Not surprising that I see a ton of vacant houses these days. Not just foreclosures and short sales, but sellers who have bought something else, relocated for work, or who have just plain skipped out.
I guess if you think about it, any time the homeowner leaves - the house is vacant. Please Rob Me has an interesting take on the vacant house and social media conundrum. MSNBC also weighs in.
On another note, my wife and I love Dwell magazine. Not sure we could live in all the spaces or be that neat and organized, but the photos are pretty amazing. Unhappy Hipsters gives a nice little twist on them.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Movie Real Estate
In the interest of disclosure, my wife is an actress. We met at a show a few years ago - I think I've touched on this but maybe not.
It's rare that she enjoys hearing about real estate, she being more interested in what Kate Hudson wore at the Globes. This past Sunday was a different story though as the Trib has a piece on famous houses.
We all know the Ferris Bueller house, the Home Alone house, the Christmas Story house (in Ohio people not here). Do you know the house for the Realtor commercial, Qwest Communications, Batman locations, Crate and Barrel catalogue shoot? Kate Levinson does. She's the location scout that finds them. Sounds like a pretty fun job.
My wife, Angela, has been in a few of them. She agrees with the comments that one of the best perks is the food. These sets cater a ton of food. I'm guessing all the houses are nice - but when I get text like "What's a 5 bedroom Single Family in Bucktown go for?" I know it's really nice.
It's rare that she enjoys hearing about real estate, she being more interested in what Kate Hudson wore at the Globes. This past Sunday was a different story though as the Trib has a piece on famous houses.
We all know the Ferris Bueller house, the Home Alone house, the Christmas Story house (in Ohio people not here). Do you know the house for the Realtor commercial, Qwest Communications, Batman locations, Crate and Barrel catalogue shoot? Kate Levinson does. She's the location scout that finds them. Sounds like a pretty fun job.
My wife, Angela, has been in a few of them. She agrees with the comments that one of the best perks is the food. These sets cater a ton of food. I'm guessing all the houses are nice - but when I get text like "What's a 5 bedroom Single Family in Bucktown go for?" I know it's really nice.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Sunday Open House
It's the first open house for the year - and the first one for my new listing.
It's a great property - 3 bed 2.1 bath, fenced yard, and only two units in the building.
1-4 pm today. I'll be there. Come casual. No need to dress up.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Duplex Up in Logan Square
Smart sellers are getting their homes on the market early this spring market. Here are some shots of a great duplex up.
The master bedroom is huge and has all the goods in the master bath.
The kitchen splits the separate dining room and living room. It's some space.
Saturday, January 09, 2010
Condo Hunting - Walk to Wrigley
First and foremost, as an Alabama native let me say Roll Tide. Feels good to be back on top of the football world.
Today, I'm back in the car with clients from the fall. They are looking for a two bed, hopefully two bath condo, with some vintage details, but updated kitchens and baths. We looked in the fall in hopes of taking advantage of the First Time Home Buyer Credit, but frankly, we couldn't get our act together fast enough. The credit was extended, but then the holidays came in and here we are. Six weeks later, we're in a great position to buy as there are several new listings on the market.
My clients do not drive, so they have to be close to the Red Line. They would also love to be able to walk to Wrigley. We've realized that Southport Corridor might be tough for the price, but we might be able to swing the south end of Uptown.
The wife is an actress so we get to talk about the Uptown Theaters. There's a nice little storefront theatre scene in Uptown. National Pastime produces a full season but the most noise comes out of Profiles Theatre. Great season - you've got to be willing to see some challenging work - but well worth it. They're doing one of my favorites soon - Killer Joe. It's one of the early pieces by Steppenwolf's own Tracy Letts - and being from the South - it hits a little close to home. Get your tickets soon as it's a small space and it's good.
Again. Roll Tide. Bet they didn't have this weather in Pasadena.
Today, I'm back in the car with clients from the fall. They are looking for a two bed, hopefully two bath condo, with some vintage details, but updated kitchens and baths. We looked in the fall in hopes of taking advantage of the First Time Home Buyer Credit, but frankly, we couldn't get our act together fast enough. The credit was extended, but then the holidays came in and here we are. Six weeks later, we're in a great position to buy as there are several new listings on the market.
My clients do not drive, so they have to be close to the Red Line. They would also love to be able to walk to Wrigley. We've realized that Southport Corridor might be tough for the price, but we might be able to swing the south end of Uptown.
The wife is an actress so we get to talk about the Uptown Theaters. There's a nice little storefront theatre scene in Uptown. National Pastime produces a full season but the most noise comes out of Profiles Theatre. Great season - you've got to be willing to see some challenging work - but well worth it. They're doing one of my favorites soon - Killer Joe. It's one of the early pieces by Steppenwolf's own Tracy Letts - and being from the South - it hits a little close to home. Get your tickets soon as it's a small space and it's good.
Again. Roll Tide. Bet they didn't have this weather in Pasadena.
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Welcome Back and Chicago Realtor Update
Happy New Year to all.
In looking back at the blog its been 13 or so months since I last posted. That's not good.
As an update in the last year both personally and market wise:
I asked a wonderful woman to marry me - she said yes.
She planned a great wedding in less than five months and we had a blast.
We're working on selling our house. Check back soon if you want a Lakeview one bedroom condo with lake and city views.
The First Time Home Buyer tax credit enabled me to work with several first time home buyers. It was extended and expanded to include "Move up buyers."
Foreclosures stuck around. That's not news to people, but they're going to be here in 2010 too. I have no problem working on foreclosures, short sales are a roll of the dice though.
The good news about foreclosures being around is that the market is low. Gold Coast 2 and three beds for 500K. Sounds like a deal.
To sum it up, 2009 was a good year. It takes a lot to keep contracts between buyers and sellers together, but most of the time it works out.
As always, you can Search the MLS here!
In looking back at the blog its been 13 or so months since I last posted. That's not good.
As an update in the last year both personally and market wise:
I asked a wonderful woman to marry me - she said yes.
She planned a great wedding in less than five months and we had a blast.
We're working on selling our house. Check back soon if you want a Lakeview one bedroom condo with lake and city views.
The First Time Home Buyer tax credit enabled me to work with several first time home buyers. It was extended and expanded to include "Move up buyers."
Foreclosures stuck around. That's not news to people, but they're going to be here in 2010 too. I have no problem working on foreclosures, short sales are a roll of the dice though.
The good news about foreclosures being around is that the market is low. Gold Coast 2 and three beds for 500K. Sounds like a deal.
To sum it up, 2009 was a good year. It takes a lot to keep contracts between buyers and sellers together, but most of the time it works out.
As always, you can Search the MLS here!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
No Man's Land in the Chicago Condo Mortgage Market
Rates dropped today. Got an email from lenders all over the place saying that conforming loans hit 5.5%. That's great news for a down market.
I was dealing with a contractor at my house today when the email hit the phone. We began discussing rates, and he asked what that does for him. I asked if he's conforming and if so then he should call one of the multiple mortgage guys that emailed me today.
He looked at me and asked what conforming means. Now I'm NOT a lender or mortgage broker, but conforming generally means if Fannie and Freddie will buy your loan and that generally means you have to be under the magic 417K number.
Apparently he's not so that ended our discussion. I do have a lot of buyers who need a place over 417K. It is becoming a problem for them to get a loan. Russ Martin, of Perl Mortgage, explains why non-conforming loans have become No Man's Land.
I was dealing with a contractor at my house today when the email hit the phone. We began discussing rates, and he asked what that does for him. I asked if he's conforming and if so then he should call one of the multiple mortgage guys that emailed me today.
He looked at me and asked what conforming means. Now I'm NOT a lender or mortgage broker, but conforming generally means if Fannie and Freddie will buy your loan and that generally means you have to be under the magic 417K number.
Apparently he's not so that ended our discussion. I do have a lot of buyers who need a place over 417K. It is becoming a problem for them to get a loan. Russ Martin, of Perl Mortgage, explains why non-conforming loans have become No Man's Land.
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