@ Loves Local is headed to Lincoln Park! On Tuesday, June 21^st, 2022, from 3:00pm-5:00pm, get a cupcake on us at Sweet Mandy B’s, located at 1208 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL 60614. Simply mention @properties, ProperRate or @ Loves Local when ordering to redeem.

Sweet Mandy B’s is truly a Chicago favorite with its welcoming atmosphere and signature handcrafted cupcakes. We talked to the owners, Julie and Tommy Wang, for a look into their story.

As we continue to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month during May, @properties Christie’s International Real Estate is highlighting several Chicago-based Asian artists whose unique works are not only captivating, but often delve into the rich history and culture of their respective backgrounds. Here’s a roundup of artists whose talent is on display throughout the Chicago area and beyond.

With interest rates rising and inflation showing up everywhere from the grocery store to the gas pump, it can be a challenging time to save for a down payment and break into the housing market. However, there are a variety of things both large and small that can immediately shave costs and grow your nest egg – perhaps even faster than you anticipated. Here are a few tips:  

Household Audit  

Begin by auditing all your expenses each month and know exactly where your money is going. This may sound obvious, but forgotten expenditures add up and can often be scaled back. This is where you’ll notice subscriptions and streaming services you may not use, or insurance policies that you are potentially overpaying on. Take the time to cancel items or renegotiate how much you’re paying for certain things, and you’ll soon tally up savings.  

March is Women’s History Month, commemorating women’s contributions throughout history and celebrating the inspirational women of today. To kick off the month, we’re highlighting some of our favorite women-owned businesses in Chicago, from a health-focused juice bar and eco-friendly boutique to an independent bike shop.

Here are 10 women-owned businesses to support this month and year ‘round.

@properties Christie’s International Real Estate is a longtime champion of the arts. Over the years, we’ve collaborated with local artists and commissioned several public art pieces, including murals throughout Chicago.

As we continue to celebrate Black History Month, we are excited to highlight some local Black artists whose work inspires our communities and our love for Chicago’s art scene.

As we celebrate Black History Month, @properties Christie’s International Real Estate is excited to spotlight a variety of Black-owned businesses in Chicago, from a coffee shop that raises awareness for mental health to local restaurants and everything in between.

Keep reading to learn about 10 of our favorite Black-owned businesses to support this month and beyond, and check out our roundup from last year for more.

What do @properties and the Wu-Tang Clan have in common? An undeniable love for Chicago and giving back. Last month, @gives back partnered with Wu Tang Foundation, the charitable arm of the world-renowned hip hop group, and Strides for Peace, a Chicago non-profit dedicated to ending gun violence and empowering community organizations, for the inaugural Chicago Neighborhood Cleanup event.

According to a recent article in Crain’s Chicago Business, home sales in the city of Chicago increased 35.5% in March on a year-over-year basis, almost three times the increase that was seen nationwide. The median sales price in Chicago was up 7.8% that same period, while prices jumped 17.2% nationally.

In honor of Black History Month, @properties is excited to spotlight a variety of Black-owned businesses throughout Chicago. Following is a roundup of just some of the great businesses you can support year-round. And we’ll be making a stop at two of them over the next few weeks as part of our @ Loves Local Series. Keep an eye on our blog and our Facebook and Instagram accounts for details, and we hope to see you there!

Located on the shore of Lake Michigan, Hyde Park is a beautiful neighborhood with a lot to offer. Between enriching art exhibits and museums, a world-renowned university, and well-kept community green spaces, there are a lot of reasons people have fallen in love with Hyde Park. Here are ours: