Chicago Real Estate and Community News

By Jose Hernandez – Your Local Portage Park Real Estate Expert With 20+ Years of Experience

Portage Park has transformed from a small early-twentieth-century community into one of Chicago’s most desirable residential neighborhoods. When the streetcar system first linked the area to downtown, it became a haven for residents seeking relief from crowded city living. Today, Portage Park continues to attract homebuyers and investors who appreciate its quiet residential feel, walkability, large parks, and close proximity to both downtown Chicago and O’Hare Airport.

Chicago’s Belmont Cragin neighborhood is home to 80,000 multicultural, hardworking residents. After working diligently with the city of Chicago, 2242 N Major Ave is officially off the market. Jose Hernandez was able to get the property approved as a legal 2-flat and put it under contract all within 40 days. Earlier this year, he also successfully sold 4929 W Schubert Ave in the same neighborhood.

Buyers and Brokers: What New NAR Regulations Mean for You

Starting August 17th, there will be some impactful changes in relationships between brokers, buyers, and sellers in the real estate market. 

These regulation updates result from a landmark lawsuit between the National Association of Realtors and homeowners. They are bound to leave buyers and sellers scratching their heads and scrambling to keep up with once-established rules. 

Let's discuss what these amendments mean for brokers and buyers and your next step:

What is Changing? 

The major shift defines when and how brokers enter into exclusive buyer agreements and will be compensated going forward. Traditionally, a seller would pay the buyer's agent fees indirectly through their proceeds. Now, the compensation responsibility has shifted to the buyers. This move is in both the brokers' and buyers' best interest. 

Just Closed! North Center / Roscoe Village

North Center and Roscoe Village are two of Chicago's best-kept secrets. Here, locals know they can find more spacious homes with antique, old-world features. The area has earned itself a charming nickname—"The Village Within the City." That's because it's filled with independent drink spots and taverns, up-and-coming restaurants, cozy coffee shops, and stellar schools. 

1821 W. Patterson is the quintessential North Center multifamily home, offering everything you'd want from a smaller, tight-knit community with city-smart features. Owners can walk down Southport Avenue for shopping and great meals, catch a show at the Music Box movie theater, head to one of the area's many dog-friendly patio bars, and more. Wrigley Field, one of the largest baseball stadiums in the country, is also just 10 minutes away. 

Our city's best-kept secret is our beautiful Chicago summers, and there is no better way to enjoy them than with sweeping skyline views on a Gold Coast rooftop. That was just one of the luxurious features that made this gorgeous unit stand out. Let's explore the rest: 

1339 N. Dearborn, Gold Coast 

Listing by Stephanie Cutter - price: $290,000

Sold by Ron Rashid - price: $312,500

Welcome to 1339 North Dearborn, perfectly situated in the heart of the Gold Coast. Here, owners can walk to the beach in less than ten minutes or stroll to Wells Street in Old Town, filled with buzzing restaurants and bars. The building itself offers several competitive amenities, including doorman services, parking spaces for purchase, and ample storage. 

Looking at Gold Coast condos for sale, realtors Ron Rashid and Jose Hernandez found the perfect place for their clients: a chic, airy two-bedroom, one-bathroom corner unit with lots of sun. 

Summer is the perfect time to explore Chicago's historic Gold Coast.

This neighborhood is an architecture lover's dream, and the picturesque buildings dotting its streets exude old-world elegance. The Gold Coast is conveniently located in the middle of some of Chicago's best restaurants, green spaces, and theaters. 

Living there, you can spend your days exploring local parks, relaxing on Oak Street Beach, or taking a quick bus ride to the nationally renowned Lincoln Park Zoo. At night, you can visit one of Chicago's best restaurants like Maple and Ash, and take in a comedy show at the world-famous Second City theater.

East Water Place is a unique urban townhome community in Streeterville situated on a peninsula of land bordered by Ogden Slip to the North and the Chicago River 1/2 block to the South.  East Water Place combines the perfect blend of city living with the serenity of a single-family home. 

Sellers Real Estate Agent in Chicago

A Challenge Turned into a Success Story!

When our clients contacted us in early June, they were very frustrated!  Their home had been on the market for a year and a half, was listed with two different real estate agents, but they had not been able to sell it.  They were desperately looking for a local real estate agent who could help them get it sold for the right price and as quickly as possible.   We knew it would be a challenge to take on a listing that had been on the market for so long, and we needed to develop a strategy that would help us "successfully sell their home".

We met with our clients to gain an understanding of their goals and plans for the future.  We asked a lot of questions about the history of the listing, what was working, what was not working, and why they felt their home didn’t sell.  We were interested in the number of showings, feedback received, price adjustments, and offers received.  Through our discussion, we learned that the clients had received offers; however, were unwilling to negotiate from the price they had set, and therefore could never reach an agreement with potential buyers.    

(Original post 04/2016)

In Chicago’s energetic and desirable Streeterville neighborhood, luxury condos at One Bennett Park provide an exclusive location and new, energy-efficient construction. Let’s look closer at One Bennett Park and see why this new Chicago building is one of the hottest places to buy and live in the city.

One Bennett Park - Construction and Amenities

One of Chicago’s finest residential towers, One Bennett Park, allows residents the opportunity to live right in the heart of the city in luxury. Completed in 2019, this building is Chicago’s 13th-highest skyscraper and overlooks Lake Michigan, Navy Pier, and the dazzling Chicago skyline.

In the market for a condo offering the very best of Chicago residential real estate? Look no further than 10 East Delaware, the shining gem of Chicago’s central Gold Coast neighborhood. These luxury condos are some of the most desirable on the market. Let’s look at the details and accessibility that these state-of-the-art units have to offer.

10 E Delaware Condos

10 E Delaware Place is a 35-story, 121-unit residential tower in the heart of Chicago’s premiere Gold Coast neighborhood. Designed by luxury architect Lucien Lagrance in 2009, this building offers top-of-the-line condos and immediate access to the very best parts of the city: the Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park, Grant Park, the lakefront, and so much more.

Residents at 10 E. Delaware have access to unparalleled amenities: a rooftop garden terrace and outdoor pool, climate-controlled indoor private parking, a private owner’s club with full kitchen and fireplace, state-of-the-art fitness center, and 24-hour door staff. Both housekeeping and room service are available from the neighboring world-renowned Talbot Hotel.