Author Archive
Why We Move
The top three reasons people move are: 1) better weather, which ranked highest for those of us who live in the Northeast or Midwest; 2) better job opportunities, especially for millennials; 3) and better proximity to family. Locally, young fami...
Flipping A House
There are still homes in poor condition on the market and there will always be a strong market for updated properties since most buyers today are not interested in a renovation project. Successful flippers have the process down to a science. Th...
Our Childhood Home
Some buyers go out of their way to find a special older home, like a Victorian or Craftsman or Bungalow design in a mature neighborhood. Mid-century homes, built between 1940 and 1960, are becoming popular with people looking to preserve detail...
When Does the Spring Market Start
Surprisingly, the spring market in the Chicagoland area often starts in January and February. We have early buyer activity and strong contracts in January, February, and March. While anxious buyers stay focused on purchasing a home through Nov...
Selling a Home in the Winter
There are several advantages to selling a home in the winter instead of waiting until spring. Most sellers believe March, April, and May are the best times to sell a home so there will be less competition selling in the winter. Contrary to popu...
Move-Up Buyer Challenge
The typical move-up buyers are couples in their 30’s to 40’s who need more space for their growing families. In our area, the common profile of a move-up home is a 2-story, 4-bedroom, 2 ½ bath with a basement and a 2-car garage priced betw...
Better, not Bigger, Remodeling
Good home remodeling is about function and design, not always about size. A smaller home may have a better style and function than a larger home, making the smaller home more comfortable to live in. A room addition may appear to solve a lack o...
Why does New Construction Cost More than Resale
If you live in an area that has limited land for new development, many builders have decided that it is better to sell fewer new homes at a higher price, than to build more homes at lower prices. The higher-end housing market is impacted less ...