Brian Sells Chicago · Easy Access to Homes

Real estate agents have a number of access points that a regular buyer or seller doesn’t. They have access to listings before they are put in the MLS, and they have access to the homes! Many sellers are only willing to grant access to agents, which mean that most buyers going it alone can only access homes during open houses. An agent working for the seller is only going to provide information with the seller’s best interest at heart, so when you go it alone you might be only getting partial information from any questions you may have. Working with an agent will help provide private access to homes, and an agent will be able to get more information from the seller’s agent. Your agent can schedule an appointment with the seller’s agent to arrange entry and a time for you to see the home yourself. By doing so, you will be able to see more homes at the time which is convenient for you giving you the chance to make a more informed decision. Join the conversation on Twitter @BrianTWolf and find out more about the b
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Brian Sells Chicago · Local Expertise

Woman and realtor signing contract to new home You’ve lived in an area for some time – but while you may know about local amenities and activities, do you have a lot of knowledge about the local real estate market? Real estate agents know how much homes are selling for, they know what areas are highly desirable, and they know which ones are up-and-coming. Most hot properties receive multiple offers immediately they are listed on the market. Therefore, buyers or sellers with a full-time job or a family find it difficult to stay updated and on top of the market. However, real estate agents always review newly available homes each day and with this knowledge, they can help you secure a superb property fast. A real estate agent informs you of every opportunity in the market. Using his skills and knowledge, he reviews every property in the market to provide you with all the necessary data that will help you make an informed real estate decision. You can trust an agent to know the local inventory and know how to ge
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Brian Sells Chicago · Why It’s a Smart Move to Use a Real Estate Agent

Buying or selling a home is one of the most important decisions that you can make in today’s world. When you buy, you want to get the most for your money. And when selling, you want to reap optimum benefit from the transaction. Many people think they can handle buying and selling a house on their own. While this is true, for some it might be a very straining and frustrating process. In reality, the real estate process is intricate and requires a lot of knowledge about the local real estate market, contracts, escrow, appraisals, and referrals. Furthermore, there are many rules and regulations that must be followed to ensure that the process goes smoothly. While some homeowners and buyers are in a position to handle it alone, for those intimidated by the market or those who don’t have the time or energy to sell or buy a home on their own, hiring a real estate agent can make the process easier, fast, and very beneficial for you. I know you are probably wondering…”Why should I hire a real estate agent when I know
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Brian Sells Chicago · Home Updates Summary

These fixes are relatively easy, and most shouldn’t break the bank. If you can afford to do some, go for it, but do what is in reason of your time and budget. You want to sell your house, and you don’t want to spend a fortune updating it. Small fixes can be the ticket to a quick sell, or they can help a home that’s been sitting for a while finally get some movement.             If you missed them the first time you can revisit the whole series here: Fast and Easy Updates to Help a Home Sell Spruce Up the Front Door Freshen Up the Kitchen Update Porch Columns Tidy Up a Bathroom Update a Staircase Jazz Up a Fireplace Light Up the Yard Organize a Closet Make an Attic More Usable Uncategorized
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Brian Sells Chicago · Make an Attic More Usable

Most homes have some kind of attic, whether it be a small crawlspace that’s barely accessible or a large attic area accessed by a staircase. Make sure your attic area is accessible: if it’s not, add a ladder and insulate the door for better energy efficiency. If your attic area is just studs, add a plywood floor to make it more accessible and ready for storage. By adding a couple extra things to an attic area, you’re adding usable space and making your home more marketable to potential buyers.     Uncategorized
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Brian Sells Chicago · Organize a Closet

Buyers will go through cupboards and closets, and a cramped bedroom closet can be an issue with some buyers. A quick and budget-friendly fix is a closet organizer. Organizers come in a variety of options, from wood and plastic-laminate to wire, and most are DIY, which cuts down any installation costs. If your closets are stuffed or poorly organized, buyers will see this and could potentially be turned off by it. Find more on Facebook http://ift.tt/1QvgSrh Uncategorized
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Brian Sells Chicago · Light Up the Yard

Lighting can take the exterior of a home from drab to fab. Dark homes don’t pop to buyers, and outdoor lighting can add a ton of appeal. Update any outdated outdoor lighting fixtures, especially those that no longer work or are broken. If you have some extra money to put toward projects, consider adding additional outdoor lighting in the way of a lamppost or path lights, and if you live in a sunny climate you also have the option of solar lights. Visit my Google+ profile to get more insight on selling homes. Uncategorized
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Brian Sells Chicago · Why the Next Three Weeks are the BEST TIME TO BUY

The three weeks (give or take a couple of days) from Labor Day through the beginning of October 2015 are an ideal time to buy real estate. Are you ready? The peak buying season is over now that the kids are back in school. Some sellers missed the window and they still need to sell. Rates are still crazy low, hovering around 4%. As a result your buying power is still way up! New TRID rules go into effect for new loans after October 3. Thanks, Big Brother. If you want to avoid that additional red tape you need to find a place NOW! Are you ready to take advantage of the opportunity we’re seeing right now? Give me a call at 847-943-9653. Or if you want to send me your questions contact me through this post. Uncategorized
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Brian Sells Chicago · Jazz Up a Fireplace

Whether it’s gas or wood, many homes have fireplaces, and many buyers love them for their purpose and as focal points. An updated fireplace can say loads about your home, and a great looking fireplace can help a sale. You can paint and transform outdated brick or add ceramic tiles to add color. You also have the option of adding budget-friendly artificial stone veneer or natural stone (if you have the time and money). Mantels are a large part of fireplaces – add, update or replace a mantel with wood, stone or marble. An updated fireplace and mantel can help any home sale. If you’d rather take the discussion to Facebook contact me at FB/BrianSellsChicago. Uncategorized
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Brian Sells Chicago · Update a Staircase

Many staircases are located just as you enter a home, which means they are a focal point and something buyers look at and judge the moment they walk into a property. If your staircase has seen better days, take the time to do some small updates. Fix any broken or loose steps and evaluate the railing; refinish a wood staircase, replace a broken railing, change outdated balusters, and, if the stairs are carpeted, clean or replace the carpet. Uncategorized
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