We hope everyone is having a great start to their summer! In this month's newsletter we are proud to announce the launch of our blog,"Upgrade Your Lifestyle". Subscribe today and stay up-to-date with everything going on in Chicago from real estate trends to neighborhood guides, design tips and more. Everyone at Homescout is excited to share our knowledge and expertise with you!

Also, with everyone moving, we created a list of moving tips would be helpful to get you on track. Lastly, you will find the first of 3 Urban Upgrade installments on 9 reasons to buy a home.

We are busy over here at Homescout helping hundreds of Chicagoans find their new home this summer.Please contact us today if you need help finding an apartment, need some guidance on your rent to buy decision or if you are ready to buy!

All The Best,
Michael Krasman & Jeff Ellman
Co-Founders, Homescout Realty

Nine Reasons to Buy a Home: Part I

Go here for the full article and prepare for home ownership today

If you are like many renters, and most first-time homebuyers, the phrase “home ownership” pranced across your lap. You may have a friend, family member, or coworker, who recently purchased a home, gave you advice encouraging you to grow up and buy a home, or you simply cannot stand living in your parent’s basement or near the train tracks forever. Relax. The right time to purchase a home is different for everyone, and the more you know about why you should buy a home, the less scary the entire process will appear to you. Here are is Part I of a III part series on nine advantages of buying a home.

1 • Appreciation
As in a rise in value or price, over time, though you will also appreciate the stains in your bathroom no longer resembling the Chicago River.

2 • Mortgage Interest Deductions
A portion of your monthly payments are tax deductible, a natural defense from Uncle Sam’s tax hungry fingers.

3 • Property Tax Deductions
Even more savings from this past April’s painful donation to the IRS.

Real estate property taxes paid for a first/primary home and a vacation home are also fully deductible for income tax purposes. This means that your monthly tax payments will mean additional end of year savings, helping you get back some of that money from your paycheck you never even got to touch in the first place.

Click here to read the full article or if you would like to speak to someone about all of the advantages of buying a home today email Joel Holland or call us at 312-377-4663!

Homescout Realty Launches our Blog!

Check out the blog and subscribe today!

Looking for ways to Upgrade Your Lifestyle on a daily basis? Homescout Realty is officially announcing the launch of our Blog!

We will blog about things that our clients and Chicagoans alike are interested in. Neighborhood guides, lifestyle tips, new hot properties, Chicago Real Estate news, events in the city and everything in between! Homescout Realty wants to be your resource for all of your real estate needs in Chicago and much more. Our consultants and staff are experts on the city of Chicago and will strive to keep you enlightened on a daily basis with everything going on in our great city! Here is a just a taste of some of the things you will find as we help you Upgrade our Lifestyle:

• Neighborhood Guides: From the best sushi places in Lakeview to the newest attractions of the South Loop, we will highlight everything happening around Chicago’s favorite neighborhoods.
• Lifestyle Tips: Similar to our “Upgrade Your Lifestyle” section of the newsletter, we will provide design and living tips for the urban dweller.
• Real Estate Market Trends: If there is something going on in Chicago’s Real Estate industry we break it down and let you know what is important to you.
• Hot Properties: If an AMAZING new home joins our inventory we will make sure you are the first to know.
• Chicago Events: Stay up to date with all of the best events going on Chicago! Form networking, to charity or just plain social, we will keep you in tuned on the places to be around the city.

8 Ways to Have a Stress Free Move

Go here for the full article and figure out your next move!

1 • Put a plan in place
All of us have been there through an unplanned move. It comes down to throwing everything randomly lying around into a big box, people's things getting mixed up, stress levels get high and things break as you force them into boxes that are entirely too heavy to lift.

2 • Move only what you love
Living in the city where space sometimes isn’t on our side, you need to let go of the inner pack rat and start to let go of what you don’t need. As you are going through your stuff, if you haven’t used something or needed it in the past year, then it’s time to either trash it, sell it, or donate it!

3 • Set a moving budget
Here is where moving can sometimes get very expensive if you don’t plan properly. Figure out how much you can spend on your move and exactly what supplies are needed. Always air to the side of buying more boxes and tape than you think you need.

4 • Organization
Not to throw a cliché out there, but organization is key! This will not only make the packing process easier, but will make the unpacking process much smoother. Grab a sharpie and write the contents on every box, the more specific the better.

5 • Take breaks
Moving can be stressful, take a well deserved break every now and then. Step out of the craziness of your apartment, grab some water and clear your head.

6 • Use your luggage
Make sure and utilize all of your duffel bags and suitcases. These are great holders for t-shirts, towels, bedding etc. Also, don’t forget to pack a duffel of clothes or toiletries you might need immediately that day.

7 • Important Docs
Keep a folder of all important papers with you at all times. Grab a collapsible folder and secure everything from your birth certificate, insurance papers, checks, your new lease, pretty much everything that you definitely can’t loose.

8 • Change your address
You are almost there…but don’t forget the final step that most people ignore, change your address! Go to the United States Postal Service and you can change it right online.