Headlines broadcasting news of interest rate hikes and rising mortgage rates have been coming at consumers fast and furious for most of 2022. And there’s no question the housing market has seen a deceleration as a result of that economic equation. But for home buyers seeking out deals or looking to protect themselves against inflation, now may be the perfect time to take the leap, especially for those who have their heart set on new construction.

The slowdown is affecting all property types and locations differently and new developments are no exception. While inventory has been historically low within the vertical, pre and new construction have still felt the impact of a slowing market, creating wiggle room in list prices. An additional benefit of investing in a development still under construction is that developers are usually incentivized to sell a certain percentage of units quickly in order to meet financial requirements.

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When decorating your new home, it often pays to invest in higher-end pieces. However, expensive doesn’t always mean better; sometimes it is smarter to go under budget and re-allocate those dollars to items worth the investment.

Below is a guide on where to spend and where to save, when turning your new house into your forever home.

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Finding unique housewarming gifts is tricky, especially when it comes to first-time homeowners. Long gone are the days of cliche toasters and cheese boards. So what should you bring if you’re invited to a housewarming party?

Here are just a few gift ideas for the different kinds of people in your life:

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Want to have a good laugh that quickly turns to a look of horror? Play a little game of Worst Neighbor Story Ever with a few fellow Chicagoans. That one time the guy downstairs faked a robbery and then had a four-hour fest smashing the remaining furniture in the middle of the night (yeah, that really happened) will look like absolutely nothing, I promise. But be prepared, because the look of horror might come when you realize that you yourself have committed some of the Worst Neighbor crimes, without even meaning to.

On the slight chance you’re looking to get back in the good graces of those living around you, or if you’re looking to start off on the right foot after moving into a new home, give one of these ideas a go.

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Winter is on its way and one of the most important things you can do when you set out to winterize your home is increase your energy efficiency.

While it’s easy to add warmth to your interiors as the seasons change, lowering your heating bill is a little more complicated.

With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some quick tips on how you can save money on your heating bill and be prepared for the winter months ahead. Continue reading

When you move into a new home, it can take awhile before it begins to feel like your own. Until you can paint the space, redo the floors or renovate your kitchen, accessorizing is an easy and inexpensive way to make your new house feel like home.

“It’s amazing how a pop of color and a few new accents can give a room a whole new feel,” said Caitie Smithe Jisa, a designer for Walter E. Smithe. “Start with a big sweep of your space and select which accessories you still love and want to keep around.  Any accessories that you feel are tired, boring, or out of place should be purged.” Continue reading

It’s official: you’ve found your dream home, your offer was accepted, and you’ve finally – finally – finished unpacking boxes. That makes throwing a party the natural next step in making new home ownership feel like a done deal.

If you want to throw a memorable housewarming party to show off your brand new digs – and of course, keep it completely stress-free – the key is to keep it simple. Your guests will know that you just moved and they won’t be expecting a five star soiree just yet. Continue reading