Feb. 3, 2017

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Real Estate Broker

Buying or selling a home is a big deal. It’s important to have a high comfort level with your real estate broker. When searching for a new broker, you can get referrals from friends, research online reviews and ask the broker for client referrals. All of these are important steps, but the most important thing is the feeling you get from a broker in a face-to-face meeting. 

Set up an interview. When meeting with this person, you will get a feel for how they work - similar to when you walk in a house and know that it’s the right home. By taking a little time with them, you’ll be able to tell if they are really listening to your needs. Pay attention to how they interact with you. 

The best referral is from someone you trust. And even if this person feels confident with the broker, it’s more important about how you interact with them. You want an open and honest dialogue with the broker helping you to buy or sell a home. 

Charese has had years of experience in developing relationships with her clients. The following are the questions that she suggests you ask a broker.

Q: How long have you been a real estate broker?

A: I’ve been in real estate since 2005, almost 12 years. 

Q: Do you own your home?

A: Yes, even before I was a broker, I was interested in real estate. In 1992, I bought my first condo in River West. I was president of the association for four years out of the nine years that I lived there. It was built in the 1870s, so I learned a great deal about vintage buildings. In 2001, I graduated to owning a single family home in Roscoe Village. This home was built in 1896 and I’ve completely renovated it. I then started investing in other real estate opportunities that I could renovate, rent and/or flip for resale. With my extensive renovation knowledge, I have a vision of how homes can be updated to suit my client’s needs. I have a list of reliable contractors that I can refer to you. And with my experience of managing buildings, I have a resource for understanding ROI and rental expectations. 

Q: How are you different from other real estate brokers?

A: As I mentioned, I have a lot of personal experience with owning and renting my own homes. Since 1986, I’ve lived in many different neighborhoods in Chicago. Through the years, I’ve watched the diverse real estate development cycles. I have a deep understanding of the city. It has fueled my passion for different architecture styles. I share this historical knowledge with my clients.

Along with this, I have an eye for design, staging and renovation. My design skills include photography - I’m able to look at home or room and see it from a different design perspective. I can come up with a lot of inspiring ideas for my clients, whether they are selling or buying. 

Prior to becoming a real estate broker, I was the director of sales for a media company for 16 years. In 1991, I opened the office in Chicago to expand and grow the business. Through this experience, I gained invaluable sales negotiation skills. 

Each client I work with has unique needs. Buying or selling a home can be emotional, so I take extra care in developing a relationship in which they know they can rely on me. I work closely with them to understand their objectives and think outside the box to offer ideas and solutions. It’s extremely important that each client gets this type of individualized service. When I work with a client, our relationship goes beyond the real estate transaction.

Q: Do you have references?

A: Yes, I can offer references. 

And here are online reviews:

Yelp reviews 

Zillow reviews 

Q: How long have worked with your real estate agency? Why did you choose to work there? How is it different from other agencies?

A: I’ve been with MenardJohnson since 2006. It’s a small, boutique real estate agency in Roscoe Village that has been in business since 1976. The longevity truly is a testament to the customer service and expertise of the managing broker, Al Johnson. If you need to know anything about real estate, ask Al. He has seen Chicago change in unimaginable ways. Because of this experience, he brings a wealth of knowledge to every transaction. I have learned so much from him and continue to learn from him daily. 

Q: Did you have a career prior to working in real estate?

A: Yes, for 16 years I was director of sales for a media company.

Q: Why did you pursue a real estate career?

A: I got into real estate because I enjoy building client relationships. Buying or selling a home is a big decision and to see someone achieve a personal goal is beyond gratifying. I feel success for my client when I watch their dream come true. It’s amazing to experience that. The relationship is very different compared to a corporate relationship.

Another reason I’m in real estate is because the market is always evolving. There’s never a day that’s the same. As a broker, I have to keep up with the changes. And I love to constantly learn about the Chicago real estate market. Plus, having a passion for it inspires me to continually evolve.  

Q: Are you personally involved with all aspects of my real estate transaction or do you work with a team?

A: I am personally involved in the whole process. I do not gather your information and then hand you off to a team member. I think that in those situations there can be miscommunication. It’s important to me that we work together to realize your goals. I am always available to my clients and am committed to having the process go as smoothly as possible. 

