1645 W. Ogden

The West Loop is still hot even in a cool economy, and folks are continuing to discover the charms of the area. Add 1645 W. Ogden to the list of intriguing buildings in the booming area.

Located just steps from the United Center, Greektown, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Little Italy, and Maxwell Street, this building offers tremendous views of Chicago’s great skyline, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, high ceilings, balconies, and fireplaces.

That’s not to mention the easy access to Chicago’s Loop, public transportation, and several major expressways. Both the Chicago Bulls and 2010 Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks play in the United Center, and that makes the area a major draw. So do the major musical acts that play concerts in the building.

There are plenty of bars, clubs, and restaurants nearby, and there is plenty of retail in the area. Prices in the 207-unit, eight-floor building range from $100K to $500K.

Once an industrial area, the West Loop is full of buildings that have been converted to lofts and condos. The area is rapidly changing, and the proximity to downtown and some of Chicago’s greatest neighborhoods make it very attractive.

Check out 1645 W. Ogden today!

Hello from New York City. I just wanted to send out a short message this morning and give you a quick update on our website and blogs.  First off our blogs have been fully restored and we are up and running at 100%.  So blog followers, readers and admirers – comment away!

Secondly the framework of our core website (CondoDomain.com) has been restored and successful moved to a brand new server environment.  In hopes to eliminate all of the bugs, errors and downtime we were experiencing, the new site is lightning fast giving you all a much better consumer experience.  Search 10X faster today!

Left to be done over the next week.

1.  Reinstall our core MLS search functionality on Boston, Chicago, DC, Baltimore & NYC

2.  Prepare MLS installations on the remaining 15 new markets.

3. Install our new “Condo Forum” and more features we have to surprise you!

On behalf of CondoDomain I would like to apologize for anyone who has experienced technical issues or website performance over the past few weeks.  I can assure you the problems are behind us now and we look forward to providing an even better experience, starting today!

Any questions – as always – contact your City Vice President and of course feel free to drop me a line as well!

Sincerely,

Tony Longo
CondoDomain/CEO
ajl [at] CondoDomain.com

2224 W. Madison

If you’re caught up in Stanley Cup fever and want to settle near the home of the Chicago Blackhawks, this condo building may be for you. Same goes if you’re a basketball fan who hopes that LeBron James will make Chicago his new home.

Even if you’re not a sports fan, 2224 W. Madison may be just the place for you. This West Side building sits just a few blocks west of the United Center in an area that is rapidly changing. With units priced between $200K and $500K, it shouldn’t be too hard to find a condo in your price range.

This Westhaven Park building is a brand-new place that is close to public transportation, important streets, and major highways. Amenities include 42-inch cabinets, granite counter tops, and stainless steel appliances.

Other features include great views of the Chicago skyline, a rooftop deck, and garage parking.

The neighborhood offers plenty of eateries, bars, shops, and clubs, as well as easy access to downtown. Other hot neighborhoods, such as Greektown, are just a short distance away.

Check out 2224 West Madison today!

SkyBridge Chicago--photo credit to Jarred Trost

SkyBridge Chicago is the type of building that luxury buyers dream of. Located in Chicago’s West Loop, this building offers one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom units with up to 3.5 baths. The largest units are up to 4,200 square feet.

The units come with GE appliances, full-sized washers and dryers, bathroom cabinets that offer a choice of maple, oak, laminate, or Thermofoil; Grohe faucets, double-bowl sinks; American Standard commodes; guest tubs; and master whirlpools.

Gas fireplaces are available, and units also feature 9-foot ceilings, granite counter tops, marble flooring, and recessed lighting.

Parking is available, and the West Loop location offers stunning skyline views and easy access to the Kennedy Expressway. That’s in addition to the fine dining and amazing nightlife offered in the West Loop, along with tons of shopping. Don’t forget about the culinary delights of nearby Greektown.

Prices in this Moran and Weiner-developed building range from $300K to $1.7 million. The building offers 266 units on 39 floors.

Take a look at Skybridge Chicago today!

340 Evergreen is a 6 floor, 9 unit building in the heart of Old Town. This trendy neighborhood is home to Second City, arhcitecture that pre-dates the Chicago Fire, and tons of cozy eating spots. All brick and steel construction and luxury finishes make 340 Evergreen a fabulous place for people who love a modern feel in their home. Every unit features open chef’s kitchens that include auto-close drawers, granite backsplashes, and finishes from Kohler, Pella, Jenn Air Pro, and more.

