Chicago Real Estate Blog

Dream Town Site Gives Buyers Search Capabilities Previously Available Only to Realtors

With the launching of Dream Town’s next generation Web site, home buyers and sellers have access to a whole new world of real estate search tools and online resources, never before available to consumers.

Posted at 09:36AM Feb 27, 2008 by Spencer Mason in General  |  Comments[0]

On the Fence about Whether to Buy a Home?

These days there is a lot of uncertainty in the housing market that is causing buyers to hesitate. People speculate whether prices will fall further and wonder if it’s a good idea to purchase in a down market. These are legitimate concerns that are justified and understandable. But when you step back for a second to lay out all the facts, you might find yourself surprised by the advantageous situation buyers have right now.

Posted at 04:37PM Feb 25, 2008 by Spencer Mason in General  |  Comments[0]

Homebuyers Want Energy Efficient Homes

Already this year we’ve witnessed an increased interest among Realtors who are seeing a shift in what homebuyers are looking for. Suddenly, buyers are factoring in energy efficiency when searching for a property. People want a home that will help them save money on utility bills with high-efficiency windows, water-conserving appliances, well-insulated infrastructure, and heating & cooling systems that uses less energy to run.

Posted at 09:16AM Feb 22, 2008 by Spencer Mason in General  |  Comments[0]

Real Estate Numbers Up in Some Chicago Neighborhoods

Large cities often experience major differences in home sales depending on which part of the city you’re in. Like a microcosm of the entire country, a single urban center is made up of hot and cold real estate zones. Chicago is no stranger to this phenomenon and recent accounts have determined just which neighborhoods are selling the best in this Midwestern metropolis.

Posted at 01:14PM Feb 13, 2008 by Spencer Mason in General  |  Comments[0]

Close Before April 1 and Pay Less in Real Estate Transfer Tax

By now you’re probably aware that the real estate transfer tax increase was approved by city alderman this past week to alleviate the CTA money crunch. The revised law raises the tax amount homebuyers pay on their new Chicago property by $3 to $10.50 per $1,000 of the sale price. The change will not go into effect until April 1, so many buyers are pushing up their purchasing plans to close before the higher tax is implemented.

Posted at 09:13AM Feb 12, 2008 by Spencer Mason in General  |  Comments[0]

EEMs – What are They?

On the tails of an ever-growing green movement, some financial institutions are acknowledging the trend with special home loans known as Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEM). The basis behind an EEM is to make qualifying for a loan easier for barrowers who want to buy a house/condo with certain eco-friendly aspects or improvements that result in a more energy efficient home.

Posted at 02:45PM Feb 05, 2008 by Spencer Mason in General  |  Comments[0]

Green Home Appliances Save Energy and Money

Your daily habits can affect how much energy you use in your home, but having green appliances can make a considerable difference in the amount of electricity, gas and water your household consumes. There are a number of manufacturers turning out specialized energy-saving products and major home appliances these days, so you have your pick of brands to go with. But here are some of the general rules of thumb when shopping for the most effective energy-conserving domestic devices…

Posted at 12:43PM Feb 01, 2008 by Spencer Mason in General  |  Comments[0]