Matthew Toma Realty

07/01/2024

Why become a residential landlord?
1) residential property is easier to sell than other types of property if you need to liquidate in a hurry
2) residential rental property is high in demand
3) someone else pays off your mortgage
4) someone else puts cash flow (excess of all expenses) each month in your pocket
5) residential properties usually appreciate in time
6) mortgage payment stays the same but rent keeps increasing meaning you will make more money each year as you increase rent

I am a licensed Realtor in Illinois and I will split my commission with investors looking to purchase property from me. Feel free to reach out. Thank you

05/15/2024

Top Tips for Preparing Your Illinois Home for Sale

Selling your home in Illinois can be an exciting yet daunting endeavor. From preparing your property to attracting potential buyers, there are numerous factors to consider ensuring a successful sale. Whether you're a first-time seller or have sold homes before, proper preparation is key to maximizing your home's appeal and value. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the top tips for preparing your Illinois home for sale, helping you navigate the process with confidence.

Declutter and Depersonalize: Before listing your home, take the time to declutter and depersonalize each room. Remove excess furniture, knick-knacks, and personal items to create a clean and spacious environment. Potential buyers should be able to envision themselves living in the space, which can be challenging if it's cluttered or filled with personal memorabilia.

Enhance Curb Appeal: First impressions matter, so make sure your home's exterior is inviting and well-maintained. Trim the landscaping, power wash the siding, and repaint the front door if necessary. Adding a few potted plants or flowers can also add a pop of color and charm to your home's curb appeal.

Make Necessary Repairs: Address any minor repairs or maintenance issues before putting your home on the market. Fix leaky faucets, squeaky doors, and cracked tiles. Potential buyers will appreciate a well-maintained home and may be willing to pay more for one that doesn't require immediate repairs.

Stage Your Home: Proper staging can showcase your home's best features and help buyers envision themselves living there. Arrange furniture to maximize space and highlight focal points such as fireplaces or architectural details. Neutralize paint colors and add decorative touches like fresh flowers or tasteful artwork to create a welcoming atmosphere.

Deep Clean: A clean home is essential for making a positive impression on potential buyers. Invest in a professional deep cleaning service to ensure every surface is spotless, including carpets, windows, and appliances. Pay special attention to kitchens and bathrooms, as these areas tend to have the biggest impact on buyers.

Consider Professional Photography: High-quality photos can make your listing stand out online and attract more potential buyers. Hire a professional photographer to capture flattering images of your home's interior and exterior, showcasing its best features in the most appealing light.

Highlight Energy Efficiency: Energy efficiency is increasingly important to today's homebuyers, so if your home has energy-efficient features such as updated insulation, windows, or appliances, be sure to highlight them in your listing. Consider providing energy bills to demonstrate potential cost savings to buyers.

Set the Right Price: Pricing your home competitively is crucial for attracting buyers and securing offers. Research recent sales of similar homes in your area to get a sense of market trends and consult with a real estate agent to determine the optimal listing price for your property.

Create an Inviting Atmosphere: During showings and open houses, create an inviting atmosphere by opening curtains or blinds to let in natural light, playing soft background music, and setting the thermostat to a comfortable temperature. Small touches like fresh-baked cookies or a scented candle can also enhance the overall experience for potential buyers.

Be Flexible and Responsive: Selling a home can be a fluid process, so be prepared to adapt to changing circumstances and feedback from potential buyers. Make yourself available for showings and be responsive to inquiries from interested parties. Flexibility and open communication can help facilitate a smooth transaction.

By following these top tips for preparing your Illinois home for sale, you can increase its appeal to potential buyers and maximize your chances of a successful sale. With careful planning, attention to detail, and the assistance of a qualified real estate professional, you can navigate the selling process with confidence and achieve your desired outcome.

www.matthewtomarealty.com

I specialize in doing creative work in the real estate space. I help people get their homes sold for more money in less time using creative and innovative social media strategies in order to get more exposure.

I also offer several options and incentives from enhanced photography and videography packages, extended marketing techniques, and more... Contact me today to discuss all of the options and incentives I currently offer.
Direct Cell (708-574-0112)

05/04/2024

Illinois homeowners did you know? You can fight your own property taxes each year and save yourself hundreds if not thousands of dollars! All you have to do is go to your local county office, tell them you would like to challenge your property taxes, and they will ask you for your PIN number. In most cases they can look it up if you don’t have it handy. Then they will tell you if you have to go online or in person to the nearest office to submit your case. It’s pretty simple and takes maybe 30-45 minutes at best. For me personally, I went to the Bremen township office in Markham where I spent 5 minutes and when I was finished there I headed to the courthouse right next door, went up to the second floor, waited for about 15 minutes and then saw the clerk which told me I overpaid $900 the last year and I would also save an additional $1000 off my taxes for the next year. I received a check back in the mail a couple months later for $900 and my taxes were reduced by $1000 like they said. Saved $1900 in 45 minutes. I would encourage all Illinois homeowners to do the same. By challenging your taxes each year, you will give yourself the best chance of keeping your taxes low, and not overpaying.

NOTE: If you do overpay, you have 3 years to challenge your taxes and they can go back those three years and credit you with a check, like I received. But if you go over 4 years without challenging your taxes then you can only go back 3 years so you could lose a year or more of potential savings.

05/03/2024

I specialize in doing creative work in the real estate space. I help people get their homes sold for more money in less time using creative and innovative social media strategies in order to get more exposure.

I also offer several options and incentives from enhanced photography and videography packages, extended marketing techniques, and more... Contact me today to discuss all of the options and incentives I currently offer.

Matthew Toma
708-574-0112
[email protected]

We help home sellers and home buyers in Illinois by offering several options and incentives to make the selling/buying process easier. Find out more, contact us