DOOMSCROLLING DOES HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE MARKETPLACE.Social media can be addictive.People get hooked on the highs and lows of constantly scrolling, and when the headlines are overwhelmingly negative, it can affect the overall mood and perception of the market — especially among fall buyers.Buyers start thinking:“The market is slowing down.”“Prices are going to drop.”“Maybe I should wait a little longer.”And sometimes waiting makes sense.But here's the problem:REAL ESTATE IS CYCLICAL.The homes you pass on in the fall because you're waiting for a better deal may have more competition when the spring market arrives.And there's something else buyers need to remember:EVERYTHING IN YOUR HOUSE HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE.🏠 Roof: 20–30+ years🔥 Furnace: 15–20 years❄️ AC: 10–15 years🪟 Windows: 15–40+ ... 09/28/2026

🔥 ARE WE STILL COMPLAINING ABOUT MORTGAGE RATES?I get it.Nobody wants to pay more interest.But let's put today's rates into perspective.Your credit card might be charging you 25%, 30%, even 33%.And we're having a meltdown over a mortgage rate around 7%.🤔 Perspective matters.Historically, today's mortgage rates are nowhere near the extremes we've seen.In April 1971, the average 30-year mortgage rate was 7.33% — almost exactly where we are today.And then there was 1981…The 30-year mortgage rate reached a record 18.63%.Read that again.18.63%.I bought my first home in 1994.My rate was 8.5%.And I was HAPPY to get it.Today we're sitting around 7.375%.I'm not saying rates don't matter.They absolutely matter.But here's what I think we're missing:🏡 THE COST OF WAITING CAN BE MORE EXPENSIVE THAN ... 09/24/2026

🏡 THE TRUTH ABOUT AFFORDABILITY TODAYLet’s be honest for a second about affordability — because if you’re thinking about buying or selling, you deserve the full picture… not just scary headlines.Yes, mortgage rates have moved higher again.And yes, global uncertainty, inflation concerns, and rising oil prices are all playing a role.📈 Mortgage rates have climbed back into the mid-6% range, and experts believe rates may stay elevated until inflation cools and global tensions settle down.But affordability is about more than just rates.Here’s what many headlines AREN’T talking about:✅ Wage growth has recently been outpacing home price growth✅ Home prices nationally have remained relatively stable✅ Inventory is improving in many markets✅ Buyers have more negotiating power than they’ve had in ... 05/29/2026

🔥 TOP 20 MARKETS IN CHICAGO 🔥🔥🔥These markets are seeing the lowest inventory and the biggest shortage of homes right now 👀👉 Less supply = more competition👉 Well-priced homes = moving FAST👉 Multiple offers = back in playThis isn’t the market to “wait and see”…💡 In this type of market?Strategy matters more than timing.✔ Getting pre-approved early✔ Understanding your numbers✔ Moving with confidence when the right home hitsThat’s how you win 🏆📲 #justcallwilliam | 630-881-8655 05/04/2026

🏡 MORTGAGE DEMAND UPDATE: THE MARKET IS SPLIT 📊Rates ticked up… and the reaction was immediate.📉 WHAT JUST HAPPENED:• Total mortgage applications: -1.6%• Refinance demand: -4% (week over week)• BUT still +51% vs last year👉 Translation: refis are rate-sensitive… and they pulled back.Now here’s the real story 👇📈 BUYERS ARE STILL SHOWING UP• Purchase apps: +1% weekly• +21% vs last yearLet that sink in.Even with rates around 6.37%…👉 Buyers are STILL moving forward.💡 WHAT THIS TELLS US:This isn’t a demand problem.It’s a rate + inventory balancing act.➡️ When rates rise → refis slow down fast➡️ But purchase demand? Holding strong➡️ Buyers are adapting… not disappearing🔎 UNDER THE HOOD:• FHA: 17.2% of loans• VA: 15.0%• ARMs creeping in at 8.3%👉 Strategy is replacing “wait and see”🏦 BIG PICTURE... 04/29/2026

Hey Melanie and Laura 👋What a perfect way to kick off TBT—another smart investment in the books! 🎉Congratulations, Ron, on your new loan! We wish you nothing but success, happiness, and smooth sailing ahead. ⚡Thank you for letting us assist you with this transaction. We look forward to working with you again and continuing to be your trusted mortgage advisor.If you ever have questions about your mortgage or any financial services, give us a call. And if we can’t answer something directly, we have an amazing team of financial experts ready to help.Also, if you know friends, family, or co-workers who are thinking about buying or refinancing, we’d truly appreciate you passing our name along.💡 Your turn could be next!📲 #JustCallWilliam | 630-881-8655 02/05/2026

Hey Melanie and Laura 👋What a perfect way to kick off TBT—another smart investment in the books! 🎉Congratulations, Ron, on your new loan! We wish you nothing but success, happiness, and smooth sailing ahead. ⚡Thank you for letting us assist you with this transaction. We look forward to working with you again and continuing to be your trusted mortgage advisor.If you ever have questions about your mortgage or any financial services, give us a call. And if we can’t answer something directly, we have an amazing team of financial experts ready to help.Also, if you know friends, family, or co-workers who are thinking about buying or refinancing, we’d truly appreciate you passing our name along.💡 Your turn could be next!📲 #JustCallWilliam | 630-881-8655 02/05/2026

