Residential real estate in Chicago showed the largest percentage increase of the year this last quarter. Both single-family home and condo sales are doing better than they have in all of 2011, posting the third straight quarter of gains for the year. The number of home sales in Chicago during…
A newly proposed legislation could help clear up the inventory of unsold homes in the U.S. by helping foreigners obtain visas when they purchase residential properties of $500,000 or more.
Real estate prices for attached properties are showing stabilization from last summer in a few Chicago neighborhoods. . . Chicago is a city of over 170 different neighborhoods. All of which are their own microcosms with their own housing markets and price trends. And whether you are buying orselling a…
The spring selling season revealed improvements in home sale prices in many major cities across the U.S. Including Chicago, which had one of the biggest price inclines from June to July. July marked another month of positive price gains forresidential real estate, according to the latest Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller Home Price…
Challenging your property taxes just got way easier. Cook County now allows homeowners to appeal tax bills online. This is huge because before you had to go to the assessor’s office and submit paperwork in person. Available for the first time in early September, the new system makes it much…
With mortgage interest rates hitting a new all-time low, applications for home loans and refinances are on the rise. Last week, homebuyers could get a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with an interest rate of 4.09% (the lowest ever on record). However, economists forecast a gradual climb in rates throughout the remainder of the…
Whether you live in a big city neighborhood or a small suburban subdivision, it is smart to take measures to secure your home against theft and burglaries. Check out this list of things to do for a safer, more secure Chicago home or condo. 1. Always lock and deadbolt your doors, whether…
Nationwide, the number of purchase contracts in July 2011 increased 14.4% from the same month in 2010. This update comes from the new Pending Home Sales Index released by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) at the end of August. In the Midwest, pending home sales jumped 18.8% from July…
Chicago-area home sales in July went up 19.2% from the same month in 2010. It’s the first time we’ve seen this type of residential real estate sales improvement in over a year. According to data released by the Illinois Association of Realtors this week, a total of 6,625 housing units…
A new offer was announced today from Freddie Mac’s HomeSteps real estate sales division. It gives eligible condo buyers up to $1,500 to pay for condo association fees. This “Condo Cash” incentive is a limited-time deal that is only available for 3 months. News of the condo buyer’s special was…
It was a busy spring for the U.S. housing market. A real estate report released last week that compares quarterly activity revealed nationwide home prices increased in the second quarter, with the Midwest experiencing the biggest gains. New data from market valuation firm Clear Capital showed a notable improvement in…
Many Chicago homebuyers are finding deals in foreclosed condos and condos in short sale situations. Before putting in an offer, there are certain things you should learn about any distressed property you want to buy. Here’s what foreclosure specialists suggest. . . What’s the state of the condo association? This…
There are those homeowners who love cubbyholes and nooks, and then there are those who admire clean lines, open space and modern edge. If the latter describes what you’re looking for, then take a drive by 4511 North Wolcott in Ravenswood.
When you crave natural light and luxuriously open indoor spaces, a typical cubbyhole condo simply won’t do. If you’re looking for a high-class home that lets the outdoors in, visit the exquisite corner townhome at 2701 N. Greenview.
Are you the king (or queen) of home entertaining? Looking for a new home that inspires a little zen? Then you owe yourself a tour of 3117 North Hoyne in LakeView.
Been daydreaming about a Chicago condo by the lake? If you’ve been on the hunt for a waterfront property that’s the right size and the right price, then take a look at studio unit 704 at 3600 Lake Shore Drive. The Real Value This studio is an attractively updated space…