How to Not Go Insane Looking for an Apartment

Yes, it’s real. BLOB MONSTER!! (at 400 N Noble- at Hubbard)

The reasons that people move can be spiritual or practical, but are usually both. They want to find the perfect apartment where they feel comfortable, yet also want a place that speaks to them and their dreams. They’re afraid to narrow it down to Andersonville when they fear their ideal apartment could be languishing in Lakeview.

 I get people looking all over the city for apartments. When I ask them to narrow down what they want by neighborhood, they name about half the neighborhoods in the city.

It’s absolutely insane to think that naming half the city counts as “narrowing it down.” But I totally get it because I’ve done it myself.

Home is an expression of self, and helping someone find a place can be personal. The reality is that location is the most important thing. If you’re looking all over the city, it means you’re still in the start of your search, and the idea of what you’re looking for hasn’t gelled yet. When you’re in this stage, you’re not ready to actually look at apartments in person.

I’ll just tell you now to save you the trouble: you’re probably in the right neighborhood where you live now. Visit other neighborhoods, don’t move there. Here’s a post about exceptions to this rule.

If You’re From Out Of Town: Weirdness About Looking for an Apartment in Chicago

I get a lot of calls from people out of town. They don’t understand the rental market in Chicago- how could they? They’re from out of town.

Here are some scenarios I’ve come across a few times. Maybe they’ll be beneficial to you.

1. I had a client looking for a place in Wicker Park- two to three bedrooms, dining room, lots of space, close to the train, parking spot included. For $1100. I absolutely did not laugh. I tried to let her down gently. She didn’t know how expensive Wicker Park was compared to other neighborhoods, but she had heard good things about it. If you’re not familiar with Wicker Park, a rehabbed, nicer vintage 1 bedroom will be about $1450 in a prime spot (pictured below.) I told her if she wanted to stay at that price and still have space and amenities, she might be better off looking further north or west, as Wicker Park is a very popular (read: expensive) neighborhood. We worked together to find a place that could accommodate her budget and preferred amenities.

Click on the picture. It's available for a move in on 6/1/12.

2. I had someone looking for a place in “West Chicago.” Turns out that that’s actually a suburb north and west of Chicago. In the city where he was from, searching for the major city also included apartment options in the suburbs. Google searching for “apartments in Chicago” will not turn up suburban options. A suburb of Chicago is not Chicago. Be specific in your Google searches.

3. Dogs are harder to find an apartment for. This surprises people who are downsizing from a house and moving into the city. Some have even been surprised that an extra deposit and/or fee is required. Everyone who has a dog insists that they don’t bark, and that they’re well behaved and trained. Landlords have heard it all. It only takes one tenant to let a dog ruin a place for the landlord to say “never again,” unfortunately. And if your dog doesn’t bark when you’re home, it surely barks when you’re out. Other tenants will have a problem with that.

At the end of the day, you get to pick two out of three:

(a) cheap price

(b) upgraded loveliness and amenities

(c) prime location

Part of the fun of the hunt is seeing where you can get the most for your money. We can help you with that. Give us a call (773) 697-5100.

Why an Ad for an Apartment Might Not Have Pictures

Pictures in the ad are your first look at an apartment that may be your home some day. They are the reason why you decide to make an appointment to see an apartment or not. They’re the key marketing tool for agent.

So why advertise a unit without pictures? That must mean the apartment is not photogenic, right? It is possible. But not likely.

Here are top three reasons for no photos:

1. The listing is new or has been rehabbed, and there aren’t pictures yet.

2. The listing is in the process of being rehabbed and there isn’t a finished product yet. Showing an apartment in the process of being rehabbed is not attractive.

3. The apartment is covered in clothes or pet toys or whatever because the current tenants are moving (or just really messy.) It’s impossible to get a picture of any part of the apartment like this. Showing a messy picture with someone else’s stuff all over the place does not help you imagine yourself living there.

Other reasons there might not be pictures:

4. The pictures were taken at night, and it makes the apartment look bad or creepy.

5. The apartment is ugly, and a sales person thinks they can talk you into it when they show it to you. This is the least likely of the options. Any picture is better than no pictures at all.

Also, I’ve rented some apartments that I personally thought weren’t that attractive, but my clients loved them. And you the client know if a place is right for you.

If you have questions about any of our units, with or without pictures, I’d be happy to answer them. Please give me a call: (773) 697-5100.

2BR+Office in Bucktown Available Now

See the whole listing here.

When You Don’t Get the Place

Twice this week, I’ve had deals fall through.

As frustrating as that is for me the agent, it’s even more frustrating for the client(s).

No, it wasn’t that my applicants didn’t look great on paper, because they looked awesome.

No, it wasn’t that my clients didn’t have their paperwork in first, because they did.

It was that the landlord picked someone else. Sometimes, the landlord might choose to drag their feet for a day to see what else comes in.