Hey Melanie Rybarski and Laura Sandoval 👋What a perfect way to kick off TBT—another smart investment in the books! 🎉Congratulations, Ron, on your new loan! We wish you nothing but success, happiness, and smooth sailing ahead. ⚡Thank you for letting us assist you with this transaction. We look forward to working with you again and continuing to be your trusted mortgage advisor.If you ever have questions about your mortgage or any financial services, give us a call. And if we can’t answer something directly, we have an amazing team of financial experts ready to help.Also, if you know friends, family, or co-workers who are thinking about buying or refinancing, we’d truly appreciate you passing our name along.💡 Your turn could be next!📲 #JustCallWilliam | 630-881-8655  02/05/2026

Hey Melanie and Laura, what a perfect way to kick off TACO Tuesday !!!Ron — congratulations on your investment property! Wishing you continued success and an abundance of happiness as you take this exciting next step.Thank you for the opportunity to assist you with this transaction. We truly appreciate your trust and look forward to working with you again. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about your mortgage or financial services of any kind. And if something falls outside our scope, we have an outstanding team of trusted financial professionals ready to help.If you know of any friends, family, or co-workers who are thinking about buying, investing, or refinancing—or even just have questions—we would be grateful if you passed our name along.A big thank you on... 01/20/2026

What Stays and Goes When I Sell?Are there any items in my home I will not include in the FSBO sale?Few things upset buyers more than surprise removals. As a FSBO seller, decide early which items stay with the home and which you plan to keep. Built‑in items, like light fixtures and attached shelving, usually stay. Personal items, like furniture and decor, usually go. Gray areas include things like window treatments, mounted TVs, or special mirrors.Make a written list of exclusions, such as “Dining room chandelier does not stay” or “Washer and dryer are not included,” according to THE FSBO Manual. If something has strong sentimental value, consider removing it before photos and showings. That way buyers never expect it. Clear expectations reduce friction when you reach the offer and inspe... 01/12/2026

🌟 HEY Melanie Rybarski AND Laura Sandoval – WHAT A PERFECT WAY TO KICK OFF THE WORK WEEK! 🌟Eugenio & Brenda,🎉 Congratulations on your new investment loan! 🎉We wish you continued success and an abundance of happiness. Thank you for trusting us to guide you through this transaction.We look forward to working with you again and hope you’ll continue to think of us as your trusted mortgage advisors.💡 Questions about your mortgage or other financial services? Call us anytime! If we can’t help directly, our team of financial experts is ready to assist.And if you know friends, family, or co-workers thinking about buying or refinancing a home, we’d truly appreciate it if you passed our name along.📲 You could be next! #JustCallWilliam | 630-881-8655 12/29/2025

🌟 HEY Melanie Rybarski AND Laura Sandoval – WHAT A PERFECT WAY TO KICK OFF THE WORK WEEK! 🌟Eugenio & Brenda,🎉 Congratulations on your new investment loan! 🎉We wish you continued success and an abundance of happiness. Thank you for trusting us to guide you through this transaction.We look forward to working with you again and hope you’ll continue to think of us as your trusted mortgage advisors.💡 Questions about your mortgage or other financial services? Call us anytime! If we can’t help directly, our team of financial experts is ready to assist.And if you know friends, family, or co-workers thinking about buying or refinancing a home, we’d truly appreciate it if you passed our name along.📲 You could be next! #JustCallWilliam | 630-881-8655 12/29/2025

HEY Melanie Rybarski & Laura Sandoval — what a PERFECT way to jump-start the work week… with BRAND-NEW HOMEOWNERS!   Congrats to JAMES & ALLANA on your beautiful new CONDO!   We wish you nothing but the best and an abundance of happiness as you begin this next chapter. It was truly an honor to guide you through this transaction, and we look forward to being your trusted mortgage advisors for many years to come. Our door is always open: Have questions about your mortgage? Thinking about refinancing or planning ahead? We’re here for you — and if there’s something outside our lane, we’ve got a world-class team of financial pros ready to help. To all our friends, family, and partners: If you know anyone looking to buy, refinance, or simply get clarity in today’s market, we would truly appr... 12/15/2025

Grandpa’s Gift: How One Young Couple Finally Broke Into Homeownership With Smart Financing, FHA 203(k) Renovation Strategy, and Family SupportGrandpa had a saying he repeated so often that the entire family could recite it by heart:“Buy dirt while you’re young. They’re not making any more of it.”For years Emily and Jason brushed off the advice. They were young, working hard, and living in a modest apartment that shrank a little more every year—especially as rents kept climbing. Their friends were buying homes, and social media didn’t help. They felt stuck, like homeownership was something other people figured out.But Grandpa saw what was coming long before they did.He’d lived through market crashes, interest-rate spikes, and entire decades when homeownership meant financial stability fo... 11/14/2025

