West Loop Dog Friendly Condo with Dog Run!!!

Welcome to affordable living in the West Loop !

Absolutely stunning new construction residence in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood. Retail at street level and restaurants, nightlife, shopping, coffee shops, bars, theaters, expressway and more all nearby. “Very Walkable” Walk Score of 89/100. Visit www.WestLoopChicagoCondos.com

Bright, contemporary and open west facing residence with soaring 10-foot ceilings and floor to ceiling windows. Large functional kitchen with eat-in island and large open living area with adjoining dining area for guests with adjoining powder room. In addition, this residence comes with an office/den with floor to ceiling windows and full west exposure with storage closet. Large private master retreat with walk-in closet and beautiful limestone tile and large vanity. Private open-air balcony looking out over the beautifully landscaped 4th floor common open air plaza with pavers, community grills, benches and separate dog run area (An Official Chicago DogPads.net Dog-friendly Home). One heated indoor parking is available.

Sky Cub party room on the 10th floor with an indoor/outdoor recreation area including an open air terrace with gas grills and picnic areas, sun deck with lounge furniture and a large party room with a wet bar, rec room, pool table and large screen tv available for private functions.

Call Jim at 773.252.HOME, send a text or email him at jim@rememberjim.com today to make an appointment. This condo is a DogPads.net dog friendly certified Chicago condominium!

City of Chicago Real Estate Transfer Tax Hits Record Shortfalls

The City of Chicago just released the dismal 2010 projections for the revenue projected to be generated from the real estate transfer tax charged to buyers and sellers on any real estate transaction closing within the City.

As I have been projecting real estate sales will continue to decline slightly in 2010 with unprecedented record drop in units sold (and money generated). What I have not reported as a prediction is where the City will look to make up the real estate transfer tax deficit. In my opinion, although illogical and certainly open to appeal, the city of Chicago will increase property valuations and real estate taxes will increase for most neighborhoods and properties within the city limits. Of course, they will highlight as they have done for the recently released Lakeview township tax assessments that four of the areas did see an increase. However in Edgewater for example, my three unit property saw an increase of over 10% in valuation regardless of the fact that median pricing has been down consecutively for multi-unit properties was down 15% in from 2008 to 2009 and an adjusted 5% drop over the past three years.

Here is the transfer tax history over the past seven years and the revenue that was generated from the tax:
Real Estate Transaction Transfer Tax (source: City of Chicago)

Historically -     

2002                             $140 million range                     
2003                              $150 million range                      
2004                              $200 million range
2005                              $230 million range
2006                              $250 million range
2007                              $210 million range
2008                              $120 million range                    
2009                 EST      $55 million range                      
2010                 EST      $53 million range

As you can see this money will need to be made up somewhere and you can rest assured homeowners will not like the consequences of the decision.

Bucktown Dog-friendly Condo For Sale

Bucktown Featured Property

Welcome to affordable living in Bucktown !

Absolutely stunning recently renovated vintage 2BR condo just off of Armitage and west of Damen in Bucktown at 2017 North Leavitt Street (directions). Great Bucktown residence with an unbeatable location at this price. Walkers’ Paradise Walk Score: 91/100.

Spacious, sunny and bright contemporary feel with vintage details. Cherry kitchen cabinets with granite countertops with peninsula with bar stool seating. In-unit laundry and extra storage too. Clean and move-in condition. A true must see. Street parking a breeze or rental parking nearby. Low taxes and assessments are only $201 per month. Click here for more photos.

Call Jim at 773.252.HOME, send a text or email him at rememberjim@kw.com today to make appointment or for more details on this great Bucktown opportunity. Visit www.bucktownchicagocondos.com for more information about this featured Chicago property

Property Features include:

* Renovated residence in 2003
* 2 Bedrooms (split layout)
* 1 Full Bathroom with linen closet
* South-facing into courtyard
* Granite countertops & Cherry cabinets
* Central heat & air conditioning
* Rear deck/stairs off kitchen
* In-unit washer and dryer
* HD CATV included in assessment
* Ample street parking or rental options
* Private Storage and bike room
* Western Blue line “L” stop
* Convenient to shops & restaurants
* Walk Score: 91/100 Walkers Paradise!
* DogPads.net Dog-friendly Condo

A Registered DogPads.net Dog Friendly Condo

Lakeview Featured Condo For Sale

Welcome to affordable living in Lakeview ! 3440 N Lake Shore Drive for only $219,000

Absolutely stunning 1BR condo overlooking Belmont Harbor, Lake Michigan and Lincoln Park. Enjoy the sites of the city from your own private balcony. Updated home with hardwood flooring throughout with a new kitchen (2009).

Assessments include your Heat, Air conditioning, Cable, Fitness room, 24/7 doorman, 3 shift maintenance staff and more. Commercial grade laundry in basement. On site management company and a friendly, courteous door staff to greet you and accept packages. Valet parking available for $140/month. Treasure Island and Broadway street retail and restaurants just west and our most treasured commodity, Lake Michigan and Lincoln Park to the east. Call Jim today for more details.

Sorry, not a DogPads.net Dog Friendly Building.

Welcome home.

Chicago May Have Hit Bottom

Forbes top ten cities most likely to have not hit bottom on pricing declines. Florida takes 4 out of the top 5 and only New York in the east. Others in South and West.

Orlando
Miami
Jacksonville, Fla.
Tampa
Los Angeles
Phoenix
Las Vegas
Oakland, Calif.
San Diego
New York

As Warren Buffet has been quoted as saying, "If you wait for the robins, Spring will be over". Yet another sign you may want to consider buying in this awesome opportunity we have in Chicago