4 Things You Need To Know About Making An Offer

You’ve narrowed down your wish list, viewed many homes, and finally found your perfect fit. Time to take the leap and make an offer! This can be both incredibly intimidating and exponentially exciting. So how can you throw your hat into the ring with confidence? Here’s what you need to know to make an offer like a boss!

1. Determine Your Price Limit

Work with your agent to determine if the seller’s listing price is fair based on similar home sales in the area, interest in the home, time on the market, and more. Then, figure out the max offer price you are willing to reach that isn’t too financially taxing and settle on what your starting offer price will be.

2. Add Contingencies

Any home sale generally comes with a set of contingencies that must be met before it can be completed. These can include inspections, repairs, appraisals, and more. These need to be selected carefully, as an offer with too many may be less appealing to the seller.

3. Set Your Settlement Date

When you submit an offer, you must present a date to settle, generally about 60 days after the purchase agreement is signed. You want to give yourself enough time to meet your end of the contingencies, secure mortgage approval, finalize loan details, and more. If you are the responsible party for a delay, you may have to compensate the seller.

4. Prepare For A Counteroffer

You may be going up against other offers or the seller may negotiate, so it’s best to prepare ahead of time for a counteroffer. But this isn’t anything to stress about. Talk through the best strategies with your real estate agent.

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – On the Road to Thanksgiving!

One down and two to go!  Now that October and Halloween are behind us, it’s time to focus on November and Thanksgiving.  Come join us as we travel down the road to Thanksgiving with these weekend events!!

The inaugural Taste of Donuts will be held at Morgan’s On Fulton (950 W. Fulton Market) in the West Loop this Saturday with two sessions (10 a.m.-12 p.m. & 1 p.m.-3 p.m.).  This event brings some of the best donut partners from around the Midwest.  Guests will have a chance to sample donuts from Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Chicago, and the surrounding suburbs.  Tons of coffee will be on hand to go with your donuts along with a photo booth, donut wall, and a ton of other fun stuff!  It’s the Midwest’s best donut fest not to be missed!!

The Arts of Life Studio (2010 W. Carroll Ave.) in the West Town neighborhood will be hosting it’s annual Charitable Chili Cook-Off this Saturday (5 p.m.-8 p.m.).  Come join them in celebrating 11 years of heartburn with 20+ meaty and meat-free samples of chili plus beer, Virtue Cider, and Black Dog Gelato!  This year’s celebrity judges are Doug Sohn (aka Hot Doug) and David Eigenberg (Chicago Fire).  Tunes will be provided by Pulaski Squares.  Gather some friends and your appetites for this community-building event!!

The 8th annual Southside Pie Challenge is being held at the Hyde Park Neighborhood Club (5480 S. Kenwood Ave.) in the Hyde Park neighborhood this Saturday (2 p.m.-5 p.m.).  This event is a juried amateur pie baking competition that thrills pie bakers and pie eaters alike.  Children’s activities, live music, and of course, a wide assortment of delicious pie for $4 per slice are featured!  And admission is free so you can have an extra slice of pie!!

The 40th annual Muertos de la Risa takes place this Saturday (2 p.m.-6:30 p.m.) at Dvorak Park (1119 W. Cullerton St.) in the Pilsen neighborhood.  This Day of the Dead Celebration is rooted in Mexican tradition and serves as a joyous occasion to celebrate life and honor the memory of loves ones that have passed away.  There will be face painting, art activities, performances, street-level ofrendas, and a community procession!  So wear your walking shoes, don your Muertos inspired attire, bring your own mobile ofrenda, and join in filling the neighborhood with joy and laughter!!

This Sunday, head over to Grant Park (337 E. Randolph St.) in The Loop for this year’s Allstate Hot Chocolate 15K/5K.  All participants will receive a super-sweet goodie bag featuring a navy full-zip fleece-lined jacket and a 15K or 5K official finishers medal to commemorate your race experience and awesome achievement!  They will serve up delicious dark chocolate that is both gluten and nut free.  And you don’t have to wait until the finish line to enjoy your chocolate since sweet stations with a variety of delectable goodies will be set up along the course!!

The River North neighborhood is the place to be for a new yearly event.  The Chicago International Tea Festival takes place this Saturday and Sunday at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza (350 N. Orleans St.).  Over 80 free tea tastings will be provided all day long by local Chicago area merchants, as well as vendors from all around the world.  There are also informative presentations, workshops, and lectures by nationally and internationally known experts to enhance your knowledge of everything tea!  Whether you’re a novice or expert tea aficionado, this event is designed for all!!

