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Arlington International Racecourse Opens for Season!

April 26, 2017 by admin Leave a Comment

arlington international

Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights, IL

Harty Realty Group helps homebuyers find their dream homes in Chicago, the North Shore area, and the Northwest Suburbs! Therefore, we’re here to fill you in on exciting happenings in these three areas. Today, we’d like to focus on Arlington International Racecourse, because Opening Day is coming up on May 5.

Arlington International is a race track for Thoroughbred horse racing, located in the Northwest Suburb of Arlington Heights, IL. It also hosts numerous community events each season, and the dining and drinking options are plentiful!

Thoroughbred racing began here in 1927. In 1981, Arlington played host to the world’s first million dollar race, The Arlington Million, which still takes place each year. It continues to thrive as an attraction that brings thousands to Arlington Heights each year.

1.  Opening Day starts things off for the 2017 season at Arlington International, with free general admission when tickets are bought online, and a free hot dog and $1 beer to the first 2,000 guests through the admission gates. There will be a live DJ on the Miller Lite Brand Stage from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. Enjoy live racing, entertainment, food, beverages and great company all day.

2.  Kentucky Derby Day takes place on May 6. If you can’t make it to the live event, where better to spend the day than Arlington? Tickets include food and beverage specials, such as Mint Juleps, the official drink of the Derby, spicy bourbon glazed pulled pork sandwiches and boiled crawfish. Enjoy a live band from 1 to 5 p.m., an open hat contest and more.

3.  Binny’s Food & Wine Festival is the place to be for wine lovers. This takes place on May 13 and allows you to sample wines from all over the world, categorized by location and famous horses who have visited Arlington from different countries. Ticket includes three hours of wine tasting, reserved seating for live racing, appetizers, chef’s table, live entertainment and more.

4.  Arlington will celebrate its 90th Birthday on May 19! Help celebrate with $.90 hot dogs, party hats and cake. Enjoy live racing and entertainment. It’ll be the largest birthday bash you’ve attended!

5.  State Fair Family Day is the perfect day to bring the whole family to Arlington. On May 28, enjoy amusement park rides and games, pony rides, a petting zoo, a live kids’ concert, food and beverage specials that kids will love, and the Junior Jockey Zone, where kids will create their own silks. If you can’t make this date, this will continue all season on the last Sunday of each month.

Live racing and special events will continue all season, through Sept. 23, including the beloved Arlington Million on Aug. 12. This is a great place for singles, couples, families, groups of friends, coworkers, you name it! Branch out and enjoy a day at Arlington International this season.

Ready to find your dream home in the Chicago area real estate market? Contact Harty Realty Group to get started!

Harty Realty Group
Chicagoland’s Premier Buyer Agent
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Filed Under: Blog, Chicagoland Events, Chicagoland Real Estate Agents, Northwest Suburbs Tagged With: Arlington Heights, Arlington International Racecourse, Arlington Park, Chicago Attraction

Community Spotlight: Mount Prospect

April 11, 2017 by admin Leave a Comment

Mount Prospect

Make Mount Prospect, IL Your Home!

Harty Realty Group works with homebuyers in numerous Northwest Suburbs of Chicago, and we’d like to introduce you to each one. This well help you make an informed decision when deciding which Chicago area suburb to purchase a home in. Today, let’s talk about Mount Prospect.

Mount Prospect, IL is located 22 miles northwest of Chicago in Cook County, with around 60,000 residents. If you’re looking for a community that offers a small-town atmosphere, but also big-city amenities, this is a great option! In your Mount Prospect home, you can enjoy tree-lined residential streets, picturesque parks and award-winning schools.

Drive, walk or bike to the revitalized downtown area of Mount Prospect and you have a large variety or retail stores and dining options to enjoy. Randhurst Village was once the first enclosed regional mall in the Chicago area when it opened in 1962! Now, it is an open-air mixed-use center, home to a hotel, cinema, well-known retailers and restaurants.

