Whether you’ve got dogs, cats, hamsters, or bunnies running around at home, they’re part of the family. We love our pets, but that doesn’t mean potential buyers necessarily want to see them – or any evidence of them – when they’re scoping out your home for sale. While they’re cute and cuddly, they also smell, leave dander behind, and leave unsightly excrement and stains behind that can turn buyers off.

When it’s time to put your home on the market, you’ll need to make some changes before you can list it.

Make Any Necessary Repairs

A home with a pet is vulnerable to damage, no matter how minor. From scratches on the hardwood, to chewed-up chair legs, too scuffed up trim on the walls, pets can wreak havoc on a home. Pets might be valued members of the family, but they’re still animals, and as such, they’re likely to use just about anything in their home as a chew toy.

Before you list your home on the market and have photos taken, make sure you patch up any areas in question. Damage in the home from pets is never attractive in the eyes of buyers, so make sure you leave no stone unturned when it comes to making the necessary repairs. No matter how minor or major the repairs are and how much they cost to do, the value that you will put back into the home will be worth it when it comes to selling quickly and for more money.

Get Rid of Pet Stains and Odors

Pets have this uncanny ability to leave the scent behind, no matter how vague or potent. Even if they’ve just had a bath and are clean, they still smell. And don’t forget about litter boxes or food bowls, which carry their own unpleasant odors too. While you may have gotten used to these smells and have become “nose blind” to them, these scents still linger in the home and should be eliminated before the first buyer steps foot in it.

Don’t forget about any stains that your pet may have left behind as well, especially on your carpets. Have your floors and upholstery professionally cleaned, and make sure every stain is eliminated in problem areas. Worst case scenario: replace the carpeting altogether.

Eliminate Any Signs of the Presence of Pets

You may have gotten rid of unpleasant scents from your pets, but you also want to remove any signs that animals live in your home. Not every homebuyer is necessarily a pet lover, so you want to make sure that you appeal to as may prospective buyers as possible when you have your home on the market. That means you’ll need to get rid of litter boxes, beds, food bowls, toys, and any other remnant that points to the presence of a pet. The more clutter you can remove, the better.

Clean Up the Yard

Don’t just focus on the interior of your home when staging it to sell. Your pets likely spends a lot of time outdoors, and probably have made a mark on your yard. Buyers will probably have a quick walk around the exterior of the home to see what the outdoor lot is like, and they definitely don’t want to stumble upon any holes dug up or any excrement that you forgot to pick up. Clear the yard and patch up any areas that need repair. Once your yard is up to par, be sure to take your pet somewhere else to play and do his ‘business’.

Understand Your Liabilities

Your pet may seem to be the friendliest, gentlest animal on the planet, but you just never know if they’ll bite or scratch someone they don’t take too kindly to. If your pet ever bites someone while they are on your property, you can be held legally liable.

At the very least, check your insurance policy to see if it includes dog bite coverage. Check for any exclusions in the coverage section of your policy to see if it makes mention of dogs or any type of animal in general. Certain policies exclude specific types of dog breeds, such as Rottweilers or Pit Bulls.

Remove Pets During Showings

Your best bet is to make sure that your pets are nowhere near the property when there is a showing or an open house to avoid any complications. Having them off your property will also ensure that your home will remain in decent shape for the duration of the listing. If possible, consider having your pet stay with a family member or friend while your home is on the market.

At the very least, keep your pet in a designated and contained space and inform buyers and their agents about the presence of pets ahead of time. Your pet might not exactly like this idea, but it may be necessary when selling your home is top priority.

The Bottom Line

Pet owners love their furry friends, but pets can be a negative distraction to buyers. When you’ve got your home on the market, you don’t want your pet to be the first thing that buyers notice. Instead, be sure to eliminate all signs of animals in the house in order to make it more attractive to prospective buyers.

While not officially one of the 77 Chicago communities, Ravenswood has long been an integral part of the North Side of Chicago. Sandwiched between Lincoln Square, Uptown and North Center, according to the Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce, Ravenswood was founded in 1868 as an exclusive commuter suburb by a group of real-estate speculators, and was named for a flock of ravens they saw in the woods surrounding the territory. 

