Are you considering selling your home in St Charles, IL? If so, you may be wondering whether or not you should enlist the help of a realtor. While some people may think they can handle the selling process on their own, there are numerous benefits to using a real estate agent that can make the experience smoother and more profitable for you.

One of the main advantages of using a realtor when selling your home in St Charles, IL is their knowledge of the local market. Realtors are experts in their area and can provide valuable insight into current housing trends, pricing, and market conditions. This knowledge can help you price your home correctly and attract the right buyers.

Another benefit of using a realtor is their expertise in marketing…

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If you’re holding out hope that the housing market is going to crash and bring home prices back down, here’s a look at what the data shows. And spoiler alert: that’s not in the cards. Instead, experts say home prices are going to keep going up.

Today’s market is very different than it was before the housing crash in 2008. Here’s why.

It’s Harder To Get a Loan Now – and That’s Actually a Good Thing

It was much easier to get a home loan during the lead-up to the 2008 housing crisis than it is today. Back then, banks had different lending standards, making it easy for just about anyone to qualify for a home loan or refinance an existing one.

Things are different today. Homebuyers face increasingly higher standards from mortgage companies. The…

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Are you looking to buy a new home in Naperville, IL? Look no further! The Kombrink Team is here to help you explore the diverse property options available in this beautiful city.

Naperville, IL is a vibrant and thriving community with a strong real estate market. Whether you are looking for a cozy bungalow, a spacious family home, or a luxury estate, there are homes for sale in Naperville that will suit your needs.

When searching for houses for sale in Naperville, it is important to work with a knowledgeable and experienced Realtor who knows the area well. The Kombrink Team has been serving the Naperville community for years and has a deep understanding of the local market.

From charming neighborhoods with tree-lined streets to modern…

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No matter how you slice it, buying or selling a home is a big decision. And when you’re going through any change in your life and you need some guidance, what do you do? You get advice from people who know what they’re talking about.

Moving is no exception. You need insights from the pros to help you feel confident in your decision. Freddie Mac explains it like this:

“As you set out to find the right home for your family, be sure to select experienced, trusted professionals who will help you make informed decisions and avoid pitfalls.”

And while perfect advice isn’t possible – not even from the experts, what you can get is the very best advice out there.

The Power of Expert Advice

For example, let’s say you need an attorney. You start off…

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Are you looking to sell your home in the bustling city of Naperville, IL? With the real estate market getting more competitive by the day, it's crucial to have a solid plan in place to ensure a successful sale. Luckily, the expert realtors in Naperville have some valuable tips to help you navigate the process and get top dollar for your property.

Here are some tips from the pros on selling your home in Naperville, IL:

Young couple sitting in a yard holding a SOLD sign1. Price it right: One of the most important factors in selling a home quickly is pricing it correctly. Work with a reputable realtor in Naperville who can help you determine the optimal listing price based on current market trends and comparable homes in the area.

2. Stage your home: First impressions matter, especially when it…

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Wondering if it still makes sense to sell your house right now? The short answer is, yes. And if you look at the current number of homes for sale, you’ll see two reasons why.

An article from Calculated Risk shows there are 15.6% more homes for sale now compared to the same week last year. That tells us inventory has grown. But going back to 2019, the last normal year in the housing market, there are nearly 40% fewer homes available now:

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Here’s a breakdown of how this benefits you when you sell.

1. You Have More Options for Your Move

Are you thinking about selling because your current house is too big, too small, or because your needs have changed? If so, the year-over-year growth gives you more options for your home search. That means it…

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If you’re planning to buy your first home, saving up for all the costs involved can feel daunting, especially when it comes to the down payment. That might be because you’ve heard you need to save 20% of the home’s price to put down. Well, that isn’t necessarily the case.

Unless specified by your loan type or lender, it’s typically not required to put 20% down. That means you could be closer to your homebuying dream than you realize.

As The Mortgage Reports says:

“Although putting down 20% to avoid mortgage insurance is wise if affordable, it’s a myth that this is always necessary. In fact, most people opt for a much lower down payment.”

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the median down payment hasn’t been over 20% since…

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a house with many different colored numbers

Some Highlights

  • If you’re looking to buy a home, it’s important to know how mortgage rates impact what you can afford and how much you’ll pay each month.
  • That’s because even a small change in mortgage rates can have a big impact on your purchasing power.
  • The best way to navigate changing mortgage rates and make an informed buying decision is to rely on the expertise of a local real estate professional and mortgage lender.

Previously posted at Simplifying The Market.

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Are you tired of throwing money out the window on rent every month? Do you dream of owning your own slice of paradise in St. Charles, Illinois? Well, you're in luck because buying is definitely better than renting in this charming city! In this blog post, we'll dive into all the reasons why owning a home in St. Charles is the way to go. So sit back, relax, and get ready to find your way to homeownership!

Reason #1: Equity, Baby!

Let's start with the most obvious reason why buying is better than renting - equity, baby! When you rent, you're basically throwing your hard-earned cash into someone else's pocket. But when you buy a home, you're building equity every time you make a mortgage payment. That means you're investing in your future and creating…

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Over the past few months, experts have revised their 2024 home price forecasts based on the latest data and market signals, and they’re even more confident prices will rise, not fall.

So, let’s see exactly how experts’ thinking has shifted – and what’s caused the change.

2024 Home Price Forecasts: Then and Now

The chart below shows what seven expert organizations think will happen to home prices in 2024. It compares their first 2024 home price forecasts (made at the end of 2023) with their newest projections:

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The middle column shows that, at first, these experts thought home prices would only go up a little this year. But if you look at the column on the right, you'll see they've all updated their forecasts and now think prices will go…

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