Broker Open Tuesday

Tuesdays in Chicago is Broker Tour day. Realtors that want to increase their exposure to other brokers in the area all hold their listings open on Tuesday around Lunchtime. In addition to getting fed, this is a great opportunity to snoop, check out the competition or live vicariously - depending on your mood.

In our neighborhood, a developer has sandwiched eleven ultra-luxurious single family homes in between the back of the Office Max and the McDonald's drive through. Mind you - across the street, the neighborhood is tranquil and residential - it's just that these are literally on the wrong side of street.

In any case, The Estates at Columbia Place had their first Broker Tour today and offered tours inside three of the eleven homes. Each house was about the same size - approximately 6,000 square feet. Each featured 11 rooms, six bedrooms and five-and-a-half baths. The pricing - $2,425,000, $2,525,000, and $2,595,000 - differs only with the level of finishes that each home contains. The most expensive one with an elevator.

Something you don't see very often in Chicago is a clubhouse dedicated to the use of just the eleven homes in the development. Promotional materials indicate there will be an indoor pool, a deckside whirlpool and a fitness equipment room. We snuck inside for a quick peek.

By our estimate, the three homes that were open for viewing today could be ready for occupancy in a matter of a couple weeks. We will be looking forward to seeing whether the homes that are rumored to be sold will have new residents moving in, or whether they are sold to speculators who may have a bit of a wait before new buyers come into the picture.