The housing market has proven its resilience over the years. A decade ago it had hit rock bottom with prices falling to historical lows. This housing crash is now a distant memory as prices have steadily increased over the last five years.

With a strengthening economy, rising employment figures and low interest rates buyers are flooding the market that has too few homes to sell. This low inventory has many causes and includes: homeowners who prefer to renovate rather than move, baby boomers who have decided not to downgrade, decreased development of new homes, distressed properties converted by investors into rentals and millennial buyers purchasing their first homes.

There are sellers who are been driven to sell by the tax changes which will be implemented in the 2018 tax year. They are trying to stay within the deductible tax limit on their mortgage interest and in areas with lower property taxes.

If you are looking for a quick sale in this seller’s market, then keep the following in mind:

• Spring and early summer is an optimal time to sell
• Consult with your agent to ensure that you price your home correctly; an overpriced home can stagnate on the market
• A CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) is the best way to find the true worth of your home and how to best market it
• Even though there is a demand for homes remain practical about what your home will sell for, according to your area
• Tackle any touch ups and make sure that your home is tidy
• Stage your home to make it appealing to prospective buyers

I offer thorough valuation estimates, strong marketing strategies, and a keen eye for our Chicagoland home selling climate. Think of me as your trusted REALTOR® for your next home sale.ecade ago it had hit rock bottom with prices falling to historical lows. This housing crash is now a distant memory as prices have steadily increased over the last five years.

Let’s take a look at the recent home sales activity in South Holland, IL. I have served the home buyers and seller of this great area for many years. I know the neighborhood and their amenities well.

This interactive chart reports the average sales price of pre-owned, 2+ bedroom, detached, single-family homes in South Holland, IL. Curious about other homes sale statistics? Just let me know!

I know the local markets I serve, having lived and worked in them for a num­ber of years. Prices can change due to local, regional, national and international economic conditions, net migration to the city, political sentiment and of course inventory levels determined by supply and demand.

 You deserve a real estate professional like myself to give you a comprehensive look at properties that have sold in your neighborhood in the recent past. This is critical!

 Let’s talk soon about your home buying or selling needs, (708) 774-9087.

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

Selling and home can tend to be stressful. However, having all of your ducks in a row and following these essentials steps will have you on your way to a more seamless home selling experience.

1. Find the right Real Estate Agent: A Real Estate Agent will allow you to have instant access to an ample amount of potential buyers, so working with an Agent is key. Going at it alone will only come with making mistakes and will take up a lot of time and energy. Paperwork, pricing and preparing your home for the sale are vital components of selling your home. An experienced agent will proactively take the wheel for you on expediting these tasks with efficiency. I am the experienced agent you need!
2. Price your home accordingly: Check out comps in your area, and ask your Agent for listing price suggestions. Your agent will best advise you on negotiating the listing price.
3. Sell at the right time: Typically Spring and Summer are known to be the best times to sell your home. But keep in mind that buyers can afford to be picky, because during this time there is increased inventory on the market. So having your home in tip top shape is key. Which leads me to the next nugget.
4. Make small upgrades: You don’t necessarily need to go overboard with a total major renovation (of course unless you absolutely choose to). Chances are you may not get all of your money back. Focusing on small upgrades, particularly in the kitchen and bathroom, where your more likely to see a return on your investment is more important. Simply replacing outdated kitchen appliances, and updating cabinet hardware, if needed, can make a world of a difference in the ambiance.
5. Light it up: Fresh paint where it’s need throughout your home will make it appear more fresh and inviting. Lighting is also good in brightening up the home so it feels more cozy and vibrant. So open up the curtains and blinds, and be sure that it’s nice and bright throughout while the home is showing.
6. Curb Appeal: The exterior is the first thing that buyers see, and generally is the first impression of your home. Having the yard in great shape is essential. Even the small details like the doorbell and brass on the door matter. Spruce them up and make them appear to be inviting. Flowers, particularly in the entry way add a hint of color in making your home feel more welcoming.
7. Declutter: This is a huge factor in the overall presence of the home. Be sure buyers can walk freely throughout your home without encountering any belongings that may be just laying around.
8. Have your Home Inspected: To avoid any unforeseen issues with the home, be sure to get a thorough inspection. You will be glad you did, especially if you have an immediate buyer who is ready to move forward.

Addressing these keys points will help you make the most of your home sale. Hit the ground running. Let me be there from the planning stages through to the closing table, and beyond. I work hard for my sellers.

Baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, form nearly a quarter of our population. They may be getting older but are still very active, making a huge impact on the U.S. economy. They work far longer than previous generations.

One of the areas of our economy on which their contribution is greatly felt is the housing industry. Baby boomers are not adhering to the traditional retirement patterns of their predecessors. They are divided into two groups when it comes to their housing needs, either wanting more space, or looking to downsize. Many want to renovate existing homes, but realize that the cost can be prohibitive.  They want a change of lifestyle. Both groups are discerning buyers and know exactly what their needs are.  Developers are meeting this challenge head on and are constructing the homes to suit this second largest group of house buyers.

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.

I am a boomer too; I have my finger on the pulse of our housing needs. I monitor new developments and trends in Chicagoland and offer the best possible real estate advice.

Speaking of new developments, there is a townhome development in the northwest suburb, Palatine. It’s called Newberry Lane and offers spacious units. I’d love to share more about this exciting opportunity with you, as well as answer any questions you may have about downsizing, or making a housing change.

Are you a boomer ready for a transition, or know one who is thinking about it? I would love to help you make the very best choices for this important life change. Let's talk soon.

You are more than likely familiar with sites like Zillow and REALTOR.com, which offer home search apps for your phone. They have their purpose for sure when you are searching for information 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 also provide weekly reports for certain areas that interest you via this awesome app. My reports 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!