Coming Attractions...

NOW PLAYING IN THIS BLOG

I'll be out of Chicago until the first week in May attending Bloundhound Unchained in Phoenix. It's all about web-centric real estate for the new millennium and how I can be more digitally attuned to your needs so it almost goes without saying, I'll be a desert wanderer among RE Web 2.0 geniuses. Hopefully, cyber-osmosis will be in order. Meanwhile, for your perusal, I've updated my following sites and tweaked the Archive pages a little (just in case you miss me). They are all hyper-linked so just click and smile. Also, my Chicago Top Ten Real Estate Deals link for May should be up by this weekend.


Geno From Chicago (my 'best of ' posts from across the internet)

My BloodhoundBlog Archives

My Chicago Top Ten Real Estate Deals

My Facebook

My Active Rain



Geno Petro

Smarter Agent & Chicago Google Maps

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Let this Google Map (now embedded in my sidebar to the right) assist you with your Chicago real estate search. Click the link and follow the instructions. So easy even a 52 year old can do it. And don't forget to subscribe to my Smarter Agent GPS phone app (also embedded in the sidebar). There is no cost to you and it is very, very cool. Isn't the 21st Century wonderful? Go Mobile, my friends.




Geno Petro

Hey Chicago Real Estate Peeps: my gift to you

CLICK HERE or scroll down my side bar to the right for your free cell phone Chicago MLS application (powered by Smarter Agent). It's GPS and very, very cool. Check out real estate listings wherever you are in Chicagoland (or Northern Illinois). Just follow the easy instructions on the landing page. I'm picking up the monthly bill for all my readers.

(ps...your phone doesn't even have to be that smart)


Geno Petro

April in Forest Glen...Balk

Yes, I awoke to a sheer blanket of snowy gauze on my side yard crocuses and granted, there was a bit of chill in the air, but cancelling the south side Chicago White Sox home opener? Come on yooz guys. Man up, howaboutit. Let's play some ball (or at least fill some potholes) so the Streets and San men can get put down the Italian beefs and get back to work and this windy city can get moving again. The freeze might be here but Spring training is over. Time for the real season to begin.

Geno Petro

He's Back! (in historic Oak Park)

"I'm shakin' the dust of this crummy little town off my feet and I'm gonna see the world."

GEORGE BAILEY in It's A Wonderful Life

I was strolling along a side street in Oak Park this morning when I came upon a yard sign with...'the name.' I felt a twinge of contempt for my Banker and sensed a sudden urge to leap from a bridge. Then not. (As everybody already knows, I can't swim.) From the corner of my eye I thought I caught a glimpse of Clarence but when I turned for a closer look, he had vanished... into angel dust. I heard church bells ringing in the distance. My client was due to arrive at any moment. I looked up to the sky and waited for the snow to begin falling. Post-World War II Bedford Falls at Christmas time and early April in Chicago during any era have at least that much in common.

The Frank Capra (uncolorized cut) sidewalk I stood on was circa 1940s Midwest personified. I framed the above posted yard sign, snapped my ironic shot, and decided to hug my wife when I got home this evening. After all, she "could have married Sam Wainright, or anyone else in town..." and she's a lot hotter than Donna Reed ever was.

I guess what I'm trying to indirectly say, without stating the real estate obvious, is that Oak Park, Illinois, is one of the most beautiful towns anywhere in the Midwest. It's a Chicago bedroom burg where Prairie style meets Mission meets Victorian architecture. It's a fusion of the Past and the Now. It's a town where, in the year 2009, a fellow named George Bailey is actually running for office. And there, my friends, is at least one happy ending just waiting to happen--at least the way this Chicago realtor sees it.

Geno Petro

Google Your Mom...Redux

One of the first essays I ever posted on Active Rain back in 2006 was a piece entitled 'Google Your Mom.' At the time I thought it was a clever notion; write a cute, loving piece about my mother (born in the 1920s) and atomically collide her with a present day algorithm for a quick, ironic grin--a Google giggle, as it were. After all, (in blog years, that is), 2006 was a couple Morse Law generations ago and I was but a virtual piker in the constantly expanding Real Estate blogosphere.

I entered the same title into the Google Search Box a few moments ago (just to make sure the idea still had some digital legs, if not originality) and alas, there are now 42,100,000+ entries with the same keyword sequence, Google...Mom. It seems like everyone is writing about what their moms are doing on that 256K floppy up in the third bedroom these days. Still, at least through these biased eyes, my own fore bearer remains an unknowing pioneer of technological ingenuity as it applies to her...ahem, demographic. And while Mitzi Petro may not possess the same genetic motherboard as the matronaly likes of a Mrs. Jobs, Gates, or Wozniak, she is still very special in her own Post-it Note sort of way. Here is the most recent case in point:

Click here to read the rest of the story on 'Active Rain'



