Navigating Foreclosure in Chicago What Is a Short Sale, and When Is It the Right Choice? Short Sales Explained: A Path Forward When Selling Your Property Feels Impossible Introduction: If you owe more on your property than it’s currently worth, selling might feel out of reach—but a short sale could provide a way forward. While the term might sound intimidating, a short sale can be an effective solution for owners facing […]
Building an Equitable Chicago The Role of Public-Private Partnerships in Equitable Development Introduction: Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) can be powerful tools for equitable developers seeking to create community-focused projects. By leveraging government resources and private-sector expertise, these collaborations can help fund, develop, and sustain projects that might otherwise struggle to get off the ground. While I’m not an expert in structuring PPPs, I understand their potential and can […]
Navigating Foreclosure in Chicago Blog Post: Understanding Loan Modification and How It Can Help You Loan Modification: A Lifeline for Homeowners in Financial Trouble Introduction: If you’re struggling to keep up with your mortgage payments, you may feel like your options are limited. But one potential solution is a loan modification, a program designed to help property owners by making their mortgage more affordable. In this post, we’ll break down […]
Chicago Neighborhood Story Humbolt Park: Including the First State Designated Puerto Rican Cultural District Annexed in 1869 the community area of Humbolt Park has historically been a center for a variety of ethnic groups. Originally settled by Scandinavians and Germans the neighborhood saw growth from European Jews, Italians, and Polish. It peaked in population in 1930. Gentrification pushed the Puerto Rican population west from West Town into Humbolt Park […]
Building an Equitable Chicago Why Understanding Community Needs Is Key to Equitable Development Introduction: Equitable development goes beyond bricks and mortar—it’s about creating spaces that meet the needs of the people who live and work in the neighborhood. Understanding those needs is the foundation for projects that uplift communities while remaining financially viable. In this post, we’ll explore why understanding community needs is crucial, how to gather meaningful […]
Navigating Foreclosure in Chicago How to Talk to Your Lender About Financial Hardship The Right Way to Approach Your Lender When You’re Facing Financial Hardship Introduction: If you’re struggling to keep up with your mortgage payments, reaching out to your lender can feel overwhelming. But having an open and honest conversation is often the first step toward finding a solution. Lenders want to work with property owners who […]
Building an Equitable Chicago Top 5 Mistakes New Developers Make (and How to Avoid Them) Introduction: Stepping into the world of real estate development is exciting, but it’s also full of challenges. Many new developers face setbacks that could be avoided with the right preparation and knowledge. In this post, we’ll uncover the top five mistakes new developers make and share actionable tips to help you sidestep these pitfalls and […]
Navigating Foreclosure in Chicago 5 Steps to Take When You Receive a Foreclosure Notice 5 Critical Steps to Take After Receiving a Foreclosure Notice Introduction: Receiving a foreclosure notice can feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. It’s a moment no property owner wants to face, but the good news is this: you still have options. Acting quickly and strategically can make all the difference […]
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Building an Equitable Chicago How to Identify the Perfect Neighborhood for Your Next Development Introduction: In real estate development, location isn’t just a factor—it’s the foundation of success. For equitable developers, the stakes are even higher, as the right neighborhood can amplify community impact while supporting long-term financial sustainability. This guide will walk you through identifying the ideal neighborhood for your next project, with a focus on aligning community […]
Navigating Foreclosure in Chicago Foreclosure vs. Short Sale: What’s the Difference? Foreclosure vs. Short Sale: Understanding Your Best Option Introduction: Facing financial challenges with your property can be overwhelming. If you’re behind on payments, you may have heard terms like “foreclosure” and “short sale” thrown around. But what do they mean, and how do they affect your future? Knowing the difference between the two is essential […]
Building an Equitable Chicago The Ultimate Guide to Chicago Zoning for New Developers Introduction: Navigating zoning regulations can feel overwhelming, especially for new developers in Chicago. But understanding the city’s zoning code is key to finding opportunities, avoiding pitfalls, and getting your projects off the ground. In this guide, we’ll break down the basics of zoning in Chicago, key concepts to understand, and tips for working with zoning […]
Chicago Neighborhood Story Fuller Park: One of the Smallest Community Areas Just east of New City is one of the smallest community areas in the city, Fuller Park. Located near the stockyards and the railroads the first residents of the area found work nearby. The neighborhood grew following the Great Chicago Fire since it was still part of Lake Township at that time and did not […]
Chicago Neighborhood Story Calumet Heights Although Chicago’s history goes back to the 1830s it wasn’t until 1881 when settlement began in Calumet Heights after a rail line was constructed on the west edge of the area. A quarry encouraged more growth, but even decades after the area was annexed to Chicago residential growth remained slow. In the 1920s the area […]
Chicago Neighborhood Story Armour Square: Baseball History and a Growing Chinatown Framed by Chinatown to the north and Guaranteed Rate field to the south Armour Square is a pocket of vast history in Chicago. The majority of Armour Square is a stretch of residences between Chinatown and Sox Park, about one mile long and half a mile wide. Even in that small area there is a […]
Chicago Neighborhood Story West Garfield Park: The First Neighborhood with a Report Card West Garfield Park started as a village called Central Park, for the large park to the east, and was renamed West Garfield Park in 1881 following the assassination of President James A. Garfield. It was a residential community with most recreation taking place in the park. The park offered a variety of activities. The conservatory […]
Chicago Neighborhood Story South Deering: The Largest and Perhaps the Most Industrial Area Originally referred to as Irondale, South Deering is the largest community area in Chicago. Like many of the south areas industry was the driving factor to bring this community together. In 1875 the Joseph H. Brown Iron and Steel Company located here. They were purchased by International Harvester in 1902, who later merged with Wisconsin […]
Chicago Neighborhood Story The Remarkably Rich Black American History of the Riverdale Community in Chicago If you take a drive through Riverdale the area may seem like the city’s castaway. It’s a true food desert, there is very little transportation, no dining options, no hotels, some streets are falling apart even though they are already practically too narrow for one car, and some aren’t paved at all. Each section of […]
Chicago Neighborhood Story How WWII Led to the Creation of O’Hare The other day WBEZ sent me an email with a headline estimating 290,000 people in Illinois would fly for the holidays this year. Apparently it’s a record number. It’s also very fitting for my subject area today, O’Hare. Of Chicago’s official 77 community areas O’Hare is number 76. It was the most recent community area […]
Chicago Neighborhood Story The Influence of New City’s History Chicago BY CARL SANDBURG Hog Butcher for the World, Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat, Player with Railroads and the Nation’s Freight Handler; Stormy, husky, brawling, City of the Big Shoulders: They tell me you are wicked and I believe them, for I have seen your painted women under the gas lamps luring the farm boys. And […]
Chicago Neighborhood Story From Steel Mills to Nature Preserves: The Neighborhood of Hegewisch The furthest southeast neighborhood in the city is Hegewisch. If you don’t know the area you might even think you are already in the suburbs when driving through. According to Wikipedia Hegewisch has more undeveloped land than the other neighborhoods in Chicago. Chicago Cityscape even reports that in 2018 about 17.7% of the area is […]