Closing time!

I was treated to a nice co-working space at a recent Oak Park real estate closing.

The small joys of going to real estate closings... coffee and granola bars!

Good food, no frills at Taqueria El Dorado 2 Lincoln Square

I snapped this bad photo Monday night. The kids love the tacos... an easy dinner for us after school and bball practice. Taqueria El Dorado #2 at 2114 West Lawrence in Lincoln Square.

There is nothing better than having a "go to" down home Mexican restaurant near the house. We're happy to support the family owned and recently opened Taqueria El Dorado #2 at 2114 West Lawrence Avenue in Lincoln Square. We've been there twice and the food has been really good.  In this day and age of high retail rents and foo foo restaurants (along with their prices) El Dorado is a welcome entry to the Lawrence Avenue business resurgence. Give them some love!

Lincoln Park holiday spirit!

I stopped at a recent client's Lincoln Park condo for a quick hello. I took a second to admire the awesome holiday lights at the neighbor's house at Seminary and Wilson. It lights up the block! Not a bad Audi commercial as well LOL

Shopping Park Ridge homes... what's the ceiling height?

Low basement ceiling or tall Bob??

We were out over the gloomy weekend looking at Park Ridge single family homes.  These particular buyer clients are looking for great lot size and "value add".  They've smartly improved all their past properties! Let's take a look at Park Ridge single family home sales over the last twelve months.

We checked out 500 N Prospect for it's large 100' x 200' lot, great location and potential to improve the home.

Park Ridge single family home sales January 1st - December 10th.

449 single family homes have closed so far in Park Ridge (recorded on MREDLLC.com). The median price of a house is about $430,000. The highest priced sold house is 410 S Prospect Avenue for $1,347,500. The 6,000 sq/ft twelve year old custom build is near downtown and features six bedrooms.  The lowest priced sold home is 2813 Oakton Street for $192,000 in a cash deal.  This single floor three bedroom ranch sits on a 44' wide lot but does not have a basement.

The house has an appealing farmhouse look on a ridiculously spacious  lot near the downtown Park Ridge. 

Over the same period of 2018 about 446 homes sold with a median price of $455,000.
In 2017, 470 homes sold with a median price of $450,000.  Going back a few more years to 2014, 389 single family homes sold with a median price of $399,900 over the January 1st to December 10th time frame.

We help our city clients relocate to the suburbs (if they must!). Contact us to buy or sell your next home in Chicago or the surrounding suburbs.

Under contract! 55 and older community in North Center

Our client secured a condo unit at 2335 W Belle Plaine, Chicago IL 60618. The 55 and older living community requires income restrictions determined by the U.S.  Department of Housing and Urban Development. It is a rare affordable housing development in North Center.

A long time friend and client of ours is selling her large North Center condo. It's time to downsize and retire! She'll move just a block away to Belle Plaine Commons.  Buyers must be 55 years and older to buy in the community.  Yearly income and age restrictions apply!  In fact, income qualifying buyers must attend a "Home Buyer Training for Condominium Ownership" sponsored by the City of Chicago Department of Housing.

There are few affordable options that provide this quality of life to retiring seniors in the North Center and near neighborhoods.  For the price of a vintage condo (and all the quaint inconveniences) our buyer client gets a modern amenity condo including in unit washer/dryer, Central HVAC , large walk-in closet and fully equipped kitchen. Designated parking and guest parking are included. The quality elevator building with many common areas and various activities is located near our clients last two homes where she'll maintain her current lifestyle.

Attractive grounds and common spaces surround the building. 

The property include large open courtyard with outdoor seating.

Only five units at Belle Plaine Commons have sold in the last 24 months with prices ranging $187,000 to $345,000.  There are a total of 92 units in the building.

Medical facility on campus as part of the Martha Washington Apartments that provide independent living for seniors 62+ years of age.

The condo includes a parking space and guest parking is located on the grounds.

The contract is in attorney review and our client expects to be moved in before Christmas. Contact us to sell or buy your next home!

