Tamara Schuster Naperville Realtor Broker's Blog

Centennial Beach Wonder of Naperville

Tue, 21 May 2013 22:12:14 -0700

Wonders of Naperville, Illinois

Centennial Beach in preparation for the 2013 beach season this weekend of May 25, 2013 in Naperville, Illinois.

As a Realtor based in Naperville Illinois downtown Naperville, Illinois Centennial Beach is a big attraction for are home owners. Located in the heart of downtown Naperville right off the Riverwalk, you find an amazing pool with sandy beach. Surrounded by acres of green spaces and trees, this historic beach is a place the whole family can enjoy. The water ranging in depths from zero to 15 feet. A slide in the shallow end is perfect for young swimmers.

Centennial Beach caters to swimmers of all skill levels with a variety of activities to do including a swim team for area residents.

The Beach opens early on Saturdays and Sundays for “Adult Float” which is a time where adults can come in with any sort of floating devices (not allowed during regular open swim time) and swim with them.

Adult float is on every Saturday and Sunday from 9am-10:55am throughout the season.

Milestones have been shaping Centennial Beach since 1934, millions of kids and their family members have enjoyed the summer beach and sun in downtown Naperville. An average of 130,000 visitors each year, Centennial Beach has served as a landmark for Naperville memories and a gathering place for generations , The downtown restaurants might come and go. The shops might close their doors or head for other locations. But Centennial Beach will not be going anywhere. It’s firmly rooted at 500 West Jackson Avenue, where new memories are made every day.

Centennial Beach memberships are currently on sale.

Beach memberships can be renewed online or by mail. New memberships can be purchased at the Naperville Park District's Administration Building at 320 W. Jackson Avenue, or the 95th Street Center at 2244 W. 95th Street.

Tamara Schuster,Broker

Certified Relocation Specialist

3rd Generation Real Estate Broker

Prudential Elite Realtors

Naperville, Glen Ellyn and West Chicagoland

I am here to help you with all your Real Estate Needs.

Full Service Full Time

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

Tamara@BrokerOfNaperville.com

Fine Homes Specialist

Call today 630.886.9596

www.BrokerOfNaperville.com

Easter Egg Hunt Naperville Illinois

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 19:03:27 -0700

2013 Easter Egg Hunt Naperville

Just in time for the great spring weather. Hop into action as the Naperville Jaycees host the 30th annual Easter Egg Hunt at 10am, Saturday, March 30th at Frontier Sports Complex in South Naperville.

The egg hunt takes place at 10am Saturday and the eggs go quickly, so parents are encouraged to bring their children early to scope out a spot. Once the egg hunt is over, be on the look-out for the Easter Bunny!! He will be making an appearance at the event. Bring your Camera!

Tamara Schuster,Broker

Certified Relocation Specialist

3rd Generation Real Estate Broker

Prudential Elite Realtors

Naperville, Glen Ellyn and West Chicagoland

I am here to help you with all your Real Estate Needs.

Full Service Full Time

Tamara@BrokerOfNaperville.com

Fine Homes Specialist

Call today 630.886.9596

www.BrokerOfNaperville.com

Snowing and Blogging

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 21:39:16 -0800

This is my backyard in Naperville Illinois. The snow was falling quickly today and it started at 820am.

Today is Tuesday, a work day and I had a full schedule.

Traffic was moving slow on the streets.

Homes were covered quickly with snow. Children home from school and were building snowmen and forts.

The sun was trying to peak through this beautiful winter wonderland.

I was enjoying the beauty of seeing everyone play outside and the peacefulness of the gentle yet heavy snow fall.

To make your listings stand out as an agent requires aggressive marketing and hard work. By blogging on Active Rain your listings and website will gain the extra exposure they need to sell quicker for more money.

Today was a beautiful day. I enjoyed it from my window and as I worked hard on the marketing of my listing to give it the exposure the home deserves.

Spring will be here soon and the winter wonderland will be a distant memory.

Tamara Schuster,Broker

Certified Relocation Specialist

3rd Generation Real Estate Broker

Prudential Elite Realtors

Naperville, Glen Ellyn and West Chicagoland

I am here to help you with all your Real Estate Needs.

Full Service Full Time

Tamara@BrokerOfNaperville.com

Fine Homes Specialist

Call today 630.886.9596

www.BrokerOfNaperville.com

Ashbury Subdivision Naperville Illinois Clubhouse & Swim Community

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 19:08:07 -0800

Ashbury Subdivision is located in South Naperville and is considered a wonderful place to live and continues to be a neighborhood of choice for many families moving to the Naperville area. Ashbury is more than a neighborhood, it is a way of life.

Ashbury Subdivision offers a Clubhouse and Resort Style Swimming pool. Many activies are offered year around at Ashbury from Holiday Parties, Couples Night Out and Children's Events. The Clubhouse can also hold private parties for your special event. This Clubhouse is exclusive to residents of the neighborhood.

The Resort like pool is a full aquatic center which offers six swimming lanes, an expansive open swimming area and zero depth area for younger children. It also features a resort quality water slide, waterfall and kiddie pool plus a hot tub area for adults. Combine this with Beach Volleyball, Sand area for kids and a picnic area. A fun concession area serves a variety of treats for you and your family.

Ashbury Pool Brings hours of fun to the whole family. The Ashbury Subdivision is home to The Ashbury Alligators which is a swim team for all ages and all levels. They compete with area swim teams.

This is true resort like living in your own neighborhood. This membership is $485/ per year and includes your home owner association fees. This is an excellent value and one unique to Ashbury.

The neighborhood also features Tennis Courts, football fields, 2 baseball diamonds, miles of bike trails and a pond to relax by and enjoy nature.

Ashbury Subdivison is located in District 204 and has its own elementary school Patterson Elementary and is close to the award winning Neuqua Valley High School. Walk to the 95th Street library, YMCA and nearby shopping and dining.

The neighborhood has over 1100 custom to semi custom homes by over 60 builders. These homes are a wide variety of styles.

Ashbury Subdivision Homes are featured on the website www.BrokerOfNaperville.com and you will find the current list of homes available for sale.

Featured Home for Ashbury

3536 Becket Lane Naperville, IL 60564

Just Listed in Ashbury Subdivision and is a Must SEE!

CUSTOM BUILT HOME! COMPLETELY REDONE! STUNNING HOME CUL-DE-SAC LOT! WE HAVE IT ALL! COMPLETELY REDONE,ALL NEW BATHROOMS, GRANITE & STAINLESS STEEL IN KITCHEN WHICH FEATURES A SUNROOM WITH VAULTED CEILINGS AND FIREPLACE, TWO STORY SOARING FOYER, DUAL OAK STAIRCASE, TWO STORY FULL BRICK FIREPLACES, MASTER SUITE, DEN/5TH BED W/CLOSET, LARGE BEDROOMS,PAINTED WOODWORK, 2 STORY FAMILY ROOM, HARDWOOD, FINISHED BASEMENT,SPRINKLER, CENTRAL VAC, PROFESSIONALLY LANDSCAPED AMAZING LOT. EVERYTHING IS DONE, NEW WINDOWS, NEWER ROOF, NEWER AIR/FURNACE AND HOT WATER.

ASHBURY SUBDIVISION ARE SINGLE FAMILY HOMES RANGING IN PRICE FROM 400,000 TO 900,000.

Tamara Schuster,Broker

Certified Relocation Specialist

3rd Generation Real Estate Broker

Prudential Elite Realtors

Naperville, Glen Ellyn and West Chicagoland

I am here to help you with all your Real Estate Needs.

Full Service Full Time

Tamara@BrokerOfNaperville.com

Fine Homes Specialist

Call today 630.886.9596

www.BrokerOfNaperville.com

Sellers Beware of These Mistakes!

Sat, 23 Feb 2013 11:05:35 -0800

Top Mistakes Sellers Make

2013 Seller Mistakes

#1 Setting the Price too High First, you get fewer offers and eventually less showings. Buyers could potntially think something is wrong with your property when you lower your price. Get an appraisal or do a Comparative Market Appraisal (CMA), then set your asking price accordingly. *See pricing your home right* All agents and appraisers use the same MLS system to price homes.

