February 3, 2011 – Prices at Optima Old Orchard Woods in Skokie seem to have gone down a bit lately. This suburban Chicago real estate development is now advertising “indoor pool and indoor parking,” meaning you get both with the purchase price. The pool isn’t anything new in terms of what building amenities are often available, but more developers are throwing in free parking as an incentive these days.

Right now only units in Maple Tower are available from the developer. The condos in the other two towers are sold out. There are 665 total suburban Chicago condos in this complex, ranging from one to three bedrooms.

The remaining unsold one bedroom condos in Maple Tower are now priced from $174,640. Two bedrooms are now listed from $263,760 and the three bedrooms condos that are still available are priced from $409,240. Penthouse units start from $665,000.

The condos at Optima come with hardwood flooring, stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, custom cabinets, stone baths, window treatments, a washer and dryer, optional fireplace and either a balcony or rooftop sky garden.

The sales center and models are open on Mondays through Fridays from 10am to 6pm, Saturdays from 10am to 5pm and Sundays from 11am to 5pm.

There are a few other suburban Chicago real estate developments in the area, so you may want to visit more than one while you’re at it.

[tags]Optima Old Orchard Woods, Chicago Condos, Chicago Real Estate[/tags]

February 2, 2011 – Prices at One Evanston are still reduced, so if you’re interested in purchasing a suburban Chicago condo, you may want to pencil in a visit to the sales center.

The banner headline on the building site tells potential buyers to, “Live in a building that makes life easier.” The building amenities at One Evanston, which is located on 1570 Elmwood in Evanston, include a 24 hour doorman, poolside towel service and concierge services. This Related Signature Services program will walk your dog, water your plants or even wash your car, according to the ad.

Other building perks include guest parking, a fitness center, whirlpool, sundeck, club room with catering kitchen, individual resident storage lockers and a bike storage room.

The condos have the standard finishes such as floor-to-ceiling windows, hardwood flooring, GE stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, 42 inch Italian cabinets, under mount stainless steel sink, Kohler fixtures, a balcony or terrace, 9 to 10 foot high ceilings and some plans have a pantry.

Baths come with oversized mirrors, granite or marble vanity tops, Kohler fixtures, a 6 foot soaking tub or oversized shower with built-in bench plus some units have a linen closet.

The one to three bedroom condos at One Evanston are currently priced from $234,900 to $1,085,900. Indoor heated parking is included.

There are quite a few suburban Chicago condos for sale at discounted prices, so be sure to check back with us for updates.

[tags]One Evanston, Chicago Condos, Chicago Real Estate[/tags]

December 15, 2010 – Yesterday we told you about how the Bluewater Group is struggling to make sales at Grand Bend At Green Bay even though they reduced prices by nearly 40%. The Crain’s article stated that similar suburban Chicago real estate developments that are also offering price cuts are heating up the competition for buyers. One of those developments is Sienna in Evanston.

Sienna is located on 1720-40 Oak Avenue and has a total of 111 units. The remaining unsold one bedroom condos at this tower are priced from $160,000 and the three bedroom units are priced from $385,000.

Another development that is going to give Grand Bend at Green Bay a run for buyer’s money is the renamed Winthrop Club which is now One Evanston. The Amalgamated Bank of New York is cutting prices on the unsold condos there by around 20%. One Evanston is located on 1571 Elmwood Avenue and has a total of 96 units, with 72 of those still up for sale. Prices are running from $234,400 to almost $1 million.

Developers of suburban Chicago condos may have to slash prices even further to lure buyers off the fence and into the sales center. We’ll keep you posted with any new price reductions, so be sure to check back here often.

[tags]One Evanston, Chicago Condos, Chicago Real Estate[/tags]

December 14, 2010 – Last week we told you about how ownership of the Winthrop Club in Evanston reverted back to a lender and has a new name, One Evanston. The Amalgamated Bank of New York is marketing the 72 unsold suburban Chicago condos at about a 20% price reduction. Now Crain’s is reporting that a development/investment company has had little success selling units at another suburban Chicago real estate project.

The Bluewater Group paid $6.75 million for 38 unsold suburban Chicago condos at Grand Bend At Green Bay this past March. The development had been faced with foreclosure. According to the article, Bluewater reduced prices by almost 40% and that eye-popping price cut resulted in only 6 sales. The other 32 unsold units are up against several other suburban developments that are also carving deep price cuts.

