This year’s Santy Party with my clients, friends, and family was a super good time. Santa, of course, was there for photos with the kids. We also had crafts, games and holiday snacks on hands. This has been a blessed year; I could not be more grateful! Serving the real estate needs of home buyers and seller in our Northwest Chicago suburbs brings me much joy. Thank you everyone!

This is annual event I sponsor, and we hope to see you again next year.

Future sellers always wonder about what they should do to their home to get it ready to put it on the market.

It depends on a number of variables. The biggest one is having the money to do the remodeling or just spruce your home up. Buyers want upgraded kitchens and baths along with paint and hardwood floors. Those improvements could cost thousands and can be impractical for sellers pushing to make a move.

My 38 years in the business has shown me that you can never go wrong with spending money in the following areas.

• A fresh paint job works wonders, be sure and make the right color choices.
• Wood lovers, don't get angry with me but what is hot now is the woodwork being painted in a high gloss white enamel, with grey tones on the walls, and a white ceiling. Buyers just love that look. It makes for a more expensive paint job but is well worth it in dollars returned… nearly 2:1 or more.
• Depending on the season, landscaping will make a huge difference, as curb appeal is critical. You don't want to turn them away before they ever get inside. Your return is huge when it comes to landscaping.
• Full kitchen remodels are cost prohibitive and you don't want to do them if you are leaving the home, so new stainless-steel appliances with painted cabinets and new hardware can go a long way to giving you a fresh new look in your kitchen.
• As far as baths go, a new toilet can be around $100 on sale. Painting vanities with a high gloss look can go a long way with a new mirror and light fixture. Now your baths look great too.

$5,000-10,000. or less in these areas can go a long way in getting you an additional $25,000 or more for your home. More importantly, you get your home sold. Cleaning and decluttering are free and can really improve your bottom line as well.

If you are thinking about making a move soon give me a call now so we can discuss the possibilities of improvements that can be tailor-made for you. If you are considering updates, start now and get your home ready for the spring 2018 market. Looking forward to consulting with you!

Typically, most buyers gear up for purchase in the Spring and Summer. Most sellers put their home for sale in the Spring and Summer to catch the most buyers because these buyers compete with one another with the same goal in mind, to ‘find their dream home’. Multiple offers and fierce competition drives the price up in the Spring, sometimes as much as 5% or more. That's a lot of money to be paying for timing.

That's why purchasing in the fall and winter, has its advantages. Homes usually are priced more competitively by sellers, because they want to get them sold by the end of the year. As a buyer, you can avoid stress and disappointment by staying away from multiple offers, which drive the prices up ridiculously.

Also, since there are less buyers out there, the sellers are pricing their homes more reasonably, and are usually more negotiable. This can result in a savings of 5-10%, depending on your price point. 

Put my 38 years of negotiating skills to work for you. The time to buy is NOW, so give me a call and we will find you a great home at a great price! I have 4 listings that are waiting for a buyer right now.

In our northwest suburbs of Chicago, you’ll find a wide range of inventory on the market when it comes to the age of a home. As a buyer, you may have a ‘wish list’ for amenities you desire for your next home. Think about adding ‘age’ to this list. Even though some of the advantages/disadvantages I cover below can be influenced through home improvement projects, many of they do still apply.  Here’s a breakdown.

Older Home Advantages

• they have proven that they can withstand climatic and other conditions
• older homes were built by craftsmen who often included beautiful hand finished details and interesting architectural features
• land was cheaper and homes were built on bigger plots allowing for spacious gardens and outbuildings
• these homes are in established neighborhoods where zoning changes are highly unlikely and are usually closer to downtown areas and other amenities
• gardens are established with plants and trees offering their beauty and shade

Older Home Disadvantages

• there will always be something to maintain and at some point the wiring and plumbing will need replacing
• the closets and bathrooms tend to be smaller and most have one garage only
• the kitchen, bathrooms and HVAC systems probably need updating
• prices of well situated older homes can be expensive because of their proximity to schools and public transport but are usually better priced

New Home Advantages

• little to no maintenance for quite a few years
• modern conveniences such as built in appliances, master and spacious bathrooms and networked wiring systems
• 10-year builders warranty on the structure and components on new construction
• energy efficient
• conforms to all the latest building codes
• prices are usually higher but can vary on availability of new homes in an area

 Disadvantages New Home

• tract homes are all similar and there is a lack of individuality
• gardens are still not well established
• they are usually built in newer areas that are further away from city downtown areas and commuting can entail rush-hour traffic

Let me help you make the best home purchase decisions possible! Contact me for friendly, experienced real estate guidance.

As a REALTOR® working with buyers in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, I believe staying abreast of loan programs available in my communities is critical to maintaining stand-out service.

As part of this effort, I recently attended a seminar on the latest down payment assistance programs for first-time homebuyer's, hosted by Guy Petropoulos with MSI Mortgage. 

You’ll be pleased to know that in most cases, this money does not have to be paid back as long as you live in the property for five years.

Here’s a quick video sharing how these programs can open the door to homeownership.

Download this informational flyer.

My clients have loved these programs.  It’s an awesome opportunity for first-time homebuyers.

Between Guy and I, you will be in great hands for your next home purchase. Contact me to learn more when you're ready to take advantage of this.