The arrival of summer has put me in the mood for one thing when looking for a restaurant- a patio! Is there anything better than sitting outside while you enjoy a delicious meal? This week took me to Schoolyard Tavern & Grill, located in the Southport Corridor at 3258 N Southport. Schoolyard has a gorgeous patio with a generous number of tables shaded by trees. The restaurant is large, with bar, high-top, and table seating. We came in on a Sunday evening and were seated right away on the patio. The menu isn’t huge, but has a substantial number of options. As always, my eye was immediately caught by the appetizer section. Their queso intrigued me in particular: spiced ground beef, chorizo, pork, cilantro, red onions, tomato, and jalapeño topped with avocado salsa. I lived in Texas for ten years and I don’t know if I’ve ever seen queso that has three kinds of meat in it! I’m definitely going to have to come back and try this one. After a lot of consideration, I finally decided on the Fish Tacos. You have your choice of grilled shrimp or mahi mahi, topped with cabbage, spicy ranch, and chihuahua cheese on flour tortillas. I chose grilled shrimp and asked for the spicy ranch on the side. You also have your choice of side: French fries, sweet potato fries, tater tots, veggie of the day, house salad, or fresh fruit. As much as I wanted French fries, I decided on the fresh fruit. Fish tacos can be kind of a gamble, but these were delicious! The shrimp was seasoned well and nicely grilled. The order came with three tacos, so there was plenty of food! My friend ordered the Cheeseburger and French fries: American cheese, lettuce, pickle onion, and dijonaisse. He’s not a huge fan of sauce, so he asked for no dijonaisse. He also ordered six traditional wings with buffalo sauce. The burger was very tasty- it had two thin patties and the cheese was gooey, melty, and delicious. The wings were good as well- although I do admit, I’ve had better wings in Chicago. All in all, we very much enjoyed our meal! We will definitely be back!

Schoolyard is open Mondays through Fridays from 5 pm to 2 am, Saturdays from 11 am to 3 am, and Sundays from 11 am to 2 am. The kitchen is open Mondays through Fridays from 5 pm to 10 pm, Saturdays from 11 am to 10 pm, and Sundays from 11 am to 2 am. Check out their website for more information.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

With the internet at your disposal, it’s easy to scope out what’s available for sale right now, and with all those Open Houses that take place every weekend, visiting homes for sale on your own is a real possibility. Even taking a DIY approach to selling property is possible, especially with the internet at your disposal.

Sure, it’s possible to buy or sell without a real estate agent, but it’s not recommended. In fact, it’s strongly advised against and could wind up being one of the biggest mistakes you ever make. Buying and selling real estate is a big deal and involves a lot of intricacies that you are likely unfamiliar with.

Considering how big this particular financial decision is, you definitely want to get it right the first time, and the best way to do that is by working with an experienced real estate agent.

Still not convinced? Here are just a handful of reasons why not working with an agent can prove to be disastrous.

1. You Have No Experience

Unless you’re an agent yourself, you probably have very little to no experience buying homes. There’s a reason why agents undergo extensive training and study through courses before obtaining their license: there’s a lot to know about the industry. Participating in a real estate transaction without an agent is like going in blind.

Agents have a ton of expertise buying homes on behalf of clients. There’s a slew of forms and documents to have to sift through and sign, and you definitely don’t want to put your John Hancock on any legally binding contract that you don’t entirely understand. Plus, how will you even know how much to offer and what terms and clauses to include in a purchase agreement if you’re buying? And if you’re selling, how will you know how much to list for?

Realtors have a plethora of knowledge and experience in this realm, and not using their help is a big mistake.

2. You’ll Barely Scratch the Surface When Finding Homes For Sale

If you’re on the buying end of a deal, you might be able to find a number of properties for sale on the internet. But realtors are constantly networking with other agents and communicating about properties that are coming up on the market. As such, they’ll be able to help their buyer clients have a larger pool of properties to choose from. They may even be able to connect you with a home that hasn’t even hit the market yet.

3. You Don’t Experience Negotiating Real Estate Deals

Unless you’ve been immersed in negotiations for real estate, you’ll be at a serious disadvantage when it comes time to wheel and deal the best price, regardless of what side of the coin you happen to be on. With today’s housing market heating up, negotiations are more likely to be pretty heated, so you’ll want to make sure that you’ve got the negotiating abilities to score a good deal.

Think about the competition and the potential for bidding wars – wouldn’t you rather have an experienced professional in your corner to help ensure a successful transaction?

