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How's the Market?

Real Estate News of Chicago's North Shore   

January, 2012  

In This Issue
What does it take to sell my home?
In the News
Just the facts...
Highest sales in December
5 Things to get your home sold in 2012
5 Things to do if you want to Buy a home in 2012
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What does it take to get my home sold?

March, 2010 

 

Home as Shelter
"What does it take to get a home sold?"
People often ask me that question. Sometimes it seems so random - why this home versus that one?

Sometimes it is luck... but more often than not, six elements come into play to get a property sold. 

I'll talk about the six elements in detail. In order of importance, they are...
     
In the news....
"Chicago is not only the economic hub of the Midwest, but it also sets the regional standard for quality of life... 
Heading the list is...
"
Chicago suburbs sweep Midwestern quality-of-life honors
-- The Business Journals

"The median home price in the U.S. has plunged nearly 40% in a little over five years, but the worst is definitely over:  The market has finally wrung out the...."

What's Ahead for Home Prices in 2012

- Kiplinger's Personal Finance

 

"U.S. home sales from 2007 through 2010 were about 14% lower than first reported, a real estate trade group said....."

Realtors Lower 2007-2010 Home-Sales Estimates  

- Wall Street Journal 

 

"Politics aside, if that's possible, to what do you attribute the decline in real estate values?"

Housing Crisis Blame

- Think Glink

"...Homeownership?  No Thanks, That Was Your Dream"
Attitudes of Young Americans Bode Ill for Housing Recovery
- Forbes 
I miss everything about Chicago, except January and February.


Greetings!

Welcome back to "How's the Market?"   

Happy New Year!  Hope your holiday season was joyful and fun and you're ready to hunker down for January... or maybe you're one of the lucky snowbirds that can fly south for winter!

January is always a good time to take stock and figure out your plans for the year.  If you're considering remodeling or home renovation, I encourage you to take a look Remodeling Magazine's annual Cost vrs. Value ReportThis year installing an attic bedroom is ranked as the highest return on investment in the Chicago metro area. 

January is also the month that we make personal resolutions.  How about making some New Year's resolutions for your home as well?

I hope you find this newsletter of interest, feel comfortable forwarding it to your friends, and open to providing me feedback or ideas for future editions. 

 

 
Just the facts..
How's the market? 
Rather than giving you an update for December, I thought it would be better to show the whole of 2011 versus 2010


 
The North Shore's Highest Sales in December
1495 lake road 
Lake Forest - 1145 Lake Road 
Original List - $14,500,000
List - $6,900,000
Sale - $5,600,000 (81% of asking)

Total Days on Market - 746

Days on Market at Final List Price - 96


Highland Park - 1141 Sheridan Road
Original List - $8,750,000

List - $7,349,000

Sale - $5,100,000 (69% of asking)

Total Days on Market - 317

Days on Market at Final List Price - 84

Highland Park - 60 Prospect Avenue  

Original List - $4,300,000  

List - $3,199,000

Sale - $2,950,000 (92% of asking)

Total Days on Market - 972

Days on Market at Final List Price - 77

 

FYI... 

As of January 1, 2012

 

How many homes are on the market on the North Shore that are listed over $5,000,000?  32  

 

How many sold and closed for over $5,000,000 in 2011?  10

 
5 Things to Do Now to Get Your Home Sold in 2012
2012 sign
It's that time of year when most of us start to count our blessings, look back at what we've accomplished in 2011 and think about what we'll get done in 2012. If selling your home is part of your resolution list for next year, there's plenty of prep work you can do to set yourself up for home selling success.

Here are 5 things  
you can and should start working on...

 

 
5 Things To Do Now If You Want to Buy A Home In 2012
2012 image
If you're one of the millions who has an eye on 2012 as the year in which you'll buy a home (first or not), here are five things you can do now to put yourself on the right path:

   
Finally, I can't end my first newsletter of the year, without commenting that it's now 2012.  According to Wikipedia:

"2012 (MMXII) will be a leap year, the 2012th year of the Anno Domini, the 12th year of the 3rd millennium and of the 21st century; and the 3rd of the 2010s decade... 


There are a variety of popular beliefs about the year 2012. These beliefs range from the spiritually transformative to the apocalyptic..."

 

I'm taking the optimistic position, that 2012 is going to be great year for all of us.  I like to think it will be a transformative year in the real estate industry and good things will happen... one can certainly hope!

 

As always, if there is any way that I can assist you with your real estate needs, please don't hesitate to call or write!

 

  

Happy New Year! 

 

Ann 

 

R. Ann Jones,

Broker Associate 

Prudential Rubloff Properties

 

 
Details Make the Difference!

 

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 If your property is currently listed for sale with another broker, this is not intended to be a solicitation of that listing.