Thinking of selling your Berwyn home? With a 4.44 months supply and inventory dropping by 28% this year, now's the time to make your move. Let's talk pricing strategy to maximize your sale! #HomeSellers #BerwynRealEstate #MarketTrends #BerwynIL @MarkSotirRealty

Your 2026 Home Seller Checklist – Start Preparing Now

1. Review Your Home’s Value
? Research recent sales in your neighborhood
? Schedule a professional appraisal if needed

2. Make Necessary Repairs
? Fix minor issues (leaky faucets, broken tiles)
? Ensure major systems (HVAC, roof) are in good condition

3. Declutter & Depersonalize
? Remove excess furniture and personal items
? Organize closets, cabinets, and storage areas

4. Stage Your Home
? Highlight key features of each room
? Use neutral décor to appeal to buyers

5. Boost Curb Appeal
? Maintain lawn and landscaping
? Paint or clean exterior surfaces as needed

6. Gather Important Documents
? Past utility bills, tax records, and warranties
? HOA rules or community guidelines (if applicable)

7. Plan Your Marketing Strategy
? High-quality photos and virtual tour
? List on MLS and social media channels

8. Set a Competitive Price
? Review comparable homes in your area
? Discuss strategy with your realtor

9. Prepare for Showings
? Keep home clean and ready for last-minute visits
? Remove pets during showings if necessary

10. Review Offers & Negotiate
? Compare offers carefully
? Work with your realtor to negotiate terms

11. Close the Sale
? Complete inspections and appraisals
? Sign all necessary paperwork

?? Contact Mark Sotir
Realty Executives Midwest
?? 630-815-8098 | ?? Marksotir@realtyexecutives.com
?? www.marksotir.com

Would You Let $80 a Month Hold You Back from Buying a Home?

A lot of buyers are stuck in “wait and see” mode right now. They’re watching rates hover a little above 6% and thinking, I’ll buy once they hit the 5s. Because who doesn’t want a better rate?

But here’s the thing: that 5.99% number might not save you as much as you think.

Affordability is still a challenge. There’s no question about that. But the market has given savvy buyers a head start. Mortgage rates have already come down over the past few months. And the drop we’ve seen saves you more than you’d think.

How Much You’ve Already Saved, Without Realizing It

Let's put some real numbers to it. Rates peaked for the year in May when they inched above 7%. But since then, they’ve been slowly declining. Now, they’re sitting in the low 6s. And while that may not sound like a big deal, that change translates to real dollars.

According to data coming out of Redfin, the typical monthly payment on a $400,000 home is already down almost $400 since May.

That means if you’re buying a home now, you're saving hundreds of dollars every month compared to what you would have been able to get earlier this spring. That’s real money that makes a real difference for buyers who paused their plans because they thought homeownership was out of reach.

And while it may be tempting to wait even longer to see bigger savings, that’s a gamble that could cost you. Here’s why.

Where Experts Say Rates Are Headed

For starters, most experts say mortgage rates are likely to stay pretty much where we are today throughout 2026. So, there’s no guarantee we’ll see a rate much lower than what we have now. Only one expert forecaster is saying rates could fall into the upper 5s next year (see graph below): 

And even if rates do dip below 6%, the extra savings you’re holding out for won’t move the needle as much as you might expect.

The Real Math Behind a 5.99% Rate

Let’s break it down. If rates come down to 5.99% from where they've been lately that’s a difference of only about $80 a month on an average priced home – give or take a bit based on your price point and the rate your lender quotes you (see chart below):

Eighty dollars. That’s it. And for the typical family, that’s about one dinner out (or one dinner in, if you have it delivered). That’s not enough to change the game for most buyers. But the savings of nearly $400 we already have compared to when you paused your search in the spring? That might be. 

So, the question to ask yourself is this:

Is an extra $80 savings really worth the wait?

Because while you’re holding out for that small dip, the bigger opportunity might be slipping away.

When Rates Fall, Competition Follows

Right now, you have more homes to choose from, sellers who are ready to negotiate to get a deal done, and fewer buyers to compete with. But once rates fall below 6%, buyer mindsets will shift and all of that will change.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports that if rates hit 6%, about 5.5 million more households will be able to afford the median-priced home. Even if only a small fraction of them decide to buy, that could mean hundreds of thousands of buyers getting back into the market.

That creates more competition for you, which would push home prices even higher – maybe high enough to cancel out the extra savings you waited for.

So, if you’re waiting for rates below 6%, just keep in mind... that extra $80 may not be worth it in the grand scheme of things.

Bottom Line

You don’t have to wait for 5.99%. You have the chance to move (and save) right now. So, ask yourself: Would you let $80 hold you back from buying a home?

If you find a home you love and the math makes sense, getting ahead may be the best strategy. Let’s run your numbers so you can see what you’re working with in our market.