Geno Petro

Pole Position

At first glance, this photograph taken on my iPhone near the intersection of Lawrence Avenue and Pulaski is, well....nondescript. Take a closer look and you'll realize that the red-lettered object in the foreground is a utility truck of a company specializing in, among other things, poles. In the background you'll notice a semi-obstructed marquee advertising The Admiral Theatre. Since 1984 it's been every Northwest Chicago 'gentleman's' idea of the Moulin Rouge, if you know what I'm saying. Anyway, No, I was not looking for a parking space. I was just stalled in rush hour traffic trying to serpentine back home to Forest Glen while simultaneously text arguing First Amendment Freedom of Speech and Press rights with a Chicago City worker over something I posted on Facebook. I finally surrendered on all accounts, pulled over, deleted the Facebook post, and snapped this funny shot instead. And my point? Hard to believe anyone (sans clothes to boot) can wear out a dance pole---even over a 25 year period. Or for that matter, sway a proud man's allegiance when he has a dog in the fight.


Geno Petro

Chicago Sunset Strip

Due west on Old Irving Park at the end of a Chicago real estate day.


Geno Petro



iPhone image by geno petro

Toxic Schlock

It boggles the bean. It seems like only months ago that the home loan lender we knew with collateralized affection as WaMu (along with the likes of its gentle, soft money giant and rival, Countrywide) was leasing commercial space like mad men in Chicago real estate land. Only ubiquitous Team Starbuck's seemed to finish in quicker triple net time when it came to securing a North Side Chicago storefront and setting up shop overnight. But on these thin and crispy days, the home loan parking lots are empty (Employee, Customer, and Handicap alike) while even Starbuck's street cred has been diluted in its attempts to hustle 'Tea' and 'Instant' to whichever mom is left with some aggregate scratch in her purse after the mortgage is paid. And so, this concludes my accompanying comment for the above photo. It's all about visible evidence these days, anyway. Think about it...why waste an extra thousand opinionated words in this housing market? It could be better spent not ordering a double shot doppio derivative based half caf skinny foamed soy venti latte...negatively amortized and served up cold as revenge.


Geno Petro

A Chicago Eviction in the West Walker 'hood

They basically just toss your cookies on the sidewalk when the Sheriff comes a knockin' these days. Look closely though, and you'll notice this poor soul managed to preserve her husband's golf clubs. (Hey, gotta keep up the airs at whatever country club you belong to.) Hopefully, things will be getting better in the coming months for everybody in Chicago's West Walker.

The last time I checked there were 27 Foreclosures or Short Sales Listed on the Chicago MLS in this far northwest pocket of the city. As you can gather from the photo, its housing stock is solid, if not working class. The area on the side streets along either side of Elston Avenue (north of Irving Park) is a haven for Chicago City workers, contractors, and the local Union rank and file.

And its just MHO, but I can't imagine anyone in this traditionally blue collar neighborhood giving back their bonuses this year. I guess it all depends on where you draw the line...And how deep into the asphalt you go. And how teed off everyone gets. Fore!


Geno Petro

North Side Chicago Storefront For Rent (real estate crystal ball included)

You have to think the good Madame should have seen this coming before she signed a triple-net lease on Lincoln Avenue. It just goes to show, the current Chicago real estate market (in hot and trendy West Lakeview, no less) has even the pundits puzzled. My advice: listen to your favorite Realtor, not your Psychic (nor your office mates, drunken uncles, or check-out clerks at Jewel), before entering into a binding real estate transaction; purchase, lease or otherwise. It's just a premonition I've been having ever since I passed the leasing agent exam a decade ago. Oh, and always remember...'Walk-ins Welcome.' Now that's cosmic marketing.

Geno Petro

A Chicago St Paddy's Day Slog

Personally, green is not my best color (unless of course, I'm feeling envious). I'm Italian and, until they come out with a darker color, look best in black. Still, St Patrick's Day in Chicago is an urban day trip to behold regardless of nationality or couture.

First, they dye the Chicago River green. Then, they get all the college kids who just turned 21 drunk. Then, all the drunk girls get their drunk boyfriends into fights with each other. Then, they all get on the Forest Glen Metra train for the sloppy ride home. And finally, they all sit next to me.

I love Chicago; especially when someone isn't trying to bite me as I'm walking down Wabash. Yes, it's true. As I was leaving Trump Tower with my wife, a girl painted green from hair to toenails (again, not my fave) stumbled out of a bar across the street and tried to bite me. "IT'S SAINT PATRICKS DAY!" she screamed at me, teeth showing like a vampire and fingers curled, ready to grab. I stepped to the left as she flew by, mouth open, as if to sink into a corned beef sandwich. She smelled a little boozey too, but then again, club soda is my social beverage of choice on such occasions.

'Somebody's poor daughter,' I thought to myself as she fell face first into the guy behind me who at first, didn't seem to mind. She was kind of cute in a pitiful sort of way. A half block later he let out a blood curdling scream of his own. She bit him, I'm sure, like a corned beef sammy. Either that, or she dumped his beer.

