Homes & Happenings | March 3
Homes & Happenings is a bi-weekly letter for Lindenhurst and Lake Villa: highlighting local life, neighborhood events, and the people shaping our community.
I’m Jamie Ross, a longtime Lindenhurst resident, mom, community volunteer, and the organizer behind the annual Lindenhurst Community Garage Sale. After nearly two decades of raising a family here, serving in local organizations, and watching our neighborhoods grow and evolve, I’ve come to appreciate the small moments that make this place feel like home.
Twice a month, I will share what’s happening around town, reflections on life in our community, and occasional insights from my work in real estate, all through a lens of connection and local pride.
If you live here, love it here, or simply want to feel more connected to the place you call home, you’re in the right place.
WHY?
There’s something unique about living in a place long enough to watch it evolve.
You notice when a storefront changes.
You recognize the same families at the garage sale every year. You drive past homes you’ve walked through during showings and think about the seasons of life unfolding inside them.
After nearly two decades in Lindenhurst, raising my girls here, serving in local organizations, organizing the Lindenhurst Community Garage Sale, and helping neighbors navigate buying and selling, I’ve realized something:
People are looking for clarity.
Connection.
Confidence in their next step.
And sometimes, they’re just looking for a steady voice that says, “Here’s what’s actually happening.”
That’s what Homes & Happenings is meant to be.
A mid-week check-in.
A local pulse.
A thoughtful look at our market and our community
PET OF THE MONTH
Meet Tito: full-time college roommate, part-time campus security at Illinois State University. When he’s not conducting very serious surveillance from his window seat overlooking campus, he’s busy hunting “suspicious movement”
(also known as leaves, backpacks, and absolutely nothing).
He thrives on dorm life: quick cuddles between study sessions, letting everyone know when he is alone, and judging everyone who walks in his room..
His dislikes? Fire alarms (rude), car rides (absolutely not), and anything that interrupts his very important lounging schedule.
Local Events **
Local Events **
Community Date Night | Hitz the Spot
So Much Fun! The first Community Date Night was a success in my book. I had the pleasure of meeting so many new people from the area. Had some amazing conversations. All while supporting Hitz the Spot! Due to all the St. Patrick’s Day activities and Spring Break, the next Date Night will be in April. - Keep a look out for Date/Location.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
I figured for the very first Community Spotlight, I’d take one for the team and introduce… myself. Hi. I’m Jamie Ross, your local Realtor, community garage sale ringleader, Chamber Board Member, and professional over-committer to anything that involves bringing people together in Lindenhurst and Lake Villa. I’ve lived here for 20 years, raised my girls here, and genuinely love knowing the people behind the front doors. But going forward, this space isn’t about me, it’s about us. Each issue, I’ll be highlighting someone in our community who’s doing something interesting, kind, creative, or just quietly awesome. Have a neighbor we should all know about? Nominate them. I have a feeling there are a lot of great stories sitting right on your block.
Lindenhurst
Lake Villa
A RESEARCH TOOL PROVIDED BY MIDWEST REAL ESTATE DATA LLC
The spring market is officially awake. For the past year or two, a lot of homeowners hit pause, waiting for interest rates to drop back to “the good old days.” That big stall in movement? It’s fading. Buyers have adjusted to today’s rates, life hasn’t slowed down, and people still need to move. We’re seeing serious buyers back in the market, multiple offers becoming common again, and well-priced homes selling over asking. The buyers who sat on the sidelines are stepping in, and the ones who are prepared are moving quickly. If you’ve been waiting for the “perfect” moment, this spring is proving that momentum has returned.