Did You Know? A Strong El Niño Could Mean a Milder Chicago Winter
As the West Coast prepares for what could be the strongest El Niño on record, us Chicagoans shouldn’t think we’re immune to the effects of this massive storm. In our case, though, the effects could actually be positive.
A strong El Niño could mean above-average temperatures and below-normal precipitation from December through February in the Midwest. The most recent El Niño that had similar strength characteristics was in 1997, and the 97/98 Chicago winter season was the seventh warmest on record.
Inside this Newsletter
- Important Dates to Remember
- Help Make Your Building Safer and More Efficient This Winter: 5 Steps
- Best of the Blog
- Maintenance Tip: Re-caulking Showers and Bathtubs
Important Dates to Remember
Nov. 13 – Mar. 6 McCormick Tribune Ice Skating Rink in Millennium Park
Nov. 20 – Dec. 24 Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza
Nov. 21 The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
Nov. 24 Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Daley Plaza
Help Make Your Building Safer and More Efficient This Winter: 4 Tips
Helping to keep buildings safe and energy efficient during the winter season is a team effort. Our buildings managers pride themselves on being responsive, but they still need the help of the building’s residents for best results. Here are 4 ways you can help:
- If you spot a potentially slippery spot due to water, snow, or slush in one of the common areas, report it to your building manager so he or she can put up signs and help other residents avoid harm.
- Propping building exterior doors open for any length of time is incredibly energy inefficient. If you notice an exterior door that has been propped open, close it promptly. Needless to say, this is also a building security issue.
- If you’re travelling for the holidays, don’t broadcast that on social media, and get a neighbor to keep an eye on your place while you’re away.
- Be careful with space heaters. While they can be energy efficient, they’re the cause of over 1,000 home fires in the U.S. every year. If you use one, monitor it carefully and don’t leave it on while you’re out of the home.
Best of the Blog
Our blog is still posting weekly advice for owners and residents, at halespropertymanagement.com/blog. Here are 4 recent posts we were particularly proud of:
4 Things to Look for in a Portfolio Condominium Property Manager
Choosing the right property manager for your real estate portfolio is crucial for the success of your investment. Here are some qualities to look for in your next property manager.
The 3 Reasons Why Owners Should Attend Association Meetings
If you’re an average condo owner in Chicago, you probably don’t eagerly await the next announcement for an HOA meeting. Nonetheless, owners should make an effort to attend as many meetings as they can, for these 3 important reasons.
The Issues with AirBnB and Your Building: An Update
Renting out your condo on Airbnb may still not be the best idea. Despite no longer being strictly illegal in the City of Chicago, Airbnb presents a variety of other problems for condo buildings.
Maintenance Tip: Re-caulking Showers and Bathtubs
If your shower or bath is more than a few years old, you may notice that the caulk sealant between it and your wall has started to discolor, crack, or peel. In addition to being unsightly, damaged caulk can let moisture into your walls, causing mold and a host of other problems. But removing the old caulk and re-applying new caulk is a surprisingly easy DIY project. Here’s a video that walks you through it:
