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Where have all the North Shore agents gone?

That’s a question that some people may be asking come May 1st of this year, according to a recent Chicago Tribune article on changes in Illinois’ broker licensing law that take effect on that date. Most real estate agents hold only an entry-level salesperson license. The new law eliminates that category of licensing and requires... Read more »
By Joe Zekas,
April 10, 2012 at 10:07 pm
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Are North Shore sellers over-optimistic this spring?

The good news for North Shore buyers is that there seems to be a decent amount of fresh inventory hitting the market. There continue to be “new” listings that have been marketed off and on for years, but more of the new listings appear to be on the market for the first time in years... Read more »
By Joe Zekas,
April 8, 2012 at 8:54 pm
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Are Winnetka condos a good buy?

A 1,730 square foot 3-bedroom, 3-bath condo at 660 Winnetka Mews just came on the market for $329,000. It had previously sold for $485,500 in October of 2001. The unit has an updated kitchen with white cabinets and granite countertops. All three bedrooms are generously sized. There’s a fireplace in the large living room, and... Read more »
By Joe Zekas,
April 5, 2012 at 8:39 pm
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Is 191 Sheridan one of the North Shore's most prized homes?

When Geno Benvenuti started in the architectural design business, he relates, he was designing kitchens for clients for $30,000. “Today,” he says, “they spend $30,000 just on the appliances – and they don’t even cook.” A lakefront home with a Benvenuti and Stein kitchen just came on the market at 191 Sheridan Rd in Winnetka... Read more »
By Joe Zekas,
April 3, 2012 at 10:42 pm
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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. Renovated townhomes for... Read more »
By Joe Zekas,
April 1, 2012 at 7:42 pm
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This week's rental pick is in Wilmette's Kenilworth Gardens

It’s been a while since I singled out a North Shore rental pick. This week’s focus falls on 2240 Kenilworth Ave, a 3-bedroom, 2 ½ bath home in Wilmette‘s Kenilworth Gardens offered at $3,300 a month. There isn’t enough information online to determine whether the home qualifies as special in any way, or whether it’s... Read more »
By Joe Zekas,
March 29, 2012 at 11:28 pm
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How quickly will this Evanston 4-bedroom Colonial sell?

The newly listed 4-bedroom, 2 ½ bath center-entrance Colonial at 2403 Marcy Ave appears to have all the basic elements that have made for a relatively rapid sale in Evanston recently. The home has good curb appeal and is on a 62 x 145 corner lot with professionally landscaped yard in an area of Evanston... Read more »
By Joe Zekas,
March 27, 2012 at 11:41 pm
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Lake Bluff home at $1.9M below 2005 price

The single-family home at 1780 Shore Acres Rd in Lake Bluff sold for $3,000,000 in November of 2005 and recently came on the market for $1,100,000. The home has some impressive specs for the price and the location: 2.66 acres, 4 bedrooms, 3 ½ baths, 5 fireplaces, 6,590 square feet of living space, and a... Read more »
By Joe Zekas,
March 25, 2012 at 5:04 pm
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Few attractively-priced rentals on the North Shore

We’ve tracked the market for rental homes and condos on the North Shore for several years and the market appears to be as tight as I’ve seen it. There are more properties available than there were in the late spring and early summer of last year but, and this is purely an impressionistic take, the... Read more »
By Joe Zekas,
March 22, 2012 at 11:42 pm
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An insider's guide to Highland Park, and a new listing

The current issue of Chicago Magazine takes a brief look at the dining, shopping and entertainment scene in Highland Park. The article begins with the obligatory reference to the Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan’s having taken up residence in Highland Park and opened a tea house. The scent of tea – as the term was used... Read more »
By Joe Zekas,
March 20, 2012 at 10:15 pm
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