A Home For Forever: How To Make Your Home Suit Your Age

Phoebe Chongchua at Live Fit Magazine

It’s been called aging in place, universal design and now the more eloquent term: “Forever Homes”. “I don’t like to call it aging in place because it’s depressing. Nobody likes to think about when they’re old. So I call it a ‘Forever Home.’ Really what that means is that you’re planning on staying in your home forever and eventually you’re going to get older and so to plan for the future is wise,” says Steven Mark, Senior Design Consultant with Marrokal Design & Remodeling. According to American Association of Retired Persons, the majority of older homeowners prefer to live in the... more »

Infographic: Decorating your home on a budget

By Jennifer Karmon | Spaces – Mon, Jan 7, 2013

Maybe better than anyone, renters know how hard it can be feather a nest without a lot of scratch. So the good folks at ForRent.com have compiled a list of useful tips for scooping up the best thrift-store deals, how to craft a color scheme (complete with mathematical formula) and where to find free (free!) furnishings.

Below is an interesting set of graphics explaining it all.....

New Year Begins with Mortgage Rates Remaining Low

There is no doubt that the residential housing market gained momentum in 2012. As the New Year begins with mortgage rates remaining low, it is expected that this movement towards recovery will continue to bring improvements that will filter down into other areas of the economy. This past week, data reflected that, even though housing has entered its slow season, this sector is still experiencing gains in both sales and values.

According to the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices (HPI), home prices - READ ON...

CRYSTAL BALL TIME: CAN WE SEE INTO THE REAL ESTATE FUTURE???

Chicago Experts Offer Predictions For 2013's Residential Real Estate Market

by Broderick Perkins

Chicago experts gazed into the 2013 crystal ball and found good fortunes in building, renting and second homes.

Real estate industry marketing firm Taylor Johnson recently gathered anecdotal evidence from boots-on-the-ground Chicago real estate industry experts to provide a perspective on the 2013 housing market.

Forecasts from Windy City bode well for builders, general contractors, landlords and some select households.

Here's what they found.......

K2 at K Station, Fulton River District

Construction of K2 at K Station, a 496-unit 34-story luxury apartment tower at 365 N Halsted St in Chicago’s Fulton River District, began weeks before the official groundbreaking ceremony (video, right) on November 2, 2011.

K2 is the fifth and final residential high-rise in the K Station development, joining Left Bank (2006), Echelon (2008) and Alta’s East and West towers (2010) for a total of 2,145 residences. K2 is expected to begin occupancy in the first quarter of 2013.



K2 at KStation model picture.

KEEP READING.........

James Pritzker plans hotel at Evanston mansion

James Pritzker is the last man standing in the bidding for the Harley Clarke Mansion in Evanston, a historic lakefront building that he wants to convert into a boutique hotel.

Tawani Enterprises Inc., the Chicago-based investment firm Mr. Pritzker controls, was the only party that submitted a formal offer to buy the property at 2603 Sheridan Road from the city of Evanston, according to a city memorandum.

The city, which has owned the 20,275-square-foot building since 1965, leases it to the Evanston Art Center, which would move out. The city began soliciting offers for the property in May, courting buyers and long-term tenants that would renovate and occupy the building, though it still could decide to reject Mr. Pritzker's offer.

The Evanston City Council “hasn't made a decision on what it wants to do, so there could be a sale, there could be a lease or there could be nothing — all those options exist,” said Joe McRae, deputy city manager.


READ MORE AT..........

Watch Surprise Flash Mob Dance!

CLICK ON TITLE BELOW TO VIEW...

Surprise Flash Mob Dance on Big Bang Theory

Thanksgiving is not easy...

In the introduction to his new book, Sam Sifton lays it out: "Thanksgiving is not easy." Sifton knows whereof he speaks; he's now the national editor of The New York Times, but before he took on that solemn responsibility, he was the newspaper's restaurant critic and a food columnist for its Sunday Magazine.

Sifton cites Thanksgiving stresses like drunk uncles, tense travel, itsy-bitsy ovens, family feuds and, of course, the dinner itself. But he offers to help with that last bit. He's written an entire book on Thanksgiving dinner — not a thick book, but a thorough one — intended to get you through the last crumb of pumpkin pie.

