Mortgage Hijacking

Recently, there is a rise of a new scam aimed at hijacking just one or two mortgage payments from unsuspecting homeowners. With many mortgages being transferred to new service providers through the life of a loan, many homeowners are unaware of what the actual process is for notification, or what […]

National Building Museum Lecture Series

The National Building Museum Lecture Series sponsored by the U.S Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy The National Building Museum is a registered provider of continuing education credit for the AIA, ASLA, AICP, and U.S. Green Building Council. National Building Museum (directions below) Wednesday, June 29, 2011 12:30 […]

Making Management

With the rise of rental properties on the market along with situational landlords and foreign investors, many are finding themselves unprepared for management of real estate properties when problems arise.  Even simple maintenance and preventative issues can be overlooked when no one is at the property to inspect and maintain. […]

Move It

It could be coincidence; it could be the sum of several factors.  Maybe it is just my imagination… I was at the office tracking weekly market trends and activity on listings.  It started with Memorial Day, and considering the gloomy news, warm weather it’d be hard not to find people […]

Just Listed – Back of the Yards

Just listed in Back of the Yards (New City): Newly constructed single family home enclosed with wrought iron fence on oversized corner lot. Two story brick home with full finished basement. Published on http://RealtyEvolved.net

Digital Overload

Today, there are numerous resources to research properties; and the search has gone beyond looking for just a new home. With the majority of consumers going online, the information can not only be overwhelming but also not current.

Memorial Day

To all our veterans, remembered and forgotten, as well as active duty soldiers and those halfway around the world fighting right now – thank you.  It is because the sacrifices you all give that everyone spends today with their loved ones.  Chicago beaches are now open. Thank you.

Air Sealing Pilot Program

Air sealing is a new program and People’s Gas wants to test it out through a small pilot program. The timeline is fast approaching so take action soon if interested. From CNT, a division of Center for Neighborhood Technology. CNT Energy is partnering with the Chicagoland Natural Gas Savings Program […]

Peterson Garden Ticket Winner

Congratulations to Jenny who has won the pair of tickets to “Swing into Spring” Peterson Garden fundraiser with cash bar access. Confirmation has been sent to your email inbox, feel free to reach out to us if you didn’t see it, otherwise if for any reason you can no longer […]

Cappin’ It Off

Without truly knowing if the market has hit bottom or how fast recovery will come, many buyers are sitting on sidelines waiting, and watching.  Even though some economic indicators (residential loan delinquency, unemployment, MSI) point that we are in a recovery period, as some economists suggested, it will be a […]

Evolving Trends: Spring Edible

I am happy to introduce LaManda Joy, author of the edible gardening blog TheYarden.com and founder of The Peterson Garden Project (which by the way we are raffling off two open bar tickets to their next event) which is a revival Victory Garden in Chicago’s 40th ward. She wants everyone […]

Updates

May 18: Several more changes that have been in the works are being implemented into the site. We are finalizing plans for the upcoming webinar that will be available to both readers and past clients.  This is the first in an ongoing series planned for the year which will focus […]

Free Flowing

It was recently reported that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has demanded that the Chicago River be cleaned up enough for recreational activities such as swimming, canoeing. The Cal-Sag and Little Calumet River is also included as part of cleanup efforts as reported by the Chicago Tribune. The IL EPA […]

Swing into Spring (Peterson Garden Project) Giveaway

SWING INTO SPRING 2011!!! A fundraiser is being held for the Peterson Garden Project with a portion of the sales from the architectural & artifact sales going to the garden. Subscribers to my blog will have a chance to win a pair of open bar tickets to the event on May 26th.

Chasing Charters

With homeowners staying longer in their home, and expected buyers planning for longevity, many are coming back to basics – location.  Among them, accessibility to transportation, neighborhood walkability and area schools are among the most important.  For families, schools are extremely vital factor as they can influence choice of residence/neighborhood […]

antique-classic-clock

Future of the Future

There has been a lot of uncertainty in the marketplace lately.  In the news there are reports of recovering taking longer, recovery happening now and even announcements that home sales are up.  So what are we to expect, or believe when it comes to the future of the housing market? […]

Supply Picture Slowly Improving

Taking Inventory: Supply Picture Slowly Improving One closely watched gauge of the local real estate market is Months Supply of Inventory (MSI). MSI forecasts how long it would take to sell off the remaining supply of active listings given the current pace of sales. As a general rule of thumb, […]

