Hi all! Son and fiancee are looking to buy a house in the 60647 zip code area, preferably within a 20 minute walk of the Blue Line. Any suggestions for things to be on the lookout for (e.g.: flooding basement)? Can interior changes be made without alot of hassle from the city (moving non-bearing walls)? Any recommendations of really trustworthy buyer’s agents. Any advice would be much appreciated.
When we moved to the area we interviewed a bunch of companies and really liked Baird Warner. I would suggest your son call their Chicago office and ask for a realtor who lives in Logan Square. It’s always helpful to have an agent who lives in the neighborhood!
In terms of changes to a structure, it will probably depend if they are in a historic district, if they have a single family home or subject to HOAs, etc… A good realtor will be able to talk them through all of those issues.
Flooding seems to be an issue in a lot of neighborhoods but there is a lot to remedy that. Our house (north of the city but near the lake) had water issues but the previous owners put in French drains, an interior waterproofing system, and we have a sump pump (soon to be battery back up). That seems to be a necessary precaution because it’s so flat here.
Good luck to your son and his fiancee. It’s a great city!
Chicago has been my home for 30 years. I used to live about 1.5 miles from 60647, and had friends there.
Logan Square is a strange neighborhood - it’s been up and coming for at least as long than other places in the same general part of town, like Wicker Park, or especially, West Loop and yet, it seems the process is still ongoing, and many streets remain a bit rough after dark, with some gang activity and gun violence. Places immediately west and north of there are not that nice at all. So the advice about a local realtor, plus perhaps a second opinion, makes lots of sense.
I don’t think this is a part of the city known for flooding.
If you need a realtor PM me. The person I know is one of the leading realtors for their company.
Secondly, Logan Square has one of the best farmer markets in the city. Lol. It’s great!
Thirdly, it’s an upcoming area that is going through a lot of positive change now. Good time to get in. Just walking around the area you will see a lot of building going on. Always a positive. Great eateries, shops popping up
Young professional are moving in. Would recommend to walk around the neighborhood in the afternoon and night
Talk to the local chamber. They will fill you in.
Flooding is dependent on the actual street. I live in west Lakeview and our street had an issue but the streets around us didn’t. Call the aldermans office. They will know about flooding, which blocks and can fill you in about crime etc.
Construction as long as not historical… Have at it. But get your permits. Trust me, we gutted our house over a few years. Having the inspectors tell you the electric job looks great but a $500 Fine and now get your permit… That was in 1992. Lol ?.
The city is much better and easier now getting permits etc.
As with anything with real estate. Location, location, location… There will be better blocks etc etc. The houses tend to be older but usually great bones or structure. My house was built in 1887…
Also constructions costs they say are 3 times more and takes twice the time they tell you.
LOL.
Anyway. Welcome to Chicago. It’s great raising kids in the city…
You might want to post your question on city data, great site for relocation questions. I’ve used it extensively for our move and both of our son’s moves. You do have to sift through some odd posters at times.
@Knowsstuff would you be able to pm me? I hadn’t been on CC for quite a while and when I tried to log on with my prior screen name (sewbusy), I realized that my old email was from compuserve which is obviously no longer active. So I needed to vary my screen name and start all over. Need more posts before I can pm you. I would love to forward them your realtor reference. Thanks!
I will PM you soon once I get her business number. I just have her personal one and not sure if that is what she uses…LOL…She’s great and goes out of her way to make things happen.