These speculators, they said, formed the Ravenswood Land Company and purchased 194 acres of farmland and woods eight miles north of Chicago. Business owners settled on tree-lined streets, east of Ravenswood Avenue and the Chicago & Northwestern/Union Pacific North Line railroad tracks in the Uptown community area. And the Ravenswood community was born. After the extension of the “L” in the early 20^th century, Ravenswood continued to grow as new residents built small houses, two-flats, and apartment buildings.

From Industrial to Artisanal in 100 years

For over a century, the Ravenswood Industrial Corridor has been home to one of Chicago’s most vibrant and diverse creative communities. Everyone from metalworkers and brewers to painters and carpenters have laid down roots in Ravenswood. Historic manufacturing centers that once housed giants of industry have been reimagined, each now home to countless talented artisans.

The Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce offers services and annual events, including festivals and themed shopping events to help businesses thrive. Special Service Area #31, a local tax district provides funding for expanded services to businesses. And, the GRCC partners with the Ravenswood Community Council,dedicated to promoting community greening, the Ravenswood Farmers Market, and public art.

Malt Row: the ‘King’ of Breweries 

Ravenswood is home to ‘Malt Row,’ housing the neighborhood’s breweries, taprooms, and restaurants. The Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce published a guide to the local breweries, including Begyle Brewing, the original tap room, and KOVAL Distillery. For those who prefer wine, Vin312 Winery is nestled at the center of Malt Row.

Ravenswood Sculpture Garden 

While the weather is still warm enough to walk, take a trip along Ravenswood Avenue, between Irving Park Road and Lawrence Ave.  to the Ravenswood Sculpture Garden, a peaceful setting in a big city, seeing such showstopping pieces as ‘Blind Love, ‘ Flight of the Honey Bee, ‘ and ‘Frog and Toad, ‘ among many others. 

Lillstreet Art Center

The center of creativity for Ravenswood since 1975, the  Lillstreet Art Center, built from a former horse stable, offers a space to create, connect, and find community. They support the arts through a multifaceted arts education program, year-long artist residencies, art exhibition space, retail sales opportunities for artists, studio rentals, and arts-based professional development. For specific classes and more information about the Center, click here. 

Ravenswood Costume Crawl

On Wednesday October 26, businesses along Montrose and Ravenswood Avenues host the Ravenswood Costume Crawl from 5:30pm-8:30pm. Wear your most creative, scary costume for an evening of treats and drinks. Enjoy a fantastic selection of local desserts, candy, and beer and cocktail samples. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 that day. To purchase tickets, click here. 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Dryer maintenance is not only important for extending the life of your appliance and saving energy through optimum performance. It can prevent a fire! Lint buildup in dryers and vents are one of the leading causes of fires in the home. Here are some maintenance tips to do every other month at minimum.

Of course, after every load clean the lint screen. If this screen is clogged it makes the dryer work harder by restricting air flow through the dryer. The dryer runs hotter which at best will only shrink your clothes, and at worst it can cause a fire. Neglecting to clean the screen can also force lint to build up in areas hard to reach and can become even more flammable.

Clean the area around the lint screen also. Cleaning off the screen every load is good, but lint can dislodge from the screen and end up further in the lint trap chute. When the dryer is cool use a vacuum attachment that’s narrow enough to reach as far as you can. A long slim bottle brush can work too. 

Keep the area around the dryer clean and free of lint, moisture and debris. The dryer should be installed with a minimum of space in the back and sides. These specifications can be found on the dryer door, or you may need to look up your appliance online. Dryers need air space, especially behind, to perform safely and efficiently. Also be on the lookout for those pesky dryer sheets which can float around. I swept behind my dryer today and found five, along with several lint bunnies!

Check outside where the air vent ends. Make sure there are no obstructions like branches or plants that can block airflow. Look inside and clean out any visible lint or other debris. Wipe out the inside as far as you can with a rag and brush. 

Check the duct itself, especially where it is attached to the dryer. Unplug the dryer first and remove the duct. Clean out any lint with a duct cleaning brush. You can purchase a duct cleaning kit at any home improvement store or Amazon for less than $30. It is a small investment to extend the life of your dryer and prevent fires!

Clean inside the dryer periodically. Bits of dirt can melt onto the drum and clog the holes preventing good air flow. They can also gum up future loads. Unplug the dryer and wipe down the drum with soapy water, or use isopropyl alcohol. 

