Holiday-New Years Events-Last Minute Gift Ideas: Chicago’s North Shore

Your one stop guide of things to do, see and experience on the North Shore this holiday season.  Need last-minute gift ideas? We’ve got you covered.  Need things do or see with the kids/guests while on holiday vacation or through the weekend(s)?  Check out the top list below. How about a list of North Shore or Chicago New Year’s Eve celebrations….sure thing, that’s listed here too!

LAST MINUTE HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS:

-Gifts for adults

-Gifts for kids or families

-Gifts for ticket events

-Down to the last second gifts

THINGS TO DO OVER THE HOLIDAYS:

-Theater

-General Area Family Fun

-Santa-Winter Activites

-Adult Activities

NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATIONS:

-Family Friendly New Year’s

-Comedy

-New Year’s Dinner Spots

-Night Out Packages

-New Year’s Ticket Events

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND WISHING YOU THE VERY BEST NORTH SHORE REAL ESTATE DREAMS IN 2013!!

New Listing – 351 Adams Ave., Glencoe.-Chicago North Shore Real Estate

New Listing/Just Listed/For Sale/New on the market - 351 Adams Ave., #Glencoe..NEWER CONSTRUCTION, PERFECT FOR TODAY’S LIFESTYLE, MOVE RIGHT IN! See the North Shore property tour here http://ht.ly/cUsBP and additional information HERE as well as HERE.  Contact Broker-Realtor Gloria Matlin for a private showing.

Come experience the amazing open floor plan with natural light filtering in from the abundance of windows all around. Hardwood oak floors are throughout this breathtaking home, along with crown moldings, detailed ceilings and recessed lighting. Feel free to stop by our Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate office to enquire about this Chicago North Suburban property. We are located in the heart of downtown-640 Vernon Ave., Glencoe, Illinois-60022.

Are You in the Right House? 5 Questions to Ask Yourself-North Shore Real Estate

Here on Chicago’s North Shore we are seeing a slight decline of available real estate  inventory, but still a steady volume of homes on the market at amazing price points, with enticing rates. The variables have created an influx of ready buyers and sellers prepared to list. So the question presents itself to both groups…Are you in the right house?

Below are five indicators that a particular home you’re viewing might be “The One” – the property on which you’ll want to place an offer or know to look for during a search:

 You lose interest in seeing any other homes.  When you find “The One,” continuing the house hunt planned for months, even years, starts to seem silly, like a waste of energy for some buyers or sellers. Sometimes your intuition just calls out, and you know when you’ve found the perfect North Shore property.

Almost instantly, you feel possessive about it. Not only can the winning home bring a smile to a buyers face, that immediate need to start the buying process or work on the offer paperwork may be the sign. If you walk through a place and leave wondering how quickly you can get your offer in, how much you’d offer to beat someone else out, or what you can do to lock it down quickly, it might be “The One.”

You start to envision your own, furniture, decor, daily activities or remodeling choices in/to the home.  They say that the best staging helps prospective buyers envision their own idealized lives taking place in the staged home.  But whether or not a property is staged, if you find your mind’s eye Photoshopping a given property to insert your own living style and favorite wall hangings into place in the dining room, and your daily meditation process in the all-season room  –– it’s possible that the home you’re in could be “The One”.

You start to rationalize obvious flaws.  Train tracks 10 feet from the bedroom window? Next door neighbor that runs a pigeon-sitting service? Okay – an awful exaggeration. But if you find yourself viewing a home with traits that you would normally deem undesirable or as deal-killers, yet you like the place so much that you instinctively compile a mental list of reasons those traits seem minimal, you might have found “The One.”

The bathroom and kitchen are appealing.  Generally speaking, other people’s kitchens and bathrooms may hold gross-out potential.  There’s just something about what goes on in those rooms that seems exceptionally intimate and even unsanitary.  So, if you happen to find yourself falling in love with a home’s slate shower floor or swooning over the pot-filler over the stove and the built-in cookbook stand on the countertop, that’s a sign that you’re falling head over heels with a North Shore home that might just be “The One.”

We can help find the house “The One” property that will make all your North Shore real estate dreams come true.  Visit our Coldwell Banker North Shore Residential Real Estate office, located at 640 Vernon Ave in downtown Glencoe, Illinois 60022.  Any of our top performing real estate agents can show you why Chicago’s North Suburban area is a source to find “The One”. More info HERE  and HERE

Top Services Needed When You Sell: North Shore Real Estate

I’m often asked, what are some of the top real estate related services needed through the selling process?  Ideally consulting with a North Shore real estate professional or associated expert to assist with the sale of your home is a must. Here is a list of common services you may need as you complete a real estate transaction:

1. Real Estate Attorney
2. Appraiser
3. Home Inspector
4. Mortgage Loan Officer
5. Environmental Specialist
6. Lead Paint Inspector
7. Radon Inspector
8. Tax Advisor
9. Sanitary Systems Expert
10. Occupancy Permit Inspector
11. Zoning Inspector
12. Survey Company
13. Flood Plain Inspector
14. Termite Inspector
15. Title Company
16. Insurance Consultant
17. Moving Company

    Used with permission from Kim Daugherty, Real Estate Checklists and Systems, www.realestatechecklists.com .

