Preferred Vendors

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

Painter
Ed Travino – 847-774-3395

Prime Star Painting
Dave Lano – 847-682-2327

Radon Installer
Prime Star Painting
VSI Radon Reduction Corp – (815) 344-1100
Plumber
Crystal Clear Plumbing
815-459-4876
Window Repair

Fog Busters
815-444-9114

Electrician
David Langford
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

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