Open House Magazine Winter 2019

openhouse WIN TER 2019

EVERY HOME HAS A STORY.

Holiday Magic CELEBRATING THE JOYS OF A NEW HOME

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LESS IS MORE: SCALING BACK FOR THE FUTURE S H A U N N A B U R H O P. C O M

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WELCOME!

What’s your home story?

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“Buyers fall in love with homes they can actually see themselves living in. Helping to create that vision is one of the most important things I do for clients.”

ellers share special memories with me and buyers tell me why it’s important to create their own. Each has unique goals and circumstances. Why are they selling? Why are they buying? What is the timeline? What are the trends? How much can they invest? Listening to people, hearing their stories, and then creating a plan that fits with current market conditions is what I do best. So far this year I’ve helped sellers move for retirement, trade up into larger spaces, and downsize their empty nest. I’ve also helped buyers purchase their first home, look for one-level living, and move into larger spaces as their families expand.

Buyers fall in love with homes they can actually see themselves living in. Helping to create that vision is one of the most important things I do for clients. By following both real estate and current design trends, I know what appeals to buyers and can advise sellers what changes will improve the look and value of a home. When working on either side, I’m always excited to contribute creativity as part of a new home story.

That’s why I’m excited to share with you my new publication Open House, a mini-magazine I’ve created as a way to tell some of the best stories I’ve been a part of over the last year, as well as share some helpful tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way.

It’s also a way for me to show the way I work and the commitment I have to my clients. I take great pride in the fact that much of my business is from referrals.

If you know me, I hope you already consider me your trusted advisor when it comes to real estate and that you’ll share your story about me with friends and family. And if you don’t, I’d love the chance to meet and answer your questions. I truly care about the people I’m helping and want to hear your story and how I can help write the next chapter.

Shaunna Burhop, CREN, CRS

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ASK SHAUNNA Why did you become a real estate professional?

I wanted flexibility, control over my own destiny, and the ability to do something meaningful for others. Working hard while setting an example for my children is a big part of my story. I’ve loved raising my family in Arlington Heights over the last 25 years, while working to make a difference in the community by participating on school committees, taking leadership positions for sports and fine arts programs, and organizing fund-raisers for several local charities.

What’s your experience?

I’ve been selling real estate since 2002. By the end of 2019 I will have sold over $130 million and helped over 350 clients buy or sell a home. I think my success comes from my strong business background while using my creativity, professionalism, and perseverance to get the job done.

It’s not just about buying or selling a home, but how I can have a positive impact on the lives of others.

What are you most proud of?

Besides my two children I’m thrilled to be consistently recognized for my level of service by past clients and my peers. I’ve been named one of the Top 10 Real Estate Agents in Illinois for client satisfaction since 2016, a 5-Star Agent by Chicago Magazine since 2012 and inducted into the Baird & Warner Founder’s Club—the top 5% of our company’s agents.

What is one thing people are often surprised to learn about you?

I love to decorate cakes. I’ve taught myself over the years and love to try different techniques and designs. I’ll often spend weeks planning the details if I’m making one for a special event. n Have a question? E-mail me at shaunna.burhop@bairdwarner.com

CONTENTS

06 LESS IS MORE

Two couples ask Shaunna to downsize their homes and rightsize their lifestyle.

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FROM LAMBS TO LUXE

It’s closing day and all that’s left to do is move in and... feed the lambs?

Shaunna to the rescue.

12 FIRST TIME’S THE CHARM You might find the perfect home in a place you’d never expect. Two young couples share their stories.

HOLIDAY MAGIC A family finds the perfect home but must stage and sell their own first, with the holidays right around the corner.

Challenge accepted!

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13 TIMES OF TROUBLE Helping to sell a home for a remote client who is grieving

08 CHANGE OF SCENERY

Retirement is on the horizon, but your home sale isn’t. Is it time for a fresh perspective?

14 MY SERVICES Whether you are a buying or selling, Shaunna can help you achieve your goals and create your home story.

LET’S GET SOCIAL!

Facebook: Like my page ShaunnaBurhopReal Estate for news, market trends, and connections to the community.

Instagram: Follow ShaunnaBurhop RealEstate to discover inspiring images and behind-the-scenes sneak peeks.

LinkedIN: Connect with me at ShaunnaBurhop to share resources and valuable real estate insights.

Email: Send your questions, comments or ideas to shaunna.burhop@ bairdwarner.com or just write to say hi!

