House-hunting can be a lot of fun for new buyers on Chicago’s North Shore, but your judgement can also quickly get away from you. It is easy to focus more on features of the home rather than costs like upkeep and utilities and buyer’s remorse can set in after you’ve signed on the dotted line.
But as your local North Shore real estate expert, it is my priority to ensure buyer’s remorse never crosses your mind! I will work with you to determine your wants versus needs as well as what is realistic for you in terms of price and home size.
In the meantime, keep in mind the following four common sources of homebuyer’s remorse, especially as you tour available properties in Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook, Lake Forest, Wilmette, Evanston, Glenview, Riverwoods, Bannockburn, and the surrounding North Shore communities:
Awkward layout
The kitchen is one of the most important areas of the home and buyers underestimate the layout all too often. Walk around the space and think about your usual cooking habits and food prep patterns. You may think that kitchen island will be a life saver, but not if it will get in the way of your routine.
Too big of a home
Moving up to a larger home on the North Shore involves more than just buying additional furniture. There are extra costs—like higher heating and cooling bills, more time spent cleaning and outfitting the extra rooms with furniture—that need to be considered in your decision. As a homebuyer, you may later regret the expense and upkeep of buying a bigger home.
Buying for the trends
If you purchase a home for the trends it has, like cement countertops or brass light fixtures, you may find it much harder to sell as styles change. In fact, your own style is subject to change and you will be faced with the expense of renovating. Look for classic, timeless features instead!
Consider what the home does not have
Both builders and the property’s current owners will remove certain features to give it a cleaner, more modern feel— but buyers may find that they miss them after they move in. A larger shower seems like a win-win until you realize you’d like to have a bathtub as well. Consider the extra costs of adding the features the home does not have and you will avoid this source of remorse.
We can work together this year to find available homes in Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook, Lake Forest, Wilmette, Evanston, Glenview, Riverwoods, Bannockburn, and the surrounding North Shore communities that best fit your needs and determine the most practical option.
Give me a call today!
Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert
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