Lycee Francais de Chicago (Oui! Oui!)

For as long as I can recall (in spite of their good educational intentions), the Lycee Francais de Chicago, located at that landlocked traffic cluster of Irving Park, Bittersweet, and Marine Drive (the far northeast tip of Wrigleyville), has caused daily back-ups onto the Lake Shore Drive entrance ramp catty-corner from my condo building. Twice every weekday, les mamans et papas turn on the flashers and double park their Lexi et Suburi on our garage access street so they can drop-off/pick-up les garcons et les filles de l'ecole before and after school. Pardon my French, but its been a little...(oops--my English-to-Francais Translator app wont accept that four letter entry). Anyway, its been a little frustrating over the years. But Alas! Oui! Oui! Good News is in the future for Everyone! 

The school will be moving to a new home at 1929 W. Wilson Avenue (just steps from all those hip Lincoln Square neighborhood cafes et restaurants) in the Fall of 2015. There's an Open House Saturday, November 22, 2014 from 10:00AM to Noon. So check it, mes amis!  


And that is all I have to show for six years of French. ZUT!

Geno Petro

Click here for my free Chicago MLS search engine

On Location: Uptown Chicago

Lawrence Avenue, in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago, is transformed back to the 1980s as a tech crew sets up for an early morning 'Batman vs Superman' movie shoot. Love the recently refurbished Aragon Ballroom sign and marquee in the background.

Geno Petro

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Geno Petro | Chicago Realtor

Click here for my free Chicago MLS search engine

The Two-Pipe High Rise

'Its hot when its hot and its not when its not'; thus is the tween-season conundrum of living in a MCM high rise. To be fair, 'autumn' in Chicago lasts about as long as it takes the Bears to slip below .500, i.e., not very long (simply insert Cubs analogy for 'spring'). But for those of us who live in 'two-pipe' climate regulated buildings, this often times means shivering nights under the flannel sheets in September, and ice packs & floor fans in May. For those of you not in the know, a two-pipe system is operated by the residential maintenance staff and is either set at 'Heat,' 'A/C,' or 'Neutral' for the entire building. Individual condo dwellers can only operate the 'blowers' in their respective units. This semi-annual ritual is generally precluded with colorful Xerox sheets of 8.5x11 paper taped onto the walls of elevators, hallways, and common areas with the following message:

The heating and cooling system, originally installed many decades ago, is not able to simultaneously provide both hot and cool air to residents. This system has limited ability to rapidly compensate for spikes in outdoor temperature. This limitation becomes very apparent during seasonal transitions, such as this, where temperatures may rise or drop dramatically. In order to anticipate and respond to these unusual climate conditions, we will continue to actively monitor the changing weather patterns and use the best professional advice available from onsite engineering staff and independent mechanical engineers.

In other words, our building is old as hell and 'Neutral' is the easiest way to appease the masses. Someone is always either too hot or too cold in a two-pipe dystopia. It's an urban fact.

Now to be honest, the system in my condo building has already been switched on 'Heat' for a month. The only reason I mention any of this is that it was 62 degrees yesterday (and too hot in the unit for my taste) but predicted to drop to 25 degrees by tomorrow (blower will be turned on high, for sure). Just felt it necessary to brush up on my Midwest weather whining. That's all.

Geno Petro

Click here for my free Chicago MLS search engine

Recently Listed: 1516 W Grand Ave 2W, Chicago 60642

Check out more pix and interior details by clicking on the video!
...and just steps from all things Ukrainian Village

Geno Petro | Chicago Realtor

Click here for my free Chicago MLS search engine

What $h*t Costs in Chicago

Living the urban dream (okay, Midwest urban dream...Geez...) is not without its financial challenges. Not a problem if you make good cake but for the average working Joe ham n' egger, even a $50K a year no-show city job is barely enough to cover the monthly nut and still leave a few bucks left over for the 9th at Hawthorne on Saturday. Note the following list I put together based on my professional Chicago real estate observation (and amateur neighborhood wanderings):

* $ 2,500   Average monthly rent payment for a 2 bed/2 bath Wrigleyville condo.

* $200       Average monthly rent payment for a Wrigleyville garage spot.

* $69.50     Cost to fill up a BMW X3 if you're coasting on fumes (Premium).

