An Open Letter to Chicago Realtors

The truth hurts...

Read Brevity is key to voice mail in today's Chicago Tribune

Lincoln Park Open House, Sunday 1/25/09 1PM to 4PM

I could do Tai Chi in this yard.

I'll host an open house this weekend on a terrific Lincoln Park block.

2326 N Janssen in Lincoln Park, Chicago 60614 Sunday 1/25/09 from 1PM to 4PM.

Asking $899,000
3 bedroom plus loft, 2 and 1/2 bath, 2 car garage.

It's all about the mix of vintage detail, new luxuries and unique renovation. This home is for those who love to incorporate the outdoor space in a tranquil traditional setting. Details include high lofted ceiling in the living room, a lofted reading area and wonderful views of your private oasis from the great room. The major renovation were done over the past 5 years.

View Virtual Tour HERE

I'll host an Open House at 1916 N Maud Sunday January 13th from 1PM to 4PM. It is a three bedroom townhome in Lincoln Park. Garage parking, two and one half baths, renovated kitchen... great outdoor space.

It's the most amazing place you have ever seen. Really. Why would I lie?






Give me a call or email for more details. See you there.

Three Off Market Listings in Chicago's Old Irving, Ravenswood and Rogers Park

Where is this place and how do I get it?

I have several super secret listings that will hit the market in the next few weeks. Please call me for more information for the following in they sound interesting.

-The first one in the Ravenswood (Lincoln Square) neighborhood is a three bedroom, two bathroom condo with garage parking. Open floor plan, designated area for true dining, tons of windows and huge master suite and bath. It is a three year old new construction building located two blocks from the Damen Brown Line CTA and the Ravenswood Metra Line. You also have the Damen bus witch is great for going south to Roscoe Village and Bucktown. Asking price will be about $419,000.

-The next home is located in Old Irving near Irving and Keeler. It is a huge three bedroom, two bathroom unit with one garage space and one outdoor parking space included. Rare, wide lot three flat building. Beautiful looking property inside and outside. I really liked this place when my clients decided to buy it and it is large enough and in a great neighood to start a family. Steps to the CTA Blue Line and Union Pacific District Northwest Metra line. This is a one year old gut rehab This will list at about $399,000.

-The third place is located in Rogers Park at Fargo and the Lake. Two bedroom, two bathroom with parking. This unit has been updated and is in an elevator building. Live right on the lakefront and close to Loyola University, transportation and Evanston too. This will list at about $240,000!

I should be able to arrange showings for these before they hit the open market.

New Ravenswood Bar/Restaurant Making Progress

This isn't exactly a new scoop, but there is a entirely new bar opening at the corner of Wilson and Ravenswood in the Ravenswood neighborhood. It’s in the old Zephyr location. A lot of people got very teary eyed about the closing of Zephyr…. Eh.

Any who, this new Irish Pub going in is a major work. The space was gutted to build the new favorite hangout for yours truly. Hopefully it will have some killer outdoor space… easier with “The Goobs” (a.k.a. our kid).

The Ravenswood industrial corridor from Irving Park Road all the way north to Peterson is always good for a find. Be it retail or restaurants, North Ravenswood and the surrounding streets are becoming a destination. You could easily spend the better part of a day walking the neighborhoods of North Center to West Andersonville from south to north and have plenty to eat drink and shop.

I Can't Believe It's Not...

Buying condos in West Loop

Here's a couple shots right outside 843 W Adams, a concrete loft building in Chicago's West Loop. As a life long North Side guy, I still get excited spending time in and around the Loop.

West Loop in this particular location just west of Halsted Street keeps that foggy, gritty metropolis feeling. But, it's really a livable neighborhood with Greek Town, grocery stores, fine dining, coffee shops, small retail etc... close by. The main draw is it's close to your work downtown.

Looking east down West Adams towards downtown. I just feel cooler here than in my hood.

A one bedroom, one bathroom concrete loft unit with a large terrace will run you $250K to start plus about $25K for garage parking. I particularly like the 843 W Adams building... well run and larger units. Great location.

Low Inventory of Ravenswood two-flats

Ravenswood two-flat buildings under 700K are in short supply. Only ONE listed building met the criteria of my clients today: two move in quality units, garage parking, walking distance to the Ravenswood Metra station, under $700K. There are a spattering of buildings at $550K or less, but they are in bad shape.


