North of downtown Chicago and south of Lincoln Park, this charming neighborhood is a prime location for those looking for a Chicago home in the city that retains a residential feel. Old Town holds onto the vintage vibe created by its history (some real estate buildings date back to the Chicago fires) but remains hip with boutique shopping, trendy restaurants and its close location to Michigan Avenue, North Avenue beach and the Lincoln Park Zoo.

The neighborhood is also home to Second City, the leading name in sketch comedy that has produced alumni like Tina Fey and Chris Farley. Old Town is also famous for its Old Town Art Fair, a popular June event that showcases the work of more than 250 artists, from amateurs to professional work. Boutique shops line much of Old Town’s shopping district, and the upscale stores of Gold Coast and Michigan Avenue are a quick walk away.

Chicago homes for sale in Old Town offer something for everyone: unique architecture, high-rise buildings with lake views, brick construction, townhomes, condos, single-family homes and more. Even though the neighborhood is known for being one of Chicago’s most historic, there are also new construction homes available and at many different price ranges. Plus, Old Town has the best of both worlds with its residential neighborhood vibe with the bustle of the city just a short walk away.

Here are just a few examples of what Old Town brings to real estate in Chicago:

1300 block of N Mohawk St.
List price: $2,190,000
This new construction building occupies three floors and 5,400 square feet, plus whole-house automation, a 200-square foot roof terrace and stellar downtown views.

1700 block of N Wells St
List price: $304,300
For those looking for a Chicago condo, this Chicago home for sale feels like a townhome but with all the amenities of a high-rise building.

1400 block of N Wieland St.
List price: $1,499,000
In the middle of Old Town, this luxury property is five stories, four bedrooms with an indoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi and a gourmet kitchen.

100 block of W Eugenie St.
List price: $1,475,000
If you like the character of a vintage building but want modern updates, this 4-bedroom row home offers wood floors, two roof decks and an open floor plan.

1700 block of N Sedgwick
List price: $1,425,000
A single-family, 3-bedroom home renovated by a top designer to include fine architectural details.

200 block of St. Paul Ave.
List price: $675,000
This first-floor vintage duplex has 3 bedrooms, 2 ½ baths and character details like stained-glass windows and pocket doors.

300 block of Scott St.
List price: $329,000
A mid-rise walk-up, this 2 bedroom has 9-foot ceilings, a private balcony and and parking included.

1400 block of N Wieland St.
List price: $989,000
This gated Chicago townhome has been remodeled to include details like a limestone entryway, 3 designer marble baths, crown moldings and hardwood floors.

400 block of W Wisconsin
List price: $999,000
This 3-bedroom townhome features high ceilings, an attached garage and is located in the Lincoln School District.

Old Town is a great neighborhood for buyers looking for options in Chicago real estate. Whether you’re looking for a Chicago condo, new construction, or single-family home, these choices are easy to find in this neighborhood.

If you’d like to learn more about any of the above properties or learn more about Chicago’s Old Town, contact agent Sheldon Salnick at (312) 264-5853 or email him at ssalnick@rubloff.com.

This week, the Department of Commerce released housing data for the month of April, and while overall housing starts dropped by 12.8 percent since March to an annual rate of 458,000 new homes, construction of single-family homes were up 2.8 percent to 368,000.

This is the second consecutive month that single-family home starts saw a increase, which many see as a sign that the residential construction industry is starting to recover.

“With some of the best home-buying conditions of a lifetime now in place – including historically low mortgage rates, affordable prices and a first-time home buyer tax credit –   single-family builders are starting to see the light on the horizon as more consumers realize they can now obtain the home of their dreams,” said Joe Robson, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders, in a press release.

Furthermore, the issuance of single-family permits rose 3.6 percent to 373,000 units, which indicates that this upward turn will only continue.

According to the Wall Street Journal, economists believe that single-family construction data are the best way to determine the viability of the housing market. In addition, builders see new construction as a reliable indicator that the real estate market is bottoming out.

In contrast, multi-family home starts decreased 46 percent to 90,000, an all-time low, and permits fell almost 20 percent. Overall new-home construction dropped 21.4 percent in the Midwest.

The housing market hasn’t completely recovered, but these single-family home construction figures shed some light on an otherwise ominous picture.

To find out about new single-family homes in Chicago please contact Chicago real estate agent Sheldon Salnick by calling (312) 264-5853 or emailing ssalnick@rubloff.com.