the wasserblawg

by Michael H. Wasserman Steve Schneider I’m not sure how you spent your Memorial Day weekend, but if you are in the market to buy a new home in or around Chicago, you very likely spent much of it out and about looking at new homes. By all accounts real estate activity right now is quite strong despite a limited available inventory of homes to choose from. Buyers seem to be re-energized right now and the effects have been staggering. Most buyers who have contacted me this week have won out or are still engaged in bidding wars over properties they like. Brokers are reporting the clients are back out, looking at 5-10 homes before making offers. Our initial fears of the COVID-19 pandemic seem to be waning. Confidence in our Realtors’ ability to keep us safe and secure in the house hunting process is increasing. We have seen more new contracts come into the office in the past seven days than we had in the preceding three weeks combined. If you are a seller waiting on the sidelin...

by Michael H. Wasserman The two-bedroom, Lakeview condo seemed huge when Meg and Cary first moved in 10 years ago as newlyweds. That was two dogs and two daughters ago. Before the stay-at-home order. Before COVID-19. The small house movement may be “a thing,” but Meg and Cary are living proof that small houses are not all that they are cracked up to be. Especially now that they have all been cooped up together for the last two months. Every useable surface is covered by school projects, computer electronics, pet toys, and kid toys. Meg laughs to herself nervously. “I guess everyone’s home must feel small by now but there just isn’t enough space here. Is this a dining room or a “school?” Is Cary working in the living room or his office? Am I sleeping in my bedroom or my office”? The is once spacious home is getting smaller and smaller by the hour. Hopefully, Jan will call soon. It’s Monday afternoon and Meg has been trying all day not to think about it. She cannot help check...