Category: Columnists
Downtown market adjusting to slower pace, rolling out fewer condominium developments
Housing Watch
Slow but steady may be the mantra for downtown Chicago’s new-construction condo market this year.
During the first half of 2007, 14 [...]
National housing slump continues, but interest rates stay at historic lows
City Homes
At the halfway point of 2007, experts are still trying to figure out if the nation’s housing slump is on its way to becoming a bust.
Th [...]
Tight "owner's envelope," construction make for quiet high-rise condos
New Construction Corner
Robert Frost wrote, “Good fences make good neighbors.”
I think most homeowners would agree. The aphorism (from Frost’s 191 [...]
Before you buy, make sure your home inspector zeroes in on common areas
New Construction Corner
If you're buying a condo, you're not just buying a home. You're also taking on financial responsibility for the whole bu [...]
Stock of unsold new units high downtown, but few completed condos are sitting empty
City Homes
Despite gloomy rumors of unsold condominium units sitting empty downtown, there currently are only 177 new-construction high-rise condos [...]
Downtown builders get creative to stand out in buyers' market
Housing Watch
So far, 2007 does not appear poised to break any records for new-home sales, but the market looks fairly healthy. Sales at downtown c [...]
How to choose a home inspector – and make sure he’s on your side
New Construction Corner
Buying residential real estate tends to be an adversarial process. The professionals involved – real estate agents, m [...]
2016 Olympics development could change face of Chicago's game – 16-inch softball
City Homes
Chicago, a world-class city, is buzzing about the possibility of hosting the 2016 Olympics and the real estate development boom that wou [...]
From faulty flashing to lousy lumber, watch for construction problems that cost
New Construction Corner
Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood has a rich cultural history and some wonderful housing stock. The quality of new constru [...]
An odd adjustment – housing market shaky despite good economy, mortgage rates
City Homes
Benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgages are holding steady near the 6 percent mark this spring, but the housing market is still shaky, leav [...]
Oversupplied condo market may squeeze investors when their "babies" are delivered
City Homes
Fewer than 300 new condominiums were completed and still on the market in downtown Chicago at the end of 2006, but the inventory of unso [...]
Energy-efficient appliances, materials kind to the environment – and your wallet
New Contruction Corner
Developers and buyers in the market for new homes have started to realize the benefits of energy-efficient appliances and ma [...]
City homes
Lifestyle developments offer retail, spa amenities and woodsy retreats
In the search for a dream condo or single-family home, buyers carefully weig [...]
New construction corner
Take advantage of buyer's market to negotiate high-quality finishes
Market times have grown in Chicago during the last year, and the consensus seem [...]
Housing watch
New-home sales slowed slightly but still hit record levels in 2006
Despite talk of a housing bubble, the downtown Chicago residential real estate m [...]
City homes
Historically low interest rates may spur housing market in 2007Â
The roller-coaster mortgage market likely will stay in the 6 to 6.5 percent range [...]
New construction corner
Loft buyers should not take the roofs over their heads for granted
Nothing beats a loft for rustic, romantic appeal. Dedicated loft lovers swoon ov [...]
City Homes
Careful staging, pricing lure buyers during winter months, slower market
by Don DeBat
If you are hoping to sell your home before the snow falls fo [...]
Housing Watch
Condo conversions shift to suburbs, as Millennium Park boosts city sales
by Gail Lissner
During 2006, condominium conversion activity shifted dram [...]
New construction corner
Avoid common household hazards for happy holiday season in your home
by Tom Corbett
The holiday season is the time to take a break and enjoy the c [...]