This combination of small-town charm, great schools, safe neighborhoods, local entrepreneurs and big-name businesses may be why Business Week and Money Magazine both recognized Mount Prospect as a great place to live!

There are always great community events taking place throughout Mount Prospect, to help you become acquainted with other residents in the area. For example, this week, the Mount Prospect Public Library is celebrating National Library Week with a slew of events and activities at the library. This Friday is an Easter Egg Hunt at the Mount Prospect Ice Arena. Sunday, enjoy Easter brunch options around town. Tuesday is Opera for Everyone. April 22 is a book sale and an Earth Day celebration.

This year, there are even more events taking place in the community, as a way to celebrate Mount Prospect turning 100 in February! Look forward to more art around town, historical events, holiday festivals and more in the coming months. There is even a special website to celebrate the Mount Prospect Centennial.

Do you love notoriety in Hollywood films? In the popular 1980’s movie, The Blues Brothers, set in Chicago, the car they ride in is described as being bought at auction from the Mount Prospect Police Department.

Whether you work in Mount Prospect, Chicago or a surrounding suburb, commuting from Mount Prospect is a breeze. Two interstate highways connect, along with two commuter rail systems. Getting to O’Hare International Airport is a quick drive as well.

Ready to purchase a home in Mount Prospect? Harty Realty Group is comprised of Exclusive Buyer’s Agents, ready to help you through the entire home-buying process in the Chicago area real estate market! We can help you find the perfect home here or any of Chicago’s other prime communities.

Ready to find your dream home? Contact Harty Realty Group to get started!

Harty Realty Group
Chicagoland’s Premier Buyer Agent
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Filed Under: Blog, Buying a Chicagoland Home, Chicagoland Home Buyers, Northwest Suburbs Tagged With: Chicago Exclusive Buyers Agents, Chicago Homebuyers, Chicago Suburb, Mount Prospect, Northwest Suburbs

Free Attractions to Enjoy in Chicago

March 31, 2017 by admin Leave a Comment

Free Chicago Attractions

Enjoy this list of free Chicago attractions from Harty Realty Group!

If you live in the city of Chicago, or you live in a surrounding suburb but enjoy traveling into the city from time to time, you know how expensive a day out can cost. However, there are plenty of free activities and attractions to enjoy in Chicago! Harty Realty Group would like to fill you in on these.

Whether you’re trying to save up a down payment for a Chicago area home purchase, or you’re just looking to cut back on expenses, this list of free attractions is worth keeping handy.

  • Chicago Cultural Center – You can walk into this building for free, to view the stained-glass domes or to take a free tour. It also hosts free events regularly, from weekly classical music concerts to free dance performances, film screenings, seminars and more. Check out the calendar and plan accordingly.
  • Chicago Greeter – This program pairs Chicago visitors with locals for free, insider orientations on Chicago and all of its various neighborhoods. This is a great opportunity for Chicago homebuyers, who recently relocated, to get to know the city, and it’s a great way for longtime locals to get involved!
  • Parks & Beaches – When you think city, you might not think nature, but Chicago has lots of parks and beaches that are free to visit! Visit Northerly Island and North Pond Nature Sanctuary’s wildlife havens, admire the landscape design at Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, and lounge on the beaches during the summer!
  • Trails – Speaking of nature, there is no need to pay for an expensive gym once the weather turns warm and dry! Head to the Lakefront Trail to run, walk, bike or rollerblade while enjoying beautiful views of Lake Michigan and the city. When looking for a causal stroll, visit the revamped Chicago Riverwalk.
  • Poetry Foundation – If you love poetry, literature and art, you’ll love a visit to this building. It houses a public garden, a library with 30,000 volumes, an exhibition gallery and various public programs and events. There is lots to see and do here!
  • Harold Washington Library Center – Speaking of books, if you love to read, you’ll love visiting one of the largest libraries in the world. Browse among 13 million published works, enjoy the unique architectural features of the building, and explore art collections from all over the world.

