The difference 1% makes

Although it may seem small when first mentioned, one percent can result in a big change. This came to mind recently when speaking with a buyer about mortgage rates. She was concerned that home prices had not bottomed out yet and wanted to make sure she waited until the right time.

The question of when is the bottom of market or when is the best time to purchase are hard to answer. The following example about mortgage rates really provides something to think about. Specifically, buyers do not ultimately live with their purchase price. The only time purchase price comes into question again is when the buyer sells their property.

I am not advocating that buyers be unconcerned with their purchase price. I am saying that mortgage rates play a much more important role in housing affordability and what qualifies as a great deal.

Take these three mortgage rate examples. All are based on a loan amount of $250,000 and a 30 year conventional mortgage.



$250,000 @ 5% = $1,342/month payment
$250,000 @ 6% = $1,498/month payment
$250,000 @ 7% = $1,663/month payment

Consider this payment over five or ten years and you really have some significant savings. If you add in the possibility of inflation in that time, you are really ahead. With the way the US government is printing money and taking on debt, the buyer is going to be paying back that mortgage with dollars that are only worth 80% what they are worth today several years from now.

How is Chicago's real estate market shaping up? It depends on who you ask

A recent Chicago Skyline article titled "Housing market rising from ashes of the great recession" paints a positive picture.

The article mentions appreciation from the Case-Shiller home price index over the past three years. Additionally historically low mortgage rates and very favorable housing affordability rates are very positive factors in this market.

The article goes on to quote several new construction sales agents. They are bullish about the past 12 months sales in their buildings and their sales forecasts. These must be taken with a grain of salt. Perhaps things are selling briskly where they are at, but when I hear about new construction I always consider that some of it may be puffery on the part of agents.

My experience in the market is that downtown homes are selling, buyers are just looking for that very very good deal. More specifically, buyers in this market feel like they are still taking quite a risk buying and want to feel they are getting something special. With the large amount of available inventory, sellers best tools are the the marketing their agent is doing and price.


In Marina Towers, there is one big factor at work now. Homeowners in the building recently received their tax bills. These differed wildly from what they have been paying. The last few installments were 25% to 30% less than this installment. This will affect home values in Marina City for the short term until the building or individual building residents file an appeal to have property taxes reduced.

Why buy real estate now?

Going to and from appointments I am often asked many questions. “Are people buying?” “Is it a good time to buy?” People hear the news and are genuinely curious.

Here are two great articles about the state of the market. In the Forbes article, it explains the role of demographics and housing affordability in different markets that will be shifting our market upward.

In this Marketwatch article, there are 10 great points for buying a home. My two favorites are low mortgage rates (less than 4 3/8 % on 30 year fixed loan) and very good home prices. Never in our lifetimes will we have low home prices AND low mortgage rates. There have been times when we have had one, but never both together. I’ll guarantee you’ll never see it again while you’re alive. We’ll be kicking ourselves in five or ten years saying, “why didn’t I buy that place in 2010…”

On July 15, 1979, President Jimmy Carter gave a nationally-televised address in which he identified what he believed to be a "crisis of confidence" among the American people. At that time as well as now, the confidence index was the same. With more people believing that their children would be worse off than they were. During Carter's administration, the economy suffered double-digit inflation, coupled with very high interest rates, oil shortages, high unemployment and slow economic growth. Does that sound familiar? If we take a moment to ponder what the US economy & real estate did through the 80s & 90s, we can see what a tremendous opportunity that time period was.

That is the kind of opportunity we are presented with now.

Two new additions to downtown

A recent Crain's article reported that upscale grocer Fox & Obel has signed a lease for the ground level commercial space at the new Greenway Self-Park. The parking garage at the corner of Clark & Kinzie incorporates several sustainable features in its design.



The article also reports a 49 story apartment tower is being planned for the southeast corner of Clark & Hubbard just north the Greenway Self-Park. Property records show the developer has signed a 100 year lease for the site and plans a 427-unit building.

