Home Searching? Make the Most of It!

Closing on the perfect fit in a home is a great experience. Before that happens though, you are likely to have at least a few weeks, and maybe even a couple months, searching for it. Let’s cover some important guidelines that will help you have the most productive and rewarding home search experience.

Decide on Your Needs and Wants

Take time to contemplate features you will be looking for in a home, which neighborhood you prefer and how much you are willing to spend. Ask yourself questions like “How long do I plan on living in this home?” and “How do my needs differ from my wants?”.

Determine Your Timetable

Keep in mind that you will have to leave your current property so try and coordinate your future move accordingly. Do you have a home to sell before you can move? When does your lease expire if leasing. Once you have a feel for your timetable, you can plot out a calendar of milestones that help you stay on track.

Have Your Finances Figured Out

Before beginning your house search it is important to first ensure that you have enough money for your down payment and closing costs and that you have been prequalified for a mortgage. This way, you will know which price range you should be looking in. Talking to a lender before you see your first home is a great idea.

Trust Yourself

Don’t confuse yourself with too many outside opinions. If you get a second opinion, make sure it is from someone who is knowledgeable, but remember that the final decision should be yours alone.

Work with Buyer’s Agent and REALTOR® (LIKE ME)

A Realtor® who specializes in buyer representation is the best person to assist you with your search. Unlike listing agents our duty is to you and not to the seller. We are commonly paid out of the selling-side commission payment, so you are not directly responsible for paying our commission.

I help my buyers with all of the planning above, and then some! Let’s talk soon.

Ask a boomer what they want in home now, and you are likely to hear things like single-story construction, good lighting, an outdoor space, home office and low-maintenance, as well as wide doorways and a layout that accommodates an aging lifestyle. A discerning, active and savvy group of buyers, developers are scrambling to design and construct homes to meet these needs.

An active group, Boomers are major contributors to our economy. Born in the two-decade period from 1946 to 1964, the leading edge of the boomers are approaching 70; the youngest are just beyond 50. This group has made, and continues to make, a huge impact on the U.S. economy, with housing being just one of the areas they contribute.

The fact that boomers work past the age of 65 often means that they are working from home and so expect their homes to have an office and need it to have more technical characteristics such as wireless home networks, remote lights etc.  In anticipation of future needs where they might be in a wheelchair they expect wider doors and hallways and single- story buildings with bigger bedrooms. They prefer low maintenance homes and flexible living spaces. This group also is working longer in life, and they like to be close to home if a second-career or part-time position is something they are considering.

My friends and I visit often about our plan for housing in the years to come. I make an extra effort to know the trends, what’s available locally in our Chicagoland suburbs to accommodate the housing needs of Boomers, and where new developments are popping up.  I pass this info along so I can be the best real estate advisor possible for my clients.

Speaking of new developments, there is a townhome development slated to break ground soon right here in nearby Palatine. It’s called Newberry Lane and will offer 16 spacious units. Ask me for details.

Are you a boomer ready to transition, or know one thinking about it? I would love to answer any questions you may have about down-sizing or making a housing change.

It’s my job to help you make the very best choices for this important life change. Let’s talk soon.

In real estate, it’s important to have a website that has a great home search and more. I am proud of my site. Here are many ways my website makes your home sale or purchase journey a little bit smoother!

Easy, Robust and Mobile Friendly Home Search

Start by entering a CITY or ZIPCODE ON ANY PAGE, then narrow your requirements for an interactive map of homes meeting your needs. Ask me for more info and save your searches.

Timely Listing Alerts for New Properties

Sign up for listing alerts by registering on my site and you’ll get an email as soon as new homes matching your needs come on the market.

Detailed Property Info with lots of Photos

Well-presented with lots of good-sized photos and home details, a map with directions, virtual tour and an easy way to request a showing or more info, my property pages also share community info like nearby restaurants, shopping and entertainment.

Community Info on the Areas I Serve

Not only can you see just the homes for sale in a particular area, I offer links to Village and other local resources.

Easy Way to Reach Me

I want to be at your fingertips when you have a question. I respond to inquiries and email ASAP!

A Great Home Search App for your Phone

A quick download, and you have a useful app called HomeSnap. It’s great for the after drive when home shopping.

Buyer and Seller Resources and Information

I have links and articles that inform and educate.

Free Neighborhood Sales Report

Easy and fast! Simply enter your address and email and get a REPORT in minutes.

Sign Up Form to Stay in Touch

Only when I have something valuable to share will you hear from me via email. Let’s connect!

Reviews and Testimonials

Hear what past clients have to say about working with me.

Blog Posts that Inform

Once a month I post on my BLOG.

Mortgage Calculator

See what your monthly payment will be and get an amortization breakdown.

Cook County Tax Appeal Resource

Check it out if you are unhappy with your assessment.

I also have Videos and Links to my Social Media Sites!

My website is a great tool, but nothing replaces a face-to-face talk! Contact me anytime for professional real estate guidance.

I know you are probably familiar with Zillow and REALTOR.com’s home search apps for your phone. They have their purpose for sure when you are searching for info on a home for sale.

I also want to share with you an exciting app called HomeSnap. Unlike Zillow and REALTOR.com, you can ‘snap’ a picture of a home you are driving by with your phone, whether for sale or not, and receive real-time data about it right then. 

It’s great for buyers and sellers. Buyers of course can get square footage, sales price if listed, and such. Sellers can use it to monitor the market BEFORE they sell, get a feel for what other homes are actively listed in their neighborhood, what’s selling and overall marketability of their home in comparison.

The best part! You and I can connect via the app. We can chat, message and share property info in a ‘snap’. If you find a home that’s not on the market but you are curious about it, simply take a pic and send it to me via the app. I provide weekly reports for certain areas that interest you. They include all active, pending and sold homes in an easy to digest format, all right on your phone!

It’s a breeze to get the app for you iPhone or android. Visit my HomeSnap Profile and simply download to get started. Trust me, you’ll want to see this app in action. 

Reach out anytime to talk about your home buying or selling needs!

With the onset of spring, our homes suddenly start to show the wear and tear that the long harsh winter has imparted on them. An inspection and some maintenance now will ensure that bigger problems are avoided in the future.

• It is always a good idea to start with the roof of our home. Replace any damaged shingles and check and repair the flashing around chimneys, skylights etc.
• Check windows, doors, railings and decks for signs of damage and repair now, before the rains start.
• Clean all windows and skylights and replace any broken window panes.
• Repair screens that have torn or replace them.
• Gutters and downspouts need to be cleaned and repaired if leaking; otherwise you might have interior damage.
• Service the air conditioning unit and clean all the filters. It will operate more efficiently.
• Check all plumbing under sinks and basins for leakage. The faucets and flappers in the toilet must also be inspected.
• Check the GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets of your home. These are found in the kitchen and bathroom and are designed to protect from electric shock.
• Make sure that the motor of your sump pump is working properly.
• A chimney needs to be cleaned out and inspected annually especially if it is used regularly.
• Change the batteries on your smoke detector and remember to do at least once a year.
• Start preparing your patio area. Give it a good dusting and take out the furniture if you have had it in storage.
• If your house is in need of a coat of paint, spring is always the best time for it.

I offer trusted guidance to home buyers and sellers in the Chicagoland area. It would be an honor to help you plan and prepare for your next move.