Homebuyer Videos for Northern Illinois Buyers

You may have more negotiating power than you think. Right now, about 60% of homes are selling below their original asking price. That means your chances of getting a home for less than the seller originally wanted are better than a coin flip. But how much can you negotiate? That depends on the home, the neighborhood, how long it’s been on the market, and what buyers are doing locally. The Kombrink Team keeps a close eye on the Chicagoland market so you can make a strong offer without unnecessarily overpaying. Thinking about buying? Let’s figure out what kind of offer makes sense.

Half of buyers are worried home prices are about to crash. The other half are hoping they do. But the latest home price forecasts tell a different story. Fannie Mae surveyed more than 100 housing experts, and the average forecast calls for home prices to rise 14.7% through 2030. Even the most pessimistic forecast still projects a 6.6% increase. That doesn’t mean every city or neighborhood will move the same way. Some markets could see short-term declines, but nationally, experts are still forecasting higher home prices over the next several years. Wondering what home prices are doing here in the Fox Valley and Chicagoland market? Reach out to The Kombrink Team at One Source Realty.

Buying a home soon? The market is giving buyers something they haven’t had much of lately: options. There are now more homes on the market than at any point since 2019, bringing inventory closer to normal levels. That means buyers have a better chance to find a home that fits their needs and budget, while also having more room to negotiate on price and terms. If you’re thinking about buying in Geneva, St. Charles, Batavia, or anywhere in the Fox Valley, The Kombrink Team at One Source Realty can help you sort through the options and focus on the homes that are actually worth your time.

Why does the housing market feel so confusing right now? Because not every buyer or seller is playing by the same rules. There are really four different groups shaping today’s market: cash buyers, financed buyers, homeowners holding onto low mortgage rates, and builders looking to move inventory. Which group you fall into can completely change your leverage, your options, and the best strategy for your next move. Thinking about buying or selling in Geneva, St. Charles, Batavia, or elsewhere in the Fox Valley? Reach out to The Kombrink Team and let’s figure out the strategy that makes sense for you.

Will home prices drop in Illinois in 2026, or are buyers waiting for a housing crash that may not happen? Current forecasts point toward continued home price growth in Illinois, not a major decline. In this video, Kris Kombrink breaks down what’s keeping prices supported, including low housing inventory, homeowners holding onto low mortgage rates, limited new construction, and continued demand across the Fox Valley. We’ll also look at what this means for buyers and sellers in communities like Geneva, St. Charles, Batavia, and throughout Kane and DuPage Counties.

Waiting for mortgage rates to come down might seem like the safest move, but it doesn’t always play out that way. A recent survey found that 41% of buyers who waited for lower rates wish they had bought sooner. With inflation, the economy, and global events all influencing mortgage rates, there’s no guarantee a big drop is coming anytime soon. That doesn’t mean you should rush into buying. It means you should know what the numbers look like right now before deciding to wait. A trusted lender can help you understand today’s rates, available loan programs, and what payment actually works for your budget.

Data centers are expanding fast, and more homeowners are wondering what that could mean for nearby property values. So far, research suggests home values in communities with large data centers have generally performed similarly to comparable areas without them. But location still matters. Noise, proximity, development patterns, and possible utility impacts can all play a role. If a data center is proposed near your home in Kane or DuPage County, The Kombrink Team is keeping an eye on what it could mean for the local housing market.

Mortgage rates get most of the attention, but fall can bring some important changes for home buyers too. Historically, buyers may see more homes to choose from, lower asking prices, and sellers who are more willing to negotiate as the end of the year approaches. If affordability has kept you on the sidelines, the seasonal shift could create opportunities that weren’t there a few months ago.

Think every home seller is firm on their asking price? Not anymore. Recently, 41% of homes for sale had a price reduction, which means more sellers are showing a willingness to negotiate rather than let their home sit on the market. That doesn’t mean every house is suddenly affordable, but buyers may have more negotiating power, flexibility, and opportunity than they realize. If you’ve put your home search on hold, let’s take another look at what’s happening locally.

Feel like everything has been a little unpredictable lately? The housing market may actually be one of the more stable things out there. Home prices have been relatively steady, housing inventory is close to where it was last year, and mortgage rates have stayed in roughly the same 6% to 7% range since late 2022. If you’ve been waiting for the market to “settle down” before buying or selling, it may already be there. That stability can make it easier to plan your next move with a little more confidence.

Feel like your home search has been showing you the same options over and over? There’s a reason. Housing inventory is still higher than last year, but the pace of growth has slowed dramatically. Last spring, the number of homes for sale was up about 31% year-over-year. Today, that increase is closer to 2%. But recent trends suggest inventory growth may be starting to stabilize. And if homes continue taking longer to sell, more listings could begin piling up again. If your home search has felt a little stale, don’t give up. New opportunities are hitting the market every day.