5 Signs It's Time to Sell Your North Shore Home

Every North Shore homeowner's reason for selling their property will be different, but there are a few significant signs that will ultimately show you it's time to move on. Perhaps you've outgrown the space or your job is taking you to a different Chicago area community— regardless of the reasoning, you can count on me to help you through the process!

Below are five signs it's time to sell your Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, or Northbrook home and move on:

Your costs are too high
Not all homeowners on Chicago's North Shore are prepared for the costs that come with managing a property. If you find yourself in this position and need to reduce your monthly maintenance costs or mortgage payment, it is likely time to list your home and find a property better suited to your financial situation.

You've outgrown the home
If your family is growing (or for empty-nesters, the opposite), but your home is not, that is a great sign you're ready to sell and move on! Whether you're looking for a larger home or one with fewer bedrooms as your children fly the coop, you can count on me to provide a list of available properties that fit the bill.

The market is booming
Sellers still have an edge in today's real estate market, so why not take advantage? Especially if buyer demand continues to increase and you have built up equity in your property, chances are great that you will be able to find a buyer quickly and settle into your next dream home ASAP.

Your value is favorable
As I mentioned earlier, it may be time to move on if market conditions are favorable and you've built up equity in your home. You may even notice that your neighbor got a great price for their home and you'd like to sell and reap the same rewards!

You've been in the home five years
It is often recommended that homeowners stay in their property at least five years to allow themselves to build equity. After all, when you begin paying your mortgage, the first payments are almost always all interest. Unless you have an urgent need to move, consider staying put for five years and then make your decision.

Curious about your home value or have questions about getting the listing process started? Give me a call today! I'm happy to help just as I have with numerous other North Shore homeowners!

I look forward to hearing from you!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert

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5 Things in Your North Shore Home That Could Turn Buyers Away

As I explained in my last blog post, selling your North Shore home during the fall and winter months can be just as lucrative as selling during the spring and summer! But remember, that's only if your home is prepared for the market! There are many ways to spruce up your Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Northbrook, or Deerfield home before listing— including removing these common items that have been known to turn buyers away!

Below are five items to consider removing from your North Shore home before listing your property:

Collectibles
Whether you collect stamps or figurines, it may be best to keep them stored away while you're selling your home. Many collections on display in properties can read as clutter to buyers and turn them off of your home. Even if they're just dog accessories, it's best to keep them in storage during this time.

Odors
Food or pet-related odors are one of the quickest ways to send a buyer running out the door. Smells can be the breaking point for buyers, so it's best to be aware of what you're cooking before a showing or if there are any pet odors that need addressing before buyers arrive. It's also best to stay away from strong scented candles as not all buyers will love the same aromas you do.

Pet Damage
You love your pets, of course, but remember that not all buyers are pet people. If your floors are scratched from pet claws or there are stains on your carpet, consider having them re-finished or professionally cleaned or replaced prior to listing your property.

Personal Photos
Have you heard that de-personalizing a home can help it sell? It's true! Buyers want to envision themselves living in the home which can be hard to do when your wedding photos are on the wall. Try to store your personal photos prior to buyers arriving for a showing just to give you that edge over other sellers.

Bugs
Have you spotted ladybugs in the window sills of your North Shore home? Remove them! Bugs can be an easy turn-off for buyers who will get the feeling that the home is not well cared for or clean enough for them to move in.

Need more ideas on how to prepare your Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Northbrook, or Deerfield home for the market? Curious about your home value? Give me a call today! I'm happy to answer your questions!

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!

How to Sell Your North Shore Home During the Holidays

When the busy spring and summer months are over, many North Shore homeowners are left wondering if they can still sell their properties before the end of the year. While it may seem like the market slows down, the short answer is yes! Buyers today are constantly searching for properties on their smartphones, computers, and even have email alerts set up when a new North Shore property becomes available that meets their criteria.

Selling your Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Northbrook, or Deerfield home during the holiday season is still a great idea and as your local real estate expert, I'm sharing a few ways below to achieve that successful sale!

Keep holiday decor simple
Don't be tempted to install an inflatable snowman on your front lawn! It's best to keep holiday decor simple—staying away from large yard ornaments—outside in order to avoid distracting buyers from the property itself.

Highlight holiday features
Does your home have a great picture window? A cozy fireplace? An inviting dining room? These are all great features to play up during this time of year. Allow buyers to envision themselves entertaining in your home by staging it for the season. Position your Christmas tree in front of the window, light a fire when buyers arrive for a showing, and set the table to let buyers imagine hosting friends and family.

Groom online appeal
The first place buyers will look for homes this time of year is online. Be sure that your listing photos are clear and present your home in its best possible light. When you work with me, you can rest assured your property will have a great online presence and pique buyer interest from the very beginning!

Enhance curb appeal
Your home's exterior is often what will get buyers to the front door, so make sure it feels inviting! Clean your gutters, clear all pathways of debris, touch up the paint, tidy up your yard, and consider adding a wreath to the front door.

Get move-in ready
Since the holiday season can already be stressful, you don't want to make moving into your home another cause for buyer concern. Now is the time to fix any issues that you know exist in your property, especially HVAC as it is imperative that this system be in working order during the colder months! Buyer will be more willing to move into your home if they know they won't run into any problems after closing!

Ready to move into a new North Shore home before the new year? Give me a call today to get started on listing your current property and finding 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.

Winnetka Real Estate Market Stats for September 2018

City Active Listings: There are a total of 136 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,872,739 in Winnetka.

City Sold Listings: 17 properties closed last month in Winnetka with an average sales price of $1,575,676. The average time on market for these properties was 109 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!

Northbrook Real Estate Market Stats for September 2018

City Active Listings: There are a total of 358 properties actively on the market with the average price of $659,238 in Northbrook.

City Sold Listings: 59 properties closed last month in Northbrook with an average sales price of $521,166. 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 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!

Highland Park Real Estate Market Stats for September 2018

City Active Listings: There are a total of 345 properties actively on the market with the average price of $844,176 in Highland Park.

City Sold Listings: 32 properties closed last month in Highland Park with an average sales price of $591,679. The average time on market for these properties was 48 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!

Deerfield Real Estate Market Stats for September 2018

City Active Listings: There are a total of 179 properties actively on the market with the average price of $590,511 in Deerfield.

City Sold Listings: 21 properties closed last month in Deerfield with an average sales price of $426,543. The average time on market for these properties was 35 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!