#2 Waiting for a Market Change No one can predict when the housing market will do. Currently (2013) we are seeing the best Real Estate Market in YEARS. Now in the Chicagoland Area is one of THE BEST TIMES to sell.

#3 Selling as-is You don’t have to pour money into renovating, but visible damages can make buyers wonder about hidden problems with your home. Make necessary repairs, update the fixtures, and give your home a general spruce up before you list it. BUYERS WANT PERFECTION. I will guide you on what is important.

#4 Overdoing Renovations While you shouldn’t sell your house as-is, you also shouldn’t go overboard on improvements. Even the most desirable updates only yield a 70-80% return, and dramatic renovations don’t result in a dramatically higher selling price. Consult me for advice.

#5 Using Poor Photos Most buyers start online, first impressions count. Low quality photos make bad first impressions, so use only high-quality, high-resolution photos that show your house to its best advantage. Use a professional photgrapher and include a extended virtual tour for maximum exposure .

#6 Stretching the truth It may seem creative to call your den a third bedroom, but taking liberties in your ad is a bad idea. You run the risk of alienating real buyers who want to see what your house has to offer. This leads to big disappointment.

#7 Being Unavailable In today’s market, waiting even a day or two to return a potential buyer’s phone call can mean a missed opportunity. Make sure can be reached and ready for quick showings.

#8Hovering over Buyers Crowding potential buyers while they view your home will make them feel uncomfortable. Leave your home during showings.

#9 Accepting offers from unqualified buyers Your agent will guide you as this is very important.

#10 Rejecting Early Offers Negotiating with an existing interested buyer is always smarter than waiting to see if something better comes along. As the saying goes, your first offer is usually your best.

#11 Not Staging Your Home Never under estimate the value of using a home stager. Arranging your furniture, adding updated acessories make a difference of selling or not. Your agent will guide you on the stagign process and how important it is.

#12 Clutter and "Smells" When showing clutter gets in the way of how a buyer make look at your house. Now is the time to declutter and pack away all unnecessary objects. Nothing is better than fresh air smell. Please do not cook strong smelling foods and use air freshners or candles. WHAT? No Candles or Air Fresheners? They look like you are covering up smells. Prior to showing baking cookies or bread to leave out for buyers with water bottles may be a special treat and leave behind a WELCOMING SCENT.

#13 Not Using an Agent Very few houses sell by owner. Truly using an agent will get you more money and save you months of work. Time is money in the real estate world and your Agent is THE KEY TO SUCCESS!

Tamara Schuster,Broker

Certified Relocation Specialist

3rd Generation Real Estate Broker

Prudential Elite Realtors

Naperville, Glen Ellyn and West Chicagoland

I am here to help you with all your Real Estate Needs.

Full Service Full Time

Tamara@BrokerOfNaperville.com

Fine Homes Specialist

Call today 630.886.9596

www.BrokerOfNaperville.com

FHA Loan after Bankruptcy & Foreclosure

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 12:41:35 -0800

FHA and BANKRUPTCY

Yes, FHA is available 2 years after Chapter 7 discharge ( Bankruptcy) EXCEPT that if there is a foreclosure, the rule is 3 years after the foreclosure is complete - meaning generally 3 years from the date of transfer of the deed to the next owner (could be a buyer or the bank if they hold the property). So people with a foreclosure face a longer wait even if their credit has been reestablished.

I believe the 3 year rule was put in place to discourage "strategic defaults", those are where the homeowner decides it makes business sense to walk away from a property that is underwater, subject to a crushing interest rate adjustment, etc.

Recently, one of my clients were initially given the ok to purchase a home as they were out of bankruptcy for 2 years, credit was great and they had a good paying job. When the paperwork was filled out they had rolled their "foreclosure" into the banruptcy agreement and did not realize that it would still appear on their records. So when they asked if they ever had a foreclosure, they answered "NO" and it was initally missed by mortgage broker. THEY THOUGHT IT WAS "NO" as they were told by their bankruptcy lawyer it was part of the bankruptcy package. They were told to do this as they were moving out of State and the Real Estate market was slow.

Remember..... If it doesnt sound or feel right, take a second look. Get another opinion.

Can imagine how excited the couple was to be able to now look for a home. This lasted about a week until it appeared to theie new ender that this bankruptcy included a foreclosure. They could not now proceed to look at homes until this was at least 3 years out.

Most would agree that 3 years is short time to qualify for a loan and they should feel lucky to not have to wait 7 years or more.

When filling for Bankruptcy, Short Sale or Foreclosure, is so important that you know exactly what you are getting into. So often people are not educated and do not realize the future impact. Before making any decisions make sure you do your homework.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Tamara Schuster,Broker

Certified Relocation Specialist

3rd Generation Real Estate Broker

Prudential Elite Realtors

Naperville, Glen Ellyn and West Chicagoland

I am here to help you with all your Real Estate Needs.

Full Service Full Time

Tamara@BrokerOfNaperville.com

Fine Homes Specialist

Call today 630.886.9596

www.BrokerOfNaperville.com

Spring is almost here in Naperville !

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 20:35:06 -0800

Spring is Almost Here!

Spring is right around the corner and now is the time to think about putting your home on the market. Home sales in the West Chicago Suburbs are up 21% from last year and prices up as much as 10% in some areas. What do you think of when we think of Spring? Flowers and Real Estate!

Now is the time to get the inside ready for the Spring Market. If I could give one one thing for a seller to do before putting there house on the market is to DECLUTTER. Yes! You are moving and the first you need to do is eliminate the clutter. This takes time and energy. It also sounds easier than it is as there are so many memories that can be associated with each object in your home.

Clutter can make a home look and feel disorganized, messy, and stressful. Clutter can also make it difficult to keep your home clean and it tends to snowball as piles of paperwork and other ongoing projects are moved from room to room to make space for, well, more clutter. The desk seems to be the place where much of your clutter piles up.

Reducing clutter is a way for your home and life to feel cleaner, better organized, and more manageable. Do not wait until you are getting ready to sell to reduce the clutter. Start now and get a jump on it and enjoy a clutter free home!

Spring is almost here! Please call me if you are thinking of buying or selling. Check weekly for updates and advice on how to make your move easier and stress free.

Tamara Schuster,Broker

Certified Relocation Specialist

3rd Generation Real Estate Broker

Prudential Elite Realtors

Naperville, Glen Ellyn and West Chicagoland

I am here to help you with all your Real Estate Needs.

Full Service Full Time

Tamara@BrokerOfNaperville.com

Fine Homes Specialist

Call today 630.886.9596

www.BrokerOfNaperville.com

Fix That Kitchen!

Sun, 20 Jan 2013 20:38:40 -0800

Here I go : I believe in Positive Blogs. I enjoy reading and sharing with others on Active Rain. If you are in the Real Estate World being a member of Active Rain increases your knowledge . We share ideas and it truly makes a difference.

Being a Full Service Broker working many long days I enjoy what I do. Like most agents I am there from beginning to end to guide my clients every step of the way. Results Guaranteed!

Now, when you call me in to your house I go room to room and make suggestions on how to get your home ready. What are the most important rooms? All of them, as each and everyone makes a difference. However we all know Kitchens and Baths are important to buyers. And they will cost you if not updated or presented clean and workable for the time being as many buyers do not have extra money to put into what they perceive as expensive updates.

Frequently , as a tour a well kept home I am so pleased when everything has been decluttered and light and bright. Decluttering makes a huge difference. Up to date or neutral paint color is a huge plus and in Naperville. Illinois if you have white painted wood work we are almost a home run.....

Then, I turn the corner and either a sign of relief goes through my mind or my smile freezes as I see a home that has not done anything to the kitchen in 30 years. I have recently been in homes with appliances older than the home.

Not only do they use a lot of energy, they are not pretty and can date a whole house. Buyers over estimate the cost of new appliances and consequently the house stays on the market longer and sometimes sells for less, much less than an updated appliance package. I am not an advocate of putting granite on old cabinets like many people are. However a great refrigerator, stove, built in microwave and updated can mean quicker sale and thousands of dollars in my market especially in the 400k and up market.

When getting your home ready make your kitchen SHINE! This will result in a

quick sale for more money: Home Run

If you are lucky enough to have the resources update the appliances, take down any wall paper, professionally paint the cabinets, get the microwave off the counter, change your cabinet handles and do all you can to make your kitchen inviting and up to date. If it looks like it never left the the year it was built your price and market time may be disappointing.

