Glencoe-North Shore Market Trends: Update December-January2013

Ideal real estate news for the 2013 New Year…North Shore-Chicago Illinois home sales volume jumped 30.6% compared to previous-year levels in November!  Median prices also increased 7.7% statewide according to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® recent reporting.

The Chicago North Suburban housing market is gaining additional strength with Listings Under Contract up 73.3%, Inventory levels shrinking 36.9%, prices moving higher as the Median Sales Price increased 12.2%, and Market Times down 12.1%. Momentum has been maintained even in historically slow holiday timeframes this year. The trends point to upward figures being seen well into 2013. Although real estate analysts are keeping an eye on listing duration, and fixed rate averages. Confidence continues to soar among local and relocation buyers with the November 2012 mortgage rates at 3.33% for the North Central region. Last November it averaged 4.0%. See image below from Midwest Real Estate Data LLC and The North Shore Barrington Association of Realtors (click to enlarge):

Fifty-five (55) of 102 Illinois counties including the North Shore showed year-over-year home sales increases in November 2012. More than half (54) counties showed year-over-year median price increases including Cook, up 7.9%. See supporting real estate data in the image below. (Provided by MRED and NSBAR) 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 Dec. 7, 2012 for the period Nov. 1 through Nov. 30, 2012 reflected in December 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. In addition to serving the professional needs of its members, the Illinois Association of REALTORS® works to protect the rights of private property owners in the state by recommending and promoting legislation to safeguard and advance the interest of real property ownership.

Find Illinois housing stats, data and the University of Illinois REAL forecast atwww.illinoisrealtor.org/marketstats.

Relocating to North Suburban Chicago-North Shore Real Estate

On Chicago’s North Shore and around the country, relocating has become more common. Some relocate for work, have decided to move somewhere for greater lifestyle access, or are looking for a change of scenery. You may be faced with buying a home in a city that is not only unfamiliar, but in an area larger than anticipated. If you are a real estate investor or frequent vacationer, you might also be looking to buy property far from home base. Of course, buying real estate anywhere other than your current city presents a unique set of circumstances. Here are 4 tips for getting to the end goal….Relocation success!

1. Get a North Shore Real Estate Agent
Look for an experienced North Suburban Realtor/Broker in your intended village/city. Because of possible unfamiliarity with the area and the other unique challenges of not buying locally, you want to work with a professional who really knows what they’re doing. You may even be able to find an agent who specializes in helping people who are relocating, and who will be acutely aware of both your unique requirements and their ability to educate you about the local North Shore real estate market. You want a professional who can steer you toward exceptional neighborhoods and an ideal fit to with your lifestyle and overall needs.

Make sure you fully inform the North Shore real estate agent about your situation. For example, what is your moving timeframe? When will you be able to visit the area? Can the agent set aside a day to show you numerous North Shore properties while you’re in town? More than likely you’ll have limited time to view properties in person, and you’ll need someone who can help you organize and maximize your time. An experienced, high performing North Shore Realtor can do just that.

2. Get familiar with Possible North Shore Neighborhoods
All the usual criteria will also apply when searching for the right North Shore neighborhood – affordability, school quality, proximity to work, etc. The specific neighborhood you choose should reflect your current needs and lifestyle requirements.

3. Get Familiar with the Local North Shore Real Estate Market
Take advantage of all the resources available to you, including your Chicago North Shore real estate agent, in-person visits, chats with local residents, and online real estate reports, data, research, and listings to learn about your new digs. Ask lots of questions of your realtor, they are a wealth of market conditions information.

4. Don’t Avoid an In-Person Visit
And finally, once you’ve decided what you want, reviewed your must have list with your North Shore Realtor, done all your research, or found a few potential properties, you’re ready to get serious about taking the next steps and ultimately making an offer. But make sure you visit the homes in person at some point. Buying a home sight unseen can be tricky. No matter how much you trust your real estate agent’s sound judgment, the only person who really knows if you will like a particular property is you. More info HERE and HERE.

As a certified Cartus Relocation Specialist, Gloria Matlin helps out of area buyers and sellers find the perfect North Shore property to call home..On the Go? Move with Glo! She understands that moving/relocating can be an overwhelming and emotional endeavor. She prides herself on her North Shore community knowledge, involvement and; embracing the newest real estate tools/trends that keep her in the forefront so she can be there for her buyers-sellers 24/7.