4. Your Network May Be Limited

When it comes to buying and selling real estate, a lot of other professionals typically play a role. Whether it’s interior designers, home stagers, contractors, lawyers, or home inspectors, many other experts often come into play, and real estate agents typically have a network of such professionals that they know and trust. Without such a network, finding a professional that you can count on can be a bit of a challenge. But with a realtor by your side, you can connect with another professional to meet your needs without any hassle.

5. Your Emotions Will Probably Get in the Way

It’s not uncommon for buyers and sellers to get emotional during a real estate transaction. This is especially true for sellers who have obviously developed an emotional connection with their homes and may get easily offended by lowball offers or criticism of certain aspects of the property.

In this case, emotions can get in the way of a smooth, streamlined deal, which is why it’s always best to have a neutral, unbiased third party act as a buffer in the negotiations to make sure that decisions are being made from the head rather than the heart.

Without an agent, you’ll have to deal directly with a buyer or seller, as well as all their rejections and objections. This can certainly be distressing at times, but an agent can neutralize such settings to ensure a successful transaction that every party can be satisfied with.

6. You Probably Don’t Have Enough Time to Go it Alone

Most likely, you’ve got a full-time job and don’t have a lot of time in your schedule to dedicate to buying or selling on your own. This is especially true for sellers who would be tasked with all the marketing, scheduling of showings, and fielding phone calls from potential buyers. There really is a lot of behind-the-scenes activity that real estate agents take care of that the average buyer or seller may not be aware of.

This is what they do for a living, and it takes up a better part of their day. Do you have the hours upon hours to dedicate to selling your home? Would you be able to take calls in the middle of your workday? Would you have the energy to deal with marketing your home and showing it to potential buyers after work or on weekends? Probably not, which is why your best bet is to hire a real estate agent to take care of all this legwork for you.

7. You Could Put Yourself at Legal Risk

Buying and selling real estate is a legal process and involves a lot of paperwork that is legally binding once signed. All that legal paperwork needs to be entirely accurate and not omit or embellish anything. This is of particular importance for sellers who are ultimately responsible for drafting up paperwork that encompasses all necessary and pertinent information.

In particular, disclosures are huge, and sellers have a duty to disclose all relevant information regarding their home that would influence whether or not a buyer would be interested in making a purchase. If you’re a seller and leave out any relevant information – regardless of whether or not you were aware of such ommissions – you could land yourself in legal hot water once the buyer moves in and discovers any defects that weren’t disclosed.

But if you work with a real estate agent, you can effectively keep out of trouble, making an agent a crucial part of the real estate equation.

The Bottom Line

There’s really no reason to leave a real estate agent out of the picture when buying or selling homes. As a buyer, you don’t have to pay commissions anyway (since sellers typically cover this cost), so there really is no reason to go about finding and buying a home alone.

And as a seller, the legal ramifications are just too significant to risk selling a property without the aid of a professional. Any commissions paid can be easily recouped in a higher sale price, better contract terms, and protection from legal troubles that can realistically occur if your paperwork isn’t airtight.

With everything that real estate agents have to offer buyers and sellers in the real estate process, it makes sense to include them as part of this crucial process and transaction.

Bucktown and Wicker Park: Save the date for the annual WPB Neighborhood Guide Release Party! Come on down to The Robey Chicago and celebrate on Wednesday, June 20 from 6 to 9 pm. Local businesses, residents, and community partners are encouraged to attend for a first look at the guide and a night of neighborhood celebration. There will be drinks, as well as special VIP Robey Hotel group tours. Space is limited and RSVP is required. Register here now!

Lincoln Park: Celebrate summer with Lincoln Central Association’s Summer Sipper. This marks the fourth year of this event, which will be held on Sunday, June 24 from 5 to 7 pm. The event is at LCA’s award-winning Fire Station Park & Gardens (located at Larrabee and Armitage). Food and beverages will be served from Lincoln Park favorites like Geja’s Cafe, J9, and more; as well as treats prepared by LCA members using ingredients grown in the gardens at Fire Station park. Benjamin Barnes, one of Chicago’s premier magicians, will provide magical entertainment throughout the evening! Admission is free, so come on down!

Lakeview: It’s time for Chicago Pride Fest! Held on June 16-17, this exciting two-day street festival is held the weekend before the Chicago Pride Parade marches its way through Boystown. The festival features live music by popular artists on three stages, food and drink, over 100 arts, crafts, and merchant vendors, DJs and dancing, drag shows, a pet parade, and more. There is a $10 suggested donation. The festival is in Boystown, on Halsted Street from Addison to Grace. The festival is from 11 am to 10 pm both days. Find more information here!

River North: Did you know there’s a National Gin Day? Well, now you do! And what better day could there be for a Mixology class? Bernie’s Lunch & Supper is hosting Mixology Monday: Bartending 101 in conjunction with Death’s Door Gin. This intro class will highlight both classic and original gin cocktails. Bernie’s mixologist Eric Jobes will walk you through three of the most popular cocktails! No prior mixology experience is needed and all materials will be provided. The event begins at 6:30 pm on the rooftop and light appetizers will be served until 7:30 pm. Tickets are $55 and can be purchased here.

Edgewater: Peterson Garden Projects Cookbook Club is back! Each event has a theme, either a cuisine, a style of cooking, or a region. Choose any recipe from any cookbook to bring to the dinner! June’s theme is Middle Eastern cuisine. A few suggested cookbooks are Jerusalem: A Cookbook, Olives, Lemons, & Zatar: The Best Middle Eastern Home Cooking, and Aromas of Aleppo. Here’s how Cookbook Club works. Register online and you’ll receive a link to a Google Document. There, you’ll input the name of the recipe you chose, the cookbook, blog, or website your recipe is from, and if you need oven/stove space for reheating/keeping your dish warm. Then head up to Peterson Garden Projects on Tuesday, June 12 at 7 pm. You’ll share dishes, drink (BYOB is welcome!), chat about the recipes, and pick a theme for the next meeting. Register and find more information here!

Oak Park: Let your kiddos get a little wild on Wednesdays! Join Garfield Park Conservatory for Wild Wednesdays, held weekly. Your kids will explore nature, get their hands dirty, and discover new things about plants and animals. Can you find and identify fake bugs in the dig pit? Are you ready to adventure through the Conservatory to find rare and unusual plants? This evening of imagination and exploration is sure to make Wednesday the best night of your child’s week. Come in with your little one and let the learning begin! The event is from 4-7 pm and is free to attend. Find more information here.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Owner’s Manual– This is invaluable for many things. All cars come with one or find one online if your new, used car doesn’t have one. It has fluid types and specifications and wiper/air cleaner filter sizes. I love going through mine when I’m not driving. I find some new info every time!

Lug Wrench– I’m sure there is one in your car already, but make sure it’s one you can use easily. I find a four-way wrench is easier for me, as it gives a little more leverage for us less strong individuals. It also fits different size bolts.

Spare Tire– Always make sure your spare tire is in good shape and is properly inflated. Even if you have road assistance, it’s good to be ready with your spare.

Jumper Cables– Dead battery? Ask someone for a jump and you’ll be ready with your own cables. You are also ready to help someone else with a jump. I know I was grateful to get a jump from someone before I kept my own cables in my car.

Shovel– A collapsible shovel can help so much if you get stuck in the snow.

Tire Gauge– Check tires every other week, especially when the temperature is fluctuating often. Underinflated tires are terrible for your gas mileage.

Duct Tape– There are many uses for this in the car, as well as around the house. Use it for quick upholstery repairs, holding on a damaged tail light, or temporarily holding up a muffler.

Fire Extinguisher– They make compact ones just for cars and boats. Always make sure it’s not expired and that it’s in working condition. It’s a good idea to keep one in the kitchen too! 

Flashlight– Have a small penlight and a larger police type. Make sure batteries are fresh and flashlights are operational.

Break-out Tool– In case of an accident, this tool will allow you to cut your seatbelt or break your side window to escape.

WD40– This lubricant works wonders to loosen bolts or fasteners around batteries and air cleaners. It will also help remove tar and bugs. It also removes gum from carpet and upholstery.

Blankets– You never know if you’re going to break down in winter. Blankets are also handy if you’re going to a sporting event. I’ve been to a few spring little league games where a blanket would have been useful!

Extra clothes, socks and jackets– These are valuable if you break down, but are also great if your feet get wet or someone needs a jacket at a sporting event. Gloves, scarves, and waterproof boots will come in handy for winter snows.

Food and Water– Again, these are break down necessities, but are good to have in the car in case you get hungry. This way you’ll avoid trips through the fast food lane! I keep small packs of crackers and nuts, as I’m in my car a lot. They really come in handy!

First Aid Kit– This is great to have; make sure to replenish used items and throw out expired items. Include ibuprofen, antacids, and Pepto Bismol.

Money– You never know when you’ll need it! Keep $40 in the glove compartment for emergencies.

Paper Towels and Window Cleaner– Keep those windows clean for safe driving!

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO