Walking Maps Chicago

With extra time these couple days, I've been wandering several sites I've linked to.
Carfree Chicago points out the "walking direction" function of Google Maps. I meant to put this up in the summer.


Ryne and I try to walk everywhere... even in the snow.

A Lincoln Square Single Family Home I Love

Dear Homeowner,

If you ever decide to sell this home, please let me list it. I will give it the respect and marketing it deserves.

Bravo, good show.

Single family homes in this here part of Lincoln Square range from $699,000 for a fixer-upper backed up to the Brown Line to 'what do you want to spend?" for an oversized corner lot with new construction.

I'd say the home pictured above could list for $1,200,000. But, I have no idea what's inside, nor do I know the lot size off hand. If it's a long lot, it could get more.

The New and the Old in Lincoln Square Single Family Homes

It was Daddy Day Care Day once again and Ryne and I were out on our walk despite the snow. The weather was quite charming... snowflakes falling, temps pretty good. Ryno was wrapped in his snow suit, so no worries there. He always falls asleep.

Anywho, I've walked by this house above on many an occasion and quite like it. It's definitely had some restoration work. But, it has it's original look and brick I reckon and was probably built on the backs of the original owner.

Walk down the street a bit on Giddings in Lincoln Square and you come across this beauty below. Looks terrific and is a good example of building a huge house that fits in the neighborhood. I'm not crazy about the windows, but it's very appealing in general.

Think they were inspired by an original down the street?

Young and upwardly mobile in Ravenswood

Here's a quick shot of a group walking back from the Damen Brown Line stop last Wednesday, north of Lawrence Ave. It's about 6:30PM... Must have been working late.

It's a good sign for neighborhoods when you see groups of go-getters marching off the train during rush hours. I wanted to take more shots, but even given some diplomatic immunity by walking my son, I didn't want to look creepy stealing random snap-shots.

Average two bedroom, two bathroom condos with parking in this area are well over $350K and climbing. Two blocks north of Lawrence on the 5000 N block of Winchester, a popular two bed, two bath condo building is catching over $400K with ease for re-sale units.

Local Ravenswood video tour in the works

Next week I'll be joined by Joe Zekas of Yo Chicago for a video tour of the northeast portion of Ravenswood. These "walking" videos are a great way to catch a little inside information about living in particular neighborhoods. I've enjoyed watching them my self and hope to make a few of my own in the future.

I'll take Joe around the new development and restaurants on Damen Ave., look at some new construction and existing well done development, and maybe spin over to the Ravenswood and Wilson/Sunnyside area to point out the restaurants and housing.

We should conduct the tour this Friday, but it may take awhile to get the video clip posted here due to schedules. I'll keep you posted.

How "Elmo game" and walks saved a Ravenswood Realtor

Geez... is it Wednesday already?

Tuesdays are daddy day with Ryne... where I suppose I can "get some work done" while spending my day at home with my son. Now, we consider ourselves lucky; Jill and I each stay home a full week-day with the boy. Makes it easy to know I just don't schedule appointments that day. My partners do my listing showings and I'm actually forced to take a day off for other purposes.

But, I'm not going to lie to ya... work goes on and I sometimes desperately attempt to move the football forward on deals and property searches.

In comes the "Elmo Game".

This kid just goes nuts for this toy... ever since he was two months old. There are little songs, moving parts and lights. I get a solid 20 minutes each time I set him down in front of it. He can either lay under it looking up or face it on his stomach for tummy time.


The other way I sneak some local work in... walks around Ravenswood, Andersonville and Lincoln Square. These are my specialty neighborhoods due to proximity. I walk, he sleeps... I snap pictures for the blog, check out the new Andersonville restaurants, Ravenswood single family homes, Lincoln Square rehabs and retail.

Thanks Elmo.

Plants are people too

Saw this little cry for help on the 4700 block of North Hermitage. Happily, Ryne and I obliged.

Walk in West Andersonville Gardens

I like a good walk, and these days a walk with my boy comprises most of my social life.

West Andersonville Gardens pictured here stretches from the 5100 north block of Ravenswood (at West Winnemac) to about the 5900 N block (at West Rosehill in front of The Fireside).

Well, the actual "gardens" probably do not make it all the way to The Fireside, but this stretch of road is a great way to kill some time and admire “going green thumb” in the city for real. And, I don’t know… end up having a few beers along the way.

In fact, there are lot of great spots and stops along the West Andersonville Garden walk. Check out my fave The Ravenswood Pub. Many of my friends and I use to go to this place all the time back in the day for drinks, smokes, classic juke box... and a game of pool. Now, it's a great mix of old school VFW and modern bar amenities. Great specials and events. The bar owners are some really great people... people... so check this place out.

Maybe brunch at Paulines is your thing... or a glass of wine at dusk at Joie de Vine

Join the West Andersonville Neighbors Together (WANT) in planting days each summer. The latest one is this Saturday 6/23/07!! I have to work.