In the national real estate market this year, one of the great debates has been between buying or renting a home. Since the market hit an all time low, many were leery of buying considering the current real estate market. Yet, we’ve seen rent across the nation on the rise and, oftentimes, a monthly mortgage can actually be less expensive than renting.
As a North Shore Real Estate agent, I can see why potential buyers were opting to rent in previous years as the rise of foreclosures brought a reality check to our nation as a whole. However, when it comes to the battle between renting or buying a North Shore home; I can assure you that buying a home is always the better choice. Here are a few key reasons why!
1. You can determine your homes’ energy efficiency- From adding insulation, to upgrading your air conditioner or hot water tank; you are in control of the energy efficiency of your home. Making these bigger changes, that you wouldn’t make in a renting situation, will save you money in the long run and will make you feel better about what you’re doing for the environment.
2. You can customize your space- This is an important part in making a house feel like a home. You don’t have to worry about paint colors, what you put on the walls, and even have the freedom to knock out walls to reconfigure a space! Owning a home means you have endless possibilities to make your North Shore home exactly what you envision.
3. Homeowners buy less furniture- For the most part, homeowners will stay in a space longer than those who rent. Moving every few years means you’re constantly investing in new furniture for a place, whereas in owning a home; you can get the furniture that fits your space and feel comfortable with your decisions for years.
4. You know what you’ll be paying from year to year- Unlike rent, a fixed mortgage means your monthly payment won’t change. With inflation, rents oftentimes increase each year and you can get caught with paying more than you imagined. A fixed mortgage is great in allowing you to determine your yearly budget and stick to it.
5. Tax deductions are available for homeowners- While the main tax perk of owning a home is being able to deduct mortgage interest payments, there are other deductions available. For instance, eligible expenses such as energy efficient improvements, can provide an even greater tax benefit.
6. You can take advantage of currently low interest rates and prices- Last but certainly not least, the current home prices and low mortgage rates are a huge advantage of buying a North Shore home now. According to real estate site, Trulia, overall rent prices rose by 5% while home prices lowered by .7%. With the market leaning heavily in the favor of buyers, now is the time to buy!
As you can see, there are many advantages to buying a North Shore home as opposed to renting. While the home buying process may seem overwhelming, especially to those of you who are first time home buyers; having a trusted North Shore Real Estate agent by your side to walk with you throughout the entire process can be exactly what you need to find real estate success!
I’m always available to answer any questions you have about the North Shore Real Estate market, and would love to meet up to show you some of the beautiful and affordable homes currently on the market.
Please feel free to contact me today to get started!
Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert
North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
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Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Highland Park Market Stats for July 2012
Highland Park Active Listings: There are a total of 276 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,003,501 in Highland Park.
Highland Park Sold Listings: 52 properties closed last month in Highland Park with an average sales price of $485,756, the average time on market for these properties was 125 days.
To view the complete report including additional detailed data, charts ad graphs, please view the Highland Park market statistics!
Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert
North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
Visit My Website
Highland Park Sold Listings: 52 properties closed last month in Highland Park with an average sales price of $485,756, the average time on market for these properties was 125 days.
To view the complete report including additional detailed data, charts ad graphs, please view the Highland Park market statistics!
Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert
North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
Visit My Website
Glencoe Market Stats for July 2012
Glencoe Active Listings: There are a total of 79 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,540,948 in Glencoe.
Glencoe Sold Listings: 17 properties closed last month in Glencoe with an average sales price of $980,302, the average time on market for these properties was 120 days.
To view the complete report including additional detailed data, charts ad graphs, please view the Glencoe market statistics!
Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert
North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
Visit My Website
Glencoe Sold Listings: 17 properties closed last month in Glencoe with an average sales price of $980,302, the average time on market for these properties was 120 days.
To view the complete report including additional detailed data, charts ad graphs, please view the Glencoe market statistics!
Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert
North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
Visit My Website
Northbrook Market Stats for July 2012
Northbrook Active Listings: There are a total of 269 properties actively on the market with the average price of $618,793 in Northbrook.
