Some people make my job so much easier, just by being themselves! One instance of this was when I listed a custom-built home in Niles. I was delighted to see that the house had been kept in excellent repair through preventative maintenance. I was positively ecstatic to find it was immaculately clean and uncluttered. Being extremely organized and thoughtful people, they had already packed away their nonessential items and deep cleaned the entire house before they ever called me.

I cannot overstate how helpful all this preparation was in the sale of the home! In most instances, there are plenty of opportunities for sellers to stress out during the sale: preparing for showings, waiting for inspection results, dealing with...
Avoid these Sale Stoppers BEFORE your home hits the market!

If you think about it, do you believe that your home is still a good fit for you? Some life circumstances cause our housing needs to change, and you may find yourself crammed in tighter than ever, or wondering what to do with all that extra space. If this sounds familiar and you feel it's finally time to move, you may not be sure where to start, even if you've done this before. That's completely understandable!
The best way to get your home is ready for sale is to make sure it is as clea...

In this hot seller's market, with competing offers driving sale prices thousands over asking, buyers are willing to overlook a lot. Homes which once would have sat for months with worn roofs, outdated kitchens and baths or older HVAC systems are now being gobbled up without complaint. But some things will still stop a sale.
Here are some real-life examples of issues discovered during home inspections and how they could have been avoided.
Wet Spot in Basement: The ground was sloping toward the house, channeling snow and water right at the foundation.
Solution: Re-grading that portion of the yard so it diverted th...
If "BUY A HOUSE!" tops your list of New Year's resolutions, then you are probably aware of the fierce competition facing buyers today. Are you prepared to do what it takes to stick to that resolution? Here are 7 Dos and Don'ts to help you reach your goal.
- DO know your buying power. This starts by having an in-depth conversation with a lender to obtain your pre-approval. They should be aware of not only your current financial status, but also your history. The more they know, the better they can help you, so choosing the right person to work with is extremely important.
- DON'T buy anything major until after the keys are in your hand. The underwriters will watch for changes to your account bala...

It seems like homes are selling themselves these days! In a hot seller's market like we've experienced lately, it's easy to think that you can snap your fingers and fetch top dollar. With so many buyers competing for so few available homes, that could be the case. But will it? Not necessarily!
Getting your property sold depends on a variety of factors. Buyers can tell immediately if it's in a good location, been priced properly, has desirable features, and looks attractive. But what they usually cannot tell right awa...