Windy City of Chicago Real Estate

Some of the most luxurious homes are in the good ol' Windy City. Although our economy is bad right now, Chicago real estate never lacks. The houses are beautiful, some even overlook Lake Michigan. However, there are some decisions to make before you look at the real estate in Chicago.

Take Note to This

When you're looking at Chicago real estate, you have to decide what area is going to be the best for you. If you have a family then the city itself might not be the best place for you at all, depending on the age of your children. Not to mention, you don't want to live in a bad neighborhood. The south and west sides of Chicago are notably dangerous areas.

Decide what kind of house you're interested in. Chicago offers a lot of apartments and condos. Do you want to overlook the lake? Find out where you would be able to park and if there are any parking fees involved. Make sure that you're okay with the craziness of the city. These are all things you need to consider when looking at Chicago real estate.

Points to Consider When Shopping Chicago Real Estate

Chicago may not be the most kid-friendly city for a number of different reasons. First of all, it cannot be fun to wheel a stroller around that city. Not to mention, it's difficult to get up and over platforms when you have an antsy toddler, a stroller, and a diaper bag. Unfortunately, the curbs around Chicago are not made to accommodate children or handicapped adults.

The city is known for its lack of parking! Even the real estate around Chicago, unless you're looking into a single-family home, does not always offer parking options. There is approximately one acre of parking for every 375 residents. As far as public parking, there is about 200% less space in contrast to the population there. Chicago real estate prices have gone through the roof in places that offer adequate parking for residents. In fact, Chicago is one of the top 10 most expensive cities to park in.

Where to Find Chicago Real Estate

The simplest way to scope the real estate in Chicago would be to do an online search. There are so many real estate search engines that you will probably find a handful pretty quickly. There are even a number of search engines that are specifically for Chicago real estate. Look for real estate websites that are built around simplicity so the average home buyer can perform easy searches.

If you're at the point where you want to actually tour the real estate in Chicago, hire a realtor. They have access to houses that are on the market and they will find whatever is out there. They are more filtered than a website because you tell them exactly what you're looking for and they will then proceed to find it.