Realty Executives Midwest
Are you thinking about selling your house? Some common mistakes today can make the process more stressful or even cost you money.
Fortunately, they’re easy to avoid, as long as you know what to watch for. Let’s break down the biggest seller slip-ups, and how an agent helps you steer clear of them.
It’s completely natural to want top dollar for your house, especially if you’ve put a lot of work into it. But in today’s shifting market, pricing it too high can backfire. Investopedia explains:
“Setting a list price too high could mean your home struggles to attract buyers and stays on the market for longer.”
And your house sitting on the market for a long time could lead to price cuts that raise red flags. That’s why pricing your house right from the start matters.
A great real estate agent will look at what other homes nearby have sold for, the condition of your house, and what’s happening in your market right now. That helps them find a price that’s more likely to bring in buyers, and maybe even more than one offer.
The housing market has nearly a half million more sellers than buyers according to Redfin. That means you have more competition as a seller and may have to do a bit more to get your house ready to sell. But not all projects are going to be worth it. If you spend money on the wrong projects, it could really cut into your profit.
A local real estate pro knows what buyers in your area are really looking for, and they can help you figure out which projects are worth it, and which ones to skip. Even better, they’ll know how to highlight any upgrades you make in your listing, so your house stands out online and gets more attention.
Now that inventory has grown, it’s important to stay flexible. Buyers have more options – and with it comes more negotiating power. U.S. News explains:
“If you’ve received an offer for your house that isn’t quite what you’d hoped it would be, expect to negotiate . . . make sure the buyer also feels like he or she benefits . . . consider offering to cover some of the buyer’s closing costs or agree to a credit for a minor repair the inspector found.”
That’s where your agent comes in. They’ll help you understand what buyers are asking for, what’s normal in today’s market, and how to find a win-win solution. Sometimes making a small compromise can keep the deal moving and help you move on to your next chapter faster.
All of these mistakes are avoidable with the help of a skilled agent. So, you want to be sure you’re working with the right partner. Still, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 81% of sellers pick the first agent they talk to.
Many homeowners may skip basic steps like reading reviews, checking sales history, and interviewing a few agents. But that’s a mistake. You want someone you know you can rely on – someone with a good track record. The right agent can help you price your house right, market it well, and sell it quickly (and maybe for more money).
Selling a house doesn’t have to be stressful, especially if you have an experienced agent by your side. Connect with a local agent so you have an expert to help you avoid these common mistakes and make the most of your sale.
Source: Keeping Current Matters
Realty Executives Midwest
1310 Plainfield Rd. Ste 2 | Darien, IL 60561
Office: 630-969-8880
E-Mail: experts@realtyexecutives.com
There are plenty of headlines these days calling for a housing market crash. But the truth is, they’re not telling the full story. Here’s what’s actually happening, and what the experts project for home prices over the next 5 years. And spoiler alert – it’s not a crash.
Yes, in some local markets, prices are flattening or even dipping slightly this year as more homes hit the market. That’s normal with rising inventory. But the bigger picture is what really matters, and it’s far less dramatic than what the doom-and-gloom headlines suggest. Here’s why.
Over 100 leading housing market experts were surveyed in the latest Home Price Expectations Survey (HPES) from Fannie Mae. Their collective forecast shows prices are projected to keep rising over the next 5 years, just at a slower, healthier pace than what we’ve seen more recently. And that kind of steady, sustainable growth should be one factor to help ease your fears about the years ahead (see graph below):
And if you take a look at how the various experts responded within the survey, they fall into three main categories: those that were most optimistic about the forecast, most pessimistic, and the overall average outlook.
Here’s what the breakdown shows:
Do they all agree on the same number? Of course not. But here’s the key takeaway: not one expert group is calling for a major national decline or a crash. Instead, they expect home prices to rise at a steady, more sustainable pace.
That’s much healthier for the market – and for you. Yes, some areas may see prices hold relatively flat or dip a bit in the short term, especially where inventory is on the rise. Others may appreciate faster than the national average because there are still fewer homes for sale than there are buyers trying to purchase them. But overall, more moderate price growth is cooling the rapid spikes we saw during the frenzy of the past few years.
And remember, even the most conservative experts still project prices will rise over the course of the next 5 years. That’s also because foreclosures are low, lending standards are in check, and homeowners have near record equity to boost the stability of the market. Together, those factors help prevent a wave of forced sales, like the kind that could drag prices down. So, if you’re waiting for a significant crash before you buy, you might be waiting quite a long time.
If you’ve been on the fence about your plans, now’s the time to get clarity. The market isn’t heading for a crash – it’s on track for steady, slow, long-term growth overall, with some regional ups and downs along the way.
