Notes on the Downtown Chicago Condo Market
Practical writing on the mechanics of buying, selling, and owning a downtown Chicago condominium — reserve funds and special assessments, rental caps, parking, financing, and the due-diligence questions that actually decide a purchase. Written for people who want to understand how this market works before they move in it.
How Long Does It Take to Sell a 2-Bedroom Condo in Downtown Chicago Right Now?
Market data — Q2 2026 How Long Does It Take to Sell a 2-Bedroom Condo in Downtown Chicago Right Now? Downtown Chicago 2-bedroom condos had a median market time of 31 days over the trailing 12 months. A year ago, it was 42 days Over the prior 12-month period, downtown Chicago 2-bedroom condos had a
River North vs. West Loop for a 2BR: How Market Time Compares
For buyers — orientation River North vs. West Loop for a 2BR: How Market Time Compares If you're deciding between a 2BR downtown condo in River North and one in West Loop, here's the answer before the explanation: over the trailing 12 months, River North 2BR highrise condos had a median market tim
Right-Sizing Within Downtown: What to Weigh Before Moving to a Smaller Unit
For sellers — situation Right-Sizing Within Downtown: What to Weigh Before Moving to a Smaller Unit I hear a version of this from downtown owners often: the kids are gone, the entertaining has slowed down, and the unit that made sense a decade ago now feels like more home than they want to manage.
River North 2BR Condos Are Selling 21.5 Days Faster Than Last Year
Market data — Q2 2026 River North 2BR Condos Are Selling 21.5 Days Faster Than Last Year Over the trailing 12 months, River North two-bedroom highrise condos carried a median market time of 31 days, down from 52.5 days in the prior 12-month period — a 21.5-day decrease. The Number That Moved In Ri
Rental Caps Explained: What a Capped Building Means for Your Downtown Condo Search
For buyers — due diligence What a Rental Cap Means for Your Downtown Condo Search "Rental cap" gets used loosely in downtown condo listings, and the loose usage causes real confusion. A cap is not a ban, it does not affect every buyer the same way, and its practical weight depends on questions mos
Selling a Downtown Condo You Inherited: Where to Start
For sellers — situation Selling a Downtown Condo You Inherited: Where to Start You've inherited a downtown condo, and along with it, a decision you didn't ask to make. This isn't a windfall you get to sit on — it's a unit that needs someone to decide what happens to it, on a timeline that isn't en
Downtown Chicago 4+BR Condos: Why 50 Days on Market Doesn't Mean What It Looks Like
Market data — Q2 2026 Downtown Chicago 4+BR Condos: Why 50 Days on Market Doesn't Mean What It Looks Like Downtown Chicago 4+ bedroom condos had a median market time of 50 days over the trailing 12 months, compared with 101.5 days in the prior 12-month period. Both figures rest on a thin sample —
Buying a Downtown Chicago 2BR Right Now: What's Actually Changed Since Last Year
For buyers — due diligence Buying a Downtown Chicago 2BR Right Now: What's Actually Changed Since Last Year Two figures moved for downtown Chicago 2BR condos over the past year, and they change what a buyer should expect walking into a search right now. The Two Numbers That Moved The median time a
Outgrowing Your Downtown Condo? Selling a 3BR Is Moving Faster Than It Used To
For sellers — situation Outgrowing Your Downtown Condo? Selling Is Moving Faster Than It Used To The downtown condo that made sense when you bought it isn't the one you need now. That means it's worth knowing what selling actually looks like right now. You've Outgrown the Space I hear a version of