect time to declutter your North Shore home. After all, no one likes spending time in a cluttered space, and clutter is found to increase anxiety, which none of us need right now. Grab some boxes or garbage bags and go through each closet, drawer, cabinet, etc. one at a time, removing anything you no longer need or use. Separate the unwanted items into piles to donate, sell, recycle or toss. You’ll feel so much better once this is done, and if you want to sell your North Shore home this spring or summer, you’ll be one step ahead of the crowd by getting this done now!

Spring clean. Once you declutter the home, take it one step further and get your spring cleaning done! Whether you usually spring clean your home, or it’s just something on your wish list every year, this year is the perfect chance to actually make it happen. Take one room at a time. Dust, vacuum, scrub, organize. Give each member of the family a list of chores, then reward all of you at the end. Clean your windows well so you can enjoy the spring sunshine and outdoor views while stuck inside. Clean out your refrigerator and pantry of expired food and condiments so everyone knows what’s safe to eat and what’s not. Again, house cleaning is another important step to the home-selling process, if this is on your future to-do list.

Home improvement. Now is also a great time to work on some of the home improvement projects you’ve been putting off. You might not want to head to the store for supplies, but see what you can order online, such as updated cabinet and drawer handles, modern lighting fixtures, or window treatments. If you have leftover paint stored in your house, consider giving your rooms a paint refresh. Do some DIY projects around the house. House Beautiful shared a great list of 27 DIY options for when you’re stuck in the house. If you’ve been wanting to turn a room into a guest room, or office, make the switch now. 

If you want to sell your home in Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook, Lake Forest, Wilmette, Evanston, Glenview, Riverwoods, Bannockburn, or other North Shore communities, keep up with housing market statistics and get in touch with me. If you want to buy, organize your documents for a mortgage preapproval, start browsing listings and give me a call. As your North Shore real estate agent, I am here to help! I am still working full-time to make your North Shore real estate goals a reality this spring, so don’t hesitate to give me a call and let’s see what we can do!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert

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How to Make Your North Shore Home More Sustainable

Sustainability is a hot topic in today’s world! People want to make their lives more sustainable, which includes their homes. If it’s a goal of yours to make your North Shore home more sustainable in 2020, as your North Shore real estate agent, I’m here to share some tips. The perk to sustainability is that many of these tricks can help lower your energy costs, and can increase your home value when you go to sell!

1.  Insulation and heating. Winter is a great time to tackle this step! Have an energy audit done to determine your home’s efficiency. Or, take the old fashioned route and hold a candle up near windows and doors to see where there are drafts. Either way, you’ll know where to air seal by caulking gaps. If your home was built before 1990, you may need to update your heating and cooling system. There are many new, more sustainable options, such as geothermal ground source heat or air source heat pumps. A programmable thermostat is a great, easy way to cut back on energy usage when you’re not home.

2.  Landscaping and water. When planning for your landscaping in 2020, opt for sustainable methods, such as growing native plants, incorporating permeable pavers, and using drip irrigation systems, all which help cut down on water usage. Planting large shade trees can help shade your home, cutting back on air-conditioning usage in the summer. Collecting rain water for watering your gardens on dry days will cut back on water usage. And of course, watering at the correct times of the day help the water properly absorb, like as the sun is rising, or when it is setting.

3.  Solar panels. These are growing more popular among homeowners with each passing year. The tax credit for the system cost is 26 percent in 2020, 22 percent in 2021, and 10 percent in 2022, so the sooner you add them, the more you’ll save! It’s wise to invest in solar panels and a battery storage system, to allow you to store energy when the sun isn’t shining. It’s an investment, but it can yield a huge decrease in energy costs over the long-run. For a less expensive approach, update your roof with light-colored shingles, which retain less heat.

4.  Lights. The cheapest source of lighting for your North Shore home is natural light! In the winter, always allow natural light to stream in during the day, warming your home and also making it more cheerful. For artificial lighting, LEDs are still the preferred choice. They use 75 percent less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs.

Check out this sustainability article from Realtor Magazine for tips on how to make your home more sustainable in the areas of plumbing, natural materials, transportation, recycling and building materials as well. Lots of information is available to keep you busy this year!

When ready to achieve your North Shore real estate goals in 2020, give me a call! As your North Shore real estate agent, I am here and ready to help you achieve all of your home-selling and/or home-buying goals in the New Year.

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert

North Shore Real Estate
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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

North Shore Real Estate
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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

North Shore Real Estate
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How to Sell Your North Shore Home During the Holidays

When the busy spring and summer months are over, many North Shore homeowners are left wondering if they can still sell their properties before the end of the year. While it may seem like the market slows down, the short answer is yes! Buyers today are constantly searching for properties on their smartphones, computers, and even have email alerts set up when a new North Shore property becomes available that meets their criteria.

