Real Estate - Finding the Right House

Chicago is one of the busiest, liveliest and the most important cities in the US because of its location. It is located in close proximity to Lake Michigan and Mississippi River which is why it a hub for transportation. Since it is located in the Midwest, Chicago is a gateway between the East and the West Coast. The city is also a very important trade center because of its location and it is not surprising that thousands of people are considering making the city their home. It presents business opportunities, diversity and a lot of different entertainment options, making it a wise choice for settling down.

Finding the Right House

Those who are planning to make Chicago their home will need to spend some time doing research and evaluating all the properties in the different neighborhoods. Choosing the right realtor is the first and the most important step in the process. There are also plenty of factors which have to be considered like the place of work and the commute needed.

Questions to Ask

While looking at the real estate Chicago, there are plenty of questions which you would have to ask before making the decision. Real estate Chicago is very diverse with plenty of different options available which makes it even more confusing for those who are new to the city. Given below are a few important factors and questions to consider:

Location

The most important question to ask yourself while selecting a property is the location that you prefer. Chicago has the busy downtown area as well as the more suburban type neighborhoods to choose from. Think about what you need and then look for houses in that area.

Type of Home

Once you zero down on the type of neighborhood you are looking for, the next thing to consider is the type of home you prefer. You can choose from an apartment, condo, penthouse, townhouse or a single family home.

Style and Size of Home

The style and the size of home that you are looking for will also have to be considered. Whether you are looking for a multi-level or a one level home, an older property or a newly constructed home are some important questions to ask. Also, the size of the house and the number of bedrooms you would need would depend on the size of your family. Consider not just the number of bedrooms but also the number of bathrooms and the overall square footage area of the property before making a decision.

Amenities

Lastly consider the other amenities that the property has to offer. Check if there is a basement, whether or not the basement is finished, a garage, if there is an extra parking space, the sizes of the wardrobes if any, kitchen accessories and cabinets, the appliances in the kitchen, dining space, the décor of the house, the fireplace etc.

All of the above questions and factors would allow you to get a clear idea about what the property has to offer. Compare these factors against the price which is asked for the property to see whether it fits into your budget and if it offers good value for money.

To know more about Real Estate Chicago and how to find your dream home in the city, please visit http://www.realestateinchicago.com/.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ricardo_Lumbardo

Real Estate - An Overview

Chicago is one of the liveliest and the busiest cities in the US because of its location. It is located close to Mississippi River and Lake Michigan, making it a hub for transportation. The city is located in the Midwest which makes it a natural gateway between the East and the West Coast. Because of its geographical location, the city has also become an important trade center and it is not surprising that thousands of people are considering making the city their home. It presents business opportunities, diversity and a lot of different entertainment options, making it a wise choice for settling down.

The Real Estate Market in Chicago

Fortunately, for those who are considering making Chicago their home, the real estate market is varied and plentiful as so many people move to the city every year. The city has a wide variety of single family homes, apartments, townhouses and condos to choose from. There are also plenty of opportunities for those who are interested in purchasing empty land.

All being said, real estate in Chicago is by no means cheap. The rentals in the city are quite high while purchasing an apartment or a house in the good neighborhoods can really burn a hole in the pocket. The downtown area of Chicago is The Loop which is the hub of all the activities. The neighborhoods which are close to downtown are the costliest when it comes to real estate in Chicago. Most people fall in love with The Loop the moment they visit it and dream about finding a house close to it. However, the rates are too high and unless help is taken from a trusted and knowledgeable real estate agency the chances are that finding a property would be impossible.

Neighborhoods in Chicago

For those who are looking for affordable housing options, the South Side has the most affordable options in real estate in Chicago. The neighborhoods in South Side cover as much as 60% of the total area of the city and thus there are plenty of different options to choose from. Chicago's West side too is a great place to start house hunting since the properties there are a little cheaper.

The north side of the city is known for its harbors, beaches and parks and is the most serene and beautiful locations in the city. This part of the city has some of the nicest apartments and houses. However, there is a huge demand for properties in this area because of which the rates too are quite high.

Those who are planning to make Chicago their home would have to spend some time evaluating all the properties and considering their options. Consider the place of work since living in the suburbs of the city would mean longer commutes though the property rates would be affordable. However, the city does have many modes of public transportation available which makes commuting a little easier. Choose a realtor wisely and look at as many options as you can before you make a decision.

To know more about Real Estate in Chicago and how to find your dream home in the city, please visit http://www.realestateinchicago.com/.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ricardo_Lumbardo