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Reprinted from the Wall Street Journal By Beth DeCarbo Jan. 22, 2020 10:00 am ET Firms and services that specialize in downsizing can help you let go of your stuff—and the emotions attached to it—before the big move As a top Hollywood talent agent for over 40 years, Deborah Miller Lakoff represented big names like […]
If you Worked Remotely this Year – Make Sure You Are Covered Tax-Wise By Laura Saunders Dec. 4, 2020 5:30 am ET View original article here: If you’ve worked from home this year, and that home is in a different state from your office, think about your taxes immediately. Acting now could help avoid surprise […]
Where to SEE SANTA in the North Shore Suburbs and City (and a few neighboring towns!) Also, VIRTUAL SANTA options! In person visits with Santa: Northbrook Now-December 25 Northbrook Court, 1515 Lake Cook Road, Northbrook If you’re looking for a fun and festive way to celebrate the holiday season in Northbrook, IL, you’re in luck—we’re […]
Reprinted from the Wall Street Journal By Kathryn O’Shea-Evans Oct. 16, 2020 3:23 pm ET As we settle into working and learning from home, repurposed backyard garden sheds and prefab outbuildings offer a pleasant soft divide between family and work life WORKING FROM HOME wasn’t working for Max Sinsteden, director of design firm Olasky & Sinsteden. […]
Featured Holiday Volunteer opportunities with COVID-19 Updates Feed My Starving Children *Feed my starving Children is still accepting volunteers but have strict COVID guidelines for individuals and groups. See website www.fmsc.org 847-984-3486 Pack and fund lifesaving meals this holiday Fill A Heart for Kids *There are still opportunities to donate and do projects at […]
Reprinted from the Wall Street Journal By Te-Ping Chen Oct. 23, 2020 11:42 am ET Some houses have skeletons in their closets. For Jessica Mack, the skeleton was hanging by the front door. A first-time buyer in the Philadelphia area, Ms. Mack, 26 years old, had been browsing property listings for months before finding one […]
The Forgotten Front Porch Is Making a Comeback By: By Spike Carlsen Reprinted from the Wall Street Journal, original article here. A staple of American homes, long out of fashion thanks to cars and air conditioning, is finding a new role in the age of social distancing. Thanks to the pandemic, the front porch is enjoying […]
Ten Ways To Improve Your Home For Pandemic Living By Nancy Luna, Luna Design Nothing inspires a homeowner to re-assess what design features make their home great like a months-long quarantine. This year, as homeowners spent more time staring at walls, floors, windows and each other, their desire to make changes has gone beyond just […]
North Shore Beach Status and Openings After being cooped up for several months in Chicago, it is time to hit the beaches with the kids this summer! Here is a list of what beaches are open on the North Shore and which beaches are closed, including new restrictions taking in considerations of COVID-19. […]
Many thanks to our local restaurants, working hard to provide us with delicious & nutritious meals. Curbside and delivery options available – check out the list. . . Winnetka Restaurants Offering Curbside and Delivery on the North Shore Avli – carry out, Door Dash and Uber EatsBake Homemade Pizza – carry outCafe Aroma – delivery and pickup […]
Our Favorite Fitness Studios on the North Shore WORKING OUT IN 2020! It’s February and time to reassess your New Year’s Resolutions – is working out one of them?? If you are new to town, or just need to shake up your fitness routine, here is a list of some of our favorite North […]
Reprinted from Architectural Digest The 10 Most Expensive Celebrity Real Estate Transitions of 2019 Find out who tops the list with the purchase of three Manhattan apartments for a combined $80 million Former Flettwood Mac member Lindsey Buckingham sold his fully customized Brentwood mansion for $29.5 million in June. Photo: Adam Latham; Courtesy Hilton & […]
‘Tis the Season to Skate on the North Shore and Chicago area January is the perfect month to dust off your skates, bundle up and hit the outdoor skating rinks. Here are some of our favorite outdoor ice rinks on the North Shore and surrounding Chicago area Wilmette Park outdoor rinks Mallinckrodt Park (location: […]
The Strangely Effective (and Easy) Way to Win a Bidding War Which tactics are most likely to improve a buyer’s chances of beating out other bidders? New data show some surprising answers Reprinted from the Wall Street Journal. By Leigh Kamping-Carder Jan. 18, 2018 8:04 am ET Cash may be king, but words are pretty powerful, […]
The totals are in! The median bathroom renovation costs $8,000 – here are the features upon which homeowners are spending that money. Showers Reign Supreme in Bathroom Renovations Renovators are opting to enlarge shower sizes and add accent walls inside shower areas, Houzz’s Bathroom Trends Study finds. By Vincent Salandro Heather Banks © 2018 Houzz This […]
