Closing time!

I was treated to a nice co-working space at a recent Oak Park real estate closing.

The small joys of going to real estate closings... coffee and granola bars!

Good food, no frills at Taqueria El Dorado 2 Lincoln Square

I snapped this bad photo Monday night. The kids love the tacos... an easy dinner for us after school and bball practice. Taqueria El Dorado #2 at 2114 West Lawrence in Lincoln Square.

There is nothing better than having a "go to" down home Mexican restaurant near the house. We're happy to support the family owned and recently opened Taqueria El Dorado #2 at 2114 West Lawrence Avenue in Lincoln Square. We've been there twice and the food has been really good.  In this day and age of high retail rents and foo foo restaurants (along with their prices) El Dorado is a welcome entry to the Lawrence Avenue business resurgence. Give them some love!

Lincoln Park holiday spirit!

I stopped at a recent client's Lincoln Park condo for a quick hello. I took a second to admire the awesome holiday lights at the neighbor's house at Seminary and Wilson. It lights up the block! Not a bad Audi commercial as well LOL

Shopping Park Ridge homes... what's the ceiling height?

Low basement ceiling or tall Bob??

We were out over the gloomy weekend looking at Park Ridge single family homes.  These particular buyer clients are looking for great lot size and "value add".  They've smartly improved all their past properties! Let's take a look at Park Ridge single family home sales over the last twelve months.

We checked out 500 N Prospect for it's large 100' x 200' lot, great location and potential to improve the home.

Park Ridge single family home sales January 1st - December 10th.

449 single family homes have closed so far in Park Ridge (recorded on MREDLLC.com). The median price of a house is about $430,000. The highest priced sold house is 410 S Prospect Avenue for $1,347,500. The 6,000 sq/ft twelve year old custom build is near downtown and features six bedrooms.  The lowest priced sold home is 2813 Oakton Street for $192,000 in a cash deal.  This single floor three bedroom ranch sits on a 44' wide lot but does not have a basement.

The house has an appealing farmhouse look on a ridiculously spacious  lot near the downtown Park Ridge. 

Over the same period of 2018 about 446 homes sold with a median price of $455,000.
In 2017, 470 homes sold with a median price of $450,000.  Going back a few more years to 2014, 389 single family homes sold with a median price of $399,900 over the January 1st to December 10th time frame.

We help our city clients relocate to the suburbs (if they must!). Contact us to buy or sell your next home in Chicago or the surrounding suburbs.

Under contract! 55 and older community in North Center

Our client secured a condo unit at 2335 W Belle Plaine, Chicago IL 60618. The 55 and older living community requires income restrictions determined by the U.S.  Department of Housing and Urban Development. It is a rare affordable housing development in North Center.

A long time friend and client of ours is selling her large North Center condo. It's time to downsize and retire! She'll move just a block away to Belle Plaine Commons.  Buyers must be 55 years and older to buy in the community.  Yearly income and age restrictions apply!  In fact, income qualifying buyers must attend a "Home Buyer Training for Condominium Ownership" sponsored by the City of Chicago Department of Housing.

There are few affordable options that provide this quality of life to retiring seniors in the North Center and near neighborhoods.  For the price of a vintage condo (and all the quaint inconveniences) our buyer client gets a modern amenity condo including in unit washer/dryer, Central HVAC , large walk-in closet and fully equipped kitchen. Designated parking and guest parking are included. The quality elevator building with many common areas and various activities is located near our clients last two homes where she'll maintain her current lifestyle.

Attractive grounds and common spaces surround the building. 

The property include large open courtyard with outdoor seating.

Only five units at Belle Plaine Commons have sold in the last 24 months with prices ranging $187,000 to $345,000.  There are a total of 92 units in the building.

Medical facility on campus as part of the Martha Washington Apartments that provide independent living for seniors 62+ years of age.

The condo includes a parking space and guest parking is located on the grounds.

The contract is in attorney review and our client expects to be moved in before Christmas. Contact us to sell or buy your next home!

Sales at 728 W Jackson: The Haberdasher Square Lofts in West Loop

728 West Jackson, Chicago IL 60661 is a popular loft building in a great West Loop location. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker Kale Realty

We're working with a client who will list and sell their loft condo at the Haberdasher Square Lofts this spring.  I stopped by the West Loop last week to create a plan to prepare the condo for sale. The unit is tenant occupied and the owner lives out of town.  It is a pleasure to be on the ground and run the whole process!  Let's take a look at sales at Haberdasher Lofts, 728 West Jackson, Chicago IL 60661 in West Loop.  

Iconic view outside your door!

20 loft condos have sold at 728 W Jackson over the last twelve months. The median price of a sold condo is about $390,000.  The highest priced sold condo in the building over the last 12 months is Unit 1206 closed at $975,000.  The lowest priced sold unit over the past twelve months is Unit 617 closed for $195,000.  The rare foreclosure unit sold in a cash deal.


Seven units are currently for sale in the building with prices ranging from $280,000 to $699,900. One unit is under contract with an asking price of $270,000 plus an additional $30,000 for a garage parking space.

The ice rink at Wrigley Field opens November 24th

The ice was a little steamy this morning as workers prepare the surface at Wrigley Field (all photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty).

Workers were preparing the ice rink at the park at Wrigley Field this morning (I refuse to use the corporate name!).   The ice rink opens November 24th.  The surrounding neighborhood is getting ready for the Holidays in this weird late Thanksgiving / early snow storm season!

The median price of a sold single family house is about $2,000,000 over the last 12 months.  The median price of a sold condo over the same period is about $419,000.

OK Boomer's! New development begins on long shuttered Lincoln Square nightclub site

Photos of the Boomer's demolition taken today.  All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

The infamous and long vacant Boomers nightclub property in Lincoln Square has been torn down this week. We first broke the story about the potential development in 2018. 5015-5039 N Lincoln Avenue that WAS home to the shuttered club, a Pizza Hut take-out and MRI facility was issued a demolition permit early this week. The developers wasted no time in tearing down the one story retail.

40th Ward Alderman Andre Vasquez provided an update yesterday on the development. 24 residential units are coming to the site. 

The good old days? I would have loved to save that sign!!

The median price of a sold condo on this strip (attached unit including town houses) from 4800 N Lincoln to 5200 N Lincoln is about $500,000 over the last 12 months.

North Center and Oak Park open houses this weekend (say hi to me and Bob!)

4104 N Western 3S is an upgraded three bedrooms, two baths condo with attached garage parking offered at $399,900. All photos Eric Rojas, Kale Realty and VHT.com

We have two new listings with open houses this weekend. They are two very loved homes and it shows! Our long time clients have lived in these homes for ten years each. I've spent many good times at each and I know you will see why. Contact me direct with any questions.

Open House North Center

4104 N Western Avenue Unit 3S, Chicago IL 60618 asking $399,900 

Saturday November 9th from 12p to 2p

North Center three bedrooms, two baths condo in Coonley School district with everything on the checklist! ATTACHED GARAGE parking included. Richly finished home with cherry hardwood floors, balcony, solid core doors, crown molding, high ceilings, CAT 5 and speaker wiring, concrete sound insulation, gas fireplace (gas logs, can be converted back to wood burning), in-unit washer/dryer. 

Inviting living room with huge east facing windows, fireplace and dining space. Cherry kitchen cabinets with tons of storage, granite counters and stainless steel appliances. Good closet space throughout the unit. Three true bedrooms. 

Meticulously kept master bath with steam shower, heated floors, double vanity and separate tub.

Master bedroom with 8x6 walk-in closet, balcony door. Luxurious en suite double vanity bath, separate steam shower, heated floors and separate jet tub. New water heater! Hall stairs lead to common roof deck with skyline and western views. Great location close to 90/94, Horner, Welles and Revere parks, dining, the North Branch river walk, great schools (Lane Tech, Coonely, Bell, St Ben's etc...). Super PET friendly, no rental caps, 100% owner occupied at this time.

1164 Clarence is a three beds, two baths home with lots of updates! Irving School district, walk to Rehm Park, easy highway and Blue Line access.

Open House Oak Park

1164 Clarence, Oak Park IL 60304 asking $349,900

Sunday November 10th from 1pm to 3pm

Best value in Oak Park! You will love this attractive move-in ready home! Enjoy vintage detail along many renovations. Three nice sized bedrooms upstairs with fully remodeled bathroom. Main floor has spacious living room, formal dining room and sliding glass door to walk-out deck. 

Gut renovated bathroom!

Smart and handy mud-room sits off the well equipped kitchen and leads to a large 20'x8' deck. The yard is gorgeous. NEW two car garage (2 years old). The finished basement ads comfortable family room/ guest space with FULL bath and large laundry room. Central AC and heat (new furnace), newer windows throughout. Walk to everything including Rehm Park, Oak Park Conservatory, Euclid Park, Blue Line and Irving School.

Contact us for showings.  If you are in the Chicago real estate market or near suburbs... you gotta guy! We have access to off market and Pre-MLS properties for our buyers. No nonsense advice, planning and execution for our seller clients.

North Center condo sales this year (unit sales and median price steady)

Photographer Mike Borden has worked on dozens of properties with me. Roof views from 4104 N Western Avenue Chicago IL 60618. We'll be listing a three bedrooms condo later this week.

I spent part of my day photographing a new North Center three bedrooms condo listing with my guy Mikey B! The unit has a common roof deck area that has downtown skyline views.  Here's a quick look at over-all North Center condo sales this year.

West views from 4104 North Western Avenue

North Center condo sales January 1st to October 31st, 2019

*North Center three bedrooms condos have a median sales price of $520,000 this year*

338 condo units have sold thus far in 2019 with a median price of $442,000. The median price of a three bedrooms condo runs about $520,000 this year. The lowest priced sold condo is 3557 N Oakley Unit 3 for $134,000. The vintage one bedroom condo has a great Roscoe Village location and rare in-unit washer and dryer at the price-point. The highest priced sold condo in North Center is 2250 W Roscoe Unit PH for $1,200,000. The top floor four bedroom home has a fantastic upgraded roof deck.

2019: 338 condo units sold with a median price of $442,000
2017: 336 condo units sold with a median price of $445,000
2015: 393 condos units sold for a median price of $390,000

Contact me today to buy/ sell North Center condos and properties in the surrounding neighborhoods!