'What a waste of tuition,' was all I could conclude. And that shamrock green doesn't really look good on anyone---Irish, envious or otherwise.

Geno Petro



once again, iPhone photojournalism on the fly in Chi

Wuthering Eff-ing Heights

My good friend Chris Hahn sent me this Blackberry snapshot from his new hometown across the pond---the big Pond, as in London...as in England. (please note the ironic, digital, photojournalistic humor: sign, motorbikes, disobedience,etc...we taught the young lad well.)

He's without wheels so he's walking everywhere and eating Indian food like crazy, or at least, like a Brit. His pre-arranged, semi-furnished 'Flat' fell through so he and Nicole are holed up in temp housing for the time being. She's working 2 million hours a week at her new job. He's watching a lot of soccer. The man needs a cheeseburger.

His depression hasn't hit Bronte sister level yet but just between us Chicago real estate folks, I get the feeling our flyboy and former favorite Mortgage Guru is a little homesick. He had a soul patch, recent Mexican tan, and a two day beard growth when I last left him at the bar on Lasalle last month so.... hopefully he can remain cool. To avoid profiling at Airport Security, I advised him to remove all Brooks Brothers neckwear, wing tip shoes, and button down collars from his carry on baggage. Suspected Bankers are fleeing the country in droves these days, I warned him.

Anyway, Chip, chip, cheerio...time to go.

ps...remember Mr Hahn, a Yankee is one who visits. A damn Yankee is one who visits and stays.

Geno Petro


photo courtesy of chris hahn walking around London with nothing to do.

Willin'

Click here to read my latest Post and Archives over at Bloodhound Blog.

(A quick break from Chicago Real Estate)

Geno Petro

image by alice...dallas alice

$100,000 Loss in Value?

I'm sorry, but I refuse to believe my primary residence (pictured) in the Forest Glen/Sauganash area of Northwest Chicago has dropped $100,000 in value since the purchase in September of 2007. Say it ain't so, Joe.

Cut me some slack, Jack. I sold it to myself. I did the comps. I know my market. Hell, I even talked my wife into it. So, wassup with the Bank Appraisal?

Just so you know, my Lender is a little reticent about allowing us to refinance right now. Something about reduced LTV (Loan to Value), a Declining Market, Back End ratios and other sundry real estate talkspeak. Oh yeah, and the fact that I'm a Realtor. Ironic huh? I'm having my best year since 2006 but hey, The Ministry has spoken. Okay, fine. I'll play along for... another 12 months.

But I'm going on record now to my current Mortgage Holder---and you may or may not know who you are: When this whole credit crunch blows over.....it's HASTA LA VISTA, BABY. (and I won't be back.) No way, Jose...


ps...enjoy the extra $50,000,000,000 you just received from our favorite uncle Sammy. All I received was a letter from you saying....ah, forgetaboutit!

Geno Petro



pictured: 'our house, is a very very very fine house...'

iLife

This is my iLife in a screenshot---From Left to Right & Top to Bottom:

No Service=I'm so screwed.

6:33 PM=Haven't eaten and the day is still not over.

Battery Low=I'm so screwed.

Touch to return to call=Sure, (if only that function actually worked).

14:54=Elapsed time of important conversation just a nano-second before I dropped my iPhone into the gutter at 6:33 on Thursday, the 24th, starving to death.

Calendar=The Here and Now of it all at my fingertips.

Stocks=I'm so screwed.

Notes=My deepest random thoughts.

Photos=What I thought I saw.

You Tube=My comic relief and mindless willing suspension of disbelief.

Maps=How I get to where I'm going from Chicago.

MSNBC=What I deny 24/7/365. Oh, the spin.

Facebook=How I mingle with people I've either never met or haven't seen in 35 years.

Flashlight=How I roll in the dark.

CHE.com=My Mothership website where I sink 30% of my after tax income.

ConnectMLS=Chicago real estate world in my pocket.

Twitter=How I say it in 140 characters or less.

Real Estate=How I feed the bulldog, shelter the wife, get my fix and send my clients GPS Chicago Real Estate links via Smarter Agent .

Phone='Leave a message, maybe I'll call.'

Email=My electronic voice.

Google=My continuing education.

Text=? U C is ? U get

Camera=What I think I see.

...And that's just the main screen of my iPhone. I have two more just like it on the tarmac jammed full of apps.

post script: "What was iLife like before Apple?" Eve seductively asks Adam on the 8th Day or thereabouts.

Geno Petro

photo: an image that mysteriously appeared on my screen at 6:33PM on Thursday the 24th, when I accidently dropped the phone into the gutter outside my garage and instantly broke my Lent promise of no profanity and only pure thoughts for 40 days and 40 nights. (I'm such a recovering Catholic. I'm so screwed...)