How valuable are cash offers in residential real estate? As it turns out. . . VERY! Cash offers do not require appraisals or approval from a lender (and if you have gone through that process recently, you know it can be tedious). This enhances the certainty that a seller will get in the transaction (there […]
Where to See Santa on the North Shore December 14, 2019 BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Santa is coming to the Skokie Park District! Please join us for a delicious pancake breakfast, entertainment and a raffle. Take pictures with Santa at this all ages event. All adults and children must pre-register for this event. Fee is per […]
Reprinted from the Wall Street Journal Taking Advantage of the New Tax Break for Property Owners – Plan Now Landlords, want to claim a recently added 20% tax break for 2019? You might need to send out 1099 forms early next week and more. ILLUSTRATION: KIERSTEN ESSENPREIS By Laura Saunders Rental real estate is renowned […]
Featured Holiday Volunteer Opportunities Looking for a way to give back this holiday season? Here are a few of our featured volunteer opportunities in the area. A Just Harvest www.ajustharvest.org 773-262-2297 A Just Harvest provides nutritious meals to anyone in need in partnership with community organizations to ensure on any given night as many as […]
You’ve heard the old adage to never buy the most expensive home on the block, the same can hold true for your town as well! Of course, sometimes you want that special home and can only get the yard you desire by purchasing at the upper end in a certain area (think Northfield and Glenview) […]
Reprinted from the Wall Street Journal Heirloom Homes – Saving It for your Family Passing down a family home can be wonderful but can also be rife with family problems if not well planned This four-bedroom house in East Lyme, Conn., was built by Elisha Cooper’s great-grandfather in 1913. JULIE BIDWELL FOR THE WALL STREET […]
Always fascinating to see the latest trends out of NYC luxury real estate. If you are looking for new construction in Wilmette or on the North Shore, we have a list of local resources and trends found here. Front & York in Brooklyn has installed chevron floors, smart-tech thermostats and lots of marble in its […]
Reprinted from the Wall Street Journal How Home Equity Affects College Aid The rules vary dramatically between schools on how much of your home equity will be used to calculate an aid package By Beth DeCarbo Updated Oct. 3, 2019 2:52 pm ET Fall is hunting season across the U.S., a time when high-school seniors […]
So it’s the Black Friday of Real Estate this week!! Have you heard? You can see the national stats in the article. Here are our New Trier Township stats: May 2019 = 618 homes on market v. Sept 2019 = 514 homes on market. 17% decline in inventory. May 17-24, 2019 = 451 showings v. […]
The Ultimate Guide to North Shore Halloween Fun for Kids! Friday, October 18, 5:30 – 8pm, Halloween Spooktacular,(Kid friendly), 2400 Chestnut Ave, Glenview Saturday, October 19, 4 – 8pm – Halloween Happenings (Kid friendly), Wilmette Park District Friday, October 18, 4 – 6pm, Pumpkins in the Woods, (Kid friendly), Tower Road Beach, Winnetka Saturday, October 26, 1 – […]
Your ultimate guide to the Scariest Chicago Haunted Houses! Feeling brave? Chills and thrills for all this Halloween with this Top 10 list of Chicago’s Haunted Houses. Visit one or all, if you dare. . . Scream Scene | 4701 Oakton St., Skokie | 10/24/19 – 10/27/19 Fright Fest | Great America, One Great America […]
Now available on Chicago’s North Shore! Get funding to front the costs for improvements that increase the value of your home! Lisa & Lourdes are pleased to bring you Compass Concierge, a game-changing program for home sellers on the North Shore and throughout Chicago. Preparing for Market: Getting your home ready for market can seem […]
There has been a lot of talk about skittish buyers and drops in home sales in the Chicago area. I was curious how that translated to the Winnetka market so analyzed the data and was surprised by what I found. First, showing activity – the third quarter started out slower than 2017 but in the […]
There has been a lot of talk about skittish buyers and drops in home sales in the Chicago area. I was curious how that translated to the Wilmette market so analyzed the data and was surprised by what I found. First, showing activity – it is essentially even with last year and, in some weeks, […]
Cubs Win! Trump Wins! And Buyer Activity Down on the North Shore Housing Market! While buyer activity has been very slow on the North Shore (and in the Chicago area) over the last two months, buyer activity is expected to pick up, possibly as soon as post-Thanksgiving. Interestingly but not surprisingly, world events do affect […]
