Fox Valley Real Estate Blog - The Kombrink Team

Buying a Home? Here's What You Should Know About Home Insurance Costs

If buying a home is on your radar, you've probably been keeping an eye on mortgage rates and home prices. But don’t forget about homeowners insurance. 

Homeowners insurance has always been part of owning a home. But over the past few years, it's become a larger expense for many homeowners – something that's especially frustrating when affordability already feels tight.

The good news? While premiums are still rising, the latest data shows those increases are beginning to slow. Here's what buyers should know.

Home Insurance Costs Have Gone Up

You've probably heard stories from friends or family about their premiums going up. And that’s not really a surprise when you consider data from the Pew Research Center shows 71% of homeowners say their…

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Why Your Zestimate Could Be Wrong in Kane and DuPage Counties

Your Zestimate could be off by tens of thousands of dollars—and the reason might be sitting right inside your house.

Maybe you replaced a basic builder-grade kitchen with custom cabinetry, premium countertops, high-end appliances, and designer lighting. Perhaps you finished the basement, remodeled the primary suite, added a home office, or turned an ordinary backyard into a professionally designed outdoor living space.

Those improvements may be obvious to anyone who walks through your home. To an automated valuation tool, however, they may be difficult—or even impossible—to measure accurately.

Online home valuations can be useful. They provide fast access to estimated property values by analyzing available data such as recent sales, square…

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Home Price Growth Slowed Down. That May Be Changing.

After more than a year of headlines talking about how home prices are going to crash, the latest data shows that price growth may be starting to pick back up again. And depending on whether you’re buying or selling, that shift means something different for you.

The Numbers May Be Starting To Turn

For the past couple of years, home price growth has been moderating – cooling from around 7% in mid-2024, according to Redfin (see graph below). But look at the right side of that graph. The pace of that growth appears to have hit its low point and started to turn.

While a couple months of data doesn’t necessarily mean this will be a lasting trend, there are some other signs that this could continue.

For example, fewer markets are seeing prices…

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Open Houses This Weekend in Geneva, Batavia & St. Charles, IL: August 1-2, 2026

If you’re planning to tour homes this weekend, Geneva, Batavia and St. Charles are great places to focus your search. As we move into August, buyers still have a chance to explore homes during one of the most active times of year, while also getting a feel for neighborhoods before the back-to-school season kicks into full gear.

Below, you’ll find open houses scheduled for Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2, 2026 in Geneva, Batavia and St. Charles, Illinois. Open house times and availability can change quickly, so it’s always smart to confirm details before heading out.

Geneva, IL Open Houses This Weekend

Geneva continues to be a top choice for buyers who want charm, convenience and a strong sense of community. With its walkable downtown,…

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Selling a Luxury House? Here’s Why Now Is a Good Time

If you own a luxury house, you're in a stronger spot than most sellers right now. While much of the market has cooled, the high-end tier hasn't. Sale prices and buyer demand are both up. So if you're considering selling, now could be a great time to make your move.

Luxury Is Leading on Price

Let’s start with prices. But before we get into it – what actually counts as a luxury home? Generally, these are homes in the top 5% price range for the area, so it varies depending on where you live.

But what’s interesting is that according to the latest data from Redfin,sale prices for luxury houses have risen about three times faster than for non-luxury.

Right now, the typical home’s sale price is up about 1.5% year-over-year. But high-end homes? Their…

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Spacious 3-Bedroom Townhome for Sale in Cambridge Countryside

2222 Foxmoor Ln, Aurora, IL

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$374,900

Welcome to Cambridge Countryside in Aurora, where this spacious 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath brick and vinyl townhome offers comfortable living in a convenient location. Set on a landscaped lot with mature trees, the home features a welcoming front porch, 2-car attached garage and backyard deck. Inside, a dramatic two-story entry and living room create an impressive first impression, highlighted by a gas log fireplace and sliding glass door leading to the deck. The adjacent dining room flows into the eat-in kitchen, which offers stainless steel appliances and ample cabinetry. Upstairs, you'll find…

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Tour This Spacious 4-Bedroom Ranch at 1530 Sunrise Drive in DeKalb

1530 Sunrise Dr, Dekalb, IL

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$285,000

Welcome home to this spacious 4 bedroom, 1.5 bath ranch in an ideal DeKalb location near parks, schools, shopping, dining and interstate access. Set on a mature tree-lined lot, the home offers an inviting front porch, a 2.5-car garage and a large backyard deck perfect for relaxing or entertaining. Inside, modern neutral decor and luxury vinyl plank flooring create a fresh, welcoming feel throughout the living room with bay window and adjacent dining room. The eat-in kitchen features solid surface countertops, stainless steel appliances, a tile backsplash and pantry. A generous…

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The House That Started It All Could Kickstart What's Next

Remember how exciting it was to buy your first place? It felt like crossing a long-awaited finish line. It gave you a place to build your life. Maybe it’s where you lived when you got married. Or where you welcomed a child or a pet into the family.

But that was just the beginning.

For most people, your first house was never meant to be your forever home. It’s a stepping stone for what comes next.

And if your life looks different today than it did when you got the keys, you’re not stuck. Moving may be more realistic than you think.

Starter Home Inventory Is Still Relatively Low

If you've been wondering whether now is the right time to move up, here's something worth knowing. Starter homes remain one of the hardest types of homes to find. And…

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Priced Out? A Condo or Townhome Could Be Your Way In.

Today's home prices have a lot of buyers – especially first-time buyers – wondering if there’s even anything out there that’s in their budget. But owning a home may be more within reach than you think. Sometimes, it just means considering a different type of home.

Condos and townhomes can be a great way to buy without stretching every last dollar. And right now, two things make them worth a serious look.

There Are More Condos and Townhomes To Choose From

Maybe you feel like there’s just nothing out there for you, and you’ve exhausted all your options. But have you considered condos or townhomes? A lot of buyers start by looking for a single-family, detached home without even realizing what that search omits from their pool of choices.

…

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Open Houses This Weekend in Geneva, Batavia & St. Charles, IL: July 25-26, 2026

If you’re hoping to tour homes this weekend, Geneva, Batavia and St. Charles are three of the best places to focus your search in the western suburbs. The Tri-Cities offer a strong mix of downtown charm, Fox River scenery, established neighborhoods, parks, trails, local restaurants and a wide variety of home styles.

Below, you’ll find open houses scheduled for Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26, 2026 in Geneva, Batavia and St. Charles, Illinois. Open house times and availability can change quickly, so it’s always smart to confirm details before heading out.

Geneva, IL Open Houses This Weekend

Geneva continues to be a favorite for buyers who want a blend of small-town character, walkable downtown amenities, Metra access and scenic spots…

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