How to Downsize from a House to a Condo — What to Look For in Your Condo Search

Are you considering or already in the process of downsizing from a house to a condo? While this process can be complicated, we want to make this transition as smooth as possible.

How To Downsize From a House to a Condo

When deciding how to downsize from a house to a condo, take the following suggestions into consideration:

  • HOA– Moving into a condo also means joining a homeowner’s association. As a member of a condo HOA, residents pay regular dues, which allow the association to maintain portions of the property. Before committing to a condo, it is essential to research the property’s HOA. Be sure to understand its covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs), so that you know how the association operates and what your duties are as a member. These rules lay out what you can and cannot do with your exterior space, as well as pet restrictions. Your experienced broker can help you with this step so that you find the right home and right HOA.
  • Community– Condos also minimize the space between you and your neighbors. When selecting the right condo, you want to make sure you feel good about the community you are joining. Get a sense of who lives in the condo building you’re browsing and what the environment feels like. You may be looking for a home that promotes a tight-sense community, or maybe you’re okay with neighbors that keep to themselves and keep the noise level to a minimum. The neighborhood the condo is in and the price point of the units are just a few factors that can also influence the community.
  • Amenities– While downsizing to a condo typically means forfeiting space, it also means gaining excellent amenities. Condo buildings offer various perks and shared spaces, including fitness centers, pools, outdoor space, dog runs and grooming stations, conference centers and more. As you search for the perfect condo, consider which amenities you would like in your new move.
  • Parking– Trading a single-family home for a condo also means adapting to a new parking situation. As you house hunt for your condo, look into the parking options at each building. If you have a car and know that parking is non-negotiable, it may be important to find units that come with a designated parking space or at least offer parking lots or garages. While some buildings do have easily accessible and covered lots, others do not.
  • Resale Value- Just like with any home purchase, it’s wise to look into the resale value of any condo you choose to invest in. Check out the factors that impact this value and your return on investment, including the neighborhood, the condition of the condo and neighboring units, the square footage and number of bedrooms within the home, any outdoor space the home may offer, and potential renovations to further increase the value.

With greater insight into how to downsize from house to condo, it may be time for you to put these considerations into action. Partner up with Luxury Living Chicago Realty to find your dream condo. Our team of trusted experts can help make your life transition seamless.

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Summer Decorations for Your Office

We previously discussed how to create a home office that works for you — whether that be maximizing your home office space for two or creating a work-from-home space in your bedroom. Now, let’s dive into keeping your home office fresh with summer decorating.

Summer Decorations for Your Home Office

If you’re looking for ways to bring summer into your home office this year, keep reading for a few summer decorating ideas for your home workspace:

  • Bring in the florals: One of the easiest ways to make your home office feel refreshed for summer is to bring in some of your favorite seasonal floral arrangements. These look great sitting on your desk, a shelf, or a side table in your home office.
  • Showcase your desk calendar: Even though your summer calendar may be filled with lots of OOO, a bright, summery print on your desk calendar will add a little something extra to your home office this summer.
  • Add some greenery: Another way to breathe life into your home office is by adding some office-friendly plants to your space. Decorate your desk, shelves, or even hang a few plants by the window. Some of our favorite plants this summer are the snake plant, philodendron, and zz plant.
  • Find new planters: Now that you’ve added a few new plants to your collection, it’s time to swap out their nursery pots to ones with a bit more color for the summer. Consider crafting your own creation or finding one you like on Etsy.
  • Opt for a vibrant-colored lamp: One easy way to add another pop of color to your home office this summer is by swapping out your table or floor lamps with one that has a little more color.
  • Light a citrus candle: Adding a crisp scent to your office space when you start the work day makes you feel ultra refreshed to crank out your tasks for the day.
  • Hang breezy sheer curtains: Nothing says summer more than an open window with curtains swaying in the wind. Consider swapping out your current curtains with ones a little lighter in weight, texture, and color, like the Sheer Crosshatch Curtain from West Elm.
  • Add a mirror or two: An easy way to play up the light in your home office is by adding a few more mirrors. Since mirrors tend to extend the natural light within your room, adding a few to your home office can help you work those longer hours as needed.

