Many local residents have long enjoyed al fresco dining while others in the area might have discovered the joys of it more recently, but all can agree that visiting an open-air establishment can create a truly unique and relaxing change of pace. It’s no wonder that...
A trend that started in the 1970s, the craft brewery movement is still quickly growing, with more than 8,000 craft breweries in the US as of last count. As a result, beer fans and the curious from all over Chicagoland are willing to travel quite far to experience the...
Does a freshly brewed cup of coffee sound good? How about a bagel sandwich while you read a good book or a fresh-made homemade pastry while you spend a relaxing morning taking in the city scenery? Or try simply eggs, an omelet, a benedict, waffles, crepes, pancakes,...
January is a time when your New Year’s resolutions get inculcated into your daily habits. If you made a resolution to stay or get in shape, lose weight, reduce stress, be more mindful, or undertake another health enhancing goal, you might want to consider joining a...
Evanston truly becomes Heavanston during the holidays, especially with the many breathtaking displays throughout the city. But what makes Evanston even more wonderful are all the seasonal activities you can find this time of year. In fact, from shopping to...
How early do you get up on Thanksgiving morning to start preparing your feast? That might be too early, particularly since you can serve a great meal without all the mussing and fussing. After all, there are an array of Evanston-based businesses that can help you take...
Evanston has been called the City of Trees. It is well known for its beaches, parks, and homes of every shape, size, style, and price range. The education institutions, from pre-school to college, are among the best in the nation. You can find a restaurant to satisfy...
Evanston is known for its beautiful homes, breathtaking lake views, great schools, and bustling business districts, among other amenities. No wonder residents call the city “Heavanston.” But this time of year, it can be called Halloweenston. After all, the city – and...
Nothing could be better in summer than to cool off with ice cream or another sweet, cold treat. And if you want something cooling and sweet, Evanston is truly your place. In fact, our roots in ice-cream innovation go back to being one of the three places thought to...
All of us at Jackie Mack & More love Evanston’s unique blend of urban and suburban living. The city – yes, it is one – offers residents a vibrant restaurant scene, easy access to Chicago via public transportation (both CTA and Metra) as well as by car, great...
Here’s everything residents need to know to get the most out of this exclusive Evanston amenity. If you are a resident of Evanston, or have ever visited it, you already know that our city boasts some of the most picturesque beaches in Chicagoland. In fact, many find...
Evanston is truly a haven for biking enthusiasts. Back in February we posted an article about all the incredible bike shops here in Evanston, so you can get your bicycle tuned up for our warmer months. But Evanston has something even more to offer: Whether you are a...
If you’re like me, you enjoy flowers for many reasons – for the colors, textures, and natural beauty they bring to my home and office, for their pleasant and inviting fragrances, for all the calm, relaxing feelings they evoke, and for bringing me closer to nature. I...
Consistently warmer weather is just around the corner. So, if you haven’t already been biking around town this winter thanks to this year’s milder temperatures and lack of snow – or like many Evanston residents, live car-free and use your bike as your main form of...
There’s nothing better than the great taste of nutritious, straight-from-the-farm fruits, vegetables, eggs, and meats as well as fresh baked breads and pastries. And with the many farmers’ markets in Evanston, it’s easy to get them – as well as lovingly made, small...
We’re proud of Evanston’s A+ schools. This pride extends to those who serve our youngest citizens, which is why we’re proud of our extensive list of local daycare options. After all, before our children are even ready for preschool school, they progress through...
It’s not just our beaches, restaurants, boutiques, bakeries, bookstores, theaters, museums, parks, and other points of interest that make Evanston so great. And it’s not just our housing stock that ranges from sophisticated high rises to vintage elegance and from...
Bakeries are among the best parts of a community’s landscape, bringing warmth and joy to our taste buds. Enjoy the complex mix of sweet, yeasty aromas as it travels out the door, around the corner, and into the streets where it meets your senses. So why not pick up a...
Hungry for some Italian-style food in the area? As the North Shore’s culinary capitol, Evanston will surely not disappoint you – and probably will delight you. While good Italian restaurants can be found in every great American city, Evanston truly has quite a rich...