Sales at 728 W Jackson: The Haberdasher Square Lofts in West Loop

728 West Jackson, Chicago IL 60661 is a popular loft building in a great West Loop location. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker Kale Realty

We're working with a client who will list and sell their loft condo at the Haberdasher Square Lofts this spring.  I stopped by the West Loop last week to create a plan to prepare the condo for sale. The unit is tenant occupied and the owner lives out of town.  It is a pleasure to be on the ground and run the whole process!  Let's take a look at sales at Haberdasher Lofts, 728 West Jackson, Chicago IL 60661 in West Loop.  

Iconic view outside your door!

20 loft condos have sold at 728 W Jackson over the last twelve months. The median price of a sold condo is about $390,000.  The highest priced sold condo in the building over the last 12 months is Unit 1206 closed at $975,000.  The lowest priced sold unit over the past twelve months is Unit 617 closed for $195,000.  The rare foreclosure unit sold in a cash deal.


Seven units are currently for sale in the building with prices ranging from $280,000 to $699,900. One unit is under contract with an asking price of $270,000 plus an additional $30,000 for a garage parking space.

The ice rink at Wrigley Field opens November 24th

The ice was a little steamy this morning as workers prepare the surface at Wrigley Field (all photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty).

Workers were preparing the ice rink at the park at Wrigley Field this morning (I refuse to use the corporate name!).   The ice rink opens November 24th.  The surrounding neighborhood is getting ready for the Holidays in this weird late Thanksgiving / early snow storm season!

The median price of a sold single family house is about $2,000,000 over the last 12 months.  The median price of a sold condo over the same period is about $419,000.

OK Boomer's! New development begins on long shuttered Lincoln Square nightclub site

Photos of the Boomer's demolition taken today.  All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

The infamous and long vacant Boomers nightclub property in Lincoln Square has been torn down this week. We first broke the story about the potential development in 2018. 5015-5039 N Lincoln Avenue that WAS home to the shuttered club, a Pizza Hut take-out and MRI facility was issued a demolition permit early this week. The developers wasted no time in tearing down the one story retail.

40th Ward Alderman Andre Vasquez provided an update yesterday on the development. 24 residential units are coming to the site. 

The good old days? I would have loved to save that sign!!

The median price of a sold condo on this strip (attached unit including town houses) from 4800 N Lincoln to 5200 N Lincoln is about $500,000 over the last 12 months.

North Center and Oak Park open houses this weekend (say hi to me and Bob!)

4104 N Western 3S is an upgraded three bedrooms, two baths condo with attached garage parking offered at $399,900. All photos Eric Rojas, Kale Realty and VHT.com

We have two new listings with open houses this weekend. They are two very loved homes and it shows! Our long time clients have lived in these homes for ten years each. I've spent many good times at each and I know you will see why. Contact me direct with any questions.

Open House North Center

4104 N Western Avenue Unit 3S, Chicago IL 60618 asking $399,900 

Saturday November 9th from 12p to 2p

North Center three bedrooms, two baths condo in Coonley School district with everything on the checklist! ATTACHED GARAGE parking included. Richly finished home with cherry hardwood floors, balcony, solid core doors, crown molding, high ceilings, CAT 5 and speaker wiring, concrete sound insulation, gas fireplace (gas logs, can be converted back to wood burning), in-unit washer/dryer. 

Inviting living room with huge east facing windows, fireplace and dining space. Cherry kitchen cabinets with tons of storage, granite counters and stainless steel appliances. Good closet space throughout the unit. Three true bedrooms. 

Meticulously kept master bath with steam shower, heated floors, double vanity and separate tub.

Master bedroom with 8x6 walk-in closet, balcony door. Luxurious en suite double vanity bath, separate steam shower, heated floors and separate jet tub. New water heater! Hall stairs lead to common roof deck with skyline and western views. Great location close to 90/94, Horner, Welles and Revere parks, dining, the North Branch river walk, great schools (Lane Tech, Coonely, Bell, St Ben's etc...). Super PET friendly, no rental caps, 100% owner occupied at this time.

1164 Clarence is a three beds, two baths home with lots of updates! Irving School district, walk to Rehm Park, easy highway and Blue Line access.

