Living in Chicago's New South Side

Top 5 Chicago Real Estate Blogs

2008-06-08T17:48:34Z

I thought I would share...let the world know about ... a few of the blogs I visit regularly for new real estate information and info on cool places that are on the market right now.

So here is a list of my top Favorite Blogs:

1. Crib Chatter

    This site features tons of available units throughout Chicago. The woman that runs this blog
    is not a real estate agent, so her opinion is neutral and, dare I say, unbiased. She comes
    across some great info and units, so I highly recommend this blog.

2. Yo Chicago

    This is another great site that comes across great units and info. I highly recommend it.

3. The Chicago Real Estate Local

    This is a great resource for neighborhood information on north side neighborhoods. My
    colleague, Eric Rojas, runs this blog, and he is a wonderful source of all sorts of
information.

4. The Real Estate Bloggers

    This blog is run by various real estate bloggers. Some of your most esteemed real estate
    professionals and bloggers contribute to this site. It has all sorts of information. Visit it.

5. ChiTown Living - A Chicago Real Estate Blog

    This is another great blog.

FastSTATS

2008-05-28T01:16:41Z

Why Buy in Today's Market???

2008-05-22T04:41:33Z

Well, I would love to be able to expound on why a buyer should buy in today's market....but I came across a thread that I thought might illustrate the question better than I ever could...it's from Trulia's Question & Answer section....check it out.

Let me know what you think.

University of Chicago Purchases Harper Court

2008-05-20T15:44:22Z

The University of Chicago purchased Harper Court, Hyde Park's neighborhood anchor shopping center. Hopefully, this means a revitalization of this area which will improve the downtown Hyde Park area.

Read the story here.

Buying Your Dream Home in Today's Market

2008-05-15T05:28:28Z

It seems the biggest worry in home buyers minds today is how will I be able to qualify for my home loan, and how do I avoid finding myself in a similar situation as the buyers who are losing their homes today.

A long time ago, a very good friend of mine, represented me in my first home purchase, and he gave me excellent advice, which was to learn everything I could about the process and loan programs/products. The more educated you are, the better loan product you will choose.

]]> Where to Start?

The first step is to get pre-approved. Never before in the history of real estate has it been more important to find out your buying power before you begin looking for your dream home. This helps you know how much you can afford to buy, and it helps you in negotiating a price for purchasing your dream home.

Begin researching different banks and mortgage companies. Find out what products are being offered, along with interest rates. Your interest rate is determined by your credit score. The higher your credit score, the lower your interest rate. A great resource for information on credit and your credit score is myfico.com. At this site, you can research interest rates in your area, based on your credit score, along with a ton of other great and useful information. You can also obtain your credit report and score from any of the three credit bureaus, Experian, Trans Union, or Equifax.

I highly recommend that you print out a copy of your credit report (all three reports if you're feeling gutsy). This way you can show your report to the representative at the financial institutions you choose to interview, and they can evaluate your situation without pulling your credit (and adding a hit to your score).

Most lending institutions will want to see the last two years of your tax returns, two months of bank statements, last two paycheck stubs (though it wouldn't hurt to bring the last four paycheck stubs), and statements for savings or investment accounts. They may require additional information, but if you collect this information, it will make your application process a lot easier.

Here are things that will affect how much you can borrow.

1. Debt-to-Income Ratio

Lending institutions look at your ratio of debt to income to determine how much home you can afford. Generally, lending institutions are looking for your total housing debt to be no more than 28% of your income, and your total debt (including housing) to be no more than 36% of your income. Currently, typical conforming limits look like this:

- conventional: 28/36
- FHA: 31/43

Visit my web site to find out what your debt-to-income looks like. The calculators will even help you guesstimate how much home you can afford.

2. Property Taxes

The amount of the taxes for the property gets calculated into your housing ratio in the debt-to-income ratio. This means that if the taxes are $8,000 or higher, it may mean you may not be able to afford that house.

3. Association Fees

Condo associations and Co-op's have monthly assessments. These assessments usually cover master insurance, maintenance and landscaping, and sometimes heating and cable. Co-op assessments usually include property taxes. If the assessments are exorbitant, that may mean you can not afford the property. (Sometimes exorbitant assessments are a hint to association problems, so always make sure to review a condos financial reports.)

