Chicago Real Estate News & Neighborhood Notes

Every condo buyer in Chicago has a budget to work with during his or her quest to find the perfect place, and if yours happens to fall somewhere between $500,000 & $600,000, we have a pretty good idea of where to start looking...

The Bristol

You don’t have to spend more than $1 million to get into The Bristol. Located at 57 E Delaware Place, the Gold Coast property currently offers your choice of a one- or two-bedroom floor plan priced in the $500,000s. The price affords outstanding lake views, high ceilings and plenty of upgrades.

1440 N. Lake Shore

Right on the lakefront, 1440 N Lake Shore enjoys some incredible lake and skyline views. Just minutes from some of the city’s most desirable dining, shopping and nightlife options, the building

If you’re searching for a home in the Chicago area you may find it more affordable to buy a home than in many other large cities across the nation. According to a just released study, it’s easier to afford a home in Cook County than in any one of the nation’s other 15 largest urban counties.

The study comes from Attom, a real estate information company based out of California. According to the study, the median price of a home in Cook County makes it affordable enough for a family with an annual income of around $60,000.

The median home price in Cook County was $200,000 for the first months of 2019. Compare that to Los Angeles County where a buyer needs to make more than $155,000 a year to purchase a home at the median price. The study did not take into

The traditional 20-percent down payment is becoming a thing of the past in Chicago as area programs adapt to the needs of a new generation of potential homebuyers. Millennials, in particular, are often still saddled with college loans and other debt, making it more difficult to come with the down payment needed to purchase a home.

In response, some area home ownership programs are meeting the challenge. Compared to the old 20-percent rule, An FHA loan may only require a 3.5-percent down payment.

There are also some programs that “co-invest” and take on some of the down payment while other programs cover closing costs. In fact, there are several agencies out there that can help with things like low-cost loans, down payment grants and closing costs.

Often, a

A new 56-story apartment high-rise is now open on Michigan Avenue. Essex on the Park just welcomed its first residents two years after the project originally broke ground.

The new tower includes an impressive four-story enclosed atrium, infinity-edge swimming pool and valet parking. In addition, the building offers a fitness center, a dog run and pet grooming station, a demonstration kitchen and a party room.

The property includes space for nearly 480 luxury apartments with floor-to-ceiling glass in everything from a traditional studio floor plan to a penthouse duplex with private terraces. Essex on the Park also holds the honor of a Well Certification, the first apartment building in Chicago to receive the distinction.

Located just across from Grant Park,

The West Loop is about to gain a new condo project. The same developer behind the 1000M high-rise plans for a seven-story condo building across from Skinner Park.

That 42-unit building will bring condos to an area that’s been much more focused on rentals lately. The new glass and gray brick building plans for the option of a two- or three-bedroom floor plan with designs ranging from 1,200 to 2,000 square feet of living space.

Plans call for a more affordable entry price, delivered with more limited amenities than other buildings in the area. The West Loop location, however, is expected to be an enticing extra, with the nearby park and dog park.

Located at Loomis and Monroe, the condos take the place of a former nursing and treatment center. Developers hope

Looking to get out and take advantage of all the fun things going on this spring? If so, here's a short list of events and festivities we're looking forward to most.

Baseball Home Openers- April 4 & April 8

Spring ushers in home openers for both the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox take on the Mariners April 4 and the Cubs take on the Pirates at home April 8.

Baconfest Chicago- April 5-6

UIC Dorin Forum

If you can’t get enough bacon, make plans to head to Baconfest Chicago. The two-day event features the chance to sample bacon-inspired dishes from dozens of chefs.

Star Wars Celebration- April 11-15

McCormick Place, Museum Campus

A galaxy far, far away takes center stage in Chicago mid-month for the Star Wars

March Madness is here, and that means it’s time to not only catch some great games but also take advantage of some great specials in Chicago.

Budweiser Brickhouse Tavern

You don’t have to wait long to get into Budweiser Brickhouse Tavern. The popular Wrigleyville bar plans to open early on game day. You’ll find beer and food specials on the menu.

Lottie’s Pub

The one-and-only Lottie’s Pub in Bucktown also opens early on game days. You’ll find Boulevard specials when KU takes the court, then cheese curd pizza and Sheeps beer when its Wisconsin’s turn.  

Parlay at Joy District

Head to Parlay at Joy District to catch all the action on nearly two-dozen different TVs. The specials here include buy one, get one free beer buckets with purchase

Chicago was the leader in new construction activity last month, according to two key measurements outlined in a recent report from BuildFax. As noted, Chicago was just one of four metro areas that saw a major jump in new construction and work on existing homes, ranking ahead of New York City, Washington D.C., and Dallas in terms of year-over-year increases in both categories.

Maintenance activity in Chicago spiked 20 percent in February compared to the same month last year, and new construction increased by a whopping 60 percent. For comparison, New York registered just a 51 percent increase in new construction and Washington D.C. only a 15 percent increase in maintenance work to existing homes.

Despite the positive new construction numbers overall,

Just days after its unveiling, changes may be coming to a massive new development slated for an area close to Soldier Field. Originally, plans called for constructing skyscrapers and a transit center to top train tracks in the area.

The location of One Central sits just to the west of Lake Shore Drive, between the Field Museum and McCormick Place. While the Wisconsin-based developer hasn’t said how large or how tall those skyscrapers would be, at least one area leader is already working to reduce density and building height on the 34-acre property. Some area residents are concerned about losing lake views.

At the same time, a new platform covering Metra tracks could give those same residents and tourists easier access from an area west of the tracks to the

If you're looking for a Chicago condo or apartment with a premium view, buyers aren't just limited to what's on the lakefront. Here's a closer look at a few buildings that lie along the Chicago River that also offer some insane views of the city.

Trump Tower

One of the hottest buildings along the riverfront is none other than Trump Tower. The building features options ranging from studios to sweeping penthouse units with high ceilings and some fireplaces. High-end options at Trump Tower, meanwhile, range from valet parking and full service concierge service to a spa, health club and indoor lap pool.

Wolf Point West

At 46-stories high, Wolf Point West presents some incredible views overlooking the riverfront and beyond. The new River North