Smoking vs Buying a Chicago Condo

cig sign @Lawrence & Marine, Chicago

Okay, I'm not a tobacco user so I have no dog in that fight (see above pix). To each his/her own, etc. However, simple math reveals that the money spent on a two pack a day habit ($11.80 per pack + tax in the city...geez) would easily cover the principle, interest & PMI payment on most two bed/one bath condos currently for sale in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. And...quitting for 18 months would cover most of the necessary 10% down payment. Simply put, quit smoking and buy some property, fellow hipsters. Even in the worst real estate market, it won't kill you.

Condo Sale Price      = $150,000

10% Down Payment  = $  15,000

Monthly P&I @4%     = $       665

Monthly PMI            = $         56



ps...quit drinking, too...and you can probably buy a Lexus.

Geno Petro | CHICAGO REALTOR®

@genopetro

Click here for my free Chicago MLS search engine
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Uptown Chicago Coffee Spot

Heritage Outpost @1325 W Wilson Avenue, Chicago

My latest favorite java spot is Heritage Outpost in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. Located in the lobby of a circa 1920s elevator apartment building, Heritage is the coolest new spot in the 'hood. The 1300 block of W Wilson has a very old world European vibe and this micro coffee house (fashioned with a 'walk-up' sidewalk window) fits right in. Great coffee and great people watching. Feels like the Left Bank of Paris in 1945 -- or so I imagine.

Geno Petro | CHICAGO REALTOR®

@genopetro

Click here for my free Chicago MLS search engine
#chicagorealestate

My Top 10 Chicago Real Estate Deals - July 2015

Click Here to view my Top 10 Chicago real estate deals for July.  This month I'm focusing on Near North Side & Near West Side condos priced between $450,000 - $535,000. And if you're on Facebook, please drop by & 'Like' my Chicago Real Estate.House business page--that is of course, if you like it.

Geno Petro | CHICAGO REALTOR®

@genopetro

Click here for my free Chicago MLS search engine
#chicagorealestate

Dog Friendly Chicago Rentals -- July 2015

Click Here >> for the latest New, Price Changed & Re-Activated Chicago Dog Friendly Rentals
Apartments | Houses | Condos | High Rise | Mid Rise | Townhomes | Walk-ups | Lofts | Short Term | Long Term | Newly Listed | Price Changed | Re-Activated | Back on Market

Geno Petro | CHICAGO REALTOR®

@genopetro

Click here for my free Chicago MLS search engine
#chicagorealestate

Chicago Neighborhood Pix

Uptown Neighborhood woman walking down Sheridan Road.

Logan Square Neighborhood Sticker Jeep

'Dykes on Bikes' on Halsted. Lakeview Neighborhood

Geno Petro | CHICAGO REALTOR®

@genopetro

Click here for my free Chicago MLS search engine
#chicagorealestate

Chicago Pride Parade 2015

Pride 2015 Clarendon & Broadway

Balloons By Tommy!

Geno Petro | CHICAGO REALTOR®

@genopetro

Click here for my free Chicago MLS search engine
#chicagorealestate

Top 10 Chicago Real Estate Deals - June, 2015

21925 Wolter Lane, Kildeer, Illinois $1,164,900

Click here for my Top 10 Chicago Real Estate Deals for June 2015!

Geno Petro | CHICAGO REALTOR®

@genopetro

Click here for my free Chicago MLS search engine
#chicagorealestate

Clark Street, Chicago

N Clark Street, Chicago 

Foot traffic is a little light today near Clark & Webster in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago.

Geno Petro | CHICAGO REALTOR®

@genopetro

Click here for my free Chicago MLS search engine
#chicagorealestate

Chicago Skyline

View of Chicago Skyline from Montrose Harbor

Click here for free & easy access to MRED powered Chicago MLS, compliments of my real estate website, GenoPetro.House. It's as simple as entering a zip code & price-point. Updated every 15 minutes.

Geno Petro | CHICAGO REALTOR®

@genopetro

Click here for my free Chicago MLS search engine
#chicagorealestate

RENTED IN 17 DAYS! - 3900 North Pine Grove Ave Unit 712, Chicago, IL 60613

Chicago Lakeview Dog Friendly Rental

Just Listed!!!

3900 N Pine Grove Ave #712, Chicago, IL 60613

$1,650/month   Dogs OK!

