Are you prepared for home ownership?

Reblogged from mortgagemaestro:

There is so much more to consider when buying a home besides finding a good lender and realtor.  Have you prepared yourself for what exactly home ownership will cost you, outside of your monthly mortgage payment?  For most first time homebuyers the thought of home ownership is so exciting and this energy and excitement can sometimes put a glaze over your eyes that prevents you from seeing the "big" picture of home ownership. 

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This is a well crafted breakdown of what may be needed as a first time home owner on Chicago's North Shore or anywhere. Gloria Matlin is among the highest performing Realtors on the North Shore of Chicago. Producing client centered results for well over 25 years; she prides herself on making real estate dreams come true.

Ready to Sell? Top 5 Spring Prep Tips Before Listing: North Shore Real Estate

Chicago North Shore real estate is well within the spring buying and selling season.  North Shore Realtors may often advise clients of five basic principles to get your home in top “list ready” condition. Buyers and sellers alike are out right now (on-line and in-person) perusing real estate options on places like Zillow and Trulia. Using these tips can promote a competitive standing in the market and make buyers appreciate the thoughtful preparation by doing the following:

1. Clean and Organize. Eliminate any clutter and pack up your least-used items, such as large pictures or photos, out-of-season clothes, non-used kitchen items, toys, and exercise equipment. Store items off-site or in boxes neatly arranged in the garage or even the basement. Clean the windows, carpets, walls, flooring, lighting fixtures, and baseboards to make the house sparkle. Having a garage sale may even be an option if time permits.

2. Go crazy on the curb appeal. Spring and summer mean getting out and enjoying the weather. It also means every detail of the outside of your home is far more noticeable.  Just put yourself in a potential buyers shoes and stand outside of your home. As you approach the front door, what is your impression of the property? Do the lawn and bushes look neatly displayed? Is the address clearly visible from where you are? Are pretty flowers or plants framing the entrances? Is the walkway free from debris and impediments?

3. Collect needed replacement estimates. Do you have big-ticket items that are worn out, out dated, or will need to be replaced soon, such your roof or carpeting? Get estimates on how much it would cost to replace those things, even if you don’t plan to do it yourself. The figures will help buyers determine if they can afford the home, and will be a helpful guide for both parties when negotiations begin.

4. Know where to find your warranties. Collect the warranties, guarantees, and user manuals for the furnace, washer and dryer, dishwasher, and any other appliances or equipment that will remain with the house after it’s sold.

 5. A pre-sale home inspection is Key. Be ahead of the game by arranging for a pre-sale home inspection. An inspector will be able to give you a good outline of the trouble areas that will stand out to potential buyers, and you’ll be able to make needed repairs before an open house begins. The inspection may also be an additional guide for contact negotiation.

The Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage office located at 640 Vernon Ave in Glencoe, Illinois-60022; is home  to Gloria Matlin and other top performing North Suburban Realtors. The office has been a high performing real estate resource for the North Shore area for well over 40 years.  Stop in today to discover how they can assist with home buying, home selling, home rentals, market action reports, or just to get info on Chicago’s North Shore communities and things to do/places to go!

Stunning Chicago North Shore Open Houses-Exquisite Glencoe Real Estate History

The North Suburban area became popular with the affluent wanting to escape urban life, beginning after the Great Chicago Fire, and grew rapidly before and just after World War II. Large estates were built, along with lavish homes with well established architects. North Shore-Glencoe remains one of the most sought after and highly educated areas in the United States.

The term Chicago North Shore became common for businesses in numerous nearby inland Chicago suburbs. in the Evanston, Maine, New Trier, Niles and Northfield Townships and in southern Lake County, Illinois, it was common to name themselves “North Shore,” and for real estate and other marketers to use the term for North Shore communities as a frame of location; which caught on and became a confirmed reference to the area. More information HERE and HERE

Watch Chicago’s North Shore on PBS. See more from Geoffrey Baer Tours.

