Buying your first condo in Chicago should be a fun experience, but it can also be scary and stressful too if you’re not fully prepared and put yourself in the best possible position when it comes time to make some serious decisions. So if you’re planning to be in the market for a new home or condo and also happen to be a first-time home buyer, here’s our shortlist of missteps to avoid.

Start shopping for a condo before you’ve applied for a mortgage

We get it—looking around at available condos for sale is exciting and probably the most enjoyable part of the whole home buyer process. But if you aren’t already pre-approved, chances are other buyers will be and you’ll ultimately miss out on what could be your dream place. Plus, you never really know how

Photo Courtesy of Matthew Brodeur

As the clock ticks down to Jan 1st Chicagoans are lining up to be the first to buy some Maryjane!
Below is a list of Chicago Neighborhoods where you can find the goods

ANDERSONVILLE
Dispensary33
5001 N. Clark St.
Hours on Jan 1; 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Regular Hours: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday - Sunday

BUCKTOWN 
NuMed Chicago
1308 W. North Ave.
Jan. 1 hours: 8 am.-7 pm 
Jan. 2: 11 am - 6 pm
Tuesday-Friday: 11pm -6pm
Saturday-Sunday: 12PM - 5PM
Closed Monday

GARFIELD RIDGE 
Midway Dispensary
5648 S Archer Ave.
Hours on Jan. 1: 10am – 8pm.
Regular Hours: Monday - Saturday 10am – 8pm.
Sunday 10am -5pm

JEFFERSON PARK
Columbia Care
4758 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Jan. 1 hours: 10am – 7pm
Regular hours: 10am - 7pm Monday-Friday 10am – 5pm Saturday

Recent financial forecasts show that due to interest rates still being at historically low levels, home purchases are likely to elevate in 2020, especially among young and first-time home buyers. In fact, Washington D.C.-based Mortgage Bankers Association is also estimating that mortgage origination will grow 1.6% next year while home prices could in fact drop 2020, leading to more availability and options for buyers to consider.     

A strong job market is also helping home buyers obtain more purchasing power and placing more first time buyers in a position to finally make the transition to home ownership.

Anywhere between 8.3 to 9.2 million first-time home buyers are projected to become homeowners in the next 3 years, according to credit bureau

The West Loop is the one of the hottest neighborhoods in Chicago thanks to its premier restaurants, top tier schools, wide array of fitness studios, and the close proximity to a growing list of employers. It's also a location with plenty of housing options for current home buyers and renters to consider, but with the ever-increasing demand for larger units, those in the market are flocking to the new Peoria Green development, which features huge 4-5 bedroom condo units.

Located between Peoria and Green Streets next to Mary Bartelme Park, Peoria Green is located in the heart of the West Loop offering its residents Chicago living at its finest. There are 4 different layouts available, all of which contain modern luxury features like; private elevators,

If you're looking to buy your first home or condo next year, chances are you won't be alone in your quest to transition from renting to owning in 2020.

In fact, millennials are expected to drive the U.S. housing market forward more than ever before with large volumes expected to either purchase their first home or perhaps even relocate from urban areas to the suburbs, according to multiple economic forecasts.

While it seems like we've heard this story before, the millennial home buying movement in 2020 is expected to be fueled by the expectation of mortgage rates remaining low for the duration of the new year. According to a recent market analysis by Transunion, the number of new mortgages that will be extended to first time buyers is projected to

If you’re planning to buy a home or condo for the first-time in the near future, your credit score is going to play a big role in the process. While there isn’t a uniform algorithm or equation used by lenders and other financial companies, your credit score tends to be similar across the board and is based on a variety of factors.

For now, we won’t take a deep dive into how a credit score is determined. But if you’re somebody that already knows your credit score could use some work, here’s a quick look at several ways to make that happen.

Pay Your Bills on Time

It sounds easy but paying your bills on time will have a positive impact on your credit score. Payment performance is usually a strong indicator of what type of borrower you are and what kind

Planning to be in the market for a River North condo as a first-time home buyer? Take a closer look at several top buildings that won't break the bank...

Marina Towers

Marina Towers, designed by the architect, Bertrand Goldberg are often referred to as Chicago’s round towers, the corn on the cob, or the corn cob buildings. There are a total of 896 condos ranging from studios to 3 bedrooms. The studios have 500-600 sq ft,  the 1-bedroom condos have 575-800 sq ft, the 2-bedroom condos have 1,200-1,500 sq ft, and the 3-bedroom condos have 2,500 sq ft. Amenities at Marina Towers include a 24 hr. door staff, gym, bike room, sundeck, and storage. Marina Towers is one of the few condos in Chicago with its own boat dock. The building also has the

A proposed plan to demolish the Cassidy Tire Building located at 344 Canal St and build a new apartment tower appears to be moving forward. The Developer, The Habitat Company, along with local architecture firm, Solomon Cordwell Buenz, are planning to erect a 33-story building containing 343 apartments and 124 parking spaces according to Alderman, Brendan Reilly (42nd). The Habitat Company announced their plans to purchase the site back in May, stating that the Cassidy Tire Building is located in an ideal position for redevelopment.   

The building, designed by architect Henry J. Schlacks, has a rich history dating back to 1902 when it functioned as a factory and warehouse for the Tyler & Hippach glass company. Henry J. Schlacks is most known for