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!........

Open Houses Sat and Sun 1/27 and 1/28

Please come to my open houses this weekend...Last weekend before the Bears cream the Colts in the Superbowl!
On Saturday, I will be in Old Town at 1444 N. Cleveland #2 from 1-4 p.m.
On Sunday, I will be in The West Loop at 1151 W Washington #125 from 1-4 p.m.
Contact me for more info.
See you there!

6 Degrees of Chicago Real Estate

High of fourteen degrees, low of six, probability of more than 4 real estate consumers attending my open house on Saturday 1 in 10 (on the hopeful side)!

O.K., so I am exaggerating a little bit about the temperature thing, but when it's anything less than 35 degrees outside, it all feels the same! As for this weekend, well, Da Bears are in town, so we all know what that means! The pregame will begin at 6 a.m., or some insane time like that, even though the game doesn't start until 1 or 2 p.m. Therefore, all die hards will be parked on their couches until at least 5 or 6 p.m., perhaps later with all the post game shows that will most certainly be monopolizing prime time Sunday night T.V.

Well, what does that all mean for this weekend in real estate?? For me, it means I have to brainstorm all possible ways of bringing people into my open house. For instance, I think there should be rewards for those who come to my open houses during the winter season, and an extra bonus for attendance during Bears playoff games. Maybe I will give away some of my famous light up Hello Kitty and heart pens?
Perhaps, a raffle may stimulate buyers to rise up and out of their homes, brave the cold and flu season, and come on over to 1151 W. Washington #125 on Saturday from 1-4 p.m.?

Or, wait, maybe people will just come to see this 2 bed/2bath condo because they need to buy a home by this spring and are seriously motivated buyers!!! This property has so much to offer buyers such as, an extra large balcony overlooking a landscaped courtyard, garage parking included in the price, over 1600 square feet of living space, and it is located less than a mile from the heart of downtown Chicago!
One more incentive for stopping by, I am there to show the property to prospective buyers! If that's not a good reason to come by, then I give up!

Open House Sunday 1/14/07

Come to an open house at 1151 W Washington #125 this Sunday! Come early, before the Bears game, starting at 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. This 2 bedroom/2 bath condo in the West Loop is a must see! Walk to downtown, garage spot included in the price, large balcony overlooking one of the few courtyards in the West Loop, and it even has over 1600 square feet of living space! Please stop by or e-mail me for more info.
cclark@chemail.com or
cmc0681@yahoo.com
See you there and go Bears!