The following blog entry was contributed by: Sam Marts and Dina Petrakis - he's Bucktown, she's Wicker Park - who compare their two ‘hoods.

Urban density created the townhouse - attached homes strung together on a series of lots, to maximize land usage (or profit to the developer, depending on who you ask).  

Some townhouses aren’t any bigger than a single story apartment, but offer the feel of a stand alone home plus an individual address.  Today we look at two newer townhouse developments, one in Bucktown and one in Wicker Park.

This Bucktown townhouse development uses modern materials and contrasting color to emphasize both verticality and rhythm.  

The red corrugated metal (typically used industrially) both defines the separate units and ties them together like marching soldiers.  The chimney stacks mark the centers of each townhouse and punctuate the sky.

The rhythm is A-A-A-A, a modern, almost industrial approach.  

This Wicker Park townhouse development was informed by the historic architecture in its surroundings.  

The brick material is uniform overall but has different cornice details and window styles to distinguish the units. The building exhibits the renaissance tradition of different windows on each level- creating base, piano nobile, and domestic (bedroom) levels. The arched openings book-end the sides and the rectangular, metal canopy delineates the center. Further distinguishing the units is a difference in elevation, with the center units set back.

The rhythm is A-B-A, a beaux-arts tradition.

So- just like your neighbors or just a little different- how do you like your ducks in a row? Bucktown or Wicker Park for you?

 

The following blog entry was contributed by: Sam Marts and Dina Petrakis
- he's Bucktown, she's Wicker Park - who compare their two ‘hoods.

Today we take a peek at two homes of more moderate size, for those of you working your way up to a Bucktown or Wicker Park Mansion- or who prefer a smaller footprint.  The approach of these two homes is dramatically different, in part due to their location- and the timing of their “remodelation”.  

This Bucktown cottage has been enlarged and modernized, maintaining most of the original façade.  The slot window at the top and the picture window at the parlor both increase the visual scale of the cottage and announce their modernity with new shapes.  The most dramatic element is the second-story addition with a contrasting glass and metal wall in totally contemporary mode.  This would not be allowed in a Landmark District and wouldn’t look congruous there.  Had this renovation been more recent, it might have been a tear-down- or certainly would be a larger addition.  Today, the modest scale has a place in the market again.

This Wicker Park two-flat has elements which actually make it appear cottage-like by reducing the scale of the upper level; the roof of the bay window and the canopy over the entrance come forward and the second story visually recedes.   The cornice is original but the porch was reconstructed using picturesque elements as fitting this Landmark District and similar to surrounding buildings.  An addition on this property would most likely be limited to the rear of the structure by Landmarks- and a tear-down would be prohibited.  The scale of properties in Landmark Districts is more static- and appeals to those who appreciate both size and aesthetic.

So which is YOUR pick, “anything goes” Bucktown or “my way or the highway” Wicker Park?

This blog was contributed by Demetrius Simpson. He is a Chicago native, sits on the Wicker Park & Bucktown Chamber Board of Directors, sits on the Bucktown Community Organization (BCO) Board of Directors, and is a Realtor with Sergio & Banks Real Estate.

Since the 1800’s, the Wicker Park & Bucktown communities have been a melting pot of cultures.

German, Scandinavian, Eastern European, African and Spanish descended cultures all played a role in shaping the Wicker Park & Bucktown neighborhoods and the architecture that we know today.

In 1800, the neighborhoods now known as Wicker Park & Bucktown were a dense, marshy forest full of wildlife. It was an isolated area on the outskirts of the City of Chicago, connected to the City primarily by the Indian trail known today as Milwaukee Avenue. 

It was The Great Chicago Fire in 1871 that sent a wave of settlers into the WPB areas,

As the fire left seventy three miles of Chicago streets and 17,450 buildings destroyed and a third of the city’s population homeless.Affluent German and Scandinavian immigrants settled in Wicker Park, away from the ashes of the once thriving neighborhoods to the east. They built large homes made almost entirely of brick and stone, as a response to the vulnerability of wood frame homes to fire. By 1895, homes built in the Italianate and Victorian Gothic styles, to name a few, circled the four acre park donated to the city by developers Charles and Joel Wicker, after which the park, Wicker Park, and eventually the neighborhood were named. Wicker Park was the showplace of architectural styles during the 1890’s. Many of these homes still stand today and are located within Wicker Park’s Landmark District.

As we begin 2012, we still find ourselves currently in a Buyer’s Market when it comes to the real estate industry. As with so many things in life, a Buyer’s Market can be looked upon in two main ways--- glass half empty, or half full. 

A Buyer’s Market can be seen as a great time to buy a house, especially for new and first-time homebuyers. Prices are lower, and mortgage rates are falling as well. There are countless homes on the market, and sellers are ready for a turn-over.  
On the other hand, in a Buyer’s Market it is often uncertain whether prices may go down even lower in a few months, so many people choose to “wait it out.”

It is my opinion that a positive outlook on the market is the best for everyone. With that in mind, if you do plan on buying a home in today’s Buyer’s Market, follow these tips to help guide you along the way.
 

When It’s Right, It’s Right

If you have found your “dream house,” buy it. When you are serious about buying a house (or condo, or what have you), this is the ultimate goal. With that mentality, if you believe you have found the perfect property for you and your needs, do not hesitate to make an offer. You have to make the decision whether you want to be a passive home “browser” or an active homebuyer. 
You will find that you are more likely to succeed by being an active homebuyer, rather than possibly waiting in vain for prices to drop or change to the liking of your pocketbook. 

Negotiate

You must remember there is always room for negotiation, and there is ample room now more than ever! Don’t simply negotiate with the seller. Nowadays many buyers agents are also willing to negotiate a portion of their commission to the buyer upon closing. The important thing is to know your own limits and sway others to help you maintain those limits. 

Get Online

Everything is on the internet. Your home is no exception to this. If you are selling your property, market your home online through websites such as Zillow or Craigslist. You can even promote your property on social networking sites. If you are looking to buy a home, or any property, these online sites can be amazing resources for your home buying search. 

Gimmicks Don’t Sell Property

You are buying a home, not trying to win a goldfish at a carnival. In some cases, when markets are less prosperous, agents and selling parties may resort to certain gimmicks in attempt to “sweeten the deal.” Gimmicks can also take the shape of “magic loans.” Avoid ay-option ARMs and interest-only loans. 
 
Like anything else, it is important to stick to your guns and trust your instincts.