Real Estate Market

With spring just around the corner, those hoping to buy an Elmhurst home or those considering selling their home, are getting ready to jump into the Elmhurst Real Estate market.  For current Elmhurst homeowners who are either selling in hopes of “buying up” or who need to put their home on the market due a job transfer or other circumstances, may be a little nervous of how their home will fare on the market.  

With the housing market steadily finding its balance, it seems that the market is still favoring buyers more than sellers.  However, before you get discouraged, selling your home in today’s market is not impossible!  Selling in a buyers’ market simply means that you’ll need to be a little extra work into your home to ensure it stands out from all other homes on the Elmhurst Real Estate market. 

As Elmhurst Real Estate agents, we want to help you in every way we can to help you sell your home!  We’ve compiled ten key things that you can do to give your Elmhurst home an extra boost before you put it on the market. 

1. Clean the outside- An unkept exterior will make buyers think you've slacked off on interior maintenance as well. Be sure to clean the gutters and pressure wash your home's siding.  If you have a porch, make it as welcoming as possible!

2. Improve your landscaping- Curb appeal is crucial to a good first impression, so make sure your Elmhurst home's lawn is immaculate. Selling your home in the spring means making sure you’ve cleared away any debris that may have collected during the winter months.  Add a few potted plants outside when you know your home is going to be shown to potential buyers for a welcoming touch. In the warmer months, mow the lawn, prune the bushes, weed the garden and plant flowers.

3. Make repairs- In a buyer’s market, you want your home to be in the best condition possible. Elmhurst buyers are very savvy and know what to expect in a home. Take care of major defects like broken windows or a leaky roof as well as smaller repairs such as a loose hinges on a cabinet or a missing brick from your walkway.  Knowing there are things that will need to be fixed when they move in can greatly discourage buyers.

4. Make the front door inviting- A fresh coat of paint, especially in a color that contrasts with the home, will make the front door stand out. Replace faded house numbers so Elmhurst buyers can see them from the curb.

5. Buy a new welcome mat- Let buyers know they're invited into your home.  This is a seemingly small thing to do, but an old, dirty welcome mat that has been weathered by the Chicago winter, will make buyers wonder what else you’ve overlooked in your home.  A fresh mat will show buyers that you pay attention to the smallest details in every aspect of your Elmhurst home.

6. Remove clutter and depersonalize- Buyers want to envision their belongings in your home.  By removing personal photos and items; buyers will be less distracted.  If your storage space is limited, perhaps renting a storage unit while your home is on the market is a smart choice. Extra furniture will only make your home appear smaller and more cluttered.

7. Organize closets and drawers- Messy closets give the appearance that your home doesn't have enough storage space.  Having built-in organizers in closets, and even the kitchen pantry, will give the impression that keeping things organized will be a breeze.

8. Make every surface shine- From ceiling fans to floors and everything in between; clean your home until it shines.

9. Take color down a notch- You might like your bright yellow bedroom, but it may turn those looking to buy a home in Elmhurst. Paint your walls a neutral color that will appeal to a wide range of buyers.

10. Scrutinize- Go outside and open your front door. Stand there. Do you want to go inside? Does the house welcome you? Take a few minutes to do the following: Linger in the doorway of every single room and imagine how your house will look to a buyer. Examine carefully how furniture is arranged and move pieces if needed, so that the furniture arrangement makes sense. Make sure window coverings hang level. Tune in to the room's statement and its emotional pull. Does it have impact and is it aesthetically pleasing?  Be the “buyer” of your own home.

We hope these tips will help you prepare for your Elmhurst home sale!  If you have any other questions about selling your home, about the Elmhurst Real Estate market, or have not yet found and Elmhurst Real Estate agent; please feel free to contact us!  We’d enjoy the opportunity to help you walk through each step of the home selling process.  Selling your Elmhurst home is a big decision and one that you’ll want to entrust to an agent who has a solid record of home sales in Elmhurst!  We’d love to talk with you about your needs and get your home sold!

We hope to hear from you soon!

Buying a home in Elmhurst can be a very exciting time, especially if you’re a first time home buyer!  You’ve decided that Elmhurst is the city that you’d like to call “home” and as Elmhurst Real Estate agents; we couldn’t be happier for you.  People are drawn to this vibrant community driven area because of its location just outside the metropolis of Chicago, it’s historic charm, variety of great local restaurants and things to do, and of course; the homes! 

Whether you’re searching for an updated condo, or a beautiful and spacious single family home; you’re sure to find a home in ElmhurstElmhurst Real Estate market each week, and the anticipation of finding your home before the busy season starts may have you beginning your home search online.  While we know that seeing what’s available in Elmhurst is exciting; there are a few common mistakes that you’ll want to be aware of before you begin so that you can be sure to avoid them.

1. Not getting pre-approved before house hunting- Before you start house hunting, narrow down your price range by getting pre-approved. Shop for an Elmhurst lender or mortgage broker you can trust. The mortgage pro will review your credit, income, assets and debts, and recommend a mortgage with monthly payments that fit your budget. Not only does this let you know how much house you can afford, it also lets sellers know that you’re serious about buying.

2. Falling for love at first sight- There are many beautiful homes in Elmhurst from which to choose.  However, if you don’t shop around the Elmhurst Real Estate market and see what else is out there, you could miss out on a good deal or potentially regret your purchase. While you don’t need to visit every home in Elmhurst, you should compare at least three homes before you make a decision to ensure that you’re getting the right house at the right price.

3. Not reading the fine print- It’s smart to have your Elmhurst Real Estate agent review all your paperwork and discuss it with you so you don’t get caught off guard at closing. There are a few documents and items that are truly critical, and you can request a copy of these in advance. This gives you time to review them and ask questions before closing.

4. Buying a house you can’t afford- It seems that our nation is learning its lesson in spending more than you can afford, and it’s no different in your Elmhurst purchase. Just because you get approved for a larger loan than expected; doesn’t mean you should buy a home at that price. Be wise in thinking through what you can actually afford and factor in any repairs or updates you plan on making in the Elmhurst home.

5. Waiting for the market to improve or not buying at all- Trying to time your Elmhurst home purchase in hopes of lower home prices is risky. All the time you spend procrastinating on buying your Elmhurst home, you could be building equity, getting tax deductions and enjoying the many other benefits of homeownership!

6. Forgoing a home inspection- Even if a home appears to be in perfect condition, it’s a mistake to assume that it’s actually problem-free. Even brand new homes can have defects, so getting a professional inspection before making the commitment to buy is crucial. Be sure to attend the inspection so the inspector can explain any issues.

7. Thinking short-term- The Elmhurst home you purchase should be a place that feels like home to you and your family, but it’s important to remember that it’s also a huge investment. When shopping for a home, it pays to think about resale down the road. Search for homes in sought-after neighborhoods in Elmhurst, and look for features that future buyers will want, such as a great kitchen and lots of storage space.

8. Making an offer without contingencies- Having a back-out plan is a must for smart home buying. If the home has an irresolvable flaw, it doesn’t appraise for the purchase price, or your lender refuses to fund your loan, having contingencies on your contract gives you the right to cancel the transaction.

We’re happy that you’ve chosen Elmhurst as the place you want to settle down!  If you haven’t found an Elmhurst Real Estate agent yet; we’d love the opportunity to talk with you!  As Elmhurst Real Estate agents for over twenty years, we have a solid understanding of Elmhurst and can help you walk through each portion of the home buying process.  Contact us today to get started! that fits your needs and lifestyle.  The stirring of the upcoming spring market is causing new homes to come on the