The Thomas Team Blog

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Beat the Heat and Attract Buyers with an Open House for your Chicago North Shore Home!

Summer on Chicago’s North Shore has been taken to a whole new level this month with the unusually high temperatures. While some of you may feel this is exactly how summers should be, there are those of you who are just looking for ways to keep cool! We hope that you’ve been taking the necessary precautions as you enjoy time outside in your North Shore community as there’s always something fun to do.

If you currently have your home on the Chicago North Shore Real Estate market; the heat may actually play into your favor! You may feel that summer activities and vacations have many buyers on hold as they take advantage of the summer months. However, with the excessive heat, Chicago North Shore buyers may be looking for opportunities to stay indoors and keep as cool as possible.

Hosting an open house for your North Shore home within the next few weeks may be just the thing that will attract buyers to enjoy time indoors! If you do plan on having your Chicago North Shore Real Estate agent set up an open house, there are a few key things you can do that will make your home even more appealing to potential buyers.

1. First Impressions- Believe it or not, a nice doormat or attractive porch can really set the tone for the entire open house. If there’s an old doormat, chipped paint or nothing special about the entrance to your home, buyers may feel that you don’t really care. A welcoming setting from the start will instantly let buyers know that your home is well-maintained and that each area of your home is cared for.

2. Get to the Heart- The best way to appeal to the buyers’ heart is through offering something special when they walk in the door. Whether you bake fresh cookies, or have cool lemonade for them on your counter, these added touches will set your home apart. Lighting a mildly scented candle and having your home cooled can be a welcome retreat from the heat and can make your home instantly feel comfortable to the North Shore buyer.

3. Make it Generic- It’s great to make your home personal; however your pictures, children’s art or your “to do” list on the refrigerator can be a large distraction to potential buyers. They need to be able to envision themselves in your home, so putting away those personal items will help buyers picture their life in your Chicago North Shore home.

4. Clear Counters- Look at your kitchen or bathroom counters from a outsiders viewpoint. Do you have too many appliances cluttering your kitchen counter? Clearing this space will make there appear to be more room for cooking or their own storage. If your bathroom counters are filled with perfumes, toothbrush holders, etc… take time to put them in cabinets or drawers so buyers can see the actual size of the space.

5. Set the Table- This may not seem necessary, but having your dining room table set with nice place settings add a touch of class and can help the Chicago North Shore buyer envision hosting their own dinner parties.

6. Don’t Stick Around- While it may be tempting to want to hear what the potential buyers have to say, it can be awkward when the seller is present. They will feel that they can’t openly express their thoughts to the agent and will not feel as comfortable when looking throughout the home. Even if you take a walk through the neighborhood, being away from the home during an open house can make all the difference.

These six practical tips can be just the thing that helps your North Shore home stand out from other homes currently on the Chicago North Shore Real Estate market. If you have been considering selling your Chicago North Shore home, but aren’t quite sure where to start; please let us know!

As a team of experienced Chicago North Shore Real Estate agents, we’ve helped many people sell their North Shore home in a timely and efficient manner. We would enjoy the opportunity to meet with you over an iced cold drink, or even ice cream, to discuss your home selling needs as well as walk with you throughout the entire home selling process.

Please feel free to contact us today to get started!

The Thomas Team
@ Properties

Chicago's #1 Real Estate Brokerage

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

How to Deal with a Low Ball Offer on Your Chicago North Shore Home

As Chicago North Shore Real Estate agents, we know that selling your North Shore home can seem like an overwhelming experience as we see the national housing market leaning more in the favor of buyers. Last week, we talked about some great tips for selling your North Shore home and some things you can do to make it stand out from other homes on the market.

So, what happens if you follow those tips and your home is in excellent condition and primed for sale, but you are not getting the offers you expected? It can be tough to know what to do in that situation and can be disheartening as you’ve put so much effort into your North Shore home. It can seem that you’re back at square one and are not making any progress as you deal with these low offers. We thought it would be helpful to tackle this topic of dealing with low-ball offers and give you some tips on how to turn it into a positive situation.

1. Consider the terms- Price is important for most North Shore buyers and sellers, but it’s not the only deal point. A low purchase offer might make sense if the contingencies are reasonable, the closing date meets your needs, and the buyer is pre-approved for a mortgage. Consider what terms you might change in a counteroffer to make the deal work.

2. Counter the purchase offer- Unless you’ve received multiple purchase offers on your Chicago North Shore home, the best response is to counter the low offer with a price and terms you’re willing to accept. Some buyers make a low offer because they think that’s customary, they’re afraid they’ll overpay or they want to test your limits.

A counteroffer signals that you’re willing to negotiate. One strategy for your counteroffer is to lower your price, but remove any concessions such as seller assistance with closing costs, or features such as kitchen appliances that you’d like to take with you.

3. Get the agents together- If the purchase offer is too low to counter, but you don’t have a better option, ask your Chicago North Shore Real Estate agent to call the buyer’s agent and try to narrow the price gap so that a counteroffer would make sense. Also, ask your agent whether the buyer (or buyer’s agent) has a reputation for lowball purchase offers. If that’s the case, you might feel more free to reject the offer.

4. Review your comps- Ask your Chicago North Shore Real Estate agent whether any homes that are comparable to yours (known as “comps”) have been sold or put on the market since your home was listed for sale. If those new comps are at lower prices, you might have to lower your price to match them if you want to sell.

5. Consider the buyer’s comps- Buyers sometimes attach comps to a low offer to try to convince the seller to accept a lower purchase offer. Take a look at those comps. Are the homes similar to yours? If so, your asking price might be unrealistic. If not, you might want to include in your counteroffer information about those homes and your own comps that your Chicago North Shore Real Estate agent provided for you when you first decided your asking price. If the buyers don’t include comps to justify their low purchase offer, have your real estate agent ask the buyers’ agent for those comps or their reasoning behind such a low offer.

