Openlands plants new trees at Winnemac Park

Trees are planted along the east walking path near Amundsen High School

Way back in the spring I ran into a crew planting trees in Winnemac Park at the east end of Amundsen's soccer field.  The trees will bring much needed shade to the many students, athletes and spectators that use the fields and they will enhance the walking paths.

The tree delivery and planting was made available in partnership with the non-profit Openlands 
and their Tree Planters grants. Go to the links if you have identified a public city space in need of trees. Many partnerships are made with Openlands to acquire, enhance and preserve public spaces.

Thanks guys!!!

Sold! Buyer clients come home to spacious Western Springs house

1132 Birch Lane, Western Springs, IL 60558 closed early this month for $615,000. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

Our city folks flew the coop with their growing family for their home town.  We represented the sale of their small Lake View  condo in late June and purchase of this huge forever home early this July. The large home has a kitchen / great room overlooking the yard that any family would desire. The warm home has the rare combo of both formal rooms and huge communal spaces!

I think our clients were sold when they turned the corner and stepped into the great room!

114 Western Springs single family homes closed from January 1st - July 14th 2017. The median price of a single family home this year is $561,000.

112 homes sold over same period of 2016 with a median price of $586,000.
99 homes sold in 2015 with a median price of $617,000.
93 homes sold in 2014 with a median price of $505,000.
109 homes sold over the same period in 2013 with a median price of $480,000.

Big jump in median prices over the last four years!

Lincoln Square single family home sales still booming in 2017 (median price up 58% from 2012!)

Renovation and new construction activity continues in the Lincoln Square community area (all photos Eric Rojas, Bob DePalma brokers, Kale Realty)

84 single family home have sold thus far in 2017 (Jan 1st to July 14th). That appears to be a pretty hefty sales pace. It is! Only 54 homes sold over the same period last year.

The median sales price for a single family home in Lincoln Square Community Area this year is $705,000. Median price was about $655,000 same period last year in 2016.

The way back machine tells us median price of a Lincoln Square house in 2012 was $445,000!  Median price is up 58% from 2012 to 2017.

The peak years of 2007 and 2008 prior to the financial crash respectively had median prices of about $600,000 and $650,000.

Our Lincoln Square/ Bowmanville house listing at 2329 W Berwyn sold for $605,000 earlier this year.

The highest priced Lincoln Square closing is 4439 N Hamilton Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60625 for $2,505,563.  The 2008 luxury build is on a 37.5'x177' lot.

The lowest priced sale over this time period is 2317 W Foster Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60625 sold for $180,000. The home sits on a short 25'x100' lot on busy Foster Avenue.

Condo sales around Rockwell Crossing in Ravenswood Gardens

We recently listed a condo in Ravenswood Gardens of Lincoln Square.  4702 N Talman #2 is just 40 seconds away from the quaint commercial strip known as Rockwell Crossing.  It's home to long time staples such as Beans and Bagels, Pizza Art Cafe, Bloom Yoga and Ruff Haus Pets. The Red Lion Lincoln Square on Rockwell is just a block or so away (if you are into English pubs).

Get excited for a quick look at Rockwell Crossing in Ravenswood Gardens!

Ravenswood Gardens neighborhood

Ravenswood Crossing condo sales January 1st to July 14th 2107

42 condos have sold thus far in Ravenswood Gardens this year.  The median price is about $275,000. The highest priced sold listing is $540,000 at 2450 W Montrose Ave West Unit 4N, Chicago, Illinois 60618. The newer construction condo (2008) featured 3 bedrooms, elevator and roof top deck. 

The lowest sold condo price this year is $120,000 at 2619 W Agatite Ave Unit 3E, Chicago, Illinois 60625.  The one bed, one bath unit is in a 1970s build near the river bank.

Sneak peek VIDEO! 5319 N Kenmore #3A in Edgewater Beach for sale $224,900 (PRE-MLS)

5319 N Kenmore #3A, Chicago IL 60640 (all photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty)

Check out the sneak peek video for 5319 N Kenmore #3A in Edgewater Beach.  I took a look at renovation progress yesterday.  We help our clients source contractors and make renovation decisions when buying, selling and while owning too!  For sale $224,900!

