Call me! Buy and sell homes, multi-unit buildings and mixed use properties around Chicagoland

Call or email us to buy, sell or lease property around Chicago and the near burbs.  We are using both conventional and creative marketing and research tools to serve you right. My partner and I work as a team direct with our clients.  Small boutique service with large brokerage tools and support.

Selling your property

• MREDLLC.com, our MLS for the city and suburbs (feeds to all 3rd party sites Zillow.com, Realtor.com, Redfin)
• Professional photography
• Drone video
• Facebook campaigns
• Blog posts (Fourteen years of blogging!)
• Brokerage to brokerage email marketing
• Open houses or designated showing times
• Contractors and vendors ready to prep the home for sale
• Field research (we go see the comparable sales)
• Competitive commission rates
• Subscription based research tools like ChicagoCityscape.com 
• TopAgentNetwork.com subscription marketing
• Professional administrative support
• LoopNet and other viable 3rd party commercial and mixed use marketing

Buying your home

• Off-market, Pre-MLS and private listing access
• Subscription based research tools ChicagoCityscape.com and TopAgentNetwork.com
• Excellent inspection referrals
• Mortgage lending team
• Accessible real estate attorneys
• Contractors for renovation work and immediate repairs
• Aggressive research and offer making
• Over 30 years experience owning, buying and selling real estate in Chicago and suburbs
• Help and advice while you own your home

Over $90 million in real estate sales since since 2005! Feel free to contact us with your questions. We will help you plan for your goals.

Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty - 2447 N Ashland, Chicago IL 60614 - 773-510-1597 - erojas@kalerealty.com

Lincoln Park 7-Eleven property sold for $3 million, now 10 unit luxury condo development

This used to be the 7-Eleven. 1110 West Schubert, Schubert Pointe, is under construction with MLS listings from $1,000,000 to $1,650,000. All photos / stats Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

We walked down the 2700 block of North Lincoln last week. Schubert Pointe construction (1110 West Schubert Ave, Chicago IL 60614) is taking shape at the corner of North Lincoln Avenue and West Schubert in Lincoln Park. The "pointy" 10 unit building with distinct terraces takes the place of the former 7-Eleven store. A Cook County Recorder of Deeds document shows the property was likely sold for $3,010,000  This strip of North Lincoln Avenue is relatively sleepy compared to other parts of Lincoln Park.  Here's a story on the development back in October.

Three units of the development are listed for sale on the MLS with prices ranging from $1,000,000 to $1,650,000 for a penthouse unit with 1400 sq/ft terrace. I'm not sure if this includes the Range Rover in the driveway. There are many condos and attached town homes in the immediate area within a block or so.  The development location is a short walk to Jonquil Park, the CTA Diversey Brown Line stop and resides in Agassiz Elementary School district.

The condo market around this development in Lincoln Park is very active. Schubert Pointe will be pushing the high end for condo prices here.

We've listed and sold several homes very nearby including
1030 W Wrightwood  
1307 West Wrightwood Unit 206
1307 Wrightwood Unit 106 
904 West Schubert #2W

33 attached units have sold in the roughly two block shaded area around Schubert Pointe in the last 12 months.  The median price of a sold condo is about $540,000.  The highest sold unit over 12 months is 2649 N Racine Avenue Unit 3S for $1,040,000.  The 2100 sq/ft, three beds new construction penthouse unit boasts a 28ft wide floor-plan. The lowest priced sold unit is 1152 West Wrightwood Unit 2 for $420,000. The two beds, two baths middle floor re-sale condo looked in great condition and included a garage parking spot.

Contact us to find pre-market or new listings for sale in Lincoln Park and surrounding neighborhoods!

Video! Edison Park gut renovation house, Ebinger School, pre-market asking $679K

Take the video walk through of  7232 N Oriole, Chicago IL 60631 asking $679,000. This is a pre-market, private listing opportunity to buy a new gut renovation and expansion in Edison Park's Ebinger School District. Great location near Northwest Highway's restaurant row, Edison Park Metra, Park Ridge downtown and Brooks Park.



7232 N Oriole will have three beds up plus office, full finished basement and attractive finish level.
View the video below to see a finished product by the same builder on a similar gut rehab. Contact me and I can show both homes.




If you are looking for new construction on one of Edison Park's best blocks Kale Realty offers a 50' wide lot with luxury single family home in development at 7112 N Osceola Ave asking $979,000. Take a look at the video below to see the location and a similar finished home by the same builder just across the street.