Want to know what that means for your neighborhood? Because national trends set the tone, but what really matters is what’s happening in your zip code. Connect with a real estate agent to have a quick conversation so you can see exactly what the local data means for you.
Source: Keeping Current Matters
Realty Executives Midwest
1310 Plainfield Rd. Ste 2 | Darien, IL 60561
Office: 630-969-8880
E-Mail: experts@realtyexecutives.com
Keeping kids entertained all summer can feel like a full-time job, especially when you’re trying to avoid excessive screen time or constant spending. The good news? You don’t need a packed schedule or big outings to make summer feel special.
With a little creativity and a few basic supplies, your home can be the ultimate summer playground.
You don’t need a pool to cool off. A garden hose, a few buckets, or even plastic cups can turn your backyard into the best place to be on a hot day.
Set up a DIY splash zone with sprinklers, water balloons, or sponge toss games. For extra laughs, build an obstacle course with slip-and-slide sections, kiddie pools to crawl through, and towels at the finish line. Let the kids come up with their own rules—the messier, the better.
Gardening is one of several wonderful at-home summer activities for kids. Little hands love digging, watering, and watching things grow. If you already have a garden, set aside a small section for children. Let them plant fast-growers like sunflowers, cherry tomatoes, or snap peas—something they can see change day by day.
No garden? Use small pots or containers. Painting the pots beforehand makes it even more fun and gives them something that feels like theirs.
Art doesn’t have to stay at the table, and it is a perfect at-home summer activity for kids. Bring the supplies outside and let the kids go big—sidewalk chalk murals, sponge painting, or cardboard box crafts can keep them busy for hours.
You can even turn your patio or driveway into an “outdoor gallery” where they display their creations. Mix in themed days (like space, animals, or ocean scenes) to keep the ideas flowing.
When you can’t get away, bring the fun outside. Pitch a tent in the backyard or set up blankets and sleeping bags under the stars. Tell stories, make s’mores in the microwave or fire pit, and listen to nighttime sounds. For younger kids, even a few hours of pretend camping during the day can feel like a big adventure.
If the weather turns or bugs show up early, move the camp indoors. Flashlights, popcorn, and a good book or movie can set the scene just as well.
Perfect for overly hot or rainy days, treasure hunts are a great at-home summer activity for kids. It is also a way to keep energy levels up without leaving the house. Hide clues around the home and let the kids solve puzzles to find the next spot.
Tailor it to their age—simple picture clues for toddlers or rhyming riddles for older kids. End with a small prize or surprise snack to make it feel like a real win.
Not every day needs to be loud and busy. Set aside quiet time for activities that keep hands and minds busy—LEGO builds, puzzle races, or DIY science experiments using pantry staples.
If you have cardboard boxes or extra recyclables, challenge the kids to build a city, a boat, or their dream house. These hands-on sessions spark imagination and keep them engaged, especially on days when the heat’s too much for outdoor play.
Creating a loose theme for each week can help add structure without making it feel like school. For example:
Themed weeks give kids something to look forward to and help you plan ahead without feeling overwhelmed.
With these at-home summer activities for kids, you don’t have to leave the house to make memories. With a few low-cost ideas and a little flexibility, you can keep boredom at bay while turning your home into the go-to summer hangout. It’s about giving kids space to play, be creative, and feel like the season belongs to them, right in their backyard.
Source: Keeping Current Matters
Realty Executives Midwest
1310 Plainfield Rd. Ste 2 | Darien, IL 60561
Office: 630-969-8880
E-Mail: experts@realtyexecutives.com
Here’s something you need to know. The housing market is getting back to a healthier, more normal place. And even though it may not sound like it, this shift is actually a good thing.
It’s what you should expect. It’s just that our expectations have been skewed by the intense seller’s market over the past few years.
But what you need to remember is: there’s still plenty of opportunity to be had if you’re thinking about selling – whether that’s next month or next year. You just need to stay up to date on what’s happening in the market, and have a strategy that matches the moment. Here’s your update.
According to the latest data, the number of homes for sale is rising back toward more normal levels (see graph below):
But inventory growth is going to vary a lot based on where you live.
If you’re in a market where the number of homes for sale is back to normal, buyers may have more sway than you’d expect. That doesn’t mean buyers have all the power – it just means they have more choices, so your home has to stand out.
But if you live where inventory is still pretty limited, you may see more buyers competing for your house.
No matter where you are, the key is to work with a pro who can help you adjust your game plan for your local market.
