Sell Your Home for Top Dollar
Get expert guidance, strategic marketing, and a proven track record of success.
Ready To Sell?
Whether you're selling your first home or your fifth, we've created a smarter, more strategic approach to marketing and maximizing your sale in today's competitive market.
With my exclusive Home Marketing System, your property gets priority exposure to serious buyers before your competition. Skip the tire-kickers, avoid months of uncertainty, and attract only buyers who are ready, qualified, and excited about your home.
I will also provide you with a Free Home Valuation which shows what buyers are willing to pay in today’s market. A Market Analysis will give you a solid foundation for the realistic pricing of your property.
The Selling Experience by Christy
My 8 Proven Steps to Getting Your Home SOLD
Understand the Current Market
We help you evaluate and understand what is happening in YOUR market and to know if you are entering a Buyer’s Market, Seller’s Market, or a Balanced Market and what that means for you.
Assess the Value of Your Property
We complete a thorough Market Analysis, considering the value of recently sold properties and the properties currently for sale with which your home will be competing in order to arrive at the market value of your property in the current market.
Set the Right Price
It is important to price your property competitively so it is not rejected by buyers. We help you set the right price that will help you achieve the highest sale price for the property.
Prepare the Property for Sale
How a property shows is important to attracting buyers. We advise you about things that you can do so the property is most appealing to buyers.
Advertise and Market Your Home
This is an area in which we excel. We target our marketing and advertising efforts to the sources where National Association of REALTORS® research shows buyers find their homes.
Manage and Broker the Transaction
We are by your side every step of the way, guiding you through the process, skillfully handling negotiations of offers and of issues that may arise at home inspections. We are your fiduciary throughout the process.
Coordinate a Successful Closing
We oversee the inspections necessary for closing, any final readings (e.g., water/sewer), and any repairs you may agree to make, and help obtain any other documents needed.
Help You Get Settled in Your New Home
We will provide you with resources to help your move go as smoothly as possible.
Free Home Seller's Guide
A complete guide to selling your home, from pricing it right to prepping, showings, and understanding today's market.
Here are some inexpensive ways to maximize your home’s appeal:
Exterior
Keep the grass freshly cut.
Remove all yard clutter.
Apply fresh paint to wooden fences.
Paint the front door.
Weed and apply fresh mulch to garden beds.
Clean windows inside and out.
Wash or paint the home’s exterior.
Tighten and clean all door handles.
Ensure gutters and downspouts are firmly attached.
Interior
Remove excessive wall hangings, furniture, and knickknacks (consider a temporary self-storage unit).
Clean or paint walls and ceilings.
Shampoo carpets or replace flooring.
Clean and organize cabinets and closets.
Repair all plumbing leaks, including faucets and drain traps.
Clean all light fixtures.
Install higher-wattage light bulbs.
For Showings
Turn on all the lights.
Open drapes in the daytime.
Keep pets secured outdoors.
Play quiet background music.
Light the fireplace (if seasonally appropriate).
Infuse the home with a comforting scent like apple spice or vanilla.
Vacate the property while it is being shown.
How to Prepare to Sell a Home Filled with Decades of Belongings
Have you inherited your parents’ home and all their stuff but don’t know where to begin?
Call me to discuss the process of clearing out estate houses and selling a home currently filled with belongings.
I can help guide you through the steps to:
● Hire a removal service or someone to empty the contents of the house for a fixed price.
● Work with an estate sale company or estate liquidator for a percentage.
● Auction the items on eBay, Etsy, or Facebook yourself and donate the rest.
● Sell the house with some of the items inside.
● Use a combination of some of the above.
● CASH SALE – AS IS
Selling an empty house is usually easier than selling one with junk, and it may bring in a higher price.
Download your Ultimate Home Selling Checklist
Everything you need to prep, show, and close on your home sale, all in one place. From your first walkthrough to handing over the keys, this checklist has you covered every step of the way.
What's included:
● Home Prep Checklist
● Documents to Gather
● Downsizing & 55+ Seller Checklist
● 9 Easy Curb Appeal Tips
● Return on Investment Projects
● Photos & Showings Checklist
● Pet Prep for Showings and Photos
● Home Inspection Checklist
● FHA Appraisal Checklist
● Moving Checklist
● Cleared to Close
Facing Foreclosure? You have options.
If you're behind on your mortgage or worried about foreclosure, you're not alone, and there's more than one way forward. I can walk you through what's realistic for your situation, whether that's working something out with your lender or moving toward a sale.
My Recently Sold
Proof of results in your neighborhood.
Seller FAQs
How much is my home worth?
I provide a free, personalized home valuation based on recent sales, current market conditions, and your home's unique features. Request yours above!
How long does it take to sell?
My average is just 7 days on market. Of course, this varies by price point and season, but my marketing strategy is designed to attract buyers quickly.
What commission do you charge?
Commission is negotiable and depends on services provided. We'll discuss this during our listing appointment. My goal is to net you the most money possible.
Do I need to make repairs before listing?
It depends! Some repairs have high ROI, others don't. I'll walk through your home and advise on what's worth fixing and what to skip.
What Every Home Seller Should Know
Will the Housing Market Crash in 2026? Should You Wait for Lower Rates?
Is the Housing Market Going to Crash? Should You Wait for Lower Rates?
Two questions keep coming up with almost every buyer I talk to right now.
“Is the housing market going to crash?”
“Should I wait for lower interest rates?”
They’re fair questions. Buying a home is a big decision, and nobody wants to buy right before prices drop or lock in a rate that falls a few months later. So let’s talk through both.
Why People Are Worried About a Crash
I get it. Homes are expensive, mortgage rates are high, and sales have slowed down. When you put all of that together, it can feel like something has to give.
But a slower market doesn’t automatically mean a crash. Slower usually just means homes take a little longer to sell and buyers have more time to make decisions. That’s a very different thing from prices falling off a cliff.
What Would Actually Cause a Crash
Here’s what I pay attention to. Unemployment has stayed fairly steady. That matters a lot, because when people have jobs, they can keep making their mortgage payments. They aren’t being forced to sell.
The bigger concern would be widespread job losses. If a lot of homeowners suddenly couldn’t afford their payments and had to sell at the same time, that’s when prices could drop hard. That’s why I watch employment and housing inventory, not just interest rates.
Should You Wait for Lower Mortgage Rates?
Rates could come down. But there’s no guarantee they’ll be much lower by spring, and here’s why.
Mortgage rates are tied to the bond market, including the 10-year Treasury. Right now, inflation is still running high, and that’s helping keep mortgage rates up. When prices keep rising too quickly, borrowing money tends to stay expensive. As inflation cools, rates could come down, but there’s no set timeline for that.
Rates are in the sevens right now, and current forecasts expect them to stay above 7% through 2027. Forecasts can change. But waiting doesn’t guarantee you a lower rate or a better deal.
Why a Fed Rate Cut Doesn’t Always Help
A lot of buyers assume that when the Fed cuts rates, mortgage rates drop right along with it. That’s not always how it works.
The Fed has to be careful. If it lowers rates too quickly, people start spending more, and that can push prices up again. And even when the Fed does cut, mortgage rates don’t always follow. They react more to the bond market and where inflation is headed.
Why the Fall Market Can Work in Your Favor
Here’s the part most buyers don’t think about. Fall usually means fewer buyers out looking. Fewer buyers means less competition, and that gives you more room to negotiate on price, closing costs, or repairs.
In spring, you might get a slightly better rate. You might also be up against more buyers for the same homes in Morris, Minooka, Channahon, and Coal City.
FAQ
Is the housing market going to crash?
A slower market doesn’t automatically mean a crash. With unemployment fairly steady, most homeowners can keep making their payments and aren’t being forced to sell. Widespread job losses would be the bigger warning sign.
Will mortgage rates go down by spring?
They could, but there’s no guarantee. Mortgage rates follow the bond market and inflation, and inflation is still high. Current forecasts expect rates to stay elevated for a while.
Do mortgage rates drop when the Fed cuts rates?
Not always. Mortgage rates are more closely tied to the 10-year Treasury and inflation than to the Fed rate itself.
Is fall a good time to buy a home in Morris, IL?
It can be. Fall usually brings fewer competing buyers, which can mean more room to negotiate on price, closing costs, or repairs.
My Honest Advice
Don’t try to time the market perfectly. Focus on finding the right home with a monthly payment you’re comfortable with today. If rates drop down the road, refinancing may be an option [VERIFY: confirm Christy is comfortable including this line]. You can’t go back and get the home you passed on.
Every buyer’s situation is different. If you’re trying to decide whether to buy now or wait until spring, I’m happy to sit down and look at your numbers and what’s available in Grundy County.
If you're thinking about buying or selling in Morris, Minooka, Channahon, Coal City or anywhere in Grundy County, I'd love to talk it through. Let's connect or send me a message anytime or or call/text me at 815-693-5757.
– Christy Schmaedeke 🐾
Ready to Sell?
Let's discuss your goals and create a customized selling strategy for your home.
Christy Schmaedeke, REALTOR®
Keller Williams Infinity
Your trusted Grundy County real estate expert. Helping families find their perfect homes for over 20 years.
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