Arts and crafts at Chicago's Children's Museum, Navy Pier

Learning how to work with clay in the Children Museum's classroom last week.

We still enjoy the Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier after nearly 10 years of visits.  With four kids now from 9 1/2 yrs old to 15 months we utilize a lot of the family friendly institutions and public parks around the city.  We've asked grandparents, aunts and uncles to think about museum memberships for gifts rather than "plastic stuff".  The Children's Museum and surrounding area offers us a lot of bang for the buck.

The water feature is a hit and allows for some outdoor fun along with the museum.

We can usually get some guests in on our passes and bring our kids' friends to keep everyone busy.  Navy Pier has been going through a lot of renovations and the public park with water feature is a great activity to run the kids tired.  The Streeterville neighborhood at Navy Pier offers a lot of great places to eat along with Olive Park and Ohio Street Beach more outdoor fun.

After the museum we often stop at Ohio Street Beach right near the pier.

"Missed a bathroom": Showing up at the lender appraisal

We attend all property showings, contractor visits and the lender appraisal visit.

Many real estate brokers put a home listing on "lock box" for showings and property visits.  Bob or I personally attend all transaction related appointments during a home sale to help ensure a timely and smooth closing. Lender appraisal visits are one of the most important appointments.

We assure the mortgage lender's appraiser includes important property features to avoid closing delays and to protect the purchase price we achieved.  Today I asked an appraiser at a Lincoln Square listing if they "got the en suite bathroom upstairs".  Her answers was "I must have missed a bathroom".  Yikes.  The en suite adds huge value and they may have needed to come back.

Even if the homeowner can be home we attend the lender appraisal on their behalf.  Each appraiser is different and ask for different pieces of information.  We make sure they mark down the parking spots, special wiring, beds, baths, bonus rooms and recent renovations. It also pays to have comparable properties in mind, a floor plan and the additional written offers on hand (if any).

For Sale! New East Lincoln Park 4 beds, 3 baths Duplex-UP in Alcott School listing next week $499,900

Large open plan living and dining.  The corner unit has lots of light and open exposures. Photo of current tenant occupied condo.

Sneak peek! Not on MLS. We're prepping our newest Lincoln Park condo listing this week.  A true four bedrooms, three baths duplex- up at 2636 N Orchard #3R features a unique 2000 sq/ft layout that feels like a house! Currently rented  for big $$$$ this condo can make a great primary home or investment in desirable Alcott school district (right across the street).

Updated kitchen with island overlooks the large common living space.

Basic details
Apprx 2000 sq/ft
Updated kitchen
Central heat and air conditioning
One bedroom and bath on main level, three beds, two baths upstairs
Large main entry foyer and closets
Attractive staircase and second level landing
Fantastic Lincoln Park location steps from Diversey Trader Joe's, Clark Street dining and services
Alcott School district
For Sale $499,900
Taxes $8,300
Assessment $389.00/ month 

*Interested parties must have mortgage pre-approval and lender contact or proof of cash funds to schedule a showing.*

You are HERE

2636 N Orchard #3R is in a fantastic Lincoln Park location steps from nightlife, the lakefront, transportation and top schools

 Exclusively listed by 

Eric Rojas, Kale Realty

542 W Roosevelt Road Chicago, IL 60607

Call/ Email Eric only. PH:773-510-1597
erojas@kalerealty.com  

*Interested parties must have mortgage pre-approval and lender contact 

or proof of cash funds to schedule a showing.*

 

Work with my team as your buyer agent to find pre-listed properties and great values!

 

For Rent! Roscoe Village two beds, one bath w/ heat, upgraded cable, free laundry included $1,700 / month

Check out the video tour of our rental listing at 3633 N Damen #3 in North Center/  Roscoe Village near the Addison Brown Line.  Great location for nightlife fun, services and downtown work commute at a very affordable price.

 For RENT 3633 N Damen Avenue #3

Chicago IL 60618 offered at $1,700 / month 
*includes heat, cable (HBO, On Demand) and free laundry*
Available immediately August 2016

Available August 2016

$1,700 security deposit

PETS NEGOTIABLE + $350.00 fee

$60.00 application and credit check

Audubon School District 
Good credit record please
Free laundry on site
Heat included
Cable, HBO, On Demand etc.. included
Storage unit

Large first bedroom!

North Center, Roscoe Village top floor corner condo. Great value for two bedrooms, one bathroom unit near all the action. Second bedroom with French doors used as dining room, den (no closet). Bright, freshly painted home, entry foyer with huge closet. Updated maple kitchen with pantry! Second bedroom with French door currently used as dining area (closet removed). Deck off kitchen for grilling, covered back stairs to common backyard. 

Built-in wall unit air conditioners. Unit includes basement storage room, common yard, exercise room, bike storage and FREE LAUNDRY IN BUILDING. Walk to Trader Joe's, Roscoe Village restaurants, CTA Brown Line, Wrigley Field (for a World Series?!). Super hot North Center in desirable Audubon Elementary School district.

Vintage building at 3633 N Damen, Chicago IL 60618 located near Damen and Addison in North Center. Quiet neighborhood close to top bars, restaurants, grocery stores and the Cubs!

Updated maple kitchen

Breakfast table

Living room

1st bedroom

2nd bedroom

Bathroom

Affordable home in one the North Side's hottest neighborhoods.

Additional unit and building features:

Huge coat and storage closet

Kitchen pantry!

Common yard and gazebo.

Large bike room

Clean, warm laundry room. Free laundry!

Common fitness room!

 Exclusively listed by Eric Rojas, Kale Realty

542 W Roosevelt Road Chicago, IL 60607

Call/ Email Eric only. PH:773-510-1597
erojas@kalerealty.com

Party like it's 2007! Chicago single family home median price $245,000

Homes along West Wilson Avenue in Ravenswood Manor neighborhood of Chicago.  Median price IS NOT $245,000 in this area.  Median price in 2016 for Ravenswood Manor after 15 closed homes is about $565,000. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

Crain's Chicago Business wrote a nice synopsis on Chicago single family home median price numbers released by the Chicago Association of Realtors (to which I'm a member).  The bottom line is overall Chicago single family home median price is highest since 2007 at $245,000. 


 Work with us for specific area data and "on the ground" anecdotal information if you are selling, buying or investing in homes around Chicago and the nearby burbs. We often post Chicago market stats for specific neighborhoods and even buildings while researching for our clients.

Do you recommend a moving company? Coffey Bros Moving for Chicago and interstate moves

 Coffey Bros Moving  company caught our attention due to their excellent reviews.  If you are making a local Chicago move or interstate move please visit their site at www.CoffeyBrosMoving.com


Do you have a moving company to recommend? 
 
We are always looking for great referral companies to be involved with our real estate transactions.  One of the most sought after referrals by our clients, friends and family is a moving company. We are impressed with Coffey Bros Movers and welcome them as a new sponsor. Look for their guest posts with moving tips throughout the year.

These guys are professional, responsible and offer affordable moving rates!

New body art service coming to busy stretch of Lincoln Square

I noticed this application for special use at 2417 West Lawrence Avenue after my haircut next door over. The proprietor is looking to "establish a body art service".

The new body art/ tattoo service if permitted would be located next to my guys at the Lincoln Square Barber Shop.  Seems like a reasonable combo.

New for Sale! Spacious Lincoln Square duplex with garage parking $469,900, OPEN HOUSE Sunday Aug 7th from 11AM to 1PM

Take the video walk-through of 4822 N Winchester, Unit 1N in Lincoln Square 

and meet my new co-star!

4822 N Winchester #1N

$469,900

Taxes: $6,900

Assessment: $283.00 
*Open House*
Sunday, August 7th 11AM to 1PM

Terrific value for tons of well finished space in a red hot Lincoln Square location.  This home lives like a single family house with amazing options for guest rooms, home office, "man cave" and more! Just a couple blocks from the CTA Brown Line stop, Metra Stop and bustling new retail, shops and bars pop up every month.

Check out more photos HERE

Sophisticated duplex home in Lincoln Square. Three beds, three full baths with garage parking included. Flexible floor-plan offers entry foyer and coat closet, family room, separate office, central AC/Heat and mudroom with main floor laundry! 

The classic living room features crown molding, decorative brick fireplace and mantel. Two bedrooms up including rare *en suite* guest bedroom (2nd master bedroom w/full bath) and a full guest near the third bedroom. 

Bright living room with classic detail

Large renovated kitchen overlooks dining area for ample entertaining space. Rear entry with mud room feels like a house! The brand new gorgeous patio and backyard is just off the kitchen. Lower level features spacious family room, separate office/ craft room and very private master bedroom retreat. 

Renovated kitchen with large custom pantry cabinet

Enjoy enormous walk-in closet and spa bath w/ dual vanity, luxury separate shower and tub. You will love this home!

Luxury master bathroom and walk-in shower

The immediate area of Damen and Lawrence has seen amazing growth in the past 5 years with the best to come!  NEW Sears store re-development just announced.

Steps to Metra, Brown Line, Bang Bang Pie, Over Easy, Ampersand, Roots, The Sixth, Mariano's, LA Fitness and all of Lincoln Square, Andersonville and Winnemac Park fun! Well run and pet friendly building.

Exclusively listed by:
Eric Rojas, Vice President/ Broker
Kale Realty
2447 N Ashland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 939-5253

Union Pier vacations

This is my favorite photo from our recent (and annual summer) trip just up the way to Union Pier, Michigan.  This property is actually up the road in Lakeside.  I took this shot with my Samsung phone camera during a bike ride.  The yellow color was fairly brilliant.

New Bowmanville yoga studio adds to the business mix

Ashtanga Yoga Room Chicago is the newest addition to the Damen strip of commercial spaces in Bowmanville.  The growing Lincoln Square North Damen/ West Lawrence scene has certainly helped Damen Avenue further north.

North Damen Avenue north of West Foster in Bowmanville (north Lincoln Square) features a handful of unique small businesses and helpful services.  Examples include an art studio, insurance agent, yoga studio, full service mechanic,  a scooter shop, doggie training center, Thai restaurant, bars, a chocolate cafe and a car wash.

Morpho Gallery also houses Daves Classic and Rare Records

Check out the retail/ office space opportunities for your business along the 5200 block of North Damen and join a successful cluster of privately owned local shops and services.