THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – City’s Neighborhoods Taking It to the Streets!

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As Chicagoans welcome in June on a weekend, the city’s neighborhoods are taking it to the streets for this summer festival season!

The Lincoln Park neighborhood is host to the 42nd annual Lincoln Park Greek Fest on the grounds of St. George Greek Orthodox Church (2701 N. Sheffield Ave.) on Saturday (12:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.) and Sunday (12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.).  This popular annual celebration will serve up an authentic dose of “filoxenia” (Greek hospitality and generosity of spirit) along with all the aromas, sounds, tastes, and traditions of Greece!  There will be plenty of fun and games for the kids as well.  This fest promises that everyone will be Hellenic for at least a day!  Opa!!

The West Town neighborhood is host to the Do Division Street Fest this Saturday and Sunday (12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.) on Division Street between Damen Avenue and Leavitt Street.  This fest features two live music stages, a variety of local vendors and food, plenty of ice-cold Goose Island beer, wine, and spirits, Do Fashion with local designer runway shows and DJs, and a dedicated Family Fun Fest area (12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.) with plenty of family activities and a stage!  Come and enjoy the sights, sounds, and activities this fest has to offer!!

The Lincoln Square neighborhood is host to the 20th annual Maifest Chicago this Saturday (12:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.) and Sunday (12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.) at Lincoln and Leland Avenues (4700 N. Lincoln Ave.).  The traditional keg tapping and crowning of this year’s Maifest queen marks Friday’s opening ceremony of this annual German festival featuring German foods, live music, maypole dance, and other traditional German presentations all weekend long!  Maifest, like Octoberfest, has now become a popular celebration throughout the world and Chicago’s German community welcomes all to join them!!

The Little Village neighborhood is host to the 5th annual Taste of Mexico at California Avenue and 26th Street this Saturday and Sunday (12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.).  This three-day culinary extravaganza will feature nearly 20 neighborhood and other local restaurants selling authentic Mexican street foods, a non-stop music/entertainment stage, arts & crafts, and a large carnival area for kids and families!  Be sure to come hungry to this fest!!

The 2019 Chicago Ale Fest – Summer Edition will take place at Butler Field, Grant Park (400 E. Monroe St.) in The Loop on Saturday (3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.).  This fest features over 200 craft beers, live music, and some of Chicago’s favorite food trucks.  It also offers a unique “festival within a festival” concept by bringing mini-festival experiences that include a Cider Alley, a Lager Lane, and a West vs. East Coast IPAs!  So come on down to Chicago’s front lawn for one of the most anticipated summer craft beer events!!

Lastly, there are two popular art fairs taking place this weekend:

The first is the Gold Coast Art Fair at Butler Field, Grant Park (400 E. Monroe St.) in The Loop from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  Returning for its 62nd year, this Granddaddy of American Art Festivals will feature more than 300 juried artists from across the country with exceptional artwork of all mediums, ranging in price from $25 to $25,000, as well as artist demonstrations, interactive art projects, and activities just for kids!  There will also be a Food, Live Music, and Beer Oases for your relaxing pleasure!!

The second is the 57th Street Art Fair on 57th Street between Kenwood and Woodlawn Avenues in the Hyde Park neighborhood from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Celebrating its 72nd year, this event is the oldest juried art fair in the country promoting over 200 artists and their handmade original works in all mediums!  In addition, this fair features around the clock music provided by Buddy Guy’s Legends, a Community Arts & Activities area for kids of all ages, delicious food, and more!!

Which Neighborhood Will You Be Celebrating With?

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

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Lakeview: Do you love Turner Classic Movies? So does the Annoyance Theatre! Join them for Improvised Turner Classic Movies on Thursday evenings at 9:30 pm. The show opens on June 20 and runs every Thursday until July 18. Tickets are just $8. Add dinner on to your show ticket for just $29. Head over to Drew’s on Halsted, just down Belmont, for their special pre fixe menu before or after this show. Offer only valid until 10:30 pm. Purchase your tickets here.

