Month: February 2018

Luxury Living Chicago Realty has been working with people who want to rent, sell and buy Chicago real estate for over 10 years.

Clients decide to work with us to find a new Chicago home in several different ways. Sometimes a previous client will refer us to a friend or family member. Other times, a client will find us online and after viewing our website and reading our reviews, they choose to work with our team.

Purchasing a new home takes a lot of work, especially when you are a first time home buyer. There are many steps to take to get ready, but one of the most important things you can do is find the right real estate professional to work with. Whether you are working with Luxury Living Chicago Realty, or vetting a different real estate company, we’ve put together a few pointers on how to find a real estate broker to help you buy your next home.

Here’s how to find a broker for your condo search in Chicago:

Do a Quick Online Search

You will want to work with a broker who specializes in the area you are interested in living. By using Realtor.com and other internet searches you can quickly find helpful information about a broker’s job experience, the number of homes sold, client reviews, etc.

Ask Friends for a Recommendation

According to the National Association of Realtors, 52% of first-time buyers found their broker from a friend or family member.

Ask Lots of Questions

When you are considering which real estate broker to work with it’s important to ask them questions about their experience and how they are going to work for you. Some sample questions to ask:

• How long have you been working in real estate?
• How long have you lived in Chicago?
• How many homes have you sold?
• Do you have a team, or do you work alone?
• What is your schedule?
• How is the best way to reach you?
• Are you going out of town anytime soon?

If you’re thinking about purchasing a home in Chicago, Luxury Living Chicago Realty is a great resource. Click the button below to read our Chicago condo buying guide.

The Luxury Living Chicago Realty team has been helping people buy and sell Chicago homes for over 10 years. Take it from us, with a wide range of activities, family-friendly restaurants, and top schools, Chicago is becoming a wonderful city to raise a family.

One of the most important aspects of living in Chicago with kids is to understand your options when it comes to education and schools. Nearby schools play a big role in the environment of a Chicago neighborhood. Good schools mean better places for families and people making the move to a new home and/or city living.

Chicago Public School Level Rating

An initial search on the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) website will pull up more than 300 Chicago neighborhood schools.

However, not all schools are ranked the same in Chicago and it’s important to pay attention to a school’s level rating. According to CPS, a Level 1 school is a school in “Excellent Standing,” a Level 2 school is a school in “Good Standing,” and a Level 3 school is a school on “Probation.”

Types of Chicago Public Schools

There are different categories of public schools in Chicago.

Chicago Neighborhood Schools

If you live within the boundaries of a neighborhood school, you don’t need to worry about applying or being accepted. If you want your child to go to a good Chicago school, then moving within the boundaries of a particular school will be important. Work with your real estate broker to identify homes for sale within that school’s district.

Chicago Magnet Schools

These schools, which focus on specialized subject areas, are a hybrid of a neighborhood and selective schools. Magnet schools often have neighborhood boundaries, but there are no guarantees if you live within those boundaries that your child will be accepted. Magnet schools open a lottery process to students within the boundaries, and to the rest of the city of Chicago.

Chicago Charter Schools

Charter schools are approved by the Board of Education but operate independently from the Board and each other. Each charter school has a curriculum, schedule, calendar and admissions procedures, but can be operated by community organizations, universities, foundations, and teachers. All are held accountable for high student academic achievement by the Board of Education. Generally, charter schools admit students based on lottery and students can apply all across the city.

Chicago Private Schools

It is no secret that Chicago Public Schools have had their challenges. Where to send a child to school in Chicago is a very personal choice. Many families opt to send their children to Chicago’s top private schools like Frances W. Parker School, Latin School of Chicago and the British International School of Chicago. For some parents, it’s not a matter of proximity, but a matter of what they feel will most benefit their child in the long run. Programs can be more specialized at private schools, which may suit a child’s learning process, or personality better.

In any case, where a child attends school in Chicago is deeply personal and based on many factors.

If you’re thinking about purchasing a home and have school-age children, Luxury Living Chicago Realty can be a resource in helping you understand neighborhood boundaries, school options and offer guidance on buying a Chicago condo. We can also help you discover the best family neighborhoods in Chicago.

As a full-service real estate brokerage, the Luxury Living Chicago Realty team has been helping people make Chicago their home for over 10 years. We’re often asked what are the best neighborhoods to live in Chicago, a topic we talk at length about. In this post, we’re honing in on which neighborhoods are the best for a family to settle down.

City living isn’t just for young professionals. With a wide range of activities, family-friendly restaurants, and top schools, Chicago is the perfect place for a family to find a home.

Select a Chicago Neighborhood You Can Trust

Living in the city of Chicago with a family is a big deal. When looking for a new family home, it’s important to take a neighborhood’s safety into consideration.

According to Niche.com, which ranked Chicago’s safest neighborhoods with data from the FBI and U.S. Census, the Gold Coast, Andersonville, and Streeterville neighborhoods made the top 10.

Gold Coast

Niche.com ranked the Gold Coast #4 out 94 safest neighborhoods in the Chicago area and gave it a combined A+ rating, with a B on “Crime & Safety.”

Andersonville

Niche.com ranked Andersonville #15 out 94 for best neighborhoods to raise a family in Chicago. This neighborhood has a combined A+ rating, with a B- on “Crime & Safety.”

Streetrville

Niche.com ranked Streeterville as #13 out 94 for best neighborhoods to buy a house in Chicago. This neighborhood has a combined A+ rating, with a B- on “Crime & Safety.”

Chicago Neighborhoods with Fun for the Whole Family

It’s also important to think about where to live in Chicago that offers access to parks, grocery stores, and kid-friendly entertainment. Lincoln Park, River North, West Loop, and Lakeshore East neighborhoods feature great parks, family-friendly restaurants, amazing grocery stores and endless entertainment options for families.

Lincoln Park

In addition to a high level of safety, Lincoln Park’s sprawling park landscapes provide a huge outdoor playground for families. Home to the Lincoln Park Zoo, there are many other family attractions and activities that make this neighborhood perfect for raising a family. Bubble’s Academy is one of Chicago’s premier preschools with an arts-integrated curriculum. Check out the Little Beans Cafe for lunch with a large play space or RJ Grunts a classic burger joint voted the most kid-friendly restaurant in Chicago.

River North

The River North neighborhood has many great options for families looking to live in a vibrant family neighborhood. For the kids, Sprouts Academy is a unique preschool with a green focus. Weekends are best spent at The East Bank Club, the perfect place for a family fitness membership with tennis, golf, swimming, and a kid’s activity center. Plus, there are endless amounts of family-friendly restaurant options.

West Loop

A trendy, rapidly-growing neighborhood, West Loop has many activities and restaurants perfect for city-living families. Green Beginnings is an award-winning preschool that focuses on teaching children skills to be lifelong learners. If you’re looking for fun ways to keep your kids active, POW! Kids offers martial arts and self-defense class, while Brooklyn Boulders is an ideal place to try out rock climbing. Stop by the Little Goat Diner after class for classic comfort food and a milkshake.

Lakeshore East

Lakeshore East is a safe, quiet neighborhood that sits where the river meets the lake. At the heart of this family neighborhood is a botanic garden with a gated children’s play park with interactive splash features and a dog and owner friendly dog park. Bright Horizons is a reputable preschool in the area and the Village Market includes easy grocery shopping and great dining options. There is also GEMS World Academy, a leader among private schools in Chicago with a day school for kindergarteners through high schoolers.

If you’re thinking about purchasing a home in Chicago, Luxury Living Chicago Realty is a great resource. Click the button below to read our Chicago condo buying guide.

Luxury Living Chicago Realty works with hundreds of clients every year to rent or purchase a new condo in Chicago. Many of our clients are interested in buying real estate in neighborhoods that offer a great value.

Up and Coming Chicago Neighborhoods 2018

Chicago is made up of 77 unique neighborhoods. Here are the ones we think are the up and coming Chicago neighborhoods in 2018. We’ve identified these neighborhoods because they still offer a good value on the purchase price, but are all on the up and up when it comes to revitalization. The neighborhoods are seeing an influx of new or renovated homes, restaurants and cafes are sprouting up, and new grocery stores and boutiques are opening.

Bronzeville

This South Side neighborhood is in the midst of a renaissance. As part of a community-driven effort, Bronzeville perfectly balances its historical significance with a modern scene. Blended together with specialty coffee shops and trendy restaurants, you will find Victorian Era architecture.

Across the Bronzeville neighborhood is a growing development scene of gut-rehab greystones and single-family homes. Chicago Real estate buyers will also love the neighborhood’s beautiful boulevards.

Buena Park

Placed between the popular Chicago neighborhoods of Uptown and Lakeview, Buena Park is beginning to make a name for itself. Priced out of Lincoln Park? Buena Park offers well-priced homes and condos in a quaint and charming setting.

Another advantage Buena Park offers is its proximity to Montrose Harbor and Lake Michigan, which becomes Chicago’s playground in the summer.

Avondale

In October 2017, Lonely Planet put Avondale on their “Top 10 U.S. Neighborhoods to Visit Now” because of the neighborhoods “working-class beat” and the amazing food scene brewing. Avondale’s claim to fame is that it is home to Kuma’s Corner – a heavy metal-themed joint serving massive burgers.

However, these days real estate investors are starting to flock to the area for its well-priced mix of condos, bungalows, and two-flats. This is especially true as real estate along Milwaukee Avenue becomes pricier. While Avondale may be pretty far north of the Chicago Loop, the neighborhood offers plenty of transportation options to get around the city quickly.

Of course, there are other neighborhoods we think can be some of the best places to buy a home in Chicago.

Luxury Living Chicago Realty is a great resource if you’re looking for more information about what it takes to buy a condo in Chicago. Click the button below to read our Chicago condo buying guide.