Should You Reface your Kitchen Cabinets Before Selling? Many homes in Winnetka and the North Shore have beautiful (and not very old)  kitchens with wood cabinets. Nowadays, the current trend of white or painted kitchens is going strong and stained wood cabinets scream “dated.” If you are planning on selling your home, understand that kitchens can make or break a home - particularly in our current North Shore housing market. But kitchen renovations are costly, so if yours is in decent condition, there is a good option. A simple fix would be repainting, refacing, or replacing the cabinet fronts. However you decide to go, the transformation is amazing, is less expensive than a whole kitchen remodel, and produces less waste. The bigger benefit would be a faster sale for more money - buyers... 07/18/2019

 How and When do I Negotiate Home Inspection Items - asked the buyer . . . who had not yet made an offer on the Wilmette property.  Why the rush to concern yourself about problems that haven’t arisen yet? I don’t think all buyers do this - but when that question arises, I know the buyer might not have a clear understanding of the order of things: view home, make offer, sign contract, conduct inspection, discuss items of concern. In the Chicago North Shore area, the contract to purchase a home has several important contingencies that buyers generally request: a home inspection, an attorney review of the contract, and financing. The home inspection contingency calls for the inspection to be completed and notice sent to the sellers (or their agent or attorney) within 5 business days. The c... 07/10/2019

WINNETKA HOME SALES for June 2019 26 homes closed in Winnetka in June which is 4 more than last month.     WINNETKA REAL ESTATE MARKET TODAY Homes for sale: 167Price range: $335,000 to 9,500,000Under contract: 55Absorption rate: 8.5 months (seller’s market)Condos for sale: 13Price range: $283,000 to $848,000 Median price range of homes for sale: $1,299,000 Average days on market for homes that sold in past 6 months: 177 Last June (2018) there were 38 homes sales in Winnetka compared to 26 this June. There has been a decided slowdown in home sales in the market in the past 12 months as indicated in this chart: There is no shortage of inventory and sales are down . . . but the median price has risen from $1,100,000 last June to $1,300,000 this June. This does not mean home prices have ris... 07/02/2019

3 new homes were listed in Hubbard Woods in June: NEW HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGS 995 Grove:  $980,000             1288 Westmoor:  $1,300,000          205 Scott:  $1,499,000    SOLD HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGS - 8 closed sales in June 1376 AsburyOriginal list price: $639,000Sold price: $600,000Days on market: 9       1049 ChatfieldOriginal list price: $925,000Sold price: $840,000Days on market: 117       797 WaldenOriginal list price: $1,069,000Sold price: $999,900Days on market: 169      999 LakeOriginal list price: $1,385,000Sold price: $1,310,000Days on market: 29     1153 PineOriginal list price: $1,650,000Sold price: $1,300,000Days on market: 105      1070 FisherOriginal list price: $3,250,000Sold price: $1,763,000Days on market: 797      770 HeatherOriginal list price: $2,850,000Sold price:... 07/02/2019

9 Smart Things to do Before You MoveThere are SO many things to remember when you’re moving. Understand that you will be living in controlled chaos for a while - but there are some things that should be done which will make the transition smoother for you.  Change of AddressVisit your post office first and fill out a form to get started (you can also do this online at USPS Change of Address. Then make a list of all the regular places that you get mail and start changing your address online.  Think Amazon, medical prescriptions, subscriptions, and any other regular deliveries. Order some nice change-of-address cards for your friends and associates - Shutterfly is a good source. Contact the UtilitiesLet them know the close date of the sale and cancel it from your name. If you’re moving lo... 06/14/2019

WINNETKA HOME SALES for May 2019 22 homes closed in Winnetka in May ranging in price from $610,000 to $4,000,000. This is a huge improvement over May of 2018 when only 5 houses closed.  WINNETKA REAL ESTATE MARKET TODAY Homes for sale: 169Price range: $350,000 to $9,500,000Under contract: 64Absorption rate: 8.4 months (a buyer’s market)Condos for sale: 14Price range: $250,000 to $848,000 Median price range of homes for sale: $1,395,000 Average days on market: 170  Winnetka's real estate market is considered a buyer's market currently. There are more homes for sale than there are buyers so buyers have the advantage. Homes that are priced very well - or are in top-notch condition will attract these buyers. SEE ALL WINNETKA HOMES FOR SALE Get monthly real estate news for Winnetka & the Nor... 06/04/2019

When I think back on the first home my parents bought in 1955 I’m impressed that they accomplished it. They had just emigrated here in 1951 and somehow managed to secure jobs and buy a house (shown above.) Did they even get a mortgage back then? I can’t tell you the details of their purchase because I don’t know them (except for the price which was $15,000), but I know that this scenario still happens today. Yes, it’s harder, more time-consuming, and exponentially more expensive, but buying a home is still considered the American dream. And whether born here or a new resident, people strive mightily to have their own “patch of grass.”  Buying a home has changed in more ways than lending practices or prices. In general, modern real estate as it’s practiced today really got going after Wo... 06/03/2019

