Stories by The Allstate Blog Team
Before You Go: Steps to Keep Your Home Safe During a Winter Vacation
The snow has certainly been piling up in Chicago this year. And, for some people, that means it’s time for a getaway to someplace warm and snow-free. Before you go away, though, remember to take some simple steps to protect your home from the elements and from thieves. After all, nothing will put a quicker […]
In Chicago, Comprehensive Coverage is a Good Idea for Your Car
If you’re a Chicago driver, you most likely have some form of liability coverage as part of your auto insurance policy. But with our city’s ever-changing weather, you may want to consider additional car insurance coverage. The Illinois State Climatologist’s Office says factors such as the movement of the polar jet stream, the urban environment and Lake […]
Frank Lloyd Wright Home in La Grange Up for Sale
The Today Show’s Real Estate Listing of the Week showcases the Stephen M. B. Hunt House in La Grange, currently on the market for just under $700,000. The home is only on its third owner — a unusual fact, considering the residence was constructed by Wright in 1907. And it’s this limited ownership that made the home […]
How to Have Someone Else Pay Your Mortgage
A new generation of homebuyers is looking at multi-flat buildings as a way to snag their city dream home, Chicago Grid reported. For young Chicagoans, the idea of renting in a two-flat may be more familiar than the prospect of buying one. But as the housing market bounces back, a wave of first-time homebuyers are […]
Start the School Year With a Stop for School Bus Safety
Good news, parents: The first day of school is just around the corner. The end of August in Chicago signals a return to a regular routine for most households. Now is a good time to teach young students and new drivers about staying safe around school buses. School bus safety requires informed students and cautious […]
5 Smart Things To Do With Your Wedding Gift Money
Between the food, the event space, the photographer and the band — you may have spent a large part of your savings on your wedding. If you were lucky enough to receive wedding gift money from friends and family, you can really make this newfound money work for you. Instead of using your cash for a […]
Underground Tunnels Transport More Than Chicago Commuters
WBEZ’s Curious City reported June 20 that they found no fewer than six different sets of tunnels underneath Chicago’s Loop. Each of the tunnels was at some point, or continues to be, a critical part of Chicago’s infrastructure. The city would be lost without these tunnels. Sometimes they’re hidden, and sometimes they’re just overlooked, taken for granted […]
Thinking of Remodeling? Go Certified!
Dreaming about your perfect home but stuck in a house you don’t love? You’re in good company! Thanks to shrinking home resale values, thousands of homeowners are choosing to fix up their current home rather than upgrade to a new house. In fact, while home sales remain stagnant, remodeling permits are up 23 percent over […]
Digital DIY: Fixing Your Faucet via Text
Last weekend, my friend Richelle texted me that she wanted to fix a leaky faucet and with her husband out of town, she needed help to get the job done while avoiding water damage. Knowing that I’m a bit of a DIY junkie, she asked me to walk her through the process via text. It […]
Weatherproofing Your Way to a Warmer Winter
Last winter was a beast. If I didn’t know better, I’d say Mother Nature had a personal vendetta against my house. From frozen pipes to a leaky roof, it seemed like everything that could go wrong did. But the worst part was the cold. After a major snowstorm trapped my family indoors for a few […]