Make sure the dryer is balanced. Uneven dryers can rock and cause uneven amounts of pressure, which can cause uneven wear that will eventually damage the rotor. Dryers have leveling feet on the four corners that can be adjusted if your flooring is uneven. Use a leveling tool, you can even download one for your phone. 

Lastly, don’t overload the dryer trying to save money on loads. It makes the dryer work harder and less efficiently and can cause the airflow fan to wear out more quickly. The rotor will also wear out faster as it works harder to move the heavier load. Doing several smaller loads is much better in the long run. 

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago

Our Fall season is in full swing here in Chicago!  Come join us this weekend and see for yourself!!

Come celebrate autumn in the heart of Chicago at the Lincoln Park Zoo’s 8^th annual Fall Fest now through October 30^th.  This free, family-friendly celebration brings harvest time fun featuring ticketed attractions throughout the zoo including a Pumpkin Walk with live professional pumpkin carvers on Saturdays and Sundays; a Harvest Maze; various rides which include a 65-foot Ferris wheel, Fun Slide, and Pirate’s Revenge; a Lionel Train Adventure, the AT&T Endangered Species Carousel, and much more!  Afterall, Fall is one of the best times to visit the Zoo with its bursting autumnal colors and species of all sorts coming out themselves to enjoy the cooler weather!!

Pier Pumpkin Lights returns for its second year to Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.) in the Streeterville neighborhood now through October 31^st.  Come explore a variety of larger-than-life pumpkin pop-up installations as well as enjoying Pier-wide deals during this seasonal celebration.  Plus, beginning this Saturday, the Pier will be full of fun and fright each Saturday in October for their Slightly Spooky Saturdays featuring interactive performances from costumed actors, acrobatic feats, free axe throwing for guests, a professional photographer with custom backgrounds, and more.  In addition, each themed Saturday will have a special one-time only activity with this Saturday’s being Magic & Mystery Day where guests are encouraged to dress in their best wizard costume for a Harry Potter-themed day!  This is a great way to enjoy autumn both indoors and outdoors as you stroll along the lakefront!!

Gather up your fur babies and head on over to Canine Crews (1616 N. Washtenaw Ave.) in the West Town neighborhood this Saturday (1 p.m.-4 p.m.) for their Barktoberfest 2022.  It’s a dog-centric celebration featuring an off-leash indoor dog park with multiple play areas; German style food; beer, wine, and soft drinks; an event beer stein; a dog beer drinking contest; a dog musical sits contest; goody bags loaded with paw-some stuff; and much more!  It’s an afternoon of Bavarian-style fun for dogs and their humans!!

In case you haven’t heard, the 2022 Chicago Beer Fest takes place this Saturday (7 p.m.-11 p.m.) at the Field Museum (1400 S. Lake Shore Dr.) in the South Loop.  This event features over 65 breweries offering samples of their seasonal beers with each attendee receiving 40 taster vouchers.  A General admission ticket gets you in at 8 p.m. while the Early admission ticket gets you in at 7 p.m. with an added hour of access to limited release beers!  Come and enjoy a night at the museum for a one-of-a-kind experience!!

If wine is more your type of drink, then you’re in luck as the 6^th annual Lincoln Park Wine Fest takes place this Saturday (11 a.m.-10 p.m.) and Sunday (11 a.m.-7 p.m.) at Jonquil Park (1001 W. Wrightwood Ave.) in the Lincoln Park neighborhood.  This fest features dozens of wine varietals from a variety of winemakers, live music, food pavilions selling top-of-the line wine and foods, and vendors selling artisanal items.  Plus, sommeliers and brand ambassadors will be on hand throughout the park to help guests learn more about the varietals so they too can be a wine expert!

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon takes place this Sunday with the start and finish line in Grant Park (337 E. Randolph St.) in The Loop.  Runners will travel through 29 Chicago neighborhoods on a 26.2-mile course.  While it’s too late to enter the race, it’s not too late to be a spectator on the city’s streets cheering on and encouraging the runners as they whiz by!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

Nearly 40 years ago, the first Ed Debevic’sopened in River North to rave reviews and the World’s Smallest Sundae. (Yes, really)

The 50’s-style diner served up comfort food like none other…freshly baked buns, milkshakes made with premium ice cream, and freshly peeled french fries. Not to mention their meatloaf, hot turkey blue plate special, freshly baked pies, and other diner delights. For parents, it was a chance to relive memories of their childhoods at the malt shop. 

