"You've Caught the NET!"

Hey, hey folks!

In this week's Chicago Neighborhood News, our Team Member Cathy Mallers covers goings on in the Chicago Neighborhoods of Norwood Park, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, and The Loop, as well as the Chicago Suburb of Naperville IL.

Have a civic or community event in any Chicago Neighborhood or suburb?  Let us know and we'll help publicize it for you!

Dean's Team offers the highest-rated Active Rain Blog in the City of Chicago, and across Cook County IL!

NORWOOD PARK

All over Chicagoland you can find farmer's markets.  The Norwood Park Chamber of Commerce supports green living as well and has their own market every month.

If you are looking for fresh fruits or veggies, you can find them at the Chamber (6400 N. Northwest Highway) on the last Saturday of the month from 8am - 12pm.

For a listing of all Green City Markets and the Independent Markets, click here.

LAKEVIEW

So you've got an extra special event that requires a must-have dress.  You're looking for something that's either unique or definitely not "off the rack."

Well, look no further because Borrow A Dress Couture has opened its doors. You can now rent couture dresses - think tuxes for women.

I don't know about you, but now I'm looking for a fabulous event where I can really shine!  For more information, click here.

LINCOLN PARK

The long-awaited Whole Foods has opened in Lincoln Park.  It's now at 1550 N. Kingsbury, about one block south of its original location.

Much to the joy of many WF shoppers, this new store is massive - the third largest after London and Austin.  Some may think it's like other superstores out there, but thankfully Whole Foods has an amazing offering of take-out stations.

To read more about this location and what it offers, click here.

THE LOOP

The Wit hotel has received much publicity lately as it gets ready to open its doors this weekend.  As a part of the opening theWit will be debuting two of its three dining locations as part of the soft opening.

The two restaurants set to open are State and Lake and ROOF.  State and Lake is located on the ground floor and will be serving breakfast, lunch and dinner using locally sourced ingredients for upscale comfort food dishes.  ROOF is located on the 27th floor and will be serving a small plate menu.

Be sure to check out both these locations before the main opening.  To read more about this opening, click here.

NAPERVILLE

Chemistry is not the easiest of subjects for most high school students.  How exciting that three of Chicago's own are competing for a spot at the the 41st annual International Chemistry Olympiad.

The three suburban finalists are John Rosenberg, of Barrington High School; Krystle Leung, of Naperville Central High School; and Robin Jia, of Oak Park/River Forest High School.

To read more about this great story, click here.

Here's a link to our Chicago Neighborhood News Blog Archive, via BlogChicagoHomes.com.

Enjoy the beautiful weather in Chicago this weekend!

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

THE CHICAGO IL REAL ESTATE MARKET, AND OTHER THINGS CHICAGO, FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF A LITTLE WHITE DOG!

Good Evening, You Dogs!  Hope your humans have rubbed your bellies  well today!

A dog who writes blog posts?  Before Yours Woofly started writing these high-interest pieces of content nearly two years ago here on BlogChicago Homes.com and on ActiveRain.com - few canines would have even thought of the concept!

But now . . . others, many other human pets seem to have gotten into the act!

This includes one feline from MA named Sockington - "Socks" for those of you with short term memory (most of us dogs, in other words).  Socks is one of the most popular micro-bloggers on Social Networking Site Twitter.com  Indeed, more than 500,000 follow his every word, and his worldwide celebrity appears to be growing!

According to an Associated Press article posted on Gadzoo.com, and reprinted May 22nd in the Chicago Sun-Times, Socks is the cat owned by 38-Year Old Human Computer Jason Scott of Waltham MA.  Numerous times each day, Sockington provides his point of view on "Life as a Cat."

Sound familiar?  I have been doing just that - but in full blogging regalia, since before the Chicago Cubs Pennant Drought eclipsed a century, last year, in 2008!

Many of the @Sockington Twitter Followers happen to have four paws, just like us.  Both cats and dogs are avid readers.  And "Ghost Writer" Scott seems to have penned his Twitter Tweets comic-book style - short, smart-aleck, Garfield-like quips about what life is like looking down from the top of the stairs, and how unpleasant it becomes when the litter box becomes . . . well . . . too full!

As you loyal Lil' Buddy's Blog readers well know, pets in Social Media is not a new phenomenon.  Besides my two-year-old blog, Facebook.com offers Dogbook and Catbook apps.  Some enterprising web designers even create web sites specifically for pets, and their furry target audiences.

