Purchasing a home can be a stressful experience, whether you’re a first-time buyer or you’ve been through the process before. But that’s one of the reasons that working with a real estate professional is so worthwhile. With your agent’s guidance, buying a home should be enjoyable, rather than stressful. Here are some of the more unique circumstances where your agent can make your life much easier.

Out-of-town buyers: If you’re looking for vacation homes or moving to a job in a new city, there’s a good chance that viewing homes will be difficult—you could be a long drive or even a plane ride away. With today’s video messaging apps like Zoom or Facetime, your agent can walk you through a property virtually. It’s not the same as walking through in person, but it will at least give you an idea about whether a property is worth pursuing further.

When life is just too crazy: If you’re just getting too busy with everything else going on in your life, a good buyer’s agent should be able to recognize the situation and help you take a step back. They can suggest that you take a few weeks off from your home search to recharge, or only focus on properties that exactly fit your wants list.

Inspection issues: You’re dreaming about move-in day, and then some unforeseen issues turn up during inspection. A good agent can work out those issues by negotiating a lower offer—to cover costs of repairs—or by getting the seller to fix the problem.

Is there anything better than the holidays in Chicago? So much to do…so many memories to make!  

Still have shopping to do? Make it easy on yourself, and have fun! On Thursday, December 9, and Friday, December 10, the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, 12 S. Michigan Ave., invites everyone to get ‘Sauced,’ The Night Market Before Christmas, CAA’s 7th annual showcase of local vendors—plus food and booze, for a night of eating, drinking, and shopping from 5pm-10pm.  Vendors include Exile in Bookville, Gingergold, Golden Root, and A Girl & Her Pug, among many others. DJ Johnny Walker performs. For admission to the market, guests must show proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 PCR test administered within 72 hours of the event. Free. No RSVP required.

For nearly 40 years, a holiday tradition at Lakeview’s Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport starts Friday, December 10, and continues through December 23. The 38^th Annual Music Box Christmas Sing-A-Long & Double Feature of two holiday classics—1954’s ‘Holiday Inn,’ starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, featuring 15 sing-along songs, and 1946’s ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. Both classics use the holidays to explore the themes of family, sacrifice, heartbreak, disappointment, community, and ultimately, the triumph of the human spirit. Highlights include a Santa Claus visit and a Christmas carol sing-along, accompanied by Music Box organist Dennis Scott. All visitors ages 12 and up will need to show proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID test for all screenings. Check website for times and ticket prices.

Celebrate the holidays at the Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Along near Cloud Gate Plaza, 201 E. Randolph St., on Friday, December 10 at 6pm, and Sunday, December 12 at 4pm. The concerts run for an hour and reflect Chicago’s many faith backgrounds, cultures, and holiday music traditions. Friday’s concert features The Chicago High School for the Arts Chorale Ensemble. Sunday’s concert features the Kol Zimrah Jewish Community Singers. Free.

“Hallelujah! Hallelujah!” These familiar words are the powerful and triumphant opening of Handel’s Messiah. Don’t miss the Apollo Chorus of Chicago, who’ve performed the classic since 1879. This year, they’re performing Saturday, December 11, and Sunday, December 12 at 7pm. The chorus blends voices and hearts at the Harris Theater at Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph. Check website for ticket availability.

For a completely different take on Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale, see a ‘Q Brothers Christmas Carol,’ in Chicago’s rap master Q Brothers Collective’s ‘ad-rap-tation,’ the story follows Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey to redemption, accompanied by the ghosts of hip-hop Past, Present, and Future, to a mashup of hip hop, combined with contemporary musical styles, ranging from reggae to dancehall music, dubstep, and epic rock ballads—all underscored with beats spun live by a DJ. ‘Q Brothers Christmas Carol ‘ runs through December 23 at The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, 800 East Grand Avenue. Tickets are $38-$56. Patrons must show proof of full vaccination OR Negative COVID Test, and wear masks.

Meet Jeremy Fisher, Simpkin the Cat, Peter Rabbit, and Tom Kitten at the The Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party through December 24 at the Chicago Children’s Theatre, 100 S. Racine.  Performances are Saturdays and Sundays at 9:30am and 11:30am. As the website says, charming storytellers interweave the classic narration and guide gentle interactive moments, recruiting young watchers to join the adventure. After the show, come up on stage to gently play with the puppets and take pictures. Then, head to the lobby for a festive spread of chocolate milk and cookies! Tickets are $47 each.

