@properties is no stranger to Wilmette. In fact, we’ve been serving home buyers and sellers in the area for almost a decade. And if experience has taught us anything, it’s that there’s a lot to love about this quaint North Shore community – So much to love that we decided to make a new home for @properties right in town.

This July, stop by our new office at 1100 Central Ave. in the town’s central business district, and keep reading to find out why we’re excited to finally call Wilmette home.

Did you know that 79% of internet users in the U.S. actively use Facebook? It stands to reason that using social media to spread the word about your real estate endeavors can go a long way.

Think about it. Chances are the buyer and seller of the same property will have similar interests. After all, they were drawn to the same neighborhood, features and amenities. And while it’s unlikely they know each other personally, it’s a lot more likely that they’re somehow connected to each other through their networks.

The six degrees of separation theory is especially true when it comes to social media. That’s one of the reasons why @properties uses platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and Pinterest as marketing tools.

If you’re selling your home, there are ways you can join us online and use social media to help achieve your real estate goals. Here are a few tips:

When it comes to selling a home, the backbone of any successful marketing strategy is proper pricing. That’s because the highest volume of potential buyers see your home within days of it hitting the market. So if your home is perceived as overpriced right off the bat, you’ve already missed a huge opportunity.

“A lot of times, people don’t know what they want until you show it to them.”

Steve Jobs famously said this in a 1998 BusinessWeek interview. His approach ultimately led to one of the most influential innovations of our time: the iPhone.

You could say residential real estate developers have a similar mindset when it comes to amenities in high-rise condominium buildings.

Take the forthcoming Michigan Avenue luxury tower 1000M, for example. A few years ago, no one would have imagined that a golf simulator or virtual meditation room would be a draw for homebuyers. But as technology and design trends evolve, and competition heats up in the new construction market, developers are taking their amenity offerings to the next level in order to create a truly unique experience for residents.  

What makes a house a home has just as much to do with what’s around it as what’s in it. So when it comes to buying a home, it’s important to find the neighborhood or suburb that matches your lifestyle needs.

Here are a few things to consider during your search:

There’s no time like the present to plan ahead. If you’re even thinking about selling your home early next year, there are a number of things you should do now to prepare.

Here are a few tips to get your home market-ready before colder temps set in.

Jonny Imerman emerged from his triumphant fight against cancer at the age of 26 with one overarching belief: that no one should have to face the disease alone.

Through his boundless energy, optimism, and determination to help others, Jonny created Imerman Angels – a Chicago-based organization that matches mentor “angels” with cancer fighters, survivors, and caregivers who provide personalized one-on-one support.

At @properties, we’re committed to helping make a positive impact on our community, and that’s why we’re proud to announce that Imerman Angels is the 2017 beneficiary of our non-profit foundation, @gives back. Watch the video above to learn more about the partnership and how you can get involved.

Whether there’s a cause that hits close to home, or philanthropy just makes you feel good, there are a number of reasons people give back. No matter the reason, charitable work is essential to strengthening our neighborhoods and communities. If you’re looking for ways to get involved, here are a few suggestions:

From Chicago to Harbor Country, the shoreline of Lake Michigan offers a variety of beaches suited for just about every lifestyle. We’ve rounded up a list of spots to visit based on how you prefer to spend your day at the beach. Keep reading and weigh in on your favorite ways to spend a beach day in the comments.

The votes have been tallied, and once again @properties has been named a winner in Make It Better Magazine’s annual Best of survey! This is the second year in a row that we have earned the title of Best Real Estate Company.

From salons and spas to shops and restaurants, the Best of 2017 survey celebrates the best businesses and services from Chicago to the North Shore. Each year it draws thousands of votes from Make It Better readers and locals alike.

From all of us at @properties, thank you to Make It Better and to all of our supporters who voted! Be sure to check out the full Best of 2017 list here and in the July magazine.