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Harty Group

Rich Harty: 847.514.4927
John Harty: 847.514.4926
hartygroup@gmail.com




Upcoming Chicago Area Events

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Chicago Area Events

Upcoming events in the Chicago area

The Fourth of July may be over, but the fun never ends in the Chicago area! Whether you’re looking for family-friendly events, or adults-only date nights, Harty Realty Group has put together options for everyone this month. Get out and enjoy all that the Chicago area has to offer! If you recently relocated to the area, attending local events is a great way to meet others in your community.

Family-Friendly Events:

  • The Taste of Chicago takes place July 5-9 this year and features 40 restaurant booths, food trucks, beverages and free concerts if you sit on the lawn in Grant Park. This makes for a great outing for the family, as Kids Eat Chicago takes place within the Taste and includes bouncy houses, entertainment and more just for kids!
  • Head to Promenade of Art in Arlington Heights on July 10 and 11. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, there will be more than 110 artists showcasing and selling original artwork! Browse among paintings, photography, ceramics and more to find new home décor for your Chicago area home.
  • Catch free outdoor music at Sounds of Summer in Arlington Heights! This free summer concert series runs all summer long. Upcoming concerts take place July 8 and 9, and July 15 and 16 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. each night. There are numerous free outdoor movies in the Chicago area too this month. Check out the free movies coming to Millennium Park, starting July 11!

Adults-Only Events:

  • Find a babysitter and purchase tickets to Uncork Barrington on July 7. This event includes 20 samples of wine and appetizers in downtown Barrington. Live music will play as you sip delicious wines. A large portion of the proceeds go to local nonprofit organizations. This is a 21 and up event.
  • If beer is more your style, purchase tickets to the 14th Annual Barrington Brew Fest on July 8! Nearly 50 brewers will be there showcasing more than 90 different brews. Enjoy sipping on the refreshments from 3 to 7 p.m. in downtown Barrington. This is a 21 and up event.
  • Head to Lincoln Park Zoo for an Adults Night Out! These take place July 6 and Aug. 10 this summer. After the gates close, from 6:30 to 10 p.m., you can enjoy unique animal chats, educational entertainment, cash bars throughout the zoo, and no kids or crowds. Tickets cost $15 ahead of time or $20 at the door. This is for ages 18 and up.

Enjoy your summer in the Chicago area! When ready to purchase a home in the Chicago area real estate market, give Harty Realty Group a call. We’re Exclusive Buyer Agents, meaning we solely help buyers find the home that best suits their needs. Whether that home is in the city of Chicago, the Northwest Suburbs or the North Shore, we’re here to help you seal the deal.

For a better buying experience, connect with us!

Harty Realty Group
Chicagoland’s Premier Buyer Agent
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Community Spotlight: Winnetka, IL

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Get to know the beautiful village of Winnetka, IL

Among the beautiful North Shore communities of Chicago is Winnetka, IL, which resides 16 miles north of downtown Chicago. If you love lakefront activities and scenery, Winnetka is the place for you! It is home to four scenic beaches, a boat launch and 27 parks, encompassing 242 acres.

Winnetka was ranked the richest municipality in Illinois and the second richest in the United States in 2015! It is a wealthy suburb, but doesn’t feel stuffy or pompous. In fact, Winnetka feels much like classic small-town America with its vintage architecture, tree-lined streets and pedestrian-friendly downtown.

While Winnetka is beautifully adorned with parks and beaches, it is not only for nature lovers, as it’s also home to three charming business districts. Here, you will find many locally-owned businesses and restaurants, more so than “big box stores” and corporate companies. You can feel good about shopping locally and supporting local business owners!

Homes were first built in Winnetka in 1836, when a family arrived from Vermont and opened a tavern to service passengers on the Green Bay Trail post road. The village was incorporated in 1869. The name Winnetka is believed to mean “beautiful place,” and that it is!

If you’d like to make Winnetka, IL your hometown community, contact Harty Realty Group! From luxurious estates, to classic single-family homes and townhomes, there is an option for everyone. Many of Winnetka’s neighborhoods and estates were designed by distinguished architects, which is what makes the homes so charming.

Winnetka has made it into Hollywood, as so many of Chicago’s North Shore neighborhoods have! The famous Home Alone house is located in Winnetka at 671 Lincoln Avenue. Other films that were shot here include Ocean’s 12, Breakfast Club, National Lampoon’s Vacation, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and many others.

The Winnetka Public Schools system consists of three elementary schools and two middle schools. High schoolers attend New Trier High School. Winnetka is also home to two catholic schools, a country day school and an institute for the blind and visually impaired.

Community events are prevalent in Winnetka, which is a great way to get to know neighbors! Upcoming events include a Memorial Day Parade, Winnetka Children’s Fair, Firecracker 5K, 4th of July Parade and Fest, Sidewalk Sales and many others.

It feels like you’re a world away from the big city, and yet you’ll find three Metra stations to provide you with easy transportation to Chicago. There are few reasons not to search for your dream home in Winnetka, IL.

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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Community Spotlight: Glencoe, IL

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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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Community Spotlight: Evanston, IL

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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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Chicagoland Homebuyers: City or Suburbs?

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Chicagoland Real Estate

Is city or suburban living for you in the Chicagoland area?

As Exclusive Buyer’s Agents in the Chicagoland real estate market, Harty Realty Group knows that when you decide to buy a Chicagoland home, you will have to decide whether you want to buy in the city or the suburbs. Since we work in the city of Chicago and in the Northwest and North Shore suburbs, we can help you find a home in whichever you choose!

If you’re not sure whether you’d rather live in the city or the suburbs, Realtor.com recently listed some pros and cons of each that might help you out. Here’s a rundown of what they had to say:

Home Appreciation – As of January 2016, city homes have seen their values increase by 11.3 percent from one year ago, compared to suburban home values, which have increased 6.7 percent from a year ago. This means that if you are looking for an affordable option right now, buying a suburban home might be the better option. If you’re looking for the best investment over time, buying a city home might be the smarter option. However, you can’t predict the future of home values, so it’s best to choose where you’d rather live than where the best home appreciation is located!

Family Living – One aspect of suburban living that never changes is that you’ll have more space to spread out than with city living. On average, suburban homes are 300 square-feet bigger than urban homes. This includes features such as backyards, garages, attics, basements and more, which you don’t always get to enjoy in the city. If you have kids and/or pets, suburban living might be the better option. However, you can still find city homes with the same luxuries and ample space.

Hobbies/Activities – Another big factor to consider with city vs. suburb, is what type of activities you most enjoy. If you are single, or newly married, you might enjoy all the entertainment that cities have to offer, such as ethnic restaurants, happy hours, public transportation, museums and nightlife. If you’re a growing family, you might prefer parks and playgrounds, grocery stores and malls, and easy access to expressways. Your distance to good schools is another huge factor to consider.

Safety – As you might imagine, cities typically have higher crime rates than suburbs. So if safety is a concern for you and your family, a suburban home might be the better option for you. According to FBI crime statistics in 2014, major cities had twice the property crime rate and 2.5 times the violent crime rate compared to surrounding suburban areas. However, this is a general statistic. It all depends on which neighborhoods you choose to live in.

Health – The city and suburbs each have their pros and cons when it comes to your health. Suburbs tend to have cleaner air quality and less combustion, and lower stress levels due to slower-paced lives. City dwellers tend to get more physical activity on a regular basis, due to walking, biking and taking public transit more often, whereas suburban residents spend more time behind the wheel.

These are all great factors to consider, but when it comes down to it, it’s really a personal preference. If you need help deciding, Harty Realty Group will help you decide which location will work best for you, your lifestyle and your family! Contact us when ready to buy a Chicagoland home.

Harty Realty Group
Chicagoland’s Premier Buyer Agent
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Valentine’s Day Events in the Chicagoland Area

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Chicagoland Events

Chicagoland Valentine’s Day Events

The romantic Valentine’s Day holiday is coming up next week! Do you have plans to celebrate in the Chicagoland area? If not, as your Exclusive Buyer Agents in the Chicagoland real estate market, allow us to share some ideas for you in the Chicago, Northwest suburb and North Shore area.

