Monthly Archives: November 2014

Josh Lipton Joins Related Realty as Newest Broker

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Related Realty is proud to announce Josh Lipton as the newest member of the Josh Lipton Headshot BW brokerage!

Trust and accountability are paramount for Josh, and his ability to maintain these intrinsic values while executing under pressure have enabled him to close over 60 transactions since April 2014.  Backed by both a business and law degree from Indiana University, Josh has a keen understanding of the many nuances that buyers and sellers encounter throughout the life of a real estate transaction.  Josh’s sharp business acumen, skillful negotiation and broad transactional experience lends him the foresight to navigate the complex real estate market and strategically improvise, adapt and overcome any obstacles that stand in the way of getting the deal done.

Welcome to the team, Josh!

What Are the Qualities of Great Real Estate Agents? Jeanine McShea Explains

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The key to ensuring the best experience for home buyers and sellers, is by working with the best real estate agents. All good agents are knowledgeable, honest and personable, but must also have the support of a firm with the right resources and experience.

Jeanine Black and White headshot - 130x162

Related Realty’s vice president and managing broker, Jeanine McShea, recently sat down with Chicago Agent magazine for a cover story on the importance of recruiting – and retaining – great agents. As McShea explains, Related Realty offers a boutique experience, which allows each agent to individually elevate the real estate experience for each client.

So, what are the qualities that Related Realty agents bring to clients?

• Being a knowledge-seeker: Agents who stay ahead of trends, know what the market is doing and are on top of new technology, can deliver the most seamless experience for home buyers and sellers. • The service trifecta: Professionalism, work ethic and drive. These are the qualities good agents exhibit in every personal and professional endeavor. • A CEO mentality: Agents who are goal-oriented and want to be held accountable are more likely to conduct themselves like a business. • Constant Collaboration: Related Realty agents are successful and want to share that success.

Read more in Chicago Agent about the qualities of Related Realty’s agents. To learn more about finding the right agent, and buying a condo or single-family home in Chicago, please contact 312.832.2300

Eric Frost Joins Related Realty as Newest Broker

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Related Realty is proud to announce Eric Frost as the newest member of the Eric Frost 3 Croppedbrokerage!

Eric has been working in real estate analysis and related fields for nearly 20 years and loves serving clients whether they are looking to buy or rent, or sell or lease. He frequently works with investors including overseas landlords and helps with income property analysis and property management. Eric earned an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 2005 and has applied his knowledge to the business of real estate for many years. Eric is excited to continue serving real estate clients with the highest professionalism, honesty, and attentiveness to the unique needs of every client.

Welcome to the team, Eric!

Streeterville Real Estate: Chicago Spire Site in the Hands of Related Midwest

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Related Midwest Takes Over Chicago Streeterville Spire Building Site

It has been an exciting week for Related Midwest and Streeterville real estate as a whole! WeChicago Real Estate Streeterville Spire Building Site are pleased to announce that Related Midwest has successfully acquired the former site of the Chicago Spire located at 400 N Lake Shore Drive. There has been a lot of buzz around the site that has sat dormant since 2008 as a giant hole in the ground and we look forward to what’s ahead.

Related Midwest President Curt Bailey stated Tuesday: We are pleased to have resolution on 400 N. Lake Shore Drive, the site of the former Chicago Spire project,” and “We recognize the importance of this site to the City of Chicago and look forward to creating an architecturally significant and thoughtful development befitting this premier location.”

Read the full story on this future of the Chicago Spire building site and its impact in Streeterville here.

5 Ways to Add Luxury to your Home

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If you live in Chicago and are looking for Chicago real estate including Chicago condos, youll likely want to implement a few solutions to make your new home as attractive and comfortable as possible. You can add luxury to your home without spending thousands of dollars or hiring outside help.

If youd like to replicate the feel of a luxury hotel in your home, youll need a stylish bedroom. Your bed should be the rooms centerpiece. Implement matching sheets, pillows and curtains to create a unified theme. Be sure to include a number of plump down style pillows to create a luxurious feel. Opt for Egyptian cotton sheets along with a down comforter. Beyond the bed, consider adding an armoire for your clothes and possibly even an inside cabinet to hold a TV.