But the real reason why Ed’s became so popular was because of the obnoxious, costumed wait staff, with named like ‘Cherry Bomb’ and ‘Lenny’ who took snark to a new level, insulting patrons at every turn, and dropping everything to perform seemingly random dances to 60’s hits (loved the guy who played Tom ‘What’s New Pussycat?’ Jones!) I still have memories of one waitress singing Madonna’s ‘Like a Virgin’ to my Dad on our first visit there.

In time, they earned their reputation as the self-proclaimed ‘Chicago’s most famous retro-themed diner.’

Ed’s thrived for a long time, but in 2015, they shut down. Fortunately for Chicago, they reopened in 2020 at a new River North location, ready to make memories for a new generation of fans.

Not much has changed but the prices, it seems.  They are definitely 2022-style. Even their World’s Smallest Sundae is $4.34. But worth it! 

You can have the Ed’s experience for breakfast lunch and dinner. At breakfast, It’s No Yolk is a healthy and flavorful combination of egg whites, spinach, marinated portobellos, roasted red peppers, home fries, and a choice of toast, while hearty skillets include the Tex-Mex, with home fries, choice of egg, Monterrey jack cheese, bacon, atomic mix, guacamole, sour cream, and cilantro. Appetizers include Outrageous Fries…crinkle cut or sweet potato fries with cheese sauce, chopped scallions, crumbled bacon, aged cheddar and parmesan. Fried Cheese Curds areWisconsin’s Finest with your choice of ranch or green goddess dressing. Oooey, gooey sandwiches include Eddie’s BBQ Pulled Pork with coleslaw, choice of classic or tangy Carolina BBQ sauce, and served on a bun, while Rye Me! layerspastrami, deli mustard, and pickle slice, served on rye. Ed’s Mom’s Meatloaf Sandwich isserved with lettuce, heirloom tomato, Ed’s special sauce, and onion strings, served on grilled sourdough bread. 

And then, there are the burgers, in your choice of beef, turkey or impossible meat. 

Besides the usual suspects, there is the  Patty Melt, on grilled rye, with grilled onions, Ed’s special sauce, and American cheese. Or the BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger, topped with lettuce, heirloom tomato, onion, pickle slice, bacon, BBQ sauce, and aged cheddar. 

Spooky Saturdays at Ed’s 

Every Saturday during the month of October, Ed Debevic’s invites you to “Come in your best Wednesday Addams & Cousin Itt digs this Saturday as we sing, dance, and get a little creepy. We’ll have a live DJ, trivia, & even some kooky prizes.”

One Google reviewer wrote:

“We came for bottomless mimosa brunch on Saturday morning and were not disappointed. The food was actually really good. The service was horribly good thanks to Grundle, who was so sassy and kept topping off our mimosas to the literal top edge of our glasses. Definitely got our $20 worth of mimosas.”

Restaurant Guru published this fawning tribute:

“(I) Always say dining out is about the experience as much as the food…this is one of my all time favorites. The food and the experience are awesome! I had the bbq bacon cheeseburger. The bun, bacon, sauce, and burger were excellent. The sauce was kind of a Carolina fold mustard style and it makes a mess! The fries were good, but the burger was so big I couldn’t eat many fries. With that messy burger it’s a good thing my waiter threw a few napkins at me. And eventually even slammed down a container of silverware while walking by. The staff is truly snarky…and it’s awesome. We heard our waiter tell the table next to us she ate weird. “ 

Another waiter told some kids waiting to be seated with their parents to “follow me you little brats.” 

And one waitress climbed onto the deejay booth to deliver this message:

“Attention guests, eat and get out has been our motto since 1984. If you’re done eating and you’ve paid your check get out of here. There’s people up front waiting for the same crappy experience you had.” 

Ed Debevic’s is located at 159 E. Ohio Street. They do take pains to tell you that their “hours are subject to change when we feel like it! Maybe call ahead before you get here.” That said, their posted hours are Monday-Sunday, 8am-9pm. Reservations are pretty much required, and can be made by clicking here. 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago