By Vittoria Logli

Thinking about moving to Northbrook, IL?

Northbrook is located 25 miles north of downtown Chicago at the northern border of Cook County.

NORTHBROOK HAS MANY CLAIMS TO FAME, AND “MOVIE STAR” IS JUST ONE OF THEM. The backdrop for feature films including Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Northbrook is one of the largest communities on the North Shore. Locals love that it still maintains a small-town feel despite its movie star status. With some of the most diverse housing options on the North Shore, Northbrook features a variety of neighborhoods with single-family homes in architectural styles ranging from mid-century ranch to contemporary. There are also new townhomes and condominiums offered at a variety of price points. Northbrook’s beautiful residential areas are interspersed with parks, local business districts, corporate headquarters, and shopping centers, making the community a destination for many in nearby suburbs. One of the community’s top shopping attractions is Northbrook Court, a large regional mall with high-end retailers, restaurants, and a movie theater. The Northbrook Park District provides and maintains more than 500 acres of land in 23 park areas, offering opportunities for recreation, health, and fitness. Downtown Northbrook also offers shopping, dining, and celebrations including the annual Northbrook Days festival. Schools in Northbrook are highly ranked a few of schools in Northbrook you’ll be able to choose from include Northbrook Junior High School, Field School & Glenbrook North High School (GBN). Reational pursuits also contribute to the Northbrook lifestyle. The community has an outstanding park district with facilities and year-round programs for just about every sport – from baseball and golf to cycling and skating. Commuters enjoy convenient access to downtown Chicago with two Metra stations and Pace buses, while drivers can travel via I-94 and I-294.

Explore Wilmette Illinois

by Vittoria Logli

Interested in moving to Wilmette IL?

Just 14 miles north of Chicago lies the beautiful village of Wilmette, Illinois which borders Lake Michigan. This idyllic suburb is about 5.4 square miles with a population of just over 27,000.

The schools are excellent and highly rated, including New Trier High School with 4,000 students, two campuses and it ranks as one of the top public high schools in the nation. In Wilmette, elementary is K-4th, junior high is 5th-6th, and middle school is 7th-8th. (Romona & Avoca West Elementary, Marie Murphy, Wilmette Junior High, The Joseph Sears School to name a few) All these schools feed into New Trier High School.

The beach is calling. Wilmette is home to Gillson Park Beach, which stretches for nearly two miles along Lake Michigan. In the summer months, the beach is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking, while in the winter it's a great spot for sledding and ice skating. No matter what time of year it is, Gillson Park Beach is always worth a visit. In addition to Gillson Park Beach, Wilmette boasts dozens of parks, an award-winning public library, and a variety of specialty shops, boutiques, and restaurants like Torino and Depot Nuevo. The village also has a small-town feel with tons of charm.

Wilmette offers easy and convenient traveling /public transportation via the Edens Expressway I-94 and the Metra Union Pacific North Line with a travel time of a little over 30 minutes into Chicago. Wilmette offers an abundance of forest preserves, bike paths and other recreational resources.

Let's talk about housing. Wilmette’s homes tend to be older with a lot of charm and less square footage - the lots are also generally smaller too. However, there are always those spectacular and gleaming lakefront properties. The average home price in Wilmette is $851,000. Wilmette also has more homes that sell over $1 million, with between 140-180 homes a year.

Wilmette is an amazing town that offers residents everything they could want—great schools, beautiful parks, and more. If you're considering making a move to Illinois, be sure to put Wilmette at the top of your list!

By Vittoria Logli

In today’s hyper-competitive housing market, the right real estate agent makes all the difference to navigate the process with your best interest in mind. Whether you’re buying or selling a house, understanding how to find a great realtor that’s right for you is essential.

Availability

In the fast-moving world of real estate, quick and clear and strong communication is key. A delayed response can sometimes mean the difference between landing or losing a deal.

Full-time realtor

Everyone must start somewhere, and some agents might dip their toe into the real estate waters while still juggling another job or other responsibilities. But as a seller, or buyer working with a part-time agent who is spread too thin can lead to disappointment on several levels.

Experience

They’ve trained for this; they’ve taken and passed exams and must take continuing education and they’ve done this all before. More than once. Working with an experienced real estate agent has many more benefits than just the obvious smoother and more enjoyable buying/selling process. They have nurtured relationships with other important professionals such as bankers, lenders, contractions, inspectors, stagers, roof inspectors and so on.

Professionalism

Not all real estate agents are created equal, be selective. Along with experience, it's one of the most important qualities. You can tell a lot from a short conversation with a potential agent, you’ll want to visit their website, social media profiles, Google them for reviews. See what their presence conveys both online and in person.