Your bathroom will be easy to spruce up for a luxurious feel. A small adjustment that you can make to a simple bathroom is the implementation of a new, more powerful shower head. Itll improver your showering experience more than you might imagine. Fill your shower with lavish soaps and scents. Add a new shower curtain, scented candles and some extra soft towels. If you can afford it, consider installing large mirrors and deep sinks.

Modify your homes entryway with a simple table. Choose a nice wood, marble or lacquer table that will function as your entryways starting point. If you have a rather small entryway, consider putting a large circular table in the center of the room that it leads into. Place a nice lamp on the table along with a flower arrangement, a few books and a possibly a bowl for odds and ends. If you decide to put your table near one of the  rooms walls, put a piece of art or a mirror above it for an extra bit of flare. Itll create the lavish aesthetic that you and your guests can enjoy.

If you need any assistance finding the right home for you and your family, reach out to a Chicago realtor today.

Why a Chicago Realtor should ask, “Are you a Veteran?”

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Whether you are a homeowner or not, have you ever been asked by a Chicago Realtor if you’re a veteran? Millions buying a home in Chicago who have served our country are not aware of certain benefits available to them as veterans. A majority of housing professionals do not think to ask a potential home buyer if they are a veteran. Most importantly, veterans do not always disclose that they are veterans. This said, earned benefits are being overlooked and missed altogether. There are significant financial benefits available to veterans when purchasing a home that are now more readily available than ever before.

Veterans are not required to make a down payment, unlike others buying a home in Chicago, nor are veterans required to pay PMI and certain closing costs. There is a funding fee, but this fee can be financed and applicants are eligible for up to 103.3% financing as a result. Depending on a veteran’s Certificate of Eligibility and specific entitlements identified by the Veterans’ Administration this funding fee may be waived. Sellers are often times willing to provide closing cost credits to veterans to help to make their purchase more affordable (max seller credit is 4%).

There are loan programs available to veterans that are not VA loans, but that provide comparable benefits. Specifically in Illinois, the Illinois Housing Department Authority (IHDA) offers Welcome Home Heroes, a program that provides eligible veterans with up to $10,000 in down payment assistance with no PMI options, via conventional financing and VA financing. FHA financing is also available, but conventional financing is key when purchasing a condo in non-VA approved buildings in Chicago.

For more information on VA programs, VA approved properties, and how to become a Certified Military Housing Specialist, refer to the links below:

http://www.ihda.org/homeowner/gettingLoan.htm#WelcomeHomeHeroes http://www.va.gov/statedva.htm https://vip.vba.va.gov/portal/VBAH/VBAHome/condopudsearch http://www.usacares.org/

Homeownership – and freedom tops the American dream charts. If you’re a Chicago Realtor or lender, ask all of your clients “Are you a veteran?” and encourage him or her to take advantage of their entitlements and financing benefits. There is no better way to thank a Veteran, today and every day.

Foreign Buyers Guide: How to Buy a House in Lincoln Park

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Boutique shopping and high-end retailers, fine dining, coffee shops, scenic parks and dynamic night life help establish Chicago’s affluent Lincoln Park neighborhood as one of the country’s most desirable areas.

Many educated, high-income young people — both singles and couples — call Lincoln Park home. Families with children tend to settle in the less-dense areas farther from Lake Michigan.

Upscale real estate

Lincoln Park Chicago real estate is priced at a premium, with a typical single-family house selling for approximately $1 million and some homes selling in excess of $10 million. Forbes magazine in 2007 described a block in the Lincoln Park neighborhood — between Armitage Avenue and Orchard, Burling and Willow streets —  as Chicago’s priciest. Rental apartments and homes range from a little under $1,000 a month for a studio or one-bedroom to more than $4,000. A Lincoln Park Chicago realtor can help with finding the right location and space.

Many attractive amenities

Homes for sale in Lincoln Park Chicago have access to numerous appealing amenities, including a lovely park of the same name as the neighborhood, Lincoln Park. The scenic public park, Chicago’s largest, occupies more than 1,200 acres along Lake Michigan. It includes a zoo, beaches, several museums, a golf course, archery range and numerous recreational and natural areas.

To learn more about available homes in Lincoln Park, Chicago, please contact us today.