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Making sure your Chicago property appraises for the desired sales values requires two things: Understanding the appraiser’s methodolgy and having a savvy local realtor who knows the neighborhood and current home values better than the appraiser.

Much of Chicago’s charm comes from its many different neighborhoods — these multiple “cities within the city” — each have their own distinct vibe. Where are these neighborhoods and what are they called? Well, that’s debatable in some instances but here are our definitions for the West Town area.

How do you both sell your current home and buy your next home at the same time? The coordination involved can seem overwhelming. It can be done! What are the considerations and what makes the most sense for your circumstances? There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer.

In Chicago, our standard lot size is 25 feet wide by 125 feet deep, so the length is literally 5 times the width! So intuitively, width is clearly more valuable. Inside the properties widths are about 19 feet, but keep in mind you have staircases eating up lots of space, so on narrower lots you start seeing dining room tables encroach on fireplaces. With narrower spaces, it can start to look and feel like a bowling alley, and less like a home.

“Location, location, location” – what does this really mean? Even within a neighborhood, location matters, and can often be a matter of feet, not miles. There are nuances on value from one block to the next, transportation resources, landmark districts, school differences, and proximity to entertainment areas, hospitals and busy streets comes into play.

You can make 32% on average on your investment when buying vs renting. You make money over three different time periods: 1. Positive cash flow or reduced expense, 2. Mortgage interest expense & property tax, 3. Principal pay down & appreciation

We’ve all heard that “spring” is the optimum time to sell a home. “Well, what about ‘fall’?” There are the optimal windows of time for listing your home and your area’s seasons will affect your market timing. Seasonal market timing and prep to sell are both critical factors for successful home sales.

Lowering your Chicago property taxes requires two things: challenging what the city assesses you and taking all the exemptions for which you are eligible. There are some nuances to each of these tactics.

Getting the contract is just the beginning – how do you make sure the deal will close? There are more hurdles to clear before the deal is done including inspections, appraisal, and final walk-thru.