There’s nothing that can be done about it. That’s just the way it goes.

As an agent, I can advocate for you, explain anything that might not look great, negotiate for pets, a parking spot, what have you.

We don’t take applications on units that aren’t available, because that would be a stupid waste of time; we’re here to help you find a place.

In the end, it’s always the landlord’s decision.

Featured Listing Friday: Start Your Day Like Ariel

This listing has the granite, stainless steel, double vanity, hardwood floors that you come to expect in new construction buildings.

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The dark wood and stainless steel are lovely, if you didn’t notice

Part of what makes this duplex down special is its bathrooms.

The master bedroom has a quite large bathroom. The tiles look like the inside of shells- pearled and luminous. Start your day like the Little Mermaid.

The other bedroom is smaller, but it’s bathroom is also very nice.

Both bedrooms are downstairs, and are carpeted.

The upstairs part of this large unit has the in-unit laundry and lots of windows.

The open floor plan would be great for entertaining, (island kitchens encourage gathering around and talking)

and the half bath is upstairs.

Also, you get a parking spot in the gated lot in the back. (But street parking is also very easy.) Sadly, no pets are welcome here.

If you have any questions about the unit, or would like to schedule a viewing, please give me a call: 773-697-5100

Featured Listing Friday: 3BR/3BA in Bucktown… With a Bar of Your Own

Space. That’s what you get here.

Want to live next to a park?

These are the bedrooms and closets you’ve been looking for. (Every bedroom is king sized. Every bedroom has a large closet.)

Every bedroom has its own en suite bathroom. All the baths are spacious and nice

Its 2800+ square feet: plus a roof deck and large wet bar, with more space on the back deck.

Black granite counter. New carpet.

You can boldly go via Metra and 90/94 . (And the Blue Line.)

Rooftop deck over the garage.

Available now-ishly. Garage parking is available for extra.

Here’s the listing link.

Local’s Eye View: Bucktown with Bucktown Music

I stopped by Bucktown Music to chat with Jessica and Luis Solares about their music studio. (They have lessons for everyone, and even have special brain development classes for babies! (It’s called “Kindermusic.”)

They’re the perfect people to ask about what makes Bucktown a great neighborhood since they’ve been living in Bucktown for 5 years and have been doing business here for 3.

How to Succeed in the Apartment Hunt and in Life

Communicating through email is awesome- it’s like texting, but with more weight.

Taking advantage of opportunities leads to success in life. Use the advantages email offers, even if you’re doing it from your phone.

Agents want to help you find a place- the easier you make it on them, the easier your search will be. How can you use email effectively in your apartment search? I’m glad you asked.

  1. Use proper punctuation and spelling. When you don’t use proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling, you look like a spammer, a lazy person, or a stupid person. This is unfortunate, but true. It looks like you don’t care about what you’re doing, so why should anyone else? Agents will still help you if you write like you’re lazy and stupid, but not if you’re a spammer.

2. Ask more than one question per email. Don’t be shy! Get crazy. Ask two, or three even. Be specific. Asking for “more information” about a place is a meaningless request. I have no idea why it’s the autofill on most lead capture sites. Really, don’t be shy. We’re here to help.

3. Answer all questions if you’re asked more than one question. I like to number them if I’m asking more than two. Answering questions also helps to clarify needs. Clarity + brevity = readability.

4. If you’re making an appointment to see a place, offer a plan B and/or C. If you want to see a property at 7pm on a Saturday, say so and that it’s your preferred time. Mention a few alternate times, like 11am on Sunday and 6pm on Monday as well. This way, and agent can coordinate if the first time doesn’t work, and you won’t have to email back and forth. Also, if a unit is occupied, and a time won’t work for the current tenant, it’ll greatly cut down on potential for miscommunication.

Or you could skip all this and just give us a call: (773) 697-5100. Let’s work together to find a great place.

What’s the Best Neighborhood in Chicago?

What’s the best neighborhood is like asking who would win if Han Solo and Chuck Norris got in a fight. It’s a bargument; there’s no answer.

Do you like to walk to a restaurant, stuff yourself, and then walk home?

Are you a fan of bacon?

Do you need live music in your life?

Do you want to be able to have wine or beer delivered to you?

Do you want live poetry, music, or art with your coffee?

Where should you live? Well, what is important to you?

Do a Yelp search (or Google) and see where there’re more live music venues, bacon infused cocktails, restaurants. Only you can decide what is the best neighborhood for you.

However, have caution in making your life too convenient. One of my clients told me that he lost weight while living in the suburbs. I asked him how that was possible given that there’s more driving and less walking. He told me that he always went out to eat due to the plethora of good restaurants within walking distance, so he never stayed home and cooked; thus the weight gain. I myself live near an amazing gelato place. Because its such a temptation, I sometimes wish I didn’t.