Average Price by Wilmette Elementary Schools Here is the latest data on how average sales prices have fared among the various elementary schools in Wilmette. You’ll notice the bump in early to mid 2015 for Central School. This is partly the result of a majority of $2M+ sales occurring in Central School district between December […]
Incredible resort-like living on the North Shore! Amazing views of Lake Michigan from this gorgeous 3 Bedroom co-op unit with added Den, private balcony, in-unit laundry, 2.5 baths, many updates and every building amenity imaginable to make life as easy and enjoyable as possible for you. This premiere building offers attentive on-site management, 24 hour […]
Missed our open house? No worries – check out our video tour of this fabulous home! Contact Lisa Finks or Lourdes Arencibia for more details or a private showing. 5406 Crain, Home For Sale in Skokie. Welcome Home! This Must-See Georgian Home Boasts Traditional Style and Ease of Living. Meticulously Kept and So Many Updates! New […]
By: Lauren Stevens, Chicago News There’s that cliché that once you get married and start having children, the days of city life are behind you. With better schools in the burbs, backyards and just more space to roam, Wilmette has all of the suburban qualities families are looking for while maintaining a small thread of […]
Scream Scene, 7:00 – 10:00 pm, daily through 10/31, 4701 Oakton Street, Skokie Fright Fest, Six Flags Great America, weekends through 10/31, 1 Great America Pkwy, Gurnee House of Torment, (13 and over) 7:00 pm – 12:00 am, daily through 10/31, 8240 N. Austin Ave., Morton Grove Disturbia, Screams in the Park, […]
Friday, October 21, 5:30-8:00 pm, Halloween Spooktacular, (kid-friendly), 2400 Chestnut Ave, Glenview. Saturday, October 22, 6-9 pm – Halloween Happenings (Kid-friendly), Wilmette Park District Friday, October 28, 5:00-7:30 pm, Pumpkins in the Woods, (Kid-friendly), Tower Road Beach, Winnetka Saturday, October 22, 1-2:30 – Spooky Skate (Kid Friendly), Wilmette’s Centennial Ice Rink Saturday, […]
While the peak of the real estate market is generally the spring, fall often offers robust buyer activity as well – we call it the “September-October Bump”. Below are a tally of the number of showings that occurred in various pricepoints from $300,000 to $2.5M for single family homes in Wilmette, Glenview and Chicago. I […]
Pricing is Key! Even for Movie Stars! Comedian Amy Schumer’s apartment in New York City has been sitting on the market since last November with no buyers. Here’s why. Amy Schumer’s Apartment Is a Real Estate Train Wreck—Here’s Why Comedian Amy Schumer may know how to get the laughs rolling, but it turns out there’s […]
Reprinted from Kylie M. Interiors. http://www.kylieminteriors.ca/the-best-benjamin-moore-paint-colours-for-home-staging-selling/ The skinny on colors from a very talented designer out of Canada who offers online consultations! To be perfectly honest with you, I’m not a designer who believes that all homes sell better when painted light, neutral colours. In fact, many homes sell faster and for more money because they […]
ASK THE EXPERT: Nancy Brussat, Convito Cafe & Market A guide to a quick and easy gathering, especially in the holiday season By Nancy Brussat Convito Café & Market Founder/Partner Welcoming friends and family into my home is one of my favorite holiday activities. It is such a festive time of the year. But […]
Looking for a little bedroom inspiration? Check our these soothing ideas from Houzz. Trending Now: 25 Bedrooms We’d Love to Fall Asleep In
By: Rebecca Lee District 39 elementary schools, like all other public schools of the North Shore, are among the best of the state and even the country. Yet, many parents choose to send their young children to local private schools, which often meet the various unique needs of students in ways even the most well-resourced […]
By: Rebecca Lee It is no secret that the North Shore suburbs of Chicago are home to some of the most excellent schools of the country. What arguably makes the North Shore such an exceptionally educated community is the way students are prepared beginning at an extremely early age. In fact, much research shows that […]
By: Rebecca Lee “The commuter rail station is to a suburb what the airport is to a city–the gateway to the world,” -Joseph Schwieterman, DePaul University expert on public policy and transportation. Wilmette and Glenview were ranked among the top five optimal suburbs for commuters in a report from the Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development […]
