Nancy Hibler, Realtor

Selling your home for the first time includes many moving parts. From staging the home to showings, it’s important to understand these moving parts and be ready when it’s time to sell. When the house for sale sign goes up, you’ve made the decision to sell and look for a new home. Buying your first home may have felt exhausting but selling this house is a little bittersweet. Are you selling your first home? Here are some tips from a trusted real estate agent , Nancy Hibler. Pricing Your Home When you are ready to list your home for sale, make sure the price of your home is accurate. Find a listing agent to help deciding on an appropriate price. A listing agent will compare other properties and give an estimate on comparative market analysis . Stay away from choosing a family member who only dabbles in real estate from time-to-time. Find an agent who has experience and sells a large number of listings, preferably listings in your neighborhood. Home Staging Prepare your hom...

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...

Whether you're downsizing, a soon-to-be empty nester, or relocating to another state, the task of selling your house can be challenging.  Although it’s a huge undertaking,  strategic and pro-active planning can help speed the process. Here are some tips to help navigate your house selling approach.    Detach.   Take your personality out of the house. While this can be painful, the sooner you decide on it the better,  giving the potential buyer an opportunity to let in their personality.     Curb Appeal.  Landscaping is the foundation to making a good impression.  You will need to mow the lawn, prune bushes, and weed. Spruce up the front with some potted plants. Prospective buyers need to have an uncluttered view of your lawn before they enter your house.     Clean up the Outside. Don’t forget about the exterior of your house and buyers first impressions.  This is a good time to rent a pressur...

You’re thinking about buying or selling a home. Eventually. But you know timing matters when it comes to such an enormous, and potentially life-changing, event. Which begs the question: When IS the best time to buy or sell a house? And does such a moment exist? If You’re Buying... The Best Month? January This is especially true if you are buying in an area with a cold, winter climate. There is less competition from other buyers during this time which leads to sellers being more motivated. However, this month holds true no matter where you’re buying due to the sheer fact that people tend to overspend during the holidays and can become financially insecure. A fact that can work in your favor as a buyer. The Best Day? The 1st Tuesday Why the first Tuesday? It makes perfect sense when explained. The seller no longer wants the home that he or she is continually writing mortgage checks to pay for. Those payments are usually due at the beginning of the month. Open...

Buying a home can be thrilling and overwhelming. If you are a first-time homebuyer, those emotions can be even more extreme. It can be difficult to know exactly what to expect and the learning curve can be steep, but most of the issues can be resolved by doing a little homework. Check your credit -  Your score is among the most important factors when it comes to qualifying for a home mortgage. You are able to obtain a free credit report every year. Take some time to review it for mistakes and be prepared to explain any unpaid debts or collection actions. Additionally, it is important to remember, that payments are not the only thing that plays into your credit score. The amount of credit you're using compared to your available credit can also be crucial in your score. Repairing damaged can take time. Begin the repair process at least six months before shopping for a home. Space versus location  – When you are a first time buyer, choosing the right home is often about c...