It is important to do a cost analysis and weigh the benefits of how much is worth putting into your home. Sometimes, in Real Estate it takes money to make money.

House prices are up in Naperville, Illinois.

There were110 single-family homes sold in Naperville during December represented a 19.6 percent increase over December 2011, according to the Mainstreet Organization of Realtors (MORe).

Next Week: The Stainless Steel Nightmare: Do you feel the pain:

Tamara Schuster,Broker

Certified Relocation Specialist

3rd Generation Real Estate Broker

Prudential Elite Realtors

Naperville, Glen Ellyn and West Chicagoland

I am here to help you with all your Real Estate Needs.

Full Service Full Time

Tamara@BrokerOfNaperville.com

Fine Homes Specialist

Call today 630.886.9596

www.BrokerOfNaperville.com

Family Fun New Years Eve in Naperville Illinois

Sat, 29 Dec 2012 12:50:29 -0800

Family Fun New Years in Naperville

Family-Friendly EVENT New Year's Eve Celebration on the 31st (12noon-5pm) Downtown Naperville .

Enjoy FAMILY FUN, celebrating downtown. Your day downtown includes scavenger hunt for prizes, sales & celebration! There is no charge. BEGINS AT TWO BOSTONS on Main and Jefferson.

CHECK-IN : 1) Starting at 12:30pm, check in first at Main & Jefferson in front of Two Bostons!.You and your family will receive a schedule of where you can enjoy FREE merriment (indoors) around the downtown (face painters, magicians, jugglers, fortune teller and more). You'll also receive a sheet of clues to participate in our downtown scavenger hunt. 50 randomly selected families with the correct answers will receive a $50 Downtown Naperville gift card.

2) Explore and enjoy! Merriment, scavenger hunt, free Shutterbox photos, even free trolley rides. You must Return your form by 4pm (to Main & Jefferson, in front of Two Bostons. Then go have a great local dinner at the many resturants.

3) 6 pm ( another event) Enjoy complimentary hot chocolate at the Riverwalk Eatery (compliments of My Chef Catering, while supplies last) and get ready for the early evening 6PM countdown to ring in the New Year, hosted by Mayor A. George Pradel and CLTV News Anchor Dolly McCarthy. Note: There will also be a Midnight countdown to Ring in the New Year - at the Carillon as well with music beginning at 11:15 and a grand countdown at Midnight!

Let's welcome 2013 together - Naperville style! See you downtown by day and at the Carillon on Rotary Hill at either 6pm or Midnight! Happy New Year!

Tamara Schuster,Broker

Certified Relocation Specialist

3rd Generation Real Estate Broker

Prudential Elite Realtors

Naperville, Glen Ellyn and West Chicagoland

I am here to help you with all your Real Estate Needs.

Full Service Full Time

Tamara@BrokerOfNaperville.com

Fine Homes Specialist

Call today 630.886.9596

www.BrokerOfNaperville.com

Come see Santa in Downtown Naperville Illinois

Sat, 08 Dec 2012 10:02:05 -0800

Naperville Park District Santa House

Santa House in Downtown Naperville gives families a chance to see Santa and to purchase photos with him.

Admission to Santa House is free, with the option of purchasing photos for $8 each, or 2 for $15. Special nights at Santa House require advance registration at www.napervilleparks.org.

Where: Along the Riverwalk in downtown Naperville at the corner of Jackson Avenue and Webster Street, opposite Nichols Library.

When:

Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 8 through Dec. 23, from noon to 6 p.m.
Dec. 14 from 4 to 8 p.m.
Dec. 17-21, Monday through Friday, from 4 to 8 p.m.

Come and enjoy the shopping, dining and lights in Naperville.

Tamara Schuster,Broker

Certified Relocation Specialist

3rd Generation Real Estate Broker

Prudential Elite Realtors

Naperville, Glen Ellyn and West Chicagoland

I am here to help you with all your Real Estate Needs.

Full Service Full Time

Tamara@BrokerOfNaperville.com

Fine Homes Specialist

Call today 630.886.9596

www.BrokerOfNaperville.com

Beware if The Naperville Illinois Hawk in Ashbury Subdivision

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 17:34:18 -0700

Beware of the Ashbury Hawk in Naperville Illlinois

I often walk my dogs in the neighborhood of Ashbury Subdivision in Naperville, Illinois. They are over 20 pounds each and are great to walk and run with. They enjoy the outdoors and the many parks, trails and bike paths around Ashbury Subdivision. They would LOVE to swim in the pond if I let them.

When I notice the Hawk lurking around I appreciate the beauty of Nature.

When the HAWK is in my backyard and my friends 8 pound Yorkie is over I am not so comfortable. The Hawk seems to love my neighbors deck.

My advice is that you should always watch your pets and keep them insight. There are so many coyotes and wild animals in the subdivisions around Naperville, Wheaton and Glen Ellyn that is common to see them on a daily basis. Maybe it is the lack of land that makes them migrate from the nearby forest preserves and parks to the neighborhoods.

Looking forward to a nice winter after the HOT summer. I would love to see more of this BLUE BIRD and appreciate wildlife when it fits in with the neighborhood.

Tamara Schuster,Broker

Certified Relocation Specialist

3rd Generation Real Estate Broker

Prudential Elite Realtors

Naperville, Glen Ellyn and West Chicagoland

I am here to help you with all your Real Estate Needs.

Full Service Full Time

Tamara@BrokerOfNaperville.com

Fine Homes Specialist

Call today 630.886.9596

www.BrokerOfNaperville.com

Why Pricing Matters and current market conditions

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 18:59:04 -0700

Pricing of Your Home

When pricing your home for sale, initial pricing is crucial.

Your agent will show you the Right Price Analysis on your home and we will talk about the current real estate market conditions which change weekly.

But you may not agree...

Do I, or do I not leave room for negotiations?

A home that is priced right in the beginning will bring a higher offer than a home that is negotiated 98% of the time.

Remember, the agent is your guide and expert. So often, sellers want to tell us their PRICE... or what they need to get out of the home....

They want to start HIGH because they reason:

BUT I can always come down:

When a seller starts out high, it is a gamble,

statistics show they end up selling the home at a much lower price than they would have sold it for if it had been priced right initially. Yes I have said this before and it is STILL TRUE!

And it takes MUCH longer to get this!

Do not be STUBBORN like this blue bird in the cold all alone....

Remember even if your getting showings BUYERS and their agents look at listings that are priced too high, they compare it against homes that are priced right and usually purchase the other home. THEY DO NOT NORMALLY TRY AND LOW BALL AS THEY THINK YOU ARE NOT A SERIOUS SELLER IF YOUR PRICED WRONG.

Actually, there are always homes on the market that have been listed too high and FSBOs( for sale by owners) that have priced their home too high---this makes selling properly priced homes always EASIER! Price high and you are used as a comparison.

Now, from prior articles you have heard me talk about improvements and how they are GRAND and

I'm sure you've seen all the articles on how much various home improvements add to the value of your home.

That's at best--and they depreciate over time! Improvements like roofing, furnace, air, water heater and windows etc are considered maintenance and help your home sell faster but do not necessarily add value. GREAT TO HAVE AND A SELLING POINT...... NOT PRICING.

NOW THE IMPROVEMENTS:

New kitchen, new bathrooms, landscape updates may add value however not the exact cost you paid for it.

Adding the cost of all the improvements without adjusting for depreciation, your home can often take the price way over market value for your area/neighborhood.

Even if you get your price you dream of, your home has to appraise and there has to be sales to support the value.

As I have said before, go ahead and try if you must and really then, who is the expert if you do not value the opinion and proven market stats your agent provides.

BUT can't we try it for a few weeks? Sure, but you might miss potential prospects.

With this strategy of lisitng to high you may be listing in the summer

And Possibly selling in the winter

Real Estate Professionals and buyers will notice your home when it is overpriced and think that one's overpriced they must not be ready to sell.

They'll keep that opinion for the life of the listing - even after you lower the price. Those few weeks can be fatal! They can be make or break.

How long do you want to be on the market?

Price right from the beginning will bring you more money in today's market.

BrokerTamara

www.BrokerOfNaperville.com

Tamara Schuster,Broker

Certified Relocation Specialist

3rd Generation Real Estate Broker

Prudential Elite Realtors

Naperville, Glen Ellyn and West Chicagoland

I am here to help you with all your Real Estate Needs.

Full Service Full Time

Tamara@BrokerOfNaperville.com

Fine Homes Specialist

Call today 630.886.9596

www.BrokerOfNaperville.com

Open Houses ARE TO FIND BUYERS

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 18:19:26 -0700

Open Houses are an important part of the marketing campaign for many agents. Yes they can be time consuming, and yes.....they are generally on a weekend when most buyers are around. Many agents would rather be at Lake Ellyn pictured below in Glen Ellyn..........

Dedication to selling your clients home is what it takes to continue to give your clients the most exposure possible when seeling their home. In most markets this includes old fashion techniques that are tried and TRUE like OPEN HOUSES.

Yes, The Open House is alive and thriving and a vital part of most agents marketing plan. The advertisement exposure your home gets from the agent advertising your home is very beneficial to gaining the extra attention and exposure you may need to sell and find the right buyer.

904 Winslow Circle Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

I did a survey at my open houses last month and 9/10 found my open house online and came to see because they were looking in my price range and either there agent was too busy that weekend or they wanted to go and show the whole family the house and the time of the open house was perfect. How great is that for me to have an opportunity to sell my clients house one on one.

This is fantastic for the seller. I am there to sell their home only and show it off with all its great attributes.

An open house truly is a great benefit for your sellers and brings in many buyers when advertised correctly.

When at an open house we are not there to find new clients. If we arrange an appointment for another meeting GREAT! At our sellers home, it is our responsibility to honor their home and show it off to potential buyers, who may be interested or know of other buyers who are. For those who stop by and our just looking, think of your sellers priority, when the buyers want more information on other homes. Yes, I would love to help you, if this home does not meet your needs and I can arrange for an appointment at my office. Would Monday or Tuesday afternoon work better for you? Not at the Open House, you are there to SELL the home not have other client meetings!

As you see in the balloon below, we are at the OPeN HOUSE to gain attention our sellers house. This is a marketing tool for the house.

Too often an agent will say they dont do Open Houses because they do not work......

Now, I have to think..... Maybe it is the agent who doesnt want to do it?

This will not go well with all agents, especially those who send their assitants to the open houses......

Now you are thinking again......

Remember Two Things:

1. Open Houses Work

2. The agent is there for the Seller

When you are at an Open House your seller has taken time to prepare there home for you and they have found a place to go for the hours your Open House is going on. PLease be grateful and respectful and make their home the place you are advertising and selling, not your business or other agents listing.

Please note a "featured blog "about this subject prompted me to write this blog as there is confusion on why agents do OPEN HOUSES and I wanted to express the reason behind an Open House.

www.BrokerOfNaperville.com

Tamara Schuster,Broker

Certified Relocation Specialist

3rd Generation Real Estate Broker

Prudential Elite Realtors

Naperville, Glen Ellyn and West Chicagoland

I am here to help you with all your Real Estate Needs.

Full Service Full Time

Tamara@BrokerOfNaperville.com

Fine Homes Specialist

Call today 630.886.9596

www.BrokerOfNaperville.com

How Your Home Should Look When Selling. Tips For Home Owners

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 21:30:10 -0700

Make your home warm and inviting to boost your home’s value and FASTER SALE.

Warm, neutral-colored paint is key when staging your home. Fresh paint looks and smells great!

The first step to getting buyers to make an offer on your home is to impress them with its appearance. Home buyers decide in the first 16 seconds if they are interested.

1. CLEAN!
This is top and so important. Redo wood floors. Wipe down doors and down light switch covers. Deep clean and deodorize carpets and clean or remove if not in good shape window coverings.

2. Remove Clutter

Start with counter tops. Only keep out the coffee maker and maybe a vase of flowers or live plant for color.

It’s harder for buyers to picture themselves in your home when they’re looking at your knickknacks. Pack up all your personal decor and pictures. You are moving so do not take this personally.

3. Remove some of your furniture

When a room is filled with furniture, it looks smaller, which will make buyers think your home is less spacious than it is. Make sure buyers appreciate every room by removing a few pieces of furniture.

4. Furniture placement

How rooms flow is important. In each room, create a focal point on the farthest wall from the doorway. In the bedroom, the bed should be the focal point for example. In the living room, it may be the picture window or fireplace. LESS IS MORE

5. Add color by adding accessories

Add a vibrant throw, or beautiful accent pillows for the sofa will jazz up a any room and give it a fresh up to date look. Real healthy plants make a bug difference too. Make sure all your light fixtures are up to date will also make a big impact.

6. Romance the scene

Fresh birch logs in the fireplace, in the fireplace, flowers on the table tdis a bowl of fresh fruit or flowers. Set up staged areas as a book and a cup of tea on the table near a chair and pretty lamp — help your buyer vision living there. Set out a game of backgammon on a table in the corner. Make the room inviting.

The bedroom below is a perfect example of romance.

Make your bathrooms richer by updating the shower curtain, towels, and fancy soap dispenser. ( Never leave your personal toiletries items out ).

7. Make the OUTSIDE mint!

As your agent ids unlocking the door. Your home buyer is looking at every detail closely.

Mow your lawn and do not forget to edge. Bright flowers and plants should surround your home’s front entranceway. Finish off by buying a new doormat.

Do not forget the pool and porch!

Remember when staging your home that even the best staged home that looks awesome can not sell if it is not priced right. Price and a great marketing plan and a staged home is a ticket called SOLD!

THIS HOME IS FOR SALE IN GLEN ELLYN ILLINOIS. 904 WINSLOW CIRCLE IN THE DANBY WOODS SUBDIVISION. MINUTES FROM DOWTOWN GLEN ELLYN AND CLOSE TO EXPRESSWAYS, DOWNTOWN CHICAGO AND OHARE AIRPORT. AMAZING VALUE AT 699,999. CALL FOR YOU SHOWING TODAY!

Tamara Schuster,Broker

Certified Relocation Specialist

3rd Generation Real Estate Broker

Prudential Elite Realtors

Naperville, Glen Ellyn and West Chicagoland

I am here to help you with all your Real Estate Needs.

Full Service Full Time

Tamara@BrokerOfNaperville.com

Fine Homes Specialist

Call today 630.886.9596

www.BrokerOfNaperville.com

New Vacation Paradise in Glen Ellyn Illinois

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 18:52:42 -0700

Danby Woods is a single family home community built of custom built homes built in the mid 1990's. These high end custom homes are all unique surrounded by woods. The neighborhood is has charm and character.

Danby Woods is located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois north of St. Charles Road and west of Main Street The neighborhood is close to dowtown Glen Ellyn and biking distance to the town. It is surrounded by parks and Lake Ellyn is nearby. The high school is Glenbard West and is award winning and known their high achieving academic programs.

The neighorhood has kids of all ages raging from newborns to college age.

Danby Woods rarely has a homes for sale as once someone moves to this highly desirable area they stay for a long time. Recently homes have sold in Danby Woods in the price range of 700,000 to 720,000.

Rarely do you see a house for sale.

Currently there is only one house for sale:
904 Winslow Circle Glen Ellyn,Illinois 60137

This home is listed for $699,900.

High End Luxury Home. Charm & incredible Quality surrounds you. Spacious, elegant rooms appointed w/the finest materials & gorgeous detail! Nature is your back yard. Extraordinary details. All The Latest Upgrades. Designer finishes. Three Fireplaces located in Master Bedroom, Living Room and Family Room. Kitchen is custom from Kitchen Studios. Fantastic Details and cooks dream. Viking Cooktop & Bosch Appliances which includes double oven.

All 4 Bathrooms are New Designer Bathrooms include Amazing marble, unique designer lighting, restoration hardware fixtures, designer lighting and custom closets by California Closets are just a few items you will find in the bathrooms.

2 Staircases in the home, one in front another in back hallway for privacy.

2 complete Master Suites. One Master suite has own private back staircase, sitting room and brand new huge walk in shower. Great for inlaw or nanny. 1st floor Den/Office ( could also be a bedroom) has large windows, private back entrance.