4. Insurance

Insurance is also included in the housing debt-to-income ratio. Insurance is usually not too high, but a high insurance amount usually indicates that either the property has had previous claims against it, which if you stumble across this, make sure to investigate it, and that is a whole other post.

Or, it can mean that you have made a few insurance claims. Insurance companies now use a "CLUE" report. It is similar to credit reports, but used exclusively in the insurance industry. It's a database of claims and claimants, and its information affects insurance premiums.

5. Down Payment

The amount you save towards a down payment makes the difference in how much home you can afford. After the bubble burst of 2007, most lenders are requiring homebuyers have at least 5% to 10% put down on your purchase. There are still programs out there that help borrowers with a lower down payment amount. The biggest one is FHA. FHA guidelines allows 3% down, and you can still use a gift and seller contribution (up to 6%) to help you with the down payment and closing costs.

There are all sorts of banks offering different programs.

Wells Fargo, Countrywide, Shore Bank, and Bank of America are all offering various programs aimed towards borrowers without strong credit, 5% to 10% down, and lots of reserves. If you would like some people to contract, let me know, I'll give you some recommendations of people to call that do all that can to help borrowers get to close.

6. Reserves

This is the amount that you will need to have saved over and above your down payment. Lending institutions like to see that you have some kind of reserve to fall back on, in the event things go horribly wrong after you close. The more reserves you have, the more comfortable lenders feel about lending you money.

What's Next?

Once you know how much you can afford, it is now time to start thinking about the type of home you want. Download this questionnaire to help you determine what you are looking for in your new home.

Buyer Qualification Form.doc

Really think about why you are looking to buy. Are you hoping to find a great place to live at a great price that will grow equity during the time you live in the house? Is equity not as important as location, style, number of bedrooms or amenities?

How much space would you like? How many bedrooms? How many bathrooms? What type of upgrades would you like? Would you like it to be a completely upgraded place? Or would you prefer a place that needs some work, so you can personalize it to your tastes?

Answering these questions will help you to describe what you are looking for to your realtor. The more information you provide, the faster you should be able to find exactly what you are looking for.

Once you know what you are looking for, you can start looking for a Realtor to represent you. I hope you would give me a call, but ultimately, this is the person that will represent you on the largest purchase of your life. You need to feel comfortable with your Realtor, and you need to feel you can trust your Realtor to represent you in your needs. Once you have chosen this person, give them your wish list, and keep it coming.

Most buyers, today, begin their home search online. Thanks to the internet, you should be able to find every home that is available in the market today. Feel free to browse the listings that are available at my site. In addition, your Realtor should be sending you the exact properties that you told him/her that you wanted to see. To cut through the thousands of units available, to the precise ones you are interested in seeing.

Once you have identified the property that you are interested in owning and living in, review the comparable prices in the area, then make an offer. If you think the property is overpriced, as it is a buyers market, make an offer where you feel it should be. Your Realtor should be able to give you advice as to whether your offer is way off-base, or if it has a good chance of being accepted.

A good tool to use is to look at the difference between what homes are listed for and what they sold for. Don't forget to look at "Pending" sales. These are really good indicators of what price homes in the area are selling for. If your offer is within the average percentage of difference, there is a good chance your offer will be accepted.

Countdown to Closing

Once your offer has been accepted, you will only have a few more steps to closing.

Generally, it should take 45 days or less to close. Once the contract is executed, meaning signed by both the buyer(s) and seller(s), you then have five days to have your attorney review the agreement and to have the home inspected. Once again, I highly recommend having the home inspected. This small amount invested can save you thousands in future headaches.

After the property passes the inspection and attorney review period, you need to give an earnest money check to the holding party. Earnest money is exactly what it sounds like, it is money the seller is holding for you that shows the seller how earnest you are about buying the property. The amount you give as earnest money is up to you, but a good amount is usually around 5% of the purchase price. As earnest money is applied to the buyer's side at the closing table, 5% usually covers your closing costs, and will be 5% fewer dollars you will need to bring with you to the closing.

The next step will be the appraisal. Your lender will send the appraiser out to the property to make sure it is as valuable as the amount being loaned on the property. Once the appraisal is done, your lender will begin the final approval process to get you and the property clear to close.

Once you are clear to close, the closing date will be scheduled and you are headed to the closing table to sign many documents, and then receiving your keys, and voila, congratulations, you are now a homeowner.

