How do you Rate? - 10/24/11 10:41 AM

 
Comparing Vineyard to Vineyard
 and then Apples to Apples
 
For the last two weeks I have been analyzing an appraisal from an out of state appraiser who compared and gave the same ratings for  comparables to arrive at a final market value.
 
 This appraiser gave the same rating in condition and quality along with modernization like the photo attached in this post.  Now, anyone clearly can see that one is older construction and the garage on the left, is new construction.  Granted, I designed the garage on the left because there is a 4 story condominium … (2 comments)

Chicago's New Vacation-Rental Law - 10/22/11 06:54 PM
 
Chicago’s New Vacation-Rental Law
 is in effect
 
Chicago’s new “vacation”-rental law basically is an ordinance that prohibits rentals of residences for periods of less then one month. 
“Vacation” rentals have become popular for those who are distressed homeowners but have moved out of state, or the property is vacant because their job has taken them someplace else and there is that burden of paying for the mortgage and other related costs.  So, for instance, renting out your condominium for a weekend, or a week for someone who are “vacationing” in Chicago as it is an alternative to … (3 comments)

Chicago Kids Events this Weekend - October 22 - 23, 2011 - 10/21/11 05:08 PM

 
 
Chicago Children’s Weekend Events
 
October 22, 2011 – October 23, 2011
 
One of the great things Chicago offers is activities for kids all ages but more importantly from a fun, yet educational perspective!
 
The Chicago International Children’s    Film Festival begins!
 Open from October 21 thru October 30th
 
This is the largest annual Festival of Films for Children of the World!  There is programming of 250 films from 40 Countries.   Talk about Showcasing Culture!
 
Ages 2- 16:  $6 Admission
 Above 16 and older:  $9.000 Admission
Located at:  Facets Multi-Media 1517 W. … (0 comments)

Chicago Halloween Happenings in Lincoln Square - 10/21/11 04:29 PM
Chicago Halloween Happenings
 
In
 
Lincoln Square
 
 
Originally from Michigan, Halloween was a special time for us as children as we made our own costumes, went to the local park and received donuts and apple cider from the local police and then off we went with our pillow cases to get the most amount of candy, in the least amount of time with the least effort.  (Marketing 101, LOL!)
 
What I love about Chicago’s Lincoln Square Halloween Happenings is that the children come out to Trick-or-Treat along the business districts of Lincoln Square!    I love to see … (0 comments)

Chicago Mid-Month Market Update for Lincoln Square Condos - 10/21/11 02:53 PM
 
Chicago Mid-Month Market Update
 For Lincoln Square Condominiums
 
 
How does one compare an apple to another apple when they are two different varieties?
 
 I believe the above question is “spot on” when trying to put a selling price tag on a Chicago Condominium.  My logic is basic and that being that one condominium could be converted into condominiums by one developer that understands construction and understands resale value.  The other condominium could be a partial job and the old roof is still on the building and tuckpointing wasn’t considered or was done in “spot” sections and … (2 comments)

Mid- October Market Update for Chicago Lincoln Square 60625 - 10/20/11 05:24 PM
 
Mid October Market Update
 Lincoln Square
 Single Family Homes
  
Chicago’s Lincoln Square only saw one closed sale in the Month of September but that is totally unusual for the area.  Let’s look at the activity for the first half of October and see what is going on in the Lincoln Square Neighborhood this month, so far:
 We have some new listings.  Again, Patrick Landrush has two more that he just put on the market. 
 
Traditional Sales
 
Two Bedroom Lincoln Square Homes:
 We are seeing a downward adjustment at $243,400 right now in mid-month October … (1 comments)

Chicago Rain Storm and Lake Michigan Warnings - October 19 - 20th, 2011 - 10/19/11 02:24 PM
 
Chicago Lake Shore Drive
 
Over the course of the next 24 hours, it is advisable to take a different route to and from work then Lake Shore Drive here in Chicago. 
Currently, Chicago is dealing with gusts of winds from the tropical storm which over the course of the next day, winds on the lake will be anywhere in the range of 40 to 60 m.p.h. 
How does this effect you?  Well, Chicago shut down the Lake Shore Drive Bike Path at 8:30 this morning due to the water cresting and going over the break walls … (0 comments)

Staging Advice: Using color Tastefully when Selling Your Chicago Home - 10/19/11 11:37 AM
 
Using Color Tastefully when Selling Your Chicago Home
 
One of the issues that I see when talking to potential sellers is the display of colors that they use in their home can begin with “bland” and go all the way up the scale to “color wheel”. 
 I met with a home seller to discussing “Staging to Sell” her condominium.  She asked me to consult with her on what she possibly might need to change or do, in order to get her condominium sold. 

