grayslake realtor: Taking Fear Out of the Mortgage Process - 10/31/18 01:17 PM
Taking Fear Out of the Mortgage Process A considerable number of potential buyers shy away from jumping into the real estate market due to their uncertainties about the buying process. A specific cause for concern tends to be mortgage qualification.
For many, the mortgage process can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be! In order to qualify in today’s market, you’ll need a down payment (the average down payment on all loans last year was 5%, with many buyers putting down 3% or less), a stable income, and good credit history. Throughout the entire home buying process, you will … (1 comments)

grayslake realtor: Are You Spending TOO Much on Rent? - 10/30/18 01:40 PM
Are You Spending TOO Much on Rent?Chances are if you are renting you are spending too much of your income on your monthly housing expense.
There is a long-standing ‘rule’ that a household should not pay more than 28% of their income on their rent or mortgage payment. This percentage allows the household to save money for the future while comfortably covering other expenses.
According to new data released from ApartmentList.com, 49.5 million renters in the United States were cost-burdened in 2017, meaning they spent more than 30% of their monthly incomes on rent. This accounts for nearly half of … (0 comments)

grayslake realtor: Thinking of Selling Your Grayslake Home? - 10/29/18 12:59 PM
Thinking of Selling Your Grayslake Home?    Here’s Why You Need A Pro in Your Corner
With home prices on the rise and buyer demand still strong, some sellers may be tempted to try and sell their homes on their own without using the services of a real estate professional.
Real estate agents are trained and experienced in negotiation and, in most cases, the seller is not. Sellers must realize that their ability to negotiate will determine whether or not they get the best deal for themselves and their families.
Here is a list of just some of … (0 comments)

grayslake realtor: Where are Grayslake Home Values Headed over the Next Few Years? - 10/25/18 12:21 PM
Where are Grayslake Home Values Headed over the Next Few Years?  There are many questions about where home prices will be next year as well as where they may be headed over the next several years to come. We have gathered the most reliable sources to help answer these questions:
The Home Price Expectation Survey – A survey of over 100 market analysts, real estate experts, and economists conducted by Pulsenomics each quarter.
Zelman & Associates – The firm leverages unparalleled housing market expertise, extensive surveys of industry executives, and rigorous financial analysis to deliver proprietary research and advice … (0 comments)

grayslake realtor: You Don't Need 15-20% Down to Buy a Grayslake Home! - 10/24/18 02:05 PM
You Don't Need 15-20% Down to Buy a Grayslake Home!   According to a new study from Urban Institute, there are over 19 million millennials in 31 cities who are not only ready and willing to become homeowners, but are able to as well!Now that the largest generation since baby boomers has aged into prime homebuying age, there will no doubt be an uptick in the national homeownership rate. The study from Urban Institute revealed that nearly a quarter of this generation has the credit and income needed to purchase a home.
Surprisingly, the largest share of mortgage-ready millennials lives … (0 comments)

grayslake realtor: Housing Is Still Affordable in Grayslake IL and in the United States! - 10/23/18 10:23 AM
Housing Is Still Affordable in Grayslake IL and in the United States!
Lately, there have been many headlines circulating about whether or not there is an “affordability issue forming in the housing market.”
If you are considering selling your current house and moving up to the home of your dreams, but are unsure whether or not to believe what you’re seeing in the news, let’s look at the results of the latest Housing Affordability Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). According to NAR:
“A value of 100 means that a family with the median income has exactly enough income … (0 comments)

grayslake realtor: Will Grayslake Home Prices Continue to Increase? - 10/22/18 01:42 PM
Will Grayslake Home Prices Continue to Increase? 
There are many unsubstantiated theories about what is happening with home prices. From those who are worried that prices are falling (data shows this is untrue), to those who are concerned that prices are again approaching boom peaks because of “irrational exuberance” (this is also untrue as prices are not at peak levels when they are adjusted for inflation), there seems to be no shortage of opinion.
However, the increase in prices is easily explained by the theory of supply & demand. Whenever there is a limited supply of an item that is in high demand, prices increase. It is that … (0 comments)

grayslake realtor: A Values Driven Company - 10/12/18 12:37 PM
A Values Driven Company

 
Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate is a company based on values with a focus on lifestyle and community. Our company was born out of a desire to provide amazing service to today’s savvy consumers. This is the foundation that makes Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate different.
We embrace a set of stated core values called PAIGE – Passion, Authenticity, Inclusion, Growth and Excellence.