Lincoln Park: Join West Ridge Nature Preserve Park in celebrating the re-opening of their Nature Play Area! On Thursday June 20 from 3 to 9 pm, there will be crafts, live music, food trucks, nature activities, face painting, a campfire, and a marshmallow roast. Stay until 8 pm for star gazing and a bat walk. This is a family friendly event! The event is free, but you can pre-register here. 

Bucktown and Wicker Park: Join the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce for an evening of mingling and mixing at the June Mixer. The evening is hosted by Caspian Kabab, home of fine Persian cuisine, on June 12 from 6 to 8 pm. You’ll have a change to mingle with the businesses of Wicker Park, all while enjoying delicious food and drink. Member RSVP is free; non-member tickets are just $10 and include two drink tickets. Purchase your tickets or RSVP here.

River North: Mark your calendars for the 2019 Chicago Summer Whiskey Tasting Festival! On Saturday June 29, you can choose from three sessions: a premium session from 12 to 2:30 pm, a VIP session from 3:30 to 6 pm, and a general admission session from 4 to 6 pm. Each session includes a 2 hour whiskey tasting (2 1/2 for VIP and premium), 15 tasting tickets, featured food and drink specials, entries to giveaways, and more. Plus part of the proceeds will benefit a local charity. Tickets start at $35. Find more information and buy yours in advance here. 

Lincoln Square: It’s farmer’s market season! Join Lincoln Square for a Tuesday Morning Farmer’s Market. This market is at the Western brown line ‘L’ stop from 7 am to 1 pm every Tuesday morning. Tuesday vendors include Black Cat Kitchen, C & D Family Farms, Elsie Mae’s Canning & Pies, John Bailey Honey, River Valley Ranch, and more. The market opens this Tuesday June 4 and runs until October 29th. Each week there will be a mix of activities, including kids activities, yoga, and chef demos. Find more information here.

Oak Park: Start your weekends early with Thursday Night Out! This is Downtown Oak Park’s popular dine-around series. Thursday Night Out runs every Thursday (excluding July 4) from May 30th to August 29th from 5 to 9 pm. Over 20 downtown Oak Park restaurants offer a variety of drinks, appetizers, entrees, and desserts. You can either dine at the restaurant or carry out. Tables are also set up outside for patrons to enjoy live music while dining al fresco. Ticket booklets are $20 and contain 4 dine-around tickets and one voucher for $2.50 off two adult priced movie tickets. For every two ticket booklets purchased, customers receive one complimentary $5 DTOP gift certificate good at participating shops on Thursday evenings during the TNO season. Find more information here!

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Summer Series- Friday Night Flights

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Welcome to our new Summer Series! If you’ve been following us for a while, you know that we usually feature a Restaurant Review on Wednesdays. From now until Labor Day, we’ll be featuring a weekly Summer Series. We’ll tell you about outdoor concerts, movies in the park, summer festivals, sporting events, hot summer happy hours, the best restaurant patios, and much more. Let’s get started! 

This week, we’re featuring Friday Night Flights at Gallagher Way. This is the 3rd season of this fantastic event and it’s this Friday night, May 31! From 6 to 9 pm, you’ll sample tasty food from local eateries and sip beers from over 30 breweries across the city. Food is provided by Smoque Daddy BBQ and Big Star Tacos. Friday Night Flights’ resident DJ will provide music throughout the night and the Cubs-Cardinals game will be shown on the Gallagher Way giant screen. Each tasting pass includes ten 3-oz. samples from any of the 32 featured craft breweries! ID is required to purchase a ticket and receive a tasting cup. There’s also an official after party at Lucky Dorr Patio & Tap so you can keep the party going! Lucky Dorr is located at the northeast corner of Gallagher Way. Tickets are just $20 per person and can be purchased here.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

What’s the Purpose of a Building Permit When Renovating Your Home?

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Improving your home is a great way to not only improve its aesthetics and functionality, but it’s also an effective way to add value. Certain projects can bring in a high ROI, adding more value to your property compared to what you spend on the actual project itself.

But before you take hammer to nail, you’ll want to find out if you need a building permit for the specific task you’re undertaking. While certain minor jobs might not need a permit, others will require that a permit is a applied for and approved before you start any work.

What is a Building Permit, and What is its Purpose?

A building permit is an approval issued by your local government that basically grants you permission to take on a specific renovation project in your home. The purpose of a building permit is to make sure that the project you intend to carry out complies with local bylaws. 

The reason why your project needs to adhere to these laws and standards is to ensure that the end result is a safe home for all occupants. Permits will also make sure that the project will result in a structure that’s efficient, accessible, and suitable for habitation. Further, permits will ensure that the changes you make comply with zoning requirements and land use regulations. 

Applying for a building permit will come with a cost, which can range from anywhere between $450 and $1,800. The actual cost will depend on the specific location and the extent of the renovations. 

There’s also a bit of a waiting period from when you apply for your permit to when you’re granted approval. You could be waiting anywhere between two to four weeks for your building permit to be processed, depending on how many permits the city has to process and how in-depth your project is. 

Once you receive the building permit, you’ll need to post it up at your work site as the project gets underway. That way, if any building inspectors show up, you’ll have something ready to be shown to prove that you’ve obtained the necessary paperwork and permission to do the work. 

You may also be required to have an inspector check out your work periodically at different phases of the job, depending on how in-depth and complex it is. After each phase, give the inspection office a call to have someone scope things out so you can move on to the next phase. If anything needs to be modified, you can make such changes as needed before you carry on. 

Generally speaking, the majority of renovations require a couple of inspections throughout the project, including a final inspection once all the work is done. At that point, you can take the permit down from wherever you’ve posted it and enjoy the finished project.

Do You Need a Building Permit For Your Project?

Now that you know why a building permit is required, how do you know if your specific project requires one?

Make sure you check with your local building department to verify if the project you’re intending to take on needs a permit or not, as code requirements may be different from one city to the next. 

That said, there are certain projects that may be exempted, such as:

  • Painting
  • Laying carpeting
  • Installing cabinets
  • Installing countertops
  • Tile work
  • Making minor plumbing or electrical repairs that don’t require the replacement of pipes or wires
  • Installing a fence less than 7 feet high
  • Construction of one-story detached structures, such as sheds or children’s playhouses no larger than 120 square feet and with no plumbing, electricity, or heating

Basically, simple repairs or improvements can be done without having to obtain a building permit. But if your project is more in-depth and involves building additions or making major changes to the major systems in your home, you’ll probably have to apply for a permit from your local building department.

What Happens if Work is Done Without a Permit?

If your project requires a permit and you perform the work without one, you could find yourself in some trouble if the local building department finds out. Many homeowners renovate and update their homes without a permit. And while most may not have any troubles, it’s still a risk. 

Should an inspector catch wind of work done without a permit, you will have to go through the process of applying and paying for one. And if it’s determined that the work performed does not comply with local standards, you might be forced to tear down the project and start over.

Further, if you plan to sell in the near future, you might find that not having a permit for work performed could be an obstacle. Buyers who are aware of updates on your home may ask to see a building permit. And if you can’t produce one, it could throw a wrench in the deal if the buyer insists that you produce a permit. 

The Bottom Line

Having to go through the process of applying for a building permit and covering its cost – which can be hefty – can be a bit of a nuisance. But renovating with the permission of your local jurisdiction will not only make sure that the finished product is safe for occupancy, but it will also help you avoid any hurdles if you ever want to sell in the future.

