Jake Kubota, Real Estate Broker at Real Broker, LLC

04/17/2024

🏡✨ Spring season is here! ✨🏡 We’ve been working hard all winter and are excited to showcase our recent successes and a sneak peek of what’s coming! Swipe through to catch the vibe of each unique property.

1️⃣ Evanston Triple Threat: Navigated an off-market deal for a 3-unit building, facilitating a smooth 1031 exchange for the seller. This marks our largest sale yet! 🚀

2️⃣ Barrington Beauty: First in line, first offer accepted! Assisted our buyers in snapping up this charming single-family home right when it hit the market. Quick actions, lasting impressions. 🏠💨

3️⃣ Schaumburg Stunner: Our renovation prowess shone bright with this condo! Multiple offers and sold above asking – a testament to our market mastery and renovation skills. 🛠️📈

🔜 Up Next – Chicago Revival: Get ready for a transformation! We’re about to overhaul a condo, modernizing it to 2024 standards. From dated to dazzling! 🌟🛋️ (Slide 4 for the ‘before’ sneak peek!)

💼 Whether it’s maximizing property value or securing dream homes, we bring creativity and market insight to every deal.

🤔💬 We’d love to hear from you! Which property transformation are you most excited about? Comment below!

🔗 Don’t forget to hit the follow for more behind-the-scenes magic and market insights!

03/21/2024

Check out our most recent project: 70 Holmes Way , Schaumburg, Illinois 60193.
A 2 bed 2 bath condo in Schaumburg that was just renovated. New full kitchen, 2 full new bathrooms, new flooring throughout, fresh paint, and much more!
Listed at $270,000, this one will go quick!
Contact myself or Jordan Baker to set up a showing. A colleague of ours will also be hosting an open house this Sunday 12-2. Click the link below to see more photos.

Jake Kubota | Jordan Baker

10/02/2023

Addison, you've been good to us! 🏡💰 Another success story in the books: We just sold a stunning single-family home in Addison after multiple offers and our sellers walked away with $15,000 more than what we listed it for! 🙌
Let us help you make your real estate dreams a reality!
🏠✨

08/08/2023

Flip is live! Go check it out

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/6880-W-Touhy-Ave-APT-D-Niles-IL-60714/3551290_zpid/?utm_campaign=iosappmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare

02/01/2022

Testimonial Tuesday! Since their lease starts today I thought now would be a great time to post this review I got from my client Janet.

Working with out of state clients can be tricky but with proper communication and expectations set, we were able to make this happen. They were originally interested in another unit, but the timeline wasn’t ideal, so we were able to find a different unit that had more space. Most importantly, the unit is within the same building as their son, to be close to a newborn and help out. Overall this was a great situation and clients left happy 👍🏻

As always, if you are looking for a home in or near Chicago, feel free to contact me to get more insight into a certain market or neighborhood!

01/31/2022

Market Update Monday!

This week I want to focus on: Renting vs buying.

When it comes to this topic there are plenty of variables to consider. I’ve had a few friends and clients reach out to me recently about the pros and cons of each, so I figured I’d turn this into a post for anyone else in a similar situation.

Renting pros - The pros to renting are you are less committed and can pickup and move much more easily. You get to maintain a certain level of flexibility. Less general upkeep and (if you get a nice landlord) mainly utilities/ living expenses are included in your rent.
Renting cons- If you plan on staying in the area for a while, you aren’t really investing that money, it’s just going to your landlord. You don’t build any equity. No tax breaks, homeownership has plenty of tax advantages you can take advantage of. Less control of your space (landlord may say no pets, installing certain items, etc.)

Buying pros - You get to build equity in a property. It’s almost like an automatic savings or investment account, that money will automatically go toward the home every month. Tax advantages (both credits & deductions). You’re the boss of your own property, you can do what you want within reason to remodel, etc.

Buying cons - One of the bigger cons especially for young adults is the added responsibility. You are now in charge of an entire home, which comes with more responsibilities. It’s harder to move, if you change jobs or something. More financial risk involved. Needing to put down payment money, closing costs, etc.

Overall, there is plenty to consider. Home prices and mortgage rates are rising, but rent prices have gone up significantly in the past year or so as well. It’s important to look at the full picture and speak with a professional to help determine your best solution.

As always, if you are looking for a home in or near Chicago, feel free to contact me to get more insight into a certain market or neighborhood!

01/18/2022

Market Update Monday POST

Market Update Monday!

This week I want to focus on: The path the homeownership.

Homeownership has been considered the American Dream for quite some time. Owning a home is a personal goal for many. Our home provides safety and security, and it’s a place where we can grow and flourish.

1- Where to start: Decide on key factors such as how long you plan on living in the area, how much space you need (now and in the future), what kind of commute you’re comfortable with, and most importantly, how much you can spend.

Then you’d want to apply for a mortgage. Your lender can review your financial situation, credit, etc to determine what you can afford and get approved for. According to Freddie Mac: “Most lenders suggest that you should spend no more than 28% of your monthly gross (per-tax) income on your mortgage payment, including principal, interest, taxes, and insurance.”

2- How to save enough for a down payment:
This may seem like the daunting part for many. One idea is to making saving automatic. For example, you can arrange for your company to send a portion of each check/direct deposit directly to a savings account for the down payment. This way you don’t have to think or do anything, it just automatically accumulates. Side note: you may not need as much for a down payment as you think!

3- How to reach your financial goals:
Stick to a budget. Find ways to reduce overall monthly spend. Be consistent, don’t have 4 good weeks all to be ruined by one bad week. Use tools, apps, worksheets, etc. Whatever helps you best. It’s important to have a full idea of your financial situation and you have to take action to make any changes.

As always, if you are looking for a home in or near Chicago, feel free to contact me to get more insight into a certain market or neighborhood!

01/05/2022

Lease Signed!

My clients Kaily & Danny both work full time downtown, and wanted a 2nd bedroom for additional space and remote work. I was able to find them a stunning condo at 60 E Monroe, The Legacy, a building with plenty of amenities and gorgeous views of the skyline (especially at night), Lake, and Millennium Park from the 46th floor. The unit was upgraded with walnut hardwood floors, Bosch and Sub-Zero appliances, and high end finishes throughout. The building features an indoor pool, whirlpool bath, steam room, fitness center, dog run, dry cleaning, two party rooms, and 3 outdoor terraces on 15, 42, &60th floors! Very pleased with how this one turned out and I know they will enjoy the space for the duration they are there.

To anyone reading this, if you are in the market for an apartment, contact me! I can help you find a space you will be throughly pleased with.

12/16/2021

Lease Signed!

My clients Janet & Dan own a home in NJ but are selling and moving to Chicago to be closer to family (especially a newborn!). They were looking for something with a good amount of space, but also wanted to be close to her son to be able to babysit and spend time together. I was able to help her find a beautiful condo in an excellent building and location & it just so happens to be the same building her son lives in! Given that they were out of state, we had to do showings virtually and her son attended, but overall the process was very smooth and worked out well.

To anyone reading this, if you are in the market for an apartment, contact me! I can help you find a space you will be throughly pleased with.

12/09/2021

Just wanted to say THANK YOU to all of my clients, family, and friends who’ve been so supportive throughout this process for me. Been a wild year for many reasons. Lots of ups and downs, but throughout it all I’ve managed to keep my head high and keep working and helping my clients. This year has taught me more about myself than I’ve ever imagined, but that just gets me even more excited about what 2022 has in store for me. I encourage everyone to take a moment to appreciate all they have in their life, reach out to loved ones, and always continue to strive for more. Here’s to a first 8 months in real estate and many more to come!

12/07/2021

Market Update Monday!

This week I want to focus on: Being strategic as a buyer.

We’ve seen lower inventory and a sellers market for quite some time. Being strategic as a buyer is extremely important these days to get your offer accepted, especially when in multiple offer situations.

The best first step? Getting a pre-approval. This allows you to determine the maximum amount your lender is willing to lend you, and get a better financial picture as to what you can afford and what price range you should be looking at.

Mortgage rates are still low (for now), prices are going up, and there is a limited supply of homes for sale. Leaning on an expert to help guide and plan each step is more important than ever.

Figuring out exactly what you want, (area, budget, amenities, type of property, etc) and then communicating that with your realtor is also extremely important.

Once your realtor fully understands what you want and can afford, they can get to work and start finding you properties that you can see yourself living in.

Bottom line, there are important steps to take to ensure you understand the full process, are making a good use of your time, and are being advised by a professional that will get you to the closing table.

As always, if you are looking for a home in or near Chicago, feel free to contact me to get more insight into a certain market or neighborhood!