Pitcher Carlos Zambrano, for instance, is struggling to sell his suburban home, located in sleepy River Forest, at the moment. When Zambrano bought the home, which was built in 1999, he paid $1.199 million for it, but sources speculate that he’ll be lucky to $900,000 for it now.

According to the Tribune ” He bought the six-bedroom, nearly 4,000-square-foot house in 2006 for $1.199 million. It has four baths, a loft, a finished lower level with a large recreation room, a three-car garage and a sunken great room with a wall of windows and vaulted ceiling.”

“Zambrano lived in the home for a year and a half but decided he wanted to live closer to Wrigley Field, said listing agent Jessica Rivera of Weichert Realtors Nickel Group. In 2008, “Big Z” bought a six-bedroom, 6,700-square-foot house in Lakeview for $2.66 million.”

Zambrano has been trying to sell the home off and on since 2008, but so without success. His luck may soon change, though, as real estate experts report that the housing market in River Forest may be improving.

“The average listing price for homes there for the week ending September 21 was $543,392, down 0.4 percent from the previous week,” Trulia reports. “The median sales price from June 2011 to August 2011 was $545,000, up 17 percent from the same period in 2010. ”

Hopefully Zambrano will be able to hit a home-run with the sale of his River Forest house. Maybe then he’ll be able to hit a few home runs in Wrigley Field, as well.

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However, the area is, by no means, a loser. Wrigleyville is one of the liveliest and interesting parts of the entire city.

From John Barleycorn and the Cubby Bear to the great restaurants that surround Wrigley, this is a great place to live if you enjoy a good time. During the summer it feels as if there is a game going on every day. Traffic gets a little heavy, but the Brown and Red Line that goes through the area is a quick and easy way to get into downtown in about 5-10 minutes.

The housing prices in this area are a bit steep because the area is so highly prized by Cubs fans who want to live close to their perennially losing team year after year. That being said the condos and homes in the area are top of the line, so people can get their money’s worth from the investment.

Additionally, since this is a smaller neighborhood than the larger East and West Lakeview, it is a more prized area to own property.

This area is one Cubs World Series pennant away from being the best neighborhood in Chicago. In the meantime, you have the “Lovable Losers” and their fans to keep you company on a warm Chicago night as you eat at one of the many beer gardens in the area.

3133 North Lakewood

Buyers looking for a place in Wrigleyville might do well to consider a unit at 3133 North Lakewood.

Located just south of busy Belmont Avenue and only blocks from historic Wrigley Field, this 25-unit, four-story building offers residents 15′ floor-to-ceiling windows and private decks. Indoor parking is available and pets are allowed in the building. Prices start at about $250K.

The neighborhood can’t be beat. Besides being close to Wrigley Field, the building is close to plenty of nightclubs, bars, and restaurants. The Southport Corridor–which includes plenty of high-end retail shops–is right around the corner.

Public transit is also close by–CTA buses and trains are just steps away. Of course, Wrigley Field is a big draw, and some units in this Jameson building will have views of the ballpark, while others will overlook downtown. Even if sports isn’t your thing, Wrigleyville offers plenty to do–and it’s not too far from downtown. Whether you’re into baseball, shopping, or eating out, this location is for you. And so just might be 3133 North Lakewood.

Take a look today!

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.