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How to Prep Your Home for Holiday Travel
The plane tickets are booked, your friends and family have your itinerary, and everyone’s bags are packed, but there’s one remaining detail to consider, and it’s an easy one to overlook: Your house. When you’re going out of town for the holidays, it can be tempting to...
Do These 4 Things Before Your Chicago Summer Officially Ends
The kids may be back in school, our tans may be fading, and the leaves may be starting to turn, but summer isn’t over just yet. The first official day of fall is Sept. 22, and even then, all hope of outdoor fun isn’t over in the Midwest. Anyone who’s lived here for...
How a Buyer’s Agent Can Help You Buy Your Dream Home
Under the terms of the recent National Association of REALTORS Settlement, some changes are coming to the way real estate brokers engage with their clients, and one of those changes is the requirement of a buyer-broker agreement. Buyer-broker agreements are nothing...
6 Landscape Design Trends Taking Hold of the Midwest in 2024
Landscape design can significantly boost a home’s value, especially in the Midwest, where the unique climate calls for specialized landscaping approaches that can handle all weather. To get you the scoop on the latest landscape design trends, we sat down with the...
6 Chicagoland Communities for Dog Lovers to Call Home
Chicago is the #1 U.S. city for dogs—and it shows. From dog beaches to pet-friendly bars and restaurants to countless off-leash parks, doggy daycares, and more, there’s so much for pets and their owners to do around the city. If you’re planning a move in Chicagoland...
Discovering Chicagoland’s Art and Antique Markets
Whether you’re making a move and preparing to decorate a new space or refreshing your current space, Chicagoland’s vibrant art and antique markets offer endless inspiration – and the chance to uncover some truly amazing finds. “Art and antiques are a great way to add...
10 Things We Love About Lincoln Square
With an array of independent shops, community events, and nearby restaurants, Lincoln Square is a thriving neighborhood that offers something for everyone. Whether you’re searching for a place to call “home” or a spot to spend a memorable afternoon, be sure to visit...
From River Views to Irish Brews: Chicago’s Best (and Most Unique) Spots for St. Patrick’s Day
On St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago, everyone – and everything – is at least a little Irish. And that’s why, whether you want to celebrate with a pint of Guinness in one of the top Irish pubs outside the Green Isle or you’d rather sip a Mai Tai by the green river, you’re...
Spring into Action: 6 Essential Questions for Prospective Homebuyers
It may still be February, but the busy spring real estate market is underway. And with more competition, it’s important for prospective homebuyers to get their priorities in order before they start touring homes and neighborhoods. If you’re among those buyers, ask...
Hit the Slopes: Top Ski Resorts Just a Snowball’s Throw from Chicago
It may seem ironic that inhabitants of the flattest part of the country are so enthusiastic when it comes to skiing and snowboarding, but we Midwesterners do love to hit the slopes. And while our topography may not offer the towering snow-covered peaks and endless...
Tips for Buying an Old Home: What You Need to Know
There’s nothing like living in an older home. Packed with personality, old-world craftsmanship, and distinctive architectural features, these properties have stories to tell – and, for prospective buyers, that’s a big part of an older home’s charm. But purchasing a...
The Holidays are Here – and You Don’t Want to Miss These Chicagoland Happenings
‘Tis the season to get out and explore. Whether you’re hunkering down in the city for the long term, plan to make a leap to suburbia in the new year, or simply want to get a sense of what’s out there, the holidays are a great time to get a feel for different...
Five Interior Design Trends That Reflect Today’s Luxury Lifestyles
The home-upgrading frenzy of the last few years has given way to a more thoughtful approach to design revolving around post-pandemic lifestyle trends that are particularly prevalent in Chicago’s luxury homes in the city and suburbs. Health and wellness, hybrid work...
Saving For a Down Payment? Here Are Six Tips
Saving for a down payment can be a challenge for anyone, but especially someone trying to purchase their first home. However, with thoughtful planning and preparation, first-time buyers can make the dream a reality. If you’re looking to break into the housing market,...
Four Reasons to List Your Home in the Fall
With both the Cubs and the White Sox missing the Postseason yet again, “Wait ‘til next spring,” is a common refrain throughout Chicagoland at this time of year. It’s also a thought on the minds of many would-be home sellers, who believe that listing during the spring...
13 Places to See Fall Foliage in Chicago
It’s that time of year. Pumpkin spice and apple flavors are everywhere. As summer heat fades, crisp autumn air arrives and so do fall colors. Fall in Chicago is magical, like a breath of fresh air. But before too long, fall and all its splendor will be a distant...
10 Things We Love About River North
With its trendy eateries, renowned art galleries, and late-night clubs, River North is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Chicago. Originally known as Smokey Hollow (drop that little piece of trivia into your next cocktail conversation), over the past 40 years,...
What To Know About Buying a Home with a Friend
A REALTOR® hands a newlywed couple the keys to their new home and life’s journey begins. It’s the image of homebuying that has been portrayed in the media for decades, but in reality, we all know that the “typical” homebuyer has changed a lot. While married couples...
5 Reasons To Consider Installing Solar in Your Home if You Live in Illinois
It’s summertime in Chicago, which has us thinking about catching some rays. But when it comes to owning a home, there are plenty of reasons to soak up the sun all year round thanks to the many environmental and financial benefits associated with solar energy. Solar...
8 Area Farmers Markets That Are Worth the Trip
One of the best things about summertime in the Midwest is the farmers markets, and you don’t have to go far to find one in Chicago, Michigan, Indiana or Wisconsin. From Garfield Park Neighborhood Market at The Hatchery, Andersonville Farmers Market or 95th Street...