01 Jul 2024
7 Weekend Projects to Boost Your Property Value
Whether you’re putting your home on the market in a few weeks or a few years, strategic upgrades can make all the difference. But you don’t have to embark on a major remodel to...
Every house has stories to tell: stories of quests and homecomings; of romance, love, and loss; of hilarity and grief. Stories of first steps, spilled sauce, lost socks, slammed doors, carved turkeys, binge-watching...I help clients find the cover that best binds their unique stories – whether that’s the opening chapter or the next installment in the story of their lives. My business cards say I’m an agent. But when you get right down to it, I’m much more—I’m a marketer, a connector, a facilitator, a negotiator, a referrer, a last-minute problem solver. I believe that we don’t buy and sell homes the way we do other "stuff." Not only will your residence be your biggest financial transaction, whether buying or selling, it will be the one with the most resonance. As a buyer, you may start your house search based on location and features. But you will choose your home based on emotion, "gut feel" and that sense of belonging. My role is to connect you with the right house, a home where you will inscribe your life. I have intimate knowledge of the neighborhoods where I work, which could range from knowing a certain block has had flooding issues, or has great block parties, or is built on a former contamination site, or across from a business with known noise issues, or is in a sought-after school attendance boundary. I don't want you to only feel okay about the house on which you make an offer, I want you to fall in love with it! As a seller, you need to complete the difficult process of ending the relationship with the space where the most intimate moments of your family’s life have occurred. My job is to guide you through this process, so that your home becomes a product, and is shown to its best advantage among like products in its neighborhood. I will bring to bear a full suite of robust marketing tools so that your product will catch buyers' eyes, and entice them to make an appointment, and then submit an offer as your property clearly showed as the one they love best! Whether you're a buyer or a seller, I will use my top-notch negotiation skills to get you your desired financial position with as little drama as necessary. As the situation warrants, I will be patient and polite but sometimes pointed; understanding but firm; assertive but never adversarial; and always, always keep my eye on the goal: getting you to the closing table on time. To do that, I develop congenial relationships with other local agents, with lenders and stagers, inspectors and attorneys and everyone else who will help make your transaction a success story. Will you and I click? Here's some fun facts to help you decide. I used to teach kindergarten and first grade; I’m creative, great at multi-tasking, and dealing with tantrums. I compete in trivia tournaments; I’m detail-oriented and enjoy solving puzzles. I am a huge reader; I know where to find resources. I love holidays and throw awesome parties. I know just about every line in "The Wizard of Oz", "It's a Wonderful Life", and most "I Love Lucy" episodes. I’ll even bake you a pie when we close. Will I be the right Realtor for you? I don’t know until you tell me what you’re looking for. Contact me at deborahsellsoakpark4U@gmail.com, whether you want to begin your first draft or next chapter.
01 Jul 2024
Whether you’re putting your home on the market in a few weeks or a few years, strategic upgrades can make all the difference. But you don’t have to embark on a major remodel to...
01 Jun 2024
Last December, when the Federal Reserve projected a series of benchmark rate cuts in the coming year, some analysts speculated that mortgage rates—which had recently peaked near 8%—would fall closer to 6% by mid-2024.1,2,3...
01 May 2024
The peak moving season is upon us. In fact, according to Move.com, almost 70% of U.S. moves occur between May and September.1 And while the percentage of Americans who move each year has declined,...
02 Apr 2024
From wildfires to floods, the past few years have brought a historic number of devastating climate and weather events to the United States. In 2023 alone, there were 28 individual weather-related disasters that caused...
01 Mar 2024
When you’ve lived somewhere for many years, it can be tough to say goodbye. But if you (or a loved one) currently have a home that is bigger than necessary or is too high...
31 Jan 2024
One of the best parts of owning a home is the freedom to make it truly your own with design choices that reflect your personality and lifestyle. Whether you lean toward contemporary design or...
01 Jan 2024
A growing share of home buyers and sellers sat on the sidelines last year as the pace of home sales continued its downward trajectory.1 In fact, since the Federal Reserve began its series of...
01 Dec 2023
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. But for many families with festive plans and hectic schedules, it’s also the most wasteful. According to one survey, for example, 60% of respondents admitted to...
01 Nov 2023
Buying a new home is one of the most exciting experiences in life. And if you’re like most homebuyers, you’ll be planning your furniture placement and decor before the ink dries on your offer...
29 Sep 2023
If the thought of investing your money into brick and mortar—or perhaps some stylishly-painted siding—excites you, join the club. Investing in real estate has long been one of Americans’ favorite ways to grow their...
Sold | 2 BR | 1.1 BA | 1,289 sqft
Check out 845 Forest Ave Oak Park IL 60302! The happy new owners moved-up from a condo to this northwest Oak Park charmer! They fell in love with its hardwood floors, stained glass windows and...
Sold | 4 BR | 2 BA | sqft
This very cool Mid-Century Modern 2-flat with gorgeous updated kitchens sold in only 2 days with multiple offers; as a result seller got $10,000 above list! Buyers loved the huge basement and shady fenced...