Should You Buy a Home in Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park During the Holidays?

In a recent blog post, I shared the answer to the common question— Should I sell my home during the holidays? Now it's time to answer the opposite, Should you buy a home during this time of year? While it may surprise you, the answer is the same for both! The holidays can be a great opportunity to both sell and buy homes on Chicago's North Shore and as your local real estate expert, I'm sharing below a few reasons to buy a new property right now.

1. Less competition
As the holidays come with a great deal of hustle and bustle, not to mention traveling, many tend to put their home searches on the back burner until the spring. In fact, many tend to think spring is the best time to buy a home and as a result, you will have much less competition for homes currently for sale if you buy now!

2. Sellers are motivated
Buying a home on the North Shore during the holidays can allow you to find a great deal. After all, homes that are listed now likely have motivated sellers who need to move on before the new year or the listings are leftover from the fall (sometimes, even summer) market. Unlike buying a home during the busier spring and summer seasons, you may just find flexible more sellers in the current market.

3. You have a clear picture 
During the spring and summer, homes in Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, and the surrounding areas look bright, fresh, and appealing with idyllic landscaping and green grass. During the holidays, you have a much clearer picture of what the property will look like the other six (or more!) months out of the year— you are able to see the home for what it truly is, without being distracted by flowers and sun-lit rooms.

4. Easy access
The holidays are not quite as busy for professionals working in the real estate market. Not only does that mean you have better access to lenders and the like, but your home purchase in Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook, Evanston, Glenview, Wilmette, Lake Bluff, or Skokie could move along much faster.

I'm here to help with every aspect of your home purchase on Chicago's North Shore! Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions you have!

Happy holidays!

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. 

Tips for Buying a North Shore Home on Your Own

With mortgage rates on the rise and the spring real estate busy season just around the corner, many North Shore residents are gearing up to begin their home search— if they haven't already! As your North Shore real estate expert, I have helped many families and singles alike find their perfect property and I'm here to do the same for you in 2017!

If you're planning to buy a home on your own this year, below are five steps to take to make your home search a big success!

Find the right agent
Working with a real estate agent is the key to buying a home successfully as a single person. It's not always best to choose the first person you come across or find online or even the agent that is recommended to you by family and friends. Do your research, read reviews and reach out to your agent to ask any questions you might have! I'm happy to have served clients in Deerfield, Evanston, Glencoe, Glenview, Highland Park, Kenilworth, Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Lincolnshire, Lincolnwood, Northbrook, Northfield, Riverwoods, Skokie, Wilmette, and Winnetka and received excellent testimonials!

Read your resources
It always pays to do your research before buying a home! Check out books at your local library on buying a home or read up on online resources. Making an informed decision as a buyer starts with you— you can rely on your agent, but you should have a solid grasp on the subject yourself too!

Find the best home type
Shopping for a home will require you to think ahead to the future. Are you looking for a home you can grow into? One that will suit you for now while you're in your current career or location? You have dozens of options, including townhouses and condos that can offer a lower payment, but also likely come with HOA fees.

Be confident
Once you've done all of the necessary research on your potential home, location, commute time, and even schools and crime data, you should be able to proceed to an offer with confidence. If you need further reassurance, bring along a family member or friend to get their input on the property, but remember, it's ultimately your decision!

Submit a strong offer
When you're purchasing a home on your own, you do not have another person to bounce ideas off of when it comes to formulating your offer. But not to worry! As your real estate agent, I will work with you to determine the best possible offer for your dream North Shore home.

Give me a call today for more information about the North Shore real estate market, as well as available properties in Glencoe, Winnetka, Deerfield, Northbrook, Highland Park and the surrounding areas.

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.