Buying a Home Can Be Scary… Until You Know the Facts Some Highlights:Many potential homebuyers believe that they need a 20% down payment and a 780 FICO® score to qualify to buy a home which stops many of them from even trying! Here are some facts: 72% of buyers who purchased homes this year have put down less than 20%. 76.4% of loan applications were approved last month. The average credit score of approved loans was 727 in September.  Jim Starwalt Managing Broker Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes783 N Barron Blvd, Grayslake IL 60030 Cell Phone: 224-627-7581 Jim@StarHomeTeam.com Search for Homes at www.StarHomeTeam.com Find Me Online: Buying a Home Can Be Scary… Until You Know the Facts 10/26/2018

Where are Grayslake Home Values Headed over the Next Few Years?  There are many questions about where home prices will be next year as well as where they may be headed over the next several years to come. We have gathered the most reliable sources to help answer these questions: The Home Price Expectation Survey – A survey of over 100 market analysts, real estate experts, and economists conducted by Pulsenomics each quarter. Zelman & Associates – The firm leverages unparalleled housing market expertise, extensive surveys of industry executives, and rigorous financial analysis to deliver proprietary research and advice to leading global institutional investors and senior-level company executives. Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) – As the leading advocate for the real estate finance in... 10/25/2018

You Don't Need 15-20% Down to Buy a Grayslake Home!   According to a new study from Urban Institute, there are over 19 million millennials in 31 cities who are not only ready and willing to become homeowners, but are able to as well!Now that the largest generation since baby boomers has aged into prime homebuying age, there will no doubt be an uptick in the national homeownership rate. The study from Urban Institute revealed that nearly a quarter of this generation has the credit and income needed to purchase a home. Surprisingly, the largest share of mortgage-ready millennials lives in expensive coastal cities. These cities often attract highly skilled workers who demand higher salaries for their expertise. So, what’s holding these mortgage-ready millennials back from buying? Myths Ab... 10/24/2018

Housing Is Still Affordable in Grayslake IL and in the United States! Lately, there have been many headlines circulating about whether or not there is an “affordability issue forming in the housing market.” If you are considering selling your current house and moving up to the home of your dreams, but are unsure whether or not to believe what you’re seeing in the news, let’s look at the results of the latest Housing Affordability Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). According to NAR:“A value of 100 means that a family with the median income has exactly enough income to qualify for a mortgage on a median-priced home. An index above 100 signifies that a family earning the median income has more than enough income to qualify for a mortgage loan on a median-priced home, ... 10/23/2018

Will Grayslake Home Prices Continue to Increase?  There are many unsubstantiated theories about what is happening with home prices. From those who are worried that prices are falling (data shows this is untrue), to those who are concerned that prices are again approaching boom peaks because of “irrational exuberance” (this is also untrue as prices are not at peak levels when they are adjusted for inflation), there seems to be no shortage of opinion. However, the increase in prices is easily explained by the theory of supply & demand. Whenever there is a limited supply of an item that is in high demand, prices increase. It is that simple. In real estate, it takes a six-month supply of existing salable inventory to maintain pricing stability. In most housing markets, anything less than s... 10/22/2018

Everything You Wanted to Know About a Real Estate Career! Being a Real Estate Agent isn't a job, it's a CAREER! A career full of reward, but can have many pitfalls as well. It's about running your own business while working with a Brokerage for guidance and tools. Join us for a career night to learn if this is the right career for you. Learn about the daily life of a Real Estate Agent and what it takes to become licensed. Find out how Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate tools, training and support can help you build your business. Come to our Real Estate Career Night at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes: Date: Monday October 1, 2018 Time: 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm Location: Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes, 783 N Barron Blvd, Grayslake IL 60030 Better Homes and G... 09/27/2018

Selling Your Northern Illinois Home in 2018 Thinking about selling your home? You don't have to do it alone. Let Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate Star Home lend a hand - with tools, information, and an agent you can trust. Get an estimate If you're looking to sell, it's a great idea to start with an estimate of how much your home is worth. Don't guess - let our online price estimator do some of the work for you. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes 1 Office with 2 Locations: 783 N Barron Blvd, Grayslake IL 60030 Phone: 847-548-2625 4817 W Elm St, McHenry IL 60050 Phone: 815-322-1371 info@StarHomeTeam.com Find Us Online:  Selling Your Northern Illinois Home in 2018 05/22/2018

