German-American Fest Starts Friday September 10th!

The 90th Annual German-American Fest with be held in Lincoln Square (corner of Lincoln and Western Avenues) Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Food and beer will be available in abundance.

Saturday, September 11, the 45th annual von Steuben Parade will kick off at 2:00pm from the corner of Irving Park and Lincoln Avenue. The parade will precede north on Lincoln Avenue to the Fest.

Would you buy a house on Western Avenue?

One of my colleagues has a very nice house for sale in the middle of Lincoln Square right on Western Avenue. We are all familiar with the old adage, the three most important things about real estate are location, location, and location. While this is still true, I think in this case it is location, location, and price. The first location is Lincoln Square (that's very good), second location is Western Avenue (that's not good), that leaves price. For some people there isn't a price which would make them buy a house on Western Avenue. On the other hand, hundreds of people have bought condos on Western in the last few years. Many of these condos cost as much or more than this house. Would those same people consider buying this house? It will be interesting to see at what price the house sells.

Concerts in the Park at Welles Park.

The city is sponsoring a series of concerts in Welles Park. For details on these and other city sponsored events at Welles Park click the link.

Welles Park Youth Baseball Ended Saturday.

The WPPA baseball season ended on Saturday with an exciting championship in the Minor division and the traditional season ending picnic. The parent-run league serves over 1100 area families and is considered the best youth baseball program in Chicago. For more information about the WPPA youth baseball program visit their website http://www.wppabaseball.com/ or my blog Welles Park Youth Baseball.

Playoffs at Welles Park!

As the baseball season at Welles Park winds down, the playoffs are heating up. League Championships tonight will decide participants in the Division World Series in both Minor and Junior. Senior World Series starts Tuesday.

The Major division was played last week and the Yankees beat the Cardinals in an exciting well played series.

OPEN HOUSE Sunday 11:00-1:00 5151 Claremont Ave

Beautiful Lincoln Square Single Family Home with 4 Bedrooms up, 3.5 Baths. Total gut rehab, this home has everything you could want in a house. Click for all the details 5151 North Claremont Avenue.

City to Collect Unwanted Electronics Saturday, June 26th

Alderman Schulter, in collaboration with Mayor Daley and PCRR, is sponsoring an Electronics Collection Event on Saturday, June 26. Trucks will be sweeping the Ward to pick up your unwanted electronics. Please leave your items on the sidewalk before 8:00 am or you can also bring your items to the 47th Ward Streets and Sanitation Yard at 4141 N. Rockwell until noon.

Items accepted include computers, laptops, monitors, printers, fax machines, televisions, VCRs, DVD players, mp3 players, video game consoles, cell phones, and video equipment.

New Landrosh Construction in our Area!

Not sure if it means the market has turned but there are signs of life in the new construction arena in the Lincoln Square/Welles Park area. Landrosh Development as finished its first "spec" house in the area in three years. Located at 2152 W Giddings, it is on the market for $1,795,000, a new price high for a frame house in that part of Lincoln Square. Landrosh is also selling his own house at 2122 W Agatite, it is listed at $2,099,000, which could set a record for a resale in Lincoln Square.

What a buy! 2031 W Wilson

2031 W Wilson, a new construction home built at the peak of the market, closed last week at $900K. Originally listed for $1,375,000, the home came on the market just as the decline in prices hit. Unfortunately for the developer, the house did not sell and eventually went into foreclosure. Now some smart shoppers have gotten themselves a great deal on a very nice house in Lincoln Square.

Tribune writer loves North Center

The Chicago Tribune published an interesting article on life in North Center (click to read it). North Center is a big part of the Welles Park neighborhood.

Two Properties Go under Contract Quickly!

4705 N Winchester finally priced well jumped off the shelf.

4829 N Seeley started at a good price and sold.

In this market, pricing a property correctly is the difference between selling or sitting.

It's Gone Already!

Unfortunately 4335 N Oakley has gone under contract since my last post. Lasted less than one day on the market. Did the sellers sell too quickly? Could they have gotten more if they had wait another day or two? Multiple offers have a way of driving up the price.

Four New Houses on the Market!

4335 N Oakley  $369,000 5 Bed house on a great block just steps to Welles Park. Needs work but a great price at or below land value. Coonley School District

2036 W Cuyler $615,000 3 Beds up in a prime North Center location. This house is in move-in condition. Least expensive house in the Coonley School District that you can just buy and live in.

2220 W Winnemac $750,000 This is a very nice 5 bedroom house. This is must see.

4212 N Bell $979,000 4 bed 2-flat conversion. Very nice. Coonley School District

New Construction Foreclosure!!!

Just on the market a 5 bedroom 3 1/2 baths new construction home for $769,000. This is a bank owned property (foreclosure) that would have listed for a million plus if not for the foreclosure. Very nice street and a very good price. 5052 N Oakley Ave

All Lincoln Square/Welles Park Two-Four Flats

Now all 2-4 flats in the Lincoln Square/Welles Park area are just a click away. View them all now.

Big Old House on a Huge Lot

4705 N Winchester is a big old house that has been completely updated by its owner. I saw this house when it came on the market two years ago at over $1,300,000. At the time I thought it was overpriced. It is now listed at $989,105. This looks like a much better deal. Check out the pictures and call me if you want to see it.

Real Estate Update!!!

2031 W Wilson Ave is now under contract! Didn't last long did it?

Just Listed Homes in the Lincoln Square/Welles Park Area

Three homes were listed this week, they demonstrate the variety of types of homes and the prices found the Lincoln Square/Welles Park area.

4232 N Claremont is a 4 bed, 2 bath Georgian listed at $599,900. Just 2 blocks south of Welles Park this appears to be a well priced home.

2426 W Cullom is a 4 bed, 3 1/2 bath Victorian relisted at $815,000. It is a house that has been on the market since late August.

2031 W Wilson is a 5 bed, 3 1/2 bath new construction home at $947,500. This is a foreclosure of a home built in 2008, it never sold and has been rented for the past year. It's original price was $1,295,00. Might be a sweet deal for the right buyer.

City Property Tax Relief

The city of Chicago is offering some property tax relief. Depending on income and tax bill increase, you could qualify for up a $200.00 grant from the city. To download form click below.

City of Chicago Property Tax Relief Program Application Form

Welles Park Youth Baseball Registration January 23rd and 30th

Sign-up for the Welles Park youth baseball program starts this Saturday (Jan. 23rd) for returning players only. Next Saturday (Jan. 3oth) is sign-up for new players. Go to www.wppabaseball.com for complete details.

Welles Park is at the center of the Lincoln Square real estate market. Located at the corner of Lincoln and Montrose Avenues, Welles Park has ball diamonds, a new playground (under construction), a beautiful gazebo, horseshoe pits, large open spaces, and a field house with its full-sized basketball court, in-door swimming pool, exercise room, and class rooms. Welles Park draws visitors from all of the surrounding neighborhoods.



Directly across Lincoln Avenue from Welles Park is the Conrad Sulzer Regional Library. Less than a block up the street is the Old Town School of Folk Music. Then you are in the heart of the Lincoln Square shopping area with its many restaurants, bars, coffee shops, stores, and a movie theater. South of Lincoln Avenue there are more great restaurants, bars, and a Jewel grocery store. Montrose Avenue has more than its share of great places to get a drink, a pizza, a steak burrito, an organic hot dog, seafood, or a cup of coffee.



Served by four Brownline El stops (Montrose, Damen, Western, and Rockwell), it is uniquely convenient to get to your Lincoln Square residence.