It's called Thanksgiving: How to Cook It Well, and here's one of Sifton's central pieces of advice: Forget innovation. Be conservative. "There should be no swordfish at Thanksgiving," he tells NPR's Linda Wertheimer. "There should be no beef tenderloin at Thanksgiving. Ham is an abomination at Thanksgiving. There should be a turkey. Turkey is why you are here."

CONTINUE READING OR LISTEN TO THE SHOW...Talking Turkey (and Pie)

            

START THE CELEBRATION

This Saturday, November 17, 2012...Make Your Holidays Magnificent!

Kick off the holiday season and create your special memories on The Magnificent Mile in 2012!
The BMO Harris Bank Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, the nation’s largest evening holiday celebration, jump starts the holiday season on Saturday, November 17 with a full day of:

• Family friendly activities in Lights Festival Lane
• Rockin’ concerts by top musical artists on the BMO Harris Bank Stage
• The best holiday shopping
• A grand Tree-Lighting Parade down Michigan Avenue marshaled by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse from Walt Disney World Resort in Florida
• Fireworks Spectacular show over the Chicago River

Read more details and times of activities...

Possible New Waterfront Homes...but in a very surprising location

Kennedy-Hines team unveils changes to plans for Wolf Point

By: Ryan Ori

The developers that want to build three towers on Wolf Point unveiled a host of changes Monday to the $1 billion-plus riverside project but have left its overall scope intact.

Five months after the first community meeting held by Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd), the venture of the Kennedy family and Houston-based Hines Interests L.P. returned to the nearby Holiday Inn to unveil new designs for the residential and office towers. The buildings still would rise 950, 750 and 525 feet but would taper at the bottom, creating more open ground-level space on the 3.9-acre parcel.

 Read more about Wolf Point...

FindLaw Survey – Americans Encouraged by Housing Market

A new FindLaw survey found that American homebuyers are much more encouraged by the housing market in 2012 than in 2010.

By Peter Ricci

Consumer sentiment towards the housing market has been gradually improving in Fannie Mae’s National Housing Surveys, and a new FindLaw survey has found that the situation is improving other notable ways.

According to the FindLaw survey, which sampled 1,000 American adults, the percentage of Americans who reported sitting on the sidelines and avoiding the homebuying process has dropped by more than half from 2010 to 2012, falling from 63 percent to 30 percent.

FindLaw Survey – Americans Encouraged by Housing Market

In addition, the FindLaw survey also found:

• With housing prices at affordable levels and mortgage rates at record lows, the number of respondents who said that economic conditions motivated them to buy a house increased by 38 percent.
• Also, less respondents said that the economy was playing a negative factor in their homebuying decisions, with 49 percent reporting that the economy had no impact on their decision.

Stephanie Rahlfs, an attorney and editor with FindLaw (which is a Thomson Reuters company), said the FindLaw survey results were especially encouraging among higher-earning individuals. 

READ MORE...

/http://chicagoagentmagazine.com/findlaw-survey-americans-encouraged-by-housing-market/

Rearranged for Change: Real Estate Home Staging

New Listing---Amazing 3 unit Bulding

Located at 4529 N. Malden, this beautiful three unit building on a massive 54 x 144 foot landscaped yard, was built in 1920's. The home has been impeccably restored through out with two spacious 2100-2300 square foot units with incredible original details, new plumbing, electric, roof, HVAC, kitchens and baths and laundry rooms. The garden unit is partially completed with the plumbing, electrical and HVA mostly in place. There are also huge decks and 6 parking spaces.

Here are a few interior shots of the top floor unit which is a sprawling 2300 square foor three bedroom with separate sun room, office, walk-in closet, huge eat in kitchen and laundry room.

This property is ideal for a live-in owner who wants exquisite, condo quality space with rentals units to offest the costs. For addtional information, click here to see the property on my website. Or feel free to email me at agersten@rubloff.com or call me directly at 312-368-3280 to schedule a showing.