* $38.20     If  your whip is a Prius (Regular).

* $10.75     Cost per pack of Marlboro Reds (for the three of you out there that still smoke).

* $3.99      Cost of a 'Slice & Pop' at most North Side pizza joints

Also....

*  $7.50   per $1,000 (of sale price) Chicago City Tax Stamp on every real estate purchase.

*  9.25%  Chicago City Sales Tax

*  2.25%  Additional Tax for Food/Drugs.

* 0.25%   More for restaurants (plus another 1% downtown establishments).

* 9%       Amusement Tax (why am I not laughing?)

* $0.05   per Bottle Water Tax


Besides that Mrs. Lincoln, how are you enjoying the weather?

Geno Petro

Click here for my free MLS search engine

Chicago Top Ten Real Estate Deals (Under $500K) -- November 2014

Click here for my November 2014 Chicago picks. All condos. All under $500K.

Geno Petro

Click here for my free Chicago MLS search engine

GenoPetro.House Weblog

GenoPetro.House Weblog

River West Low Dive Fantasy

Drinking establishments like Richard's Bar on Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago's River West neighborhood always catch my wandering--but sober--eye. I've never stepped inside but I don't have to. I can imagine who's in there (a socio-eco-weave of hip, working class, and Board of Trade snark). I know what it smells like (4:01 AM after 15 shots of  Jager).  I know what the vibe is (a long pull of killer juke box with a low-tension--but mounting--conversational chaser).  Nope; no need to enter. I can see inside with my third eye. As pitifully inviting as it looks from the sidewalk, even on my best drinking day, it would only be a matter of time...

Geno Petro

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Just Listed in West Town! Open Sunday

$348,250

click here for more pix & details

OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2014

                               11:00-1:00PM

...and just steps from all things Ukrainian Village

Geno Petro

Click here for my free Chicago MLS search engine

A Porch Light Away From A Deal

As my mid-evening flight descended over the low-slung grid of Chicago South Side bungalows and skipped along the runway at Midway International, it occurred to me (as it always does) that every light below was a property that had been--at one time or another--listed, bought, or sold (several times over in most cases) to a prospective real estate client. In other words: offers submitted and accepted; escrows established; documents transferred and recorded; checks cashed and written. In even other, simpler words: deals were done. At the very least, leases were executed.

Ever wonder where your next deal or purchase is coming from? The answer may be as close as the light switch to your neighbor's porch light. You just have to see it from the correct perspective.

There, and of course, an easy access Chicago MLS search engine.

Geno Petro

Click here for my free Chicago MLS search engine

Abando-minium Alternative

One of the cheapest houses listed on the Chicago MLS.  (No need to call for more details. LOL)
OK...it's $1,500.00. The perfect 'Abando' Alternative. EZ Street Parking.

                                   










And as an old football coach once told me, "Petro, if nothing else, you can always serve as a good bad example!"

Geno Petro

Click here for my free Chicago MLS search engine

Chicago's Old Town Funny Bone

'Better Call Saul!'



(or maybe wander upstairs one evening and check out my buddy, Tim O'Malley's aspiring group of Second City talent.)

Geno Petro

Click here for my free Chicago MLS search engine

Free Chicago Mobile MLS App

I have a nifty new Chicago MLS mobile app that I'm happy to forward on for free.  Search for properties around wherever you're standing, or for any Active Listing in Northern Illinois.  It's a smart phone thing so you can text, tweet, or email me and I'll get it right to you. Then, just open the app in your mobile browser and click the link. Easy like Sunday morning.  Or, if your internet DOC is at a big fat desktop, then click the link below for the same results--only bigger and shinier. Perfect  for a 2 bedroom condo listings search.

Geno Petro | Chicago Realtor

Click here for my free Chicago MLS search engine

Top Ten Luxury Real Estate Deals Chicago -- October 2014

Click here to access this and nine other luxury Chicago listings

Geno Petro | Chicago Realtor

Click here for my free Chicago MLS search engine

New Listing Photo Shoot Hint #3

The Chaotic Closet ---

I'm pretty much going to save a thousand words here (okay, 2,000) and just go with the pictures (i.e., if you're not going to clean it, at least close it)

Geno Petro

Click here for my free Chicago MLS search engine