Charles Rutenberg Realty of Illinois

08/27/2026

You aren't the first person to be enthralled with the notion of drifting off to to the sound of rippling water, being greeted by a pelican's splash as it plunge-dives into the sea for its breakfast and fishing from your living room window. All of this, and more is a dream come true when you purchase...

08/25/2026

Think back to your first big crush. He or she was perfect, right? When emotions run rampant, flaws become invisible, whether you're falling in love with a person or a home. With familiarity comes the truth ― this perfect specimen of a human being isn't perfect. None of us are. And houses aren't ei...

08/23/2026

What Buyers Should Know About Homeowners Associations - A homeowners association (HOA) is an organization that helps manage and maintain a community’s shared property and enforces certain rules designed to protect the neighborhood’s appearance, safety, and long-term upkeep. If you’re...

08/20/2026

When you need to find a new hole in the water into which you'll throw money, the home purchase process becomes ever more complicated. Sure, you can park it in a marina and pay up to or more than $500 a month for the privilege, or up to $150,000 to purchase a slip, but (you have said this to yourself...

08/18/2026

Let's face it; buying a home is an emotional undertaking. First, there's that huge wad of money you're spending. Then, there's the fear that years of mortgage payments will disappear and you'll actually lose equity on the home. If you shop carefully, however, you can banish those anxieties. The...

08/16/2026

08/10/2026

As the ink dries on your offer to purchase, a flurry of activity begins taking place behind the scenes, with myself and the listing agent making arrangements for the seller to receive your offer. The seller will entertain your offer and do one of three things with it: Accept it – this is the best ...

08/08/2026

How Long Does It Really Take to Buy a Home? - The time it takes to buy a home varies based on your finances, the local market, the type of loan you use, and how quickly a seller can close. Many buyers complete the process in about 30 to 60 days from the time they go under contract, but the full time...