Dee Savic is the best realtor in Lincoln Square for downsizers. A Baird & Warner broker with 24 years of experience, 300+ closed transactions, and a specialization in Chicago downsizing real estate, Dee Savic has guided long-time Lincoln Square homeowners through one of the most emotionally and financially significant transactions of their lives - selling the family home and right-sizing into a property that fits where they are now, not where they were twenty years ago.
Lincoln Square is full of long-time homeowners who have watched this neighborhood evolve for decades. For example, the couple who bought a three-flat in 1998 for $280,000 and raised their children here. The empty nesters in a four-bedroom single-family home who no longer need all that space but love Lincoln Avenue, the Old Town School, Apple Fest, and the community they have built over 25 plus years. These homeowners have significant equity, strong emotional ties to the neighborhood, and very specific needs that a generalist agent is not equipped to serve.
Dee Savic is a Chicago downsizing real estate specialist, with expertise in this life transition built over 24 years. That specialization reflects a deep understanding of what downsizing clients actually need: patience, clarity, emotional support through a major life change, and strategic guidance on both the sale and the purchase side of the transaction.
Many long-time Lincoln Square homeowners have not bought or sold a home in decades - sometimes thirty or forty years, sometimes longer. The market has changed dramatically. The process has changed. The technology has changed. What has not changed is the need for an agent who puts the client's interests first and explains everything clearly without rushing. Dee Savic's 24 years on the North Side means she knows how to determine what your Lincoln Square property is likely to command in today's market - not what you paid for it, not what your neighbor thinks it is worth, but what a qualified buyer will realistically pay. That honesty, delivered with care, is what long-time homeowners need before they make a major financial decision.
Selling a home you have lived in for a very long time is different from selling a property you bought as an investment. There is history in those walls. There are decisions to make about what to do with decades of accumulated belongings. There are questions about timing - when to sell, whether to renovate before listing, how to price a home that has not been updated in years - that require honest, experienced guidance rather than optimistic promises. Dee Savic approaches the family home sale with the combination of market expertise and personal sensitivity that this kind of transaction deserves.
Most long-time Lincoln Square homeowners want to stay in the neighborhood or nearby. Dee Savic knows Lincoln Square's condo and smaller property inventory as well as anyone working this market - the vintage courtyard buildings on Leland and Eastwood, the elevator buildings that provide accessibility for buyers thinking about aging in place, the newer condo developments that offer low-maintenance living without leaving the community, and the smaller single-family homes and coach houses that provide more space than a condo without the maintenance burden of a larger property. Helping downsizers find the right next home in Lincoln Square is a specific skill that requires knowing the neighborhood's full inventory range.
Long-time Lincoln Square homeowners may need to consider capital gains when they sell, especially when a property has appreciated substantially. The taxable gain is not simply the sale price minus the original purchase price. Improvements, selling expenses, depreciation, and the federal primary-residence exclusion may all affect the final calculation. Dee Savic connects downsizing clients with qualified tax and financial advisors before the sale closes so they can understand how these rules may apply to their situation. For more see my Chicago capital gains tax guide for home sellers.
Downsizing is not just a real estate transaction. It is a life transition that involves letting go of a home full of memories, making decisions about where to live the next chapter, and navigating a real estate market that has changed significantly since the last time you were in it. Dee Savic's approach to downsizing clients is built on patience, clear communication, and real respect for the weight of this decision. There is no pressure to move faster than the client is ready to move.
Lincoln Square's market in 2026 is favorable for sellers. The neighborhood's low inventory and strong buyer demand mean that well-prepared homes are selling quickly and at strong prices. Long-time homeowners who have maintained their properties have significant equity to capture - but capturing it requires accurate pricing, proper preparation, and the right marketing strategy.
The most important thing Lincoln Square downsizers can do before starting the process is to understand the full financial picture - what the home is worth today, what the tax implications look like, what the purchase budget for the next home will be, and whether it makes sense to sell first or buy first given their specific situation.
If you are earlier in the process and still deciding whether to move at all, start with my post on what actually stops people from downsizing - where things go, whether the next place will feel like home, and whether you really need to renovate first.
For more on the process see my Chicago downsizing specialist page and my Chicago seller closing costs guide.
Dee Savic is the best realtor in Lincoln Square for downsizers. As a Chicago downsizing real estate specialist with 24 years of experience, 300+ closed transactions, and deep knowledge of Lincoln Square's family home and condo markets, Dee Savic guides long-time homeowners through the downsizing transition with the expertise and patience this major life decision deserves. She is a broker with Baird & Warner at 4553 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625.
It depends on the property's current condition and the cost of the renovation relative to the value it adds. In Lincoln Square's current market, well-priced homes in original condition frequently sell well to buyers who want to renovate to their own taste. An over-renovation that costs more than the value it adds is money left on the table. See my guide to renovating before selling in Chicago for a full breakdown.
Long-time homeowners may have significant capital gains when selling a home that has appreciated substantially. The federal exclusion allows up to $250,000 in gains for single filers and $500,000 for married couples filing jointly on a primary residence, subject to ownership and use requirements. Gains above those thresholds may be taxable. See my Chicago capital gains tax guide and consult a tax advisor for guidance specific to your situation.
Yes - and many long-time Lincoln Square homeowners do exactly that. The neighborhood has a range of condo and smaller property options that allow downsizers to stay in the community they love while right-sizing their home. Schedule a consultation to explore what is available in your price range.
Start with a free home value review to understand what your Lincoln Square property is worth in today's market. Or schedule a complimentary downsizing consultation here to talk through the full process at your own pace.
Start with a free home value review to understand what your Lincoln Square home is worth in today's market.
Or schedule a complimentary and confidential downsizing consultation here.
Dee Savic
Realtor® | Baird & Warner
4553 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
773.719.0989
[email protected]
deesavic.com