Robert Matthews, president of Bluewater was quoted in the article as saying that, “We feel we’re competitive with the other downtown (Evanston) locations. It’s been slow since the tax credit disappeared.”

A $5.3 million loan from Northbrook Bank & Trust comes due in March 2012, so Bluewater needs to sell those condos before then to make the payback date.

Junior one bedroom condos at Grand Bend at Green Bay are now priced from $179,900 and the penthouse units are priced from $639,900. Old prices ran from $295,900 to $765,000.

Tomorrow we’ll tell you about the other suburban Chicago real estate

[tags]Grand Bend At Green Bay, Chicago Condos, Chicago Real Estate[/tags]

December 7, 2010 – The 20/20/20 sale at Optima Old Orchard Woods may be long over but there are still some suburban Chicago condos for sale with good prices at this Skokie development. The development also recently won two designs for architectural design, according to a Tribune article.

The first award that Optima Old Orchard Woods won is the American Institute of Architects
Distinguished Building Honor Award. The other award is Buildings Magazine’s Merit Award for Innovation.

According to the article, some of the unique design feature that set this development apart from other entries include the glass, two story lobbies on each of the three connected towers. Another great feature is the courtyard that showcases a paver driveway, 500 foot portico, plenty of landscaping, a reflecting pond with lights and 20 fountains.

Two of the three towers are sold out but there are still units available in the last high-rise, Maple Tower. The remaining one bedroom condos are priced from $199,680. The two bedroom units start at $275,120 and the three bedrooms are priced from $409,240. There are also some penthouse residences available and those range from $665,000 to $1,375,000.

Optima Old Orchard in Skokie is one of the bigger suburban Chicago real estate developments and one of the few to win design awards.

[tags]Optima Old Orchard Woods, Chicago Condos, Chicago Real Estate[/tags]

December 6, 2010 – The latest suburban Chicago real estate development to revert back to a lender is the Winthrop Club.
The 15 story, 96 unit tower is located on 1570 Elmwood Avenue in Evanston and is now being called One Evanston. The tower was completed last year. Developers Robert Horner and Ibrahim Shihadeh of Winthrop Properties LLC agreed to a deed-in-lieu for 72 unsold condos in the high-rise, along with an unspecified sum or money, in exchange for the Amalgamated Bank of New York not foreclosing on the overdue remaining balance on a $49 million construction loan. Crain’s is reporting that Related Midwest will manage the tower and Jameson Real Estate will market the unsold condos.

Mr. Horner was quoted in the article as saying that, “They (the lender) were in a better position financially to carry the remaining units than we were. Sales were behind what we expected. It was straining our financial capabilities.”

The available condos at One Evanston have from one to three bedrooms and according to the article, about 20% reduction has been made on the lower end prices. Right now the condos at One Evanston are listed from $234,400 to $999,900. The old prices ranged from $290,000 to $1.48 million. Depending on which unit you buy, you’ll get one to two indoor parking spaces thrown in at no extra cost. There is also guest parking available.

If the price cuts at One Evanston aren’t enough to motivate you, there are quite a few other New Chicago Condos being marketed with reductions as well.

[tags]One Evanston, New Chicago Condos, Chicago Real Estate[/tags]

September 24, 2010 – As Chicago real estate developers continue to struggle a bit to make sales, more are deciding to offer units on a rent-to-own basis. There are even options available with suburban Chicago condos, and the latest to offer a program is Grand Bend At Green Bay, located on 1228 Emerson Street in Evanston. Under new marketing, the units had been offered at lower prices recently, but now buyers who aren’t quite ready or able financially can still have a portion of their rent counts towards a purchase. If you sign up under this lease agreement, 25% of your rent will count towards the purchase price of the condo.

A call to the sales center at Grand Bend At Green Bay confirmed that two of the condos have already gone under a rent-to-own contract. The sales team didn’t say how many more are going to be offered in this limited time promotion, only that they expect a handful more to be leased this way.

The sales slogan on the development site is, “Large floor plans, much smaller prices.” Right now the prices on the one bedroom start in the $190,000s. The two bedroom condos are priced from the $290,000s and the three bedroom condos are priced from the $570,000s.