The typical "move-in" two flat building in the Ravenswood neighborhood under $700K will consist of:
-A 30X125 lot
-Two finished and separate living units
-Two small bedrooms, one bathroom
-An unfinished basement (7 foot ceiling)
-Small yard and two car garage

$600,000 to $650,000 will get you a move-in condition two flat building that will need a low amount maintenance. The higher end of the price range (645K-700K) may get you an extra half bath in each unit, a larger lot or a better finished “owners unit”.

The typical two-flat in this price range will remind you of the many rentals you lived in.

However, there are three main reasons to buy a two flat like this:

First and foremost, it is a great way to live in a neighborhood in which you cannot afford a single family home. A two flat allows you a yard, basement and garage (things you may not get in a condo) while receiving rental income from a tenant (in which you control who your neighbor is).

In Ravenswood, you can buy a decent two flat for $625,000 and just live in the place without a renter. This may sound strange, but a safe, move-in quality single family home in Ravenswood will cost you at least $700K… and that’s under the Brown Line! The two flat can get you a better positioned home for less money than a house. You will just have to be creative how you live.

Secondly, you can convert a two-flat to a single family home. This can be an arduous process (read: NIGHTMARE) but can still be a value. For instance, you can buy a brick two flat for about $550K in Ravenswood in decent structural shape, but in need of new everything… mechanicals, electrical, roof, windows, blah, blah, blah. $250K later, you’ll have a nice single family home. An $800K total investment is justified especially if you will live in the house for awhile.

Third, you can buy a two flat to rent and hold as a retirement investment. If you already have a real estate portfolio and like the prospects of Ravenswood, this is still viable. However, you’ll have to tie up some money for awhile. This is a good idea on commercial and mixed use zoned streets (like Damen) where developers may be interested in buying several lots for a major project.

Back in the Saddle: Chicago Open House in Lakeview

I'll be at an open house tomorrow Sunday 1/6/08 at 1440 W Roscoe. Two bed, one and a half-bath duplex up. Top floor means no footsteps dancing on your head. Better yet, you're in Lakeview's Southport Corridor neighborhood.

Hours are 1PM to 4PM. Email me for more details or click the link below. All yours for $369,000K

See the TOUR HERE

I may even look up from my laptop to greet you...

A Chicagoan's Anxiety at Jewel

Photo from Bill

I was at my local North Center Jewel tonight picking up bread, milk, bananas… (you know) when I suddenly realized I began to get anxious as I approached the check-out. And then it hit me… I don’t want to answer those two questions.

“Do you have a Jewel card today?”

“Are you interested in our Xtreme Value buy?”

I haven’t had a Jewel card since my wallet was stolen over four years ago from the YMCA on Lincoln and Belmont. Every time I’m asked this question I feel like a second class citizen for not having one. Then I feel like a charity case when they put their number in for me.

And maybe if they had an Xtreme Value that wasn’t “Triple Stuffed Oreos with Caffeine Added!”, I might buy it.

Hey Jewel, drop the riot act already. In fact, I went through it twice today (earlier at the Jewel on Southport while buying stamps).

Then I found THIS story.

Chicago's North Side: Neighborhood Views

Here's a little view of a typical North Side home on a typical North Side Chicago winter morning.

The view is from a duplex-down in in a six-flat building. This particular unit was originally an apartment building that has been converted to condos. We're looking out through the former sun room. It is now an atrium like staircase and landing, leading down to the lower level family room and master bedroom.

This particular area of Ravenswood has many six-flat and eight-flat center entrance buildings. But here we see several six-flats that have a set back front entrance. Three units are situated in the front with the prominent sunrooms. Three units are set back (rear units). This "Z" configuration of units allows the living spaces to share very little common walls. A huge plus.

Looking north down Winchester. The neighborhood is know for it's mature trees.

I really love the organge brick building with the tile roof across the street. The landscaping in the summer looks great as well.

Here's the front of the building from the first picture above. The sunroom here now serves as the staircase and landing. Notice the little touch of detail in the brick. Theses buildings built between 1920 and 1945 are so much more pleasant to look at than the majority block and brick new construction we see today in Chicago.