Enjoy the 4th of July on Chicago's North Shore!

Chicago’s North Shore is bustling with activity as each North Shore city gears up for the upcoming 4th of July holiday!  For many, this celebration includes getting together with family and friends, grilling out, spending time outdoors and seeing fireworks.  This holiday also is a great way to get to know the community in which you live!  Neighbors have the chance to meet up at local events, and North Shore residents are able to take in more of what their city has to offer.  Whether you live in Evanston, Wilmette, Chicago, Highland Park, Glencoe, Skokie, or any of the other surrounding areas; we hope you get to take advantage of the special events that are taking place!

As North Shore Real Estate agents, we’re always looking for ways to help people who are new to the area, connect.  We understand that living in Chicago’s North Shore is much more than about having a fantastic home; it’s also about feeling a part of your surroundings and experiencing the North Shore lifestyle.  We enjoy helping people find a home and a strong sense of community!

If you’ve recently relocated to the area, are already a resident of the North Shore or are just visiting loved ones for the holiday weekend; we wanted to highlight a few of the fun events taking place in celebration of our freedom!  

Highland Park

www.pdhp.org/index.cfm/fa/events.event_detail

The celebration on Monday, July 4, begins with a parade at 10:00 am in downtown Highland Park. The Parade is followed by Fourth Fest at Sunset Woods Park, which includes a petting zoo, pony rides, food and music! Fireworks by the City of Highland Park are at dusk at Wolters Field and are a great ending to an exciting day.

Skokie

www.skokie.patch.com/announcements/celebrate-the-fourth

The Village of Skokie 2011 Independence Day festivities kick off on Monday, July 4 a noon with a parade on Oakton Street! The celebration continues into the evening with a concert and fireworks display at Niles West High School, with a “Picnic in the Park,” featuring food, drinks and music beginning at 6pm.  You won’t want to miss the spectacular 3-D Fireworks Fest beginning at dusk. Skokie’s traditional customized 3-D fireworks glasses will be distributed to the first 10,000 visitors, so get there early!

Winnetka
www.winpark.org/pdf/recreation/wpd_july4

The Fourth of July Parade starts at 10am on Monday at Elm and Glendale Streets. There will be a flag raising ceremony, children's flag parade and family activities at the Village Green starting at 11am. Fourth Fest begins at Duke Childs Field at 6:30pm.  Bring a lunch or buy food from the vendors. A concert will begin at 7pm and the fireworks spectacular show on the North Shore at 9:15pm makes for a fun-filled day!

Evanston

www.evanston4th.org

The 2011 Parade in Evanston, themed Sun and Fun in Evanston for Today's Youth, will start at 2 p.m. and wind from Central Park Avenue East on Central Street. There will be various activities, such as playground sports, throughout Evanston throughout the day that offer fun for the whole family. The Twilight Concert, featuring the Palatine Concert Band, will play from 7:30pm to 9:00pm and the Lakefront Fireworks, launched from Clark Street Beach, will start at 9:15pm!

We hope you enjoy celebrating the 4th of July with family and friends and can take part in one of these events in Chicago’s North Shore!  If you are new to the area, or are considering a move to a North Shore city; these events will be a great way for you to get  a feel for the North Shore environment and to get a taste of the community!  

If you have questions about living in Chicago’s North Shore, or are ready to begin your home search; please let us know.  With our teams’ experience in North Shore Real Estate, we can provide you with a holistic approach to our service and ensure that you not only find a great North Shore home in which to live, but a vibrant community and lifestyle as well.  

Please contact us today to get started!  Have a safe and happy 4th!

The Thomas Team
@ Properties

Chicago's #1 Real Estate Brokerage

Chicago & North Shore Real Estate

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Celebrate Art This Weekend in Chicago's North Shore!

As Chicago North Shore Real Estate agents we enjoy, not only helping people buy or sell a North Shore home, but helping them discover the North Shore lifestyle.  Living in Chicago’s North Shore means being surrounded by a wide variety of things to see and do.  Whether you venture into downtown Chicago for a night on the town, or want to take in the local park in your neighborhood; living in Chicago’s North Shore has much to offer.

