How do you find the right property in the right neighborhood within your budget? Chicago real estate broker Charese David shares tips for home buyers. 

This year, think beyond staging your home like a showroom floor. There are many options to create personalized touches to freshen up any room. From new accessories, such as pillows or photo frames to new floors or bathroom tile, these options can fit a range of budgets. Here is a collection of style and design inspiration for 2018.

From CountryLiving and Houzz

Bold flower prints in exaggerated proportions and contrasting colors can evoke a new kind of elegance. Look for this trend in wallpaper, textiles, art, accessories and statement rugs.

From Decor Aid and HuffPost

Geometric motifs are not a new trend, but as with floral prints, expect to find dramatic, bold, oversized prints in home decor. Find these beautiful designs in anything from accessories to tiles. 

From House Beautiful, Refinery29 and PopSugar

Serene pastels can create a relaxing and tranquil atmosphere. Think of soothing colors such as rose, violet, lavender and calming blues.

Rich reds and earthy tones, like deep burgundy, caramel brown, bold yellow, bright coral, burnt orange and rusty terracotta are warming up homes this year. These colors add a coziness without interfering with a clean design aesthetic.

The classic combination of black and white can balance some of this year’s bold and daring design styles.

From HuffPost

Jewel tones and deep saturated gem colors, such as cobalt, emerald, onyx and cranberry add depth to a room. These accent colors can be found in drapery, bedding, rugs, accent walls and wallpaper, furnishings and pillows.

From Refinery29 and House Beautiful

Vibrant color palettes and mixing metals with different finishes creates a custom feel, in contrast to the staged look of home stores. 

From HuffPost and Country Living

Golden brass tones are replacing brushed silver in the bathroom, kitchen and throughout the home. Create brass and copper touches with pendant lighting and sconces, photo frames, serveware sets and other furnishings, such as coffee and side tables. 

From The EveryGirl and House Beautiful

Look for velvet in upholstery, drapery, and accent pillows this year. The multi-dimensional fabric adds softness and luster to home decor.

From HuffPost and Refinery29 

There is a shift in buying fixtures from local artists and small businesses. Artisan lighting adds a personal touch to any room. 

The urban farmhouse trend creates a hybrid style of casual and edgy. Create nostalgia in the bathroom with a farmhouse inspired bucket (trough) sink.

In other vintage trends, Terrazzo flooring with its scattered marble pattern is becoming popular again. Expect to see a rise in statement floors in the bathroom, laundry rooms and entryways.

From House Beautiful 

Natural elements in the home changes the focus from the tech world to the natural world. Materials such as stone, copper, concrete, and granite on floors, walls and pottery create a balanced and organic design style.

From Refinery29 and Country Living

The newest lifestyle trend, from ancient Japanese philosophy, is Wabi-sabi. It is about accepting imperfections, as well as the unpredictable nature of life. This translates into loving the blemishes, dings, dents and scratches in your home.

If you have design questions or need real estate advice, please contact us.

Simple things you can do to clean, freshen, purify and declutter various spaces to create a healthy home.

The new year is a fresh start as many begin by committing to healthy habits, such as a new workout regime or eating strategies that will trim the waistline. In the hustle to get healthy, have you considered how to live in a healthier home? This can involve simple remedies, such as opening a window to let in fresh air (unless it’s winter, of course), or more lasting solutions such as carefully selecting paints, furnishings and cleaning products that don’t contain chemical vapors. 

Now is a great time to create a healthier home environment, especially winter in Chicago as it can start to feel stuffy inside. This year’s New Year’s Resolution: get your home in shape!

Use non-toxic cleaning products

To clean the oven, sprinkle water on spills and add salt when it’s warm, then scrap the area when cool. White vinegar removes grease, soap buildup and is an alternative to bleach. Baking soda scrubs tiles. Hydrogen peroxide removes stains. Diluted lemon juice cleans windows. Borax inhibits mold growth. Consider using a washable shower curtain and liner. 

Clean your kitchen

Use hot, soapy water on your kitchen prep surfaces after every use. Sanitize faucets. Change your sponge every week and when running the dishwasher, include it in the cycle for regular disinfecting. Scrub refrigerator shelves and drawers. Dechlorinate your tap water by equipping your kitchen faucet with an activated charcoal water filter. Eliminate BPA-containing plastic containers, instead use glass and ceramic containers. Check that your non-stick Teflon pots and pans are intact, otherwise replace them. Toss cracked cutting boards. 

Dust regularly

House dust can aggravate allergies and may contain chemicals. Clean dust in  areas that collect buildup, such as entertainment centers, shelves, artwork, photos, light fixtures, and door/window frames. Clear cob webs from corners of walls. Sanitize remote controls. Vacuum a couple of times a week. Sweep and mop floors with diluted vinegar. Establish a no shoes policy while indoors. Buy curtains that are machine washable for regular cleaning. Hire a chimney sweep. Wash sheets, duvet covers and bedspreads in hot water once a week. 

