Blog
Local market insights, practical advice, community guides and answers to the questions I hear most from buyers and sellers in Chicago's South Suburbs and Northwest Indiana.
A full Saturday on both sides of the state line: Mokena's Parade of Lights and Munster's Light the Night meet Cedar Lake's Jean Eberle parade, Valparaiso's Winter Lights drive-through opens Sunday at Sunset Hill Farm, and the verified Thanksgiving and early December lineup is now set.
Redfin's October estimate for Illinois puts the median at $313,686, up 3.5% from a year ago with sales down 2.1%, while fresh October reads land for Orland Park, Frankfort, Munster and Crown Point, and the 30-year rate holds at 7.18% with the next survey and the national report due November 12. What the new numbers mean for buyers and sellers.
The 3 Little Birds Holiday Market fills the Porter County Expo Center this weekend, Tinley Park lights a 44-foot tree Friday, Making Spirits Bright returns to Valparaiso's Chicago Street Theatre, and Highland's Santa's March, Munster's handmade craft fair and Frankfort's December village weekend round out a newly verified calendar, all checked this week.
RealMLS's October report for Greater Northwest Indiana shows 1,952 closed sales, a median of $363,639 up 4.5% year over year and homes selling about 11% faster than last year, while the 30-year rate holds at 7.18% and the national October releases land November 12. What the fresh numbers mean for buyers and sellers.
The verified December lineup on both sides of the state line: the Lighting of the Green in Frankfort, tree lightings in Dyer and Homewood, Tinley Park's 28th Annual Parade of Lights, Portage's parade and craft show, Hammond's A Christmas Story exhibit, and drive-through lights from Homer Glen to Valparaiso.
Freddie Mac's November 5 survey puts the 30-year fixed rate at 7.18%, the third consecutive weekly decline, while Redfin's newest report shows national prices down year over year for a third week and pending sales at their lowest level in records. Here is where things stand and what to watch next.
Craft fairs in Orland Park and New Lenox this Saturday, a parade-of-lights weekend in Mokena and Munster, then Thanksgiving week with turkey trots in Orland Park, Valparaiso and Crown Point and tree lightings across the region, all verified this week.
Freddie Mac's October 29 survey holds the 30-year rate at 7.24% for a second week, daily trackers have dipped toward the 7% mark, and a wave of October reports, starting with the national existing-home sales release on November 12, is about to land. Here is where things stand and what to watch.
Frankfort's 33rd Annual Holiday Craft Show, Tinley Park's craft-show weekend, Schererville's longest-running holiday fair and Hammond's Veteran Appreciation Day Parade fill Saturday, November 7, with a Sunday encore in Lockport. All verified this week.
Freddie Mac's October 29 survey holds the 30-year rate at 7.24% for a second straight week, while Redfin's tracker shows pending sales at the lowest level in its records: 276,352, down 15.9%, falling in all 50 largest metros. What the fresh numbers mean for buyers and sellers.
Verified Veterans Day observances in Orland Park, Crown Point and Munster, then a holiday-kickoff weekend: the World of Illumination opens in Orland Park, Valparaiso and New Lenox stack holiday markets, and the Festival of Owls lands at the Porter County Expo Center.
Tinley Park lights its village tree, Mokena's Parade of Lights rolls down Front Street, Munster hosts Light the Night, and Thanksgiving week brings the Orland Park Turkey Trot, Crown Point's Tree and Tank Lighting and tree lightings in Orland Park and Valparaiso, all verified this week.
Freddie Mac's October 29 survey drops the 30-year rate to 7.24%, the second straight weekly decline after a seven-week climb, while Chicago's September report shows prices up and inventory tighter. What the fresh numbers mean for buyers and sellers.
Redfin's October 29 report shows the national median sale price slipped 0.1% from a year earlier, the first annual decline in more than three years, while Illinois REALTORS posted September's official figures: 11,104 sales and a median price of $324,000, up 7.8%. What it means for buyers and sellers.
Verified trick-or-treat hours for Saturday, October 31 from Frankfort to Portage, the family events on Halloween day, and the biggest craft-show weekend of early November from Tinley Park to Schererville.
NAR's September pending home sales report, released October 20, shows the index down 7.3% from August and 11.3% from a year ago, with every region lower. Rates held at 7.32%, Redfin's tracker hit a new pending-sales low, and fresh county data landed for Lake and Porter counties.
Trick-or-treat hours for Halloween night, Tinley Park's tree lighting on November 20, Orland Park's Turkey Trot and Christmas parade, Crown Point and Valparaiso tree lightings in Thanksgiving week, and a verified December calendar from Munster to Frankfort.
Freddie Mac's October 22 survey puts the 30-year rate at 7.32%, down from 7.40% and the first decline after seven straight weekly increases. September's existing-home sales report, Indiana's latest numbers and Illinois' still-pending figures, explained for buyers and sellers.