Contact me for a showing of these homes or other off market opportunities!

7232 N Oriole and 7112 N Osceola

Exclusively listed by:

Kale Realty

2447 N Ashland

Chicago IL 60614

Video! Fully renovated house in Sauganash Park... four beds up! (And recent sales)

Take the video walk through with me!

I've been showing several gut renovations, new construction and pre-market offerings offered by Kale Realty this month. On Monday I showed our Kale Listing listing at 6325 N Tripp, Chicago IL 60646 for sale asking $769,000.  The almost new construction house in the Sauganash Park neighborhood of Forest Glen and Sauganash Elementary School district. There is relatively low house inventory going into the traditional spring market.  This is a quality house is worth seeing before the the buyer competition heats up.

Sauganash Park neighborhood in Forest Glen Community Area. The Valley Line Trail makes the west border.

This home has a great feel. I love walking up to it. The side setbacks, bay window and tons of light flowing in make this large house feel even more spacious!

Check out interior photos and more information about
6325 N Tripp HERE 

Sauganash Park single family home sales
37 single family homes closed in Sauganash Park over 2018.  The median price was about $525,000.  The 2018 sales were boosted by the Sauganash Glen development that added many new construction single  family homes to the neighborhood.

The highest priced sold home is 6110 N Sauganash Ave Chicago IL 60646 closed at $944,504. This large new construction house sits on a wide and deep lot in the new Sauganash Glen development. The lowest priced house sold is 6048 N Keeler Ave Chicago IL 60646 closed at $240,000. The small two bedrooms brick Georgian house was in need of a complete rehab.

In 2016 before the "The Glen" development was completed, 35 single family homes sold with a median price of about $370,000.

6325 N Tripp, Chicago IL 60646

Exclusively listed by:

Kale Realty 

2447 N Ashland 

Chicago IL 60614

As always contact me for a showing of this house or other properties on the north side of Chicago and near burbs.  We have access to off-market and pre-MLS houses too!

Logan Square small multi-unit sales (two-flats and more)

3300 block of West Wrightwood (all photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty)

Logan Square has swaths of vintage two to four flats still remaining. There is nary a better looking block than one with contiguous grey-stone multi-units!  The popular neighborhood with ever-present controversial development churns through the staple Chicago building types like many North Side areas... where many are torn down or converted to single family homes. Redeveloped or not, small multi-units are an active market in Logan Square.

Check out this great Logan Square block loaded with gorgeous vintage multi-units!



147 small multi-unit buildings (two-four flats) sold over 2018 in Logan Square.  The over-all median price was $565,000 for 2018.  

Two-flats:
92 of the Logan Square buildings sold were two-flats at a median closed price of $510,000. The highest priced two-flat sold was 2247 West Armitage Chicago IL 60647 for $1,532,000. This was a 2017 build with two (2) duplex units (usually would be organized as a condo building and not rental apartments).  The lowest priced Logan Square two-flat sold on 2018 was 3729 West Palmer closed for $175,000 as a foreclosure. Although bought for only $130,000 in 1999 the property had several refinances in the higher $200s and the property was eventually foreclosed. Looks like a small investor bought the building.

31 two-flats are currently for sale with a median asking price of $559,000.

One the properties I visited was a short walk from the shops and restaurants at Logan Boulevard and North Kedzie (the round-a-bout). 

Three-flats:
30 of the Logan Square buildings sold were three-flats with a median closing price of  $565,000. The highest sold three-flat was 2014 West Wolcott closed for $1,325,000. The vintage red brick building has had substantial  improvements. The lowest sold three-flat is 3617 West Diversey closed as a short sale for $250,000. The traditional brick building has two above grade units and a garden unit.

18 three-flat buildings are currently for sale with a median asking price of about $725,000.

Four-flats:
25 of the Logan Square buildings were four-flats with a median price of about $730,000. Quite a big price jump from three unit buildings. The highest priced sold four-flat was 1940 North Kedzie  closed for $1,245,000. The gorgeous grey-stone is fully renovated with $99,000 of annual revenue according to the listing. The lowest sold four-flat was 2028-30 North Stave for $535,000

Six four-flats are currently for sale with a median asking price of about $1,000,000.



The round-a-bout at Logan Boulevard and Kedzie is a distinct and uniquely planned area on the North Side and has a special feel.