Family Room connect with fantastic detail opens to the screen porch.

Huge upstairs Bedrooms. Bedrooms are so large they could easily be a bedroom and play room/sitting room. 4 Baths, three of them are full baths upstairs. Designer Decor & paint surround you.

Backyard Is Your Vacation Paradise, this is your dream home and you will have hours of enjoyment in private pool.

Your Screened Porch is a great way to relax your new home.

All Backing To Private Wooded Area. Property extends beyond the fenced area. 3 Car Designer Garage. Home Gym. All new HVAC system. New back up generator was a life saver during the last electical storm. The home always had power. Welcome home!

Tamara Schuster,Broker

Certified Relocation Specialist

3rd Generation Real Estate Broker

Prudential Elite Realtors

Naperville, Glen Ellyn and West Chicagoland

I am here to help you with all your Real Estate Needs.

Full Service Full Time

Tamara@BrokerOfNaperville.com

Fine Homes Specialist

Call today 630.886.9596

www.BrokerOfNaperville.com

Pricing Your Home In Todays Market

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 23:51:13 -0800

Pricing of Your Home

When pricing your home for sale, proper initial pricing is very important.

But you may not agree...

You may be thinking :

BUT I need to leave plenty of room for negotiation. Although low offers do occur, prospective buyers are usually just trying to find your bottom line. All you need to do is counter-offer. Tight negotiation is the way to go.

BUT I can always come down:

When a seller starts out high, statistics show they end up selling the home at a much lower price than they would have sold it for if it had been priced right initially. PLUS it takes MUCH longer!

BUT we've been getting showings; When buyers and their agents look at listings that are priced too high, they compare it against homes priced right and usually purchase the other home. Actually, there are always homes on the market that have been listed too high ---this makes selling properly priced homes EASIER! Price high and you are used as a comparison.

But what about our improvements you ask?;

I'm sure you've seen all the articles on how much various home improvements add to the value of your home. That's at best--and they depreciate over time! Improvements like roofing, furnace, air, water heater and windows etc are considered maintenance and help your home sell faster but do not always add value.

New kitchen, new bathrooms, landscape updates may add value however not the exact cost you paid for it. Adding the cost of all the improvements without adjusting for depreciation, your home can be well over priced for your area/neighborhood. Even if you get your price you dream of, your home has to appraise and there has to be sales to support the value.

BUT I'm negotiable; they can always make an offer. Buyers know everything is negotiable, but will only look in the price range where they are comfortable and have been pre-qualified. If the home price is out of line, the buyers will tend to think the sellers are unrealistic; Why Bother? Although they will look a little higher if nothing is available, there are usually a lot of homes on the market at any given time. In general, the higher the price, the fewer potential buyers there are.

BUT can't we try it for a few weeks? Sure, but you might miss potential prospects. Real Estate Professionals and buyers will notice your home and think; Boy, that one's overpriced they must be crazy! They'll keep that opinion for the life of the listing - even after you lower the price. Those few weeks can be fatal! They can be make or break.

Price right from the beginning will bring you more money in today's market.

BrokerTamara

www.BrokerOfNaperville.com

Tamara Schuster,Broker

Certified Relocation Specialist

3rd Generation Real Estate Broker

Prudential Elite Realtors

Naperville, Glen Ellyn and West Chicagoland

I am here to help you with all your Real Estate Needs.

Full Service Full Time

Tamara@BrokerOfNaperville.com

Fine Homes Specialist

Call today 630.886.9596

www.BrokerOfNaperville.com

Happy Halloween

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:54:13 -0700

Happy Halloween to all. What a fun opportunity for adults and kids alike to enjoy. In the Naperville area today we had perfect weather for the trick and treaters. Sunny and bright today and a little cool in the evening. I hurried home from my showings to deliver the candy to the many kids who look so forward to this day.

As a subdivision in Naperville, Illinois Ashbury has over 1,000 homes so many homes go through a lot of candy. We just went through 3 bags and I was generous handing it out as I did not want left overs.

I did not go out and dress up like I did last year. So in order to celebrate the holiday I dressed up the dogs.

Now, my dogs who are cockpoos refused to be dressed up like that had in the past so I borrowed my neighbors dogs and here they are posed for you to enjoy!

No matter where you are, and who you are, I will bring a smile to your face!

Tamara Schuster,Broker

Certified Relocation Specialist

3rd Generation Real Estate Broker

Prudential Elite Realtors

Naperville, Glen Ellyn and West Chicagoland

I am here to help you with all your Real Estate Needs.

Full Service Full Time

Tamara@BrokerOfNaperville.com

Fine Homes Specialist

Call today 630.886.9596

www.BrokerOfNaperville.com

Housing is What You make of it!

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 19:55:01 -0700

There is a saying Life is what you make out of it,

ALWAYS HAS BEEN, ALWAYS WILL BE.

This is true today with the housing market. As a real estate agent in the Chicagoland suburbs, I am ask daily how is the market? As the look of doubt appears on a couple's face, they are surprised when my comeback is fantastic! Without hesitation, my Fall has been a flow of buyers and sellers in the Naperville and surrounds suburbs.

I am having a very busy fall and with more Buyers than Sellers I look forward to seeing what is listed everyday for my clients which include, buyers, investors, sellers and renters.

It is hard to imagine anything but a positive market place. You have so many options today and if your buying or selling you have reasons to be excited. We are finally at the place again where it takes only one income to own a home in many parts of the country. When the market levels out the outcome is going to be very positive and the public will feel the excitement and pride again of homeownership.

I know many may face the dilemma of uncertainty and there are options
available that may benefit homeowners who need to sell their home without equity. As a short sale and foreclosure specialist I have helped many establish better credit and sell their home when the market was tough and money tight.

I know that many need guidance in what to do if considering a short sale and who to turn to. Many do not realize that a short sale real estate agent and short sale attorney together, will help them every step of the and not collect any payment until your house is sold. We will also help guide you to working with your bank and the refinance options that are available.

In summary, I am very lucky to be in a market where I am selling houses however, I will always have time for those in need to guide them on where they need to be and where they can go if they need housing and their circumstances are not ideal.

Everyone needs a home, their own kitchen and a place to live. So if your renting, buying or selling, I am here for you and do not charge until your needs are met no matter how small or large.

Tamara Schuster
3rd Generation Broker
www.BrokerOfNaperville.com
Tamara@BrokerOfNaperville.com
630.886.9596
First Time Buyer, Move up Buyer
and short sale and foreclosure advisor

Tamara Schuster,Broker

Certified Relocation Specialist

3rd Generation Real Estate Broker

Prudential Elite Realtors

Naperville, Glen Ellyn and West Chicagoland

I am here to help you with all your Real Estate Needs.

Full Service Full Time

Tamara@BrokerOfNaperville.com

Fine Homes Specialist

Call today 630.886.9596

www.BrokerOfNaperville.com

NOW IS THE TIME TO SELL~

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 23:26:33 -0700

Housing Inventory Keeps dropping in Naperville Illinois and especially in Ashbury Subdivision There are currently more buyers than great homes on the market. You are thinking what ? Hello! This cannot be. This is a buyers market. Well not exactly~ interest rates are low and homes prices are lower than they have been in years ( perfect for buyers)~ However the inventory is not here! Not enough homes to choose from so some buyers are on the sidelines waiting for more homes that meet their criteria.

When a home is priced right and marketed correctly, which includes many things, the home is sold within 90 days. Yes 90 days. So when we look at the current inventory in Ashbury subdivision, 2 homes have been sold by me ( one I was the listing agent, the other I had the buyer) both sold within a month or so because the right things were done to the home which included pricing the home right, perfecting the home, staging the home and then a fantastic marketing plan that brought in buyers from as far away as Boston to view and purchase the home.

Iam finding less and less inventory that meets specific requests in every price range. From $100,000 and below, $300,000 to $500,000 and $1,000,000 and above. ( Weekly a home in Naperville above 1,000,000 sells!) There are LESS homes to choose from. Could it be possible that we are recovering from the Housing Crash of 2007???

