Chitownproperty

Fireplaces have become a popular home feature to remodel, particularly because they make such a statement as the focal point of a room. This article includes easy tips for quick fireplace makeovers.

Former US Housing Secretary Henry Cisneros and a group of investors have secured 6.5 acres in Pilsen for a major home development project. The lot, extending about a block each way along Peoria from 16th to 18th street, would feature 391 homes. Cisneros wants to create “work force housing” in the area, taking advantage of the popularity of the area stemming from interest in the University Commons and University Village developments. The homes would range from $250,000 to $700,000, but on average would cost about $325,000, well below neighboring units. The group would also designate 82 of the homes as affordable housing.

Construction has finally begun on Block 37 in downtown Chicago. Well, a few shovelfuls of dirt have been excavated at least. Mayor Daley and a host of CBS 2 luminaries hosted a glitzy groundbreaking ceremony for the long-awaited but often-delayed development on the block bordered by Randolph and Washington, State and Dearborn. CBS 2 has confirmed that it will move its headquarters to a new building on the block, which will also feature a new CTA station connecting both airports, a hotel, retail space, and a 300-unit residential building.

Chicago’s downtown housing market leads the nation, as the downtown population jumped by a third over the past decade. A report by the Brookings Institution in Washington shows that as of 2000, over 72,000 people lived in the immediate downtown area, not even including the latest wave of development in the South Loop and Streeterville in the last five years. Forty percent of these residents own their homes.

If you’re thinkng about a new home in the spring, the time to check your credit rating–and begin fixing problems you may uncover–is right now.

What defines luxury homes is a combination of price and high-end features, many of which will find their way into the standard options of less-expensive homes in years to come.

More buyers are hanging on to their first homes for a source of income.

The most effective way to keep down the noise in your house is to sound-proof walls between common areas.

Builders struggle to keep up with trends in technology and design homes that factor in the latest must-have items, like flat-screen televisions.

Deciding whether to remodel your home or simply tear it down and rebuild on your lot from scratch requires serious research up front.

Remember that scary story about how a Congressional commission recommended taking away tax breaks for mortgage interest and local property taxes? Well don’t get too scared yet. Illinois Rep. Jerry Weller (R), says he and six other Republicans have enough support to kill the proposal if it ever comes up for debate.

The Chicago Tribune posted a great tool online today for finding your neighborhood schools’ test scores and ratings. You can search for specific grade schools or high schools by name or view ranking breakdowns on the Illinois Standards Achievement Test, reading tests, and math tests.

From the Sun-Times, an excellent step-by-step guide to stopping pesky window and door leaks by adding a piece of metal flashing to the seal.

Just how much has the Chicago real estate market changed in the last 20 years?

The best way to increase your home’s value is often just a little elbow grease.