A view from Artropolis Chicago: April 29-May 2

ARTROPOLIS

Chicago's celebration of Art, Antiques and Culture April 29-May 2 at the Merchandise Mart. One ticket will admit you to 3 shows: Art Chicago, NEXT, and International Antiques Fair.

Photos today from NEXT

The fine contemporary art pieces were very welcome and reminded us a bit of Berlin and Rotterdam.

Starter home in Lincoln Park

You have to make compromises for top location.

Open House Sunday! Huge Penthouse, Roof Decks in Ravenswood/ Andersonville, Video!

Open House: 4610 N Ashland #3NS

Sunday May 1st: 11AM to 1PM

Watch the Video!

Full floor private penthouse!

Three bedrooms, two baths with garage parking, extra parking space and enormous outdoor terraces.

$499,900

Low Assessment $144.00

View more photos and property information here at Rubloff.com

Bring the kids and buy a house in Lincoln Square

Lincoln Square is a great place to raise a family. The Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce, the 47th Ward Alderman's office, the Park District amenities, huge parks school options... these are several reasons to call Lincoln Square home.

Today my family enjoyed the afternoon at Kids in the Square pictured above. It's a free event sponsored by the Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce...and much needed after the rainy April we've had. The weather cleared up and families really came out to enjoy the day, shop at the local boutiques and eat at the many local restaurants.

There are many terrific move-in condition single family home options in Lincoln Square under $500,000 these days. The neighborhood also features many gracious and luxury options up to $2,000,000.

Check out our single family home listing below at 2164 W Leland asking $799,000... just one block from the heart of Lincoln Square shopping and dining.

View more photos and listing details of 2164 W Leland HERE at Rubloff.com

Comps? (Like regrets) We have a few...

A rooftop deck can throw other comps out the window!

We certainly agree there is a price threshold for certain property types in particular neighborhoods and that comparable sales are needed for appraisals. However, when pricing for sale or offering to buy a fantastic property or "a dime a dozen" property, comparables are only a part of the story.

There is an art to pricing. It takes in the lifestyle aspects and likely market demand for a home based on condition, location, amenities and even the name of the street. Financing options also can impact the pricing of a home dramatically. Pointing to other "comps" just doesn't cut it.

Comparable sales are a guiding light but often other emotional, financial and market factors sway the decision to buy or sell at a given price.

Lincoln Park Trader Joes almost open

Bob attended one of buyer client inspections in East Lakeview yesterday and snapped a couple shots of the new Lincoln Park Trader Joe's on the way back to the office. It's almost open!
Estimates are for a May 6th opening...I can already taste the Two Buck Chuck!

Rumor has it that ivy was planted to climb some of the walls...nice!

Etno Village Grill good eats in Lincoln Park

Bob and I have loved Etno Village Grill in Lincoln Park since it opened. Located at the corner of Lincoln and Wrightwood across from Jonquil Park, the location could not be better for a lunch break between buying and selling Lincoln Park properties. It has an amazing variety of meats and toppings for hearty sandwiches.

Etno Village Grill reviews and information..see you there!

Introducing FHA 203 Construction Loan: Seminar this May 12th, 2011

Guest blogger Steve Dunnett, Senior Mortgage Consultant introduces FHA 203(k) construction loans.

How many times have you considered the perfect house in your ideal neighborhood but the kitchen or bathrooms needed to be updated? Maybe you found a foreclosed property but were intimidated by the repairs needed. If you are like most buyers you would pass on these houses because you either don’t have the money for construction after your down payment or you do not have experience with renovations.

There are many properties like this in this market, however investors are the ones buying them, doing the work, and putting them right back on the market for a much higher price. These renovated properties are selling quickly because now they are great houses in great locations. However, they would have made a great primary home for you with just a little work and money.

FHA has a construction loan that makes it easy for you to purchase and fix up your new home. There are two versions of the FHA 203(k) loan: a streamline and full. A streamlined 203k is limited to $35,000. A full is only limited by the FHA maximum loan limit, which changes depending on where you live. In the Chicagoland area that limit ranges from $410,000 for one unit up to $788,450 for a 4 unit.

The process of getting a 203k loan is very similar to getting other mortgage products. You will work with an FHA consultant who will help you with the construction portion of the loan. There are a few key things to know about the loan and we offer monthly seminars where you can speak directly with an FHA consultant.

*Our next seminar is this Thursday May 12th, 2011 from 11:00AM - 12:30PM at Marcello's 645 W North Ave Chicago. Please contact me, Steve Dunnett, Senior Mortgage Consultant at 1-708-289-3408 so we can reserve a spot for you.

For Sale! Lakeview duplex, attached garage, two unit building!

3127 N Clifton #1, asking $449,000
Two bedrooms, two and one-half baths, open living room/ dining, large family room, deck and attached garage.

Check out this unique duplex-down in a great Lakeview location. This like new coach house has only two units and shares and association with a single family home. Assessments are low, great reserves and terrific floor-plan.



This home is in perfect condition and is located near the CTA Red Line, Wrigley Field, great restaurants and bars and surrounded by pretty tree-line streets.

For Sale: Lincoln Square Value at $219,900

If you're looking for a great neighborhood to live in for well under $250,000, check out 2555 W Catalpa #2B in the northern end of Lincoln Square. It has a true master suite with master bath and rare walk-in closet at this price. Parking space is included. FHA should be okay for approval!

