Home seller FAQ: is it still a good time to sell my home?

Click here or the image above to see my quick update on whether it’s still a good time to sell your home in Chicago — the quick answer⁉️ It depends 😉 It’s still a sellers’ market, so if you’ve been thinking about making a move, let’s make it happen on your timeline, regardless of what the market is doing! Reach out anytime.

Laurie Christofano, Realtor in Chicago, Oak Park & Suburbs
RE/MAX In The Village

{Video transcript} Hey neighbors, it's Laurie with RE/MAX in the Village, just checking in with you the night before Thanksgiving. I know a lot of you are wondering, “Is it a good time to sell my home?” Well, rest assured, even though the mortgage rates are up from where they were earlier in the year, we are still seeing a good amount of demand for buyers looking to move into our area. So prices haven't really fallen and market times are still low. Open houses are well attended. Yes, this is technically the slower kind of holiday season, but nonetheless, homes are still moving. So if you need to move or if the time is right, if you've outgrown your home or if you're an empty nester and you want to downsize or trade in something for a balcony and room, you know, time to travel, you know, let's make it happen. Get in touch. I’m grateful for you. Happy Thanksgiving!

Start by getting your instant estimated home value now — simply fill out your address below!

Have you seen the headlines this week? Mom of the late rapper recently bought a home in Burr Ridge IL — for $8.3 million 😳

See all the homes for sale in Burr Ridge IL

While you may not have “heir of a late famous rapper” money, you too might be able to afford to buy a home in Burr Ridge!

There are townhomes and condos for sale in Burr Ridge from the low $200s, for example.

Or single family homes for sale in Burr Ridge ranging from the mid $300s all the way up to the multi-millions. {$4.795M is the highest priced active listing as of the date of this post.}

Or put your Sims hat on, buy yourself a piece of land — buy one of the lots for sale in Burr Ridge, and build the home of your dreams!

Own a home in the area? It’s a great time to sell a home in Burr Ridge or any of the nearby communities. 

Start by getting your instant estimated home value now — simply fill out your address below!

A monthly series of tips, tricks, and hacks to help make your home buying journey a more pleasant one!

Join local online groups.

These days, you'll find every niche special interest group on various social media platforms. Some of the more active groups are the local residents & homeowners groups. Some are neighborhood / subdivision-specific, while others encompass the whole town.

If you're buying a home in a community that's unfamiliar to you (or somewhere you've never personally lived before), you should join some local resident groups (probably not the PUBLIC / un-moderated one with tens of thousands of trolls salivating in wait to tell you about the worst parts of the community... Read their posts and comments, but look at things from multiple perspectives before giving any wild stories, attitudes, etc too much credence).

Ideally, you should do this before settling / deciding upon your future neighborhood, but definitely before making an offer on a home. This will give you a better idea of what to expect when you move into your new home.

It's also a good idea to ask friends and family who have lived in the neighborhood for feedback. They might have some insight into how well the area is maintained, whether there are any issues with crime, and so on. Keep in mind that people who have lived in or near a place years or decades ago might very well be out of touch about how things are there today, or might view "safety" from a lens that you don't filter life through.

Home owners out there, did you join any online (or in-person) community groups prior to or since moving into your community? How did what you learned in those spaces affect your decisions? I'd love for you to comment below!

And as always, I'm here to answer any questions or help you with anything relating to buying, selling, or investing in real estate in Chicago + suburbs.

Laurie Christofano, Realtor in Oak Park, Chicago and Suburbs
RE/MAX In The Village

Start your home search now

Have a home to sell? Get your instant automated home value - free - start by entering your address below!

My home listing expired (my house didn’t sell)... Now what?

Click here or above to watch the video!

Did your home's listing expire? Wondering what happens next

Good news — you’ve got options!

Remember, an expired listing is a listing that hasn’t sold by the end of the term stated in the contract with your agent (typically, 3-6 months or even longer ). If this happens to your home, you have several options:

Option 1: Stick with your current agent 

Option 2: Hire a new agent 

Option 3: Decide not to sell at this time

For options 1 and 2, your property will have to be relisted and a new listing created on the MLS. (Hint  even if you’re sticking with the same agent, you should consider changing up your home’s decor, staging, paint, and / or photography )

Be sure to talk openly with your agent and let him or her know how you’re feeling and what you’d like to do differently as you relist. 

Don't forget —your agent is there to serve YOU and should work hard to make the process easy and enjoyable! 

If your old agent hasn’t been proactive or innovative enough to get your home sold, I’d love the opportunity to earn your business. 

Start by grabbing your FREE Home Sellers’ Guide here

Reach out to find out the REAL reason(s) why your home didn’t sell, and let’s get you finally sold and moved onto your next chapter  630-248-1976

And as always, I’m here for any questions about buying, selling, or investing in Chicagoland real estate 

Laurie Christofano, Realtor
RE/MAX In The Village
 630-248-1976
  laurie@OPRFhomesforsale.com
 OPRFhomesforsale.com 
Chicago + suburbs

How's the Oak Park real estate market? As of this first posting (6/2/2022), we are still experiencing buyer demand that is outpacing the supply of new homes being put up for sale, sending home values soaring! Watch my May 2022 housing market update video to see the rest of my insights, as well as the interactive graphs below -- keep scrolling down -- updated live in real-time (so bookmark this page as a reference!).

Curious about another town or neighborhood? Comment below or shoot me a message, and I'll send you a custom report based on your zip code and property type.

And as always, I'm here for any questions about buying, selling, or investing in Chicagoland real estate.

Laurie Christofano, Realtor
RE/MAX In The Village
 630-248-1976
 Laurie@OPRFhomesforsale.com
 OPRFhomesforsale.com
 Chicago + suburbs

Oak Park IL Real Estate Market Update

Single Family Detached Homes
(Updated live, in real-time - so bookmark this page for later!)

Hover your mouse over the interactive graph above showing the median sales price for single family homes in Oak Park IL for the past 3 years. This graph should update in real-time, so bookmark this page for later to see how the market changes over time.

Hover your mouse over the interactive graph above showing the number of closed home sales in Oak Park IL for the past 3 years. This graph should update in real-time, so bookmark this page for later to see how the market changes over time.

Hover your mouse over the interactive graph above showing the average sales price to list price ratio for single family homes in Oak Park IL for the past 3 years. This graph should update in real-time, so bookmark this page for later to see how the market changes over time.

Hover your mouse over the interactive graph above showing the median market time for single family homes in Oak Park IL for the past 3 years (this is the number of days between listing on the MLS and signing a contract with a buyer). This graph should update in real-time, so bookmark this page for later to see how the market changes over time.

Hover your mouse over the interactive graph above showing home inventory levels in Oak Park IL for the past 3 years. This graph should update in real-time, so bookmark this page for later to see how the market changes over time.

Hover your mouse over the interactive graph above showing the number of homes under contract in Oak Park IL for the past 3 years. This graph should update in real-time, so bookmark this page for later to see how the market changes over time.

Hover your mouse over the interactive graph above showing the number of new listings coming on the market in Oak Park IL for the past 3 years. This graph should update in real-time, so bookmark this page for later to see how the market changes over time.

Curious about another town or neighborhood? Comment below or shoot me a message, and I'll send you a custom report based on your zip code and property type.

And as always, I'm here for any questions about buying, selling, or investing in Chicagoland real estate.

Laurie Christofano, Realtor
RE/MAX In The Village
 630-248-1976
 Laurie@OPRFhomesforsale.com
 OPRFhomesforsale.com
 Chicago + suburbs

Love what you see in everyone else’s home but feel stuck when it comes to yours?

I get it. Home design can be overwhelming — especially if you don’t have a knack for it.

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To help, here are a few foolproof design tips to pull you out of your decorating paralysis and get your home headed on the right track:⁣

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• Invest in the classics. Go trendy on the cheap. Things like the sofa, your bed, an area rug, and the coffee table should be quality, neutral pieces that will last for years to come. Then add trendy patterns and color on the cheap with throw pillows, accessories, and lamps.⁣

• Coordinate but don’t match. While buying a furniture set is convenient, it can make your home look like a run-of-the-mill furniture showroom. Instead, choose pieces that complement but aren’t matchy-matchy.⁣

• Hang photos and art at the right height. One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is hanging wall art too high. Above furniture, like a sofa or console table, art should be no more than six to nine inches above the top of the furniture.⁣

• There’s a mirror for that. Unsure what to place on that empty wall? Go with a mirror. It’ll add light and make the space instantly feel larger.⁣

• Hang those curtains high. Not doing so makes your room and windows look squatty and cramped. Hang the curtain rod high; you can even go as high as a few inches below the ceiling.⁣

• Think in threes. When putting the finishing touches on a bookshelf, mantle, or console table – go for groups of three. Odd numbers look best, as does changing up the height of each piece.⁣

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If you need an expert eye beyond these tips, send me a message. I’d love to connect you with a few incredibly talented designers in our area!

…Not living your best life in your dream home yet? You are not alone, but I’m here to help you make it happen! Get my FREE home buyers manual and 12 weeks of guidance to get you into the home or condo of your dreams - check it out here.

Find out more about selling your home here.

Start your home search here.

The writing is on the wall: You’re going to buy— and sell — at the same time. 😳⁣

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The first thing to know is you’re not alone: 71% of buyers are also, simultaneously, sellers. The key to success on both ends of the deal is having an experienced Realtor (me 😉) to guide you through:⁣

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✅ Prepping & pricing your current home⁣

✅ Market assessment for your current and prospective home⁣

✅ Offers and contingency clauses

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✅ Financing options and lender referrals

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✅ Securing short-term housing if needed⁣

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If you’re feeling overwhelmed or uncertain, the best thing to do is to talk to a pro who can ease your worries (me 😉)

Send me a DM and let’s set up a time to connect this week 🦸‍♀️🏡

New year, new you… New home 🧐⁉️ What’s on your wish list? 