If you’re in need of more space for a home office, you came to the right place. The Luxury Living team can help you find a luxury Chicago condo that suits your needs. Connect with us to start your search today!

Looking for more ways you can decorate your home this summer? Follow the link below!

Summer Decor Ideas

Summer Living Room Decor for Your Chicago Condo

If your shared spaces are starting to feel tired and dreary, brighten them up with summer living room decor.

Summer Living Room Decor Ideas

We’ve compiled some suggestions to spruce up your shared space this season:

  1. Bright pillows– Decorative pillows are a simple way to brighten up your space for the summer. If you have more neutral furniture, incorporate colorful pillows to brighten up the entire living room.
  2. Fun blankets – Finding complimentary throws is another way to add dimension to a neutral space. Look for a lighter blanket with bold colors or playful patterns.
  3. A new rug- If you’re without a rug or need to upgrade your current one, consider investing in one with fun designs or colors to liven up the living area.
  4. Colorful prints- If your wall space is feeling pretty empty or dull, visit a local art shop and find some bright prints to add to your walls. You can also find some fun frames to go with the artwork at many local thrift shops.
  5. More plants- Incorporating greenery into your shared space can bring it to life. Visit your local plant shop or farmers market and find fun plants and pots to plant them in. Alternatively, hanging plants also adds a fun touch. You can also get in the habit of rotating out different flowers in a dazzling vase as well.
  6. String lights- Throw up some fairy string lights to brighten up your space in the evening. You’ll find this simple decor completely changes the feel of the room, especially during a summer movie night. Consider hanging up LED vine curtains string lights as a one-step solution for adding light and greenery.
  7. Invest in a diffuser- Not only are there a variety of fun diffusers out there to choose from, but this is also a way to actually freshen your place up for summer. Find the diffuser that fits your style, and then choose scented essential oils that remind you of summertime.
  8. Add Candles– Bright, scented candles throughout the living room are another easy way to enhance the smell of your space and provide you those summertime feels.

Dedicating time to switch up or add new summer living room decor can drastically refresh your space. 

If you’re ready to move on to a new living situation this summer or beyond, let Luxury Living Chicago Realty help you find the perfect luxury Chicago condo for you. Our team of experienced brokers can narrow down the space that best suits your needs. Connect with us today!

Looking for a few more decor ideas for the rest of your space this summer? Click the link below for 20+ tips on how to freshen up your home during the warmer months.

Summer Decor Ideas

Upgrade Your Balcony Decor This Summer

Whether you’re just moving in or your outdoor areas need a refresh, the right balcony decor can positively impact your at-home experiences this summer.

Balcony Decor Ideas for Summer

Check out some of the best ways to make the most of your outdoor space this summer:

  1. Set the tone with the right furniture– Not only is outdoor furniture often the focal point of a balcony, but it is also where you’ll most likely be spending the bulk of your time if you’re outside. Be sure to find furniture that fits your aesthetic while also remaining practical. You can find multi-purpose furniture pieces, like ottoman benches that provide storage and seating all in one.
  2. Outdoor throws are a must- Not only do blankets add a nice decorative touch to a space, but they also come in handy when the temperature starts to cool down. Store the throws in an outdoor ottoman, and bring them out when you spend an evening on your balcony.
  3. Consider a fireplace- Along with blankets, outdoor fireplaces are ideal on cooler nights and they also add a cozy element to the space. Even if your balcony is smaller in size, there are plenty of smaller firepits intentionally built for patios with limited square footage.
  4. Spruce it up with greenery- Outdoor plants bring a space to life. Spend a day at a local plant shop or farmer’s market and find plants that fit your preference. You can then pot your plant in unique pot stands, hang them from the ceilings, or take advantage of window boxes. 
  5. Distinguish zones- If your space allows, treat your balcony like an indoor living room. Consider separating it into different spots to maximize the functionality. Maybe one section is for dining, while the other is for games or grilling, and another is for lounging.
  6. Incorporate mirrors- Instead of traditional all art, try hanging mirrors on your exterior walls. This move can accentuate a good view and ensure people can capture it, regardless of where they’re seated.
  7. Go with a grill- Whether you consider yourself a grill master or you simply like to entertain, investing in a quality grill can improve the use of your outdoor space (and your cooking options). You can go with a smaller grill if you’re working with less square footage, but if space isn’t an issue, find a larger grill that fits your cooking needs.

The outdoor space is just as important as the inside of a home! Be sure to take advantage of these balcony decor ideas to elevate your exterior this summer.

Looking for more outdoor space in your luxury Chicago condo? Ask an experienced Luxury Living Chicago Realty broker about the condo options that might be right for you. Our team members can find you your dream home with your ideal features inside and outside.

Follow the link below for a few more summer decor ideas you can implement throughout the rest of your home!

Summer Decor Ideas

DIY Summer Decor — Get Crafty This Summer

Decorating on a budget? Check out these DIY summer decor ideas.

DIY Summer Decor Ideas

In need of a few summer decor ideas on a budget or just feeling crafty? Keep reading for a few DIY decor ideas you can use for your condo this summer.

  • DIY summer wreath: If your entryway door needs some sprucing up, consider crafting your own summer wreath. Head to Michaels or Hobby Lobby and find a few handfuls of some summery flowers, ribbon, or other summery items.
  • Floral centerpiece: Whether real or artificial, some bright yellow or crisp white flowers swapped in for your kitchen or coffee table centerpiece is another easy way to bring summer inside.
  • Swap out your prints: Head over to Etsy and explore their collection of summer prints to add some tropical beach vibes to your home.
  • Painted planters: Another great DIY summer decor idea is giving your plants’ homes an upgrade. One way to do this is by painting your terra cotta (or other pre-existing) planters.
  • Summer throw pillows: This DIY is a rather simple one, but if your living room or bedroom pillows have a zipper, consider swapping out the pillowcase for a fun, summery print from Society6.
  • Stenciled welcome mats: If you’re an avid lake or beach goer, this DIY summer decor idea is perfect for you. From citrus prints to fun summer quotes, you can let your imagination run wild here.
  • Citrus stamped kitchen towels: Use lemons, limes, or even some unique leaves to bring some of the outdoors into your kitchen this summer.
  • Handmade coasters: Paint anything from fresh fruits to fun stenciled patterns. You could even paste some of your most treasured beach vacation photos, coated with some modge podge for an added layer of protection.

Now that you have a few summer decor DIYs to begin working on, it’s time to find the perfect new home to display them in. If you’re on the hunt for a new downtown Chicago condo, the experts at LLCR can help. Our team of experienced professionals are well-versed in the Chicago market and are equipped with answers to any questions you have about the home buying process. Connect with us today to start your search.

Looking for more summer decor ideas for your living room, office, balcony, and more? Follow the link below for 20+ summer decor ideas for your condo.

Summer Decor Ideas

8 Home Renovation Tips to Add Value to Your Home

If you find yourself asking what kinds of renovations add the most value to your home, you’re in the right place. The best home upgrades vary from person to person, but in general there are a few key areas in your home that you should focus on when going about home renovations to increase your home value.

8 Home Renovations to Increase Your Home Value

Below are some of the most worthwhile home renovations that increase your home’s value while optimizing your return on investment.

  1. Minor kitchen remodel: Upgrading the kitchen lighting, installing a new backsplash, swapping out appliances, or adding a fresh coat of paint to your walls will do wonders when it comes time to put your home on the market.
  2. Upgrade the bathroom: Replacing old lighting, fixtures, vanities, or dated wall coverings is the best bang for your buck when looking to add value to your home. Since the bathroom typically is the smallest room in the house, it’s rather cost effective to install some nicer flooring in this area to boost your resale value even more.
  3. Add some curb appeal: Nothing is worse than a beautiful home with terrible landscaping. This rather cost-effective solution to upgrading your home can be simple through the addition of a few plants or flowers and some mulching.
  4. Replace the windows: Consistently ranked as one of the top home upgrades to boost resale value, upgrading your windows will typically give you about a 75% return on your investment.
  5. Swap out your flooring: If your carpet or hardwood is rather worn down, replacing your flooring will ultimately improve your home value in the long run. 
  6. Install smart home technology: From smart locks and doorbells to high-tech lighting and energy efficient thermostats, the possibilities are endless for upgrading your home with some of these advanced technologies.
  7. Add a fresh coat of paint: One of the easiest and most cost-efficient renovation ideas for your home is to give your walls a fresh coat of paint. Swapping out your dated wallpaper or a funky colored paint for a fresher, more versatile option is a great way to make your home more appealing and desirable.
  8. Finish your basement: Finished basements tend to give homeowners a return of anywhere between 50-75% of their investment, making it another great option for your home renovations.

Now that you have an idea of some of the top renovations you can make to your home to receive the highest ROI, it’s time to get started on the selling process. Connect with one of our experienced team members today to help walk you through the selling process and assist you in the purchase of your new home as well.

Looking for more renovation ideas for every room in your home? Follow the link below!

Condo Renovation Ideas For Every Room

Summer Decor Ideas for Your Chicago Condo

When you’re not out enjoying the beach at your favorite tropical destination, you may be wondering how else you can experience the greatness of summer all season long even when at home. Thankfully, we have plenty of summer decor ideas that you can use to freshen up your condo for the summer season.

Summer Living Room Decor

When summer rolls around, it’s time to get thinking of how you can turn your most-used space into a warm-weather retreat. Keep reading for a few summer decor ideas for your living room:

  • Play up the bold colors: Summertime is for all the bright, cheery colors. Adding a few more pops of color to your space throughout the sunnier months is a great way to embrace all aspects of summer. Consider bringing in a few bright colors and patterns to your statement pieces, decor, or artwork.
  • Organize your beach gear: If you’re an avid beach go-er, this is a must. Having a visually-appealing place to store your beach and outdoorsy essentials for the summer is a great way to play up the summer theme whilst finding a better place to store your most-used summer items. Consider swapping your blanket basket for one that holds your beach towels, sunscreen, and other summertime essentials.
  • Bring on the breezy: From flowy curtains to light throws, adding some shades of white through varying textures and fabrics is a perfect way to feel refreshed and cool during those extra-hot months.
  • Swap out your pillows: If you’re a fan of the darker patterns and colors on your throw pillows, consider exchanging those with fun and bright florals or other patterns for the summer months.
  • Introduce new artwork: An easy way to add some summer accents to your walls without repainting them is switching up your artwork. Consider adding some fun-colored prints or destination maps to your pre-existing  frames.

For more condo decorating ideas for your living room, click here.

Summer Decorations for Your Home Office

With many of us in this new hybrid or fully remote world, your home office is another staple area to bring in some summer decor. Here are just a few summer decor office ideas:

  • Embrace your inner green thumb: Even if you’re not the best at keeping plants alive, there are plenty of plants that are perfect for the summer months and are pretty tough to kill (keep reading for some of our favorite picks!)
  • Light a few summer-scented candles: Adding some linen or lemon-scented candles really elevates the summertime mood, especially when you’re longing to be outside after working for hours in your home office.
  • Play up the mirrors: Since home offices are typically smaller spaces, it’s important to enhance all the natural light within your space by utilizing mirrors. Mirrors are a great way to extend the natural light within a room, which is exceptionally important when we get so much of it during the summer months.

Looking for a few more home office design ideas all year around? Check out our blog on maximizing space in your home office.

