StartingPoint Realty Blog
Chicago Summer Real Estate Forecast: Hot!
The Chicago area real estate market is at peak summer frenzy, and home buyers have déjà vu all over again! Here's why the Chicagoland market is so hot, along with the best way to handle it! 3 Reasons the Chicago Area Real Estate Market is Hot 1. Summer is typically a...
Grant Funds Available for Chicago Home Buyers in 2026
A new grant announced by Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Housing provides eligible home buyers up to $70,000 in financial assistance! The Homegrown Purchase Assistance Grant is designed to help low and moderate income buyers cover down payment and...
Suburban Chicago Home Buyers Face Competitive Spring Market
Suburban Chicago home buyers are seeing a familiar pattern this spring: fewer homes on the market, and rising home prices! According to Mainstreet REALTORS©, the median price of a detached suburban Chicago home increased 5.5% on a year-over-year basis, reaching...
Willow Walk in Palatine: a neighborhood tour!
Take a video tour of Willow Walk, a popular neighborhood in Palatine, IL! This community of quality homes is located near 1-90. [video width="1920" height="1080"...
Spring is Here for Chicago Area Home Buyers and Sellers!
Spring may not officially begin until March 20, but for Chicago area home buyers and sellers, the season turned a few weeks ago! That's when 30-year mortgage interest rates finally reached an average of 6%, marking the lowest level in 3 years. For buyers, this was...
Pre-Sale Inspections: Tips for Chicago Home Sellers
Home inspections aren’t just for home buyers! Pre-sale inspections can be a wise investment for home sellers. Finding potential issues before you list for your home for sale can save you time, money and headaches down the road. Here's why! Home inspections are a...
Winter Offers Advantages for Chicago Home Buyers
When it comes to buying a Chicago home, the time of year can affect your entire experience! Sure, it's more fun to look at homes when the weather is nice and the flowers are in bloom. But if you bundle up and brave the cold, you could save time and money in the...
Chicago Buyers Want a Home for the Holidays!
Selling your Chicago area home during the holidays can attract buyers, because buyers are looking for holiday-ready homes! About 60% of surveyed Gen Z and Millennial buyers said that finding space for holiday gatherings influenced their home search. About 47% of Gen X...
Chicago Area Home Inventory Falls Back in Autumn
Chicago area home inventory dropped during September, while home sales remained steady. Here's the latest market data from Illinois REALTORS©, along with our own insights! The number of homes for sale in the City of Chicago was 22% lower during September 2025,...
First-Time Chicago Area Home Buyers Face Uphill Climb
It isn't your imagination: buying your first Chicago area home is harder today than it was a few years ago. Here's the difference in market conditions over the past five years! Home prices in the City of Chicago increased by an average of 30% between 2020 and 2025. As...
Roof Condition Tips for Chicago Home Buyers
As a Chicago home buyer, there are a few big-ticket repairs you hope to avoid for a long as possible. Among these are roof replacements, which can range anywhere from $10,000 up to $40,000 or more. There are a ton of variables in roof replacement costs: home size,...
Summer Sales Heat Up for Chicago Suburban Homes
Chicago suburban homes saw a boost in sales activity during June, with home buyers capitalizing on improved inventory. By the numbers, sales activity for single-family homes increased by 10% on a year-over-year basis. Sales activity for attached homes, such as...
Home Insurance Tips for Chicago Home Buyers
Home insurance policies are becoming more expensive, due to extreme weather, rising home values, and the increasing cost of home repairs. As insurance companies become more selective about who and what they will cover, there are a few things Chicago home buyers should...
Home Prices in Chicago Suburbs Climb as Sales Pace Slows
Chicago suburban home prices are on the upswing, with the median sales price for a detached, single-family home reaching $405,000 during April. This is a year-over-year increase of 5.2%, according to data from Mainstreet REALTORS©. However, there are a number of...