Kim Johnson Real Estate Updates

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Kim Johnson Real Estate Updates Real Estate Broker with over 20 years of experience serving the Chicago Western Suburbs, Downtown Chicago.

Certified Negotiation Expert, Certified Distressed Property Expert, Pre-License Instructor and Continuing Education Instructor, National Recruiter

The amount you borrow hasn’t changed. So why would the monthly payment be higher?Because the interest rate changes what ...
10/27/2026

The amount you borrow hasn’t changed. So why would the monthly payment be higher?

Because the interest rate changes what it costs to borrow that money.

Freddie Mac reported an average 30-year fixed mortgage rate of 7.32% on October 22, 2026, compared with 6.19% a year earlier.

Here’s what that difference looks like on a $400,000 loan over 30 years:

▪ At 6.19%: about $2,447 a month.
▪ At 7.32%: about $2,748 a month.

Same loan amount. About $300 more every month, before taxes, insurance, and other housing costs.

That difference competes with real things: groceries, childcare, retirement savings, and the breathing room every household needs.

The asking price gets your attention. The monthly cost deserves just as much.

Here are three things to take from this:

1. Buying? Start with your comfortable monthly budget.
Ask your lender for the full estimated payment, including taxes, insurance, and any mortgage insurance. Factor in HOA fees and maintenance, too.

2. Selling? Understand the buyer’s math.
Buyers weigh your asking price against what they can manage each month. Price your home with current local comparable sales and competing listings in mind.

3. Waiting for lower rates? Build a plan that works without a prediction.
A future refinance may help, but it isn’t guaranteed. Make sure the payment works at the rate available to you when you buy.

A home should leave room in your budget for the life you want to live in it.

Thinking about buying or selling in Chicago, Oak Park, or River Forest? Message me “PLAN.” Let’s talk through your options and coordinate with your lender on the numbers before you make your next move.

I negotiate fiercely what matters to you!

Kim Johnson
Managing Broker | KW ONEChicago

Source: Freddie Mac, Primary Mortgage Market Survey, October 22, 2026. Comparison is with a year earlier. Illustrative payments cover principal and interest only on a $400,000, 30-year fixed mortgage. Taxes, insurance, and other costs are excluded. National average rates are not a loan offer. Actual rates and costs vary.

The right move should make everyday life easier.Think about the groceries you carry upstairs. The rooms you maintain but...
10/20/2026

The right move should make everyday life easier.

Think about the groceries you carry upstairs.
The rooms you maintain but rarely use.
The drive that keeps you farther from work or family than you want to be.

Those details belong on your home search checklist.

You can have enough square footage and still need a home that works differently.

Before you start browsing, try this:

1. Keep a “make it easier” list for one week.
Whenever something about your home or location complicates your routine, write it down. Look for what keeps coming up.

2. Consider what you could improve where you are.
Repurposing a room might solve a space problem. Being closer to family depends on location. Getting specific helps you understand what a move would actually accomplish.

3. Choose three things your next home must improve.
Maybe it’s everyday living on one floor, less upkeep, or a shorter commute. Bring that list to every showing.

Then ask: “What gets easier here, and what gets harder?”

Every home involves trade-offs. Knowing which ones you’re comfortable with gives you a much stronger basis for a decision.

If a move is on your mind, let’s talk about what would make it worthwhile for you.

I negotiate fiercely what matters to you!

kimjohnsonchicago.com

10/18/2026

When people trust your judgment, continuing to learn becomes part of your responsibility.

My time in Calgary for the IAAO Annual Conference reflects that commitment. After 32+ years in real estate, I still value the opportunity to ask better questions, hear different perspectives, and strengthen the advice I give.

Three things I keep coming back to:

1. Experience should improve your questions.

A situation can look familiar and still deserve a fresh look. Another home. Another family. Another set of circumstances. “What is different this time?” is a question worth asking.

2. Education should change something.

After a conference, a conversation, or a difficult experience, ask yourself: “What will I do differently because of this?”

The value becomes real when you put the lesson to work.

3. Listening is part of being knowledgeable.

A client may have priorities you have never considered. A colleague may see a better approach. Someone you love may need you to understand before you offer advice.

There is something to learn in each of those moments.

This applies far beyond real estate. It matters in how we lead, make decisions, and care for the people who count on us.

I value the experience I have earned. I also know there are people I can serve better because of something I have yet to learn.

What is one lesson that changed how you approach your work or your life?

Yesterday, I boarded a plane for the 2026 IAAO Annual Conference to deepen my understanding of property valuation and as...
10/14/2026

Yesterday, I boarded a plane for the 2026 IAAO Annual Conference to deepen my understanding of property valuation and assessment, exchange ideas, and learn from others in the field.

Experience has taught me how much the details matter. Behind every property is someone making decisions about their home, their investment, or their next chapter. They deserve informed guidance.

That’s what makes continuing to learn so meaningful to me. I get to bring that knowledge home to the people I serve.

Follow along! I’ll be sharing takeaways from Calgary.

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700 Busse Highway
Park Ridge, IL
60068

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