But Sockington on Twitter seems to have taken the art form to a whole new level.  Indeed, you can even buy Sockington T-Shirts via Twitter.

Lil' Gracie Moss, you kid sister of mine - you taking notes!  Some good money-making ideas might be lurking in Sockington's popular posts!

Thanks so much, you dogs, for being loyal, charter readers to the Original Internet Dog Blog - Lil' Buddy's Blog!

Enjoy your weekend!

Please check out my post tonight via BlogChicagoHomes.com.

YOUR ACE REPORTER ON FOUR PAWS,

BUDDY HOLLY MOSS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

Another Late Night on the Blogging Trail here on the Northwest Side of Chicago, folks!

When questioned in court or at a deposition, any lawyer knows and advises his or her clients to answer questions posed by opposing counsel, but not to volunteer any additional information.

Strong strategy in a trial!

But does that logic still hold in a State Senate Impeachment Hearing of a Former IL Governor, in which the intent to "Pay to Play" for political office by a possible IL Senate Replacement to President Barack Obama is being sought?

See Associated Press Reporter Deanna Bellandi's Story and accompanying video in today's Chicago Tribune.

According to the eventual IL Senate Nominee, former State Treasurer Roland Burris, it was the lack of proper Follow-Up Questions that precipitated his apparent lack of candor - and not the answers he provided from the IL Senate inquisition.

Many experts say what IL Democratic Senator Roland Burris did in testimony before the IL Senate in the Impeachment Trial of Former IL Governor Rod Blagojevich was proper conduct by a called witness.   In so doing, however, did he disguise an apparent willingness to help the now-disgraced former governor raise campaign funds, in return for a non-elected U.S. Senate Seat appointment?

The current tempest arises from a release this week of the transcript of a Federal Wiretap Recording of a phone call between Burris and the former IL Governor's brother, Robert Blagojevich.   On the call, Burris admits that contributing money to Governor Blagojevich's campaign fund might appear as blatant "pay to play."  But he did discuss what he considered to be "less obvious ways" to help the Blagojevich camp with fundraising. 

Now, after the fact, Burris contends these statements were made merely to appease the governor, and strengthen his chances for U.S. Senate appointment.

The transcript of this telephone conversation was released at the request of the U.S. Senate Ethics Committee.  They are investigating whether the nomination by then-Governor Blagojevich to Obama's vacated U.S.Senate Seat could have been tainted by any Burris offer of campaign assistance or contributions.

No matter the outcome, however, the point seems to have been made.

In IL, in some quarters, it is still "Politics As Usual."  True Political Reform - likely, not here yet!

Please see our post today @ BlogChicagoHomes.com.

DEAN MOSS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

How you doing, folks! 

Here in Chicago, the cool weather just won't go away!  Still gray, damp - in the 50's!

This U.S. Census Bureau Statistic should not surprise you, in today's weak economy -

Between 2007 and 2008, only 12% of the American Population moved from one house to another.  That figure represented the lowest mobility rate nationwide since back in the 1940's - and a very significant 1.3% drop versus 2006-07!

According to Cheryl Russel, Editorial Director for New Strategist Publications, as quoted in Mary Umberger's Real Estate Column in the Chicago Tribune last Sunday, May 24th, the historical average for mobility each year has hovered at roughly 14%.

Our most mobile post-war year - 1950-51, when 21% of the U.S. Population moved from one house or apartment to another.

The last sizable drop in annual mobility occurred ten years ago, in 1999.  At that time, many lost considerable savings and investment dollars during the Internet dot com downturn.  This time around, many investors had their savings depleted considerably by the downturn on Wall Street.  Tighter loan underwriting standards also prevent many from getting the mortgage money they need to move.

Two factors likely impacting migration and mobility?  First, the rise in two-earner households.  Families would likely move less often if jobs for both working spouses could not be assured.

Second, homeownership, by historic standards, is at a record level.  Those owning their homes move far less often than those who rent.

Further information gathered by the Census Bureau -

- The biggest reason respondents gave for not moving - not wanting to buy a home.  The number of people desiring to purchase a new home declined 48% since 2001.

- As people put off retirement, fearing their retirement savings will not last them long, these older-demographic homeowners are staying in their long-time homes, and delaying purchasing assisted-living or similar housing geared to older Americans.

- Many respondents have diminished new home expectations.  Today, most people move because they are looking for a cheaper home.  In the past, many were looking for a larger, better home.

Of course, mobility trends could change quickly, with a housing market turnaround.  But exactly when will the turnaround happen?  Tough to truly predict!

