Chicago Neighborhood Gets a Big Boost

A new 20-building community of Chicago real estate has received an award by Multifamily Executive Magazine.

Savoy Square at Legends South is a $44.9 million project that replaced a dilapidated Chicago Housing Authority public housing community in the up-and-coming Bronzeville neighborhood. It was named "Mixed-Income Project of the Year" by the MFE.

When completed, this mixed-income neighborhood will offer close to 2,400 homes for sale and rent.

Want to know more about the project and the award it has already earned? Check out our story:

Award-Winning Development Replaces Chicago Public Housing

The 2011 MFE Awards program was held in Las Vegas earlier this month. A new Chicago apartment tower was named "High-Rise of the Year." Check back to Chicago New Homes for that story.

Chicago High-Rise Named Nation's Best

A new project of Chicago real estate has already captured a prestigious award.

EnV, a 29-story apartment tower completed last year, has been named "High-Rise of the Year" by Multifamily Executive Magazine.

The 249-unit rental building, which was one of the first LEED-certified apartment properties in the Windy City, was recognized for its energy-efficient features.

Located across from Chicago's historic Merchandise Mart, this modern apartment building offers a touch of resort living in the city. Want to know more about it? Check out our story:

Chicago Real Estate to be EnVied

The 2011 MFE Awards were held in Las Vegas earlier this month. A neighborhood of new Chicago real estate pulled in the award for "Mixed Income Project of the Year." Check back to Chicago New Homes for that story.

Sell More Chicago New Homes, Attend Xplode

Interested in selling more Chicago new homes? Technology is a great way to do so. However, technology is always changing, so it is hard to keep up.

To help share tips on social marketing and the advantages of technology in the Chicago real estate market, the Chicago Association of REALTORS will host the Xplode Conference at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Chicago on Friday, August 19.

With topics such as mobile marketing, social media, the revolution of video, digital transactions, blogging and search, syndication and digital listings, Xplode’s 25 speakers will give attendees valuable advice and lessons.

Some speakers include marketing experts, social media pros and technology developers.

For more details, check out the Xplode Conference video. Also, be sure to register online at http://chicago.xplodethis.com/.

Chicago to Get a Brand New Neighborhood

More than 100,000 people recently attended the Dave Matthews Band Caravan — a three-day summer concert tour of 39 bands — in an empty, 470-acre site of prairie land along Lake Michigan on Chicago's South Side.

That site, which used to be occupied by the U.S. Steel's South Works manufacturing plant, could someday be an entirely new Chicago real estate community.

Though, not immediately.

U.S. Steel, which still owns the land, has teamed up with a Chicago real estate developer to turn the lakefront property into a LEED-certified community with single-family and high-rise housing, retail and commercial space, a new school and more.

Chicago Real Estate Icon on the Market

When you think Chicago real estate, what's the first building that comes to mind?

To some, the answer is the Sears Tower, though the skyscraper is actually called the Willis Tower now, but either way, it's the tallest building in Chicago and the nation, and it's for sale.

Its owners, who bought the 110-story tower in Chicago's South Loop in 2004 for approximately $840 million, are looking for help to recapitalize the Chicago real estate icon, which is about $780 million in debt.

Two brokerage firms have been hired to market the four-million-square-foot building for either a partial or full sale.

Want to learn more? Check out our story:

Chicago Real Estate Icon for Sale

And then stay tuned to Chicagoland Real Estate Forum for details as they emerge.

Safeguard Your Home and Enjoy This Chicago Winter

In this brutal weather, it's imperative to protect your Chicago home from the elements.

Frozen pipes, drafty rooms, cracked concrete and safety issues are all naughty things you can nicely avoid by being informed and taking some simple and cost-effective steps in and around your home this winter.

Visit Chicagoland Real Estate Forum for lots of tips on making your home a happy place to be in Chicago during winter. We even cover financial assistance programs that will help Chicago area homeowners stay safe and warm.

Here are some of the highlights:

*It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Winter

*It's Winter: Is Your Chicago Home Ready?

*We Can Vouch for the Importance of Weatherizing Your Chicago Home

*Storms Coming. Got Any Calcium Chloride Around?

Have a safe and problem-free winter from all of us at Chicagoland Real Estate Forum.

More Jobs Could Create More Homeowners in Illinois

The state of the Chicago real estate market is directly related to the unemployment rate in Illinois. Since the state's unemployment rate has consistently sat above the national average, action is necessary to create more jobs.

And action is what the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is taking.

The problem: As a result of unemployment, or underemployment, less people are in the position to own a home, which hurts the real estate market.

On the other side, it's becoming more difficult for small businesses to start up or create jobs since securing funding in this poor economy has become nearly impossible.

The solution: The Illinois DCEO has created a program that will provide millions of dollars in micro-loans to new and start-up small businesses in Illinois.

The federally funded program will go until funds run out, so immediate action is necessary if you are interested.

To find out all the details, including which lenders are involved and how to apply for a loan, visit chicagolandrealestateforum.com.