Buy, sell, build. No matter where you’re at in the process of finding your next home, you need someone who can give you the right advice at the right time. If there’s anyone who’s an expert on what’s in and what’s out when it comes to industry trends, it’s Coldwell Banker’s Kim Lotka. She’s an invaluable resource to her clients, especially when it comes to the best way to prep a home for market. Right now, less is more.

“I’m Scandinavian, and I see design trends going that way,” Lotka says. “I just built a home for myself in Hinsdale that is quite small with an open floor plan and tons of natural light, and I love it,” she adds. “Scandinavian design is not an East or West Coast trend. Its popularity runs the gamut.”

This is a trend among many of her buyers now in the Hinsdale area—opting for smaller footprints with finer finishes as opposed to expansive square footage with fewer details. Lotka describes the aesthetic of Scandinavian design as relaxed, practical, functional, and comfortable, all while incorporating the irreproducible feature of natural light.

Another popular feature among home buyers is smart home technology. Lotka often knows what’s trending because she sees it in new homes or hears the demand from homebuyers. She’s also a tireless student of the real estate industry, and regularly reads Crain’s Chicago Business, The Wall Street Journal, Keeping Current Matters real estate blog, RISMedia real estate news, and Inman News.

Despite design trends, some things about the buying and selling process don’t change over time. “This business is about people,” Lotka says. “It always has been and always will be. It’s about the relationships I have with my customers, the trust that we have built, and their goals that remain my primary focus on any transaction.”

Lotka’s background when it comes to market process is similarly unparalleled. When asked what three things every homeowner should do before selling a home, she’s very clear: “Have an experienced real estate professional evaluate the value of your current property, look at the net proceeds of the sale and make sure you’re comfortable with that, and prepare the property for sale through staging and maintenance repairs.”

On the buying side, her advice is aligned, but different. “A buyer should always know budget, timeframe, and true must-haves—and the items they are willing to bend or compromise on a bit.”

Lotka has seen a lot of trends over the years come and go in the market in Hinsdale, and yet she doesn’t necessarily call Hinsdale a trendy place to live—in a good way. “A trend in my mind is a fad that comes and goes. What draws consumers to Hinsdale is timeless,” she says. “It’s the beautiful, tree-lined streets, award-winning schools, a charming downtown with so many local shops and restaurants at your fingertips, a train that gets you to the city in 22 minutes, plus the convenience of two airports nearby.”

Ask anyone who has worked with Kim Lotka, and they will tell you her focus and commitment to her clients is only made better by her industry knowledge and willingness to do whatever it takes to help buyers and sellers. “I love working with people and helping them to meet their personal goals with a custom approach. Often, they turn into long-term friendships.”

To learn more about Kim Lotka, visit kimlotka.com or call 630-533-8800.