The Chicago condo market continues to heat up, and with the busy spring and summer season on the horizon, those looking to sell their Chicago condos should consider the following:

First, the demand is there. While the Chicago real estate market posted some fairly impressive figures in the cold-weather months despite a particularly harsh, long winter, pent-up demand is expected to further propel activity into the spring and summer.

States the Keeping Current Matters blog: “Most people realize that the housing market is hottest from April through June. The most serious buyers are well aware of this and, for that reason, come out in early spring in order to beat the heavy competition. These buyers are ready, willing and able to buy…and are in the…

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Buying a new Chicago condo should never be taken as a light investment, but securing the right kind of financing can go a long way toward improving your quality of life in your beautiful new residence before you even before you make the move.

Chicago Condo Mortgage Rate Trends
The Chicago real estate market as a whole has taken off significantly over the past year, with rising median prices and sales showing a strong market that is being supported by rampant demand among interested buyers. Also helping buyers and sellers complete the deal for the past several years has been relatively to ultra-low long-term mortgage interest rates. However, that trend has fallen off since about May 2013 and looks to have disappeared completely. 

Throughout the…

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There’s been plenty of news made about more home and condo owners confident in their ability to sell their residences quickly in 2014, but buyers are showing signs that they’re equally confident as the new year gets underway.

Fannie Mae recently released its January 2014 National Housing Survey, which found that 52 percent of respondents said it would be easy for them to get a mortgage today and 70 percent said they would buy if they planned on moving this year. 

Doug Duncan, senior vice president and chief economist at Fannie Mae, had this to say: “A majority of consumers now believe that it is getting easier to get a mortgage. For the first time in the National Housing Survey’s three-and-a-half-year history, the share of respondents who said it is…

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The Chicagoland area has seen its real estate market change significantly in recent years. Rising prices, increasing demand and an abundance of Chicago condos coming on the market have led to an incredibly active market.

The economy has been on the rebound, along with the local real estate market, for some time now. The technology industry and startup atmosphere in Chicago have brought a number of high-profile companies to the region to set up shop and hire en masse. This trend has benefited the local real estate market as more renters are quickly turning into buyers.

Although it may have taken a while, more Chicago renters are starting to realize that it may actually be cheaper in the long-run to buy in this market. Rents are skyrocketing not just…

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Moving in Chicago is something that many condo owners experience. With so many alluring neighborhoods to choose from, residents often find themselves wanting to experience them all. Finalizing your Chicago condo sale doesn’t have to be difficult, especially if you follow these simple staging tips. 

First and most importantly is to clean from floor to ceiling, and then organize and declutter the space as much as possible. The prospective buyer will want to see your condo space looking its absolute best, so they can have a blank canvas on which to project their living space.

Next, add some subtle enhancements to the overall look of the condo. Maybe a fresh coat of neutral paint or a new Persian rug will have your condo brimming with positive energy…

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The end of 2013 saw some impressive gains for the Chicago condos and real estate market as the Case Shiller Home Price Index reported a three-year high for Chicago-area condos.

In addition, the end of the year saw Chicago home prices reach their highest levels in four years.

Taking a closer look at the data, we see that although Chicago condo and home prices are on the rise in a major way, but they still have some ways to go before getting back to pre-recession levels. In fact, Chicago single family homes prices, while they’ve risen 24 percent from record lows, they are still about 24.4 percent below levels from the bubble peak. 

In addition, while Chicago condo prices rose 20.6 percent from record lows, they are still about 20.7 percent below…

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Chicago condo sales impact on local real estate Chicago condos for sale continue to benefit from the surging local real estate market. 

Recent data analysis from RE/MAX shows that Chicagoland real estate sales actually rose in December, a month that is typically a down season for housing market activity throughout much of the country, especially in cold weather states like Illinois.

“During the final month of 2013, home sales in the seven-county metro Chicago real estate market totaled 8,053 units, 9 percent more than during the same month last year, while the median sales price was $178,000, an impressive 17 percent higher than in December 2012,” reports RE/MAX.

Taking a more focused look at the data, Cook County saw home sales activity climb 10 percent on a year-over-year basis, to 4,667…

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Chicago condos helping local real estate Although the end of the year and the holidays typically marks a slow real estate season, the Chicagoland area saw its home sales rise at this time, helped by a strong surge in Chicago condo sales.

Helping drive demand was a remarkably low inventory for Chicago condos, townhomes and single-family homes. In fact, the year ended with only a 2.7 month supply of townhomes and condos and only a 3.7 month supply of single-family homes. 

Although low inventory is a sign of a strong housing market as it shows that buyers are acting swiftly and buying up homes and condos that are for sale, too low of an inventory can shift the market too far into a seller’s market. The good news is that inventory levels of Chicago condos and townhomes are expected to tick…

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Chicago condos for sale on Lake Shore DriveLocated in Streeterville, along Chicago’s stunning lakefront, 850 North Lake Shore Drive towers 17 stories into the sky for simply gorgeous views of the water. Built in 1920, the luxury apartment complex features 198 recently constructed apartments for Chicagoans who want to live smack dab in the middle of all the action.

The historic building formally the Lake Shore Athletic Club is serviced by a 24-hour doorman, valet dry-cleaning and package receiving. But the real amenities include an exquisite 3,500-square-foot “white room” with spacious seating areas, billiards, flat screen televisions and bar as well as a landscaped rooftop deck with gas grills.

Pet owners will love the elevated dog run that makes it easy for your pooch to stay active and…

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Plaza on Dewitt condos for saleThe Streeterville neighborhood of Chicago is a growing hub of activity, especially for new condo buying opportunities. An example of the most attractive in area condos can be found at the Plaza on DeWitt. Located at 260 East Chestnut, the 407-unit Plaza on DeWitt comes with a number of amenities and attractive features that are sure to attract the most discernible Chicago condo buyer. Just a mere minute from the infamous Magnificent Mile on Michigan Avenue, the Plaza on DeWitt boasts a brand new exercise room, bicycle room, outdoor swimming pool, storage space, receiving room, hospitality room, 24-hour staff, laundry room and garage parking.

And you won't have to worry about leaving your four-legged best friend behind as the condos at the Plaza on…

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