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Where Cops Live: NORTHWEST SIDE
Real-estate trends and market conditions in Chicago
Want to take the temperature of the hous- ing industry? The best place to go might pos- sibly be a car dealership. Yes, you read that correctly. There is a strong correlation be- tween the real estate market and auto sales, especially when it comes to the most iconic American vehicle of all - the pickup truck.
Analysts at TD Economics forecast that the trucks will be the standout vehicles for the next few years. That’s because pickups are the work- horse of the construction industry. As home-building activity picks up, construction companies hire more
people. Workers then buy trucks to get those jobs done. Building supply retailers have benefited from rising home prices, combined with job, wage and credit growth that has prompted consumers to spend more on im- proving their homes. Lacey Plache, the chief economist
for the auto website Edmunds.com, said she expects the rebound in housing to “keep on truckin’.” (Couldn’t re- sist that one.)
Despite the city of Chicago’s financial woes, the real estate market continues to rise in most Chicago neigh- borhoods. The fact of the matter is, with the amenities Chicago has to offer in public transportation, restaurants and a few other areas, it is second to none. Thrillest.com reports: “Chicago is the best in comedy acts, drinking establishments, pizza, brunch, professional sports and best city to move to. Not to mention the people.”
“The Chicago market is seeing sustained, steady in- creases in both sales and prices,” said Dan Wagner, pres- ident of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® and senior vice president for governmental relations for the Inland Real Estate Group of Companies. “To have a Jan-
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DYMPNA FAY-HART
60 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ APRIL 2016