"Hole in One" for Northeastern Illinois University

NEIU Alumni Advisory Board members Chuck Good (left) and me with radio personality David Kaplan (center) at the NEIU 40th Chuck Kane Memorial Golf Outing

My group had a blast on August 20th at the 40th Annual Chuck Kane Memorial Golf Outing.  The outing grew 30% over last year!

One of the great views from a fairway at Highland Park Country Club.

Join my group for next year or join me in supporting the NEIU Foundation and Alumni Association. Learn more about the Northeastern Illinois University Foundation and why Newsweek Names NEIU the Sixth Best Investment School in the U.S.

 

 

 

 

Quick Stats: Lincoln Park condo sales up HUGE 45% year to year

We had a brisk start of the year to condo sales in Lincoln Park.  Condo (and attached town house) demand was up this year with our clients. Last year, condo unit sales were trending better in Lincoln Park and some North Side neighborhoods while median prices were lower in year to year comparisons.

A condo building at Armitage and Howe: Photo Eric Rojas

Lincoln Park Condo (Attached Home) Unit Sales January 1st to August 30th, 2012  up 45%

703 condos (attached homes) have sold from January 1st to August 30th of this year.  That's up about 45% over 2011 in which 484 attached homes closed during the same period. The median price in 2012 has been hovering around $400,000 or the year ( this includes a diverse array of attached units, one beds to town homes). The median price is 2011 was about $380,000 over the same period.

Bigger is better: 3 bedrooms units up 40%
Lower interest rates and confidence that prices are relatively stable in Lincoln Park may have people buying bigger again. This has probably helped the median price inch up this year as well. This year so far, 201  three bedrooms attached units have sold (the MLS regulates what can be called a 3 bedroom although some are 2 bedrooms with den etc...).  144 three bedrooms units closed in 2011 over the same period.

More Chicago Market Statistics HERE

Quick Stats: Lakeview multi-unit sales trending UP for past three years

We have several clients at anytime looking for single family homes or multi-units in North Side Chicago neighborhoods...we see a lot and watch the trends.

Photo Eric Rojas

In 2010, we wrote about increased multi-unit sales in many neighborhoods (two-four unit buildings).  With lower prices and low interest rates, multi-units became viable again for cheap "owner-occupied" living or for single family home conversion. The market was crawling out of the big bust of October 2008 as sellers - with the means to sell - were pricing right while short-sales and foreclosures were starting to move.  How have Lakeview multi-units fared in 2012?

Lakeview Multi-Units January 1st to August 29th, 2012

According to the MLS closing data for 2012 from January 1st to August 29th, 67 multi-unit properties have closed. The median price this year is about $555,000.

Unit sales year over year same period are up from 55 in 2011 and up from just 44 units sold same period in 2010.  Median prices have proved to be pretty stable for a few years.

2008  51 Units Sold       Median Price $725,000
2009  21 Units Sold       Median Price $580,000
2010  44 Units Sold       Median Price $585,000
2011  55 Units Sold       Median Price $555,000
2012  64 Units Sold       Median Price $555,000

More Chicago Market Stats HERE

$640K is big sale on Foster Avenue in Bowmanville

We had predicted increased demand and sales volume for new and rehabbed single family homes on Chicago's North Side over the last couple years.  Many specific "sub" neighborhoods in and around Lincoln Square have seen higher-end new construction houses pop up this year, unit sales up and median prices increase.

1912 W Foster sold for $640,000 this summer (photo Eric Rojas)

Although Bowmanville has not particularly seen an uptick in sales volume year to year, there have been some significant new construction and renovations.  1912 W Foster was a home purchased as a foreclosure for $142,000 in September of 2011.  It was renovated and sold within about 8 months time for $640,000. The actual listing market-time was short. This is a pretty significant sale price for a busy West Foster Avenue location across from strip mall retail.

Two other re-sale single family homes that had also sold on Foster earlier this year at 1625 W Foster for $464,900 and 1647 W Foster for $447,500.  They are nice three bedroom homes at the doorstep of Andersonville - but not complete new gut rehabs. 1912 Foster achieved $200,000 above these sales prices.

Rehabbers and builders have been back in force in many North Side neighborhoods bringing newly finished homes to the market in neighborhoods such as Irving Park, Ravenswood, Lincoln Square, Bowmanville and Peterson Park. 

The selection this year in the median price ranges has been much better and more affordable for home buyers in my opinion than in any time I can remember in the last 6 to 8 years.  That said, inventory is now getting tighter again as we speak.

More Bowmanville here

Lincoln Square new luxury house touts "sport court"

Mangan Builders redevelops a "landlocked" site

One of the more interesting new construction Lincoln Square properties is near completion. It also continues an explosion of new construction (and gut rehab) homes in the Lincoln Square neighborhood located between Montrose and Foster.