Q: How do you market a property that you’re selling?

A: First of all, I provide a customized strategic approach to meet your specific goals. When I work with clients, I create a Custom Analysis that entails in-depth research on the property, taking into consideration variables such as school districts, location, renovations, the structure, age of the property and so much more.

Once we have the property value, I hire a professional photographer to take photos and create a floor plan of your home. The photos represent curb appeal. If someone likes the way your home looks online, they’re going to be excited to come see it. After I list your property on the MLS, other real estate websites, such as Zillow, Red Fin and Trulia pick it up and advertise the listing. It also gets advertised through email newsletters, social media and my extensive personal network. 

Q: What are your fees and commissions? 

A: This depends on the transaction. If you work with me, I can give you financial details on everything, including cancellations and what fees you’re responsible for according to our contractual agreement. Everything we discuss is confidential.

 

 

 

 

Jan. 10, 2017

Tips for Home Buyers and Sellers

Are you thinking of buying or selling your home? Top real estate broker in Chicago, Charese David, shares her expertise on preparing for the real estate market. Now is the prime time to start the planning process as the first quarter of the year is typically the best time to buy or sell in Chicago. This includes the spring real estate market, which starts around the Super Bowl and usually winds down in June.

 

Q: Any general advice for people considering buying or selling this year?

 

A: Take your time. This is a big decision and not something you want to rush into. Get organized, do your prep work before you start the process. If you are buying, meet with a mortgage broker to provide insight on interest rates. I can recommend a few very good mortgage brokers, if you’re looking for one.

 

Interview real estate brokers. Check out broker reviews as this will provide good insight. Zillow and Yelp reviews are great to browse, along with references from past clients. Research their credentials to determine if they are a good fit for your home buying or selling goals. This real estate professional should have a wide range of knowledge about the Chicago market. They will help you understand the nuances of the property values.

 

If you are buying, your real estate broker can share information about the history of the area, zoning restrictions (for fixer upers), local commerce and community events and media. They can tell you if an area is sleepy community or one that has a more social atmosphere. And even if you have your neighborhoods narrowed down, your broker may offer suggestions in alternate neighborhoods where you can get more bang for your buck and possibly a bigger return when you go to sell years down the road. 

 

If you are selling, ask your real estate broker if they can do a Custom Analysis on your home. This is more than an MLS review of tax records and comparables. It involves in-depth research, reviewing specific property details versus just pulling generic numbers. When I work with clients, I take time to research their property, taking into consideration variables such as school disctricts, location, renovations, the structure, age of the property and so much more.

 

Q: How should home buyers prep for house hunting?

 

A: Research the neighborhoods that you would like to live in. You can start by searching prices online to find properties that fit within your budget. Once you’ve narrowed down the area(s), spend time in the neighborhood(s) at various times of day. Hang out in coffee shops, wander the retail and grocery stores, eat lunch or dinner in the restaurants, grab a drink at a local pub and explore public transportation. 

 

Get a good sense of the type of people and establishments in the area. How safe is the neighborhood? Ask around, research online - real estate brokers are technically not allowed to discuss safety issues, making it important to get a feel for the community as a whole. 

 

If you have young children and you’d like to enroll them in school, check out the CPS (Chicago Public School) website for school rankings. Call the school and ask specific questions about the teachers, classroom size and community involvement. Then map boundaries so you know where to look for a home. 

 

Q: What about prepping for selling a home?

 

A: Take a look inside and outside your home. Are there things that need to be fixed? Call a handyman to make the repairs. Be willing to invest money so your home will show at its absolute best. This is also the time to purge by donating items that you don’t use. Organize your home, clear the clutter to allow potential buyers to envision themselves in the space.

 

As a part of my process, I work with my sellers to assess their property in determining the property value and how to update it to sell. I give advice on cosmetic changes such as light fixtures or paint, minimal investments that will improve your chances of selling your home faster and for asking price. I know what buyers are looking for, what the market demands and the current trends. My experience includes both new homes and home renovations, so I am up to speed on the latest styles and technology.