The six story Grand Bend At Green Bay has a total of 49 condos. Finishes include floor-to-ceiling windows, resident storage spaces, a balcony or terrace, GE stainless steel appliances, Wellborn cabinets, granite counter tops plus a Moen double sink and fixtures. Other features are vinly clad closet shelving, 12 inch ceramic bath tile and surround, body spray shower head and soaking tub and a laundry with Fridgidair washer and dryer.

Models can be viewed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 10:00am to 5:00pm. Weekend hours are Saturday from 11:00am to 5:00pm and Sunday from Noon to 5:00pm.

You can find other great rent to own condos in Chicago like Grand Bend At Green Bay by following the link.

[tags]Grand Bend At Green Bay, Rent To Own Condos In Chicago, Chicago Real Estate[/tags]

September 20, 2010 – It was just last Friday that we told you about the 20% off 20 suburban Chicago condos sale ending today at Optima Old Orchard Woods in Skokie. Now the Tribune is reporting that because 11 units sold and 9 are still available, the developer has decided to extend the sale until October 30th.

The article went on to say that Optima is trying to close out sales in the three tower complex. The nine condos that are left for sale range from one to four bedrooms plus combination units and penthouse units in Maple Tower.

To update potential buyers on the sale prices, the remaining one bedroom condos now run from $199,320 which is down from $259,700. The two bedroom layouts left in the promotion were priced from $343,900 but are now listed from $275,120. The three bedroom condos that had been priced from $511,550 are now starting at $409,240. The building is FHA approved and an indoor heated parking spot is included with purchase.

Condo finishes range from hardwood flooring, floor-to-ceiling windows, stainless steel appliances, custom wood cabinets, full size washer and dryer, granite counter tops, optiona gas fireplace and window treatments.

Optima in Skokie is worth taking a look at if you’re considering buying a condo in a suburban Chicago real estate development.

[tags]Optima Old Orchard Woods, Chicago Condos, Chicago Real Estate[/tags]

September 18, 2010 – Buyers only have this weekend and Monday to cash in on the 20 times 3 sale at Optima Old Orchard Woods in Skokie. Just to remind you, the developer of this suburban Chicago real estate project is offering 20% off of 20 select units until September 20th. The floor plans on these suburban Chicago condos run from one to three bedrooms with a handful of combination and penthouse condos as well.

Prices for the one bedroom condos included in this promotion start at $199,320. For the two bedroom condos at Optima you can expect to pay from $274,920. And the three bedroom condos that are part of this special offer are listed from $413,600. The units are all completed and ready for immediate occupancy.

There are 646 condos at Optima, with the impressive three glass towers all having a fitness center on the penthouse level of each tower to make it easier for residents to access. Other building perks include a dog park (pets are welcome), spa room, sun deck and party room. Optima is a great choice for buyers interested in suburban Chicago Condos.

[tags]Optima Old Orchard Woods, Chicago Condos, Chicago Real Estate[/tags]

August 12, 2010 – Yesterday we told you about the “20″ sale going on at Optima Old Orchard Woods in Skokie. To refresh your memeory, buyers can get 20% the price of 20 select condos until September 20th. Prices on the one bedroom units now start at $199,320. The two bedroom suburban Chicago condos start at $274,920 and the three bedroom units now run from $413,600. One indoor space in the heated garage is included free with each purchase.

The Tribune article advertising the price cuts at this suburban Chicago real estate development in Skokie highlighted two specific units included in the sale. Unit #1014 has one bedroom and one bath with an open kitchen, great room with terrace access, entire wall with windows in the bedroom and is priced at $199,320.

Unit #1012 is a two bedroom, two bath condo with an open kitchen and great room with terrace access. There is a walk-in closet plus wall closet in the master bedroom, which also has a private bath and double bowl sink in the vanity. The reduced price for this condo is $274,920.

Condo finishes include hardwood flooring, stainless steel kitchen appliances, granite counter tops, luxury baths, window treatments, optional gas fireplace, a washer and dryer and at least one wall with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Building amenities for the three towers at Optima include a fitness center on the top floor of each high-rise, indoor pool, spas, green roof, sundeck, reflecting pool, fountain, gardens, tennis court and party room with catering kitchen.

September 20th isn’t that far away, so you may want to check out the Optima condos pretty soon if you’re interested. And if you’d rather have exposed timbers and concrete, there are lots of Chicago lofts for sale with reduced prices.

[tags]Optima Old Orchard Woods, Chicago Lofts, Chicago Real Estate[/tags]