Hope to See You on the Road with Us!

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

Bucktown and Wicker Park: It’s time for the 11th Annual Charitable Chili Cook-Off! This Saturday, November 2, from 5-8 pm, head to Arts of Life with your friends and family for this annual community building event. Arts of Life advances the creative arts community by providing artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities a collective space to expand their practice and strengthen their leadership. All proceeds support the artists creative practices and professional development! The celebrity judges are Doug Sohn, David Eigenberg, and Clinton Sandifer. There will be over 20 delicious chilis (including vegetarian options), beer from Marz Community Brewing, cider from Virtue Cider, and Black Dog Gelato. Pulaski Squares will provide the music! General admission tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Ticket price includes unlimited chili, gelato, and two beers. For other ticket options, click here.

Lakeview: The Chicago Printers Guild presents the 4th Annual Publishers Fair on Saturday, November 9 from 11 am to 6 pm. This fair features over 30 printmakers selling their self-published print work. Framing is also available on site from The Frame Shop! You can sip on drinks from the bartenders at Constellation while listening to tunes from Birds and B-sides and Fuzzbox DJs. La Cocinita Food Truck will be providing food! The event is free to attend. Find more information here.

Lincoln Park: Want to get your veggie on?? You’re in luck! It’s A Mostly Veggie Affair 2019 with Green City Market! On Thursday November 7 from 6:30 to 9 pm, the event will feature 25 local chefs preparing veggie-centric dishes with produce from Green City Market farms. The city’s best bartenders, brewers, and mixologists will be pouring drinks mixed with GCM ingredients and local spirits. You’ll be able to sample offerings, talk to chefs, learn about GCM’s mission, and more. This event benefits Green City Market’s year-round markets, education, and access programs. Food participants include Band of Bohemia, Cindy’s, Lena Brava, Longman & Eagle, Donkey and Stick, and many more. General admission tickets are $75 and VIP tickets are $110. Find more information and purchase your tickets here!

River North: Join Travelle at The Langham for a Calligraphy Brunch Class! On Saturday November 9 from 11 am to 1 pm, you can attend this workshop taught by Ricki DiCola of r+ink. You’ll learn to letter envelopes, invitations, save-the-dates, and love notes. These workshops give guests the opportunity to learn hand calligraphy in an intimate setting while creating a piece to take home for future inspiration. Instruction concludes with a glass of champagne and a special three-course brunch menu designed by Chef de Cuisine Jeff Vucko. The class is $65 per person and includes all the necessary tools. For reservations, click here or call 312-923-7705. 

Chicago Loop: Potter’s Chicago Burger Bar is hosting the Goose Island Bourbon County Stout Vintage Series Event! On Saturday November 9 from 6 to 10 pm, beer lovers will have the opportunity to taste these nuanced vintage originals. Palmer House Beer Expert Donna Mackey will make the Palmer House BCS treasure trove available for one night only. You’ll get to talk about all things “stout” with Goose Island Brewmasters, sip on beers, purchase rare vintages, and dine on a mini burger buffet. General admission tickets are $49 and include 8 5-ounce pours of 2018 Bourbon County Stout and all vintage pours. Additional pours are $5 each. Find more information here.

Evanston: Get your holiday shopping done early at the Holiday Bazaar, hosted by The Women’s Club of Evanston! The market is Friday November 22 through Sunday November 24. The preview party is on Friday from 5 to 9 pm. Tickets are $20 and include appetizers from local restaurants, a glass of wine, and a silent auction. On Saturday, the market is from 10 am to 5 pm and on Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm. Both days are free admission. This juried gift fair features artists and makers of handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gifts! Find more information here.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

What You Should Know About Using Home Equity

One of the huge benefits of owning property is the home equity you can build. But with equity comes the temptation to dip into it if a large expense or possible investment arises. There are many strategic ways to use your equity without ruining any personal financial advances you have made. The most crucial step you need to take is to fully understand your options for tapping into that money and the associated risks.

Simply put, your home equity is the market value of your home relative to any loan balances remaining. There are two main ways to utilize this value. Getting a home equity loan provides you with a lump sum of money that you pay off in monthly installments, generally over five to 15 years. As with any loan, you will be required to pay interest on the amount, but it is usually a fixed rate. Choosing to use a line of credit instead offers similar benefits, but instead of receiving the money up front, you are given a pool you can draw from as needed. With this option, the lender provides a maximum borrowing limit and you can choose to use it or not until it is reached.

