Fall in Love with your home: Introducing Expert Ri Prasad

With 14 years of experience in marketing, real estate, contract negotiations, sales, and design; Ri Prasad is the expert you want in your corner- fighting for your dream. Her arsenal includes cutting edge marketing practices, state of the art tools and resources, and the support of one of the leading brokerages in the Chicagoland area.

Here are Ri Prasad’s top 10 tips for finding your perfect home to match your love life!

1. How does finding the right home similar to finding the right partner?

Both a home and relationship have so much in common: time, energy and money invested. We all hope for longevity and happiness when it comes to both of these things. The process to find them requires patience, an understanding of what you want, prioritizing your list as well as knowing when and where to compromise.

2. What places are couples looking for when buying their first home together?

I think it is essential to have separate bathrooms as well as space away from the other to ensure time together is fully enjoyed. My new couples tend to love the lively areas such as River North, Streeterville, West Loop and Wicker Park. This lets them choose a new neighborhood and explore it together. What more can you ask for in life than a partner who is willing to explore and go on everyday adventures with you?

3. What places are singles looking for to purchase?

I think as a single person, we tend to get into our routines. I don’t know about you but I love time alone. It is always nice to live in a neighborhood where everything is accessible and easy to get to. When you find amazing neighborhood places that you enjoy, you are willing to out more and explore. This may be the perfect way to find your next match.

4. How can we make our home filled with our own style and our sanctuary?

I always tell people to keep mass appeal in mind when decorating because when we go to sell, buyers tend to get distracted with excess. Buy classic pieces of furniture that will never go out of style then add your flair with pillows, rugs, etc. These small items allow you to express yourself and as you evolve, as we all do, so can your sanctuary.

5. When’s the best time to rent vs. buy?

This is Chicago. It is always better to buy because the prices are cheaper than what you would spend on rent. If you are looking for a specific time of the year, I recommend during the winter time, no one else is looking and the prices tend to be lower as a result. If you are going to start looking, don’t cheat on me, give me a call!

6. When a couple isn’t married what’s the best route to purchase a home?

Always protect yourself. There is a reason Kanye wrote an entire song about Prenups. I honestly believe that one person should buy the house (they provide the down payment, pay for everything associated with the purchase) then to be fair, you split all costs going forward. This way, everyone is protected and it is fair. You don’t ever want to get into a situation where you are fighting over them home.

7. How is selling real estate similar to dating?

How is it not? So many personalities, choices (as far as agents go) and you are always finding something out about the other person. it is a process but just like dating, if you find the right person, it doesn’t feel like work. It can actually be fun and exciting.

8. What’s the number one thing we all should have in our homes?

I recommend an UV Sanitizer and Odor Reducer. It will change your life! Whether you love to cook, have pets or a bit behind cleaning, this product is life changing.

9. What is love?

I think love is the understanding and acceptance of a person. Not an inch taller, 10 lbs lighter or anything else. I think the beautiful thing about love is, when someone truly cares about you and sees that you want or need something, they make that change themselves. People believe love is what you see on tv, the exaggerated moments, the over-sized gestures. I disagree. I think it is the smallest of things, the purest of moments. When someone remembers that I love hazelnut chocolate and picks it up for me when they are at the grocery store. When they give me the last bite of dessert. That is love.

10. What are your tips for keeping love?

Saying thank you even when you don’t have to. Walking away before you say anything hurtful or unnecessarily mean. Being thoughtful by doing the smallest of things. Keeping life exciting and random, my favorite moments are when you play hooky and go to the zoo for absolutely no reason. Those small adventures and experiences keep you together because you remember why you fell in love in the first place.