An example of life in the North Shore is taking place this weekend with the 14th Annual Highland Park Festival of Fine Craft.  This free, two-day outdoor event runs Friday, June 25 through Saturday, June 26 and is open to everyone!  Come experience the craftsmanship and creativity of over 100 local artisans.  You’ll enjoy live entertainment, activities for children, high quality foods from local restaurants and a silent auction.  This anticipated event gives Highland Park residents the opportunity to meet local artists and buy directly from them, which is a great way to interact with the Highland Park community and give back to its committment to art.

The Highland Park Festival of Fine Craft benefits The Art Center of Highland Park.  This center is a non-profit school and gallery with a focus in providing the best in contemporary art and craft to Highland Park.  The Art Center is celebrated for advocating for local artists and building a community wide appreciation for the arts through educational programs and exhibits.  To learn more about The Art Center or the Highland Park Festival of Fine Craft; please visit The Art Center website.

It’s special events like this that take place throughout Chicago’s North Shore that builds a sense of community and an unparalleled quality of life.  If you’ve been considering buying a home in Highland Park or any of the surrounding cities such as Evanston, Winnetka, Kenilworth, Glencoe, Skokie, Glenview, Wilmette or even Chicago; please let us know!

We would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about the North Shore Real Estate market and even show you some of the homes that are currently available in Chicago’s North Shore.  Our goal is to help you find the home that fits your needs and lifestyle while being a trusted resource that can help you get comfortable with your new surroundings.  Please feel free to contact us today with your questions or to get started in your Chicago North Shore home search!

We hope to hear from you soon!

The Thomas Team
@ Properties

Chicago's #1 Real Estate Brokerage

Chicago & North Shore Real Estate

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Consider These 5 Tips Before Buying Your North Shore Home

We hope you’re all enjoying the early summer days here on Chicago’s North Shore!  It is a beautiful time of year to get out and take advantage of your North Shore neighborhoods local events, parks and outdoor activities.  For many, the warmer weather offers a great opportunity to do the house hunting they’ve been wanting to do this year.  An abundance of new homes on the North Shore Real Estate market and plenty of open houses provides you with a great chance to see what’s currently on the North Shore market.

If you are considering buying a North Shore home this year, you’ll want to be sure to take note of these five tips before beginning your home search.  While now is a great time to buy, the past few years have brought about some changes to the home buying process.  As Chicago North Shore Real Estate agents, it’s our goal to keep you updated and well informed on what buying in today’s market entails.  

1. Live Within Your Means- This is a lesson that our country seems to be learning collectively. We’ve seen the damage that can come from buying homes we can’t afford and digging ourselves further into debt.  Buying a North Shore home that fits your budget as it stands now will give the home a chance to appreciate. In the long run, your finances will be healthier and you’ll more than likely be able to afford your dream home next time around.

2. Think Long-Term- When buying a home in today’s market, you want to plan for the future. Consider your basic needs such as security, proximity to your job and other daily activities, the school system and room to grow if need be. You want to plan to be in a home for a minimum of three to five years.

3. Research and Take Advantage of Low Rates- Many lenders are encouraging buyers to lock in a long-term loan, such as a 30-year mortgage, to ensure taking full advantage of the historically low interest rates. An adjustable rate mortgage can work for some buyers, but you’ll want to discuss with your Chicago North Shore Real Estate agent about which option is best for you.

4. Be Prepared to Make an Offer- Before you even begin searching for your North Shore home, you’ll want to get pre-approved for a loan. This not only helps you determine your home buying budget, but will make the process run much more quickly once you’re ready to make an offer. This will also force you to get your credit in order and gives you the opportunity to correct any credit issues before entering the North Shore Real Estate market.

5. Find a Recommended Chicago North Shore Real Estate Agent- Having the right agent journey with you through the home buying process will make all the difference. Conduct research online or talk with family and friends to get their recommendations. Many North Shore Real Estate agents have testimonials on their websites that will give you a good indication of other buyer’s and seller’s experience with that agent. You’ll want to find an agent who has experience in the Chicago North Shore Real Estate market and with whom you feel you can work with for however long it takes for you to find your North Shore home.

