What Sold in Your North Shore Village in October 2024WINNETKAClick here to see all Winnetka homes or condos sold in October 2024All homes for sale:  32Current month's supply of inventory:  1.7Past 12 months median price: $1,725,000See Winnetka homes for saleSee Winnetka condos for saleSee Winnetka townhouses for sale WILMETTEClick here to see all Wilmette homes or condos sold in October 2024All homes for sale:  41Current months supply of inventory:  1.2Past 12 months median price: $1,115,000See Wilmette homes for saleSee Wilmette condos for saleSee Wilmette townhouses for sale KENILWORTHKenilworth homes sold in October 2024All homes for sale: 10Current month's supply of inventory:  2.4Past 12 months median price: $1,800,000See Kenilworth homes for saleGLENCOE Click here to see all Glenc... 11/05/2024

Hubbard Woods Real Estate Sales  October 2024   2 NEW HUBBARD WOODS HOMES FOR SALE IN OCTOBER 660 Walden: $1,225,000 (under contract) 1442 Scott: $2,199,000 (under contract)    1 NEW PRIVATE HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGSIN OCTOBER 1432 Asbury: $2,199,000  3 CLOSED HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGS IN OCTOBER 850 Bell List price: $1,599,000 Sold price: $1,700,000 Days on market: $1,700,000 1509 Asbury List price: $1,695,000 Sold price: $1,795,000 Days on market: 3 1080 Crescent List price: $3,825,000 Sold price: $3,480,000 Days on market: 105  A jaw-breaking sale just closed at the Winnetka Mews. A 3-bedroom, 3-bath unit with a den and 1,955 sq. ft. was listed for $699,000 and sold for $950,000. The previous high price at the Mews was $895,000 in 2017 and almost double the size (3,450 sq. ft.)   CURRENT H... 11/04/2024

How Elections Affect the Real Estate Market - Myth vs. Reality(Reprinted with permission from @properties.) With the 2024 presidential election just days away, you might be wondering how elections impact the real estate market and whether it's a good time to buy or sell. The good news? It's business as usual for most of the real estate world before, during, and after election season.Despite the popular belief that presidents and parties have a big impact on the market one way or the other, data from the past three decades tells a different story, in fact*, home prices increased following all but one election - 2008, the start of the recession.**Elections are also apparently good times to borrow. That's because mortgage rates have declined leading up to seven of the last nine election cy... 11/01/2024

Quality of Life Raise. This post could have started writting many years ago, 2014 to be exact. I started my home inspection business, SLS Home Inspections in 2007. I started with a 13 page pile of paper with components of what to inspect. It matched the primitive report software I was using. It wasn't very expensive to use the report writing software but it did the job for 11 years. I was at a home inspection conferance and met Erin Brockovich, yes the Erin Brockovich. I was standing in line to get a picture with her and the inspector behind me in line and I were chatting about business and inspector stuff. He said he was doing about 300 inspections a year. I was only doing about 200-225 and was having trouble keeping up with the signatures and payments and sending reports. I asked how ... 10/31/2024

What Sold in Your North Shore Village in September 2024  WINNETKAClick here to see all Winnetka homes or condos sold in September 2024All homes for sale:  40Current month's supply of inventory:  1.7Past 12 months median price: $1,750,000See Winnetka homes for saleSee Winnetka condos for saleSee Winnetka townhouses for sale WILMETTEClick here to see all Wilmette homes or condos sold in September 2024All homes for sale:  42Current months supply of inventory:  1.2Past 12 months median price: $1,111,000See Wilmette homes for saleSee Wilmette condos for saleSee Wilmette townhouses for sale KENILWORTHKenilworth homes sold in September 2024All homes for sale: 11Current month's supply of inventory:  2.3Past 12 months median price: $1,529,000See Kenilworth homes for saleGLENCOE Click here to see... 10/07/2024