Our Coldwell Banker North Shore residential real estate office , located in downtown Glencoe, IL -640 Vernon Ave-60022; can provide resources for the services recommended above. Feel fee to stop in for guidance. We pride ourselves on producing,  performing and maintaining 40+ years of superb North Shore real estate service.

A Green Home and Remodeling: North Shore Real Estate

North Shore homeowners as with any homeowner share a common goal worth considering….remodeling: definitely a way to personalize and update a space. A real estate trend making a large impact is “Green Renovating”.

For some this means simply tearing down a wall or two or rearranging the furniture, while for others, it is a much more sophisticated and purposeful process. The idea of reducing the carbon footprint and increasing personal appeal or comfort is the goal.

Green renovation not only helps the earth, but can also increase the value of a home in the case you want to ever resell. The tips below help to balance earth, personal style and North Shore living (as with anything, do a little research to select the materials and enhancements that are right for you/your home):

Preserve

Part of keeping green is preserving the beauty of old things, especially if the North Shore home has a history. Instead of stripping it down and ordering new materials, a better way may be to preserve and bring out the old beauty. Moldings, workmanship details, mantle pieces and even furniture can be restored and saved in this way.

There are many little things you can do to turn your home into a greener one. Remodeling your home with a green perspective can not only net you more savings in the long run, but could make the home more appealing to future buyers.

Recycle

That Tudor window may not be the nicest thing for your idea of your home, but a willing North Shore buyer may find it irresistible. Recycle wood and other materials from your home. Old tiles can be made into interesting tabletops or floor mosaics. Old mirrors can be revamped into trays or interesting focal pieces for a great room. Old glass can be reused as new windows or put to different uses (try a bookcase with old glass shelves!).

Sustainability

Search for sustainable materials to use. Bamboo is a favorite with the Earth movement, since the grass uses a minimum of resources to grow and is easily replaceable. You may want to insert rain gutters to collect rainwater for your garden or home tasks, or select a part of the land to grow vegetables, herbs and flowers. Cork flooring is also very popular, as it is versatile, water resistant, as well as warm and cozy.

Natural Ventilation

For homes in lighter climates, natural ventilation is the way to go. Not only is it healthier (some insulation may trap allergens in the vents), but it saves you from cranking up the air conditioning, except on really hot days. Larger windows, airy rooms and great ventilation have the added benefit of giving the home a bigger feel even if it is not.

Green Power

Mini windmills, solar paneling and great insulation go a long way toward saving some energy and saving you a few dollars when the electric bill comes. Condensing heaters and boilers can mean your heat is used more efficiently and that your heating bill stays low, even in the coldest of winter months. Weather-stripping doors and windows can prevent heat from escaping out and keep you toasty warm all throughout the winter season. More information HERE..

The Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate office, located at 640 Vernon Ave in Glencoe, IL is home to outstanding top performing real estate agents.  Feel free to visit us with questions on buying or selling real estate within the communities of Chicago’s North Shore.

Real Estate Outcomes April2012: Chicago’s North Shore

Property Sales Top North Shore real estate selling reports state that now in May 2012 the previous month of April; Property sales were down -21.4% from April of 2011 and 37.5% higher than North Shore sales last month. April 2012 sales were at a mid level compared to April of 2011 and 2010. April YTD sales of 35 are running -27.1% behind last year’s year-to-date sales recorded.

Prices The Median Chicago North Shore Sales Price in April was $766,500, down -1.1% from $775,000 in April of 2011 and down -21.1% from $972,000 last month. The Average North Shore-Glencoe Sales Price in April was $907,227, down -15.4% from $1,071,804 in April of 2011 and down -44.9% from $1,645,063 last month. April 2012 ASP was at the lowest level compared to April of 2011 and 2010.

Inventory & MSI The Total Inventory and (monthly supply inventory or MSI) of North Shore Properties available for sale as of April was down -10.1% from last month and down -24.6% from April of last year. April 2012 real estate Inventory was at the lowest level compared to April of 2011 and 2010. A comparatively lower MSI is more beneficial for sellers while a higher MSI is better for buyers. The April 2012 MSI of 8.1 months was at its lowest level compared with April of 2011 and 2010.