By ChatGPT from OpenAI All the world is talking about the amazing capabilities of ChatGPT from OpenAI, so we decided to check it out. After first asking it some questions about Evanston, which we found to be quite accurate, we then asked it to “write a 600-word blog...
Asia’s cuisine is broadly divided into many different regions: Central Asian, East Asian, North Asian, South Asian, Southeast Asian, and West Asian. But no matter what type of Asian cuisine you’re seeking, you can find it all right here in Evanston – everything from...
Pizza is an American favorite, never failing to bring us together on game day, at parties, or just for the cravings. While Evanston isn’t quite in Chicago, that doesn't keep the city from getting its hands on the best pizza around. You can find a classic Chicago-style...
Chicagoland is not known for its “pool” weather. But you can swim all-yearlong in Evanston because – in addition to our many fitness centers with pools and, of course, our lake front with its beautiful beaches – there are quite a few condominium buildings with pools...
Evanston is known as the culinary capitol of the North Shore, the destination where you can find virtually any type of cuisine. But there is nothing more comfortable and classic than the burger. And Evanston is known for serving up some great burgers too. From the...
Drip, drop, plop – what’s that sound? It’s a water leak in the ceiling! Sigh, grab the buckets. As Evanston residents, like the rest of the Chicagoland area, we’re no strangers to the Midwest winter. Once the beautiful layers of white snow hit Evanston and the...
While we’re already in January – the heart of our seasonal cold, snow, and ice – it’s not too late to make sure your home has been fully winterized. It’s your key to improving your comfort while protecting your home against the harsher conditions. Winterizing your...
Large area rugs – and smaller decorative ones – are a tasteful, easy way to add style and warmth to your home. They come in a wide array of colors, patterns, weaves, and fabrics – so you can be sure to find the rugs that match your design esthetic. But one other thing...
When it comes to finding the perfect style for your home, it's all about letting your personality shine through. But this might require a bit of experimentation to ensure you hit on the design formula that’s right for you. After all, you might be amazed at how just...
With the post-covid opportunity to continue working remotely at least part of the time, having a dedicated home office has become a necessity. A simple desk and chair won't cut it. Your home office should be comfortable and inspiring, so you can be productive. Here...
Did you know that by using solar energy, you can increase your home value while lowering your energy bills? In fact, according to the Department of Energy, solar panels boosts a home’s value by an average of $15,000 – while lowering overall electric bills even with...
I often get asked, “Do I have mold in my attic?” The answer: Yes, everyone has some level of it in their attic! This is normal. In fact, I’ve seen it in virtually every attic I have inspected in the past decade since I became president of Chicago Green Insulation. ...
Chances are, if you live in Illinois, you need to update your smoke detectors. That’s because the law in the state changed on January 1st, 2023. Now with the change, according to the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, any new smoke detectors, “being installed within a...
Evanston is known for its majestic lakefront and beaches; its entertainment and cultural options, and its business districts filled with restaurants and cafés – after all, we are called the culinary capital of the North Shore – charming boutiques, museums, and...
While things might break sooner than expected – and a few might last longer than as well – knowing the expected life of an appliance or system is a great first step in crafting a home budget, so you will know what to save for their eventual replacement. To help you,...
By Ken Bertolucci, CMCA, AMS When our community managers ask condominium boards if they want to authorize a reserve study for their association, we sometimes get puzzled looks. While they may have heard of the term, some are unsure of the value of such a report....
Before the 1960’s, homeowners dealt with a slew of secret dangers in the walls of their homes. There were cloth wires as well as newspapers and other flammables stuffed within them. It was no wonder that a fire could break out in these homes. You might be under the...
By Trevor Pachis, Principal Agent, Pachis & Associates, Inc / American Family Insurance We all know that we need homeowners insurance, but for the homeowner to get the coverage that fully protects their largest investment, they need to fully understand what “is"...
By Robinson Markus, The Evanston Development Cooperative (EDC) Now, it is easier than ever for Evanston homeowners to build an accessory dwelling unit (known as an “ADU”) on their property. Last September, the City of Evanston passed regulations to open up new...
The social, environmental, and economic benefits of planting a tree are many. But while planting a tree might sound easy, it needs to be done correctly - and to plant the correct tree - for it to thrive. For the best results, you should: Evaluate the Site: You can't...