Children’s Memorial Hospital whittles developer candidates

(Crain’s) — Four development teams have made the first cut in the competition to redevelop the Children’s Memorial Hospital property in Lincoln Park, a parcel coveted by developers for its location and size. Nine groups submitted proposals for the six-acre site in December, but Children’s Memorial released a short-list Friday […]

Cabrini Green Chicago

End of an Era

Today marked the end of an era, which for a short time initially was an idealized vision of a vibrant new development which soon came to be controlled by gangs, drugs and violence.  The Cabrini-Green Housing Project as of yesterday will be relegated to history one last time.  The final […]

Distressed versus Traditional Statistics

The weekly statistics for distressed and traditional real estate sales have been updated for last week. An index of local home prices fell in December for the fifth straight month, hitting its lowest point since the summer of 2001. The growing concern is over the “shadow inventory” or foreclosures/soon-to-be-foreclosures that […]

Evolving Trends: Smart Cities

The harsh reality of the market today can become a catalyst to drive innovation.  Developers, builders and manufacturers alike are looking for ways to not only sustain business, but growth.  Though there is much speculation on how to achieve such sustainable business, many have contemplated going the way of cost-effective […]

Satisfying Smarts

The harsh reality of the market today can become a catalyst to drive innovation. Developers, builders and manufacturers alike are looking for ways to not only sustain business, but growth. Originally published at https://realtyevolved.net by Sherwin Sucaldito.

Want of Water

World population and demand are increasing, but supply isn’t. Perhaps more than ever, water efficiency and conservation have become vital. Take time to make small repairs and learn how you can lower energy costs while helping to conserve freshwater supplies. Originally published at https://realtyevolved.net by Sherwin Sucaldito.

Homebuyers Desires

Buyers have a long list of what they want when home shopping, but one of their biggest desires: A good deal. Originally published at https://realtyevolved.net by Sherwin Sucaldito.

Consumer Protection

It is National Consumer Protection Week. It’s a good time to take stock on issues that could affect you such as identity theft, understanding your credit, filing bankruptcies and buying a home or car. Originally published at https://realtyevolved.net.

Japan Earthquake & People Finder

Hearts & Prayers goes out to all those in Japan and Hawaii and other nearby coastal areas hit with earthquake or tsunami.  8.8 magnitude and 5th strongest quake. For those looking for people or have information on people, please check out Google’s people finder.  Please repost and pass on!  

February Monthly Statistics

Monthly statistics through February have been posted! Supply seems to be lessening for residential.  Lots of activity for commercial and industrial properties as contracts written and sales are up. Activity in vacant lots is heating up earlier as well than last year. View the residential real estate market dynamics analysis […]

Vantage Point – A New Direction for Home Buyers

The rules and costs, are changing for home buyers, especially if you are a first time home buyer just entering the market.  Buyers are facing different challenges than their predecessors who purchased even just a year ago. For home buyers, not all deals are created equally.  In the past few […]

Deciphering the Data

WSJ just published an article stating that the housing crash may have been more severe than what initial estimate show.  The National Association of Realtors as well as CoreLogic (real-estate analytics firm) both have varying results from 2010. There are several reasons for the discrepancies.  The 2010 Census didn’t include […]

Leasing Liability

Landlords, and investment owners should be aware of the changes in the landlord and tenant laws which may affect their rental properties. Originally published at https://realtyevolved.net by Sherwin Sucaldito.

Shrinking U.S. Support of Housing

Proposal was outline Friday that the Obama administration would plan to address the mortgage markets which could possibly include phasing out Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. “Officials portrayed a housing-finance system that would include a role for both the public and private sectors, but would be different from the current […]

Aqua Tower Chicago

Evolving Trends: Rental Outlook

It’s no surprise that landlords are on the rise. With many owners either unable to sell their home, or deciding to delay the sale, many have become situational landlords. Additionally, the heavy activity of distressed properties became a viable investment tool for many cash-ready purchasers. Cash flow properties, attractive capitalization […]

Evolving Trends: Rental Outlook (subscriber content)

With many owners either unable to sell their home, or deciding to delay the sale, many have become situational landlords. Additionally, the heavy activity of distressed properties became a viable investment tool for many cash-ready purchasers. Cash flow properties, attractive capitalization rates and returns were at times performing better than other investment vehicles.

Considering Your Credit

If it’s been a year or more since you’ve checked your credit report, you’re entitled to get a free credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.  Checking your credit report helps to identify and address potential problems. By checking your credit report, you […]