The list of free attractions in Chicago goes on and on. Visit Garfield Park Conservatory, Lincoln Park Conservatory, Lincoln Park Zoo, Maggie Daley Park, Millennium Park and so many others. For a comprehensive list, check out this Choose Chicago article that mentions 28 free attractions!

If you live in or near the city of Chicago, you should take advantage of all its great offerings. It’s good to know that you don’t have to spend a bundle, either. Keep this list handy and enjoy!

Ready to purchase the Chicago area home of your dreams? Contact Harty Realty Group today!

Harty Realty Group
Chicagoland’s Premier Buyer Agent
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Filed Under: Blog, Chicagoland Events, Chicagoland Real Estate Agents Tagged With: Chicago, Chicago Attractions, Chicago Real Estate Agents, Free Chicago Attractions, Free Things to do in Chicago

Community Spotlight: Glencoe, IL

March 20, 2017 by admin 1 Comment

Glencoe Real Estate

Contact Harty Realty Group to make Glencoe your home!

Harty Realty Group would like to introduce you to some of the Chicago area communities that we work in. Today, allow us to introduce you to Glencoe, IL. Glencoe is located 23 miles north of downtown Chicago. This picturesque village is sure to steal your heart with its Lake Michigan shorelines and ample nature!

The village of Glencoe resides within Cook County and, as of the last census, was home to 8,723 people. While quaint, Glencoe is home to all sorts of attractions! Glencoe is sort of a world of its own, as it is separated by suburbs on the north and west by over 1,200 acres of the Cook County Forest Preserve. It is also buffered by three golf courses. Highland Park, Northbrook and Winnetka are high-end neighboring communities to Glencoe.

Glencoe is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream! The local forest preserves all provide excellent trails for walking, running and biking. The Greenbay Trail, which runs right through town, travels as far south as Wilmette and past Lake Forest to the north.

Glencoe is home to the Chicago Botanic Garden, which is one of the country’s best living museums and conservation centers. More than one million people visit this attraction each year, which features 27 gardens and four natural areas on 385 acres. Right now, visitors to the Chicago Botanic Garden can catch the renowned Orchid Show, which runs through March 26.

Glencoe is also home to Glencoe Beach, a beautiful beach on the shoreline of Lake Michigan. Residents can enjoy swimming, sun bathing, picnics, summer camps and more. The Perlman Boating Beach is adjacent to Glencoe Beach and offers sailing for all ages, along with boat storage.

The acclaimed Writer’s Theater is located in Glencoe, which the Wall Street Journal described as “America’s No. 1 theatre company.” With several performances available at one time, residents can choose a classic or contemporary story to enjoy.

For shopping and dining enthusiasts, options are seemingly endless in Glencoe’s two business districts, downtown and the Hubbard Woods Shopping Center. From antiques and European imports, to apparel and fine dining, there is something for everyone.

In Hollywood, movies that were filmed in, or took place in, Glencoe include Risky Business, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Sixteen Candles, Flags of Our Fathers, She’s Having a Baby and others.

If you’d like to make Glencoe, IL your home, contact Harty Realty Group for a list of upscale homes and estates for sale in one of North Shore’s most desired communities. You might even become a neighbor to one of two Frank Lloyd Wright-designed homes in Glencoe!

Ready to find your dream home? Contact Harty Realty Group to get started.

Harty Realty Group
Chicagoland’s Premier Buyer Agent
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Filed Under: Blog, Buying a Chicagoland Home, Chicagoland Real Estate Agents, North Shore Tagged With: Glencoe Attractions, Glencoe IL, Glencoe Real Estate, North Shore Real Estate

Chicago Area March Events to Mark in Your Calendar

March 1, 2017 by admin Leave a Comment

Chicago Area Events

Spring Events in the Chicago Area

One of the perks to living in the Chicago area is that no matter what time of year it is, you can always find enjoyable events and activities for adults, kids or families. To help you plan your month of March, Harty Realty Group is here to share the details on five upcoming events in Chicago or one of its surrounding suburbs.