Not all high rises are created equal & other financing challenges

With all the recent financing changes, I have had to become very aware of each condo building’s financing considerations. I specialize in condominiums in Downtown Chicago and the Near North Side. When showing buyers around it has been very handy to know each building’s profile with respect to financing. It goes beyond the basic question of “is this condominium building FHA approved?”

As recently as last year, many banks and Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac have changed their policy on what types of buildings they will underwrite. It has started to be like peeling back the layers of an onion.

My recent issues have been:

1. Condotel or hotel components of a building.

You will have a very difficult time finding financing for your buyer at the new Trump Tower or Aqua. Both buildings have a hotel component and most lenders will not lend in this type of building. A survey of the listings that have closed in the last six months at 401 N. Wabash (Trump) shows that almost all closed with the CASH flag highlighted.

My lender contact stated that one might be able to get financing through their credit union or local bank, but would likely need to have a significant portion of their net worth on deposit.

2. Number of homeowners delinquent on their assessments.

Banks are now very conscious of the number of homeowners who are not paying their condominium monthly assessments. On the 22.1 disclosure form (bank questionnaire), there is a question for the number of delinquencies. Above a certain threshold and the property will be very difficult to finance. According to my mortgage banker, this is a problem at several recent condo conversions downtown. All of these buildings had sold briskly during the real estate bubble at higher than average prices for the square footage. Many investors had purchased in this developer’s buildings and had taken advantage of a two year incentive program that offered guaranteed rent and no taxes & assessments during that time. When the music stopped and prices slid, those investors were unable to keep up the payments. There are now many foreclosures and many short sales in these buildings.

3. Litigation

The third issue that has complicated the financing picture is litigation. Depending on the extent of the litigation that the condo association is involved in, a mortgage may be difficult.

For example, a new development in the loop near Macy’s has had a litigation issue for some time now. The mechanic’s liens that two subcontractors filed when the building was complete are being litigated. These subcontractors have filed suit to collect on what they are owed. They have sued the developer AND the homeowner’s directly. At this property, the condo association is suing the developer to complete several warranty items for the building. These two issues should be worked out in the near future, but provide a snag for buyers and sellers in the building.

Make sure that your agent checks the high rise before completing an offer to avoid any financing hangups.

Why You Still Need a Real Estate Agent

I came across this great Forbes article, "Five Reasons Why You Still Need a Real Estate Agent".


With all the internet tools available to buyers and sellers, some may think that an agent is a thing of the past or optional. My feeling is that a good agent is a project manager that gets a listing sold or helps a buyer purchase a property. The agent makes sure each step of the project plan gets completed and handles any breakdowns when they occur (they usually do).

The Forbes article highlights five points that an agent is needed: 1. Better Access/More Convenience, 2. Negotiating Is Tricky Business, 3. Contracts Can Be Hard To Handle, 4. Real Estate Agents Can't Lie, and 5. Not Everyone Can Save Money


I have several additional points to add:

6. Local knowledge and intuition.
Specializing in downtown Chicago, I keep up to date on the latest news that affects property. A new grocery store or restaurant being announced next to Marina City would have a positive effect on home values in that development. Conversely, negative news or happenings can have an effect. Wherever the property you plan to sell or buy, it would be an advantage to enlist the help of someone who specializes there. A neighborhood specialist also knows how to promote the best qualities of an area and how to handle common objections to a property. I expand on this in my ChicagoNow interview with writer Dan Rafter. Living in Marina Towers gives me a unique perspective.


7. Managing the transaction
Despite what some may think, a real estate transaction is a complicated process that involves carefully coordinated steps. Based on a list prepared by Belton Jennings, CEO of the Orlando Regional Realtors Association, the selling process from start to finish involves up to 180 steps. When issues come up, having an experienced agent with a cool head is a must. For example, a problem with financing or a problem found during inspection could quickly kill a deal if not handled effectively.