Before dipping into your home equity in, either way, it is important to understand the possible consequences. In both instances, your home is used as loan collateral. This means if you are unable to make payments on the loan for any reason, the lender can sell your property or take your home in foreclosure. Additionally, there will likely be closing costs and fees you have to pay in association with the loan.

Restaurant Review – Michael’s Pizzeria

This week took me to “A Neighborhood Tradition”- Michael’s Pizzeria! Michael’s is totally unassuming, with a casual sports bar atmosphere. There’s a large central bar and smaller tables and high-tops scattered about the restaurant. There are tons of TVs, perfect for catching up on the game while you eat. The menu is standard pizzeria fare- and everything had my mouth watering. We were all hungry so we decided to start with an appetizer! We got an order of 6 buffalo wings, which came with celery and our choice of bleu cheese or ranch dressing. They were delicious! The outside was perfectly crispy and the meat was juicy and tender. They were also sauced really nicely- the perfect amount and a great amount of spice! Michael’s serves tavern-style pizza, which you can order with a regular thin crust or extra thin and crispy. We ordered one of their special pizzas, The White Pizza: an extra thin and crispy crust with garlic, extra virgin olive oil, mozzarella, provolone, and parmesan cheese. We all love meat, so we decided to add sausage. We also added fresh basil, onion, and tomato. It was wonderful! The sausage was perfectly spicy and the fresh basil was a lovely addition. I love pizza that doesn’t have tomato sauce and this was exactly what I was craving. I don’t normally love a crispy crust, but it was so well done! The top of it was still soft and the bottom was perfectly crunchy. I loved it and definitely want to try more pies here! 

Michael’s is located at 4091 N Broadway. The kitchen is open Mondays through Wednesdays from 11:30 am to midnight, Thursdays and Fridays from 11:30 am to 1 am, Saturdays from 11:30 am to 1:30 am, and Sundays from 11:30 am to 11 pm. Find more information on their website!

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Kathy’s Home & Garden Tips – Fall Outside Jobs

Oh boy! Snow has been forecast for the Chicagoland area soon. While the weather is still palatable, get some work done outside. Number one: start the snowblower. If it needs maintenance, get it to the repairman now! If you wait till the first snow, it will be two weeks before you see it again.

After the last mow, add some Sta-bil to the remaining gas. Run the mower for 5 minutes to distribute through the engine. With newer mowers, it’s not necessary to drain the gas. Removing the spark plug is overrated as well. 

Drain the hose and store where it won’t freeze. A frozen hose will crack and be leaking in the spring. Take care of your hose and it will last many years. Bring in your lawn chemicals to prevent them from freezing. Store in the basement; locked up if you have little ones around. If you keep them in a cupboard, make sure it’s well ventilated with a louvre or pegboard. 

Fertilize and re-seed the lawn. Any seed that doesn’t germinate before the freeze will do so in the spring. Trim any tree branches that are close to the roof or power lines. Ice, wind, and snow can break branches, causing damage. 

Do a quick visual check of the roof. Make sure all vents and eaves are free of debris. If you see any loose or missing shingles, call a professional. Need one? Call us! Make sure all gutters are free flowing to prevent ice damming. No water should flow behind! Check all brackets. The water coming out of the downspout should run away from the foundation and drain properly with no pooling. Pooling water freezes and will damage any concrete nearby. 

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Hidden Fees To Be Aware Of When Purchasing A Home

Purchasing a home is arguably one of the biggest financial decisions you will make in your lifetime. As you start your hunt, don’t forget there will be other costs associated with your purchase then the price of the home. Here are 5 fees to keep in mind as you begin to budget.

HOME INSPECTION

This is a crucial step in the home buying process. The findings that come from the inspection can help you negotiate price and repairs. Generally, you can expect to pay between $300 to $500 depending on the home and the location.

TITLE SERVICES

Title services encompass the transfer of the title from the seller and a thorough search of the property’s records to ensure to no one will pop up with a claim to the property. Additionally, you may need to buy title insurance which will protect the lender or your investment in the home.

APPRAISAL FEE

Before getting a loan, you will likely be required to get an appraisal of the home to determine its estimated value. This will be conducted by a third-party company and the cost can land anywhere between $300 and $1,000, depending on the size of the home.

HOA FEES

Many communities have a homeowners’ association that enforces monthly fees. This money is used for general maintenance and updates to areas like pools, parks, and more. Typical HOA fees are around $200 per month.

TAXES

The taxes each buyer pays at the closing table differ, but it is not uncommon for it to be up to two months’ worth of county and city property taxes. Additionally, there may be taxes for the transfer of the home title.

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Enjoying an All-Hallows’ Eve Weekend!

Chicagoans will be enjoying a spooky, trick-or-treating, howlin’ good time this All-Hallows’ Eve weekend, including Halloween this coming Thursday!

Campfire Horrors will be wrapping-up this Friday at Northerly Island (1521 S. Linn White Dr.) with a screening of Interview with the Vampire (R) (7 p.m.) accompanied by campfires, marshmallow roasting, Mars Wrigley treats, free popcorn and beverages!

Join the Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago (1155 E. 58th St.) in the Hyde Park neighborhood for a special Mummies Night this Saturday (4 p.m.-7 p.m.) as they mark their Centennial Year.  They’ll be celebrating 100 years of mummies, tombs, and magic for their 20th annual family Halloween party.  Costumes are encouraged!  Activities include mummifying their simulated mummy, taking a mummy tour, hearing a mummy-tale, mummy crafts, competing in a Mummy Wrap Race, and so much more!  Don’t forget to get your mummy fun patch for attending this event!!

Join the Ravenswood neighborhood for their fun and little spooky Halloween Paddle this Saturday (6 p.m.-9 p.m.) at River Park (5100 N. Francisco Ave.).  Imagine an evening on the river, a gentle fog rolls in and an owl hoots in the distance.  The canoes glide through the black water and everything seems still or is it?  Fun, knowledgeable guides will provide safety, paddling instructions, and equipment!  Plus, costumes encouraged but not required!!

The Haunted Halloween Ball turns the giant ballroom in the Congress Plaza Hotel (520 S. Michigan Ave.) in the South Loop into an abandoned hotel run by zombies this Saturday (9 p.m.-3 a.m.), with entertainment, a costume contest, DJ dance music, and more for ages 21+!

Join 3,000 revelers this Saturday (9 p.m.-2 a.m.) at The Nightmare at Navy Pier Presents: The 5th Annual Haunted Halloween Ball (600 E. Grand Ave.) in the Streeterville neighborhood.  Don your best costume and join the creatures of the night for an early Hallows’ Eve celebration with DJ dance music and cash bars for ages 21+!  It’s one of Chicago’s hottest Halloween parties taking place this weekend!!

Halloween Masquerade includes live music, dancing, an open bar, and appetizers at the Civic Opera House (20 N. Wacker Dr.) in The Loop this Saturday (8 p.m.-12 a.m.).  Wear either a costume or formal attire with a mask and get ready to enjoy an evening of drinks at the open bar featuring local Chicago breweries and distilleries, dancing with music provided by DJ Metro, and lite bites from local restaurants!

Kids can wear costumes, make crafts, trick-or-treat, and walk through the corn maze and haunted house when Lincoln Park Zoo is transformed into Spooky Zoo this Saturday (10 a.m.-1 p.m.)!

Embrace the spooky season and celebrate Halloween at the Lincoln Park neighborhood’s favorite family-friendly trick-or-treat extravaganza – Spooktacular on Clark Street this Sunday (1 p.m.-4 p.m.).  Participating businesses on Clark Street from Armitage to Diversey transform into trick-or-treat stops featuring candy and surprises for the whole family!  You’ll also be amazed along the way by jugglers, spooky stilt walkers and incredible magicians!!  Also, check their website for costume contest times and other information as well.

The All-Hallows’ Eve celebrations continue with kid-friendly events like pumpkin patches, Halloween parties, haunted houses and more at Halloween in the Parks for a Spooktacular time taking place this Friday through Halloween Thursday!

Finally, there’s the Haunted Halsted Halloweek and Parade in the Lakeview neighborhood at Halsted Street and Belmont Avenue.  Saturday features the Lakeview Halloween Pup Crawl (10 a.m.-1 p.m.) and the Kids Fun Zone by Howard Brown Health (1 p.m.-3:30 p.m.).  Sunday features the Zombie Brunch & Bar Crawl.  Halloween Thursday features the Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade kicking off at 7:30 p.m. (Halsted St. & Belmont Ave.) with the AfterLife dance party (9 p.m.-10 p.m.) at the Mid City Parking lot (Halsted St. & Brompton Ave.)!

Enjoy Your All-Hallows’ Eve Celebrations – If You Dare!

CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: Lincoln Park, Bucktown and Wicker Park, Lakeview, Andersonville, Lincoln Square, Oak Park

Lincoln Park: NEWCITY is hosting “The Great Pumpkin Pup and Kid Festival” on Saturday, October 26 from 2 to 5 pm. There will be costume contests for kids and pups alike, Boo Bingo in the Pumpkin Spice Garden, trick-or-treating, and spooky prizes. The Costume Contest features prizes for Scariest, Best Pair, and Most Creative. There is a $5 suggested donation for entry, which benefits One Tail at a Time. All costumed participants will receive a pumpkin! Find more information here

Bucktown and Wicker Park: Mac’s Wood Grilled is hosting an evil clown themed Halloween party on Saturday, October 26! The bar will be decorated with scary clowns, with staff members in costume, ghoulish decorations, and ominous red balloons floating from the ceiling. There are two costume contests- one at 9 pm and one at 1 am! You can win prizes for both! Drink specials include $5 pumpkin beers, $5 Oktoberfest beers, $5 Screwball Peanut Butter Whiskey shots, $5 Moscow Mules, and $4 Paddy Irish Whiskey shots. Find more information here.

Lakeview: Join The Annoyance Theatre for a night of Halloween fun! It’s “The Hunking-Evans Middle School Halloween Pageant”. Join the students, faculty, and community members as they celebrate Halloween with a properly themed pageant. There will be acts and performances from a variety of performers including sketches, dancing, music, and more! The show is on Halloween- Thursday, October 31- at 8 pm. General admission tickets are just $8. Add on dinner at Drew’s before the show for just $16 more. Purchase your tickets here.

Andersonville: Small Fish Radio Theatre and Thespinarium presents “The Approximately 60 Minute Variety Hour: Horror Edition!” At 7 pm on Sunday, October 27 at the Swedish American Museum, you’ll get to see a live recording of this variety show. Tickets are just $10 at the door and they are cash only. Find more information and reserve your seat here.

Lincoln Square: Trick-or-treat with the whole family in Lincoln Square Ravenswood this year! On Saturday, October 26, the business district of Lincoln Square will be transformed into LINCOLN SCARED. Your kiddos can trick-or-treat between participating businesses! This same weekend, Damen Avenue in Ravenswood will host Pup-o-Ween on Sunday, October 27. Your pups can come trick-or-treat for milk bones, biscuits, and more! Find more information about these fun, free events here.

Oak Park: Get into the Halloween spirit with Halloween Movie Day for Kids at Austin Gardens! On Saturday, October 26 from 2 to 5 pm, you’ll start your afternoon by creating Eek-O friendly masks while creepy music plays. Weather permitting, you’ll go out to the patio for s’mores and ghost stories by the fire pits. Then you’ll go inside, turn out the lights, and watch a creepy Halloween movie while munching on movie snacks. Registration is required and each child in your family must be a registered participant. Register here now!

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Restaurant Review – Cafe Tola

When I moved here from Texas, I knew I had to find a spot for breakfast tacos. And then I found Cafe Tola! Cafe Tola is a counter-serve restaurant serving up coffee, empanadas, tacos, burritos, and more. I went to their location at Addison and Ashland. The exterior is adorable, with bright purple paint and twinkle lights above the patio. After scanning the menu, I knew I had to start with a coffee of some kind. I ordered the Dulce de Leche Latte and it was fantastic. The caramel was silky and smooth, the perfect start to our Sunday meal. We decided to split an empanada and ordered the Red Spicy Pork, with pinto beans and potatoes. I love empanadas and this did not disappoint. The pastry is flaky, not greasy, and is perfectly balanced with the filling. The meat was so well-spiced, it was just packed with flavor. I also loved the addition of the pinto beans. Next, we ordered breakfast tacos. I ordered two and they were absolutely huge; I easily could have just eaten one. I got the Mexican Chorizo Taco: house chorizo, crispy potatoes, scrambled eggs, and pico de gallo; and the Birria Taco: tender, spicy BBQ goat, cilantro, and onion. The birria was magnificent. The meat was so tender and it was perfectly marinated. For me, the mark of a really good taco is if it tastes awesome without a ton of toppings. The cilantro and onion gave it a bit of texture and snap, but the real flavor came from the meat; just how I like it. The chorizo taco was delicious too! The meat was spicy and balanced well by the crispy potatoes. My boyfriend ordered the Biggie Smalls taco: steak, eggs, and cheese; and the OG Taco: skirt steak, cilantro, and onion. These were both delicious! The steak was cooked very well and we both loved the simplicity of the tacos. We will definitely be back!

Cafe Tola has five locations in the city. The Addison location is open Mondays through Fridays from 6 am to 8 pm and Saturdays/Sundays from 7 am to 8 pm. You can find other location hours and order online here.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO