Chicago Real Estate Blog, Page 5

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; …

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 …

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 Compass 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 …

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 …

“Debra Dobbs is the REALTOR all buyers and sellers dream of finding. Born and raised in one of the 77 unique communities that comprise greater Chicagoland, Debra’s intimate knowledge of each neighborhood is frankly, unparalleled. Combine her detailed knowledge 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, Compass co-founders Thad Wong and Mike Golden share fresh insights on the challenges …

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 …