8. Let a professional handle it.
Having an advocate that is not emotionally attached to the property can be a huge asset. How would an owner react to feedback from a showing of their property. That beautiful heirloom clock that Aunt Millie got you when she was in Switzerland might mean the world to you now that she's gone. Unfortunately, if a buyer comments negatively on it, emotion could take over. Emotion is the worst thing that can creep into a real estate transaction. It can color communications between buyer & seller, buyer's agent & seller's agent and ultimately sour the deal.

Lastly, knowing who to turn to when things go completely off track is critical. A buyer or seller may not have access to a senior managing broker or real estate attorney to help them put things back on track. The best metaphor I can think of is that you can go to court and defend yourself without a lawyer, but it is very difficult. Similarly, you can juggle knives and not get injured, but the likelihood of success is very low.

Real Progress at Block 37

As reported in Crain's, the judge overseeing the foreclosure case has given approval to new leases for several new stores. "Eight retailers, with products ranging from high fashion to frozen custard, have received court approval to open at Block 37."

CB Richard Ellis is handling the leasing at Block 37 and has announced the following tenants:

- Andy’s Frozen Custard
- Alternatives Shoes
- Comic Vault
- Which Wich, a Texas-based sandwich chain



- iCandylicious, a candy store
- Simply Thalia, which has sushi and French-Asian sandwiches
- Ladies & Gentlemen, an Aveda lifestyle salon and spa















I think that this great progress for the neighborhood. I will really enjoy walking the two blocks from my Marina City home to Block 37.

No Show at Block 37

The new Block 37 has suffered another set back. Is the Block 37 parcel hallowed ground?

From the Chicago Tribune:

The chance of bringing a long-anticipated movie house to the Loop at the Block 37 mall is fading as a foreclosure battle over the stalled retail project winds its way through the courts.

Michael Whalen, CEO of Paragon Entertainment LLC, which would run the movie house, said he wants to move forward with the theater but is doubtful a deal will be reached.

The article mentions that the foreclosure drama has put the theater in jeopardy of becoming a tenant. Muvico is an upscale movie theater that also serves drinks and dinner to guests.



I was really looking forward to the new theater. Being able to walk one block from my Marina Towers home and get dinner, drinks and a nice movie was an excellent option. I think that the theater would have been a great outlet for all the new downtown residents along with downtown travelers. Let's keep hope alive that the decision makers can come to an agreement.

Commuting the old fashioned way

On the Blue Line today I saw a CTA advertisement that said, "the average rider saves $11,000 a year by switching from their car to the CTA." That got me thinking how much I enjoy not being tethered to a car. Why should I bother with $250 + parking fees and worrying about someone backing into it or taking it for service.




When needed, I have a car at my disposal. I take cabs when I am really pushing time and cannot wait for the bus or train. The occasional Red Line ride to Lakeview to visit my fiance is still very tolerable on more crowded trains after the CTA cuts.














I am honestly not writing this to gloat. This entry is more about one of the great benefits of living downtown in the River North neighborhood. Most everything I need to go to is a nice walk or easy cab ride away from Marina City.




I can honestly say that the 30 - 45 minutes others spend on the train or in their car everyday each way to work is time well spent for me. I do miss the greenery of the neighborhoods and haven't heard birds chirping that often, unless you count cooing pigeons. I do have an outlet for that when I get down to the Printer's Row for a Hackney's burger or up to Roscoe Village to my real estate office.

Looking out this morning, I can say that I am in the right place when I watch the sun rise over Lake Michigan from my 51st floor balcony at Marina Towers.

Aqua Building Still Tall in Uncertain Times

If you have ever walked over on the 'New Eastside', you have probably noticed the beautiful & unique new tower. Aqua was completed last year and has been awarded skyscraper of the year by Frankfort based Emporis. It is also the tallest building ever designed by a woman (Chicago based Jeanne Gang). The building is currently comprised of condominiums and apartments.

The architect speaks about the building here.


Chicago Journal has written an article outlining the building's completion and struggles to find tenants and buyers.