Archive for December, 2006



Buyers commonly request home warranties in today’s market, as a way of squeezing one more concession out of eager sellers. But not every warranty is the same, so you need to read the fine print before assuming that your expenses will be covered for the first year in your new home.
Warranties on existing homes [...]

Most Profitable Renovations

CNN is reporting this year’s list of most profitable home renovation projects. The top two, outdoor siding replacements, may not have much relevance for Chicago buyers in the condo market, but it’s a good option for those with single-family homes. Siding replacements recouped an average of 87-88% of their cost. Window replacements [...]

Return to Normal

If you own real estate or are in the market for a new home, no doubt you’ve paid attention to — and been slightly frightened by — the recent news that median prices and sales numbers have dropped significantly for the first time in years. But as this Tribune editorial by Kenneth Harney points [...]