The Chicago Condo Loft » Open House

Don’t Flip Out: House Flipping Trendy in Chicago

Lindsey Anderson — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 14:00:28 +0000

With few job prospects available to them, many people have begun to pursue more and more unusual career paths to make ends meet. One Illinois woman has actually taken to “flipping” houses for a living. Cynthia Block, of Knoxville, Illinois, has created a career for herself buying up old homes, remodeling them, and selling them at a profit. According to a reporter for the CarmiTimes, “Despite having a master’s degree in business administration from Regis University in Denver, Cynthia Block returned to the area two years ago from Cincinnati and found a tight job market which, for her, included no job opportunities. She decided to turn what she did as a hobby for friends in the Cincinnati/northern Kentucky area into a career.” “Block, the daughter of former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture John ‘Jack’ Block, began flipping houses—buying houses at a low price, having them remodeled and selling them for a profit. Block decided to add a twist, developing designer houses using her own concepts. It was the design work that she did previously as a hobby.” Block isn’t the only one to make a living this way, though. House flipping has become increasingly common, particularly in large cities like Chicago, where many older homes can be bought at a reduced price. The house flippers who buy up houses in up-and-coming Chicago neighborhoods, like Pilsen and Logan Square, are often able to make quite a lot of money on each piece of property they purchase. And although the people who buy the homes they have flipped pay for these improvements, they often pay less than they would for a new construction. In this sense, the situation is win-win for both parties! If you’d like to learn more about Chicago and its many wonderful neighborhoods, check out articles like this one or enter your information in the box to your right to be contacted by a rock star real estate agent.

Cynthia Block, of Knoxville, Illinois, has created a career for herself buying up old homes, remodeling them, and selling them at a profit.

According to a reporter for the CarmiTimes, “Despite having a master’s degree in business administration from Regis University in Denver, Cynthia Block returned to the area two years ago from Cincinnati and found a tight job market which, for her, included no job opportunities. She decided to turn what she did as a hobby for friends in the Cincinnati/northern Kentucky area into a career.”

“Block, the daughter of former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture John ‘Jack’ Block, began flipping houses—buying houses at a low price, having them remodeled and selling them for a profit. Block decided to add a twist, developing designer houses using her own concepts. It was the design work that she did previously as a hobby.”

Block isn’t the only one to make a living this way, though. House flipping has become increasingly common, particularly in large cities like Chicago, where many older homes can be bought at a reduced price.

The house flippers who buy up houses in up-and-coming Chicago neighborhoods, like Pilsen and Logan Square, are often able to make quite a lot of money on each piece of property they purchase. And although the people who buy the homes they have flipped pay for these improvements, they often pay less than they would for a new construction. In this sense, the situation is win-win for both parties!

If you’d like to learn more about Chicago and its many wonderful neighborhoods, check out articles like this one or enter your information in the box to your right to be contacted by a rock star real estate agent.

Lake Bluff Estate Blows Visitors Away

Lindsey Anderson — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 14:00:03 +0000

Terlato Wines International (TWI) is one of the largest and most successful companies based in the suburbs surrounding Chicago. TWI’s headquarters also happen to be located in one of the loveliest, most historic homes in the Lake Bluff area, the Tangley Oaks Estate. To learn a little more about Terlato Wines International and its Lake Bluff home, we sat down with the company’s founder and president, Tony Terlato. Tony had this to say about the iconic Tangley Oaks estate: Q:When did you decide to purchase the estate at Tangley Oaks? A: I purchased the estate in 1996. Q:Why did you decide to purchase it? A: I was reading the paper one day and I saw that the estate was for sale. Later that night, I happened to be having dinner with my son, John, and a friend of his that was a real estate agent, and I asked her if I could see Tangley Oaks. I wasn’t necessarily interested in purchasing it—I just wanted to see it. But I ended up falling in love with it, and we decided to buy it and make it our corporate headquarters. Q: Who owned it before you? A: Originally, the estate was built by a Chicago businessman named Philp Armour III in 1916. Armour sold the estate in the 1950s or 60s, and a publishing company bought it from him. Q: Do you often invite community members over to the estate? A: Yes, we often invite wine makers, wine journalists, chefs, restaurateurs, and the owners of distributorships over to the estate. In the past, we’ve also held community-sponsored events at the estate. Q: Do your employees enjoy working at Tangley Oaks? A: Absolutely. They genuinely seem to like coming into work each morning. And it’s not hard to understand why. The architecture and the overall design of the building is beautiful. For more information about Chicago and its surrounding suburbs check out this article on the CondoDomain blog!