10 N. Lake St. #415, Grayslake, IL 60030List Price: $144,900 Beds Baths Built Sq.Ft. Garage Taxes On Market 2 2 2005 1,147 ft2 1 $3,523 1 day Perfect location situated in the heart of historic downtown Grayslake! Open & airy end unit offers neutral paint, radiant natural sunlight, & in-unit stack-able washer/dryer! Eat in kitchen with warm 42" maple cabinets, new appliances, refrigerator with ice maker, under cab lighting, wine rack above s/s sink, & breakfast bar that could sit three chairs comfortably! Expansive living room that gains access to private balcony, with beautiful views of Grays Lake! Master bedroom is graced with walk in closet & private master bath. Relaxing jetted whirlpool tub, separate shower & dual sinks. The location is everything. The building shares with other loc... 04/10/2018

High-Value, High-Impact Remodeling Projects to Help You Sell Your Home Focus on remodeling projects that will make a statement and pay off when it comes time to sell your home. When you’re trying to sell your home, you have to choose carefully. Is it worth it to redo your kitchen counters for the sale, or will the new owners simply replace them with their own picks? Should you bother repainting? These projects, ranging in price from $500 to $10,000, are sure to impress potential buyers, ultimately padding your pocketbook when it comes down to the final asking price. Cozy up a fireplaceFireplaces are natural gathering areas even when a fire isn’t lit. Turn yours into a crowd-pleasing focal point with a decorative surround and/or an updated mantel furnished with attractive accessories. I... 04/05/2018

#1 Reason to Sell Your Grayslake Home Now Before Spring The price of any item (including residential real estate) is determined by ‘supply and demand.’If many people are looking to buy an item and the supply of that item is limited, the price of that item increases.    According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the supply of homes for sale dramatically increases every spring. As an example, here is what happened to housing inventory at the beginning of 2017:  Putting your home on the market now instead of waiting for increased competition in the spring might make a lot of sense. Thinking about selling your home? Get more information at the Seller Center. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes 1 Office with 2 Locations:783 N Barron Blvd, Grayslake IL 600304817 W El... 02/21/2018

Selling Your Grayslake Home This Spring?What is my home worth? Use our advanced tools and sales data to quickly find out how much you can list your home for. Customize the estimate based on your home's unique features and use our affiliated network of local agents to make sure it's priced right. Look Up Your Home Value Estimates Instantly! If you are thinking about selling your home - you don't have to do it alone. Let Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate Star Homes lend a hand - with tools, information and with our agents that you can trust. With an intimate knowledge of the area and the expertise necessary to give you a detailed assessment, our Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate agents can help you set the right price and put together a comprehensive marketing plan. We will be the... 02/16/2018

Real Estate Career Night January 23, 2018Tired of your job and ready for a career change? If you are thinking about becoming a real estate professional, now’s the time to take our Real Estate Career Test Drive. By taking a short quiz, you can experience a day in the life of a real estate professional, which will help you determine if this might be the career for you. Test drive the life of a real estate agent by clicking the link below, courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes! Click Here to Experience the Day in the Life of a Real Estate Agent. Come by for our career night and find out more about becoming a real estate agent at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes. Date: Tuesday January 23, 2018Time: 7:00 pm to 8:00 pmLocation: 783 N Barron Blvd (Route 83)... 01/09/2018

  #1 Reason to List Your Grayslake House Today! Many people believe that selling their house during “the spring buyers’ market” is the best thing to do. Their reasoning is that there will be more buyers than there are during the winter months and, therefore, their house will sell quicker and for a higher price. Historically, this made sense. However, today’s real estate market is not following the rules of the past. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) measures buyer “foot traffic” each month. It receives data on the number of properties shown to a prospective purchaser by a Realtor® (based on the number of lockboxes used). The data reveals the number of buyers out actively looking for a home, not just window shopping on the internet. NAR explains: “Foot traffic has a strong corre... 12/11/2017

