Hanna Ricely Realtor - Berkshire Hathaway Chicago HomeServices

09/25/2023

Happy closing day!

Under Contract ✨✨ so excited for my First-time home buyer 😄

09/01/2023

Have a great weekend!

08/31/2023

Under Contract ✨✨ so excited for my First-time home buyer 😄

06/29/2023

Why Homeownership Wins in the Long Run

Today’s higher mortgage rates, inflationary pressures, and concerns about a potential recession have some people questioning: should I still buy a home this year? While it’s true this year has unique challenges for homebuyers, it’s important to think about the long-term benefits of homeownership when making your decision.

Consider this: if you know people who bought a home 5, 10, or even 30 years ago, you’re probably going to have a hard time finding someone who regrets their decision. Why is that? The reason is tied to how home values grow with time and how, by extension, that grows your own wealth. That may be why, in a recent Fannie Mae survey, 70% of respondents say they believe buying a home is a safe investment.

Here’s a look at how just the home price appreciation piece can really add up over the years.

If you look at the percent change in home prices according to the FHFA, you can see home prices grew...

Today’s higher mortgage rates, inflationary pressures, and concerns about a potential recession have some people questioning: should I still buy a home this year?

06/21/2023

Happy Summer Solstice! Wishing you many entertaining evenings and bright mornings during these long day! ☀

06/20/2023

According to NAR, the median down payment hasn’t been over 20% since 2005. In fact, the median down payment for all homebuyers today is only 14%. And it’s even lower for first-time homebuyers at just 6% (see graph below)

06/18/2023

Happy Father’s Day 👨

06/16/2023

If you’re thinking of buying a home this year, be sure to factor in the long-term benefits of homeownership.
Over time, homeownership allows you to build equity. On average, nationwide home prices appreciated by 290.2% over the last 32 years.
That means your net worth can grow significantly in the long term when you own a home

06/14/2023

If you’re thinking about selling your house right now, chances are it’s because something in your life has changed.

06/14/2023

The staircase is often in a prominent spot in a home and can set the tone for the rest of a home. Here are some ways to freshen its look.

06/12/2023

The pandemic that began in 2020 was life-changing in all aspects, including home design. As workers stayed home to work remotely, they began to appreciate what a difference more space could make. Before long, the hottest housing market ever emerged as households sought larger homes with more creature comforts.

What many found were homes that had been designed and built for busy dual-income families featuring a large bright “open kitchen.” Instead of separating the cook from the action in the den or living room, open floor plans allow cooking, eating, TV watching, working and socializing to take place in one large contiguous space. This was embraced as a liberating innovation that promoted connectivity for overscheduled families to see more of each other, but the result was more noise, more messes to look at, and a more chaotic environment.

06/08/2023

Mortgage rates decreased after a three-week climb. While elevated rates and other affordability challenges remain, inventory continues to be the biggest obstacle for prospective homebuyers.