Buying Your First Glenview Home is Easier than You Think - 03/31/11 03:07 PM
Spring is in the air and you've decided to buy your own Glenview home! You have saved for a down payment and have watched for homes to come on the market all winter. You may have even toured some open houses already. How long has this decision been in the works? Has it been months, even years, since you have decided that Glenview is right for you?
It isn't uncommon for first-time homebuyers to be hesitant. Going through with such a big purchase can be a frightening experience. There are a lot of unknowns such as neighbors, home maintenance costs, the … (0 comments)

Look to your Basement to Add Space to Your North Shore Home - 03/29/11 07:25 AM
If you are looking to add space to your North Shore home this summer, keep in mind that basements are now the new family room, sport center and office. When it comes time to sell your home, making use of this space will bring up your square footage and value of your home.
According to Stuart Shayman, of Stuart D. Shayman Associates in Northfield, in new construction and remodels, most people want high ceilings and lots of light. This gives the owners more flexibility with how they choose to utilize the space and make it appear brighter, more inviting and less … (4 comments)

Don't Miss the Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage View Magazine - 03/24/11 09:26 AM
This past Sunday, the View magazine was distributed in the Chicago Tribune, showcasing a wide variety of properties from single-family homes to luxury condos to roaming estates to vacation homes.
Click here to preview the Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage View magazine.
If you are looking in the North Shore area, be sure to visit The Marla Schneider Team's top listings which are premiered on page 50. The Marla Schneider Team specializes in the North Shore area including Glenview, Northbrook, Wilmette and Highland Park.
Marla is Coldwell Banker's top producing agent on the North Shore and has participated in over $500 million … (2 comments)

Create a Welcoming Entryway to Your Glenview Home Inexpensively - 03/22/11 01:53 PM
Whether you are selling your Glenview home this spring or just looking to update the look of your home, creating a welcoming front entry should be a top priority on your list. After all, it's the first impression people see of your home as you welcome family, friends, guests or potential buyers.
Luckily, once you've invested in an attractive entrance, it is easy and inexpensive to maintain year after year. Usually your initial investment includes painting and door hardware and also some large containers or pots. If your porch or entryway is large enough, you may even want to add a … (2 comments)

Maximize your Small Spaces with Proper Staging - 03/17/11 05:54 PM
If you will be selling your Glenview home this spring and are worried about those rooms in your home that are considered to be small, there are many things you can do to make them appear larger than they are.
The trick is to learn how to stage the rooms by making the most of what space you do have. Follow some basics do's and don'ts to maximize your small spaces with proper staging:
No Clutter
The biggest enemy of small rooms is clutter. Having too much stuff around is not only frustrating in a small space, but it will make … (4 comments)

Negotiate the Best Deal for a North Shore Home - 03/15/11 09:33 PM
When looking to buy your new North Shore home, there are important things you as a buyer need to know to negotiate the best deal for you.
Of course, The Marla Schneider Team will take care of all your needs, but a smart buyer is also educated and aware of the best moves in negotiation so that you and your agent work together successfully as a team.
Here are some basic steps to take to negotiate fairly and in your favor:
One of the best bargaining tools is to know the recent comparable sales in the neighborhood before you decide, … (0 comments)

Help Your Glenview Home Stand Out With a Custom Driveway - 03/10/11 08:49 AM
Over time, you may want to replace the driveway leading up to your Glenview home. If it's just the standard homebuilder's concrete slab, it can get cracked and damaged with the hot and cold seasons of Illinois. When you decide to sell your home, curb appeal is the first thing buyers notice and a custom driveway will certainly stand out.
There are many options in the way of driveway materials; some more economical than others. The first course of action is setting a budget, and then deciding what will look best to match the style and color of your home.
Driveway … (2 comments)

Keep Bugs Out While Selling Your North Shore Home - 03/08/11 02:34 PM
So you have decided to sell your North Shore home this spring. You've gotten all your renovations completed, walls painted and fresh, and have even updated your lighting and fixtures. You have a plan for keeping your lawn neat and tidy once spring hits and your landscaping starts getting green.
However, once your trees start budding and turning green, the warm weather will also bring out all those creepy crawly pests and flying friends. Yes, bugs serve a purpose in the big scheme of things, but you'll want to keep them out while selling your North Shore home. Many are just … (2 comments)

Be Prepared to Buy Your Glenview Home in the Spring - 03/03/11 08:37 AM
Spring is in the air ... and with it comes a busier time for residential real estate sales. Typically spring means more homes on the market, more buyers, and more competition and an increase in prices. If you are in the market for a Glenview home this spring, here are a number of steps you can take to gain an advantage over other home buyers:
Wish ListIt's important to get your home "wish list" to The Marla Schneider Team as soon as possible. This way, as soon as a great home with your preferences comes on the market, they can show … (2 comments)

Keep Your Family Healthy with an Organic Garden - 03/01/11 02:55 PM
Have you been telling yourself that come spring you will start an organic garden at your North Shore home? This year, if for no other reason, do it for the health of your family. Researchers at Saint Louis University Preschool found that children eat more fruits and vegetables when the produce is homegrown.
Starting an organic garden at your North Shore home does not have to be difficult. Sometimes we think of the word "organic" and see it as difficult. "Organic simply means you don't use chemicals, herbicides, pesticides or fertilizer to control weeds or encourage growth," says Jeanne Pinsof Nolan of The … (3 comments)