 

Another part of my process in working with sellers is to help them understand what is going on in the market and what to expect when you actually go to list your home. If you’re selling in order to purchase a new home, find out how the timing can work in your favor or against you.

 

There is so much to understand, take the time to do it right! And find the right team of real estate professionals to help you. Feel free to contact us if you have questions. 

 

 

Dec. 7, 2016

How are North Center's Rising Home Prices Affecting Families?

In a recent article, Ald. Ameya Pawar (47th Ward) expressed concern over the Chicago North Center neighborhood's increasing housing prices. With enrollment down in both Bell and Coonley elementary schools in 2016-17, Pawar pointed to the housing market in driving young families away from the neighborhood. Price points for single family homes are becoming too high, as most families can’t afford over $1.2M. 

 

Purchasing a multi unit building used to be a great way to offset costs of a home because the family could live in one unit and then rent the other unit. Those types of buildings are few and far between as a lot of them have been purchased and converted to large single family homes. Once a building is converted, the home value can increase to over $1.3M - out of the price range of the average buyer. 

 

If this trend doesn’t change, five years down the road the area’s top-rated schools might become under-enrolled and as a result, under-financed. Families need financial balance through affordable housing in Chicago. Otherwise they will move to the suburbs where they can spend less on a larger home and enroll their kids in great schools.

 

How did housing prices increase so quickly in North Center? The policy in place in recent years was to encourage developers to build larger, non-starter homes to ease density issues and overcrowding in elementary schools. This has created fewer affordable housing options for young families. Pawar’s solution now is to allow developers to build more entry-level units and focus on diversified housing.

 

Q & A with Charese David, Real Estate Broker

 

Q: What are your thoughts about Ald. Pawar’s comments?

 

A: Ald. Pawar makes a good point - people want to live in the city, in quaint neighborhoods, near good schools, but they’re getting priced out by both rising home prices and higher taxes. I’ve started to see families moving to the suburbs. If the attrition continues, then school enrollment will decline along with the city’s population. 

 

Millennials with high debts can’t afford or don’t want to invest in these bigger homes. When they changed the zoning to limit density, they limited developers as to what they could build - less units and lower building heights. We ended up with these bigger single family homes and converted two flats that are now too expensive for a lot of buyers. We’re losing diversity in the neighborhood because it has become unaffordable for middle class families. This neighborhood is now a completely different demographic from what it was in the early 2000s. 

 

I saw the demand for three to four units buildings ten years ago. In some neighborhoods, developers are allowed to tear down a home and build these multi unit condo buildings. But in North Center and Roscoe Village, there are heavy restrictions. New condominium buildings are only on main streets. There are a few older multi unit buildings on side streets that already existed before the zoning changed. If new multi unit dwellings were allowed, it would create more affordable housing and ease the tax burden on the homeowners. It would also allow for more foot traffic to help local businesses.

 

Q: How much can an average buyer afford?

 

A: When you look at the housing market and what families can afford, the sweet spot is $800K - $1.1M. Some can afford more, but not everyone wants to spend much more on a home. They want a comfortable lifestyle, without being house rich, cash poor. 

 

Q: What are families looking for in a home?

 

A: They are looking for four bedroom homes. They prefer single family homes with a small yard, but would consider a four bed condo with outdoor space. 

 

Q: What’s the solution?

 

A: Allow developers to build two to three unit buildings with condos that have four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Most families have two children, so this is ideal. Another way to help the lagging enrollment is to enlarge the boundaries for schools. Once a boundary is increased, more people would look into moving into those districts with solid school report cards.

 

If Pawar’s changes to policy take affect, the North Center and Roscoe Village communities could have a completely different neighborhood in the next fifteen years - a thriving, diverse community.

Nov. 1, 2016

Chicago North Side Real Estate Market

 

Q & A with Charese David, Real Estate Broker 

 

Q: What was the shift in the Chicago real estate market around the mid-2000s?

 

A: Developers bought cheap land on the north side. They found there was a market for homes and condos. This was risky back then, but it paid off. It’s similar to what happened in the 80s and 90s. There was a time when it was unsafe to go west of Halsted. That area steadily grew and became more popular. Now real estate in that area is very expensive.

