CHICAGOLAND REAL ESTATE & LIFE TRANSITIONS

Price for your block, fix what buyers see, and plan the first two weeks. Here's what I see actually helping city and suburban homes sell this fall.

Cook County's second installment property taxes for 2025 were due October 1, 2026. That's about two months later than homeowners are used to, because the bills went out September 1 instead of midsummer. If the date slipped past you, you're not the only one, and it's fixable. Here's what happens if you paid late, how to pay now, when the next bill is coming, and what's still worth double checking on the one you have. Missed the October 1 due date? Here's what to do Pay as soon

vintage Chicago condo building exterior affected by new Fannie Mae reserve requirements If you're buying or selling a condo right now, there's someone new sitting in on the deal. You've never met them. They've never seen the unit. But as of this month, they have more say over whether your sale closes than almost anyone else in the room. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac just finished rolling out the biggest change to condo lending in years, and the last piece of it landed August 3.