These core values serve as our guide in all of the decisions we make and set the stage for a company culture that must be experienced to be believed. … (0 comments)

grayslake realtor: The Emoji Guide to Buying a Home in 2018-2019 - 10/03/18 12:08 PM
The Emoji Guide to Buying a Home in 2018-2019

When it comes to buying a home, there’s a lot to keep in mind. Did you correctly guess these top emoji tips?
Feel free to let us know in the comments, and share how many you guessed correctly!
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes
1 Office with 2 Locations:
783 N Barron Blvd, Grayslake IL 60030 Phone: 847-548-2625
4817 W Elm St, McHenry IL 60050 Phone: 815-322-1371
info@StarHomeTeam.com
Find Us Online:
  
The Emoji Guide to Buying a Home in 2018-2019
(0 comments)

grayslake realtor: Easy! 5 Steps to Show Your Home at It's Best When Selling! - 10/02/18 02:53 PM
Easy! 5 Steps to Show Your Home at It's Best When Selling!
The process of selling your home can be a tough one. You’ve spent a significant amount of time staging it and even scrubbed every room top to bottom. It’s in immaculate shape, but what may surprise you is that your behavior also plays a vital role in the way potential buyers feel. Here are the 5 etiquette rules every seller should know to ensure that her or his home is showcased in the best possible light.
1. Leave your home during showings
When there is a showing, … (0 comments)

grayslake realtor: Learn More About the Most Trusted Lifestyle Brand in Real Estate! - 06/01/18 01:58 PM
Learn More About the Most Trusted Lifestyle Brand in Real Estate!
When you work with us, you become part of a brand which is a real part of American culture: an iconic lifestyle brand that is well known and trusted.
And what’s more, it inspires people’s passion for their homes! Better Homes and Gardens enjoys 96% brand awareness.It is the most trusted lifestyle brand. More than 12 million people come to the magazine’s website each month.  40 million people read the magazine every month, representing 1 in 6 adults, 1 in 5 homeowners, 1 in 4 women.  27% of the brand’s audience … (0 comments)

grayslake realtor: 10 Reasons to Join Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes - 04/04/18 12:20 PM
10 Great Reasons to Join Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes
Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate is committed to providing our real estate professionals with everything they need to help build a successful, fulfilling career in real estate.
Whether you are new to the industry or an experienced professional, we provide unique tools, training and marketing options that make you better and keep you a step ahead of the competition, all backed by a brand whose culture is defined by its passion, integrity and forward-thinking leadership.


Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes
(0 comments)

grayslake realtor: Be Better: A Career in Real Estate at BHGRE Star Homes - 03/22/18 02:30 PM
Be Better: A Career in Real Estate at BHGRE Star Homes
 
At Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes with offer our agents leading-edge education, tools and resources to maximize productivity and growth.
Check out this short video on "10 Reasons to Join Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate":
 
 
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes
1 Office with 2 Locations:
 
783 N Barron Blvd, Grayslake IL 60030
Phone: 847-548-2625
 
4817 W Elm St, McHenry IL 60050
Phone: 815-322-1371
 
info@StarHomeTeam.com
 
Find Us Online:
 
 
Be Better: A Career in Real Estate at BHGRE Star Homes
(0 comments)

grayslake realtor: #1 Reason to Sell Your Grayslake Home Now Before Spring - 02/21/18 12:09 PM
#1 Reason to Sell Your Grayslake Home Now Before Spring
 
The price of any item (including residential real estate) is determined by ‘supply and demand.’
If many people are looking to buy an item and the supply of that item is limited, the price of that item increases.
 
 
 
 
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the supply of homes for sale dramatically increases every spring. As an example, here is what happened to housing inventory at the beginning of 2017:
 
 
Putting your home on the market now instead of waiting for increased competition in the spring might make a lot of sense.
 
