The Downtown Chicago Real Estate Blog

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Real Estate Agent - REMAX Signature - Chicago
News, trends, and thoughts about buying, selling and renting in downtown Chicago.
RECENT BLOG POSTS
Although it may seem small when first mentioned, one percent can result in a big change. This came to mind recently when speaking with a buyer about mortgage rates. She was concerned that home prices had not bottomed out yet and wanted to make sure she waited until the right time. The question of...
12/05/2010
Over the Thanksgiving holiday week I started taking an inventory of what I was thankful for. This year what really came to mind was my office. I am very very thankful to be where I am at and working with the people I am working with. I have to start at the beginning of my journey to this office. ...
11/29/2010
Going to and from appointments I am often asked many questions. “Are people buying?” “Is it a good time to buy?” People hear the news and are genuinely curious.   Here are two great articles about the state of the market. In the Forbes article, it explains the role of demographics and housing aff...
09/19/2010
On a recent coaching call, my coach shared some very interesting survey results. They pertained to the number of communications to a client versus the purchase frequency. Here are the stats: 48% of sales people never follow up with a prospect 25% of sales people make a second contact and stop 12%...
08/01/2010
I came across this great Forbes article, "Five Reasons Why You Still Need a Real Estate Agent". With all the internet tools available to buyers and sellers, some may think that an agent is a thing of the past or optional. My feeling is that a good agent is a project manager that gets a listing so...
05/31/2010
  Downtown Chicago Alderman Brendan Reilly is pushing to limit short term "vacation rentals" in condominium buildings in the city. From Crain's Chicago, "Under the measure proposed by aldermen Brendan Reilly (42nd) and Edward Burke (14th), condo owners who want to rent out their units for short ...
04/21/2010
The Chicago market is doing relatively well compared to other markets in the US. Specifically, when compared to Florida, Las Vegas, or California. I had heard a rumor that lenders in Florida are no longer writing loans for condos! :-( We definitely don’t have that kind of market here.   Several o...
10/27/2008
With all the media messages hitting buyers these days, what are some of things that you are hearing from your buyer clients? Several buyers have asked me if banks are still lending money. Another fallacy is that you need perfect credit or a large down payment to purchase a home. A big objection/i...
10/22/2008
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Michael Michalak

local_phone(312) 527-4417
smartphone(312) 933-4607
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Items of interest in the downtown Chicago real estate market