It's Valentine's Day, so it's only natural that we're writing a love letter to Chicago - the greatest city in the world.

After all, our city does offer residents plenty to love - especially if you're in the market for a new piece of real estate! However, the many amazing properties on the market and the ones being built as we type are only one of the reasons that the Windy City is our Valentine this year, and every year. Here are some of the others...

 1. Chicago has all four seasons, and they are all spectacular. From festive holidays in the winter and crisp autumn days to celebrating the arrival of spring and the summer heat like no where else, Chicago is the place to be to experience the best (okay and sometimes worst) that Mother Nature has

The Vista tower might be the most exciting new building being created in Chicago, and perhaps the most new real estate opportunities in this unparalleled building are the luxury condos that will be located on the top twenty floors of this stunning new high rise located on the banks of the Chicago River where it meets Lake Michigan. These amazing homes will set a new standard for luxury in Chicago - they are true mansions in the sky.

The Sky 360 Residences are the units located on floors seventy-three through ninety-three of the Vista Tower, and they are truly magnificent. Featuring unmatched and uninterrupted 360 degree views of Chicago along with some of the most opulent amenities, high end finishes, and every upgrade you could possibly desire or

One of the best things about Chicago is how we celebrate...basically everything! But the lunar new year - or Chinese New Year - is particularly special, and not just in Chinatown. That said, the parade there is pretty amazing, and we love seeing it - and all the colorful pictures - every year. And it's especially amazing to be living in a city that has multiple Spring Festival parades!

Chicago has one of the largest Chinatowns in North America, but the celebration extends throughout the city with events at Navy Pier, the Chicago Symphony Center, the Art Institute, and more. The Lunar New Year or Spring Festival is one of the most popular Chinese holidays, and it's meant to honor one's ancestors and kick off the new year, and much of it is centered

An increasingly popular feature of high rise real estate in major cities around the world is the combination of luxury condos and high hotels - and we think that it might be a match made in heaven. Not only do residents get to enjoy their own condo and customized space, they get all the perks of a top hotel, such as...

Fitness facilities. Fantastic hotels usually have equally fantastic gyms, so you'll be able to stay in shape in style.

Spas. There's nothing wrong with treating yourself, and if you live in a high rise that's also home to a premier hotel property, you most likely can enjoy being pampered at an amazing spa without leaving the building. Now that's luxurious!  

Pools. A beautiful pool(s) and/or hot tubs are usually part of the

Chicago is known as one of the world's greatest food cities, and our real estate team definitely appreciates every aspect of the city's culinary scene. Here are some unique elements of dining in Chicago that new residents should definitely know about.

1. Pan pizza - this is similar to the much heralded deep dish but with a caramelized crust and baked cheese on top. A little less rich but no less flavorful, this is what real Chicago natives tend to prefer. And it's a little lighter if you're counting calories or just don't want to be in a food coma.

2. The "Mother in Law" - a hot dog/tamale/chili combination that's unique to the south side of Chicago. If you like that, try the Gym Shoe, which uses gyro meat (a nod to the area's Greek immigrants)

It's time to go beyond the stereotypes - that Chicago is full of Bears and Cubs who have the distinctive accent, we all hate ketchup (at least on our hot dogs) and we subsist on Italian beefs and deep dish pizza. Chicago has many wonderful idiosyncrasies that newcomers simply aren't aware of until they live there for a while.

So our Chicago real estate team has put together a list of the many unique aspects of Chicago that newcomers should definitely - it's the inside scoop from the city's leading experts on things Windy City lifestyle and real estate. Several of these will be especially helpful to new residents of our downtown Chicago condos!

Here are eight things newly minted Chicagoans should definitely know...

1. It is much cleaner than

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