Something Fun: Concrete Floors?
November 30, 2009 at 10:09 am | Posted in Real Estate, Some Fun | Leave a commentTags: Chicago, concrete, Decorating, Flooring, Housing, Real Estate
Really!
Yes, this is concrete.
Pluses of concrete floors?
It’s durable, Environmentally friendly (we like that, it saves resources instead of needing glue, or sealers, etc.), great for allergy sufferers (allergens won’t build up easily), and a lot of creativity is involved (you can pretty much get a work of art for a floor with the different personal design options).
Negatives?
I know you were thinking of one already: IT’S COLD. Concrete is cold, it’s a fact of life. It can also be loud and carry sound.
Fannie Mae alleges default on big South Side portfolio (via Crains)
November 25, 2009 at 9:13 am | Posted in Chicago News, Real Estate, Real Estate News | Leave a commentTags: Foreclosure, Real Estate, South Side Chicago
Important snippets from the Crain’s article:
“Fannie Mae has filed a $26.3-million foreclosure suit on a 587-unit portfolio of South Side affordable housing units owned by a venture that includes Woodlawn Community Development Corp. and the community development arm of Lakeside Bank.”
This is a tough situation, indeed, and hopefully some kind of agreement can be worked out so these families have their homes for the holidays and beyond.
“We are working . . . toward a resolution of this matter, toward a workout agreement,” Rev. Finney says. “We bought the buildings as affordable (housing units) to lease to families and we are hopeful that will continue.”
10 Green Home Improvements… and the Costs
November 23, 2009 at 1:37 pm | Posted in Going Green | Leave a commentTags: Chicago, Green, Home Improvements, Real Estate
NBC published this great article that breaks down Green Home Improvements and what they cost annually, and the return on your investment (aka: how long it will take for your investment to pay you back).
Home Improvements include: Installing a tankless water heater, a water heater blanket, solar roof panels, an energy star-rated ceiling fan, dual pane windows, low-flow aerators, a programmable thermostat, fixing seals and leaks, using compact flourescent lighting, and using a low-flush toilet.
Some definitely save more money than others, and some are far more expensive than others. Take a look at see what might save you some money in your home.
With FHA Help, Easy Loans in Expensive Areas (via NYT)
November 23, 2009 at 9:12 am | Posted in Loans, Real Estate | Leave a commentTags: FHA, Financing, Loans, Real Estate
FHA is a popular choice for financing right now in many different areas, and a lot of people are being smart and taking advantage of the fact that this financing requires a small amount of money down (as low as 3.5%).
But in areas like Chicago where property values are higher than the rest of the country, this type of financing is even more important as down payments are usually a lot higher.
This article from the New York Times explains how FHA works in expensive cities–and how important it is when a 15% down payment is simply not an option on a million-dollar home.
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