Heart of the Home: How to protect your paid-off house
People are always asking me legal real estate questions. But because I'm not a lawyer, I often don't know the answers. So I decided to ask some of them to...
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Heart of the Home: Get ready for new property tax bills
This week, Cook County homeowners will receive the second installment of their 2014 property tax bills. I know when mine comes, my husband will start grabbing his heart, feigning a...
Heart of the Home: Business real estate rebounding
We all hopefully realize that businesses are crucially important to the fabric of a community. A neighborhood's businesses are, after all, in many ways a reflection of the people who...
Heart of the Home: Sacred spaces open up for annual tour
A couple of weeks ago, on my way home from a weekend in Door County, Wis., I added a new must-do to my bucket list. Someday, I'm going to check...
Heart of the Home: Buyers looking for green home upgrades
The U.S. Department of Energy recently reported that it's partnering with the National Association of Realtors and other organizations to help get the word out about residential energy efficiency, so...
Heart of the Home: The power of curb appeal
It's easy to underestimate the power of curb appeal when selling a home. Before a buyer even walks into a place, many times they've already decided they like or don't...
Condo market rebounds in near west suburbs
My mother always said that a house is a thief. There's always something to repair, do, or maintain that costs you money. That's why as I've gotten older I've occasionally...
Oak Park real estate agents honored for sales prowess
Through writing this column, I've met so many hard-working real estate agents from so many different companies. They're people who have not only helped me by keeping me abreast of...
Frank Lloyd Wright gem on Des Plaines River for sale, part of house walk
If you've ever wanted to own a stunning piece of architectural history, now's your chance: Frank Lloyd Wright's Coonley House is on the market for $2.1 million. The grand 6,000-square-foot...
Heart of the Home: Advocates hope new historic district could protect against Ike expansion
In 1966, then 28-year-old Bob Bell bought a house at 811 S. Kenilworth Ave., located in a family-filled area of Oak Park known as the Hulbert Subdivision. Bell was only...