schapman@sibrealtors.com

  In May 2022, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill which amends the Illinois Human Rights Act to ban discrimination in housing based on source of income, including income such as housing choice vouchers (HCVs), sometimes referred to as Section 8 vouchers.  Click Here to Learn More

In a recent column for Chicago Agent Magazine, Illinois REALTORS® CEO Jeff Baker shared information about the association’s ongoing American Dream of Homeownership campaign aimed at increasing affordability and equity in housing so that everyone has the opportunity to own a home regardless of where they live, their socio-economic background or their ethnicity. Click Here to

  When it comes to buying a home, your credit score plays an important part.  Here’s how to clean up your credit to secure the least-expensive home loan possible. Credit scores range from 300-850, and the higher the number, the better.  The scores are based on personal loans, car loans, credit cards, and other debt

  Want your house to stand out in the holiday selling season?  Add a little holiday cheer to make your house shine during this busy time of year. Although the holiday season can be a hectic time to show and sell your house, there are some advantages of showing your home at this time of

You’re DIYing this real estate thing, and you think you’re doing pretty well—after all, any info you might need is at your fingertips online, right? That and your own sterling judgment. Oh, dear home buyer (or seller!)—we know you can do it on your own. But you really, really shouldn’t. This is likely the biggest financial decision

  Summer’s come and gone – it’s time to come inside.  Use Autumn’s brisk and breezy days to conquer deep-cleaning chores for a clean and comfortable home.  Kids are back in school, vacation time is over and many people use this time to look for new houses.  Fall is the second busiest time in real

  Your home is made of many parts, some seen and some unseen.  From the roof to the foundation, a home consists of literally thousands of components. Given the realities of day-to-day use, how long do some components last? What is life expectancy of a roof?  It depends on the weather as well as appropriate

  Don’t be in denial about home odor.  Following is how you can help address smells that are driving buyers away. Researchers studied over 400 people in a home décor store to find the most pleasing scents for customers and found that chocolate chip cookies, potpourri, gourmet foods, and other baked goods actually may be

  Living green has become a goal for many homeowners.  In fact, about three-quarters of people in the U.S. recycle, and the Environmental Protection Agency says that “recycling generates a host of financial, environmental, and social returns.”  The good news is that it doesn’t take a lot of time or effort to become a smart

  How to Hold a Successful Garage Sale Garage sales can be a great way to get rid of clutter and earn a little extra cash before you sell your home.  Below are some tips for a successful garage sale. Don’t wait until the last minute.  Planning a garage sale can demand a lot of