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Back-to-school is an exciting time for families with school-aged children, but it’s not without some anxiety. Parents hustle to adapt routines, fill out paperwork and buy a seemingly endless list of school supplies, and kids nervously anticipate how they’ll fit in with new teachers, friends and classes. The transition can present additional challenges when families have recently moved into the neighborhood.

But fear not: When it comes to major metropolitan areas, Chicago and its surrounding suburbs offer a particularly welcoming embrace to newcomers.

With that in mind, here are some practical steps you can take to integrate yourself into your new community and more quickly feel at home as your kids start school.

On August 17, 2024, some industry-wide changes will take effect that impact the way people work with real estate agents and buy and sell homes. This includes the requirement of Buyer Broker Agreements and the removal of buyer-broker compensation offers in the MLS (more on that below). As a company that has always embraced change, @properties Christie’s International Real Estate is ready to help our clients navigate this new environment with confidence and ease. Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect:

Under the terms of the recent National Association of REALTORS Settlement, some changes are coming to the way real estate brokers engage with their clients, and one of those changes is the requirement of a buyer-broker agreement. Buyer-broker agreements are nothing new in residential real estate, but their utilization has varied from market to market. Now, they will become universal.

Chicagoland now has more than six months of luxury home sales in the books for 2024, and the relatively robust performance in the upper reaches of the market has been a surprise to some. While the market is not on pace to top the record-setting years of 2021 and 2022, sales above $4 million are tracking ahead of last year as well as the pre-pandemic year of 2019.

Here are ten of our favorite things about living and working on Chicago’s North Shore.

In the year since we closed on our home, we’ve enjoyed so many great moments, but we’ve also faced many challenges – some of which we didn’t anticipate. Here’s are a few things I learned in my first year as a homeowner and landlord.

Chicago is the #1 U.S. city for dogs—and it shows. From dog beaches to pet-friendly bars and restaurants to countless off-leash parks, doggy daycares, and more, there’s so much for pets and their owners to do around the city. If you’re planning a move in Chicagoland and have a furry friend (or several), be sure to check out the following communities:

Maybe it’s our long winters or all-too-short springs, but summertime in the Windy City is one of the best seasons anywhere on the planet. And as one of the country’s premier hotspots for citywide and neighborhood festivals, Chicago knows how to throw a party. From one...

When it comes to buying a home, today’s Gen Z shoppers have very different expectations than their Gen X and Boomer parents. According to the most recent Christie’s International Real Estate Luxury Forecast, this next-gen homebuyer is all about smart, sustainable, and...

There’s no doubt about it: The cicadas are here. If you haven’t heard any yourself, you’ve probably at least heard of them. You might even already know a little bit about the critters or their historic emergence. But if you’re wondering whether to worry about the...

Chicagoland has always played a prominent role in the Pride movement and queer history, and the Windy City comes alive in June to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, hosting some of the biggest Pride events in the Midwest. Read on for a round-up of the Pride Month...

Casting a line into the glassy pre-dawn water, carving graceful turns behind a ski boat, or cracking a cold one and floating all day on a pontoon…however you enjoy it, lake living can’t be beat. And here in the Midwest, we pretty much wrote the book on the lifestyle....

Living in or near a big city comes with countless perks – a quick commute, endless arts and culture, incredible restaurants, and a buzz that’s impossible to replicate. But one of the trade-offs often is outdoor space. So if your yard or patio or deck is less than...

While sustainable design may have once been considered a fleeting fad, it’s become clear in recent years that this decorating ethos is here to stay. This practice has gained momentum as more homeowners seek to reduce their carbon footprint and lower their energy...

Whether you’re making a move and preparing to decorate a new space or refreshing your current space, Chicagoland’s vibrant art and antique markets offer endless inspiration – and the chance to uncover some truly amazing finds. “Art and antiques are a great way to add...

Picture this: You’re settled into a cozy, sun-drenched spot, with fresh jasmine filling the air and a bowl of fresh berries ready to dig into. It’s the perfect midday escape — and it’s courtesy of your greenhouse. Having greenery in or around your home adds warmth, a...

To find the hottest interior trends, design devotees used to turn to the pages of countless shelter mags. Then it was the cable shows on Bravo and HGTV. But today, the latest design looks – thousands upon thousands of them – are a swipe away on TikTok. From new takes...

Without a doubt, Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the greatest American architects of all time. From conceptualizing the Prairie style at the turn of the 20th century to designing the low-cost, well-built Usonian homes, his distinct styles continue to shape residential...

Without a doubt, Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the greatest American architects of all time. From conceptualizing the Prairie style at the turn of the 20th century to designing the low-cost, well-built Usonian homes, his distinct styles continue to shape residential...

We don’t know about you, but we’re ready for spring. As the ground thaws and the tulips bloom on Michigan Avenue, it’s time to get out and explore Chicago. To help you make the most of the season, we’ve rounded up a list of our favorite off-the-radar things to do this...

Chicago’s Far Northwest Side, comprised of neighborhoods like Jefferson Park, Norwood Park, Edison Park, Forest Glen and Portage Park, is characterized by tree-lined streets, a suburb-in-the-city feel, and a strong sense of community. From its thriving restaurant...

Although it doesn’t feel like spring in the Midwest, the busy spring real estate market is underway. And with more competition, it’s important for prospective homebuyers to get their priorities in order before they start touring homes and neighborhoods. If you’re...

Spring cleaning can either be the best, or worst, part of the new season. On one hand, it’s a chance to declutter and refresh your living space. Plus, it can feel good to tackle those projects that you’ve been meaning to get to all winter. But a laundry list of to-do...

Higher property taxes, higher rents, stalled investment and revenue shortfalls await Chicago if the new transfer tax is enacted. Since we last posted about Chicago’s proposed new real estate transfer tax, known as Bring Chicago Home, a lot has happened around the...

From the rise of ‘quiet luxury’ to the growing influence of Gen Z, Christie’s International Real Estate identified several trends that are shaping the luxury real estate market in 2024. Those trends are detailed in the brand’s recently released Global Luxury Real...

As your mortgage balance declines and your property value increases, you accumulate equity in your home. This is a form of wealth that you can tap into and use to pay a variety of expenses. “Home equity is more than just a number,” explains Jo Ann Theriault-Fazio, SVP...