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...
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...
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. From haunted houses to picking...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...