July often marks an annual peak in real estate activity. In normal times, July can see increased inventory and buyer demand. In today's challenging market, you need an experienced Advisor to guide you through the season. |
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| I'm licensed in Indiana! I can now assist you with sales, purchases, or rentals in Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana. |
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Getting Your Backyard Ready for Entertaining…and Impressing Would-Be Homebuyers |
Long or holiday weekends in the summer are the perfect time to relax, gather with friends and family, and enjoy the outdoors in your backyard. Savvy homeowners also know they present a golden opportunity to showcase the backyard as a prime entertaining space that can help sell a home.
Homebuyers aren’t just shopping for a house — they’re envisioning a lifestyle. And nothing captures the imagination quite like a beautifully staged outdoor space ready for barbecues, casual get-togethers, and summer celebrations. Here’s how home sellers can transform their backyards into irresistible showpieces that shine during summer’s long weekends and beyond for guests and would-be homebuyers.
Start With a Clean Slate • Before the fun begins, make sure the backyard is clean and clutter-free. • Mow the lawn, edge borders, and trim hedges and trees. • Power wash patios, decks, walkways, fences, and siding. • Remove personal items, toys, yard tools, and seasonal clutter. • Freshen up outdoor furniture with new cushions, throws, or a coat of paint. • Clean and repair outdoor structures such as pergolas, gazebos, or garden sheds. • A tidy, well-maintained yard creates a strong first impression and sets the stage for everything else. |
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Want to read more about Booker Group's house flips? |
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Flip No. 9! 250 Ridge, Evanston, IL |
Another Evanston condo! This third-floor condo renovation consisted of replacing the floors, gutting the bathroom to install new tile, tub, toilet and vanity, painting, new closet doors, a new electrical panel, and a brand-new kitchen, including appliances, cabinets and counter tops. The best thing we did in the kitchen was open the wall between the kitchen and the dining room/living room, giving the kitchen a view across the space to the glass doors of the balcony.
Issues: During the initial demolition phase, workers used the balcony to toss discarded materials to their truck below, in the parking lot (a big no-no!) This resulted in a cracked window of the neighbor right below our unit. Fortunately, this owner could not have been more gracious. We quickly arranged a professional repair (at the demolition crew's expense). In the process, we gained an advocate inside the building. The next issue arose during the installation of the new electrical panel. When the kitchen wall was opened, workers quickly determined there was a water leak coming from above. Fixing this issue required the HOA management company, which had to hire its own plumbers and access both units above ours. The process dragged on for weeks. During the delay, the container ship transporting our custom-order, eight-foot closet doors turned back, while the United States and China argued about tariffs.
Lesson learned: Even if being quick and responsive to problems like a neighbor's cracked window is a core value (it is for us!), external events like a building water leak or a trade war can delay and add costs to your project. This is why we always add extra time and money in our budgets. |
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F E A T U R E D P R O P E R T I E S |
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$395,000
4 Beds - 3 Baths - 3,774 SqFt 140 Pheasant Run
Chesterton, IN 46304 |
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2250 Dayton Unit 3,
Chicago, IL 60614 & 2250 Dayton Unit 2
Chicago, IL 60614 |
| 1702 Dempster St., #1
Evanston, IL 60202
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| 9155 Lakeshore Dr., Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158 |
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Franklin, WI Represented buyer |
| St. John, IN Represented buyer |
| Evanston, IL Represented Seller |
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Did you miss last months newsletter? |
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Engel & Völkers - Chicago North Shore 566 Chestnut Street 2nd Floor I Winnetka I IL 60093 224-420-0040 - Ellis 847.418.7318 - Erin
erin.booker@evrealestate.com I erinbooker.evrealestate.com |
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