Hubbard Woods Real Estate Sales  September 2024   8 NEW HUBBARD WOODS HOMES FOR SALE IN SEPTEMBER 1112 Tower: $649,000 (under contract) 1046 Dinsmore: $1,499,000 (under contract) 1509 Asbury: $1,695,000 (under contract) 850 Lamson: $2,299,000 (under contract) 1015 Dinsmore: $2,339,000 624 Pine Ln: $6,350,000   1 NEW PRIVATE HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGSIN SEPTEMBER 1432 Asbury: $2,199,000  4 CLOSED HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGS IN SEPTEMBER 845 Locust List price: $1,275,000 Sold price: $1,275,000 Days on market: 8 804 Boal List price: $1,600,000 Sold price: $1,550,000 Days on market: 15 950 Westmoor List price: $2,549,000 Sold price: $2,060,000 Days on market: 475 909 Old Green Bay List price: $2,795,000 Sold price: $2,585,000 Days on market: 28  CURRENT HUBBARD WOODS REAL ESTATE SNAPSHOTHomes for sa... 10/07/2024

Charts, Charts, and More Charts There are 3 charts for the combined areas of Winnetka, Wilmette, Glencoe, and Kenilworth; and 3 for Northfield, Glenview, and Northbrook.)They show, in order, the median price change over 18 months, the median market time to sell, and the percentage of list price to sell price ratio (mostly over list price.)All charts are interactive - click and drag along the colored line! Median Price Change Over 1-Year Period(Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth, and Glencoe) Northfield, Glenview, and Northbrook Median Market TimeWinnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth, & Glencoe Northfield, Glenview, Northbrook Percentage of Sale Price to List PriceWinnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth, and Glencoe Northfield, Glenview, and Northbrook See Homes for Sale WinnetkaWilmetteKenilworthGlencoeNor... 09/17/2024

What Sold in Your North Shore Village in August 2024  WINNETKAClick here to see all Winnetka homes or condos sold in August 2024All homes for sale:  40Current month's supply of inventory:  1.7Past 12 months median price: $1,750,000See Winnetka homes for saleSee Winnetka condos for saleSee Winnetka townhouses for sale WILMETTEClick here to see all Wilmette homes or condos sold in August 2024All homes for sale:  42Current months supply of inventory:  1.2Past 12 months median price: $1,111,000See Wilmette homes for saleSee Wilmette condos for saleSee Wilmette townhouses for sale KENILWORTHKenilworth homes sold in August 2024All homes for sale: 11Current month's supply of inventory:  2.3Past 12 months median price: $1,529,000See Kenilworth homes for saleGLENCOE Click here to see all Glencoe... 09/12/2024

Hubbard Woods Real Estate Sales  August 2024  3 NEW HUBBARD WOODS HOMES FOR SALE IN AUGUST 1492 Asbury: $1,250,000 1344 Edgewood: $2,150,000   1 NEW PRIVATE HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGSIN AUGUST 765 Sheridan: $18,000,000   6 CLOSED HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGS IN AUGUST 1168 Hamptondale List price: $1,375,000 Sold price: $1,385,000 Days on market: 5 1000 Vernon List price: $1,399,000 Sold price: $1,460,000 Days on market: 4 900 Pine Tree List price: $2,195,000 Sold price: $2,100,000 Days on market: 6 845 Glen Oak List price: $2,450,000 Sold price: $2,200,000 Days on market: 89 680 Walden List price: $2,995,000 Sold price: $2,950,000 Days on market: 6   1228 Westmoor List price: $3,999,000 Sold price: $4,255,000 Days on market: 4    CURRENT HUBBARD WOODS REAL ESTATE SNAPSHOTHomes for sale: 6 (priced... 09/11/2024

One Reason You Should Always Use a Buyer's Agent A SHORT RECAP OF THE DOJ RULINGThe big change in real estate commissions affects how much the seller pays and the agent representing the buyer earns. In the past, the seller paid a sum that was split between the listing and buyer's brokerages. The new rules stipulate that the seller is not required to pay the buyer's agent but can choose to.With this new ruling, sellers may decide not to pay the buyer's agent or could pay a smaller amount. Buyers have been told for years that using a buyer's agent is "free" to them. The dynamic is different now so buyers and their agents should discuss this before viewing homes.Some buyers will decide to buy a home unrepresented or resort to working directly with the listing agent (in states where dual-ag... 08/26/2024