Kathy’s Home & Garden Tips – Start a Garden

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I like to talk about beginning gardening this time of year. In the Chicago area, we will be planting the garden soon as the threat of frost is all but over. We are in zone 5 so our planting date is May 15, but I’ve had to cover plants too many times to plant that early. So that’s the first thing to do: find out your zone and frost date. The zone will guide you in choosing plants. Of course, your garden center will have plants for your area but with so many mail order options out there, it’s good to know what will work in your area.

When choosing a space for your garden, don’t just find an empty spot. Many people plant along their garage, then realize there’s not enough sun. Most vegetables, especially tomatoes, need 6 hours of direct sunlight. But others do well with less; like peppers and cucumbers. Check and see where the light falls all day long. My garden has a shady spot that gets good morning light . The less light and heat loving plants go in the shade and the tomatoes go in the sunniest spot. Another thing when choosing a spot: make sure it’s visible from the house. Out of sight means out of mind. Your garden will need daily care, especially in the hottest part of summer. Whether it’s weeding, watering, or tidying up; you should check it every day. 

Unless your soil is great, you will need to augment. You could add 8 inches of new topsoil but it’s a little easier to add about 3 inches of a good garden soil like Miracle Gro. Till it in until you have about 10 inches of workable soil. You can frame the garden to hold the new soil, using treated wood or plastic edging.  

Plants are to your tastes, but don’t be too ambitious. If you love tomatoes, choose 3 or 4. A good selection includes an early crop, cherry tomato, medium size, and a beefsteak. Green, red peppers, and jalapeños are good too. Try some lettuce between plants in a shadier spot. Cucumbers and green beans can crawl up a fence behind the peppers. There are a few things you should be cautious about planting. Zucchini squash tends to take over and no one can ever eat all these vines produce. Any small garden will have a hard time with ground vine plants like hard squash, pumpkins, and melons. 

Make sure your water source outside is close enough, so watering isn’t difficult. You might want to invest in a soaker hose. This slow watering method is great in the heat of summer. It directs all the water right to the soil, so you lose very little to evaporation, and save water. Watering is like the lawn, 1 inch per week. You’ll need more in the heat of summer. Adding mulch will keep down the weeds and retain water. Leave a few inches around the stem of the plant. After plants are well established (about a month) you can begin feeding. I use Miracle Gro, but any garden vegetable food will do. Every three weeks is good. 

With a little work and care, your garden should be taking off. Before too long, you’ll be enjoying your own home-grown vegetables. Good luck!

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Celebrating Memorial Day Weekend 2019!

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Memorial Day Weekend 2019 has finally arrived!  It’s the unofficial start of Chicago’s summer season as neighborhood celebrations take over the streets with music and food festivals popping up every weekend.  Come join us!!

Join thousands of people to honor our veterans, active duty military, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country at Chicago’s annual Memorial Day Parade.  The annual wreath laying ceremony begins at 11:00 a.m. on Daley Plaza (Dearborn & Washington Streets) in The Loop.  The parade steps off at noon and proceeds south on State Street from Lake to Van Buren Streets.  This year’s Grand Marshal is Major General Marion Garcia, Commanding General, 200th Military Police Command, United States Army Reserve.  It’s one of the largest Memorial Day parades in the nation and is not to be missed!!

A popular Memorial Day weekend fest returns to the Lakeview neighborhood for its 35th year: the Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest on Saturday and Sunday (11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.) on Sheffield Avenue from Belmont Avenue to Roscoe Street.  Top local tribute bands will perform on the main stage (near Roscoe) while a second stage (a/k/a “community stage”) located on Sheffield at Belmont will showcase an eclectic entertainment mix that includes DJ sets, karaoke, and other local acts and performances.  There’ll also be plenty of great eats, libations (beer and wine), a wide variety of vendors, and an eclectic mix of art, jewelry, and fashion too!  Expect plenty of nonstop fun at this fest!!

Join the Randolph Street Market for their Sweet Sixteenth season and kick off to summer this Saturday and Sunday (10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) at Plumbers Hall (1341 W. Randolph St.) in the West Loop neighborhood.  This outdoor + indoor summer season opener and garden party will have a whole bundle of new vendors and long-time favorites, but will also have a main stage with live music, a food court, a market bar, and three floors of inside shopping!  It’s the market we’ve all been waiting for with eight acres of shopping, eating, drinking, and entertainment!!

One of the city’s top attractions is Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.) in the Streeterville neighborhood, which will be kicking off a summer of pier fun this Saturday with Live on the Lake and the Aon Summer Fireworks.  Head over to the pier’s Miller Lite Beer Garden for free live music featuring local favorites, national touring acts, exciting new artists, and dancing that continues all summer long.  Then stick around for the Aon summer fireworks at 10:15 p.m. followed by another set of live music until 11:30 p.m.!  The fireworks are held biweekly (Wednesday & Saturday) throughout the summer and are perfectly synchronized to music over Lake Michigan for the ultimate summer experience!!

Now in its 18th year of car-free riding, Fifth Third’s Bike The Drive returns Sunday to Lake Shore Drive in The Loop.  It’s a classic Chicago experience with almost five hours of car-free riding where bicycles reign while enjoying breathtaking views of the city and Lake Michigan.  Registered participants with rider numbers can safely start their ride at one of 5 locations and can choose to ride as short or long as they’d like.  Afterwards, there’s a post-ride festival at Butler Field in Grant Park with live music, a pancake breakfast ($10), and sponsor contests!  It’s the most unique bike ride you’ll take all year!!

Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend Safely as We Remember, Honor, & Thank ALL Our Veterans for Protecting Our Country and Freedom!!

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

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Bucktown and Wicker Park: Get down to the Dean Theatre for the Reddy Freddy Films Sci-fi Showcase! This Friday May 25, for just $7, the evening will include synthy beeps and boops from musical guests, space-themed short films, and the complete premiere of Dustin Puehler’s The Depression Trilogy. Doors open at 7 pm and the show starts at 7:30 pm. Find more information here.

Lakeview: The International Ocean Film Tour is on its way to Chicago for a one night only special! You’ll see the most amazing ocean adventures and environmental documentaries. You can see them at Landmark Century Centre Cinema on Wednesday June 12 at 7 pm. Tickets are just $18 and can be bought in advance at 970-275-1234 or online.

Lincoln Park: It’s finally festival season! It’s time for the Old Town Art Fair. On Saturday June 8 and Sunday June 9, there will be over 250 nationally acclaimed artists, a Garden Walk, live music, a food court, and a children’s corner. Art mediums include 2D and 3D media, drawings, paintings, photography, printmaking, ceramics, glass, fiber, jewelry, metal, stone, and wood. The festival is from 10 am to 7 pm on Saturday and 10 am to 6 pm on Sunday. Food vendors include Anthony’s Italian Ice, DaLobsta, Ranalli’s, and more. Find more information here. 

Chicago Loop: Don’t miss this fantastic one night only event! The Chicago Philharmonic joins with clowns, acrobats, strongmen, jugglers, and aerialists for “Cirque de la Symphonie”. This extraordinary spectacle for the ears and eyes is performed to classic movie music from Superman, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Gladiator, Chicago, and more. The event is Sunday May 26 at 7:30 pm. Purchase your tickets here.

Andersonville: Mark your calendars for a BYOB Sip and Paint event at Andersonville Galleria! On Friday May 31 from 6-8:30 pm, bring yourself and a friend for an evening of socializing, painting, and fun. You’ll be visually guided through each step of painting! Tickets are just $39.  Price includes all painting supplies, a take-home canvas, fun and interactive instructions, and light snacks. Find more information here.

