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?
Real Estate
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
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
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
Why National Headlines Won’t Tell You What Your Chicago Home Is Worth
If you've read a headline this year that said something like "sellers now outnumber buyers two to one," and you felt a flicker of panic, I want you to take a breath before you make a single decision based on that sentence. Because here's something you deserve to know before anyone else tells you ... Continue Reading » about Why National Headlines Won’t Tell You What Your Chicago Home Is Worth
How Do I Know What My Chicago Home Is Really Worth? A Guide to Understanding Market Statistics
If you've read a headline this year that said something like "sellers now outnumber buyers two to one," and you felt a flicker of panic, I want you to take a breath before you make a single decision based on that sentence. Because here's something you deserve to know before anyone else tells you ... Continue Reading » about How Do I Know What My Chicago Home Is Really Worth? A Guide to Understanding Market Statistics
New Condo Financing Rules Are Coming: What Chicago Buyers and Owners Need to Prepare Fornew-condo-financing-rules-are-coming
New Condo Financing Rules Are Coming: What Chicago Buyers and Owners Need to Prepare For If you own a condo in Chicago, or you're getting ready to buy one, there's a regulatory shift heading your way that's worth understanding now, while there's still time to prepare. It's not a reason to panic. ... Continue Reading » about New Condo Financing Rules Are Coming: What Chicago Buyers and Owners Need to Prepare Fornew-condo-financing-rules-are-coming
Chicago’s Protecting Renters Ordinance (PRO): What Renters, Buyers, and Property Owners Need to Know in 2026
Chicago's Protecting Renters Ordinance (PRO): What Renters, Buyers, and Property Owners Need to Know in 2026 What Is the Chicago Protecting Renters Ordinance? Chicago's Protecting Renters Ordinance — commonly referred to as the PRO — is a proposed overhaul of the city's ... Continue Reading » about Chicago’s Protecting Renters Ordinance (PRO): What Renters, Buyers, and Property Owners Need to Know in 2026
Chicago Real Estate FAQ Introduction
Chicago Real Estate · Lincoln Park Chicago Real Estate Questions,Finally Answered in Plain English Maureen Moran REALTOR® · @properties Christie's International Real Estate · ... Continue Reading » about Chicago Real Estate FAQ Introduction