ASK the EXPERT: Liz Hoffman of West End Garden Center West End Florist & Garden Center 3800 Old Glenview Rd. Evanston, IL 60201 (847)251-1943 Can I plant in Fall? Yes you can! Fall is fantastic for planting. Gardeners love fall. Not only is it a beautiful time of year, it is also a great time […]
An example of the power of wise real estate investment. Lots of opportunities on the North Shore to invest in real estate – the fall and winter months can reveal some great deals too! Eve Plumb, better known as Jan Brady, just made 7,000% profit on the Malibu beachfront home she purchased as an 11 […]
So. . . Ever thought of a Realtor as a Sherpa? Hadn’t crossed my mind either but the folks at Adwerx have made the connection: if you were going to climb Mt Everest, you would know what tools to get and you could acquire those tools but you would not know the way to utilize […]
Jon Olson, Diamond Home Inspection Services 847-830-9069 jon@Diamondinspectionservices.com www.diamondinspectionservices.com Ten Important Questions to Ask Your Home Inspector A home inspection is a integral part of the home buying process. This month our expert Jon Olsen discusses the importance of hiring the right inspector for your deal. 1. What does your inspection cover? The inspector should […]
By: Rebecca Lee Many, if not all, parents looking to purchase homes in the North Shore are especially concerned with the types of environments in which they will raise their children. Not only do families of this community boast of spacious backyards and access to swimming pools their toddlers and elementary age children enjoy, their […]
High Tech Marketing: Retargeting Ads Help Sell Wilmette Homes Ever looked at a pair of shoes on Amazon then had that same pair of shoes follow you around the world wide web? You know the ones, taunting you, “Buy Me, Buy Me, Buy Me”! In all likelihood, you’ve succumbed, at least once. This style of […]
The Latest Trend in Home Design – Gorgeous, expansive outdoor decks and patios, with all of the comforts of your kitchen and living room! By Stefanos Chen The Wall Street Journal The deck of Gaylen Byker’s Lake Michigan home isn’t just big. Measuring about 6,000 square feet, it’s got its own traffic lane. The […]
How’s the Showing Going? What if you knew how many buyers were viewing competing properties? Buyer showing activity is an essential metric to consider when buying or selling a home. On a national level, it speaks to consumer confidence in the housing market. On a local level, it provides you with a competitive advantage. For […]
Residential solar power spreads in Wilmette | The Wilmette Beacon Reprinted from The Wilmette Beacon. Ten years ago, Beth and Harry Drucker installed solar panels on the roof of their home on the 2500 block of Greenwood Avenue in Wilmette. The Druckers are known around Wilmette for being a green couple. Beth Drucker co-founded […]
Residency Requirements for Wilmette D39 Schools As summer draws to a close, you may find that your home purchase doesn’t coincide with the start of school (which, this year is August 24, 2016). Wilmette D39 schools require proof of residency before admitting your child(ren) to school. There are three ways to qualify: 1) Own your […]
It is no surprise that our government promotes home ownership, have you ever wondered just how much money you save in taxes by owning your own home? Or how much you would save by purchasing one if you are currently renting? Check out this handy calculator to find out how much you save in a […]
You know, almost intrinsically, that owning your own home makes sense – home ownership promotes psychological, emotional and financial well-being. Harvard’s Joint Center of Housing Studies recently published a paper highlighting some of the financial reasons that home ownership benefits you. In assessing potential tax advantages, check out this handy Calculator that will give you […]
By: Rebecca Lee As the temperature shoots higher, nothing tastes sweeter than some amazingly cool ice cream treats. We have tracked down the BEST ice cream treats on the North Shore. Have we missed any of your favorites? Dairy Bar Dairy Bar has stood for more than fifty years as almost an institution of Glenview. […]
The North Shore celebrates the Fourth of July like no other! Some prefer the classic parade weaving through downtown Winnetka, others like to queue up the lawn chairs on Central Street to reserve the best view of Evanston’s lively parade. Whether you prefer your fireworks on the 3rd, the 4th (or both) or over Lake […]
Guaranteed Rate Aren’t All Lenders the Same? Before joining the mortgage financing industry I didn’t even think to ask the question, “Aren’t all lenders the same?” – I simply assumed they were! When my husband and I prepared for our home search, all of our focus, energy, and time was entirely committed to finding the […]