Evanston: Believe it or not, biking used to be a radical activity for women! Frances Willard helped lead the way to equality on her bicycle Gladys. Join the Frances Willard House in Evanston in celebrating her spirit with a day centered on the historical importance and joy of riding bicycles! Willard House Bike Day is this Sunday May 26 from 1-4 pm. You’ll enjoy a new spin on Evanston’s history with activities for the whole family including crafts for kids, bicycle decorating, bike-themed tours of the house, and photos with Gladys, Willard’s beloved bicycle. This Bike Day event is $10 per person and $5 for students. Find more information here.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Restaurant Review – Julius Meinl

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I love a new coffee shop! Especially one that has delicious food. This week took me to Julius Meinl, a quaint coffee shop in the heart of Southport Corridor. The cafe has a large outdoor patio, ample indoor seating, and a relaxed vibe. The space is open and has a very easy going atmosphere, perfect for a solo brunch on a Tuesday. I was seated right away, although there were a fair number of tables occupied by families and people working from laptops. The menu is stocked with authentic Austrian cuisine, coffees, and pastries. I knew I had to start with a coffee, so I ordered a mocha while I perused the menu. They have a good number of both breakfast and lunch options. This is always the hardest choice for me! I finally decided on breakfast- everything just sounded too good! I chose the Baked Eggs. There were six different types to choose from. I decided on the eggs with truffled potatoes, wilted kale, bechamel, and parmesan. Each entree comes with a choice of toasted multigrain, sourdough, brioche, or pumpernickel bread and house jam. I chose the brioche! This was fantastic. It was the perfect portion, which can be hard to find when dining by yourself. The truffled potatoes were so tasty and the brioche toast was to die for. I don’t know what type of house jam I had, but I wanted to take a bath in it. It was marvelous. I knew I had to try a pastry, so I chose the Key Lime Torte: key lime mousse, creme brûlée custard, and key lime curd, all on a graham cracker crust. This was to die for. I absolutely love key lime and this did not disappoint. The graham cracker crust was buttery and crisp and the mousse was light and fluffy. I could have eaten three of these! I can’t wait to come back and try more things here. 

Julius Meinl has two locations in Chicago, one at 3601 N Southport and one in Ravenswood at 4115 N Ravenswood. The Southport location is open from 7 am to 8 pm daily. The Ravenswood location is open 7 am to 5 pm Mondays through Fridays and from 8 am to 2 pm Saturdays and Sundays. Find more information here.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

What Are the Different Liens That Can Be Found on Title?

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There are plenty of terms to agree to when you sign a real estate contract to purchase a home. But one thing you likely would never agree to take over are liens on title. Unfortunately, liens can derail real estate deals and cause headaches for both buyers and sellers.

That’s precisely why it’s important for buyers to have a title search conducted on a property to have the home’s title looked into before the deal is sealed. The ideal outcome of a title search is a title that’s free and clear of any liens or legal issues with ownership. If not, that could be where the deal ends.

There are several types of liens that could throw a home sale off its tracks that all buyers should be aware of.

What is a Lien?

A lien is basically a claim that’s placed on title until a debt is paid off. It’s a flaw on title that must be rectified before a sale can be carried out, and until then, the lien will remain. 

Sellers with liens on title will have to take steps to pay off the debt or deal with whatever situation caused the lien before they’re able to sell. It’s common for homeowners to begin the selling process without dealing with liens. 

Whether they never bothered to deal with the liens or were not aware that they existed, not dealing with a lien appropriately can bring a real estate deal to a screeching halt. 

So, what types of liens can you find on title during a home sale?

Contractor Lien

Many homeowners take on home improvement projects to repair or update their homes, which is a good idea considering how much extra value it can add to the property. But contractors expect to be paid for the work done, and if the homeowner doesn’t pay up, the contractor involved can place a lien on the title until the full debt is repaid. 

Whether the homeowner withholds payment on purpose for a job they’re not satisfied with or simply didn’t have enough money to pay the entire the bill, the disgruntled contractor can slap a lien on title until they get the money owed. 