Alison Moran and Dean’s Team Chicago

We are getting closer to Christmas and hopefully you are on schedule. This time of year, we need to think about our goals for the New Year. If we want to hit the ground running next year, we need to have a plan ready. Most people start the year with “resolutions.” Unfortunately, by the end of January, most resolutions are forgotten or abandoned. If you are serious about making some changes in your life you need a plan.

All goals need to be S.M.A.R.T. – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time bound. 

Specific rather than general. If you want to lose weight, say I want to lose ten pounds by April 1^st, not just I want to lose weight. Or I will schedule two date nights in January, not that I want to spend more quality time with my spouse. 

Measurable goes hand in hand with Specific. How do you know you are progressing? You must have a way to measure. How many new pieces of business will you attain in the first quarter? How many workouts per week? 

Attainable means just what it says. Of course, you want to push yourself, but setting a goal to lose thirty pounds next month is neither healthy nor attainable. 

They also need to be Relevant. If you have a lofty goal to increase your business by 50% but a recession is looming you need to form your goals to be relevant to the realities of your market. 

Timely goals are the most important. If you have no time limits you will reach the end of the year with little accomplished!

As you think about what you want to achieve this year remember, less is more. Choose no more than three personal and three business goals. 

Personal goals should include family and spirituality along with health. Business goals will be the three strategies that will, when combined, achieve the BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal). 

Break down your year into quarters. Doing this will keep you from thinking I’m doing OK, there is a lot of time left. Quarterly goals also give you time to course correct before you get completely off track. 

Each goal needs 3-5 strategies for success. Weight loss could include a certain number of workouts per week, doing 10,000 steps, and adding two servings each of fruits and vegetables. 

Business strategies could be a certain number of prospecting calls and appointments per week or reorganizing your home or work office to make working more efficient. As you set up your quarterly plan you will score yourself each week. One point for every task completed. You are trying to achieve a score of 85% or more each week. If you have a total of fifteen tasks per week you will need to perform at least thirteen. If you notice that you are not progressing, or your percentage is not good you need to reassess. Perhaps you need to make more contacts or need to add a workout!

Yes, this is a little more involved than making a few New Year’s resolutions. But how many times have these resolutions ever been successful? I would think not often. If you are serious about changing your life, get a plan and work it! The only other thing I would add is someone to hold you accountable. This is a terrific way to stay on track. They can be a sounding board and help with forming your plan. You will be more apt to keep up with your tasks if you have someone to answer to at your weekly accountability meeting. 

So, get going with your plan and Good Luck! 

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago

Ok everyone, we have only three weekends before Christmas to get into the spirit of the holidays! This weekend we’ll focus on various Christmas markets throughout Chicago. Who’s with me?

After going virtual in 2020, the Christkindlmarket Chicago returns to the Daley Civic Center (50 W. Washington St.) in The Loop now through December 24^th. This iconic German-inspired holiday market offers the smell of roasted nuts, fresh pretzels, bratwurst, hot spiced wine, the sound of festive music, the glimmer of sparkling Christmas ornaments, a unique shopping experience, and family-friendly events & intercultural activities all in a cozy atmosphere! Organizers have announced as well that they’ll bring back a virtual component to the market for those who still prefer to stay away from crowds but wish to partake in the most authentic traditional holiday market of its kind outside of Europe!

Chicago’s favorite holiday tradition is back and better than ever in 2021! ZooLights returns to Lincoln Park Zoo (Cannon Dr. at Fullerton Pkwy.) in the Lincoln Park neighborhood now through January 2 (4 p.m. – 10 p.m.). This event will again feature hundreds of luminous LED displays and seasonal experiences all under the glow of millions of lights. New features this year include the Zoo’s new Pepper Family Wildlife Center at the heart of the zoo, a new holiday lights experience on the Main Mall, an exciting new light show on the South Lawn, and an 18-foot holiday tree!  ZooLights will take place on select dates so check out the Zoo’s website for information on special ticketed events during ZooLights which include the BrewLights beer festival and a musical tribute to “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Where else can you find a cheerful, family-friendly holiday event in the heart of the city?

After a two-year pandemic hiatus, the Randolph Street Market returns to Chicago at a new location and will be decking the halls this holiday season on the ground floor of the massive space that once housed Topshop (830 N. Michigan Ave.) on the Magnificent Mile for the next three weekends. This European-style market will feature more than 75 vendors with a stylishly crafted mix of vintage and modern decorative objects, housewares, fashion, jewelry, art, and more at all price points for all ages. Plus, the festival fun continues with music, food, and drink. So, make your gift giving special this year since you never know what you’ll find at the Randolph Street Market!