Whether you’re looking for a romantic evening with your loved one, a family outing, or an anti-holiday singles event, there is something here for everyone!

  • Do know how Valentine’s Day started and who St. Valentine was? Gather your female friends for a Pre-Valentine’s Day Ladies Night Out at the Mount Prospect Historical Society’s Dietrich Friedrichs House Museum on Feb. 12, 6 to 9 p.m. Learn about St. Valentine, the oldest Valentine ever sent, old-fashioned courtship rituals, meanings of different types of flowers and more.
  • Enjoy watching a night of dancing at Athenaeum Theatre in Chicago on Feb. 13! Dances from the Heart includes 13 acts, complete with aerial, tap, jazz, urban fusion, contemporary, Mexican folklore and hip-hop. There will be something for everyone’s dance taste.
  • If Valentine’s Day just isn’t your thing, grab your ticket to the Screw Cupid Pub Crawl in Lincoln Park on Feb. 13, 8 to 11 p.m. Join other singles or loathers of the holiday for a night of drinks and food buffets at five bars, along with a transportation trolley to each stop.
  • Enjoy a Valentine’s Day dinner out at Norton’s Restaurant in Highland Park on either Feb. 13 or 14. While dining, enjoy live music from The Love, with Suede “Lennon” aka Derrick Stout, Dave “George” Steffen, Howie “Paul” Martino and Blair “Ringo” Holmes.
  • If you’d prefer to do the dancing on Valentine’s Day, head to Ballroom Dance Chicago for a Valentine’s Dance Class Feb. 13 or 14 at 6:30 p.m. It will include hors d’oeuvres, sparkling wine, a romantic rumba and sexy salsa class, and open dance time afterward.
  • Bring the whole family to the Levy Senior Center in Evanston for a Valentine’s Day Family Fun Fest on Feb. 14! Tickets cost $5 per person in advance or $7 at the door. From 3 to 5 p.m., enjoy dancing, games, prizes, cookie decorating, art activities, face painting, a balloon artist, a special photo area and refreshments!

Enjoy your Valentine’s Day next weekend, and then extend the fun into Monday, because that is also President’s Day weekend! When ready to buy a Chicagoland home, contact us. We’re Exclusive Buyer Agents, here to help you find your dream home in the Chicagoland real estate market.

Harty Realty Group
Chicagoland’s Premier Buyer Agent
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Get psyched for Halloween in Chicago…

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Chicagoland Halloween

Halloween Events in Chicagoland Area

Halloween is this weekend! As your Chicagoland real estate team, we’d like to fill you in on the spooky and fun events taking place around the Chicagoland area for the holiday. Get your costumes ready and choose an event that suits your style.

  • View famous Chicago sights, have fun on a segway, and dress in costume during a Halloween Segway Tour! You’ll follow your guide in costume around Chicago on a segway while stopping at haunted hotels and sites of gruesome disasters.
  • Participate in a Zombie Escape Room at Fine Arts Building! You and 11 others get trapped inside a room with a chained up zombie. Solve clues and try to escape before the zombie escapes its chains! Escape timeslots are 6:30 or 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, with more slots on Saturday and Sunday. Reserve in advance!
  • Head to Halloween at Navy Pier anytime this week, through Halloween! Trick-or-treating takes place Friday and Saturday, and on Saturday, a costume contest will occur at 6 p.m. Get pictures with the “Addams Family” characters strolling around and enjoy live performances. Finish your night with spooky movies and fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, Oct. 29, head to Highland Park for Halloween Downtown! Port Clinton Square shops will have trick-or-treating  from 3 to 6 p.m., and Renaissance Place will have it from 4 to 6 p.m. Enjoy decorated plazas, free pony rides, lots of candy and activities for every age group.
  • On Friday, Oct. 30, teens ages 15 to 20 can attend Skelebration at Redmoon Theater for a night of weird inventive machines, video games, DJs, dancing and food trucks. Tickets cost $10 in advance or $15 at the door. It takes place from 7 to 11 p.m. and is a safe place for teens to celebrate Halloween.
  • Oct. 30 and 31, young children can dress up in costume and head to The Woman’s Club of Evanston for Fairy Tale Trail! They will make their way through an eight-room maze, where they will meet adults dressed as fairy tale characters. Instead of a scary haunted house, it’s a dream come true!
  • On Oct. 31, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., is the only time dogs are allowed to enter the Chicago Botanic Garden! Dress your pooch up for the Spooky Pooch Parade and costume contest. Halloween is for your pets, too! If you want your dog to participate, you must register. Watching the parade is free.
  • On Oct. 31, kids can enjoy a fun Halloween night from 5 to 8 p.m. at Halloween Boonanza at the Community Recreation Center in Schaumburg. There will be hayrides, crafts, carnival games, live entertainment and trick-or-treating. Come in costume and enjoy family-friendly fun!