Property Lien

Lenders who hand out mortgages for homes have liens on properties they finance. Technically, until the mortgage is paid off in full, the homeowner doesn’t really own the home. Instead, the lender does until the homeowner completely pays off the mortgage. Until then, a property lien will be placed on title. 

This type of lien doesn’t necessarily stop a seller from selling their home. Instead, when the home is sold, the first party paid with the proceeds of the sale is the lender. Whatever money is left over can then be kept by the seller, minus all costs associated with selling real estate.

Once the home is sold and the lender is paid accordingly, the mortgage should be discharged. Unfortunately, there may be some rare cases where the mortgage is not properly discharged, which can cause problems when it comes time to sell. Regardless, this lien must be cleared up for a sale to take place. 

HOA Lien

If the property in question is governed by an HOA, the association can place a lien on one of its properties if the homeowner is behind on HOA fees. Living in an HOA typically requires unit owners to pay monthly dues to cover the cost of maintenance and repairs of common elements. 

But if a homeowner fails to make timely payments and becomes delinquent, the HOA can place a lien on the unit, which can throw a wrench in any potential sale.

Tax Lien

The IRS has very strict rules about how and when taxes are to be paid. There are all sorts of different taxes that Americans are required to pay, including income taxes, school taxes, sales taxes, and property taxes, to name a few. 

If a homeowner has failed to pay any one of these taxes, the IRS has the power to place a lien on title. Just like any other type of lien, a tax lien puts a homeowner in the position to pay the tax amount owed – plus interest – before selling the property.

Judgment Lien

A creditor may go to court to have a legal judgment lien placed on title of a home if a consumer has not fulfilled their duty to repay all their debt. This type of lien is a court ruling that allows a creditor to take possession of a debtor’s home if any associated contractual responsibilities aren’t carried out. 

Basically, a judgment lien is created when a party wins a lawsuit against a homeowner and records the judgment against the home. There could be any number of reasons for legal action to take place. Regardless, the end result may be a judgment lien, which must be dealt with before the home can be sold. 

The Bottom Line

Liens are a nuisance, both for buyers and sellers. But if a lien is found on title of a home, that doesn’t necessarily mean that a transaction can’t take place, as long as the lien is dealt with accordingly and taken off title. Until then, the deal will likely be stalled.

Kathy’s Home & Garden Tips – Picking Perennials for Your Landscape

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I’ve noticed many garden centers have perennials on sale now. Perennials are great for bringing color and interest to your landscape with minimal upkeep. Follow the planting instructions and you’ll be rewarded with many years of beautiful flowers and foliage.

For those shady areas, Hostas are the greatest! Plant under trees and along fences and gangways; they’ll provide beautiful foliage and produce spiky flowers in mid-summer. They come back year after year and come in colors from deepest green to variegated cream. They will tolerate low water times but will need to be watered if they are in a very sunny spot. Some of mine get a good bit of morning sun and I need to water them in dry times. Another shady flowering perennial is the bleeding heart. Its plants reach about 2 feet and have the most precious dark pink heart-shaped flowers. Clip faded flowers to encourage more growth.

For full sun, it’s hard to beat Coneflowers. They come in a variety of colors and are very attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. In fact, the three sunny flowers we are talking about here all attract pollinators. This is very beneficial for our gardens and everyone else in the neighborhood. Catmint “Walkers Low” is long blooming with spiky purple blue flowers. After the first spring bloom, cut back by half to ensure plenty of blooms from summer to mid fall. Coreopsis has masses of pale, yellow flowers and is drought tolerant. The blooming season will be long with regular dead heading. 

For fall color, nothing beats the old-fashioned Black-Eyed Susan. Like the name intimates, the flower has a raised dark brown center surrounded by golden petals. They will bloom from late summer to mid fall and give you copious blooms with deadheading. Plant together in a big mass for best effect.

I hope this encourages you to try some perennials. There are many varieties in many sizes and sun needs and you’re sure to find one that suits you and your landscape.  

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO