Chicago's North Shore - North and Northwest Suburbs Real Estate Archive

If you are looking for a unique and fun event this Labor Day weekend then, look no further. The 64th Annual Deer Path Art League Art Fair on the Square is this Sunday, September 2nd through September 3rd. This free two-day fine art show is located in historic Lake Forest Market Square. Starting at 10 AM view colorful creations from over 180 exhibitors who work in mediums including ceramics, digital art, drawing/pastels, fiber, glass, graphics/printmaking, jewelry, metal, mixed media, painting, photography, sculpture & wood.

Visit the Deer Path Leagues’ official website for additional information. Bring the whole family and don’t miss your chance to view these one-of-a-kind art pieces.

Allyson Hoffman, ABR, ACRE, CDPE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR, SRES
RE/MAX Villager
Serving Chicago's North Shore, North and Northwest Suburbs
847-310-5300
[email protected]

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Allyson Hoffman is your ultimate real estate resource for Chicago's North Shore, North and Northwest Suburbs and surrounding areas. Visit my website for detailed information regarding today’s real estate markets.  

Photo by The Digital Marketing Collaboration on Unsplash

Open Concept Design and Dramatic High Ceilings Combine in this Easy Living Ground-Level Ranch Villa!

Ultra Convenient Location, Ultra Convenient Design in this Villas of South Commons Gem with Sunny South Exposure -- Live all on One Level or Nearly Double Your Space with the Massive Full Basement!

Don’t miss this stunning ground-level ranch villa with sunny south and east exposure, and an ultra-convenient location only two blocks to Deerfield’s bustling town center and Metra station!

Special features and highlights include: an airy great room with ten-foot ceilings, inviting mantled gas fireplace, sliders to the private patio surrounded by tall arbor vitae, a master bedroom suite with a large walk-in closet and private master bath with soaker tub/separate shower, lovely oak floors, contemporary-convenience kitchen with abundant counter/cabinet space opening to the adjacent living/dining area, a second family/guest bedroom, inviting den/office with double-door access from the great room and a huge full basement (over 1600 SF) with limitless potential to nearly double your finished living space – the possibilities suited to your family’s specific needs are endless. This is truly a rare and special opportunity with only nine units of this model in the entire neighborhood! Fulfill great expectations right here!

Also available for rent -- see full details.

To view the full description and collection of photos for this home please visit www.462southcommons.com!

If you’ve wondered why your neighbor’s home sold and yours hasn’t, there could be a variety of reasons.  Several of the most common roadblocks to selling success include these obstacles:

   - You overpriced your home at the outset.
   - Showing appointments were constrained by limiting restrictions.
   - Exposure was not maximized due to sub-par marketing.
   - Your home is unusual and/or unique.
   - Your home is not in good condition or “show ready”.

Wrong Price

Overpricing your home for the market often results in missing that vital first rush of buyers and also running the risk of your home becoming a stale listing due to prolonged market time. Even subsequent price reductions may not eliminate the impression that something is wrong with your home. Unfortunately, this problem frequently results in obtaining a lower price than if your home were priced correctly in the first place.

The most reliable way to avoid this mistake is to consult your real estate agent, and to approach the pricing of your home realistically.

Showing Infrequently

As inconvenient as showings may be, buyer viewings are critical to a successful sale.  For your home to sell quickly, be flexible when viewing appointments are requested. For buyers to be comfortable during a visit, it is preferred that buyers and their agents are free to visit without the constraint of the seller hovering over them.  So if you can leave or be scarce when showings occur, that is the best choice.

Poor Marketing

The days of simply sticking a sign in the front yard and praying are long over.  To reach the largest number of potential buyers in the shortest period of time, your home needs the massive exposure generated by a skilled and broad-based marketing effort.  This means extensive Internet exposure, high quality professional photographs and/or video, quality marketing materials and flyers, detailed Multiple Listing Service information and information distributed across multiple, far-reaching websites.

An Unusual Home

Unusual or unique homes pose special marketing challenges due to their potentially more limited appeal to the overall marketplace. This can slow the selling process, but with extra marketing creativity, finding the right buyer for your home can be achieved – there is a buyer for just about every home.

Your Home Needs Maintenance

Potential buyers want the best for their real estate dollar and because of today’s emphasis on photos and videos, looking good at the outset may mean the difference between buyers taking an immediate pass as opposed to choosing to visit.  If your yard is overgrown, your home suffers from deferred maintenance or the interior is in disarray and not shiningly clean, your home may be immediately disqualified from consideration.  Hiring professional cleaners to deep clean your house or a quality landscaping company to boost your curb appeal may be well worth the added expense and provide the critical difference in your home selling or languishing on the market.

Almost any home seller will face obstacles in the selling process. But minor problems shouldn’t interfere with achieving your goal. For additional suggestions and a personalized plan for preparing your home for success, feel free to contact me today for a consultation. I will be happy to provide the help needed to obtain best possible price for your home, and/or assist you in determining your home’s value.

Allyson Hoffman, ABR, ACRE, CDPE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR, SRES
RE/MAX Villager
Serving Chicago's North Shore, North and Northwest Suburbs
847-310-5300
[email protected]

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Allyson Hoffman is your ultimate real estate resource for Chicago's North Shore, North and Northwest Suburbs and surrounding areas. Visit my website for detailed information regarding today’s real estate markets.   

Image courtesy of Pat (Cletch) Williams/Flickr.com

August 25^th and 26^th Amdur Productions presents the Port Clinton Art Festival. Beginning at 10 AM take part in one of the country’s top art festivals and celebrate artwork from more than 300 of the world’s most talented artists.  Throughout the weekend festival-goers will have the opportunity to enjoy art activities geared towards kids, interactive art demos and, original artwork by master artists from around the world.

In addition to the wonderful works of art Taste of Highland Park will feature many Highland Park restaurants serving your favorite cuisine. Stop by the ArtZipper.com booth and get your chance to pose inside your favorite artworks or test your photography skills and enter the Landmark photography contest.

For more information visit Amdur Productions official event website. Don’t miss this one-of-kind event where fun is sure to be had by all.

Allyson Hoffman, ABR, ACRE, CDPE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR, SRES
RE/MAX Villager
Serving Chicago's North Shore, North and Northwest Suburbs
847-310-5300
[email protected]

Get your latest Home Value
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Allyson Hoffman is your ultimate real estate resource for Chicago's North Shore, North and Northwest Suburbs and surrounding areas. Visit my website for detailed information regarding today’s real estate markets.  

Photo by Chris Lawton on Unsplash

The July 2018 Midwest Real Estate Market Reports are now ready for your review. These market reports provide an insight on the real estate market statistics for Cook County and Lake County. These statistics are helpful when you are considering buying or selling in today’s real estate market.  And, remember should you need tailored reports on a subdivision or neighborhood in the North Shore, North, and Northwest Suburban Chicago, Illinois area, please let me know.

Allyson Hoffman, ABR, ACRE, CDPE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR, SRES
RE/MAX Villager 
Serving Chicago's North Shore, North and Northwest Suburbs
847-310-5300
[email protected]

Get your latest Home Value
Receive Your Personalized Listing Alerts

Let’s Connect, Socially!

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Allyson Hoffman is your ultimate real estate resource for Chicago's North Shore, North and Northwest Suburbs and surrounding areas. Visit my website for detailed information regarding today’s real estate markets.

It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s the Chicago Air and Water Show! This Saturday and Sunday, August 18th and 19th enjoy admission to the largest FREE show of its kind in the United States! Presented by Shell and the City of Chicago, the Air and Water Show celebrates 60 years of daredevil thrills in the air and on the water at North Avenue Beach and along Chicago’s magnificent lakefront on Lake Michigan. Some of this year’s headliners include the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights, and the U.S. Navy Parachute Team Leap Frogs. The show will take place from 10 AM to 3 PM at the North Avenue Beach.

Visit the City of Chicago’s official website for additional information. Don’t miss this one you are bound to have a soaring good time!

Allyson Hoffman, ABR, ACRE, CDPE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR, SRES
RE/MAX Villager
Serving Chicago's North Shore, North and Northwest Suburbs
847-310-5300
[email protected]

Get your latest Home Value
Receive Your Personalized Listing Alerts

Let’s Connect, Socially!

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Allyson Hoffman is your ultimate real estate resource for Chicago's North Shore, North and Northwest Suburbs and surrounding areas. Visit my website for detailed information regarding today’s real estate markets.  

Photo by Lacie Slezak on Unsplash

You're ready to buy a home, but do you really know how much you can afford? 

Before you set out on your new home search, it is important to know how much you your budget will bear.  This is referred to as being pre-qualified for a mortgage and can be accomplished by meeting with a prospective lender.  During the pre-qualification process you should learn the following regarding your finances such as:

      - How much home you can afford

     - The amount of down payment you will need

     - The minimum down payment and the advantages of higher down payments

     - What the bank feels you can afford for a monthly payment 

Determining this information ahead of time will also assist your real estate agent in finding the right properties for you your budget limits.

The next recommended step is to be pre-approved.  This step is more involved.  Your lender will need to review your finances in greater detail, including running your credit profile, to determine how much money they can tentatively agree to lend you for your home purchase. Your lender will review the following:

     - Gross Monthly Income

     - Credit History

     - Amount of any/all outstanding debts

     - Source and amount of money available for down payment and closing costs

     - Type of Mortgage

     - Interest Rates, etc.

Analysis of this information will allow the lender to determine two important ratios:

     - Debt-to-Income Ratio
       Your bills/debt each month should not exceed 36 percent of your gross monthly income

     - Housing Expense Ratio
       Your monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 28 to 33 percent of your gross monthly income

Though there may be some flexibility in these ratios (depending upon the lender and the type of loan program you prefer), submitting your information to your lender’s automated underwriting program for approval should provide you a greater sense of confidence in your ability to secure the financing you’ll need to reach your objective.   With a strong pre-approval in hand your offers to sellers should be better received and more likely to be seriously considered.  

For more information on the home buying process, please feel free to contact me for additional information or assistance. And for recommendations to top notch lending professionals or to discuss the buying or selling of homes in Chicago’s North Shore, North and Northwest suburbs, feel free to contact me today.  I will be happy to answer any questions you may have, help you to find a new home or determine the value of your existing property.

Allyson Hoffman, ABR, ACRE, CDPE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR, SRES
RE/MAX Villager
Serving Chicago's North Shore, North and Northwest Suburbs
847-310-5300
[email protected]

Get your latest Home Value
Receive Your Personalized Listing Alerts

Let’s Connect, Socially!

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Allyson Hoffman is your ultimate real estate resource for Chicago's North Shore, North and Northwest Suburbs and surrounding areas. Visit my website for detailed information regarding today’s real estate markets.

Photo Courtesy of InspiredImages/Pixabay.com

The Chicago Botanic Garden brings you the Kite Festival! This Saturday and Sunday, August 11th and 12th enjoy a fun-filled day of kite flying, ice cream treats, and professional kite flying demonstrations. Beginning at 10 AM, walk or take the free tram to the meadow west of Evening Island, and watch as the Chicago Fire Kite team performs stunt-kite routines set to music.

In addition to viewing the professionals, feel free to bring your own kite to participate in public fly time, or make a kite to fly at the kite-making workshop. Admission is FREE while regular parking fees apply.

Visit the Chicago Botanic Garden’s official website for additional information. Bring sure to invite the whole family and get ready for some high-flying fun!

Allyson Hoffman, ABR, ACRE, CDPE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR, SRES
RE/MAX Villager
Serving Chicago's North Shore, North and Northwest Suburbs
847-310-5300
[email protected]

Get your latest Home Value
Receive Your Personalized Listing Alerts

Let’s Connect, Socially!

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Allyson Hoffman is your ultimate real estate resource for Chicago's North Shore, North and Northwest Suburbs and surrounding areas. Visit my website for detailed information regarding today’s real estate markets.  

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

For most homebuyers, the last step prior to sitting down at the closing table is the final pre-closing walkthrough inspection. This visit affords you the last chance to view the home prior to it officially becoming your new home and is the time to make sure that everything is as expected.

Typically, the final walkthrough should preferably be scheduled within 24 hours of closing.  If major repairs are anticipated, some experts advise scheduling two walkthrough visits. The first, ideally about a week prior to closing, should establish that required repairs are completed or nearing completion.  The second, within 24 hours of closing, should ensure that the home is essentially in the same condition as when purchased and that all items to remain are both present and in good working order.

Things to Do on Your Final Walkthrough

- Bring your home inspection report, a copy of contract and seller’s disclosure form so you know what items were to be repaired and what items are to remain with the home.
- Check for all items (window treatments, appliances, pieces of furniture and fixtures) that should remain to make certain those are present in the home. If not, have your agent contact the seller’s agent immediately.
- Check that no unwanted items are left behind. It’s the sellers’ responsibility, not yours, to remove their unwanted belongings.
- Check all appliances to ensure they are in working order.
- Check the HVAC unit to make sure it is still heating and cooling properly (weather permitting).

What If You Find a Problem?

First, it is important to understand that contracts typically stipulate that a home be left  “broom” or “vacuum” clean … neat, but not immaculate. So, unless the house is very dirty, making a fuss over the cleanliness of a home is likely not worth the effort.

Second, minor imperfections like blown light bulbs or light damage/marks on the walls or doorframe are also probably are not worth a delay of closing.  In the long run, unless you are purchasing a new construction property, it’s generally cheaper and easier to just fix these minor problems yourself.

However, if you find a major issue such as a missing appliance, fixture etc., a leak or defect that will negatively affect the value of the home, have your real estate agent immediately contact the listing agent to begin the process of reaching an agreement that resolves the concern.  The sooner you make that call, the better.

In the end, what is important enough to delay a closing and what is not remains the choice of the buyer.  For recommendations regarding the final steps in closing a new home or to discuss the buying or selling steps for homes in Chicago’s North Shore, North and Northwest suburbs, feel free to contact me today.  I will be happy to answer any questions you may have, help you to find a new home or determine the value of your existing property.

