McKenzie Q4 2024 Winter Newsletter (8.5 × 11 in)

WINTER QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

COMPASS:

568 Lincoln Avenue Winnetka, Illinois 60093.

CONTENTS TABLE OF

Meet O’ So Good Living....

Team Letter

Overview of this quarter's newsletter highlighting the market along with other real estate and local news.

Meet Karen O’Sullivan and Cara O’Dea, the creative minds behind O’So Good Living—a lifestyle newsletter from two Wilmette moms inspiring women 50+ with approachable tips on fashion, beauty, and living your best life.

Wilmette Spotlight

How's The Market

A market synopsis provided by Ryan Skaggs, Neigh- borhood Loans. He shares his thoughts on the current market environment.

The ongoing inventory shortage remains a defining feature of our local real estate market, with no signs of change on the horizon. We’ll also explore the latest hyperlocal market data. 11 We're sharing our resource directory—a curated list of trusted professionals and businesses we've worked with or that come highly recommended—in hopes it proves helpful as you kick off the new year. Trusty Resource Guide

Local Stats & Neighborhood Sales

Sharing the most recent neighborhood sales for the past quarter, to keep you up to date with the latest activity in our local real estate market.

HELLO WINTER!

Happy New Year and welcome to our 2025 Real Estate Newsletter! As we step into a new year and a new administration, the real estate market is brimming with potential and poised for some fascinating developments. With policy shifts on the horizon, we’re eager to see how these changes may shape the housing landscape in the coming months. In this issue, we’re looking beyond the bricks and mortar of real estate to highlight the vibrant community that makes us so proud. We’re thrilled to introduce Karen O’Sullivan and Cara O’Dea, the visionary duo behind the popular O’So Good Living newsletter and their Instagram and TikTok accounts of the same name. These trailblazers are redefining lifestyle content for the dynamic 50+ crowd (not that we’re dating ourselves here!). We had an absolute blast interviewing Karen and Cara, and they had so much to share that he interview spans a full four pages. Trust us, it’s worth the read—and if you have time, check out the video interview we recorded with them.

Their energy and inspiration are contagious, and we’re looking forward to following their journey throughout the year. We’re sure you’ll enjoy their fresh lifestyle tips and creative ideas as much as we did! On the real estate front, we’re sharing a comprehensive recap of Q4 home sales in our area. This retrospective not only highlights recent market trends but also sets the stage for what’s ahead. We’ll also delve into how the anticipated easing of interest rates could impact buying and selling in 2025. If you’re considering a move this year, now’s the time to start planning. Current market trends suggest this spring could offer excellent opportunities for sellers. Whether you’re curious about your home’s value or want to explore the market further, we’re here to help. As always, our team is your trusted neighborhood resource for all things real estate. Wishing you a healthy and prosperous 2025! Lydia & Jane

Meet the Luminaries of 50+ Lifestyle

Cara: When I had the opportunity to help Karen at the shop starting up her social media, we discovered that we had alot in common - growing up in New Jersey, loving all things fashion and design and a real desire to try new adventures. O’So Good Living is just the culmination of all our experiences and interests and wanting to share all that information with a community of like-minded women. L&J: How did your previous experiences—Karen with “Share” and Cara with your social media and design expertise—shape your approach to this project? Karen: We are both very active on social media and found that there weren’t a lot of other women talking to us. Some felt too young, others very focused on just one topic; like the home or makeup and many that were appealing to a very specific niche like high end fashion or travel. We wanted to share a little bit of it all in an approachable way. We focus on the high and low when it comes to making purchases and that not all of life’s experiences need to involve elaborate travel plans. We really just want 50+ women to feel alive and optimistic about their future. Cara: Yes, I think we both like to keep current on all things style and design, as well as silly things like reality tv - a lot of that is through things like Instagram and TikTok. I have learned so much from TikTok - I’ve started cooking more than ever and also like to see what beauty products are new and what’s in and out as far as fashion goes. Not that I wear a lot more than yoga pants most days, I still like to know what pieces I need to get for when I actually need to get “dressed”. But it was hard to find any blogs or influencers who “spoke” to me, who combined all the things that I was interested in. We both love to search for that perfect gift for someone or the perfect face cream that is both affordable and effective so why not share the wealth! Karen O’Sullivan & Cara O’Dea