Market Time The average Days On Market (DOM) shows how many days the average North Shore 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 April was down -10.9% from last month and up 1.8% from 112 days in April of last year. The April 2012 DOM was at its highest level compared with April of 2011 and 2010 real estate reporting.

Inventory / New Listings / Sales The last view of the North Shore real estate market combines monthly inventory of Properties for sale along with listings and sales analysis. The graph above shows the basic annual seasonality of the market as well as the relationship between these items. The number of New North Shore Listings in April 2012 was 27, down -18.2% from last month and down -28.9% from  April of last year reporting figures Gloria Matlin can be found at the Glencoe, Illinois Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage office located at 640 Vernon Ave, 60022. The office can provide detail on this and other market reports. Feel free to use us as a trusted resource for North Shore Real estate questions about homes for sale, homes for rent, or property financing options.  We have been a top producing, top selling real estate example for well over 45 years.

My Joys in North Shore Real Estate: Glencoe Top Selling Realtor

Good North Shore real estate news goes hand in hand with spring and summer-time anticipation! Recent North Shore housing reports support that this is one of the best times in history to buy or sell. I am excited about sharing this news with new and repeat home buyers. Mortgage interest rates are at an all time low, and home prices are incredibly attractive! Those factors create positive projections well into 2012, and help to ensure my expertise in new construction and luxury residences is well utilized. I gain a tremendous amount of joy knowing that I can offer real estate services that are welcoming to both buyers and sellers. As a North Shore Realtor, as well as a member of the North Shore community, and proud mother of a New Trier School District Alum; this area shows an abundance of real estate progress in the last few months. This spring surge is typical in a cyclical housing market with activity levels running high when the weather gets even warmer. However, this year’s spring surge is strong and came earlier than last year. Home buyers appear motivated to get back in the market, this is a robust time and I sense the momentum will continue well into the summer! I encourage potential buyers, sellers, and investors to review the supporting data, it speaks volumes. 

For buyers– Keep in mind that with increased interest in the market brings competition. To increase your chances of finding your dream home in a market that may be competitive, and to decrease the odds of you losing out to another buyer:

Review new listings. Check out web sites such as REALTOR.com, Trulia, or Zillow. Browse your local newspaper’s real estate section, and drive through the neighborhood to spot For Sale signs. If you see a home you like, write down the address and your North Shore Realtor will schedule a showing.

Maintain contact with your North Shore Realtor to find out about the newest listings in your ideal area. Be ready to see a house as soon as it goes on the market — if it’s a great home, it will go pretty fast.

Overlook a buying frenzy. Just because there may be competition doesn’t mean you should just buy the first thing you see. And even though you could make your offer attractive, don’t overlook inspections or due diligence that help ensure that your dream house is sound.

Be confident and ready to make a decision. Spend a lot of time in advance deciding what are “must haves” or deal breakers, so you won’t be unsure when you have the chance to make an offer.

For Sellers– selling a North Shore home or any home for that matter commonly requires that you have several forms, reports, mortgage documents, policies, deeds, and settlement statements all in order. A knowledgeable and experienced North Shore real estate expert will help you prepare the best deal, and avoid delays or costly mistakes. A few pre-selling tasks to note:

Notice curb appeal. Pretend you’re a buyer and stand in front of your home. As you approach the front door, what is your first impression of the property? Do the lawn and bushes look neatly maintained? Is the walkway clearly seen? Are pretty objects framing the entrance?

What are your thoughts on this subject?  I look forward to hearing from you!

My North Shore Coldwell Banker Residential real estate office is located in Glencoe, Illinois-640 Vernon Ave. Stop in for help or questions on buying, selling, renting or local area information/mapping.

 

5 Tips for Buying and Selling at the Same Time: North Shore Real Estate

A common North Shore occurrence….clients who buy a home and sell at the same time; it can be done, stress free! The all too important element that makes the North Shore real estate process seamless is using an experienced agent that can guide you through a well thought out plan.

There are hundreds of variables and the possibilities, depending on your local market and your personal and financial status.  The main thing is to do as much of the buying and selling due diligence as you can up front. An experienced realtor can help with this.. Your agent can further ensure multi-transaction success by discussing these 5 tips:

1. Finances should be reviewed inside and out. You need to know not only what you can afford to buy, but also, what your house is worth before you even get started. Talk to your North Shore real estate agent and consult a mortgage banker or broker for loan pre-approval.

2. Ready? List it! Depending upon your situation, you might want to list your property toward the higher end of its value range, once you’re actively in the market. This can buy you time while you shop for your next home. And who knows? You may get the home sold at a higher price point.

3. Do the fixes needed to do to sell your property. Is your kitchen right out of the 1970s era? Do you have a faucet that constantly runs? If so, get busy fixing the things that could cause your home to sit on the market longer than necessary or worse, affect your home’s value.

4. Start now– learning the market, begin house shopping.  Use your North Shore realtor as your guide. Start going to open houses and seeing what’s out there. Begin the process of elimination and take note of what you want: the must-haves and the deal killers.

5. Start packing. Start boxing up stuff you don’t need easy access to. Get rid of all the things you won’t need until you’ve moved into your new home. This will help make your home show better and starting the packing process now will make it that much easier to move later. You may need to rent a storage unit temporarily for your stuff.

Our North Shore Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage office located in Glencoe’s downtown area (640 Vernon Ave, 60022), can assist with buying and selling real estate questions. We also provide mortgage service resources and options.  Visit us online 24/7 or stop by our office to speak with Gloria Matlin or any of our top ranked North Shore realtors.

Thinking of Selling? Top 5 Musts Before Listing: North Shore Real Estate

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. 

1. 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?

2. 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.

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 base for Gloria Matlin and other top Glencoe realtors. The office has been a best performing real estate resource for the North Shore community for well over 4 decades.  Stop by today to discover how we can assist with home buying, home selling, home rentals, reports, or just to get info on Chicago’s North Shore area things to do/ places to go or eat!

Top 5 Contract Negotiation Tips-North Shore Real Estate

Spring on the North Shore seems to make it all the more profound, buying your first home is an exciting event, even for a seasoned North Shore buyer, it can be a challenging process. Some of the details can be intimidating for a first time real estate purchaser or experienced buyers may have forgotten a few key points. No need to panic, with a little preparation you’ll feel like an expert and you’ll be ready for anything!

The natural focal point of a real estate purchase contract is the selling price of the home, but the price isn’t the only factor that determines the net bottom line for both the buyer and the seller, especially in our current real estate market. Is a bargain for the buyer really a bargain if he or she is paying all the transaction costs? Is a top price for the seller really a top price if the buyer wants all the furniture to be included in the purchase price? Or what if the buyer can’t come up with the down payment or qualify for a mortgage?

Best Tip: Ask your experienced North Shore-Glencoe real estate agent to go over the standard contract with you before you receive or make a purchase offer. That way, you’ll know what to expect and be prepared to negotiate the best deal.

Before you decide to move forward, here are five other bottom-line points to consider:

1. What are the estimated transaction costs and who will pay for what? Typical costs include the brokers’ commission, a home inspection, a termite inspection, escrow or attorney’s fees, a title search, an owner’s title insurance policy, transfer taxes and recording fees. The price tags on these items can vary around the North Shore area. Who pays for what is a matter of both local custom and negotiation.

2. How much money is the buyer putting into escrow and when? A big deposit — called “earnest money” — and a substantial down payment are generally seen as a sign that the buyer is dead serious about completing the transaction. From the seller’s point of view, the more money the buyer places in escrow and the sooner the money is transferred, the better.

3. Is there a mortgage contingency and how specific is it? The mortgage escape clause is a must for buyers, unless they’re paying all cash for the home. Without this contingency, buyers could be legally obligated to purchase the home even if they can’t obtain financing. Further, an open-ended statement that says the buyer will obtain a loan “at the prevailing rate of interest” leaves the buyer completely exposed to interest rate fluctuations. A statement that says the loan must be at an interest rate “not to exceed xx percent” and on specified terms is ideal.

4. Exactly what furniture, fixtures and appliances, if any, are being sold with the property? Technically, anything that’s permanently affixed to or installed in the North Shore home is real property. Everything else is the seller’s personal property. This distinction is a narrow one and it naturally leads to a fair amount of confusion. Are built-in appliances real property or personal property? What about a shelving system? A chandelier? Window coverings? Potted plants in the yard? Sellers who intend to remove anything that’s attached to the home should have that specifically noted  in the contract. And the same goes for buyers who expect to acquire any of the furniture or other movables.

5. What happens if either side breaches the contract? Unless an unmet contingency triggers the abandonment of the contract, it’s a binding legal document. Buyers who fail to perform can lose their deposit or earnest money. Sellers who try to back out could be sued for “specific performance,” which forces the sale of the home to the buyer.

Our top performing Chicago’s north shore realtors provide legendary service and experience. Feel free to stop in our Coldwell Banker Office located at 640 Vernon Ave, Glencoe 60022. Our Glencoe realtor office has been providing outstanding real estate  knowledge for over 45 years. We look forward to assisting you.