Allyson Hoffman, ABR, ACRE, CDPE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR, SRES
RE/MAX Villager
Serving Chicago's North Shore, North and Northwest Suburbs
847-310-5300
[email protected]

Get your latest Home Value
Receive Your Personalized Listing Alerts

Let’s Connect, Socially!

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Allyson Hoffman is your ultimate real estate resource for Chicago's North Shore, North and Northwest Suburbs and surrounding areas. Visit my website for detailed information regarding today’s real estate markets.

Photo courtesy of Palo Dobrick at www.LakeCountyHomePhotos.com  

Investing in a well-landscaped yard for your North Shore suburbs Chicago home creates curb appeal and helps your property retain maximum value when you decide to sell.

A beautiful yard is a head-turner -- no doubt about it. The good news is that even if you can’t tell a tulip from a turnip at the garden center, you can still create eye-catching curb appeal by paying attention to the basics of good landscaping. Ignoring your yard, or doing something that’s out of character with the neighborhood, can jeopardize the value of your home. Poorly maintained landscaping can decrease your property’s worth by as much as 5 or 10% reduction.

Appraisers are quick to praise the allure of a well-tended lawn and good-looking landscaping when it comes time to sell your home, but most do not assign any specific increase in monetary value for upkeep.
 
Nonetheless, most professionals agree that curb appeal and a well-maintained appearance prevent your property from losing value and help to ensure that an initial exterior viewing will lead to an interior showing as opposed to a cursory drive by.  Here are some top suggestions from real estate agents, appraisers, and landscape designers to boost curb appeal and increase buyer interest and intrigue.

Green up the grass

If your house has a front yard, make sure it‘s neat and green. Bare spots, sprawling weeds, or an untrimmed and dried-out appearance discourage desirability.

Fertilizer for DIYers can be found at local Home Depots, garden centers or similar stores and when applied on a regular recommended schedule and watered, this easy maintenance should keep your yard looking green and beautiful.

For yards that look really scruffy, consider investing in some sod for an immediate improvement. According to the National Gardening Association, the average cost of sod is roughly 15 to 35 cents per sq. ft. If installed by a professional landscaper the labor will add 30% to 50% to the total cost of the project. 

Another alternative to consider is to plant low-maintenance turf grasses. Turf grasses are durable and drought-resistant. Expect to pay $18 to $30 for enough turf grass seed to plant about 1,000 sq. ft. of lawn area.

Add colorful planting beds

Flower beds add color and help brighten otherwise plain areas, such as along driveways and the edges of walkways. In general, annual flowers are a bit cheaper but must be replaced every year. Perennials cost a bit more but come back annually and usually get larger or spread with each growing season.

If you’re not sure what to plant, inquire at your local garden center. Often, they’ll have a display of bedding plants chosen for their adaptability to your area. Also, they‘ll be inexpensive because they’re in season. Pansies are good in the summer, and asters and mums in the fall add vibrant color.

Add landscape lighting

For homeowners who have made a sizeable investment in landscaping, it makes sense to think about adding another 10% to 15% to the bill for professional lighting. You can’t see landscaping after dark, and buyers are not always looking at houses on a Saturday afternoon.

The cost of a system runs from $200 for a DIY installation to more than $4,000 for a professional job. If you‘re doing it on your own, the key is to light what you want people to see, such as mature trees and flowering shrubs. 

Plant a tree

The value of mature trees is particularly difficult to determine. Mature trees contribute as much as 10% of a $100,000 property’s overall value. In addition, a properly placed shade tree can shave dollars from your annual energy bills. Expect to pay $50 to $100 for a young, 6- to 7-foot deciduous or fir tree.  Costs will vary based upon the height, trunk diameter and type of tree chosen.

To make your own initial assessment of the value of your property’s trees, visit the National Tree Benefit Calculator. For example, a mature oak tree with a diameter of 36 inches in the front yard of a house in Chicago’s North Shore, North or Northwest suburbs would add roughly $70 to the property value this year, according to the calculator.

For additional personalized suggestions regarding landscaping or lawn care improvements that should enhance the value of your property should you decide to sell and improve your curb appeal while garnering attentive interest from prospective buyers, feel free to contact me.  I will be happy to answer any questions you may have, help you to find a new home or determine the value of your existing property.

Allyson Hoffman, ABR, ACRE, CDPE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR, SRES
RE/MAX Villager
Serving Chicago's North Shore, North and Northwest Suburbs
847-310-5300
[email protected]

Get your latest Home Value
Receive Your Personalized Listing Alerts

Let’s Connect, Socially!

Facebook
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Allyson Hoffman is your ultimate real estate resource for Chicago's North Shore, North and Northwest Suburbs and surrounding areas. Visit my website for detailed information regarding today’s real estate markets