Northbrook Real Estate Market Stats for July 2018

City Active Listings: There are a total of 370 properties actively on the market with the average price of $705,815 in Northbrook.

City Sold Listings: 90 properties closed last month in Northbrook with an average sales price of $560,117. 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 Northbrook market statistics! 

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert

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Winnetka Real Estate Market Stats for July 2018

City Active Listings: There are a total of 160 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,885,867 in Winnetka.

City Sold Listings: 31 properties closed last month in Winnetka with an average sales price of $931,647. The average time on market for these properties was 45 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
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North Shore Home Tasks to Check Off Your List Before Fall

Fall is nearly here! But before the leaves begin to drop from the trees and we finally turn down the AC, there are a few tasks to tackle around your Glencoe, Highland Park, Winnetka, Deerfield, and Northbrook area homes. From cleaning the gutters to turning off the water to the garden hose, I've compiled a list of fall home maintenance tasks to add to your to-do list.

Clean out the gutters
To make room for the leaves and debris that will fall into your North Shore yard this fall, it's important to clean out your gutters now. While you're on the roof, you can also check for any damaged shingles that may have occurred over the summer and take the necessary steps to repair them.

Turn off outdoor water
You probably have your garden hose hooked up and have used it all summer, but you'll want to turn off that outdoor water supply as the weather begins to get cooler. Of course we can have summer-like temperatures well into October here on Chicago's North Shore, so just keep an eye on the dropping temps to determine when to disable the outdoor plumbing.

Clean and store outdoor furniture
You likely won't be entertaining or lounging on your outdoor furniture during the autumn months, so now is the time to clean your outdoor chairs, tables, and other garden fixtures and put them into storage for the winter. At the very least, consider investing in a cover to shield your furniture from the elements over the next few months.

Inspect your furnace
When the temperatures drop, we'll reach for the thermostat, but make sure yours has been inspected by a professional and is in excellent working condition before you throw it into overdrive. Now is the perfect opportunity to make an appointment as HVAC experts' schedules will quickly fill up as we get closer to winter.

Organize a mudroom
If you don't have your entryway stocked with floor mats for dirty (and wet!) shoes, coat hooks, and an umbrella stand, take a weekend and organize accordingly. With wet weather and colder air comes the need for bulkier clothing and footwear, so you'll want to have a space to keep it stored and easily accessible.

Questions about buying or selling a home on Chicago's North Shore? Do not hesitate to contact me! I'm here to help with everything from finding your home value to starting a new home search!

Happy fall!

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. 

5 Real Estate Reality TV Myths— Debunked!

By now, you've likely seen a real estate reality TV show or two— you may even have a favorite that you watch constantly. But whether you've watched one episode or twelve, it's important to note that not everything you see on your screen is indeed reality. If you've found yourself wondering if these shows do indeed portray how the buying, selling, or renovation process goes, I've included a reality check for you below!

Myth: Buyers Only Choose from 3 Homes
In nearly every reality TV show based on homebuyers, there are typically three homes toured and then the buyer makes a decision. While there may be a small percentage of buyers that buy one of the first few homes they see, the National Association of Realtors says the average homebuyer tours at least 10 homes during their search.

Myth: The Show is in Real Time
It may seem unrealistic that the homebuyers can go through the entire buying process, from search to closing, within a 30-minute time slot and that's because, it is. Real estate reality shows often follow buyers who are farther along in the process and have already chosen a home to buy, in an attempt to speed up the process for viewers.

Myth: The Homes are Still For Sale
Maybe you've spotted a home on your favorite real estate show that fits the bill, but unfortunately many of the homes shown on TV have already been sold and are off the market. The properties are staged for TV for the "home search" phase.

Myth: Your Home Will Sell at the Open House
Many times homeowners on TV will hold an open house and then choose from the dozens of offers that result from the traffic. However, it's important to note that just as many homes sell from regular showings and your property may not hook a buyer from the first open house. This is just a small piece of the marketing puzzle of your property.

Myth: Removing a Wall is Easy
These days, every homeowner wants an "open concept" floor plan and thus, real estate reality shows often show demo teams knocking down walls to make it happen. In reality, removing walls may not always been in your budget or even possible for your specific home. If the wall is load-bearing, there is much more structural work that comes into play and that can be more costly than you think!

Give me a call today for more information about available properties on Chicago's North Shore or with any questions you have on buying or selling your home in Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, or Northbrook.

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. 

North Shore Yard Projects That Could Help Sell Your Winnetka or Glencoe Home

There is still plenty of summer weather left to enjoy and trust me, buyers are still out in droves searching for their dream homes! So does that mean all you need to do is stick a For Sale sign in the yard and sit back to wait? Absolutely not! There are a few projects that can help you increase your chances of landing a buyer and some of the most important are outdoors!