Balcony Decor for Summer

It goes without saying that your balcony or other outdoor space is one of the most important spaces in your home to focus on for creating that summer retreat feel. Below are a few balcony decor ideas for summer:

  • Bring the bar cart outside: Since many of your get-togethers will be hosted outside all summer long, it only makes sense that your bar cart moves with you. Here you can host all of the fun cocktail mixers and glassware for those perfect summery drinks.
  • Fire up the fire pit: If your condo allows it, consider adding a fire pit to your backyard. If that’s not in the cards for you, there are also plenty of fire pit tables that use propane or natural gas so you can still achieve those cozy campfire vibes.
  • String some lights: When the sun goes down, some twinkling string lights are a great way to keep the vibes up even after the sun sets.
  • Add an umbrella: If you have some outdoor seating, whether that be a dining table or lounge seating, an umbrella is another great add to your space. Aside from the aesthetic booster, adding an umbrella also protects from the ultra-sunny rays when you want to stay cool.

Decorate with Small Indoor Plants

One of the most cost efficient ways to breathe new life into your space during the summer is with some smaller indoor plants. Here are some of our favorite hard-to-kill plants:

  • Pothos: These low-light loving plants are known for their long leggy vines that look fantastic on shelves. Pothos also tend to grow pretty fast, so they’re a fun one to experiment with.
  • Philodendron: Also an easy-going plant, philodendrons are often touted for their air-cleaning abilities indoors; just another plus of having this in your home!
  • Snake Plant: One of the toughest houseplants, these plants can tolerate almost all types of indoor conditions making it a great pick for an indoor plant.
  • Succulents: One of the easiest plants out there is the succulent. This plant is perfect for starters, as it hardly needs watered or cared for.
  • Aloe Vera: Perfect for summer, you can actually use the gel inside of this desert plant as a traditional sunburn soother. 

DIY Summer Decor

Part of the summer decorating fun is DIYing some of the decor yourselves. Check out a few DIY summer decor ideas:

  • Dipped planters: Speaking of plants, one of the easiest DIY summer decor pieces are painted or “dipped” planters. Tape off an area you want to paint on your ceramic planter and get to painting! When choosing which color to use, consider going with a fun and bright color to play up the summertime theme.
  • Stenciled welcome mats: Perfect for knocking all the sand off your shoes, a stenciled welcome mat is a summer decor DIY must. From watermelons to fun sayings, you can let your imagination run wild here.
  • DIY tote bags: DIYing your own tote bags is great for all the farmers market go-ers. Grab some blank canvas tote bags from your local craft store, cut out a template you’d like to use, and get to painting. When all said and done with your new tote bags, display them proudly on your entryway hooks so everyone can see your crafty endeavours. 
  • Serving trays: The possibilities are endless with this fun DIY summer decor craft. Grab a blank wooden serving tray from your craft store and paint it, add a fun print, or try something unique like mosaic glass or pressed flowers. After hosting your get-together, you can use these trays as a centerpiece for a coffee table or display it on your kitchen island.
  • Handmade coasters: This easy DIY is perfect for your summer parties or any warm-weather entertaining in general. If you’re always in need of a spot to sit your punch, soda, or any fun cocktail, you absolutely need to try this DIY. Paint anything from lemons and limes, to fun stenciled patterns and prints, to photos of your beach vacations, and more. Bonus tip: these coasters are not only great for parties, but they also look great sitting out on your coffee table all summer long, too.

Summer Party Decor Ideas

Want to make your backyard the place to be this summer? Consider adding a few of these summer party decor ideas to your next party to-do list:

  • Style your bar cart: A must for summer parties, make sure your bar cart is stocked with colorful pieces like bowls of citrus, floral and fruity mixers, and fun-colored cocktail glasses.
  • String a garland or lights: Nothing says a summer party like a festive and fun garland or twinkling lights.
  • Play up the bold colors: Hang some fun-colored paper lanterns or play up the summer colors through your table linens.
  • Florals are your friend: For a summertime party, floral arrangements are key. Whether that means bringing out some of your favorite indoor plants or picking up a few bouquets of your summer favorites, florals are a great way to add a little something extra to your summer get-togethers.
  • Get beachy: If you’re hosting a beach-themed party, search for some nautical elements. These accents can be found anywhere from plates and napkins to decor and party food.

Summer is the perfect time to start adding bits of cheery colors, florals, and breezy textures to your home. Now that you have a few ideas for making your home the ultimate summer retreat, it’s time to start decorating.

If you’re looking for a new place with more outdoor space, a balcony, added natural light, or just something different, connect with us today! The experienced Luxury Living team is here to help find you your perfect home, during the summer months or any time after that. Get in touch with us today!

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Tips to Shrink your Property’s Footprint

As a homeowner, you can reduce your property’s footprint and help protect the environment. We’re here to help share some practical ways to do this.

According to the Energy Information Administration, the U.S. residential sector accounts for 21 percent of all energy consumption and is responsible for 20 percent of our country’s carbon emissions. This means that improving your home’s energy efficiency doesn’t just help reduce your bill, but it also helps reduce your property’s footprint.

Check out these simple steps to living a more energy-efficient lifestyle within your home.

Tips to Shrink Your Property’s Footprint

  • Invest in a smart thermostat– Many smart thermostats learn your temperature preferences and establish a schedule that automatically adjusts to energy-saving temperatures when you are asleep or away.
  • Keep your home tightly sealed- Air sealing your property is a great way to avoid leaks and drafts in your home, saving you on heating and cooling bills while improving energy efficiency.
  • Wash your clothes in cold water- Nearly all of the energy the washing machine uses goes towards heating the water. According to the Sierra Club, every household that switches to cold water washing could eliminate about 1,600 pounds of carbon dioxide a year.

Recycling and Waste Reduction

Recycling can minimize the rate of global climate change by reducing the extraction of raw materials from the earth and the amount of fossil fuel burnt in the manufacturing process.

Consider the following to reduce your waste and carbon footprint:

  • Visit Recycle by City to find out what you can do and what can be recycled.
  • Bring your reusable food containers with you to restaurants for leftovers.
  • Find a service that stops sending junk mail.
  • Donate old clothes that are not in great condition to H&M so that the materials can be repurposed.
  • Find a company that will recycle old phones or electronics.

Reducing Toxins

There are multiple ways you can reduce the toxins your property emits to shrink the footprint it leaves:

  • Install a water filtration system to remove lead, pharmaceuticals, and other toxic substances.
  • Switch from non-stick cookware to stainless steel or glass cookware and bakeware. Research shows that the chemicals used to manufacture non-stick coatings can harm human health and the environment.
  • Buy mattresses and couches free of flame retardants, which have been found to be toxic to humans.
  • Use non-toxic paints to avoid inhaling toxic fumes.
  • Invest in an indoor air purifier to help with air quality.

Solar and Clean Energy

These types of energy can significantly reduce the CO2 emissions per unit of electricity. Consider the following:

  • Federal and state incentives can help cover up to half the cost of switching to solar in your home.
  • Power your home with solar energy without installing panels through the program Community Solar.
  • Find out if your roof is a good candidate for solar with Rooftop Resources.
  • Visit Illinois Shines to find out what the state is up to regarding solar power.

Water Conservation

Learn how to reduce your water usage to make your home more environmentally friendly:

  • Run your dishwasher only when it’s fully loaded.
  • Flush your toilets less.
  • Upgrade old showers and faucets with newer efficient models.

Protecting our environment can begin in your home. Start implementing these tips so that you can reduce your bill and the footprint you leave.

Looking for a new construction home with the latest energy efficient appliances and features? Connect with our experienced team of professionals today. We are here to help you find the home of your dreams that checks off all the boxes.

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Get in touch with Luxury Living's team of experienced licensed real estate brokers and take the first step in buying or selling a home in Chicago.