Top 5 Things to Do Before Listing Your Home

It’s a brand new year!  Many of you may be considering a change of address with 2013 upon us.  If you're already a home owner, you'll have to sell your existing home. Here are a few thoughts about prepping your home. 

If you want it to sell for a million bucks it should look like a million bucks.

•     It’s a simple concept, one which is often ignored or poorly communicated: If your home looks the part, someone will be happy to write you a check. To illustrate this in reverse ask yourself, “Would you pay a new car price for an average used car?"

Accentuate the positive.

•     May be your home isn't perfect - few homes are. Ask yourself what is special about your home and highlight that feature. Have a great deck in your backyard? Show off your outside oasis; outfit the space with plants and flowers to go with your outdoor furniture.

Cleanliness counts.

•     If your house is on the market, keep it clean at ALL TIMES. An agent may want to show your house last minute, and it's best to be prepared. If it's untidy - buyers will sense your home has less value! If you want top dollar for your home, it needs to be presented in its best state. I promise you flash equals cash.

Price your home to make it an outstanding value.

•     Even though low inventories have helped to generate improved sales, it's the homes with prices that appear to be a real value that produce multiple offer situations. This is the best way to guarantee a great sales price!

If you can only do one thing: stage your home.

•     Few people have the eye for interior design that a professional does. Without investing thousands of dollars, a staging company can help refine your home by de-cluttering, optimizing your use of the space and enhancing your lighting. Bringing in an outside eye might bring a whole new perspective! 

By: Philip Schwartz

Happy Holidays!

Last week our office got together, shared some wine and snacks, put on holiday tunes and decorated the office! It really is the most wonderful time of the year. 

Happy Holidays from City North! 

Logan Square Mystery

City North agent Philip Schwartz found this Chicago fossil in his newest listing in Logan Square. Can you guess what year this furnace is from? A hint....it's original to this house!

Open House Chicago

 (All images sourced from openhousechicago.com)

If you're looking for something to do this weekend in Chicago - look no further! The Chicago Architecture Foundation is hosting its second annual Open House Chicago this Saturday and Sunday, October 13th and 14th, 2012.

This is a rare chance to see inside numerous spaces all over the city - from Pilsen to Uptown - all for FREE! 150 venues are opening their doors for a behind the scenes look into places usually closed to the public. From the CAF website: "Explore repurposed mansions, hidden rooms, sacred spaces, private clubs, iconic theatres, hotels, offices, community murals and more..." 

Here is the full list of sites - it's long, so make a list of your must-see places in advance: 

http://www.openhousechicago.org/sites/

Curried Apple Fritters

Baird & Warner City North agent Peter Andros is not only an accomplished Chicago realtor, he's also a food blogger! We asked him to share a seasonal, fall recipe, and of course he didn't disappoint! 

Be sure to visit his blog, The Roaming Gastronome after whipping these fritters up! 

Curried Apple Fritters (makes 12-15 depending on your sizing)

• 4 oz flour
• 4 oz milk
• 1 large egg (is about 2 oz)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tsp curry powder
• 2 C diced apple (I used 1 large Fuji apple)
• Oil for frying (I used grapeseed oil)

In a bowl combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and curry powder.  In a separate bowl whisk the milk and egg together.  Pour the liquid into the flour and mix well into a batter consistency.

Add the diced apple and mix well coating all the diced apple with batter.

In a small frying pan add enough oil which will come up about halfway on the fritter.  Small pan = less oil, large skillet = more oil.  Heat over med-high heat until hot.  Be careful.  Scoop up some batter with a large spoon and slide the batter into the pan.  Don’t put too many in the pan.  You don’t want to cool the oil down.  Put 2-3 dollops of the fitter batter in the oil, fry for 1-2 minutes until the edges turn golden brown.

Carefully turn the fritters over and fry for 1-2 more minutes until browned.

Remove from pan and set on a paper towel to cool and drain.  Eat.

Fall Fun in Chicago!

As city dwellers, it often seems many of the fall activities are way out in the suburbs. Not true! There are some great autumn family things to do right here in Chicago!

Image Source

Looking for a pumpkin patch? Head over to Horner Park! October 20th from 10am - 2pm, you can pick your own pumpkin, plus enjoy many other activities (hayrides, petting zoo, etc). More info here. 

Image Source

If you've gone apple picking and need to use up the apples filling up your kitchen, visit one of two local apple pie baking contests! First up is October 9th, then again on the 14th, both in Holstein Park. Get grandma's recipe now!!!

Image Source

Let's not forget this month's namesake, Oktoberfest! Grab your steins and head to these beer-centric festivals (via TimeOut Chicago): 

The Berghoff Oktoberfest The 27th-annual celebration has its own mascot, a bratwurst named Herman the German. This year, to honor Oktoberfest’s origins as a gala for Prince Ludwig’s marriage to Princess Therese of Bavaria in 1810, one engaged couple is crowned prince and princess. John C. Kluczynski Federal Plaza at Adams and Dearborn Sts (theberghoff.com). Thu 13, Fri 14; 11am–9pm; free.

Mctoberfest German-Irish relations show no sign of a strain at this bash that combines Munich’s Oktoberfest with an authentic Irish pub. Jimmy’s Bavarians band cranks out the medleys. Fifth Province Pub, 4626 N Knox Ave (773-282-7035, ext.10, irish-american.org). Sept 28 5pm–midnight; $10.

Oktoberfest at St. Alphonsus Church Put down the brew to dance to live music by the Bratwurst Brothers. The indoor/outdoor affair plays host to Kinder-fest, a tyke-friendly fete.1429 W Wellington Ave (Southport at Lincoln Aves) Sept 28 5–10pm; Sept 29 11am–10pm; Sept 30 11am–7pm; $5.

Top Five Fall Desserts Recipes to Try: Pumpkin Edition

Fall has arrived in Chicago! Leaves are slowly turning color and crunching under foot, and a sweater or scarf is a must when leaving the house. With the change of season comes some delicious seasonal foods that come but once a year - namely a personal favorite: PUMPKIN!

This is my favorite time of year to head into the kitchen and try some tasty new recipes out. As always, I turn to Pinterest for inspiration. Here are the top five pumpkin desserts I'll be whipping up in the kitchen in the coming weeks (images are linked):

1. Pumpkin Whoopie Pies 

2. Pumpkin Magic Bars

3. Pumpkin Roll Cake

Let's not forget the classics!

4. Pumpkin Bread (this recipe claims to be super moist!)

5. Pumpkin Pie 

Have a trusty pumpkin recipe that never disappoints? Let us know!