Highland Park Real Estate Market Stats for December 2015

City Active Listings: There are a total of 230 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,047,976 in Highland Park.

City Sold Listings: 38 properties closed last month in Highland Park with an average sales price of $543,225. The average time on market for these properties was 81 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
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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 Real Estate Market Stats for December 2015

City Active Listings: There are a total of 63 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,413,109 in Glencoe.

City Sold Listings: 18 properties closed last month in Glencoe with an average sales price of $945,583. The average time on market for these properties was 42 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

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. 

Deerfield Real Estate Market Stats for December 2015

City Active Listings: There are a total of 104 properties actively on the market with the average price of $726,938 in Deerfield.

City Sold Listings: 19 properties closed last month in Deerfield with an average sales price of $357,163. The average time on market for these properties was 47 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

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. 

Priming Your North Shore Home for a Quick Sale in 2016

As much as 2016 is shaping up to be a great year for North Shore homebuyers, there are many ways home sellers can benefit too! There is talk of mortgage rates headed higher as we move forward into the new year and with a lower number of homes on the market, home sellers can put their property in the spotlight.

If you've been thinking about selling your home this spring, keep in mind the following ways you can prime your Winnetka, Glencoe, Deerfield, Highland Park or Northbrook area home for a quick sale:

Price your home correctly 
Working with an experienced North Shore real estate agent is the best way to accurately price your home for the current market. I will work with you to drive as much traffic as possible to your property, based on comparable homes and market value. This is one of the major factors in determining the success of a home sale, so it is best to get it right from the beginning.

Stage your home
Home staging presents your North Shore property in the best possible light and allows buyers to visualize themselves living inside. Simple projects like giving rooms a fresh coat of paint, cleaning windows to allow in more light, editing furniture down to allow for an easy flow throughout the house and eliminating clutter can do wonders in the eyes of buyers touring your home for the first time.

Time your home sale correctly
The beginning of the new year sets the tone for the spring real estate market when many North Shore homeowners will list their properties. Always consult your North Shore real estate expert for tips on the best time to list, not just in terms of spring and summer, but even the best day for your property to hit the market.

Cater to your target market
2016 is expected to be a popular year for Millennials buying homes on Chicago's North Shore and homeowners can cater their marketing to this demographic. Millennials tend to desire open floor plans, updated kitchens and outdoor space, so be sure to highlight these features if your home has them.

Do not hesitate to contact me for more information on preparing your Winnetka, Glencoe, Deerfield, Northbrook or Highland Park area home to sell this year! 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. 

3 Reasons Why 2016 Is Your Year to Buy A Home on Chicago's North Shore

In my last blog post, I shared how you can start with a clean slate in your North Shore home this year. However, if you're a first-time buyer or do not yet have that home to make your own, you're in luck! A variety of factors have created what's being called the "perfect storm" for homebuyers to jump into the market and secure the home of their dreams!

Below are three reasons why 2016 is your year to purchase a home on Chicago's North Shore:

Rents are at an all-time high
If you're still renting on the North Shore, you have likely noticed a few rent hikes throughout the years. In fact, rents surpassed home values in nearly all of the major housing markets across the country. The better option (and use of your money!) is to purchase a home and start to build equity, rather than say goodbye to a large amount every month never to see it again.

Rents are only going to go up from here, so why not take this chance to become a homeowner in Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook, Glencoe or the surrounding areas?

Low interest rates may not stick around
We have grown accustomed to interest rates under 4 percent in 2015, but the year ended with an increase, pushing them above that mark. The good news is that these rates are still considered "historically low," given they hovered around 18 percent in the '80s, but they may not be here to stay! Rates are projected to be up over 4 percent by the end of 2016, so don't wait!

Down payments are not as strict
Yes, there used to be a time when buying a home meant you needed to have 20 percent down or there was no deal. But those days are gone! Homebuyers on the North Shore can now purchase a home with as little as 5 percent down all thanks to programs designed to give buyers a boost. If you've been holding off on purchasing your dream home because of the down payment, now is the time to jump into the real estate market!

As your real estate expert on the North Shore, I'm here to walk you through the process of buying a home, whether it's for the first time or the fifth time! I've helped numerous buyers find their dream home in Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook, Glencoe and the surrounding communities and am ready to help you do the same for the new year!

Give me a call today!

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 Start Fresh for the New Year in Your North Shore Home

With the new year here, it's time to turn over a new leaf and start fresh in your North Shore home. If you haven't made a list of New Year's Resolutions yet, you might like to make one specifically to help you start with a clean slate at home.

As your North Shore real estate expert, I'm happy to share some suggestions with you for a happy, healthy new year!

Organize your closet
There is no better way to begin fresh for 2016 than by following the classic "out with the old, in with the new" strategy. Make it a point to clean out your closets, donating what you no longer wear or use and toss any items that may be broken. Move every item that you use on a daily basis to the front where you can quickly access them.

It pays to do this with every closet in your Glencoe, Highland Park, Deerfield, Winnetka, Northbrook home, not just where you store your clothes. Coat closets, pantries and storage closets all need attention too!

Brighten up your home
Do you have light bulbs in your home that seem to be dim? Not enough light for reading or working in the kitchen? It's time to upgrade your lighting! Replace light bulbs with energy-efficient alternatives and use the maximum wattage allowed. Consider adding more lighting to your living spaces— a new desk lamp, floor lamp or ceiling fixture can help your home instantly feel airier and more open!

Add colorful accessories
During the winter months, your North Shore home may tend to feel dark and dreary, so consider adding a few pops of color! Work in colorful throw pillows, blankets, exciting artwork or a new rug. If you're ready for a complete change in your home, bringing in new furniture can give your spaces a fresh feel!

Paint the front door
Just as I mentioned above, adding color to your home during the first few months of the new year can be just the update you need. Why not give the front door a fresh coat of paint? This project requires minimal work and will be one of the first things both you and your guests notice about your home. The front door also makes a statement about who you are as a North Shore homeowner, so choose something that makes you smile!

Do not hesitate to reach out with any questions about moving on to a new home for the new year, information about the real estate market or available properties in Glencoe, Highland Park, Deerfield, Winnetka, Northbrook and the surrounding areas!

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. 

Winnetka Real Estate Market Stats for November 2015

City Active Listings: There are a total of 147 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,817,894 in Winnetka.

City Sold Listings: 12 properties closed last month in Winnetka with an average sales price of $791,481. The average time on market for these properties was 38 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

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.