We hope these home buying tips are helpful as you begin the house hunting process!  If  you have further questions or would like more information about current homes on the market, or about the North Shore Real Estate market in general; please feel free to contact us anytime!  Our goal is to make buying a North Shore home a relaxed and efficient process and would love to help you each step of the way!

The Thomas Team
@ Properties

Chicago's #1 Real Estate Brokerage

Chicago & North Shore Real Estate

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4 Tips for Securing your Dream Home on Chicago's North Shore

As many of you know, now is a great time to buy a home in Chicago’s North Shore!  Low mortgage rates and historically low home prices make it a great environment for those hoping to buy a North Shore home this year.  While the spring season tends to be the most active time for buyers and sellers in the North Shore, as North Shore Real Estate agents, we can attest that the market is still very lively with new homes coming on the market each week.

If you’ve been considering purchasing a home, you may still be a little leery of the competition and how that will translate into what type of home you’ll actually end up being able to buy.  We know that it’s disappointing to find your dream home in Chicago’s North Shore only to be outbid by another buyer.  Our goal as Chicago North Shore Real Estate agents is to not just help you find the home in the North Shore that fits your needs and lifestyle, but to make sure you get your ideal home! 

Here are four tips to avoid being outbid and to secure your new North Shore home.

1. Beat the Crowd- Make it clear to your agent that you want to be made aware of new North Shore homes as soon as they come on the market. This will help ensure that you are on top of the competition in seeing new homes and being able to make the first offer. You’ll also want to keep your offer deadline as tight as possible so the listing agent has less of a chance to entertain other offers. 

2. Do Your Homework- Many people are not able to pay all cash for a home. However, having a letter from your lender stating how much you’re qualified for will give you a boost! Be aware that the average down payment in today’s Chicago North Shore Real Estate market is 20%. This type of preparation will help set you a part from other bids.

3. Aim High- If you’re still worried about an all-cash offer taking precedence over your bid; make sure your bid is the highest. Sellers want to get the most they can from their home and will almost always take the higher bid over an all cash one. Your North Shore Real Estate agent should provide a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) of homes in the Chicago North Shore area. This will give you a good idea of what other homes like the one you’re bidding on are selling for and will help you come up with a reasonable offer. 

4. Relax- A demanding buyer can deter sellers. We know the strains the economy has put on home owners over the past few years and many sellers have their home on the market because they have no other option.   Be willing to work with the sellers’ time constraints on closing dates and don’t demand help with closing costs. Being sensitive to the sellers needs can be a great way to make the seller feel good about accepting your offer.  Of course your Chicago North Shore Real Estate agent will be able to help you determine when to push for your wants and when to back off for the seller.

If you have questions about the Chicago North Shore Real Estate market, or are ready to begin searching for homes in the North Shore; please let us know!  Our team of experienced Chicago North Shore Real Estate agents is here to help you throughout each step of the home buying process.  Feel free to contact us today to get started!

The Thomas Team
@ Properties

Chicago's #1 Real Estate Brokerage

Chicago & North Shore Real Estate

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Five Steps to Choosing the Perfect North Shore Neighborhood!

There are several beautiful neighborhoods in Chicago’s North Shore. Whether you prefer to be closer to the vibrant downtown or farther away in a quiet, family-friendly suburb, we have the resources, as North Shore real estate agents, to help you find the perfect neighborhood to fit your needs. Whether you prefer the urban-like setting of Evanston or the beachfront setting of Glencoe, our knowledge of Chicago’s neighborhoods is unmatched.

There are several factors that you should consider when choosing your North Shore neighborhood. From home pricing to the individual communities, every one of the North Shore suburbs has something unique to bring to the table. Before you go off and set your heart on just one of these many communities, take a second to consider these five things. We can almost guarantee that if you follow these five steps, you will find the perfect neighborhood in Chicago’s North Shore that will fit your needs.