Purify the air

Buy an air purifier or install an electronic purifying system on your furnace. Keep a schedule to check filters on your furnace and replace when necessary. Use a steam humidifier so the humidity levels are more consistent during the cold weather. Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Avoid air fresheners which may mask mildew odors. Install a dehumidifier in your basement.

Beautify your home with nature

Plants neutralize the air in your home. The innate connection that we have to nature has proven that plants have a relaxing effect and can improve health and well-being. 

Declutter and toss expired products

Decluttering rooms and spaces actually declutters your mind. Remove items from rooms that are just collecting dust. Clear desktop spaces and clean junk drawers. Check under your kitchen and bathroom sinks and toss toxic cleaning chemicals, old beauty products and items you no longer use. Organize your medicine cabinet and throw out expired vitamins, supplements and pills. Look for expired products in your refrigerator and cupboards. Go through your garage and basement to get rid of old paint, caulk, plaster, remodeling supplies or other products that are dried out or broken.

Throw out toxic pesticides and herbicides

Instead focus on prevention by keeping your house clean. A few weeds in the lawn can be pulled out with muscle power. Throw out mothballs and instead buy cedar chips from a pet store and make a sachet by wrapping them in a cheesecloth. Store clean silks and wool items in a sealed plastic bag. 

If you have questions or need real estate advice, please contact us.

Wishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Photo credit: Elle Decor

The holiday season is a wonderful time to celebrate with family and friends. Besides the delicious food and drink, it’s fun to create design touches throughout the home that sets the stage for holiday gatherings. Creating a warm and cozy atmosphere can be simple and add a little sparkle during this festive season. 

If you need staging or design advice or perhaps you’re wondering if a rehab project will add value to your home, please contact us. We have contractor resources and excellent guidance on how to add value and style to your home. 

In the meantime, Charese hopes to ignite your imagination and inspire you with these design ideas, some DIY, to create inviting spaces throughout your home.

Spruce up a doorway or area of ceiling with mistletoe to add rustic charm. Don't get caught standing under it, unless of course you want to! Just follow this step by step guide to create a beautiful greenery touch, certain to be a conversation piece.

Snowflakes are a fun and an inexpensive way to create a delightful design for your ceiling. Simply cut out and hang cardstock snowflakes using tape for easy installation.

Mix and match figurines and greenery with candles of different shapes and sizes. Use contrasting colors for dramatic displays.

You won’t be able to roast marshmallows, but with this flameless fire pit you can bring fun and ambience to any room. When it’s cold outside, using string lights will make it feel warm and cozy inside.

These spheres of twine are modern, yet playful. They will add warmth and light to any space, including as table decoration or creatively placed on the floor.

A wreath is a standard holiday accent. With winter greens, herbs and pops of color, they are a beautiful way to bring nature indoors. Many stores carry different styles, from modern to traditional. Or create a wreath tailored to your own style.

There are different ways you can showcase a wreath from the placing it on a door, to including it in a holiday display with candles and other decor, to hanging it above a table as an interesting chandelier. 

Dressing a table in a tasteful way just might make the food seem more appetizing! Centerpieces are a key ingredient to gorgeous dining experiences. There are an abundant of styles that can appeal to anyone, from the more elaborate forest design to a clear glass sparkle.

Wishing you a festive season filled with love, laughter and good eats. Happy holidays from all of us at Menard Johnson!

Al Johnson opens 4 luxury homes for virtual tours for the Thanksgiving Holiday

New construction is a force in our local area real estate. Over the Thanksgiving holidays Al Johnson shows what a luxury home looks like today. Denny Development builds quality homes and represents the best in the market. See the homes in Roscoe Village and North Center currently available with great photography, 360 photos to explore whole rooms, floor plans and interactive elements. We will show 4 homes over the next week. Click on link to register 

In Chicago winter, with colder temps and snow approaching, you might assume that it’s not a good season to be looking for a home. As most are focused on holiday festivities, this opens up opportunities for home buyers. In our connected world with access to property listings, the real estate market doesn’t take a winter break.

Here is insight into the buying real estate in the colder months  …

Less Market Activity 

Fewer people overall looking to buy a home at this time will lead to less competition among other home buyers. This gives you leverage in your offers and lowers the chances of multiple offers and bidding wars. Homes listed at this time may be more open to negotiation.

Flexible Schedules

Although it does seem that most businesses are 24/7 now, the holiday season tends to bring more focus to time off to enjoy festivities. This time of the year may be the ideal time to use vacation time to house hunt instead of using up precious weekends during the year. Plus, mortgage industry professionals see a slow in the market and tend to be more flexible with timelines. 

Motivated Home Sellers 

If a home is on the market at this time, there’s a good chance that the seller may need to sell the home. Perhaps it’s a job relocation, financial hardship or a change in personal circumstance. There is also an incentive if a house has already been on the market for some time. In any case, with fewer offers on the table at this time of year, a seller may be more willing to accept a lower offer and/or be flexible with concessions, like paying part of the closing costs. 

Weather, Weather, Weather …

This is the time of year when weather can play a major role in how the real estate market performs.  Snow, rain and cold keep the less serious buyers away. But if there are homes on the market that seem interesting to you and you are serious buyer, keep a watchful eye.  These are the times when fewer buyers vying for the same home and can help you get the better deal … if there is a deal to be had! 

Good luck and as always if you have questions, please contact us. We're happy to help!

Cooler temperatures are on the way marking the beginning of the fall season. This is the perfect time to take inventory of regular maintenance and make a list of things that need to be fixed around your home. Even if your home is running smoothly, regular maintenance is important. Preparing now before the snow and cold can save costly repairs and aggravation later. The weather can change quickly, especially in Chicago!  

Fall Property Checklist:

• Service furnace and replace the filter
• Clean humidifier plates or pads to ensure efficient operation
• Inspect the roof to see that it’s draining properly
• Clear gutters and downspouts of debris
• Check patio, deck or outdoor space for repairs, now is the perfect time to paint
• Scan brick properties to see if it needs tuck pointing / sealing
• Change outdoor lightbulbs now, to avoid doing it in the cold weather
• Test the snow blower
• Rake, mow and trim landscaping 
• Add mulch/compost to gardens
• Fertilize the lawn
• Plant flower bulbs
• Turn off outdoor water spouts
• Store seasonal furniture / grill
• Sweep the chimney 
• Test smoke detectors, CO monitors and inspect fire extinguishers
• Check doors and windows for drafts
• Hire a handyman for bigger home repairs
• Buy wood and curl up by the fire with a warm drink!

If you need excellent and reliable resources, such as a handyman, furnace repair, landscaping or any type of real estate advice, please contact us. 

Getting an accurate property value can be challenging when using the online home estimators. The online tool may not be pulling property details from up-to-date information. Take a look at our comments about the Zillow Zestimate. 

For an accurate home value estimate, go through a real estate broker. And even then, it’s good to dig a little deeper to find out how they are getting the information. A lot of brokers will generate an automated report from the MLS based on a zip code search. This report may include property sales that are already six to twelve months old and may be comparing single family homes to condos. On any given street of the dense, urban landscape in Chicago, properties can vary drastically from new construction to homes that are over 100 years old. This can make the price difference extremely different. 

With our diverse neighborhoods and hectic pace of market trends, the Chicago real estate market is complex. At Menard Johnson, we have decades of experience in the market and a deep historical knowledge of trends. We offer a custom market analysis of your home that goes beyond a basic MLS report.

The Menard Johnson custom market analysis takes the following details into consideration:

• Current market trends - how in demand is your type of property?
• Historical trends - what real estate cycle is Chicago currently in?
• Current news - what local and state government news is affecting the market?
• Location - what are the neighborhood trends, public schools and transportation?
• Type of property - what is the size of your home in relation to other properties in the neighborhood?
• Property condition - what is the condition of your heating, air, plumbing, electrical, roof, ventilation, appliances, etc?
• Overall style - what is the style of the kitchen cabinets, countertops, bathroom fixtures and flooring?
• Floorplan - what are the room sizes, storage spaces and general layout?
• Update and upgrades - what types of improvements have been made to the property since the purchase?
• Building materials - what type of construction is the home’s interior and exterior?
• Comparable properties - what have similar properties in close proximity sold for in the past six months?
• Current homes - what’s the price of current comparable properties on the market right now?

Want to get an accurate and up-to-date property value? Or are you wondering if a rehab project will add value to your property? Please contact us for more info. 

The Angels with Tails adoption event in Roscoe Village on Sunday was a huge success. Fifty-five puppies and dogs from PAWS Chicago found their forever homes! 

Our team at Menard Johnson are big time cat and dog lovers and with every home closing, we send a donation to PAWS. That afternoon, we hosted a sweepstakes in front of our office with fabulous prizes from local businesses. 

Here are the winners of those prizes:

Wendy Clayton: Gift certificate to Call of the Wild school for dogs 

TJ Galullo: Dog daycare from DSPA 

Catherine Fisher: A FREE visit to the Roscoe Village Animal Hospital 

Renee Richardson: Grooming from George Groomer 

Congratulations!

Special thanks to these businesses and to Senior Loan Officer Todd Fischer for hanging out with us. And to everyone who came out to support PAWS Chicago!