Chitownproperty

From this week’s Chicago Tribune real estate section, a look at how people actually live, regardless of how fantastically a builder or architect might present the home.

“Life is messy, and most houses can’t handle it,” [Builder Magazine] said in a feature on the “Reality House,” a show home based in part on the researcher’s findings.

Stacks of newspapers were piled in corners. Kitchen counters were strewn with mail, book bags, appliances and, of course, homework. Makeshift home offices were crammed with computers, copiers and other office machines.

Unfortunately it seems, the prettiest materials and details get hidden as life accumulates. Most homeowners interviewed by the magazine said they would gladly give up some of the floor space in living rooms and master suites for more storage.

From the New York Times this week, Americans poured a record amount of money into home remodeling projects, but even experts can’t predict how much value that money spent adds to a home. Kermit Baker, a senior research fellow at the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard, said that said researchers at the Harvard center “threw up their hands” after trying to determine the return on investment of remodeling projects. Studies that project return on investment can only measure national or regional values, and the return on remodeling jobs can often hinge on the markets at the neighborhood level. The real key is to value remodeling projects by the enjoyment you derive from them, and not for their financial return.

Logan Square two-flat

Price: $409,900
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Great two flat on a quaint street in the heart of Logan Square. Two bedroom, one bath up-dated units. Improvements include: new kitchens, baths, heating systems, windows, water heaters, landscaped yard, appliances, gutters, privacy fence… too much to list. Tremendous vintage charm that has been carefully preserved. The owners currently occupy both units, but previously the owners occupied the top floor unit with the first floor as a rental investment. The basement is unfinished with tremendous potential. Two car garage. Amazing landscaped yard with a little piece of Chicago history. This is a great investment in a wonderful location. Two blocks to the el.

2 bedroom, 2 bath Lakeview condo

Price: $425,000
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Beautiful extra wide second floor 2 bedroom 2 bathroom condo in desirable Lakeview. The kitchen boasts 42” maple cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and breakfast bar. The master bedroom is spacious with a walk-in closet and stone bath complete with separate shower and whirlpool tub. This home is everything you could want with amazing closet space, hardwood floors throughout, custom paint and windows treatments. One secured parking space is included. This intimate elevator building is within one of the most walkable neighborhoods in Chicago, steps form the lake, el, shopping dining and more.

Huge one bedroom Lakeview loft

Price: $299,900 + $20K parking
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Huge 1,000 square foot, one bedroom loft in a prime Lakeview location. Twenty feet of windows let in tons of light. The unit features a kitchen island, GE appliances, wood-burning fireplace, special UV-resistant tinted windows, custom paint, hardwood floors, and in-unit washer and dryer. Amazing rooftop deck, extra storage included.

The New York Times has a feature today on two highly-anticipated developments in Chicago, the Fordham Spire and 600 North Fairbanks, designed by “starchitects” who are continuing the city’s tradition of ambitous design.

While some consider a full-amenities building, complete with a doorman, to be the height of luxury living, many apparently see a doorman as a negative:

In fact, most doormen would apparently rather live without a doorman even if they could afford it, according to Peter Bearman, a Columbia University sociology professor and author of “Doormen” (University of Chicago Press, 2005), a study of the profession.

The Times article continues by noting that most people opposed to doormen feel that way because they resent the relative lack of privacy, the obligation to make idle chitchat, and added costs, including tipping.

With CBS 2 moving from its current location in Streeterville to new digs at Block 37 (someday), developers have submitted a proposal to the city zoning committee for two new 50-story residential towers. The towers, holding 807 rental apartments, would rise from a shared base featuring shops and offices which the developers, Golub & Co, hope might attract medical groups from Northwestern Hospital.

Two bedroom loft in West Loop’s premier building

Price: $349,900
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Awesome two bedroom, two bathroom concrete loft in premier West Loop building. This unit boasts 10.5’ ceilings. The large and open layout is perfect for entertaining. Custom paint throughout, oak flooring in the living areas and up-graded carpet in the bedrooms. The kitchen has maple cabinets and granite counters. Large dining area that combines with the open living space which includes a gas fireplace and large balcony. Split floorplan. Large master with huge walk-in closet. Spacious master bath with large soaking tub. This condo shows like a model. Full amenity building with 24 hour security, workout facility, business center, on site manager, dry cleaners and parking included.