It's the details...

Many west-side real estate buyers are drawn to the interior and exterior details found in the design of Chicago Bungalows. These decorative elements—including lighting fixtures, wood trim and masonry accents—add architectural interest and make the design of each home unique. Joseph Bigott's "From Cottage to Bungalow" has some wonderful information on the topic. If Chicago Bungalows are of interest to you, it's a "must read".

The images shown here are samples of the wonderful details found in my current listing at 5224 N. Monitor. For additional information or to view other available properties, call me at 773.519.1340 or go to my web site, genebiondi.com


Masonry detail from the entry of my current listing at 5224 N. Monitor, in Chicago.

The Historic Chicago Bungalow Association

While exploring the web, I found a wonderful resource for bungalow lovers... The Historic Chicago Bungalow Initiative. The initiative was created by Mayor Daley [M] back in 2000. As defined by the site's home page,

"...the Historic Chicago Bungalow Initiative is designed to foster an appreciation of the Chicago Bungalow as a distinctive housing type, encourage sympathetic rehabilitation of Chicago bungalows, and assist bungalow owners with adapting their homes to current needs, which in turn helps to strengthen Chicago bungalow neighborhoods."

The site offers information on Loans, Grants, and the simple Certification process of registering your bungalow or a bungalow you may be interested in purchasing.

Above Image: The front windows of my listing at 5224 N. Monitor. See genebiondi.com or contact me at 773.519.1340, for additional information.

Welcome Summer... and New Listings!

I recently acquired a new listing—a beautiful Chicago Bungalow at 5224 N. Monitor. This amazing three-bedroom, two bath home has the original hard wood floors with beautiful crown moldings. The sitting room still has the original stained glass windows, ornate light fixtures and regal artificial fireplace. The kitchen has been updated with maple cabinets and includes an eating area. A heated light-filled sun room extends past the kitchen. The full, unfinished basement has high ceilings and could easily add living space if needed. This wonderful home is close to the expressway and public transportation. The large backyard has room for a two-car garage with space left over for a maintainable garden. This home is listed for $324,900.

See genebiondi.com for a complete list of my available properties.

Gene Biondi
773.519.1340

Large Light-Filled Rooms ...With a View!

Wonderful two bedroom/two bath condo on the park has light filled rooms and a wonderful view of the park. Located at 2970 Lake Shore Drive, this 3rd floor, condo has large rooms with new hardwood floors... carpet in the master. Enter the unit through a formal foyer which opens up to the dining room and living area. The unit has wonderful windows running the length of the space! It's on the market for $272,500.




Contact me for additional information. You can see more images of this property as well as some of my other listings, via genebiondi.com. I can be reached via cell at: 773.519.1340.
I look forward to working with you.

Top 10 fashion colors for Fall provide clues to what's new in home decor

New York's "Fashion Week" has just come to a close and the hot new women's fashions for Fall 2009 will soon be in the retail stores. While it's always interesting to see what the designers' models are wearing, what's of more (or at least equal) interest to real estate professionals is what's ahead in home fashion and decor.

Fashion week provides a sneak preview of the colors which be will hot in both clothing and in home interiors. The hues you see on the runway models are predictors of the colors which will soon be seen in wall paints, furnishings, and other home fashions from placemats to towels. So, if you want to know the colors which top builders and interior decorators will be working with later this year, see the Top 10 hues in the "Pantone Fashion Color Report, Fall 2009".

Take a peek at the report, which shows the "10 most directional colors." This is valuable information to share with your builder clients and to use when you are talking to home-sellers who need to update properties. Accessorizing your listings with the hot new colors will give homes a fresh, current look. You can also purchase complete color palettes and trend reports for 2009/2010 on their site.

For 2009, the Pantone color of the year is Mimosa (PANTONE® color number 14-0848), a warm, engaging yellow. According to Pantone, in this time of economic uncertainty and political change, optimism is paramount and no other color expresses hope and reassurance more than yellow.

Luxury Home Certification

I was recently asked what Luxury Home Certification means... Well, the certification is recognized as the mark of accomplishment in luxury markets around the world. The Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS) designation assures affluent buyers and sellers that the agents who have earned this credential, have the knowledge, experience, competence, and confidence they require. Members of The Institute, who hold the CLHMS designation, have documented performance in the top 10% of their markets, and have successfully demonstrated their expertise in the luxury home and estate market. I am a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist. I would be happy to help you with your next real estate deal.

What a Country we live in...

With the President's address to Congress fresh on my mind, and a smile on my face, a glimmer of hope and a strong back step to my younger years of JFK, I will be happy to publish what the stimulus plan has done for the Real Estate market.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was signed on February 17, 2009. The Act includes a few revisions for the First-Time Homebuyers Tax Credit. The bill provides for a $8,000 tax credit that would be available to first-time home buyers for the purchase of a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.

The credit does not require repayment. Most of the mechanics of the credit will be the same as under the 2008 rules: the credit will be claimed on a tax return to reduce the purchaser's income tax liability. If any credit amount remains unused, then the unused amount will be refunded as a check to the purchaser.

This is great news for not only first time buyers, but also for sellers, they have just reduced their asking price by $8,000. This has already made a huge difference in inquires for properties I have listed and I have now moved 3 clients to the actively looking stage.

In Conclusion: "Yes" we can... Thank You President Obama!