Chicago considers eminent domain to curb foreclosures

Aug. 20, 2012
What is eminent domain anyway? An idea that the Chicago City Council is considering to fight foreclosures but that probably won't get far, given Mayor Rahm Emanuel's disinterest.

Hot neighborhood, hotter rental market

Aug. 6, 2012
The end of summer is always one of the busiest times for the Chicago rental market. Tenants looking to move in September 1st usually start their apartment search around now. But as WBEZ found out, this year those renters might be too late.

Real estate report shows signs of improvement

Jul. 9, 2012
Dennis Rodkin and Bob Floss join Eight Forty-Eight on Monday to discuss the health of Chicago's real estate market. Rodkin does concede that there have been some positive changes on the market recently, but Chicago isn't improving at the same rate as other cities.

Aging boomers, elderly face difficult housing market

Jun. 11, 2012
In the boom years, retirees could depend on real estate to bankroll their retirement. But sinking property values have changed the equation for “last-time” owners, retirees and seniors looking to sell their homes.

Give the people what they want: A walkable city

Jun. 4, 2012
It was less than two decades ago that having a car and a garage in the suburbs to park it in was the hallmark of affluence. But a new study explores whether the re-urbanization of city centers and broader cultural shift towards diverse-use, walkable neighborhoods might be permanent.

The pros and cons of short sales

May. 22, 2012
In January, short sales outpaced foreclosures for the first time. If you’re one of the 11 million homeowners with underwater mortgages, you have two main options: Go into foreclosure or ask your lender to agree to a short sale.

In housing slump, more opting to rent

May. 14, 2012
For the first time in the U.S. since the 1980s, it’s cheaper to buy a home than it is to rent. You’d think that would be cause enough for bargain hunters to buy up cheap, undervalued properties, but many would-be homeowners are still hesitating.

Deal Estate columnist answers your housing-related questions

Apr. 26, 2012
With home prices in the Chicago area down 6.9 percent from a year ago, we know a lot of folks have real-estate-related questions. Dennis Rodkin, who writes the Deal Estate column and blog for Chicago magazine, has answers, or at least he can try. If you have questions about economic trends, housing policy, selling your home or more, call Eight Forty-Eight's 24-hour hotline at 855.848.5551. He'll get to as many of your questions as he can on Monday's show.

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