River North Condos Under $400,000

River North is no doubt one of the hottest areas of downtown Chicago. A trendy new restaurant seems to open every other month and for those who already work downtown, your commute can’t get much easier from nearly any location in Chicago’s River North neighborhood.

Another appealing aspect about calling River North home is that condos here generally maintain their value over time. Like anywhere, the demand for River North condos for sale is always fluctuating, but even during less than perfect market conditions, this fashionable part of the Windy City is one of just a handful of neighborhoods that has the ability to sustain relevance, even while other nearby areas are struggling.

Despite its thriving reputation however, savvy home buyers and…

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Magnificent Mile Condos

The Magnificent Mile, also known as The Mag Mile, is one of Chicago’s most prominent and well-known parts of Michigan Avenue. Stretching from the Chicago River to Oak Street, the Magnificent Mile is perhaps most known for its world-class shopping and vast array of upscale restaurants; but over the years, it’s also become a prestigious and highly sought-after destination for luxury home buyers looking to establish a presence in the heart of downtown.

The recent completion of The Ritz Carlton Residences at Erie and Michigan seems to have set a new standard for Magnificent Mile condos, but other established residential buildings like 900 N. Michigan, Water Tower Place, Park Tower, and One Magnificent Mile certainly have their fair share of desirability…

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The Chicago real estate market is thriving and condos are currently coming on and then flying off the market, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t put yourself in the best possible position to succeed. Utilizing the services of a real estate professional can go a long way toward achieving this goal.

-       Knowing the ins and outs. Real estate professionals possess the experience and education necessary to assist you in the best manner possible. The average, every day condo seller does not possess the complete knowledge of the real estate transaction and using a professional will ensure you’re getting the best return possible on your venture.

-       Familiarity with the neighborhood. Real estate professionals have completely mastered the areas in…

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When it comes to Chicago real estate, the time to buy is now but interested buyers would be wise to be quick, but not hurry in finalizing a Chicago condo sale. 

While mortgage rate averages are on an upward trajectory (despite fluctuating up and down over the past several months) interested home and condo buyers in Chicago shouldn’t rush into a transaction just because they’re afraid mortgage rates will continue to rise while they make up their mind.

Buying a new home or condo is one of the most important financial decisions that you’ll make in your lifetime so you’ll want to be sure you’re properly vetting every aspect of the process.

According to the Keeping Current Matters blog: “Every spring a surge of prospective purchasers enter the…

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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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