Live in Prairie Crossing, Grayslake! Prairie Crossing is a unique community and great part of Grayslake, Illinois.  It's one of the towns that kicked of the national movement towards small, sustainable communities, conveniently placed in the most desirable locations for commuters and families. This week, resident and local real estate expert Jill Kosikowski tells about some of the great features this community has to offer!    Looking for the perfect home? Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes can help. With us, purchasing a home that meets your needs and fits your lifestyle is easier than you'd expect. Make your home search as unique as you are! You can find homes based on location, size, price, and much more, and access our detailed school data to help you refine your search... 12/08/2017

Grayslake Home Selling Solutions Made Easy!  With intimate knowledge of your area and the expertise necessary to give you a detailed assessment, your Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes agent can help you set the right price and put together a comprehensive marketing plan. Your Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes agent will be there to guide you through every step of the listing process. Ready to take the first step? Click Here to Visit the Seller Center Use our advanced tools and sales data to quickly find out how much you can list your home for. Customize the estimate based on your home's unique features and use our local agents to make sure it's priced right.  Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes 1 Office with 2 Locations:783 N Barron Blvd, Grayslak... 11/27/2017

2017 Grayslake Tree Lighting Festival and Holiday Market When: Friday November 24,  2017 Time: 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm Where: Downtown Grayslake at Whitney and Center Street. The Grayslake Chamber of Commerce will host a Tree Lighting Festival and a Holiday Market. The Tree Lighting takes place at the holiday tree at the corner of Whitney and Center Street. Santa arrives at the Holiday Tree at 5:30 pm. Visit with Santa at 5:45 pm at The Oasis, located at 151 Hawley in Grayslake. Start your holiday shopping at the Holiday Market at the Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum, 164 Hawley Street from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  Enjoy sleigh rides on Center Street from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Sleigh rides start and end at the Heritage Center.  Additional information can be provided by the Grayslake Chamber o... 11/22/2017

Join BHGRE Star Homes in Grayslake - The Only Lifestyle Brand in Real Estate Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate (BHGRE) is a brand that represents more than a traditional real estate transaction.For us, it goes beyond buying and selling a home and extends into how our customers live in their homes and communities. Our unique brand positioning allows us to be part of the conversations consumers are having around what matters most to them: home, family, and community. Consequently, our brand is the only brand in real estate that is relevant 365 days a year, not just when consumers are thinking about buying or selling a home. Learn more about a real estate career with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes at bhgrecareer.com Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes 1 Off... 11/21/2017

Are You Thinking About Selling Your Grayslake House Soon?It’s difficult to know when is the best time to sell, or how to get the most money for your house, but you don’t need to go through the process alone. You may be wondering if prices are projected to rise or fall…or how much competition you may be facing in your market. Download the free eGuide: Things to Consider When Selling Your House Fall 2017 Edition This free eGuide will answer many of your questions and likely bring up a few things you haven’t even thought about yet. Looking for the perfect home? Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes can help. With us, purchasing a home that meets your needs and fits your lifestyle is easier than you'd expect. Make your home search as unique as you are! You can find homes based on ... 11/20/2017

The Vine - Grayslake in 60 Seconds If you live in Grayslake, you probably know about The Vine already. If not, you need to check it out! A local favorite for years now, The Vine offers creative food and cocktails, a beer and wine list made for connoisseurs, and great meeting spaces for every occasion!   Looking for the perfect home? Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes can help. With us, purchasing a home that meets your needs and fits your lifestyle is easier than you'd expect. Make your home search as unique as you are! You can find homes based on location, size, price, and much more, and access our detailed school data to help you refine your search. Thinking of selling your home? Look up your home value estimates. Enter your address to instantly view several estimates of ... 11/08/2017

Something's Brewing - Grayslake in 60 Seconds This week, Laurie Caputo and Jim Starwalt go to a long-time local spot for coffee, pastries, sandwiches and more - Something's Brewing at 82 Center Street in Grayslake, Illinois. Looking for the perfect home? Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes can help. With us, purchasing a home that meets your needs and fits your lifestyle is easier than you'd expect. Make your home search as unique as you are! You can find homes based on location, size, price, and much more, and access our detailed school data to help you refine your search. Thinking of selling your home? Look up your home value estimates. Enter your address to instantly view several estimates of what your home is worth today. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes 1... 11/02/2017