Charts are the best way to visually see what's happening in your local real estate market. Below, I've put together two charts for each village of Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth, and Northfield. I hope to get the charts for Northbrook and Glenview soon.One shows the rise in housing prices, and the second shows how inventory has dropped. WINNETKA  WILMETTE GLENCOE   KENILWORTH NORTHFIELD  See Homes for Sale WinnetkaWilmetteKenilworthGlencoeNorthfieldGlenviewHighland ParkEvanstonNorthbrook  CONDO SEARCH LINKS Winnetka Condos Townhouses Wilmette Condos Townhouses Glencoe Condos Townhouses Northfield Condos Townhouses Glenview Condos Townhouses Northbrook Condos Townhouses Evanston Condos Townhouses    Sign up to get monthly North Shore real estate news delivered to your inbox.It's free, we... 11/13/2025

What Sold in Your North Shore Village  September/October 2025? WINNETKAClick here to see all Winnetka homes or condos sold in Sept/Oct 2025All homes for sale:  25Current month's supply of home inventory:  1.42025 median price: $1,950,000See Winnetka homes for saleSee Winnetka condos for saleSee Winnetka townhouses for sale WILMETTEClick here to see all Wilmette homes or condos sold in Sept/Oct 2025All homes for sale:  44Current months supply of inventory:  1Past 12 months median price: $1,275,000See Wilmette homes for saleSee Wilmette condos for saleSee Wilmette townhouses for sale KENILWORTHKenilworth homes sold in Sept/Oct 2025All homes for sale: 14Current month's supply of inventory:  2.2Past 12 months median price: $2,010,000See Kenilworth homes for saleGLENCOE Click here to see all... 11/13/2025

Hubbard Woods Real Estate Sales  September/October 2025  3 NEW HUBBARD WOODS HOMES FOR SALE IN September/October 1350 Westmoor: $1,595,000 (under contract) 1161 Pine: $2,195,000 (under contract) 205 Scott: $2,850,000  2 NEW PRIVATE HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGSIn September/October 650 Winnetka Mews #310: $489,000 1560 Asbury: $3,299,000 (under contract)  7 CLOSED HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGS IN September/October 1340 Westmoor List price: $1,600,000 Sold price: $1,675,000 Days on market: 5 1287 Scott List price: $1,475,000 Sold price: $1,675,000 Days on market: 3 1473 Edgewood List price: $1,625,000 Sold price: $1,785,000 Days on market: 5 1560 Tower List price: $1,650,000 Sold price: $1,825,000 Days on market: 3 1503 Edgewood List price: $1,789,000 Sold price: $2,200,000 Days on market: 4 1250 Westm... 11/13/2025

Hey Melanie Rybarski & Laura Sandoval — what a perfect way to jump-start the week with brand-new homeowners, Salvatore & Patricia! 🎉Congratulations on your beautiful new home! 🏡We wish you nothing but happiness and great memories in the years ahead.Thank you for the opportunity to assist you with this transaction. It’s always a pleasure working with you, and we truly appreciate your continued trust and business.Please remember — if you ever have any questions about your mortgage or financial services of any kind, we’re just a call away. And if we can’t help directly, we have an incredible team of financial experts ready to assist.🙏 A big thank-you to Matt with Compass for your trust and support on this one!You could be next — #JustCallWilliam | 630-881-8655 11/10/2025

📸 Hey Melanie Rybarski & Laura Sandoval! What a perfect way to kick off Throwback Thursday — with a brand new homeowner! 🎉🏡 Congratulations, Sara, on your very first home!Wishing you nothing but the best and an abundance of happiness in this exciting new chapter. ❤️Thank you for the opportunity to assist you with your home financing. We look forward to working with you again and hope you’ll continue to count on us as your trusted mortgage advisors.💬 If you ever have questions about your mortgage or financial services of any kind, please don’t hesitate to call. And if we can’t help directly, our outstanding team of financial leaders can!🙏 A big thank you once again to Tina for your trust and support — it truly means the world to us.✨ You could be next!#JustCallWilliam 📲 630-881-8655 10/16/2025

What Sold in Your North Shore Village  July/August 2025?  WINNETKAClick here to see all Winnetka homes or condos sold in July/August 2025All homes for sale:  26Current month's supply of inventory:  1.52025 median price: $1,865,000See Winnetka homes for saleSee Winnetka condos for sale WILMETTEClick here to see all Wilmette homes or condos sold in July/August 2025All homes for sale:  44Current months supply of inventory:  1.1Past 12 months median price: $1,300,000See Wilmette homes for saleSee Wilmette condos for sale KENILWORTHKenilworth homes sold in July/August 2025All homes for sale: 14Current month's supply of inventory:  2.5Past 12 months median price: $1,850,000See Kenilworth homes for saleGLENCOE Click here to see all Glencoe homes and condos sold in July/August 2025All homes for... 09/11/2025