Kale Realty listed a sold the original home located at 2104 W Sunnyside for $275K in February this year (shown below). The home was in need of a gut rehab and tear-down.  One interesting feature was the house had no parking, no alley access or driveway...it was "landlocked".  The back yard has a more suburban feel surrounded by other backyards rather than an alley in back.

The original property at 2104 W Sunnyside listed by Kale Realty

The buyer and developer has built a new luxury house with an attached front garage and two outdoor spaces by receiving a "curb cut" much like the property adjacent to the east had at some point.  The garage is also advertised as a "sport court" with 15 foot ceilings. 2104 W Sunnyside is listed with Northside Properties LLC asking about $1.3 million.

More Lincoln Square posts here

4425 N Paulina under contract: A contemporary single family home in Ravenswood elementary school district

Our single family home listing asking $729,000 at 4425 N Paulina is under contract pending closing in September.  The home was listed on August 1st and under contract/ sold in a couple days due to good pricing and showing condition.

  
View more photos of the house here. 

Check out some of our past For Sale and Sold homes here and please contact us to sell your home.

North Center renovation under contract quickly, but back on the market

Occasionally, we like to point out a good deal or interesting property.  I checked out this single family home at 4018 N Campbell shortly after it listed at the price of $599,800 (property listed by American International Realty Corp). A mostly gut renovated brick bungalow at the western "edge" of North Center had recently gone under contract last week.   It took only a couple weeks at $599,800 to get an accepted contract but has returned to the market.

Photo Eric Rojas

The home was previously purchased as a foreclosure in June of this year for $270,000.  For the Coonley elementary school district and amount of renovated space, it caught my eye as a good deal when it hit our MLS (MREDLLC.com).  The main and second floor have been completely gut rehabbed with good design and finish. The basement is unfinished and there is some TLC needed for exterior.  But for the most part, a lot of hard work has been done.

The pleasant surrounding homes and blocks in "River's Edge" of North Center

The area is located between North Western Avenue and the North Branch of the Chicago River.  River paths are just a couple blocks away from the property at 4108 N Campbell.  The neighborhood is a great way to get into Coonley School, have a unique feature like the river nearby and be close to retail/ restaurants of Roscoe Village, Lincoln Square and the Northcenter retail strip along Lincoln Avenue.  Travel down Western or Irving for good access to the highways if you are going south or west.



Contact us if you are looking for homes on the North Side of Chicago in neighborhoods such as North Center, Lincoln Square, Ravenswood, Lincoln Park and Lake View. We do business and keep a close eye in these markets.   More North Center posts HERE

Landlords, change those locks

Photo, Eric Rojas - Real Estate Broker

We recently rented out a house for one of our clients and were reminded of a new(er) Public Act. According to a summary on www.tenants-rights.org Public Act 97-470 requires all landlords to "change or re-key" locks of rental property when a renter moves out and a new renter moves in with a lease agreement.  Read more about the Act, exemptions and link to it HERE

Quick Stats: Bring $1 million to Lincoln Park

We do daily searches for our clients and come across trends, facts, stats, interesting properties etc... 

Photo: Eric Rojas

When looking at Lincoln Park single family homes today we noticed 111 homes for sale.  Only 16 have listing prices below $1 million dollars.  Of those 16 under $1 million, three houses backed up to the CTA train on N Bissell, three of the homes were attached row homes and seven of the homes were on smaller than standard Chicago lots.

More Lincoln park posts HERE

Donor drive NOW at Chappell Elementary in Ravenswood, Lincoln Square

 

Click this link for the Donor Drive flier and information!

Now is your chance as a business or individual to enhance our local school environment and provide opportunities for our neighborhood students! Be recognized in our Ravenswood and Bowmanville communites as a Chappell Elementary School Donor. Help grow the Back to School Night tradition and fund extra-curricular activities.

To donate, please follow the steps in the image above or contact ericrojas2@gmail.com or call 773-510-1597.

More Ravenswood posts here

North Park single family homes near Northeastern Illinois University

Consider the pretty little enclave of bungalows, tutors, cottages and two-flats in North Park community area near the Northeastern Illinois University campus when looking for homes on the North Side.

There are many well landscaped classic bungalows in North Park near Northeastern Illinois University (photo Eric Rojas)

Chicago brick bungalow houses within a few blocks of the university have sold for $200,000 to $425,000 in the last 12 months.  Some small raised ranches have sold from $150,000 to $200,000.  The lower of the price scale will get you a fairly original brick bungalow without a finished attic space or small raised ranch house. The $400,000 range will get you a relatively large home with finished second floor and modern updates.  At the moment, there are three brick bungalows available within two blocks of NEIU listed from $250,000 to $460,000.

