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Chicago Zoning info

Posted by lakecityhomefinder.com @ 3:42 PM, Friday May 16th, 2008

Want to know what the zoning is for the area you are thinking of buying in?Â
Do you know the zoning for your current neighborhood?  Wondering what they might put up in that empty lot down the street?

The Tribune has created a zoning change data base that allow you to look up changes in the last 5 years.  You can search by street name or ward.  Once you find the zoning, simply click on it for a description.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-zoning-database,0,3992125.htmlpage

5 things to do before you list your place

Posted by lakecityhomefinder.com @ 2:16 PM, Thursday May 1st, 2008

It’s getting finally warm!  

You’ve decided to put your place on the market…and so have lot of other people. You want your place to show better than any other properties around you. 

You have to be the best in show!

1.Get rid of clutter!

Nobody wants to see your personal stuff. Collectibles, magazines, bills on the table, pictures, magnets on the fridge…. clutter will distract a buyer’s view and give a bad impression. So put it all in boxes and store them or hide them. Bonus: now you’ve already started packing! 

2.Get out your paintbrushes!

Look around. You will see scuffs, chips and streaks. You might think it’s not a big deal, but think about it like this: your neighbor is selling the same exact unit as yours in the same building with the same price. His unit has fresh paint and yours doesn’t. Guess whose unit is going to sell first? Paint is cheap. You just have to do little exercise. Open your windows, get some fresh spring air and let’s paint!  If one of your kid’s rooms is painted a bright, pastel color or has a mural, paint over it with nice, fresh, warm color that welcomes potential buyers. Buyers don’t like personalized walls even if they have kids. Always use neutral colors- buyers want to picture themselves living there. 

3.Look at your kitchen and bath

Ok this one is very important. You’re going to need to spend some time here. A clean and solid-looking kitchen and bath will give buyers a great impression. Get rid of as much stuff as possible on the kitchen counter and hide your toaster, pots and pans. Now it looks like you have a lot more counter space. Clean your stove inside and out. Make sure the sink is always clear and the dishes are straight. If you have a lot of dishes, cups and mugs taking up too much space in the cabinets, just put them in a box and pack them away.  Scrub and clean the bathrooms. Get rid of all those extra shampoo bottles you don’t use and leave the one you do use.  If you see any mildew, GET RID OF IT!  Replace the worn-out bar soap sitting on the sink with liquid soap dispenser. Get nice, clean towels. And PLEASE don’t forget to put the toilet seat down. Always : ) 

4.Repairs

Improvement and repairs are two different things, so don’t go crazy. If your dishwasher is not working, your windows have cracks, and the faucets are leaking, you should repair them. If you don’t have granite countertops, hardwood floors or stainless-steel appliances, talk to your realtor and see if it’s even a good idea to invest in such improvements. Depending on what the competition has with their prices, you might make money, but you could also lose it if you invest too much!   

5.Final touches

So, you put all the clutter away and everything feels fresh and clean! It’s time for finishing touches.   Get some scented candles. It’s always nice to walk into a room with a fresh smell rather than the food you cooked last night. Get some flowers for the table. Real flowers. Check your light bulbs to see if they need to be replaced. And don’t forget to make your bed! Finally, get a second opinion from your realtor to see if anything else needs to be done.  

You are ready to open the door and let potential buyers in. I hope you get a lot of “WOWs” from people who walk into your home and get it sold fast! 

Jimmy Tai

Welcome to LCR blog!

Posted by lakecityhomefinder.com @ 8:17 AM, Friday Apr 25th, 2008

Hi All-Mike and Jimmy here at LCR. Welcome to our blog!

It’s a new feature on our site and we’ll be keeping you updated on what we hear, what we know, and what we hear we know. First up, did anyone read the article on www.thestreet.com re: possible GOOD things about a recession? Jeffrey Strain talks about more affordable homes (especially for first-time buyers!), lower mortgage rates, and investment/ vacation properties, among other things. Check it out at http://www.thestreet.com/story/10410452/1/seven-reasons-to-welcome-a-recession.html.

Tell us what you think, ask us any questions- that’s why we’re here!

Mike and Jimmy
LCR
 

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