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Curb appeal at the edge of Evanston's Ridge Historic District

If the photo’s a good indication, this renovated home at the edge of Evanston’s Ridge Historic District (pdf) has killer curb appeal. The 1877 vintage Italianate 5-bedroom, 3-bath home at 1608 Ashland Ave is new on the market and priced at $795,000. A recent renovation preserved some of the original details, according to the listing... Read more »
By Joe Zekas,
today at 12:29 am
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Trying to better the 2009 purchase price in West Wilmette

If you spend any amount of time reading the comments on local real estate websites, you frequently encounter mocking references to sellers who bought in recent years and are now attempting to resell for more than their purchase price. Those jibes may be merited in some cases, but readers should investigate carefully before concluding that... Read more »
By Joe Zekas,
February 19, 2012 at 9:47 pm
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Two video tours of a David Adler home in Lake Forest

When it comes to touring homes with some architectural interest and history, the man to watch is Dennis Rodkin, Chicago Magazine’s Deal Estate columnist. Rodkin approaches a historic home with a more refined sensibility and a broader base of knowledge than architecture neophytes like me. Compare his tour of a David Adler-designed home in Lake... Read more »
By Joe Zekas,
February 17, 2012 at 4:11 pm
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A Wilmette home with a whole lot of space

“A whole lot of space” is how Chicago Magazine’s Dennis Rodkin, in the above video, sums up the historic home at 1137 Greenwood Ave in Wilmette. The home just came on the market as a new listing, but that’s because it was delisted during the holiday season. Rodkin wrote about the home last September after... Read more »
By Joe Zekas,
February 14, 2012 at 8:31 pm
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Rental spotlight – a new townhome in Northfield for $4,500

Unit 1C at 1884 Old Willow Rd in Northfield just came on the market. The 3-bedroom, 2 ½ bath, 2-car garage condo is walking distance from the not terribly walkable downtown Northfield, and has easy access to the Edens Expressway. It is offered for rent at $4,500 a month. The 6-unit Residences of Northfield Center... Read more »
By Joe Zekas,
February 12, 2012 at 5:49 pm
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A look at Wilmette's most eccentric mansion

Wilmette-Kenilworth Patch has a fascinating look at the former home of architect / developer Benjamin Marshall in Wilmette. According to the Patch article, the home was “perhaps the most opulent mansion ever built on the North Shore.” Perhaps not. A number of homes would vie for that title, including the Schweppe Mansion, built by the... Read more »
By Joe Zekas,
February 10, 2012 at 3:56 pm
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$850K price drop on Evanston lakefront home

Last June, when the property first came to market and I saw listing copy describing 581 Ingleside Park in Evanston as the “most beautiful lakefront home” I was skeptical. So, I called the listing agent, Sally Mabadi, and arranged a tour. A quick walk around the home and the grounds quickly overcame my skepticism. If... Read more »
By Joe Zekas,
February 8, 2012 at 9:22 am
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A North Shore real estate news roundup

If you’re homeward bound to the North Shore, the local media can help you learn the flavor of the different communities and keep you up-to-date on real estate news.. Not all of the stories linked below qualify as actual “real estate news,” but they may affect your decision on where to move. Evanston sued by... Read more »
By Joe Zekas,
February 5, 2012 at 5:57 pm
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Is the Super Bowl depressing North Shore open houses?

One might think there would be a normal complement of open houses for new listings this Super Bowl Sunday, given the lack of participation by the Bears and the Packers. One would be wrong. Redfin is the answer that I hear most often when I question North Shore buyers about the venues they search for... Read more »
By Joe Zekas,
February 2, 2012 at 10:08 pm
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On the North Shore, lakefront isn't always beachfront

Chicago Magazine’s Dennis Rodkin recently reported on the sale of four multi-million lakefront properties, one each in Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka and Glencoe. Rodkin’s report prompted me to revisit a video I shot in May of 2010 with Maureen Mohling, one of the grandes dames of Winnetka real estate. I asked Maureen to chat about what... Read more »
By Joe Zekas,
January 31, 2012 at 9:12 pm
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