Below are five yard projects that could help you sell your home in Deerfield, Highland Park, Glencoe, Winnetka, Northbrook, and the surrounding areas:

Remove Debris and Overgrowth
There is nothing that can stop a North Shore homebuyer from coming to your door quicker than the appearance of an overgrown yard. Set aside a weekend to simply clear away debris like weeds, sticks and dead flowers, as well as give the lawn a good mowing.

Clean the Driveway
The elements can take a serious toll on your driveway and leave signs of dirt, grime, and even oil or grease from vehicles. Consider renting a power washer to clear away the stains from the driveway and pathways outside your home.

Remove Yard Clutter
Your home should present its best possible self when buyers arrive for a showing, so start by removing all clutter. This includes picking up kids toys from the yard, storing all lawn tools like rakes, hedge trimmers, and shovels, and even moving your vehicles to the garage. This helps your property to look as tidy as it possibly can.

Cater to the Buyer
If your home is in a great area, note that families may be looking to move in with their children and do your best to cater to them. Do you have a play set in the backyard? Now is the time to clean it up, so these family buyers can envision themselves living in your home.

Set the Scene
Buyers want to imagine entertaining their family and friends in the property and you can help them do so by setting the scene. Arrange your deck furniture in an inviting manner, complete with a clean grill, and maybe even a simple table setting with a candle and flower pot.

Ready to sell, but don't know if your home is ready? As your North Shore real estate expert, I will be your guide to prepping your home and seeing it through the sale! Give me a call today to get started on the selling process!

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. 

4 Reasons North Shore Lenders Will Reject Your Mortgage Application

When you've found your dream home on Chicago's North Shore, the next step is meeting with your local lender to submit a mortgage application. Pending you've already been pre-approved, this next milestone in the homebuying process should be smooth sailing, but there are a few factors that can send you right to the rejection pile.

Below are four reasons why a North Shore lender might reject your mortgage application this year:

You've changed jobs
Lenders like to see two solid years of consistent employment before they will agree to approve a mortgage loan. And while you may not always be in charge of a career move—for instance, if you are laid off—it is best to wait until after your closing to change if you can.

You don't have enough credit
You may think credit cards are a no-go when it's time to buy a home and you are right— somewhat. Your credit score and history are major factors lenders will observe in their decision process, but a lack of credit can be just as troubling as poor credit. If you have yet to build a credit history, it is fine to carry some debt via credit cards, as long as you pay it off on time.

You have poor credit
Lenders will look at your credit score to confirm you are capable of managing debt and paying on time. However, if your credit score is low, not only will you not qualify for favorable loan programs with reasonable rates, you could risk being rejected altogether. Take the time to look into your credit score and clean it up before applying for a loan, if possible.

You opened a new line of credit
Just as I mentioned above, it's important to have credit established, but you'll want to avoid opening anything new while you're in the process of buying a home. This is a red flag to lenders who will want to see that you are responsible with your debt management and opening a new line of credit will both ding your credit and suggest that you might be more of a spender.

Ready to begin searching for your dream home in Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glencoe, or Northbrook? Contact me 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. 

Common North Shore Homebuying Myths to Ignore

If you're on the fence about buying a home on Chicago's North Shore, you might be surprised to know that what's been holding you back is a complete myth! There are dozens of myths flying around the real estate market surrounding everything from necessary credit scores to the documents you need to qualify for a mortgage.

I'm debunking some of the most common North Shore homebuying myths below so you can buy a home with confidence this year!

Myth: You need a perfect credit score
Many would-be homebuyers are held back from the process simply because they don't think their credit score is high enough. According to real estate industry resource Keeping Current Matters, the average credit score of all approved loans in June 2018 was 726. Don't assume you won't be approved! Your first step should always be meeting with a lender to determine which home loan programs you qualify for on the North Shore.

Myth: You need 20 percent down
Another common myth in real estate is that you need 20 percent down to buy a home or the loan won't be approved. Think again! Many homebuyers today can purchase homes with as little as 3 percent down— even zero down depending on the type of loan! According to Keeping Current Matters, first-time homebuyers put down an average of 6 percent in June.

Myth: You should wait for interest rates to drop
By historical standards, today's interest rates are still incredibly low! Consider this— in the 1980's, interest rates were hovering around 12.7 percent; in the '90s, 8.12 percent! Locking in today's rate of 4.5 percent is still a smart decision if you're planning to buy a home!

Have more questions about buying a home in Northbrook, Highland Park, Glencoe, Deerfield, Winnetka or the surrounding areas? Give me a call today! As your local expert, I am happy to answer everything from first steps to financing to home closings!

Happy house hunting!

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.