East Lakeview with Parking... Jump on IT

I've been researching and shopping East Lakeview two bedroom condos with parking and decks with my clients over the past two months. This has been the fastest moving market I've come across this year. Two bed, one bath, parking, deck, washer/dryer in unit, decent shape, east of Halsted under $375K....GONE! Get it for $350K and you're a pro.

My clients and I found one at Aldine and Broadway and scooped it up. They saw several properties they liked go under contract. They nabbed this one after only two weeks on the market.

I can't go into details on this property until we head to the closing table, but if you want East Lakeview with the big 5... Parking, in unit washer/dryer\, deck, central air and of course location... be prepared to know your stuff and act on it.

My Lakeview Condo Listing Featured in Apartment Therapy!

Read the post at ApartmentTherapy.com

They did a write up of my listing at 543 W Roscoe in East Lakeview. Check out the comments... laugh, cry, cringe.

Lakeview Chicago Open Houses this Saturday and Sunday

I have a couple open houses this weekend in Lakeview. They could possible be the best places to live ever.*

920 W Barry #5 Open Saturday 3/15/08 from 1PM to 4PM $679,000: Three bedroom two bath top floor condo with private rooftop deck. Extra wide layout and high end finishes. Please see the links below and email/call me for a floorplan and brochure.

http://www.rubloff.com/search/details.html?id=6817087

and

http://www.postlets.com/res/353066

543 W Roscoe Open Sunday 3/16/08 from 1PM to 4PM $274,900: Modern, Renovated one bedroom, one bath condo with a full dining room. New, new, new stuff, and super cool custom selections.
Check out the links here for more details:
http://www.rubloff.com/search/details.html?id=6824687

and
http://www.postlets.com/res/452026

Please call me or email with any questions or for floor plans and brochures.

*I've put a lot of thought into this and , yes, they may be the two best places to live ever for someone.

Meet My New Client

We always request clients leave the home during showings and open houses. Sometimes, you actually have to walk them.

Here we are outside 2700 N Halsted, #408 in Lincoln Park. The buyers are with their agent checking out the condo. The owners think this is going above and beyond... I'm like it's 50 plus degrees finally and I get to walk around Lincoln Park and say I'm doing my job.

Fight the Cook County Sales Tax Increase

We are getting killed on taxes this year... first the Transfer Tax increase and now a Cook County Sales Tax increase.

I've received more emails about this subject from my sphere of influence than on any other!

Here's a way you can FIGHT THE MAN. Take that Stroger.

Even if you don't live in Cook County, you probably shop and eat in the city. So please vote against this proposal and ask anybody that you know to do so as well. It only takes seconds. I just did it.



Subject: Sales Tax Increase

I just did it, it took a few seconds.

COOK COUNTY is planing to raise the sales tax to 10.25% in November.
This will have a negative effect on the lives of consumers in Illinois and
obviously, on retail businesses as this will make ours the HIGHEST sales
tax rate in the country.

Please take a second to call Todd Stroger's office and petition the increase on the tax!!!!

Please do this now...what do have to lose (other than your money)? I did it and it only took a minute and it is FULLY AUTOMATED!!!! AND EASY.

This takes literally seconds. It only took about 15 SECONDS to punch in my vote.

CALL 1-312 -603-6400.

Press option 1, then option 2, and then VOTE AGAINST INCREASE (OPTION 2)

Image from artstechnica.com

A Ravenswood Chicago House: Modern Love

This house is located Ashland and Winona in Ravenswood. When I se something like this my only thought is... finally. Finally something cool over here. I think they did a great job of looking Mod, while fitting into the block quite nicely.

My buddy lives a couple doors down from this home, so we had a front row seat watching it grow.

Bravo.

Paying Parking Tickets in Chicago

Here's a shot I took at dusk yesterday from my office parking deck in Lincoln Park. I like parking here because I always have a spot and the view is great. The little glimpse of sun inspired me as I headed out to appointments. Life is good.

Life is not so good when you come back to your car with and discover a parking ticket. As a Realtor in Chicagoland, I'm no stranger to parking tickets. But one thing Chicago does well is give parking tickets and then make it easy for you to pay them. Check out the link for the City of Chicago where you can pay The Man or dispute your ticket (beat The Man).

I just paid my last ticket. I was ticketed for parking in front of a school during restricted hours... while I was voting at the polling place in the school!! Thanks Chicago.

Brett Favre Retires, Packer Fans Mourn

The rumors have been put to rest. Favre has informed the Packers that he will retire from the National Football League. As a native Chicagoan and Packer fan, I've taken my lumps... but then there was Brett Favre.

He wasn't always there. I remember as a kid suffering through many lousy seasons in the 1980s. But that would change by the early 1990s and we have never looked back. But now we must look forward to the Aaron Rodgers era. See you at Will's North Woods Tavern.

Photo from wikipedia

Edgewater Chicago... Views you can buy

Here's just one of the views we saw this weekend on the east side of North Sheridan Rd. We were on the top floor (39th) of the Malibu at 6007 N Sheridan Rd. It's stunning.

The Malibu is a full amenity building with a good vibe. Parking guys and doorman really make the experience feel upscale.

This particular condo was highly upgaded with modern kitchen, surround sound, great wood floors etc... The view says it all. The sellers are asking $350K for this nice sized two bedroom, two bathroom condo. Assessment runs about $533.00, which is not bad for the price point, size and position of the condo.

Super Secret Off Market Real Estate: 2700 N Halsted #408

This is off-market, not yet listed and for sale now... check out the one bed, one bath in Lincoln Park before the world does. Located at 2700 N Halsted, this is complete condo with great features; in-unit washer and dryer, surround sound, security system, walk-in closet, concrete construction, garage parking, outdoor space... the works.

Asking $339,000 with $25K for parking.