Making New Year's resolutions is a great way to start off the New Year off right, whether they are the standard ones like "get in shape", "learn something new", "start a new business"or "spend more time with friends and family". However, there are plenty of other things that you might want to work on in 2019, from the small (such as re-arranging your home to make a more cozy living environment), to the large (buying a new piece of property whether you plan to live in it or use it as an investment).

What are your resolutions for 2019? We'll start by sharing ours. In 2019 we resolve to...

1. Keep our (and our clients') homes staging ready. The easiest way to do this is by updating your interior decor with new paint colors, curtains, pillows,

We all do (nearly) everything from our phones, and that probably includes searching for real estate! If you're in the market or just interested in the real estate scene in general, you probably already have the obvious property-seeker options like Zillow and Redfin. However, there are some apps that are unique to Chicago that you might find particularly useful. here are a few of our real estate team's favorites..

312go - All sorts of fun facts and trivia about Chicago, delivered as you move about the city. You can get to know Chicago detail by detail, and block by block.

Houzz - Once you find that beautiful piece of real estate to call home, you have to decorate it! This interior design app helps you source everything from the perfect pillows to

As a discerning home owner there's no doubt that you appreciate beauty and creativity in all its forms - and that shows in your personal style, your wardrobe, your vacation destinations, the way you decorate your home, and perhaps most importantly, in your art collection.

So naturally, you want your art collection to be showcased properly in your place - simply hanging things up wherever you've got some blank space on your walls won't cut it. And while an interior designer can help you arrange what you've got, sometimes it makes more sense to choose a home with your artwork in mind. This is where working with a real estate agent who understands your collection and your goals might be the smartest decision you can make when seeking a new property to

Chicago winters are no joke. And with the temperatures dropping and the polar vortexes looming, if you live here you better ready to settle in for the winter. New transplant to the Windy City? Have no fear - our experienced agents are not only knowledgeable about the Chicago real estate scene, but also about living in the city itself - including how to survive our winters.

Moreover, if you are planning on moving to Chicago, don't be afraid of the cold! It's really not that bad, and if you follow the tips below, you may even surprise yourself by enjoying the winter months.

1. Stick to the Pedway. Whenever possible, simply stay out of the wintry elements during your daily routine. Residents of Lakeshore East and similar downtown condos have the