The Brits shop at Burberry, the Italians at Gucci, si? But why don’t they visit the ones on North Michigan Avenue? It’s a bargain, even with the airfare! I’m off to Roma next week for the privilege of addressing the board of directors for my broker network, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World ® . In addition I’ll be participating on a few sessions. One is on blogging and social networking (no surprise), and the other is a Q&A on the luxury market for international investors. Obviously, I’ll let the world know what’s going on in Chicago, specifically our luxury developments in Lincoln Park and the Goldcoast like 2520 Lincoln Park and The Ritz Carlton Residences. But while I’m speaking to a group about Chicago luxury in Rome, I will be reminded that in the last week I’ve heard Japanese, Italian, French and Spanish right outside my office, on Michigan Avenue at Oak Street. While Chicago has always been a draw for tourists, the euro–dollar exchange and our own weak economy have made Chicago a haven for luxury (and luxury bargain) shoppers from around the world. I hosted a couple from our network affiliates in Valencia, Spain over the weekend, Inmobiliaria Rimontgo - www.Rimontgo.com (it’s a great website by the way, especially since they feature Rubloff’s listings in four languages!). Using my best high school Spanish I learned that my new friend Susana was spending about 50% what she would spend in Valencia for the same (mostly European!) luxury items – clothing, leather, watches, etc! Ralph Lauren, Prada et al are doing OK this summer… Hey, if it boosts our economy, more power to them! Having lived in the Chicagoland area my entire life, and having spent 15 years downtown every day, six of them on Michigan Avenue, it’s amazing the slow but steady increase in foreigners walking up and down the Mag Mile – a 25% increase this year alone, per the Chicago Office of Tourism! We’ve always known that Michigan Avenue, and especially Oak Street, were the luxury capitals of the Midwest. I’ll have to remember that as I take my daily passaggieto (stroll) down each via and strada in Rome and window shop! The last three times I was there I did some serious shopping. This time I’ll think I’ll just keep strolling! Posted by: John D’Ambrogio More: Je t’aime l’avenue Michigan? Mi piace la via Michigan?
Here is the original post:
Je t’aime l’avenue Michigan? Mi piace la via Michigan?
So you’re moving to Chicago — What tax breaks can you take?
Here is the original:
The Taxman can be avoided!
Welcome to www.chicagorelocationblog.com – A forum to discuss relocation issues involving the windy city. In addition to other responsibilities at Rubloff Residential Properties in Chicago, I oversee the relocation team.
Continued here:
Welcome To The Chicago Relocation Blog
The Gold Coast is often described as Chicago’s most affluent neighborhood. This prestigious local borders Chicago’s Michigan lakefront from Oak Street to North Avenue moving westerly to LaSalle. Mostly consisting of high-rise condominiums edging the lakefront and inland residential blocks containing numerous condos, single-family homes, and co-ops, this region is often compared to the well known Upper East Side in Manhattan with a more affordable median price ranging from $600,000 – $700,000. Whether you’re looking for an antiquated vintage setting or a modern/contemporary feel, you may want to consider this upscale neighborhood. Posted By: Terra Ewing Read more: Living in the Luxury of the Gold Coast
More:
Living in the Luxury of the Gold Coast
When REALTOR® Roberta Brennan became the listing agent for a 10,000-square-foot English Manor-style home in the North Shore suburb of Winnetka, she knew the property would draw curiosity from the luxury clientele in the area. After all, the $5.6 million new construction took three years to build and featured an antique Chicago brick exterior, a reclaimed slate roof and zinc gutters, flashings and downspouts. Brennan, a sales associate with Rubloff Residential Properties in Chicago, blanketed the community with an invitation-style mailing and even distributed brochures to brokers while standing in the middle of a dirt road during the early construction phase. It was an unusual experience with the eventual buyers though, that left a lasting impression on Brennan and set the tone for her “above and beyond” service as a luxury market specialist.
“The property actually sold to a couple who had at one point snuck into the house during the early stages of construction and somehow got stuck on the second floor,” says Brennan. “They eventually climbed down a ladder and made it out safely, but we weren’t sure what was going on because the alarm kept sounding. I guess they were intrigued and really wanted to see inside.”
