By Michael Michalak

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

Downtown condos

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.

Mortgages

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 marketing their agent is doing and price.

Michael Michalak is a real estate Broker for RE/MAX Signature specializing in downtown Chicago, and the West and North sides. He lives downtown in his one bedroom condo with views of the lake and river. Michael believes in the growing downtown neighborhood. He can be reached at mikesellschicago@gmail.com or 312.933.4607.