Real Estate Outcomes January2013: Chicago’s North Shore

Property Sales

Chicago’s North Shore Glencoe January Property sales were equal to volume trends generated in January of 2012 and 14.3% higher than real estate market action reporting last month.

Prices

The Median Glencoe-North Shore Sales Price average in January was down -3.4% compared to real estate reporting in January of 2012 and up 9.6% from last month. The Average Sales Price in January was down -50.6% from real estate data recorded  in January of 2012 and up 26.0% last month. January 2013 ASP (average sales price) was at the lowest level compared to January of 2012 and 2011.

Inventory & MSI

The Total Inventory of North Suburban Glencoe Properties available for sale as of January was up 1.7% from volume reported last month and down -37.1% from figures totaled in January of last year. January 2013 Inventory was at the lowest level compared to January of 2012 and 2011.

A comparatively lower MSI is more beneficial for Chicago North Shore sellers while a higher MSI is better for Chicago North Shore buyers. The January 2013 MSI of 7.6 months was at its lowest level compared with January of 2012 and 2011.

Market Time

The average Days on Market for Glencoe (DOM) shows how many days the average North Shore-Glencoe Property is on the Market before it sells. An upward trend in DOM tends to indicate a move towards more of a Glencoe Buyer’s market, a downward trend a move towards more of a Glencoe Seller’s market. The DOM for January was -21.6% from data reported last month and down -35.0% days totaled in January of last year. The January 2013 DOM was at its lowest level compared with January of 2012 and 2011.

Inventory / New Listings / Sales

‘The graph view provided above of the North Shore Chicago market combines monthly inventory of Glencoe Properties for sale along with New Listings and Sales. The graph shows the basic annual seasonality of the market as well as the relationship between these items. The number of New Listings in January 2013 was up 1150.0% from last month and up 13.6% from January real estate reporting provided last year.

For additional market action data, analysis, projections, recommendations, with real estate reporting focused on specific North Shore Chicago communities such as Winnetka, Wilmette, Highland Park, Kenilworth, Northbrook, Deerfield, Northfield, Lincolnshire, Buffalo Grove, Glenview, and Skokie; feel free to stop in to the highest performing residential real estate office in Glencoe-Coldwell Banker at 640 Vernon Ave., 60022-The heart of downtown center. The place Gloria Matlin, Realtor/Broker calls her professional home.

Home Buyers and Sellers in Today’s North Shore Real Estate Market- 3 Things to Know

Here on Chicago’s North Shore the real estate market is favorable for both buyer and seller alike. North shore agents are seeing busier open houses, quicker sales, even multiple offers.
But like houses, no two North shore sellers or buyers are exactly the same. Having a grasp of the mindset of both, can ease the North Shore real estate navigation process a bit. With the help of an experienced solidly performing North Shore Realtor, below are three scenarios sellers and buyers should be aware of in today’s market:

1. Buyers can be sellers and sellers become buyers

Often, sellers feel the same amount of stress or excitement that buyers feel because they’re somewhere in the buying process, too. Though some sellers may want to take additional time and become renters after their sale is complete, many will get back in the homeowner game soon after the sale goes through, sometimes immediately. Sellers, as would-be buyers, want to capitalize on low interest rates and home values. Getting the North Shore home sold quickly and at today’s value may be all a seller needs to make a purchase. Though it may be a “sellers’ market in some areas,” most sellers these days have a sense of empathy. They understand the buyer’s position and likely want to get out cleanly and quickly so that they, too, can buy.

2. Sellers are starting to feel relief but with caution

Even the sellers who have successfully sold are well aware of what happened in real estate markets over the past five years; news that the market is changing, and in their favor can be a welcoming incentive for all involved. They’re more hopeful than they were even six months ago. Generally speaking, however, most sellers are still feeling conservative and cautious. They’re more likely to take a bird in the hand than to risk losing a sale because of a knee jerk instant reaction.