To learn a little more about Terlato Wines International and its Lake Bluff home, we sat down with the company’s founder and president, Tony Terlato. Tony had this to say about the iconic Tangley Oaks estate:

Q:When did you decide to purchase the estate at Tangley Oaks?

A: I purchased the estate in 1996.

Q:Why did you decide to purchase it?

A: I was reading the paper one day and I saw that the estate was for sale. Later that night, I happened to be having dinner with my son, John, and a friend of his that was a real estate agent, and I asked her if I could see Tangley Oaks.

I wasn’t necessarily interested in purchasing it—I just wanted to see it. But I ended up falling in love with it, and we decided to buy it and make it our corporate headquarters.

Q: Who owned it before you?

A: Originally, the estate was built by a Chicago businessman named Philp Armour III in 1916. Armour sold the estate in the 1950s or 60s, and a publishing company bought it from him.

Q: Do you often invite community members over to the estate?

A: Yes, we often invite wine makers, wine journalists, chefs, restaurateurs, and the owners of distributorships over to the estate. In the past, we’ve also held community-sponsored events at the estate.

Q: Do your employees enjoy working at Tangley Oaks?

A: Absolutely. They genuinely seem to like coming into work each morning. And it’s not hard to understand why. The architecture and the overall design of the building is beautiful.

For more information about Chicago and its surrounding suburbs check out this article on the CondoDomain blog!

Home Featured in the Fugitive on Sale in Chicago

Lindsey Anderson — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 17:41:37 +0000

Although fewer films are shot in Chicago than in the city’s coastal competitors, New York City and Los Angeles, some modern-day classics have been filmed and produced in the Chicago area. Among them is the 1993 Harrison Ford vehicle, The Fugitive. The Fugitive became a box office success shortly after its release, and it’s been seen by millions of people the world over. The Chicago area home featured in multiple scenes in the movie has also been seen by millions of people, and now, one lucky super fan can call that house his home, because, recently, the house featured in The Fugitive, has gone on sale. According to the Press Room of the Huffington Post, the home went on the market last month: “The lot on which it sits, 336 W. Wisconsin Avenue, is a stone’s throw from the Lincoln Park Zoo and was originally purchased from the city for $45,000 and developed by architect Ron Ysla in 1979. After he and his family completed the bottom two floors, they moved to Winnetka and sold the home to J. Roderick MacArthur. After MacArthur died in 1984, its current owner and occupant, Polish-born doctor Norbert Gleicher took it over. Gleicher reportedly met Ford and “The Fugitive” director Andrew Davis at a restaurant—and they hit it off to such an extent that some of the scenes from the film ended up being filmed there.” The home, which is on the market for $3.95 million dollars, boasts many features, including an indoor swimming pool, a sauna, an elevator, a glass-floored catwalk, a three-car garage, a deck, and a spacious backyard. Anyone interested in learning more about the home ought to check out a video tour of the home filmed for a recent episode of Open House. And anyone interested in learning more about additional luxury accommodations in the Chicago area ought to check out articles like this one on the CondoDomain blog!

According to the Press Room of the Huffington Post, the home went on the market last month:

“The lot on which it sits, 336 W. Wisconsin Avenue, is a stone’s throw from the Lincoln Park Zoo and was originally purchased from the city for $45,000 and developed by architect Ron Ysla in 1979. After he and his family completed the bottom two floors, they moved to Winnetka and sold the home to J. Roderick MacArthur. After MacArthur died in 1984, its current owner and occupant, Polish-born doctor Norbert Gleicher took it over. Gleicher reportedly met Ford and “The Fugitive” director Andrew Davis at a restaurant—and they hit it off to such an extent that some of the scenes from the film ended up being filmed there.”

The home, which is on the market for $3.95 million dollars, boasts many features, including an indoor swimming pool, a sauna, an elevator, a glass-floored catwalk, a three-car garage, a deck, and a spacious backyard.

Anyone interested in learning more about the home ought to check out a video tour of the home filmed for a recent episode of Open House. And anyone interested in learning more about additional luxury accommodations in the Chicago area ought to check out articles like this one on the CondoDomain blog!

