Category: Housing trends
Trends affecting prices, architecture, locations, financing and other elements of Chicago houses, townhomes, condominiums, high-rises and single-family homes.
Not so open house – cutting back, shutting down
The market being what it is, we've been hearing reports over the past several months of developers cutting back on the hours that their sales centers [...]
Convenient public transit can be a boon to property owners
About 25 percent of all Americans shopping for a home in the next 20 years will want to live within a half-mile of a public transit stop, and people w [...]

Irish buyers get first crack at Pure2o in Uptown?
Remember the Pure2o teaser that went up in Uptown a couple weeks back? Well, a little digging uncovered a development profile on Castleroc Estates' We [...]
Quote of the day: Fewer redevelopment opportunities in North Side neighborhoods
"These are not neighborhoods where they’re knocking down warehouses and building 50 new units. We don’t have a lot of additional inventory."
- Jeff Lo [...]

Why are home buyers so skittish?
Why aren't more people taking the plunge on a new condominium or townhouse at the moment?
“They think that things may be worse than they are. They [...]
Parking prices for River North's luxury homes
In YoChicago's recent interview with Sharon Rizzo, she discussed the relative scarcity of parking in River North.
At the Park Kingsbury, a 40-unit lo [...]
Comment of the day: Don't overlook the right home at the right time
"On one hand [buyers] hear all the bad national market news. On the other, they lose properties they actual love in multiple offers or by never offeri [...]

And that's a wrap for Motor Row Condominiums' sales center
During a brief sojourn through the South Loop yesterday, I stopped by Motor Row Condominiums' sales center (2300 S Michigan Ave) - or rather, the sh [...]

What does $200k buy in the South Loop?
If you're looking to live in a high-rise, there are just a few options available in the South Loop in the $200,000 price range, according to our new h [...]
Condo tower planned for 2950 N Sheridan in Lake View
According to an article in Crain's, Forman Realty Corp is planning a 19-story condo tower in Lake View, about half a mile north of the Lincoln Park 25 [...]

Remaining stock at 235 Van Buren averages $365 per square foot
Talk about a sharp rendering: This view of the Loop, looking north, shows how 235 Van Buren will fit into the existing skyline.
At Appraisal Resear [...]

Centrum touts St Clair's in-town residences
Most out-of-towners want a second home in the heart of Chicago, says Nathalie Tourre, but few want to spend the time furnishing it.
“They love the id [...]
An overlooked housing statistic
A rush of articles stemmed from yesterday's Appraisal Research Counselors luncheon, including one from the Sun-Times suggesting we prepare for the "gl [...]

Looking back on 2007, 235 Van Buren leads in absorption
I dropped by the Appraisal Research Counselors 2008 Forecast Luncheon today to hear remarks on ARC's upcoming benchmark report.
At the luncheon, Gail [...]
Chicago's seniors threatened by gentrification and rising home costs
Of all the groups threatened by gentrification and soaring mortage payments, senior citizens might be the most at-risk. This singular demographic is t [...]
Chicago builders offer predictions for 2008
They didn't use crystal balls, but a handful of key real estate players from the Lincoln Park Builders of Chicago nonetheless sought to predict the fu [...]

Firebird rolls out rent-to-own program in Rogers Park
We've heard it time and time again from our Realtor friends: Don't throw your money away by renting.
But in today's market, with prices in some nei [...]
Quote of the day: How low can you go?
"It’s almost like a limbo pole that’s almost on the ground and can’t go any lower. This is about it."
- Real-estate consultant Tracy Cross, on report [...]
NYC fund manager bets against housing, nets $3B
Here's our good news / bad news post of the day. Today's Wall Street Journal features a profile writeup on John Paulson, a hedge fund manager who deci [...]
Quote of the day: Kinney takes Spire's sales appointments with a grain of salt
"In this market, for the Spire to get several hundred contracts to move ahead with construction will be difficult. If they introduce 600 units priced [...]