Northbrook Sold Listings: 58 properties closed last month in Northbrook with an average sales price of $402,233, the average time on market for these properties was 100 days.
To view the complete report including additional detailed data, charts ad graphs, please view the Northbrook market statistics!
Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert
North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
Visit My Website
Northbrook Sold Listings: 58 properties closed last month in Northbrook with an average sales price of $402,233, the average time on market for these properties was 100 days.
To view the complete report including additional detailed data, charts ad graphs, please view the Northbrook market statistics!
Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert
North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
Visit My Website
Winnetka Market Stats for July 2012
Winnetka Active Listings: There are a total of 150 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,914,437 in Winnetka.
Winnetka Sold Listings: 33 properties closed last month in Winnetka with an average sales price of $1,172,937, the average time on market for these properties was 119 days.
To view the complete report including additional detailed data, charts ad graphs, please view the Winnetka market statistics!
Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert
North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
Visit My Website
Winnetka Sold Listings: 33 properties closed last month in Winnetka with an average sales price of $1,172,937, the average time on market for these properties was 119 days.
To view the complete report including additional detailed data, charts ad graphs, please view the Winnetka market statistics!
Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert
North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
Visit My Website
Deerfield Market Stats for July 2012
Deerfield Active Listings: There are a total of 144 properties actively on the market with the average price of $482,508 in Deerfield.
Deerfield Sold Listings: 31 properties closed last month in Deerfield with an average sales price of $441,470, the average time on market for these properties was 84 days.
To view the complete report including additional detailed data, charts ad graphs, please view the Deerfield market statistics!
Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert
North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
Visit My Website
Deerfield Sold Listings: 31 properties closed last month in Deerfield with an average sales price of $441,470, the average time on market for these properties was 84 days.
To view the complete report including additional detailed data, charts ad graphs, please view the Deerfield market statistics!
Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert
North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
Visit My Website
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Sell Your North Shore Home This Fall!
Can you believe it’s already August? It feels like just yesterday we were discussing the North Shore’s mild winter weather. If you are in the position to sell your North Shore home, now might just be the time to do it! With school starting in just a couple of weeks and the summer activities winding down, you have more time to mull over your options, get your home market ready and find the North Shore real estate agent that will make the transaction a success.
While you’ve heard of calculated home staging and enhancing curb appeal, there is much more that goes into a successful home sale. As your Chicago North Shore real estate agent, let me walk you through some tips and tricks to make your home selling experience as smooth as possible.
Have an Inspection: One of the best ways to show off your home is to have a professional inspection. While you have taken care of your home throughout the year, you never know what flaws (big or small) could be hiding. Having an inspector walk through your home will bring light to (or eliminate) the possibility of any major issues. Of course the buyer will have their own inspector, but having your own personal record is beneficial to the overall outcome. It will also show buyers that you are serious about selling and care that the house is in the best condition possible for its new owner.
Give an Incentive: People love this. Think of it like a bakery – they may be offering two cookies for the price of one. You can apply this same concept to your home sale. Whether it be lawn or pool maintenance or footing the trash bill, there are plenty of ways you can offer a little something extra. You can make the buyer’s life a little easier by offering a service to keep the lawn mowed or the pool clean. This can be worked into the overall price and will also set you home apart from its competitors. Your North Shore real estate agent can help you come up with a plan that will be beneficial to everyone.
Find the Right Agent: This might be the most important step in your North Shore home sale. While many people choose to sell their home on their own, I think it’s best to seek the help of an experienced listing agent. Not only can they answer any questions you might have, but they will also be working behind the scenes to make sure the transaction is running smoothly. They will help you study the market, get your home market ready, and of course, determine a fair and realistic price for your home.
I hope these tips have given you some insight for your next home sale! Making sure that your North Shore home is in the best shape possible is the key to a successful transaction. If you’re in the position to buy or sell in Chicago’s North Shore area, feel free to contact me anytime. I would love to be your go-to-guide throughout the entire process.
Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert
North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
Visit My Website
Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert
North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
Visit My Website
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