With more homes to choose from, today’s buyers are quick to skip over homes that feel overpriced. That’s why pricing your house right is the secret to selling quickly and for top dollar. That’s a point Realtor.com really drives home:
“ . . . a seller listing a well-priced, move-in ready home should have little problem finding a buyer.”
Miss the mark, though, and you may have to backtrack. Today, about 1 in 5 sellers (19.1%) are reducing their asking price to attract buyers (see map below):
Here’s how to avoid being one of those sellers who has to reduce their asking price. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com, says:
“The rising share of price reductions suggests that a lot of sellers are anchored to prices that aren’t realistic in today’s housing market. Today’s sellers would be wise to listen to feedback they are getting from the market.”
The best way to get that information? Lean on your local agent. They have the expertise to set a price that sells in any market. Because if your price isn’t compelling, it’s not selling.
Gone are the days of buyers waiving inspections and appraisals just to get a deal done. Now, because they have more homes to choose from, buyers are able to ask for things like repairs, credits, and help with closing costs. And data from Redfin shows nearly 44.4% of sellers are willing to negotiate (see graph below):
The takeaway? This isn’t a bad market. It’s just a different one. And it’s in line with more normal years in the housing market, like back in 2019. The savviest sellers are the ones taking advantage of every opportunity to work with buyers and make their house shine.
And it’ll help if you think of concessions as tools, not losses. Use them to bridge gaps, sweeten deals, and get across the finish line. And don’t stress. Since prices went up roughly 55% over the past five years, you’ve got plenty of room to make a concession or two and still come out ahead.
Just be sure to work with your agent to understand which concessions could be the key to sealing the deal.
Sellers who are going to succeed in the weeks and months ahead are the ones who understand this market shift and lean into it with the right expectations and the right strategy.
Connect with a local agent and talk about what’s working in your area right now and how to make those wins work for you, too – whenever you’re ready to make a move.
Source: Keeping Current Matters
Realty Executives Midwest
1310 Plainfield Rd. Ste 2 | Darien, IL 60561
Office: 630-969-8880
E-Mail: experts@realtyexecutives.com
Maybe you’ve heard the number of homes for sale has reached a recent high. And it might make you question if this is the start of another housing market crash.
But the reality is, the data proves that’s just not the case. In most areas, more inventory isn’t bad news. It’s actually a sign of the market returning to a more stable, healthy place.
Based on the latest data from Realtor.com, inventory just hit its highest point since 2020, shown with the white line in the graph below.
But what you need to realize is, at the same time, inventory levels still haven’t returned to pre-pandemic norms (shown in gray):
That means there are more homes for sale now than there have been in quite some time.
And while it’s true inventory is up significantly compared to where it was over the last few years, the number of homes on the market is still well below typical levels. And that’s important context.
Some people hear inventory’s rising and immediately think about 2008. Because back then, inventory spiked just before the market crashed. But today’s situation is very different.
Here’s the key reason why. We don’t have a surplus of homes; we have a deficit to climb out of. What we’re dealing with is a long-term housing shortage – and it’s a big one.
The red bars in the graph below show all the years where housing starts (new builds) didn’t keep up with household formation, going all the way back to 2012. The deeper the bars in the graph, the more the housing deficit grew (see graph below):
And one of the reasons this housing shortage kept growing is because new home construction just didn’t keep up with the number of people who need to buy homes. In fact, the U.S. is actually short millions of homes at this point, and it will take years to overcome that gap. Realtor.com says:
“At a 2024 rate of construction relative to household formations and pent-up demand, it would take 7.5 years to close the housing gap.”
That means, in most areas, there isn’t a risk of having too many houses on the market right now. It’s quite the opposite – a vast majority of markets actually need more homes.
Which is why, even though inventory is rising, it’s not a problem on a national scale. It’s just helping to fill a gap that’s been growing for years.
Don’t let the headlines scare you. Rising inventory isn’t a sign of a crash. It’s a step toward a more normal, stable housing market.
Source: Keeping Current Matters
Realty Executives Midwest
1310 Plainfield Rd. Ste 2 | Darien, IL 60561
Office: 630-969-8880
E-Mail: experts@realtyexecutives.com
Realty Executives agents are real estate experts. They have the education and expertise you need to navigate through the process of buying or selling a home. From listing at the right price to making the best offer, our Executives have witnessed the best - and most regrettable - decisions homeowners and homebuyers can make. Every day, they are immersed in every aspect of real estate that includes comparable home price analysis, property surveys, credit reports, open houses, HOA agreements, lenders, title companies, homeowners’ insurance, walk-throughs, terms of sale or purchase, repairs, concessions and closing documents. Let our accomplished Executives help navigate you through the process of buying or selling a home.