L&J: Can you each share a little about your background and what inspired you to start your new lifestyle newsletter, O’So Good Living? Karen: For me, I always knew I wanted to work in fashion. I went to the Fashion Institute of Technology and worked in PR and Magazines. After a move to Chicago, some jobs in advertising and raising my daughters, I was ready to open a store, which was the perfect way for me to take all of my ideas and make them come to life by curating the shop. But really O’So Good Living leads back to how much I loved working for magazines. It’s very fun to come up with story ideas, research them and then put them out there in a beautiful way. Cara and I share a passion for being in-the- know and doing deep dives on very random topics and we found that our friends and the customers at the shop really appreciated what we had to share. Cara: My background was completely different than Karens! I studied economics in college and worked in the financial services world after graduating. But I was always really interested in pop culture and beauty. After getting married, I moved to Chicago and then started my family. I worked part-time for various small businesses in town, eventually working in my friend’s dermatology practice, which I loved!

L&J: Are there particular topics or features that have resonated most with your audience? Karen: It seems our community is most interested in what we have to say about beauty and fashion, which makes sense because those are probably the two things we respectively know best. But we’ve had a really nice response to all of our content. Cara: I would agree. As we get older, our bodies change and our skin just isn’t the same as it was even 5 years ago. So I think our community, just like us, want to feel our best and a cute pair of jeans and the perfect lipstick really goes a longway in making us feel good about ourselves. Things like cool places to travel with your friends or new way to make your favorite cocktail is also something people ask for. L&J: Karen, Share was beloved for its curated home accessories, furniture, and even clothing. Do you incorporate any elements from your store’s aesthetic into the newsletter, O’So Good Living? Karen: If people could see us when we are working on each article, they would definitely get how the shop and this newsletter are connected. For each article, we hunt for the best products, photos and information so that we can put out a really aesthetic newsletter and content. Our approach remains similar to the shop in that we believe you don’t have to spend a lot of money to make yourself or your home look put together. L&J: Cara, your background in elevating clients’ social media presence and your design eye are impressive. How have these skills influenced the newsletter, O’ So Good Living’s branding and outreach? Cara: I think I really like to present people in the absolute best light and that means that you really have to know the audience and know how

L&J: What does lifestyle for the more mature woman mean to you, and how do you bring that vision to life through your content? Karen: This is a new chapter for many women our age; we’re becoming empty nesters, noticing changes in our skin, wondering what styles are right for us and how to best spend new found free time. Our biggest goal is to laugh and not take ourselves and the content we put out there too seriously. We’re not striving for perfection, so we’re not out there telling women you have to do a bunch of work on yourself or make big, lofty plans. We’re just encouraging others, including ourselves, to wake up every day and maybe try something new, spend a little extra time on self care, call your friend, or visit a place you’ve always wanted to. Cara: Being in my late 50’s - I’m way older than Karen! I have much more freedom and confidence to go out there and try new things and not really care what somebody may think of me. It’s so liberating! We’re just encouraging other women like us to keep going! There’s so many cool new things to try. L&J: Your newsletter has gained a lot of popularity in a short time. What do you think sets it apart from others in the lifestyle space? Karen: We are so fortunate to have a very loyal following from the shop and great friends and family supporting us. Right now, we feel we are still talking to a pretty focused group and we hope to keep reaching more women who just want to live their best lives! Cara: It has been so encouraging seeing the comments and messages from the people we know from all stages of our lives! I think both of us have always been people that our friends turn to for fashion or beauty advice - so now we’re just opening it up to a larger audience. Like a big group chat!

Cara : we’ve thought during the week. And it’s especially fun when someone reaches out and suggests things that they’d like us to talk about. L&J: W hat has been the most rewarding or surprising part of starting this newsletter? Karen: Without a doubt, working with Cara. Cara and I loved working together at the shop and we connected on so many levels. Being Jersey girls we share a very similar work ethic and a general curiosity for all things current and fresh. (YKYK;) When the shop closed, we both took a bit of time to hit the reset button and then started talking again about how we could collaborate on our next project. This format feels right for us because it allows us to still go about our daily lives, which can get busy sometimes, but also not get lost in it. We have really valued the time that we put towards working on the newsletter, planning our next outing and just coming up with unique ways to share how we can all benefit from good experiences and just taking that extra moment each day to look and feel your best. Cara: I feel the same! You don’t always get to be friends with, much less work with, someone who “gets” you. Nothing is too crazy or silly to bring up and we know exactly what the other one will think about a certain topic. And we travel really well together! And neither one of us has met a french fry that we didn’t like. Karen was a little bit ahead of me in getting back into the swing of“working”, but I forgot how rewarding it is to learn new things and put yourself out there. L&J: Have there been any unexpected challenges or lessons learned along the way? Karen: If people could see us creating content sometimes, they would laugh as hard as we do. It is a challenge to keep up with social media, but we’re doing our best.

Cara: to edit and highlight somebody’s best parts of their business. Instagram has really changed in the past few years - a beautiful grid just doesn’t do the job anymore. Karen has really immersed herself in all things Instagram algorithm - so I’m learning how to do reels and carousels. But it’s been fun. L&J: Can you walk us through the creative process behind your newsletter, O’So Good Living? How do you decide what to feature, and what does your collaboration look like? Karen: We have so much fun getting together for our planning sessions. We talk about what we’ve been noticing, what our friends have been asking us about and sometimes the season dictates a bit of the content. We divide up the articles and then come back together to assemble the newsletter. We share a similar thirst for knowledge, so we have no shortage of topics to cover! Cara: It is such a collaborative process! And I think we both have our “specialities” and so that makes it easier. We both come to our meetings with our Notes app full of things Instagram: @osogoodliving

Cara:

Cara: Just putting yourself out there for scrutiny. But once you get over that fear, it’s great. And I’ve gained an unbelievable amount of respect for these full-time influencers. It is hard! L&J: As social media-savvy creators, how do you stay on top of trends while staying true to your vision? Karen: When we decided to go forward with O’So Good Living, we said that our number one priority is that we have fun while doing it. So, while we try to keep up with trends, we really let our own sensibilities guide us. Cara: We only want to do things that are fun and where we will learn something from. I think we are really good at judging what is too much as far as trends go and how we can make it work for women like us. L&J: What are your long-term goals for the newsletter, O’So Good Living, and are there any exciting projects or initiatives in the works? Karen: We are taking each day as it comes. We really enjoy writing the newsletter and trying new experiences and products for our content, so we are open to whatever opportunities come our way. Working with brands that we align with would be very exciting. Cara: We have lots of ideas and are learning new things everyday. We want to make sure we are staying true to ourselves while also pushing ourselves to try different approaches to things. L&J: Are there any partnerships or collaborations on the horizon that you can share? Karen: We have been pleasantly surprised by some brands that have found us and reached out, so each opportunity is an exciting one.

We definitely have our “dream”

collaborations - so you never know!

L&J : How do you hope your newsletter, O’So Good Living will impact your audience and the broader lifestyle community? Karen: We hope that our newsletter is something people look forward to reading, like a letter from your friends. We create it to feel like a magazine that you want to curl up and take some time with. Cara:: I used to love getting a fresh new magazine in the mail- and I think we’d like to replicate that feeling within our community - only now through your inbox. I think we are always trying to find the topics that affect women like us and explore how we can put our very relatable spin on them. L&J: What advice would you give to other women looking to embark on creative projects or ventures later in life? Karen: If it feels authentic to you, do it! And embrace the challenges, as they keep you motivated. Cara: Just go for it! If you feel like it’s something that you’re passionate about, then put the work in and it will be rewarding.

