I live in Evanston, which is the first suburb north of Chicago, IL, in an area known in our region as 'Greater Chicagoland'.  The entire area that surrounds Chicago (also known as the 'collar counties' that surround Chicago's "Cook County").I don't know of any other community that speaks of itself in such terms.  We don't talk about New Yorkland, or San Franciscoland.  Houstonland, People who live in distant communities such as Naperville, which is over 30 miles from Chicago proper, calls itself a part of Chicagoland.  When traveling out of state, and people ask where we're from, we don't automatically say we're from Skokie, or Cicero... we say Chicago... with a modicum of pride.According to TimeOut magazine, Chicago was voted as one of the top best cities in the world (#11).  I know, I... 06/03/2025

Naperville, Illinois, is more than just a great place to live—it's a vibrant community full of unique attractions, recreational activities, and cultural experiences. Whether you're a potential home buyer exploring the area or a seller looking to highlight your neighborhood’s perks, understanding what makes Naperville special can truly enhance your connection to this thriving city.If you're wondering about things to do in Naperville, here’s a professional local realtor’s guide to the top six activities that residents and visitors alike enjoy.1. Explore the Naperville RiverwalkThe Naperville Riverwalk is often called the “crown jewel” of the city. This scenic walking path along the DuPage River offers picturesque views, charming bridges, fountains, and gardens. It’s a perfect place for a ... 05/23/2025

What Sold in Your North Shore Village in March and April 2025? During the last two months, inventory has increased in all North Shore communities except Glencoe, where it stayed the same. This is normal since the spring market was gearing up at that time. As usual for this market, most homes sell fast for top dollar. However, of the total for sale in each village, approximately half have been on the market for over 30 days. And that's a big change.WINNETKAClick here to see all Winnetka homes or condos sold in March/April 2025All homes for sale:  36Current month's supply of inventory:  1.72025 median price: $1,795,000See Winnetka homes for saleSee Winnetka condos for saleSee Winnetka townhouses for sale WILMETTEClick here to see all Wilmette homes or condos sold in March/April 2025All ho... 05/16/2025

Hubbard Woods Real Estate Sales  March/April 2025  9 NEW HUBBARD WOODS HOMES FOR SALE IN March/April   1413 Tower: $1,199,000 (under contract) 815 Rosewood: $1,499,000(under contract)   251 Scott: $1,599,000 (under contract) 1149 Scott: $1,650,000 (under contract) 1170 Oakley: $2,195,000 (under contract)   1065 Fisher: $2,450,000 1250 Westmoor: $2,900,000 1575 Hickory: $3,195,000 (under contract) 977 Sheridan: $4,500,000  4 NEW PRIVATE HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGSIN March/April 154 Glenwood: $899,000 812 Rosewood: $1,200,000 1098 Fisher: $2,995,000 675 Blackthorn: $4,999,000  5 CLOSED HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGS IN March/April 1066 Tower List price: $959,000 Sold price: $975,000 Days on market: 12 312 Rosewood List price: $1,496,000 Sold price: $1,725,000 Days on market: 5 1344 Edgewood List price... 05/16/2025

It's truly been an interesting week in the world, and definitely in Chicago.  We learned with a puff of smoke that the world had a new Pope, and not only that, but for the very first time he is from the United States.He is not, as is being widely reported, the first American, as Francis was from Argentina (which is also American... south American to be precise).  I know, I know... we from the U.S. like to call our selves Americans, but we aren't the only inhabitants of America.But those of us in the greater Chicagoland area learned that Pope Leo XIV is also from our area.  He's not technically from Chicago, he's from a nearby suburb (Naperville), but as many in our area who are from nearby, we claim Chicago as our hometown.And better yet, we learned that The Pope, when he was young, ac... 05/09/2025

Nothing  is certain in life and selling your home is no different.  It seems like there  are more and more Real  Estate  Agents in every single market.  With so many agents to choose from, what is today's home seller to do? Do you go with the latest  TikTok Agent who makes you laugh?  Do you go with that Agent  that looks like they just stepped out of the set of "Selling LA"?  Perhaps the easy going agent that  works for the top Real Estate Brokerage in town?  The self-proclaimed #1 agent?  Your  neighbor's daughter/son who just got their license??Experience vs Popularity? Those are tough decisions to make when you are  trusting one of the largest assets that  you may own.  What if you can have an agent  that may not be claiming the "No. 1" spot in your town but has experience over the ... 05/04/2025

Closing Costs in Naperville, IL: What Buyers and Sellers Need to KnowWhen buying or selling a home in Naperville, Illinois, understanding the closing costs is essential for a smooth transaction. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or an experienced seller, knowing what to expect financially can help you prepare for the final stages of the home purchase or sale. In this guide, we'll break down what closing costs typically include, who is responsible for paying them, and how to estimate the amount you’ll need for a successful real estate transaction in Naperville.What Are Closing Costs?Closing costs are the fees and expenses associated with the completion of a real estate transaction. These costs are in addition to the price of the property and are due at the closing table, which is the... 04/30/2025

This is a rant of sorts - I have been getting postcards in the mail for several years from  local investors (3) who  buy homes "Cash" from homeowners in "all" situations.  Being that  I am a senior citizen and that I also appear on my mother's property - I find this irritating.   It also irritates  me  that the picture the most current investor used  is not even mine - its my neighbor's unit who happens to live in the adjoining duplex.  At least get it right!  I have called previously when I kept getting cards for my mother's property in IL's 2nd  largest city.  A nice brick ranch on a prominent street.  It's  not fancy - but for an investor I can see the allure.   Now I don't know  if they target protected classes  exclusively or just senior citizens in certain "farming" areas. Either ... 04/28/2025

With the weather in the 80's - the spring market is literally heating up in the western suburbs of Chicago.  Oswego, IL is a quaint small town with aproximately of 38,640.  With several new  construction home projects throughout the village finding and existing home to buy could be a challenge.As of today, 4/24/25 - there are only 30 existing homes out  of 65 that were listed.  The other 35  are to-be-built, new  construction homes.The existing homes rane  from 3 Bedroom, 1 bath home listed at $299,900 to the highest priced home listed at $1.6M for an estate 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths on 14.41 acres.  This all brick 2 story home at 5,000 sq.  ft.   With a 30x40 pole barn there  is plenty of room to store your collections.Located on the Fox River and only 12 minutest from downtown Aurora, you... 04/24/2025

Just Imagine.....      Clients have been getting home inspections since the mid 1980's. 90+% of the inspections are for the buyers. They are many times referred to the home inspection  company by their trusted real estate agent or friend. Some search for us on the web or google. A very small percentage of agents and sellers get an inspection before they list their home on the market. They are trying to get a handle on things that would very likely derail a possible sale because the buyer doesn't have the time to wait for repairs, has a past history with this type of issue, or get's talked out of the house by a relative or friend advising them to run away, keep looking. There could be other reasons, but the point is, something in the inspection turned them away from the house.     So jus... 04/14/2025

The Best is on the Way.     Spring selling season normally starts in March/April, depending on how severe the winter has treated us here in north central Illinois. This winter of 2024-2025 was mild in the view of most people. I personally only used my John Deere 6 forward 2 reverse electric start snowblower twice. The rest of the winter there wasn't enough snow to use the snowblower, the snow shovel was just fine.      We had some hints that there would be a very busy spring season based on how February went. We inspected 7 more homes in 2025 than 2024 and our average inspection fee increased $72 due to the addition of in house radon testing and sewer scope services. March was no different with similar increases in number of inspections and similar average inspection fee compared to 202... 04/14/2025

What You Need to Know as a Potential Homebuyer or SellerIf you're considering buying or selling a home in Naperville, Illinois, one of the first things you'll want to understand is the local cost of living. Naperville is known for its charming suburban vibe, excellent schools, and proximity to Chicago, making it a desirable location for families and professionals alike. However, like any area, understanding the living expenses is crucial when planning a move or investment. In this guide, we'll break down the key components of living expenses in Naperville, so you can make an informed decision when it comes to buying or selling your home.Housing Costs in NapervilleWhen it comes to the biggest expense in any area, housing is usually at the top of the list. In Naperville, the housing marke... 04/07/2025

Bring Warmth Home with Pantone's Color of the Year: Mocha Mousse  When Pantone selected Mocha Mousse as its 2025 Color of the Year, it reinforced a growing trend in both fashion and interior design – one that emphasizes warmth and quiet luxury. The color institute notes that Mocha Mousse is a rich brown hue that answers “our desire for comfort.” True to its name, the shade evokes an indulgent chocolate mousse that you might enjoy while curled up on the couch in front of a fire. Beyond its cozy appeal, Mocha Mousse highlights a return to basics – a soft, grounding presence in a fast-paced era dominated by technology. “Mocha Mousse reflects our longing to connect with nature, infusing warmth into our spaces while fostering a calm and soothing ambiance,” said Clara Kim, co-founder and crea... 03/13/2025

What Sold in Your North Shore Village in January and February 2025? Has the inventory of homes in the North Shore seen any changes? Nope! It is holding steady except for a tiny uptick in Glencoe and Northbrook. It's early in the spring market, and inventory will slowly increase. Competition is vigorous! WINNETKAClick here to see all Winnetka homes or condos sold in Jan/Feb 2025All homes for sale:  26Current month's supply of inventory:  1.72025 median price: $1,772,000See Winnetka homes for saleSee Winnetka condos for saleSee Winnetka townhouses for sale WILMETTEClick here to see all Wilmette homes or condos sold in Jan/Feb 2025All homes for sale:  27Current months supply of inventory:  1.1Past 12 months median price: $1,195,000See Wilmette homes for saleSee Wilmette condos for saleSee ... 03/11/2025