Knowledgeable

Staying up to date on the current and local market will serve clients more effectively. You want an agent that knows their way around a purchase contract, that can negotiate beyond the price, your agent will help you navigate a multitude of things including inspection issues, repairs or potential appraisal issues or anything else that may arise.

Honesty

Honesty and integrity are an essential component to being a successful real estate agent. Buying and selling houses is a big job with lots of time, money involved and to ensure it all gets done with them best interest in mind.

Personable

First impressions matter. A key trait of successful agents is to make a personal connection, engage and get along with everyone. You don’t want any kind of barrier to exist in an already complicated sometimes stressful process. If you sense a personality conflict, it’s best to follow your gut and choose someone more compatible to work with.

Tech-Savvy

In our digital age you must be up-to-speed on the latest technology. Being tech savvy is imperative in this field that includes everything from electronic signing, Zoom, cryptocurrency, the use of social media, the ability to market your property using video, drone, and innovative advertising. If an agent is behind the times in technology, it could negatively impact your buying or selling experience.

Problem-solver

With every step of the homebuying or home selling process there is a problem for your realtor to solve. You want a realtor that has a problem-solving mentality and that will solve these problems before you even know they even exist.

Tenacity

Being an agent takes tenacity and determination. This profession is demanding with long hours and hard work. A good realtor never stops, educating themselves, no matter how many homes they’ve sold to maintain a competitive edge, they stay up to date on the latest trends, negotiation styles, purchase agreement changes and new developments in the real estate industry so that they can guide their clients accordingly.

In today’s hyper-competitive housing market, the right real estate agent really makes a difference. You want someone you trust and feel comfortable with, who can navigate through the process with your best interests in mind. Selecting a realtor is a highly personal decision. This hire should be tailored to your neighborhood, property, price point, and priorities — as well as your personality and communication preferences.

First Impressions Matter Home Showing

by Vittoria Logli

Now that you’ve decluttered, organized, and deep cleaned and your home is listed in the local MLS (Multiple Listing Service), and the first showing time been scheduled. Now what?

As a motivated seller, you want to do everything you can to ensure your home makes a great impression, entices buyers, sells quickly and is shown in its best light. Being prepared & knowing what to expect for the showings is more important than ever with buyers having more choices you want your home to stand out.

To make sure your home stays in showing condition you may want to consider hiring a weekly cleaning service & landscapers – it’s a small investment but well worth it.

Buyers love light, so open all your curtains, blinds, and flip on all the lights to make sure they can see just how bright your space can be.

Make the Beds: The bedrooms can make or break a home sale, so you want them to look amazing. Think about entering a beautiful hotel room. You want your space to reflect that ambiance - cool, clean, and relaxing.

When you know you have scheduled showings - Be smart about what you cook the night before or the morning of a showing lingering smells might turn off others. I like and recommend Fresh Wave Odor Removing Gel. I don’t recommend using those strong air fresheners either. Buyers may think you are trying to mask something if you have those Glade fresheners all over the house. The Fresh Wave gel absorbs odors without adding any strong smells to the air and it’s made with botanical plant oils. As a mother with 4 kids, 2 smelly dogs & a turtle I use it all over my house - in my mudroom, kids closets & laundry room – everywhere!

Any extra boxes of clutter should be neatly stored in the garage or designated space in the basement. As much as possible, Kids toys should be stowed to one designated area like a spot in the basement, playroom or in kids’ bedrooms.

Showings are typically scheduled through an app called ShowingTime. You’ll get a text notification when there is a showing request it’s your job to confirm or decline the showing right from your phone. Keep in mind that Both buyer’s agent and seller’s agent get the same text alert. That means everyone, all family members and pets, need to clear out during the showing time.

Buyers’ agents will usually access your home through an electronic Sentrilock lockbox and a typical showing only lasts approx. 15-20 minutes unless you have a very large home. And if they are in and out quickly, that doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t love your home. Many buyers spend a lot of time studying the photos, floor plans and video before they even step foot inside your home. Here’s a bonus tip - buyers love it when sellers leave mini water bottle, granola bars or a bowl of candy on the kitchen island. With more homes to see buyers maybe house hunting for hours and they really appreciate a little snack that will make a lasting impression and help them remember your home over all the others.

We understand that life happens and not all of us are Mr. Clean. But try to keep your home as show ready as possible so you’re always prepared for any showings. After all, the more showings your home receives, the more likely it will get sold! I hope these tips will make you feel a little more comfortable and less overwhelmed throughout this process. We're here to help make your home sale as stress-free and successful as possible.

I’ve had the pleasure on owning now 2 homes in Glenview, IL and raising our 4 kids in the amazing Chicago Northshore town! Here are my top 5 best things about Glenview, IL.