If tending to your flora is leaving you feeling wilted, take heart: These plants are almost impossible to kill. Here are the top 10 hardiest: Verbena New Guinea Impatiens Geranium Euphorbia Purple Fountain Grass Coleus Calibrachoa Sweet Potato Vine Begonie Lantana Source: 10 Goofproof Outdoor Plants | Real Simple
Do you know about the huge tax benefits of the CAGE? The CAGE is one of the most desired areas in all of the North Shore, and especially Wilmette. Its proximity to the lakefront, as well as downtown Wilmette, make its expansive lawns and grand homes very popular. About 600 homes in the CAGE fall […]
What: $100 per ticket. Max of 1,000 tickets sold. Excellent chances to win this $40K car (estimated value based on MSRP)! Enter here. See the complete rules here. Why: Rising property taxes haven taken their toll on all of us! But for long-term citizens who are now seniors and for the disabled living in Wilmette, […]
Note the $1,750,405.00 Zestimate. Yet the home sold for $1,050,000 on February 29. Guess who this home belonged to? None other than Zillow CEO Spencer Rascoff! Thereby proving that Zestimates can miss by a mile. In fact, did you know that in Chicago, the Zestimate sports a median error rate of 9%?!? That means a […]
What could be better? A taste of Ravinia right here in Wilmette! Grab take-out from your favorite restaurant, crack open the wine and enjoy live music on the village green. Click for full schedule! Wilmette’s newest downtown offering for residents and visitors is a summer concert series, “Music on the Green,” that village official see […]
Ask the Expert: Greg Rekett, Sutherland Homes What is Spray Foam and Why Should You Use it in Your Next Remodel Project? Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) is a spray-applied plastic that can form a continuous insulation and air sealing barrier on walls, roofs, around corners and other surfaces. SPF insulation is known to resist heat […]
Summer is Road Trip time! Check out these unique destinations! Party with vikings, winos, and deep-fried fanatics. Source: Midwest Summer Music, Food, and Film Festivals Worth a Road Trip For
The evening air temperatures have been perfect for getting that restful night’s sleep – here are some additional tips for making sure every night is as restful as possible. Great article from Houzz.com
I remember declaring that I would raise my kids in the city and couldn’t imagine a move to the ‘burbs. We had our school, our friends, our church, our routine. But our excellent private school kept raising tuition, the kids got bigger, the house seemed smaller and without a yard, spontaneous play was a challenge. […]
What if this was your backyard? A slice of the great outdoors in super convenient Glenview! I spent some time at The Enclave in Glenview before the official opening and I have the scoop! The Enclave features 48 gorgeous NEW construction homes (with first floor masters) starting in the $750’s!! The homes have tons of […]
Remember the Olsen twins? All grown up and buying real estate. . . Former child actress and fashion designer Ashley Olsen is in contract to purchase a condo at Greenwich Village’s 37 East 12th Street. (more) Source: Ashley Olsen In Contract to Buy Greenwich Village Condo – WSJ
I am officially hungry now! I feel they have may have missed the mark with Illinois. You?? (more) Source: Every State’s Most Important Food Innovation
As everyone knows, many factors affect a home’s value. Recently rehabbed and updated homes always sell faster and for a higher price since buyers are willing to pay a premium for a move-in ready home. In the last 12 months, 93 homes have sold in East Wilmette, 32 of which were considered recent rehabs. The […]
Get your tape measure out because here is your blueprint for a bedroom that works! Steven Randel has shared the “science” of creating the ultimate bedroom retreat – right down to the slipper rest and circulation zone! Read the article
The backpacks will be overflowing in the next few weeks with all of the treasures from the schoolyear. Instead of letting your child’s drawings clutter your fridge door or countertops, hang a few artfully and don’t feel guilty about tossing the others. (More) Source: 6 Ways to Display Your Kid’s Artwork | Real Simple
By: Rebecca Lee Happy New Year, everyone! According to a study done by the University of Scranton Journal of Clinical Psychology, the following are some of the most common resolutions that Americans have made for 2016. Because we all understand how difficult commitment to these can be, here are resources and tips specific to the […]
My new website offers Chicago’s North Shore residents (or those looking to move here) the most engaging community information and unique market statistics not found anywhere else! For example, some of my favorite North Shore Living features include: Search for homes by local elementary school boundaries with the “Search by School” feature! Instantly learn what homes […]
The Client Experience........
Lisa Finks is a consummate professional that helped us manage the sale of our home wonderfully. She has a strong network of agents which yielded many potential buyers and helped us smoothly navigate a few challenges that popped up during the process. It was a pleasure working with Lisa. - Tom H.
Lourdes was exceptional in all of what I call the three important areas of a real estate transaction: preparation (she provided a great list of comps and price histories for my neighborhood), negotiation (read both the buyers and the current sales environment to get me more than I anticipated) and follow-through (she stayed on top of the deposits and closing process to ensure a smooth finish). I've bought and sold homes in 4 different states, so my expectations were high. She exceeded them in every aspect of the transaction.” - Tom B.
Carolyn was awesome! Very responsive to my questions and so helpful with ideas to stage the house so it sold quickly. She sold my house in 4 days ! Was thrilled with the service and results even though I drive her crazy at times! Highly recommend Carolyn for your real estate needs! - Susan B
Lisa was great to work with. She is very knowledgeable of all the North Shore communities and neighborhoods. Most importantly, she was extremely responsive to all our requests and worked tirelessly to help us find our new home! - Rich M.
We were on a very tight timeline and Lourdes got right to work. She took the time to get to know us, helped us refine our search, and only presented properties that she had pre-screened. She wasted no time finding new properties each night, contacting agents, and fielding our numerous questions. She communicated with both of us continuously and we never had to wonder what was going on. Never once did she complain, lose her patience, or seem frustrated with guiding us through what could have been a very stressful process. She is so kind, honest, and professional and we are so grateful for her guidance, patience, and warmth. We highly recommend Lourdes Arencibia for all of your real estate needs.” - Pamela M.
Lisa was terrific! From the beginning until the close, she was on my side, advocating for me the whole way. Her dedication is unmatched. I couldn't have asked for a more seamless experience with my home purchase. - Noelle R.
Lourdes was amazing! From the first contact we had over email we could tell that she was a first-class professional. She listened very carefully to our needs and wants and we were able to find a place we are very happy with. She was patient, kind, warm, knowledgeable, thorough, and very generous with her time. Not a single question we had went unanswered, either immediately or in a follow up email within a few minutes. She also provided us with great tips for living in the area, from restaurants to car buying. Thank you, Lourdes! - Jose F.
Lisa was very supportive, helped us nearly 24/7 to finish the transaction very quickly. - Johann H.
Lourdes was nothing short of great. She is professional, knowledgeable, attentive, punctual and dedicated. We feel very blessed that she worked with us and had the patience to help us decide exactly what we need. - Abe R.
Lisa Finks is the most knowledgeable, hardworking, patient real estate agent I've ever worked with. She is a gem. I actually cried at our house closing because it was so hard to say goodbye to her. I can't say enough good things about her. She is simply the best! You are very lucky to have her working for you and so were we. : ) - Wendy M.
Lourdes is the best real estate agent I have work with. She was patient, kind, and understanding with all of my situations. She was the best most reassuring agent I ever have work with. I would worked with her again in a heartbeat!
Thank you Lourdes for all you did for me and my family! - Blanca G.
Lisa is an absolute pro. We were rather picky buyers and didn't even know exactly what we wanted when we first started, but she guided us through the process to completion. She honed in on what we liked and disliked and found us a great property in a great location. She is the ONLY broker we will refer to on the north shore. - Scott S.
Professional broker supporting purchase of my home process from market research til close, who is the member of HomeAdvantage program. It was pleasure to work with Lourdes! - Marek P.
Lisa was just great. Very professional, thorough and personable. We loved her! - Garrett L.