Hubbard Woods Real Estate Sales  January/February 2025   3 NEW HUBBARD WOODS HOMES FOR SALE IN January/February   1066 Tower Road:  $959,000 (pending) 1340 Edgewood: $1,350,000 (under contract)   865 Gordon Terrace: $4,199,000  3 NEW PRIVATE HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGSIN January/February 1065 Fisher: $2,450,000 822 Bryant: $2,699,000 946 Pine Tree: $3,999,000  4 CLOSED HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGS IN January/February 1432 Asbury List price: $2,199,000 Sold price: $2,050,000 Days on market: 36 901 Greenwood List price: $2,475,000 Sold price: $2,200,000 Days on market: 603 (new construction) 870 Heather Ln List price: 3,599,000 Sold price: $3,998,472 Days on market: 5 1330 Westmoor Tr List price: $4,795,000 Sold price: $4,675,000 Days on market: 493 (new construction)  CURRENT HUBBARD WOODS REAL EST... 03/06/2025

While we have had several weeks of mortgage rates slowly come down - tight inventory - is not helping move the real  estate market as we start the spring market!  Following is the breakdown for Aurora IL as we head into March, 2025Total Available Single Detached Homes: 83New Listings - 19Reactivated Listings - 3Price Changes - 3Active - 58 Current Aurora, IL Population as of July 1, 2023 - 177,563.      02/28/2025

For the seven villages that I track on these pages (Winnetka, Wilmette, Glencoe, Kenilworth, Northfield, Glenview, and Northbrook) all but one posted lower home sales. That was Northfield which had a large increase in the number of homes sold.Correspondingly, all 7 villages saw increased home prices from modest to significant.The majority of homes are selling in less than a week. The above numbers show at least a month or more for the selling times because there were enough homes with long sell times to skew the numbers. In this case, my only access to the numbers was averages instead of medians. As expected, the ratio of the list price to the sell price was very close to the list price with Winnetka and Wilmette showing sales over the list price.Inventory, as in the past several years,... 01/16/2025

What Sold in Your North Shore Village in November & December 2024WINNETKAClick here to see all Winnetka homes or condos sold in Nov/Dec 2024All homes for sale:  25Current month's supply of inventory:  1.72024 median price: $1,750,000See Winnetka homes for saleSee Winnetka condos for saleSee Winnetka townhouses for sale WILMETTEClick here to see all Wilmette homes or condos sold in Nov/Dec 2024All homes for sale:  29Current months supply of inventory:  1.2Past 12 months median price: $1,138,000See Wilmette homes for saleSee Wilmette condos for saleSee Wilmette townhouses for sale KENILWORTHKenilworth homes sold in Nov/Dec 2024All homes for sale: 10Current month's supply of inventory:  2.7Past 12 months median price: $1,863,000See Kenilworth homes for saleGLENCOE Click here to see all Gle... 01/10/2025

Currently have a wonderful custom home for sale in Sugar Grove in highly desireable Black Walnut Trails. Enjoy being in a country subdivision while being only minutes away from both the I-88 Sugar Grove exits and the I-88 Orchard Rd. exit! With almost 3,000 sq. ft. of above ground living space - 3 BR/2.5 Baths and a 2 car garage on a large professionally landscaped corner lot - you will have plenty of space for family and a wonderful entertainment space too! The owner's retreat includes ensuite luxury bathroom - Jacuzzi tub, large shower and double vanities plus his & her's closets. Measuring 29x15 ft., this gives you plenty of room for even the largest king size bed and dressers. 2 additional above sized bedrooms plus a loft area completes the 2nd floor. The 1st floor has a formal livi... 01/08/2025

Hubbard Woods Real Estate Sales  Nov/Dec 2024   NO NEW HUBBARD WOODS HOMES FOR SALE IN NOV/DEC  4 NEW PRIVATE HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGSIN NOV/DEC 265 Woodland: $1,900,000 870 Heather: $3,799,000 973 Sheridan: $16,000,000 1155 Chatfield: no price given  9 CLOSED HUBBARD WOODS LISTINGS IN NOV/DEC 972 Tower Rd. List price: $699,000 Sold price: $699,000 Days on market: 12 1112 Tower Rd. List price: $679,000 Sold price: $700,000 660 Walden List price: $1,225,000 Sold price: $1,300,000 Days on market: 8 1046 Dinsmore List price: $1,499,000 Sold price: $1,400,000 Days on market: 12 1407 Tower List price: $1,625,000 Sold price: $1,625,000 Days on market: 6   1442 Scott List price: $2,199,000 Sold price: $2,300,000 Days on market: 6 850 Lamson List price: $2,299,000 Sold price: $2,456,500 Days on m... 01/07/2025