The extra tall interior doors and wide hallways give every home  a spacious and breezy feel. Units in 340 Evergreen are made even more luxurious with their beautiful master suites. These suites include walk-in closets, showers with body sprays, and separate Jacuzzi tubs. 340 Evergreen also features great outdoor terraces and heated garage parking.

Contact us today for more info or a tour! Or visit the developer’s website.

Learn how you can save thousands with CondoDomain!

Chicago

For the first time in 22 months, the median home price in the city of Chicago has risen.

The Chicago metro area as a whole is still down, but thanks exclusively to single-family home sales, the median price of homes in the city itself has risen, for the first time since June of 2008.

There’s other good news: sales of existing homes in the metro area rose for the tenth straight month, year-over-year. In the city limits, sales were up 41.1 percent, marking the eighth straight months of gains inside the city limits.

The median price rose 3.2 percent, while the sales of single-family homes rose by 25.4 percent.

Condos rose in sales by 53.9 percent, but the median price decreased.

Experts suggest that this is a sign than the market has hit bottom and is ready to being recovering, albeit at a slow pace. The sales numbers also suggest that some buyers may have taken advantage of depressed prices. Still others may have taken advantage of tax breaks for buyers.

Whatever the case, this may be a sign that the market is slowly getting back to normal. This is probably better news for sellers than buyers, but it’s also probably a good overall sign for the economy.

[Source: Chicago Tribune]

Fullerton Lofts

Lincoln Park is crowded near the lake, so those who want to live in this North Side neighborhood but want a little more breathing room might be best served by taking a look at the Fullerton Lofts.

Located just south of the bustling Clybourn Corridor–which is filled with plenty of high-end retail shops–and at the western end of the popular Lincoln Park neighborhood, this building has 39 units among five floors. Floor plans vary, from one-bedroom units to penthouse suites. Each unit has its own private balcony.

Prices run from $200K to $550K, and amenities include hardwood floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, spa baths, stainless steel appliances, and a kitchen island. There’s also a fitness center, a sundeck, and indoor heated parking. Parking is included in the purchase price.

Not only are the Fullerton Lofts located near top retail and restaurants, but the expressway and Metra stations are nearby, making commutes to downtown or the suburbs easy. Nearby Ashland Avenue provides easy access to Wicker Park/Bucktown or Lakeview.

Location may be a strength of the Fullerton Lofts, but the amenities and affordability will make the building even more appealing.

Take a tour today!

The Lofts at Roosevelt

South Loop living is appealing to a lot of buyers, especially those who work downtown or simply want to live in the heart of the city. The Lofts at Roosevelt Collection offer buyers the chance to buy in a prime spot of the South Loop–right along the Chicago River.

The 342-unit building is strategically positioned to put buyers close to expressways, commuter and CTA trains, and the Loop business district. Not to mention the lakefront, Grant Park and Millennium Park, Solider Field, and McCormick Place, all being close by.

The Lofts at Roosevelt Collection give buyers loft spaces with panoramic city views, in addition to the great location. Units start at $300,000.

657 West Fulton

The West Loop has been hot over the past several years, due mainly to its central location, and the Fulton Market district, which is located just northwest of the Loop, provides an ideal place to buy if you’d like to be near downtown.

The area is close to major commuter train stations, as well as downtown offices, shopping, and nightlife. The seven-story building offers 75 units, with a choice of one or two bedrooms. Deeded parking is available, thanks to an attached, heated garage.

Pet owners should rejoice, both cats and dogs are allowed in the building. Prices start at $199,000 and go as high as $1,800,000.

This formerly industrial area of town is fast becoming revitalized, and while 657 Fulton is centrally located, it’s also far enough from the beaten path that it offers some solitude, unlike more-crowded areas of the West Loop. Downtown office workers will like being close to the office, and reverse-commuters will appreciate the easy access to train stations and major highways.

The nightlife in this area is an especially unique mix of boutiques, art galleries, kitschy bars, and night clubs. Serious foodies might head over to nearby Greektown to sample authentic cuisine.

Click here to learn more.

West Loop living has become increasingly attractive to many buyers, and 565 Quincy is located in prime space, right near two major train stations, the Willis Tower, and the Chicago River.