If you loved magic as a kid, or still do, you’ll love Chicago Magic Lounge. This takes place every Thursday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Uptown Underground in Chicago. You will witness an old-school magic show, bar magic, table-hopping magicians and main stage acts. This is for ages 21 and up.

The beloved Orchid Show at Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe runs through March 26 this year! This is the Garden’s largest flower show of the year. Check out the ‘V3’ orchid on display, which is a very rare find, the 15-foot tall Vanda, and many other stunning orchids. You can even buy an orchid to take home!

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day early on March 4 at Elmhurst’s 21st Annual St. Patrick’s Parade, which will kick off at noon! Enjoy watching leprechauns, jugglers, dancers and floats while listening to the Irish sounds of bagpipes and marching bands. Dress in green!

If you love maple syrup, you might love getting to know how it is made and where it comes from. Head to Naper Settlement in Naperville on March 11 or 12 for the Spring Fever Maple Sugaring, or head to Schaumburg on March 18 or 19 for the Sugar Bush Fair!

If you and your kids love animals, then you’ll love the Chicagoland Family Pet Expo taking place at Arlington Park Racetrack in Arlington Heights March 17-19! Enjoy entertainment, exhibitors and demos. From dog Frisbee, to the guy with the birds, you won’t leave disappointed.

Harty Realty Group hopes that you enjoy the month of March, and that we’ve offered you some good reasons to leave the house and enjoy a community event.

Spring will be here before you know it, and with it, the bustling spring housing market! As Exclusive Buyer’s Agents, Harty Realty Group is available to help you will all of your home-buying needs, and to guide you through the entire home-buying process.

Ready to find your dream home? Contact Harty Realty Group to get started!

Harty Realty Group
Chicagoland’s Premier Buyer Agent
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Filed Under: Blog, Chicagoland Events, Chicagoland Real Estate Agents Tagged With: Chicago Area Real Estate Agents, Chicago Events, Chicago Suburbs Events, Exclusive's Buyer's Agents

Community Spotlight: Evanston, IL

February 14, 2017 by admin Leave a Comment

Evanston IL

Evanston, IL has some excellent real estate opportunities!

Harty Realty Group would like to introduce you to Evanston, IL, a North Shore community in the Chicago area! Evanston is located in Cook County, just 12 miles north of downtown Chicago.

If you love nature and city living, you’ll love Evanston! Even though it’s so close to the bustling city of Chicago, Evanston is home to five public beaches and two public boat launches. When you’re in the mood for swimming, boating, sunbathing, picnicking or strolling along the beach, Lake Michigan shoreline is awaiting you right in your community.

When you are in the mood for shopping or dining, Evanston has it all. Within its robust commercial district, you will find numerous shopping areas and restaurants. You can also head to the lively, historic downtown area to shop or dine at a local business, or to enjoy one of the many community events that take place there.

Events and activities in Evanston include an indoor winter farmer’s market and an outdoor summer market, children’s recreation camps, a month-long art festival, Morton Civic Center exhibitions and events, seven local museums, local theater productions, bike paths throughout the city, outdoor concerts, community picnics and so much more. There are events for every age group, so Evanston is a wonderful place to raise a family.

Evanston is also home to Northwestern University, a prestigious institution known worldwide for its leading research. It is convenient to live so close to excellent higher educational opportunities! The public school system is known for being top notch as well.

Evanston is beautiful to look at, and this is evident by how many Hollywood movies have chosen to film here. Movies filmed in and around Evanston include Sixteen Candles, Dennis the Menace, Home Alone 3, Nothing in Common, Cheaper by the Dozen and Rookie of the Year.

As a homeowner in Evanston, you have many nearby hubs for work. If you work in the city of Chicago, commuting is a breeze with the Metra rail service, CTA Purple Line, Pace bus routes, Lake Shore Drive and nearby expressways. O’Hare International Airport is also only a 30-minute drive.

When choosing a home to purchase in Evanston, you have many architectural types to choose from. Whether it’s a Spanish Colonial, Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired, Victorian or contemporary, Harty Realty Group is sure that we can find you the home of your dreams.

