Rob Gow - Real Estate and Shoreline Lifestyle: Selling a Home in Chicago

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

10 Tips to Help Sell Your Chicago Home This Fall!

It’s hard to believe that, with Labor Day behind us, we are quickly approaching fall. Before we know it, leaves will be changing colors and the crisp air and vivid blue skies will have us thinking about the holiday season. Here at Shoreline Property Advisors, we always get excited about the fall because the real estate market tends to pick up with activity as buyers and sellers try to get situated in their new homes before the holidays.

Since it’s still early in September and the holidays seem far away, now is a great time to put your home on the market if you’re considering selling your Chicago home this fall. You’ll be a few steps ahead of the competition and will spark interest with those buyers that are already starting to look for their dream home.

Interested to know how to make your home appeal to buyers this fall? Here are ten things you can do to help your home sell!

1. Update your listing photos- If your Chicago home was listed last winter or spring, talk with your Chicago Real Estate agent about updating your home’s marketing with brand new fall shots. Pictures from the previous season make your listing seem dated.

2. Focus on curb appeal- Selling your Chicago home during the fall certainly comes with one advantage: the season's beautiful foliage which can automatically make your home more attractive for showings. However, you still need to do your part to keep your home looking its best. Start by sprucing up your lawn, keep falling leaves at bay with frequent raking and patch up any brown spots in the grass.

3. Appeal to the senses- As the weather cools down in Chicago, make your home a warm, welcoming space where buyers will want to stick around. If you encourage them to stay awhile during showings, you give them more time to admire your home's best features.

4. Flaunt your fireplace- A warm, inviting fireplace is a great selling point as the weather gets cooler. Highlight this fall-friendly feature by arranging your furniture to make your fireplace a focal point. Place a mirror, artwork, vases or other tasteful decor on top of the mantel to make it even more prominent.

5. Think like a buyer- Fall house hunters are looking for great deals on Chicago homes, so be prepared for lowball offers and possible non-serious buyers. Manage your expectations and negotiate accordingly, depending on your motivation.

6. Hire a reliable real estate professional- As if selling your home isn't stressful enough, you're probably thinking ahead for the holidays or helping the kids ease into a new school year. During this hectic season, you definitely want a great Chicago Real Estate agent to take some of the pressure of selling your home off your shoulders. If you are still searching for an agent; our experienced Prudential Rubloff Chicago Real Estate agents would love to help you sell your Chicago home!

7. Price it right- If you want to grab the attention of Chicago buyers in this competitive market, you need to price your home correctly from the start - possibly slightly lower than comparable homes in your neighborhood. Setting your listing price just right could lead to a bidding war, resulting in a higher sales price for you. Work with your Chicago Real Estate agent to price your home correctly.

8. Watch your timing- Put your Chicago home on the market well in advance of looking for a new home. And don't place an offer on your next home until you have solid offers on the one you have to sell now. The last thing you want to do is juggle two mortgage payments.

9. Beware of TMI (too much information)- Buyers think most sellers these days are in dire straits, so don't do anything to add to that perceived advantage and lower your potential selling price. For instance, if you are moving from Chicago due to a job transfer, it's best not to offer up that information or at the very least, downplay the urgency. While you are obligated to disclose everything about the property's condition, you aren't obligated to disclose your personal situation.

10. Be flexible- We are currently in a buyers market in Chicago so be willing to work with buyers to help your chances of making a quick sale. Offer to pay for closing costs or repairs, and be adaptable when it comes to showing your home and holding open houses. If you really need to sell your Chicago home, you need to accommodate buyers' busy schedules as well. This might mean opening your home on weeknights and weekends. Be flexible!

We hope these tips are helpful as you prepare to sell your Chicago home this fall! If you have any questions about selling your home or are looking for a Chicago Real Estate agent to help guide you through the process; please contact us!

We would love to work with you to get your home sold!

Shoreline Property Advisors

@ Prudential Rubloff

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

The Best Updates for Your North Shore Home

Whether you just bought or have lived in your North Shore home for years, there are certain aspects that you need to pay special attention to. Updating specific rooms doesn’t just increase the value; it will add to the atmosphere of the entire area as well.

