Chicago Real Estate News & Community Happenings

For many households today, the purchase of a home is likely to be the biggest investment made during their lifetime. Because of this fact, it is important for buyers to make sure they are getting a good value for the money they spend. One of the best ways to accomplish this goal is for home buyers to make their offer to purchase contingent upon the results of a professional home inspection performed by a qualified inspector. But it is important to also remember that there are no perfect homes, so it can be helpful for buyers to understand some key points about the home inspection process before they begin.

The Inspector is as Important as the Inspection

Since the choice of a home inspector is up to the buyers, it is important that they choose an

Although March is typically associated with dyeing the river green and all the rest of Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities, it’s also the beginning of [somewhat] warmer weather and the long-awaited spring season.

With that, a host of events, both indoor and outdoor, are happening all month long and if you’re looking for something to do other than take down a few green beers over the next few weeks, here’s a look at some of the most exciting things happening around downtown Chicago in the month of March:

March 1st: Kicking off the busy month is Chicago’s annual Polar Plunge, and this year’s celebrity guest is Vince Vaughn. Join hundreds of other plungers and brave the icy cold water of Lake Michigan!

Events:

March 7th: One of the more unique

Craft cocktails and a seasonal menu with an unbeatable view of the Mag Mile. Oh, and there’s a Saks Fifth Avenue pretty close by. Welcome to Sophie’s, tucked away on the 7th Floor of Saks (sophies.com, 700 N. Michigan Ave.) Yes, you will see ladies who lunch. And corporate types at client meetings. But that’s where the similarities to other restaurants in high-end retail stores end. You see, Sophie’s isn’t just an afterthought to wind down a day of binge shopping. In one year, this little gem has already become a destination in its own right, and deservedly so.

The food and beverage menus are seasonal, and every effort is made to use locally-sourced ingredients, including spirits from Chicago distilleries. The hand-crafted cocktails are creative but

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for most of the recent past, you know that the area just west of Chicago’s famed Loop is the place to be in the city right now. As it turns out, the West Loop, extending from the Chicago River west to Ashland Ave. and bordered by Lake St. and I-290 to the north and south, respectively, has been around for a while, with a storied history to rival that of its more well-known neighbors like River North or the Gold Coast.

In the 1800s, the broad shoulders that built Chicago were largely concentrated in the near west side, where immigrant communities settled along the banks of the Chicago River and near the developing railroad tracks. Ethnic and religious diversity remained characteristic of the neighborhood through a

If you’re going to be in the market for a new luxury condo or loft in Chicago’s River North neighborhood soon, your timing couldn’t be much better. As first reported by Crain’s Chicago Business, sales for an exciting new loft development are set to get underway next month, and while River North certainly has its fair share of unique residential loft conversions, what’s being called The Ronsley is seemingly one of the most existing loft projects to get underway in quite some time.

Located at 678 N. Kingsbury, The Ronsley will be one of the first Soho-New York style loft developments to hit Chicago, and when finished, will be among some of the most expensive properties in all of Chicago’s trendy River North area.

Once getting underway, the project will

People who have never been to Chicago in the winter wonder how and why Chicagoans deal with the snow, ice, and biting wind year after year.  But people who live here know that the winter is a special time when the city comes alive with holiday cheer.  From the breathtaking lights on the Mag Mile to caroling at Millennium Park, this is how we deck the halls in the Windy City.

11/8/14- 1/11/15 Holiday Displays at Macy’s on State Street

For over 100 years, Macy’s On State Street (111 N. State St, http://l.macys.com/chicago-il?cm_mmc=macys_places-_-Chicago-_-n-_-215) has been a time honored part of the holidays in Chicago. Marvel at the festive window displays (themed, “The Journey of a Christmas Wish” this year), then head inside for a look at the

When it comes to downtown Chicago real estate, the Gold Coast is among the most highly sought after destinations for home buyers. But what is it about this part of downtown Chicago that makes home buyers so crazy? Is it all the boutique shopping that fills out Oak Street? What about the one-of-a-kind historic architecture that’s on display on streets like Bellevue, Elm, or Astor? There’s all kinds of reasons why people fall in love with the Gold Coast, but what’s the one factor that may in fact trump all the rest?

Lake Shore Drive.

Chicago’s lakefront is the one part about Chicago everyone seems to love, and when it comes to Gold Coast real estate, nothing beats an unobstructed view of the open blue waters of Lake Michigan. Dozens of spectacular

The Gold Coast in downtown Chicago is one of the best neighborhoods in the city for luxury vintage real estate. Anything from magnificent Victorian single-family homes and rowhouses to high-end McMansions and condos, luxury vintage real estate in the Gold Coast is not only in very high-demand, but will undoubtedly hold its value over time.

Situated up and down streets like Astor, Bellevue, Elm, and Goethe are some of the most spectacular brown- and graystones you’ll find in all of downtown, while Lake Shore Drive is loaded with luxury vintage condominiums that offer spectacular views of beautiful Lake Michigan.

When it comes to luxury vintage real estate in the Gold Coast, it’s certainly more common to find a high-end vintage condo on the market

Lake Shore Drive is home to some of Chicago’s most highly sought after condo buildings. Breathtaking unobstructed views of Lake Michigan certainly top the list of why so many home buyers specifically want condo space directly on one of Chicago’s most famed thoroughfares, but many buildings on Lake Shore Drive actually offer more than just that coveted million dollar view.

There’s no doubt that if you live on Lake Shore Drive, you’re in a prime downtown location. Access to transportation, fine dining, fun-filled entertainment, and all the best shopping downtown Chicago has to offer is likely just blocks from your front door, but among the dozens of condo buildings that make up the Lake Shore Drive landscape, exactly what part of ‘The Drive” is the most

You know that feeling. The one where you just need a good cocktail…five minutes ago.  Speedy, craft cocktails made from high-quality ingredients and spirits are no longer the stuff of dreams. Welcome to Tippling Hall (646 N. Franklin, http://www.tipplinghall.com/), River North’s newest home for boozy, delicious craft cocktails on draft that are made fresh in-house daily. Try the Misty in the Mountains, an exquisite blend of smoky mezcal and homemade fruit juices. Or the Big Nose Gets Lei’ed for a sweeter but equally balanced experience. The extensive beverage list has plenty of other libations, including hand-mixed cocktails, draft and bottled beer, wine, and frozen drinks. Don’t worry—there are also thoughtful lunch and dinner offerings (lamb