CHICAGO — Until now, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) couples in Illinois — (as in most U.S. States) — faced a number of historically significant challenges and hurdles, especially when it came to the sale or purchase of a home. Generally, members of the LGBT community had to rely upon a number of complicated legal instruments…
North or south, always a dichotomy! Each possesses attributes that are polar opposites. Wherever you look around the world there is always a split between the two. Northern and Southern Europe; North and South Korea, Vietnam … The Northeast and the South in the U.S.A., Northern and Southern Italian cuisine! I have heard it explained…
It is said in sales parlance that “there’s a hat for every head”. What this means is that we are all different and have individual likes and dislikes. For the salesman, this suggests that there is a house and a neighborhood that will suit each person who seeks our guidance. In our turf, the wonderful…
As a follow-up to last issue’s article Big or Little I thought I’d talk about size and ask whether our homes need to reduce a bit. First, the facts. In 1950, the average home was about 983 square feet, growing to 1,400 square feet in 1970, and then zooming up to 2,700 square feet in…
Size is relative, as we know. Without a point of comparison, we cannot say that anything is either “big” or “little.” But we’ve seen the city and county of San Diego alternately described as a “big city with a small town feel,” a “small town vibe in a big package” and a “big small town.”…
With the advent of home rental sites on the Internet, including airbnb.com, vrbo.com, vacationhomerentals.com and others, turning your home into a money-making vehicle is literally a breeze. But before you get too excited and start counting your take, it’s wise to size up your property and determine whether it’s a good candidate for the job….
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of unmarried people in America 18 and older in 2012 was 103 million; 53.6 percent were women and 46.4 percent men. 17 million U.S. residents 65 and older were single – some 16 percent of all unmarried people. There were 87 unmarried men 18 and older for…
2013 was an up and down year for mortgage interest rates, though they remained relatively low. What can we anticipate for 2014 and will it be a good time to think about buying a home? The Web site loanlove.com which offers prospective buyers advice on the ever-fluctuating mortgage rate market in a down-to-earth style, says…
It’s hard to believe that avocado colored appliances and orange shag rugs were once in fashion, and considered the “in” and “it” thing in home fashion. But we know that fashion in home design, just like apparel, is ever-changing. Color and style trends track what has become important in our lives. I thought you’d like…
So how do you sell a house? Is it really that different from selling a car, a boat or a piece of art? There are surely techniques in common that might work for all, but houses are very special commodities and they warrant special attention. Here are some of the tips I can offer after…
