We all know that searching for and viewing potential homes is the fun part of the home-buying process. The not-so-fun part? The mortgage.

But if you don’t pay attention to the details, your mortgage can end up dragging down the enjoyment of your new home and cause some major regrets. Here are a few mistakes to avoid to ensure that you love your mortgage terms as much as your hew home.

Don’t find your home first: Shopping around for the best mortgage rate should be the first step in the home buying process. You may even want to talk to a mortgage broker a full year before you plan to buy. It’ll give you time to get your affairs in order to qualify for the best rate, could save you thousands of dollars in the long run, and you won’t feel rushed to accept an unattractive loan because you’re worried you’ll miss out on your dream home.

Don’t forget your real budget: There’s often a big difference between what a lender says you can afford and what you can actually afford. Your debt-to-income ratio doesn’t include the money you spend on hobbies, or the cost of commuting to work, or maintenance and utility costs.

Really sit down and examine your spending before committing to the loan amount the lender is offering. You won’t enjoy your home nearly as much if it’s eating into your favorite hobbies.

The Loop: Always been a fan of wine but never really knew what to order when you’re at a restaurant? Broaden your horizons with Wine Fest on the River! You’ll get 12 different wine tastings at a private table on the patio. Each wine will be different from the last and will help educate your tastebuds on the wonders of wine. You’ll learn about wine while enjoying the beautiful Chicago skyline and summer sun. This is a great summer event to enjoy with friends and family! Located at Rivers Restaurant on South Wacker Dr., the event will take place Saturday, July 10, 17, and 31. Tickets are starting at $35 so book your table now! Find out more information here.

Navy Pier: Join us at Navy Pier this weekend and experience Fresh Fest. Fresh Fest is a free, family-friendly festival featuring young performers. The festival will showcase musicians, dancers, and spoken word artists. It will take place on July 8and 9 and is completely free! Performances will go from 12 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on both days. Get out and experience Navy Pier with some unique performances from Chicago’s youth! It will be a one-of-a-kind opportunity and truly a weekend to remember. Find more information here.

Near North Side: Calling all fans of architecture, you need to get a ticket to Edgar Miller’s Handmade Homes Walking Tours. It will be a two-hour walk through Gold Coast, Old Town, and Lincoln Park where you will get to see some of Miller’s best work. Some of the buildings include the Newberry Library, Washington Square Park, the Frank Fisher Studio Apartments, the West Burton Place, and many more. The entire tour will last about two hours and you will learn all about Miler’s history and the history behind his work. It will be a great way to get out and about and experience a part of Chicago that not many people know about. Tickets are starting at $18, and the tour will take place every Saturday in July. Find more information here.

Hyde Park: On Friday, July 9, come out to Harold Washington Park for BBQ in the Park with Drew Estate. With musical guest DJ Brain Gunn and food made by Chef V, this will be one delicious and exciting barbeque. There will be a lot of free giveaways, and the event is being hosted by Hyde Park Cigars. There will be a lot of merchandise to win including backpacks, cigar cutters, flasks, and more. The barbeque will begin at 4 p.m. and everyone is welcome. It will be a fun event featuring great food, upbeat music, and decadent cigars – a perfect place to enjoy this summer weather! Find out more information here.

I don’t know why, but I always assumed that since a washing machine cleaned clothes and had soap running through it every cycle that it pretty much cleaned itself. I was wrong. A while ago I noticed my washer was getting a little smelly. I thought leaving the lid open between washes was sufficient. Although this is good practice as it allows the washer to dry out thoroughly between washes, it, unfortunately, is not enough. 

If your washer gets heavy use day-to-day, you should clean it bi-weekly.  If you cannot manage two times a week, then strive for at least once a month. First, fill the washer with the hottest water possible to the fullest setting. Now add either 1-quart white vinegar or bleach. I use vinegar since I am trying to transition from harsh bleach. Then, close the lid and let the washer agitate for a minute. Open the lid and let the solution sit for one hour. 

If your washer has removable parts like a fabric softener well, remove them. Soak, scrub and dry these parts and replace them. Take a toothbrush and scrub around the agitator, under the lid, and around the rim of the tub. You can clean the front and sides of the machine with a microfiber cloth. Let sit another 30 minutes and then let the cycle finish.  While the cycle is running, you can wash the dials and top of the machine.

Fill the machine again with hot water. Add a cup of baking soda and run the longest cycle again. This will neutralize the vinegar and wash away any gunk left from the first cycle. After this last cycle is done, wipe down the sides and bottom of the tub with a fresh microfiber cloth to make sure we did not miss any residue. Remember, leave the lid open to keep your washer fresh till the next wash.

KATHY WEAVER-ZECH AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Some the features that increase property values are obvious—like a remodeled bathroom, a modern kitchen, or a sought-after neighborhood. But here are a few features and circumstances you have not have realized can affect property values.

The neighbors: Not every neighborhood or community has an HOA that can keep the neighbors from going overboard with decorations or neglecting to care for their home. Homes adjacent to crazy neighbors can potentially be undervalued.

Trendy groceries and coffee: Recent statistics suggest that if your home is a short walk from popular grocery stores like Whole Foods or coffee chains like Starbucks, it can actually appreciate faster than the national average.

Mature trees: A big beautiful tree in the front yard is enviable, and it’s not something that can be easily added to any home. Homes with mature trees tend to get a little boost in value.

Parking: This isn’t too much of an issue if you live in the suburbs or in a rural area, but residents in dense cities can have real problems with parking, and homeowners might need to rent a spot just to guarantee a place to park each night. That’s why having guaranteed parking in urban areas will raise property values.

The front entrance: First impressions matter to buyers—many will cross a home off their list within 10 seconds of stepping through the front door. An appealing front door, a friendly entryway, and a functioning doorbell are all necessities for getting top dollar.

Logan Square: Get some exercise and experience some unique, one-of-a-kind art with the Graffiti and Gears Tour! You’ll ride your own bicycle through Humboldt Park, Logan Square, and West Town and get to see some amazing graffiti artwork. A Graffiti Artist and Historian will guide you through the tour and taking pictures is encouraged. You will get to learn about the history of graffiti art, the artists, pieces, and different styles. You will also get to experience a live painting while you are on the tour! The tour will take place on Saturday, July 3^rd at 12 p.m. The tour will meet at 2800 W Division St. and tickets are only $30. Find out more information here.

River North: Trying to learn more about the city or see places you never knew about? Explore Chicago in a new way with Urban Quest Adventure. This interactive scavenger hunt turns the city into a game board, with clues for you to follow right on your phone. You get to explore the city and solve clues, complete challenges, and work with your team to uncover the city’s secrets. You’ll learn about the history of Chicago and discover things about the city that you never knew. The scavenger hunt will start at the Westin Chicago River North Hotel on Dearborn St. Tickets are starting at $44 and the scavenger hunt can begin at any time. For more information click here.

Fulton River District: I’m sure we all could use a little more exercise in our life, and what better way to do it if it’s for a good cause! Join A Boy and His Dream as they work out with music by DJ Corey. The event hopes to raise money for its scholarship fund and tickets are only $25. DJ Corey will be playing upbeat and energetic music to keep everyone motivated and having fun during the workout. The foundation’s founder, Sunny Akhigbe, will be leading the exercise routine and making sure that everyone is breaking a sweat! The event will take place on Sunday, June 27^th from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. It is located at Gibsons Italia on North Canal St. All are encouraged to come, and all proceeds will go to the scholarship fund. Come out and get in shape while help shaping the world! For more information click here.

Rogers Park: If you have been looking for a new hobby to take up or have always been interested in music, then join this all-ages guitar class in Rogers Park! The class will focus specifically on Spanish guitar music and will be led by a Grammy award-winning artist from Sones de Mexico. They offer four levels of lessons and after completion, students are invited to join the musical group that they have to continue learning and growing as artists. Classes are one hour long and will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturdays at the Romero Center on Clark St. The music will be derived from Spanish folklore and history. This is a unique way to learn a new skill as well as become familiar with a completely different culture! For more information click here.