Illinois is home to many different housing markets, but the three largest cities, like Chicago, Aurora, and Naperville, stand out the most. Each has its own lifestyle, housing prices, and challenges. Let’s look at how real estate differs in these cities. Chicago: Big City, Big Variety Chicago is the largest city in Illinois and has […]
Tag: Illinois
Chicagoland Home Supply Struggles to Keep Up With Buyers
When people in Chicago real estate talk about the market right now, most of them focus on one issue: inventory. Over half of agents say that the number of homes available to buy is the most important factor this year. Interest rates and prices matter too, but they don’t compare. The lack of enough homes […]
Chicago’s Housing Market Faces the Challenge of High Rent
Why is rent so high? As the curtain fell on 2023, the cost of renting mid- to high-end apartments in the Chicago metro area saw an uptick, according to news outlets. This real estate firm evaluates properties based on their design, features, location, and various certifications, providing a comprehensive snapshot of the current market conditions. […]
How Chicago Renters Were Punished for Using Their Legal Rights
In May 2023, three tenants living in a six-unit building in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood were dealing with serious problems in their apartment. Cristina Miranda, Tulsi McDaniels, and Alex Wirt reported broken and unsafe conditions: leaking water from the ceiling even when it wasn’t raining, floors that were rotting and could collapse, windows that let in […]
Where Homes Are Getting More Expensive in Illinois
Across many parts of Illinois, especially around the Chicago area, home prices are going up fast. This is based on data from Zillow, which looked at how much home values changed from May 2023 to May 2024. The rankings focused on cities with at least 10,000 residents and tracked the biggest dollar increases in home […]
Lead Found in Elgin, IL Drinking Water: What Homeowners Need to Know
Some homes and small buildings in Elgin, Illinois, were found to have too much lead in their tap water, according to recent testing done between January and June 2025. The city tested 100 homes and discovered that 48 of them had lead levels higher than what is considered safe by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). […]
Why Prices Are Rising Faster in Chicago Than Anywhere Else
Right now, people living in the Chicago area are paying more for everyday items like food, rent, and gas compared to most other cities in the U.S. Inflation in Chicago is at 4.3%, which is much higher than the national average of around 3%. This means that the cost of living is rising faster here […]
Unpacking the Affordable Housing Crisis in Illinois
In recent years, Illinois has grappled with a growing affordable housing crisis. This challenge has prompted lawmakers to take action, aiming to build a long-term, sustainable solution to the state’s housing troubles. Their focus lies in creating an environment conducive to affordable housing development, supported by tax incentives and increased homelessness services. The “Build Illinois […]
Get Rid of Bad Sewer Smell in Your Bathroom: A Complete Guide
The bathroom is one of the most frequently used rooms in the house, but it can also be one of the most unpleasant when it smells bad. A bad smell in your bathroom can be caused by a variety of factors, such as poor ventilation, mold, mildew growth, or a sewer smell. In this article, […]
Peoria Ranks Among Best U.S. Cities for First-Time Homebuyers
If you’re ready to buy your first home and have the finances to make it happen, Peoria is a great place to start looking. A recent report highlights Peoria as one of the top cities in the country for new homeowners. Affordable Homes for First-Time Buyers Peoria stands out as the most affordable city in […]
Illinois Housing Market Sees Price Increases Despite Fewer Sales
In September 2024, Illinois saw fewer homes sold, yet home prices continued to rise alongside a boost in available homes. According to recent data from Illinois REALTORS®, home sales dropped, but home prices and inventory showed year-over-year increases for the second consecutive month. The Decline in Home Sales Across Illinois The state recorded 10,700 home […]
Northwest Illinois Hits Record Low in Homes for Sale
In March 2025, the number of homes for sale in Northwest Illinois dropped to just 150 listings, setting a new all-time low, according to local realtors. The previous low was 175 homes, recorded in April 2024. Just ten years ago, the area would regularly see thousands of homes listed every month. Since then, inventory has […]