… or old school ;) Call me directly at 847.275.0277 or let’s chat at the Baird & Warner office: 847-392-1855

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STAGING + SELLING

Holiday

MAGIC A family celebrates the gift of a new home, just in time for the new year

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he Menning family had outgrown their current home but had fallen in love with their neighborhood, school community, and network of friends they had built over the years. Larger homes did not go for sale very often so they called me in to talk about whether it was worth putting an addition on their three-bedroom split level.

Almost like magic, a few weeks later a four-bedroom colonial came on the market around the corner from them, and they called me to go see it. It was perfect for their family. The only trouble was it was mid-November, right when the housing market was slowing down for the holidays and they hadn’t even thought of getting their home on the market. We quickly put a game plan together and approached the seller of the larger home to see if they would accept an offer contingent on their sale. After explaining our detailed plan about how I was going to stage and market their current home, the seller accepted an offer giving us 30 days to get the home under contract. I went to work. Within days their home had been professionally staged, including just the right amount of “Christmas Spirit.” The house sold in two weeks and the family had the gift of a new home in the new year. n

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5 EASY holiday decorating tricks No time to decorate this year?

These quick staging tips will add just the right amount of holiday spirit to your home 1. GO GREEN!

Fill your empty planters with a mix of fresh cut greenery and artificial stems.

Wrap with a ribbon or a big red bow for a bold pop of seasonal color.

2. STEP IT UP!

A holiday welcome mat is a quick and easy way to dress up your porch, as well as adding weatherproof battery candles to light your stairs or walkway.

3. DECK THE HALLS!

Create a show-stopper mantle or hallway table by mixing garland, pine cones, cotton stems, and battery-operated string lights.

4. LET IT SHINE!

Add an outdoor-safe spotlight to highlight that wreath on your door and create a warm, welcoming glow.

5. GET IN THE SPIRIT!

Prepare a signature cocktail featuring cranberries and display it in a glass container for a festive touch.

BE FO RE

Simplifying is one of the best ways to assure a buyer’s attention goes to the amenities and lifestyle features of the home. Here, the stager gave the owner a list of what to pack away including the fireplace screen.

With less distractions, your eye goes immediately to the high ceilings and remodeled fireplace.

AFTER

“A F T E R ” P H O T O G R A P H S B Y V H T S T U D I O S

S H A U N N A B U R H O P. C O M

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STAGING + SELLING

Less is More

Two couples asked Shaunna to help them downsize their homes, and with paint, staging, and a few modern accessories, she paved the way for some dramatic (and profitable) transformations AFTER Repainted cabinets, warm pendant lighting, a shiny new backsplash, and light gray island countertop makes this kitchen feel larger, brighter, and more modern.

BEFORE

1 / BRENT AND LISA wanted to move from their large 3,800 square foot home to

The kitchen was too dark and traditional; it needed to compete with popular trends offered in nearby new construction.

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something more manageable after their kids had gone off to college. We met in the fall and discussed my recommendations and priority projects. I provided a designer to select paint colors and other finishes and they worked over the winter to target an early spring listing date. They used my recommended contractors as part of the plan which included updating their kitchen to compete with new construction in the area.

Kitchen cabinets were painted just the right shade of white, on-trend lighting and subway tile backsplash were added, and the island countertop was changed from a dark red granite to a beautiful gray quartz for a fresh new look. We put the home on the market in March and it sold within a week for top dollar.

AFTER The room was repainted a beautiful soft gray; excess traditional furnishings were stored and transitional elements brought in; light fixtures were replaced; and heavy draperies were removed to expose both the incredible arched windows and view to the yard.

Why is staging so important?

Buyers aren’t just looking for a new home, they are looking to fulfill a vision they have of a new life.

Staging helps “sell the dream” and often generates not only a higher asking price, but less time on the market.

This is why I provide a staging consultation with my designer Michele Blasco from Creative Haven for all my sellers. I trust her implicitly and she continues to amaze me with her transformations.

Every home is unique and our goal is to showcase what it has to offer.

Here are some of the basics we consider: BEFORE

2 / MARK AND KATE wanted to downsize into their

retirement home within a year. When we met, they wanted my honest opinion on what needed to be done in order to sell in the $1 million+ range. Other agents had told them their home would sell for less or that they would have to remove their custom stained glass which is just one of the many incredible elements that made this home special. In the prior year only five homes had sold over $1 million in Arlington Heights. Buyers in this range are demanding: they look for Heavy textiles, traditional decor, important lifestyle features such as open flows, grand entries, and a gold wall color detracted from the incredible architecture and generous room sizes. While the home is one of the finest and would not appeal to quality in the area, it was built 20 years ago and we knew that modern buyers. in order to appeal to buyers we would have to create the vision of a more neutral and modern home. My designer and I made recommendations for staging and refreshing the home with soft gray paint, replacing light fixtures, and pairing down traditional furniture while bringing in more transitional pieces.

