Posts with tag 'home improvement'

The holiday season is right around the corner in Chicagoland. Is your house ready? The approaching holidays are one reason fall is one of the most popular times of year for home improvement projects. Let our real estate agents be your guides to the best pre-holiday DIY projects. 

DIY projects before the holidays

These home improvements are all relatively easy, inexpensive, and DIY-ready. Best of all, they'll help you get ready to host guests and show off your festive side in time for the holidays!

Choose areas to repaint

Few things can completely transform a space like a fresh coat of paint. It's an affordable and easy way to add personality to your home while making it feel fresh and updated. And you don't have to repaint the whole house — just pick a key area or two that wi...

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These final days of summer offer a chance to get organized. Rather than succumb to the chaos of another school year, our real estate agents are here to share their best tips for organizing your home ahead of back-to-school season. 

• Start with decluttering.
  Chances are, your house has accumulated quite a bit of clutter throughout the summer months. Step one before the kids go back to school is to get the house in order, which means eliminating clutter wherever possible. Be sure to take special care to declutter the closets; eliminate old outfits that are worn-out or no longer fit to make room for new back-to-school clothes. Donate what you don't want, or set up an end-of-summer yard sale. 
  
  
• Organize your entryway.
  One of the most important places to create space and keep o...

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In addition to popular rooftop bars, restaurants, and event spaces, many homes in the metro area come with a rooftop space for outdoor relaxation — it's one of the best ways to maximize your greenspace in an urban setting. If your rooftop space could use a refresh, or has felt like more of an afterthought, our real estate agents are here to help with inspiration that's both stylish and budget-friendly.

• Install a hanging chair, swing, or hammock. 
  Capture that breezy, relaxing vibe by installing a modern hanging chair or swing. Look for models with self-supporting stands if your rooftop doesn't allow for ceiling mounts. It's an easy way to add a playful, lounge-ready touch to your rooftop setup.
  
  
• Add planters with tall greenery.
  Even if you don't have soil to dig into, you can still enjoy greenery above the city streets. After all, certain plants will enjoy the direct sunlight, can thrive in this rooftop envir...

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If you have plans to go away for summer vacation this year, then it's essential to take some home security measures before you depart. You'll enjoy your days of fun and sun even more if you know your home back in Chicago is safe and secure. Our real estate agents are here to share some easy tips for summer home security.

• Stay away from social media.
  Excited to share all your vacation photos with the world? Instead of doing it in real time, wait until you get back to share all those Insta-worthy snapshots. Announcing your vacation and sharing its progress on social media essentially lets the whole world know that you're away from home, which could be seen as an invitation for the wrong kind of house guest.
  
  
• Hit 'pause' on deliveries.
  Junk mail and Amazon boxes piling up on your...

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Nothing says "summer" quite like hosting a backyard barbecue. The smell of food cooking over hot coals captures the mood of summer in Chicago like nothing else, and if you're anything like our real estate agents, you're more than ready to get the grill going. 

That being said, you may also be ready to make a few improvements to your outdoor living space before inviting all your friends and family over. Here's how to level up your grill game and get your backyard ready for BBQ season in Chicagoland. 

• Upgrade your grill. 
  If you've been using the same small, cramped barbecue grill for multiple seasons, it may be time for an upgrade. Especially if you're planning on hosting a get-together with lots of hungry guests. Charcoal grills are ideal for smoking meats and slow-cooking ribs and brisket, but gas gril...

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