Subject area near NEIU in North Park.  Image produced on MREDLLC.com

A sunny, hot day in North Park looking down North Bernard Street

The streets around Northeastern Illinois University are quiet and tree-lined.  Many home owners have extensive landscaping around their homes enhancing the local atmosphere.  The college itself offers pretty grounds to walk and many activities for the public including lectures, a top notch theater experience, music and a recreation center with public membership.
 

Correction: Bowmanville gets new construction house

I passed this sight of a tear down (in-fill construction) at the 2252 W Berwyn in Bowmanville.  The Bowmanville neighborhood is located on the far north of the Lincoln Square community area.

A house and garage is torn down and removed in Bowmanville (photo Eric Rojas)

Photo Eric Rojas

 A "tear-down" permit was issued in July for 2252 W Berwyn according to public records.  It's been a year of new construction single family homes north of West Lawrence Ave.  There has been at least 5 new construction homes built (or being built now) between Damen and Western and Lawrence and Foster.  Now, Bowmnaville located just north of  West Foster Ave is in on the act.

Although there have been many short sale, foreclosure and conventional re-sale single family homes for under $350,000 in Bowmanville over the past couple years, complete tear down new construction is rare.  Typically over the last couple years in Bowmanville, the homes will be renovated rather than torn-down. Tear-down for new construction  is another sign developers, builders and buyers have been back on the north side.

I've long written about the value of Bowmanville for north side single family home buyers.  Earlier this year a large, impressive custom home was built for a corner lot owner at the 1800 block of West Farragut (they purchased the house and lot for tear down).  The home at 2252 W Berwyn may be for speculative retail sale but I have few details.  The last mortgage taken out on the house was $414,000 only a couple years ago according to public records.
(Correction: A reader has suggested the current owner is building a new house after a fire.  This makes more sense as there are no sales records and the previous home was valued too high to tear down and build new).

  More Bowmanville posts here.

Rented in 2 days: Lincoln Square home with plenty of charm

We listed this Lincoln Square rental house near Winnemac Park and secured a tenant after just 2 days on market.  There is a lot that goes into renting your home and being a landlord.

4956 N Leavitt located across from Winnemac Park.  Photo: Eric Rojas

If you are looking to rent out your property or need a rental house or upscale condo for yourself then please consider contacting us.

More Lincoln Square posts here

Esquire, Starbucks and a new Lanvin boutique...ou la la!

New retail is progressing at this famous Oak and Rush Street location in Gold Coast.

The much anticipated new Starbucks concept at 1003 N Rush...serving wine!

Lanvin on Oak Street

The major gut renovation of Esquire Theater continues (along with occasional traffic woes)

 

 

More Gold Coast posts HERE

New "modern" house taking shape near Winnemac park

Developers chose a modern look for the new construction home at the 2200 block W Winnemac in the Ravenswood neighborhood of Lincoln Square.  It's going up rather quick and should attract a buyer in the near term.  There is no listing yet on the MLS but there is a broker's sign up.  It may even be sold to  buyer already.

The boxy brick facade may work well s it's adjacent to brick two-flat buildings that line the south side of West Winnemac.  I'll be taking a look at the new construction boom around Winnemac Park in upcoming posts.  Two other new construction homes are going up on the 4800 block of North Hamilton, one already pre-sold for $1.2M and two have sold already this year on the 4900 block of North Hamilton for over $1 million.

More Ravenswood posts here!

NEW: Lincoln Square House for Rent $2,900 a month

Corner home across from Winnemac Park

 Here are some photos of our new rental listing in the Ravenswood neighborhood of Lincoln Square.

Huge, light-filled eat-in kitchen

4956 N Leavitt, Chicago asking $2,900 per month

3 bedrooms, 2 baths, true office, 2nd family room, 

basement storage, 1 car garage + parking space and great backyard

September 1st availability

One month security deposit

No smoking, no pets, one year lease minimum

Rare Ravenswood neighborhood single family home for rent in Lincoln Square area across from Winnemac Park!  Very spacious with unique architectural details. Close to the Western and Damen CTA Brown Line stops, Lincoln Square retail, restaurants and Giddings Square plaza.

• 3 bedrooms on second floor (two bedrooms are huge) with renovated bath
• 2nd floor loft-like family room with fireplace
• Main level large living room opens to separate dining room, main floor full bath
• Huge lofty and bright eat-in kitchen
• Main level furnished office/ den
• Central AC on second floor
• 1 garage space, 1 parking pad space
• Great yard
• Enclosed all seasons porch

Backyard at 4956 N Leavitt

 Terrific backyard garden.  Tenant cares for yard or option for landscaper at additional cost.  One car garage has additional parking pad.
Do not delay.  Attractive, spacious and well-kept home home in great location. 


