Chitownproperty

Unclutterer has a great idea for tidying up your kitchen for the holidays: donate all those extra canned goods hiding in the back of the cupboard. The same goes for wardrobes and coat closets too.

We know calling the current tough real estate market a “buyer’s market” sounds like rationalization, Realtors trying their best to put a shine on something that isn’t there, but there are solid reasons for why new buyers can find a good deal now more than ever: “It’s no secret that home buyers can grab real-estate [...]

The New York Times has an interesting Q & A on alternatives to standard hardwood floors. One of the most creative options involves painting designs on the floor rather than installing costly inlays.

Thanks to everyone who has already donated to our virtual food drive for the Greater Chicago Food Depository. We’re already close to $500 so far, so keep it coming. Every little bit helps!

Two bedroom condo in heart of West Loop

Price: $345,000 + 30K parking
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Welcome to the most popular & centrally located building in the West Loop. This highly up-graded, high floor 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo has a split floor plan with 2 fully enclosed bedrooms and in-unit washer and dryer. This home features hardwood floor in the living/dining and kitchen and up-graded carpet in both bedrooms. A beautiful kitchen with cherry, granite and up-graded stainless steal appliances with large island, room for 3 stools. This wide & versatile living space has room for a large dining set-up and boasts 10 ft ceilings, gas fireplace and access to a large balcony with amazing city views. The master suite features 3 closets & a huge master bath with a double bowl vanity and oversized shower. This full amenity building features extra storage, exercise room, doorperson, sun deck, beautiful lobby & Starbucks! A heated garage space for $25K complete this wonderful home.

The Chitownproperty team is hosting a food drive for the Greater Chicago Food Depository again this year. To donate, just visit their website, fill up a shopping cart with food or cash donations, and check out. The drive runs from today through November 22, please join us in spreading the joy of the holiday season. [...]

Apartment Therapy touches on a novel idea: sprucing up your place without buying a thing. Their list includes a couple so-obvious-I-can’t-believe-I-didn’t-think-of-it-myself ideas, but some simple decluttering and organizing can make a world of difference in a room without setting you back one penny.

Okay, we could kick ourselves for mentioning holiday anything this early, but Dwell’s Holiday Gift Guide is online now, featuring dozens of ultra-modern and stylish gift ideas for your home.

The Tribune also has a nice roundup of costs for common upgrades and premium finishes.

If you work out of a home office, the IRS lets you deduct a percentage of your home’s total expenses, based on the size of the office. But the office has to meet a certain “regular and exclusive” criteria, meaning it must be primarily used for work, not just part time duty. More from the [...]

Looking to use some indirect lighting in your place, but you can’t install cans or don’t have room for a lampshade? Check out this crown bulb, a light bulb with one end coated in an opaque silver, so that it reflects light back toward the fixture.