Enjoy your Halloween holiday weekend here in the Chicagoland area! When ready to buy a Chicagoland home, contact us, your Exclusive Buyer Agents. We are always ready to help you out.

Harty Realty Group
Chicagoland’s Premier Buyer Agent
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6 Upcoming Events in North Shore of Chicago

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North Shore of Chicago

Memorial Day Events in North Shore of Chicago

The month of May is half over, but there are still numerous events and activities for you to enjoy in the North Shore suburbs of Chicago! As your Chicagoland real estate agents, we’ve put together a list of upcoming events for you to enjoy. Participating in these events is a great way to meet others who live in your community, especially if you just recently relocated to the area.

Mark these upcoming events down in your calendar and enjoy all that the North Shore suburbs of Chicago have to offer:

1.  This Friday evening, May 15, head to Hubbard Woods Park in Winnetka for a free Movie in the Park! The movie will begin around 8:15 p.m. and the showing is “Big Hero 6,” a Disney-animated adaptation of the Marvel Comics series. It’s appropriate for all ages, so socialize with others in town and enjoy this free, family-friendly event.

2.  Support local Evanston students in grades K-12 at the YEA! Day Festival at Raymond Park on May 16. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., you can view artwork and watch performances from students in a relaxing, beautiful outdoor setting. One thousand children will display visual art, and 400 children will perform. This is a great way to show your support and encouragement to local children and teens!

3.  On May 23, join the Grand Opening of the new Splash Pad at Hidden Creek in Highland Park. From 10 a.m to noon, you can enjoy free admission to the AquaPark. A ribbon cutting will take place at 10:15 a.m. and free snow cones will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The first 100 attendees will receive special giveaways!

4.  Begin your Memorial Day celebration on May 25 with a ceremony at Fountain Square in Evanston from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Evanston American Legion Post 42 will host a community reflection and ceremony to honor America’s fallen heroes.

5.  You can also head to Winnetka on Memorial Day for the Village’s 88th annual Memorial Day observance. Beginning at 10 a.m., this will include a parade that kicks off from the corner of Glendale and Elm Streets, which then heads east to the Village Green. A ceremony will take place on the Green, or if it rains, at the auditorium at Skokie School.

6.  The Glencoe Grand Prix and Block Party takes place May 30! Watch great cycling all day, including the popular kid races that begin at noon, and then enjoy a block party, which begins at 5 p.m. in the Village Court parking lot. It’ll include live music, several food trucks and beer. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., there will also be a kids’ fun area with bouncy houses and face painting.

Enjoy the rest of your May, and when you’re ready to buy a North Shore home, contact us, your Chicagoland real estate agents! We are here and ready to help.

Harty Realty Group
Chicagoland’s Premier Buyer Agent
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John Harty
Rich Harty
    

CONTACT INFORMATION

Harty Realty Group
699 Park Avenue West
Highland Park, IL 60035
(847) 266-8242
Rich: (847) 514-4927 | John: (847) 514-4926
Email: Ihartygroup@gmail.com