Selling your Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Northbrook, or Deerfield home during the holiday season is still a great idea and as your local real estate expert, I'm sharing a few ways below to achieve that successful sale!

Keep holiday decor simple
Don't be tempted to install an inflatable snowman on your front lawn! It's best to keep holiday decor simple—staying away from large yard ornaments—outside in order to avoid distracting buyers from the property itself.

Highlight holiday features
Does your home have a great picture window? A cozy fireplace? An inviting dining room? These are all great features to play up during this time of year. Allow buyers to envision themselves entertaining in your home by staging it for the season. Position your Christmas tree in front of the window, light a fire when buyers arrive for a showing, and set the table to let buyers imagine hosting friends and family.

Groom online appeal
The first place buyers will look for homes this time of year is online. Be sure that your listing photos are clear and present your home in its best possible light. When you work with me, you can rest assured your property will have a great online presence and pique buyer interest from the very beginning!

Enhance curb appeal
Your home's exterior is often what will get buyers to the front door, so make sure it feels inviting! Clean your gutters, clear all pathways of debris, touch up the paint, tidy up your yard, and consider adding a wreath to the front door.

Get move-in ready
Since the holiday season can already be stressful, you don't want to make moving into your home another cause for buyer concern. Now is the time to fix any issues that you know exist in your property, especially HVAC as it is imperative that this system be in working order during the colder months! Buyer will be more willing to move into your home if they know they won't run into any problems after closing!

Ready to move into a new North Shore home before the new year? Give me a call today to get started on listing your current property and finding your next dream home!

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. 

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
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 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
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. 

How to Prepare Your Home for Storm Season on Chicago's North Shore

Whether you've just moved into a new home on Chicago's North Shore, are planning to stay put this summer or have just started house-hunting, one thing is certain— summer tends to add a little more chaos to the mix!

Not only are North Shore residents ready to take on busier schedules, but the warmer weather always brings a storm or two to our area that can put a damper on plans. Homeowners would do well to prep for storm season now to avoid surprises down the road and of course, added stress and hassle that we could all do without!

Take the weekend to secure your home in Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glencoe, Northbrook and you'll be ready to take on the summer with no worries:

• Prepare an emergency plan for your family and designate a room in your North Shore home in which all of you will meet during a storm.

• Cut and haul away any loose or hanging tree limbs that could cause damage during a storm.

• Check all shutters and gutters on your home to ensure they are properly secured. If not, reattach.

• Install surge protectors for expensive or sensitive electronics and appliances in your North Shore home.

• Compile an emergency kit for storms, including batteries, flashlights, first aid kit, snacks, a weather radio and bottled water.

• Take photos of your home (both inside and out), your cars, boat and valuables. You could need them later for insurance claims.

• Store or secure your outdoor furniture as heavy winds can blow these into your home, causing serious damage.

• Move all potted plants and outdoor items like bicycles, motorcycles and toys indoors or, if necessary, carefully secure them. 

Summer is a wonderful time on Chicago's North Shore, with fun events, warm temperatures and time for outdoor recreational activities. Don't let storms get in the way of your enjoying the season! 

As your real estate expert in Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glencoe and Northbrook, I am happy to walk you through the home buying and home selling processes. Summer is perfect for making a move to your dream home! Have questions? 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. 

Spring and Summer Inspiration for Your Home on Chicago's North Shore

Now that the weather is getting warmer on the North Shore, homeowners are venturing outside to spruce landscaping, plant gardens and even bring in new furniture for a fresh look. But instead of going with your usual spring and summer routine to boost curb appeal, it's time to inspire yourself! The upcoming Antiques Garden and Design Show April 17 through 19th at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe provides just the atmosphere to do so. 

Formerly known as the Antiques and Garden Fair, the 2015 show is offering a whole new format for inspiring stylish living and homes on the North Shore. This year is all about showing North Shore homeowners the new and extraordinary, featuring beautiful gardens and objects that you may have never seen before.

The Antiques Garden and Design Show in Glencoe will display indoor gardens, a horticulture section (new this year!) and an opportunity to enjoy shopping, local cuisine and complimentary valet parking at the Preview Evening on Thursday, April 16th. 

The following are just some of the highlights you can expect to find at this year's show:

• Display gardens

New, indoor gardens in the spring colors of green and chartreuse are a breath of fresh air after the long, winter.

• Lectures

Lecturers include an internationally-acclaimed interior designer and garden journalist and historian to share tips on decorating your North Shore home this season and creating simplicity in your outdoor spaces. 

Held April 17-19, 2015; 10 AM to 5 PM, Friday through Sunday, this popular show on Chicago's North Shore is an excellent opportunity to get inspired to create fresh, new spaces in your home. 

If you are ready for a fresh start in a new home this spring and summer, do not hesitate to contact me! I am a seasoned North Shore real estate expert and am happy to help you navigate the market to find your dream home.

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