Category: Columnists
Gail Lissner: Condo development trends see a change of pace
The residential development trends in downtown Chicago are undergoing a transformation, as record numbers of new condominium units are completing cons [...]
DeBat: Uncle Sam’s housing stimulus applauded by buyers and Realtors
Homeowners with roofs over their heads are applauding Congress’ passage of a housing stimulus bill as the most important legislation affecting real es [...]
Skosey: True tab for dream home includes transportation costs
When most people shop for a home, their minds are on financing and floor plans, not the details of their daily commute. They’ll look up the local scho [...]
DeBat: Cook County borrowers now protected against future home-loan fraud
With “Operation Malicious Mortgage” in full swing, predatory lenders are now focused in the crosshairs of the Department of Justice and the Federal Bu [...]
DeBat: Summer brings great selection and prices, higher mortgage rates
The forecast for summer house-hunting in the Chicago area is pretty clear: The market has some of the best selection of well-priced, new and resale ho [...]
Lissner: Buyers taking a “wait and see” approach to home decisions
Buyers are continuing to wait on the sidelines so far in 2008, although there are some very enticing opportunities for buyers with good credit. A decr [...]
Skosey: Bus rapid transit plan puts a glimmer in developers’ eyes
Recently, Mayor Richard Daley and the Chicago Transit Authority made news by accepting a $153 million grant from the US Department of Transportation t [...]
Foreign investors pulling Chicago condo market out of slump
Foreign investment and financing dollars from countries such as Ireland, Germany, China and Kuwait may be the muscle that pulls Chicago’s new-construc [...]
Location the driving force behind home price gains
Despite the gloomy national survey reports on falling property values that show lower home prices in 77 markets, prices of residences rose in 73 marke [...]
Transforming neighborhoods through the power of place-making
In 2005, Dave Marcucci of Mississauga, a city in Ontario, Canada, decided his neighborhood needed a change. After surveying his block, he noticed ther [...]
Convenient public transit can be a boon to property owners
By Peter Skosey
Think about the places where you’ve lived. Aside from your apartment or house, what do you remember most? Chances are, the surroundin [...]
Overhaul needed for Cook County’s property tax system
By Don DeBat
With Chicago homeowners reeling from the largest property tax increase in the city’s history, it may be time to consider an overhaul of [...]
Expect few new announcements in 2008 as developers move existing product
By Gail Lissner
Home pricing in the Chicago market has been holding up well through November 2007, based on the S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index [...]
Outlook 2008: Affordable mortgages, strong rental and retail markets
The home front
Looking forward into 2008, a group of veteran Chicago developers, brokers, lenders and investors see a gradual recovery coming for som [...]
Lakefront buildings may be popular, but they take a beating from climate
New Construction Corner
The lake is Chicago’s hottest amenity – homes with waterfront access or views are invariably among the city’s priciest. But [...]
In slower market, it pays to realize houses are more than money machines
City Homes
The American dream of buying a single-family home once was all about enjoying family life – raising kids, baking apple pie or sitting by a [...]
Sleek, modern architecture not only hip, it can help home inspectors at work
New Construction Corner
Home inspectors devote much of their time to divining what lies beneath a building’s surfaces, looking for clues that water [...]
Handful of downtown condo projects are silver lining in overcast housing market
City Homes
It is likely that 2007 will go down in history as the year of gloom and doom in real estate, with headlines dominated by reports of fall [...]
Narrow your search for a new home: do your own basic home inspection
New Construction Corner
If you’re shopping for new construction, chances are you’ve been to countless sales centers and open houses, trying to narr [...]
Developer sells 80 condos in one hour using discounts, PDAs and Greek meal
City Homes
Launching a development in today’s slower real estate market requires some creativity. To kick off sales at 200 North Dearborn Private R [...]