StartingPoint Realty Blog

Home Inspection Tips for Chicago Home Buyers

Home Inspection Tips for Chicago Home Buyers

When Chicago area homes are selling fast, buyers may feel pressured to skip the home inspection. This is not a good idea! Waiving a home inspection leaves you vulnerable to potential hazards and expensive repairs. And while home sellers are required to supply a...

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It’s Already Spring for Chicago Home Sales

It’s Already Spring for Chicago Home Sales

The groundhog was right! We're having an early spring in Chicago, no matter what the temperature is outside. Chicago area real estate began heating up in January, with early-bird home buyers looking to beat the spring rush. Last month, Chicago homes for sale spent an...

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Chicago Area Real Estate Forecast for 2024

Chicago Area Real Estate Forecast for 2024

What does the future hold for Chicago area home buyers and sellers? We have some educated predictions for you!  First, we need to talk about the variables. In March 2024, Chicago voters will decide if the city's real estate transfer tax will be changed. A...

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Chicago Home Prices Bolstered by Lack of Listings

Chicago Home Prices Bolstered by Lack of Listings

The dynamics of supply and demand continue to pressure Chicago home buyers. The latest data from Illinois REALTORS© shows statewide home inventory down by 28.5% during September, when compared to September 2022. The short supply of homes for sale has fueled higher...

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Chicago Home Buyers Shrug Off Higher Interest Rates

Chicago Home Buyers Shrug Off Higher Interest Rates

Mortgage interest rates have hovered above 7 percent for the last few weeks. Despite interest rates being at the highest levels in 20 years, Chicago home buyers are snapping up properties at a brisk pace. Between July 2023 and August 2023, Chicago homes averaged just...

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How to Make a Compelling Offer on a Chicago Home

How to Make a Compelling Offer on a Chicago Home

Home buyers in Chicago continue to deal with competition in the market. Here are quick tips to make your purchase offer stand above the rest! 1. Get a mortgage pre-approval from a local, reliable mortgage company with a good reputation for closing on time.  2....

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Chicago Home Inventory Dives, Prices Rise

Chicago Home Inventory Dives, Prices Rise

If you’re a Chicago home buyer, this market is déjà vu all over again. There are relatively few homes for sale and home prices are rising. Chicago’s June home inventory was 24.8% lower than June 2022, with new listings down about one-third from a year ago. As of...

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Buydowns Offer Rate Relief for Chicago Home Buyers

Buydowns Offer Rate Relief for Chicago Home Buyers

If you've never heard of a mortgage buydown, it's worth learning about! A mortgage buydown reduces your financing costs by temporarily lowering the interest rate. This perk may be offered by Chicago area home builders, or other sellers, as a purchase incentive....

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Home Prices Keep Pressure on Chicago Area Buyers

Home Prices Keep Pressure on Chicago Area Buyers

Bidding wars are back in popular neighborhoods as Chicago area home buyers compete for limited inventory. Available housing inventory in February 2023 totaled 17,684 homes for sale, representing a drop of 11.4% from February 2022. As of March 2023, home inventory...

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Avoid Price Regrets when Selling Your Chicago Home

Avoid Price Regrets when Selling Your Chicago Home

We often talk about avoiding buyer's remorse, but home sellers can feel regrets, too! In both cases, feeling post-transaction remorse can involve a lack of information, or a rushed decision. However, there are certain regrets that surround the home sales price itself....

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