Walker Robinson Jr - RE/MAX Premier
Stop paying your landlord's mortgage! 🏠 Chicago Rent vs. Buy 2026
If you just received your 2026 lease renewal and your rent is spiking again, you have a choice to make. While rental prices are still climbing, mortgage rates in Chicago have dipped into the 5% range, making the monthly cost of owning a home closer to renting than it’s been in years.
In this video, I’m breaking down:
The 2026 Rental Reality: "Slowing down" rent hikes still means more money out of your pocket.
The $15,000 Advantage: Details on the reopened Illinois first-time homebuyer program (up to $15k or 6% for down payments/closing costs).
Rent vs. Buy Math: How a mortgage, taxes, and HOA might actually fit your current rental budget.
Stop renewing by default. If your lease is up this spring, let’s look at your actual options in your favorite Chicago neighborhoods.
👉 READY TO EXPLORE? DM me your current rent and desired neighborhood, or email me to see if you qualify for the $15k grant: [email protected]
02/18/2026
Love this
The City Council on Wednesday gave final zoning approval to Foundry Park, JDL Development’s new and scaled-back vision for North Side industrial land along the Chicago River that once was supposed to be home to the Lincoln Yards megaproject.
02/11/2026
Chicago Market Update | Week Ending January 31, 2026
The market pulled back slightly in new activity this week, but inventory continues to tighten — especially on the condo side. Even with fewer new listings coming online, supply remains historically low, which continues to support pricing across many Chicago neighborhoods.
🏡 New Listings
Detached: 187 (↓ 24.6% YoY)
Attached: 319 (↓ 14.9% YoY)
📈 Under Contract
Detached: 139 (↓ 8.6% YoY)
Attached: 243 (↓ 18.7% YoY)
📉 Inventory
Detached: 1,386 homes (↓ 19.3% YoY)
Attached: 1,694 homes (↓ 28.4% YoY)
Months of supply remains very tight at 2.0 months for detached and 1.5 months for attached homes
— well below balanced market levels.
Bottom line: inventory is still shrinking. When well-priced properties hit the market, they continue to attract serious buyers.
If you’d like a breakdown for your specific neighborhood — Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Gold Coast, Edgewater, Andersonville, Uptown, or the North Shore — send me a message and I’ll run the numbers.
02/04/2026
Chicago Market Update | Week Ending January 24, 2026
The Chicago real estate market is staying active — even with fewer homes coming on the market. This seasonal slowdown in new listings is normal for winter, but what’s notable is how quickly buyers are stepping in when good properties become available. With inventory already tight across much of the city, we’re seeing the early signs of a competitive spring market taking shape.
🏡 New Listings
Detached: 178 (↓ 17.6%)
Attached: 268 (↓ 33.5%)
📈 Under Contract
Detached: 157 (↑ 22.7%)
Attached: 261 (↑ 9.7%)
📉 Inventory
Detached: 1,416 homes (↓ 18.7%)
Attached: 1,725 homes (↓ 26.7%)
Bottom line: fewer homes for sale + strong buyer activity = well-priced properties moving fast.
Curious how this is impacting your specific neighborhood — Lakeview, Edgewater, Andersonville, Uptown, or elsewhere in Chicago?
Send me a message or comment below and I’m happy to share local insights.
01/28/2026
Chicago Real Estate Alert: The Inventory Squeeze is Real!
If you’ve been searching for a condo or townhome in the city, you’ve likely felt the competition heating up. The latest data for mid-January 2026 shows a massive 28.0% drop in available attached home inventory compared to last year.
What you need to know right now:
Prices are climbing.
The median sales price for attached homes rose to $380,005 in December.
Homes are moving faster.
Average market time has decreased to just 65 days.
Sellers are winning.
On average, sellers are receiving 97.3% of their original asking price.
Rates are helping.
With mortgage rates dipping to 6.06%, more buyers are entering the market, further tightening available supply.
The Bottom Line:
In a low-inventory market, having a proactive strategy is everything. Whether you're looking to beat out the competition for your dream loft or wondering what your current home is worth in this tight market, Walker Robinson RE/MAX Premier has the local expertise to guide you.
DM me today for a custom market report on your specific Chicago neighborhood.
01/24/2026
Love this for Edgewater Beach = but as you know, I always think it should be bigger/taller.
Emanuel Congregation's lakefront synagogue would be demolished and replaced with a 12-story building that features a new place of worship, apartments and a potential cafe.
01/19/2026
More New Construction in Uptown Chicago
Plans Approved For Mixed-Use Development In Uptown - Chicago YIMBY Plans have been revealed and approved for a new mixed-use development at 4725 North Clifton Avenue in Uptown.
12/25/2025
Closed on Christmas Eve: 4133 N Kenmore Ave, Unit 2E | Buena Park, Chicago
After nearly three months under contract, I’m proud to say 4133 N Kenmore Ave, Unit 2E officially closed—on Christmas Eve, no less. This was not a simple transaction, and it’s a good example of what it really takes to get a deal across the finish line in today’s Chicago condo market.
From the start, this deal required persistence, problem-solving, and steady negotiation. Over the course of the contract period, we worked through financing hurdles, condo-conversion details, buyer and lender concerns, and the kind of timing issues that can easily derail a transaction if not handled carefully. Every step required coordination between attorneys, lenders, the developer, and all parties involved—often with tight deadlines and little margin for error.
What made this closing especially challenging was the length of the escrow combined with year-end pressure. Keeping momentum over three months means constant follow-up, clear communication, and knowing when to push and when to recalibrate strategy. Deals like this don’t close by accident—they close because someone stays engaged all the way through.
Unit 2E itself is a standout Buena Park condo: a modern duplex-down with high-end finishes, garage parking, and a private rooftop deck—steps from Wrigley Field, the lakefront, and transit. Getting it closed required matching the right buyer with the right expectations and navigating the realities of a complex new-construction condo transaction in Chicago.
Closing on Christmas Eve was the final proof point: persistence matters. For buyers and sellers alike, this is why experienced representation is critical—especially when a deal isn’t easy.
If you’re considering buying or selling a condo in Buena Park, Lakeview, or anywhere on Chicago’s North Side—and want someone who knows how to handle the tough ones—I’m always happy to talk.
https://www.facebook.com/walkerrobinsonremaxpremier
Walker Robinson Jr - RE/MAX Premier Real estate isn’t just about buying or selling—it’s about building futures. With $69M+ in sales & 183 homes closed, I’ve spent 12+ years helping Chicago buyers, sellers & investors find their next chapter in this amazing city.
10/12/2025
Stopped at Wrigleville Dogs to grab a quick bite yesterday; I’ve gone by here for over 20 years and neber really gave it a second look, what a mistake. The grilled chicken sandwich was exceptional! Thought I’d stop back and have another. ❤️
Fall is here, brr; few thoughts on the market; update on my business and go cubs go!
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