 

Q: How has this affected the current market?

 

A: Now that the neighborhoods have improved, buyers are searching in more areas. They see a variety of properties in the same price range in different neighborhoods to see how far their money will go. One of the biggest implications is when a seller discovers they can’t get what they paid for their property, even in a great location. There might be too many other similar or even bigger properties on the market at a better price point. It’s possible that the surrounding neighborhoods have become more desirable since the seller initially bought the property. While others who bought in what once was a less desirable area, for a cheaper price, are now finding they are in that same competition pool. Sellers need to lure buyers with quality of workmanship, spaciousness and maintenance of the property. Location to public transportation is also key. 

 

Q: Why have these neighborhoods improved?

 

A: Since 2005, a lot of the elementary public schools have achieved a strong, academic reputation. Two great examples of this are Coonley School in North Center and Audubon School in Roscoe Village. They have strong input from the community of parents and given grants or money from the city to create programs that attract families. The public high schools are slowly gaining better reputations. Schools like Lakeview are offering programs underwritten by colleges such as DePaul.

 

Corporations are also drawing people into the city as they move their headquarters downtown. For instance, the city has offered tax credits to huge companies like Boeing, McDonald’s and Google if they move into the city to stabilize the commercial realm.

 

As people migrate into these neighborhoods, the demand for local businesses, shops and restaurants increase. This includes upscale grocery stores such as Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Mariano’s.

 

Q: What are buyers looking for now?

 

A: Condos are selling faster than single family homes. New construction single family homes have higher price tags and taxes, so many families are looking at suburban alternatives. Even though city schools have improved immensely, there is still uncertainty about the future. And suburban public schools offer competitive, if not better, education. 

 

Q: What is your advice to homebuyers post-housing crash?

 

A: According to Crain’s, 20% of homeowners were still underwater on their mortgage in the first quarter of 2016. Chicago has a higher percentage of underwater mortgages than any other big city. The real estate and mortgage industry was corrupt in 2005-07, offering false home values and appraisals that drove the housing market up. Plus a lot of buyers could get 100% financing. 

 

If you can’t put a down payment on a home, don’t buy it. I recommend that my clients put down at least 10%. If the home value doesn’t increase by the time they sell, this will at least cover closing costs and commissions when selling. 

 

My advice when buying a home is to expect to stay in a condo for five years and ten years in a single family home. There’s a better chance that you can break even over the years. Plus you’re paying less to own a home than it would be to rent. Buyers get a homeowners exemption, tax break and interest deductions on tax returns. If buying a condo, buy in a building where the rental cap is at least 25%, so you’re able to rent it you need to move. 

 

Q: How is rental market in Chicago?

 

A: Rentals are expensive, but millennials like them because they tend to be more transient with jobs and lifestyle. Some can’t afford to buy because their debts are high and they aren’t making as much money. In general, salaries of average worker haven’t increased much since 2007, but cost of living has gone up exponentially. 

 

Q: What are the current up and coming north side neighborhoods?

 

A: Albany Park, Avondale, Edgewater Glen and Bowmanville are growing because buyers get more space for the money. You can get a feel for a neighborhood by checking out the restaurants, grocery stores and coffee shops. Starbucks tends to show up in trendy neighborhoods on the verge of turning. Also keep tabs on schools by speaking to the parent network to understand how people feel about the school, it’s staff and education. A lot of that information isn’t published.

 

Q: Any final thoughts?

 

A: As a global city, Chicago is attractive to international corporations. There are many reasons for this including the ability to fly direct to most cities and the commercial and residential markets are cheaper than cities on either coast. We are a corporate-driven city (with no hurricanes or earthquakes!). Lake Michigan is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world. Chicago has some of the best sports teams, a thriving culture and amazing architecture. I’m seeing more empty nesters buying in the city. They come because of the culture like the opera, symphony, theater district and Millennium Park. Chicago continues to thrive. 

 

 

May 18, 2016

Staging Ideas for Urban Outdoor Spaces

With summer right around the corner in Chicago, sellers need to adjust their home staging strategy to include outdoor spaces. Saber Grills surveyed 1,500 homeowners from across the U.S. and 83% said that outdoor living space is their favorite part of their home. It’s probably no surprise that with our shorter warm weather season, 76% of homeowners in the Midwest consider their outdoor space “the most important space in their home” and use it throughout the week more than any other region.

Menard Johnson Real Estate Staging

[ Source: Room and Board ]

There is undeniable value in creating a relaxing, stress-free zone in our urban environment. Prepping your outdoor space with fresh staging ideas can help you sell your home faster and maybe even for a higher price.

“It draws people in. It helps buyers see themselves entertaining friends and relaxing in that space,” says Real Estate Agent, Charese David. “It’s an extension of the living space. If the home or condo is small, it provides an expansive feel.”

Menard Johnson Real Estate Staging

[ Source: interiortrendz.com ]

Sprucing up your outdoor space can be as simple as reupholstering or buying cushions and pillows. Update old light fixtures with a fresh coat of paint. Add tea lights and candles, along with an outdoor rug to make the space cozy. Use neutral colors to draw attention to the natural green environment for a more calming feel. For privacy and to separate the space from the neighbors, add rattan blinds and hanging plants off the balcony. Strategically arrange inexpensive flowers and potted plants around the area.

Menard Johnson Real Estate Staging

[ Source: Better Homes and Garden ]

For homes with a small backyard, use accent stones to create a relaxing retreat feel. Purchase tall thin bushes for privacy. Place bamboo lanterns along pathways or string bistro lights around the dining area to create a sophisticated evening atmosphere.

Menard Johnson Real Estate Staging

[ Source: Restoration Hardware ]

The style of your home should seamlessly blend into the style of your outdoor space. If you’re on a budget, Home Goods offers inexpensive outdoor accessories. For a more modern vibe, check out West Elm, Room and Board and CB2. To design a traditional space, shop at stores like Arhaus, Crate & Barrel, Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn, Jayson Home and Walter E Smith.

Menard Johnson Real Estate Staging

[ Source: Pottery Barn ]

Renting outdoor furniture for staging can be expensive, so if you work with us at Menard Johnson, we prefer to make suggestions using items that you already have. And if we do recommend purchasing something, we suggest cost-effective items within your budget that you can use in your next home.

 

Posted in Real Estate Tips
March 29, 2016

Spring Cleaning Tips For The Whole Family

Let's face it. No one looks forward to spring cleaning. The results of those efforts to dust, scrub, vacuum, empty out, declutter, and disinfect - definitely. The process of getting there - nope.

You know what makes it better? Having help. Get the whole family involved to streamline spring cleaning and make it go faster - and maybe even have a little fun at the same time.

Here's how.

Five and under

Little ones love to help out - it's only when they get older that they realize cleaning isn't as fun as playing video games or going to the mall! Arm them with age-appropriate tasks to make them part of the project.

Starting around age three (or even younger, depending on your child), kids should be able to wipe windows - as far as they can reach, anyway - and baseboards. Give them a rag and a spray bottle of water - they don't have to know it's not a "real" cleaning agent. Appropriately scaled tools help as well.

"Don't expect kids to use adult tools to clean. Instead, create supplies that are kid-friendly," says Amy Olson of The Maids Home Services (maids.com) on hitched. "Use an ice-cream pail for mopping chores or shorten an old mop handle or broom to make it kid-sized."


Good Housekeeping

Cleaning out closets, drawers, and cupboards is a big part of spring cleaning, and anything that assists you in paring down and tidying up is great. Young kids can be a great help here, too. Task them with putting all the giveaway shoes you've sorted in a box or trash bag or boxing up any errant items on a coat or storage closet floor for you to look through later.

Your child can probably also handle - and have fun with - a mini vacuum that's battery operated. Vacuuming along the floor in closets that have been cleaned out and in places they may be able to reach easier than adults will be helpful and also allow them to feel the pride of a job well done. And don't hesitate to let them get under their bed and clean out clothes, toys, and stuffed animals that have gathered there. Laundry baskets or boxes for keeping, trashing, washing, and donating will help them get through the process in an organized manner.

Adolescents

Depending on the age of your kids, they can help with a multitude of tasks, from dusting and polishing furniture, to cleaning out the refrigerator, to organizing drawers and cabinets.