This home is listed Exclusively with Eric Rojas and Bob DePalma, Kale Realty.  Do not disturb tenants.  Contact Eric Rojas at erojas@kalerealty.com or 773-510-1597.  Qualified and serious inquiries please. 24hrs minimum notice required, no exceptions.  Tenant credit check and application fees apply.

Sold! South Side modern house has new owner

We just sold our listing at 3134 S Union....a renovated single family home in Bridgeport.  Watch the video!



Our clients just closed the sale of their modern renovation single family home.  It's the  highest raised ranch sale in the last few years in Bridgeport.  The new owners get a custom renovation with a truly high-end kitchen.

Check out more of our property videos here!

House For Rent: Ravenswood/ Lincoln Square house for rent $2,900

 4956 N Leavitt, Chicago asking $2,900 per month

3 bedrooms, 2 baths, true office, 2nd family room, 

basement storage, 1 car garage + parking space and great backyard

September 1st availability

One month security deposit

No smoking, no pets, one year lease minimum

Rare Ravenswood neighborhood single family home for rent in Lincoln Square area across from Winnemac Park!  Very spacious with unique architectural details. Close to the Western and Damen CTA Brown Line stops, Lincoln Square retail, restaurants and Giddings Square plaza.

• 3 bedrooms on second floor (two bedrooms are huge) with renovated bath
• 2nd floor loft-like family room with fireplace
• Main level large living room opens to separate dining room, main floor full bath
• Huge lofty and bright eat-in kitchen
• Main level furnished office/ den
• Central AC on second floor
• 1 garage space, 1 parking pad space
• Great yard

Backyard at 4956 N Leavitt

 Terrific backyard garden.  Tenant cares for yard or option for landscaper at additional cost.  One car garage has additional parking pad.

 Photos up soon, but do not delay.  Attractive, spacious and well-kept home home in great location. 


This home is listed Exclusively with Eric Rojas and Bob DePalma, Kale Realty.  Do not disturb tenants.  Contact Eric Rojas at erojas@kalerealty.com or 773-510-1597.  Qualified and serious inquiries please. 24hrs minimum notice required, no exceptions.  Tenant credit check and application fees apply.

Under Contract: Mid Century Modern house in Solomon School district

Our clients are under contract on 6141 N Springfield.  The homes was listed at $329,000 (Photo Eric Rojas)

Our buyers wanted style and  good school...they got it!  Peterson Park in the North Park community area on Chicago's North Side offers an array of brick Georgians, raised ranches, and split level homes.  This custom built "A-frame" split level has much more light and space than most raised ranches and split-levels.  It has a terrific ground level family room that walks out to a patio and great backyard oasis.

The house is located in the Solomon Elementary school...a neighborhood school often ranked in the top 10-15 attendance boundary elementary for student academic performance.

Contact us to purchase a home on the North Side of Chicago.

Sold! Clients purchase Coonley School single family home in North Center

 We were the buyers agents for 2137 W Montrose in North Center that closed this week.  The house closed for $635,000.

Our clients closed 2137 W Montrose this week.  Photo Eric Rojas, Real Estate Broker

Curb appeal!  These relocating clients fell in love with the white picket fence, old brick garage and unique landscaped lot.  They get popular Coonley Elemetary and top location steps from Welles Park, Shulzer Library, Old Town School of Folk Music.  You name it and this area of North Center and Lincoln Square has it!

Congratulations and enjoy the fantastic community.

Gorgeous landscaped lot with unique side driveway and garage! Photo Eric Rojas

Call us if  you are buying or selling a home on the north side of Chicago.  Bob and I love what we do!

More North Center posts HERE

New for Sale! Contemporary Ravenswood single family home $729,000

4425 N Paulina in east Ravenswood for sale now at $729,000

1990 brick new construction, contemporary style
3 bedrooms plus loft
2.5 baths (recently renovated)
2 car garage
Spacious front living room and sun room
Kitchen Great Room w/ wet bar and fireplace leads to backyard
Gorgeous landscaped backyard with deck and stone patio
Deep front setback with garden
Central HVAC
2 fireplaces
Huge rooms
Mud room off back entrance
Taxes $9,761.00

Backyard deck and patio

Located in popular Ravenswood Elementary school district, 2 blocks to Montrose CTA Brown Line, great restaurants along Montrose, Wilson and Sunnyside outside your door. Upscale area with historic and high-end new construction homes in leafy yet urban setting.  New Lycee Francais campus being built 4 blocks away at Wilson and Damen.

2 story entry and skylights.

Living room

Living room and  2 sided fireplace

Kitchen opens to family room

Kitchen with window box

Family room with wet bar

Renovated master bath

Large master suite with sitting area (to right of bed). 20ft of closets!

Huge second bedroom (w/ big organized closet)

Renovated hall/ guest bath

Loft (background) and skylights...area great for office, den or TV lounge

Virtual Tour Link HERE

More Ravenswood posts HERE