Open House Oak Park

1164 Clarence, Oak Park IL 60304 asking $349,900

Sunday November 10th from 1pm to 3pm

Best value in Oak Park! You will love this attractive move-in ready home! Enjoy vintage detail along many renovations. Three nice sized bedrooms upstairs with fully remodeled bathroom. Main floor has spacious living room, formal dining room and sliding glass door to walk-out deck. 

Gut renovated bathroom!

Smart and handy mud-room sits off the well equipped kitchen and leads to a large 20'x8' deck. The yard is gorgeous. NEW two car garage (2 years old). The finished basement ads comfortable family room/ guest space with FULL bath and large laundry room. Central AC and heat (new furnace), newer windows throughout. Walk to everything including Rehm Park, Oak Park Conservatory, Euclid Park, Blue Line and Irving School.

Contact us for showings.  If you are in the Chicago real estate market or near suburbs... you gotta guy! We have access to off market and Pre-MLS properties for our buyers. No nonsense advice, planning and execution for our seller clients.

North Center condo sales this year (unit sales and median price steady)

Photographer Mike Borden has worked on dozens of properties with me. Roof views from 4104 N Western Avenue Chicago IL 60618. We'll be listing a three bedrooms condo later this week.

I spent part of my day photographing a new North Center three bedrooms condo listing with my guy Mikey B! The unit has a common roof deck area that has downtown skyline views.  Here's a quick look at over-all North Center condo sales this year.

West views from 4104 North Western Avenue

North Center condo sales January 1st to October 31st, 2019

*North Center three bedrooms condos have a median sales price of $520,000 this year*

338 condo units have sold thus far in 2019 with a median price of $442,000. The median price of a three bedrooms condo runs about $520,000 this year. The lowest priced sold condo is 3557 N Oakley Unit 3 for $134,000. The vintage one bedroom condo has a great Roscoe Village location and rare in-unit washer and dryer at the price-point. The highest priced sold condo in North Center is 2250 W Roscoe Unit PH for $1,200,000. The top floor four bedroom home has a fantastic upgraded roof deck.

2019: 338 condo units sold with a median price of $442,000
2017: 336 condo units sold with a median price of $445,000
2015: 393 condos units sold for a median price of $390,000

Contact me today to buy/ sell North Center condos and properties in the surrounding neighborhoods!

Explore Koval Distillery, Urban Renewal Brewery and Empirical Brewery in one block!

Our group were treated to an oral and tasting tour of Koval Distillery.

I had a chance to get together with some old clients and friends for the Koval Distillery tasting Saturday evening in Ravenswood (the border of Uptown and Lincoln Square). The tasting is a real show! The presenter shared the cool history of Koval and the distillery business.  We were treated to all phases of the whiskey, bourbons and gin making.

You get right into the beer at Urban Renewal. 

Immediately after the tasting we went next door to Urban Renewal Brewery.  The fairly recent addition to the awesome craft brewery scene of "Malt Row"  delivers casual drop-in tasting in their brewing facility. Play a little darts and corn hole while trying five samples.

We ended up at our staple Empirical Brewery a half-block away for an embarrassment of riches! You can count on an awesome beer selection every time. I'm proud to be apart of the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce in supporting our neighborhood businesses! It's really a luxury having top notch craft beverages in our own backyard.

Ask me about single family homes, multi-units and condos near Malt Row!

Sold! Logan Square condo sales (median price takes a jump)

We closed another Logan Square condo sale this week at 2409 N Sawyer. Our seller client took our advice and fully painted the one bedroom unit prior to listing. It showed great and sold in the first week despite a city-wide slowing market. Congrats to our client who has moved back home to Michigan.

Logan Square is a very active and diverse real estate market. 546 units have sold this year in (January 1st to October 30th). The median price of a sold condo is $411,000. The highest priced sold condo is 2040 N Damen Unit 2 Chicago, IL 60647 for $1,185,000.  The full floor penthouse unit with "2000 sq/ft custom deck" was built in 2014. The lowest priced sold condo is 1857 W Armitage 1R Chicago IL 60622 for $150,000. The one bedroom loft in a vintage building was a rare foreclosure sale in the the neighborhood.

Large new construction condo and rental developments have dominated the sometime controversial real estate market around Logan Square the last five years.

