Author Archives: markdollardrealty

About markdollardrealty

Mark has built a reputation as a responsive and dedicated broker who uses his market expertise and extensive background in finance to identify and close on prime opportunities for his clients. As a multi-year top-producing agent at a boutique real estate firm, he brings an unparalleled level of experience, skills, and customer service to real estate transactions. Whether working with a first-time condo buyer or selling a multi-million dollar investment property, Mark strives to understand each client's unique needs and leads them confidently through all aspects of what is often a complex process. Constantly looking at the long-term benefits, Mark educates his clients with their future in mind, and remains a trusted advisor long after any single transaction has closed.

It’s Easier to Win a Race When You are the Only One Running It (Great Deals are Found by Going Against the Grain)

Posted on November 10, 2011 by markdollardrealty

Economic theory and academic practice spends a lot of time on the subject of the business cycle and how to smooth it out.  The idea is that there is going to be a natural up and down to the economy, … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago, Economics, Investing, Landlord, Mortgages, Real Estate, Real Estate Trends, Rental | Leave a comment

Bad Puns and Great Buildings: Wicker Park-itecture

Posted on November 3, 2011 by markdollardrealty

One of the great attributes of Wicker Park and Bucktown is the wide range of architecture in both neighborhoods.  This is going to be the first in a line of pictures and descriptions of some interesting buildings that dot the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Arts, Bars, Chicago, Neighborhoods, Real Estate, Wicker Park | 2 Comments

Equity, Inventory Control and Human Behavior (The New Mortgage Programs)

Posted on October 31, 2011 by markdollardrealty

Earlier this week, the federal government announced a new program designed to help struggling homeowners with their mortgages. Here is a link to an article that details the situation pretty well: http://money.cnn.com/2011/10/24/real_estate/housing_refinance/index.htm. It’s not my goal to provide the nuts … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Mortgages, Real Estate, Real Estate Trends | Leave a comment

Be a Producer (or Consumer): A Guide to Chicago Music Venues from a Musician’s (and Avid Music Fan’s) Perspective

Posted on October 24, 2011 by markdollardrealty

Chicago has oodles of music venues.  I don’t want to say that it’s too many to count because that’s not true.  I just don’t want to go to the trouble to try and count them.  Music is a very important … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts, Bars, Beer, Bucktown, Chicago, Lincoln Park, Local Bands, Music, Wicker Park | 2 Comments

Bug-Eyed in Bucktown and Wicker Park, Guide to Local Coffee #3: Bagel on Damen

Posted on October 14, 2011 by markdollardrealty

Wicker Park arguably has the best neighborhood selection of coffee places in Chicago.  Options abound from the ubiquitous Dunkin’ Donuts/Starbucks (they don’t deserve a spot in this review because plenty has been written about both of these places) to one … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Bug-Eyed in Bucktown and Wicker Park, Guide to Local Coffee #2: Caffe Streets

Posted on October 7, 2011 by markdollardrealty

Wicker Park arguably has the best neighborhood selection of coffee places in Chicago.  Options abound from the ubiquitous Dunkin’ Donuts/Starbucks (they don’t deserve a spot in this review because plenty has been written about both of these places) to one … Continue reading →

Posted in Bucktown, Chicago, Coffee, Espresso, Neighborhoods | Leave a comment

Own Your Neighborhood Guide #2: A Surprisingly Stable Overview of Lincoln Park

Posted on October 4, 2011 by markdollardrealty

Long-time residents of Chicago can attest: the transformation of much of Lincoln Park over the last 20 years has been remarkable.  Take for example the area around North and Clybourn.  In the early 90’s, one would be likely to see … Continue reading →

Posted in Bars, Beer, Chicago, Dining, Goose Island, Lincoln Park, Neighborhoods, Real Estate, Real Estate Trends | Leave a comment

Bug-Eyed in Bucktown and Wicker Park, Guide to Local Coffee #1: Filter

Posted on September 30, 2011 by markdollardrealty

Intro Wicker Park arguably has the best neighborhood selection of coffee places in Chicago.  Options abound from the ubiquitous Dunkin’ Donuts/Starbucks (they don’t deserve a spot in this review because plenty has been written about both of these places) to … Continue reading →

Posted in Bucktown, Coffee, Dining, Espresso, Neighborhoods, Wicker Park | Leave a comment

Own Your Neighborhood Guide #1: A Princely Look at Noble Square / West Town

Posted on September 26, 2011 by markdollardrealty

I personally get the feeling that Noble Square/West Town is the least-known neighborhood combo (I put them together because they are each pretty small) in the near north/west part of Chicago.  This is totally unscientific, but it’s just that I … Continue reading →

Posted in Bars, Beer, Bib Gourmand, Chicago, Coffee, Dining, Neighborhoods, Noble Square, Real Estate, Real Estate Trends, Three Little Pigs, West Town, Whiskey, Wicker Park | Leave a comment

You Might Have to Earmuff It While Drinking Your Coffee in WPB: Cussing Cozies

Posted on September 16, 2011 by markdollardrealty

Actually, it might be eyemuff?!?!  Wicker Park/Bucktown has a thriving art scene and some signs of a stronger-than-expected economy, and we here at DNS like to see those worlds collide in a new way.  One of the ways this can … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts, Economics, Fashion | Leave a comment