2 new homes were listed in Hubbard Woods in May which is low considering that we’re still in the spring market. NEW HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGS 1065 Vine - $599,000            841 Bell - $1,750,000             SOLD HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGS - 7 closed sales in May 1091 FisherOriginal list price: $2,195,000Sold price: $1,450,000Days on market: 967       1057 VineOriginal list price: $1,795,000Sold price: $1,475,000Days on market: 195         1225 PineOriginal list price: $1,535,000Sold price: $1,505,000Days on market: 6         830 Glen OakOriginal list price: $3,150,000Sold price: $1,875,000Days on market: 451     932 Pine TreeOriginal list price: $2,695,000Sold price: $2,180,000Days on market: 247      127 Old Green BayOriginal list price: $2,350,000Sold price: $2,200,000Days on market: 11    ... 06/02/2019

Be the Smartest Home on Your Block! Join us for a smart meeting on smarter homes. Learn how you can easily automate your home’s essential systems with the latest technology. Smart home technology promises to make your living space more comfortable, convenient, and secure with just one easy app! Control lighting, access to your home, have 24-hour alarm monitoring, and use simple motion detection devices that send info directly to your phone or ipad. Consider that a smart home can adapt to your and your loved one’s lives - from your first apartment through helping you care for aging family members. PROTECT WHAT MATTERS TO YOU MOST NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE! When:  Tuesday, April 23 from 7-8pmWhere: Baird & Warner Winnetka office, 549 Green Bay RoadYour host:  Margaret Goss, real estate brok... 04/19/2019

Winnetka North Shore High-End Luxury Homes Viewing the high-end luxury homes we have on the North Shore is a perk of being a real estate agent. Some of these mansions are new construction but have been gutted and meticulously restored and updated to such a degree that they feel like new homes. Currently (April 2019) there are around 90 homes for sale in the North Shore that are listed for over $2 million. That includes 18 in Glencoe, 12 in Kenilworth, 40 in Winnetka, 9 in Wilmette and 8 in Northfield. Of those 90 homes, just 7 are over the $5 million price point. Winnetka has routinely been labeled as the wealthiest town in Illinois and these numbers verify that (although it’s larger than all the other towns except Wilmette.)  What makes a home worth $5 million?  Six of these North Shor... 04/16/2019

Winnetka 1st Quarter Real Estate 2019  Winnetka IL is a beautiful village just 30 minutes away from downtown Chicago. It can easily be accessed by commuter train (with 3 stops in Winnetka) or the Edens expressway.  With excellent schools, a diverse housing stock, restaurants, shopping, and the beaches of Lake Michigan, Winnetka is a sought after place to live. It is popular with commuters, professionals, and remains a top relocation destination for executives. Winnetka has seen downward pressure on home prices since last year’s first quarter as well as longer days on market. With winter just about over, we’re looking forward to a spring revival in the housing market.  One positive indicator is list price to sell price ratio which went up from 87% to 92%. This means that sellers are pric... 04/04/2019

6 new homes were listed in Hubbard Woods in March.  NEW HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGS  1487 Tower - $639,000            1376 Asbury - $639,000           1423 Tower - $769,900          1441 Tower - $939,000          885 Private - $1,175,000         127 Old Green Bay - $2,350,000    SOLD HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGS - 5 closed sales in March 1138 AsburyOriginal list price: $665,000Sold price: $570,000Days on market: 191      1460 TowerOriginal list price: $2,099,000Sold price: $975,000Days on market: 730       1040 HubbardOriginal list price: $2,399,000Sold price: $2,050,000Days on market: 134     1236 AsburyOriginal list price: $2,495,000Sold price: $2,465,000Days on market: 26      635 BlackthornOriginal list price: $4,275,000Sold price: $4,175,000Days on market: 217      CURRENT HUBBARD WOODS MARKE... 04/02/2019

WILMETTE REAL ESTATE REPORT - FEBRUARY 2019 14 homes closed in February 2019 in WILMETTE compared to 18 closes in January a year ago.  The median price for homes sold year-to-date this year is $650,000 compared to last year when it was $700,,000.SOLD HOMES  - JANUARY 2019 - WILMETTECURRENT SNAPSHOT OF WILMETTE REAL ESTATE Homes for sale: 185 (up 2 from last month)Price range: $324,000 to $3,600,000Under contract: 56Absorption rate: 6 1/2 months List price to sell price ratio: 91% (based on year-to-date sales)February 6 jumbo loan interest rate: 4.125%February 6 conventional loan interest rate: 4.375%Foreclosures for sale: 1 The absorption rate at 6 1/2  months is trending toward a buyer’s market. This figure indicates the number of months it would take all Wilmette inventory to sell wit... 03/05/2019

