As we begin another year, everyone wants to know: “Where is the housing market headed in 2019?”

It’s not only buyers, sellers, and homeowners who are impacted. The real estate market plays an integral role in the overall U.S. economy.  Fortunately, key indicators point toward a stable housing market in 2019 with signs of modest growth. However, shifting conditions could impact you if you plan to buy, sell, or refinance this year.



HOME VALUES WILL INCREASE

The value of real estate will continue to rise. Freddie Mac predicts housing prices will increase by 4.3 percent in 2019.1  While the rapid price appreciation we witnessed earlier in the decade has slowed, the combination of a strong economy, low unemployment, and a lack of inventory in many market segments continues to push prices higher.

"Ninety percent of markets are experiencing price gains while very few are experiencing consistent price declines," according to National Association of R ...

Buying A Home?  Here Are the Top 8 Home Inspection Mistakes to Avoid
It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of buying a home. Once you’ve had an offer accepted on your dream house, you’ll probably be anxious to move in. However, before you make a significant financial commitment, it’s best to know exactly what you’re buying.

When you hire a home inspector, you get a professional, in-depth examination of the property’s structures and systems. It’s a worthwhile investment that can save you money in the long run, either by warning you away from a bad purchase or by providing a list of deficiencies you can use to negotiate with the sellers.

The inspector’s report will also list minor repairs that, if made, will help to maintain your home over the long term. Additionally, a good inspector can often predict the standard life expectancy of your roof, HVAC, and other big-ticket items so you can start planning for their eventua ...

Your Naperville Real Estate Relocation Guide: 7 Steps to a Seamless Move



Whatever your reasons are for relocating to a new area, the process can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re moving across across town or across the country, you’ll be changing more than your address. Besides a new house, you may also be searching for new jobs, schools, doctors, restaurants, stores, service providers and more.

Of course you’ll need to pack, make moving arrangements, and possibly sell your old home. With so much to do, you may be wondering: Where do I start?

In this guide, we outline seven steps to help you get prepared, get organized, and get settled in your new community. Our hope is to alleviate the hassle of relocating within or to Naperville and western suburbs — so you can focus on the exciting adventure ahead!


1. Gather Information

If you’re unfamiliar with your new area, start by doing some research.1 Look for data on average housing prices, d ...

When you purchase real estate, you are investing in your future – either as a Naperville homeowner or entrepreneur.  And as with any business deal or life change, careful consideration of your actions is necessary before proceeding with the complexity of investing in real estate. 

The first step is in knowing exactly what your options are.  Should you rent or buy stocks?  What do you hope to gain from your purchase?



The Basics of Rentals

Perhaps your single goal is to buy a home and rent it out to tenants until the mortgage is paid off and you start earning a profit.  Ideally, you would be charging tenants enough that covers all costs associated with the property, including the mortgage, so that while you are still the homeowner, your renters are responsible for making the monthly payments.  Keeping the property, then, has its advantages to you – especially if the home increases in market value.  As far as downfalls go, findi ...