What Stays and Goes When I Sell?Are there any items in my home I will not include in the FSBO sale?Few things upset buyers more than surprise removals. As a FSBO seller, decide early which items stay with the home and which you plan to keep. Built‑in items, like light fixtures and attached shelving, usually stay. Personal items, like furniture and decor, usually go. Gray areas include things like window treatments, mounted TVs, or special mirrors.Make a written list of exclusions, such as “Dining room chandelier does not stay” or “Washer and dryer are not included,” according to THE FSBO Manual. If something has strong sentimental value, consider removing it before photos and showings. That way buyers never expect it. Clear expectations reduce friction when you reach the offer and inspe... 01/12/2026

🌟 HEY Melanie Rybarski AND Laura Sandoval – WHAT A PERFECT WAY TO KICK OFF THE WORK WEEK! 🌟Eugenio & Brenda,🎉 Congratulations on your new investment loan! 🎉We wish you continued success and an abundance of happiness. Thank you for trusting us to guide you through this transaction.We look forward to working with you again and hope you’ll continue to think of us as your trusted mortgage advisors.💡 Questions about your mortgage or other financial services? Call us anytime! If we can’t help directly, our team of financial experts is ready to assist.And if you know friends, family, or co-workers thinking about buying or refinancing a home, we’d truly appreciate it if you passed our name along.📲 You could be next! #JustCallWilliam | 630-881-8655 12/29/2025

🌟 HEY Melanie Rybarski AND Laura Sandoval – WHAT A PERFECT WAY TO KICK OFF THE WORK WEEK! 🌟Eugenio & Brenda,🎉 Congratulations on your new investment loan! 🎉We wish you continued success and an abundance of happiness. Thank you for trusting us to guide you through this transaction.We look forward to working with you again and hope you’ll continue to think of us as your trusted mortgage advisors.💡 Questions about your mortgage or other financial services? Call us anytime! If we can’t help directly, our team of financial experts is ready to assist.And if you know friends, family, or co-workers thinking about buying or refinancing a home, we’d truly appreciate it if you passed our name along.📲 You could be next! #JustCallWilliam | 630-881-8655 12/29/2025

HEY Melanie Rybarski & Laura Sandoval — what a PERFECT way to jump-start the work week… with BRAND-NEW HOMEOWNERS!   Congrats to JAMES & ALLANA on your beautiful new CONDO!   We wish you nothing but the best and an abundance of happiness as you begin this next chapter. It was truly an honor to guide you through this transaction, and we look forward to being your trusted mortgage advisors for many years to come. Our door is always open: Have questions about your mortgage? Thinking about refinancing or planning ahead? We’re here for you — and if there’s something outside our lane, we’ve got a world-class team of financial pros ready to help. To all our friends, family, and partners: If you know anyone looking to buy, refinance, or simply get clarity in today’s market, we would truly appr... 12/15/2025

Grandpa’s Gift: How One Young Couple Finally Broke Into Homeownership With Smart Financing, FHA 203(k) Renovation Strategy, and Family SupportGrandpa had a saying he repeated so often that the entire family could recite it by heart:“Buy dirt while you’re young. They’re not making any more of it.”For years Emily and Jason brushed off the advice. They were young, working hard, and living in a modest apartment that shrank a little more every year—especially as rents kept climbing. Their friends were buying homes, and social media didn’t help. They felt stuck, like homeownership was something other people figured out.But Grandpa saw what was coming long before they did.He’d lived through market crashes, interest-rate spikes, and entire decades when homeownership meant financial stability fo... 11/14/2025

Charts are the best way to visually see what's happening in your local real estate market. Below, I've put together two charts for each village of Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth, and Northfield. I hope to get the charts for Northbrook and Glenview soon.One shows the rise in housing prices, and the second shows how inventory has dropped. WINNETKA  WILMETTE GLENCOE   KENILWORTH NORTHFIELD  See Homes for Sale WinnetkaWilmetteKenilworthGlencoeNorthfieldGlenviewHighland ParkEvanstonNorthbrook  CONDO SEARCH LINKS Winnetka Condos Townhouses Wilmette Condos Townhouses Glencoe Condos Townhouses Northfield Condos Townhouses Glenview Condos Townhouses Northbrook Condos Townhouses Evanston Condos Townhouses    Sign up to get monthly North Shore real estate news delivered to your inbox.It's free, we... 11/13/2025

What Sold in Your North Shore Village  September/October 2025? WINNETKAClick here to see all Winnetka homes or condos sold in Sept/Oct 2025All homes for sale:  25Current month's supply of home inventory:  1.42025 median price: $1,950,000See Winnetka homes for saleSee Winnetka condos for saleSee Winnetka townhouses for sale WILMETTEClick here to see all Wilmette homes or condos sold in Sept/Oct 2025All homes for sale:  44Current months supply of inventory:  1Past 12 months median price: $1,275,000See Wilmette homes for saleSee Wilmette condos for saleSee Wilmette townhouses for sale KENILWORTHKenilworth homes sold in Sept/Oct 2025All homes for sale: 14Current month's supply of inventory:  2.2Past 12 months median price: $2,010,000See Kenilworth homes for saleGLENCOE Click here to see all... 11/13/2025

Hubbard Woods Real Estate Sales  September/October 2025  3 NEW HUBBARD WOODS HOMES FOR SALE IN September/October 1350 Westmoor: $1,595,000 (under contract) 1161 Pine: $2,195,000 (under contract) 205 Scott: $2,850,000  2 NEW PRIVATE HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGSIn September/October 650 Winnetka Mews #310: $489,000 1560 Asbury: $3,299,000 (under contract)  7 CLOSED HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGS IN September/October 1340 Westmoor List price: $1,600,000 Sold price: $1,675,000 Days on market: 5 1287 Scott List price: $1,475,000 Sold price: $1,675,000 Days on market: 3 1473 Edgewood List price: $1,625,000 Sold price: $1,785,000 Days on market: 5 1560 Tower List price: $1,650,000 Sold price: $1,825,000 Days on market: 3 1503 Edgewood List price: $1,789,000 Sold price: $2,200,000 Days on market: 4 1250 Westm... 11/13/2025

Hey Melanie Rybarski & Laura Sandoval — what a perfect way to jump-start the week with brand-new homeowners, Salvatore & Patricia! 🎉Congratulations on your beautiful new home! 🏡We wish you nothing but happiness and great memories in the years ahead.Thank you for the opportunity to assist you with this transaction. It’s always a pleasure working with you, and we truly appreciate your continued trust and business.Please remember — if you ever have any questions about your mortgage or financial services of any kind, we’re just a call away. And if we can’t help directly, we have an incredible team of financial experts ready to assist.🙏 A big thank-you to Matt with Compass for your trust and support on this one!You could be next — #JustCallWilliam | 630-881-8655 11/10/2025

📸 Hey Melanie Rybarski & Laura Sandoval! What a perfect way to kick off Throwback Thursday — with a brand new homeowner! 🎉🏡 Congratulations, Sara, on your very first home!Wishing you nothing but the best and an abundance of happiness in this exciting new chapter. ❤️Thank you for the opportunity to assist you with your home financing. We look forward to working with you again and hope you’ll continue to count on us as your trusted mortgage advisors.💬 If you ever have questions about your mortgage or financial services of any kind, please don’t hesitate to call. And if we can’t help directly, our outstanding team of financial leaders can!🙏 A big thank you once again to Tina for your trust and support — it truly means the world to us.✨ You could be next!#JustCallWilliam 📲 630-881-8655 10/16/2025

What Sold in Your North Shore Village  July/August 2025?  WINNETKAClick here to see all Winnetka homes or condos sold in July/August 2025All homes for sale:  26Current month's supply of inventory:  1.52025 median price: $1,865,000See Winnetka homes for saleSee Winnetka condos for sale WILMETTEClick here to see all Wilmette homes or condos sold in July/August 2025All homes for sale:  44Current months supply of inventory:  1.1Past 12 months median price: $1,300,000See Wilmette homes for saleSee Wilmette condos for sale KENILWORTHKenilworth homes sold in July/August 2025All homes for sale: 14Current month's supply of inventory:  2.5Past 12 months median price: $1,850,000See Kenilworth homes for saleGLENCOE Click here to see all Glencoe homes and condos sold in July/August 2025All homes for... 09/11/2025

Hubbard Woods Real Estate Sales  July/August 2025  2 NEW HUBBARD WOODS HOMES FOR SALE IN July/August 1295 Sunview: $1,349,000 1370 Sunview: $2,195,000 1 NEW PRIVATE HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGSIn July/August 940 Forest Glen West: $1,300,000  5 CLOSED HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGS IN July/August 1442 Asbury List price: $935,000 Sold price: $935,000 Days on market: 34 1487 Tower List price: $829,000 Sold price: $1,075,000 Days on market: 4 812 Rosewood List price: $1,245,000 Sold price: $1,190,000 Days on market: 97 1098 Fisher List price: $2,995,000 Sold price: $2,550,000 Days on market: 81 1575 Hickory List price: $3,195,000 Sold price: $3,175,000 Days on market: 5   CURRENT HUBBARD WOODS REAL ESTATE SNAPSHOTHomes for sale: 7 (from $1050,000 to $4,250,000)Homes under contract: 4Median home price for... 09/11/2025

In some ways, what home isn't expensive nowadays? I sold my beautiful 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath home in 2019 - and now I see many lesser homes sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars more! Alas.But there's always the stratosphere of home buying that keeps us entertained. This year, seven homes sold over $5,000,000 in Winnetka, Northfield, and Glencoe, and seven homes over $2,500,000 in Glenview and Northbrook. WINNETKA - GLENCOE - NORTHFIELD 225 Old Farm, Northfield List price: $4,750,000 Sold price: $5,000,000 Days on market: 14   675 Blackthorn, Winnetka List price: $4,999,999 Sold price: $5,157,000 Days on market: 1 671 Lincoln, Winnetka (Home Alone House) List price: 5,250,000 Sold price: $5,500,000 Days on market: 7   585 Longwood, Glencoe List price: $8,775,000 Sold price: $7,100,000 ... 07/17/2025

What Sold in Your North Shore Village  May/June 2025?  WINNETKAClick here to see all Winnetka homes or condos sold in May/June2025All homes for sale:  26Current month's supply of inventory:  1.52025 median price: $1,725,000See Winnetka homes for saleSee Winnetka condos for saleSee Winnetka townhouses for sale WILMETTEClick here to see all Wilmette homes or condos sold in May/June2025All homes for sale:  44Current months supply of inventory:  1.1Past 12 months median price: $1,275,000See Wilmette homes for saleSee Wilmette condos for saleSee Wilmette townhouses for sale KENILWORTHKenilworth homes sold in May/June 2025All homes for sale: 14Current month's supply of inventory:  2.5Past 12 months median price: $1,775,000See Kenilworth homes for saleGLENCOE Click here to see all Glencoe home... 07/14/2025

Hubbard Woods Real Estate Sales  May/June 2025  6 NEW HUBBARD WOODS HOMES FOR SALE IN May/June 1487 Tower: $829,000 (under contract) 1442 Asbury: $935,000 (under contract) 1492 Asbury: $1,150,000 1288 Sunview: $1,195,000 1423 Asbury: $2,499,000 1098 Fisher: $2,799,000  NO NEW PRIVATE HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGSIn May/June 16 CLOSED HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGS IN May/June 154 Glenwood List price: $899,000 Sold price: $899,000 Days on market: $5 791 Walden List price: 1,075,000 Sold price: $1,200,000 Days on market: 3 1413 Tower List price: $1,199,000 Sold price: $1,381,000 1338 Sunview List price: 1,599,000 Sold price: $1,600,000 Days on market: 4 938 Old Green Bay List price: 1,639,000 Sold price: $1,650,000 Days on market: 7 1149 Scott List price: 1,650,000 Sold price: $1,685,000 Days on market:... 07/08/2025

I live in Evanston, which is the first suburb north of Chicago, IL, in an area known in our region as 'Greater Chicagoland'.  The entire area that surrounds Chicago (also known as the 'collar counties' that surround Chicago's "Cook County").I don't know of any other community that speaks of itself in such terms.  We don't talk about New Yorkland, or San Franciscoland.  Houstonland, People who live in distant communities such as Naperville, which is over 30 miles from Chicago proper, calls itself a part of Chicagoland.  When traveling out of state, and people ask where we're from, we don't automatically say we're from Skokie, or Cicero... we say Chicago... with a modicum of pride.According to TimeOut magazine, Chicago was voted as one of the top best cities in the world (#11).  I know, I... 06/03/2025

What Sold in Your North Shore Village in March and April 2025? During the last two months, inventory has increased in all North Shore communities except Glencoe, where it stayed the same. This is normal since the spring market was gearing up at that time. As usual for this market, most homes sell fast for top dollar. However, of the total for sale in each village, approximately half have been on the market for over 30 days. And that's a big change.WINNETKAClick here to see all Winnetka homes or condos sold in March/April 2025All homes for sale:  36Current month's supply of inventory:  1.72025 median price: $1,795,000See Winnetka homes for saleSee Winnetka condos for saleSee Winnetka townhouses for sale WILMETTEClick here to see all Wilmette homes or condos sold in March/April 2025All ho... 05/16/2025

Hubbard Woods Real Estate Sales  March/April 2025  9 NEW HUBBARD WOODS HOMES FOR SALE IN March/April   1413 Tower: $1,199,000 (under contract) 815 Rosewood: $1,499,000(under contract)   251 Scott: $1,599,000 (under contract) 1149 Scott: $1,650,000 (under contract) 1170 Oakley: $2,195,000 (under contract)   1065 Fisher: $2,450,000 1250 Westmoor: $2,900,000 1575 Hickory: $3,195,000 (under contract) 977 Sheridan: $4,500,000  4 NEW PRIVATE HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGSIN March/April 154 Glenwood: $899,000 812 Rosewood: $1,200,000 1098 Fisher: $2,995,000 675 Blackthorn: $4,999,000  5 CLOSED HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGS IN March/April 1066 Tower List price: $959,000 Sold price: $975,000 Days on market: 12 312 Rosewood List price: $1,496,000 Sold price: $1,725,000 Days on market: 5 1344 Edgewood List price... 05/16/2025

It's truly been an interesting week in the world, and definitely in Chicago.  We learned with a puff of smoke that the world had a new Pope, and not only that, but for the very first time he is from the United States.He is not, as is being widely reported, the first American, as Francis was from Argentina (which is also American... south American to be precise).  I know, I know... we from the U.S. like to call our selves Americans, but we aren't the only inhabitants of America.But those of us in the greater Chicagoland area learned that Pope Leo XIV is also from our area.  He's not technically from Chicago, he's from a nearby suburb (Naperville), but as many in our area who are from nearby, we claim Chicago as our hometown.And better yet, we learned that The Pope, when he was young, ac... 05/09/2025

Bring Warmth Home with Pantone's Color of the Year: Mocha Mousse  When Pantone selected Mocha Mousse as its 2025 Color of the Year, it reinforced a growing trend in both fashion and interior design – one that emphasizes warmth and quiet luxury. The color institute notes that Mocha Mousse is a rich brown hue that answers “our desire for comfort.” True to its name, the shade evokes an indulgent chocolate mousse that you might enjoy while curled up on the couch in front of a fire. Beyond its cozy appeal, Mocha Mousse highlights a return to basics – a soft, grounding presence in a fast-paced era dominated by technology. “Mocha Mousse reflects our longing to connect with nature, infusing warmth into our spaces while fostering a calm and soothing ambiance,” said Clara Kim, co-founder and crea... 03/13/2025