Benefits of Year-End Real Estate Investing: North Shore Chicago

Take Note…We are now with Compass Real Estate as of August 2019…Here 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 autumn 2019 season.

Mortgage loan year-end tax breaks

By October and November, people are already reviewing year-end tax breaks they may be eligible for. Fortunately for home-buyers, 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, mid, even late autumn, you gain the added benefit of eluding the sweltering summer heat.

Fall 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

The North Shore real estate Fall 2019 forecast calls for ongoing top tier results, high ranking top producing performance, and sustained elite service from Gloria Matlin and partner Zack Matlin of Matlin Residential Real Estate. With over 25 years of trusted real estate professionalism, she and Zack are the consummate guides on Chicago’s North Shore. Look to them for assistance with relocation, buying, selling, investing, or to inquire about local communities, they can help make North Shore real estate dreams a reality. Gloria’s home office is located within the top brokerage firm on the North Shore-Compass Real Estate office – 851 Spruce Street, Winnetka, Illinois 60093.

 

15 Life-Changing Summer Storage Ideas for the Kitchen in 2019 – Chicago North Shore

The 2019 summer continues with award-winning top tier real estate service, high ranking, top producing, optimally performing results; all done with a personalized approach at making North Shore real estate dreams a reality. Look to Gloria Matlin and partner/son Zack Matlin for seasoned experience that spans 25+ years, and a broad grasp of Northern Shore real estate trends within communities such as Glencoe, Winnetka, Wilmette, Northbrook, and Highland Park and Chicago. Her home base office can be found at the coveted Coldwell Banker Residential real estate office of Glencoe, Illinois-640 Vernon Avenue, 60022.

If you’re lacking on kitchen storage space but aren’t feeling a huge reno, it’s time to trick out the cabinets, drawers, and island with a few space-saving ideas. Rethink the little nooks and niches and you’ll have counter space for days. No demo day required! See the demo HERE

 

 

Sarah Sitar Remodeling and Interior Design

If you’ve perused Pinterest lately in search of kitchen storage ideas, you know there are thousands of space-saving tricks floating around. Here are 15 of our favorite ideas (we’re filing them away for any future kitchen remodels). Read more

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4 Reasons to Buy or Sell This 2019 Spring-North Shore Real Estate

It is no surprise that a fresh start during the 2019 spring season for some means to put Chicago-North Shore property on the market and/or start looking for a new place to call home.

Below are the top 4 reasons plus 1 tip on why spring can be an ideal time to get moving on selling, buying or both on the North Shore of Chicago:

1. A house on the market at the beginning of spring sets you up for a perfect timeline to move over the summer! The weather is most likely to cooperate with you during this time. A summer move is also ideal for those who have families…often better not to disrupt the children during the school year – especially if you’re relocating and changing school districts; this will allow a have a fresh start at the beginning of a brand new school year.

2. Uptick in traffic at open houses means increased probability of a sale. With milder weather, people are often more motivated to venture outside.

3. Houses look more appealing in the sunlight with nice curb enhanced greenery and/or flowers out front. Curb appeal is important year round. The spring shines a light on a home’s appearance literally and figuratively. It’s a little easier to make repairs to a home when the weather is mild. Spring is the time to finally stop putting off the little projects that have been building up through the winter. Fix that broken step banister put a fresh coat of paint on that chipped garage door, it can make the difference and have bearing on a buyer the moment they cross the threshold.

4. Take the fix-up projects a step further….There is certainly no better time to de-clutter than with the windows open for the first time after winter…can you say spring cleaning! Deciding to sell might be that extra push you need to finally get rid of those old clothes or an overabundance of toys. More tips and guides HERE and HERE

IMPORTANT TIP:

This 2019 spring season, look to knowledgeable and experienced Chicago North Shore real estate professionals. As a North Shore resident, Gloria Matlin has kept an accolade producing pulse on the North Shore real estate market for well over 2 decades. She and partner Zack Matlin intimately know the North Shore communities.  With over 25 years of elite, client-focused, top producing experience, Gloria and her team sincerely want to make real estate dreams a reality for Spring 2019. For additional information and optimal attention/service, stop into their high-ranking Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate office, located at 640 Vernon Avenue in the downtown district of Glencoe, Illinois, 60022.

Spring 2019, Will be one of The Best Times to Buy….Know Why?

Glencoe – North Shore Market Conditions – PRESS THE IMAGE

With today’s 2019, Chicago North Shore market conditions NOW are one of the best times to find your perfect home at the price you want. If you wait, prices and interest rates will rise and you may find yourself on the outside looking in.

Choices are out there. In the past, the number of homes on the market was very low and the selection was poor. In today’s market, a buyer is able to find the right home without compromising any needs or wants.

Take your time in researching your new home. Shop around. Look at multiple homes and compare. In previous years, the seller’s market rushed buyers to make offers without thinking about their decision. Now; you can afford to give your decision the time and consideration it requires.

Make sure your home is in the best condition. Practice due diligence and schedule home inspections and appraisals on the property that you are interested in. No longer do you have to waive these contingencies with the fear that you may lose the home to another offer. Also, submit any repair requests that you may have to the seller before purchasing the home.

Reliable and trustworthy financing is available. The re-emergence of fixed-rate mortgages and the rapidly disappearing adjustable, sub-prime loans make this a great time to buy your new home!

Contact us today, we can effectively assist! Gloria and Zack Matlin…Matlin Residential Real Estate.

 

2019 Market Outlook-Chicago North Shore Real Estate

2019 First-time buyers who stayed out of the market – either for demographic reasons or because they just couldn’t find the right Chicago North Shore home – will find less competition as more buyers are priced out, but feel an increased sense of urgency to close before it gets even more expensive. Their largest struggle next year will be reconciling wants, needs, and budget versus the heavy competition of 2018. Although the number of homes for sale is increasing, which is an improvement for buyers, the majority of new inventory is focused in the mid-to-higher-end price tier, not entry-level. Rising mortgage rates and prices will keep a lot of new inventory out of their budget and make it especially tough for first time home buyers.

2019 predictions are based on housing data that shows rents continuing to skyrocket while the for-sale market levels off. That economic reality increased inventory, and millennials getting married and having children after delaying those choices, are forecasted to give North Shore buyers and sellers more negotiating power. In fact, a recent study predicts the millennial generation will overtake Generation X as the biggest group of Chicago-North Shore home buyers in 2019.

In light of these trends, Realtor.com took a look at income data, home-value growth and the number of entry-level homes-for-sale to rank the best markets for first-time home buyers in 2019. More information HERE.

Start 2019 off with trusted, top producing North Shore Chicago real estate guidance from Gloria and/or Zack Matlin. With over 25 years of steadfast expertise, Gloria Matlin has been helping her clients realize their real estate dreams with enthusiastic, sincere, confident, graceful, tenacious, attentive and personalized top-tier service.

 

Top 5 Winter Renovations That Pay Off Big-North Shore Real Estate Trends

There is always something that can be improved upon. Now in 2018…When you spend a little time in your Chicago North Shore home on vacation or on the weekends, you are bound to find a improvement project or two that can keep you busy. And that’s usually what happens during the winter especially right at the start of a new year, people want their houses to look their best, and any indoor project that doesn’t require windows to be open or walls to be taken down are good ones to think about. More importantly it’s vital to think of the projects that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but will also get a big bang for your North Shore real estate investment buck in the long-term.

While doors and floors fit that category, be warned that any door that’s hung in the winter might be a bit of a tight fit in the summer, when humidity can expand the wood. So, be cautious of starting wood projects.

There are plenty of other home improvement projects that can keep you busy during the winter months. Here are the top 5 suggestions for high REO (return on investment) this season:

1. Install a programmable thermostat: It’s always a bit of a shock when you get that first utility bill in the colder months. If you haven’t already taken steps to save energy, an easy project, is installing a thermostat that allows you to automatically set the temperature for different times of the day. By having the heat programmed to go on when you get up in the morning, then off when you leave for the day, then back on when you arrive home, you can keep the temperature of your home constant. This type of project is an easy do-it-yourself project. It’s just a couple of low-voltage wires, so it’s really something anyone can handle, and some of them cost as low as $25. It can pay for itself in a month or two.

2. Insulate your water heater: Another way to save energy is to lower the temperature of your water heater, and insulate it. The ideal temperature is 120 degrees. It doesn’t cost you anything to turn it down, and by wrapping it in insulation, you can ensure that the water stays hot when it is not being used. You can buy insulation kits at your local North Shore-Glencoe hardware store.

3. Paint a room: This is the greatest winter project, it’s a great cure for the midwinter blues. And a $50 investment in paint can dramatically transform a room. When you are spending more time inside, you have more time to look at what needs to be refreshed. This is a quick, do-it-yourself project and a small investment can make a big difference.

4. Refinish the basement: Need a contractor for a project? Find one in the winter, contractors are slower in the winter, and one project that’s especially popular is refinishing the basement — you can often find someone to take this on. Of course, the ever-popular bathroom and kitchen remodels, are seasonless, and sometimes endless, can also be started in winter (as long as a wall doesn’t need to be knocked out).

5. Get organized: So many people resolve to get organized at the New Year and winter is a great time to actually take action on that resolution. There are so many great modular closet-organizing systems, a project like this is a great antidote to North Shore cabin fever. You can clear up the clutter in a room or a closet, and make it look like you have twice the space you did to begin with; a sure-fire way to attract potential buyers, a total sellers edge…MORE IDEAS

With sustained top producing, high ranking, client focused results, Gloria Matlin looks forward to making 2018 even better! Over 25 years of devoted service, and now partnering with son Zack Matlin, this team is sure to make Chicago North Shore real estate dreams come true once again.

 

Spring Home Buying Frenzy? North Shore Real Estate

North Shore Spring-time home buying is fast approaching. The normal spring home buying season is typically March, April, May and June. The main reason for this time-frame is because many take vacations during July and August. Spring 2017 on Chicago’s North Shore is forecasted to be one of the best home sale seasons on record; and with mortgage interest rates at relative lows, many are paying close attention to Chicago North Shore real estate outcomes.

Be ready to jump on the North Shore home you want. Don’t be too indecisive. Don’t try to sleep on it. When you find it, make an offer. Here are other tips to help you navigate The North Shore home buying spring season:

• Get preapproved by a local North Shore lender. It could be a local bank or a local mortgage broker, but don’t try to compete with an online lender approval letter or an out-of-area mortgage lender letter. Offers that contain a local lender’s preapproval letter will probably get top billing.
• Focus on the house, not the owner. Don’t get overwhelmed on whether the home is a foreclosure, a short sale or owned by a traditional North Shore seller. Concentrate on location, location, location, and look for homes that meet your basic requirements. If a market is dominated by foreclosures and short sales, those prices will be the norm among traditional sellers.
• Hire a North Shore neighborhood specialist. All real estate is local. A real estate agent who specializes in the area where you want to buy will be a wealth of information for you. Not to mention, that agent will probably be well-known and respected among the area specialist listing realtors. Working with an agent other agents like is a plus for you.
• Be prepared to pay list. Some buyers focus on how much the seller is asking instead of on how much the home is worth. Ask your agent to show you a CMA of comparable sales to determine actual value. You can’t compare values by other homes on the market because sellers can ask whatever they want. If you are getting the home you want at a price you can afford, whether you pay $1,000 more or less makes no difference in the overall outcome.
• Give the seller something other buyers won’t. There are many terms contained in a purchase offer. Negotiation is not always all about price. You can give the seller a benefit to take your offer without actually waiving your rights. Ask your agent to make suggestions for you. It could be something as small as giving the sellers an extra day to move out.

If you are new to town, you might want to spend a few weekends before the home buying season starts and get to know the Chicago-North Shore area. Talk to people in the street and at restaurants. Visit several real estate offices and interview a few North Shore real estate agents. Use the Internet to do some research. Drive or better walk the neighborhoods you like the best at different times of the day and, if you can, on different days of the week, see if they would fit your lifestyle. If you have children, review the North Shore school districts, or research upcoming things to do or activities like North Shore summer camps and spring/summer classes for 2017.

You can also stop by our Coldwell Banker office for help, guidance and questions on buying a home, selling a home or overall North Shore market conditions.  We are located in Glencoe, Illinois 60022- 640 Vernon Ave. We look forward to assisting you. More info HERE

Home Staging During the Holidays: Chicago-North Shore Real Estate

Don’t let the thought of selling your North Shore home during the winter months dampen your holiday spirit. Create a festive, buyer-friendly environment with these 7 seasonal staging must do’s.

1. Before you start untangling your tinsel, make sure your holiday collection matches your current indoor decor.

2. Too many trimmings can be distracting, but the right accessories can draw attention to your home’s best features. As an example, try hanging a few (no more than five) tasteful ornaments from your mantel to highlight an elegant fireplace.

3. Go light on the lights outside…Leave the giant inflatable snowman in storage this year. One man’s “merry” is another man’s “tacky,” so tone down any over the top light displays.

4.  If you decide on adding a tree make sure the wide base won’t overwhelm the floor space.

5. Crank up the Heat! Cold temps present the perfect opportunity to create an inviting environment for potential home-buyers. Buyers will be grateful for a place to escape from the cold.

6.Offer accessible tasty treats..this is a great way to get buyers to stick around and check out your home.

7. The less-is-more mantra of home staging may tempt you to go without holiday cheer this year. But a few subtle touches like a pine cone centerpiece,  or even an evergreen wreath can add warmth anyone will notice as soon as they come through the door….CONTINUED

Gloria Matlin and team member Zack Matlin pride themselves on being top real estate resources; with Gloria’s experience with everything North Shore Real Estate for over 25 years.  Market trends, reports, lists of homes for sale, homes for rent, and general North Shore housing information is available 24/7 at  www.gloriamatlin.com or www.coldwellbankeronline.com. You may also stop into the highly awarded Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate office where Gloria Matlin calls home base – 640 Vernon Ave, Glencoe, IL; for additional assistance/guidance.

 

 

Real Estate Outcomes August2014: Chicago’s North Shore

Monthly Market Update (Click to Play)

Prices

The Chicago North Shore real estate market continues on a path of progress with the Median Sales Price in August up 12.0% from market action reporting in August of 2013 and up 14.5% from last month. The Average Sales Price in August was up 17.6% compared to August of 2013 and up 13.5% from last month. August 2014 ASP was at highest level compared to August of 2013 and 2012.

 Property Sales

August North Shore Property sales were down -13.9% from sales figures in August of 2013 and -8.3% lower than the sales totals last month. August 2014 sales were at a mid-level compared to August of 2013 and 2012. August YTD sales of 2,765 are running -12.2% behind last year’s year-to-date sales of 3,150.

 

Inventory & MSI

The Total Inventory of North Shore-Chicago Properties available for sale as of August 2014 was down -2.5% from figures calculated last month and up 14.3% from totals in August of last year. August 2014 Inventory was at a mid-range compared to August of 2013 and 2012. A comparatively lower MSI is more beneficial for North Shore sellers while a higher MSI is better for North Shore buyers. The August 2014 MSI of 3.5 months was at a mid-range compared with August of 2013 and 2012.

 Selling Price vs Listing Price

The Selling Price vs Listing Price reveals the average amount that North Shore Sellers are agreeing to come down from their list price. The lower the ratio is below 100% the more of a Buyer’s market exists, a ratio at or above 100% indicates more of a Seller’s market. The August 2014 Selling Price vs List Price of 96.4% was down from 96.7% last month and down from 96.8% in August of last year.

 

Inventory / New Listings / Sales

This view above of the market combines monthly inventory of Chicago North Shore Properties for sale along with New Listings and Sales. The graph shows the basic annual seasonality of the North Shore real estate markets as well as the relationship between these items. The number of New Listings in August 2014 was down -16.4% from market action totals last month and up 13.1% from figures noted in August of last year.

Often thought of as the consummate North Shore real estate professional, Gloria Matlin has a client centered style that focuses on elite real estate service and attention.  With over 25 years of top ranking, high producing accomplishments, a precise sense of area market trends and forecasts, she enjoys making dreams come true with each and every one of her clients.  Look to her for optimal performance with a sincere and personable approach to buying, selling, investing or even relocation related real estate endeavors. She calls Coldwell Banker residential real estate her home office-640 Vernon Avenue, Glencoe, Illinois.

Real Estate Outcomes May2014: Chicago’s North Shore

Prices

Summer makes a grand entrance with The Median Chicago North Shore Sales Price in May up 24.8% from sales figures calculated in May of 2013 and up 18.6% from last month. The Average Sales Price in May was $698,787, up 24.6% from $560,610 in May of 2013 and up 15.8% from $603,202 last month. May 2014 ASP was at highest level compared to May of 2013 and 2012.

Selling Price vs Listing Price

The Selling Price vs Listing Price reveals the average amount that North Shore-Chicago Sellers are agreeing to come down from their list price. The lower the ratio is below 100% the more of a North Shore Buyer’s market exists, a ratio at or above 100% indicates more of a Seller’s market. The May 2014 Selling Price vs List Price of 96.3% was up from 96.1% last month and up from 95.8% in May of last year.

Property Sales

May North Shore-Chicago Property sales were down -20.1% from sales volumes reported in May of 2013 and 17.0% higher than North Shore property sales last month. May 2014 sales were at their lowest level compared to May of 2013 and 2012. May YTD sales are running -12.9% behind last year’s year-to-date sales totals.

Inventory & MSI

The Total Chicago North Shore Inventory of Properties available for sale as of May was up 8.7% from final inventory totals last month and down -2.9% from figures calculated in May of last year. May 2014 Inventory was at the lowest level compared to May of 2013 and 2012. A comparatively lower MSI is more beneficial for North Shore sellers while a higher MSI is better for North Shore buyers. The May 2014 MSI of 4.2 months was at a mid-range compared with May of 2013 and 2012.

Market Time

The average Chicago Northern Shore 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 North Shore Buyer’s market, a downward trend a move towards more of a North Shore Seller’s market. The DOM for May was 54, down -12.9% from 62 days last month and down -31.6% from 79 days in May of last year. The May 2014 DOM was at its lowest level compared with May of 2013 and 2012.

Inventory / New Listings / Sales

The summary view of the market above combines monthly inventory of North Shore Properties for sale along with Chicago-North Shore 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 North Shore Listings in May 2014 was 750, up 9.2% from 687 last month and up 10.3% from 680 in May of last year.

This summer is forecasted to be a top performing, optimally ranking, high producing season for Gloria Matlin. Thanks to ongoing referrals, glowing feedback, and a sincere desire to help make Chicago North Shore real estate dreams come true, Gloria Matlin continues the tradition of consummate quality real estate service. Her clients repeatedly highlight that her tenacious, pleasant, personable, thorough, and seasoned approach, along with invaluable community insight keep her among the elite group of Realtors on Chicago’s North Shore. She has called Coldwell Banker’s residential real estate office of North Shore- Chicago in the village of Glencoe, Illinois home for over 25 years – 640 Vernon Avenue, 60022.