$5000 less today may be equal to $5000 more one month later…
Here is a quick tip to consider when negotiating the sale of your home.
Let’s say a buyer is offering you $5000 below what you have mentally determined to be your “bottom line.” You really don’t want to accept the price, but you’re contemplating it [...]
While having a casual conversation with a friend recently, he mentioned that the house on his street sold in less than a week. I said, “Wow that’s great to hear!” Unexpectedly, my friend blurted out, “Yeah, they definitely underpriced it if it sold that fast.” Below is a summary of my response…
In a market where [...]
A small, but common issue that buyers often look for when viewing a home is mold and mildew build up around the shower and tub. While a common cleaner, such as Tilex works well for removing these unsightly stains from tile and grout, they don’t seem to work well on the caulk around these surfaces. [...]
Not all remodels are created equal. You may already be familiar with Remodeling magazine’s popular Cost vs. Value report, which documents the average return on investment expected for specific improvement projects. But have you taken into account the latest design trends that will make your home more desirable and thus more valuable?
For example, many buyers [...]
As the housing market and economy begin their slow recovery, some homeowners are entertaining the “DIY” or Do-IT-Yourself approach to home repairs. A recent poll conducted by Time Magazine found that 36% of homeowners are spending less money on home improvements. However, 23% said they are doing more repairs themselves rather than hiring professional help.
From [...]
Having recently come across the article, Existing Homes Selling Fast–Record Fast, I couldn’t help but applaud staff writer, Les Christie of CNNMoney.com, for his ability to engage readers with an eye-catching title, but more importantly support his topic with informative and balanced information. Specifically, he was able to utilize educated explanations from top economists and [...]
The following two videos clearly demonstrate the positive impact of home staging. These condominiums, located at 1256 N. Cleaver in Chicago, Illinois, border the vibrant neighborhoods of Noble Square and Wicker Park.
In the first video, I walk you through a condo with no furniture. It is bare and difficult to grasp a true understanding as [...]
From July 2007 to July 2009, the median price for Sold, attached single-family homes (specifically condos and townhomes) in Roscoe Village and Lincoln Square rose a whopping 12% ($349,500 to $389,900)! Now, does this mean that home values have experienced an on average double-digit increase over the last two years? Absolutely not! These numbers most [...]
When buyers are comparing homes that make their “short list,” property taxes can sometimes play a critical role in their decision. Why you may ask? Well, amidst two properties being priced fairly similar, the property taxes can be significantly different…sometimes as much as $500-$1000 annually.
While there are multiple reasons for these tax amount differences: location, [...]
Along with the various street and neighborhood festivals throughout the summer, beautiful garden walks can be found throughout many Chicago communities. Along with being a great way to meet your fellow neighbors, these garden walks often provide ideas and inspiration for what can be done with your own landscaping. See what’s on tap for [...]
