Chicago Real Estate Local Featured in Chicago Agent Magazine

A whole lotta blog love this week...

Your favorite real estate blogger, The Chicago Real Estate Local, was featured in the latest addition of Chicago Agent Magazine (click the link to read the story). Ric Cox of Chicago Condos Online named me as one of the Top Producers on the blog scene and gave me a nice plug. Ric emailed me for his story because he found me popping up all over the Internet.

He asked me about my favorite local real estate blogs and the choice was easy... Fran Bailey's Chicago Metro Area Real Estate and Jeff Kerr's Chi Town Living.

I read them often, and let's face it, I can use all the learning I can get!

Speaking of Blog Love... it's no coicidence that I'm in the same issue as Ivanka Trump. I'm just saying...

Bucktown Duplex or House?

I was out this weekend searching Wicker Park and Bucktown duplex-downs and houses with my clients... how can we do both you might ask? Well it depends...

I wrote here earlier that there is, and have been, several good deals on Bucktown single family homes from the beginning of the year in the $700,000 to $800,000 price range. If you have a buyer looking at top end duplex downs, they may be able to consider a house in the low to mid $700s.

Here we are this last sunny Saturday morning viewing 1660 N Bell, a single family home listed by Greg Desmond (my Rubloff buddy). The house is listed at $750K, and I think it's a terrific, good looking, no maintenance move-in home. Although my client's have been looking duplex-downs, I tossed this house into the mix as a longer term opportunity. The duplex down with a family room is as close as you can get to a single family home feel when buying in the 600K range... more so than a three or four story town house I would argue. So, why not a house if you can get it?

Home staged by mona@modcreativegroup.com You should see it... awesome before and after transition!

Housing Prices Crashing...Except for the Midwest, Chicago

A little good news if you live in the Midwest:

"Sales were weak in all parts of the country except the Midwest, where sales posted an increase of 3.4 percent. Sales dropped by 3.6 percent in the Northeast, 2.1 percent in the West and 0.5 percent in the West."

Chicago prices and availabily vary greatly by neighborhood. if you are interested in a specific neighborhood like Lake View, Lincoln Park or Ravenswood etc... it's best I address them with you on a case by case basis.

Tax Advantages for Homeowners

Here's a good piece on homeowner tax filings from the Wall Street Journal; a little happy news when thinking about tax time. Me... I retain a great CPA. I'm not much of a "do it yourself" guy when it comes to the IRS.

Hawthorne Place District: Historic Serenity in Lakeview East

I had a showing at my 543 W Roscoe listing the other day... it was the first sunny day in a month. It was great chance to take a few shots of the Hawthorne Place District just one street north.

Designated as a Chicago landmark in 1996, the Hawthorne Place District lays incognito among the bustle of Lake View East at 530-593 W. Hawthorne Pl.

I took a quick snoop around online for past sales in the District. Have to check the public records soon for ou... when I have all that free time coming to me.

Chicago's Number 4 Realtor in Chicagoland

The Chicago Real Estate Local is #4 in search for Chicagoland Realtors! At least according to Google.

Thanks Chicago!

Seller's... ask me how search results like this get exposure for your listing.

Chicago Taxes Got You Down? Take a Nice Shower at City Hall and Fa-getta-bout-it

I've read John Kass for a long time... but John Kass on video is a whole 'nother thing. If the transfer tax increase for real estate transactions has got you down, if you wonder why you have your first property tax installment already right after you just received your last one... and it is, Tah-Dah!, more... take a shower with John Kass at City Hall... or at least try to.

If you don't know what I'm talking about... read ShowerGate

Gimmee Your Money... Even if you don't Close Chicago Real Estate

We all know by now the transfer tax stamp for Chicago Real Estate was raised to $10.50 per $1,000 in purchase price. I was pretty silent on the blog here, but called and emailed my Alderman several times to plea...beg.... and ask WTF? Those crazies didn't listen and voted something like 41-6 in favor of raising the transfer tax on YOU 40% to pay CTA employee pensions... do you have a pension? I don't.

Now, Chicago wants to pick you up and shake you down even if you "default" leaving your down payment or earnest money and don't close.

From City Room:
"Another's to have the city keep the tax even when a buyer forfeits a down payment and the deal's nixed."

Jerks.

Best in Show: Lincoln Park under $300K

If I'm single, I want to live in the best place for a single person in Chicago. And if I'm single, I'm buying a one bedroom in Lincoln Park. For under $300K, you can get a vintage top floor one bedroom within the four block radius of Armitage and Halsted with a decent kitchen and bath, dining room, in-unit washer and dryer, central air, a deck, and permit street parking. I just viewed one that hit the market this week at $269K and was shocked... first place the client saw but it's THE ONE. I figured we were in for a long line of dumps.

This market is hot though. It's easy to tell the duds from the studs and several of these units have sold fast this year already. People jump on them... it's Lincoln Park. And not fake Lincoln Park by Ashland.

The Best Condo Search Resource: ChicagoCondosOnline.com

I’ve finally stumbled across Chicago Condos Online. This is an awesome resource for condo shopping… especially high rise buildings. The owner Ric, even started his own blog for the site. I’m pretty critical of “fake” blogs that use generic news feeds etc… and don’t stay with their local niche. But Ric is doing the right thing, sticking with his subject matter. The stats are fun to read too.

I think a great post of his was Advice: Determining the Value of your Condo. Pretty interesting stuff and some good ideas for both consumers and industry people. That post took some effort. Ric seems to be a common sense guy that doesn’t miss a whole lot.


Ric will also allow me to register my clients on Chicago Condos Online for free. I’m in the process of learning more about my account status and how to register my clients.
Please send me an email or call me if you would like to be registered as a client