Brian Wilson’s Beach Boy Bungalow on the Market in the Chicago Suburbs

Lindsey Anderson — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 19:00:56 +0000

The AV Club writer Ginny Benz reports that Brian Wilson’s Chicago-area home is on the market. Brian Wilson is an American musician best known for his tenure as the leader and chief songwriter of the Beach Boys. In addition to providing the Beach Boys with many of their vocals, he also played bass and keyboards, and he served as the band’s producer and arranger. Some of his hit songs include “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “California Girls,” and “Surfin’ USA.” Today, Wilson lives in California, but he can certainly be counted on to send some “Good Vibrations” of his own to whoever purchases his Chicago home. According to Benz “Wilson wrote and recorded most of his 1998 album, Imagination, in the house, and the lucky new owners of the house will be able to utilize Wilson’s custom-built underground studio.” “The exterior of the St. Charles house looks bland and cookie-cutter, but inside, there’s 6,527 feet of living spaces, five bedrooms, six bathrooms, and nine fireplaces, which,” Benz jokes, “is the minimum number necessary to survive the harsh Illinois winter.” On top of all that, the home boasts a media room, a gym, gardens, a pond and a pool. And the landscape surrounding the home is also absolutely lovely. In addition to appreciating the aforementioned amenities, the new owners of Wilson’s home will enjoy knowing that musical luminaries like Paul McCartney of The Beatles and Joe Walsh of the Eagles have visited Wilson’s former home on at least one occasion. Located in the St. Charles suburb, only a short distance away from Chicago, the home is being sold for a cool $1.49 million. Anyone interested in learning more about Wilson’s estate, or in purchasing other luxury homes in and around the Chicago area, ought to check articles like this one on the CondoDomain blog regularly!

The AV Club writer Ginny Benz reports that Brian Wilson’s Chicago-area home is on the market.

Brian Wilson is an American musician best known for his tenure as the leader and chief songwriter of the Beach Boys. In addition to providing the Beach Boys with many of their vocals, he also played bass and keyboards, and he served as the band’s producer and arranger. Some of his hit songs include “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “California Girls,” and “Surfin’ USA.”

Today, Wilson lives in California, but he can certainly be counted on to send some “Good Vibrations” of his own to whoever purchases his Chicago home.

According to Benz “Wilson wrote and recorded most of his 1998 album, Imagination, in the house, and the lucky new owners of the house will be able to utilize Wilson’s custom-built underground studio.”

“The exterior of the St. Charles house looks bland and cookie-cutter, but inside, there’s 6,527 feet of living spaces, five bedrooms, six bathrooms, and nine fireplaces, which,” Benz jokes, “is the minimum number necessary to survive the harsh Illinois winter.”

On top of all that, the home boasts a media room, a gym, gardens, a pond and a pool. And the landscape surrounding the home is also absolutely lovely.

In addition to appreciating the aforementioned amenities, the new owners of Wilson’s home will enjoy knowing that musical luminaries like Paul McCartney of The Beatles and Joe Walsh of the Eagles have visited Wilson’s former home on at least one occasion.

Located in the St. Charles suburb, only a short distance away from Chicago, the home is being sold for a cool $1.49 million.

Anyone interested in learning more about Wilson’s estate, or in purchasing other luxury homes in and around the Chicago area, ought to check articles like this one on the CondoDomain blog regularly!

Margate Park Open House Tour

Anthony Longo — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:45:31 +0000

Margate Park will be the place to be for real estate lovers this Sunday (March 7) from 12pm – 4pm. Eighteen different real estate firms from around Chicago have come together to offer a tour of over 30 homes in this often overlooked neighborhood. Buyers will be able to see a great variety of homes in Margate Park, ranging in price from a mere %59,000 to over $1.5 million. This far North Side community features beautiful homes and is in an excellent location. Residents of Margate Park are close to Lake Michigan, Montrose Harbor, and Sheridan Road restaurants. Over half of it’s area is occupied by parks and recreational ground, which is perfect for those who love greenery in the city. It’s close proximity to Lincoln Park and Uptown also make it a prime place for people who want the best dining, shopping, and entertainment only steps from their door. Margate Park is only about 6.5 miles from downtown and has ample public transportation, which makes communiting a breeze. The tour on Sunday offers buyers a diverse sample of the homes in Margate Park ranging from studio units to single-family homes. The majority of the featured listings for this tour are one- to four- bedroom homes that vary in style from renovated vintage to mid-century high-rises. Interested in Margate Park? Contact us today! Learn how to save thousands with CondoDomain!