"Private" Crilly Court and vintage Lincoln Park row house sales

The concrete post at the end of Crilly Court reads "Crilly Court: Private". The row houses along the west side of 1700 N block of Crilly Court rarely change hands. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

I found myself in Old Town Triangle of Lincoln Park on the Friday of Polar Vortex 2019 looking at a couple properties with a client. The sun really lifted my spirits! Despite the cold, Chicago vintage row houses look great in the white snow and sun.  I passed down the small "private" one-way block of Crilly Court that is home to impressive vintage row houses. While walking by I checked when the last time any row homes had sold on the block.

The last two MLS sales I could find on the block are as follows: 1718 North Crilly Court sold in 2012 for $1,200,000 and 1700 North Crilly Court (a corner unit) sold for $1,420,000 in 2010. 

A vintage one-way block of Crilly Court between West St. Paul and and West Eugenie in Old Town Triangle.

Lincoln Park Row House sales 2018
About 22 vintage Lincoln Park row houses sold over 2018.  The median price was approximately $1,200,000.  The highest sold row house by a long shot was a stunning renovation at 2704 N Lakeview for $4,750,000. The 10,000 sq/ft home was previously bought in 2016 for $1.8 million.

2704 N Lakeview (door shown far left) was bought in 2016 for $1.8M and sold late 2018 for $4.7M after an impressive and extensive renovation.

The lowest priced vintage row house to sell over 2018 was 1818 N Lincoln Avenue for $830,000. The Parisian style decor harks back to another area.  1818 N Lincoln is part of a row house group where we sold 1826 North Lincoln several years ago.

Contact us to sell and buy homes in Lincoln Park and greater North Side Chicago and suburbs. We offer the most competitive full service broker commission rates when selling, pre-market opportunities when buying and 25 plus years of experience in real estate transactions. Don't get ripped off!

Portage Park single family home sales, median price up 87% since 2012

Earlier this month I walked a "punch list" for a new construction home buyer in Portage Park. Several items needed to be completed before appraisal and closing. Nine contiguous new construction homes have been built adjacent to a traditional Tudor common in the neighborhood. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

Many of our home buyers are finding themselves in Portage Park these days. And why not? Extremely low inventory and budget busting prices in the likes of Lakeview, Lincoln Square, Lincoln Park and Logan Square have buyers turning to Portage Park for relatively affordable new construction homes. The northwest Chicago neighborhood offers plenty of commercial retail conveniences, a several CTA Blue Line and Metra stations (to the east of the neighborhood) and quite tree-lined streets.

A former bank parking lot that took up the majority of the 4900 block of West Dakin has been transformed into nine new construction single family homes.

Portage Park single family home sales 2018

A robust 453 single family homes were recorded closed on MREDLLC.com over 2018 (does not include off market closings which probably puts this over 500 closings). The median price for 2018 was about $320,000.

Median price is up 37% from 2012 and 87% since 2012.  

The highest priced closed home was 4743 North London, Chicago IL 60630 at $679,000. The four bedrooms new construction home sits on a 25'x126' near the large Jefferson Memorial Park and the Jeff Park Metra.  The lowest priced house sold for $140,000 cash.  The traditional Chicago bungalow at 4544 North Laporte was thoroughly damaged by fire. Around 65 of the closed homes sold were new construction or gut rehabbed homes. 

Past Sales
In 2015,  411 single family homes closed for a median price of $240,000.
In 2102, 355 single family homes closed with a median price of only $175,000!

More posts on Portage Park HERE

Contact us to sell and buy homes in Portage Park and greater North Side Chicago and suburbs. We offer the most competitive full service broker commission rates for selling, pre-market opportunities for buying and 20 plus years of experience in real estate transactions. Don't get ripped off!

City Coffee opens steps from Winnemac Park and Amundsen High School, Lincoln Square

AJ Lutz and City Coffee staff on a Tuesday morning. Located at 5139 N Damen Ave
Chicago, Illinois 60625 All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

City Coffee is open at the corner of Foster and Damen in Lincoln Square / Ravenswood. I had the chance to stop by for coffee and pastry and work for a couple hours this morning.  Owner AJ Lutz has created a comfy sophisticated neighborhood spot at the busy corner. Great music, pastry and Caffe Umbria coffee.  I mentioned he has chosen a terrific, simple name too... how has City Coffee not been taken? LOL

We use to go to the old cafe circa 2007-2009ish. The storefront shop had been vacant for years.  The new space is really nice!

Unique to the local shop is the tech! Download the City Coffee app to order ahead and benefit from a rewards program! The Wi-Fi game is strong too.

Simple modern decor and large meeting table.

Little library... "take a book, leave a book"!

Large picture windows let the light in even on this cloudy, slushy morning.

We love our new businesses near Winnemac Park in Chicago! Grab your coffee and head to the park.  City Coffee is a great place for bus and CTA Damen Brown Line commuters from Bowmanville to make a daily stop. Amundsen High School students, parents and employees finally another great spot to meet! Check out the hours and goings on at City Coffee web site, Facebook and Instagram. Support this growing strip also featuring Sweet Virginia's Kitchen, Bang Bang Pie and veteran Over Easy.

New West Loop rental! Furnished two bedroom loft, utilities included, Skinner School district

1224 West Van Buren, Unit 624, Chicago IL 60607 for rent $2,200 per month furnished and  available now.

Upgraded kitchen with Bosch appliance package and utensils. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty and VHT.com

We're excited to offer a new two bedroom rental listing at 1224 West Van Buren in West Loop. Monthly rent includes: Electric, gas, 5G Internet, basic cable, IN-UNIT washer and dryer.  Freshly painted condo rental in amenity building featuring fitness room, yoga studio, media room, roof deck and 24/7 doorman. Permit parking district. Garage parking may be available in the building. Sorry no pets, no smoking. Tenant responsible for daily supplies (i.e. light-bulbs, detergents etc...).

*Applicants must have 650 credit score and 2.5x yearly rental in gross household income (roughly $66,000)* Voucher applicants welcome.

Entry lobby with 24/7 doorman staff.

Furnished living room with plenty of space for a dining table.

Kitchen equipped with plates and silverware.

Master bedroom easily fits the king bed and furniture. Organized closets.

Double vanity master bathroom.

Huge second bedroom. Currently set up with two beds.

Balcony off the living room.

Great West Loop location just steps from Target, UIC campus, Rush University Medical Center, Skinner Elementary, Skinner Park, Racine CTA Blue Line and a billion restaurants and services.

The condo building resides in top rated Skinner School district just steps away.

Escape the bustle in Skinner Park

Exclusively listed by

Eric Rojas, Broker

Kale Realty

2447 N Ashland, Chicago IL 60614

773-510-1597

erojas@kalerealty.com

Infamous Wrigleyville liquor store bites the dust for new development

The Wrigleyville Gold Crown Liquors at 3425 North Clark Street and two storefront bars have been recently torn down to make way for new development. A demo permit was issued for the three story vintage building to the far right of the photo as well. All Photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

Drinks, drinking establishments and liquor stores are synonymous with Wrigelyville. Well, you can pour one out today. I noticed the much loved and hated Gold Crown Liquors at Clark and Sheffield has been torn down. Drawings for the new building coming to the corner are linked HERE.

I snapped this photo this morning of the former Gold Crown Liquors store in Wrigleyville.  Much has changed in the neighborhood due to the Rickett's Chicago Cubs ownership and the CTA Red Line/ Purple Line "Belmont Bypass" project. See the renderings of a new building HERE

My twenty-one year old self will have to find a new place to rent kegs. Few Chicago neighborhoods have transformed faster over the past five years than Lakeview's Wrigleyville!

What's next for the Old Town Treasure Island property?

The closed Treasure Island store at  1639 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60614 (all photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty)

We have clients looking at a condo on North Wells Street in Old Town. A selling point of this desirable and bustling strip has been the proximity to a neighborhood grocery store. However the Treasure Island grocery store company has closed under much controversy.  The company owns four of it's closed buildings including the Old Town location at 1639 N Wells Street pictured above. I'd love to see a mixed use development with another grocer and high-rise like the newest Gold Coast Jewel Store at Clark and Division (The Sinclair).

Looking southeast.

Eight condos have sold over the past twelve months on the 1500-1700 blocks of North Wells in Old Town. All but one sale was at 1636 North Wells high rise.  Those closings ranged from $152,000 for a studio apartment with $348/mth assessment to $602,000 for a three bedrooms, two baths unit with a $1,055/mth assessment.  There are many more residences on the side streets perpendicular to North Wells just to the immediate west of the Treasure Island building.