Sneaking in Blog Posts on Mother's Day

My wife and I spend a lot of time together, but have few days just catching up around the house. Thanks to Jillian, and the fact we have a son, we spent the day at home and I was not allowed to work (mostly).

Happy Mother's Day Jill, and thanks for the day off too.

The Search Under $500K: Serenity Now in Norwood Park Backyard

With clients looking for a quality three bedroom plus single family home in a great Chicago location near transit and good public schools, I suggested Norwood Park. Pretty much any street in the Onahan Elementary school boundaries is full of houses with great yards. Norwood Park offers a Metra stop and a small town feel. There is a great retail and restaurant strip just next door in Edison Park on Northwest Highway.

It's just the beginning for this yard as we progress through spring.

Lakeview Open House: 3618 N Fremont #2 60613 Has HUGE Personality

Asking $459,000

Two bed, Two bath with bonus rooms, parking and storage.

Visit me tomorrow at my Open House at 3618 N Fremont in the Wrigleyville neighborhood of Lakeview. Open Saturday 5/9/09 from 1PM to 4PM.








The exterior of the building is flat out gorgeous to look at and a pleasure to come home to. Here's some remarks from the MLS (excuse the baseball pun at the end!).





Extra large & beautiful Lakeview condo that defies cookie cutter. Great den off living room & large breakfast/family room off fantastic kitchen help make this warm home stand out from ho-hum. Big kitchen boasts awesome cherry cabinets, double oven, 5 burner cook top & granite. Kitchen opens to family room that over looks a great deck. Huge master bedroom with two large closets. Large master bath! Private front balcony. Garage parking + big extra storage. A home run!





Please contact m for the MLS listing sheet on this property or stop by tomorrow. Neighbors welcome ... I love discussing the market.

A true dining room and the extra family room/breakfast room!

Fremont is a really beautiful street and I love this front balcony.

What's it Like Buying and Selling in Chicago Today?

Super Secret Real Estate: Green Location in Ravenswood at 4619 N Paulina 60640

4619 N Paulina #1A Asking $259,900

Today was a good day... I finally got to ride my bike to appointments for the first time this season! One stop was for photos and floor plan at my new listings at 4619 N Paulina #1A in the Ravenswood neighborhood.

I call it a "green" listing because it's close to the Metra stop at Lawrence and Ravenswood, close to the CTA Brown Line at Montrose and the location is in a very leafy green and garden happy area of the city. You don't need a car when living at this location. The neighborhood in general has an eco-friendly vibe with public gardens, bicyclists, walkers and great parks all around.

The condo is a two bedroom, one large bath three year old conversion. It's a corner unit with no shared walls! The finish and detail are really nice in this home. The big decorative windows and like new condition provide for a pleasant first impression. Features include in-unit washer and dryer, coat closet, central heat and air conditioning, a large storage room and a small deck area for grilling.

More photos and information to hit on Monday. You may call or email me for a showing now. You'll love walking to and from this building... even the door is green!

Walking from here to dining and bars is a breeze. West Wilson and West Sunnyside at Ravenswood features bars and restaurants such as Spacca Napoli (very cool place), Sabor a Cuba and Caro Mio. The last two being BYOB!

Can I Find Evanston Single Family Homes for Under $500,000?

Yesterday I showed homes across the border in Evanston. I'm working with a great couple selling their condo to move up into their dream home. And, at a budget up to $500,000, the search is exciting. It's a tough price-point to get a very solid three bedroom or more home with a yard and usable basement in a top tier neighborhood. But that's what makes this career fun.

Here's a little classic brick and frame three bedroom charmer for $489,900 located in a leafy hamlet of homes across from Peter N Jans Community Golf Course in south Evanston. From the photos online, this looked like a contender. However, it was a little too worn out for my clients to take it on as a fixer. It was disappointing... because what a great location!

Ravenswood Chicago Video Tours, Market Conditions

Here's a new series of Ravenswood videos I shot with YoChicago.com's Joe Askins. We finally had a terrific spring day with no monsoons or Swine Flu outbreaks to speak of.

There will be several videos discussing houses, condos, parks, schools and cool areas to live in Ravenswood.

Spring in Lincoln Square

Morning walk... then it was off to close the deals on a listing and buy-side.

Chicago Open House: 6334 W Newport in Portage Park, Dunning Neighborhood

Double lot house open Sunday 5/3/09 from 12 Noon to 2PM. Check it out!

Roscoe Village "Pencil Factory" Concrete Lofts

Yesterday my clients closed on one of these great units over in Roscoe Village at the Pencil Factory Lofts. I guess I found myself a bit jealous. The units, when available, move quickly regardless of market conditions...like good property should. The location is close to everything, well developed, surrounded by restaurants, thriving businesses...like Trader Joe's, CB2 and Whole Foods. Great access to public transportation too! This is a terrific success story for my clients who learned that Lincoln Park and Lakeview weren't the only neighborhoods offering so many amenities. They trusted me to take them a bit beyond and it paid off!

Check out these interior shots of the unit:

Exposed brick and concrete, hardwood floors, big functioning windows on all sides of this end unit flooded with light, professional grade stainless steel kitchen. The previous owner is an interior designer lent to the tasteful touches.

Call us today to help you find an incredible home like this for you.
Bob DePalma at 773 572 4402 or Eric Rojas at 773 572 4646.