One of the things I was impressed about her home was the natural … (2 comments)

Chicago's Pumpkins in the Park 5K Race - October 15, 2011 - 10/14/11 03:25 PM
 

 
 
Pumpkins in the Park 5K
 
October 15, 2011
 
 
 
Fleet Street is one of the sponsors for this year’s 12th Annual Pumpkins in the Park 5K where runners of all ages will enjoy the winding course in Lincoln Park.
 
Registration this week is $35.00 per person.  This event is to assist in the Parkways Foundation where they invest in Chicago’s parks to enrich the communities through historical preservation, environmental initiatives, and more.
 
 
The event begins at 2:30 p.m. for the kids race and at 4:00 for the 5K Start.
 
 
… (0 comments)

Staging that works when Selling Your Chicago Home - 10/14/11 12:16 PM
 
Neutralizing the Subconscious Mind through Staging
 
 
Staging a Chicago Home is about de-personalizing the home, allowing that home to be viewed by the potential buyer(s) so that they can imagine themselves being in that home versus being distracted by what is in the home and not allowing those visions/dreams become a reality.
 
One of the ways to neutralize your Chicago Home is if you are serious about selling your Chicago Home is to remove the bold or dark colors and put light soft neutral tones in place. 
 
Another is to declutter your home and take … (1 comments)

Moving Sale: 2720 - 198th Street, Lynwood, IL - 10/13/11 09:41 PM

Moving Sale Saturday, October 15, 2011
From
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
 (everything must go, except the husband!)
The folks at 2720 – 198th Street in Lynwood, Illinois are inviting you to their Moving Sale as we are about to close on the sale of their home!
That’s right – Char told me the other day that everything must go, except her husband (and then she giggled and said, even that could be negotiated).  All kidding aside, this couple is getting ready to move to Arizona where the weather is warmer and so lots of things will be available for … (1 comments)

Why do we celebrate Columbus getting lost? - 10/09/11 04:06 PM
 
Columbus Day 2011
 
October 10, 2011 is a nationally declared holiday where the Banks will once again be closed and the post office all because Columbus got lost.
 
I never could understand Columbus Day as a child because I read the stories, the books, did the research and it just amazed me that Columbus was to hit one point and landed in another.  Yet, we declared back in 1906, that we should celebrate a day for a man getting lost?! 
 
Flip side of the coin for Columbus going off course, just a tad, is actually that … (6 comments)

Is Homeownership Really Falling? - 10/09/11 03:22 PM
 Homeownership Faces Biggest Drop
 
Now, let’s get real here people.  First of all, the media is low on negative right now so they are having to pull out big discussions as “the sky is falling” tactic in homeownership. 
 
Yet, when one reads the articles in the news, one finds out that the truth to the matter of “Homeownership is Falling” is the simple fact that we dropped 1.1% points between 2000 and 2010.  Let’s visit this sky is falling tactic as I researched the rolodex in my head and what I came up with was the fact that … (2 comments)

Real Estate is only Mindset - 10/07/11 11:29 AM
 
Real Estate is Only Mindset
 I just read an article online th at some Chicago Realtors® here in Chicago still think that the market is dying while others claim that this past year has been the best in sales for them.
I personally believe that Real Estate is only Mindset.  Interest Rates are extremely attractive and nobody said they would ever go below 6% two years ago and now we are looking at below 4% on a 30 year fixed.  I have also read that some say it still isn’t the best time to buy.  I am wondering if those … (4 comments)

Cook County Property Tax Bills - 10/04/11 05:07 AM
 
Cook County Property Taxes on the Rise
 
 
Last night I was visiting another senior.  I walked into his house and there on the floor was the collection of this mail that he didn’t want to keep.  On his windowsill there was this familiar envelope and I had asked him if it was his real estate property tax bill. 
 
Sure enough, I looked at his Cook County Property Tax Bill and was amazed that his home that needed a lot of attention, would have had a Cook County Property Tax of $5,712 annually if this senior didn’t … (5 comments)

Chicago Marathon - October 9, 2011 - 10/03/11 04:51 PM
 
Chicago Marathon – October 9th 2011
 
 


Unlike the Boston Marathon, Chicago’s Marathon sponsored by Bank of America has no requirements for qualification only the fact that you need to be 16 years and older.
 
This year’s event topped out early with 45,000 participants who will be coming from 50 states and over 100 countries to participate. 
 
 
What is so amazing and what many do not realize is that over 100 charities will be involved with the Chicago Marathon.  All proceeds go to the charities.  Exactly how much money does the Chicago Marathon … (2 comments)

 

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