Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Deerfield Real Estate Market Stats for August 2017

City Active Listings: There are a total of 201 properties actively on the market with the average price of $549,900 in Deerfield.

City Sold Listings: 30 properties closed last month in Deerfield with an average sales price of $498,000. The average time on market for these properties was 39 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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Winnetka Real Estate Market Stats for August 2017

City Active Listings: There are a total of 161 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,269,000 in Winnetka.

City Sold Listings: 35 properties closed last month in Winnetka with an average sales price of $1,373,626. The average time on market for these properties was 59 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
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Local Expert... with National Connections!

Northbrook Real Estate Market Stats for August 2017

City Active Listings: There are a total of 329 properties actively on the market with the average price of $555,000 in Northbrook.

City Sold Listings: 82 properties closed last month in Northbrook with an average sales price of $514,501. The average time on market for these properties was 33 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
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Local Expert... with National Connections!

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Your North Shore Home Improvement Checklist for September

Now that September has arrived on Chicago's North Shore, it's hard not to begin to think about what the fall season has in store. Cooler weather will soon set in and the leaves will start to fall from the trees, meaning—aside from raking—there are a few extra tasks to check off of your home improvement list this month.

Below are five tasks to complete around your home in Winnetka, Glencoe, Deerfield, Highland Park, and Northbrook in September:

Check for air leaks
When the weather gets cooler, your hand will reach for the thermostat and the last thing you want is for warm air to escape through cracks around windows and doors. Take some time to inspect seals around window frames and doors, identifying anywhere air could leak out. If you spot a problem area, you can simply apply a new bead of caulk or weatherstripping to remedy the issue.

Clean the gutters
Autumn is notorious for lower temperatures on the North Shore, as well as wet, windy weather and of course, falling leaves. Make sure your gutters are cleaned and working properly to route water away from your home and catch any new debris that may accumulate during this next season. There should be nothing left over from the summer inside your gutters as we head into fall!

Clean the chimney
It's best to leave this dirty job to the pros, especially as failing to do it well could result in a higher risk for fire inside your home. Schedule an appointment now as chimney cleaning companies can tend to book up quickly as the weeks progress and more homeowners look to cozying up by the fire.

Inspect your HVAC
Just as I mentioned above that chimney cleaners will book up quickly, so too will HVAC specialists. You will want to make an appointment now to have your system inspected and confirm everything is in working order for the cold months ahead. Also, if you haven't already, now is the time to change out your furnace filter.

Put away outdoor tools and gear
We likely have a few more weeks where your yard equipment (like lawn mowers) will come in handy, but you can take the necessary steps to store everything else. Clean garden tools to prevent rust, flush out the garden hose and turn off outdoor water, and clear a place either in your garage or another storage unit to store your patio furniture.

Whether you're ready to start fresh and sell your home on Chicago's North Shore or are a first-time buyer looking to find your dream home, you can count on me as your real estate expert to make your experience as seamless as possible.

Give me a call today for more information about the local real estate market and your next steps to achieve your buyer or seller goals this year!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert


North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
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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. 

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

5 Questions First-Time Buyers on Chicago's North Shore Should Ask Themselves

Buying a home for the first time on Chicago's North Shore is exciting, especially knowing you could be saving money when you're no longer renting. But before you jump into the local real estate market, there are a few questions you will need to ask yourself to be sure this is the right time for you to purchase a home in Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook and the surrounding areas.

Did I just change jobs?
If you've just experienced a job change, it could take longer to be approved for a mortgage through your local lender. Lenders typically like to see a solid employment history of at least two years and will want to see your tax returns and pay stubs as proof of income. But don't worry if you don't meet this requirement, it is not exactly a deal breaker! There are still ways to go about applying for a mortgage during a job transition, just speak to your lender.

Do I have a down payment?
Buying a home on Chicago's North Shore commonly entails putting 20 percent down. However, if you do not have this down payment ready and waiting, you can opt for a lower percentage. A lower down payment will require private mortgage insurance which will add to your overall monthly payment, but allows you to get around the standard 20 percent.

Am I ready for maintenance?
If you're purchase a single family home on the North Shore, maintenance will fall into your hands. Ask yourself if you're ready to take on yard upkeep and repairs like cleaning gutters or fixing leaky faucets. These often come with their own set of costs, so be prepared!