3. Advice for both sides

Real estate is a game, in a sense, in which both sides hope to achieve their goals, which is why it always helps to understand your “opponent. Take a moment to size up who the buyer is, how they got there and why they want to buy. Don’t make assumptions. Take a step back. Put yourself in their shoes.

Sellers aren’t the same as they were around 2005, when many were driven by other goals as the market’s rise seemed endless. Don’t go into this market, which is very different from even six months ago, assuming the same rules apply. Consulting with your competent North Shore real estate professional, will put you in the right position for a successful and joyful transaction.

Gloria Matlin, a high ranking real estate performer, can be found at the North Suburban Glencoe Coldwell Banker office – 640 Vernon Ave., 60022. More information HERE

Real Estate Outcomes November2012: Chicago’s North Shore

Property Sales

November 2012 Chicago North Shore-Glencoe property sales surged 50.0% based on volume figures from November 2011, and 33.3% higher than top sales last month. November 2012 sales were at their highest level compared to November of 2011 and 2010 data. November YTD sales ran 14.3% ahead of last year’s year-to-date sales reporting.

Prices

The Median North Suburban-Glencoe Sales Price in November was down -36.6% from sales data reported in November of 2011 and down -16.0% from last month. The Average Sales Price in November was down -37.6% compared to November of 2011 and down -31.6% from last month. November 2012 ASP (average sales price) was at the lowest level compared to November of 2011 and 2010 data.

Inventory & MSI

The Total Inventory of North Shore Properties available for sale as of November was down -5.2% from last month and down -27.7% from November of last year. November 2012 Chicago North Shore Glencoe Inventory was at the lowest level compared to November of 2011 and 2010. MSI is the number of months needed to sell all of the inventory at the monthly sales pace.

A comparatively lower MSI is more beneficial for North Shore sellers while a higher MSI is better for North Shore buyers. The November 2012 MSI of 6.1 months was at its lowest level compared with November of 2011 and 2010.

Market Time

The average North Shore Days On Market (DOM) shows how many days the average North Shore-Glencoe Property is on the Market before it sells. An upward trend in DOM tends to indicate a move towards more of a Buyer’s market, a downward trend a move towards more of a Seller’s market. The DOM for November was down -28.1% from last month and down -71.3% from sales history data in November of last year. The November 2012 DOM was at its lowest level compared with November of 2011 and 2010 figures.

Inventory / New Listings / Sales

The view of the market above combines monthly inventory of Chicago North Shore Glencoe Properties for sale along with New North Shore Listings and Sales. The graph shows the basic annual seasonality of the market as well as the relationship between these items. The number of New North Shore Listings in November 2012 was down -14.3% from last month and up 100.0% from November of last year outcomes data.

Gloria Matlin, a North Shore Chicago Broker/Agent with a compelling 25+ year record of sustained real estate results; can be found in the Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate office located in prestigious downtown Glencoe, Illinois-60022. Visits are encouraged to discuss market reports, sales, figures, ranking, predictions, conditions, insight, even holiday community events.

Glencoe-North Shore Market Trends: Update November-December2012

Once again, Continued gains for Chicago-North Shore home sales volume, according to a recent report by the Illinois Association of REALTORS®. October sales soared 37.3% over previous-year real estate conditions, and statewide median prices increased 3.0%.

The October median price reflects a 12.9 percent gain from the year’s low. The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more and half sold for less. On the North Suburban Shore we are seeing strong sales and decreased market times as we enter the last quarter of this year. Listings Under Contract were up 52.7 percent to 643. Inventory levels shrank 34.6 percent to 3,315 units. Market Times were down 4.6 percent to 152 days. Absorption rates improved as the Month’s Supply of Inventory was down 49.7% to 5.8 months. In addition,  the monthly average commitment rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage for the North Central region was 3.36 percent in October 2012, down from 3.49 percent during the previous month, according to the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Last October it averaged 4.07 percent. These figures are encouraging for buyers and sellers alike who appear to be more confident about the housing market. See supporting data from NORTH SHORE BARRINGTON ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and MIDWEST REAL ESTATE DATA LLC below (click to enlarge):

Statewide home sales (including single-family homes and condominiums) in October 2012 totaled 11,775 homes sold, up from 8,577 in October 2011. The last time this many houses sold in October in Illinois was in 2006 when 13,067 homes were sold.

Sixty-eight (68) of 101 Illinois counties including Chicago’s North Shore reporting showed year-over-year home sales volume increases in October 2012. More than half (53) counties showed year-over-year median price increases including Cook, up 3.4%. See supporting analysis below (Click to enlarge):

Sales and price information is generated by Multiple Listing Service closed sales reported by 31 participating Illinois REALTOR® local boards and associations including Midwest Real Estate Data LLC data as of Nov. 7, 2012 for the period Oct. 1 through Oct. 31, 2012 reflected into November 2012. The Chicago PMSA, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, includes the counties of Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will.

The Illinois Association of REALTORS® is a voluntary trade association whose 41,000 members are engaged in all facets of the real estate industry. Find Illinois housing stats, data and the University of Illinois REAL forecast at http://www.illinoisrealtor.org/marketstats.

Let our high performing, best ranking, optimal producing North Shore Realtors be a steady resource. Our Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate office is located in the downtown district of Glencoe, Illinois-60022(640 Vernon Ave). Stop in and feel free to discuss this report and any other real estate topics that affect the North Shore area of Chicago.

What to do if or When an Appraisal is Low: North Shore Real Estate

Whether you are buying or selling on Chicago’s North Shore, the cost of the home is important. North Shore real estate agents often do their own market analysis to price a property—and many times do an outstanding job, but often the use of an appraiser can be beneficial to provide an independent, unbiased opinion to further ensure the price is right on target.

The other side of the coin is that there are still great deals to be had, even with prices increasing. But, if an appraisal doesn’t make the cut, it’s important to be prepared in advance for this scenario. With this in mind, here are the three main tips to consider when the appraisal comes in lower than expected:

1. Create an effect on the money

While adjusting the price up or down may not feel good for the buyer or the seller, it may be a smart move, depending on your situation.

North Shore Buyers, if the long-term value is there and the home is the “love of your life,” it will truly benefit you in the end.

North Shore Sellers, if you need to make the sale and are running out of time, a compromise may be essential. Buyers may also have to spend even more because a decrease in equity could cause you to fall below the lender’s required down-payment threshold, possibly requiring the purchase of private mortgage insurance.

The main question to ask … is it worth it?

2. Consider renegotiation

Just because the appraisal is not what is expected doesn’t mean the sale will not close. However, in a low-inventory North Shore market, sellers may not want to conduct a second appraisal, which means that buyers and sellers have to decide if they want to work together to seal the deal — whether the seller adjusts the price to the appraised value or the buyer and seller renegotiate a new price. Look at how far you’ve come and worked together. It may have taken you both some time to get to this point. Keep in mind that both sides have something to lose by not moving forward after investing time and money in the purchase. If a compromise can be made, it most likely will be. On the flip side, if the North Shore property is in demand, the seller may opt out of negotiating down as they may want to take a chance on someone else paying the difference or going for a cash buyer.

