StartingPoint Realty Blog
Chicago Home Buyers, Shop by Payment – Not Price!
Chicago area home buyers are used to shopping by home price, but the current mortgage rate environment calls for new thinking. In just a few months, mortgage interest rates moved from the mid-three percent range to over five percent. While rates are still cheap by...
Where are Chicago Home Prices Heading?
Now that interest rates are rising, there are predictions about a slowdown in Chicago home prices. Here are things Chicago home buyers and sellers should know! As of February 2022, Chicago area home prices increased 10% on a year-over-year basis, according to...
Chicago Area Homes Selling Fast in 2022
Chicago home buyers who were hoping for an easier market in 2022 aren't seeing it yet. Typically, January ushers in a batch of fresh listings, which are viewed by eager buyers looking for a head start on the spring market. But as the weeks roll by, there hasn't been a...
Will Rising Interest Rates Slow the Chicago Real Estate Market?
Mortgage interest rates began to climb in early 2022, and higher rates are in store for Chicago home buyers in the months ahead. Will higher rates mean a slowdown in Chicago's real estate market? Before we answer that, let's get a quick dose of perspective. As of...
Chicago Area Home Buyers Should Focus on the Basics
Ever go into a grocery store for three things, and walk out with bags full of stuff that wasn't on your list? We've all done it. It's easy to get distracted, despite knowing exactly what you needed when you began the trip. When it comes to buying a Chicago...
StartingPoint Realty Receives Torch Award for Ethics from Better Business Bureau of Chicago
StartingPoint Realty, a client-focused, educational real estate brokerage serving Chicago and the suburbs, has been presented with the Torch Award for Ethics by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Chicago and Northern Illinois. StartingPoint Realty was just one of...
Making a Standout Offer on a Chicago Home
During your Chicago home search, you'll probably face some competition for certain properties. Here's how to make a standout offer and be memorable to sellers! 1. If you aren't paying cash, Conventional financing is the next best thing. Conventional mortgages...
Attached Homes are Trending with Chicagoland Home Buyers
Chicago area townhomes and condos are hip and trendy once again! September data from the Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS® shows an 11% increase in attached home prices on a year-over-year basis. Contract activity for attached homes increased 5.1% from September...
Chicago Home Buyers Lose Urgency and Get Picky
The Chicago real estate market can change as fast as the weather. During August, detached, single-family homes were selling at a good clip, averaging just 21 days on the market. Then a funny thing happened. September rolled around, and Chicago home buyers seemed to greet new inventory with a collective “meh.”
Paying Down Debt Boosts Your Chicago Homebuying Power
Your Chicago home buying power involves four main things: your income, your down payment, your credit score and your outstanding debt. Even if your debt load is well-managed, it can reduce your home buying power. As far as mortgage lenders are concerned, the more...
Financing Repairs and Upgrades for Your Chicago Home
If you're buying a Chicago home that needs some work, or making upgrades on a Chicago home you wish to sell, there are several ways to finance the improvements. Here's a look at your options! Chicago area home buyers, let's start with you! If you are buying a...
What Chicago Homeowners Should Know About Equity
If home sale prices are rising, how can so many homeowners have negative equity?
Will Chicago Home Prices Continue Double-Digit Gains?
Chicago's spring real estate market was hot! Hot enough that April median home prices increased 10.2% compared to April 2020. Homes in the city of Chicago spent an average of 74 days on market, meaning homes sold about 8.6% faster than last year. With the median sales...
Considerations for Finding a Happy Chicago Home
Finding the right place to call home during your Chicago home search can be tricky. The pickings can be slim in your price range, and the fast pace of the market requires quick decisions.