How Your Daily Drive Time Can Factor Into Your Mortgage

It’s easy to overlook some of the things that can affect your budget and purchasing power when you’re considering a home, and one of the biggest factors that buyers overlook is the cost of their daily commute.

We’ve all heard that real estate is all about “location, location, location,” and properties in more desirable locations typically come with a higher price tag than similar properties that aren’t in a hot neighborhood.

Yet the overall cost of living for choosing one location over another might be negligible when you factor in the commuting costs that are required—gas, vehicle maintenance, insurance—if you purchase a home that is significantly further from your workplace. If your mortgage is $200 less per month, but you’re spending an extra $200 in commuting costs, are you really saving money?

Commuting costs aren’t just about the disposable income left in your bank account, either. It can even affect how much money you can borrow. If you’re a long-distance commuter, a loan officer may factor your travel costs into your debt-to-income ratio.

Aside from how commuting affects your purchasing power or disposable income, there’s also the question of how it affects your quality of life—no one wants to spend hours a week just getting to and from work.

The real estate market varies greatly from location to location, so the best way to get a complete picture of your purchasing power—and all the factors that go into your home budget—is to speak to a trusted real estate professional.

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Getting Through Another Winter!

Now that the holidays are officially over, it’s time to plan things to look forward to that will get us through another winter here in Chicago!  Although it’s been a mild one so far!!

Begin planning your spring and summer outdoor festivities at the 90th annual Chicago Boat, RV & Sail Show this Saturday (10 a.m.-8 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m.-5 p.m.) at McCormick Place South (2301 S. Lake Shore Dr.) in the South Loop.  Not only will this show feature over 600 boats, 100 RVs, and luxurious 50+ foot yachts for your boarding pleasure; but also sailing seminars, free sailing lessons at the Chicago Sailing Sail Simulator, and remote-control sailboat racing!  Plus visitors can get in a vacation state of mind at the Corona Find Your Beach Bar & Cantina or check out the latest technology and outdoor accessories for this year.  For the kids, there’s the Huck Finn Trout Pond (12 and under), the Chicago Maritime Arts Center Build-A-Boat, and so much more! There’s always something for everyone at this show!!

If you like the thrills of winter but not the chill, then the 19th annual Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier’s Festival Hall (600 E. Grand Ave.) in the Streeterville neighborhood is for you.  Packed with family fun, this winter fest features 170,000 square feet of carnival rides, an Alpine slide, an Arctic express train ride, the Arctic plunge, a cliff hanger, ice peaks climbing walls, a polar extreme, the winter rules mini golf, the Xfinity ice skating rink, and so much more.  If you haven’t experienced Chicago’s biggest and best indoor winter playground yet, this is your last opportunity to do so until the next winter season!  Then you’ll have to go outdoors for the chills!!

One of the most anticipated winter craft beer events of the year takes up residence this weekend at Navy Pier’s Aon Ballroom with the Chicago Ale Fest – Winter Edition.  This fest features over 100 American craft beers, Chicago’s favorite food trucks, games & activities, yoga, and a DJ spinning all your favorites!  It’s a great place to beat the winter blues!!

As for getting the kids out this weekend, perhaps they’ll enjoy Trolls Live! at the Chicago Theatre (175 N. State St.) in The Loop.  Get ready for a hair-raising adventure when Poppy, Branch, and their friends come to life onstage for their first ever live tour!  It’s a toe-tapping, Trolls-tastic show, jam-packed with all the epic music, glitter, humor, and happiness only the Trolls can create!!  Plan to arrive one hour before the start time to get through security and be in your seats before the show begins.

Are you a fan of the tyrannosaurus, the triceratops, the diplodocus, or the velociraptor?  This weekend you’ll be able to meet them at Dinosaur Adventure at Rosemont’s Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (5555 N. River Rd.).  This all new, one-of-a-kind exhibit features realistic, life-sized dinosaurs that come alive with life-like movement and roars!  Children of all ages (and I’m sure some adults!) will enjoy a variety of activities such as fossil crafting, fossil digs, fossil casting, mining, dinosaur study, Jurassic jeeps, themed obstacle courses, riding your favorite dinosaur, and more.  Plus live entertainment will be provided by a walking dinosaur show and a baby dinosaur meet and greet!!  WOW!!!

Keep Those Winter Blues Away!  I Know You Can!!

CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: Lincoln Park, Bucktown and Wicker Park, Lakeview, River North, Lincoln Square, Evanston

Lincoln Park: The DePaul Art Museum features a Gallery Conversation and Book Signing with artist Julia Fish. On January 29 from 6 to 7:30 pm, this event is free and open to anyone. Julia Fish guest curated a selection of works on paper drawn largely from DePaul Art Museum’s collection. Featuring architectural plans, views, and elevation studies alongside annotated musical scores and graphic analyses, the exhibit is called Architectural Annotations. Find more information here.

Bucktown and Wicker Park: Get ready for Beer Olympics 2020! Hosted by Fatpour Tap Works, the event is Saturday, January 18 at 1 pm. You’ll watch all the NFL playoff action while competing in feats of strength and agility! Teams of 4 can register for $50. The ticket includes beer for the games and a $10 donation. There will be single person, 2-person, and 4-person events to compete in. Scoring is points based and extra points will be awarded for the best team costume and best team name! Find more information and register your team here!

Lakeview: Want something a little different this Valentine’s Day? You’ve got to check out the Southport Wine & Chocolate Stroll! On Thursday, February 13 from 6 to 9 pm, you’ll taste over 20 different wines paired with chocolates. The event is ticketed and features two routes, wine samples, chocolate treats, a souvenir tasting glass, and an event guide. You’ll also enjoy special deals at participating businesses and will have a chance to enter the event raffle. Tickets are $30 in advance; $30 the day of. Find more information here!

River North: Need a way to warm up? Check out the Chicago Whiskey Festival- A River North Whiskey Tasting! Held on Saturday, February 1 at Old Crow Smokehouse in River North, you’ll taste whiskies, bourbons, and scotches from all over the world. General admission tickets include 3 hours of bourbon, scotch, and whiskey tastings. VIP tickets include an additional hour of tastings, as well as one-on-one time with distillers. The VIP session is from 12 to 4 pm and the GA session is from 1 to 4 pm. Find more information here!

Lincoln Square: It’s time for Winter Brew 2020! Each winter, the Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce hosts Winter Brew! On Saturday January 25, local Chicago breweries and cideries are taking over DANK Haus German American Cultural Center. Each brewery will showcase at least two craft beers, with limited releases being offered too. There are two sessions: 1 to 4:30 pm and 6:30 to 10 pm. Find more information here!

Evanston: Porchlight Music Theatre presents “New Faces Sing Broadway Now!” On Monday, February 24 at 7:30 pm at Evanston SPACE you’ll see up and coming Chicago talent sing Broadway tunes from shows that have premiered in the last year. The show features songs from Tootsie, Hadestown, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, and more. It’s an exciting multimedia presentation, with photos and films of the era, trivia games with prizes, sing-alongs, and more. A celebrity host introduces you to the next generation of Chicago music theatre artists while serving as a guide to the songs, stories, and stars of the past season on Broadway. Find more information here!

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Restaurant Review – Chicago Restaurant Week

Chicago Restaurant Week is almost here! If you’re a foodie, then you’ve probably had it on your calendar for months. Not a foodie? Never heard of Restaurant Week? Don’t you worry- I’ve got your back! For the next two weeks, we will be exploring this incredible, food-centric, mouthwatering event. 

Chicago Restaurant Week is from January 24 through February 9 and is a 17-day celebration of our city’s award winning culinary scene. This is its 13th year bringing together hundreds of the city’s top restaurants. It’s the largest restaurant week in the nation! During this amazing time, diners can enjoy special prix fixe menus at over 400 restaurants throughout Chicago and the nearby suburbs. The multi-course meals are $24 for brunch or lunch and either $36 or $48 for dinner. The price does exclude beverages, tax, and gratuity. Let’s check out some of the participating restaurants and their offerings!

Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba: This Chicago favorite is offering both brunch and dinner. Brunch includes a glass of red sangria, a mimosa, or one trip to the Bloody Mary bar. Diners can then choose two brunch tapas and one dessert tapas. Sausage Fried Paella Rice (with a poached egg), Citrus French Toast (with goat cheese butter, honey, and berries), Chocolate Truffle Cake, and more are on the menu. Dinner includes one glass of red or white sangria. Then you can choose any Pinxtos from the regular menu, choose options from a First and Second Course list, and choose a dessert tapas. Offerings include Roasted Bacon Wrapped Dates, Baked Goat Cheese, Rioja-Braised Short Ribs, Moroccan Chickpea Stew, and more. 

Duck Duck Goat: Serving up both brunch and dinner, Duck Duck Goat is churning out sizzling hot, family style Chinese dishes this Restaurant Week. The brunch prix fixe includes Beef Short Rib & Bone Marrow Potstickers, Wood-Fired Duck Hearts served with sesame horseradish aioli, Bacon & Egg Moo Shu, and more. They also have a vegetarian brunch menu. Dinner options include Goat & Duck Spring Rolls, Grilled Beef & Broccoli, Xi’An Goat Slap Noodles, and more. 

Lena Brava: This Rick Bayless favorite is serving brunch and dinner. Brunch includes three courses. The first includes three dishes, all served family style: a “Morning-After” seafood cocktail, Avocado Tostada, and Fresh Baked Concha. Then you can choose one dish each from a Second and Third Course. Traditional favorites like Huevos Rancheros, Chilaquiles, and Enchiladas are on the menu. Dinner is four courses, with an optional $22 wine pairing. I had my eye on the Ceviche Maki Roll: sashimi grade yellowfin tuna, soy infused with lime & Serrano chile, spicy herb mayo, avocado, cucumber toasted sesame seed and crispy onion. Also featured is the Braised Short Rib, served with a cauliflower mash and spicy Oaxacan pasilla salsa. 

Monteverde: Monteverde is serving dinner, with an optional $18 wine pairing. It’s a 4 course family style menu, with the choice of 1 item from each course per person. Start your meal off with Marinated Mozzarella or ‘Nduja Arancini. Then choose from Oma’s Green Mountain Salad: little gem lettuce, avocado, crunchy vegetables; or Polenta Gratinata: gorgonzola fonduta, Medjool dates, and toasted walnuts. Choose Tortelloni di Zucca: roasted winter squash, apple, sage, pumpkin seeds; Lillian’s Stuffed Cabbage: porcini bolognese, crispy polenta, brown butter; or Roasted Sea Scallop: Umbrian lentils, crispy Mangalitsa pork belly, and pickled fresno. Finally, top your meal off with either Chocolate Bundino or Sorbet & Forgotten Cookies. 

Want more information about Restaurant Week? Find it here!  Then look forward to next week’s article, where we’ll feature more delicious restaurants! 

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Kathy’s Home & Garden Tips – Save Some Heat in the House

The weather around Chicago this year has been a little crazy. There wasn’t much cold weather till around Thanksgiving when we had our first snow. Then it was unseasonably warm through Christmas with some 60-degree days! Now in January, the cold seems to be back. Some of us were lulled into a feeling that we have time to winterize! There is still time to save both heat and money in your home.

Check your doors; especially in older homes. Are there gaps at the top and bottom? Install a sweep at the bottom of the door and replace the threshold. Use felt or foam strips on the inside of the door frame. 

Reverse your ceiling fan to bring warm air down from the ceiling. Close drapes at night and on cloudy days. Then open them on sunny ones. Install a programmable thermostat. If you don’t want to replace your old one, don’t adjust the temperature frequently. Just adjust twice a day: down at night and up in the morning.

Insulation can be easier than you think. Check energy.gov for hints on attic insulation or Google it. Cold weather areas need R49 while warmer ones can get away with R38. Caulk or foam insulation can seal cracks all over from windows, chimneys, and vents to areas in the basement. In basements, seal around electric and plumbing. Seal around the foundation at the top of basement walls where they meet the wood. 

Insulate exposed pipes in the house; especially those in basements, under sinks, and along exterior walls. Use precut foam sleeves and seal hot water pipes to reserve heat. 

Service the furnace regularly. Change the filter monthly or even every three weeks;  especially if you have pets. Think about budgeting for a new one if yours is more than 20 years old. New models are so much more efficient. Seal visible furnace vents with metal tape, not duct tape. Seal seams and connections where ducts and registers meet floors, walls, and ceilings. Keep the damper closed when fireplaces are not in use.  

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Wallpaper: Don’t Call It A Comeback!

Guess who’s back, back again? Wallpaper has risen to the top of homeowners’ favorite ways to spice up a room again and its easy to see why.

Options

With a variety of colors, patterns, and styles on the market, it’s nearly impossible for you to not find one that matches exactly what you’re looking for. The texture and finish options are endless as well, ranging from silk to leather to suede to mother of pearl. Some of the wallpaper trends we are loving right now include watercolor-inspired designs that transform any room into an artistic haven and nature-forward designs that help bring the outdoors in.

Ease of Use

One of the biggest benefits of wallpaper is it is a fantastic DIY project for you and your spouse, family, or friend. Not only does it go on easily, but it is simple to remove and replace when you are ready to revamp the look of the room. Additionally, this is a great option if you’re a renting a home or apartment. Generally, landlords prefer you do not paint during your rental period, so this easy-to-remove option is a great alternative.

Value

Most wallpaper costs on average $3 to $8 per square foot, depending on the brand and the material. Although the upfront cost of wallpapering a room can be a little more than the cost to paint, the value it offers is substantial. Wallpaper can last anywhere from 15 to 25 years, making it an incredibly cost-effective décor solution in the long run, while a painted wall requires more upkeep and touch ups and generally you will need to repaint every 5 to 10 years or so.

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – WELCOME TO 2020!

It’s 2020 but this first weekend of the new year is your last chance to visit holiday displays until next winter!  Hopefully they’ll be less crowded and more enjoyable!!

Join the Lincoln Park Zoo (2001 N. Clark St.) in the Lincoln Park neighborhood as they celebrate 25 years of Zoolights. It’s a one-of-a-kind festive holiday experience featuring hundreds of luminous displays and incredible seasonal activities, all under the glow of 2.5 million lights.  Plus guests are free to wander through the zoo, snap photos of the displays, and enjoy ice sculpture carving, food, music, carousel, and train rides!  It’s quite the holiday light display to behold!!

The Lincoln Park Conservatory (2301 N. Stockton Dr.) in the Lincoln Park neighborhood features a Winter Flower and Train Show from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.  This event features “Ice Age” imagery of glaciers, a woolly mammoth, and hundreds of white poinsettias and plants.  Two trains roll through this wintery landscape dotted with white and blue sparkling lights while a large fir tree with lights greets visitors in the Palm House!

Every year, the Museum of Science & Industry (5700 S. Lake Shore Dr.) in the Hyde Park neighborhood puts up its 45-foot-tall Grand Tree surrounded by 50+ trees representing holiday traditions from cultures around the globe during Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light.  Not only will visitors admire the 30,000 lights that cover the trees but they’ll also see snow falling from the rotunda every 30 minutes and enjoy a live holiday performance!  And to think this began in 1942 with a single tree!!

See colorful tree lights and projections on a one mile walk at Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum (4100 Illinois Route 53) in Lisle (27 miles west of Chicago).  Visitors will be surrounded by color, light, and sound amid interactive lighting effects!  Then warm up by a crackling fire with hot beverages and s’mores!!  Also this year’s event debuts a new route with a more spacious pathway for this popular winter event!

For those who’ve had enough of the holidays, perhaps the following events are more to your liking:

Explore the trendy River North neighborhood while discovering some of Chicago’s best craft beers and delicious wines paired with bacon and pork treats such as bacon-stuffed deep-dish pizza and pork-inspired hors d’oeuvres on the Winter Beer, Bacon, Wine & Swine Tour.  You’ll even learn the true history of Chicago pizza!  After all, nothing stops Chicagoans from venturing outdoors for beer, bacon, and wine!!

Take in a hockey game as our Chicago Blackhawks host the Detroit Red Wings this Sunday (6:30 p.m.) at the United Center (1901 W. Madison St.) on the Near West Side.

Enjoy – It’s Back to Reality Next Week!!

CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Bucktown and Wicker Park, Chicago Loop, Edgewater, Oak Park

Lakeview: Beat Kitchen is hosting Beat Kitchen Winterfest this Sunday, January 5 from 11 am to 3 pm. This event is geared towards kids and families! It features Chicago’s best “kindie” music and activities in Beat Kitchen’s party room. At 11 am there will be ice cream vendors; at 12 pm is JiggleJam; at 1 pm is Music for New People; and at 2 pm is Wendy & DB & The Band. There will also be glitter tattoos, a passport craft, and paint crafts. Tickets are just $10 and a whole day of fun is guaranteed! Purchase yours here now.

Lincoln Park: It’s the first weekend of the month at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum! This means it’s a Cold Blooded Weekend. Provided by the Chicago Herpetological Society, this offers you and your kiddos a chance to get up close to a large collection of reptiles and amphibians. The event is from 10 am to 3 pm this Saturday, January 5 and Sunday, January 6. It is free with museum admission. Find more information here.

Bucktown and Wicker Park: It’s time for the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce January Mixer! On Tuesday, January 14 from 6 to 8 pm, get ready to kick off 2020 at No Bones Beach Club for an evening of mixing and mingling. You’ll enjoy delicious bites and drinks, while networking with the awesome businesses of Wicker Park. Non-member tickets are just $10; members attend for free. Find more information here.

Chicago Loop: Did you overspend this holiday season? No worries! The Museum of Science and Industry is hosting free museum days for many days in January. From January 6 until January 9; January 13 through 16; January 20 through 23; and January 27 through 30. Museum entry is free for all Illinois residents who show valid proof of residency. The museum features over 10 hands-on exhibits; including Numbers in Nature: A Mirror Maze, Science Storms, The Great Train Story, and more. Find more information here.

Edgewater: Planning to go to the Women’s March on January 18? Get yourself to the Indivisible Happy Blue Year event on Monday, January 13 to make your own awesome sign for the March. All of the materials you need to make an amazing sign will be provided, including foam core poster board, colorful permanent markers, and more. The event is from 6 to 8:30 pm at the Black Ensemble Theatre. The event is free to attend, but attendees are asked to think about a $10 donation. Registration prior to the event is required and can be done here.

Oak Park: Don’t miss the finest foodie event of the season- the 6th Annual Bite Night 2020! On Friday, January 31 from 5:30 to 9:30 pm, you’ll experience a winning combination of food, drinks, and live music at The Nineteenth Century Club. The Oak Park- River Forest Chamber of Commerce has gathered over 50 local restaurants, caterers, and food brands under one roof to provide you with small sample mains and delicious desserts. Event ticket are $50 and include sample gourmet food bites from over 50 restaurants, “Ask the Chef”- where you can interact with local chefs and restaurant owners, live music, a cash bar for wine and beer, and much more. Find more information and buy your ticket here.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Restaurant Review – Rittergut

This week took me to a new neighborhood and a new restaurant! I had plans to see a show at Lyric Opera in the Loop and knew I’d want to have a bite to eat before. Luckily, I found Rittergut Wine Bar & Restaurant, conveniently located about a block from the theatre. The space is utterly charming, with exposed brick, warm lighting, and gorgeous displays of wine bottles. We came in around 5 pm on a Thursday evening and were seated right away. The dinner menu is small, but packed with tasty items. We just made it for the end of happy hour (until 5:30 pm on weekdays), so we decided to order a few small plates to share. We started with the Margherita Flat Bread, topped with tomatoes, sunflower pesto, and mozzarella. This was delightful! I was pleasantly surprised by how large the portion was- there were 6 good sized pieces of flat bread. I loved the simplicity of the dish and the sunflower pesto was very tasty. We also chose the Artichoke Crab Dip: back fin crab, peppadews, onions, and grilled bread. This was easily my favorite dish we ordered. The dip was hot, wonderfully gooey, and full of flavor. The grilled bread was light and fluffy, the perfect complement to the substantial dip. We also ordered the Tacos Al Pastor: slow-grilled pork, adobo sauce, grilled pineapple, tomatillo salsa, and chile de arbol. To be honest, these were very disappointing. After the flatbread and dip were so tasty, I really expected more. The pork had very little flavor, which really killed the dish for me. We thought we would order entrees as well, but these small plates weren’t nearly as small as we expected. They ended up being our whole dinner! We also ordered wine by the glass, which was wonderful. I would love to come back and try more menu items here! I had my eye on The Lobster Roll and the Wild Mushroom Risotto- yum!

Rittergut is located at 10 South Wacker. They are open Mondays through Fridays for lunch from 11 am to 2:30 pm, dinner from 5 pm to 8 pm, and the bar is open from 11 am to 9 pm. They are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. They do take reservations, which can be made here.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Tips For Speeding Up Your Home Sale

Selling your home is a huge undertaking to begin with, but if the process drags on for months and interest trickles in much slower than expected, it can be frustrating and stressful. To avoid this, there are a few steps you can take to prep your home and sell quickly.

Declutter

Survey your home and store any items that are not essential to the décor of the room. This can include personal photos and mementos, excessive throw blankets or pillows, children’s artwork, vases, lamps, knick-knacks, and more. The cleaner you keep counters, shelves, and mantles, the easier it is for potential buyers to picture themselves in your house.

Paint

A fresh coat of paint on the exterior or interior of your home can go a long way and is one update you can likely do yourself for fairly cheap. Repaint your home with a neutral color, like taupe, cream, or gray, that will allow potential buyers to easily envision adding their own touches to each room.

Availability

Buyers are drawn to sellers who are flexible with showings and can accommodate their schedule on short notice. The more open you are to showing times, the more buyers will see your home and the less likely they are to choose another home before seeing yours.

Photos

First impressions are key, and the first one your home makes is generally through photos online or on flyers and brochures. Investing in a professional real estate photographer can boost interest in your home. They have an eye for design and know how to highlight your home’s strengths and move the spotlight off any flaws.