Congratulations to my clients and to the new Lessee’s.  I know the next 18 months are going to be wonderful!

If you have an questions regarding the rental market in Edgebrook, Lincoln Park, Gold Coast, River North, Wrigleyville, South Loop, Lakeview, Old Town or Streeterville , please email me at lpruchnik@rubloff.com!

Strolling through the many farmers markets in Chicago is a favorite pastime for me during the Summer months and I know this guide will come in handy for everyone looking summer squash, fresh herbs, and garden sunflowers as big as your head!  There is no excuse to not stop buy as they are being held during the week as well as on weekends from Bronzville to Andersonville, Wicker Park to Lincoln Park and every neighborhood in between.

So get out and support our local famers!!!

http://www.afreshsqueeze.com/articleDtl.php?id=4a157bf6e481b

Seemingly recession proof, Northwestern Memorial Healthcare operating income doubles in the last six months while patient revenue grew 7% to $629.9 million.

The proposed new buildings would house biomedical research facilities.

(map courtesy of Crains Chicago Business)

Location:  Need I say more?  Bordered by Lake Michigan to the East and Michigan Avenue to the West, Streeterville keeps you in the mix of all that is happening in Chicago.  With easy access off Lake Shore Drive in either direction, plus convenient CTA buses running down Michigan Avenue and Fairbanks, it is easy to get to whether you are visiting or live / work nearby.  And while the area near Navy Pier can be hub of bustling activity, if you prefer a more quiet place to put down roots, simple go a few blocks North to take advantage of more mature tree lined streets and vintage Chicago architecture.  

Navy Pier:  Navy Pier keeps the Streeterville neighborhood bustling seven days a week.  With over 8 million visitors a year Navy Pier has something for everyone.  Highlights include a 150 foot Ferris Wheel, 6 story IMAX Theater, Chicago Children’s Museum, Smith Stained Glass Museum, one acre Crystal Garden, Musical Carousel, boat tours, shopping, restaurants, live music at the Bud Light stage and last but not least, fireworks every Wednesday and Saturday evening during the summer!

Variety of Housing:  Streeterville offers residents a variety of housing options.  Vintage mid-rises, lakefront lofts, contemporary high-rises with spacious town-homes nestled amongst it all for good measure.   There has been an influx of new construction and gut-rehab over the last few years making it easy to find a move in ready home no matter what your style of living preference might be.   Some of my favorite buildings in Streeterville are 600 North Lake Shore Drive, 512 North McClurg Court, River East Lofts, The Spire, 550 North St. Clair, 160 East Illinois, 505 North McClurg Court, 440 North McClurg Court, 175 East Delaware, 161 East Chicago Avenue, 680 North Lake Shore Drive, North Water Street town-homes. ( I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea!)

Restaurants:  There are so many fabulous restaurants to choose from, here are just a few of my favorite and why I love them so much.

• Billy Goat Tavern ~ Cheezborger! Cheezborger! ( I should not have to explain this!)
• Capital Grill~ Stoli Doli and a Medium Rare Steak
• Cite ~ Views
• Coco Pazzo ~ Italian at its finest
• Emilo’s Tapas  ~ Octopus and outdoor seating during the summer
• Gino’s East ~ Chicago’s Famous Deep Dish Pizza
• Niu Sushi ~ Sexy Mexican
• Sayat Nova ~ Love the Kabobs
• Bandera ~ Macaroni and Cheese with a view down Michigan Avenue
• P.J. Clarke’s ~ Chopped Chicken Salad
• Cape Cod Room ~ Clam Chowder
• Fox & Obel ~ If you can stop grocery shopping for a moment you won’t be disappointed
• Tru ~ Fine Dining at its best

Views:  Oh the glorious views. I find that so often the views of the Chicago skyline are the deciding factor for me.  Streeterville has some of the best views available to residents. The lakefront, the skyline, the Chicago River, Navy Pier and Millennium Park.  I love this city so much and the awe inspiring skyscrapers and calming blue waters of Lake Michigan never fail to bring a smile to my face and remind me of how lucky I am to call Chicago home.

I hope this “tour” of Streeterville has been helpful.  If you have any questions or would like more information about anything that I have detailed in this blog post please call me at 312-209-2264 or email me at lpruchnik@rubloff.com

512 North McClurg is a beautiful 58 story full amenity building located on McClurg Court between Illinois and Ohio.  Built in 2001, 512 North McClurg Court boasts a whopping 620 units along with views of the lake, river and skyline that are not to be missed. 

Building Highlights

• Studio 1, 2, 3 Bedroom Residences
• Pet Friendly
• Monthly Assessments Include Heat and Air Conditioning
• 24-Hour Doorstaff
• On-Site Management Monday -Friday (312-836-5915)
• Available CTA Bus Lines – 29, 65, 66 and 124
• Rentals Allowed
• Gym (new) (fourth floor)
• Bike Room
• Receiving Room
• Hospitality Room (fourth floor)
• Business Center (fourth floor)
• Sundeck (fourth floor)
• Cleaners (lobby level) (closed Sundays)
• Parking – Rental Only (lobby level)
• Storage Lockers (5th & 8th floors)

512 North McClurg Court is connected to the AMC River East 21 Theater, Lucky Strike Bowling Alley, Walgreens, Holmes Place Gym (http://www.usholmesplace.com/)  and Embassy Suites Hotel.  Residents can received special discounted membership to Holmes Place Gym.

I have sold in the building and continue to actively show properties here. My favorite aspect of this building are the stunning views available to home buyers.  The units feature granite kitchens and window ledges, hardwood floors and in unit washer/dryers.  I have seen many units upgraded since the building originally delivered and many units have also been combined. 

The Streeterville location offers close proximity to Navy Pier and Michigan Avenue shopping not to mention you are across the street from one of my favorite gourmet grocery stores in the city – Fox & Obel.

If Streeterville is a neighborhood you are considering for your home search then 512 North McClurg Court should not be missed.

If you have any questions about 512 North McClurg court or any other building in the Chicago, please call me at 312-209-2264 or email me at lpruchnik@rubloff.com

Best Buy is taking over prime first floor space once occupied by the upscale Paul Stuart apparel retailer which moved to a smaller location at 107 East Oak Street in the Gold Coast. 

Best Buy will be the second largest retail tenant in the John Hancock Center behind the Signature Room located on the 95th floor.

So after you buy your new laptop or printer you can head up to the 95th for a celebratory drink!

Welcome Best Buy!

No Realtor can do these things for you. As the home seller you control more then you think.  Read the 4 points below carefully and take them to heart. If your home isn’t selling or you need to sell quickly, follow these steps and you’ll be on your way to SOLD!

When your Realtor Offers you Staging Advice – Listen To Them.  As home sellers I know you have a lot on your plate already and adding a To-Do-List of home staging recommendations is the last thing you want to add to it, but believe me when I say, your Realtor wouldn’t propose them if their wasn’t a reason. 

If your Realtor asks you to paint a room, remove excess clothes from the closets, clean up you books shelves or storage space, install a few new light fixtures,  it is for a reason. DO IT. They are trying to help you sell your home. They know how a buyer thinks and they know how critically your home is going to be looked at.  A buyer and their agent are going to find fault with EVERYTHING they can and should they make an offer on your home they are going to reduce the offer price accordingly. Remember, there are hundreds of properties on the market that are direct competition for you. You have to make the best first impression you can.

Example, I just had a first showing at my 30 East Division – Unit 8A listing on Friday and my Sellers received the highest possible compliment – the potential buyers asked if anyone lived there. Yes, it showed that perfectly!   When I called the buying agent for feedback he informed me we were his clients top two! 

Accommodate ALL Showing Requests – No Matter How Inconvenient.  I don’t care if you have to get up an hour early or leave the house after dark and it’s 20 below out. You may never get that showing request back.  When you receive a showing request, accommodate it no matter how inconvenient it may be.  (Unless your are ill.) I have seen listing sheets that indicate no showings between a certain time period because it’s “Nap” time.  Are you kidding?  Accommodate the showing and inform the buyers to be quiet and let them peak in the room. They won’t wake the baby and if they love your home they will come back for a second showing and thenyou can ask for a time that might work around your child’s nap.  They like your home, you have them hooked, they will accommodate you!

You need every eye on your property and in this market you can’t tell a buyer to come back. They may decide to write an offer that day on another property - then there is no second chance.

Keep Your Home in Perfect Showing Condition.  I know this is hard, but really try to clean up after yourself. Put everything back once you’ve used it. Hang up clothes, put dishes in the dishwasher, not the sink, pick up the toys after the kids have played with them.  I often get last minute showing request after my clients are already at work. No problem, I have often washed dishes and folded up clothes and straighten up peoples homes. I have absolutely no problems doing this, but it is not a full housekeeping session. Keep things as neat as possible so when there is a showing it looks like a showroom at the Merchandise Mart.

Listen Carefully to Showing Feedback.  As an agent I always call for feedback after a showing and I ask for the agents feedback on the property as well as their clients thoughts. Listen to this information carefully and don’t take offense.  If they say the the kitchen is too small, look for ways to make it look bigger.  Paint it a lighter color, remove table and chairs that are taking up space, clean out the cabinets and remove items from the counters.  If they hate the wallpaper that you didn’t remove because you love it, tear it down and paint.

If  the agent  say it’s priced to high, review the comparables again and adjust accordingly if necessary.  Showing feedback is powerful information. It is the direct opinion from the market and should be listened to carefully. Especially if you are hearing the same comments over and over again.

I know that I sound tough, and I mean to.  If you want to sell your home you need a Realtor that isn’t going to beat around the bush.  I am not going to make my clients do anything that isn’t going to improve their chances of selling their home. If I ask them do something I will be right their next to them cleaning out the kitchen or re-hanging the clothes in their closet. 

You have to do everything in your power to make your home show the best it possibly can. There are just too many other properties competing against you and trust me, they are doing everything they have to in order to get to the closing table.  You have to as well.

Have fun!