Spring has sprung in Chicago’s Northwest Suburb home selling market. I just sold this home in Schaumburg, IL in 3 days! 

Here’s a quick video with more details.

Check out these LIVE STATS for 3+ bed townhome/condo sales in Schaumburg.

I can pull lots of great info like this and more for all areas, so get in touch about selling your home for top dollar and the best terms!

It’s important for you to stay ‘in the know’ about real estate market data as a buyer or a seller. As a REALTOR® serving the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, I take pride in monitoring the current interest rate, knowing the sales activity in my local market, and having a good understanding of the national trends. This allows me to pass all this vital information on to you, my clients, so together, we can make the very best real estate decisions for you and your families.

Watch this short video where I provide my perspective for home sales and more in 2017.

Call anytime you want to chat about your specific needs.  Here’s to a blessed and rewarding year to each of you.

As a real estate Broker serving the Northwest suburbs, I have assisted many individuals and families with their move to our exciting and vibrant Chicagoland. I’ve found that having an experienced pro that knows and loves the area takes away the stress and makes the moving process a pleasant and enlightening experience. You are sure to have questions about neighborhoods, schools, commute times, employment and more. Being able to turn to one person for answers is a big time-saver.

Let’s talk Chicago! The city of Chicago is the third largest in the U.S. and has the most central location in the country with a prime position on beautiful Lake Michigan. With a plethora of annual events, music venues, museums and public spaces, it’s easy to soak up these offerings. The metra rail service is a great way to visit the city, with the average travel time being roughly 75 minutes.

I specialize in serving the Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Palatine and nearby northwest suburbs. With 36 years spent showing and selling hundreds of homes… I know park districts, community highlights, sports programs and many little known facts that can help you make the best home choice for your family.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind if you are considering moving to our fine Chicago:

• When house hunting, remember that the further away from Lake Michigan the cheaper housing becomes.
• Once you have found the property you will be moving into, get the ball rolling by ensuring that you move your family and pets safely. Don’t forget to insure your move.
• Remember to change your address for all correspondence and schedule cancellation and connection of utilities on time so to avoid paying an extra billing cycle or not having utilities on arrival to your new home.
• Travelling by car into the city of Chicago can be stressful and expensive. As in many cities there are rush hours and tolls can be expensive. There is a special pass for frequent toll users offering discounts. See www.illinoistollway.com for information.
• The public transportation in the area covers the city along with its surrounding suburbs and offers bus and rail systems. One can purchase various passes which offer discounted prices. Visit www.transitchicago.com  for information or metrarail.com for maps and schedules.
• Looking for schools in your area is made easier with this comparison tool: http://nces.ed.gov/Globallocator/

I welcome the opportunity to introduce you to our Chicagoland and all it has to offer. Please reach out when you have questions, I respond promptly.

This interactive chart reports the average sales price of pre-owned, 3+ bedroom homes in Palatine and Arlington Heights.

• Palatine, IL - Appreciation for noted time frame is 2.5%
• Arlington Heights, IL - Appreciation for noted time frame is 1.0%

Since I joined HomeSmart 2.5 years ago, I have sold my listings for 99%(98.92% to be exact) of the asking price on average. Those are phenomenal results! That is approximately 3% better than average MLS agent statistics. I have been very successful at getting multiple offers for my clients. I do that by doing a very simple thing when an offer comes in. I call the last two or 3 showings as a courtesy to see if their clients are interested in making an offer since there is already one on the home. That gets them off the fence post very quickly with extremely strong offers.

Most agents are happy with the one offer and proceed to negotiate with the one offer. Why wouldn't they, usually the seller is happy as well. I work with the motto: "And then some." Calling those past showings is a little more work, but can result in quite a bit more money for my sellers. Things change and work out so much better when there are multiple offers for the seller. That's how I can get 99% of the asking price for my sellers.

That average for most agents is (an approximate and needs to be verified but it is usually) around 96% of the average. Those are subtle, but extremely important reasons why my clients benefit by having me represent them in the sale of their home. I know how to price the homes so they sell and I am able to negotiate much more strongly on their behalf as I counsel them on negotiation moves.

My 37 years of experience allow me to make the right calls on the negotiation. Go ask my sellers. Put Tom Mullen as "Your Hometown Advantage" to work for you!

* All data from MRED. Data deemed reliable but not guaranteed. InfoSparks © 2016 ShowingTime.

The Midwest is starting to cool off. Enjoy some time outdoors before the harsh weather sets in. If you are planning to put your house on the market, and even if you aren’t, now is the time to ensure that some important tasks are taken care of outside to prepare your lawn and landscape for the winter season.

Garden Plants: Watch trees and shrubs for any changes that might indicate disease. An arborist will give advice on correct treatments. Trim dead branches and remove dead leaves from the garden as they can impair new growth in Spring. Plant new plants or transplant older ones now.  Most garden centers have specials this time of the year but don’t be disheartened if the plants look a bit bedraggled. Their root systems are healthy and with the first sign of Spring you will be richly rewarded. Plant winter flowers for color. Move tender plants indoors and collect seeds for Spring. Mow grass for as long as it is still growing. Early frost is not dangerous but be careful because a freeze can kill most plants.

Exterior Walkways, Railings, Driveways and Stairs: Make sure these areas are free of debris to allow for easier snow removal and more solid footing. Don’t forget to stock up on rock salt.

Exterior Faucets: Store away hoses. Protect exterior valves to prevent freezing pipes.

Gutters: This is the time to clean all gutters and downspouts to prevent roof and siding damage.

Gaps, Cracks and Holes: Seal these to prevent water damage or small animals from entering. Weather strip doors and windows where necessary and check electrical outlets, attic access areas and window panes for insulation and other problems.

Equipment: Service winter equipment. Ensure garbage and recycling containers are clean. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors must be replaced and radon testing must be done if necessary.

Add Color: Add a splash of color around your front door, sidewalk, garage and back porch by using tall grasses, vibrant purple cabbages and other plants that survive the winter climate. A wreath adorned with ribbon on the front door is a great touch. If you can, put large planters with evergreens on each side of the door. Twigs, berries, winter greenery and décor that sparkles are nice as well, inside and out.

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home, please note my service is comprehensive and attentive. I’d love the opportunity to learn more about your needs, so reach out anytime.