The Krain Blog

April 2009 - Posts

• FREE WIFI AVAILABLE THROUGH THE WICKER PARK SSA; VOLUNTEER ROOFTOPS NEEDED

  The Special Service Area (SSA) #29 FREE Wireless Internet Program is available to businesses, residents, and visitors along Chicago Ave. from Halsted Street. to California Avenue. and is also available in Eckhart Park. The Wireless Internet Program is Read More... Posted Wednesday, April 29, 2009 4:57 PM by KRAIN - Commercial and Residential Real Estate | 0 Comments

• CITY COUNCIL PASSES TIF SUNSHINE ORDINANCE

  Dear Neighbor, Over the last two months, Alderman Waguespack (32nd Ward) and I have been working on passing the TIF Sunshine Ordinance, legislation that makes documents from Tax Increment Finance (TIF) district agreements available online on one site Read More... Posted Wednesday, April 22, 2009 3:33 PM by KRAIN - Commercial and Residential Real Estate | 0 Comments

• Federal Housing Rescue Plan Launches

  The Obama Administration's program to assist distressed home owners, which was first announced in February this year, officially got underway this week. Read more > Read More... Posted Friday, April 17, 2009 5:20 PM by KRAIN - Commercial and Residential Real Estate | 0 Comments

• Fed Report: Real Estate Stabilizing in Key Cities

  The Fed reports "early signs of improvement" in the residential real estate sector in several major cities. Read more > Read More... Posted Friday, April 17, 2009 5:19 PM by KRAIN - Commercial and Residential Real Estate | 0 Comments

• Signs Point to Improving Economy

  Certain indicators, such as single-family home sales and unemployment claims, suggest that the economy might start to improve soon. Read more > Read More... Posted Friday, April 17, 2009 5:08 PM by KRAIN - Commercial and Residential Real Estate | 0 Comments

• 2nd Largest Mall Owner Bankrupt

  When General Growth Properties Inc. filed Chapter 11 this week, it marked the largest bankruptcy in the history of U.S. real estate. Read more > Read More... Posted Friday, April 17, 2009 5:08 PM by KRAIN - Commercial and Residential Real Estate | 0 Comments

• Some Cities Feel More Pain Than Others

  Forbes magazine evaluated economic conditions in the 50 largest metro areas and identified 10 areas where the cost of living and unemployment are highest. Read more > Read More... Posted Friday, April 17, 2009 5:07 PM by KRAIN - Commercial and Residential Real Estate | 0 Comments

• States Contemplate Loans for Home Buyers

  New York and Missouri hope to adopt plans to offer loans against the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit. Read more > Read More... Posted Friday, April 17, 2009 5:06 PM by KRAIN - Commercial and Residential Real Estate | 0 Comments

• Banks Likely to Ramp Up Foreclosures

  Mortgage companies are expected to lift their moratoriums on repossessing homes as they determine which troubled borrowers cannot be helped. Read more > Read More... Posted Friday, April 17, 2009 5:06 PM by KRAIN - Commercial and Residential Real Estate | 0 Comments

• ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE CTA

  To upgrade tracks along the Blue Line Dearborn Street Subway, work will be performed that may affect your community. While progress sometimes comes with inconveniences, we will do our best to keep the inconveniences to a minimum. Dates : Weekends Only Read More... Posted Thursday, April 16, 2009 1:44 PM by KRAIN - Commercial and Residential Real Estate | 0 Comments

• IRS Tax Info Related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

  The IRS has developed a page specific to tax components of the stimulus bill . Read More... Posted Tuesday, April 14, 2009 5:07 PM by KRAIN - Commercial and Residential Real Estate | 0 Comments

• Section 8 Property Tax Savings Program

  Landlords who are in northeastern Illinois and who are interested in renting their units to Section 8 voucher holders can save up to 19 percent on their property tax bill. Qualifying landlords in certain areas of the Chicago area can realize tax savings Read More... Posted Tuesday, April 14, 2009 5:06 PM by KRAIN - Commercial and Residential Real Estate | 0 Comments

• Wins for Homeowners in April 7 Elections

  The efforts of the Illinois Association of Realtors Advocacy Program paid off for homeowners in last week’s elections. Home rule powers were voted down in both Lynwood and South Chicago Heights referenda while voters in Countryside voted against Read More... Posted Tuesday, April 14, 2009 4:56 PM by KRAIN - Commercial and Residential Real Estate | 0 Comments

• Midwest Sees Gains in Pending Home Sales

  According to NAR’s latest Pending Home Sales Index, pending sales in the Midwest jumped 14.5 percent in February and is 3.4 percent higher than February 2008. Read More... Posted Tuesday, April 07, 2009 5:00 PM by KRAIN - Commercial and Residential Real Estate | 0 Comments

• Gov. Quinn Signs Foreclosure Bill

  Troubled Illinois homeowners facing foreclosure will get up to a 90-day grace period under a law signed by Quinn on Sunday. Public Act 95-1047 gives homeowners more time to work with lenders and housing counselors to avoid foreclosure. Read More... Posted Tuesday, April 07, 2009 4:59 PM by KRAIN - Commercial and Residential Real Estate | 0 Comments

• Government Targets Mortgage Modification Scams

  Chicago Tribune reports a government crackdown on the growing number of mortgage “rescue” scams. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan files lawsuits against Chicago-area schemes. Read IAR’s article on mortgage fraud schemes. Read More... Posted Tuesday, April 07, 2009 4:59 PM by KRAIN - Commercial and Residential Real Estate | 0 Comments

• 1st Ward Recycling Education Meeting

  Learn how to set up a recycling program in your Building! You can also read more about City recycling programs here . When: April 8th for residents without City garbage service April 14th for property management companies of multi-unit buildings 11 a.m.-12 Read More... Posted Tuesday, April 07, 2009 11:45 AM by KRAIN - Commercial and Residential Real Estate | 0 Comments

• CTA's Blue Line Improvement Project

  I'd like to remind you all of the upcoming community meeting on Saturday April 11th from 12:30 to 2:30 pm in the gymnasium at the Wicker Park Field House , to discuss the CTA's Blue Line improvement project and how it will affect our ward. Funds Read More... Posted Tuesday, April 07, 2009 11:38 AM by KRAIN - Commercial and Residential Real Estate | 0 Comments