The Chicago 77

Many buildings in Chicago that have 12 or fewer units are self-managed. If you live in such a condominium building, you will understand the question: “To self-manage or not to self-manage??

14 September 2009 ? As Chicago awaits the October 2, 2009 announcement of the decision of the International Olympic Committee, 2nd Ward Alderman Robert Fioretti addressed the Chicago Association of Realtors Government Affairs Committee on Friday. Alderman Fioretti spoke about the unique opportunity the 2016 Olympic games would present for the City of Chicago: 300,000 […]

Chicago-area home sales are slightly up in July compared to July ’08, the first year-over-year increase in over 3 years, as reported by the Illinois Association of Realtors. The graph below more accurately shows the details. [TABLE=10] Price Disconnect Between Buyers & Sellers The stats are indicative of how the market is responding. August has […]

Finally Home, a mortgage program designed to help Illinois residents buy a home or keep their existing homes from going into foreclosure, changed a key guideline that will allow more Chicago home buyers and home owners to take advantage this state program. The program raised the qualifying average median income (AMI) from 115% to 150%. […]

June marked the fifth consecutive month-on-month increase in home sales statewide, including Chicago. It was the fourth monthly increase in the statewide median home sale price. In a release issued by the Illinois Association of Realtors®, association President Pat Callen says, “We are moving through inventories and that?s a good sign for the Illinois housing […]

20 July 2009 ? This week the incoming leadership of regional chapters of the National Association of Realtors will be meeting in Oak Brook, Illinois. Presenters will include Stefan Swanepoel recognized as the leading visionary on real estate trends and John Tuccillo, John Tuccillo & Associates, one of the foremost real estate economists in the […]

The Up We are seeing the continuation of a trend that seems hopeful. According the Illinois Association of Realtors® home sales in Chicago for April 2009 were up when compared to March 2009 by 16.7 percent. There were 1,378 home sold in April as compared to 1,181 in March. This seems to reflect the time […]

At a dinner On May 21, the Chicago Association of Realtors presented the 2009 Good Neighbor Award winners. As I saw the recipients walk to the podium to receive their awards, the words of the evening?s emcee kept running through my head. In his remarks, Brian Bernardoni the Government Affairs Director for the Association said, […]

One of the most common questions I get from people (or at least I get a quizzical look) is what?s the difference between an agent, a broker, and a REALTOR®. This usually happens when they realize I?m using the words differently. For example, ?The agent?s broker told her she had to be a Realtor® in […]

Condos in All Shapes and Sizes…But They All Have Associations We all know that the major type of property changing hands and being built in the city of Chicago is Property Type-2.  The formal term is Single Family Attached and what most people call a condominium or townhouse.  With condominiums you will more than likely […]

There’s a lot to love about a new building: the smell of fresh paint, the gleam of new stainless steel appliances, the anticipation of waiting for the cardboard protecting the walls of the elevator to be taken down so you can finally see what’s behind it, the excitement of people wearing hardhats carrying blueprints around […]

I live in a fee-simple town home. Last night the officers of the association had a meeting, and whether I like it or not, I had to go because I’m the president. What? If you understand why this is weird, read on. If you don’t understand why this is weird, read on. Fee simple is […]