Homebuyers can expect to obtain a slightly lower mortgage rates in 2025, compared to 2024. CNBC reported that the average 30-year fixed-rate loan on December 30, 2024, was 7.11% and that many financial institutions are predicting somewhere between 6.2% and 6.6% for...
It might seem small, but a simple three-digit number often determines your fate when you are seeking a home loan. That’s because your FICO score, which FICO.com claims is used by used by 90% of the top US lending institutions, indicates your risk level for the timely...
You may have heard of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac before. Perhaps you even have a general understanding of them or just associate these terms with owning a home. But what are they? What do they actually do? And why you, as a homebuyer, should care? According to the...
If you’re buying a home, you will want to understand its true condition so there are no surprises. To find any hidden issues and to learn about and how to maintain your new home, you will need to arrange and pay for a home inspection. There are many different kinds...
There are many benefits to living in a condo: They often require less maintenance than single-family homes, as the condo association often maintains the common interior and exterior areas. As a result, condos can often offer more flexibility than single family homes...
Moving into a new home isn’t just stressful for you, it’s stressful for your pets too – especially for cats and dogs. But while moving with pets can be daunting, we at Jackie Mack & More have some tips and tricks to help ensure that your move goes smoothly for...
Do you really need an attorney for a real estate closing? In Illinois, the answer is yes for home buyers, as it’s required by law. But hiring an attorney is also a good idea. After all, purchasing your home will be one of your largest financial transactions that...
You put in a bid, they accepted your offer, you secured the mortgage, negotiations are complete. All you need to do is sign the contract at the closing. Right? Wrong. There’s one more step – the walk through. The purpose of a walk through is to ensure the property...
If you have never bought a home or condo before, you may be wondering about what realtors mean by earnest money. Simply stated, it is a “good faith” deposit to show that you are serious about wanting to buy the house or condo. You typically pay earnest money...
When shopping for a new home, buyers must remember that it’s not just the house or condominium’s layout, design, features, and condition that matters. The neighborhood of the potential home is just as important in contributing to the quality of life that you’ll enjoy....
To lend you money for a mortgage when you are buying a home, your lender will want to know that the property is worth amount you're willing to spend. They need to check everything that could devalue or increase the property's worth. To do this, they require a home...
Being a strong buyer by putting together a strong offer will generally ensure that you are buying at the best price in a buyer's marker and will give you the edge over your competition in a seller's marker. Here are five action steps you should take when starting to...
A well-prepared home not only instills confidence in your potential buyer, but also ensures a smoother transaction. But it requires taking a proactive approach and attention to detail to get your home in order. By following the following nine steps, you will not only...
To start, let’s state the obvious: Purchasing your home is one of the largest expenses – if not the largest one – that you’ll ever incur. And with it, comes a wide array of tax implications, from potentially paying capital gains taxes if you have a profit when you...
When you are looking to buy a new home, you want to walk through the house or condo and be to visualize yourself inside it. You think about where your things will go, and how you’ll decorate it. In other words, you want to see if it “feels like home.” The same goes...
Home emergencies happen, and there is no exception. Anyone who’s had their AC bust in the heart of summer knows that trouble can arrive at the worst of times. While you cannot stop bad things from happening, you can be prepared for the worst with a home warranty. From...
There is a saying in real estate you may have already picked up on: Your first offer is your best offer! So, what is it? Well, just like most things in life: There’s not a clear answer, but the saying is often true. To best understand how to answer the question, we...
Isn’t it the buyer's responsibility to get inspections? The answer is both “yes” and “it’s nuanced.” Responsible buyers are going to want an inspection. They need to check their potential new home for safety issues, foundational/structural problems, hidden...
When the potential home buyer involves a lender, an appraisal will become necessary. That way the lender will want to independently know how much the home is worth to help them determine if they should approve the loan request. Since the home loan is riding on the...
Your home is your biggest investment, so it’s understandable if you want to get the most out of it when you sell it. And there are seven easy steps I recommend every homeowner take before they put the home on the market help them optimize their return on investment –...
You know that feeling when you’re driving down a road you’ve never been on before and you pass a house so beautiful it makes you hit the brakes and back up for a closer look? Maybe you even roll the window down, whip out your phone, and take a quick photo to put in a...