WINNETKA REAL ESTATE REPORT - FEBRUARY 2019 7 homes closed in February 2019 in WINNETKA compared to exactly 7 closes in January a year ago. The median price for homes sold year-to-date this year is $968,000 compared to last year when it was $1,300,000.SOLD HOMES  - JANUARY 2019 - WINNETKACURRENT SNAPSHOT OF WINNETKA REAL ESTATE Homes for sale: 146 (up 2 from last month)Price range: $390,000 to $6,245,000Under contract: 43Absorption rate: 7 ¼ months List price to sell price ratio: 93%February 6 jumbo loan interest rate: 4.125%February 6 conventional loan interest rate: 4.375%Foreclosures for sale: 2 The absorption rate at 7 ¼  months is trending toward a buyer’s market. This figure indicates the number of months it would take all Winnetka inventory to sell without any new homes coming on... 03/05/2019

5 new homes were listed in Hubbard Woods in February. As in January, there were still many homes being relisted after the holidays.NEW HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGS 915 Pine Tree - $1,399,000       1225 Pine - $1,535,000 (also under contract)        1153 Pine - $1,650,000        630 Rosewood - $4,295,000 (proposed new construction)      738 Tower - $6,245,000         SOLD HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGS - 2 closed sales in February 1315 N. Forest GlenList price: $815,000Sold price: $815,000Days on market: 5     1125 GageList price: $1,139,000Sold price: $927,722Days on market: 298      CURRENT HUBBARD WOODS MARKET: Houses for sale: 45Price range: $390,000 to $6,245,000Median price point for current inventory: $1,675,000Under contract: 14Absorption rate: 8.5 months (up from 7.4 months last month)Condos ... 03/04/2019

WINNETKA REAL ESTATE REPORT - JANUARY 2019 10 homes closed in January 2019 in WINNETKA compared to 15 closes in January 2018. So we’re off to a slower start but with the polar vortex behind us things will begin to pick-up. The range of price points for January was wide - from a $220,000 house on Willow Road to a newer home sold for $2,175,000.SOLD HOMES  - JANUARY 2019 - WINNETKA CURRENT SNAPSHOT OF WINNETKA REAL ESTATE Homes for sale: 113Price range: $499,000 to $8,499,000Under contract: 45List price to sell price ratio: 92% Absorption rate: 5.6 months (mostly a balanced market)February 6 jumbo loan interest rate: 4.125%February 6 conventional loan interest rate: 4.375%SEE ALL WINNETKA HOMES FOR SALEGet monthly real estate news for Winnetka and the North Shore!Sign up for my free newsl... 02/06/2019

 6 new homes were listed in Hubbard Woods in January. Many more were relisted after being taken off the market for the holidays. NEW HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGS 875 Burr $725,000         1411 Edgewood$875,000          1147 Asbury (under contract in $1,450,000           710 Walden $1,599,000          945 Private$2,739,000          900 Ravine$2,950,000       SOLD HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGS - 1 closed sales in January 790 HeatherList price: $2,589,000Sold price: $2,175,000Days on market: 211CURRENT HUBBARD WOODS MARKET: Houses for sale: 39Price range: $550,000 to $8,499,000Under contract: 11Absorption rate: 7.4 months (buyer’s market - higher inventory)Condos for sale: Price range: $679,000SEE ALL HUBBARD WOODS HOMES FOR SALE  HUBBARD WOODS LOCAL UPDATES: Lots of excitement with the arrival of two ... 02/03/2019

We are just finishing up two day of brutal and record-breaking cold. It’s winter - what else is new in Winnetka and the North Shore of Chicago! Staying warm is a fine art but staying safe is an imperative. According to USA Today, the cold kills 20 times more people than the heat.  10 Weather Safety Tips Layering with several lightweight layers will keep you warmer than just one heavy sweater. Gloves are essential - but never forget to cover your head.  It's astonishing how warm you feel when your head is protected. Even inside. Pets - I have one that loves being outside year round. But even a quick errand when wind chills are present can be devastating. Keep them inside or provide adequate shelter. Have you heard of the 3-feet rule?  Keep your space heater on a level, hard surface and r... 01/31/2019

 2018 Winnetka North Shore Condo Sales Review Remember “Field of Dreams” when Kevin Costner’s character hears someone whisper, “Build it and he will come”? Often misquoted as “they will come,” it nevertheless always reminds me that we need more condos on the North Shore. This chart shows 2018 sales of all condos in Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Glencoe, Northfield, and Glenview. Clearly, Wilmette, Glenview, and Evanston have built them and they (buyers) have come!     This lack of attached style living will not change in the foreseeable future. Winnetka has one large project planned (One Winnetka) that only offers luxury units. While I believe they will sell quickly, they were not built for the masses. One other building on Green Bay Road is under construction but will only offer 3 un... 01/30/2019

2018’s real estate market in the North Shore villages of Winnetka, Wilmette, and Glencoe presented some challenges to both buyers and sellers. The year started out in a fast rush with lots of inventory and many fairly quick sales. This continued through the end of May when suddenly the market fainted and keeled over.  Sellers (and we agents) were bewildered by the abrupt change in the market thinking it would recover in the fall. Which it did - but just slightly.  While economics and the political climate will always play havoc with housing, I think that the market will again rebound this spring. For those that didn’t buy last year - for whatever reason - this could be the time.  Interest rates are currently around 4 ½% but predicted to clamber up over 5% by the end of the year and this... 01/11/2019