Condo Financing Changes: What Chicago and Evanston Buyers Should Know

When buyers think about qualifying for a mortgage, they usually focus on their own finances: income, credit, down payment, debt, and interest rates. With a condominium, however, the building itself can also affect financing. A financially qualified buyer may still encounter lending issues if the condominium association does not meet a lender's requirements. Reserves, insurance, deferred maintenance, special assessments, litigation, and other association matters can all affect whether conventional financing is available for a particular unit. Read full article here: https://www.willtveit.com/condo-financing-changes-chicago-evanston

Renting vs. Buying in Chicago | What Newcomers Should Know

Moving to Chicago often starts with one big question: Should I rent first, or buy right away? There isn’t one right answer, but there are a few Chicago-specific factors that can make the decision easier. Read full article here: https://www.willtveit.com/renting-vs-buying-in-chicago

What Is Your Home Really Worth? How to Price Your Home for Sale

The honest answer is that no online estimate, neighborhood average, or recent sale can determine your home's value on its own. A realistic price requires looking at the property, recent comparable sales, current competition, and what buyers are willing to pay now. That is true whether you own a single-family home, condominium, townhome, or small multi-unit property in Evanston, Chicago, or the North Shore. Online estimates can be a useful starting point, but they have not walked through your home. They may not know that you renovated the kitchen, replaced the roof, added a bathroom, or have a much better view than another unit in the same building. They may also miss condition issues that a buyer will notice immediately. If you are wondering what your home is worth, the details matter. Read full article here: https://www.willtveit.com/what-is-my-home-worth-evanston-chicago

Moving to Chicago for Work? A New Resident’s Relocation Checklist

Moving to Chicago for a new job can be exciting, but the practical details can pile up quickly. Beyond choosing the right neighborhood and home, new residents need to navigate transportation, vehicle requirements, utilities, parking, moving logistics, housing costs, and the everyday services that make a new city feel like home. Whether you are relocating for Google’s new Chicago office at the Thompson Center, another downtown employer, or a position elsewhere in the Chicago area, this practical checklist can help you get organized. Read full article here: https://www.willtveit.com/moving-to-chicago-relocation-checklist

What Is My Home Worth?

The honest answer is that no online estimate, neighborhood average, or recent sale can determine your home's value by itself. A realistic price requires looking at the property, recent comparable sales, current competition, and what buyers are willing to pay now. That is true whether you own a single-family home, condominium, townhome or small multi-unit property in Evanston, Chicago or the North Shore. Online estimates can be a useful starting point, but they have not walked through your home. They may not know that you renovated the kitchen, replaced the roof, added a bathroom, or that your unit has a much better view than another one in the building. They may also miss condition issues that a buyer will notice immediately. If you are wondering what your home is worth, the details matter. Read the full article here: https://www.willtveit.com/what-is-my-home-worth

Selling an Evanston Condo: What to Do Before You List

Selling a condo in Evanston is not quite the same as selling a single-family home. Buyers are evaluating not only your unit, but also the building, the association, the monthly assessments, the reserves, the condition of the common areas, and any upcoming projects or special assessments. That means the preparation starts before the photographer arrives. Read full article here: https://www.willtveit.com/selling-an-evanston-condo

First-Time Home Buyer’s Guide to Chicago and the North Shore

Buying your first home is exciting, but it can also feel like a lot to figure out at once—especially in the Chicago area, where your options can look very different depending on whether you’re considering the city, Evanston, or farther north along the North Shore. You might be comparing a condo in Chicago with a vintage unit in Evanston, or wondering whether it makes more sense to stretch for a single-family home in Wilmette or another suburb. There isn’t one right answer. The goal is to understand the trade-offs before you start falling in love with listings. Here are some of the things I encourage first-time buyers to think about before they begin their search. First-Time Home Buyer, Chicago Real Estate, Evanston Real Estate, North Shore Real Estate, Home Buying, Chicago Condos, Evanston Condos, Buyer Representation, Condo Buying Read the full article here: https://www.willtveit.com/blog

Condo Special Assessments: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know

Special assessments can make condo buyers nervous, but they aren’t automatically a red flag. What matters is why the assessment was necessary, how it’s being funded, the association’s financial condition, and what expenses may be coming next. In my latest article, I look at what buyers should investigate, what sellers should know before listing, who may be responsible for an assessment when a condo is sold, and how special assessments can affect financing. If you own—or are considering buying or selling—a condo in Chicago, Evanston, or the North Shore, it’s worth understanding how special assessments work. Read the full article: Condo Special Assessments: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know