For The Full Interview:

So Many Questions...

A 2025 Mortgage Market Update

By Ryan Skaggs VP Mortgage Lending As we step into 2025, the housing and mortgage markets find

accessibility and interest rates. Clarity on their future could simplify lending guidelines, benefiting borrowers and lenders. What This Means for You Planning ahead is crucial. Whether assessing your finances or finding the best market entry, staying informed and agile will be your best tools. With expert guidance, you can navigate these changes confidently. Real Estate: A Long-Term Win Despite short-term uncertainty, history shows real estate values rise over time. The FHFA reports U.S. home prices have grown 4.6% annually since 1991, even through downturns. North Shore markets reflect even stronger resilience, reinforcing the value of homeownership as a stable, wealth-building investment. Closing Thoughts Now is the time to take charge of your financial future. Whether you’re exploring bridge loans, home quity lines for renovations, assessing affordability for a new home, or tapping into first-time buyer programs, I’m here to help. Let’s connect to craft a strategy tailored to your goals and navigate today’s opportunities with confidence. -Your Mortgage powered by Your Neighbor-

themselves at the crossroads of uncertainty and opport- tunity. Home-

owners across the North Shore and beyond are asking critical questions that could shape their financial decisions in the months ahead. Here are three of the most pressing questions and why they matter to you: 1. Who Will Be the Next Treasury Secretary? The Treasury Secretary influences fiscal policy, housing initiatives, and economic stimulus, which affect mortgage rates and lending conditions. This impacts refinancing affordability or purchasing a second home. Housing-friendly policies could stabilize markets and boost confidence among buyers and sellers. 2. Will the Fed Cut Interest Rates? After years of rate hikes, many wonder if 2025 will bring cuts. Lower rates could mean reduced mortgage payments, easier financing for buyers, and more market activity. This decision will shape household budgets and the real estate market’s momentum. 3. Will Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Exit Conservatorship? Since 2008, these entities have operated under federal conservatorship. Privatization could reshape mortgage lending, influencing loan

How's The Market?

Looking ahead, mortgage rates are expected to remain between 6% and 7%, barring a recession. The oncehoped-for return to 5% rates is now a distant memory, and buyers are gradually adjusting to the reality of higher interest rates rather than sitting on the sidelines. Nationally, home prices are projected to rise by approximately 2.6% in 2025. Locally, North Shore inventory levels remained tight throughout 2024, and if this trend persists, prices are likely to climb further. For example, Wilmette’s single-family home prices have soared by over 17% compared to last year! Demand continues to be especially strong for move-in-ready single-family homes. For now, the market is expected to remain characterized by high demand and limited inventory, keeping sellers firmly in the driver’s seat.

The North Shore housing market continues to grapple with an inventory shortage as we head into 2025. Many homeowners are holding onto their properties longer, largely due to the "rate lock" effect—hesitation to part with historically low mortgage rates. This reluctance is particularly evident among empty nesters, who face the additional challenge of finding suitable downsizing options in a tight market. At the same time, young families are migrating from the city to the suburbs, drawn by the promise of more space, flexibility for remote work, and access to vibrant communities with excellent schools. Wilmette, in particular, checks all the boxes for these buyers, and homes are being snapped up quickly. In the city, however, the housing market tells a different story. The downtown condo market is experiencing higher inventory levels and softer demand, creating opportunities for buyers.

MCKENZIE Q4 Single Family Data Points Median Price

WILMETTE Median Price $1,150,000 (+ 15% YOY) Original List to Close 103% (+1%) Median Price Per SQFT $385 (+8%) Months Supply 1.3 (+8%) Median Days on Market 8 (+14%)

$1,068,560 (+ 7% YOY) Original List to Close 105% (+3%) Median Price Per SQFT $398 (+5%) Months Supply 1 (+66%) Median Days on Market 7 (0%)

Data Source: MRED As of 12/31/2024

Recent Neighborhood Sales

218 Central Park Avenue 4 BD · 3.1 BA 3,916 SQFT · $1,209,100 Lot Dim: 50X138 Garage: 2 Year Built: 1989

2123 Parkview Court 3 BD · 2 BA 1,339 SQFT · $540,000 Lot Dim:36X108x96X149 Garage: 2 Year Built: 1956

1705 Highland Avenue 4 BD · 2.1 BA 3,530 SQFT. · $1,581,000 Lot Dim: 42X156 Garage: 2 Year Built: 1923 1720 Highland Avenue 5 BD · 4 BA 3,760 SQFT · $1,620,000 Lot Dim: 50X150 Garage: 2 Year Built: 1921

1611 Greenwood Avenue 4 BD · 3.1 BA 3,123 SQFT · $1,209,000 Lot Dim:100X124 Garage: 2 Year Built: 1855 818 17th Street 4 BD · 2.1 BA 3,069 SQFT · $1,175,000 Lot Dim: 44X234 Garage: 2 Year Built: 1953 111 Sterling Lane 2 BD · 2.1 BA 1,763 SQFT · $701,000 Lot Dim:81X117 Garage: 2 Year Built: 1953 1946 Highland Avenue 4 BD · 3 BA $870,750 Lot Dim: 50X132 Garage: 1 Year Built: 1955

1530 Highland Avenue 4+2 BD · 4.1 BA $3,000,000 Lot Dim: 100X155 Garage: 4 Year Built: 2004

Our Trusted Resource Directory “Freshen Up Your Home for the New Year with Our Trusted Resource Guide!”

We understand that businesses and contact information can change, so while we’ve done our best to ensure accuracy, you may occasionally find an outdated entry. If you do, please let us know—we’re always updating our records. Similarly, if you have a favorite provider we should include, share their details with us. We’d be happy to reach out and grow our directory. How to Access the Resource Directory: Scan the QR code below to access our guide directly. Save it for when you need it or share it with friends and family. Disclaimer: While we are happy to share these recommendations, please note that we cannot guarantee the quality of service or mediate any disputes that may arise. All services are provided at your discretion. We hope this guide becomes a valuable tool for your home improvement and maintenance needs. Here’s to starting the year with a home that’s refreshed, ready, and potentially even market-ready!

As the New Year approaches, it’s the perfect time to refresh your home, tackle necessary repairs, or even consider smaller, high-ROI projects to enhance your home’s value— especially if you’re thinking of selling in the near future. Whether you’re planning to update your space or maximize its appeal to buyers, we’ve got you covered. Introducing Our Resource Directory: As experienced local realtors, we’re often asked for recommendations on reliable providers for repairs, maintenance, or renovation projects. To make it easier for our clients and neighbors, we’ve compiled a Resource Directory—a curated list of trusted professionals and businesses we’ve worked with or that have come highly recommended by others in our community. This guide is the product of years of collecting referrals from fellow agents, friends, and clients. Many of the providers listed are go-to experts we know personally, while others have built strong reputations for excellent service.

For The Directory

STD. PRE-SORT U.S. POSTAGE PAID WINNETKA IL PERMIT 133

Lydia DeLeo & Jane O'Malley 568 Lincoln Avenue Winnetka, IL 60093

Thinking of Making Your Move This Spring?

Home Staging Consultation.

WE MARKET YOUR HOME FOR ALL IT’S WORTH

DeLeo & O’Malley Group is a Real Estate broker affiliated with Compass. Compass is a licensed Real Estate broker with a principal office in Chicago, IL and abides by all applicable Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only, is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, and changes without notice. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of Real Estate brokerage.

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