How's the Market?
Real Estate News of Chicago's North Shore                                                                                                                            December 2015


December already ... where did the year go?  

It's been a good year, albeit a little challenging from time to time.   I'm looking forward to 2016 with hope that the market improves.   Next month I'll provide my end of year review.

In the meantime, I'm off to the Holiday Market at Elawa Farm -- maybe I'll see you there!
In This Issue...
How's the Market
Just the Facts...


So how was the market in November?   Read on....
North Shore's Highest Sales in November

Kenilworth - 143 Sheridan Road
List Price - $4,250,000  
Sales Price - $3,665,000 (87.2% of asking)
Days on Market - 136
To see pictures and detailed information go to  143 Sheridan Road, Kenilworth

Highland Park - 275 Deere Park

List Price - $2,995,000  
Sales Price - $2,800,000 (93.5% of asking) 
Days on Market -  5 days  
To see pictures and detailed information go to 275 Deere Park, Highland Park

Wilmette - 810 Forest

List Price - $2,850,000 
Sales Price - $2,765,000 (97% of asking)
Days on Market - 1
To see pictures and detailed information go to 810 Forest Avenue, Wilmette 

* * * * *
There are currently 221 houses for sale on the North Shore that are priced greater than $2M.   During the month of November, 5 houses closed in this price range:

CommunitySold this Month# for Sale
Evanston06
Wilmette17
Kenilworth219
Winnetka046
Northfield04
Glencoe021
Highland Park124
Lake Forest186
Lake Bluff08


Source: MRED (Midwest Real Estate Data) Multiple Listing Service
Why It Pays to List Your Home in Winter

Spring may still be peak home-shopping season, since most families want to move when the kids are out of school. Yet it actually pays to list in the winter, when buyers tend to have more urgency.... average sellers net more above asking price during the months of December, January, February, and March than they do from June through November, even in cold-weather cities like Boston and Chicago. And homes listed in winter sold faster than those posted in spring,,.
screened porch
Luxury-Home Developers' Latest Pitch: Unspoiled Nature
Forget golf: A growing number of high-end home communities are being built around large nature preserves...Research has shown many people who buy homes on or near golf courses don't even play the game... they just want to live near green space...
Highlights From the 2015 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers
profile image

This annual survey conducted by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® of recent home buyers and sellers provides insight into detailed information about their experiences. 

For example -
87% of buyers financed the purchase of their home
The typical home seller had a median age of 54
13% of the buyers purchased a multi-generational home

Here are highlights from the latest report....
8 surprising real-estate tips
Starbucks Looking to buy a home? It's better to be on a "Way" than a "Street," pick a female real-estate agent and try to be close to a Starbucks....Homes on named streets tend to be 2 percent more valuable ­nationwide than numbered ones (unless you're talking about New York City, where it's a wash). But Main Street homes garner 4 percent less than America's median home value. Street names with Lake or Sunset will sell upwards of 16 percent higher...
Holiday Guide - Hot 20 Toys for 2015
girl with present

The Toy Insider is dedicated to providing consumers with the most up-to-date insight on toys and children's entertainment. From board games to live-action events, we've got you covered.
planter
For the Garden...
Create bountiful outdoor winter arrangements with a little help from Mother Nature.
I keep hearing the words from the movie, Meet Me in St. Louis... so I'll end on that note...

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light
From now on, our troubles will be out of sight

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Make the Yule-tide gay,
From now on, our troubles will be miles away.

Here we are as in olden days,
Happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more.

Through the years 
We all will be together,
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself A merry little Christmas now. 

All the best...

Ann

Ann Jones

Broker Associate, 
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff Realty Group


p.s. If there is anything I can do to help you with your real estate needs, please don't hesitate to call!
Featured Listing
341 Granby
Lake Forest
Be amazed at this delightful in town property... walk to train, town, schools and beach.  Kitchen has been recently remodeled -- all new appliances and open to the family room.  It's available for rent or for sale.

List Price: $549,000
Rent Price: $2,975/month
3BR/2.1 Baths

See the details at:
341granby.com
Best of My Blog:
Do you know this place?
It would be no surprise to me,  if you don't recognize this image.  But I do.  It's a wonderful memory from my childhood days growing up in Kenilworth. It's the...
newspaper
In the news...
"Home prices have been growing at a rate that some see as alarming-about twice the rate of wages. But adjusting for inflation, the market still has a long way to go before returning to the frothy state of a decade ago..."
- Wall Street Journal

"The share of U.S. homes sold to first-time buyers this year declined to its lowest level in almost three decades, raising concerns that young people are being left out of an otherwise strong housing-market recovery.
First-time buyers fell to 32% of all purchasers in 2015 from 33% last year, the third straight annual decline and the lowest percentage since 1987..."

"Imagine my surprise when I learned that my son, freshly out of college and applying for a car loan, enjoys a higher credit rating than I do, despite my 35 years of never missing a credit card or mortgage payment. One car dealer explained that my son had a pristine status simply because he'd never borrowed...."
My Tour of FICO Scores, Fido Loans, Whatever 
- Wall Street Journal
 
"...Even the most seemingly mundane details of buying a new home have consequences. That includes the day of the month you choose to close..."
Never Buy a Home on the First of the Month 
- Money
Quick Links
my website
my blog
my archived newsletters

Memorable Moments
Richard J. Daley
End of an Era
Richard J. Daley dies December 20, 1976
Step of the Month

50 Simple Steps you can take to Sell Your Home 

#26 Keep your pet restrained during showings

Know someone who might like to subscribe to my newsletter?

Details Make the Difference!

* * * *

 

If your property is currently listed for sale with an agent or broker, this is not intended to be a solicitation of that listing.
Ann Jones | 847-691-1111 | ann@rannjones.com | rannjones.com
778 N. Western Avenue | Lake Forest, IL 60045

Copyright © 2014. All Rights Reserved.