Lourdes has been patient and flexible with us since we began looking for places nearly two years ago. Even though it turned out I didn't qualify for anything on the market when we first started looking, she kept in touch with me and was immediately available after my financial situation changed. I never felt pressured to settle for a property we weren't comfortable with, and she made it clear that she would help us out for as long as it would take to find a place we loved in a good location. - Jennifer B.
Lisa is very helpful, friendly and professional. She is excellent. - Lucy Y.
Lourdes is all you could want in a realtor- knowledgeable, energetic, always positive, warm and friendly. - Marlene S.
Lisa is that exceptional broker that you hear about but rarely meet ... the one that goes way above and beyond the norm, that truly cares about her client's happiness, who works tirelessly to ensure all the i's are dotted and the t's crossed, and will ensure you are partners every step of the way. Patient, humorous (which is necessary!), intelligent and kind. . . she truly made my sell and buy a terrific experience. - Joy S.
Lourdes is amazing! She is patient, kind, thorough, a fabulous listener, and incredibly gracious at the same time. She truly knows how to do her job with confidence. Finding a new home can become a stressful situation, and Lourdes really makes it very pleasant. - Jennifer T.
Great experience! - Barbara W.
Lourdes is very professional and knowledgeable at what she does. I came from a different country and had no idea about Chicago before I came. Through Lourdes' guidance, we nailed down our requirements and found the place what we wanted in a fairly quick timeframe. She is also very patient and considerate dealing with her client. I had a very busy working and traveling schedule, she always accommodated my schedule to the best she can and keep me informed in various ways. So even when I was traveling, I felt she is working on my case and making progress. She is also very resourceful. We encountered some difficulty in loan application. Lourdes has provided contact, who helped us get the loan and close the house.
I just enjoyed working with Lourdes. I would highly recommend her for anybody. - Bill G.
We had an amazing experience with Lisa!! We had a very short dated schedule, as this was part of a relocation process and through open houses found a home we loved prior to being able to connect with Lisa. She helped us work out a strategy to make sure we still gave other cities and homes a fair shot to ensure we wouldn't have buyers remorse. She only showed us the homes we mutually agreed. (We've had other realtors waste our time and show us their listings that were no where near our asks.) And she also provided valuable insight on recent sales transactions to help prepare us for an offer. She is also familiar with the relocation process. Besides the home selection process, her recommendations on lawyers and contractors were top notch. Highly recommend Lisa!!! - Sara L.
Lisa is very thorough. Easy to communicate with with many options, text, email, phone and face to face. Also incredibly responsive. She took the uncertainty and the anxiety away. - Elizabeth H.
Having owned multiple properties over time, we know to work with a broker who has the right balance of professionalism and social integrity to make the process work the way it should and leave us entirely confident in our purchase. We made the right choice when we decided to work with Lisa. She has been everything one could ask for in a broker -- timely, informed, thorough, honest, and respectful. I would add "respectful" of the entire process and mindful of the true goal, which is helping our family find a home. We have appreciated Lisa's honesty and gentle guidance, as we are now reflecting on our home buying process with no regrets. We have said many times since moving in, "This really does feel like home." We cannot thank Lisa enough.
We had a wonderful experience working with Lisa Finks. I have known Lisa for a long time, which is why we worked with her, but she exceeded our already high expectations. She was always on time, returned every call and email promptly, and provided value-add analysis, particularly with respect to comparables. We looked at one house which didn't have a living room, and as a result, we were wondering if we could put a piano in the family room. An hour later, Lisa sent us two pictures of similar houses with pianos situated in a manner that would work for us. With respect to the house we ultimately bought, Lisa established a good working relationship with the seller (who wasn't using a broker) that helped allow us to win the bidding even though our offer was not the highest. We consider Lisa a friend and trusted advisor, and we'd be pleased to provide a reference if ever helpful. - Arif A.
Lisa is a joy to work with. As a savvy agent, she helped us navigate the difficulties of having a home on the market and sell for a great price! Her professionalism and thoughtfulness are highly valued and much appreciated! - Andrea H.
Lisa is an amazing broker. She was incredibly knowledgeable about the area, the houses on the market, and extremely patient with us. She made our home buying experience easy and fun. She continues to share her knowledge of the area with us and provides us with great information and tips since we are new to the area. I would recommend her to everyone looking in the Wilmette area and the North Shore. - Kathryn G.
