Schools, lifestyle of Southport Corridor in Chicago

Here's another impromptu along video discussing the Southport Corridor neighborhood in Chicago. It was soaking hot day last week... but a listing video we scheduled with www.YoChicago.com had cancelled. So, we took to the nearby street, North Southport Avenue to talk real estate. My partner and I have sold a few Lake View homes recently in and around the Southport Corridor.

The grounds at Thomas J. Waters school, Chicago

Chicagoans love their green spaces and Waters school knocks it out of the park. The school has gained lots of "parent buzz" in the real estate world as a terrific place to send your kids. Getting into a well ranked Chicago Public School attendance boundary is not a piece of cake for Chicago families. The best school attendance districts command the highest single family home prices on average. Although, what qualifies as a quality school for individual families is a personal choice, there's no doubt Waters has a very unique "green" culture.

It’s Time for the 42nd Sheffield Garden Walk & Festival!

The Sheffield Garden Walk is the second-oldest garden walk in the Chicagoland area and one of the largest. This year’s event will be held this weekend on July 17-18.

Photo by Bob DePalma!

New condo for sale: 824 W Superior Unit 609, River West for $325K

View more photos HERE

We have a new listing in River West, a short distance from downtown Chicago. 824 W Superior #609 is a newer construction top floor loft allowing for luxury living. Elevator, heated garage parking, huge master suite, walk-in closet and master bath with double-bowl vanity and separate shower.

Massive windows let in the light from your unobstructed views. We like the light, privacy and quiet of the top floor. River West is also home to trendy bars and longtime establishments like Japonais, Funky Buddha Lounge, Matchbox, and Delux.

This is a new listing so please contact us for a listing sheet and more information.

House of the Week: 921 W Wrightwood, Lincoln Park 60614

Bob's done it again by spotting an interesting Colonial adaptation at 921 W Wrightwood. This single family home owner takes pride in the details. The renovation could have easily been Plain Jane! However, flashes of tasteful and fun ornamentation around the windows really catches the eye.

The last recorded sale I could find for this home was in 1988 at $275,000. Just steps from popular Jonquil Park, this location offers the excitement of Lincoln Park nightlife and must have amenities yet is tucked into leafy, residential blocks.

You are HERE:

Just click the label below for more House of the Week posts.

Dream roof deck: 1309 N Greenview in Wicker Park for sale

Can you put a price on your dream roof deck? We did, at $374,900 you can have a modern two bedroom, two bath penthouse condo with garage parking in Wicker Park. Close to your downtown gig, only three blocks to the CTA Blue Line and steps to Division Street and North Avenue nightlife, entertainment and amenities.

Seriously though, you won't care what's inside or outside your place once your on this roof!

This property is now for sale. Call us or email for more information if you're seriously looking for a two bedrooms, two baths home in the Wicker Park, Bucktown neighborhoods. The condo is in a three unit condo building. Garage parking is included. Built in 2002, the home looks new!

Southport Corridor high end condo sales

This is a first in a series walking down Southport Corridor in Lake View we filmed this week (in 90 degree heat!). After a few sold and recent condo listings for sale by my partner and me, I figured we'd point out what's happening on the strip. I point out a new construction condo building that is home to a $900,000 penthouse sale. Of course, there are more affordable condos along North Southport Avenue.

However, the median price for a condo located on North Southport between West Belmont and West Irving Park Road was $585,000 over the last six months. The median price was driven by new and nearly new construction condos. The area remains very popular and is going through yet another wave of commercial and residential improvements.

Chicago's so hot...

...it feels like our buildings could actually melt! Chicago has had a full week of hot humid 90 degree weather and today is no exception. Although we complain about "the weather" year round, Chicagoans also find pride in dealing with the ever changing climate. I took these photos at Millennium Park a couple summers ago. When it gets real hot, we head for the many public pools or water playgrounds across the city.

Room with a view: Buying a Chicago condo

Many times, what's outside the condo is as important as what's in. Your view will affect your quality of life.

This Lincoln Square condo living room window looks out over the neighbor's back deck.

Working with Chicago condo buyers is all in the details

A client on recent showings noticed the low light switches!

As buyers' agents, we help our clients understand what it's like owning a condo... from A-Z. While our clients are switching on the lights and looking at the counter tops, we're thinking about the position of the unit, the layout, the condo association, the common areas, and future maintenance that will need to get done outside and in. We want to talk about the reality of owning.

We work as a team with our clients to meet their goals for their lifestyle and more importantly, their pocketbooks!