Buyers will find more to like about 565 Quincy than its location. The “Q Room” offers amenities such as a private bowling alley, and movie screening room. In the summer time, residents can cook outdoors on the rooftop.

There’s plenty of choice at 565 Quincy–there are 18 loft floor plans and 17 different floor plans available for other units. Units offer upscale kitchen appliances and separate temperature controls for each room. Oh, and heated indoor parking is available.

The building is close to downtown and all that it has to offer, such as the Theatre District, Millenium Park, Grant Park, the State Street retail corridor, and the Magnificent Mile. There is plenty of shopping and nightlife nearby.

Tour 565 Quincy today!

Five year old CondoDomain is expanding nationally and is looking for top real estate professionals to launch Chicago!

CondoDomain is a web-based real estate brokerage headquartered in Boston and operating in 18 urban metros. We are one of the fastest growing real estate brokerages and are currently looking to add one to three agents to our roster in the Chicago area.

We are a consumer-oriented brokerage on every level and provide the highest level of service and do it for less – saving our clients thousands of dollars on every transaction. CondoDomain is the only brokerage with a business model like this allowing you to WIN every buyer or seller you come across.

If you love real estate, technology and helping people, this is the place for you. We are building something very exciting and special here – now is your chance to get in on the ground level of this start-up.

We have recently hired our managing broker and City Vice President and are looking for 3 highly motivated and skilled real estate agents.

Structure
- Team – We are looking for 2-3 agents that work as a team to produce 20-30 transactions per month
- No prospecting – our website and proprietary online networks including our local full-time Social Media Coordinator drum up all of your business

Responsibility
- Your core responsibility is to work with buyers and sellers
- Tour properties, consult and advise, write up offers, negotiate and bring to closing
- Provide outstanding customer service and client satisfaction
- Be involved in the online social world helping buyers and sellers by answering questions and publishing market updates and hot real estate news

What are we looking for
- Highly productive and highly organized real estate agent
- Lives in and understands the Chicago real estate market
- Highly productive on the Internet
- Full-time employment, this is NOT for part-time agents – our agents are busy – very busy – so if you’re looking for the ‘traditional’ RE agent lifestyle – this job is not for you

What you need
- Laptop and cell phone (with PDA/Email/Calendar)
- Active real estate license
- Entrepreneurs mindset, ideas, tons of energy and a great personality
- Live in & know Chicago

How to apply
To apply, email nick@CondoDomain.com and include “CondoDomain Agent – Chicago” in the subject line. Inquiries received without a resume will not be considered.

Coming Soon Website:  Chicago Condos

North Side

When condo shopping, especially on the North Side, there are plenty of options. There are lofts, walk-ups (both new construction and rehabs) and lakefront high-rises. What’s best for you?

If you are looking for space, particularly if you want high ceilings, lofts may be good for you. And there are parts of Lincoln Park and Lakeview that used to house factories which have now been converted into condos. But if you’re shopping on the North or Northwest Sides, you’re mostly likely going to be looking at walk-ups or high-rise buildings.

This author recently went through the same search, before settling on a high-rise unit. As might be expected, the two types of condos are quite different, and you’ll have to find what works best for you. In my case, a need for parking for my car led me to look at high-rises, since most have garages. There are walk-up units with off-street parking, as well, but the numbers are lower.

High-rise buyers will find themselves paying more for assessments, since most high-rise buildings have maintenance staffs and doormen whose salaries need to be paid somehow. Walk-up units can be appealing due to the lower assessments, but during my search, I noticed that the average price of a unit in a walk-up or low-rise multi-unit dwelling seemed to be a bit higher than that of comparable high-rise units.

Finally, you’ll want to consider the community make-up of the building itself. In a walk-up, you’ll have only a few neighbors. On the one hand, the small amount of people could give you a sense of  community, on the other, it makes it hard to escape your neighbors should there be a beef. Living in a high-rise is like living in a mini-city, there are plenty of people to meet, and its easier to retreat should you not see eye-to-eye with a neighbor. Also, many high-rise buildings offer perks like a gym, pool, party room, or marketplace.

During my search, I looked at both types of buildings. In the end, I picked a high-rise because of the view, the available parking, and the lower purchase price. But my experience, like every other buyers’, is unique. You’ll need to take some time to go over your own needs and wants, and then make the call.