These simple changes allowed buyers to appreciate the level of quality and detailed customizations in the home. The seller saw the importance of making these changes, and working together we were able to sell the home in approximately six weeks for over $1 million and over 400% return on investment. n “A F T E R ” P H O T O G R A P H S B Y V H T S T U D I O S

FIRST IMPRESSION: Cleaning up the exterior, landscaping, and front entrance is very important.

Having an entryway that smells fresh and is bright, open, and well-organized are all equally crucial.

CLEAN SLATE: Removing photographs of the current owners allows new buyers to picture themselves in the space. You can also create “artwork” out of the frames by covering the photos with beautiful design paper.

FLOW: Flow of design and color make your home stand out. It’s important to use complementary colors and styles from room to room and to create the impression of open space.

Having a line of sight that is unimpeded from the doorway of the room to the far wall is the goal.

S H A U N N A B U R H O P. C O M

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RELOCATION + RETIREMENT

BEFORE

Before Traditional furniture and carpeted flooring created a dated look.

The layout blocked amazing windows.

After Beautiful wood flooring and new modern furnishings were placed at an angle to showcase the gorgeous windows and make the entire space feel larger and more open.

AFTER AFTER

Change of

SCENERY

Two retired couples entrust Shaunna with updating and selling their homes so they can start their next chapter GWEN AND TIM had a goal to get to Florida and start their retirement in the sunshine state. They consulted me in the fall and we came up with a plan using my professional designer/stager and our trusted contractors. It was a team effort to recommend the right type of moderate improvements that would allow them to appeal to our target buyers in a competitive market. The investment paid off—we sold their home within a few weeks very close to asking price and they were happily on their way!

BEFORE

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Before Old appliances, laminate counters and dated appliances made this kitchen feel tired. After Changing out the countertops, appliances, lighting, and adding a beautiful gray subway tile brings the kitchen to life. The new gray wall color also makes the white trim pop.

AFTER

BEFORE

Before Dull colors plus sparse furnishings and decor left buyers wanting more. After A fresh coat of paint, colorful staging, and simple draperies make the room appear larger and more welcoming.

RON AND LINDA also planned to get

to Florida after retiring as teachers.

Their home had been for sale for over a year with another agent. When I walked in for the consult I immediately knew why it wasn’t selling—it felt empty and cold because the previous agent had told them to remove most of their furniture.

My stager worked her magic with small but impactful improvement projects and leased furniture. We put it back on the market and it sold within a week. n

Before Window valances and an excess of furniture made the master bedroom feel dark and small. After We removed the valances to showcase the windows and added bold color and pattern to the bed. With matching lamps and simple art, the room now entices buyers with the vision of a luxurious Master Suite.

AFTER “A F T E R ” P H O T O G R A P H S B Y V H T S T U D I O S

BEFORE

S H A U N N A B U R H O P. C O M

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RENOVATIONS + DESIGN

From

LAMBS to

LUXE Shaunna helps new homeowners deal with unexpected guests

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ith a desire to move within a very tight geography—blocks from both close friends and the desirable downtown area of Arlington Heights—my clients Jon and Christine found their choices to be limited. They decided to purchase a well-kept Victorian style two-flat built in 1901 and convert it back to a singlefamily home, modernizing the flow and function while keeping the charm and character. Everything had been negotiated, inspection issues resolved and we were on our way to closing.

On our way to the final walk through, the agent called me to tell me we had a problem. She said there are lambs. I said, excuse me, did you say… lambs?

It was February and apparently, the seller, who owned a farm two hours away, was worried about leaving them alone while they came back to the house to finish their move. When we drove up, I expected to see them in the yard or perhaps the garage, but unbelievably the seller had let them down into 10

OPEN HOUSE / WINTER 2019

the basement. We walked through the home, documented the ridiculousness, and immediately called the attorney to postpone the closing. That day I had an estimate from a sanitation company and negotiated a credit from the seller to have the house professionally cleaned. The closing was rescheduled a few days later and this time went as planned.

Looking at the home now, you would never imagine.

