Tag Archives: Chicago

Chicago Events and Things to do- July 2014

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july blogThe July 4th holiday is here and Chicagoans are gearing up for a fun and busy weekend celebrating in the city (Navy Pier fireworks, anyone?). Once the fireworks are over, July still has plenty in store in the way of great events and happenings taking place all over Chicago. Be sure to check out some of the following and take advantage of all this great city has to offer!

Chicago Events

Fourth of July Fireworks – July 4th 9:30PM, Navy Pier www.navypier.com Watch the best fireworks show in the city while taking in the sights and sounds of Navy Pier. For an up-close view, hop aboard one of the special fireworks cruises.

Taste of Chicago – July 9th-13th, times vary, Grant Park www.tasteofchicago.us Graze on items from more than 65 local restaurants at one of the country’s most popular outdoor food festivals.

Pitchfork Music Festival – July 18th-20th, times vary, Union Park www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com Discover new artists at this independent music fest, featuring  Beck, Neutral Milk Hotel, and Kendrick Lamar as headliners.

Chicago Craft Beer Festival – July 19th-20th, 12:00PM-10:00PM (tasting times: 12:00PM-4:00PM), Sheffield Ave. between Webster & Fullerton Sample from more than 100 craft beers, including favorites from popular Chicago breweries like Revolution, Half Acre and Goose Island.

BTN Big 10K – July 26th, 7:00AM, Soldier Field www.btnbig10k.com Represent your favorite Big 10 team – or simply watch from the sidelines – in a 10K run or 5K run/walk, followed by a post-race tailgate party.

Looking for more? Check out Choose Chicago for a complete list of events taking place in the city this summer. And if your summer plans including buying or selling a home, be sure to contact one of our expert Related Realty brokers for help exploring the Chicago real estate market!

What Young Buyers Look For in a Home

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young-professionals-buying-real-estateAccording to a National Association of Realtors survey, Generation Y buyers (those born between 1980 and 2000) are the second largest segment of buyers in the market today. If you have Chicago real estate, it can be helpful to know what these young buyers are looking for in a Chicago condo or single family home. A recent article from ABC News details the ten things these young buyers are looking for.

  1. They want kitchens and bathrooms that are updated.
  2. Rather than a formal dining room, they prefer a larger kitchen and open space.
  3. These young buyers desire locations that are close to public transportation and are safe for walking.
  4. Young buyers want homes that are easy to take care of and are low maintenance.
  5. Home offices are viewed as a plus.
  6. This is a generation that grew up on technology and they want the latest in their homes.
  7. They want homes that are green and energy efficient.
  8. Young buyers expect homes to be staged.
  9. They want low housing association fees and assessments.
  10. They start their searches online so online photos and details are a big plus.

If you are looking to buy or sell Chicago real estate, contact a Chicago Realtor who is experienced in Chicagoland properties. Contact us and let us help you make the most of your Chicago real estate investment.

5 Things To Do in Chicago in May

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While the official start of summer is still a few weeks away, there are plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the warmer weather. With a variety of outdoor recreational options and seemingly endless list of street fairs and festivals to choose from, Chicago’s neighborhoods are already bustling with activity. Here are five events you won’t want to miss this month:marathon resize - 500pixels

Chicago Farmers Market Season Starts May 15 Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St.

Browse an assortment of fresh fruits, vegetables, plants and flowers at the official kick-off of the Farmers Market season.

Chicago Beach Season Starts May 23 Be one of the first to take a dip in Lake Michigan when the citys public beaches open for the season.

Soldier Field 10 Mile May 24, 7 a.m Soldier Field, 1410 S. Museum Campus Drive

Lace up your running shoes for this 10-mile race down Lake Shore Drive, featuring a pass through the players tunnel and memorable finish at the 50-yard line. Show up at 6:45 a.m. to catch the Kids Blitz, or stick around for live music and a free beer at the post-race tailgate party.

Chicago Memorial Day Parade May 24, 12 p.m.

Honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country. A wreath laying ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. at the Eternal Flame on Daley Plaza, followed by a parade that will step off at noon and proceed south on State Street from Lake to Van Buren.

Bike the Drive May 25, 5:30 p.m. (earliest start time)

Join 20,000 bikers for nearly five hours of riding time on a vehicle-free Lake Shore Drive, followed by a post-ride festival in Grant Park featuring food, live music and booths with a variety of gear and apparel.

Visit the Choose Chicago site for a complete list of events taking place in the city during the month of May. And if you’re considering renting or buying a home in Chicago this spring, be sure to visit our neighborhood page or connect with one of our experienced Related Realty brokers to discover all that Chicago real estate has to offer!

Related Realty Celebrates First Anniversary with Top-Producing Team

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We are incredibly proud to mark an exciting milestone for Related Realty this spring: the first anniversary of our launch in March 2013. In the last year, we’ve brought together an incredible team of market-leading brokers who are experts in Chicago real estate, and established a unique culture based in elevating the residential brokerage experience for clients and agents alike. Looking ahead, we’re eager to continue to growth as we deliver an unprecedented level of service to our clients. Read more about our first-year accomplishments in this story from Chicago Agent Magazine, and also check out photos from our anniversary celebration below!

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What to Look for When Choosing a Home in Lincoln Park, Chicago

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Things to look for in Lincoln Park Real EstateLincoln Park, Chicago, can be a great place to live. The area has one of the best 100 high schools in the United States and has some great tourist attractions such as Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago History Museum and various well known restaurants and music venues.

While there are plenty of homes for sale in Lincoln Park Chicago, finding the right one can be a challenge. Following are three points to consider when choosing which exact part of this suburban area is best to live in.

