Chitownproperty

The Chicago Tribune’s architecture critic, Blair Kamin, reviewed the new park on Adams and Sangamon in the West Loop. With its geometric pattern, misting archways, hills, and state of the art playground, it’s one of the most exciting new parks in the city.

From the same folks who brought you Center Square Journal, Roscoe View Journal is a new hyperlocal news site focused on the Chicago neighborhoods of Roscoe Village and West Lakeview. Check out both of them for community-level news on events, dining, nightlife, local politics, and more.

Three bedroom, one-level condo in Lakeview

Price: $419,900
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Situated in a prime Lakeview location, this large, three bedroom, one level condo has an oversized terrace off the living room, perfect for entertaining. Built in a two-year-old, all-brick building, the unit has the finest finishes throughout, including cherry hardwood floors, crown molding, beautiful natural stone in the baths and a true chef’s kitchen, with a breakfast bar overlooking the spacious living/dining room that can accommodate oversized furniture and a true dining room set-up. The three bedrooms are spacious, including a very large master with its own private deck and luxurious master bath with double vanity, separate shower and whirlpool tub. A two car tandem parking spot and extra storage are included. This home is centrally located in Lakeview, close to Roscoe Village, and two blocks to the train and the neighborhood Whole Foods.

Continue reading ’1720 W. Belmont’

Mortgage rates are still at historical lows, and haven’t started to rise like many analysts predicted when the government ended its home buyer tax credit program. The European credit crisis held off increases for a while, but how much longer can rates stay this low? It’s a tough call, and even the experts are hesitant to say. “[I]t’s hard to see how rates might go much lower for very long,” Mark Zandi, the chief economist of Moody’s Analytics, told the New York Times. “Once the recovery gains a bit of traction, rates will rise,” he said.

In his always excellent Deal Estate column, Chicago Magazine’s Dennis Rodkin reports on the surprising boom in luxury condos downtown. While the condo market around most of the city has been down, 40 condos have been sold for $2 million or more downtown through May of this year. Part of the reason is that people who can afford such places weren’t hurt as much by the recession, and are ready to strike a deal. But Rodkin also explains that it’s simple timing:

What’s driving the sales? To update an old real-estate adage: timing, timing, timing. Many of these new elite homeowners made their decision to buy several years ago, while buildings were under construction or still in the planning stage—and before the recession punctured the real-estate boom. With those condo towers now ready for residents, the folks who agreed years ago to buy are finally inking the deals.

Normally we wouldn’t be happy with a listing that sat on the market for years, but in this case we might make an exception. Check out these pictures of JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon’s home in the Gold Coast. He hasn’t lived there since 2004, and originally put it on the market for $13.5 million. Current price tag: a bargain at $9.5 million.

If you’re in the West Loop this weekend, you may be wondering about all the commotion and the kids in the skinny jeans. It’s the Pitchfork Music Festival, the lesser-known of Chicago’s two major summer concerts (after Lollapalooza) at Union Park on Lake and Ashland. Between that and filming for Transformers 3 downtown this weekend, CTA trains and buses may be a mess. Plan accordingly, and stay out of the heat!

Two bedroom condo in heart of West Loop

Price: $315,000 + 30K parking
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Welcome home to one of the West Loop’s most centrally located and sought after buildings. This highly up-graded and spacious 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo has gleaming hardwood floors, 10 ½ ft ceilings, and tons of light. A true chef’s kitchen is finished with cherry cabinets, stainless appliances, granite counters which extend to a full height backsplash, under cabinet lighting, and a large island for entertaining. Both large bedrooms boast many closets and the bathrooms are finished with beautiful marble– the master is all-inclusive with double vanity, ample storage space, and walk-in shower. The spacious living room, which has enough space for a full dining room set-up, includes a gas fireplace, surround sound, and a full wall of windows. A north facing balcony, which is the perfect size for a grill, table & chairs, completes the package. This unit comes with a full storage cage on the same floor as the condo and a, prime, first floor, garage parking space for $30K. This professionally managed building also has a work-out facility, sun deck and Starbucks.

Continue reading ’1001 W. Madison #407′

Vintage East Lakeview beauty

Price: $250,000 + 25K parking & 5K credit
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Welcome home to this East Lakeview, vintage beauty with deeded garage parking. This extra-wide, condo is surrounded with huge picture windows overlooking the lush tree-lined street, just steps from the beach and all this desirable area offers. A formal entryway welcomes you to this condo and leads you into a spacious and bright living and dining room with hardwood floors and generous ceiling height. The quaint kitchen is set off to the side in its original form and can easily be opened up to create a more luxurious space – for which a credit is being offered. The hardwood floors extend into both large bedrooms, with great vintage details. Larger than most of the competition, this condo feels more like a home; and it is in a professionally managed building with strong reserves. Coin laundry and ample storage are located in the lower level of the building. These sellers own one of only a few parking garage spots ($25K), premium to this area. You will be wowed by the space!!!

Continue reading ’429 W. Wellington #2A’

We love our clients at Chitownproperty, and it means so much to us when we can help them find the perfect home or sell their place when it’s time to move. We’ve begun gathering feedback and have posted some testimonials here on the site. Thanks everyone!

Coldwell Banker’s home mortgage affiliate, PHH Home loans, is offering a chance to lock in a mortgage rate for 90 days before you start shopping for a home. Click on the image to download a flyer with more details.

Charming Ravenswood single-family home

Price: $549,900
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This beautiful home sits on an extra large 30 X 153 lot that allows for a wider home, big family room off the kitchen and a REAL yard! The front porch w/ swing, charming foyer & built-in hutch welcome you into this charming and well cared for home. The living and dining rooms are larger and brighter than you’ll find in most homes. The updated eat-in kitchen opens to fantastic family room which steps out to a landscaped patio and yard. There are three bedrooms upstairs and a downstairs playroom. Located on a quiet one way street in desirable Ravenswood/Lincoln Square steps from parks, restaurants, and transportation.

Continue reading ’4325 N. Wolcott’

This great post at Design Sponge shows how color isn’t just about the paint on the walls. You can spice up a room with little pops of color in the furniture and decor, like that red teakettle in the picture.

Chitownproperty now has a Facebook page, where you can get more updates, photos, leave comments, and communicate with our team. Stop by, we really want you to “like” us!

Warmer weather may have you thinking about sprucing up your home and cleaning out some of the junk that accumulated over the winter. But we’re often afraid to tackle organizing projects because they seem so daunting. Who has time to time to declutter the whole house?

Unclutterer, a site we love about streamlining the stuff in your life, suggests breaking up these projects into bite-sized chunks that can be finished in a few minutes. Don’t try to declutter the whole house, just focus on putting away all the toys, throwing out just the old magazines, etc. After a few days, all those little tasks add up to a lot.