Why did you decide it was time to stop renting and look at buying your first place?

When COVID-19 transitioned us both into working from home, and delayed our wedding a year giving us more time to save, we realized the silver lining would be starting our home search. Hybrid or at home working definitely opened our eyes to neighborhoods further from the loop with more space to give us some breathing room.

Did your criteria for your home change as your search progressed?

Yes! Initially, we really wanted a modern home with a brand new or recently renovated feel. But, as we started to view places, we realized we have a bit more of a traditional style and wanted something that felt a bit more cozy. We ended up in a blend between modern and traditional that feels much more like home.

What drew you to Roscoe Village?

Roscoe Village seemed like the perfect location for us in looking for our first home, and looking to move from years spent downtown. It has quieter streets, beautiful parks & daycare’s are plentiful but also is still highly walkable - one of the things we were worried about losing when leaving West Loop. We still have plenty of bars & restaurants near by and are extremely close to the brown line when we want to head into the city. It felt like the perfect transition neighborhood for a couple done with downtown but not ready for the suburbs.

What was a must-have in your home?

We definitely wanted enough space to grow into. We are newlyweds and want to be able to stay in the city when we start a family. We needed a space that would be fun for our lives now - full of dinner parties, football Sunday’s and Peloton rides but also evolve into a great space for play dates & our kids first Christmas.

How did you know this was “the one”?

The open floor plan on the main floor seemed perfect for entertaining - one of our favorite things to do. Being able to have a full dinning room table & sitting area on the kitchen was unique for a condo in our favorite neighborhoods & budget. We immediately could envision nights spent here with good food & friends.

What are you most excited about in your new home? 

Our home just feels like an extension of us as a couple, which I’m so glad we were able to find. The large kitchen gives us ample space for entertaining, which we love. Dual fireplaces up & downstairs give it a cozy vibe for nights with a glass of wine and great conversation with our book club. And our family room is perfect for cheering for (or mostly screaming at) our favorite sports teams. Everything we love to do, has a place in our home making it really special to us.

Do you have any advice for other first-time home buyers?

Take it slow & be very clear about what is a must-have versus nice-to-have. It’s almost impossible to find a house that checks every single box on your list, so open communication with your partner and realtor on what is critical is so important. And I say take it slow because once you see places in person, your priorities may change. Seeing the reality is so different from thinking about it in the abstract. So be patient, I’m glad we didn’t end up in some of the early homes I thought I loved and could’ve bought if we rushed ourselves.

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