Learning Expressions

Hand your son or daughter the hand vacuum and let them go at the couch cushions. The dust, crumbs, and dog hair that's collected there will have met its match. Or challenge them to clean out and reorganize drawers and cabinets throughout the house.

A Mr. Clean Magic Eraser can be a great tool for a child to clean fingerprints and other stains off of walls, windows, baseboards, and appliances. Gloves will help keep their fingers safe.

Kids this age may also be able to use other "real" cleaning products - but keep them non-toxic. Children shouldn't be exposed to the chemicals in many commercial cleaners, so arm them with a non-product like Simple Green - or make your own cleaning product - and then let them loose on the bathrooms or kitchen.

Teenagers

Teens can handle just about any cleaning task; your biggest challenge may be overcoming their resistance (or attitude or laziness). Offering incentives like extra computer or phone time may help.

At some point, "working on a parent's ‘team' loses its appeal," said Organized Home. "Solution? Delegate big - but safe - jobs to teen children. Whether they clean and organize the garage, shampoo the living room carpet, or restore order to a jumbled linen closet, they'll take pride in their work IF you truly let them own the job…and make it a big one!"


about parenting

Keeping everyone motivated

No matter who's doing what, make it more tolerable by playing your favorite music (or at least music you can all agree on) while you're cleaning. Invite an impromptu dance party to keep it lively. You can also make it fun, or at least inspire the competitive nature of your kids, by adding in challenges and games. Set a timer and the child who has hung up more clothes or folded more of their giveaway clothes into boxes receives a small prize. Be sure to emphasize that all cleaning has to be done well so no corners are cut!

"Spring cleaning is nobody's idea of a good time, so plan for a reward for your workers," said Organized Home. "When the chores are done, schedule a family treat. Whether it's pizza for lunch or a trip to the video store for an evening film-fest, you'll get better results - and sweeten attitudes - if there's a payoff at the end of the day.

 

Article curated from Realty Times

Posted in Real Estate Tips
March 24, 2016

Want To Capture The Millennial Market? These Are The 6 Things You Need To Do

Millennials are elusive. Especially when it comes to homebuying. But that doesn't mean it's impossible to find them and turn them into clients. Here's how.

1. Specialize in tiny homes

While there is a loud and proud contingent of empty nesters, wanderers, and other assorted devotees of living small, the trend has also captured the interest of millennials. Is this the end of the McMansion? Probably not, but the desire to live small so you can live large is gaining in popularity with this influential group.

"Many millennials are starting to embrace a minimalist and simplified lifestyle preferring smaller, more affordable homes," said Millennial Magazine. "In fact, experts have suggested the movement toward buying tiny houses in which the financially conscious are preferring to live in super-small homes - usually around 200 square feet - is a prime solution for millennials who are dreaming of homeownership."


POPSUGAR

2. Do as they do

In other words, get those texting fingers ready. You might not get a response with a phone call or an email. It might also make sense to think about other ways to connect with millennials, like improving your Twitter game and learning how to use Snapchat.

Snapchat is the fastest-growing social media site and the app du jour for millennials. This "storytelling platform," as Inman calls it, provides visual content - "a defining feature of modern society (that) has become essential to capturing an audience's attention," they said. "The numbers speak for themselves to illustrate its importance - according to TechCrunch, Snapchat has 6 billion video views a day, a number that has tripled since May 2015." Furthermore, "More than 60 percent of U.S. 13- to 34-year-old smartphone users are using Snapchat."


prweb

Real estate agents looking to connect with millennials on their level and "capitalize on the spontaneous nature of Snapchat by taking users on tours of a home as well as answering any questions they might have in real time."

3. Speak their language... or at least understand it

Communication styles define each new generation. But today's millennial slang and language patterns may be setting up a generation gap like never before.

You don't have to go to extreme lengths to learn and use a bunch of new slang terms that may or may not sound ridiculous coming out of the mouth of a 40-something (that would be totes unprofesh, after all). It also may feel a little cloying. The goal is simply to be able to understand each other and stay on the same page.

Want a quick study of what to expect? Check out this article from the Washington Post about "totesing."