Lisa is a great realtor and has been very helpful to us. She is professional, knowledgeable and also very friendly and thoughtful. She has a clear mind and listed all the pros and cons for every house we looked at or she recommended, she also has a lot of house pricing experience and negotiation skills. Lisa successfully helped us avoid a bad house deal(the reason why now we know it was a bad deal is that the offer price my wife and I was thinking at that time is close to the current house listing price after it dropped again and again and nobody is offering) with deep analysis and helped us find our dream house. Both my wife and I love working with Lisa! - Lin J.
We have been working with Lisa for several years and super satisfied with her service. She is very considerate and professional. I recommend her to several of my friends and they all like her! - Carol Z.
Lisa Finks is the best Realtor you can think of, very professional, perfectly tailored service and always completely trustworthy !!! We recommend her to every client, LISA FINKS IS ABSOLUTELY THE BEST REALTOR - M.H.
Lisa Finks is undoubtedly the best overall real estate agent I have ever worked with. She takes to heart my needs and budget and assists even if the resulting sale will not benefit her directly. She is very knowledgeable about many kinds of sales, including a foreclosure I am currently involved in. Lisa has access to many tools which assist a buyer or seller in comparison shopping as well as those renovations which do and do NOT pay back when selling. Lisa is a joy to work with, a great listener, and I would recommend her highly to anyone in the market to buy or sell in Wilmette or beyond. - Beth L.
Lisa is a true professional and knows the north suburb's villages and cities better than any other agent. She has knowledge of the local schools and a great understanding of what makes each community unique. When you combine the fact that she is seasoned attorney with extensive knowledge of real-estate law, you are getting tremendous service not found with your average agent. Hiring Lisa will be the best decision you can make when looking to buy or sell your property. - E. M.
Lisa was extremely on top of the sale of our home from start to finish, even at the closing. We had a few snafus with the first few offers but we resolved them and moved it forward. She is attentive, amazing with follow through and energetic. - Laura S.
You've heard the saying "Don't work hard, work smart." Lisa was my broker and she worked very very hard and smart. I had no email or computer. Lisa worked through all that. I signed with the group on Feb 13, it was under contract March 3. Now when I look back, Lisa made the whole experience from lawyers to movers to looking at condos to the day of moving. Lisa was very reassuring. I felt very safe with Lisa Finks. - Maureen D.
I had the pleasure of working with Lisa Finks as my realtor. When I decided to buy my first place, I was filled with a variety of emotions--nerves, excitement, and most of all uncertainty. I wasn't sure where to start or what to think, or if it was even the step I was ready to take. Lisa was not only knowledgable, but she knew just the right questions to ask to help me figure out what I was looking for, and what was most important to me. She was able to be objective and professional, yet caring and encouraging. My house is absolutely perfect for me! I never would have found it without Lisa! I know that she was probably helping other people find their dream homes, but I felt like she was completely devoted to me. She was available and dedicated, and people tell me they've never heard of someone finding a place so quickly. Lisa went above and beyond to help me find the best place for me, within my price range. One of the best things about Lisa is that she provided insight and ideas and was willing to discuss pros and cons, but ultimately, she gave me the liberty to make my own decisions about what was best for me. She was able to suggest incredible, qualified people when I needed a mortgage broker, attorney, inspector, etc, and everyone I've worked with has been amazing. I can't say enough about Lisa Finks' as a realtor and also as a person. Even after I moved in, she continued to check to see how things were going. I started my process with a mix of emotions. Now, I would say, my emotions are THRILLED to be in my house, COMFORTABLE with the price I paid, SURPRISED how quickly I was able to find my house, GRATEFUL that Lisa was able to not only help me find my house but also help me feel at home! - Allison E.
I very much enjoyed your company and your help in this difficult process. - D. A.
You did a great job, best realtor experience for us so far! We will highly recommend you to all our friends. - Monica H.
We connected with our broker, Lisa Finks, through the internet. She arranged three opportunities for us to see on our first meeting after discussing our needs. Lisa clearly listened as these properties all had potential for us. Lisa is sincere, helpful, compassionate, prompt, honest, and worked hard until we found the perfect apartment for my daughter and me. I would highly recommend her! - Samantha T.
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About Lisa, Lourdes & Carolyn
Merging their individual knowledge, resources and expertise, Lisa, Lourdes & Carolyn offer their real estate clients superior advocacy skills and exceptional results.
About Compass
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