Please read our post today via BlogChicagoHomes.com.

DEAN MOSS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

Good Morning from Chicago!

Hope you're enjoying your Memorial Day Holiday, folks.  Don't forget to take some time around 3:00 PM today to remember those who served, and gave their lives, so that we all can live in freedom!

Texting!  Checking the Internet on your PDA!  These tools have become ubiquitous - nearly every professional, in or outside of Real Estate, uses them in conjunction with their business.

Of course, folks use these important tech tools for personal business as well - but that is not the primary focus here!

Last week in IL, our State Senate approved and sent to the IL House a bill to ban sending text messages or surfing the Internet while operating a motor vehicle.  The legislation was approved by a 45-6 vote.  If passed by both houses of the IL Legislature, our Governor, Pat Quinn, is likely to sign the bill into law.

The Senate action was summarized in a story by Reporter Ashley Rueff in the Chicago Tribune, May 20th.  Under the measure, drivers could still use GPS devices in their cars, even if such software is on their PDA or cell phone.  Also, drivers would be allowed to pull off the road to send a text message, or text if stuck in gridlocked traffic, so long as they put their car in neutral first.

Proponents of the bill predict safer driving if the measure is past.   The bill's detractors, however, are concerned about enforcing police officers scrolling through drivers' cell phones to check recent text logs.   They see possible abuse, even the possibility of racial profiling!

The fine structure is to be worked out, but fines would be higher if the texting or surfing led directly to an accident. An earlier City of Chicago proposal would impose a $200 fine in the event of a texting-related collision.

On the topic of distracted driving, banning text messaging while traveling at 65 MPH sounds like common sense.  But, then again - maybe not?

The IL Senate also approved a separate bill prohibiting use of cell phones in construction or school zones, unless hands free devices are used.

See our post this morning via BlogChicagoHomes.com.

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

Good Morning!  Please enjoy the Memorial Day Holiday today - with reverence!

Here's our Chicago Market Stats Update, based on data compiled Sunday evening, May 24, 2009.

Very encouraging numbers all around this week, as the Chicago IL Real Estate Market is attempting to rebound, it seems - albeit at far lower prices than during the Real Estate Boom of just a few years ago.

Active Listings Inventory continues stable, while figures for Pending Sales, Sold Listings, Sold Volume, and Average Sales Price have all pointed upward.

Average Market Time and Expired Listings figures have dropped in encouraging fashion.  Time will tell if this is a trend or simply a weekly blip.   

Absorption Rate - the theoretical time to clear existing homes-for-sale inventory, improved once again this past week, but is still high, at nearly 19 months in the North and Northwest Side of Chicago Neighborhoods we serve most frequently.  The percentage of homes sell within a normal six-month marketing time frame continues to be low

Here are archived annual Chicago Neighborhood Statistics, including Units Sold and Price Trends Data, for 1995 through 2008 courtesy of The Chicago Association of Realtors.

In addition, here is an Interactive Median Price Heat Map, from the Chicago Tribune Real Estate Section, covering Every Chicago Neighborhood.  View the map for links to maps for Chicago Suburbs.  It is updated as new data becomes available.

Communities and clients we serve, reside, or plan to reside, in the Chicago Neighborhoods of The Chicago Loop, The Gold Coast, River North, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Uptown, Edgewater, North Center, Lincoln Square, Albany Park, Ravenswood, Wicker Park, and Bucktown.  

Also, these Great Chicago Neighborhoods: Logan Square, Rogers Park , West Ridge, Portage Park, Jefferson Park, Norwood Park, Sauganash, Edgebrook,and Edison Park.   Plus All Chicago Suburbs. 

SINGLE FAMILY, CONDOS, AND SMALL MULTI-UNIT PROPERTIES - NORTH SIDE OF CHICAGO, NORTH OF ADDISON STREET, WEST OF ASHLAND AVENUE

                                 ACTV LISTINGS        JUST SOLD         CLOSED        EXPIRED

w/e May 24th                    4,297                   71                      60              24

w/e May 17th                    4,298                   60                      45              37

   % CHANGE                   +-0.0%              +18.3%               +33.3%         -35.1%

CLOSED PROPERTIES DATA

                              AVG SALE PRICE     AVG DAYS ON MKT     TOTAL VOLUME   

w/e May 24th                  $300,158            162 DAYS                    $18,009,480

w/e May 17th                  $274,221            184 DAYS                    $11,079,450