Utilizing one of my design resources, they have renovated their entire first floor including a gorgeous luxury kitchen that’s now open to the rest of the living space and perfect for the way they host family and friends. With a nod to the character of the home, the designer suggested matching the inlay of the cabinets to the original pocket doors. The large island is the perfect gathering spot and functions for prep, serving, or place to grab a quick bite. The original kitchen space is now an incredible butler’s pantry complete with farm sink, beverage fridge, and tons of storage—the envy of all their guests. The lambs are just a distant memory. n

An Eye for Design Shaunna linked Jon and Christine with a designer through her extensive network, and they were more than thrilled: “The best part of working with her was exploring ideas we never could of thought of ourselves, like moving the kitchen or having a butlers pantry. She considered our routines, how we host, our space needs—we couldn’t be happier with how it all turned out.”

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PRO TIP: Extend subway tile all the way to the ceiling to highlight architecture and make your ceilings appear taller!

INTERIOR PHOTOGRAPHS BY MEG BERGER

S H A U N N A B U R H O P. C O M

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SEARCHING + INVESTING

First Time’s THE CHARM Shaunna helps two young couples find their perfect first home

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Richie and Jill BARRINGTON

THE SEARCH Richie and Jill were referred to me by Jill’s mom

who was a past client of mine. I had helped her sell Jill’s grandmother’s home in Arlington Heights. Jill had grown up in Crystal Lake and knew Arlington Heights because of her grandmother. Richie was not from the area. MUST-HAVES On the top of their list were: four bedrooms, updated cosmetics, nice yard, great schools, nice community, and a reasonable drive to work for each of them. THE FIND Because they were open to many areas, we spent time exploring Arlington Heights, Palatine, Lake Zurich, Libertyville, Vernon Hills, and eventually Barrington. They finally chose a beautiful twostory colonial in Barrington. It was nicely remodeled and gave them space to entertain family and friends. It checked all the boxes plus one—a pool, which happened to be on Richie’s “wish list.” It was the perfect match.

2 Ryan and Kristen NAPERVILLE

THE SEARCH Ryan and Kristen were referred to me by their

parent’s friends. Our initial search was Arlington Heights and the surrounding Northwest Suburbs. I knew this wouldn’t be easy—at the time the available inventory was outdated and more traditional in layout. The dream home they were describing didn’t seem available. MUST-HAVES Open floorplan, updated cosmetics, nice yard, good schools, nice community and a reasonable commute by train to the city. THE FIND With limited available inventory in the Northwest Suburbs, we discussed expanding their search to other areas. After one trip to Naperville, it soon became a favorite and several homes started to check boxes on their wish list. They selected a beautiful home in a wonderful neighborhood, known for its community amenities including parks and a private pool. n

“It was a pleasure searching for our home with Shaunna—she happily helped us find what was right for us. If we were buying another home we would definitely use her again, but she found us our dream home so we are not planning on moving for a long time!” — Ryan and Kristen 12

OPEN HOUSE / WINTER 2019

SENIOR LIVING + ESTATES

A home is often the largest asset in an estate, and how to handle the sale can be a point of dispute among heirs. Talk to me early in the process.

In Times of Trouble A long-distance seller relies on Shaunna to advise and manage the sale of her late brother’s estate

BE FO RE

J

eanette called me after her brother passed away. She needed to sell his home and was overwhelmed. Parts of it were in disrepair and she lived 900 miles away. We reviewed options to sell the home “as is� or make some improvements, and I offered to coordinate estimates from contractors for her review. With my help, she decided to install new flooring, remove a half wall that made the kitchen seem small, install new lighting, refresh a bathroom, paint, and then stage to sell. I coordinated the contractors, stager, and cleaning crew, and after the home hit the market we had multiple offers near list price. Jeanette was relieved, and I felt honored to have her trust in me to handle all of the details during such a difficult time. n

AFTER Before The kitchen was in disrepair and felt dark, small, and outdated. After We removed the half wall, painted, added new flooring, lighting, and window treatments. With some light staging the space showcased both beauty and function.

S H A U N N A B U R H O P. C O M

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MY SERVICES

Shaunna is STAGING + SELLING

SEARCHING + INVESTING

Every home has a story, a unique narrative that has the ability to captivate the imagination and enable potential buyers to imagine themselves living their best lives in your home.

Whether your goal is to capture a high value quick sale, or coordinate with a new home purchase, creating and marketing that story is critical.

Whether a first-time buyer, seasoned investor, or transitioning seller moving to a larger or smaller home, I’ll listen and collaborate with you to define your goals and develop your overall search strategy. You’ll benefit from my experience, strong market knowledge, negotiation skills, attention to detail, and community network.

