Chicago Real Estate Blog, Page 8

Nothing better than Crazy Uncle Mike whipping up something fabulous with whatever few ingredients we have on hand. Jar of Giardiniera, last of the wedge of parmesan, and a spaghetti squash that arrived from new favorite food resource, Imperfect Produce. …

Chicago has 77 interesting and diverse neighborhoods to explore; how can you possibly narrow down which neighborhood is the best fit for you? So many choices and so little time to explore!

In 1984 I ran around town with thick folder of papers under my arm, pens and pencils in my briefcase, a brick of a ‘cell phone’ in my black, vinyl ‘phone bag’, sending faxes and paper letters… it was the …

Perhaps one of Chicago’s first ‘condo-hotel’ concepts, and the Grande Dame of them all. I’ve had a love affair with the Water Tower going back to early 1980, not too long after the building was constructed. The history of the …

There are some interesting real estate related apps hitting the market, all with the intention of capturing the consumer in the house hunting process before he or she connects with a real estate agent. The buzz on these apps ends …

For the past 5 years I have had the honor and pleasure of representing Michael Miller and his fabulous team at Centaur Interiors in the purchase and sale of six condominium residences; each residence was fully renovated as part of …

Ever go to the store and ask the guy for a gallon of white paint, only to find that it looks horrible once you put it on your walls at home? Did it end up looking pink, yellow or green, …

Congratulations! Your home is officially ready to sell (and we’ve got a glass of Pinot with your name on it)! You’ve painted the walls, deep cleaned every surface from top to bottom, and finally cleared all that unnecessary clutter. Even …

My friends at CityGrounds have a brand new menu to go with the newly outfitted patio! Comfy couches and chairs for coffee, breakfast and lunch alfresco. I’m hope to have the Wizard of Oz bean bag toss delivered by late …

Things I am considering as I downsize from a home to a condo Spring has finally arrived here in Chicago, and I am happy to say that I am halfway finished with a major move… my personal version of a …

Chicago is known for her architectural history, including several stunning residential buildings designed by Benjamin Marshall and Howard Van Doren Shaw in the early 1900’s.  Many of these elegant gems are under a form of ownership known as a ‘housing …

Don’t be fooled by poor quality home staging Home staging is in vogue to help homeowners sell their homes faster and for a better price. Professional home stagers work with sellers to make their homes as attractive to potential buyers …

Swapping out your incandescent lightbulbs for LEDs has several benefits. These include saving money on your electric bill, superior light quality, less impact on the environment and replacing bulbs once every decade or two instead of every few months. But …

With Valentines Day just around the corner, let’s get a design professional’s opinion on creating a more sexy and alluring bedroom retreat. Simple design changes can spice up the drama in your life… even if you’re single. Resist the urge …

With Spring just around the corner, you may be thinking about listing your home for sale. According to the Huffington Post, the best time of year to sell your house is between May 1 and May 15th, with home sales …

Color, paint quality, wall preparation and quality of  application all matter a great deal.  Do your homework when selecting paint finish (matte, eggshell, semi-gloss, high gloss, etc).  Same when getting estimates for the job.  Does the price include extensive wall …

Now that the holidays are over and all of the decorations are put away, you may look around at your interiors and think that they look a little sparse. Even with these gray days of late Winter, it isn’t too …

Listen to an interview Debra gave recently to Business Innovators Radio Show host Keith Dougherty. Keith is #1 Best-Selling Author of Publish to Profit and Top Agent; founder of Authority Surge; and​ ​host of Real Estate Innovators Radio covering influencers, …

Hot fun in the summertime! Sly and the Family Stone got it spot on. So get your groove on, enjoy Chicago at its finest and visit the super Farmer’s Markets to be found in almost every corner of the city… …

One of Chicago’s best-known neighborhoods, Lincoln Park has some of the finest food and entertainment in the entire city. From 3-star Michelin restaurants to inexpensive burger joints, and from comedic improv at Second City to highbrow theater at the Steppenwolf …

What are you up to this weekend? Nada? Bupkis? Reruns of Grey’s Anatomy (I love that show!)? Don’t despair! Your dance card is about to fill up! The Dobbs Team put their respective heads together to bring you this list …