Connie Grunwaldt Realtor

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Connie Grunwaldt Realtor Top Producing Chicago Real Estate professional that loves her job! 25 years of consistent, award winning market results with intimate knowledge of the market.

Exceptional customer service. Personal experience with investment properties and rehabbing.

10/28/2026

🎃 Halloween weekend is nearly here!
If you’re looking for something festive to do around the city, there’s no shortage of options this weekend, from neighborhood trick-or-treating to big Halloween celebrations.

A few ideas:
👻 Haunted Halsted Halloween Fest & Parade
Saturday, Oct. 31 | Northalsted
A full day of food, music, costumes and entertainment, followed by the annual Halloween parade Saturday night.

🎃 Slightly Spooky Halloween at Navy Pier
Saturday, Oct. 31 | Navy Pier
Free indoor trick-or-treating, activities, a costume contest and Halloween movies. A great option for families.

🐾 Howl-O-Ween Pet Costume Contest
Saturday, Oct. 31 | Navy Pier
Bring your best-dressed four-legged friend for a Halloween costume contest benefiting PAWS Chicago.

🕯️ 38th Annual Edgar Allan Poe Readings
Saturday, Oct. 31 | Glessner House
A more literary take on Halloween, with live readings of Poe’s classic works in a historic Chicago setting.

🌙 Pilsen Día de los Mu***os Window Walk
Oct. 30–Nov. 1 | 18th Street
Take a stroll through Pilsen to see the neighborhood’s Día de los Mu***os displays and celebrations.

🦇 Fright at the Field
Through Nov. 1 | Field Museum
A spooky after-dark experience featuring the return of Underground MISAdventure.

Whether you’re looking for family fun, neighborhood festivities or something a little more grown-up, Chicago knows how to celebrate Halloween.

What’s on your Halloween weekend list? 🎃

10/23/2026

The highest offer isn’t always the best offer.
When you’re selling your home and multiple offers come in, it’s tempting to focus on the biggest number. But there’s more to a strong offer than the purchase price.

The terms can make a big difference in how smoothly you get from contract to closing.
When comparing offers, look at:

• Financing: How is the buyer paying for the home?
• Earnest money: Is the buyer putting down a meaningful deposit?
• Contingencies: How many conditions are attached to the offer?
• Closing date: Does the proposed timeline work for you?

A slightly lower offer with stronger terms may ultimately be more attractive than a higher offer with more potential hurdles.

When reviewing offers, look at the whole picture, not just the bottom line.

10/21/2026

With mortgage rates back above 7%, some buyers are pressing pause, which means homes are taking a little longer to sell and inventory is building.

For buyers, that can mean:
• More homes to choose from
• Less pressure to make a snap decision
• More opportunity to negotiate on price, repairs or closing costs

For sellers, it means strategy matters even more:
• Pricing correctly from day one
• Making a strong first impression
• Understanding what buyers are responding to in your neighborhood
• Making sure your home stands out from the competition

The market hasn’t stopped. It’s just moving at a different pace.

I’m looking at the local numbers, not just the headlines, to help buyers and sellers make decisions based on what’s actually happening in their neighborhood.

Chicago was named Best Big City in the U.S. for the tenth year in a row, as voted by nearly 800,000 Condé Nast Traveler ...
10/15/2026

Chicago was named Best Big City in the U.S. for the tenth year in a row, as voted by nearly 800,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers. The honor highlights the city’s vibrant culture, welcoming spirit, world-class dining, diverse neighborhoods, and iconic architecture.

Wondering where to buy in Chicago? Sometimes, the best part of a neighborhood is having a little green space just around...
10/13/2026

Wondering where to buy in Chicago?
Sometimes, the best part of a neighborhood is having a little green space just around the corner.

From prairie paths and tucked-away gardens to playgrounds and skyline views, Chicago has so many parks that offer a welcome break from the everyday hustle.

A few neighborhood favorites to add to your list:
🌿 Winnemac Park
🌷 Oz Park
🌳 Palmisano Park
🌼 Welles Park
🌱 Lake Shore East Park

Whether you’re looking for a weekend walk, a place for the kids to play, or simply somewhere to enjoy a little fresh air, there’s a park worth discovering in every corner of the city.

What’s your favorite Chicago park?

Let’s take a look at what happened in the Chicago real estate market in September.📊 Here’s what the numbers tell us:• Av...
10/09/2026

Let’s take a look at what happened in the Chicago real estate market in September.

📊 Here’s what the numbers tell us:

• Available homes: 7,802, up 1% from August
• Median sales price: $390,000, down 3% month over month
• Homes sold: 1,572, down 19% from August

September brought a slight increase in available inventory, while both median sales prices and closed sales dipped compared to August.

Trends can vary quite a bit by neighborhood, property type, and price point, so local market insights are key when making a move.

Thinking about buying or selling in Chicago? Staying informed about the latest market trends can help you plan your next steps with confidence. I’m here to guide you!

10/06/2026

An escalation clause in your offer increases your purchase price if competing offers come in.

Sounds simple… but the wording, proof requirements, and limits are everything.

This is where having the right realtor matters!

10/02/2026

🍁 🍂 🎃 👻

09/29/2026

With mortgage rates continuing to rise, it’s fair to wonder if you should just hit pause on moving and wait for them to go down.

While you can’t control where rates go from here, you absolutely can control several things that shape the rate you actually get. 

If you’re thinking about buying, here are three worth paying attention to:

Start with your credit.
Your credit score can play a role in the rate and loan terms you qualify for. Before you start seriously shopping, it can be helpful to check your credit and talk with a lender about anything you may be able to improve.

Take a close look at your loan options.
There isn’t necessarily one “best” mortgage for every buyer. The loan type, term, down payment and other factors can all affect your rate and monthly payment. A good lender can walk you through the options and help you understand the tradeoffs.

Don’t rule out new construction.
Builders sometimes offer incentives such as temporary or permanent rate buydowns, closing-cost assistance or other financing incentives. Depending on the property and your situation, those incentives can make a meaningful difference in your monthly payment.

The bigger takeaway? Don’t let the headline mortgage rate be the only thing you look at.
Rates will continue to move based on factors that are completely outside of a buyer’s control. What you can control is how prepared you are, what financing options you explore and how you evaluate the overall cost of buying a home.

If you’re considering a move, it’s worth having the conversation with your lender before you find the house you love. That way, you know what your numbers look like and can shop with more confidence.

09/24/2026

With mortgage rates at their highest levels in 20 months, it’s understandable that some homebuyers may be thinking about putting their plans on hold. But waiting for rates to come down doesn’t always mean you’ll save money in the long run.

Metro Chicago home prices continue to see gains, and if prices rise while you wait, a higher purchase price could offset some of the savings from a lower mortgage rate. And of course, there’s no guarantee that rates will fall in the near future.

On the other hand, buyers who stay in the market may find a little less competition as some buyers step back. In areas where multiple offers and bidding wars have been common, that could create more opportunities to find the right home without as much pressure.

It’s also worth keeping in mind that while buying a home is a long-term decision, your mortgage rate doesn’t necessarily have to be. If rates come down in the future, refinancing may give you an opportunity to lower your monthly payment and borrowing costs.

Ultimately, the right time to buy depends on your individual circumstances, budget and plans. Rather than trying to time the market perfectly, focus on finding a home that makes sense for you.

If you’re considering a move, understanding what’s happening in your local market can help you make a more informed decision.

Address

1875 N. Damen
Chicago, IL
60647

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