Ok, you’re ready to invest back into your home. Just one question: where should you start with these updates? For many homeowners, this is the biggest roadblock when it comes to making value-adding improvements. The key to prioritizing updates and …

Watch the latest episode of the Keeping It Real podcast with Debra Dobbs. DJ Paris talks with Debra about how she started her career and the move from gelato to houses; unique and targeted marketing strategies; advice to new agents; …

Our dear friends Alex Harris and Sandy Killion have researched some brilliant–and easy to implement– solutions to help us all be a bit more green and environmentally responsible in our everyday lives. Every little green step that we take now …

Originated in late 19th century England, this homemade lemon curd is traditionally served with bread or scones at afternoon tea as an alternative to jam, and as a filling for cakes, small pastries and tarts. Crazy Michael’s Lemon Curd RECIPE …

We hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy and sheltering in place at home.  During these trying times, it is important to remember there are so many people in our various communities not as fortunate. If you …

Selling your home means putting a lot of thought into how it looks. You’ll want to clear the clutter, give it a fresh coat of paint, or maybe even hire someone to stage it with curated furniture and artwork. Yet …

The year 2019 was a buyer’s dream for the Chicago real estate market due to falling interest rates, especially for the first seven months or so. In August, for example, the number of homes sold was down seven percent year-on-year. …

  Dear Clients, Friends, and Family, On behalf of @properties and The Dobbs Group, I would like to share our thoughts, precautions, and procedures as we navigate in these uncertain times. Our personal and professional lives have been and will …

In addition to business planning for next year and lively discussions about SEO and beta testing a microphone for our Podcast program,Crazy Uncle Mike has been canning up a storm and started our new batch of Limoncello. Following his life …

The smell of grated lemon evokes a swirl of memories for me (right up there with garlic, basil and rosemary) .  A most recent memory is of coming home to find my creative, fabulous and very talented sister in law (also incredibly …

Choosing where you want to live is one of the greatest benefits of retirement, and for retirees, city life can be particularly appealing. You don’t have to think about things like the quality of schools, having a large backyard and …

Using the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration database search tool, making sure interstate brokers have their DOT and MC licenses, asking for an in-home survey before getting a quote and learning about the 110% Rule are just a few of …

First impressions matter…a great deal as it turns out, in this age of just about everyone under the age of, well, a certain age, photoshopping and filtering every picture they post on Instagram.  The average attention span of a human …

Lead generation, great marketing and customer service — these are the basics for any REALTOR®’s business. Having a successful business involves being proactive, just as much as it is being reactive. It’s not just implementing the basics, either; you can …

With 2019 half in the books,  explore what’s happening on Chicago’s housing front.  How is the market doing right now and what is to come? In this video, @properties co-founders Thad Wong and Mike Golden share fresh insights on the challenges …

About once or twice a week, my boyfriend and I love to take evening strolls around West Loop – always making pit stops at the various dog parks along the way. We love to see which pups are making their …

One of my favorite childhood memories is of tending the garden with my Grandpa Florie.  He had the most gentle hand, with his beloved granddaughter and with his beloved fruits and vegetables; 3 varieties of grapes, towering apple tree and …

Summer in Chicago…so much to do and so little time. From the Old Town Art Fair to Ribfest to Gay Pride Parade to concerts on Northerly Island and more; the list goes on. Here is our snapshot of a few …

Recent headlines would have us believing Chicago is not the place to live, or at least not the place to buy a house. But dig beyond doom and gloom headlines and you find some good indicators that long term Chicago …

Your home is your castle and you should live comfortably and in your style. Then it all goes out the window when you decide to sell. If your goal is to optimize price and reduce market time, in any market …

Several times a week I hear from many of you looking for the best place to get a party dress altered, or for the contact info of my emergency heating contractor, or for the plumber who will make a house …