Maureen Chwarzynski - Realtor

A boy and his loyal companion – a bond that needs no words! 🐾❤️

If you just closed on your new home, what comes next?

🥂 1. Pop the champagne!
You worked HARD for this moment so take some time to celebrate this huge achievement.

🔑 2. Change the locks.
The sellers are supposed leave all the keys but let’s be honest, that doesn’t always happen. Don’t forget changing the garage door code too!

💡 3. Change all utilities.
Make sure all utilities (gas, electricity, water, etc) are transferred into your name on the day of move-in.

📬 4. Forward all mail to your new address.
Head to your local post office & get everything set up with your new address. Don’t forget your subscriptions too!

🧽 5. Schedule a deep clean.
Nothing feels better than going into a clean home & being able to move all your stuff in with no dust bunnies!

📦 6. Have some fun unpacking.
Take before/after pictures of your new space & share it on social media so everyone can celebrate with you!

📄 7. File all closing documents.
Save all docs for the purchase of your home in a safe space. You will need them at tax time.

🪴8. Spruce up your space.
Put your own personality into your new home! I love to look at Pinterest to get inspo for each room & then decorate!

🔨 9. Make a list of maintenance items.
You don’t have to tackle it all at once! Each month you can address items that need to be fixed/updated.

🍪 10. Meet the neighbors.
Make some fresh baked cookies (or grab from the store) & meet your neighbors! They can provide valuable insight into the community & neighborhood!

I hope you found this helpful! Forward this to any of your friends/family who are buying a home! 🏡

Where is the housing market headed in 2024? 🤔

While I don’t have a crystal ball and can’t know for sure, I’ve got some good news to share.

👉🏻INTEREST RATES👈🏻
First, let’s look at what we’ve seen so far before we predict what will happen next. Most recently, interest rates hit an annual high in October. Shortly after that, they dipped before 7% in December (for the first time in 4 months). We have seen 8 consecutive weeks of decreases to the 30 year mortgage interest rates.
Now let’s look ahead.
The Fed has repeatedly signaled that interest rates will continue to slid downward.
Thats good news. It’s also not the only factor we ought to consider.

👉🏻INVENTORY👈🏻
Inventory — aka how many houses are on the market — impacts home prices. It’s simple supply and demand.
2023 was demoralizing for many home buyers, and as interest rates lower, I suspect many buyers will enter the market again.
Great, right? Well, not exactly.
If the buyer demand continues to exceed our historically low housing supply, that typically results in... higher prices and more competition.

👉🏻MY PREDICTION👈🏻
I believe 2024 will be an incredible time to sell your home and even a great time to buy.
For sellers: 2024 and especially the spring market are likely to bring more buyers and more competition to your listing.
For buyers: With prices likely to increase, I’d look to buy sooner rather than later.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments 👇

Did you know you can get 100% back of your downpayment on a property as a tax refund by using accelerated depreciation? 🫢

👉 Accelerated depreciation is a tax strategy that allows property owners to recover the cost of their investment over a shorter period of time.

The Typical depreciation for a real estate property spans over 20 to 30 years.

Accelerated depreciation however, enables a larger portion of this depreciation to be claimed in the initial year of ownership, potentially allowing up to 40% of the property’s value to be refunded as tax deductions. 🤩

The exact amount of tax refund will depend on various factors, including the cost of the property, its useful life, and the depreciation method used. 💥

It is advisable to consult with a tax professional to determine the potential tax benefits and eligibility criteria for accelerated depreciation in your specific situation.

🏠 Looking to buy or sell in Chicago? DM me the word 'BUY'!

Ski season ❄️

DO NOT OVERPRICE 🥴

👉 I know what you’re thinking …you want to give yourself “Room” to negotiate.

The number one mistake people make when selling their home is pricing it too high. Setting an unrealistic price can deter potential buyers and result in the property staying on the market for a longer time.

An informed agent will research the local real estate market, consider recent sales of similar properties, and advise on the best price to market your home 🤩.

Save this post so you don't forget 🔥

Extraordinary property of the day ✨

📍 Park City, Utah, 84060 United States
9300 Marsac Avenue, Unit C502
5 bedrooms | 6 full bathrooms | $10,750,000

Sommét Blanc includes three alpine lodges comprising 49 luxury Residences and Penthouses located on the last, best, ski-in/ski-out parcel in Empire Pass at Deer Valley® Resort. World-renowned architect Tom Kundig of Olson Kundig has created a jaw-dropping signature design featuring butterfly roof lines, cantilevered structures, single-level living, expansive outdoor spaces, floor-to-ceiling windows, and modern mountain design. With through-building unit design, every residence enjoys breathtaking views. Sommét Blanc features an extensive list of amenities and services that includes an arrival lobby and fireside lounge with a concierge desk, valet parking, an onsite restaurant & bar with ski beach patio, slope-side pool & patio with multiple hot tubs, and outdoor gathering spaces, pool locker rooms with saunas, spa treatment rooms, fitness center, yoga studio, a bowling alley with café and game room, executive boardroom, spacious ski locker room, ski valet service, après-ski lounge with expansive outdoor patio, children’s activity playroom, golf simulators, speakeasy styled owner’s lounge, and designated underground parking in each building featuring adjacent oversized storage units with each owner space ready for an electric car charger installation.

✨ This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity, don't miss it! For more information:
📱(312) 632-0870
✉️ [email protected]

Through laughs and adventures, you'll forever be my greatest joy ❤️

If you’ve been considering selling, 2024 might be your year! 🥳

If interest rates continue to drop, demand typically exceeds supply. Which results in quicker sales and higher offers 📈

→ However, there are still considerations and strategies to keep in mind ↓

💰Although you might be tempted to set a high price due to market conditions, it’s crucial to price your home correctly from the start.

This is one of the most important things when listing your home, so work closely with your real estate agent to determine the best price.

🛋 Even in a seller’s market, homes that are well-maintained and staged tend to attract more buyers and potentially higher offers.

📸 High-quality photos and a comprehensive marketing strategy can make your listing stand out in a competitive market.

→ By understanding the market conditions, pricing your home correctly, and working with a knowledgeable real estate agent (aka me 😉), you can maximize your chances of a successful sale in 2024!

💬 If you’re thinking about selling and want to know more, send me DM with the word 'SELL'.

These are the first steps I would take if I were looking to buy a house...

STEP 1️⃣ Connect with a local real estate professional

Get the conversation going! The sooner they know your goals and plans - the sooner they can customize a plan for you.

STEP 2️⃣ Get Pre-Approved by a Local Lender

Not sure who to reach out to? Ask your agent if they have at least 3 trusted lenders you can shop.

STEP 3️⃣ Start your search NOW

Waiting until spring or summer? Guess what..so is everyone else - as this is the most popular time to buy. Beat out the competition while demand is still lower than 4-6months from now.

STEP 4️⃣ Start playing with Mortgage Calculators

Your agent can send you a link to one, or you can find one online. Remember to account for setting aside emergency funds for home repairs that WILL come up in the first couple years. Find a monthly mortgage amount you feel comfortable with paying.

If you're ready to hop on the homeownership journey, send me a DM with the word 'BUY'⚡

Self-love is always in style ✨

Things you can negotiate as a BUYER in today's market.

However, if the market starts heating up later this year, keep in mind the ability to negotiate these things may change!

➡️SALES PRICE
➡️CLOSING COSTS
➡️SELLER CREDIT
➡️CLOSING DATE
➡️HOME REPAIRS

Make sure that you choose to work with a real estate agent that is up to date with the market conditions and keeps your interests in mind at all times! ✨