Commission Changes in Real Estate - Part 2The path to figuring out the momentous changes in real estate has become a little clearer. Or muddier. @properties has provided us with four new forms - two for sellers and two for buyers. The 2 new Seller forms include An entirely new Exclusive Sales and Market Brokerage Agreement (the listing agreement)The new listing agreement has no reference to a "co-op" commission which has been eliminated. The commission discussion is limited to only the amount paid to the listing brokerage. Sellers will no longer be required to pay the buyer's brokerage a commission fee. Whether or not to offer a commission to the buyer's brokerage will be an important part of the listing agent's job and can be provided in the addendum at #2. A new form called a Compensa... 08/15/2024

What Sold in Your North Shore Village in July 2024 Over the past 12 months, Wilmette has had the lowest supply of inventory at 1.2 months. Kenilworth, Glencoe, and Northfield are slightly over 2 months. Either way, it indicates a continuing seller's market.  WINNETKAClick here to see all Winnetka homes or condos sold in July 2024All homes for sale:  35Current month's supply of inventory:  1.7Past 12 months median price: $1,7380,000See Winnetka homes for saleSee Winnetka condos for saleSee Winnetka townhouses for sale WILMETTEClick here to see all Wilmette homes or condos sold in July 2024All homes for sale:  40Current months supply of inventory:  1.2Past 12 months median price: $1,000,000See Wilmette homes for saleSee Wilmette condos for saleSee Wilmette townhouses for sale KENILWORTHKe... 08/06/2024

Hubbard Woods Real Estate Sales  July 2024     3 NEW HUBBARD WOODS HOMES FOR SALE IN JULY 845 Locust: $1,275,000 1000 Vernon: $1,399,000 (under contract) 804 Boal: $1,600,000   NO NEW PRIVATE HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGSIN JUNE 8 CLOSED HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGS IN JUNE 1501 Tower List price: $1,249.000 Sold price: $1,450,000 Days on market: 5 854 Boal List price: $1,699,00 Sold price: $1,950,000 Days on market: 2 1412 Scott List price: $1,999,999 Sold price: $1,999,999 Days on market: 6 844 Hibbard List price: $2,100,000 List price: $2,100,000 Days on market: 9 777 Rosewood List price: %2,199,000 Sold price: $2,100,000 Days on market: 5 717 Rosewood List price: $2,225,000 Sold price: $2,517,000 Days on market: 4 824 Boal List price: 2,690,000 Sold price: $2,550,000 Days on market: 28 8 Kent Lis... 08/06/2024

Motivated  seller sweetens  the deal wtih $7500 towards buyer's closing cost with a 30 day close or less.  Home is located minutes from downtown Oswego in a semi-rural subdivision  near  the Fox River!  No cookie-cutter subdivision, variety of homes at various price points and ages.   Large country lots!  This 3-4 bedroom ranch with full basement could be the perfect home whether you are just starting out or downsizing  from a  larger home.  Plenty of room to add an addition with .69 acres to work  with.  Enjoy expanding your gardening skills, plant  a large garden to defray rising food costs, enjoy your hobbies with enough room  to  expand your perfect man/woman cave-like addition.  With this much land  only your imagination can limit  you.   Yard is partially fenced for both your four... 08/04/2024

All Because I Raised my HandAs I write this letter, I am in the final stages of selling my company that I started 17 years ago. The interesting thing is, I never thought I would be in this position when I made the giant leap of faith to start a business on my own. I just figured I would someday hang up the tool bag and take down the website and fade away. But none of it would have happened if I hadn't raised my hand one December morning in 1997.     I had been selling lumber and building materials since 1978. A couple of moves up the lumber selling food chain and I was at a contractor lumber yard in Crest Hill, IL. Basically a dinky suburb of Joliet, IL. Not the smartest business owner in the world and he decided to try and change a valuable contractor account I had worked hard to negot... 07/31/2024