The History of Chicago's Magnificent Mile

Many don't know this, but Arthur Rubloff, our company's namesake, is responsible for Michigan Avenue the way we know it today. He coined the phrase The Magnificent Mile in the 1940's with a vision of a thriving retail district. Bill Kurtis narrates a brief video on this piece of Chicago history. Click here to watch.

Last of Cabrini Homes Closing

If you have been in Chicago awhile, you have been watching the slow change happening in Cabrini Green. Once a series of several highrises and 500 rowhomes, the decision has been made by CHA to demolish the last that are standing. In the original plan, the hi-rises were coming down and affordable housing would be built throughout the huge site. The rowhomes, however, would be staying....until now. According to the Chicago Tribune, in about two weeks, the remaining residents will be asked to leave. It was likely too costly to remodel the homes rather than tearing them down and starting over.

The 12 year plan was to incorporate a mix of housing and retail. Recently plans were announced for a brand new Target at Clybourn and Larrabee. The ever changing neighboghood is still changing.

A beautiful snow-filled view from 336 W. Wellington #905

Check out this amazing snow-filled view of Lincoln Park and lake Michigan taken from unit 905 at 336 W. Wellington. This unit is on the market for $250,000 and is completely redone with updated kitchen and baths. For a virtual tour of this property, go to 336 W. Wellington #905.

For more information, email me at agersten@rubloff.com or call directly at 312-368-3280

Incredible space in Lincoln Park overlooking the park and lake at 2100 N. Lincoln Park West

Check out this 2700 square foot four bedroom, four bath unit at The Pierre. The entire unit runs across the front of the building with lake and park views from almost every room. Located across from the Lincoln Park Zoo, The Pierre is ideally located in the heart of Lincoln Park and is a full service building with 24 hour door staff and convenient on-site parking.

The views will amaze you. These shots were taken from the unit. You can see the lake and the park from almost every room and on occassionally you can even hear the lions roaring from the zoo across the street. There is also one of the best play grounds directly outside the front door of the building.

This unit does need kitchen and bath updating and is a great opportunity to update a space exactly the way you'd like it. Call me at 312-368-3280 for additional questions, floor plans or to schedule a showing.

Prudential Rubloff Properties Lux Collection

Take a look at the new digital version of the Prudential Rubloff Properties Luxe Collection. Just click and explore. It showcases the best of our city, suburban and Harbor Country properties in a digital format. Basically an online magazine.

And should you have any additional interest, feel free to contact me directly at 312-368-3280

New Penthouse Listing in Lakeview

 Check out this incredible top floor unit at 1640 W. Belmont. This condo is the developers own unit and he has filled it with incredible detail.

 The crown molding, wainscotting, inlaid wood floors are just the beginning. At just over 2000 sqft, this gracious three bedroom unit offers soaring 11' ceilings, two private decks, two parking spaces and excusive roof rights to a 2000 sqft roof that is ready to be finished out.

3rd bedroom/office

Master Bath with steam shower and jacuzzi tub



Master Bedroom with hugw walk-in closet, private deck and in-laid hardwood floors

For more information, click on the property link here or call me at 312-368-3280 for a showing.

Two affordable north side listings on the lake-5100 N. Marine Drive #4E and 4250 N. Marine #1704

I have just listed two well priced condos on the lake front. The first is at 5100 N. Marine Drive just south of Foster. It is unit #4E and is a true one bedroom for $115,000. The bright, south facing unit is in very good condition with hardwood floors, dishwasher and individual heat and air conditioning. The building has an outdoor pool, 24 hour door staff, beautiful redone lobby and is in good financial health. For a complete virtual tour and property details, visit the link at  by clicking on 5100 N. Marine Drive #4E.

Also on the market at $115,000 is 4250 N. Marine Drive #1704. This is a high floor junior one bedroom which also faces south with beautiful lake and park views. If you want bright, this is it. The unit could use minor updating but is a great value for the area. The building has all the amenities you could want including 24 hour door staff, on-site management, outdoor pool, exercise room and immediately available on-site garage parking. For a complete virtual tour and property details, visit the link by clicking on 4250 N. Marine Drive #1704.

For showing or questions on either properties, contact me directly at 312-368-3280.