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 of the mussing and fussing. After all, there are an array of Evanston-based businesses that can help you...
While Evanston may be known for its beautiful lots and breathtaking lake views, dubbing the city “Heavanston” all year round, don’t forget about Halloween. During the month of October, the city truly prepares for the fun, spooky season. Evanston’s official...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...