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...
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...
Adventures Awaits: Museum Passes for FREE or Discounted Admission Here is your chance to visit museums and cultural institutions throughout the Chicagoland area without busting your bank. That's because, if you're an Evanston Public Library Card Holder, you can pick...
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...
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...
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...
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...