Category: Columnists

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Gail Lissner: Condo development trends see a change of pace

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 [...]
1 2 3 7 20 / 135 POSTS