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.