Price: $1,599,000

Listed: May 28, 2024

This three-bedroom mid-century ranch, designed by modernist architect and designer Samuel Marx, sits at the end of a cul-de-sac. The floor plan includes an entry foyer, a den with a wet bar, a kitchen with granite counters and backsplash, and a dining room and living room with a fireplace. The bedroom wing includes an en suite guest bedroom, and a primary suite with a dressing area and multiple closets, a spa-like bathroom and an office and sitting area. There is an additional en suite bedroom off the kitchen and an enclosed porch with a hidden entrance.

Agent: Jamie Roth, Engel & Völkers Chicago North Shore, 847-219-6400

Mid-century ranch in Highland Park with separate bedroom wing: Entrance

Mid-century ranch in Highland Park with separate bedroom wing: Hallway

Mid-century ranch in Highland Park with separate bedroom wing: Dining room

Mid-century ranch in Highland Park with separate bedroom wing: Living space

Mid-century ranch in Highland Park with separate bedroom wing: Living space

Mid-century ranch in Highland Park with separate bedroom wing: Living space

Mid-century ranch in Highland Park with separate bedroom wing: Dining space

Mid-century ranch in Highland Park with separate bedroom wing: Kitchen

Mid-century ranch in Highland Park with separate bedroom wing: Outdoor space

Some listing photos are “virtually staged,” meaning they have been digitally altered to represent different furnishing or decorating options.

To feature your luxury listing of $1,000,000 or more in Chicago Tribune’s Dream Homes, send listing information and high-res photos to ctc-realestate@chicagotribune.com

Price: $3,845,000

Listed: April 15, 2024

This five-bedroom, 4½-bathroom home was renovated by Italian designer Pininfarina and features espresso hardwood floors, a color-changing Aquafire built-in marble fireplace, backlighting and a sound system integrated throughout the home. The kitchen has The Cut brand ceramic kitchen cabinets and waterfall countertops from the Nativia color collection that blend into the cabinetry. Access to the top floor is through an outdoor tree atrium and a glass and gold staircase. The primary suite has two walk-in closets, a glass shoe cabinet and designer wall coverings. Outdoor spaces include custom heaters, a fire pit, a built-in grill and pizza oven. The house also has a three-car heated garage with an electric charger.

Agent: Danielle Dowell, Berkshire Hathaway, 312-391-5655

5-bedroom Bucktown house with glass and gold staircase: Staircase

5-bedroom Bucktown house with glass and gold staircase: Bedroom

5-bedroom Bucktown house with glass and gold staircase: Bedroom

5-bedroom Bucktown house with glass and gold staircase: Exterior

5-bedroom Bucktown house with glass and gold staircase: Bathroom

5-bedroom Bucktown house with glass and gold staircase: Kitchen

5-bedroom Bucktown house with glass and gold staircase: Living space

5-bedroom Bucktown house with glass and gold staircase: Deck

5-bedroom Bucktown house with glass and gold staircase: Outdoor space

Some listing photos are “virtually staged,” meaning they have been digitally altered to represent different furnishing or decorating options.

To feature your luxury listing of $1,000,000 or more in Chicago Tribune’s Dream Homes, send listing information and high-res photos to ctc-realestate@chicagotribune.com

Price: $3,995,000

Listed: May 7, 2024

This single-family home has six bedrooms, 5½ baths and six outdoor spaces. The sunken living room has vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, a limestone fireplace, large mirrors and access to three outdoor areas. The chef’s kitchen has a 9-foot quartzite waterfall island, a six-burner Wolf stovetop, a Bosch black hood, a double oven, a food warmer, a dual dishwasher and a Thermador refrigerator. The third-floor entertainment room is decorated with tiger wood/mirrored cabinetry and has a built-in wet bar, skylights, porcelain tile floors, a full bath and a penthouse roof deck that offers views of The 606 trail. The workout room has a sauna and an indoor resistance pool.

Agent: Danielle Dowell, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago, 312-391-5655

Bucktown 6-bedroom home with 6 outdoor spaces: Living space

Bucktown 6-bedroom home with 6 outdoor spaces: Dining space

Bucktown 6-bedroom home with 6 outdoor spaces: Bedroom

Bucktown 6-bedroom home with 6 outdoor spaces: Living space

Bucktown 6-bedroom home with 6 outdoor spaces: Living space

Bucktown 6-bedroom home with 6 outdoor spaces: Bathroom

Bucktown 6-bedroom home with 6 outdoor spaces: Living space

Bucktown 6-bedroom home with 6 outdoor spaces: Outdoor space

Bucktown 6-bedroom home with 6 outdoor spaces: Pool

Bucktown 6-bedroom home with 6 outdoor spaces: Outdoor space

Some listing photos are “virtually staged,” meaning they have been digitally altered to represent different furnishing or decorating options.

To feature your luxury listing of $1,000,000 or more in Chicago Tribune’s Dream Homes, send listing information and high-res photos to ctc-realestate@chicagotribune.com

Price: $4,995,000

Listed: April 4, 2024

This six-bedroom home has six full bathrooms and two half-baths. The house features walnut floors, a temperature-controlled wine cellar, a Creston audio-visual home system, a home theater, an exercise room, an outdoor kitchen and bar setup, five HVAC systems, a power generator and a 23-foot-by-19-foot primary closet. The house has six fireplaces, including one that is a two-sided gas and wood-burning fireplace, and one that is outdoors. The home is equipped with a commercial-grade Otis elevator for access to all four finished levels. The house also has a tennis court, a billiards room, an outdoor pool and a steam shower.

Agent: Chris Pequet, Jameson Sotheby’s, 630-327-5175

Hinsdale 6-bedroom home with elevator, temperature-controlled wine cellar: Living room

Hinsdale home with commercial-grade elevator and temperature-controlled wine cellar: Kitchen

Hinsdale home with commercial-grade elevator and temperature-controlled wine cellar: Fireplace

Hinsdale home with commercial-grade elevator and temperature-controlled wine cellar: Bedroom

Hinsdale home with commercial-grade elevator and temperature-controlled wine cellar: Primary closet

Hinsdale home with commercial-grade elevator and temperature-controlled wine cellar: Bathroom

Hinsdale home with commercial-grade elevator and temperature-controlled wine cellar: Home theater

Hinsdale home with commercial-grade elevator and temperature-controlled wine cellar: Wine cellar

Hinsdale home with commercial-grade elevator and temperature-controlled wine cellar: Staircase

Hinsdale home with commercial-grade elevator and temperature-controlled wine cellar: Outdoor space

Some listing photos are “virtually staged,” meaning they have been digitally altered to represent different furnishing or decorating options.

To feature your luxury listing of $1,000,000 or more in Chicago Tribune’s Dream Homes, send listing information and high-res photos to ctc-realestate@chicagotribune.com

Price: $2,500,000

Listed: April 3, 2024

This four-bedroom home has four full bathrooms, two half baths and heated Jerusalem Stone flooring. The great room has 43-foot cathedral ceilings punctuated by historic timber, a stone fireplace and views of the backyard. The chef’s kitchen features multiple pantries, butcher-block countertops, a wet bar, built-ins, a window seat and a breakfast bar. The heated sunroom has three walls of windows, a stone fireplace and heated stone flooring. A walk-out lower level includes a pub and a family room with a stone fireplace. Outside, there are several terraced blue stone patios and a gazebo.

Agents: Elaine Pagels and Brita Pagels, Berkshire Hathaway, 630-601-8558

Downers Grove mansion on 2 cul-de-sacs in Denburn Woods: Entry

Downers Grove mansion on 2 cul-de-sacs in Denburn Woods: Living space

Downers Grove mansion on 2 cul-de-sacs in Denburn Woods: Dining space

Downers Grove mansion on 2 cul-de-sacs in Denburn Woods: Woodwork

Downers Grove mansion on 2 cul-de-sacs in Denburn Woods: Woodwork

Downers Grove mansion on 2 cul-de-sacs in Denburn Woods: Kitchen

Downers Grove mansion on 2 cul-de-sacs in Denburn Woods: Glass and stonework

Downers Grove mansion on 2 cul-de-sacs in Denburn Woods: Bath

Downers Grove mansion on 2 cul-de-sacs in Denburn Woods: Living space

Downers Grove mansion on 2 cul-de-sacs in Denburn Woods: Outdoors

Some listing photos are “virtually staged,” meaning they have been digitally altered to represent different furnishing or decorating options.

To feature your luxury listing of $1,000000 or more in Chicago Tribune’s Dream Homes, send listing information and high-res photos to ctc-realestate@chicagotribune.com

Price: $3,295,000

Listed: Feb. 26, 2024

This Northbrook home has a two-story foyer that leads to a double-bridal staircase; look up to see the handcrafted dome inlay in the ceiling. Built in 2009, the home has custom coffered ceilings that adorn various rooms. Other features include a chef’s kitchen with a double island, a home gym, a sauna and en suite bathrooms for each of the six bedrooms. Outdoor amenities include a resort-style pool with a double-stone waterslide, a cascading waterfall and built-in fire pits. There is a four-car garage as well as a model train room with the Chicago skyline serving as a backdrop on surrounding walls.

Agent: Justin Greenberg, 847-975-7658, Berkshire Hathaway

Northbrook 6-bedroom home with double-bridal staircase and model train room: Foyer

Northbrook mansion with double-bridal staircase and model train room: Foyer

Northbrook mansion with double-bridal staircase and model train room: Living space

Northbrook mansion with double-bridal staircase and model train room: Kitchen

Northbrook mansion with double-bridal staircase and model train room: Coffered ceiling

Northbrook mansion with double-bridal staircase and model train room: Bath

Northbrook mansion with double-bridal staircase and model train room: Gym

Northbrook mansion with double-bridal staircase and model train room: Sauna

Northbrook mansion with double-bridal staircase and model train room: Model train room

Northbrook mansion with double-bridal staircase and model train room: Model train room

Some listing photos are “virtually staged,” meaning they have been digitally altered to represent different furnishing or decorating options.

To feature your luxury listing of $1,000,000 or more in Chicago Tribune’s Dream Homes, send listing information and high-res photos to: ctc-realestate@chicagotribune.com

Price: $1,150,000

Listed: April 9, 2024

Built in 1921, this home has been renovated but preserves some of its original architectural details. The foyer with staircase leads to a sunroom with views of the yard. French doors take you into a living room with a fireplace and wall of windows. The chef’s kitchen was remodeled with a large island and leads to the dining room. The first floor also has a family room with three walls of windows, a fireplace, a main floor office, a bedroom and a full bath. The second floor has a primary suite with a spa-like bath and a walk-in closet, three more bedrooms and an updated bath with a walk-in shower. The full basement has a rec room with an exercise area, an arts and crafts area, a TV viewing area and includes a vintage Brunswick pool table, two large storage rooms, a full bath with a steam shower and an entrance with steps to the attached garage. The outdoor area has an in-ground heated pool and a brick paver patio.

Agents: Janet Borden and Allison Silver, 847-780-7390, Compass

Deerfield 5-bedroom home with sunroom and swimming pool: Foyer

Deerfield 5-bedroom home with sunroom and swimming pool: Living space

Deerfield 5-bedroom home with sunroom and swimming pool: Living space

Deerfield 5-bedroom home with sunroom and swimming pool: Sunroom

Deerfield 5-bedroom home with sunroom and swimming pool: Kitchen

Deerfield 5-bedroom home with sunroom and swimming pool: Dining room

Deerfield 5-bedroom home with sunroom and swimming pool: Bedroom

Deerfield 5-bedroom home with sunroom and swimming pool: Bathroom

Deerfield 5-bedroom home with sunroom and swimming pool: Basement

Deerfield 5-bedroom home with sunroom and swimming pool: Backyard

Some listing photos are “virtually staged,” meaning they have been digitally altered to represent different furnishing or decorating options.

To feature your luxury listing of $1,000,000 or more in Chicago Tribune’s Dream Homes, send listing information and high-res photos to: ctc-realestate@chicagotribune.com

Price: $3,500,000

Listing date: March 22, 2024

This six-bedroom home sits on more than an acre in the center of Highland Park and has a heated sunroom and an indoor swimming pool with a wall of glass that opens to the outdoors. The first floor features a great room, a banquet-sized dining room with a butler’s pantry, three bedrooms and 3½ bathrooms. The entire second floor is a primary suite with its own family room, fire place, large closet, a spa-like bath and balconies overlooking the great room. There are two additional bedrooms and bathrooms in the basement, which also has a workout room, a home theater, the indoor pool and a summer kitchen. There are five zones of heat and air conditioning for the home, which is in walking distance to the train, lake and downtown. The yard includes ravines and a bridge.

Agent: Janet Borden and Allison Silver, Compass, 847-780-7390

Highland Park 6-bedroom home with indoor swimming pool: Great room

Highland Park 6-bedroom home with indoor swimming pool: Kitchen

Highland Park 6-bedroom home with indoor swimming pool: Dining room

Highland Park 6-bedroom home with indoor swimming pool: Butler's pantry

Highland Park 6-bedroom home with indoor swimming pool: Home theater

Highland Park 6-bedroom home with indoor swimming pool: Workout room

Highland Park 6-bedroom home with indoor swimming pool: Back yard

Highland Park 6-bedroom home with indoor swimming pool: Bridge

Highland Park 6-bedroom home with indoor swimming pool: Indoor swimming pool

Some listing photos are “virtually staged,” meaning they have been digitally altered to represent different furnishings or decorating operations.

To feature your luxury listing of $1,000,000 or more in Chicago Tribune’s Dream Homes, send listing information and high-res photos to ctc-realestate@chicagotribune.com

“Marriages following cohabitation are almost inevitably doomed,” said psychologist Willard F. Harley. In his recent book, “Buyers, Renters and Freeloaders: Turning Revolving-Door Romance into Lasting Love,” he shows how to avoid the pitfalls of “renter” relationships and build a “buyer” relationship that’s worth investing in.

Couples who live together before marriage develop the habit of what Harley calls a “rental agreement,” or a lease to continue the relationship on a trial basis.

“With the introduction of complex problems, such as child-rearing, marriages based on a `renter’ agreement fall apart,” he said.

According to Harley, a “buyer” is willing to demonstrate a high level of care; a “renter” is willing to provide limited care as long as it’s in his or her best interest; and a “freeloader” is unwilling to put in much effort at all