#5 The location Glenview is just 17 miles away from downtown Chicago and only 11 miles away from O’hare airport. It’s conveniently located between 2 major highways with I-94 aka The Edens Expressway and to the west I- 294 Highway We also have 3 Metra train stations (Glenview Metra Station, The Glen Metra station & The Village of Golf Metra Train Station) that can get you to the city of Chicago in only 35 minutes!

#4 The public parks and Glenview Park District are amazing! Glenview features 17 different public parks -Flick Park, Sleepy Hollow Park, Little Bear Park, Cole Park, Cunliff Park to name a few. Glenview is the home to 3 pools! Two outdoor pools- Roosevelt Pool & Flick Pool as well as one indoor pool at the Glenview Park District. It’s the home of a GLENVIEW skateboard PARK too! There a quite a few tennis courts such as Willow Park Tennis Court, Glenview Tennis Park, Indian Ridge Park Tennis Court, etc. And if you’re into Golf, the village offers Glenview Park Golf Club & Glenview Prairie Club. There are also quite a few private family clubs like Valley Lo, Old Willow Club and private Country Clubs such as Northshore Country Club, Glen View Club and for you golfers out there The Glen Club hosted the 2021 PGA tour and is rated a top 100 Golf Course.

#3 The diversity Glenview has many different places of worship, like the Ismaili Center, OLPH, Han Hanuman Mandir Temple of Greater Chicago, Willow Creek Community Church & St. Catherine’s Church just to name a few. The Village of Glenview is super diverse in not only ethnicity but socioeconomic status as well

#2 Glenview, IL is family oriented There are more kids per capita here than adults! We have amazing activities for kids, like The Kohl's Children Museum, The Historic Wagner Farm, The Grove Redfield Estate as well as Make a Masterpiece, Glenview School of Arts, The Little Gym of Glenview, Dreams Gymnastics & Dance as well as FunTopia. If you like ice cream then you’ve come to the right place! The Village of Glenview has ice cream stores galore – Ben & Jerry’s, Oberwise, FroGurt Frozen Yogurt, Dairy Queen AND our famous locally owned Dairy Bar even patronized by Food God.

#1 It’s a great place to raise a family & it’s safe! Glenview is Rated as one of the best places to live and raise a family. It’s located just 17 miles north of Chicago, IL. It is one of the most sought-after areas for, families professionals & retirees looking to buy a home near Chicago. And to top it all off – Glenview is one the safes cities in the state of Illinois!

By Vittoria Logli, Best Realtor Glenview Illinois 60025

Sherwin-Williams Color of The Year 2023 by Vittoria Logli

It’s that exciting time of year again and Sherwin-Williams just announced their 2023 color of the year Redend Point (SW 9081) It’s a beautiful blush, beige with a slight pink undertone. This neutral color would look fabulous with vintage or wood furniture. One of the easiest and least expensive ways to elevate the look of your home is with a fresh coat of paint so you can try this blush beige hue. Or you can bring it into your home through accessories and textiles or even bedding.

Save Money & Apply for a Homeowner’s exemption in Cook County IL

by Vittoria Logli

Want to save money after you buy a new home? There are tax savings and advantages of owning a home! A Homeowner Exemption provides property tax savings by reducing the equalized assessed value. Save money today when purchasing a new home in Cook County Illinois. This next step is critical in saving you money on your annual property taxes. Visit the Cook County Assessors Office now to file for a homeowner’s exemption. https://bit.ly/3f6Bmhx

Which North Shore Suburb is better, Wilmette or Glenview? | Vittoria Logli

One of the biggest decisions a family can make is choosing the right suburb in which to live. For those who are lucky enough to have the option, there are many things to consider when making this decision. Two suburbs that are often compared are Glenview and Wilmette. While they share some similarities, there are also some key differences. Here is a look at some of the most important factors to consider when deciding between these two great suburbs.

First, at only about 5.4 square miles with a population of just over 27,000, Wilmette is much smaller than Glenview. On the other hand, Glenview is much larger, at 14 miles, and with a population of over 47,000.

Second, the public schools in these suburbs are both excellent. In Wilmette, elementary is K-4th, junior high is 5th-6th, and middle school is 7th-8th. All of these schools feed into New Trier High School, which is gigantic with over 4,000 kids and 2 campuses - including one for freshmen only. Glencoe, Winnetka, Kenilworth, Northfield & a small portion of east Glenview also feed into New Trier. In Glenview, schools are broken down a little differently. They are divided into, K-2nd, 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, and then high school.  Almost all of Glenview feeds into Glenbrook South High School (GBS), with approximately 3,000 students but only one campus. 

