Chicago Open House In Lincoln Park: 2002 N Howe Saturday 5/30/09

Open House Saturday 5/30/09 from 1PM to 3PM.<

Holy Cow! Huge two bed plus den. I'll be there. You should be there too!
Parking included, in unit laundry, huge storage, corner unit, Armitage and Howe, steps to OZ Park, one way street...?! Asking $440K... already have second showings!Awesome Lincoln Park address close to the lake, restaurants and shopping.

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Contact me from with any questions, 773-510-1597.

Free Parking in Chicago? Moratorium on Tickets

Chalk one up for the little guy? Or, at least the Realtor parking his car a dozen times a day around the city. According to this MSNBC story, Chicago Police have been asked not to issue tickets at any of the "ticket box" parking areas due to malfunctions. I like the ticket boxes in place of meters and really had no issue with the cost of street parking going up.

There has been plenty of criticism of the Chicago City Council's lightly scrutinized and poorly executed deal that leases Chicago's parking meters forever (well, almost forever). Turns out now Mayor Daily has had to (basically) apologize recently that the transition was too fast, ineffective and that real problems still remain.


Most people are upset at the rush (surprise!) in which this lease deal was pushed through in the City Council and the private vendor exasperated citizens with little capacity to make a smooth crossover change. I think we all get a little tired of leasing our everyday lives to vendors we can't control. At least we can vote the bums out of the City Council.

Memorial Day Weekend: Visiting Rosehill Cemetery

Rosehill Cemetery is located about one mile north from my house. It is Chicago's largest burial ground and a most prominent site on Memorial Day.

Logan Square Multi-Units, Two-Flats on (or Near) The Boulevard

Recently, I had sold a condo and visited with a developer on another potential listing in Logan Square. This week, I will be showing two-flat buildings to my clients. On my last visit scouting property (and stopping at Starbucks on California and Logan Boulevard), I snapped a few of these wonderfully rainy spring day photos.

Grey stones cannot be denied as the main presence in Logan Square as you traverse this section of Chicago's Boulevard system
Logan Square was possibly the first "hot, hot, hot" neighborhood in the late 1990s real estate run-up. Bucktown also comes to mind... but I really remember Logan Square from that era as the next best thing. Multi-unit buildings were hot sellers as developers and amature rehabbers alike were converting buildings to condos or single family homes. Many, however, have stayed mulit-unit dwellings but with great effort and care. In fact, Logan Square multi-unit transactions hit it's peak in 1999 at 349 transactions (according to our MLS data).

Last year a total of 86 multi-units were sold... many in foreclosure or by short-sale. Although some folks did not fair well buying at the top of the market or without adequate means, the Boulevard area remains very attractive for grey stone buyers with solid, move-in buildings still selling easily from $450,000 to $550,000 and more depending on condition. The location offers the CTA Logan Blue Line stop, plenty of bus runs and dining. You are close to the Bucktown/Wicker Park neighborhoods and eclectic dining options are spotted in walking distance.

Looking east on Logan Boulevard

Within a few blocks north or south of the boulevard between Kedzie and California... great spot. There have been grey stone two flat sales from the low $400,000s to $550,000 this year.

For Sale in Lincoln Park 60614: Large Two Bedroom, Two Bath Condo with Parking

2002 N Howe #2 in Lincoln Park asking $449,900 (Howe and Armitage location east of Halsted)











Features include:
Two bedrooms, two full baths, bonus room den/office, wood burning fireplace(!) in-unit laundry, central air/heat recessed lights, entry foyer, beautiful original wood, bright master with organized closet, bay window, built-ins, open kitchen with island, big exterior storage and parking! There is an enclosed porch for extra storage and a large common patio wonderful for gatherings.

Fantastic location on one way North Howe Street adjacent to Oz Park and two blocks from the Lincoln Park's Halsted and Armitage restaurant and boutique mecca. Easy walk to the lakefront's parks, beaches and running/biking paths.

This property is not yet listed but it will go on some time next week. Please email or call me for more information and a showing.

Albany Park Offers Value Under $300,000 in Three Bedroom Condos

Albany Park near the CTA Kimball Brown Line station offers value well under $300,000 for large condos with lots of comforts. I've lived in Albany Park and have a lot of experience in the area. I was happy to see my associate Susan Wagner at Rubloff list this unique and huge three bedroom condo with a family room (all on one floor).

Renovated Master Bath

Rare Kitchen Layout

Great storage, huge common deck just off the back of the unit and gated parking are all included in the asking price of $289,900.

The floor plan is really flexible and the rooms are large.
Check out some more dimensions and photos by clicking this link. Call or email me for a showing or if you need more information.

Ravenswood Market Statistics: A Walk in the Park?

Joe Askins of YoChicago.com and I get "green" and take a stroll in the natural habitat of Winnemac Park. This is one of my favorite areas to find a great deal on a single family home that is terrific for families. At about minute 4:45 I discuss the recent home sales statistics for Ravenswood and Lincoln Square.

Don't have time for the video? Just email or call. Here's a hint... condos down, single family homes... up.

Open House: Portage Park, Dunning Single Family Home

I'll host an open house this Sunday 5/17/09 from 1PM to 3PM at 6334 W Newport in Chicago's Dunning neighborhood (just west of Portage Park). This is a true 50' wide lot with three bedrooms up! Tall ceilings, dry basement and huge yard and deck.

Please click flyer above for a description and list of improvements.

Can $8,000 Tax Credit Be Used For Your Down Payment?

News that matters...

Yes. The rules seem to change everyday in lending... sometimes for the positive. “We all want to enable FHA consumers to access the home buyer tax credit funds when they close on their home loans so that the cash can be used as a down payment,” FHA lenders will now be able to permit their clients to use the credit as a down payment rather than waiting to take the credit at tax time.

Please contact your lender or my Wells Fargo loan officer at www.ChicagoLender.com

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!