Winnetka North Shore Home Prices Continue to SoarThe real estate aggregator Inman News published this a few days ago:"The median U.S. sale price is up 5% year over year. But there are signs that price growth could slow soon, with the average home selling for under-list price, inventory rising, and a high share of listings growing stale.The median U.S. home sale price hit an all-time high of $397,482 during the four weeks ending July 7, up 4.7% year over year - the biggest increase in over four months. That's according to a new report from Redfin . . ."Let's take a look at the North Shore numbers.The median price for individual villages can be found at: What Sold in Your Winnetka North Shore Village.In Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Glencoe, and Northfield villages, the median price for... 07/16/2024

What Sold in Your North Shore Village in June 2024 WINNETKAClick here to see all Winnetka homes or condos sold in June 2024All homes for sale:  40Current month's supply of inventory:  1.7Past 12 months median price: $1,7350,000See Winnetka homes for saleSee Winnetka condos for saleSee Winnetka townhouses for sale WILMETTEClick here to see all Wilmette homes or condos sold in June 2024All homes for sale:  43Current months supply of inventory:  1.3Past 12 months median price: $1,000,000See Wilmette homes for saleSee Wilmette condos for saleSee Wilmette townhouses for sale KENILWORTHKenilworth homes sold in June 2024All homes for sale: 11Current month's supply of inventory:  2.3Past 12 months median price: $1,475,000See Kenilworth homes for saleGLENCOE Click here to see all Glencoe homes o... 07/12/2024

Hubbard Woods Real Estate Sales  June 2024Six new homes were listed in June and 4 are under contract.The median sale price in June 2023 (for the previous 12 months) was $1,428,000. The median sale price this June is $1,750,000.  6 NEW HUBBARD WOODS HOMES FOR SALE IN JUNE 1501 Tower: $1,249,000 (under contract) 1168 Hamptondale: $1,375,000 (under contract) 1338 Sunview: $1,700,000 1412 Scott: $1,999,000 (under contract) 824 Boal: $2,690,000 (under contract) 1134 Sheridan: $3,200,000   2 NEW PRIVATE HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGSIN JUNE 845 Locust: $1,275,000 1344 Edgewood: $2,200,000 7 CLOSED HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGS IN JUNE 256 Woodlawn List price: $1,375,000 Sold price: $1,400,000 Days on market: 76 1114 Merrill List price: $1,500,000 Sold price: $1,500,000 Days on market: 20 1133 Scott List pri... 07/09/2024

Are you the type of home buyer that doesn't follow the crowd?  You prefer a different type of location for your next  home.  An original  thinker that prefers to set  their your own path, you don't want to live  in a cookie-cutter subdivision where the  only  difference is a choice of 4-5 different home  styles - a few color  selections and some subtle changes from one model to another.  You  prefer larger lots and a variety of homestyles in a location that is not just an farm field that used to have soybeans or corn.   Established  areas where homes may not be the newest or largest but have their own history.  If this is a description that  fits you, then you are in luck!Nestled alongside the Fox River is an established subdivision right  off Rt. 34/Ogden Ave. in the small village  of ... 07/01/2024

Fresher than Fresh salsa, sounds great doesn't it? It's the name of my salsa that just has a nice ring to it. Well, I wish I could take credit for the recipe, but I can't. Back in old days before cell phones and online recipes, there was these things called magazines. I sold lumber and building materials for 32 years. I would often go the local library in the town near the lumber yard where I worked so I could do blueprint takeoffs for the house lumber package I was selling. It was quiet, no interruptions from the lumber yard guys, had a bathroom and pay phone, (remember, there were no cell phones yet), and a big giant table I could spread out my blueprints. It was perfect. One day as I was wrapping up the takeoff, I saw a Consumer's Union magazine on the table next to mine. One of the ... 06/27/2024