This far North Side community features beautiful homes and is in an excellent location. Residents of Margate Park are close to Lake Michigan, Montrose Harbor, and Sheridan Road restaurants. Over half of it’s area is occupied by parks and recreational ground, which is perfect for those who love greenery in the city. It’s close proximity to Lincoln Park and Uptown also make it a prime place for people who want the best dining, shopping, and entertainment only steps from their door. Margate Park is only about 6.5 miles from downtown and has ample public transportation, which makes communiting a breeze.

The tour on Sunday offers buyers a diverse sample of the homes in Margate Park ranging from studio units to single-family homes. The majority of the featured listings for this tour are one- to four- bedroom homes that vary in style from renovated vintage to mid-century high-rises.

Interested in Margate Park? Contact us today!

Learn how to save thousands with CondoDomain!

Chicago Condo Loft About To Go Live

Anthony Longo — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:45:53 +0000

The Chicago Condo Loft is about to go live. This new blog will highlight new Chciago condo develompents and luxury urban properties in downtown Chicago, IL. Get ready…we plan to launch very soon.

The Chicago Condo Loft is about to go live. This new blog will highlight new Chciago condo develompents and luxury urban properties in downtown Chicago, IL. Get ready…we plan to launch very soon.

The Chicago Condo & Loft Blog Goes Live

Anthony Longo — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:52:11 +0000

In anticipation for the all new CondoDomain Chicago search portal, we have pushed our local blog live! In the coming months we plan to release CondoDomain Chicago and begin working with buyers looking to purchase in downtown Chicago, IL! If you want to get a feel for what our site will be like in Chicago, IL, please feel free to check out our Boston site. Why Buy With CondoDomain? 1. We are exclusive buyers brokers! We only do 1 thing…and we do it very well! 2. Condos! Its what we know! Its what we do! 3. Flat Fee! We run an efficient business that benefits YOU, not a commission based agency that is compensated when you spend more! Our average client receives more than a $13,000 refund back at closing… We’re Hiring! If you are interested in learning more about the company please write us or check out our Facebook Group here. About CondoDomain.com LLC CondoDomain.com is a web-based real estate brokerage based in Boston, MA. The company is expanding nationwide to offer its buyers’ brokerage services in more than 30 cities around the U.S. Currently operating in Boston, CondoDomain offers an innovative flat-fee business model allowing the majority of the commission to be refunded to the buyer. By combining up-to-date MLS feeds, new construction buildings, FSBO, Foreclosures, Lofts and Auction listings all on one site, CondoDomain has become one of the most popular and user friendly real estate websites available. CondoDomain.com offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee to all of its clients, ensuring a professional, efficient, and pleasant transaction. Visit www.CondoDomain.com for more information or feel free to dive into our blogs at www.CondoDomain.com/blog. For more information, please contact Erica Farthing at (877) 852-6636. Technorati Profile

Why Buy With CondoDomain?

1. We are exclusive buyers brokers! We only do 1 thing…and we do it very well!

2. Condos! Its what we know! Its what we do!

3. Flat Fee! We run an efficient business that benefits YOU, not a commission based agency that is compensated when you spend more!

Our average client receives more than a $13,000 refund back at closing…

We’re Hiring!

If you are interested in learning more about the company please write us or check out our Facebook Group here.

About CondoDomain.com LLC

CondoDomain.com is a web-based real estate brokerage based in Boston, MA. The company is expanding nationwide to offer its buyers’ brokerage services in more than 30 cities around the U.S. Currently operating in Boston, CondoDomain offers an innovative flat-fee business model allowing the majority of the commission to be refunded to the buyer. By combining up-to-date MLS feeds, new construction buildings, FSBO, Foreclosures, Lofts and Auction listings all on one site, CondoDomain has become one of the most popular and user friendly real estate websites available. CondoDomain.com offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee to all of its clients, ensuring a professional, efficient, and pleasant transaction. Visit www.CondoDomain.com for more information or feel free to dive into our blogs at www.CondoDomain.com/blog.

For more information, please contact Erica Farthing at (877) 852-6636.

Technorati Profile