Add a deck to your home. While many enjoy the greenery their backyard provides them, a great way to fully enjoy your miniature eden is by building a deck. Many home owners think of large wood areas with plenty of seating for guests when envisioning a deck. However, your deck doesn’t have to be oversized. Building a modest deck will provide you with ample space for seating, but will also be wonderful during North Shore summers.
Spruce up your attic or basement. These two areas of the home are often overlooked when decorating. The basement may look dark and damp, but it doesn’t have to. Without even having to spend the money to fully finish your basement, there are quick ways to turn it into a comfortable living space. Buying a cheap couch and tables will create a space for entertaining and relaxing. Many home owners rarely even visit their attic, unless it is to throw a box of old items in for storage. It is common now to see attics turned into bedrooms with just a couple renovations. Updating these spaces will add more room in your home and will make every room feel welcoming.
Landscape your yard. Adding plants and flowers to your yard will give your home a friendlier and inviting feeling. Hanging plants are great to hang from your porch or in the backyard of your North Shore home. Creating a flower or vegetable garden is another way to increase the value of your home. This is a low maintenance way to give guests a great first impression during showings.

If you have any questions regarding decorating your home, feel free to ask. Also, if you or anyone you know is interested in selling or buying North Shore real estate, contact us! We look forward to hearing from you!

Shoreline Property Advisors

@ Prudential Rubloff

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Winter Curb Appeal Tips for Your Chicago Home

With the holiday season now in full swing, many of us are bracing ourselves for yet another infamous Chicago winter. And, while the dipping temperatures and piles of snow may not be ideal for everyone, many of us do enjoy the beauty that this season brings. The powdery white blanket that seems to embrace the city, endless twinkling lights, local shops adorned in festive decorations and a wide variety of seasonal events keep many of us in the holiday spirit throughout the colder months.

As Chicago Real Estate agents, we feel that your home should always act as your welcome respite, and even more so during the busy holiday season. Whether you’re planning on hosting gatherings or your Chicago home is currently for sale, creating a welcoming environment for guests or potential buyers begins the minute they view your home.

So, how can you create beautiful curb appeal for your home in the midst of a Chicago winter? Here are seven ways that can generate the warmth and appeal you desire!

1. Safety- You may have friends and family planning to visit soon, or may even be showing your Chicago home this winter, so you’ll want to put safety first! Be sure your driveway, sidewalk and front porch are cleared of debris or any snow. It’s always better to be on the cautious side and put down salt, as even rain can freeze and make walking up to your home dangerous.

2. Tasteful Decorations- While you can have fun with the season’s bright lights and characters of Christmas, it can be easy for some to get carried away. Try small white lights around your homes’ bushes or front porch post, a simple wreath and garland to enhance your home’s appearance without being too distracting.

3. Fresh Paint- Your Chicago home is more visible in the winter months as trees are free from their leaves and your home’s condition is more exposed. Touching up chipped or faded paint is a great way to help your Chicago home look refreshed.

4. A Neat Lawn- Whether there is snow covering your lawn or not; be sure to keep your lawn free from any leaves, twigs, etc… that may have blown through with the harsher winds. Just because your lawn is not expected to be as lush as the summer months, doesn’t mean to ignore the state of your lawn. Keeping it cleaned up will show that you care.

5. Clean Gutters- It’s not too late to make sure your gutters are free from leaves and other debris. You’ll want these cleared so that melting snow or rain can easily run through the gutters and not cause damage.

6. Lighting- The use of lights can really make your home stand out with the shorter winter days. Since there is more time without the suns light, using a variety of lighting can give your home a warm glow. Indoor window lights in each room provides a nice appeal, while lights along the pathway up to your home, a bright porch light and tasteful Christmas lights are all ways in which to enhance your Chicago homes’ curb appeal.

7. Cold Weather Plants- Hearty plants and Evergreen trees can withstand the winter months while adding visual appeal to the outside of your home. Evergreen Holly will add a splash of color with its red berries and can stand up to the cold weather.

We hope these ideas are helpful as you gear up for the winter season! Whether you are preparing for family and friends or Chicago buyers; we know you’ll enjoy creating a welcoming atmosphere for your home.

If you are considering putting your home up for sale on the Chicago Real Estate market this winter and are looking for a Chicago Real Estate agent, please contact us! Our Shoreline Property Advisors team and Prudential Rubloff Real Estate agents will be more than happy to put our experience to work for you!

We look forward to hearing from you!

Shoreline Property Advisors

@ Prudential Rubloff