Blog

How I Decide Whether an Update Will Actually Help a Chicago Home Sell

One of the first questions sellers ask me is whether they should update their home before listing. The answer is not always yes. Sometimes a few targeted changes can make a home feel much more current. Sellers can also spend a lot of mone...

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Why I Work Differently From the Big Real Estate Team Model

Real estate teams have gotten much bigger over the years. For some clients, that model works. But it is not how I want to run my business. When someone hires me, I want them to actually work with me. That means I am involved from the v...

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My Chicago: The Places I Still Recommend After Decades in the City

After living in Chicago since 1989, I’ve built up a long list of places I keep coming back to. Some are restaurants I’ve loved for years. Others are parks, trails or shopping streets that I still recommend to clients and friends when the...

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What Years of Volunteering in Chicago Schools Taught Me About Helping Buyers

I spent many years as a CPS parent before I ever started talking with clients about Chicago schools. My oldest attended CPS from kindergarten through graduation, and my triplets attended from second grade through graduation. All four of my k...

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What “As Is” Really Means When Buying a Home in Chicago

When buyers see “as is” in a Chicago real estate contract, they often assume it means they are giving up all of their protections. That is not how I explain it to my clients. An as is purchase generally means the seller does not want ...

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Why Warm, Colorful Homes Are Replacing the All Gray Chicago Look

For years, gray dominated Chicago homes. Gray floors, gray walls, white kitchens and cool toned tile were everywhere, especially in rehabs and new construction. It photographed well and felt clean, but after seeing so many homes over the yea...

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Where We Actually Take Clients to Eat in Lincoln Park

When clients ask me where to eat in Lincoln Park, I usually don’t give them a giant list. I tell them where we actually go. After living and working in Chicago for years, I have a handful of places I keep returning to, depending on the oc...

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Why I Never Let My Chicago Buyers Waive the Inspection

In a competitive Chicago market, buyers are often looking for ways to make their offer stronger. One thing I am very hesitant to give up is the home inspection. After years of selling rehabs, new construction and older Chicago homes, I’...

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Should I sell my current home first, or buy the next one first?

One of the most common questions I hear from homeowners planning their next move is: Should I sell my current home first, or buy the next one first? There isn’t one right answer. In Chicago, it depends on your finances, your current hom...

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Buying a Home in Chicago? What to Know About CPS School Boundaries

I’ve lived in Chicago since 1989, and one thing I’ve learned is that real estate here is incredibly local. That is especially true when schools are part of a home search. A buyer can fall in love with a home in Lincoln Park, Lakeview, No...

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