   % CHANGE                        +9.5%               -12.0%                         +62.5%

THEORETICAL TIME TO CLEAR EXISTING INVENTORY (ABSORPTION RATE) -

w/e May 24th - LAST 12 MOS - 16.31    LAST 6 MOS - 22.04     LAST 3 MOS - 18.82

w/e May 17th - LAST 12 MOS - 16.21   LAST 6 MOS - 22.14    LAST 3 MOS - 19.78

PERCENT OF HOMES SELLING IN 180 DAYS - 

w/e May 24th - 26.49% (UNSOLD - 73.51%) 

w/e May 17th - 26.61% (UNSOLD - 73.39%)

SOURCE: MIDWEST REAL ESTATE DATA LLC, AREA MARKET SURVEY DATA

Call our Team anytime for current trends in any Chicago Neighborhood or Chicago Suburb!

Review our Chicago IL Real Estate Stats Pack Archive via BlogChicagoHomes.com. 

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

Old, kids-oriented Amusement Parks.  For the most part, these are relics of by-gone days - days before the Internet, Nintendo or Wii, Game Boy, or 150 Channels of Cable or Satellite TV.

Most featured a merry-go-round, a small roller coaster, little boats, a miniature train running along the perimeter of the place.

Today, in Chicago and Surrounding Suburbs, most are all gone.  Santa's Village.  Adventure Land.  Kiddie Kingdom.  Old Chicago.  A slew of small Kiddielands.  And, of course, the most famous - Riverview Park, at Western and Belmont Avenues in Chicago, which closed nearly 42 years ago this summer.

Add to that list the last holdout -  Kiddieland in Melrose Park IL, a Western Suburb of Chicago.   It will close forever at the end of September.

Kiddieland Melrose Park, in the shadow of the famous Maywood Park Harness Track across the street, at 8900 W. North Avenue, first opened offering pony rides to young children during the Summer, 1929.  It has been in the same family ever since, although, today, one faction of the family owns the 17 acres of land the park sits on, while another part of the family leases the land from them and operates the park each summer. 

The members of the family who own the land will not be renewing the lease for the park operators, due to end at the end of this operating season.  It is unknown what type of new development is being contemplated for the land on which the amusement park sits.

The park has 30 rides, including a small roller coaster, bump-em cars, a kiddie-sized railroad, and a merry-go-round.  All will be sold at auction after the park closes this fall.

Unlike adult attractions, which few remember from their toddler years, even younger adults remember their first experiences at old-time amusement parks such as this one.  I, along with my wife and many of my close friends, clearly remember Chicago Riverview Park and its one-of-a-kind rides and attractions, even though the park closed when we were barely 11 years old!

Progress!  It marches on . . . barely leaving time for us to shed a tear in its wake.

See our post today via BlogChicagoHomes.com.

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

Will a surge in buyer interest in Foreclosed Homes and Pre-Foreclosure Properties help soak up high levels of for-sale inventory?

No sure answer here!  In any event, however, interest in foreclosed properties is steadily growing stronger!

According to a survey conducted by Harris Interactive, commissioned by RealtyTrac.com and Trulia.com, and reported in the Friday, May 22nd Edition of National Realty News Online, 55% of respondents surveyed said they would consider buying a foreclosure property as their new home.  This compares to 47% of those who responded to the same survey last November.

Of those surveyed, 40% felt they would save at least one-half on foreclosed properties, versus 31% who felt the same way in November,2008. 

Despite heightened levels of interest in foreclosed properties, however, concerns about the condition of foreclosed homes for sale have increased as well,   Fully 85% of those asked were concerned about the negative aspects of purchasing a foreclosure property, up from 80% last November.  Of that percentage, 71% stated concern over an unknown cost for repairs to the home, 46% felt the entire purchase process risky, and 31% were afraid the home might lose value.

Further, an overwhelming percentage - 83% - feel they should receive deep discounts if they purchase a foreclosed property, to cover their perceived exposure to risk.

At the same time, the proliferation of distressed properties seems to be forcing those selling conventionally to lower their prices of their homes for resale.  According to the same survey, 24% of existing home resales have had at least one price drop in order to stay competitive.

More Harris stats -

-  Intention to purchase foreclosed or distressed properties varied by age group.  In the younger age demographic, 66% of those between 18 and 44 said they would consider purchasing a foreclosure, compared to 53% of those aged 45-54.  Only 38% of those 55 and older are thinking about purchasing a distressed property.

-  Those currently renting are more likely to go the foreclosure route than those who currently own their home (68%, versus 49%).

