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Uptick in remodeling activity a sign of the times
The weakest part of the housing industry is single-family home construction, but home remodelers are in line for an upbeat year.
Categories: Chicago Real Estate
What sellers should know about time-share scams
I frequently receive questions about how to get rid of a time share. I must admit that my response thus far has been less than satisfactory. I once suggested that the time share be donated to a church or a synagogue, but several priests wrote and asked that I stop making that recommendation, because the religious groups don't want the expense or the headaches of ownership.
Categories: Chicago Real Estate
The Ikea house myth
Lots of devoted Ikea fans were exuberant recently when they heard the news that the iconic, multinational furniture retailer was also going to be selling prefabricated houses.
Categories: Chicago Real Estate
New floor plans debut at Mill Creek in Geneva
ShoDeen Residential has rolled out new single-family home designs at three developments in Mill Creek, a master-planned golf course community in Geneva.
Categories: Chicago Real Estate
Condo's pet-friendly policy seals the deal for ex-renters
Banks and Bo are the biggest reasons Della and Jack Campbell chose their new condo at the 60-unit Wolf Ridge Condominiums development in Northlake.
Categories: Chicago Real Estate
Online tool puts price on amenities
It is one of housing's age-old puzzles: What features can I add to increase the value of my property?
Categories: Chicago Real Estate
Families double up under one roof
The way Maria Gisseler sees it, her extended-family living arrangement offers a nice payback for all the years her mother helped her growing up and with her two children after she married.
Categories: Chicago Real Estate
Ex-Bear selling Gurnee home
Former Chicago Bears strong safety Chris Harris has put his six-bedroom, 3,139-square-foot Gurnee home on the market for $329,000.
Categories: Chicago Real Estate
Foreclosure activity sinks to a five-year low
Foreclosure activity in the U.S. fell last month to its lowest level since the start of the credit crisis in 2007, driven largely by drops in states such as California, where the process occurs outside of the courtroom.
Categories: Chicago Real Estate
30-year loan at record 3.79%
OK, maybe it's not as jaw-dropping as crashing the 5% or the 4% barrier. But Freddie Mac says 30-year mortgage rates have fallen below 3.8% for the first time to average 3.79%, down from a then-record 3.83% a week ago.
Categories: Chicago Real Estate
Illinois third in foreclosures despite national improvement
Foreclosure starts in Illinois are on par with those in other areas, but the state's court-supervised foreclosure system continues to bog down properties in the process.
Categories: Chicago Real Estate
Slipcovers as upgrade
They're not just coverups, and not just for grandma's sofa anymore
For fear of walking away with a heat rash and a faint chemical perfume, children of the '70s recoiled on contact with the vinyl slipcover that shrouded grandma's sacred couch, thus protecting the living room showpiece from all eyes, limbs and any real living.
For fear of walking away with a heat rash and a faint chemical perfume, children of the '70s recoiled on contact with the vinyl slipcover that shrouded grandma's sacred couch, thus protecting the living room showpiece from all eyes, limbs and any real living.
Categories: Chicago Real Estate
McMansions: What's the big deal?
If the guy down the block refers to your house as a McMansion, he's probably not paying a compliment.
Categories: Chicago Real Estate
Rid your home of toxic chemicals
Myron Wentz, a microbiologist, recently wrote a book called "The Healthy Home" — http://www.myhealthyhome.com — and offers some ways to create one at your house:
Categories: Chicago Real Estate
Penthouse sales under way at The Columbian
Garrison Partners has launched a new marketing slogan aiming to lure homebuyers to "The Beautiful Life" at The Columbian, a high-rise condominium building at 1160 S. Michigan Ave.
Categories: Chicago Real Estate
Weeding out problems with community gardens
Spring's early arrival has been a boon for garden centers as homeowners get a jump on the growing season. But anyone living in a community association should review rules and regulations before picking up a trowel.
Categories: Chicago Real Estate
Office design trend separates work, personal life
It happened by accident. When Kurtis and Wanda Weller Sakai decided to remodel their ranch house, the original plan was to add a fourth bedroom for Kurtis to use as an office.
Categories: Chicago Real Estate
Outdoor spaces becoming hot destinations for homeowners
For many homebuyers, the quest for the perfect outdoor space is becoming every bit as important as finding the right interior space.
Categories: Chicago Real Estate
Retired Cub Hundley sells Glenview home
Retired Chicago Cubs catcher Todd Hundley sold his six-bedroom, 4,324-square-foot Glenview home May 1 for $1.4 million, taking a $200,000 loss from his 2004 purchase price.
Categories: Chicago Real Estate
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