Third, between Wilmette and Glenview, the downtowns are pretty different. Wilmette has a traditional downtown area with lots of restaurants and many mom & pop shops. However, in Glenview, there are 2 different downtown areas.  In the original downtown Glenview, the Village has been trying to redevelop for years and it has been taking some time. But in the newer part of Glenview, The Glen, there is the Town Center.  It was the old Naval Air station used in WWII that was redeveloped in the early 2000s. Conveniently, both towns have metra train stops and are a quick 30-40 minute ride into the great city of Chicago. 

Fourth, something that both Wilmette and Glenview’s residents enjoy is the abundance of nature and outdoor space. However, the biggest difference is that Wilmette has the lake - perfect for biking and running along the beach trails. Whereas Glenview has many luscious forest preserves where you can bike, walk or go for a run.

Lastly, let's talk about housing! Wilmette’s homes tend to be charming and older with less square footage - the lots are also generally smaller. However, there are always those spectacular and gleaming lakefront properties. In Glenview, the lots also tend to be bigger and there is a large mix of housing, from new multi-million dollar properties to more affordable older homes. 

Homes in Wilmette are generally more expensive than in Glenview, with the home price at $851,000 compared to $619,000 in Glenview. Wilmette also has more homes that sell over $1 million, with between 140-180 homes a year vs Glenview, with 110-150 homes that sell yearly over $1 million. 

So, which is better? The answer to this question really depends on what you’re looking for in a suburb. If you want easier access to the city and lake, then Wilmette is probably your best bet. But if you’re after more space and affordability, Glenview might be a better fit for you. In the end, both suburbs are amazing places to live and it’s hard to go wrong with either one.

Vittoria Logli | Top Real Estate agent | @properties | Home Sales in Chicago North Shore & Glenview, IL

Here are six things to consider before selling your home!

Number 1: Make sure to make minor repairs before selling. We all have that one leaky faucet or broken light switch that we've been ignoring for probably a long time. Although they are minor issues, buyers love to quickly jump to conclusions - thinking what else is wrong with this house? These repairs are once again minor, which also means cheap! So get them done to sell your house for top dollar. 

Number 2: Freshen up the paint colors in your home. We have all fallen victim to Tuscan yellows and wine-red dining rooms. But, those colors are out! Simple neutral colors like a light gray, or even white can drastically change the appearance of your home, and make it more attractive to potential buyers. Plus, painting is relatively inexpensive and you'll definitely get your money back once you sell your home!

Number 3: To make your home more sellable, replace your old and dated light fixtures. You would be shocked at all the variety and budget-friendly options for light fixtures there are now. Simply go on lightology.com or amazon and browse a bit. They have amazing options that aren't expensive. A new $100 fixture in your dining room and completely change the vibe. 

Number 4:  Remove dated curtains and balances, they are so not in anymore! You can replace them with inexpensive white light and bright cotton curtains from Home Goods, Amazon, or Target. You can even just leave the window naked if you want, it will allow all the natural light to seep in, and brighten up your room. 

Number 5: If you can smell it, you can’t sell it! Clean clean clean like you've never cleaned before. A clean and organized home is key to selling for top dollar. If you don't want to clean your home, then hire somebody to clean it; having a clean home goes a long way.

Number 6: Finally it's super important to have professional photos taken. They show off your home in the best way it can look. Say bye-bye to your iPhone pictures; they take great photos and selfies of your family, but not of your home. Professional photos and drone videos will make your home shine and really stand out amongst the others.

​​What are home buyers shopping for in Gleview IL & other North Shore suburbs? If you're a seller, it's important to know what features and amenities that are on buyers' lists. There are some definite home trends when it comes to what buyers want in their homes. So if you're planning to put your house up for sale, read on to find out what you should be highlighting!

Kitchens are a major part of most homes, and buyers want to be sure that they're well-designed. A modern kitchen should have beautiful white cabinets with a large quartz or marble island in order for it to look clean and fresh - without being too outdated or traditional looking.

The second thing buyers are looking for are finished basements. A big rec room is a perfect spot to host game nights, watch your favorite TV show or just have some peace in an open space without distractions from outside noise! 

Clients are also looking for spacious walk-in closets that can accommodate their clothing, shoes, purses… everything! Buyers want a large enough area to store all of the items they collect over time, so the bigger the closet, the better!

With the growth of remote work, it is essential to have a home office. It is the perfect space for not only working but can be used for meetings and family projects. Nowadays, buyers aren't just looking for 1 office, but 2 - to accommodate the entire family. 

Lastly, the key to getting your home sold is making sure it's "move-in ready." Sellers should focus on making minor adjustments that won't break the bank but will give the home a nice facelift - like a fresh coat of neutral paint, new curtains, and modern light fixtures from Amazon.