From the quiet strength of plaster to the flexibility of drywall, every wall in this home was chosen with purpose. Read about why we have both.

When I bought this place, I saw more than just a two-flat — I saw potential. Over time, with steady improvements and thoughtful upgrades, it became more than an investment. It became a home that offered comfort, flexibility, and a little bit of breathing room. Now it's ready for someone else to step in and make it work for them — whether that means offsetting a mortgage, hosting guests, or simply living well in a space that’s already done the hard part.

Selling our building by owner has been a hands-on, fast-moving, and surprisingly rewarding experience. From building my own FSBO sign to navigating staging challenges and setting up a custom Squarespace site, I’ve learned a lot and stayed close to every part of the process.

What do you call a place that smells like fresh bread, sounds like fiddle strings, and feels like your grandma's hugs on a crisp fall day? Lincoln Square, where the city slows down long enough to remember itself. Read on for an intimate walk through a North Side neighborhood with a heartbeat.

In a city built on brick and ambition, Chicago’s iconic two-flats have quietly become one of the most coveted - and tightly held—property types in the market. While they make up a significant portion of the city’s housing stock, these versatile buildings are rarely listed for sale. Why? The answer reveals a story of smart investing, generational wealth, and the enduring appeal of a true Chicago classic.

In a market where every dollar counts, investing in a Chicago two-flat offers faster equity growth and resilience that suburban homes can’t match. With steady appreciation and strong rental demand, multi-family properties combine the benefits of homeownership with the power of income generation.

With rents climbing and affordability under pressure, two-flats are emerging as a smart solution for Chicago buyers. Live in one unit, rent the other, and build equity along the way. As of July 2025, it’s still a great time to buy — and working directly with a FSBO seller and a real estate attorney can make the process even smoother.

Explore why two-flats in Lincoln Square and Ravenswood remain Chicago’s most sought-after real estate—combining unmatched investment potential, solid construction, and a lifestyle condos and apartments simply can’t deliver.

Most online home value estimates miss critical details like recent upgrades and unique features. Before listing my FSBO, I’m using advanced AI and thorough data analysis to ensure my property is priced and marketed with greater accuracy and confidence.

You traded palm trees for parkas, and suddenly the sun isn’t your birthright. But here’s the thing: Chicago’s neighborhoods are built for people, not cars, and there’s more to look forward to than just the next sunny day. From the attitude in Wicker Park to the soul of Lincoln Square, you’ll find out fast that winter is just a season, but community here is all year round.

Boston’s neighborhoods come with history and edge, but Chicago’s neighborhoods come with heart and grit. If you’re making the leap from the Charles to the Chicago River, get ready to earn your place in a city that doesn’t hand out welcome mats - it makes you build your own.

You can cross a thousand city blocks and never really arrive - unless you learn to listen. In Chicago, the neighborhoods don’t sell themselves with neon or nostalgia; they just are. For a New Yorker, it’s a revelation: no hustle, no hustle-back. Just stories, scars, and the kind of welcome you have to earn. If you want to know this city, you don’t eat your way through it - you walk, you watch, and you let it change you.

Lincoln Square is a neighborhood where the ghosts of celery kings and immigrant dreamers linger between the bike lanes and bakeries. In the city’s north, where pickle brine once perfumed the air and the clang of the Ravenswood El signaled new beginnings, Chicago’s restless spirit finds a home—always changing, always arguing with its own past.

In Lincoln Square, German heritage isn’t tucked away in memory—it’s alive in every bite of strudel, every “Guten Morgen” at preschool, and every stein raised in the glow of Gene’s rooftop biergarten. Here, tradition is more than nostalgia; it’s a daily ritual, a neighborhood heartbeat, and a promise that the past is never far from the present.

In our neighborhood, pizza isn’t just dinner - it’s the neighborhood’s heartbeat, pulsing from newly-opened Capriccio’s Roman slabs to the blistered Neapolitan rounds at Spacca Napoli. Here, chefs are more than cooks; they’re storytellers, shaping dough and memory with equal care. Each oven, each slice, is a testament to tradition and reinvention—a culinary conversation that stretches from the buttery crusts of Lou Malnati’s to the creative, communal tables at Pizza Art Cafe. In this corner of Chicago, pizza is less a meal and more a living, breathing part of the city’s soul.

Lincoln Square may be known for its cozy cafes and German bakeries, but look a little closer and you’ll find a neighborhood that’s quietly hosted some of Chicago’s most influential figures. From Steve Albini, the legendary music producer whose studio shaped the sound of a generation, to political players and pioneering entrepreneurs, Lincoln Square’s streets have long been home to a fascinating cast of characters. Dive into the stories behind the artists, architects, and local legends who helped make this corner of the city truly one-of-a-kind.

If you’re wondering where Chicago’s newlyweds are putting down roots in 2025, look north to Lincoln Square. With its walkable streets, diverse community, and a blend of affordability and urban charm, this neighborhood is quietly becoming the city’s go-to spot for couples starting their next chapter.

Winnemac Park isn’t just a green space in Chicago’s Lincoln Square - it’s a living piece of the city’s history. From its roots as a truck farm to a bustling community hub with schools, ballfields, and a thriving prairie garden, Winnemac has weathered decades of change. Thanks to passionate neighbors and thoughtful renovations, it continues to be a vibrant gathering spot where nature, sports, and neighborhood life come together. Whether you’re catching a Little League game or exploring the nature trail, Winnemac tells the story of a city that never stops evolving.

Pastry chef Justin Lerias has opened Del Sur, a bakery that blends Filipino flavors with Midwestern classics. Located near the Damen Brown Line stop, the shop features unique treats like longanisa croissants, ube kringles, and adobo brownies with soy caramel and pink peppercorns. Lerias, who began experimenting with pastries during the pandemic, aims to create more than just great baked goods and a gathering place rooted in community.