Thinking about selling … (0 comments)

grayslake realtor: Selling Your Grayslake Home This Spring? - 02/16/18 02:02 PM
Selling Your Grayslake Home This Spring?
What is my home worth?
Use our advanced tools and sales data to quickly find out how much you can list your home for.
Customize the estimate based on your home's unique features and use our affiliated network of local agents to make sure it's priced right.
Look Up Your Home Value Estimates Instantly!
If you are thinking about selling your home - you don't have to do it alone.
Let Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate Star Homes lend a hand - with tools, information and with our agents that … (0 comments)

grayslake realtor: Thinking of Selling in 2018? Now is the Perfect Time! - 01/15/18 10:42 AM
Thinking of Selling in 2018? Now is the Perfect Time!
It is common knowledge that a great number of homes sell during the spring-buying season.
For that reason, many homeowners hold off on putting their homes on the market until then. The question is whether or not that will be a good strategy this year.
The other listings that do come out in the spring will represent increased competition to any seller.
Do a greater number of homes actually come to the market in the spring as compared to the rest of the year?
The National Association … (0 comments)

grayslake realtor: Real Estate Career Night January 23, 2018 - 01/09/18 02:11 PM
Real Estate Career Night January 23, 2018
Tired of your job and ready for a career change?
If you are thinking about becoming a real estate professional, now’s the time to take our Real Estate Career Test Drive. By taking a short quiz, you can experience a day in the life of a real estate professional, which will help you determine if this might be the career for you.
Test drive the life of a real estate agent by clicking the link below, courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes!
Click Here to Experience the Day … (0 comments)

grayslake realtor: 712,000 Homes in the US Regained Equity in the Past 12 Months! - 01/08/18 01:17 PM
712,000 Homes in the US Regained Equity in the Past 12 Months!
CoreLogic’s latest Equity Report revealed that “over the past 12 months, 712,000 borrowers moved into positive equity.” This is great news, as the share of homeowners with negative equity (those who owe more than their home is worth), has dropped more than 20% since the peak in Q4 of 2009 (26%) to 4.9% today.
The report also revealed:

The average homeowner gained approximately $14,900 in equity during the past year. Compared to Q3 2016, negative equity decreased 22% from 3.2 million homes, or 6.3% of all … (1 comments)

grayslake realtor: What is my home worth in 2018? - 01/03/18 10:41 AM
What is my home worth in 2018?
Look up your home value estimates instantly!
Use our advanced tools and sales data to quickly find out how much you can list your home for.
Customize the estimate based on your home's unique features and contact our local agents to make sure it's priced right.
Look up your home value estimates.

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes
1 Office with 2 Locations:
783 N Barron Blvd, Grayslake IL 60030 Phone: 847-548-2625
4817 W Elm St, McHenry IL 60050 Phone: 815-322-1371
info@StarHomeTeam.com
Find Us … (0 comments)

grayslake realtor: Join BHGRE Star Homes for Top Tech Tools! - 01/02/18 01:17 PM
Join BHGRE Star Homes for Top Tech Tools!
As a brand we provide industry leading-edge tools and technology to maximize productivity and growth. ZAP®, our lead generation website and CRM platform, enables agents to cultivate clients by predicting consumer behavior, connecting to tools and resources to guide consumers through the transaction, and providing data-driven intelligence to help the agent prioritize time and effort against those clients.
How can Zap help your business: Track Consumer Activity: Agents empower their clients and prospects with the most accurate listing data available with Zap. Then Zap monitors consumers online, showing agents when consumers save a search … (0 comments)

 
Jim Starwalt, A Name You Know and The Brand You Trust (Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes)

Jim Starwalt

A Name You Know and The Brand You Trust

Grayslake, IL

More about me…

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes

Address: 783 Barron Blvd, Grayslake, Il, 60030

Office: (847) 548-2625

Mobile: (224) 627-7581

Contact Me
Interested in selling your home? Contact me to get a professional estimate.
Jim Starwalt
Call: (224) 627-7581
My Grayslake Real Estate Listings on Zillow


Real estate services, comments and advice for home buyers and sellers in the Northern Illinois area including Lake County and McHenry County.







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