Where I will be......

This weekend!

Open House on Sunday 2/25/07 from 1-4 p.m. at 1444 N Cleveland #2 in Old Town.

Please stop by or e-mail me for more info.

Thanks!

Christine

West Loop Condo Search

Over the past 2 weeks or so, I have shown at least 15 different
2bed/1-2 bath condos in the West Loop. Many offer little uniqueness, meaning
that they all have the same basic floor plans, but are located in
different look-alike buildings. When I take my clients out to see these
units, we are often shocked when we step into a condo that has something even slightly diverse about it.

For example, when the second bedroom, (not a 10X10 "office", a fancy word for closet) is fully enclosed we "ooh" and "ahhh"
quite a bit. Or, if exposed brick is present throughout and the balcony
actually overlooks something other than an alley, the excitement
becomes too much to handle. Often leading to the other agent to believe
that we are going to write a contract at that moment! Haha!

Anyways, when I come across a truly unique condo in the West Loop in the 300-350k price range, it is an anomaly for certain.

Never mind the garage parking, balcony, fireplace, updated kitchen and bath,
because those are pretty standard in all units we have seen.
It really takes that special something, and I am proud to say that this spark of
individuality is not only found in Lincoln Park. It can be discovered in the West Loop as well! Props to my neighborhood!

I know that my clients and I will come across a perfect home with all the
standard features plus a view of something somewhat grandiose (You
don't really need a skyline view when you are just five blocks from
downtown!), something that also separates it from the square "box" units, such
as a hint of timber, a myriad of window shapes, or brick to complement
a once barren wall.

I now know it's out there and it's even in the West Loop!
Perhaps soon I will be known as the West Loop condo expert....things to
look forward to!

Open House Saturday 2/3/07

This Saturday: Open House at my favorite 2bed/2bath condo in the West Loop!! Come by 1151 W. Washington #125 from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday! No open houses on Sunday due to the SUPER BOWL! Please e-mail me for more information.

Thanks!
Christine Marie Clark

NaperTonFieldVille, Illinois

Anyone who has lived, been
through, or even just heard of this conglomerate of West Suburbs may
have a deeper understanding of the meaning behind this blog title. Or,
maybe you have seen the movie that I am referring to (Hint: It stars
Adam Sandler.) Anyways, growing up in the West suburbs has allowed for
a somewhat skewed view on the world. You mean not every 16 year old
gets a brand new luxury automobile without having a job?
O.K., in reality I grew up in Warreville, not Wheaton or Naperville, so I had to settle for a Saturn instead!

Anyways, I am in the West Suburbs at least once a week, whether it be to visit
family, go to the doctor or dentist (I tried city doctors, but I didn't
feel comfortable going to someone who can't even remember my name, and
who charges twice as much for the same services minus politeness), or
just to escape the city for ten minutes. Every time I go back I think
about how fortunate I was to grow up there. Even being from the "wrong
side of the tracks" as some people from Wheaton would say, I still
enjoyed a fruitful, somewhat spoiled youth. I attended the best schools
for free, we never had to lock our doors, I was able to hang out at people's homes that were worth more than my father will make in his entire life (sorry again, dad), I had a ten foot deep swimming pool in my backyard, and I only shopped at the best stores, (God forbid you be seen in cheap clothing at a Wheaton school), so basically I was able to pretend to be rich.

This falsity may have been the underlying factor, which easily convinced
some of my family members, including myself to believe that we live a
rich and fabulous life style.
Once a close friend commented to my Grandmother, "It doesn't
matter how poor you are, you still manage to take extravagant family vacations every year."
My
husband and father will attest to the fact that the West suburban
lifestyle has given me champagne taste on a beer budget. I also never
get tired of saying, "Did you know that DuPage is the second richest county in the nation?"

Of course, I love living in Chicago now, but I am proud of my roots, fake as they may be!

O.K.
enough already, this article was supposed to be about the West Suburbs,
but I turned it into something about more about myself....I'm sensing a
theme here!........