In Chicago’s Northwest suburbs, you’ll find plenty of charming towns with old architecture and a delightful downtown spot. Long Grove is one of those towns. However, there is much more to it which makes it unique. First off, it has a lot of history. Originally called “Fredenhagen” by one of its original settlers, the town was later renamed “Long Grove” due to its large groves of trees. The village became an important transportation hub in the late 1800s, with a train station and stagecoach stop bringing travelers and goods to the area. In the early 1900s, Long Grove began to attract artists and writers who were drawn to the area’s natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere. To this day, the town still draws in artists and writers and is also a popular destination for tourists due to its quaint shops and restaurants offering a glimpse into the area’s rich history. The village has managed to preserve many of its historic buildings and landmarks, such as the Historic Long Grove Covered Bridge.

What is there to do in Long Grove?

There is no shortage of activities and attractions in the area. Historic Downtown Long Grove is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike, with its charming shops, restaurants, and cafes. Long Grove also features many seasonal festivals which includes fun activities, many of the area’s nearby venders, live music, and so much more. Make sure to keep an eye out for their schedule of events. Popular festivals include Chocolate fest, Strawberry fest, Apple fest, and more! Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the Reed-Turner Woodland Nature Preserve, which offers several hiking trails and plenty of wildlife to see. And for families, the Kildeer Countryside Park District offers several parks and facilities throughout Long Grove, including the Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve, Lions Park, and Reed-Turner Woodland Nature Preserve.

About the town

Long Grove, Illinois is a small but affluent town. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in Long Grove, IL is $190,337, which is significantly higher than the national average of $68,703. This is a testament to the wealth of the area, and it is reflected in the high-end amenities and services that Long Grove offers, Long Grove also boats highly rated and acclaimed schools which attracts residents and has led to expensive housing prices. According to Zillow, the median home value in Long Grove, IL is $683,200, which is significantly higher than the national median home value of $356,200. This high price point is reflective of the area’s wealthy demographic and high-end amenities. However, the real estate market in Long Grove has been relatively stable over the past year, with home values increasing by 4.4% over the last 12 months.

Are you looking to buy or sell a home in the Long Grove area?

If you are looking to purchase a home in the Long Grove area or sell a home you own in Long Grove, then Steven Johnson is the Realtor you’ve been looking for. Steven Johnson is a local real estate agent who services Long grove and Chicago’s other northwest suburbs. He has a lot of experience in Long Grove and even grew up in the area. Give Steven a call today to get started on your next move (847) 525-6121

Lake Geneva isn’t just a town you can visit- it’s a great place to live too! Located in the southeastern part of the state, Lake Geneva is known for its picturesque views, recreational activities, and vacation opportunities. The town is situated on the shores of Geneva Lake, which is the area’s main attraction. The lake offers a variety of recreational activities such as boating, swimming, fishing, and water sports. It even has a beach called Riviera Beach. Additionally, the town is surrounded by rolling hills, lush forests, and is home to several parks and nature preserves. Needless to say, there are countless reasons to choose to live in Lake Geneva. 

The Town

The town also has a rich history, with many historical buildings, museums, and landmarks. Some of the notable landmarks include the Wrigley Drive Estate and the Geneva Lake shore path. The town also has a vibrant cultural scene, with several art galleries, music venues, and festivals throughout the year such as the Lake Geneva Ice castles. Furthermore, the economy of Lake Geneva is based primarily on tourism, with an estimated 2.5 million visitors each year. The town offers a wide range of activities, such as boating, swimming, and hiking, as well as numerous shops, restaurants, and spas. Additionally, Lake Geneva is home to several resorts and bed-and-breakfasts, making it a popular spot for weekend getaways and family vacations. The town also has a strong retail trade, accommodation, and food services industry. Therefore, Lake Geneva’s busiest season tends to run from May through October and thus seasonal employment is common.

Demographics and statistics

In terms of demographics, the population of Lake Geneva is 7,735 as of 2020. The median household income is around $67,000 and the median home value is roughly $490,000 as of November 2022. The residents of Lake Geneva are well educated. With that said, 91.9% of adults over the age of 25 having completed high school and 42.6% having a bachelor’s degree or higher. A mix of retirees, families and tourists visit the area annually. 

Aerial downtown view of the lake

Shoreline view of Lake Geneva

Lake front

This post has been brought to you by Steven Johnson, a local Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty. Should you have any questions or need assistance in buying or selling a home, you can reach Steven Johnson at (847) 525-6121 or Steven.Donald.Johnson@gmail.com or learn more at StevenJohnsonRealEstate.com

So you’ve decided to sell your home. You’ve Google searched “home selling tips” and “fastest way to sell a home” and you’ve looked up MLS real estate listings on Zillow and Realtor.com to gain inspiration, but you still feel lost or overwhelmed. What do you do next?

Easily the fastest way to sell a home in any real estate market is to hire a Realtor. While you’ve considered for sale by owner (fsbo) to reduce the cost of selling your home, you realize that you need someone with expertise in marketing your home and insight on the best improvements to increase your home’s valuation. You also need advise on house staging tips as you don’t know how to stage your home, and you need to know if staging your home would even be necessary. Realtors will market your home better than you can on your own and will be able to advise you on pricing strategies and explaining real estate purchase contracts. They’re also well connected and can network with fellow real estate agents to get everyone in the area to know about your home. Most importantly though, Realtors will tell you what’s needed to get your home ready to be listed ASAP. Oftentimes, a Realtor can get your home listed and ready for showings in just a few days! Leave the marketing, contract items, pricing strategies, and networking in the hands of your Realtor. That way, you can focus on getting your home ready to sell and figuring out where to move to next!

If you ran a Google search for “best Realtors in Chicago” or “Top rated Realtor in Lake County, Illinois” you’ll get a list of Realtors with self promotion like “5 star agent this” and “best Realtor in the area that.” You can search for reviews of Realtors all day long, but to truly get someone you know you can trust you should be asking friends, family, and co-workers which real estate agent they use and if they recommend him or her. Oftentimes, it is a warmer introduction and the sales process goes smoother as there is already a foundation of trust that has been built. Realtors are frequently listed as one of the least trusted professions in America, so make it easy on yourself and find someone that your friends, family, and co-workers already trust. Your experience will likely be smoother!