Happy Independence Day to middle America!

School of Rock (climbing) in Lincoln Park

Bob brought some clients of ours new to the Lincoln Park neighborhood over to LPAC health club. We like to present the whole Chicago lifestyle to our young professional clients as location is more important than granite counter tops. Sure you can get a swim, hit the treadmill or lift some weights anywhere...

But how about a rock climbing party?

House of the Week: Ravenswood 60640 charmer on gorgeous corner lot

We love the detail on the west facing side of the home.

Pride of owership at its best. This former farm house with cedar siding at the 1700 block of West Carmen in Ravenswood could not be more quaint. The landscaped lot is stunning scenery as you head down the mixed-used corridor of North Ravenswood Avenue just north of West Winnemac Ave. We're all about "the lot" here at the Local and you're hard-pressed to find prettier land in Ravenswood.

Click the tag "House of the Week" below and view our series of eye catchers from our neighborhoods!

Frist time buyer tax credit up? For whom the bell tolls...

If you're driving downtown today, steer clear from real estate title companies!

If I were you, I would not get near a title company today. Many people are scrambling to close so they may meet the closing deadline to redeem their first time buyers' tax credit.

My partner Bob and I have a couple closings today...but we are the listing side. So, he gets to go downtown and have all the fun. Although our clients want to close their home sales ASAP, there is less pressure and anxiety on today's date as they are not affected by the credit.

The closing deadline for the first time buyer tax credit may get extended just yet... read more at this CNN story.

Statistics: 2010 Lincoln Park single family home sales double in second quarter over 2009

2010 Lincoln Park single family home sales in second quarter will double the 2009 second quarter unit sales.

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With one day left in the 2010 second quarter (April 1st to June 30th) there have been 49 closed single family homes recorded on our MLS (MREDLLC.com). In 2009 Q2, only 25 homes closed. We should also see more closings tomorrow, the last day of the month. Currently, there are 28 homes contingent or pending so a handful of those will close tomorrow.

Other interesting Lincoln Park single family home stats:

The highest closed home thus far in second quarter was $4,300,000 at 544 W Dickens (a 2006 12 room, 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths home on a 31 foot wide lot). There is an 18 room $8,500,000 home pending at 1866 Howe which may or may not close in this quarter.

The lowest closed (free standing) single family home in second quarter was $675,000 at 1729 W Altgeld (not what we think of as "Lincoln Park", but it counts.).

Of the 49 closed listings, none are indicated as "short sales" or foreclosures.

Chicks dig the Paddleball!

We love Chicago. Especially on a sunny weekend at the lakefront. North Avenue Beach is the place to play. The beach also has several amenities...click map for more information.

Rain Interrupted at North Avenue Beach

Bob took a stroll along the lake at North Avenue Beach last weekend after writing an offer for one of our clients in Lincoln Park. It was a rare June day without rain.

Beach volleyball players wasted no time!

No water in the basement? Hmmmm...

Odd place for a squeegee.

When looking at home, we suggest due diligence in inspecting the basement, roof, windows and mechanicals among other factors surrounding the home. We help find tell-tale signs...like squeegees in the basement.

House of the Week: 820 W Altgeld in Lincoln Park 60614

This week's "pride of ownership" single family home at 820 W Altgeld puts on a bold face... all business with clean light stone and dark contrasting windows. Both stately and modern it's just darn attractive. Yet, the home shows it's cheeky side with pergola prominent over the roof top deck. We love the simple landscaping and choice of paint on the columns and gable.

Mint condition after an entire four years after construction! Originally built in 2006 and first closed in 2007 for $2,674,000 this customized home is back on the market for $2,849,900. Custom furniture and art works made for the home are optional according to the listing.

This block of Altgeld is a unique and quiet dead-end street in the middle of business, transportation and nightlife action.

Every week on Wednesday, Bob and I post a house photo that caught our eye while walking in our neighborhoods.

Eric Rojas, Chicago House Hunters videos!

We've entered the 21st Century here at The Chicago Real Estate Local and will be using more video to display our listings and their surrounding neighborhoods. Check out one of my HGTV House Hunters videos above. I will be uploading the entire episode to our YouTube channel at

www.youtube.com/ericrojas123