✅ Bigger yard⁉️

✅ Another bathroom 🚽⁉️

✅ Closer to family⁉️

Whatever the reason, whatever the wish list ✨ let’s make it happen 🦸‍♀️🏡😍

Learn more about selling and buying a home at the same time in Chicago or the suburbs with a 15+ years experienced Realtor

Start your 🏡 search here 🤩

Have you been thinking about buying a home? Grab your free 90 Days to Homeownership Guide

Got your heart set on buying an investment property this year or even this month ❤️? Here's what to look for: ⁣

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🎯 An attractive location. You hear everyone going on about "location, location, location" because it really is that important: schools, neighborhood amenities, shopping, businesses, and public transit are all features that'll boost your property's appeal.

🎯 Numbers that work. Don't forget you're covering more than just the mortgage. Make sure to factor operating costs and property taxes into your equation, and account for times when your property will be vacant.⁣

🎯 Low maintenance and easy to access. If you're going to manage the property yourself, make sure it's reasonably close to your own home. Time is money.

🎯 Appreciation potential. Look at the immediate appreciation potential you can get from a few cosmetic updates on the place. Then, consider long-term value when you and if you sell down the road. An agent can help run accurate numbers.⁣

🎯 Steady, stable, and normal to a fault. Normal means that you want something practical, in decent shape, in a location where people want to live. Think a 3/2 with a predictable floor plan near schools and major employment centers.⁣

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🎯 My top rec for beginner investors? A single-family home, a condo (make sure the HOA is investor-friendly — many are not!!), or a 2-4 flat. Single-family = long-term renters. Condos = low-to-no maintenance with HOAs. 

Would you like to discuss at length? DM me! 🤙📲

And start your search for the perfect investment property here!

See all the pics & details

Charming brick English style home in central Elmwood Park, close to Metra station 🚉 , high school 📓, and Grand Ave, just a few blocks west & south of the 🛤 tracks from the Circle ⭕️ (day care 👶, pool 🏊‍♀️ , library 📚, shops 🏬 , dining 🍳🍔🍻, and more) 🙌

Solid & well maintained with many improvements over the years including windows 🪟, roof, gutters, sump pump, and a large rear addition in 2004 ⚒️– which could be a formal dining room 🍽 or even used as the 1st floor family room 📺🛋

Don’t need all 4 bedrooms 🤔? Open up the rear 1st floor bedroom to create the kitchen / great room of your dreams 👩‍🍳🤩

The 2nd floor bedrooms have good ceiling height, and there’s space between them to dormer & create another full bathroom, too 🛁🚽🚰. 

But wait, there’s more! The finished basement has the perfect layout with a large family room / rec room area complete with a retro dry bar 🍻🍷🍸🍹🥂🍾, a large laundry room / summer kitchen with gas range and portable dishwasher 🧺🥘🧼, the ½ bath 🚽🚰, a workroom / mechanical room 🛠🪚- with space for your Peloton 🚴‍♂️, and the pièce de resistance: a 6x14 foot pantry / wine cellar 🍷🍶 - complete with wine-making equipment, if you'd like it! 

Parties will undoubtedly spill outside into the maintenance-free back “yard” that is entirely a patio with a covered grilling area – bring your tools, but the grill stays 🍽🏓👨‍🍳😉

The 2 car garage with alley access is begging to have a party door installed 🎉🥳

Welcome home to Elmwood Park 🏡

See all the pics & details

Are you ready to get on the right path to becoming a homeowner⁉️

Sign up below👇 to receive your free copy of the 90 Days To Homeowner Challenge Guide. At the beginning of each month over the next 3 months, I will send you a 4-week breakdown of tools and information to help you better understand the home buying process, followed by weekly in-depth emails to help you along.

I look forward to assisting you on your journey to homeownership! 🌆

Download your FREE guide here

Give yourself the gift 🎁 of knowledge this holiday season by getting your mortgage questions answered one by one. Here are three to help get you started:⁣

Q: How far in advance should I apply for a mortgage?⁣

A: Ideally, you want to start the process when you are shopping around for a new home. Doing so will tell you exactly how much you can afford, what your monthly payments will be, and what your total monthly obligations are.⁣

Q: Do I need 20% down to purchase a house?⁣

A: While putting 20% down can improve your chances of getting approved and locking in a lower rate (and monthly payment), lenders and mortgage programs will accept less than 20% so long as you buy mortgage insurance.⁣ FHA allows for as little as 3.5%, conventional 3%, and VA & USDA -0- down payment.

Q: I just got a new job. Will this impact getting a mortgage?⁣

A: Most lenders like to see a two-year job history in the same field though changing jobs for a better position could be seen as favorable. If you’re a soon-to-be college grad, you may be able to get a home loan even without a two-year work history.⁣

Have more questions about buying a home? There’s nothing I love more than sitting down with buyers and walking them through the process step-by-step. Interested? Send me a message, and we’ll set up a time that’s convenient for you.⁣ Or I can always be reached at 630-248-1976.