Frances Convery, Realtor - Coldwell Banker Realty - IL NW office

11/09/2023

02/25/2023

Happy Birthday to Mr. Tom Skilling, WGN-TV employee and noted weather enthusiast.

12/03/2021

A Checklist for Selling Your House This Winter [INFOGRAPHIC]

If you’re planning to sell your house this winter, you’ll want it to look its best inside and out. Take the time and focus on tasks that make it inviting, show it’s cared for, and boost your curb appeal. DM me today so you can have an expert opinion on what to focus on, so it shows well and catches buyers’ eyes.

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Some Highlights If you’re planning to sell your house this winter, you’ll want it to look its best inside and out. Take the time and focus on tasks that make it inviting, show it’s cared for, and boost your curb appeal. Let’s connect so you have an expert opinion on what to focus on, so it s...

12/02/2021

Tips for Single Homebuyers: How To Make Your Dream a Reality

If you’re living on your own and looking to buy a home, know that you can make your dream a reality with thoughtful planning and the right team of experts. If you fall into this category, here are three tips to help you achieve your homeownership goals.

>>Know Your Credit Score
When you buy a home on your own, you have to qualify for your loan based solely on your own finances and credit history. If you’re not sure if it’s strong enough or where to focus your energy to improve it, meet with a professional for expert advice on your individual situation.

>>Explore Down Payment Options
Next, look into down payment programs so you can get a feel for what you’ll need to save to buy a home. Rob Chrane of Down Payment Resource, explains, “Buyers should discuss their program options with their loan officer and real estate agent to make sure they choose the...

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If you’re living on your own and looking to buy a home, know that you can make your dream a reality with thoughtful planning and the right team of experts. Research from Freddie Mac shows 28% of all households (36.1 million) are sole-person, and that number is growing. Over the past 40 years, the ...

12/01/2021

How To Think Strategically as a Buyer in Today’s Market

The homebuying process requires strategy and planning. Here are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your plan is as strong as possible when you begin your home search.

>>Pre-Approval: the Best Opening Play To Make as a Homebuyer
It’s important to have a great opening play when you’re buying a home. And the best move you can make when you begin your home search is getting pre-approved by a lender. As Freddie Mac puts it, “The pre-approval letter from your lender tells you the maximum amount you are qualified to borrow.”
And while determining how much you can afford at the start of your search is critical, the pre-approval letter also serves another important purpose. Freddie Mac also notes, “This pre-approval allows you to look for a home with greater confidence and demonstrates to the seller that you are a serious buyer.”
As a homebuyer, your...

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The game of chess can provide incredible lessons to apply to all aspects of life, including the homebuying process. Chess requires you to plan and think about your strategy from the very beginning of the game.

11/30/2021

Home Is Where the Heart Is More than Ever This Year

According to the 2021 State of the American Homeowner report by Unison, “Last year, staying home became a necessity and that caused many homeowners to have renewed gratitude for the roof over their head.”

As a nation, we continue to work through the challenges of a pandemic that’s pushed us all to new limits. Over the past year and a half, we’ve spent more time than ever at home: working, eating, schooling, exercising, and more. The world around us changed almost overnight, and our homes were redefined. Our needs shifted, and our shelters became a place that protected us on a whole new level. The same study from Unison notes:

>>91% of homeowners say they feel secure, stable, or successful owning a home
>>64% of American homeowners say living through a pandemic has made their home more important to them than ever
>>83% of homeowners say their home has kept them safe...

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There’s no denying the financial benefits of homeownership, but what’s often overlooked are the feelings of gratitude, security, pride, and comfort we get from owning a home. This year, those emotions are stronger than ever. We’ve lived through a time that has truly changed our needs and who w...

11/29/2021

Why Now Is a Great Time To Sell Your House

As we near the end of the year, more homeowners are realizing the benefits of today’s sellers’ market. Record-breaking home price appreciation, growing equity, low inventory, and competitive mortgage rates are motivating homeowners to make a move that addresses their changing lifestyles. In fact, recent data from realtor.com shows a larger share of homeowners are planning to list their houses this winter. So, that means more homes are about to hit the market, which will lead to more choices for buyers too.

According to George Ratiu, Manager of Economic Research at realtor.com: "The pandemic has delayed plans for many Americans, and homeowners looking to move on to the next stage of life are no exception. Recent survey data suggests the majority of prospective sellers are actively preparing to enter the market this winter."

If you’re thinking of waiting until the spring to...

Message me to buy/sell a home.

As we near the end of the year, more homeowners are realizing the benefits of today’s sellers’ market. Record-breaking home price appreciation, growing equity, low inventory, and competitive mortgage rates are motivating homeowners to make a move that addresses their changing lifestyles.

11/26/2021

Reasons To Hire a Real Estate Professional [INFOGRAPHIC]

Whether you’re buying or selling, there are many perks that come from working with a real estate advisor. Real estate professionals are experts at navigating all aspects of the buying and selling process, including negotiating on your behalf. We can also explain today’s market and break down what it means for you. Don’t go at it alone. Let’s connect today so you have advice and an expert to count on each step of the way.

Message me to buy/sell a home.

Some Highlights Whether you’re buying or selling, there are many perks that come from working with a real estate advisor. Real estate professionals are experts at navigating all aspects of the buying and selling process, including negotiating on your behalf. We can also explain today’s market an...

11/25/2021

Thank You for Your Support

Thank you for your support.

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11/24/2021

How Smart Buyers Are Approaching Rising Mortgage Rates

Last week, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate from Freddie Mac inched up to 3.1%, and experts project rates will continue rising through 2022. If you’re thinking of buying a home, here are a few things to keep in mind so you can succeed even as mortgage rates rise.

>>Taking Time Off Can Be Costly
Mortgage rates play a significant role in your home search. As rates go up, your monthly mortgage payment increases if you’re buying a home, directly affecting how much you can afford. And even the smallest increase can have a large impact on your monthly payment. With mortgage rates on the rise, you’ve likely seen your purchasing power impacted already. Instead of waiting and hoping rates will fall, today’s rates should motivate you to purchase now before rates increase more.

>>Smart Buyers Can Succeed by Planning Ahead
You can use your newfound motivation to...

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Last week, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate from Freddie Mac inched up to 3.1%, and experts project rates will continue rising through 2022:

11/23/2021

Don't Believe Everything You Read: The Truth Many Headlines Overlook

There are a lot of questions right now regarding the real estate market as we head into 2022. Here are two recent topics you may have seen in the news.

>>Foreclosures Are Spiking Today
There are a number of headlines circulating that call out the rising foreclosures in today’s real estate market. They emphasize that we’re seeing far more foreclosures this year compared to last. That seems rather daunting. Though it’s true foreclosures have been up over the 2020 numbers, there were virtually no foreclosures last year because of the forbearance plan. If we compare this September to September of 2019 (the last normal year), foreclosures were down 70% according to ATTOM.

>>Rising Mortgage Rates Will Slow the Housing Market
Another topic that’s generating frequent headlines is the rise in mortgage rates. Some people are expressing concern that rising...

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There are a lot of questions right now regarding the real estate market as we head into 2022. The forbearance program is coming to an end and mortgage rates are beginning to rise.