When ready to buy a home in Evanston, or anywhere in the North Shore, Northwestern Suburbs or Chicago area, contact Harty Realty Group! We are Exclusive Buyer’s Agents, here and ready to help you accomplish all of your home-buying goals.

Harty Realty Group
Chicagoland’s Premier Buyer Agent
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Filed Under: Blog, Buying a Chicagoland Home, Chicagoland Home Buyers, Chicagoland Real Estate Agents, North Shore Tagged With: Evanston IL, Evanston Real Estate, North Shore, North Shore Homebuyers, North Shore of Chicago

How to Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Chicago Area

January 31, 2017 by admin Leave a Comment

Chicago Valentine's Day

Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Chicago Area

Valentine’s Day is coming up, the holiday of love! Have you made plans in the Chicago area yet? If not, let Harty Realty Group help you plan! This is a great opportunity to spend time with someone you love, whether it’s a significant other, your kids, friends, or your whole family. We’ve put together a list of five events coming up in Chicago and its suburbs. Check it out:

1.  Get active this Valentine’s Day in the 7th Annual North Shore Cupid’s Love Dash 5K in Highland Park! This will take place on Feb. 12, beginning at 8:15 a.m., and for braving the cold, everyone receives a medal. You can run or walk, grab some candy from a station along the route, and then sip hot chocolate and savor heart lollipops afterward. Register and bring a teddy bear donation on race day.

2.  Dads can spend their Valentine’s Day with their daughters at the Daddy Daughter Dance in Arlington Heights on Feb. 11, or at the Daddy Daughter Date Night in Winnetka on Feb. 16! At both events, dads and daughters can enjoy an evening with dinner, dancing, dessert, entertainment and more.

3.  Kids can celebrate Valentine’s Day Storytime in Barrington at Barnes & Noble on Feb. 11. Beginning at 11 a.m., they will hear ‘The Secret Life of Squirrels: A Love Story’ and ‘Valentine’s Day is Cool’ read out loud, followed by fun Valentine-themed crafts and activities.

4.  On Feb. 10 or 14, head to the Duet Dance Studio in Chicago for a Valentine’s Day Dirty Dancing Party! Participate in a beginner’s ballroom dance class and then enjoy open dancing, hors d’oeuvres and BYOB for ages 21 and up. The class is designed for beginners, so this is your chance to learn how to dance.

5.  Feb. 12, head to the Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston for Romantic Duos performed by Rembrandt Chamber Players. Beginning at 3 p.m., enjoy an afternoon of melody from Strauss, Debussy, Hindemith and Wilson. Each melody has its own love story behind it.

We hope you enjoy your Valentine’s Day holiday. If none of these events suit you, restaurants all over the Chicago area region are hosting special menus on Feb. 14 and some on the weekend before. Call your favorite restaurant and make a reservation!

When ready to accomplish your home-buying goals in the Chicago real estate market, give us a call. Harty Realty Group is a pair of Exclusive Buyer’s Agents, ready to help you with all of your home-buying needs through expertise and experience. Don’t hesitate to contact us!

Harty Realty Group
Chicagoland’s Premier Buyer Agent
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Filed Under: Blog, Chicagoland Events, Chicagoland Real Estate Agents Tagged With: Chicago Area Events, Chicago Real Estate Agents, Chicago Valentine's Day, Valentine's Day Events

Discover New Cuisine during Chicago Restaurant Week

January 23, 2017 by admin Leave a Comment

chicago restaurant week

Chicago Restaurant Week 2017

Are you looking for a reason to leave the house this winter in the Chicago area? Harty Realty Group finds that Chicago Restaurant Week is the perfect excuse! This runs Jan. 27 through Feb. 9, so it’s actually two weeks in length, giving you plenty of opportunities to try new cuisine throughout the city.

This is the 10th annual event, so to help celebrate, brand-new prix fixe menus will be available for brunch, starting at $22. Then, as per other years, prix fixe lunch menus will begin at $33 and dinner menus will begin at $44.