4. Go where the jobs and amenities are

Cause that's where millennials are going. "The young and educated are interested in more than just a hefty paycheck," said Business Insider. "In a new report on the top destinations for young college graduates, the American Institute for Economic Research finds young people are drawn to city amenities in addition to jobs. The rankings examined eight economic and quality-of-life factors that young people look for in a new city, the top three factors being: high density of people with a college degree, a low unemployment rate, and the ability to get around the city without a car."

The top three cities on their list: Washington, DC, San Francisco, and Boston (You can check out the rest of the list here). Does that mean you have to move to one of those cities? No. But broadening your horizons so that you're also focused on a more vibrant part of your area could prove profitable if you're trying to capture the millennial market.


SCI Texas

5. Sell what they want

Yes, real estate agents often show clients properties outside of what they've asked for, whether that's a slightly larger abode, or a more expensive one ("but it's move-in ready!), or one that's in a different neighborhood. You never know what might click with a client. But showing a millennial a single-family in the ‘burbs when they've expressly asked for a condo in the heart of the city will not only be a waste of time, it may even anger your client to the point of wanting to sever ties. Break a millennial's trust by not listening to their needs, and you just might be done.

6. Bring in a partner

If you just don't get millennials, and they just don't get you, consider partnering with someone who can bridge that gap. It could be a profitable arrangement for both of you.

 

Article curated from Realty Times

Posted in Real Estate Tips
March 9, 2016

Take A Look Around!

It’s nice to see the snow melting just in time for the Spring Season in Chicago!  Chicago is still one of the best values for big city living. We have everything; the best sports teams, the expansive beaches on Lake Michigan, one of the world’s most beautiful skylines, and some of the best culinary experiences in the nation.

Yes, our taxes may be a little high, but they are nothing compared to SanFran, LA, or NYC. In Chicago you get the best city for the best value!

 

I am excited to visit Millennium Park, eat a hot dog at a Cubs game, and go sailing on the gorgeous lake! I also can’t wait to take my visitors on a historical tour featuring some of the most exciting stories of Chicago’s colorful history. Festivals, Art Fairs, Lincoln Park Zoo, museum after museum, concerts, plays and so much more: Chicago is a wonderful place to live, work, and play. So if you are thinking Chicago is too expensive, take a look around,  because it might be one of the best, most cost effective large cities in the world!  

 

March 5, 2016

Open Houses This Sunday 3/6/16

Come out and join us at an open house this weekend:

 

Sunday March 6, 2016

 

Click the links for more details & photos! 

  


2030 Fletcher For Sale

2030 W. Fletcher from 1:30pm-3:30pm New Construction

 

 

 

Roscoe Village Open House

 

 

 

3937 Greenview Avenue Unit 1 11am - 1pm 

 

 

Feb. 24, 2016

New Listing Alert - 1215 Whitebridge Hill Road Winnetka, Illinois 60093

 1215 Whitebridge Hill Road Winnetka, Illinois 60093

It's not too often you find a home for sale with its' own private beach but this Menard Johnson listing AT 1215 Whitebridge Hill in Winnetka has one and a whole lot more.

This one-owner estate built in 2001 features a 15,000 square foot home with unparalleled views from inside as well as from six balconies. 

This home has the feeling of comfort with extraordinary elegance.  The Foyer features a double floating staircase and marble mosaic floors to welcome you home. 

The great room and living room both feature hand-beveled walnut floors and the entire home features custom cabinetry and moldings throughout.

This luxurious home features six bedrooms, six full baths, four powder rooms, seven fireplaces, a wood-paneled elevator and more.

The magnificently appointed kitchen includes stone floors and a breakfast room that leads to the staircase that will take you to your 150-foot private beach.

Other custom amenities include a state of the art 12-seat theater, an indoor pool with handpainted mural inspired by the Beverly Hills Hotel and a double-sided fireplace with stone facade that faces the family room and pool. 

There's also a sun room, wood-carved bar, exercise room with steam shower and massage room, cedar closet, dark room, second kitchen, library, sitting area and more.

This is a home you have to witness to believe! To learn more about this property at 1215 Whitebridge Hill Road in Winnetka, contact Menard Johnson today or click here to see the full listing.


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