Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Crosby Starck Real Estate Blog

Rockford earned the nickname "Screw City" for a reason. For many years, the city was full of factories making screws, tools, and other hardware that kept farms, factories, and machines running across the country. The name made sense. It showed that Rockford was a place built on hard work, skilled workers, and people who took pride in making things that worked well.

The city is known by many names, including "Forest City" and "City of Gardens," but "Screw City" is an enduring name that honors a proud blue-collar tradition.

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If you're planning to buy a house in Northern Illinois this year, it's a good time to start getting ready. Our real estate agents can help you with each part of buying a home, so you'll feel prepared and confident as the 2026 buying season takes shape.

Things to Do Now for a Smooth Home Purchase

Buying a home is the biggest financial decision you'll ever make. By taking act...

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Have you visited any local museums lately? Many of our real estate agents grew up visiting the museums near our Rockford homes for sale, and now they take their own kids to these locations. Join them at these five museums in town and see what's kept them coming back again and again.    

5 Museums to Visit Around Rockford, IL in 2026 

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum 

Address: 411 Kent St., Rockford, IL...

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With COVID-19 still upon us, the real estate market, like nearly any other market, is continuing to feel the effects. This is especially true in such a large real estate market like Chicago and its surrounding suburbs.

Right now, the real estate market is low in inventory and national home price averages are higher than ever. Homes are flying off of the market and our real estate agents in Rockford, IL have been busier than ever. On the other hand, high-rise buildings in cities like Chicago and New York are seeing vacancy rates like never before due to people flocking to cheaper areas.

The Demand in the Suburbs Will Stay High

Buyers know that the future of their workplace likely reflects a hybrid model - both working from home and going into the office will be commonplace as the world recovers from the virus. Having a space of your own to call home is more imp...

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With the market still churning out impressive rates, now is still a great time to make your first home purchase. Understanding the process is an important step in ensuring you end up with the perfect home for your needs and budget. Whether you've been browsing different homes for sale in Roscoe, Il casually or with the intention of buying, here are some helpful pieces of advice from our real estate experts.

Start Saving Earlier Than You Think

There are many fees that you'll need to have the funds for that go beyond the down payment. Be mindful of unexpected costs such as closing costs, private mortgage insurance, inspection fees, etc. These things add up fast, especially in Illinois and the City of Chicago.

Monitor Your Credit Score

Your credit score will play a large role in determining how much of a loan that you can receive for yo...

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