Gourmet Hot Dogs and Other Oxymorons

When you think about how hot dogs are made. Dregs of beef, pork , and chicken. Define the word dregs, think about it..not exactly gourmet, and you probably ate your last hot dog. Oxymoron "fo sho"
Like jumbo shrimp or passive aggressive,  I like pretty ugly, then there is virtual reality, and original copy. Yea no such THING as a gourmet hot dog.
Damn you auto correct!

Money, Real Estate, and The Art of Living Well

Getting there and being there. Rent your way to the top. Buzz words. Second mortgage.
Swimming pool. Ocean View, View of the Lake,  Exotic Cars, Exoctic Pets,
Rodeo Drive, Lake Shore Drive.  Arrived

A Speakeasy , "A Haunt" , A lounge, "That Joint"

Brando's Speakeasy, sexy little bar located downtown Chicago. Seductive with just the right amount of  chummy. When you meet Dino you will understand the essence of this speakeasy.

Truth or Fear

US - Nebraska is the 15th state to have an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza confirmed as South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota also report new cases. The number of outbreaks nationwide stands at 158, with more than 33.33 million poultry affected.

Jello

Who doesn't like jello? Not quite sure what's in jello?
Gelatin , water ,sugar or artificial sweetener and artificial flavors and
Food coloring
Yes I too am wondering why hospitals are serving it up to all their patients , I'm seeing a spinoff here, soylent green meets jello zombies and Jell-O shots saves the day.

I just can't tell you

I'm so sick of real estate, and all the dreamers with $20 bucks in their pocket.
Then I meet mom and pop who have lived in their home for 49 years.  I have always gravitated toward older people. If you want to have a fascinating conversation seek out the elderly.  I met Roman and his wife of 50 years in wicker park. I noticed he was pulling weeds while sitting in a folding chair. "Trust me, the man was getting the job done." All the while sitting down. I also noticed he had painted his cement front porch stairs with bold red and black diamond shapes. He followed the motif around the edges of his whole house.  Wicker park reminds me of Venice Beach, California, homeless and hipsters, and hipsters that dress like they are homeless walking around in $1000 sneakers.  Every where you look there is new construction. "All the houses behind me are gonna be tore down," he tells me with a sigh.  He proudly shows me his garden and explains what inspired him to paint. His wife laughs remembering how she fought against the grand idea. That is probably why he went on to trim the house with the mad colors. Nothing like a woman's protest and disdain to spur a man on to stir up some snakes.  A lot has changed in this neighborhood in 49 years. Roman talks about selling his home along with his neighbors and retiring to Puerto Rico, but he must get the ok from his sons, he has 5 grown sons and they all must agree. I get the feeling they will never agree and that's just the way Roman likes it. Too many memories shape this old house. Days like this  and people like Roman remind me why I love real estate.. Character.

This Is Not Going Away Folks

Chicago Now Has 7th Highest Rent Prices in Country

Chicago's apartment boom is a real thing, and according to a new report from apartment search website Zumper, Chicago is quickly climbing the ranks ofpriciest cities to rent in. According to their latest National Rent Report, Zumper ranks Chicago as the seventh most expensive city for renters in the country, up two places from last month. The report, created using data from listings on Zumper, indicates that the median price for a one bedroom in Chicago is $1,760, while the median price for a two bedroom is $2,370. As fat as individual neighborhoods are concerned, it's about what you'd guess-downtown neighborhoods are by far the priciest in Chicago. Zumper places the Near North Side (River North, Streeterville, Gold Coast) at first place while the Loop and the Near West Side (West Loop) come in second and third place. The data is a little hard to swallow considering that it only takes information found on Zumper into account, and it lumps multiple neighborhoods into one large, super pricey region. However, renters and developers will likely find the information somewhat useful.

Source: http://curbed.chicago.com

"April Fools!

April 1st, is a favorite day for me, as I enjoy pulling pranks on friends and family always successfully. I think it comes from being a good story teller or perhaps a fine actress.
Anyhoo.. April 1st was a beautiful 70 degree day here in Chicago. I actually was able to take a walk and grab a pizza from Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder.
A place you must experience for yourself .  From the Mediterranean bread to the upside down pizza.
Cash only and unforgettably famous

The perfect tuna salad sandwich

I have been on a small quest for the perfect tuna salad sandwich here in Chicago.
I guess whole foods offers a fairly tasty tuna salad. I sometimes am weary of how fresh it is.
I am open to suggestions .. Yum"

Article Copied from DNA info Chicago

CHICAGO — The median monthly rental cost for a one bedroom apartment in Chicago in March was $1,760, according to a new report.

Of the 29 neighborhoods examined, the Near North Side was the most expensive, at $2,140 for a one-bedroom unit, according to the rental web site zumper.com. The least expensive was Grand Crossing, at $680 per month.

The city wide median rent for a two-bedroom was $2,370, the zumper.com report said. Compared to February, one-bedroom rents were up 5.4 percent. Quarter to quarter, rents were down 1.1 percent.

Nationally, Chicago was ranked seventh in the nation among big cities. Number one was San Francisco, with a median one-bedroom rent of $3,400 and $4,580 for a two-bedroom unit, zumper said. New York was number two, at $3,000 and $3,580.

The figures are based on rents of units offered on its website. The median rental price means that half of the units cost more and half cost less.
 

I've been ill

I've been ill. All I've had to eat is NyQuil and green tea I'm afraid. And 15 Girl Scout cookies.

$$$ Real Money, Real Rents

LAKEVIEW — Think you are paying a lot to rent that one-bedroom, 500-square-foot apartment near the "L"?

You're right — rents in Lakeview hit about $1,400 in February, on average, a national rental company said.

That's nearly a 4 percent jump from January, reported Zumper.com, which offers 8,200 apartments in 30 Chicago neighborhoods.

And experts said rents are only going to increase as spring moving season begins.

"There are definitely options out there,” said Erin Smithe, 22, but “if you want to live by yourself, there's not as much.”

Smithe added: “It's so much easier if you have a roommate to find affordable rent."

Ariel Cheung says when you rent affects what you pay:

COPIED FROM DNAinfo Chicago

Hello, A Real Estate Letter

I found this letter inside my front door today . The plain white legal sized envelope simply read Hello. Curious, I opened the letter inside.  To my wonder it read and I quote.. "After raising my family in our home at 92 North Edgewood Avenue in La Grange we are putting this lovely home on the market." It went on to describe the house and the family and all the wonderful years enjoyed at said residence. Along with a virtual tour link.  Signed by a Mr. Kevin Barry.
I thought it sweet but odd since I live in the city.  It was like the balloon that gets blown away and lands in the oddest place, how did it come so far? Or could it be the most brilliant piece of marketing?
I am writing about it after all.

Bad Pizza

Nothing Mystic about bad pizza. I know what your thinking, bad pizza in Chicago? Yes it's true found myself at a little well known pizza place on Dearborn, better known as printers row. "No bueno baby."
I did find myself some real good chow at Rocks on Lincoln.  Also love to eat / shop at whole foods the 2 story whole foods in Lincoln Park . You have a glass of wine, relax, sit down, order anything you want to eat, I mean your inside a food market. Look at all the beautiful people. Good day right?

Why Stop When I'm On A Roll

I told you much swallowed. Have you been to the Old Town Social? 400 block of North Ave Chicago.  Honestly the finest mac n cheese I've had in a very very long time. I rarely eat mac n cheese, not a big item on the menu in Los Angeles. Made with  Gruyere cheese. Am I repeating myself?  Yummy, super yum : )

The Duke

1. Duke Of Perth located on Clark street Chicago. This place is so charming. I felt like I was in an English pup surrounded by good friends. Best Friday all you can eat fish fry, not exactly but pretty damn good!

Much Time.. Much Swallowed

I have been running around around this wonderful town in this god forsaken weather
Ate at Tarantino's I love when great restaurants set out bread and butter with a twist. Tarantino's does it with eggplant. Warm bread served with olive oil with a healthy dash of eggplant, "succulent!"
Beef carpaccio very tasty. As well as the lobster ravioli. Perfect service ,warm, welcoming with scrumptious food

1. 
   

Wiggle Room

Enjoyed a sexy evening at High Hat in  North Center ,Chicago, complete with a very entertaining burlesque show. Tasty New Orleans or as the locals say, nawlins  cuisine . Try the burger, half beef half pork with just enough kick in every bite.  How's the jambalaya  you ask, in a word piquant..

Lincoln Square

Snow

Too much snow.. Craving chicken pot pie, good old fashioned midwest comfort food. My favorite place for chicken pot pie in Chicago is O'Brien's on wells. Sadly not so great this year,  more like chicken pot soup sans the chicken.
Oh well, let's talk real estate. How do you feel about Lincoln Square? It's not Pacific Palisades, but I do love this neighborhood. Close to the Damen Brown line as well as the Western brown line. Price range you ask?
2855 Berwyn sold  for $305,000 to 2157 Giddings sold for $1,750,000
Lincoln Square is famous for their grand oktoberfest. Take a stroll through the Mayberry type town plan to linger in The Bookseller a prodigious cache of books and enjoy a glass of wine.
Your bound to have more questions, feel free to contact me.

Berkshire Hathaway Realty Lincoln Park

I'm still here

Been a bit of a bore, slug, soporific . "Baby it's cold outside,"   Eating things that I can zap in the microwave lately. Having potbelly delivered, my fav the hammie.  Ignoring the fact that I even have a job that I love.  But that's all changed like the chicago weather ...
Saturday nite I went  bowling at Lincoln Square Lanes so much fun! Great upbeat staff even though the place was slammed. Ryan the owner/ manager did a tremendous remodel. I was also fond of the before old school atmosphere, I guess when you have exceptional historic bones like Lincoln Square bowling alley, no matter what you do it's just a great place. Try the goat cheese flatbread. 
Walking in Lincoln Square,  Ravenswood neighborhood streets like Claremont , Bell, Hermitage          most enjoyable, must be the porches.  Visit Mariano's market you can buy your food and they will cook it for you. : )
I had a chance to show 6963 N Sheridan top of the line rehab apartments rent includes garage parking
Easy to show.
 Happy January in Chicago!

Budacki's

Budacki's perhaps they were having an off day.. The worst cheeseburger and hamburger meat. 

The Gage

Ate at the Gage last night . Enjoyed all , the service , the cocktails, the fondue , sat in the bar  and enjoyed the warmth and great lighting. Kind of felt like I was in New York.

2015 Jan 1st . Real l estate in Lincoln square is a builders dream come true. Who would of thought that prices for new construction would reach the $2 million mark.
Join me as I preview a different chicago  restaurant a month.  Fingers crossed : )
New Years Day brunch at Fork in Lincoln Square. Yummy Eggs Benedict, a mimosa that will warm your toes. Happy New Year 2015!!