With over 350 restaurants taking part in Chicago Restaurant Week, including 66 new restaurants for 2017, it should be easy to find places you want to check out and menus you want to try. The hard part is narrowing down the list! To help you, Harty Realty Group has separated restaurants into the type of cuisine they serve.

Latin

Vermilion in Rive North, serving dinner only

Carnivale in West Loop, serving lunch and dinner

Italian

312 Chicago in the Loop, serving dinner only

a tavola in West Town, serving dinner only

A10 in Hyde Park, serving dinner only

Acanto in the Loop, serving brunch, lunch and dinner

American

676 Restaurant & Bar on Magnificent Mile, serving lunch and dinner

720 South Bar & Grill in South Loop, serving lunch and dinner

AceBounce in the Loop, serving lunch and dinner

Ada Street in West Town, serving dinner only

The Allis in West Loop, serving lunch and dinner

Allium on Magnificent Mile, serving lunch and dinner

Japanese/Sushi

Arami in West Town, serving dinner only

Mexican

Barcocina in Lakeview, serving dinner only

Blue Agave Tequila Bar & Restaurant in Gold Coast and River North, serving lunch and dinner

Cantina Laredo in River North, serving lunch and dinner

French

Bistro Bordeaux in North Suburbs, serving dinner only

Bistro Voltaire in River North, serving dinner only

The Blanchard in Lincoln Park, serving dinner only

German

Bohemian House in River North, serving brunch, lunch and dinner

As you can see, there are countless types of cuisine included in Chicago Restaurant Week! This is just a small sampling from the list. Other cuisine categories include Spanish/tapas, steakhouse, Mediterranean, seafood, American contemporary, BBQ and more. No matter what your taste buds crave, you’ll find it at a restaurant participating in Chicago Restaurant Week.

Check out the menus and the entire list of participating restaurants, and make reservations soon! If you really want to celebrate, consider attending the First Bites Bash on Jan. 26 at Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier. Tickets cost $125 and include sampling portions of food and beverage items from chefs in Chicago.

Enjoy sampling new cuisine around the Chicago area, and share where you’d recommend by leaving a comment! We’d love to hear your suggestions.

We’d also love to help you achieve your Chicago real estate market goals this season. Contact Harty Realty Group for all of your home-buying needs. As Exclusive Buyer’s Agents, we are always here and ready to assist you!

Harty Realty Group
Chicagoland’s Premier Buyer Agent
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Filed Under: Blog, Chicagoland Events Tagged With: Chicago Events, Chicago Real Estate Agents, Chicago Restaurant Week

Community Spotlight: Arlington Heights

January 12, 2017 by admin Leave a Comment

Arlington Heights

Arlington Park Race Track is one of many attractions found in Arlington Heights, IL

Harty Realty Group would like to introduce you to Arlington Heights today, which is one of many Chicago area suburbs. Arlington Heights is a Northwest suburb of Chicago, located 27 miles northwest of the city, in both Cook County and Lake County. It covers a total area of 16.6 square miles and has just over 75,000 residents.

Residents of Arlington Heights enjoy an abundance of open spaces, parks, paved bicycle paths and running trails, which are full of beautiful, mature trees to make you feel fully enveloped in nature. At the same time, Arlington Heights is home to numerous shopping malls, restaurants and other forms of entertainment, so you’ve got the best of both worlds at your fingertips.

Arlington Heights residents also appreciate a quality school system and a thriving Central Business District. Many jobs are available in the area. If you travel to Chicago for work, commuting there is a breeze, with convenient expressways and a Metra station.

Area highlights include Arlington Park Race Track, where you watch live Thoroughbred horse racing from May through September, including renowned events like the Arlington Million and a Breeder’s Cup qualifying event. They host numerous concerts and family events as well.

