The 411 on New Construction

Of all of the dream houses I might have, the one type of property that’s never really on my wish list is new construction. It’s not because there’s anything wrong with new construction, it can be a great option, I’m just the type of person who will always want to be doing the updating myself. I’m pretty particular for one, and I just love the design process, and to be the one transforming a space. It’s a thrill and complete joy for me. But what’s the 411 on new construction? What are the pro’s, what are the cons, and what…

At the end of the day, it’s not ‘ours’… and what that feels like

July 20, 2018July 20, 2018 Categories: creativity · design · energy · intuition · moving · self careTags: design · energy · real estate · temporary housing · transitionLeave a comment

I’m talking about our apartment. Lately we’ve been in a wee bit of a rut my manfriend and I… one of us, I won’t say who {totally him} is a bit way more messy than the other, and it’s caused some friction, to say the least. While we might only be in this space for a shorter time, I still want to make it nice and have it feel as much like ‘home’ as we can. My manfriend is more of the mindset that it’s just a temporary space so what does it matter if it’s messy? And as we’ve trudged…

The final walk through ~ what to expect and tips for success

June 25, 2018June 25, 2018 Categories: buying · energy · moving · real estate · sellingTags: buying · final walk through · real estate · sellingLeave a comment

Our team has a crazy pants number of closings this month, so of course final walk throughs are on my mind {I feel like I have one every day!}. We’ve had some go more smoothly than others… so I’m giving this little-talked-about topic a hello today. It’s tempting once you are under contract on your house sale to relax, celebrate your house being sold {!!!}, and start deciding where to spend all. that. money. from the sale. But in reality, your house isn’t sold, not yet at least. So yes, do a big happy dance for getting your place under…

The distressed property… what it is, and what it means for you as a buyer.

June 12, 2018June 12, 2018 Categories: buying · investment · real estate · renovationTags: design · distressed property · distressed sale · DIY · foreclosure · investment · project house · real estate · renovationLeave a comment

So you think you want a distressed property… it can seem like an amazing deal, but is it really? Our team is selling a listing that is a bank-owned property {also known as an REO property}, so I thought it was the perfect time to talk about this type of sale. The house we are selling is listed at $739,000, it’s pretty big at about 6,500sf, and was built in 2006. And even though it hasn’t been especially well cared for over the past decade, it’s not in extreme {or obvious} disrepair, and it’s not an old house where you’re…

The ‘in-between’ space, and how it’s turning out to be a blessing for our real estate search AND my purge!

May 16, 2018May 16, 2018 Categories: buying · energy · investment · moving · real estate · sellingTags: in-between space · moving · real estate · style · temporary housingLeave a comment

If you’re buying a house you might need an ‘in-between’ space. Maybe just for a few days, or maybe for a few months… Cue the panic. And the resistance. Noooooooooo!….. Often there is considerable stress about timing when it comes to real estate. People selling their houses are worried about being able to find something new, so they won’t put their house on the market until they’ve found ‘the one’. The trouble with that is that great spaces sell extremely quickly, and the market is competitive enough right now that most sellers also won’t accept a home sale contingency {that’s when…

One big secret to a quick sale: preparation

March 12, 2018March 14, 2018 Categories: decluttering · design · real estate · sellingTags: color · design · first impressions · preparation · real estate · selling · touch upsLeave a comment

Price is important when it comes to selling your house. It is definitely one of the most important factors in either attracting, or deterring, interest. But there is something else that is equally important that a lot of people underestimate, and that’s preparation. You only get one chance to make a first impression on a potential buyer, and if your space isn’t looking it’s best, people won’t trust that you’ll address small things that need to be taken care of, and they won’t come back. It’s a little more work up front, but it’s worth it to help get a…

A small project makes a big difference in this Logan Square house!

March 7, 2018March 7, 2018 Categories: design · inspiration · interiors · investment · real estate · selling · styleTags: haven by design · improvements · real estate · renovation · selling · selling strategy · timing · transformation · valueLeave a comment

Last year we met with some clients, Carla and Andrew, who had bought a fixer upper back in the winter of 2014 and were just about ready to sell and get started on a new project. They wanted our input on a few potential projects and timing so that they could really get the house in tip top shape, and at it’s peak value, to be able to maximize their investment when they were ready to sell. Carla and Andrew are awesome people, and they are smart when it comes to their house. They also have a killer sense of…

If it’s not a hell YES, it’s a hell NO

February 14, 2018 Categories: buying · energy · real estateTags: buying · house hunt · real estateLeave a comment

It can be a tough market out there right now if you are a buyer. There isn’t always a ton of awesome inventory to choose from. It can be easy to think that it will take seeing 100 places in order to find ‘the one’. And depending on what you are looking for, it might very well take a little longer. But there is one thing I notice that tends to happen that not only hurts your search, but it can drain your energy and increase frustration, in what can already be a stressful time {they say moving is literally…

Video House Tour of the Oak Park Foursquare!

January 28, 2018March 21, 2018 Categories: architecture · design · interiors · investment · real estate · renovationTags: architecture · demo · demolition · design · four square · interior design · interiors · oak park · progress · real estate · renovationLeave a comment

If you don’t follow my Haven by Design Facebook page you probably missed my LIVE video tour of Rebecca & Ryan’s new house, which is still very much in-progress. If you want a real live peek into a renovation by real humans, with full time jobs and kids and dogs, just like the rest of us {who might be thinking a renovation is too much to take on} then click here and see where they are now and learn a little more about renovations and as-is sales! I’ll share more mid-renovation pics this week, until then, have a great Sunday!…

A peek inside a BIG renovation, and talking about buying ‘as-is’

January 19, 2018January 19, 2018 Categories: architecture · buying · creativity · design · interiors · investment · real estate · renovationTags: as-is · before pics · buying · investment · real estate · renovationLeave a comment

Happy Friday! I got a fun surprise this week, some great friends and clients of mine are letting me share a peek inside the {big} renovation of their new house in Oak Park! {!!!} Ryan and Rebecca are a contractor/architect husband and wife team who both have backgrounds in Interior Design as well. And they’ve been around the block when it comes to renovations, having already done a full gut-renovation on their first house, and two other renovations on subsequent investment properties. I’m a little tired just telling you all of that! Renovations can be a big deal, even small…