• Profile your perfect neighborhood. Before you start your North Shore home search, you’re going to want to turn the magnifying glass back on yourself and know the answers to some of these questions. Do you have children? Do you want to have them, if you don’t have any? What kind of home do you want? What is the commute like from your job? Do you want to be in a historic neighborhood, or one that is more modern? What don’t you want in a neighborhood? Knowing the answers to these questions in advance will help you narrow the scope when you start searching the many communities in Chicago’s North Shore.

• Zero in on one area. Once you pick your dream North Shore neighborhood, you will want to figure out what part of that town you want to live in. Would you rather live in close proximity to the high school, or closer to the local country club? Taking the time to get to know the area you’d most be interested in living in can help your home search go much faster, and it will guarantee your happiness in the long run.

• Check out the numbers. Now that you have an area or specific city in mind, you can start learning more about the area. What are the schools like? How many parks are in the area? What is there to do around town? Any good restaurants? Believe it or not, looking at the local businesses in the area you’re interested in can give you a good idea of the overall flavor of the town. It’s a great way to see if you would “fit in” in that particular area.

• Start visiting the neighborhoods that seem like the best fit. You can do all the research in the world, but nothing will seem right until you see the area in person. Can you visualize yourself in that neighborhood, once you’re there? How are the local schools? What happens in that neighborhood during different times of the day? These are all factors to consider when you go visit the North Shore community you could potentially live in.

• Find the house you love, but can still afford. Now that you’ve chosen the neighborhood, it’s time to look at the specific streets you would want to live on, and which houses are on the market on that street. Chances are, if you love the neighborhood, you’ll find a house you’ll love too. Just know your affordability and start your search!

There you have it! This fool-proof guide to finding the perfect North Shore community for your next home will help your home search go much faster. As North Shore real estate agents, we take pride in the fact that we have helped many families find their dream home in one of the many communities Chicago has to offer. If you’re interested in buying a home on the North Shore this summer, don’t hesitate to contact us. We would be happy to help you find the perfect neighborhood for you and show you all of the best North Shore homes on the market.

We look forward to hearing from you!

The Thomas Team
@ Properties
Chicago's #1 Real Estate Brokerage

Chicago & North Shore Real Estate
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Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend in Chicago!

Did you know that, according top Priceline.com, Chicago is considered to be the most popular Memorial Day destination? With the weather getting warmer, the clean and beautiful city of Chicago, and the friendly suburbs in Chicago’s North Shore, it’s no wonder that many people from out of town want to head here for their holiday weekend this year!

As Chicago real estate agents, we love letting our community know about all the different ways they can enjoy the vibrant metropolis and downtown area as well as the surrounding North Shore suburbs. The festivities that take place around holidays such as memorial are a large part of what makes Chicago, Evanston, and the North Shore such a wonderful place to call home. Whether you prefer the hustle and bustle of Chicago’s downtown area or the quieter, friendly, and family-oriented North Shore suburbs, you will undoubtedly find something fun to do with the whole family over holiday weekends. Our goal, as North Shore real estate agents, is to help you find the community where you fit in best, and educate you on the best ways to enjoy it!

Chicago and the surrounding North Shore suburbs offer the best of both worlds for this year’s Memorial Day weekend! Whether you want to head into the city for a vibrant and busy atmosphere or stick around one of the quieter North Shore suburbs, there will be no shortage of things to do in the Chicago area this weekend. If you are searching for a way to enjoy Chicago this Memorial Day weekend, here are a few highlights of what’s happening all over the area:

Things to Do

Go to a Cubs Game
Wrigley Field
1060 W. Addison Street, Chicago, IL

Enjoy watching the Cubs play the Astros all weekend long at home! The fun-filled and friendly environment of Wrigleyville is the perfect setting for a family outing this Memorial Day weekend, and you are bound to find scores of restaurants surrounding the area for a post-game dinner. The historic Wrigley Field is also one of the great landmarks in Chicago to go visit, so enjoying a game in the stadium is the perfect way to see it!

Go to one of Chicago’s Many Lakefront Beaches
http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/resources/beaches/

The many beachfronts surrounding Lake Michigan officially open for business this weekend! One perfect way to enjoy the holiday weekend is to pack up the family and head on down to the beach for a few hours. The best part is, admission to many of the Chicago area’s lakefront beaches is free, and the facilities are open to the public all day long! Whether it’s hot enough to go swimming or you just want to have a picnic and enjoy the lake, this is the perfect way to enjoy Memorial Day with the family.


Catch Some Live Music at Viper Alley
275 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire, IL

If you’re interested in spending some time in Chicago’s northern suburbs, drive out to Lincolnshire and catch some live music and the newly-opened Viper Alley! Friday night, enjoy a band that will cover some of your favorite pop and rock hits and Saturday night, go see American English, a local Beatles cover band. If you’re looking for a night out away from the kids, this performance venue is the perfect place to sit back, relax, and enjoy some music.

If you’re not currently living in the area, but have been considering buying a North Shore home this summer, let us know! We would be happy to answer any questions you may have about the Chicago Real Estate Market and show you some of the homes available on the market! If you’re just visiting for the holiday weekend, we hope you enjoy! Feel free to contact us with any questions about Chicago real estate and community events.

The Thomas Team
@ Properties
Chicago's #1 Real Estate Brokerage

Chicago & North Shore Real Estate
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Make Your North Shore Home Irresistible to Buyers!

As North Shore real estate agents, we frequently get asked how people can make their home more interesting and hard-to-pass-up for buyers. Whether you’re selling a home in Highland Park, Evanston, Skokie, or even Chicago, there are definitely some common features that potential buyers want in a home.

Although the spring market is coming to a close, the summer months are another great time to put your North Shore home on the market. Between the nicer, warmer weather and the transition between school years, many families are looking to find their Evanston or Chicago home in the summer months. With the influx of buyers that will undoubtedly be interested in buying a home on Chicago’s North Shore, it’s important to make sure that your house stands out from the competition.

While putting your North Shore house on the market can be overwhelming, keep in mind that there are some sure-fire ways to give your home that irresistible appeal to potential buyers. You just have to be willing to put in a little work before selling.

Here are four suggestions that will make your Evanston home much more appealing to potential buyers, and they will definitely give you a leg-up on the competition.

1. Make your landscaping picture-perfect. It’s always important to make a good first impression, so having your home’s exterior just as gorgeous as the interior is important. Have a plan on what renovations you’d like to make to your home’s exterior, including paint touch-ups and landscaping. The prettier your house is on the outside, the more people will want to see it on the inside. North Shore real estate agents call this “curb appeal.”

Make sure people know where to go. Believe it or not, with all of the doors people have around their Chicago homes nowadays, it can be hard to figure out where the front door is. Create a “Welcome” sign during showings and make it clear where the buyers are supposed to go. Whether your repaint your door an inviting color, put out a visible welcome mat, or create a path directly to your home’s entrance, the key is to make the potential sellers feel welcome. Make the entrance to your home seem special, not just your average front stoop.

Pay attention to the little details. Believe it or not, buyers look for the little details when they’re looking at a home. In the overall scheme of things, it is the little things that make a house a home. Tidy up and clean your home before the showing, and make little touch-ups on any rooms or details that might need to be repainted. You want your home to look inviting, but you also want it to look as ready-to-live in as possible.

Stage your home perfectly. Believe it or not, a home looks more desirable when it is de-cluttered, depersonalized, and decorated like a model home. The reason for this is that if a buyer looks at a home and it is decorated in an incredibly personal and specific way, then they may not see themselves living there. The key is to make your home look as impersonal as possible, while still looking nice and desirable to live in. The more impersonal the decorating scheme, the more people will be able to see the potential of each space, and the more they can imagine putting their own lives into your home. A clean, but still nice, home-staging job will show the potential of every room and will still allow the buyer to implant themselves and their own belongings into your home.

If you need any assistance with getting your house ready to sell, or even just want some suggestions about how to best navigate the North Shore Real Estate market, don’t hesitate to ask us! We’d love to help you sell your Evanston, Chicago, and North Shore home as quickly as possible, with minimal stress. As Evanston and North Shore real estate agents, we have plenty of experience in helping many Chicago families sell their home!

We look forward to hearing from you!

The Thomas Team
@ Properties
Chicago's #1 Real Estate Brokerage

Chicago & North Shore Real Estate
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