Boos & Brews in Portage, Crown Point's trunk or treat and adult trick-or-treat nights in Valparaiso close out October, then November opens with craft shows from Tinley Park to Valparaiso and the World of Illumination lighting up Orland Square through January.
Freddie Mac's October 15 survey holds the 30-year rate at 7.40%, yet daily trackers eased this week, with Bankrate at 7.37% and Mortgage Research Center at 7.31% on October 22. Illinois REALTORS published its September report Thursday, and fresh town reads show where buyers and sellers stand.
Verified trick-or-treat hours for Halloween night, October 31, from Frankfort to Crown Point, plus the family fun on October 24 and 25, Frankfort's Holiday Craft Show on November 7 and Schererville's longest-running craft show.
Freddie Mac's October 15 survey holds the 30-year rate at 7.40% as daily trackers ease, and Redfin reports September pending sales fell in all 50 largest metros for the first time in three years. Fresh verified reads for Frankfort, Orland Park, Munster, Crown Point and more.
Crown Point's Scare on the Square, Frankfort's Ghost Stories on the Green, and the holiday season kickoff: the World of Illumination in Orland Park and holiday craft shows in Valparaiso, all verified this week.
Freddie Mac's October 15 survey holds the 30-year rate at 7.40% for a second week, while Indiana's September numbers show a slower yet steadier market with inventory up for 31 straight weeks. Fresh community reads, explained for buyers and sellers.
Munster's Fall Family Fest, a murder-mystery dinner in Frankfort, Highland's Fall Craft Show, Tinley Park's free Home Show and the first big November weekends, all verified this week.
The September CPI ran hotter than expected, rates held near three-year highs, and Fannie Mae and the MBA both raised their rate forecasts for 2027. Plus fresh town-by-town numbers for the South Suburbs and Northwest Indiana, explained for buyers and sellers.
Orland Park's History Hikes, the final Saturdays of the Tinley Park Farmers Market, pumpkin farms on both sides of the state line, Crown Point's Pumpkin Walk and the full Halloween weekend with town-by-town trick-or-treat hours, all verified this week.
NAR's September existing-home sales report, released today, shows sales ticking up 1.5% yet still below the 4 million mark, with the national median at $417,500, a record for the month. What the fresh numbers mean for buyers and sellers in the South Suburbs and Northwest Indiana.
Orland Park's Sosa Trot 5K, Crown Point's Fall Fest run, Valparaiso's three-event Saturday, the Crown Point Anime-Fest, Tinley Park's Boo Bash and the last market Sundays of the season, all verified this week.
Freddie Mac's October 8 survey moves the 30-year rate to 7.40%, its highest since 2023, while RealMLS publishes Northwest Indiana's September numbers for the first time this season. Fresh verified reads for Crown Point, Munster, Frankfort and more, explained for buyers and sellers.
Frankfort's Halloween Bash, Portage's Woodland Park haunted hayrides, Mokena's Halloween Mayhem, Orland Park's trunk or treat and the region's best pumpkin farms, all verified this week for the weekends ahead.
The average 30-year fixed APR hit 7.69% this week, its highest since 2023, while Redfin projects housing costs could return to normal within five years. Early October is historically when Chicago buyers get the biggest discounts off asking. What it means for your move.
Frankfort's Scary at the Prairie 5K, Valparaiso's Autumn Promenade, Crown Point's trunk or treat and the haunted steam train: verified plans for the next two weekends, plus a Halloween look-ahead.
The September jobs report came in far below expectations, yet mortgage rates held near 7.40%, their highest level in nearly three years. What that means for buyers and sellers, and the September housing report to watch.
New Lenox's scarecrow trail opens October 10, Lockport's Oktoberfest lands October 9 and 10, the Dunes add a spooky-season hike, and Portage's haunted hayride returns October 15 through 17. Every detail verified this week.
Freddie Mac's October 1 survey puts the 30-year rate at 7.28%, the highest since November 2023, while Lake County stays the tightest market in the region. Fresh verified reads for every town Joanne serves, explained for buyers and sellers.
The Forge's Enchanted Adventure opens its pumpkin-lit trail tonight in Lemont, Hobart's Johnson's Farm runs nearly every weekend of pumpkin season from September 26, and October's first big festival weekend is nearly here. Every detail verified this week.
Freddie Mac's September 24 survey puts the 30-year rate at 7.03%, above the 7% line for the first time in well over a year, while builders keep trimming new-home prices. What the fresh numbers mean for buyers and sellers.
Lemont's scarecrow trail through October 18, the great farm trail on both sides of the state line, Portage's haunted hayride and New Lenox's Halloween weekend, every detail verified this week.
August existing-home sales fell below 4 million for the first time since June 2025, the supply cushion reached its highest level since 2015, and the latest published rate survey holds at 6.95%. Fresh verified reads for every town I serve.