East Lakeview Open House - 519 West Melrose on Sunday, May 4 from 12 to 4

2008-05-03T05:01:01Z

East Lakeview Open House
519 West Melrose
Sunday, May 4
12p to 4p

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Gorgeously upgraded, very modern junior one bedroom. The best floorplan at Metro on Melrose.

Bright exposures face beautiful Melrose Street.
Custom top-down, bottom-up shades on huge floor-to-ceiling windows
Gorgeous kitchen w/stainless steel appliances, cool granite countertops, double bowl, undermount sink, and cherry cabinets
In-unit Bosch Washer/Dryer
Minutes to downtown Chicago

Click here for more pictures and details.

My Squidoo Lens

2008-04-29T16:53:41Z

I wanted to announce my squidoo lens. This is a page that is an interactive/informational promotion page. Please visit and interact.

Nyassa Bossette-Price

About Me

2008-04-28T04:29:49Z

Chi-Girl Realty ... that's me!

I am a genuine native Chicagoan, who comes by my extensive insight of its neighborhoods and surrounding suburbs the good old-fashioned way, I've lived in most of them. Having experienced the rich array of cultures and characters that the city has to offer from Bucktown to Bronzeville, from the lakefront to Lakeview and from Wicker Park to Woodridge, I am uniquely positioned to offer a view of Chicago that you're not likely to find anywhere else. You can't help but appreciate my love for and comprehensive knowledge of "The Windy City".

Whether you are a buyer, seller, investor or "just looking", I have a vast network of resources available to help you meet your real estate goals. Specializing in first-time buyers, women buyers and investment/rehab buyers, my aim is to educate my clients as I take you step-by-step through the basics of the process from start to finish. My attention to detail and commitment to service ensures that I can and will meet any need that arises whatever the challenge.

Whatever your real estate dreams, I have the tools, experience and knowledge to make them a reality. Let me show you "my" Chicago.

Overnight Art Sleepover at Hyde Park's Art Center

2008-04-23T17:52:34Z

As I was searching the web for an indoor rock climbing wall thing I discovered a few years ago but have absolutely no recollection of, I discovered this way cool looking event coming up this weekend at the Hyde Park Art Center.

This sounds like as much fun as the outdoor house music party in the park on Michigan Avenue a couple of years ago.

I think you just might find me there...

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The Randomness of Chicago

2008-04-17T04:14:10Z

Today, I had a meeting downtown, which is a completely different story. This story is a commentary on the randomness of Chicago...a sort of pictorial...

I took the Blue Line downtown and walked over to my meeting. One of the greatest parts of Chicago is its transit system...the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). This system can get you anywhere you want to go. If you're headed downtown, hop on the train. Leave your car at home. Avoid parking woes. Read a book, listen to your Ipod, look at Chicago's historical architecture. There are so many things to do.

So here goes the pictorial...

This is a cool idea...a Walk and Roll-a-thon. It sounds like a really fun event.

On the way home, I was entertained by Jovan's afternoon musical show. Jovan is quite the entertainer, with amazing vocal abilities. He is certainly a must for anyone visiting Chicago.

Apparently, the CTA did a complete overhaul of the train station at Dearborn and Jackson. It has been completely remodeled. It has all sorts of features, like a TV giving updates and news reports.

The randomness of it all is why the CTA selected this station for a rehab. I am sure there is a rhyme to this reason, but it sure is random, and not a little bit non-sensical.

It was a beautiful and enjoyable experience, while I waited for the train. I highly recommend it.

While I was downtown, I enjoyed a puppet show...that apparently performs all day long, or at least during the time that I was at my appointment.

So that was my random Chicago day.

Holy Zipcar, Batman!!!

2008-04-13T14:22:40Z

I was just surfing a few Chicago-based blogs, and came across the coolest idea I have ever seen. It is called ZipCar. It's a service that provides you with the ability to use a car, as needed. Similar to all of the benefits of ownership and none of the downsides...i.e., city stickers, plate stickers, etc.

Think of all of you that live in parking-challenged neighborhoods...now you don't have to worry about it. Off the top off my head, I can think of several people that would completely benefit from this.

So all ...please check it out. I think you will be amazed.

Open House in Lakeview today from 1 to 4 pm

2008-04-13T14:05:36Z

Imagine....

After spending a sunny Saturday at the Lake or Lincoln Park zoo, walking home, and entering an incredibly large, peaceful. open and airy sanctuary. Relax outside on one of three outdoor living spaces, drift away in your spa-like master bath where you unwind in your deep jacuzzi tub, or steam in your steam shower, and then rest in your comfortably huge master bedroom.

