Posts made by author 'John Searchman'

With COVID-19 still upon us, the real estate market, like nearly any other market, is continuing to feel the effects. This is especially true in such a large real estate market like Chicago and its surrounding suburbs.

Right now, the real estate market is low in inventory and national home price averages are higher than ever. Homes are flying off of the market and our real estate agents in Rockford, IL have been busier than ever. On the other hand, high-rise buildings in cities like Chicago and New York are seeing vacancy rates like never before due to people flocking to cheaper areas.

The Demand in the Suburbs Will Stay High

Buyers know that the future of their workplace likely reflects a hybrid model - both working from home and going into the office will be commonplace as the world recovers from the virus. Having a space of your own to call home is more imp...

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With the market still churning out impressive rates, now is still a great time to make your first home purchase. Understanding the process is an important step in ensuring you end up with the perfect home for your needs and budget. Whether you've been browsing different homes for sale in Roscoe, Il casually or with the intention of buying, here are some helpful pieces of advice from our real estate experts.

Start Saving Earlier Than You Think

There are many fees that you'll need to have the funds for that go beyond the down payment. Be mindful of unexpected costs such as closing costs, private mortgage insurance, inspection fees, etc. These things add up fast, especially in Illinois and the City of Chicago.

Monitor Your Credit Score

Your credit score will play a large role in determining how much of a loan that you can receive for yo...

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If you've been looking for new homes for sale in Rockford, Il, you've come to the right team of real estate agents! At Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Crosby Starck Real Estate, we are happy to show you everything that the current market has to offer.

Whether it's your first home or you've been homeowners for quite some time, the question remains: do you prefer a fixer-upper or a turn-key home? There are pros and cons to each that should be considered before you put in an offer.

Fixer-Uppers

Put simply, fixer-uppers can be a lot of work, but they can be worth it to end up with the dream home you've always wanted. Typically more budget-friendly, fixer-uppers are ideal for those who have a tight budget but who want to help play a part in constructing their d...

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Whether you've sold a home before or you're gearing up to sell your first property near Machesney Park, it can be overwhelming to think about everything that needs to get done. One thing that we often talk about at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Crosby Starck Real Estate is curb appeal. Curb appeal, although seemingly simple, is an effective way to instantly make your property more attractive to potential buyers. After all, first impressions are extremely important! Here are some reasons that curb appeal is important.

It Provides Attractive Online Images

In today's real estate market, online images are extremely important to potential buyers. In fact, 88 percent of home buyers begin their process online. Make sure your property packs a punch from the get-go, and this starts with quality photos. Declutter and clean your home and take some test photos to see how they turn out. Ov...

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Buying your first piece of real estate is one thing, but the process of selling your first piece of real estate is a completely different experience. Chances are, you feel antsy about selling your home. After all, it is a place where many memories were made in addition to being one of the largest investments that you've ever made. As professionals in this area of business, we aim to help educate our clients and make this process as easy and stress-free as possible. We'll make sure that your house for sale in Roscoe, Il doesn't stay on the market for long. 

Make Sure You're Ready to Sell

This may sound silly, but plenty of people change their mind about selling when the process actually begins. Being emotionally ready and financially ready are t...

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