The Andersonville neighborhood will be celebrating the holidays with its first-ever Winter Market on Catalpa Street between Clark Street and Ashland Avenue this Saturday (11 a.m. – 7 p.m.) and Sunday (11 a.m. – 5 p.m.). This tented outdoor bazaar will be stocked with holiday gifts, handcrafted goods, vintage items, and other treasures from over 20 local artisans, Swedish makers, and collectors! Don’t forget to nab a cup (or two) of Simon Tavern’s revered Glögg to sip and warm you up as you walk around and browse through the market.  After all, it’s an Andersonville tradition!

Join the Roscoe Village neighborhood and its businesses as they kick off their Winterfest on Saturday (5 p.m. – 9 p.m.) with a tree lighting ceremony followed by holiday shopping and festivities at local businesses. Enjoy special discounts and treats as well as participate in the window decorating contest by voting for your favorite window! Then on Sunday (1 p.m. – 5 p.m.) the festivities continue with carolers, Santa, and sleigh rides along with family-friendly festivities and special discounts offered again at local businesses!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

Since 1907, one holiday dining tradition has endured in Chicago, whether the physical structure was called Marshall Field’s or Macy’s. 

As its website explains, the Walnut Room was the first restaurant to open in a department store. What better way to relax after an exhausting shopping trip…particularly during the holidays… than partake of an elegant meal just a few feet from the action? Or to take the children to visit Santa just two floors down? 

The Walnut Room became a rite of passage for generations of families. For many, it was a child’s first lesson in practicing ‘table manners’ under the elegantly appointed Circassian wood paneling imported from Russia and the Austrian crystal chandeliers. 

During the holidays,  Chicagohistory.com notes that 2021 is the 114th anniversary of the Great Tree, the fifty-fourth annual animated holiday windows, and as always, forty-two trumpets will fly along State Street This year, the 45-foot Great Tree is illuminated by 1,200 ornaments and 6,000 lights. 

Amid the splendor is some of the best comfort food imaginable. Start with a lobster bisque with sherry, or a cheese plate featuring blue cheese, Marcona almonds, and toasted crostini for sharing. 

A millinery (hat) clerk developed the recipe for the Walnut Room’s signature Mrs. Hering’s 1890 Original Chicken Pot Pie, with creamy chicken, carrots, sweet corn, leeks and peas in a flaky crust, served with a Walnut Room Salad of mixed greens, Mandarin slices, and toasted almonds with their special Toasted Sesame dressing. Other entrees include a cider-glazed, slow-roasted breast of turkey with whipped potatoes and gravy, green beans sautéed with cranberry pecan butter, and a cranberry citrus chutney. Meatloaf takes on elegant touch when paired with pine nuts and spinach, and is served with whipped potatoes and onion strings.

With so much history, how do people feel about the Walnut Room?

“I grew up coming here as a young girl, when only Sunday best was the acceptable attire,” recalled a Trip Advisor reviewer. “Fast forward 40 years & I find myself still smiling & happy in The Walnut Room.”

Another recent reviewer on Trip Advisor was rapturous. “Portions are generous and includes vegetables, and mashed potatoes in our case,” she said. “Pot Pie (is served with) a salad. Every dish was presented beautifully and served piping hot. Coffee served with a small metal tea pot for you to enjoy more at leisure. Every bite was scrumptious. Each meal cooked well. Not overly salty, vegetables tasted fresh, salad was large and mashed potatoes smooth and silky.” 

The pot pie is also available as a kid-sized portion on the children’s menu.

But no one should leave without a dessert taste of Frango Mint, either as a slice of ice cream pie or as a cheesecake. Often imitated, never duplicated, the creamy, minty, smooth texture of the ice cream and graham cracker crust are a nice contrast and a refreshing end to a sumptuous meal. Traditional Christmas yule log and a fanciful Build Your Own Snowman sundae are among the other, equally delicious desserts. 

The Walnut Room is located on the 7^th floor of Macy’s, 111 N. Wabash, Chicago. The restaurant is open special hours for the holidays. During the weeks of November 28 and December 5, they are open Sundays-Saturday from 11am to 7pm. Check the website for any changes to the schedule. To make a reservation, click here.