Rob Gow - Real Estate and Shoreline Lifestyle: Evanston IL Real Estate

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

8 Stress Free Ways to Enjoy the Holidays in Evanston!

We appreciate you taking the time to stop by our blog! Chances are you’re here because you’re considering buying or selling a home in Evanston or along the Lake Michigan Shoreline.

As Evanston Real Estate agents and property advisors we know that with the holiday season can be a busy time, especially if you’re looking to enter the Evanston Real Estate market! Today we thought we’d take a few minutes to highlight some great ideas for soaking in the holidays.

Once you’ve found a trusted and experienced Evanston Real Estate agent, you can rest assured that they’re taking care of all the details. While you spend time some time interacting with them and possibly viewing homes currently available in Evanston, or are getting your home ready for a showing; you can relax knowing that your agent will guide you through each step of buying or selling a home.

As your agent takes care of your real estate needs, here eight ways to slow down and enjoy this festive season.

1. Candlelight Night- There’s something very calming about candlelight. Why not get together with friends or family, light a few candles and have your fireplace glowing and take time to share your favorite Christmas memories!

2. Slow Down- Feel that you have a million thoughts running through your head and a long list of things to do before Christmas Eve? Sit down and just take a minute to relax. Find a quiet place in your home, enjoy the coziness of a fire in the fireplace in your Evanston home and just block out all the noise. Being able to take a few minutes to do this will help you to enjoy the holiday more as you feel relaxed and more focused on the true meaning of the holidays.

3. Potluck- Instead of trying to do it all and take on hosting a large Christmas dinner in your home in Evanston; have a potluck! Whether you’re gathering with your Evanston neighbors or are expecting a large group of family and friends; sharing the cooking will take the pressure off of you! This also gives others the opportunity to share their favorite holiday recipes!

4. Movie Night- Looking for something to do for a fun holiday event? Host a movie night with holiday treats and your favorite holiday movies! This inexpensive gathering will be fun for children and adults alike!

5. Cocktail Party- Try hosting a cocktail party in place of a sit down dinner. If you want to keep things simple, and don’t have an entire evening free- this can be a way to gather with friends over a little Christmas cheer. Have an under $10 gift exchange for added fun!

6. Hot Chocolate Tasting- This classic winter drink is loved by many and with all the new flavors out there, a hot chocolate tasting may be just the thing for a fun holiday idea! The tasting can take place for the children while the adults enjoy their cocktail party, or can become part of your Christmas Eve traditions!

7. Winter Walk- Evanston is beautiful this time of year! Even though the leaves on the trees are gone, the Pine trees offer that touch of green and holiday spirit. The fresh air will be invigorating and discovering your favorite shops and restaurants around Evanston is always a great idea!

8. Give Back- Whether it’s your time, money, or donations… give back this season! There are many who aren’t able to experience the holidays to the fullest due to illness, loneliness or lack of resources to buy gifts for loved ones. Why not take the time to give back in some way? Gather your Evanston neighbors or family and come up with creative ways to give back to the community surrounding Evanston! You’ll enjoy seeing the smiles on others faces!

By trying out even a few of these ideas, you’ll find yourself soaking in the spirit of the season even more!

If you are considering buying or selling an Evanston home and haven’t yet found an Evanston Real Estate agent; please let us know! We would love to meet with you to discuss how we can help you meet your goals!

Shoreline Property Advisors

@ Prudential Rubloff

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

How to Throw an Eco-Friendly Holiday Party in Your Evanston Home!

Now that Thanksgiving is only a week away, we’re sure that many of you are getting your Evanston home ready to host friends and family for the celebration. It’s a great time of year to enjoy living in Evanston and remember all that we have for which to be thankful.

In our line of work as Evanston Real Estate agents and property advisors, we believe in providing well rounded service to our clients. That means, we’re not just giving advice on buying or selling a home, but also tips for how to enjoy the home in which you live.

Your community is also a big part of your lifestyle and, for those of you living in Evanston, we’re sure you already have a list of reasons you love to call this great city “home.” One of the highlights for us is that Evanston is committed to preserving its’ environment and takes a pro active approach to educating and providing opportunities for the community to get involved in its’ eco friendly endeavors!

As you open up your Evanston home to friends and family, why not think through some of the ways you can contribute to Evanston’s green environment by hosting an eco-friendly holiday party! Here are a few ideas to help you get started!

1. Buy Local- Shopping locally from farmers and other various growers for ingredients for your holiday party (or any time!) is a great way to cut down on our carbon footprint as well as help support sustainable growing in Evanston and surrounding areas.

2. Reusable Towels- When cleaning up after your holiday party; be sure to use reusable towels instead of paper towels. Microfiber towels will hold on to dust, dirt and food particles since the fibers act like a magnet. After cleanup, throw them in the wash and you’ll be able to reuse them over and over!

3. Switch to Convection- Now, we don’t expect that you’ll run out and buy a new oven before your holiday party, but this is something to consider for the very near future! Switch from a conventional oven to a convection oven. The difference? A convection oven continually circulates heated air, which means food cooks more quickly and reduces energy usage by 20%! Imagine being able to prepare food faster and save on energy- all from one appliance!

4. Cloth Napkins- These “things of the past” are making a comeback! The average American will use around 2,200 paper napkins per year- which are never recycled! Using cloth napkins will cut down drastically on waste and will make any event feel more special.

5. Chill Out- Be sure to put a pitcher of water in your fridge at least an hour before your party to ensure it’s completely chilled. Those that prefer water won’t have to stand at your sink and let the water run until it gets cold. The average kitchen faucet flows at a gallon per minute! Thinking ahead can help to chill water before will reduce the waste that a running faucet will produce!

6. Nix the Microwave- As much as possible, reheat or cook items in the oven or on the stove. Certain plastics can produce harmful fumes when put in the microwave and, while not overtly harmful, microwaves do leak radiation. It’s just better for your health and for the environment to use other options as often as you can!

7. Glass Containers- Storing leftovers or dried foods in glass containers with lids are much safer than the plastic alternative. When heated, certain plastics can break down and put chemicals into your food. Learn more about harmful and safe plastics.

8. No-Cook Dishes- Save energy and give your oven a rest by preparing dishes that don’t have to be cooked. Think: salads, fruit dishes, veggie dips, yogurts and much more! You’ll find yourself being more creative and spending less time in the kitchen!

9. Fill the Dishwasher- To avoid wasting water and energy, be sure to have a full load each time you use your dishwasher. Surprisingly, new energy efficient dishwasher can be more eco-friendly than washing dishes by hand! Be sure to air dry and skip the pre-rinse cycle as most newer models are effective enough to get your dishes clean without the added step!

With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to hosting an environmentally conscious holiday party that you and your guests will be sure to appreciate. In fact, you can put these into practice all year long to cultivate a “green” environment in your Evanston home!

If you don’t currently live in Evanston, but have been considering moving to this charming city just north of Chicago, please let us know! We would be happy to answer your questions regarding the Evanston Real Estate market and lifestyle.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Shoreline Property Advisors

@ Prudential Rubloff

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

5 Benefits of Buying an Evanston Home During the Holidays

It’s hard to believe that we’re already in the middle of October and that the holiday season will be here before we know it! As we’re enjoying this beautiful time of year in Evanston with the changing leaves and cooling temperatures; we’re also working hard here at Shoreline Property Advisors to ensure you’re fully prepared to navigate the Evanston Real Estate market before the end of the year.

If you’re considering buying a home in Evanston, you may be leery of beginning your search now. You may feel that buying a home during the holiday season is less than ideal; so we wanted to take some time today to show you the benefits of finding and buying your ideal home in Evanston this time of year!

1. Lower Prices- With the lack of people searching during the holidays for a home in Evanston; prices soften a bit. You can view our website to see a list of our current homes on the Evanston Real Estate market! You’ll notice these homes are priced to sell and are a great deal for buyers.

2. Less Competition- Many buyers don’t think to take advantage of house hunting during the holidays, so you’re sure to avoid any bidding wars that would occur at a peak point on the Evanston Real Estate market. This will mean a less stressful home buying experience for you!

3. Motivated Sellers- Sellers dread not being able to sell their homes before the holidays get under way. They’re very aware that most are not in the market to buy a home until Spring rolls around, which means; they’re motivated. They know showings of their home will greatly decrease, so any activity on their home is good news. Oftentimes they’re willing to come down on the price or be flexible with closing dates, and other extras.

4. Favorable Mortgage Terms- Mortgage lenders may be willing to lower interest rates or let go of some of their fees in order to gain your business. With fewer people shopping for homes; they will be experiencing a slower time in their business as well. Be sure to shop around to get the best possible deal. Your Evanston Real Estate agent will help point you in the right direction.

5. Tax Deduction- Closing before the end of the year can mean you are eligible to deduct the interest component of your first monthly mortgage payment from your taxable income for this year. You may also be able to deduct any money you pay for points to reduce your interest rate. Of course you’ll want to consult with an Evanston tax advisor to talk over the full details.

We hope these reasons to buy a home during the holidays boosts your confidence in taking the next step! As always, if you have any questions about living in Evanston, or the home buying process; please contact us today!

We look forward to working with you to ensure you’re in your new Evanston home soon!

Shoreline Property Advisors

@ Prudential Rubloff

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Get Your Evanston Home Ready for Fall!

If you’ve lived in Evanston, or anywhere along the Lake Michigan Shoreline, for a few years; you know that the warm last days of summer can quickly change to a crisp fall atmosphere in just a few short days.

Here at Shoreline Property Advisors, we’re looking forward to the beautiful fall weather, Northwestern football season and the sound of leaves crunching underfoot. It’s a great time of year in Evanston and, if you’re new to the area, you’ll come to love this season as much as we do!

As Evanston Real Estate agents and advisors, we believe that our clients deserve the best information and service during the home buying or selling process and even years after! Our goal is to help you continue to enjoy your home for years to come.

One way to do this is to keep your home in tip top shape throughout the changing seasons. While it may still seem early to get out your fall “to do” list; there are a few things that you’ll want to tackle this month. Going through this quick checklist from Frontdoor.com will ensure your home is ready and that you can enjoy curling up in your cozy Evanston home once the cold weather arrives.

1. Add weatherstripping to doors and windows- Weatherstripping can be plastic, foam, felt or metal; its job is to seal small gaps, keeping moisture and cold air outside where they belong. Newer, energy-efficient windows generally don't require added weatherstripping, but if your windows are older, weatherstripping can keep drafts at bay and energy costs down.

2. Check storm windows- If you have storm windows that are cracked or dirty, repair and clean them now; prior to autumn installation.

3. Insulation speculation- This is a good time to check the condition of insulation and see if you need more, especially if you live in an older Evanston home. You can purchase un-backed or loose-fill insulation if you are just beefing up what is already there. If your walls lack insulation, consider having a professional install blown-in insulation foam. The energy savings will probably offset the cost of the procedure in a couple of years.

4. Check gutters- Do a quick visual check to make sure gutters are clear — they'll be performing double duty soon with rainstorms and falling leaves.

5. Keep mice out- September inspires nesting in mice as well as humans. Mice are looking for a winter home now, and that newly insulated attic would be just the spot. Mice can squeeze through 1/4-inch openings; rats need a half-inch. Make sure all exterior vents are screened, and that there are no gaps underneath garage doors.

6. Caulk exterior- Think of caulk as weatherstripping in a tube. Any gap on the outside of your home can be a candidate for caulking. Look at transition spots: corners, windows, doors, areas where masonry joins siding, or places where vents and other objects protrude from walls. Carefully read manufacturer's directions to make sure the caulk you buy will work where you plan to use it, and don't forget to purchase a caulking gun. Early fall is a good time for this task because caulk becomes difficult to apply when the temperature falls.

7. Inspect your roof and chimney- If your roof isn't too steep, and isn't covered with slate or tile, you may be able to carefully walk on it on a dry day. Look for broken or missing shingles, missing or damaged flashing and seals around vent pipes and chimneys, and damage to boards along the eaves. Also peer down your chimney with a flashlight to make sure no animals have set up house in it. If you can't get on your roof, perform this inspection with a ladder around the perimeter. Some patches and roofing cement now can prevent thousands of dollars of water damage later in the winter.

Getting your Evanston home ready for the colder weather now can save you from problems later in the season. We hope these tips help make the process a little easier!

If you have questions about the Evanston Real Estate market, or are considering relocating to the area and want to learn more about Evanston and the homes currently available. Please feel free to contact us today!

We look forward to hearing from you!

Shoreline Property Advisors

@ Prudential Rubloff