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27May/082

New Listing : 1346 W Greenleaf 3W

Asking price is$359,900
Sunny and large 3bed/2bath(3rd bedroom used as office) unit in 8unit building, over 1700 sqft, new hardwood floor through out, remodeled fire place, high ceiling, exposed brick, 42″ cabinets, granite counter tops, stainless appliances, huge master bathroom with jacuzzi tub and separate shower, walk in closet with custom shelving, lots of storage, nice deck, walk to lake and red line. Parking included!
Kitchen

We also have a 2bed/2bath unit available in the same builing for $247,000.
Check out our site for more information. www.lakecityhomefinder.com

Open house 1-4pm on Sat & Sun this weekend!

Jimmy

19May/082

Home Improvement

I was reading the news when I found this article on curb appeal and home improvement projects that will help you sell your house in the future. It’s got some pretty great tips in it…after all, the easiest way to sell a house is to have the best looking place for the best price! 

http://finance.yahoo.com/real-estate/article/104923/Nine-Ways-to-Enhance-a-Home’s-Curb-Appeal.   

You know, while the typical homeowner is up to the challenge of regular maintenance and upkeep, most wait until it’s time to sell before making improvements to the home.

But why wait? Why not enjoy some of these perks for yourself?

 You can make a lot of improvements on your current home now that will still show an increased value in the near future.  These can be bigger projects, (such as finishing a basement or adding a deck), or small ones (like planting more flowers or landscaping).

 When thinking of remodeling your home, it is good to see what the competition is doing.  If you are thinking of remodeling your kitchen, for example, make sure it can compete with similar properties for sale in the area.  Don’t install new Formica countertops if everyone else has granite or better!

Happy Home Improvement! -Mike

Filed under: Tips 2 Comments
16May/082

Chicago Zoning info

Want to know what the zoning is for the area you are thinking of buying in? 
Do you know the zoning for your current neighborhood?  Wondering what they might put up in that empty lot down the street?

The Tribune has created a zoning change data base that allow you to look up changes in the last 5 years.  You can search by street name or ward.  Once you find the zoning, simply click on it for a description.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-zoning-database,0,3992125.htmlpage

Filed under: LCR 2 Comments
1May/083

5 things to do before you list your place

It’s getting finally warm!  

You’ve decided to put your place on the market…and so have lot of other people. You want your place to show better than any other properties around you. 

You have to be the best in show!

1.Get rid of clutter!

Nobody wants to see your personal stuff. Collectibles, magazines, bills on the table, pictures, magnets on the fridge…. clutter will distract a buyer’s view and give a bad impression. So put it all in boxes and store them or hide them. Bonus: now you’ve already started packing! 

2.Get out your paintbrushes!

Look around. You will see scuffs, chips and streaks. You might think it’s not a big deal, but think about it like this: your neighbor is selling the same exact unit as yours in the same building with the same price. His unit has fresh paint and yours doesn’t. Guess whose unit is going to sell first? Paint is cheap. You just have to do little exercise. Open your windows, get some fresh spring air and let’s paint!  If one of your kid’s rooms is painted a bright, pastel color or has a mural, paint over it with nice, fresh, warm color that welcomes potential buyers. Buyers don’t like personalized walls even if they have kids. Always use neutral colors- buyers want to picture themselves living there. 

3.Look at your kitchen and bath

Ok this one is very important. You’re going to need to spend some time here. A clean and solid-looking kitchen and bath will give buyers a great impression. Get rid of as much stuff as possible on the kitchen counter and hide your toaster, pots and pans. Now it looks like you have a lot more counter space. Clean your stove inside and out. Make sure the sink is always clear and the dishes are straight. If you have a lot of dishes, cups and mugs taking up too much space in the cabinets, just put them in a box and pack them away.  Scrub and clean the bathrooms. Get rid of all those extra shampoo bottles you don’t use and leave the one you do use.  If you see any mildew, GET RID OF IT!  Replace the worn-out bar soap sitting on the sink with liquid soap dispenser. Get nice, clean towels. And PLEASE don’t forget to put the toilet seat down. Always : ) 

4.Repairs

Improvement and repairs are two different things, so don’t go crazy. If your dishwasher is not working, your windows have cracks, and the faucets are leaking, you should repair them. If you don’t have granite countertops, hardwood floors or stainless-steel appliances, talk to your realtor and see if it’s even a good idea to invest in such improvements. Depending on what the competition has with their prices, you might make money, but you could also lose it if you invest too much!   

5.Final touches

So, you put all the clutter away and everything feels fresh and clean! It’s time for finishing touches.   Get some scented candles. It’s always nice to walk into a room with a fresh smell rather than the food you cooked last night. Get some flowers for the table. Real flowers. Check your light bulbs to see if they need to be replaced. And don’t forget to make your bed! Finally, get a second opinion from your realtor to see if anything else needs to be done.  

You are ready to open the door and let potential buyers in. I hope you get a lot of “WOWs” from people who walk into your home and get it sold fast! 

Jimmy Tai