by Ben Lalez | Aug 5, 2026 | Buying, Chicago Real Estate, Condos, Real Estate, Selling
Hey Chicago homeowner! If you’re planning a renovation, or you’re buying a home where someone else already did one, we need to talk about permits. Unpermitted work can hold up a closing, tank an appraisal, void an insurance claim, or force a buyer to...
by Ben Lalez | Jul 29, 2026 | Buying, Chicago Real Estate, Condos, Lifestyle, Neighborhood Guides, Real Estate, Real Estate Market Analysis, Relocating, Selling
Hey Chicago! If you’ve been following along on our weekly blog, you know we cover a lot of topics related to Chicago: the beaches, pickleball courts, Michelin restaurants, school districts, and the bungalow belt are just a few of the more recent ones. We try to...
by Ben Lalez | Jul 15, 2026 | Buying, Chicago Real Estate, Lifestyle, Neighborhood Guides, Real Estate
Hey Chicago! This week we’re back with something more real estate-related since we often get questions about the different bungalow neighborhoods around the city. In total, Chicago has more than 80,000 bungalows, roughly one-third of all single-family homes in the...
by Ben Lalez | Mar 18, 2026 | Buying, Condos, Real Estate, Selling
Hey there, Chicago homebuyers! This week, we wanted to talk about something that is increasingly important to discuss with your agent: what could potentially happen after your offer gets accepted. We’re the Ben Lalez Team, and over the years, we’ve tracked...
by Ben Lalez | Jan 14, 2026 | Lifestyle
Hello once again, coffee fans in Chicago! Last week, we wrote about the best coffee shops in Lakeview. This week, we’re moving a few blocks north into Andersonville to find out which coffee shops are the highest-rated and most reviewed by customers. We’re the Ben...