Key benefits include:

Key benefits include:

• Personalized, honest advice and options tailored to your unique home and goals

• A Home Buyer Direct Access Program providing access to off-market listings. I can often make arrangements for a private tour before a home hits the market

• Comprehensive pricing assessment of your home’s value in the current market plus tips and customized recommendations for improvements that can maximize your bottom line • Professional staging, pre-listing preparation, and stand out photography to present your home in its best light

SHAUNNA BURHOP

is one of the top real estate agents in the Chicago Northwest Suburbs, and she has consistently been recognized as one of the Top 10 Real Estate Agents in Illinois. Call Shaunna to request a consultation today at 847.275.0277.

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• Persistent communications to a network of potential buyers and top producing agents, promoting your listing • Sophisticated online marketing and social media campaigns, utilizing high quality imagery and storytelling • Personal attention to get you through inspection, appraisal, and other contract contingencies

• Creativity and professionalism that has enabled buyers to successfully purchase their home even in competitive multiple offer situations or under condition of selling their existing home first • Honest advice and personal attention to get you through inspection, appraisal, and other contract contingencies • Analytical insights regarding home values, area market trends, and community comparisons to assist buyers with decision making • Access to my network of trusted service providers such as attorneys, inspectors, and lenders

“Moving my parents across the country to be closer to us, while having to sell their home, was a very stressful and emotional experience. Shaunna was respectful of our goals, budget, and time. She personally made sure the whole process was as smooth and painless as possible.”

— Maia from Eugene, OR

your Key to Sold RENOVATIONS + DESIGN

RELOCATION + RETIREMENT

SENIOR LIVING + ESTATES

With aging inventory throughout our marketplace and tough competition for value properties, identifying homes that have the potential for modernization takes a critical eye. Being able to assess both the financial implications and the design possibilities, I’m able to provide clients valuable information and a network of vetted pros they can rely on.

Relocation or retirement plans provide an extra level of logistics whether moving across town or across the country. Relocating can have the added stress of changing jobs or settling the family into a new routine, while retiring often involves downsizing to smaller spaces. My insights and experience can help make the process easier.

Whether moving as a choice to a Senior community or helping sell the estate of a loved one, the process can be fraught with complexity, emotion, and stressful decision making. Having a trusted advisor who can guide you through can make all the difference. I’ll provide options and recommendations based on each person’s goals and capabilities.

Key benefits include:

Key benefits include:

Key benefits include:

• Financial analysis and historical data review to assist with decisions about post-renovation value

• Targeting areas to relocate or retire via my network of trusted experts who can provide local market knowledge and advice

• Connecting you with trusted professional service providers such as estate sale companies, legal counsel, movers, and tradespeople

• Extensive knowledge of renovated inventory to offer initial design modernization ideas that fit with today’s lifestyle

• Communications with out-of-area agents to coordinate the home sale and purchase

• Hands on approach to getting you through inspection, appraisal, and other contract contingencies

• Access to moving companies and other service providers who specialize in out of state moves

• Recommendations of trusted contractors and design professionals

• Certifications that enable me to work with all of the top thirdparty relocation companies (if you have an employer-sponsored relocation package)

• Compassionate and sensitive handling of sellers who may not have moved in a very long time • Resources for Senior move management including a design consultant who can help with space planning into smaller homes

Open House is a promotional magazine edited and published by Shaunna Burhop, designed by Adam Moroschan (adammoroschan.com), and printed through Printivity.com. All content is ©2019 Shaunna Burhop, all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Follow Shaunna on Instagram and Facebook at ShaunnaBurhopRealEstate for market trends, design ideas, homeowner tips, and valuable real estate insights. You can also call or text to set up an appointment at 847.275.0277 or E-mail at shaunna.burhop@bairdwarner.com. PHOTO CREDITS COVER: iStock.com/www. halfpoint.sk PG 02–03: (cake) iStock.com/Mila Bond; (woman with lights) iStock.com/aleksandarnakiccom; (paint can) iStock.com/tjeerdkruse.nl; (sheep) iStock.com/ogergo PG 04–05: (boy) iStock.com/aleksandarnakic.com PG 13: (woman) fizkes/Shutterstock.com BACK COVER: Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com.

S H A U N N A B U R H O P. C O M

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Let me help you create your home story.

Buying or selling a home is an emotional process, and being able to provide honest and caring advice goes a long way.

I believe that is why so much of my business is from repeat customers or referrals to family and friends. Whether you are a first-time home buyer or seller, outgrowing your current home, or moving as a result of a life change, I will help you achieve your goals so you can ultimately live in the home that fits you best.

Let’s create your story, together.

847.275.0277 / shaunna.burhop @ bairdwarner.com