Real Estate Blog

It was well known that high-end kitchen and bath renovations were increasing the home’s value. But the granite countertop’s glory days might be over. During the housing boom, updating a kitchen with high end materials like cherry wood cabinets and a Viking stove was a sure bet to boost a home’s value.
The statistics show that the homeowners recovered about […]

For the past few months, I have been giving you advice on how to manage a foreclosure situation that you might find yourself in. But what if you are on the other side of the fence and you are constantly trying to find a cheap property to invest in? How would you go about finding […]

There are many upgrades that will simplify your life and boost the saleability of your home but most of the time the simple things are just overlooked. Here are some tips on how to maximize the space in your house and make more more room.
1. Closet organizers - Canvas sorters
The simplest way to expand closet […]

This is a great time for buyers to invest in second homes. Chicago has an abundance of great condos at good prices with great rental and appreciation potential. Besides appreciation and rental income, second homeowners can add to their income with great tax deductions.
Mortgage, taxes and insurance

Property taxes
Property insurance
Flood insurance
Liability insurance
Mortgage interest
Private mortgage insurance (PMI)
Refinance […]

Ahhh, the green craze!! Some of you probably don’t know, but western European countries have recycled for decades. We, as a nation are running behind, but it is never too late to start. And I am thrilled that developments are competing for the best environmental friendly condo project. I hope people […]

I think we all know by now that updating a kitchen or bath can add about 20% value to our home. The word “update” automatically makes us think of granite and stainless steel appliances, right? for all of us who are tired to hear about granite, 1 1/4 inch or not, here is a list […]

How quiet is your Condo? When purchasing a condo in a high-rise, we emphasize location, view and amenities. One very important element we tend to ignore is the noise level. It is usually after closing that we find out at 2:00am that the next door neighbor is taking electric guitar lessons, again. According to Tom […]

In a previous article, I have talked about interviewing a realtor and the questions a customer should ask before choosing a real estate agent. Today, I am going to cover the issue that most of the people are having when trying to sell their house: hiring the perfect real estate agent.
Here are some good questions […]

Realtor.org has an interesting article on consumers’ interest in being green. The latest environmentally friendly home features aren’t just good for the planet — they look great and are a huge draw for conscientious buyers, too.
Whether or not you specialize in selling green homes, you’re likely to meet clients who are interested […]

Choosing a realtor is not always as simple as it seems, you are basically going to rely on the real estate agent’s expertise and honesty in order to find your dream house. In the Chicago Real Estate area, there are around 10,000 realtors, and choosing one will take time, patience and research.
In my […]

Isn’t this a question that we all asked ourselves? Wouldn’t be great to own two properties, live in one and rent the other one?
But are you financially ready to take the plunge? Lenders are tough on second-home loans. Usually, second-home loans require a 20% down payment, and not many lenders are willing to take the […]

Closing costs seem to be designed to confuse the buyer. Most folks don’t understand all the mysterious fees they’re paying their lender when they close on their home — and sometimes end up overpaying, says Keith Gumbinger, vice president of HSH Associates, a mortgage information provider. (For a list of the average amounts paid for […]

Here is an article with a very interesting approach on the whole issue renting vs buying. Even though, I disagree with some points made in that article, I still think it’s pretty interesting and it offers some good information. This article comes from johnchow.com
“The House You Live In Is Not An Asset
Many people view their […]

Digg the story
Most people look forward to a negotiation like they look forward to a root canal. Of course, there’s also that rare breed that relishes trading in their car just so they can spend a few hours beating up on the dealer. No matter which category you fall into, on thing is for sure: […]

1. Aim for pre-approval
Approach at least four to five lenders (or have your mortgage broker do so) to see what kind of loan you can get pre-approved for, Robbins suggested. Generally, you want to go with the lender that offers the best rate and the lowest loan costs.
2. Find a good buyer’s agent
What buyer’s […]

How do you buy a new home without cracking your nest egg too deeply? Our expert has some advice.
NEW YORK (Money) — Question: My wife and I are currently renting, but we’d like to buy a house. Problem is, we happen to live in somewhat expensive area where single-family homes cost at least $300,000. Our […]

I wrote about this in the past, but here is an updated version containing some new things that I have experienced the past few months.
There are two ways to go about making home improvements. Either you splurge for something purely for the sybaritic pleasure of having it — the Italian marble bathroom you’ve dreamed about; […]

[source:SmartMoney.com]
A GOOD CHUNK OF the U.S. population refuses to give up renting. We’re not sure how many renters are stubborn hold-outs (the U.S. census doesn’t measure in terms of obstinacy, although we do know that the majority of Americans — about 69% — own their own home). For many, the American Dream is simply out […]

There are 5 things any client should expect from their realtor in terms of showings and open houses.

The realtor should try their best to schedule a showing appointment 24 hr in advance, this will give you time to prep your house and make it look best.
The realtor should help the client with […]

I came across an interesting article on http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/. I have to admit that I’ve never looked into the online savings account since I always wanted to be able to just walk-into my local bank and deal with a customer service agent face to face, but after reading several articles on the web, I have realized […]