Thursday, July 28, 2011

Lincoln Park Starbucks with boutique feel

I took this photo earlier this year walking from one of our (now sold) home sale listings at 1030 W Wrightwood.





We've loved this Starbucks Coffee at the corner of Wrightwood and Racine for years while criss-crossing Lincoln Park. This is a true neighborhood joint.


Located on a relatively quiet corner with only small shops, the residential location makes for a perfect place to duck in. This section of Wrightwood between Sheffield and Racine is a gorgeous street to live on!

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Rare Ravenswood new construction condos hit market


A long stalled new construction condo project in the Ravenswood neighborhood of Lincoln Square is now being marketed. Located at 4907-4909 N Ravenswood, I spotted this development over two years ago when construction began. After 2008, it was one of the VERY few new construction condos to break ground in greater Lincoln Square...then caput.

There is one listing on the MLS now for 4907 N Ravenswood, Unit #3S. Its a three bedroom, two baths "penthouse" with luxury finishes, front terrace, back deck and rooftop deck. Priced at $425K with one garage spot included. Considering the outdoor space and garage, this is a pretty good value.


Looks like there will be two top floor units, a couple middle units and two duplex-down homes. This is a very pleasant location adjacent to established town homes and single family homes. The Ravenswood Metra stop is only a few blocks away. It's very green with mature trees and gardens planted along North Ravenswood...and a very Green minded neighborhood with the Zero Net Energy Yannell House located a few doors down.

Ravenswood, Lincoln Square Garage Sale: Saturday July 30th 9AM to 2PM, Sunday July 31st 9AM to Noon


Garage Sale
2224 W Winona Saturday
*July 30th 9AM to 2PM*
*Sunday July 31st 9AM to Noon*


Home Decor (Nice fake plants, framed prints, vases, picture frames)
DJ Equipment (8 yr old basic mix board with 2 CD players, 15' speakers and stands $150.00)
Women's' and Men's clothes
Plate/dining sets
Office Chairs
Lamps
CDs
Printer/some electronics/coffee grinder, etc...



Come early, make an offer!










In Lincoln Park? Trader Joe's for lunch


The Lincoln Park Trader Joe's has been a terrific addition to the Diversey/Clark commercial area. I've never been a big TJ's shopper but with it's arrival near our office I'm in there all the time...even for a quick lunch from their pre-made sandwich selection.


The stretch looks great, retail spaces are filled and the location is as vibrant as ever.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Streeterville: Dusk at Lake Shore Park

Surely a few of these softball players are young residents at Northwestern Memorial Hospital located adjacent to the park. Take care of those hands doc!


After viewing a $1.2M condo offering at 600 N Lake Shore Drive, we cut through Streeterville's Lake Shore Park towards a Gold Coast watering hole. The views at dusk are fantastic. What a peaceful setting for a walk, run or game in the middle of one of Chicago's most bustling locations.




Home Buying Tips: Is the cow included?



Many Chicagoans, and Lincoln Park residents specifically, have seen this famous "Cows on Parade" statue perched over row homes at 310-312 W Dickens. However, if the owner were to sell and you were purchasing the home; is the cow included?


It depends. When writing a purchase contract we ask for any items that appear to be included in the sale...such as attached surround sound speakers, custom shelving systems and cow statues over the door.


When listing a property for sale, we advise clients to remove and/ or replace any personal or attached property they want to move with them. If you want your chandelier or custom shelves, remove and replace them. Even when you state the exclusions in a listing description and at showings they still may be sticking points in a sale negotiation.

Gold Coast luxury rental: On Astor Street, the sky is the limit

We came across this main building at 1353 N Astor Street in the Gold Coast offering a one bedroom coach house rental for $4,000



Bob came across this one bedroom, one and one-half baths Astor Street coach house rental while working with clients this weekend. The asking rent for the unique furnished courtyard property is $4,000 a month. There is no information listed anywhere on the Internet...and probably none needed.





We find these homes while walking the neighborhoods with clients. Call Bob for a Gold Coast rental, purchase or sale 773-572-4402


Friday, July 22, 2011

Northcenter, West Lakeview Open House Sunday July 24th: Single family home $459,000


Open House:
1808 W Diversey asking $459,000,
Sunday July 24th from 1PM to 3PM.



A well appointed free standing single family home in a very good north side location...steps from parks, groceries and minutes walk from the Lincoln Park neighborhood. The home has attached two car garage, spacious rooms, luxury built-ins and two large custom walk-in closets in the master bedroom. Enjoy an xtra-wide and open layout I feel is better than any attached town home at this price anywhere on the North Side. I'm serious. Buy a true single family house in this neighborly gated community.

Watch the video tour!



For more property information at Rubloff.com, click here!



Wednesday, July 20, 2011

CONDO FOR RENT $1,600: 3653 W Leland #1E, huge three bedrooms +den, three full baths, parking, laundry room

Immediate Occupancy. Please call Eric Rojas/ Robert DePalma 773-687-4646 ONLY with name, contact number, move-in availability. NO EMAIL INQUIRIES WILL BE RETURNED.




3653 West Leland #1E For Rent $1,600 a month


Great Albany Park deal on huge home. Duplex down with great light on lower level. Huge windows. Check out the photos! Close to CTA Brown Line, groceries and steps to many amenities.















Three Bedrooms
Three Full Baths
Gated Parking Space Included
Den/Office
Family Room
Two En-suite Bedrooms
Updated, Open Kitchen with Dishwasher
Laundry Room, Utility Room.
DECK

Central AC and heat



**This is a condo rental. Pets negotiable, limit 2. One month's rent security deposit. NO EMAIL INQUIRIES. RENTER PAYS CREDIT/BACKGROUND CHECK $30-$60 upon approved application** Real Estate Brokers represent the owner and will present all required renter/tenant documentation and disclosures to all parties. 1 year lease or more preferred.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Single family home sales in Lincoln Park's Oscar Mayer school district

Data has been gathered and analyzed by Eric Rojas, Real Estate Broker using www.MREDLLC.com and Chicago Public Schools Locator. We stay on top of schools, home values and demand like no one else!



Just west of Abraham Lincoln Elementary school district in Lincoln Park is the now "buzz worthy" Oscar Mayer Magnet School attendance boundaries. The school is located in the vibrant DePaul University neighborhood amongst top notch educational facilities, million dollar homes and vast local retail.

In the first six months of 2011 , about 18 single family homes sold (excluding row homes) in Oscar Mayer attendance boundaries.

The median price for a single family home in district was about $1,500,000. The highest sale was $4,525,000 and the lowest was $875,000.

Only one home in the district was sold as a foreclosure for $2,225,000 ($25K over list price) . The house needed hundreds of thousands of finish work.




Parents and students work in the Oscar Mayer award winning garden.


See Bell School home sales in Northcenter, Chicago

See Coonley School home sales in Northcenter, Chicago

Parent "buzz" and perceived school performance greatly affect demand and housing prices in a school's attendance boundaries. Even comparable homes on the same couple blocks, but different school boundaries, can vary in demand and price.



Chicago Local: Gold Coast rooftop pool


The kids enjoy the rooftop pool in the shadow of the Elysian in Chicago's Gold Coast.

Monday, July 18, 2011

For Sale: Lakeview, Northcenter single famly home only $459,000


1808 W Diversey House L asking $459,000

Two bedrooms plus a large family room (or third bedroom), three full baths and attached two car garage. The house is located in a unique gated single family home development. Great, modern layout! The Northcenter location is at the border of Lincoln Park and Lakeview. At $459,000, it's priced at and below recent closed sales that were only two full baths and one half bath.


Watch our home tour video here!




Click the link for more property details HERE


1808 W Diversey, House L is located on the desired far north end of the Picardy Place development. Built in 1997 and in "like new" condition, this true single family fee simple house offers a great town house alternative. The wide and smart floor-plan is bright and very functional. The house has many of the key amenities buyers want such as open kitchen, true dining area, large deck off the main kitchen area, master suite with walk-in closets and huge master bath.

This is a unique home in a great community. The north end gate is located adjacent to the corner of Honore and Oakdale making it feel more part of the surrounding neighborhood. This house is over a block away from Diversey. No street noise!




-Fee simple single family home
-Gated community
-Large living room with built-in cabinets, sound wiring and TV mount
-Open, updated kitchen with breakfast bar
-Flexible room off kitchen leading to deck
-Family room, third bedroom on grade level with full bath (not a basement)
-Small yard and dog run off family room
-Three full baths
-Two car attached garage!
-Bright master suite with two walk-in organized closets, sound wiring, TV mount
-Huge master bath with separate shower, jet tub, double bowl vanity
-North end of community, quiet and easy side street access...not on Diversey!


Located close to Chi Che Wang Park, Hamlin Park, Starbucks and easy CTA bus on Diversey going east to Lincoln Park amenities.


Sunday, July 17, 2011

Hot Chicago schools making the market

Our client's have been looking for a house in the hot Coonley school district boundaries. They also like the Blaine, Bell and Burley schools. All familiar names to parents with elementary aged kids.




I stopped in to look at the above open house last weekend on North Paulina Street. The house is in the Hamilton school district on a gorgeous block adjacent to the Blaine school district. Hamilton school stretches across some of the best areas of Lakeview.


Despite the house being every bit as nice as $850,000 to $900,000 houses in the former mentioned school districts, it sits unsold at an $865,000 asking price. If it was located on the opposite north east corner in Blaine school it would be sold at list price.





Hamilton from many parent accounts I know in the area is a great school for their kids. There are many instances where some schools with better "buzz" and marketing will be more desired than another adjacent school that has similar test scores. Many parents rely on test scores alone without even stepping foot in a school to gauge if it's a good fit for their children. Others follow the "buzz", even if some standards are lower than an adjacent school district in reality.


Hamilton is not a "buzz" school, but I only see upside. You can get a bargain on a house in this district before it turns into the next Coonley!

Chicago Local: Garage parking in East Lakeview!


Any major city dweller covets a garage. Our client was looking at East Lakeview condos with garage parking included. These sellers didn't have a car but found another use for their garage.