I live in Evanston, which is the first suburb north of Chicago, IL, in an area known in our region as 'Greater Chicagoland'.  The entire area that surrounds Chicago (also known as the 'collar counties' that surround Chicago's "Cook County").I don't know of any other community that speaks of itself in such terms.  We don't talk about New Yorkland, or San Franciscoland.  Houstonland, People who live in distant communities such as Naperville, which is over 30 miles from Chicago proper, calls itself a part of Chicagoland.  When traveling out of state, and people ask where we're from, we don't automatically say we're from Skokie, or Cicero... we say Chicago... with a modicum of pride.According to TimeOut magazine, Chicago was voted as one of the top best cities in the world (#11).  I know, I... 06/03/2025

 Chicago New Construction Homes: Spotting Quality BuildsIntroAs a seasoned real estate agent and construction industry veteran, I've learned that finding a high-quality new construction home in the Chicago area requires a keen eye and a discerning approach. When you're investing hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of dollars into a property, you want to ensure you're getting a home that's a good quality build and not just an ok one.TrimThe first thing I examine when walking into a new construction property is the trim. These days, many builders opt for a clean, white aesthetic, using medium-density fiberboard (MDF) for the baseboards, door frames, and other trim elements. While MDF may be a more cost-effective choice for the builder, it's not nearly as durable as real wood. MDF is ... 06/01/2024

Why Trust Femme Capital Partners To Be Your Mortgage Broker?  Femme Capital Partners is a lending and small business consulting firm committed to strengthening financial futures.  We are a full-service, residential and commercial mortgage broker based in Chicago, IL , also serving Florida and Coming Soon....... South Carolina.  Our mission is simple, strengthen financial futures while paving the way to long-term wealth.   How Do We Accomplish Providing a Mortgage Loan? Concrete Communication Femme Capital Partners utilizes a hands on approach that allows our clients to have direct access to us as their trusted advisors. We provide clarity, so that our client’s feel comfortable and never forgotten. Exponential ValueOur commitment to our Chicagoland clients goes beyond the initial partne... 01/30/2023

By R. Michael BrownResidential real estate sales have been a bright spot for the economy since the onset of the pandemic, but along with retail, entertainment and other economic sectors, new-home construction has struggled.Wild fluctuations in the cost of building materials, rapidly changing buyer preferences and a variety of other factors have compelled builders and developers to find innovative solutions to get their projects completed.The Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago and New Home Source websites show there are 503 homebuilders in Chicagoland selling 296 communities. Shoppers can tour 213 model homes and 196 quick move-in homes are available. Prices are from $220,310 to $6,550,000.Chicagoland new-home sales lost much of their early 2021 strength in the spring, mostly b... 02/21/2022

Parts of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs are experiencing record sales since the start of the pandemic. The overall real estate market in Chicagoland is strong. When putting your home on the market, you’ll want to do everything possible to make it attractive to buyers so you can get a good price and sell quickly. This will require a combination of making needed repairs, pricing it correctly, decluttering, and staging so it looks terrific for showings.Getting a home in ‘ready to sell’ condition is one of the most important steps to selling your home. No matter what market, there are key elements that should be addressed to position your home for success. These include: Price Condition Staging How Should you Price your Chicago Home?The first step in the selling process is figuring out... 09/17/2021

Listen in to this week's podcast as host Guinevere Moore discusses best practices for responding to Information Document Requests (IDRs) from the IRS, including how to balance meeting your clients’ needs with meeting ethical standards practitioners must follow under Circular 230, and how to set your client up for success in litigation through proper IDR practice if an agreement can’t be reached in exam or at appeals.Check out the episode here: https://taxrepllc.com/subscribe-tax-rep-network-podcast/  Want to contact Gwen? guinevere.moore@mooretaxlawgroup.com  Want to build your IRS Representation practice and add $100,000 to your bottom line this year? Join us inside Https://taxrepllc.com  How to get the software we use? Go to www.TaxHelpSoftware.com  and use code TAXREPTRIAL for a free... 05/02/2021

Chicago 2 Flat Home Renovation View the progress of this Chicago 2 flat conversion to a single family home. This Chicago 2 flat was purchased with a renovation loan that covered the entire construction cost. The existing Chicago 2 flat was completely gutted to the brick and all new framing, electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling was installed. Then drywall and all the carpentry finishes. Harwood floors, kitchen cabinets, tiled bathrooms etc. The process of converting a Chicago 2 flat to a single family home is not an easy task and watching this video will help you to understand the steps necessary to complete the renovation. I specialize in Chicago 2 flats and can help you find one that would be a good candidate for rehabbing. Knowing what to look for can help you avoid buying a Chic... 12/08/2020

In 2017, Wicker Park was named one of the 25 hottest neighborhoods in America by Hot Spot Rentals. Since then, it’s only continued to impress as one of the most vibrant communities in Chicago. While it received this accolade based on things like walkability, transit, budget, entertainment, and lifestyle, the soul of this dynamic area comes from its diversity and not just ethnic diversity, but its ability to blend all of its unique characteristics in harmony. While the area has been called a hipster spot thanks to an established arts community, as well as eclectic restaurants, bars, and nightlife, it’s also known for its family-friendly atmosphere. Located just west of the Kennedy Expressway, its boundaries are the 606/Bloomingdale Trail, Division St., Western Ave., and Ashland Ave. Wick... 02/09/2020

1330 S. Plymouth Ct. $1,289,000 1330 S Plymouth has a fantastic layout. Three levels of comfortable living. In addition to the 5 bedrooms, 3 ½ baths, and 4 fireplaces, there are many features that most homes do not enjoy. For instance, upon entering the home, the front door/ample porch is covered. This is ideal for package delivery and waiting for guests. It is a pleasant area to sit and relax to boot. Once passed the front door, a spacious light-filled atrium foyer with 2 closets welcomes you. Two skylights allow a flow of natural light throughout the day. A foyer is hard to come by in many South Loop homes, let alone one so spacious and welcoming.     The kitchen in this home comes complete with a walk-in-pantry, ideal for food and large appliance storage. It overlooks a massive wrap... 01/29/2020

       Chicago Stone Restoration  Date: 03-02-19  County: Cook  City: Chicago, IL 60016  Job Details: Regardless of how you take care of your granite or  marble countertops, eventually they will need some  maintenance. Granite Heroes provides Chicago with professional stone polishing & restoration services. Every week we fix, polish and restore all species of natural stone counter tops & vanities. This project documents the honing of a marble countertop in a Chicago high rise. This job consisted of reducing the polish on the counter top form a high polish to a honed finish. Honing marble and honed finish on natural stone are becoming more and more popular. We find our Chicago stone restoration clients prefer a honed finish on their marble vanities because its more resistant to etching ... 03/14/2019

Granite Countertop Seam Repair: Chicago & Northshore ILDoes your countertop have cracked or missing material falling our from the seams. This is actually very common. Granite Countertop seam repair is a common and affordable maintenance service in the Chicagoland area. A seam in a granite countertop is something you can see and feel. Most times there is at least 1 seam in a typical kitchen countertop.  If your kitchen countertop is longer than 10 feet then it most likely will have a seam. This video documents the removal of old filler from a clients kitchen countertop in Chicago.6 Common Seam Repair Questions: How much does granite repair cost? How do you break granite countertop seams? Do granite countertops have seams? How do you repair epoxy granite? How much does it cost to seal gra... 12/18/2018

Step 1: Slate Floor Cleaning & Stripping This is what happens to natural stone floor, specifically slate, when the flooring is waxed with a carpet covering the floor tiles for a period of time.  Slate floors are a common flooring element in most homes in the Chicagoland area.  Most of the flooring has years of wax and buildup from outdated cleaning tactics.  Don't Fear, The Granite Heroes are here and have modern day solutions for old school problems.  Step 2: Edging and Detail Striping The most important part of any Chicago floor refinishing service we provide is the details. Natural stone shows every imperfection.  This Chicago slate floor restoration project really  the need to remove illustrates the wax from the edges and create a uniform finish to the slate flooring. We use specia... 12/11/2018

  Do you schedule marble restoration service the same way you schedule your HVAC guy? (Chicagoland) Marble is a elegant stone which holds a hyper sensitive polish a needs the guidance of a Granite Hero. White marble is the mainstream design trend in Chicago, & will require yearly maintenance to keep the new, clean & modern look.  Do you have a Chicagoland marble restoration service to repair and maintain the appearance of your kitchen island and counter tops?  What about the bathroom vanities? Are those natural stone?  Natural stone or marble is exactly what it sounds like, natural stone. This means its functionality has been essentially re-purposed by man kind to be used as a furnishing. This engennering of sorts will then require routine care and maintenance in order to preserve the ... 12/10/2018

Marble is mined and quarried from the mountains.Marble is a metamorphic stone found in the mountains of North America, South America, Asia, and, Europe. Italy is the most famous region form the mining and distribution of marble. Marble doesn't come from the corn fields of Chicago.  Massive amounts of heat and pressure, changes limestone physically and chemically into something harder and denser over millions of years. This creation process is known as recrystallization. Despite what your contractor may tell you, No two slabs are exactly alike!Think of a slab of marble like a set of finger prints. No, 2 sets are the same.  Its super important when choosing a stone slab before fabrication and installation your contractors have the proper overage estimates to insure if something goes wrong... 12/06/2018

Everyone needs a Marble or Natural Stone Guy! Call: 312-800-1659Does your Chicago home or business have natural stone, marble or terrazzo requiring maintenance, repairs or restoration services. Over 15 years of natural stone restoration experience. Our years of experience and craftsmanship will reproduce a factory quality finish on all granite or marble countertops and vanities. Solve and fix problems like etching, water spots, glass ring marks, chips & cracks.MARBLE & TERRAZZO - Cleaning, Polishing & Repair ServiceWe are a locally family owned and operated Chicago marble cleaning & restoration service company. We work with all species types like, bluestone, slate, limestone, travertine, marble, granite, terrazzo, quartz and concrete. We care about quality work and quality relationships... 12/04/2018

Do you need a professional marble bathroom cleaning service near Chicago, IL?Marble bathrooms can be difficult to maintain. Do you have a marble cleaning and restoration service capable of fixing and maintaining the condition of your natural stone bathrooms?  Granite Heroes is professional Marble Bathroom Cleaning and restoration service servicing Chicago and the North Shore area of Chicago.  We specialize in the care and maintenance of all natural stone surfaces. Chicagoland Marble Bathroom Cleaning & Restoration Services: Marble Shower Cleaning Marble Shower Polishing Marble Shower Grout Cleaning & Caulking Marble Shower Grout Repair or Replacement. Marble Vanity or Countertop Polishing Etch, Spot & Stain Removal Counter top Chip & Crack Repair Marble Floor Cleaning Marble Floor Grout... 11/30/2018

 Expert Marble Shower Cleaning services near Chicago, IL Do you have a marble shower with dirty grout lines?  Is the caulking and silicon moldy or cracked and falling apart? If any of these sound familiar then you need to have your shower professionally cleaned and sealed before water damage effects the look of your shower. Granite Heroes utilize multiple techniques to clean and hone your marble shower tiles back to their original factory finish.  For more information regarding our Chicago marble cleaning services give us a call today at 312-800-1659 to learn more.  Visit our website at graniteheroes.com to upload photos of your marble cleaning project via our photo uploader.  We service both Chicago, Lake County, Cook County and Dupage Counties in Illinois.    11/05/2018

  Chicago Marble Cleaning and Polishing Services This holiday season take advantage of our Chicago marble cleaning and polishing services. Save $75.00 on your next project. Call today @ 312-800-1659 and provide the Promo code HERO18. Offer is valid on all marble showers, marble floors and marble countertops. Residents must be located in the City of Chicago. Visit graniteheroes.com for more info.           10/15/2018

Granite Hero October Hints: Before You Buy Your Stone, Know Your Stone! These days all  you need to do is walk into a local stone yard and you ll see an astonishing range of granite, quartzite, marble, onyx, and more. But does this abundantly available supply of natural stone options come with a hidden cost? The answer more times than not is yes!Choose your natural stone counter tops wisely.Harder more dense stones like granite are the best choices because they are perfect for  kitchens where durability counts. Stay away form Softer stones like marble and limestone if you have "high traffic" in the kitchen. These exotic soft stones require more care and are better choices for bathroom vanities.  “There’s a trend toward white marble right now”Marble has been prominently used in European ... 10/02/2018

Baird & Warner Real Estate’s Good Will Network Donates $120,000 Each year, real estate agents at Baird & Warner Real Estate in Chicago and suburbs have the opportunity to submit their favorite charity to become a beneficiary of our Good Will Network. The Good Will Network focus is on organizations that provide shelter, primarily for women and children.  Ten finalists are chosen by the Baird & Warner Agent Advisory Council and the public is invited to vote for the winners on social media. Baird & Warner gives the winners more power to make a difference for our neighbors in need - and support our Chicagoland communities.  Here are this year’s non-profit winners and their $24,000 checks!Almost Home Kids - Chicago   Safe Families for Children - Chicago       A Safe Place - Zion      360 You... 09/13/2018