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Share the Love Sweepstakes: The Perfect Date Package [Official Rules]
27 Jan 2020 | 5:59 pmFor Valentine’s Day we’re giving away The Perfect Date Package! Enter our Share the Love Sweepstakes for a chance to win a beautiful ‘Love’ necklace, a Flowers for Dreams bouquet and dinner at Sunda. The perfect package to gift that special person in your life. Read on to learn how to enter. How to Enter Follow @properties on Instagram Tag a friend’s username on our January 27th, 2020 post For additional entries, tag a different friend’s username in separate comments *You may enter as many times as you’d like, but must include a different friend’s username each time* Official Rules SPONSORS. @properties’ Share the Love Sweepstakes is sponsored by @properties, 212 E. Ohio, Chicago, IL (“Sponsor”). PROMOTION PERIOD: Promotion begins at 12:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time (“CDT”) on January 27, 2020 and ends on February 14, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time (“CDT”). The Promotion computer, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion, is the official time keeping device for the Promotion. AGREEMENT TO THE OFFICIAL RULES: By participating in the Promotion, all entrants fully and unconditionally agree to and accept these Official Rules and the Sponsor’s decisions which are final and binding in all matters related to the Promotion. Winning a prize (described below) is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein. ELIGIBILITY. Individuals who reside in the fifty (50) United States or the District of Columbia and who are 18 years of age or older are eligible to enter, except employees of Sponsor and any other organizations affiliated with the sponsorship, fulfillment, administration, prize support, advertisement or promotion and/or their respective agents, affiliates, subsidiaries, and members of their immediate families or persons residing at the same address. ENTRY. Enter on Instagram by following @properties and tagging a friend’s username on @properties’ January 24, 2020 post. You may enter as many times as you would like,[…]
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For the First-Time Home Buyer: FAQs Answered
13 Jan 2020 | 5:12 pmAfter saving up diligently for years, it’s finally time to purchase your very first home. A first-time home purchase is a big milestone, and one to truly celebrate and cherish. But it’s also a decision that requires careful research. While there may be a litany of advice and resources online about purchasing a home, take it from the local experts who know Chicago’s real estate market best. As the Chicago area’s largest brokerage firm, @properties has over 2,800 agents throughout the region and beyond. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a local agent to learn more about the homebuying process. Meanwhile, here are answers to some frequently asked questions about buying your first home. You can also click here for a glossary of some common terms you’re likely to encounter as a first-time buyer. What kind of home do I want? It’s important for any first-time homebuyer in the Chicago area to understand exactly what type of property they want to search for. Within the city – and throughout many suburbs – there are many housing types: condos, multi-family flats, row homes, single family homes, and more. Each presents a unique lifestyle, as well as varying degrees of responsibility that come with being an owner. For example, owning a multi-unit building will require you to manage maintenance, rent collection, and tenant needs, whereas living in a large condominium building is relatively turnkey. Other important considerations include location and the features and amenities that come with the home and surrounding neighborhood. Try to picture what’s best for your lifestyle and make a list of the pros and cons of the types of homes you’re considering. This will save you a lot of time in your search. How do I apply for a mortgage? There are a variety of options for obtaining[…]
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5 Real Estate Pricing Myths Sellers Need to Know
4 Jan 2020 | 12:00 pmWhen it comes to selling homes, the price is very often the “hot topic” whether you are the seller or buyer. The process involved in determining the appropriate listing price isn’t always what one might think, though. In fact, it ultimately comes down to a position within the existing competition. Let’s take a moment to delve into some common misconceptions about pricing… Overpricing isn’t a big deal since you can always lower the list price No homeowner wants to leave money on the table. But starting with an unrealistic or overly-ambitious asking price isn’t the way to achieve the highest possible sales price for your home. In fact, overpriced homes tend to linger on the market, making them harder to sell. And yes, you can always lower the list price but you should keep in mind that the largest pool of buyers sees your home within days of it hitting the market – and if you keep reducing the price, they may assume there’s something wrong with the property. Buyers also factor in market time when determining their offer price and what they perceive to be fair market value. To generate maximum exposure and interest, it’s essential to price your home accurately during that critical “New Listing” period. Your home is worth the amount you paid (or more) Every market is different and trends vary block by block. The market shifts constantly which can lead to upward and downward price trends. However, just because a high-level report shows an increase in pricing, it doesn’t necessarily mean that trickles down to every property. While all homeowners wish to make a profit, it’s important to be mindful of pricing trends in your hyper-local market. In sum, what you paid for the home and the period of time you owned it do not[…]
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10 Things We Love About Lake Geneva