Safety

Safety is paramount when choosing a home. While this part of Chicago has been rated as being exceptionally livable, some areas of town are safer than others. If possible, choose a home that is located in close proximity to a police station and/or fire station, doing so will not only help keep your family safe but also lower home insurance costs.

Proximity to Work/School

Proximity to work and/or school should also be considered when choosing a home. Gas prices are on the rise, so choosing a home that requires only a short commute could save you a lot of money in the long run.

Cost

Cost is yet another important factor to consider. Lincoln Park Chicago real estate is pricey; even so, some areas are pricier than others. Go over your budget carefully to ensure that you are not spending more than you can afford.

Buying a home is a big investment, which is why working with an experienced and competentLincoln Park Chicago realtor is always a good idea. If you have questions, need assistance or simply want to look over your options, feel free to give us a call.

Chicago Agents Snapshot Broker, Erin Ward

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No two Chicago neighborhoods are alike, and that’s precisely why Related Realty broker Erin Ward loves her job. Chicago Agent recently profiled Erin for its “Agent Snapshot” series, and Erin talks about her experiences as a member of the sales team for Related’s South Loop Luxury condo collection. In the piece, Erin also shares how she went from a wannabe FBI agent to a real estate broker and reflects on her first real estate deal (with some very familiar clients). You can check out the full story here. And if youre considering renting or buying a home in Chicago, be sure to reach out to Erin or one of our other experienced Related Realty brokers to learn more about the Chicago real estate market and all that the citys neighborhoods have to offer.

Real Estate: Wild West

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It’s no secret the West Loop is one of Chicago’s hottest areas. With an influx of new businesses attracting professionals who want a neighborhood where they can live, work and play, its not a surprise this neighborhood continues to grow. The Chicago Sun-Times Splash explored the West Loop’s real estate possibilities in its latest issue and highlighted Related Realty broker Juany Honeycutt’s listing at 106 N. Aberdeen. Juanys property provides a terrific example of the authentic loft style the neighborhood is known for. Check out the story here, and if you have questions about West Loop Chicago condos for sale or Chicago real estate in any of this city’s great neighborhoods, contact one of our expert Related Realty brokers.

Understanding Real Estate Terminology

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chicago-real-estate-termsThinking about moving to Chicago? If so, know that youll be moving to one of the best cities in the world. Alive with entertainment 24/7 and full of great jobs, Chicago is a great city to relocate to.

When you start your search for a home in the Windy City, youll find it easier to pick out the best residence when you acquire services from a professional Chicago realtor. Whether youre looking for a three-story home or Chicago condos, a realtor can help you find the perfect place. A realtor can also help you understand real estate lingo.

Appraisal: When you find a home that you are interested in purchasing, before a bank will lend you a mortgage loan, you will first have to get it appraised, meaning an assessment will be carried out to determine the true value of the home. Much of the assessment will take into consideration homes that are nearby.

Foreclosure: When a person defaults on his or her home loan for an extended period of time, the bank will eventually foreclose the home, meaning it will take possession of the home. As a result, it will generally try to sell the home for a much lower price than what its actually worth. Foreclosed homes are great investment opportunities.

Private Mortgage Insurance: If you take out a loan to purchase your home and you owe more than 80 percent of the total loan value, you will most likely be required to pay private mortgage insurance. In the event that you default on the loan, protection is provided to the lender for the financial loss.

“Your Guide to St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago”

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One of the many perks to living in the great city of Chicago is taking advantage of the exciting events that take place in the city each weekend. This is especially true around holidays like St. Patricks Day, when the Second City transforms into the Emerald City for a few days in March each year. From the green river to green beer and a rich Irish heritage to back it all up Chicago has become the go-to destination for St. Paddys Day revelers. Panning to take part in this years festivities? Here are five events you wont want to miss:

Irish Pubs of Chicago Trolley Tour - Thursday, March 13, 7 p.m.

Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St.

Take a trolley to some of Chicagos famed Irish pubs, where a tavern historian will discuss the history of each establishment and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Chicago River Dyeing/Downtown Parade Saturday, March 15

Catch the annual dyeing of the Chicago River at 10 a.m., followed by the St. Patricks Day Parade at noon. The event starts at Balbo and runs north on Columbus to Monroe.

St. Patricks Day Cruise Saturday, March 15, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave

Learn how the Irish helped shape modern-day Chicago on this 90-minute cruise of the (freshly dyed) Chicago River. Each tour features a cash bar and traditional Irish buffet with favorites like corned beef and cabbage and bread pudding.

South Side Irish St. Patricks Day Parade Sunday, March 16, 12 p.m.

Celebrate the Irish heritage of Chicagos Beverly neighborhood with this South Side tradition. The parade steps off at 103rd and runs south along Western to 115th.

St. Patricks Day Festival Saturday, March 15 to Monday, March 17

Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave.

Enjoy live music, dancing, food and childrens activities on Saturday, followed by more family-friendly fun on Monday. Adults can also stop by Sunday for a pint, live music and a traditional Irish menu (21 and over only).

Be sure to check these out and some of the other exciting events taking place around the city this month as you explore all that Chicago real estate has to offer. You can also visit our neighborhood page to familiarize yourself with different parts of the city. Connect with one of our experienced Related Realty brokers if you have any questions about buying or selling a home this spring. Happy St. Patricks Day!

Kathleen Malone Talks Spring Real Estate with Michigan Avenue Magazine

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At Related Realty were all looking ahead to warm weather and the busy spring real estate market! In the current issue of Michigan Avenue Magazine, Related Realty broker Kathleen Malone shared her insights into luxury Chicago real estate and discussed trends shes seeing in the market. Read the full story here, and contact one of our expert Related Realty brokers if youre thinking of buying or selling a home this spring!