Am I familiar with closing costs?
Did you know most first-time buyers are not aware of closing costs? These include title, insurance, mortgage processing fees, and the like. Ask your lender what closing costs will run with your particular loan product to get an idea of how much you will be expected to pay at the closing table.

Is buying a better option than renting?
In today's market, buying a home is indeed a better investment than renting simply due to rising costs alone. But you will want to run the number to make sure your purchase will make sense in your overall payment. You can use a mortgage calculator to enter in expenses and come up with the number you could be paying each month. Doing the math is always wise before buying!

As your real estate agent on the North Shore, you can count on me to help you prepare to make a home purchase. Give me a call today for a list of available properties in Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook 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
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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. 

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Getting Ready for Your Home Appraisal in Glencoe, Winnetka, and Northbrook IL

When it comes to selling your home on Chicago's North Shore, one of the first things to pop into your head will be the listing price. How much can you sell the property for? Many factors go into determining this key number, but the appraisal is what can really make or break the home sale. As your North Shore real estate expert, I've listed four ways to prepare for your appraisal so you can showcase your home in its best light.

Below are four ways to get ready for your home appraisal in Glencoe, Winnetka, Northbrook, Deerfield, Highland Park and beyond:

1. Check off maintenance tasks
If your home still has a long list of repairs to make, you will want to complete them before the appraisal. Even tasks like cleaning out the gutters should be marked off your list before the appraiser arrives. Remember these may not always add value to the home, but will help to show your home at its best.

2. Remove clutter and clean
Just as you would before a potential buyer arrives to tour your home, the property should be free of clutter and cleaned thoroughly before an appraisal. The appraiser's opinion of your home is what could make or break the sale—if the appraised value is too far off from the listing price your deal could fall through—so be sure to make a good impression.

3. Put on your buyer hat
Before you decide that all is said and done with your North Shore home, put on your buyer hat and take a walk around the property. Use your critical eye to notice things like leaky faucets, a toilet that constantly runs, or nails that have poked through or left marks on the walls. It's best to make a list of all of these items that could leave a negative impression on the appraiser and then start to tackle them one by one.

4. Work with your agent
Your real estate agent on Chicago's North Shore is a wealth of resources, so don't be afraid to talk to them! What your home appraises for is somewhat impacted by what other homes in the area have sold for in the past few months and your agent can provide you with those statistics. Your agent can often pull a list of comparable properties to give to the appraiser.

Do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions you have about selling your home in Glencoe, Winnetka, Northbrook, Deerfield, Highland Park and beyond— now is a great time to list your property and move on to your next dream home!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert


North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
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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. 

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

How to Pay Off Your North Shore Mortgage Early

Becoming a homeowner on Chicago's North Shore is exciting, but the thought of paying on your mortgage for the next 30 years may be anything but that. Not to mention, there are many other expenses associated with your home purchase— the inspection, the down payment, the closing costs.

North Shore homeowners can easily feel overwhelmed, but as your local real estate expert, I am happy to provide a few ways to keep those expenses down and pay off your mortgage early!

Below are three ways you can pay down your mortgage in less time, tackling all of the interest you're paying on the loan each month!

Make an extra payment
One of the simplest ways to start paying down your mortgage is to make one extra payment each month. Most lenders today do not have pre-payment penalties and just by making one full additional payment during the year could take about four years off of your loan.

Add onto your payment
If you cannot swing making a complete extra payment during the year, you can begin to add extra to your mortgage payment each month. Even adding as little as $100 onto your payment, applied to your principal, over the life of the loan, you could take five years off and pay tens of thousands less in interest!

Refinance into a shorter term
Refinancing your mortgage from a standard 30-year loan to a 15 or even 10-year term could save you thousands in interest, especially if you locked in a rate when they were much higher. Just keep in mind that these shorter term loans—although packaged with a lower interest rate—do typically require North Shore homeowners to have at least 20 percent in equity in order to avoid private mortgage insurance.

It's also important to note that you will need to pay one-time closing costs again to refinance, and what's more, your payment each month will likely be much higher than you're used to. Why? Because you're spreading out your loan amount over a significantly smaller amount of time. If you don't plan to stay in your home long-term, a refinance may not always be the best option for you, so it's key to talk to your lender in Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Deerfield, or Northbrook.

Feel free to contact me with any questions you have about buying a home in Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook and beyond this year or for a list of available homes in the area.

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.