28 Dec 2019 | 2:30 pmImagine a place that’s got world-class golfing, high-end spas, relaxing boat cruises, charming shops, breweries, and even skiing. What if we told you there was such a place and that it is only one and a half hour’s drive from downtown Chicago? That place is Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. And as a popular resort town that draws visitors from both the Chicago and Milwaukee metro areas, there is plenty to see and do. Here are just some of our favorite things about Lake Geneva. The drive from Chicago and beyond In good traffic, the 80-mile drive to Lake Geneva from downtown Chicago should take just an hour and a half. But you might want to make a detour along the way at popular attractions such as the Mars Cheese Castle, a kitschy highway stop stocked full of Wisconsin-brewed beers and delicious cheese from local dairies. Continue past Lake Geneva to hit Rustic Road 29, a winding, scenic drive perfect for a cruise in the convertible during the warmer months or to enjoy the colorful leaves in the autumn. Golf courses to improve your swing Grab your clubs because there are more than a dozen different resorts, country clubs, and golf courses with lush fairways and manicured greens located in the area. Some top destinations include places like Geneva National Resort & Club, Grand Geneva Resort, Lake Lawn Resort in nearby Delavan, and many others. Or perhaps traditional golfing is not your thing — check out White River Disc Golf Course or Paradise Miniature Golf. Resorts for rest and relaxation The aforementioned resorts also boast luxury hotels and restorative spas. But there are numerous options throughout the Lake Geneva area for rest and relaxation. From rustic inns to hotels to full-service luxury resorts, whatever is of interest (and budget) can be found[…]
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The Best of Chicago Winter Traditions
23 Dec 2019 | 4:13 pmChicago goes through a sort of metamorphosis as winter takes a firm grip over the city, bringing cold weather and incredibly short days. But don’t feel bad making runs to the local convenience store in sweatpants and slippers — during the coldest winter days, it takes a lot of motivation and sheer willpower just to leave the house. When not hibernating, Chicago residents can be seen digging their vehicles out from snow drifts and ice, meeting up at corner bars, or even jumping into a frozen Lake Michigan. With winter officially here, we thought it was only fitting to highlight a few noteworthy Chicago traditions that mark the season. Keep reading and let us know your favorite winter traditions in the comments. Polar Plunge Try to picture hundreds of people clad only in bathing suits running and fully submerging themselves into a frigid Lake Michigan during the coldest period in Chicago. Sound like fun? That’s basically what the Polar Plunge is. Each year towards the end of winter, the event takes place to great fanfare — even sometimes featuring surprise celebrity guests (think Jimmy Fallon and Lady Gaga). And it’s all for a good cause, as proceeds from participant entry dues and their funds raised go to support Special Olympics Chicago. View this post on Instagram Brave Chicagoans splashed into Lake Michigan this weekend at the annual @chicagopolarplunge . 📸: @nealobryanphoto #timeoutchicago #chicago #chigram A post shared by Time Out Chicago (@timeoutchicago) on Mar 5, 2018 at 1:37pm PST Parking dibs There’s no local tradition more polarizing than parking dibs. For the uninitiated, the idea is simple: residents claim, or call “dibs” on a street parking space for a few days to upwards of a week (or sometimes longer) after clearing that spot out after a heavy snowfall. When not[…]
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Reduce the Cost of Homeownership with These 5 Tips
21 Dec 2019 | 3:00 pmA house is often an individual’s single most expensive purchase, and therefore, most valuable asset. But the costs of ownership, including ongoing maintenance and taxes, can be a considerable undertaking. The good news is that there are many ways that owners can cut costs. Following are a few recommendations, and don’t hesitate to connect with an agent who can provide invaluable advice on cost-saving ideas. Bring your lighting into the 21st century Incandescent bulbs emit as much heat as they do light, as the process requires warming the filament to a point where it radiates warm light. While the soft lighting is pleasant, the bulbs are inefficient and can become costly for homeowners with lots of lights and lamps. Instead, homeowners would be best served switching out all obsolete incandescent and compact fluorescent bulbs with newer LED ones. LED lighting sips energy, using a fraction of what older incandescent bulbs do. And not only have prices on LED bulbs dropped significantly in recent years, helping lower the initial purchase cost, but there’s the added benefit of reducing electricity costs through their incredibly low energy use. Additionally, LED lights come in all sizes and colors, giving homeowners more flexibility in personalization and customization. Replace old kitchen and bath fixtures Wasting water leads to increasingly expensive water bills. Fortunately, newer faucets and shower heads are designed to reduce water use while functioning just as good as older style models. Almost all new shower heads have switches which can change the mode, allowing for even less water waste. Meanwhile kitchen and bathroom faucets come in all different styles and finishes, ensuring homeowners plenty of options. Another big source of water waste is the toilet. With older models, you’re literally flushing money down the drain as outdated bowls and tanks use several gallons of[…]
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The Best Midwest Winter Getaways
18 Dec 2019 | 8:24 pmCoastal lifestyle magazines often get the Midwest wrong. There’s almost always a portrait of farmers and hectares upon hectares of corn fields and images of a frozen Chicago. And sure, the sweet yellow crop may be Iowa’s single largest export, and yes, Chicago can and does get incredibly cold in the winter, but throughout the Great Lakes region, there is history to explore and an infinite number of outdoor recreation opportunities. It’s a theme that Chicago-area residents are well versed in — adventure awaits in any direction you decide to drive. And just like the thousands of towns scattered throughout the region, there is something for everyone. Those looking for a thrill will find miles upon miles of groomed cross-country skiing paths in Door County, Wisconsin. But say you just want some much-needed rest and relaxation — you can get that too. Here are just a few of our favorite sites for adventure, small town charm, and relaxation within a few hours’ drive from downtown Chicago. Photo by Wilmot Mountain Sites for the adventure-seekers: Looking for some outdoor fun and exploration in serene environs? Pack your hard-shell coat and gloves and head north towards Sturgeon Bay in Door Country, Wisconsin for some of the best cross-country skiing within reach of the Chicago area. Some of the best locations include the 48-mile-long Ahnapee State Trail, which stretches from Sturgeon Bay to Kewaunee, and the Crossroads at Big Creek and Door County Land Trust nature preserves. If downhill skiing is more your speed, consider a trip to Wilmot Mountain Resort in Wilmot, Wisconsin. It may not be Vail, but with 23 trails and seven lifts spanning 120 acres, Wilmot Mountain is the closest thing a Midwesterner gets to the true spirit of Alpine skiing and snowboarding. They even have snow tubing, which[…]
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