Illinois REALTOR Magazine
Yes, luxury homes are selling in Chicago, and they always have. But I have a novel idea to sell them even quicker: Price them to sell. The HEADRICK-WAGNER CONSULTING GROUP recently released their monthly update of housing inventory (see http://www.guidemehome2chicagoluxury.com/assets/2008/8/18/JD-1.pdf ), and guess what area and price range has a whopping 45 MONTHS supply of housing? No surprise - 1mm – 2mm homes on Chicago’s near north side - including Streeterville and the Goldcoast. (I’m afraid working class Rogers Park is the only other Chicago market with a longer supply - for different reasons I assure you). In today’s market it’s all about being AT the market. Kind of like trying to sell you stock for $45 if the market value is $40. No matter how hard you try to sell it, and no matter what you bought if for last year for $50, it’s worth $40 today. Too many high end properties chase market. They’re finding it’s a very long race. Posted By: John D’Ambrogio See original here: Sell my luxury home in 90 days? If I can price it to sell!
Go here to read the rest:
Sell my luxury home in 90 days? If I can price it to sell!
“Condo Association and Board Training: 4 C’s for Effective Associations”
Wednesday, September 24 from
6pm – 9pm
Evanston Public Library
1703 Orrington Avenue, Evanston IL 60201
Lakeside Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit housing agency,
will present the workshop. The cost for the City-sponsored workshop
is $15 per condominium association. More than one person from a condominium
may attend, but reservations are required. Each participant will receive a 200+
page condominium reference manual, including a copy of the Evanston
Condominium Ordinance.
The workshops will cover a range of topics, including:
• The Condo Declaration, By-laws, and the Illinois Condominium Property Act;
• Board responsibilities;
• Managing the developer turn over;
• Conducting effective meetings and resolving disputes;
• Budgeting, reserves, and maintenance planning;
• Assessments;
• Self-management vs. management companies;
• Responsibilities of owner/renters living in owned units;
• Building community.
Space is limited, so call the City of Evanston Planning Division at (847) 866-2928 to reserve your
place.
Content Source: Highlights Fall 2008, City of Evanston, IL
2008 has seen a flurry of retail activity on Chicago’s Oak Street. Always a prime shopping destination, in recent years there was a lack of excitement as Prada, Sugar Magnolia, and Barneys New York seemed to be the only shopping destinations. This year, the street welcomed the luxe fashion powerhouse, Juicy Couture, along with many other trend setters such as David Yurman and Harry Winston. These additions further solidify the luxury Gold Coast lifestyle and mirror its residents. With the anticipation of the brand new Barneys opening in April of 2009, Oak Street will prove to be a fierce competitor to its sister street Michigan Avenue. Posted By: Kate Santo & Terra Ewing See more here: Oak Street Reinvents Itself
Read the original:
Oak Street Reinvents Itself
How do you choose the “best” luxury agent? My colleague Evan Bural at Rubloff Residential Properties recently shared some comments on how service affects the luxury market. He noted that real estate agents and companies often focus on sales and production (doing more business) above all else — it is simply an intense, competitive drive to be the best. How much business one does has traditionally been the only way to quantify the “best agents.” Unfortunately, an unbalanced focus on the numbers can have negative consequences in terms of delivering the highest quality service possible. A focus on sales and production over measurably better quality is likely a contributing factor in the much-publicized statistic that only about a third of all buyers and sellers do business with the same real estate agent or company again. Ironically the secret to increasing productivity and sales is focusing on something other than sales and production…you guessed it, focusing on <font> service quality </font> , <font> agent accountability </font> and <font> measurably superior service </font> is the best path to sustainable growth in volume. At the end of the day, the very best real estate agents and companies realize this and run their business accordingly…and since August 2005, Rubloff and the Quality Service Certified ( QualityService.org ) participating agents successfully embrace this approach daily. Consider it an “Angie’s List” for real estate. Over 3,627 individual surveys have been conducted which not only provide the agent with invaluable feedback for future performance, but they also clearly indicate increased client loyalty which is illustrated by the 82.68% of responders who personally intend to partner with Rubloff and their QSC agent again on future transactions. Furthermore, a smashing 83.41% would recommend our services to a friend. Posted By: John D’Ambrogio Read more: 3,627 Examples of the Best Real Estate Agents Around
Read the original post:
3,627 Examples of the Best Real Estate Agents Around
Newer Posts »