KEY FEATURES
Year Built: 1974
Sq Footage: 725 sqft.
Bedrooms: 1 Bed
Bathrooms: 1 Bath
Parking: 1 Garage
Lease Duration: 1 Year (See Details Below)
Deposit: $1,650
Pets Policy: Cats & Dogs OK
Laundry: In Unit
Floor: 7
Property Type: Condo

DESCRIPTION

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High floor (partial lake & downtown views) condo w/private balcony & grill. HEATED GARAGE PARKING INCLUDED! Awesome 1 bedroom w/spacious living area & lofty vibe. In-Unit Laundry & DW. Heat, Water & Gas included! Elevator Bldg. Extra storage space. Indoor Pool. Steps to lakefront, public transit & all things Wrigleyville. Mid-June or July 1st occupancy. Some furniture can stay (kit table, chairs, wall-unit). Dogs OK!

RENTAL FEATURES

---

• Living room
• Storage space
• Breakfast nook
• Range / Oven
• Refrigerator
• Dishwasher
• Microwave
• Private pool
• Balcony, Deck, or Patio
• Air conditioning
• Cable-ready

COMMUNITY FEATURES

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• Elevator
• Secured entry
• Shared pool
• Fitness center
• Near transportation
• On-street parking
• Garage - Attached

LEASE TERMS

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Garage Parking, Heat, Gas & Water Included. Indoor Pool. Private Balcony w/Grill. Dogs OK!
ADDITIONAL LINKS

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• Website: http://www.genopetro.house/pages/chicago-pet-friendly-rentals-806634
• Virtual Tour: http://tour.circlepix.com/tour/blaze/?tourId=2729390&version=unbranded

---

Contact info:
Geno Petro | CHICAGO REALTOR®
GenoPetro.House
773-720-2634
showings@genopetro.house

#chicagorealestate

Chicago Loop Snapshot: it's still your grandfather's skyline

Adams & LaSalle, Chicago 2015

The Rookery (circa 1888) on the near left, Federal Reserve Bank (circa 1922) to the far right, the Chicago Board of Trade (circa 1929) straight ahead.

Geno Petro | CHICAGO REALTOR®

@genopetro

Click here for my free Chicago MLS search engine
#chicagorealestate

Updated Chicago MLS Search Engine!

Click here for free & easy access to MRED powered Chicago MLS, compliments of my real estate website, GenoPetro.House. It's as simple as entering a zip code & price-point. Updated every 15 minutes.

Geno Petro | CHICAGO REALTOR®

Free Chicago MLS Search Engine: http://bit.ly/1bygby6
Posted by Chicago Real Estate.House on Wednesday, May 6, 2015

@genopetro

Click here for my free Chicago MLS search engine
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Free Chicago Foreclosure List!

Uptown Chicago Skyline

Click this >>> itty bitty link  << for some discount Chicago shizzle



Also, coming soon...Top Ten Chicago Real Estate Deals for May 2015

Geno Petro | CHICAGO REALTOR®

@genopetro

Click here for my free Chicago MLS search engine
#chicagorealestate

Top Ten Chicago Real Estate Deals - April 2015

600 N Kingsbury, Chicago 60654. Photo courtesy of  MRED.

Click here to see my April 2015 Top Chicago Real Estate Deal selections (9 out of **10 are listed under $450,000!)


**Be sure to check out #10. It's one of my own listings; a special commercial Chicago real estate offering @$750,000. Zoned C1-2. Turn-key coin-op Laundromat or buy it for the land value (12,000 sq feet). Short Sale opportunity.

Geno Petro | CHICAGO REALTOR®

@genopetro

Click here for my free Chicago MLS search engine
#chicagorealestate

Chicago Voters Step Out For CHUY!

Emma & Cindy standing proud for Chuy Garcia @Broadway & Sunnyside

Pictured Above: Emma & Cindy (Cindy being the shorter, less fashionably dressed one) showing last minute support for Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia in Chicago's Uptown Neighborhood. Garcia faces incumbent Rahm Emanuel in the city's first-ever mayoral runoff election on Tuesday. If elected, Chuy will also become the first Latino mayor in Chicago history.

Now to be fair to Rahm, someone did stick a sign in a median strip for him on Ashland Avenue (pictured below). But personally, I'll take a loyal volunteer and a dog in a tee-shirt any election day of the week. There are still some things $$ can't buy in this town.  #Chuy2015

Mayoral Campaign Signs @Ashland & Berteau

Geno Petro | Chicago Realtor

@genopetro

Click here for my free Chicago MLS search engine
#chicagorealestate

Make A Wrigley Wish

Left Field View of Wrigley From Clark St 04/01/2015

Took a short walk over to Wrigley Field yesterday. With 72 hours to go until the 2015 Home Opener @Clark & Addison, it looks as if the union trades will be logging triple-overtime to get her ready. The Cardinals swing into town this Sunday night for a three game series; two under the lights and one afternoon. Good news is the snow has melted. Bad news...sorry, it's Spring in Chicago and its baseball season--there is no bad news.

Geno Petro | Chicago Realtor

@genopetro

Click here for my free Chicago MLS search engine
#chicagorealestate