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Broker Blake | Baird & Warner

Moving from Chicago to the North Shore?

More space may be part of the reason. So might a different commute, a yard or a new routine. Before choosing a town, let's work out what you need the move to change.

Talk with Blake773.683.8500

By Blake Galler, REALTOR

Gillson Park and Beach in Wilmette
Location photography; not a current listing.

Compare an ordinary week.

Your daily trips

Map work, errands and the places you visit regularly. Check the actual station, schedule, drive and walking route rather than relying on an advertised commute.

The home you will maintain

Moving from a condo to a house changes the responsibilities as well as the space. Compare maintenance, exterior work, utilities and the time you want to spend on them.

The whole budget

Look beyond the mortgage payment. Use property-specific taxes, insurance, association costs where applicable, moving expenses and a realistic allowance for work.

If you also need to sell

We'll discuss how much flexibility you have before committing to a sequence. Your lender can help establish what financing is available; your attorney can advise on contract terms. Those conversations belong early in the planning.

  • Selling first can clarify the proceeds available, but may require a plan for temporary housing or a gap between homes.
  • Buying first can make the next destination clearer, but depends on financing and the ability to carry the obligations involved.
  • Coordinating the dates requires attention to both contracts and a backup plan if timing changes.

Compare homes in these locations

You don't have to decide on one place before we talk. A clear list of priorities can help us compare the available properties across more than one location.

A useful first conversation

Bring your current address if you're selling, preferred timing, approximate budget and a short list of what needs to change. Tell me which parts are flexible. We can identify the next questions and the people who should help answer them.

Questions I hear from clients

Do I need to sell before I start looking?

Not necessarily. Exploring options can help with planning. Before making commitments, discuss financing and the sale/purchase sequence.

Can I keep working in Chicago?

Evaluate the route for the specific home, work destination and hours. Check current transit schedules or test the drive rather than assuming a townwide commute time.

Which town is best for me?

There isn't one answer for everyone. Compare the homes, costs and routine against your priorities, then decide which tradeoffs you can live with.

Let's work out the move.

I can help you connect the Chicago sale, the next search and the practical steps in between.

Talk with Blake
Photography credits

Gillson Park and Beach: formulanone, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0. Cropped for display; the adapted photograph is shared under the same license. View photograph.

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