For rent! Gorgeous Lincoln Square two beds, one bath in two-flat $2,600

 FOR RENT: Lincoln Square – 2BD / 1BA – $2,600

https://smyl.mredllc.com/listings/MTI1MzA3NjE6MTU3OTUw

2548 W Argyle Street, Unit 1, Chicago IL 60625, two beds, one bath $2,600/ month.

Available Immediately / January

This is a beautiful home with top notch renovations.

Prime location in the heart of Lincoln Square! Bright, spacious first-floor unit in an owner-occupied two-flat near Lincoln and Argyle. Fully rehabbed in 2022, 1st floor, 2-bedroom, 1-bath home features:

-Large bedrooms (12’x9’ and 11’x9’)

-Central heat & AC (tenant-controlled).

-In-unit laundry.

-Eat-in kitchen with exposed brick, stainless steel appliances, walk-in pantry, and dishwasher.

-Hardwood floors throughout.

-Ample in-unit storage with custom closets.

-Large private deck and shared backyard.

Easy street parking. Short walk to the CTA Brown Line and 24-hour Lawrence & Western buses.

Details:

-No pets, no smoking, no assigned parking

-$500 non-refundable move-in fee

-Credit score 700+ and tenant monthly income 3x rent required

-Prefer lease through 3/31/27

-Tenant application, credit & background check required $65.00 per tenant on lease.

*DO NOT give money to anyone claiming to have keys for this property. Licensed Broker Eric Rojas must personally meet at property for showing and you must fill out the tenant application and screening. 1st month's rent check will be payable to KALE REALTY only after full approval process!*

Exclusive listing by:

Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

2447 N Ashland, Chicago IL 60614

Illinois Licensed Real Estate Broker No. 475.126105

Fair Housing Opportunity

CONTACT: erojas@kalerealty.com

Ask Eric! 20yrs and over $110M personally sold.

#lincolnsquare #ForRent #ericrojasblog #kalerealty

SOLD! Lincoln Park two beds, two baths high-rise condo with open kitchen and views

 

Renovated kitchen open to the huge living room. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty
View photos and details of 2626 N Lakeview, Unit 2012, Chicago IL 60614 sold for $400,000

We recently listed and sold a fantastic two beds, two baths condo at 2626 N Lakeview, Chicago IL 60614 in Lincoln Park. Our clients are on their way to the burbs! We helped plan and execute key renovations to the bathrooms in addition to minor repairs and fresh painting.  We received a couple quick offers and our client accepted an offer just over full price at $400,000. This well run building has an A+ location with amazing recreation, dining and services steps from the door!

Views of Diversey Harbor from the unit

2626 N Lakeview condo sales over the last twelve months

25 units have sold in the building with a median price of about $250,000.  The median price of two bedroom, two bath units specifically is about $385,000. The highest priced unit has three beds and two and one-half baths closing at $540,000. The lowest priced unit has one bed and one bath and closed for $126,000. Currently there are two units under contract with Unit 2103 asking $695,000.Two condos are for sale in the building including Unit 2703 asking $825,000.

- Median price for a two beds, two baths Lincoln Park high-rise condo is about $420,000.

- The median price for a two beds, two baths condo sold in all of Lincoln Park over the last 12 months is about $610,000!

Contact me for more information!

Eric Rojas, Broker

Kale Realty

2447 N Ashland, Chicago IL 60614

773-510-1597

erojas@kalerealty.com

Sold! Two beds Lakeview condo with parking $440,000

The living room at 731 W Buckingham Unit #12, Chicago IL 60657. The vintage unit had been transformed into a peaceful, bright and modern home. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty.

We recently listed and sold a two bedroom condo with exterior parking spot included at 731 W Buckingham #12 in East Lakeview (non-high rise buildings). The sale price was $440,000 after multiple offers.. The median price of a comparable condo in Lakeview is about $400,000 (two beds, one bath, exterior parking space included) in a non-high rise building. 

Lakeview two beds, one bath condo sales (non-high rise)
- About 29 two beds, one bath condos with exterior parking (non-high rise) sold from January 1st to September 5th of this year. with a median price of about $400,000. 

- 39 two beds, one bath condos (non-high rise) WITHOUT parking sold with a median price about $370,000. 

- 8 like kind condos sold including a garage space for a median price of about $412,000 over the same period.

Fully renovated kitchen with 

731 W Buckingham #12 has it all... parking, huge deck, storage and central heat and AC!

 Contact me for more information!

Eric Rojas, Broker

Kale Realty

2447 N Ashland, Chicago IL 60614

773-510-1597

erojas@kalerealty.com

Lakeview condo sales run hot in 1st Quarter 2025, unit sales up 20%

 

Gorgeous vintage buildings on the 700 Block of West Buckingham Place.  Condo sales have been furious to in First Quarter 2025. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

It's not hyperbole when I say ALL the real estate markets we work in were very hot in the first quarter of this year. Despite relatively low inventory, rising prices and stagnant mortgage interest rates condos have been selling swiftly in Chicago North Side neighborhoods.  We've been monitoring the market closely while preparing two Lakeview condo listings coming on soon.

Lakeview Condo Sales January 1st to March 31st, 2025

317 condos sold on the MLS over first quarter of 2025. The median price of a Lakeview condo was $450,000 over that time. Only 263 condos sold first quarter last year over the same period with a median price of $405,000.  Unit sales are up 20% year over year and median price up 11%.

The highest priced sold condo this year was 3930 N Janssen, Unit 1s, Chicago IL 60613 for $1,750,000.

The lowest priced sold condo was 3600 N Lake Shore Drive, Unit 605, Chicago IL 60613 for $120,000.

Lincoln Park new construction condo sales, median price $1.3M

 

A new construction condo building rises on the 400 Block of West St. James Place this spring in Lincoln Park. There is no active listing for this project. We do the footwork to find out the sale details for our clients for listed and unlisted new construction. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

We have clients looking exclusively for a new construction condo in Lincoln Park. Buying new comes with a premium. Searching for new construction also requires a lot of networking with developers and agents as many units will go under contract before hitting the MLS. When using a general MLS search we can add new construction classification to the criteria.

• 17 condos (attached unit and townhomes) listed as new construction in our MLS (MREDLLC.com) have closed in the first quarter of this year (January 1st to March 31st). The median price of a sold new construction unit is about $1.3M.
• In the entire year of 2024, 25 attached new construction condo units closed over with a median price of about $1.5M. The least expensive unit to sell was a two beds, two baths at 2559 N Marshfield #2 for $759,000.
• 9 new construction condos are currently listed for sale with asking prices ranging from $899,000 to $3,500,000.  I've identified another five or six new construction projects listed on MLS Private Network. Additionally, there are unlisted projects going up and in development.
• 15 condo units are currently listed as under contract on the MLS from $739,000 to $3,350,000. 

Illinois residential real estate sales trend up late last year

I mostly post about our local city markets.  Looking at more macro trends in the state can help form our client strategy. Unit sales were trending up late last year. My guess is we'll have an active early spring despite stagnant mortgage interest rates.

We spend a lot of time in January doing research for our clients. Many are planning to buy, sell or rent a property early this year. I've been posting some local neighborhood stats and looking at over-all trends. Unit sales and median price were up in Illinois late last year.

December official numbers are not out yet (maybe tomorrow). However, November numbers in Illinois were up. Most interesting was unit sales have trended up year over year. Despite mortgage interest rates trending in the higher 6% range, inventory and sale loosed up a bit. We also saw an over 7% jump in median price of a sold residential property!

Chicago Real Estate Local on Facebook

Chicago Real Estate Broker with Kale Realty
Over $100M sold! Have a question... ask Eric!
Kale Realty 2447 N Ashland, Chicago IL 60614 in Lincoln Park
Illinois Licensed Real Estate Broker No. 475.126105
Fair Housing Opportunity
erojas@kalerealty.com

Rented! North Center three beds, one bath apartment with huge deck! $2,550/ month

 

The living room at 4022 N Western, Unit 2, Chicago IL 60618 All photos and exclusively listed by
Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty 

. 
We recently helped our client lease a North Center three bedrooms apartment to great tenants. The two-flat building features a restaurant on the main level and an apartment on the second floor. We advised on needed updates and repairs to receive top monthly rent and arranged contractors to do the work. We found a perfect fit for the property owner through local advertising on our social media channels and our tenant application process.

North Center rental prices over the last twelve months

The median price of a one bedroom rental in North Center is about $1,700 per month. A unique 1,800 sq/ft loft with garage parking rented for as high as $3,600 / month.

Two bedroom rental apartments have a median price of $2,200 / month. 

Three bedrooms or more units have a median rent price of about $3,600 a month (this includes single family homes). The lowest priced single family home rental over the past twelve months is $3,800 / month.

Chicago Real Estate Broker with Kale Realty

Over $100M sold! Have a question... ask Eric!

Kale Realty 2447 N Ashland, Chicago IL 60614 in Lincoln Park

Illinois Licensed Real Estate Broker No. 475.126105

Fair Housing Opportunity

erojas@kalerealty.com

PH: 773-510-1597

New Northwest Side "preservation ordinance" hurts small multi-unit owners

 

A Logan Square preservation ordinance along "The 606" elevated park trail on the North Side has inspired similar ordinances in adjacent areas. Photo Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty 

The new "Northwest Side housing preservation ordinance" is problematic to me. This was rushed through the city council with little public debate. I don't know why Alderman continue increase taxes and regulations on small business and property owners. Do they think owning real estate and business in the city is a walk in the park? We're all greedy? My biggest issues are:

1. A tenant right to first refusal to purchase a multi-unit building when an owner wants to sell. The tenant buyers can force a contract with the owner BUT do not have to prove financial ability to purchase nor have to deposit more than 5% of the purchase price. The process can hold up sales for minimum but in effect much longer.

2. The tenant right of first refusal may be assigned to a 3rd party, further complicating sales for property owners.

Here's a summary of these issues in the ordinance:

Notice Timeframe & Right Of First Refusal Timeframe: 1-2 Units: 30 day notice required prior to sale, 15 day right of first refusal 3-4 Units: 30 day notice required prior to sale, 30 day right of first refusal 5+ units: 60 day notice required prior to sale, 90 day right of first refusal Timeframe to close if tenant ROFR is exercised: 5+ units: 120 days to exercise right of first refusal 1-4 units: 60 days to exercise right of first refusal.

"If purchaser purchases a rental property AND USES ANY PUBLIC FUNDS IN THE PURCHASE, then the rental property shall be maintained as affordable housing for no less than 30 years".

Financial assurances; deposit. The owner may not require the tenant association to prove financial ability to perform as a prerequisite to entering into a contract. The owner shall not require the tenant association or tenant(s) under Section 5-11-070060(b)(3), to pay a deposit of more than 5 percent of the contract sales price in order to make a contract. The owner must refund the deposit in the event of a good faith failure of the tenant association or tenant(s) to perform under the contract.

View the area and major points below. In my opinion there should be exemptions AT LEAST for owners with fewer than a dozen units... or some sort of compromise. These are often live-in owners or they invested and lived in a building than moved on to another home while keeping the rental building.

Chicago CityScape

WTTW also reports

Lincoln Park CVS Pharmacy torn down for condos

A hot location in Lincoln Park will trade a CVS for a six unit condo building with retail. Housing demand remains high on the North Side as Chicago continues to build multi-units in replace of one story retail. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

The Lincoln Park CVS building at 401 West Armitage, Chicago IL 60614 has been torn down and cleared to make way for condos.  I walked by the site at West Armitage and North Lincoln Avenue in eastern Lincoln Park last week and then read the story by Chicago Yimby. According to the report the new building with feature four stories, six residential condo units and two ground floor retail units. 

Attached condo/ townhouse sales in Lincoln Park

-The median price for a sold two bedrooms condo over the last 12 months is $500,000. 
-Bump up to three beds and the median sold price sky rockets to $835,000. 
-A four beds or more attached unit (condo and townhouse) has a median price of  $1,1750,000.

Feel free to reach out to me to find or sell your North Side property in Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Bucktown and many other Chicago neighborhoods. Median prices are up year to year... do you know what your property is worth to sell or rent? My team has an expert for you. 

Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty - erojas@kalerealty.com 

Golfing for Northeastern Illinois University scholarships!

My clients and long time business partners came out to support NEIU student scholarships once again in late July. My Kale Realty team has sponsored thousands of dollars over the years for my favorite annual event! All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

I was excited to once again sponsor and serve on the planning committee for the 51st Chuck Kane Scholarship Golf Event with Northeastern Illinois University. The event was hosted at beautiful Bryn Mawr Country Club on July 29th. I had a great group of clients and business associates join me to compete for the 1st Place Golden Eagle Bobblehead (we were not close).

This was our first year at Bryn Mawr Country Club on Chicago's North Side and we could not had a better facility.  The lounge, bar, locker rooms, patio and banquet areas are fantastic.  The course is in terrific condition and the fore caddies that were super fun!

The golfers line up for the start of the 51st Annual Chuck Kane Scholarship Golf event sponsored by Northeastern Illinois University staff, alumni, professors and friends.

We heard from our newly hired university President Katrina Bell-Jordan  in her first official event with NEIU! The student scholarship recipient speakers at the dinner program were phenomenal!

Thank you to all my clients for another successful year. Your business and referrals allow me to give back to my university community. 

Please reach out to me with any real estate related questions concerning buying, selling, legal, renovation, leasing and more! erojas@kalerealty.com

Under contract on Wicker Park loft!

The huge, classic loft condo building at 1735 N Paulina has been a popular choice for Wicker Park buyers for many years. Our client is under contract on a great unit with 5th floor open views. Photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

Back in Wicker Park! We're under contract with a buyer on a concrete loft condo at 1735 N Paulina, Unit 511.

The Wicker Park market has been fast and furious. About 307 condo units (attached unit and townhouse) sold in the Wicker Park neighborhood over the last 12 months. The median price of a sold condo unit is $571,000 over the past 12 months.

Skyline views from the rooftop deck at 1735 N Paulina in Wicker Park.

The trendy and pricey neighborhood offers a variety of housing styles from timber and concrete lofts, converted vintage walk-ups and modern new construction. Buyers flock to the neighborhood for restaurants, bars, services and proximity to CTA Blue Line train and easy highway access. Many buildings feature amazing views of our downtown skyline. My photo doesn't compare to the real thing!

Feel free to reach out to me to find or sell your North Side property in Wicker Park, Bucktown or any other Chicago neighborhoods.  My team has an expert for you. Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty - erojas@kalerealty.com 

Looking for Chicago Loop condo rentals

Gray views this morning from the 43rd floor at the The Heritage, 130 N Garland, Chicago 

Nothing a double shot can't solve! Despite April snow flurries Bob is in the Chicago Loop this morning looking at three bedrooms condo rentals with our clients. The median price of a three bedrooms condo rented in the Loop is $5,900 a month! (Stats over 12 months for 59 closed three bedrooms units in MREDLLC.com)

Nothing better than a double espresso to get you going in the Loop

Our sellers are under contract on their sale and want to stay downtown for another year... but they prefer renting from a condo owner rather than a 100% rental building. Gloomy views from the 43rd floor are better than no views!

Taking a look at a condo rental in Aqua, at Lake Shore East. We have no problem waiting in these gorgeous lobbies!

 

Apartment construction finally begins at former Lincoln Square strip mall

40 residential units coming to the 5200 block of North Lincoln Avenue. The units will join another 67 residential units within a couple blocks of each other at this northwest Lincoln Square location. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

My tour of new construction multi-unit apartments and condos around Lincoln Square continues! A 40 unit building was proposed for 5214-5224 N Lincoln Avenue back in 2020.  Construction finally began last week.  The building is close to the North Lincoln / West Foster intersection and adjacent to a strip mall with a Dunkin Donuts, orthodontist and a bubble tea place among other storefronts.  To the north is the Diplomat Motel which was bought by the city and will become a transitional shelter for homeless.  Tony's Fresh Market is across the street.

The old strip mall at 5214 N Lincoln just North of West Foster Avenue back in 2023 prior to demolition. 

All told there are at least 107 condo and apartment units in development near the corner of  Lincoln and Foster! The new residents are great for local business, vibrancy and tax revenue.  The buildings make good use of the former one story strip malls and eye-sore properties.

To buy, sell, rent and invest on the North Side of Chicago and near suburbs please reach out erojas@kalerealty.com  I'm happy to answer your questions.

Crowded at the top price-point for Lincoln Park home sellers

 

Many classical, ornate and limestone homes line Lincoln Park streets.  However, the high-end sales have slowed this year. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

Only four of the top 20 most expensive homes on the market in Lincoln Park are under contract. All of the top 20 homes listed are priced at $4 million and up.  The most expensive Lincoln Park listed home is 1932 N Burling at $27,900,000.  The Burling home originally listed in 2016 at $50 million and has a cumulative market time of 2,508 days. Plenty had been written about the house starting in 2016.

From January 1st to October 18th of this year eight $4 million dollar homes and up have closed on the MLS.  Last year during the same period fifteen homes sold for over $4 million dollars.

Chicago area leads nation in home price growth May to July

Chicago area residential home prices have had a good summer! All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

Chicago area home price gains lead the nation from May to July.

Crain's reported last month, "For the third month in a row, home prices grew faster in the Chicago area than in any other major U.S. metro area, according to new data from the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Indices released this morning. Chicago-area single-family home values rose 4.4% in July compared with the same time last year."

Median price in Chicago (city proper) was up almost 5% in August over August 2022. 

Chicago Metro Area prices were up almost 10% August 2023 over same period last year and Illinois median price was up almost 8% August 2023.

Chicago home sales plodding along through 2023

 So... what's happening?? Chicago sellers are still in a pretty good spot!

-During the recent housing boom of 2019-2022 the City of Chicago saw all City median price raise +24% (reported by Crain's Chicago Business). Soooo if you bought a $400,000 home in 2019 it may sell today for $500,000.

-Low inventory and 7% interest rates (to slow inflation) slowed unit sales in 2023

-2023 Year to date Closed Sales for ALL Properties in the City of Chicago is down almost -19%

-2023 Attached Unit median price (condo, townhouse) is even with last year

-2023 Detached Single Family Home median price is down -7.7% over the same period of 2022

In our personal experience we see many of Chicago's most active markets are seller's markets. Late summer median prices were up month over month with plenty of "multiple-offer" situations in neighborhoods like Lake View, Lincoln Park, North Center and Lincoln Square.

Interest rates may come down a little in the coming months but I feel low inventory + pent-up demand will keep asking and sales prices steady. Chicago (and much of the country) doesn't have a very good solution to the inventory problem as homeowners hang on to their 2% and 3% mortgage rates while affordable unit development does not keep up.

Please contact me at erojas@kalerealty.com to help you plan, buy or sell a home in this market. Questions... just ask!