509 Logan Square condos closed over the same period of 2018 with a median price of $369,900
547 condos closed in 2017 with a median price of $375,000
544 condos sold in 2016 with a median price of  $360,000

Back in 2012 only 288 Logan Square condo units sold from Jan 1st to October 30th with a median price of $245,000.

Call us to buy and sell condos and houses in the Logan Square neighborhood!

New for Sale! Oak Park house $349,900 (and home sale numbers this year)

1164 Clarence Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60304 is now for sale at $349,900. This is an incredible price and value.

Open House this weekend! 

1164 Clarence Ave. Oak Park, IL 60304
$349,900

Saturday November 2nd 12p to 2p

More photos and info HERE

About 334 single family home have sold in Oak Park this year from January 1st to October 29th, 2019. The median price of a single family home is $445,000. The highest priced sale is 417 North Kenilworth for $1,750,000. The property sits on five city lots! Seven homes have closed for over $1,000,000 this year. 

The lowest priced sale is 1180 S Scoville for $147,375. The foreclosure home sold in auction. The property will most likely be a gut renovation with a full second story added. Seven homes have sold for under $200,000 this year.


At $349,900 1164 Clarence Avenue is the best value in Oak Park! You will love this attractive move-in ready home! Enjoy vintage detail with many important improvements. Three nice sized bedrooms upstairs with a fully remodeled bathroom. Be sure to check out the 2nd bedroom bump out. 

Main floor has spacious living room, formal dining room and sliding glass door to walk-out deck. Smart and handy mud-room sits off the well equipped kitchen and leads to a huge 20'x8' deck. 

The yard is gorgeous. Two years NEW garage! The finished basement adds comfortable family room/ guest space with full bath and large laundry room. Central AC and heat (new furnace), newer windows throughout. Walk to everything including Rehm Park, Oak Park Conservatory, Euclid Park, Blue Line and Irving School. Terrific value for this well cared for and stylish home!

 Exclusively Listed by Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

2447 N Ashland, Chicago IL 60614

773-510-1597 - erojas@kalerealty.com

ericrojasblog.com

Looking at the Loop! Condo sales and median price dip year to year

Loop living is all about convenience and access to the city's best in culture, dining and business. Having a Pete's Coffee in your building is cool too. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker Kale Realty

I was in the Loop last week to evaluate a potential listing.  The downtown condo was a "distressed" purchase (foreclosure/ short sale) as an investment six years ago. Now the investor owners are looking to sell high. Located in an amenity building in the southern portion of the Loop the condo is an attractive unit for those wanting to "walk to work".

Views looking north down South Wabash from in front of 41 East 8th Street.

This investment condo was easy to rent out due to the myriad of universities, professional offices, transportation options, garage parking space included... you name it! It's the big city! You are steps from Grant Park and all its festivals. It would be a convenient place to live in and have flexibility to rent out if needed down the road.

41 East 8th Street in the Loop

Vibrant Columbia College is directly across the street from the building.

The CTA Red Line tracks are just west of the building.

This particular unit is on the 2nd floor. It's a cool feeling to be so close to the action. It's easy to get in and out of the building with less elevator waits. The views from the corner unit are still good despite the low floor.

Downtown (Loop) Condo Sales

611 downtown condos have sold this year (January 1st to October 23rd) with a median price of about $330,000. 646 condo units sold over the same period in 2018 with a median price of $345,000.

The lowest priced condo to sell downtown this year is at 40 East 9th Street Unit 612 for $112,500.
The studio apartment is a convenient in town for someone with business downtown. 

The highest priced sold condo downtown is 60 East Monroe, Unit 7201 for $3,478,787. The luxury unit features highly custom finish level and jaw dropping views.

Loop condo unit sales are trending down the last two years and median price took a dip this year. The unit sales are lowest year to year since 2012.

2019 (January 1st to October 23rd) 611 units closed, $330,000 median price
2018 same period 646 units closed, $345,000 median price
2017 same period 711 units closed, $346,000 median price
2016 same period 723 units closed, $345,000 median price
2015 same period 678 units closed, $348,000 median price
2014 same period 652 units closed, $341,900 median price