Chicago Real Estate Blog — Rowland Group

Spring gets most of the attention in real estate, but fall has quietly become one of the most active windows in the Chicago market. Buyers are motivated, inventory has a little more room to breathe, and sellers who list now often move faster than they expect. Fall Buyers Mean Business People searching in September and October usually have a real reason behind it, a lease ending, a job change, wanting to be settled before the holidays. That tends to filter out the casual looke

October is one of the best months to be in Chicago. The weather cools down, the neighborhoods put on their best fall colors, and the city fills up with Halloween events, outdoor festivals, world-class film, and some of the most iconic traditions of the year. Here's your complete guide to everything happening in Chicago this October. 🎉 October 2026 Festivals & Street Fests Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest October 2–4, 2026 · Lincoln Square One of the most beloved fall

South Loop has quietly become one of the best value plays in downtown Chicago. It sits just south of the Loop along the lakefront, with quick access to Grant Park, Museum Campus, and the South Side's food and culture scene, all while staying close enough to downtown to keep a real commute advantage. Housing Market Snapshot Recent Redfin data shows a median sale price around $394,863 in South Loop, with homes selling in about 55 days on average, faster than the 60 days it took

River North sits right between the Loop and the Gold Coast, and it has become one of the most in-demand spots in Chicago for people who want a true downtown lifestyle without giving up space or style. Converted warehouses, high-rise towers, and some of the city's best restaurants and galleries all sit within walking distance of each other here. Housing Market Snapshot Recent data from Redfin puts the median sale price in River North around $426,750, with homes typically takin

September in Chicago is that sweet spot between summer's last festivals and fall settling in. The lakefront is still warm, the neighborhood street fests keep going strong, and there is a real mix of food, music, art, and family events to fill your weekends before the weather turns. Here is your complete guide to what is happening around the city this September. September 2026 Festivals & Street Fests Chicago Jazz Festival | September 3-6, 2026 · Millennium Park & Chicago Cu

Every year, the same advice makes the rounds: wait for spring to sell your home, that's when the market comes alive. In a normal year that's not bad advice. This year, in this city, waiting could mean waiting through the exact window when a Chicago seller has the least competition and the most motivated buyers. The Wait Until Spring Myth Nationally, spring does tend to bring the biggest crowds and the strongest prices, industry data points to mid-April as the peak week in a t

Mortgage rates have been sliding through 2026, and for Chicago buyers who have been waiting on the sidelines, that shift is worth paying attention to. Rates are down from around 6.72 percent to roughly 6.3 percent, and every bit of that drop changes the math on what you can actually afford. Why Rates Are Coming Down Mortgage rates track the broader economy, and the signals this year have pointed toward easing. That does not mean rates are heading back to the 3 percent territo

Jason Rowland of Rowland Group at Compass breaks down why Chicago prices keep climbing even as available homes shrink, and what that means for buyers and sellers heading into the fall market.

Jason Rowland of Rowland Group at Compass breaks down the Chicago real estate market across Q1 and Q2 2026 — prices, inventory, what sold fast, and what it means for buyers and sellers right now.

Jason Rowland of Rowland Group at Compass shares the best restaurants in Lincoln Park, Chicago — from Michelin-starred fine dining to neighborhood favorites worth knowing in 2026.

Jason Rowland of Rowland Group at Compass shares the complete checklist for preparing your Chicago home to sell in 2026 — what to fix, what to skip, and how to maximize your sale price.

Jason Rowland of Rowland Group at Compass shares the best restaurants in Chicago's Gold Coast — from wood-fired fine dining to lakefront favorites and neighborhood institutions worth knowing in 2026.

Jason Rowland of Rowland Group at Compass shares smart home buying strategies for Chicago in 2026 — whether you're a first-time buyer, upgrading, investing, or relocating from out of state.

Jason Rowland of Rowland Group at Compass shares the best restaurants in Chicago's West Loop — from nationally recognized Randolph Street icons to Fulton Market gems worth knowing in 2026.

Jason Rowland of Rowland Group at Compass introduces Coming Soon and off-market listings in Chicago — how Compass Private Exclusives works, who benefits, and how to get early access before properties hit the MLS.

Jason Rowland of Rowland Group at Compass shares the best restaurants in Lakeview, Chicago — from Southport Corridor institutions to Wrigleyville favorites and hidden gems worth knowing in 2026.

Property taxes are an essential part of home ownership, yet they are often misunderstood. Many homeowners are unsure how their property taxes are calculated, why they increase, or what to do if they believe their assessment is incorrect. This guide breaks down property tax assessments in a simple, easy-to-understand way - so you know exactly what you’re paying for and why. Like any other major purchase, home buyers need to shop around the real estate market before making deci

Property taxes are an essential part of homeownership, yet they are often misunderstood. Many homeowners are unsure how their property taxes are calculated, why they increase, or what to do if they believe their assessment is incorrect. This guide breaks down property tax assessments in a simple, easy-to-understand way - so you know exactly what you’re paying for and why. Property tax is a local tax paid by homeowners based on the assessed value of their property. These taxes

Jason Rowland of Rowland Group at Compass explains exactly how to determine the right offer price on a Chicago home — the data, the strategy, and the factors that win in 2026's competitive market.

Jason Rowland of Rowland Group at Compass gives a complete, honest breakdown of every fee a seller pays when selling a home in Chicago — agent commissions, transfer taxes, attorney fees, and more.