Patrice Roberts Blog
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End-of-Summer Deck Maintenance Tips
Spring vs Summer Deck Maintenance
There are two seasons when you really want to pay attention to outdoor deck maintenance: early spring and late summer. In early spring, the challenge is repairing your deck after a long, hard winter.
End-of-summer maintenance is often less intensive but no less important. The purpose of deck maintenance this time of year is to make sure your deck is ready to weather...
1
Summer Concerts and Live Music in Chicagoland
One of the best things about summer in Chicago is the music. Every week, a music festival or outdoor concert series is happening somewhere in the Greater Chicago area, giving music fans plenty to look forward to.
Luckily, there are still plenty of music festivals and events on our calendar this month, and our real estate agents are excited to soak up every last drop of the summer season!
31
Homebuying 101: Finding A Home
Welcome back to Homebuying 101, the series where we walk you through the entire process of buying your first home. Many people start the home search process online, but to best set yourself up for success, you should interview and hire an agent and secure a preapproval for a loan first. That way, you're working with someone you trust and have realistic expectations for what you can and can't afford.
Securing both representation and financing are big milestones in the home search, so take a moment to pat yourself on the back. With those two key elements in place, it's time to finally start the home search.
1. Define Your Wants and Needs
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Prepping Your Home for Back-to-School Season
Updated July 2025
If you have school-aged children, the summer season is a great time to get a fresh start before the school year starts back up. Transitioning from lazy summer mornings back into a structured routine can be difficult, but getting your home prepared ahead of time makes the shift easier for everyone. Depending on the age of your children, it's even something you can collaborate on together! Read on below for some fun, practical tips to help you prepare for the back-to-school season.
1. Create a Dedicated Homework Station
Having a dedicated spot for your kids to work on homework can help establish a routine and minimize...
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Homebuying 101: Getting a Preapproval
Welcome back to Homebuying 101! So far we've covered the basics of the homebuying process, how to find a real estate agent and questions to ask once you've found one. Now, we're diving into the next step — finances.
Saving up for a downpayment is a big part of the homebuying process, but obtaining a preapproval is just as important. You wouldn't want to get attached to a home you can't afford, and similarly don't want to sell yours...
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