Imagine...

Preparing dinner in your open kitchen, with your state-of-the-art, stainless steel Viking Professional stove, or convection microwave oven, while entertaining guests or enjoying your family.

Imagine...

Really imagine....

Celebrating the Cubs World Series win on your exclusive rooftop deck, with your closest friends. OK....though the Cubs may win...you can still celebrate whatever occasion you choose on your own rooftop deck with amazing city views.

Imagine....

Stopping in to see all of this and more yourself on Sunday from 1 p to 4 p.

See you there.

Great Chicago Spaces & Places ...

2008-04-12T05:11:23Z

Here is an event that should be pretty exciting. It will show all Chicagoan's why people become real estate agents in Chicago. I, for one, will be front and center to see Chicago's amazing and wonderful historic architecture. I won't know where to start first...over 200 FREE tours....this is something to experience.

Once a Year the City of Chicago Opens Its Doors to Great Architecture!

GCPS - May 17 & 18, 2008

Chicago opens its architecture doors during Great Chicago Places and Spaces (GCPS) May 17 & 18, 2008. One weekend each year, the City of Chicago collaborates with architects, designers and community leaders to offer more than 200 FREE tours. The tours are created to reflect Chicago's great architectural heritage as well as showcase "off limits" places and spaces. Some are obscure and many are world famous with most tours programmed and led by some of the world's leading experts in architecture and design.

Summer is Coming...

2008-04-12T04:39:55Z

The reason all Chicagoan's don't pack up and leave the city for good is the summer, and it is coming, and we are all getting pretty excited, and antsy. Here is a line-up of this summer's events.

Please get out and enjoy the many different things to do in Chicago in the summer.

This isn't all there is going on. Visit Chicago's site ...there are so many things to enjoy and all of it will make you fall in love with Chicago.

]]> Millennium Park Self-Guided Enhanced Audio Tour

Chicago's Millennium Park is an unparalleled center for art, music, architecture and landscape design.

Now you can explore the 24.5 acre Park with its creators as your guide, including architect Frank Gehry, and artists Anish Kapoor and Jaume Plensa. Discover how and why Millennium Park was built. Learn the secrets that lie beneath the Park floor, and hear the reasons why Millennium Park is one of the world's most spectacular new public spaces.

With the Millennium Park self-guided audio tour, you can go at your own pace and enjoy in any order you choose.

Arab American Festival

June 25-28, 2008
Daley Plaza (50 West Washington)
Time TBD
Free Admission

Asian American Festival

May 19-23, 2008
Daley Plaza (50 West Washington Street)
10am-5pm
Free Admission

Bodies of Work: The Chicago Festival of Disability Arts and Culture

Taking place April 20-30, 2006, Bodies of Work was Chicago's first-ever festival showcasing disability artists and their work. This dynamic citywide festival featured 74 exhibitions, performances and educational programs in 23 Chicago-area venues, which explored disability issues and showcased the work of artists with disabilities

The festival included the work of hundreds of artists, both professionals from the Chicago area and beyond, as well as local non-professional artists. Bodies of Work brought together, for the first time, more than 50 arts, educational, health care and social service organizations that are dedicated to the recognition of disability arts.

Future presentations of Bodies of Work are currently under consideration. Please check the Bodies of Work site for updates.

The 50th Annual Chicago Air & Water Show!

Three Days of Daredevil Thirlls along the Lakefront
August 15, 16 & 17

The 2008 Chicago Air and Water Show celebrates 50 years with three days of daredevil thrills in the air and on the water at North Avenue Beach and along Chicago's magnificent lakefront August 15, 16 & 17. Over the years, the show has become a summer tradition featuring aviation's top military and civilian pilots. The 50th Annual Chicago Air & Water Show presented by Shell Oil Products U.S. and the City of Chicago promises to be like no other for the first time there will be a Friday night show and evening concert at North Avenue Beach.

25th Annual Chicago Blues Festival, June 5-8, 2008

Mark your calendars as the summer of 2008 will be one filled of music not to be missed. The City of Chicago announces a landmark celebration for the 25th Annual Chicago Blues Festival, June 5-8, 2008. Sweet Home Chicago has never been better, as the Chicago Blues Festival takes over Grant Park June 5-8, 2008. The largest free admission Blues festival in the world, the four-day festival offers the best in national, international and local Blues entertainment on six stages with more than 70 performances, preceded by a month of Blues activities (Blues Season) throughout Chicago. In commemoration of the 25th Annual event, the festival not only will feature a quarter of a century of the blues festival highlights but also celebrate the centennials of Louis Jordan, Tommy McLennan, and Blind John Davis. The Chicago Blues Festival is presented by the Mayor's Office of Special Events with generous sponsors to be announced. For more information, call 312/744-3315.

Countdown Begins For Inaugural Chicago Criterium!

Sunday, July 27, In Grant Park

Cycling fans: get ready for Chicago-style pro-am racing! Mayor Richard M. Daley welcomes cycling's elite to Grant Park on Chicago's beautiful lakefront for the city's inaugural Chicago Criterium on Sunday, July 27. Racing will begin at 7:00 a.m. and continue through the day. The total prize money is $40,000 with $25,000 of that marked for the Pro Category 1& 2 race, the final race of the day starting at 2:25 p.m.

24th Annual Chicago Gospel Music Festival

Celebrating the Best of Gospels Music's Past Present and Future
May 30 - June 1 in Millennium Park

Gospel music fans rejoice! The 24th Annual Gospel Music Festival welcomes Grammy®, Stellar and Dove award winners The Clark Sisters, Lady Tramaine Hawkins, The Rance Allen Group, The Mighty Clouds of Joy and many more to Millennium Park May 30- June 1. The three day festival includes more than ninety performers on three stages; The Jay Pritzker Pavillion, the Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep Gospel Youth Tent on the North Promenade and the Walgreens Day Stage on the South Promenade.

Check out the schedule here.

Chicago Commemorates 30th Annual Jazz Festival

With Headliners Sonny Rollins and Ornette Coleman
August 28-31, 2008

30 never looked so good! The Chicago Jazz Festival, the city of Chicago's longest running music festival, announces headliners Sonny Rollins and Ornette Coleman for the 30th Annual event, August 28-31, 2008. What was born from concerts to remember jazz greats Duke Ellington and John Coltrane, has turned into an annual celebration of jazz music that is not to be missed. This Labor Day weekend tradition begins with a free evening concert at Millennium Park's Jay Pritzker Pavilion on August 28, and then moves to Grant Park for three days of free music, August 29-31.

	Chicago Outdoor Film Festival
	July 15-Aug 26, 2008(Tuesday Nights) Butler Field in Grant Park at Lake Shore Drive and Monroe Free

Chicagoween 2008

Chicagoween is a City-Wide Celebration of Halloween during the month of October, involving the Park District, Museums, Navy Pier, the Chicago Cultural Center, and other organizations.

Daley Plaza (Washington and Dearborn Streets), hosts the Haunted Village and is transformed into Pumpkin Plaza, with pumpkin decorating, spooky storytellers and more to thrill and chill. Each day there are performances from the high flying aerial entertainers, Midnight Circus: 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday through Sunday includes evening shows scheduled at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Free pumpkin decorating is offered Saturdays and Sundays (except for parade day, Saturday, October 20) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or while supplies last).

Haunted Village, located at Pumpkin (Daley) Plaza, October 17-31, 2007. Opening night, (October 17) kicks-off at 5 p.m. with two performances from Midnight Circus. The Haunted Village continues through Halloween with hours of Monday through Wednesday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Thursday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Please note: Extended hours for Friday, October 31 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is FREE.

Taste of Chicago Announces Its Partial Line Up of Entertainment

It's been 20 years since Stevie Wonder last played Taste of Chicago, but he's returning this year to the event's opening weekend. Taste of Chicago, the free admission food and entertainment festival is June 27-July 6 in Chicago's Grant Park.

The confirmed line-up thus far includes:

June 27 Chaka Kahn
June 28 Stevie Wonder
June 29 Plain White T's
June 30 Broadway in Chicago
July 1 Joss Stone
July 2 Fantasia
July 3 Grant Park Orchestra

For more information, click here.