Recovering..maybe we are on the way. The verdict is out and we have yet to level off. I know that homes priced and marketing plan is GREAT it will SELL!!! Homes For Sale are SELLING. If a Seller is guided properly on how to to price their home at a competitive price PLUS MARKETING it will sell. YES it WILL SELL! It is not magic potion. With a great agent~ great things happen.

Naperville is a great area, with great schools, fantastic library, plenty of parks and recreation, and tons of activities for people of all ages. That is going to continue to drive people to our community as we welcome all ages.

Now is a time to buy if you find the right house and the time to Sell as my buyers are waiting.

www.BrokerOfNaperville.com
BrokerTamara: Follow me on Twitter

Tamara Schuster,Broker

Certified Relocation Specialist

3rd Generation Real Estate Broker

Prudential Elite Realtors

Naperville, Glen Ellyn and West Chicagoland

I am here to help you with all your Real Estate Needs.

Full Service Full Time

Tamara@BrokerOfNaperville.com

Fine Homes Specialist

Call today 630.886.9596

www.BrokerOfNaperville.com

Short Sale Issues Affecting Buyers

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 22:04:22 -0700

Would you like to know more about short sales. As agents we experience questions daily about short sales and if they are a good deal. They can be~ Or THEY CAN BE TROUBLE!

This article is great to reblog and share with clients as we continue to explain what sort sales are all about.

As a full service agent who is short sale & foreclosure certified I frequently work with foreclosures and short sales as a part of my business. While short sales can be very challenging to close, I have closed them.

Please share with others as it is helpful!

Via Drew Sygit (The Lending Edge) Real Estate Financing Expert (Purchases, First Time Buyers, Pre-Approvals, Refinance):

Short Sale Issues Affecting Buyers

Previously I wrote a series of posts on Short Sale Legal Issues Affecting Real Estate Agents, which can be found at: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5 & Solutions.

There were several comments and questions on what affects buyers when they're pursuing the purchase of a short sale. As it's a very important topic also, I did some research and have written this post.

MORTGAGE, EXPERT, MICHIGAN, BIRMINGHAM, BLOOMFIELD, DETROIT, ROCHESTER, ROYAL OAK, TROY

Just about every buyer currently in the market for a home, seems to want to "steal a deal". With all the foreclosures and distressed sellers, it sometimes seems like buyers are in a frenzy to get a deal - just like sharks when there's blood in the water.

While at first glance a short sale may seem like an easy way to buy a home at a great price, there are several issues that can turn a buyer's dream into a nightmare.

Let's take a look at some of the challenges short sale buyers should be aware of and what buyers can do to protect themselves:

•1.                  Short Sale transactions usually take 3-4 months to close - or longer.

It is not uncommon for a short sale transaction to fall apart because a buyer gets tired of waiting for a closing date. The seller's lender(s) don't care about purchase contract dates and when a buyer wants to move. They have little to no incentive to move faster than they want to. It's important to understand that not only is a seller negotiating with their lender(s) to accept less than what is owed, a seller may also be negotiating to avoid a deficiency amount or a 1099-C. If the seller doesn't get what they want, they may choose to go the foreclosure route instead of short sale.

SOLUTION: Buyers should make sure they have a time-based out clause in their purchase contract so they can terminate the deal, with no penalties, if it drags on too long.

•2.                  Making an offer through the real estate agent representing the seller.

Many buyers see a property they like and contact the agent that has their name on the "for sale" sign. Many buyers don't realize that agent represents the interests of the seller, not the buyer. Several states allow agents to represent both a seller and a buyer, called "dual agency", but there's little oversight of agents working in this capacity. I'm also unsure of how an agent that has a commission at stake (paid by the seller), can effectively represent both sides of a transaction without leaning one way over the other. It'd be like an attorney representing both the defendant and the plaintiff in a court case. Would you trust an attorney to do that for you?

SOLUTION: A buyer should either hire their own real estate agent and make sure they sign a buyer's agency disclosure or hire an attorney to review a purchase contract BEFORE they sign it. A buyer could seek maximum protection and do both.

•3.                  Determining what to offer on a property listed for short sale.

Did you know that many short sales are still listed at too high of a price? By default, many lenders require a seller to initially list their property at close to what is owed on it. It doesn't matter that the actual market value of the property may be substantially less. The lender wants to make sure they recoup as much of their loan as possible. Inexperienced and unprofessional real estate agents list properties at these high prices just to get business. Eventually they know they'll be able to reduce the price and get a sale.

SOLUTION: Buyers should work with a very savvy agent that knows the market and researches a property's value before writing an offer to avoid overpaying. The agent should also be able to go over their methodology and comparables for determining what to offer. NOTE: if a buyer's using a mortgage to acquire a property, the appraisal process will usually (but not always) protect the buyer from overpaying. The problem - it may take months for the buyer to find that out.

•4.                  A Seller's Disclosure Statement may be worthless on a short sale transaction.

Many states require a seller to attest in writing about the condition of their property. This is meant to prevent sellers from lying about pre-existing conditions like mold, water leaks, plumbing problems, etc. If a seller lies, they can be sued in court by the buyer to recover damages. The problem on a short sale is that the seller is often desperate to sell and may not be entirely truthful. A buyer could try to sue if they find an issue after closing, but most sellers of short sales have no assets to go after.

SOLUTION: Be sure to get an inspection, contact the city about work done at the property, if possible, speak with the neighbors to see if they're aware of any issues with the property. A home warranty may also be advisable, just make sure to go over exactly what it will & won't cover.

•5.                  The condition of a short sale property is often questionable.

People sell properties on short sales because they either can't afford them or the property is upside down. In either case, a seller may often stop maintaining the property and let it deteriorate.

SOLUTION: Hire the best home inspector possible and don't scrimp on inspection costs. Be prepared for unpleasant surprises.

•6.                  The seller's lender(s) may not allow them to pay normal transaction costs.

A seller usually pays for a title policy to guarantee to the buyer they'll get the property free of any liens or encumbrances. There may also be attorney fees, transfer taxes and more. In an effort to recoup as much of their loan as possible, a lender may ask a buyer to sign an addendum requiring the buyer to pay these costs.

SOLUTION: Make sure to read everything and ask your agent a lot of questions before signing a purchase contact or any addendums from a lender. Consider hiring an attorney to review documents before signing them.

•7.                  Spending money on inspections, mortgage application fees & appraisals.

Once a purchase contract is signed, a buyer usually only has so many days to get the property inspected and start the mortgage application process. A buyer could easily spend over $1,000 and then months later have the seller's lender not approve the short sale amount.

SOLUTION: Ultimately, there isn't a good solution for this challenge. Inspection fees have to be paid to protect a buyer from purchasing a "lemon". A buyer will have to apply for a mortgage to start that process. The only item a buyer may be able to avoid throwing money away on is the appraisal. A clause can be added to the purchase contract stating something like, "buyer will have 30 days to close transaction from approval date of seller's lender(s)". This will allow the appraisal to be ordered only once the deal is approved.

•8.                  Many lenders (for the sellers) reserve the right to change their terms up until closing.

It's not uncommon for a seller's lender to have a clause in one of their addendums giving them the right to change the terms of their agreement at anytime up until the closing date. They could ask for more money, change the closing date or ask the seller to sign a promissory note for the balance owed.

SOLUTION: There really is nothing that can be done to contractually bind a seller's lender to terms for the buyer. The buyer has no say in the negotiations between the seller and their lender(s).

•9.                  Obtaining proper title insurance and clearing up title issues.

Sellers not paying their mortgages, probably also stopped paying other housing related items. Besides mortgage lien issues with the seller's lender(s), there may also be liens from associations, contractors, back taxes, etc. There may even be real estate investors on title. There have been many instances of title companies working solely on behalf of a short sale agent or real estate investor. Title insurance policies may be comprised in these cases.

SOLUTION: Make sure the title company is representing the buyer fairly. Hiring an attorney may be a good idea for the buyer. Many states also allow "split closings" where the buyer (or their agent) may select their own title company - which will assist in making sure the seller's title company does what they're supposed to.

•10.              Condition of the property upon possession.

In a more normal transaction, it's not uncommon for the buyer to allow a seller to occupy a property for a period of time after the sale. Seller funds are withheld to pay the buyer rent and to insure the seller turns the property over to the buyer in satisfactory condition. On a short sale transaction though, the seller usually receives zero proceeds. So, there are no funds to hold back for rent and damages. What's more, a seller may have little incentive to move out after the closing, requiring the buyer to take them to court to evict them. The seller may also remove items from the property in violation of the sale terms.

SOLUTION: The only real solution is to require the sellers to be out of the property before the closing of the transaction. The buyer should then do a final walk-thru of the property before the closing.

Short sales can be a way to get a great deal on a property if a buyer is careful and keeps the challenges in mind. It only takes one of the above challenges to turn a buyer's dream into a nightmare, so hire professionals and proceed cautiously.

Readers, please comment on additional issues you know of that weren't covered here that you may have personal experience with.

Please join my Fanpage @ www.facebook.com/TheLendingEdge for future real estate & mortgage articles.

Michigan, Mortgage, Expert, Birmingham, Bloomfield, Detroit, Rochester, Royal Oak, Troy

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Tamara Schuster,Broker

Certified Relocation Specialist

3rd Generation Real Estate Broker

Prudential Elite Realtors

Naperville, Glen Ellyn and West Chicagoland

I am here to help you with all your Real Estate Needs.

Full Service Full Time

Tamara@BrokerOfNaperville.com

Fine Homes Specialist

Call today 630.886.9596

www.BrokerOfNaperville.com

Getting your home ready to sell!

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 00:01:09 -0700

Get You home Ready to Sell!

When selling your home, it's important to know which repairs and home improvement projects will increase the value of your home.

Checklist to get your house ready for the market.

Carpet&Flooring Improvements:

If you have pets hire a professional to deodorize carpets
Replace worn carpet.
Clean carpet thoroughly
If needed, install new neutral-colored carpet with a thick padding so prospective buyers feel comfortable as they walk on your floors

If your home has hardwood floors with room-size rugs, get the hardwood into its best condition with floor polish or other coating to make it shimmer
Replace worn out vent covers on floor.

Clean & De-Clutter Improvements:
Appliances should be cleaned - inside and out
Clean or remove curtains, drapes and blinds
Clean or purchase new front door handle and plates
Clean the entryway, it creates the buyers first interior impression of your home
Clean the inside of all kitchen and bathroom cabinets
Clean windowsills
Doors should be oiled and squeak-free and clean tracks
Empty trash cans and keep odors out
Ensure all doors, cabinets and drawers can open easily
Exterminate any insect problems
Get rid of odors and limit cooking odors
Have a garage sale and DONATE!
Hire a professional cleaning service as needed
If needed, remove clutter by renting off-site storage space
Keep baseboards clean and dusted
Keep bookshelves, entertainment units organized and limit clutter
Keep screens clean and vacuumed at all times
Keep shower curtains fresh and replace if needed
Keep stairways and corridors clear
Make bathrooms sparkle; sinks
Make stairwells and corridors clutter-free
Organize and declutter closets
Remove most appliances from kitchen counters to give a look of spaciousness
Remove oil spots from garage floor

Exterior Painting Improvements:
Paint door and doorframe
Paint exterior fixtures
Paint or replace mailbox
Paint or clean front door and garage door
Paint or re-stain fence if needed
Paint over any rust spots or streaks on downspouts or replace
Paint shutters, make sure they are hung straight
Polish door handles and knockers
Remove rust from garage door or anywhere
Repair any damage to chimney
Repair holes in gutters and repair any separations from eaves
Repair or replace shingles or tiles missing from the roof
Seal cracks on porch and remove any standing water if concrete. If wood, secure railings and seal or paint as necessary

Interior Painting Improvements:
Get rid of wall paper unless in bathroom and make sure it adheres to the wall if you have it.
All woodwork like stairwell railings and doors should be repainted and/or stained
Have leaks repaired & watermarks fixed.
If needed, repaint faded, worn or stained interior walls
Make sure that cracks in ceiling/walls are repaired
The windows should be washed and stain free.
The window frames should be painted if necessary and the hinges should not squeak

Kitchen & Bathroom Improvements:
If the appliances are included with the sale of your home, make sure they are operating and have proper documentation such as warranties and repair information
If there are missing or damaged tiles, have them replaced
Re-touch or repaint kitchens and bathrooms if the color is dated or the paint quality is poor
Make sure sinks are clean and stain-free
Repair damaged countertops, sinks or tubs
Make sure that there are no leaky faucets
Re-caulk damaged caulk on shower, sinks, tub or toilet
Clean tile grout and make stain-free
Paint, touch-up or refinish kitchen cabinetry
Tighten or replace loose doorknobs or cabinet pulls, sticking doors and drawers and wobbly hinges
If appliances are dated or not functioning, consider replacing

Lighting Improvements:

Repair sticky windows which do not open
At night, turn on porch light and outdoor lighting
Clean all switch plates
Clean all windows, inside and out
Clean existing shutters, blinds or drapes
Clean skylight for leaves and other debris
Increase the wattage of bulbs to maximum possible wattage
Install dimming switches in common rooms such as dining rooms and living rooms to allow you to create lighting for different occasions
Install new window treatments if those you have are damaged or dated
Use natural light as much as possible
Make sure all outdoor lighting works

Prune outside trees to allow natural light inside
Turn on lights so home is well lit during showing
Wipe all light fixtures with a rag and cleaning solution
Plumbing & Electrical Improvements:
All drains should be clean and free flowing
All toilets should be in good working order
Clean up, paint or replace old plumbing fixtures in all bathrooms
Have your well or septic inspected or repaired
If needed, hire a plumber to replace badly rusted and corroded plumbing pipes
Inspect, clean and change filter of furnace
Make sure that all bathroom and kitchen faucets are in good working order
Make sure that all smoke and burglar alarms are functional
Remove mildew stains and repair any loose, crumbling caulk or grout around tile and tub areas
Repair broken doorbell
Service sprinkler system

Staging Improvements:

Clean fireplace and prepare with logs for display
Clean out the entry closet and put only a few hangers so that the buyer can visualize winter coats
Consider lighting up the fireplace during the colder months
Hang artwork on the walls
Hang extra clean towels in the bathroom for your guests
Have a fresh vase of flowers on the kitchen tab
Always have beds made
If needed, put furniture in storage
Do not keep pets home during showings

Place fresh flowers, potpourri and other decorations around house (even in bathrooms)
Play music during open houses
Remove all unnecessary articles in basement or attic
Keep refrigerator clean
Remove personal possession, like photos, trophies and mementos
Set the dining room table for a dinner party
Clean garage - clean up oily floors, straighten tools and other equipment

Yard Improvements:

Add colorful plants or flowers near front door and porch area
Consider re-painting or re-staining a deck if the wood is worn out
Repair damaged, rusty or bent fence; paint or stain if necessary
If you have an awning for the patio, make sure that it is also free of debris and that there are no signs of tear or worn material. Replace if necessary
Keep the firewood neatly stacked
Keep trash area clean and organized
Keep walks, steps and driveway obstacle-free
Mow, trim, fertilize and water lawn
Power wash deck
Prune trees and bushes
Rake fallen leaves
Remove unnecessary items such as gardening equipment
Remove debris and personal items on deck and porch
Remove signs such as Beware of Dog
Remove weeds and dead or dying plants
Replace welcome mat at the doorway
Re-sod bare spots on lawn

Let your Agent handle your Marketing Plan and Price Your Perfect condition home right!

Keywords: selling your home real estate

Tamara Schuster,Broker

Certified Relocation Specialist

3rd Generation Real Estate Broker

Prudential Elite Realtors

Naperville, Glen Ellyn and West Chicagoland

I am here to help you with all your Real Estate Needs.

Full Service Full Time

Tamara@BrokerOfNaperville.com

Fine Homes Specialist

Call today 630.886.9596

www.BrokerOfNaperville.com

Marketing for a Realtor

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 21:27:28 -0700

Marketing for a Realtor. This means more than just a pretty face on a card stating I am number 1! Call Me!

If you’re looking for a competitive advantage to get ahead, this is it. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, 90 percent of real estate agents don’t have a blog. Browse the web, put on your creative-thinking cap and begin generating valuable content. The key is VALUABLE. Active Rain is perfect for new bloggers to read other blogs and share their wealth of knowledge. Once the content is there, your blog will acquire a following and you’ll soon be on your way to be known as a valuable source and real estate expert. The more you blog, the greater your knowledge is shared with others and your name known in your local community.

