Is buying a foreclosed Skokie condo a good gamble?
Crain's Chicago Real Estate Daily recently reported on a developer who's in foreclosure – for the second time – on the 70-unit Skokie Gardens Cond [...]
Shoppers can’t find Old Orchard Mall?
The Old Orchard mall and Optima Old Orchard Woods are the most visible sights along the billboard-free, well-landscaped borders of the Edens Expre [...]
Underwater sellers at Optima Old Orchard Woods
Optima Old Orchard Woods is seeing some of the sharp price drops that have plagued suburban condo developments in recent years.
There are curre [...]
Jewish businesses head to Skokie after Jews leave
Skokie Patch is suggesting that Skokie is becoming “the new hub of the Jewish business community,” swiping that designation from Chicago’s Rogers [...]
Twenty percent off 20 units at Optima
A few days ago Joe Zekas stopped by Optima Old Orchard Woods in Skokie earlier today to check in with sales manager Eric Richards. Buyer traffic was [...]
Optima offers 20-percent cuts on 20 units
Bob Russell/Rosenthal has lifted his fair share of news from YoChicago over the years, so I don't feel too bad about stealing one story from him in re [...]
Conventional financing options at Optima Old Orchard Woods in Skokie
Optima's Old Orchard Woods development in Skokie is unusual among today's condo projects in that it's approved for VA, FHA, and Fannie Mae financing [...]
Debunking common mortgage myths
Changes in the market, shifts toward and away different types of mortgages, and a lack of experience with brokers can all create misconceptions in t [...]
What's happening with jumbo loans?
Jumbo loans are loans larger than those that qualify for conforming, FHA, and VA programs -- typically more than $417,000 in today's market. During [...]
The shift to FHA-backed financing
"Three years ago nobody would touch it. Now everybody is clamoring to get it." That's how Joe Zekas opens this segment on FHA-backed loans with Amer [...]
A broker's primer on VA-backed loans
VA-guaranteed loans may be the most misunderstood type of mortgage loan in the market today. Last week Joe Zekas met with American Street Mortgage V [...]
Finding fun and food near Optima
Optima recently posted new aerial photos of its new Skokie development, Optima Old Orchard Woods. In one direction you'll see the Chicago skyline of [...]
The last large penthouse at Old Orchard Woods
About a week ago I stopped at Optima Old Orchard Woods on my way home and asked Andy Zajac what was new. Optima had just opened a model in the last [...]
Skyscraper junkie shoots Optima Old Orchard Woods
Watch the construction of Optima Old Orchard Woods from bare dirt to near-finished product in the video from a talented photographer who goes by the [...]
Walk to shops from Optima Old Orchard Woods
Tara Hovey, a sales associate at Optima Old Orchard Woods, talks about the shops at Old Orchard and some of the other recreational amenities within [...]
The view east from Optima Old Orchard Woods
This shot was taken by Michael Kardas from the 19th floor of Optima Old Orchard Woods in Skokie. The Edens Expressway, Niles North High School and W [...]
An introduction to Optima Old Orchard Woods
Joe Zekas visited Optima Old Orchard Woods in Skokie on a near-perfect sunny afternoon last week and met his tour guide for the day, Tara Hovey. Tar [...]
Chicago's skyline, as seen from Optima Old Orchard Woods in Skokie
It's about 14 miles by road from Optima Old Orchard Woods in Skokie to the Chicago skyline. The skies were clear during Joe Zekas' visit yesterday, [...]
"A skyline all to itself"
Ride with Joe Zekas up the Edens Expressway toward Optima Old Orchard Woods, Optima's tri-tower condo complex at 9645 Woods Dr in Skokie.
As of las [...]
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