Click below for the property details!

100 reasons to live in Chicago

Luckily, I don't have to do this too often...even as a Realtor. In the city, Bob and I (and our families) get to walk and ride a bicycle in our daily work and social schedules. I can even walk to the grocery store with my kids' wagon and load it up!

$4M: Upper bracket Lincoln Park home sales

In 2010, five homes closed from $4,00,000 to $8,500,000 in Lincoln Park.

2011 thus far, we have one closed for $4,200,000 and two more under contract that will close for over $4,00,000. Seven existing homes are marketed for over the four million mark and six more are proposed custom construction ranging from $4,00,000 to $9,500,000.

The home pictured above is marketed at $4,400,000. Sales statistics analyzed from MREDLLC.com of which I'm a member of.

Terra Cotta Row on Lakeview's southern end

I took some pretty gloomy Blackberry camera photos of "Terra Cotta Row" in Lakeview after my open house last Saturday. My camera is in the shop, so this was the best I had. Any who, I've lived and worked around these several single family homes and two flats for years and never get tired of looking at them. Visit this little stretch at the 1000 block of West Oakdale in Lakeview Chicago in the late spring or summer...and bring a decent camera!

Currently, a Terra Cotta Row corner lot three flat building is for sale asking $1,150,000.

Underwhelming Lincoln Park single family home sales down 47%

Surprisingly to us anyway, Lincoln Park first quarter 2011 home sales seem a little slow and median price a little low.

Only 17 Lincoln Park single family homes closed in the first three months of 2011 with a median of about $1,150,000. According to Chicago Association of Realtors and our MREDLLC.com (MLS) statistics, unit sales are down -47% and the median price is down -23% from the same period of 2010.

That said, there are already 43 Lincoln Park single family homes under contract for a median price about $1,300,000. The second quarter of 2010 had only 30 closed single family homes. We could double that this year.

Read more Lincoln Park posts HERE

Would you do it?

My clients viewed this duplex-up condo in Lincoln Park located (cough) close to the CTA "EL" tracks. The price was very affordable relative to the neighborhood.

Chicago real estate market? We're on it!

Here's a rare behind the scenes look at your Realtors at work. Bob and I meet regularly with our staff to make sure we are providing the best services and consultation. Nothing gets by us, nope!

New Price! Wicker Park spacious, open duplex w/ huge DECK for $424,900

Check out 1250 N Wolcott #1 now $424,900...a wide open spacious duplex in a hot Wicker Park location. This is a block from Division Street dining and retail and close to all Bucktown restaurants and amenities. Entertain on your 20x20 private garage roof deck a few steps directly behind the home!

Watch the video!

Please go to Rubloff.com and click Schedule a Showing for all showing requests

True Penthouse! Extra wide Ravenswood three bedrooms condo on entire top floor $499,900

This is a must see for those looking for private outdoor space and a luxury residence. This extra wide condo is approximately 2100 square feet and is the entire top floor of a five unit building. Great location central to Lakeview, Lincoln Square and Andersonville. Hop on the Ravenswood Metra to downtown or take the Montrose CTA Brown Line to the entire city.

View the floor-plan here!

Don't let the Ashland address deter you. Once on the top floor, it's like your own house in the sky. Single family home like layout, walk-out 28x15 terrace off your family room. Additional roof deck with city views and a third private deck off the master suite!

Click to view listing details for: 4610 N Ashland asking $499,900! Low assessment of $144.00!

For showings please go to http://www.rubloff.com/property/chicago/07771167.cfm and click Schedule and Showing

Mortgage rates under 5%

Each week I'm given mortgage rate updates by a few of my preferred lenders. I'm seeing conventional 30 year fixed and FHA loans at 4.75-4.85% this week. Contact Steve Dunnett, Senior Mortgage Consultant at SDunnett@wintrustmortgage.com with questions and to see what programs you qualify for. Tell him Eric and Bob sent you.

NEW For Sale: Single Family Home in gated Lincoln Park, Northcenter community

1808 W Diversey House L, Chicago IL 60614 asking $489,000

VIEW PHOTOS and LISTING DETAILS HERE

VIEW FLOOR-PLAN

1808 W Diversey, House L is located on the desired far north end of the Picardy Place development. Built in 1997 and in "like new" condition, this true single family fee simple house offers a great town house alternative. The wide and smart floor-plan is bright and very functional. The house has many of the key amenities buyers want such as open kitchen, true dining area, large deck off the main kitchen area, master suite with walk-in closets and huge master bath.

This is a unique home in a great community. The north end gate is located adjacent to the corner of Honore and Oakdale making it feel more part of the surrounding neighborhood. This house is over a block away from Diversey!

-Fee simple single family home
-Gated community
-Large living room with built-in cabinets, sound wiring and TV mount
-Open, updated kitchen with breakfast bar
-Breakfast, flexible room off kitchen leading to deck
-Family room, third bedroom on grade level with full bath (not a basement)
-Small yard and dog run off family room
-Three full baths
-Two car attached garage!
-Bright master suite with two walk-in organized closets, sound wiring, TV mount
-Huge master bath with separate shower, jet tub, double bowl vanity
-North end of community, quiet and easy side street access...not on Diversey!

Located close to Chi Che Wang Park, Hamlin Park, Starbucks and easy CTA bus on Diversey going east to Lincoln Park amenities.