6. Don’t signal desperation-Buyers are sensitive to signs that a seller may be receptive to a low purchase offer. If your home is vacant or your home’s listing describes you as a “motivated” seller, you’re signaling you’re open to a low offer. If you can remedy the situation, maybe by renting furniture or asking your Chicago North Shore Real Estate agent not to mention in your home listing that you’re motivated, the next purchase offer you get might be more to your liking.

Our team of experienced North Shore Real Estate agents understand all that goes into selling a home in today’s market. We know it can be challenging and that’s why we’d love to help you walk through this process! As always, our door is open to talk with you about the North Shore Real Estate market or any other questions you may have about buying or selling your Chicago North Shore home.

We look forward to hearing from you and helping you get your home sold!

The Thomas Team
@ Properties

Chicago's #1 Real Estate Brokerage

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

10 Tips for Selling Your Chicago North Shore Home!

Selling your Chicago North Shore home can seem like a daunting task as you hear stories about today’s real estate market. However, it’s not impossible! Whether you’re selling your home because of a job transfer or you’ve finally found your dream home in your favorite North Shore community; you’ll be encouraged to know that more people are entering the North Shore Real Estate market in hopes of buying a home.

While having an experienced North Shore Real Estate agent will make a large difference in the effectiveness of getting your home sold; there are also a few things that you can do to help the process! Getting your home ready to sell before putting your home on the market will result in greater interest and activity right from the start! Here are 10 tips that you’ll want to review and implement that will help sell your North Shore home.

1. Price it correctly- The single biggest thing you can do is to price your home correctly. Correct pricing is the number one thing that you can do, because if the price is not within reason of the other properties on the market then all the other items presented below are useless. You can spend all the money in the world on making your house look beautiful but if the price is not what the current buyers will pay then you are throwing money out the window.

2. Improve your landscaping- Curb appeal is crucial to a good first impression, so make sure your Chicago North Shore home’s lawn is immaculate. Selling your home in the summer is ideal as the warmer weather allows you to show off the highlights of your landscaping. Make sure to stay on top of mowing the lawn, pruning the bushes, weeding the garden and planting flowers. Allow your landscaping to enhance the “wow” factor of your home!

3. Make repairs- In a buyer’s market you want your home to be in the best condition possible. North Shore buyers are very savvy and know what to expect in a home. Take care of major defects like broken windows or a leaky roof as well as smaller repairs such as a loose hinges on a cabinet or a missing brick from your walkway. Knowing there are things that will need to be fixed when they move in can greatly discourage buyers. An unkept exterior will make buyers think you've slacked off on interior maintenance as well. Be sure to clean the gutters and pressure wash your home's siding. If you know of issues that may come up in a home inspection fix them prior to putting your home on the market it will save you time and money to address the issues now.

4. Make the front door inviting- A fresh coat of paint, especially in a color that contrasts with the home, will make the front door stand out. Replace faded house numbers so buyers can see them from the curb. For every 1 dollar you spend preparing your home to sell you should receive 3 dollars back. One of the single greatest return on investments we see for our clients is paint. If you spend $3000 on interior paint (depending on what you have to work with) you should get $9000 more back in the selling price (on average).

5. Buy a new welcome mat- Let buyers know they're invited into your home. This is a seemingly small thing to do, but an old, dirty welcome mat will make buyers wonder what else you’ve overlooked in your home. A fresh mat will show buyers that you pay attention to the smallest details in every aspect of your Chicago North Shore home.

6. Remove clutter and depersonalize- Buyers want to envision their belongings in your home. By removing personal photos and items; buyers will be less distracted. If your storage space is limited, perhaps renting a storage unit while your home is on the market is a smart choice. Extra furniture will only make your home appear smaller and more cluttered. Take the magnets off your refrigerator and organize books, make things look tidy, remember “less is better.”

7. Organize closets and drawers- Messy closets give the appearance that your home doesn't have enough storage space. Having built-in organizers in closets, and even the kitchen pantry, will give the impression that keeping things organized will be a breeze. Keep shoes off the floor in the closets when you do so the closets give the impression that they are larger.

8. Make every surface shine- From ceiling fans to floors and everything in between; clean your home until it shines. We recommend spending money on a professional cleaner, the return on investment for a clean looking and clean smelling house is priceless. This is another investment that clients make and the return is tremendous.

9. Take color down a notch- You might like your lime-green bedroom, but it may turn off buyers. Paint your walls a neutral color that will appeal to a wide range of buyers. Consult your local paint store for more details but it must be kept clean and simple. When you paint, the house feels fresh and new and buyers want to do as little as possible if it is the right house.

10. Scrutinize- Go outside and open your front door. Stand there. Do you want to go inside? Does the house welcome you? Take a few minutes to do the following: Linger in the doorway of every single room and imagine how your house will look to a buyer. Examine carefully how furniture is arranged and move pieces around until it makes sense. Make sure window coverings hang level. Tune in to the room's statement and its emotional pull. Does it have impact and is it aesthetically pleasing? Be the “buyer” of your own home.

We hope you are encouraged that there are some valuable steps you can take that will help boost the appeal of your North Shore home! Of course, if you have any questions about selling your North Shore home or are ready to begin the process; please let us know! Our team of experience North Shore Real Estate agents will help you each step of the way and ensure a smooth and efficient home sale!

Feel free to contact us today!

The Thomas Team
@ Properties

Chicago's #1 Real Estate Brokerage

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

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

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

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

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

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