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 …

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 …

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 …

Debra Dobbs speaks with Elissa Scrafano, a leading lady of Architecture in Chicago and across the county.  Debra and Elissa passionately discuss what is on trend,  which past trends are about to pass, design details that are timeless, and how interior …

A home should be a destination to recharge after a chaotic day of work, commuting, running errands or transporting kids around. It should serve as a retreat to help you feel nurtured and relaxed — not stressed from unfinished chores …

Taxes may be the last thing on your mind as you advance through the homebuying process. Yet, there are important tax considerations that need to be worked out before you get to the closing table. One of those considerations is …

“Lately, the economy hasn’t been all that fun to watch. Wild stock market fluctuations in the final weeks of 2018, uncertainty over the impact of economic tariffs and a predicted drop in the gross domestic product are all a bit …

Ah, the age-old seller question: do I really need to put effort into staging my home? The answer: YES. Expecting to sell your home at your asking price without staging is similar to your Freshman year of college when you …

When you reach a certain age, your family home may become too much to manage. It’s at that point many seniors begin thinking about moving. However, moving in your later years isn’t as simple as it was in the days …

When it comes time to pick up and move your whole entire life to a new place, there are often a lot of different emotions involved. On one hand it’s exciting that you’re starting fresh in a new home; perhaps …

Announcing the selection of Debra Dobbs among America’s Top 100 Real Estate Agents® for 2018. Selection to America’s Top 100 Real Estate Agents® is reserved to identify the nation’s most esteemed and skilled Real Estate Agents and Brokers with a …

10 Things a Transplant to the Windy City Should Know History The town of Chicago was organized in 1833 on August 12 (my birthday!) with 200 people. The city of Chicago was founded in 1837 , and has grown to …