Venetian Night

51st Annual Venetian Night
Saturday, July 26, 2008

7:45pm - Dramatic re-enactment of air/sea rescue
8:25pm - Lima Lima (out of Naperville) flyover
8:30pm - Boat Parade
9:30pm - Fireworks

Approximately 35 boats will be decorated with lights and props as they sail along beautiful Lake Michigan, between the Shedd Aquarium at Roosevelt Road and the Chicago Yacht Club at Monroe Street. People of all ages stake out spots along the lakefront as early as 9 a.m. to ensure a good view of the event. With an expected attendance of 675,000, public transportation, walking or biking to Venetian Night is suggested.

Venetian Night is the longest running event that the City of Chicago produces, and was once a multiple day event that featured a beauty pageant and parade on State Street in addition to the lighted boat parade and fireworks show on the waterfront.

12th Annual Chicago SummerDance
June 12 - August 24, 2008

Chicago SummerDance is an eleven-week festival featuring one-hour dance lessons by professional instructors, followed by two hours of live music and dancing on a 4,600 square foot, open-air, recycled dance floor in the Spirit of Music Garden in Grant Park, 601 S. Michigan Ave. SummerDance events occur every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening, 6 to 9:30 pm, and Sunday afternoon, 4 to 7 pm, weather-permitting. Chicago SummerDance is formatted into themes featuring world music ensembles on Thursdays; "popular nights" including jazz, Latin, country and funk on Fridays and Saturdays; and ballroom/big band on Sundays. For more information, call the Chicago SummerDance Hotline at 312.742.4007 or visit www.ChicagoSummerDance.org. Admission is free and open to the public.

Peruvian Festival

July 23-25, 2008
Daley Plaza (50 West Washington Street)
10am-5pm

Free Admission

Where the World meets Chicago!

Under the Picasso at Daley Plaza features lunchtime performances, ethnic festivals, holiday celebrations, farmers markets and more. All located on Daley Plaza (Washington & Dearborn Streets).

¡Viva! Chicago Latin Music Fest! August 23-24 in Grant Park

¡Que Caliente!

The ¡Viva! Chicago Latin Music Festival, presented by The City of Chicago and Best Buy, kicks off Saturday August 23-24 in Grant Park. Celebrating its 20th year, the festival features cutting edge performances by Latin music superstars from all over the world. The festival features dozens of performances that include the genres cumbia, reggaeton, salsa, merengue, tango, bachata, banda and Spanish Pop!

The Viva Chicago Latin Music Festival is considered one of the largest Latin music festivals in the Midwest and the festival entertains both residents and visitors alike. Viva celebrates Chicago's diversity through music, food, dance, art, and last year 180,000 people attended the festival. Saturday hours are from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10:30 to 8 p.m. (hours are subject to change).

Thanks for joining us... World Music Festival returns September 19 ‑ 25, 2008

Thank you to all who joined us this year. Our city-wide World Music Festival: Chicago 2007 ended on Thursday, September 20th. Presented by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and the Chicago Office of Tourism, this past festival featured more than 63 events (some free, some ticketed) and showcased 50 artists representing 30 countries at 23 venues, which included 11 live radio broadcasts and 7 in-store performances in museums, parks, cultural centers, plazas, theaters, bookstores, clubs and other venues throughout Chicago.

Mayor Daley's Kids and Kites Festival

Mayor Daley's Kids and Kites to take place May 3 and October 4 in 2008!

Lets go fly a kite at Mayor Daley's Kids & Kites Festival! The dates for 2008 have been announced-- Saturday, May 3 on the front lawn of the Museum of Science and Industry, 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive and Saturday, October 4th at Montrose Harbor in Lincoln Park. Both events take place from 10 am to 3 pm. The entire family is invited to to find out who in the family can fly their kite "up to the highest height, and send it soaring."

If the kids don't have a kite let alone know how to fly one, don't worry. The Mayor's Office of Special Events will provide free kits for children to design and create their own kite. Kite flying professionals will be coming out to demonstrate exactly how it is done, and help you master your kite flying skills.

While the kites are flying high, there will be plenty of family fun here on the ground with storytelling, face painting, and much, much more.

Mayor Daley's Kids and Kites Festival is programmed and produced by the Mayor's Office of Special Events. Please visit us closer to the event for more information.

Rubloff's New Site

2008-04-12T04:20:02Z

There is a reason I chose Rubloff...

Check out it's new web site...it's home search capabilities are leading the industry. Be one of the first to see yourself on your own porch, balcony, or deck.

Ok...I'm embellishing, but check out the rubber band home search capabilities...play around with what you can do. And while, you're at it join our Home Club, search all available properties, and add me as your agent.