Friday, May 6, 2016

Deerfield Real Estate Market Stats for April 2016

City Active Listings: There are a total of 183 properties actively on the market with the average price of $689,394 in Deerfield.

City Sold Listings: 41 properties closed last month in Deerfield with an average sales price of $466,383 The average time on market for these properties was 43 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


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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. 

Northbrook Real Estate Market Stats for April 2016

City Active Listings: There are a total of 290 properties actively on the market with the average price of $750,992 in Northbrook.

City Sold Listings: 61 properties closed last month in Northbrook with an average sales price of $472,892 The average time on market for these properties was 66 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


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. 

Highland Park Real Estate Market Stats for April 2016

City Active Listings: There are a total of 321 properties actively on the market with the average price of $945,316 in Highland Park.

City Sold Listings: 53 properties closed last month in Highland Park with an average sales price of $677,634. The average time on market for these properties was 79 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


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 April 2016

City Active Listings: There are a total of 111 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,434,221 in Glencoe.

City Sold Listings: 13 properties closed last month in Glencoe with an average sales price of $1,474,615. The average time on market for these properties was 41 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. 

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

How to Calm Your Nerves of Buying a Home on Chicago's North Shore

Buying a home is a big step, there's no doubt about it. And now that the busy spring and summer real estate season is upon us, North Shore buyers may find themselves with a few extra butterflies when thinking of making a move.

As your North Shore real estate expert, I can help you calm your nerves about buying a home in Glencoe, Winnetka, Deerfield, Northbrook, Highland Park and the surrounding areas! I'm sharing a few ways below, but do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions you have about buying this year!

Gather all of the facts about mortgages
Many homebuyers are unaware or misinformed of the requirements for securing a mortgage and as a result, put off buying altogether. To put yourself at ease, gather as many facts about mortgages as you can, explore the different loan options and what is necessary to qualify for each one. Once you've learned the in's and out's, you may find yourself much less apprehensive about buying.

Outline the costs
If you're worried about the costs of homeownership, it's time to sit down and map them all out. Write down what you currently pay for housing, utilities, maintenance, and other home-related expenses. You may be surprised to learn that the costs of renting are higher!

Be prepared
It is always wise to enter your homebuying journey with some savings as many homeowners will tell you, expenses can pop up when you least expect them. If you already have a savings in place, you can rest assured knowing that you will be prepared when these issues do arise.

Gather quotes
You can gather mortgage quotes from North Shore lenders across various mortgage loan programs— from 30-year-fixed-rate mortgages to 5-year-adjustable-rate mortgages. With these in your possession, you can better estimate what your monthly payment will be and if you can realistically afford to buy a home in Glencoe, Winnetka, Deerfield, Northbrook, or Highland Park.

Let's chat about how you can purchase a home on the North Shore this year, stress free! 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. 

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

How to Make Your Home the One North Shore Buyers Want

When the time comes to sell your North Shore home, you need to remove your homeowner hat and put on your buyer hat. Acting, and viewing your property, like a buyer will allow you to see the home in a whole new light and thus, identify how to make it stand out from the rest.

It may be difficult to set aside all of the memories and feelings you have associated with the house, but North Shore homeowners who begin to view their home as a product may just find that they sell quicker, and for more money. Below are three ways you can make your home into the one buyers want in Glencoe, Winnetka, Deerfield, Northbrook, Highland Park and the surrounding areas:

Focus on the kitchens and baths
These two areas of your North Shore home are the most popular and when updated well, can be what sells the property. If your kitchen or bathrooms are feeling outdated, you may like to consider a few renovations that can improve both your home's value and your chances of selling.

Easy updates in the kitchen include painting old cabinets in a bright, fresh color like white or another neutral, replacing fixtures like lighting and faucets, swapping out old cabinet hardware for new and installing new countertops in a stone like quartz, granite or marble.

Focus on the features
If you live in a Craftsman-style home, have custom features like barn doors, or sought-after design elements like subway tile, you will want to draw attention to them! These are all in high demand among North Shore homebuyers this spring and showing your home has them may be one way to attract buyers and close the deal. As your North Shore real estate agent, I am also able to share insight into what other details North Shore buyers are looking for this year.

Show off the outdoor space
Does your home in Glencoe, Winnetka, Deerfield, Northbrook or Highland Park have a beautiful backyard, updated landscaping, new deck or luxurious patio? Homebuyers are interested in homes with outdoor space, especially during the spring and summer seasons. Staging these areas to highlight their entertaining potential may be a lucrative idea if you're planning to sell within the next few months.

I have years of experience in helping North Shore homeowners showcase their property's best features to the many buyers in the market. Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions about selling your home, homes for sale in the area, or the current real estate market. I'm here to help!

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. 

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

5 Places to Enjoy Spring on Chicago's North Shore

Spring has sprung! The weather is warming, the flowers are blooming and the event schedule on the North Shore is only beginning to pick up for the busy months ahead. But that doesn't mean you cannot stop to enjoy a beautiful spring day in Glencoe, Deerfield, Northbrook, Highland Park, Winnetka or the surrounding areas!

Below are five places on Chicago's North Shore where you can enjoy the season and all that the local communities have to offer:

Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook Rd
Glencoe IL

A wonderful place to explore no matter the season, the Chicago Botanic Garden features a waterfall garden, cross bridges across glistening lakes, a Japanese Garden, English Walled Garden, trestles, art exhibits, tours by both train and foot— and so much more in their 26 gardens!

Glencoe Beach
999 Green Bay Rd
Glencoe IL

This North Shore beach is one of the most beautiful in the area! There are daily lifeguards on duty, a sprayground for kids, concession stand, volleyball courts, paddle boards, kayaks, sailboats and lessons in all of the above! What a great place to spend a spring day!

Ladd Memorial Arboretum 
2024 McCormick Blvd
Evanston IL

The Ladd Memorial Arboretum stretches along a 3/4 mile segment of McCormick Blvd on a 23 acre piece of reclaimed land. It is a hub of natural beauty and recreation and is open year-round for all to enjoy!

A.C. Neilsen Tennis Center
530 Hibbard Rd
Winnetka IL

A part of the Winnetka Park District, the A.C. Nielsen Tennis Center has 8 indoor and 12 outdoor courts, a nursery and complete pro shop. The Tennis Center also holds group and private lessons for all ages and abilities.

Northbrook Park District
545 Academy Dr
Northbrook IL

The Park District of Northbrook offers more than 1,000 recreational programs and facilities including outdoor aquatic centers, Sportsman's Country Club (with 27 holes of golf and lighted practice range!), the Northbrook Sports Center, Anestsberger Golf Course, Ed Rudolph Velodrome (for bicycle racing!) and more!

And remember, as your local North Shore real estate expert, I am always on hand to answer questions about the market, buying or selling a home! Do not hesitate to reach out!

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.