-  Households with children under 18 were more likely to consider a foreclosure purchase.  Roughly 66% of those with kids were considering buying a foreclosed home, versus 49% of those without at least one child under 18.

Please review our post today via BlogChicagoHomes.com.

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

Good Evening, Folks!

It has been an incredible, temperate Memorial Day Weekend in Chicago.

But I feel sad to be the messenger of depressing news.  Unfortunately, however, stats are stats!

According to a study co-authored by Till von Watcher, an Economist with Columbia University, and reported by Greg Burns in today's Chicago Tribune, those who lost stable jobs during the recession of 27 years ago felt an immediate 30% average drop in earnings.  His figures come from U.S. Social Security Data, and other government figures.

Further, as a group, those laid off in the deep recession begun in 1982 haven't really caught up in earnings, versus those not laid off at that time.  Their incomes were, on average, 10% less than their peers in 1997.  Even today, many lag behind, says von Watcher.

The economist estimates that fewer than one in ten who fall victim to layoffs eventually come out ahead.  He points to two key reasons.

First, he surmises, is the lowered probability of finding another good job when you lose your own, stable position.  Further, as a whole industry experiences declines in demand, those with these industry-specialized skills might not easily find another good match for their own skills, especially among keen competition in a recessionary economy.

Economist von Watcher is very concerned that the next economic recovery will not be as kind to current laid-off employees.  He sees greater globalization of the labor force, and the continued competition from cheaper, overseas workers, could depress average income levels even more than was the case over a quarter century ago.

Brian Healy, director of a support group for the unemployed in the Northwest Chicago Suburb of Inverness IL, sees frustration and despair in laid-off employees who feel they have still given their employers their best effort, but now have less to show for it.  

At his Holy Family Job Support Group, Healy has often observed many middle managers downsizing their titles when they eventually get re-hired.  Those with titles of Director soon take jobs as managers, and so on.  Healy himself is currently regional manager of a national shipping firm.

See our post today via BlogChicagoHomes.com.

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

Good Evening, Folks!

Memorial Day weather in Chicago is often unreliable - sometimes temperate, other times rainy, windy cold.  This year, we're expecting nice weather Saturday and Sunday here, a bit rainy on Monday, for the holiday itself.  As usual this time of year, always "cooler by the lake!"

In this week's summary of Chicago Neighborhood News, our Team Member Cathy Mallers covers the Chicago Neighborhoods of Portage Park, Lincoln Park, The Loop, and Lincoln Square, as well as the Chicago Suburb of Naperville IL.

As summer begins throughout the Chicago Area, have you or your group got any special events or street festivals planned?  Let us know, and we will help get the word out!

Dean's Team offers the Number One Rated Active Rain Blog in the City of Chicago and across Cook County IL!

PORTAGE PARK

After consulting with Hands to Help Ministries, the local owners at Six Corners Business Association in Portage Park are working to help the homeless and panhandlers find what it is they need from social services.

Now with the help of a social worker paid for by a grant from SCBA, all those who are affected by this economy are getting help with finding the services they need including food and shelter.

To read more about this community initiative, click here.

LINCOLN PARK

Well, you definitely know it's summer when North Pond in Lincoln Park opens its doors for lunch starting next Wednesday, June 3^rd.

The time has finally arrived when we're seeing sun and feeling the warm weather.  There are many new options for lunch and brunch menus throughout Chicago.

To read more about these great outdoor options, click here.

THE LOOP

The J.P. Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge is happening tomorrow night from 6:30 to approximately 10:30PM.

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has announced that there will be some buses impacted by the route.  The race steps off at 7:10PM.

To see the bus lines impacted, click here.

LINCOLN SQUARE

Lincoln Square is home to a large German population and all around raucous German fun.  And it's definitely time to get your beer and sausage.

This year, the streets will be filled with Mayfest party-goers during the weekend of May 28^th.  In honor of this tradition, Chicago Brauhaus will be celebrating for the rest of the week with "The Fellows" after 7PM Wednesday through Sunday.

To get more details, click here.

NAPERVILLE

It's time to take a trip to Naperville.  There you'll find the Hotel Arista with more amenities than you can hope for.

The hotel is working towards its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.  Of particular note is the motion sensor thermostat, essentially cutting down emissions considerably.

To read more about this great hotel and other LEED properties, click here.

Here's a link to our complete Chicago Neighborhood News Archive, via BlogChicagoHomes.com.

Enjoy the First Unofficial Weekend of Summer!  Safely, please!

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO