Nancy Hibler, Realtor

When you’re trying to sell a home that hasn’t had any offers or there hasn’t been any movement, it can be a stressful situation. The pressure can feel desperate, particularly if you have already purchased another house or are currently living out of state. If you have not yet found a buyer, it is important to take a step back and access exactly why your house isn’t selling.  Consider the market. Does the current market favor buyers or sellers? Talk to your agent to about the median number of days on the market in your neighborhood for comparable homes.  Adjust your expectations. You might think your house is a great deal but now is the time to look objectively at your house situation. How does your house stand up to the comparables in the area? It is crucial that, as a homeowner, you are honest in your assessment. Sometimes vanity or pride can end up costing you money.  Rethink the price. Beyond the housing market temperature, the most likely reason for th...

When it comes to the housing market, numbers can be confusing, which is why your trusted REALTOR ® , Nancy Hibler of Karges Realty, is here to help you understand what 2017 looked like, and what you can expect in 2018. What We Saw in 2017 Illinois ended the year on a positive note, ending in positive marks in both sales and median prices. However, the problem we saw all too often was the market being affected by the lack of available inventory. December 2017 home sales showed a slight decrease from the year before, going from 11,803 in December 2016, to 11,488 in December 2017, a 2.7% drop. Even though the amount of sales slightly dropped, the statewide median home price ticked upward, going from $174,000 in December 2016, to  $185,000 in December 2017. This median is a typical market price where half the home sold for more and half sold for less. “The Illinois housing market posted a solid performance in 2017,” said Matt Difanis, ABR, CIPS, GRI, president of Illinois RE...