Open House Chicago 2026 and Neighborhood Open Houses Would you be surprised to know that the same weekend Chicago opens its most interesting buildings to the public, 178 homes across four of its favorite neighborhoods are open too? Quick answer: Open House Chicago takes ... Continue Reading » about Open House Chicago 2026 and Neighborhood Open Houses
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October 2026: Events Worth Knowing About in Lincoln Park, Wicker Park + Bucktown, and Roscoe Village
October turns three of my favorite neighborhoods a little theatrical, each in its own way. Lincoln Park leans into its ghost stories, Wicker Park and Bucktown throw open their storefronts, and Roscoe Village turns Lincoln Avenue into one long block party. Here's what's actually worth planning around ... Continue Reading » about October 2026: Events Worth Knowing About in Lincoln Park, Wicker Park + Bucktown, and Roscoe Village
Is a Vacation Home Even Worth It Anymore? What Chicago Families Are Actually Asking
A note on transparency: I'm a Pacaso referral partner. If you buy a Pacaso share after I refer you, Pacaso pays me a referral commission and a small equity award. That doesn't change my advice. The right choice depends on how you want to live, and sometimes the answer is to keep renting. I get some ... Continue Reading » about Is a Vacation Home Even Worth It Anymore? What Chicago Families Are Actually Asking
Is Chicago’s New Renter Protection Ordinance About to Make Housing More Expensive?
The headlines say it's about protecting renters. But will it actually—or will it backfire? In September 2026, Chicago's City Council Housing Committee backed Mayor Brandon Johnson's revised Protecting Renters Ordinance (PRO)—a sweeping rewrite of tenant protections that caps security deposits, ... Continue Reading » about Is Chicago’s New Renter Protection Ordinance About to Make Housing More Expensive?
Should You Buy in a Small Chicago Condo Building or a Large High-Rise?
“Which one carries more risk?” That’s usually the real question underneath “should I buy in a vintage building or a high-rise,” even when buyers frame it as a lifestyle preference. The honest answer is that both carry risk. They just carry different kinds, and the format that feels safer on a ... Continue Reading » about Should You Buy in a Small Chicago Condo Building or a Large High-Rise?
Special Assessments in Chicago Condos: What Buyers Should Look for Before They Buy
“Am I about to inherit a $20,000 surprise?” That’s the real question underneath almost every conversation I have about special assessments, even when buyers phrase it more politely. They’ve heard the term, they’ve maybe heard a horror story from a friend, and they want to know how to find out before ... Continue Reading » about Special Assessments in Chicago Condos: What Buyers Should Look for Before They Buy
How Much HOA Reserve Is Enough When Buying a Chicago Condo?
If you are looking at a condo and the reserve balance on the association’s financials feels small, you are asking the right question at the right time. A recent buyer I worked with was deciding on a unit in a five-unit vintage building where the association had $3,000 in reserves. His question was ... Continue Reading » about How Much HOA Reserve Is Enough When Buying a Chicago Condo?
Lincoln Park vs. Lakeview vs. Bucktown vs. Wicker Park
"They all look good online. How do I choose?" I hear a version of that question almost every week, and it usually comes from a buyer who has spent a Saturday night scrolling listing photos in four different neighborhoods and landed nowhere. I'm Maureen Moran, REALTOR® and Seller Representative ... Continue Reading » about Lincoln Park vs. Lakeview vs. Bucktown vs. Wicker Park
September events 2026
Chicago Events September 2026: What’s Worth Your Calendar September may be one of Chicago’s best months. And if you’re looking for Chicago events in September 2026, this is when the calendar gets particularly interesting — neighborhood festivals, art openings, food experiences, live music and a few ... Continue Reading » about September events 2026
August Market Brief
Lincoln Park to Wicker Park: A Neighborhood-by-Neighborhood Look at August's Market The national headlines will tell you one story about real estate this summer. Your neighborhood tells you a different one. Here's what actually happened in five of Chicago's Near North Side markets in July ... Continue Reading » about August Market Brief
What’s Happening in Lincoln Park, Old Town, Gold Coast, River North, Bucktown, Wicker Park and Lakeview: August 2026
August 2026 Chicago Events at a Glance August in Chicago is peak season. The lakefront is full, the festivals are stacked back to back, and every one of our core neighborhoods has something worth putting on the calendar. Here's what's actually worth your time this month, organized by neighborhood ... Continue Reading » about What’s Happening in Lincoln Park, Old Town, Gold Coast, River North, Bucktown, Wicker Park and Lakeview: August 2026
PRO vs. FAIR: What Chicago Owners and Renters Should Know
Updated July 28, 2026. This is a developing story at City Hall; I'll revise this post as it moves. An update, and a second ordinance nobody expected A few weeks ago I talked about the Protecting Renters Ordinance — PRO — the Mayor's proposal to overhaul the rules that govern renting in ... Continue Reading » about PRO vs. FAIR: What Chicago Owners and Renters Should Know
