Real Estate

Mistakes To Avoid When Selling Your Illinois Home
Posted Tuesday May 26, 2020 in Real Estate

It’s exciting to put a house on the market and to think about making new memories in new spaces, but we can have deep sentimental attachments to the homes we’re leaving behind, too. Growing emotions can help or hinder a sale, depending on how we manage them. Homeowners need to know what it takes to…

Likely (and Unlikely) Features in New Homes
Posted Tuesday May 12, 2020 in Real Estate

Home builders make a lot of decisions about how to run their businesses every day. Among their most critical determinations is what features to include in the homes they build. Experience, region, trends, target audience, and many other factors play a role in a decision that directly affects their bottom line. In order to provide…

What To Spend Money On When Building A Home In Illinois
Posted Tuesday April 28, 2020 in Real Estate

Building a dream home in Illinois from the ground up is one of the most exciting things that you can do, but you need to be sure you're investing your money in the right places. With a little bit of planning and research, your new home will be the perfect blend of form and function.…

How Much Do You Need To Make To Live In The 15 Largest U.S. Cities?
Posted Tuesday April 7, 2020 in Real Estate

Home values vary considerably across the country, and that means aspiring buyers will need more—or less—money depending on where they’re putting down roots. For example, the median home value in San Francisco is nearly $1.2 million, compared to $170,000 in Philadelphia. Researchers with SmartAsset, a personal finance website, sought to find out how much consumers…

Reasons To Use A Real Estate Agent To Sell Your Illinois Home
Posted Monday February 24, 2020 in Real Estate

People often try to sell their home on their own (FSBO...For Sale By Owner). While this may certainly work for some, there are several things you should consider before you list your home yourself. Real estate agents perform many important services and often times deliver better results than a home seller could achieve on their…

Questions to Ask Before Buying a Fixer-Upper in Illinois
Posted Monday February 3, 2020 in Real Estate

The last thing you want to do is purchase a home that ends up costing you more to fix than you calculated for. So before you spend a lot of your time and money on a fixer-upper, you need to know the questions to ask first. Is the Investment Worth It? Deciding on whether to…

When a House Becomes a Home
Posted Monday January 20, 2020 in Real Estate

We talk a lot about why it makes financial sense to buy a home in Illinois, but more often than not we’re drawn to the emotional reasons for homeownership. No matter the size or shape of a living space, the feeling of a home means different things to different people. Whether it’s a certain scent…

Home Prices Could Increase 5.4% by October 2020
Posted Monday January 13, 2020 in Real Estate

Home prices grew by 3.5 percent year-over-year in October and are expected to rise by 5.4 percent by the same time next year, according to a CoreLogic Home Price Index and Forecast report. Between September and October 2019, home prices grew by 0.5 percent. Nationwide, home values have been growing steadily since 2012 and the…

Should You Rent Or Own If You’re Retired?
Posted Monday January 6, 2020 in Real Estate

For many of us, the decision to rent or buy is dictated by our income. But for retirees, who are typically on a fixed income, deciding between renting and buying isn't such a simple calculation. Retirees may choose to relocate for a variety of reasons, including downsizing, being closer to family, or to enjoy a…

Selling Your Home? Here’s How To Make It Look Its Best Before Showings
Posted Monday December 30, 2019 in Home Improvement, Real Estate

While there are many things you can do to make your Illinois property look it's best before showing to a potential buyer, here are four of the most important aspects to highlight: Appeal Appeal reigns supreme when it comes to attracting prospective buyers. They're looking for an attractive residence that'll present a welcoming façade and…