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The Neighborhood: West Loop

“West Town” is a bit of an enigma – it’s both a generic term to refer to a large swath of Chicago’s west side, and a smaller neighborhood unto itself. It’s diverse, quirky, and a hive of activity. Homes are an eclectic mix of vintage and modern, ranging from modest worker’s cottages to luxurious new-construction single-family homes.

by: Greg Nagel
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How To Avoid The Minefield of Home Repair & Renovation

Making sure your Chicago property appraises for the desired sales values requires two things: Understanding the appraiser’s methodolgy and having a savvy local realtor who knows the neighborhood and current home values better than the appraiser.

by: Greg Nagel
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Where Do I Live? Defining Chicago’s Neighborhoods

Much of Chicago’s charm comes from its many different neighborhoods — these multiple “cities within the city” — each have their own distinct vibe. Where are these neighborhoods and what are they called? Well, that’s debatable in some instances but here are our definitions for the West Town area.

by: Greg Nagel
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A 30 Year Mortgage Is Not Always The Smartest Or Most Conservative Loan

A 30 Year Mortgage Is Not Always The Smartest Or Most Conservative Loan The 30-year fixed has long been the... Read More
by: Greg Nagel
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Buy Or Sell First?

How do you both sell your current home and buy your next home at the same time? The coordination involved can seem overwhelming. It can be done! What are the considerations and what makes the most sense for your circumstances? There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer.

by: Greg Nagel
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SIZE MATTERS… And When It Comes To Real Estate…

In Chicago, our standard lot size is 25 feet wide by 125 feet deep, so the length is literally 5 times the width! So intuitively, width is clearly more valuable. Inside the properties widths are about 19 feet, but keep in mind you have staircases eating up lots of space, so on narrower lots you start seeing dining room tables encroach on fireplaces. With narrower spaces, it can start to look and feel like a bowling alley, and less like a home.

by: Greg Nagel
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Why Does Local Market Expertise Matter?

“Location, location, location” – what does this really mean? Even within a neighborhood, location matters, and can often be a matter of feet, not miles. There are nuances on value from one block to the next, transportation resources, landmark districts, school differences, and proximity to entertainment areas, hospitals and busy streets comes into play.

by: Greg Nagel
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The Power of Home Ownership

You can make 32% on average on your investment when buying vs renting. You make money over three different time periods: 1. Positive cash flow or reduced expense, 2. Mortgage interest expense & property tax, 3. Principal pay down & appreciation

by: Greg Nagel
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When Is The Best Time To List My Home In West Town?

We’ve all heard that “spring” is the optimum time to sell a home. “Well, what about ‘fall’?” There are the optimal windows of time for listing your home and your area’s seasons will affect your market timing. Seasonal market timing and prep to sell are both critical factors for successful home sales.

by: Greg Nagel
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How To Pay Less Property Tax In Chicago

Lowering your Chicago property taxes requires two things: challenging what the city assesses you and taking all the exemptions for which you are eligible. There are some nuances to each of these tactics.

by: Greg Nagel
Ask Nagel Realty