The Metropolis Performing Arts Center hosts live performances throughout the year. A 132,000-square-foot library encompasses more than 450,000 materials and ongoing events for people of all ages. The Arlington Heights Historic Museum and the Star Cinema Grill are more local entertainment options, along with a bowling alley, golf courses, tennis clubs and more.

For outstanding Japanese cuisine, Arlington Heights is home to Mitsuwa Marketplace, which is one of eight in the country and the largest Japanese grocery store in the Midwest. You can shop for all sorts of Asian food staples here, along with regular grocery items.

Arlington Heights is a great place to raise a family, as there are always community events and activities taking place around town. From free movies with the mayor to holiday-themed events, there are always reasons to leave the comfort of your Arlington Heights home for some old-fashioned family fun.

If you would like to learn more about Arlington Heights, contact Harty Realty Group. We would love to help you find the Arlington Heights home of your dreams, or to help you determine which Chicago area suburb is best for you and your needs.

When ready to buy a Chicago area home, work with Harty Realty Group as your Exclusive Buyer’s Agents! We look forward to hearing from you this year.

Harty Realty Group
Chicagoland’s Premier Buyer Agent
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Filed Under: Blog, Buying a Chicagoland Home, Chicagoland Home Buyers Tagged With: Arlington Heights, Chicago Real Estate Market, Exclusive Buyer's Agents, Northwest Suburbs

Home-Buying Myths to Know About As Chicagoland Homebuyer

September 14, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

Chicagoland Homebuyers

Don’t forego your home inspection as a Chicagoland homebuyer!

When you are ready to buy a Chicagoland home, chances are, you’ll search the internet for tips, and you’ll ask for advice from others who have “been there, done that.” However, by doing so, you’ll run into some home-buying myths, many which aren’t true. As Exclusive Buyer’s Agents, Harty Realty Group wants to set you straight on some of these myths!

Realtor Magazine recently shared five common myths that homebuyers fall for. We’ll set the record straight before you dive into the home-buying process:

  1. The only upfront cost is the down payment. While this is most likely the heftiest upfront cost of buying a Chicagoland home, many other costs come into play as well. Plan on the cost of credit reports, mortgage fees, taxes, home inspections, homeowner’s insurance and closing costs, which typically amount to 3-6 percent of the home purchase price.
  2. Casually browsing for a home is fine. Many Chicagoland homebuyers want to casually browse before contacting an agent or a mortgage lender. By doing so, buyers might check out homes that are above their price range, and therefore feel disappointed when they realize what they can actually afford. It is best to get pre-approved first, so you know what your price range is.
  3. You must have 20 percent down for a home. This is one of the biggest myths in real estate! While 20 percent down payments are the most popular, and most ideal, there are so many other options available for first-time buyers. You might qualify for 3.5 percent down with a FHA loan, or a loan with only 5 or 10 percent down. Down payment assistance programs are plentiful!
  4. Schools don’t matter if you don’t have kids. This is a common misconception among buyers without kids. Even if you don’t plan on having kids in the foreseeable future, school ratings significantly affect the value of a Chicagoland home! The better the schools are, the better the value of the home. This is important to keep in mind, as you will someday be selling this home. Consider all home appreciation influences, such as schools, crime rates, job growth and more.
  5. You don’t need a home inspection. We take this one seriously at Harty Realty Group! We have over 35 years of construction and building expertise, so we know how important it is to spend the money on a quality home inspection. You don’t want to end up with any surprises down the road, some which could cost you a fortune in repairs! It’s worth the extra time and money.

As Exclusive Buyer’s Agents, Harty Realty Group can help you with the entire home-buying process. We are here to give you accurate information about the Chicagoland real estate market and to debunk myths along the way. Contact us when ready to begin!

Harty Realty Group
Chicagoland’s Premier Buyer Agent
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Filed Under: Blog, Buying a Chicagoland Home, Chicagoland Home Buyers, Chicagoland Real Estate Agents Tagged With: Buying a Chicagoland Home, Chicagoland Homebuyers, Chicagoland Real Estate Agents

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Email: Ihartygroup@gmail.com

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