Category: Columnists
Downtown condos for $56,000? It happened just 10 years ago…
With all the housing and economic experts gazing into their crystal balls for 2005, now may be a good time to reflect on what was happening in the Chi [...]
Hardwood problems afoot when floors are poorly installed
Hardwood floors are more popular than ever in new construction, and with good reason. They offer buyers versatility and a rich, natural look. With pro [...]
Housing to boom in next decade if home-loan rates are stable
Despite recent fears that housing prices have become artificially inflated and are headed for a crash à la the stock market, experts predict that as [...]
Owners' complaints of condominium noise fall on deaf ears
Angela called this morning looking for a resolution to a common-area problem the association at her 60-year-old building has had for a year now. The a [...]
Downtown Chicago condo market posts strong rebound
Slowed by 9/11 terrorism and a sluggish economy for the past three years, the downtown Chicago condominium market finally is roaring back in 2004, rea [...]
Shortcuts in townhouse building often mean compromised safety
Townhouses are popular because they supply more privacy than condominiums but have lower construction costs than freestanding single-family homes. But [...]
Incentives are luring condominium shoppers to the city
Downtown Chicago home shoppers searching for a deal now have an enticing selection from which to choose. A wide range of incentives is included in the [...]
Top 10 lines new-construction buyers should always take warily
This month's column, culled from actual home inspections, is a list of the top 10 lines buyers of new homes should never take for granted. The process [...]
Adaptive reuse offers innovative homes in historic properties
Whether it's a vintage office building, an old industrial loft property or a historic retail structure, home buyers searching for an innovative in-tow [...]
Smart buyers look for dirty laundry
During a recent seminar for new home buyers, a real estate agent friend of mine introduced me by asking the class a simple question: "What's the purpo [...]
Downtown Chicago condominium market sizzles again
After a couple of years on the back burner, the downtown Chicago condominium market is sizzling again, real estate experts say.
According to Appraisa [...]
Massive developments underway in emerging neighborhoods
Vacant land for future residential development is abundant on Chicago's Near South Side and Near West Side, and with the economy picking up, experts s [...]
Shortcuts in townhouse building often mean compromised safety
Townhouses are popular because they supply more privacy than condominiums but have lower construction costs than freestanding single-family homes. At [...]
Shady repair people can hurt more than your pocketbook
After twenty years of inspecting residential property in Chicago, I have witnessed some bizarre attempts at home repairs. The most unorthodox of these [...]
Better hurry to buy or refinance, home-loan rates are rising again
If you are planning to buy a home this spring, better hurry. With home-loan rates nearing 6 percent, it appears that the best mortgage deals since the [...]
Spring is maintenance time for home buyers and sellers
The fluctuating temperatures of the last month should have been more than a sign to start shopping for swimwear, especially if you plan on selling an [...]
$1 million-plus market for new condominiums thrives in Chicago
Whether you have a paltry $1 million to spend, or as much as $16 million, Chicago's luxury condominium buyers have plenty to ogle these days.
If you [...]
Don't rely on others to protect your interests in home purchase
As with most major purchases, you should expect some repairs or adjustments to a new home once you have taken possession. Sometimes needed repairs are [...]
Can shuttered Cook County Hospital be resuscitated as rehabbed housing?
Old hospital buildings, like the long-term benefits baby boomers once expected from Medicare, seem to be on their way to extinction.
In recent years, [...]
Hidden costs can lurk around doors, windows in new homes
The fact that everything you can see looks good in your new condo or townhouse does not mean that all is well. Two of the places you probably haven't [...]