Stacey For Real Estate

10/16/2026

10/16/2026

EVERYBODY SAYS IT’S A TERRIBLE TIME TO BUY A HOUSE.

Know what else everybody said?

THE SAME EXACT THING IN 2021. 😂

Fannie Mae actually surveys Americans about this every month.

September 2021: Only 28% said it was a good time to buy.

January 2022: Just 25%.

“HOME PRICES ARE TOO HIGH!” “WAIT!”

Meanwhile, mortgage rates were around 3%.

Fast-forward to today. Those home prices are roughly 20% higher, and mortgage rates have more than doubled.

Those who ignored the crowd and locked in 3% mortgages also watched their homes appreciate.

Turns out, one of the WORST times to buy, according to public opinion, was one of the BEST times to finance a home.

Here’s the lesson.

The crowd doesn’t know where the housing market is headed. Clueless.

Neither do I. Neither do you.

Stop asking everybody whether it’s a good time to buy a house.

Start asking whether it’s a good time for YOU to buy a house.

Because the crowd doesn’t make your mortgage payment. YOU DO. 🏡

10/05/2026

Today is the 89th birthday of the Lake Shore Drive bridge in Chicago.

09/29/2026

Looking to buy, contact me today.

WHAT GOES INTO A MORTGAGE APPLICATION?

Buying your first home? Here’s a simple breakdown of what you’ll be asked for.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Name, date of birth, Social Security number, marital status, contact information and citizenship/residency information.

RESIDENCE HISTORY

We need two years of residence history.

That does not mean you need to have lived in the same place for two years. You may have rented, owned, lived with family or lived rent-free. We simply list enough addresses to cover the two-year history.

EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME

We need two years of employment history, but that does not mean two years with the same employer.

Only list the income you want considered for qualifying.

This can include salary, hourly income, overtime, bonuses, commissions, self-employment, retirement, Social Security, rental income, child support, alimony and other eligible income.

ASSETS

Checking accounts, savings accounts, retirement accounts, investment accounts, gifts, grants and other eligible sources of funds.

LIABILITIES

Most of your liabilities will come directly from your credit report.

It’s also important to list contractual obligations that may not appear on your credit report.

REAL ESTATE OWNED

List any real estate you own, including primary homes, second homes, investment properties and land.

DECLARATIONS

Take your time with this section.

These questions cover things like occupancy, ownership interests, borrowed funds, judgments, bankruptcy, foreclosure and other financial circumstances.

Read each question carefully and answer accurately.

A mortgage application is really just the starting point. My job is to educate and help you make the decision that will best fit into your life. Knowledge is Power.

Thinking about buying your first home? DM or text me to set an appointment.

StaceyForReal
708-527-9104

09/29/2026

WHAT GOES INTO A MORTGAGE APPLICATION?

Buying your first home? Here’s a simple breakdown of what you’ll be asked for.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Name, date of birth, Social Security number, marital status, contact information and citizenship/residency information.

RESIDENCE HISTORY

We need two years of residence history.

That does not mean you need to have lived in the same place for two years. You may have rented, owned, lived with family or lived rent-free. We simply list enough addresses to cover the two-year history.

EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME

We need two years of employment history, but that does not mean two years with the same employer.

Only list the income you want considered for qualifying.

This can include salary, hourly income, overtime, bonuses, commissions, self-employment, retirement, Social Security, rental income, child support, alimony and other eligible income.

ASSETS

Checking accounts, savings accounts, retirement accounts, investment accounts, gifts, grants and other eligible sources of funds.

LIABILITIES

Most of your liabilities will come directly from your credit report.

It’s also important to list contractual obligations that may not appear on your credit report.

REAL ESTATE OWNED

List any real estate you own, including primary homes, second homes, investment properties and land.

DECLARATIONS

Take your time with this section.

These questions cover things like occupancy, ownership interests, borrowed funds, judgments, bankruptcy, foreclosure and other financial circumstances.

Read each question carefully and answer accurately.

A mortgage application is really just the starting point. My job is to educate and help you make the decision that will best fit into your life. Knowledge is Power.

Thinking about buying your first home? DM or text me to set an appointment.

StaceyForReal
708-527-9104

09/23/2026

SOUTH LOOP BREAKING NEWS:
Culver’s Buildout Permit has been issued!

On Friday, September 18th the following buildout permit was issued: RESTAURANT BUILD OUT OF EXISTING COMMERCIAL SPACE IN EXISTING TWO STORY BUILDING.

As a reminder, Culver’s signed a lease last fall to open at 1212 S Michigan Ave. Replacing Aurelio’s.

09/19/2026

More Affordable and Market-Rate Housing Stock Delivered in the 2nd Ward

As shared in Alderman Hopkins’ August 24 e-newsletter, applications are now open for 26 affordable apartments at the newly constructed Inside Info Fremont at 1529 N. Fremont St. If you or someone you know qualifies and is seeking this type of desirable housing, please see the flier for more details.

The building includes 136 total units, approximately 20% of which are being offered below market rate as required by the City’s Affordable Requirements Ordinance (ARO). New buildings like this one provide both attainable market-rate units and ARO units.

As Alderman Hopkins shared in the newsletter:

“I believe that a very important element of balancing our difficult financial situation, both current-day and future-anticipated, is to grow as a city. We need more residents generating more economic activity to avoid raising various existing taxes or creating new taxes on our existing residents and businesses. In my tenure as alderman, I have supported the much-needed development of thousands of new housing units in buildings like this one, and there are thousands more that have received all of their approvals and are awaiting a better financing environment to proceed to construction.”

05/02/2026

FYI

04/24/2026

Looking for a new place to call home?

Join us for a Rental Information Session at the Block Club Convention & Job Fair to learn more about upcoming housing opportunities at 5224 W. Chicago Ave (move-in July 2026).

📅 Saturday, April 25, 2026
⏰ 10:45 AM
📍 Michele Clark High School
5101 W. Harrison St.

Get updates on the project and learn how to prepare for the application process.

For more information: 773-887-5187
Walk-ins welcome until seating is filled.