Keystone Home Hub has vetted the professionals so that you don’t have to. All of our preferred vendors make your real estate experience a smoother process.
Attorneys
Tracey Annen
815-382-0718
Dominick DiMaggio (Short Sales)
847-383-5538
Thomas Vaclavek
847-396-9785
Doug Forst
630-750-6226
Home Inspectors
911 Home Inspections
Mike 847-899-2560
Michael Allen & Associates
Mick 847-514-7873
Echo Home Inspections
847-888-3931
Home Team Inspections
847-801-9928
Junk Removal
Junk Remedy
Nick DeGiulio 847-714-6802
Insurance
Goosehead Insurance (Car/Home)
Hal Baker 847-668-4758
Mold
Action Ozone
847-683-7505
(In addition to mold they do Fire Restoration, Odor Removal, Smoke Damage, Water Damage Restoration)
Healthy Home Mold Services
815-322-1832
Assured Services(also do a variety of other move in/move out services, see sheet) – 847-870-9960
Handyman
Handy Men & Mrs. Helper
Mike Wrangler 630-333-5236/847-713-2120
Terry Construction
708-473-8525
Robert Wasiak
773-865-3888
Lenders
Cardinal Financial
Steve Smither 847-942-5151
Mortgage Capital Group, Inc.
Eric Schroeder 815-455-4422
Fairway Mortgage
Don Zdunek 847-812-8415
Stagers
MB/NS Design
Nicci 815-236-3673/Margo 815-355-0077
Jen Mendez
815-814-6215
Estate Sales
C. Estates Sales, Ltd.
Cherie Efken – 847-903-3074
Contractors
Brian Lotz
847-338-5689
Ray Duke
847-417-9659
Michael Graft
847-875-2424
Bruce Backe
815-482-5629
John Ptak
847-890-9008
Kevin Konze
708-715-6682
Cleaning
Abby Cleaning Services
Erik 815-404-3626
Green Emerald Chem-Dry
Chad 847-840-4352 (carpet)
Carolyn Rojas
847-532-9788
Clean Bee (Flooring/Carpet/rugs, Upholstery Cleaning, Tile/grout)
815-578-0233
Service Master
847-908-5914
Photographers
Cathy Best
847-323-4077
Angela Porter
847-226-6592
Chimney Inspection
Jiminy Chimney Masonry & Repair
847-893-0063
HVAC
Northeast Illinois Service Co – Waukegan
847-623-6700 (Steve Technician Cell 847-417-6136)
Painters
Radon Installer
Plumber
Window Repair
Fog Busters
815-444-9114
Electrician
847-594-2272
Movers
Dreiske Moving and Storage
815-385-9386
When most people think about buying a home, they imagine house hunting in the spring or summer. And it’s true — those warmer months tend to bring out the largest number of buyers and sellers. But here’s something many don’t realize: fall and winter can actually be some of the best seasons to purchase a home. If you’re thinking about making a move, the cooler months may offer you some real advantages.
1. Less Competition Means Better Opportunities
During the spring and summer, the housing market is buzzing. More buyers are actively searching, which can lead to bidding wars and multiple-offer situations. But once autumn arrives — and especially as winter sets in — many buyers pause their search. Holiday travel, school schedules, and colder weather naturally reduce the number of people actively looking.
Less competition = more leverage.
With fewer buyers in the market, you’re less likely to face pressure to rush your decisions or stretch your budget just to “win” a house. You can take your time, compare options, and negotiate more confidently.2. More Negotiating Power — Including Offers Below Asking
Because the buyer pool is smaller this time of year, sellers tend to be more open to negotiation. If a home has been on the market for a while or the seller is motivated to close by year-end, you may have the opportunity to make an offer under the asking price — something that can be harder to do during peak season.
Sellers may also be more willing to offer credits toward repairs, pay closing costs, or adjust timelines to fit your needs. In other words, your dollar can stretch further in the fall and winter market.
3. Interest Rates Often Dip Toward the End of the Year
Another major advantage? Interest rates sometimes ease at the end of the year. While rates fluctuate and are always