3. Check the report for accuracy

Appraisal reporting can be long, complicated documents, but they can be very revealing if you take the time to read them thoroughly. Make a note of anything that looks off, and verify that the information is correct, not only for the property itself but also for the properties that compare to your own. Confirm that ALL comps are listed — some may not be included on the MLS, and your real estate agent may have to research. Your agent will work with the buyer’s mortgage professional to ensure any discrepancies are relayed to the appraiser. While there is no guarantee that the report will change, it certainly helps to clarify any errors and understand why an appraisal reached a certain price point. Appraisals also point out if there are any secrets lurking within the property’s walls, such as unpermitted additions that add square footage but cannot contribute toward the property’s value. For this reason it’s important that sellers are honest and upfront from the beginning and that buyer’s do a little research before putting in an offer. More information HERE

For more information on this and other North Shore real estate topics, feel free to stop by Gloria Matlin’s real estate office located at 640 Vernon Ave in the downtown district of Glencoe, Illinois 60022. Allow our 40+ years of Chicago North Suburban expertise, guidance, trust, assurance, superior performance, and top-tier volume to be at your disposal.

 

Top 3 Benefits of Home Buying in the Fall: North Shore Real Estate

On Chicago’s North Shore, next to spring, fall is often the busiest real estate time of the year. Although you can buy and sell houses at any time, the fall North Suburban real estate market offers abundant benefits to home buyers, including year-end tax breaks, pleasant weather conditions for moving, commonly a wider selection of houses, and the beautiful presence of mother-nature all around!

To further provide examples of the North Shore home buying advantages you can enjoy during the autumn months, below is a more detailed look into the benefits of looking for and purchasing a home in the fall.

 Mortgage loan year-end tax breaks

By September and October, people are already reviewing year-end tax breaks they may be eligible for. Fortunately for homebuyers, owning a home can yield immense dividends in tax returns. For example, both mortgage interest and property taxes are deductible from gross income. In addition, if you have prepaid ant interest before the due date of your first payment and you close your loan before the year’s end, that amount will also be deducted. Consult a tax professional for specific details and guidelines.

Often more home buying choices

Given that North Shore home buying and selling is at a peak during the fall season, the real estate market often becomes a highly competitive arena. While there may be additional pressure to buy due to the quicker turnaround of houses on the market, at the same time you also benefit from the wider selection of homes available during the fall season. In fact, between the months of September and December, you may be fortunate enough to visit several North Shore open houses in a single day. Therefore, to make sure you don’t miss out on finding your dream house, it’s a good idea to examine on-line ads often since the listings are updated frequently.

Getting ahead of mother mature

Buying a North Shore house in the winter may not be very appealing to most home buyers. Low temperatures and poor weather conditions can potentially make moving more difficult. But by moving in early autumn, you gain the added benefit of eluding the sweltering summer heat.

Autumn home buying TIP:  Taking into account that fall is the second busiest season of the year for buying and selling houses on the North Shore, you may be tempted to put a bid on a home for fear that another buyer will better your offer or snatch it up before you. Carefully assess your financial situation ahead of time and before your feet hit the pavement, know what your ceiling is and stick to it. More info HERE

Glencoe Garage Sale 2012-Visit our North Shore Real Estate Office for Details!

Glencoe, Ill will be the location for the annual Chicago North Shore garage sale, Sunday September 9th between 10-am to 4pm. Sign up by September 5th to reserve a garage sale kit!  Sign up will be done at 640 Vernon Ave- Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate office. Call 847-835-0236 or 847-727-8700 for additional details!

Remember these top 5 garage sale tips:

 

Tip 1:

Garage sales can be a great way to get rid of clutter and earn a little extra — especially before buying or selling a home.

Tip 2:

Don’t wait until the final hour. Depending on how long you’ve lived in the home and how much stuff you have to sell, planning a garage sale can demand some prep and setup time.

Tip 3:

See if neighbors want to help or join in. You can turn your garage sale into a block-wide event and lure more shoppers if you team up or talk with your neighbors.

Tip 4:

Create an organized display. Lay out items by category, and display neatly so customers don’t have to struggle to find goods. They will appreciate the thoughtfulness and may return in kind with multiple items to purchase.

Tip 5:

Have  bags and newspapers handy. People who buy many small items will appreciate a bag to carry their goods. Newspapers are ideal for wrapping fragile items.