Top floor duplex-up
Two beds
One full and one-half baths
In-unit washer/ dryer
Central heat and A/C
Fresh paint, newer full bath and updated kitchen

Living room overlooking courtyard trees

Staircase to second floor!

Dining room (or office/ third bedroom) with fireplace

 

Gut renovated bathroom

 

Two shared decks (one on each floor)

 

Two large 12x14 bedrooms upstairs

 

2nd bedroom with large walk-in closet

 Contact us! (Pre-approved buyers please. Call me for a lender contact)

 

Exclusively listed by:

Eric Rojas, Vice President/ Broker

Kale Realty

2447 N Ashland

Chicago, IL 60614

773-510-1597

ericrojasblog.com

Open House at 2047 N Leavitt #2S in Bucktown - Watch the video!

Open House! 2047 N Leavitt #2S, Chicago IL 60647 

For sale $689,900

3 beds, 3 baths, garage parking and roof top rights

Saturday July 15th from 12:00pm to 2:00pm

More property information HERE

Theater on the Lake construction photos, new lakefront restaurant coming

All photos Eric Rojas/ Bob DePalma Brokers, Kale Realty

The building that hosts Theater on the Lake at 2401 N Lake Shore Drive in Lincoln Park is under renovation.  Here are a few shots from earlier in June.

Curbed Chicago has a nice run down of the $6 million renovation that will include a restaurant/ bar with tons of outdoor seating. Surprisingly from Oak Street Beach to Waterfront Cafe in Edgewater there are few options for outdoor dining along the lake. The Dock at Montrose Beach has filled the void thus far for casual dining (with party atmosphere).

Bucktown Garden Walk this weekend (and our open house)

Check out gardens like this one near Homer and Damen in Bucktown (all photos Eric Rojas, Robert DePalma Brokers Kale Realty)

The 13th Annual Bucktown Garden Walk is this weekend July 15th and 16th.  The Garden Walk headquarters at Churchill Park 1825 North Damen Avenue features a children's fest and adjacent beer garden.

Just in time for our Open House!

2047 N Leavitt Unit 2S for sale $689,900

Saturday July 15th from 12:00pm to 2:00pm

Watch the video!!

More 2047 N Leavitt Unit 2S property information HERE

Thank these great homeowners for their commitment to the neighborhood!

Eye popping "seven lots" Lincoln Park home nears completion

Bob snapped a few photos of one of Lincoln Park's largest homes in progress at 1955 N Orchard, Chicago IL 60614 (all photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty)

We walked by one of the largest Chicago homes featured in that article early this week - 1955 N Orchard spans 7 city lots (the standard Chicago lot being 25'x125').  DNAinfo.com wrote a great article concerning tear downs and multi-lot new construction homes in Lincoln Park back in 2015. The owners of the private build reportedly spent over $9 million over 10 years amassing the lots alone.

You really have to stand in front of this thing to realize how big it is. 

I don't believe demolishing multiple properties across seven lots to build one single residence is good for the city. Maybe the limit should be two lots maximum. I don't know the answer but on face value this seems anti-urban/ anti-city and less sustainable.  If you have not walked the neighborhood in the past 10 years you'll be blown away by the amount new in-fill construction.

Former Old Town Noble Horse site to be developed into condos

The former entrance to Noble Horse Theater in Old Town (all photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty)

A few years ago I walked around the site of the Noble Horse Theater building at 1410 N Orleans in Old Town. I called the theater owner and redevelopment looked eminent. I wondered who would gain control of the site and what would inevitably be developed.  My thought at the time was residential units would do well at the location.

Crain's reports today that LG Development will opt for condos over the original rental building plan.  I think this is a good move. The median price of a sold condo is about $450,000 in Old Town including mid and high-rise style buildings such as the one proposed for this site.

Carriages housed at the old property.