As anyone who has already gone through the process of buying a Chicago condo knows, there is so much more to consider than the cliché phrase “location, location, location” suggests. While the location of a condo building is certainly an important element for anyone searching for a new home, today’s savvy condo buyers are drilling down their searches to include all the must-have features they simply can’t live without. Chicago Condo Finder, one of the city’s premier hyperlocal search portals, provides some of the best tools around for searching condos by feature or characteristic, and according to a recent analysis, here is a look at just some of those must-have features buyers are searching most, based on website traffic and behavior.
Private outdoor space
City dwellers love their private outdoor space, especially if it provides epic views of the lively downtown Chicago landscape; so it’s no surprise that condos with a private balcony or terrace are among the most frequently searched on our website. And luckily for prospective buyers, it’s a category that always has plenty of inventory, so options with private outdoor space should be plentiful.
Dog run
Anything pet related is a popular search but a dog run is something a very high volume of Chicago condo buyers want. Sizes of dog runs vary tremendously, so evaluating these spaces on a building-by-building basis is essential if having access to pet-friendly areas on-site is high on a wish list.
Penthouse level/top floor
Not surprisingly, penthouses in Chicago are often thought of as the most expensive condos on the market. And while that can certainly be the case, any top floor condo can technically be classified as a “penthouse unit,” meaning buyers won’t always need a 7- or 8-figure budget to enjoy not hearing footsteps and constant racket from above. As a result, top-floor units remain one of our most viewed pages by far.
Rooftop pool deck
This one is easy, and hardly surprising. Everyone knows summers in Chicago are a thing, so why wouldn’t having direct access to a rooftop deck with a swimming pool be one of the most highly-sought-after building features?
EV charging
Access to electric vehicle charging is continuing to become a more frequently searched characteristic, and this trend isn’t something we expect to stop seeing anytime soon as more car manufacturers enter the EV market. Even just a few years ago, EV charging access wasn’t always easy to find. But nowadays, inventory is only getting stronger, which is great news for all the Tesla and Rivian owners out there.
Golf simulator
As of right now, golf simulators are still something you really only see in newer construction condo and apartment buildings in Chicago. But developers have certainly taken notice that golf simulators can be a fabulous compliment to other lifestyle amenities inside a building, and they’re becoming significantly more common in high-rises and high-profile residential projects throughout the city. Currently, golf simulators aren’t as commonly searched as something like a dog run or rooftop pool, but it’s a search category that is quickly gaining momentum among Chicagoans looking for the perfect building to call home.
Helaine Cohen – Licensed Real Estate Broker
helaine@chicagocondofinder.com
(312) 953-0961