Portage's Harvest Festival this Saturday, Empty Bowls in New Lenox on Sunday, then Mokena Family Fall Fest, Crown Point and St. John Oktoberfests, and Orland Park's Great Pumpkin Party, all verified this month.
Freddie Mac's September 17 survey puts the 30-year at 6.95%, a new high for the year, and this month the big forecasts moved up to match: Fannie Mae and the MBA now see rates near 6.8% through much of 2027. Fresh Cook, Will, Lake and Porter reads for the towns I serve, explained for buyers and sellers.
New this week: the North Judson Pumpkin Train's October Saturdays, Mokena Family Fall Fest October 1 through 4 with a free family movie, Tinley Park's October events, and the final weeks of the farmers market season, details verified this month.
Freddie Mac's September 17 survey puts the 30-year rate at 6.95%, up from 6.76% a week earlier and a new high for the year. Fresh Lake County, Will County and community reads, explained for buyers and sellers.
Tinley Park's Boo Bash on October 25, Odyssey Fun Farm's corn maze and Zombie Safari through the season, the Westville Pumpkin Festival and the trick-or-treating hours these towns typically use, all verified this month.
Freddie Mac's September 10 survey keeps the 30-year rate at 6.76% with the 15-year at 6.09%, up from 6.35% a year ago. Verified reads for Frankfort, Orland Park, Munster, Crown Point and Schererville, and what the numbers mean as the season turns.
Wickedly Whiting's 10th anniversary, Munster's family Halloween party at Centennial Park, the Valparaiso Fall Harvest Festival and the farm stops worth the drive, all verified this month.
Freddie Mac's September 10 survey holds the 30-year rate at 6.76% with the 15-year at 6.09%, town-level data shows where the pause runs deepest, and the Illinois-Indiana tax gap keeps shaping moves across the state line.
Tinley Park Oktoberfest, the Portage Harvest Festival, Crown Point's Oktoberfest and the full first-weekend-of-October lineup across the South Suburbs and Northwest Indiana, verified this month.
Freddie Mac's September 10 survey moves the 30-year rate to 6.76%, Lake County's August picture stays tight-but-paused, and Crown Point, Munster and Schererville show where the demand is. What it means for buyers and sellers.
Farmers market mornings, the last concert nights, Oktoberfest weekends and October festivals: here is what is coming up across our communities, verified this month.
Freddie Mac's latest survey holds the 30-year rate at 6.71%, Lake County's August data shows pending sales down sharply, and the South Suburbs keep adding choices. Here is what it all means.
Oktoberfest season, pumpkin festivals and the first spooky events of the year: here is what is coming up across our communities over the next several weeks, verified in early September.
Freddie Mac's September 3 survey put the 30-year rate at 6.71%, the highest in more than a year. Here is the latest available data for the communities I serve, and what it means for buyers and sellers.
A week-by-week plan of the season's festivals, concerts and harvest fun across the communities I serve, with details I verified in early September.
Mortgage rates touch their highest level in more than a year, Lake County keeps leading the region, and the South Suburbs keep adding choices. Here is the verified data, and what it means for you.
Markets, music, pumpkins and harvest fests: here is what is on the calendar across our communities over the next several weeks, with details verified in early September.
Rates near 6.66%, Lake County still running hot, and Frankfort, Orland Park and Crown Point settling into a more balanced rhythm: what the latest numbers mean for buyers and sellers.
Apple cider, Oktoberfest, pumpkin patches and parades: here is what is on the calendar from September through October across the communities I serve.
Mortgage rates near 6.7%, Crown Point cooling, Schererville still fast. A fresh look at the latest available market data,and what it means for you.
From the Frankfort Fall Festival to the Valparaiso Popcorn Festival, here is what is happening in our communities as summer turns to fall.
A data-driven look at current market conditions across the communities Joanne Dal Santo serves, with practical takeaways for buyers and sellers.
From the Frankfort Fall Festival to the Valparaiso Popcorn Festival, here is what is happening in our communities before fall arrives.
A data-driven look at current market conditions across the communities Joanne Dal Santo serves, with practical takeaways for buyers and sellers.
Not every upgrade pays for itself. Here's how to spend wisely and skip the projects that won't move the needle.
A look at what's happening in the South Suburban market right now and what it means for sellers.
Waiting for the 'perfect' time could be more expensive than you think. Here's the math.
A licensed guide to navigating the state line, from taxes to lifestyle to finding the right community.
Beyond the listing photos, here's what daily life looks like in two of Northwest Indiana's most sought-after communities.
Selling a long-time family home is emotional, logistical, and deeply personal. Here's how to approach it with care.
A practical, step-by-step approach to scaling down your home without the emotional spiral.
First impressions are formed in seconds. Here's what buyers see and judge before they ever read the listing details.
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