Stacie Kidwell Sandoval - Chicago Real Estate

05/22/2026

A Reminder for Homeowners Thinking About Selling

A lot of homeowners are sitting on historically low interest rates and wondering:

“Should I stay or should I go?”

And honestly, that’s one of the biggest reasons inventory has remained limited nationally over the past few years.

But here’s something important:
People move because of life, not just rates.

Marriage.
Divorce.
Retirement.
Growing families.
Empty nesting.
Job changes.
Lifestyle changes.
Health.
Commute.
Financial goals.

The homeowners winning in today’s market are not trying to perfectly time everything.

They’re creating a strategy.

Sometimes that means:

Downsizing and reducing expenses
Moving closer to the city
Selling an investment property
Moving to a lower-maintenance home
Taking advantage of built-up equity

Many homeowners in Chicago are still sitting on substantial equity gains from the last several years.

And even in a shifting market, well-positioned homes are still selling every single day.

If you’ve been curious what your home might realistically sell for in today’s market, this is actually a great time to start planning, even if your move is 6–12 months away.

Preparation early almost always leads to better outcomes later.

05/21/2026

Current Housing Market Headlines Buyers & Sellers Should Watch

Some major housing news stories this week are creating conversations throughout the industry:

Mortgage rates recently hit some of the highest levels seen in months.
National housing activity remains slower than historic norms, but demand has not disappeared.
Inventory is slowly improving in many markets compared to the extreme shortages of previous years.
Here in Chicago, there is currently major industry discussion surrounding listing visibility and online portals after disputes involving MRED and Zillow.

That last point is especially important.

Many consumers assume every home is visible everywhere online, but that’s not always the case.

This is one reason why working with an experienced local agent matters:
✔️ Access to local networks
✔️ Understanding private listings
✔️ Knowledge of off-market opportunities
✔️ Neighborhood expertise
✔️ Pricing strategy

Technology is important.
But relationships and local market knowledge still matter tremendously in real estate.

05/21/2026

Chicago Sellers – Your Online Presentation Matters More Than Ever

Today’s buyers shop online FIRST.

Before they:

Schedule a showing
Call an agent
Drive by the property
Ask questions

…they look at photos.

And buyers are making emotional decisions within seconds.

This is why professional marketing is no longer optional.

The homes standing out today are using:
✔️ Professional photography
✔️ Proper lighting
✔️ Decluttering
✔️ Strategic staging
✔️ Clean editing
✔️ Video walkthroughs
✔️ Social media exposure

A beautifully marketed $500,000 home can often outperform a poorly marketed $650,000 home online because perception drives traffic.

And traffic drives offers.

One thing I tell sellers often:
You are not competing against every home in Chicago.
You are competing against the homes buyers are scrolling past at midnight on their phones.

That first impression matters.

Especially now that buyers are more payment-conscious due to higher interest rates, they want homes that “feel worth it.”

Preparation matters.
Presentation matters.
Pricing matters.

And yes — small details matter too.

05/21/2026

Why Waiting for the “Perfect Time” to Buy Might Backfire

One thing I hear constantly is:

“I’m waiting for rates to drop.”

And I understand that completely.

But here’s the reality many buyers are starting to realize:

If rates drop significantly, competition will likely increase again.

More buyers entering the market can mean:

More bidding wars
Higher prices
Less negotiating power
Faster-moving inventory

Right now, some buyers actually have opportunities they did not have a couple years ago:
✔️ Seller credits
✔️ Closing cost assistance
✔️ More negotiation room
✔️ Less buyer competition in certain price ranges

National reports are showing pending home sales have actually increased for multiple consecutive months despite higher rates.

That tells us something important:
People are adapting.

Real estate has always been about balancing timing, affordability, and long-term goals — not trying to perfectly predict the market.

And remember:
A mortgage rate can potentially be refinanced later.
The price you overpay in a bidding war stays with you forever.

For buyers in Chicago, especially in desirable neighborhoods, waiting for a dramatic crash historically has not been a winning strategy.

If you’re financially ready and planning to stay in a home long term, buying now can still make sense.

05/21/2026

***Buyers Are Watching Rates Closely****

The real estate market continues to shift this spring, and one of the biggest conversations right now is mortgage rates. The average 30-year mortgage rate recently climbed back above 6.5%, creating a noticeable impact on buyer behavior across the country.

But here’s what I’m seeing locally in Chicago:

Serious buyers are STILL buying.

Why? Because life doesn’t always wait for the “perfect” rate.

People still need:

More space
Less maintenance
A shorter commute
Downsizing options
Better neighborhoods
A fresh start

What has changed is that buyers are becoming more strategic. They’re negotiating harder, paying closer attention to monthly payments, and looking for homes that are truly move-in ready.

For sellers, this means pricing correctly matters more than ever.

The homes getting the strongest activity right now are:
✔️ Well-prepared
✔️ Professionally marketed
✔️ Properly priced from day one
✔️ Clean, decluttered, and visually appealing online

The days of simply putting a sign in the yard and expecting multiple offers in 24 hours are not guaranteed anymore. Presentation and strategy matter.

The good news? Chicago continues to have stronger fundamentals than many markets because inventory is still relatively tight in many neighborhoods, especially on the north side.

If you’re thinking about selling this year, this is not a “bad market.” It’s simply a market where experience and preparation matter more.

05/20/2026

My client worked on her finances and credit for almost 2 years, finally got preapproved, and also qualified for down payment and closing costs assistance. We are on our way to view some homes!

05/18/2026

Please contact me to view this or any other property:

https://www.compass.com/listing/2067659522648228849/view?agent_id=69446a10748e6600010f4ed9

05/16/2026

2544 W North Chicago

More info:

2544 W North Ave, Unit 2B, Chicago, IL 60647 is a condo listed for sale at $499,900. This is a 2-bed, 2-bath, 1,500 sqft property.

05/16/2026

Open house 12-2 2544 W North Chicago.

More info: https://www.compass.com/listing/2094356142457399105/view?agent_id=69446a10748e6600010f4ed9

05/15/2026

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