The Local

The (First) Price Is Right

When it comes to selling a Evanston or North Shore home, the backbone of any successful marketing strategy is proper pricing. That's because the highest volume of potential buyers sees your home within days of it hitting the market. So if your home is perceived as overpriced right off the bat, you've already missed a huge opportunity.

In fact, North Shore homes that required one or more price changes sold on average for 86% of asking price in 167 days last year, whereas homes that did not require a price change sold for 95% of asking price in just 73 days.
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Historic Tax Incentives:

The North Shore is a treasure-trove of historic homes and many within historic districts. If you find yourself in a position to improve your new home please investigate the tax incentives provided by the state: http://www.illinois.gov/ihpa/Preserve/Pages/Funding.aspx

Santa’s’ Magical Trolley

Santa’s Magical Trolley Express in Evanston is an enchanting 90minute program that is interactive for children and for adults too! The program travels to Santa’s North Pole and a visit to Santa’s workshop where kids can play games and take a picture with Santa. This is a great way to interact with other families in the community.
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Holiday Window Decorating Contest

On December 1st the 2nd annual Holiday Window Decorating Contest started. Businesses all over Evanston will decorate their windows based on the theme and there will be four winners. This contest is a great way to get into the Holiday spirit and come together as a community.
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Holiday Ornament and Glass Painting Party

On December 14th the Bottle & Bottega is hosting an ornament and glass painting event for ages 18 and over. You have the chance to create and paint 3 glass ornaments or 2 bottles/glasses which can be given as gifts to others or a treat to yourself. Painting starts at 7:00pm and goes to 9:30 pm!
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Evanston Repeats "Bicycle Friendly Community" Designation

Here is another great reason why there is no better place to live than Evanston, Illinois!
Read the article on the City of Evanston Website

The Big Draw Evanston

This event is a month long and brings the community together to create art citywide.

The Big Draw starts in October and has events throughout the month from drawing nature to spooking drawing on Halloween. So, if you enjoy art or just want to try something new, go and check this out!!!
Big Draw Evanston Website

The Fresh Plan

The Fresh Plan is a restaurant that provides customers with balanced meals that are made from the freshest ingredients. The Fresh Plan has many locations in the Chicagoland area and now just opened one in Evanston. Everybody loves food and loves trying new things, so why not be healthy while doing it!
The Fresh Plan Website

Studio 5

On Friday September 30 from 7-9pm Studio5 will have Evanston Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl cut the ribbon to celebrate their grand opening. Then there will be a performance by the Evanston Dance Ensemble. Come out and support the Evanston arts!!!
Studio 5 Website

Taco Diablo

Taco Diablo is now open! This independent business was first established in 1992 in Evanston and has had the great opportunity to have the support by customers. Taco Diablo is an authentic Mexican restaurant; with the best tacos you will ever taste.
Go and check it out. http://www.tacodiablo.com

Shakespeare Garden on the Northwestern Campus

The beautiful Northwestern campus on the lake is just minutes from downtown Evanston. The campus has recently renovated the Shakespeare Garden and I guarantee that you will enjoy it! Read more...

Evanston Is Not Just For Kids

I was talking the other day to some out of town buyers new to the area. They asked me about Evanston as they are looking at several towns on the Northshore. Since they are from a city and used to all the amenities of a city they asked what is there to do here as it is a "suburb". After sharing my thoughts and sending them on their way I recalled an article from the New York Times ( yes they have heard about us) that speaks to the "urban vibe" of our town. I sent it out to them and now sharing with you if you hadn't read it yet: New York Times Article

Evanston is one of the Best Cities to Live

Wall St 24/7 rated Evanston number 5 in America’s 50 Best Cities to Live. The Article appeared in USA Today Online USA Today article and
on NBC Chicago's website with a little more detailed information NBC Article

Farmers’ Markets

Evanston offers many things to do just steps outside your front door. Head out to a local farmer’s market and find fresh fruits, vegetables, and baked goods. Evanston has their own market but, if you’re feeling like taking a small trip nearby suburbs have excellent markets too.

Evanston Farmers’ Market- Third week of May - Early November (Saturday’s 7:30am-1pm)
Chicago Botanic Garden Farmers’ Market- First Sundays in June - October (9am-2pm)
Wilmette French Market- late April - October (Saturday’s 8am-2pm)
Daley Plaza Farmers’ Market- “Longest running Farmers’ Market in Chicago”, May 12 - October 27th (Thursday’s 7am-3pm)
Wicker Park Farmers’ Market- June 5th - October 30 (Sunday’s 8am-2pm)

The Local

“The Local” includes a lifestyle videos and accompanying articles written and produced by an accomplished team of freelance journalists. Each episode highlights a handful of neighborhoods or towns through the eyes of local cultural trendsetters from fields such as fine arts, music, and food & beverage. The Local is about the scene beyond the real estate.

Agent Spotlight: Alan Meyerowitz
27 Apr 2018 | 5:00 am
Without his one true constant, Alan Meyerowitz would not be where he is today. Freshly married and coming off successful careers in different industries, Alan and his wife Joni decided to get into Real Estate. They have not looked back since. After 13 years with @properties, Alan still has a true passion for educating his [...] The post Agent Spotlight: Alan Meyerowitz appeared first on @home.
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5 tips to help guide your vacation home search
25 Apr 2018 | 3:30 pm
It wouldn’t be spring in the Midwest without the occasional (snow) showers! Now that warmer weather has arrived, some of your friends may be thinking about owning a vacation home. The timing is ideal since we are in the thick of the busy spring market. And luckily for those of us in the Chicago area, [...] The post 5 tips to help guide your vacation home search appeared first on @home.
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Where to get the best brunch in Lakeview
23 Apr 2018 | 11:00 am
Brunch so hard mimosas wanna find you? You’re in the right place. Lakeview happens to be one of my favorite places to brunch. From Southport corridor to Lake Shore Drive, here are six hot spots for the most important meal of the day. Bakin’ and Eggs: A Lovely Idea Everyone comes for the Bacon Flight, [...] The post Where to get the best brunch in Lakeview appeared first on @home.
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Agent Spotlight: Beth Morgan
20 Apr 2018 | 5:12 pm
After spending a year as a property manager and a year as an assistant to a broker, Beth Morgan knew it was time to stop sitting on the sidelines of real estate. With a background as diverse as Beth’s, it is no surprise that she began thriving as a real estate broker once she finally [...] The post Agent Spotlight: Beth Morgan appeared first on @home.
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Where to go out to dinner in Elmhurst
19 Apr 2018 | 8:03 pm
Since moving to the suburbs from downtown Chicago, my husband and I have taken our love for exploring restaurants from the city to Elmhurst. New spots are popping up every month and some of the best places are hidden out of view. Photo: Pazzi Di Pizza Whether you live in Elmhurst or plan to visit [...] The post Where to go out to dinner in Elmhurst appeared first on @home.
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Where to take your kids to play in Lakeview
16 Apr 2018 | 5:00 am
If you have a child that isn’t yet in school, you’re probably no stranger to the winter doldrums. Luckily, once you have a baby, you’ll start to notice how many businesses there are dedicated to your child’s entertainment. Lakeview is jam-packed with indoor play spaces and playgrounds. It’ll seem like they appear out of nowhere, [...] The post Where to take your kids to play in Lakeview appeared first on @home.
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Agent Spotlight: Kevin Rocio
13 Apr 2018 | 3:44 pm
You might know him as K-ROC or the leader of ROC Realty Group. You might also know him as the two-time Real Estate ‘Visionaries’ award winner. However you know him, Kevin Rocio is undoubtedly one of Chicago’s top commercial real estate brokers. We recently sat down with Kevin to learn about his road to becoming [...] The post Agent Spotlight: Kevin Rocio appeared first on @home.
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