Without Blogging how can a Realtor make it these days? The market is changing daily and Active Rain and other blog sites are your key to a life long successful business. As a Realtor our key to success is sharing our depth of knowledge and expertise with the public. We are not sales people. We are helping people purchase the largest investment of their life and to help them every step of the way making the right decision.

Remember people want information about today's market. It is great that you are the number one agent in your office, however people want information not a brag book of your success.

Active rain is a perfect place to start!

Tamara Schuster,Broker

Certified Relocation Specialist

3rd Generation Real Estate Broker

Prudential Elite Realtors

Naperville, Glen Ellyn and West Chicagoland

I am here to help you with all your Real Estate Needs.

Full Service Full Time

Tamara@BrokerOfNaperville.com

Fine Homes Specialist

Call today 630.886.9596

www.BrokerOfNaperville.com

Foreclosures Slowly Creeping back on Market

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 21:23:20 -0700

Sales of previously owned U.S. homes hit a six-month low in May according to Reuters in many home markets.

( This is my home inspector after hearing a the news about home sales)

We are slowly starting to see more foreclosures back on the market as the banks are releasing the homes to the market at as steady pace and trying to

be careful as to not flood the market

with foreclosures.

I just closed another foreclosure in

downtown Chicago today. Builder close out and fantastic opportunity for a first time home buyer. The developer built the beautiful building right when then market was at the height and turning downward. My buyer got a deal of a lifetime. There are happy endings for many buyers buying foreclosures. Buying from a bank that held the loan from the developer was a deal my buyer could not pass up. Perfect condo with warranty, not your average foreclosure sale. The condo was in mint condition and all brand new appliances and reduced over 100k for quick sale. All the condos in the building sold expect one in a weekend after the price reduction.

Often the conversations with buyers leads to talk about what the foreclosures have done to many markets.

Some places we are seeing regular sellers adjust to be competitive with the price of foreclosure if that is what it takes to sell their home. Yes, the homeowner gets more for their home especially when their home is in mint condition. However if the neighborhood has a high foreclosure rate sellers need to adjust to sell and meet appraiser numbers which have been disappointing to some.

It is not uncommon in Naperville Illinois area to drive by a home that is clearly vacant yet not on the market.

My clients offer wonder why does it take so long. Banks are overloaded and under staffed in many markets. We are lucky to have very few foreclosures in Naperville, Illinois. However it is still apparent that many are still losing homes.

The time it takes to complete a foreclosure has grown according to Reuters to an average 318 days, up from a revised 298 days in the first quarter and up from 277 days in the second quarter of last year. Foreclosures took longest in New York -- 966 days. You can only vision what a house that has been vacant for this long may look like.

This is a long time for a home to be vacant. The longer the home is vacant the more potential damage is done. Water leakage, rotting garbage and mold may appear greatly reducing the price. Sometimes the home is piled with a garage full of stuff.

re

I often think about how these homes without air condition and sump pumps going during our fierce summer storms how sad the damage being done good be prevented if the banks improved their system and even managed to go straight from homeowner to on the market status would save billions from homes not being destroyed and devalued in the process. I am a Real Estate Broker, I do not work for a bank yet I have so many ideas like many agents, on how I could help. By saving homes from being damaged the values these homes bring in would rise and bring more confidence to the market.

I continue to learn new things in today's market that will continually help my buyers and sellers make better decisions when buying and selling. The agents that remain in this market will continue to be better and better given the challenges and opportunities we are facing in today's market.

Follow me on Twitter: BrokerTamara

Tamara Schuster,Broker

Certified Relocation Specialist

3rd Generation Real Estate Broker

Prudential Elite Realtors

Naperville, Glen Ellyn and West Chicagoland

I am here to help you with all your Real Estate Needs.

Full Service Full Time

Tamara@BrokerOfNaperville.com

Fine Homes Specialist

Call today 630.886.9596

www.BrokerOfNaperville.com

Top Mistakes Sellers Make

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 23:30:54 -0700

Top 11 Mistakes Sellers Make

#1 Setting the price too high. Not only will you get fewer offers, but buyers may think something is wrong with your property when you lower your price. Get an appraisal or do a Comparative Market Appraisal (CMA), then set your asking price accordingly. *See pricing your home right

#2 Waiting for a market change. No one can predict when the housing market will turn, and you risk a deeper decline by waiting. Unless you have the luxury of years, don’t wait to put your home on the market.

#3 Selling as-is. You don’t have to pour money into renovating, but visible damages can make buyers wonder about hidden problems with your home. Make necessary repairs, update the fixtures, and give your home a general spruce up before you list it. BUYERS WANT PERFECTION.

#4 Overdoing renovations. While you shouldn’t sell your house as-is, you also shouldn’t go overboard on improvements. Even the most desirable updates only yield a 70-80% return, and dramatic renovations don’t result in a dramatically higher selling price. Consult your agent for advice.

#5 Using a poor photos. Home are listed online, pictures give buyers their first look at your home. Low quality photos make bad first impressions, so use only high-quality, high-resolution photos that show your house to its best advantage.

#6 Stretching the truth. It may seem creative to call your den a third bedroom, but taking liberties in your ad is a bad idea. You run the risk of alienating real buyers who want to see what your house has to offer. This leads to big disappointment.

#7 Being unavailable. In today’s market, waiting even a day or two to return a potential buyer’s phone call can mean a missed opportunity. Make sure can be reached and ready for quick showings.

#8 Hovering over buyers. Crowding potential buyers while they view your home will make them feel uncomfortable. Leave your home during showings.

#9 Accepting offers from unqualified buyers.

#10 Rejecting early offers. Negotiating with an existing interested buyer is always smarter than waiting to see if something better comes along. As the saying goes, your first offer is usually your best.

#11 Not using an Agent

Visit The Lincoln Park Zoo! Free today and everyday.

Tamara Schuster,Broker

Certified Relocation Specialist

3rd Generation Real Estate Broker

Prudential Elite Realtors

Naperville, Glen Ellyn and West Chicagoland

I am here to help you with all your Real Estate Needs.

Full Service Full Time

Tamara@BrokerOfNaperville.com

Fine Homes Specialist

Call today 630.886.9596

www.BrokerOfNaperville.com

Home Not selling~Now What?

Mon, 23 May 2011 16:40:40 -0700

Here are things to think about if your home is not selling.

1. The Photos aren't exciting~ in fact they are drab and uninviting. 90% of home buyers start on line looking at homes. If your pictures aren't making a statement they will pass your home over. Think quality.

This is a picture of a condo for sale in Chicago. You can see the details of the wood flooring and the awesome view.

2. There is no "Wow" factor. Today's buyer is savvy and the homes that look closer to a model home sell quicker and for more money. Your Realtor can give you some ideas. At minimal clear the clutter and make your home spotless, spacious and attractive.Plants do wonders- real live plants and less is more. It is a PLUS if your entrance way is grand.

This is an example of an entry way that catches your eye. Use your imagination. This picture brings out the detail in the woodwork.

3. It's overpriced for the neighborhood.
Pricing is crucial. (See my article on prcing your home right.) If your home is priced right, looks great and marketed correctly you will generate more traffic.

4. Hello~ No One Knows Your Home Is 4Sale !
Listing on the MLS and Realtor.com is not enough! Make sure your home is on Trulia, Zillow, Front Door, Yahoo, Relocation Sites, Craigs list, Agents Personal Website, Agent's corporate website, Realty Trac, EDR and more.

EXPOSURE IS THE KEY !

5. Availablity. I know~ it is not easy but you must be able to show your home quickly. Your agent has ideas on how to show your home quickly and with pride.

Tamara Schuster, Broker
Prudential Elite Naperville, IL
www. BrokerTamara.com

Tamara Schuster,Broker

Certified Relocation Specialist

3rd Generation Real Estate Broker

Prudential Elite Realtors

Naperville, Glen Ellyn and West Chicagoland

I am here to help you with all your Real Estate Needs.

Full Service Full Time

Tamara@BrokerOfNaperville.com

Fine Homes Specialist

Call today 630.886.9596