In the before times, I used to pride myself on my ability to successfully gauge a buyer’s interest in a property by their facial expressions when they toured it. They’d grin with knee-jerk delight; they’d grimace; they'd smirk, scowl or purse their lips. With rare exceptions, I was able to successfully translate all these facial cues into feedback for the seller - and potentially into a negotiating strategy.
But then masks changed all of that. With the majority of their faces shielded from savvy real estate brokers, buyers seized the opportunity to throw me off my A-game and impede my mojo. They were able to completely hide their reactions and emotions, forcing me to look more closely at other clues: eyebrows, spoken words/questions, body language. Ugh, tough stuff.
Now with COVID cases on the decline and the mask mandate lifted, the game is over; you can hide from me no longer. I will notice every expression of joy, every snicker, every lip-pucker. I will pick up on every signal, every twinkle, every damn cue to the buyer’s partner indicating “this house is for me.”
Even though I truly enjoy seeing people smile again after this long grumpy stretch, I am mostly appreciative that one of my listing tools has been restored. Beware - I’m on to you.
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Brave the cold and head to North Avenue Beach this March for the return of the Chicago Polar Plunge, which sends thousands of shivering participants into the icy waters of Lake Michigan to raise money for the Special Olympics Chicago. Can't make it to North Aveunue this year? The fundraiser is also offering a virtual edition (as it did in 2021), giving you some creative freedom to jump into a snow bank, a cold shower or pour a bucket of water over your head as you support Chicago's Special Olympians.
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Head to West Town/River West to Chopin Theater and see Hell in a Handbag Productions adaptation of the 1956 horror-thriller movie The Bad Seed. This raucous stage parody centers around Carson, a little boy who's "deadly serious about crowns and pronouns," and their doting mother—written by artistic director David Cerda. A
udience members are required to wear masks and provide proof of vaccination or, for those with exemptions including children, a negative test certification upon entry.
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7 Bed | 4 Bath Lakewood/Balmoral
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4 Bed | 3 Bath East Lakeview
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2440 N. Lakeview Ave, #2B
3 Bed | 2.1 Bath Lincoln Park
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3 Bed | 2.1 Bath East Lakeview
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2652 N. Southport Ave, #E
2 Bed | 2.1 Bath Lincoln Park
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3430 N. Lake Shore Dr, #15P
2 Bed | 2 Bath East Lakeview
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3 Bed | 3.1 Bath Michigan Avenue
Amazing home in the sky with mesmerizing views.
To be offered at $1,975,000
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3 Bed | 4.1 Bath East Lakeview
Dreamy vintage SFH with unexpected delights at every turn.
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3400 N. Lake Shore Dr, #2D
4 Bed | 3.1 Bath East Lakeview
Beautiful sunlit residence redesigned and reimagined for gracious living and entertaining.
To be offered at $1,299,000
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2751 N. Greenview Ave, #F
5 Bed | 4.1 Bath Lincoln Park
Wonderful private 3,900 sq. ft. townhouse
with 2-car attached garage
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3 Bed | 2.1 Bath Michigan Avenue
Unbelievable opportunity: partially gutted 2700 sq. ft. southeast corner home offered at a huge discount.
To be offered at $1,195,000
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6 Bed | 4.1 Bath Lakeview
Amazing single family home
on
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900 N. Lake Shore Dr, #1109-1111
3 Bed | 2.1 Bath Streeterville
Mies reimagined in knock-out
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Modern. Vintage. Architectural. Cool.
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And everything in between.
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Check out previous "Into the Weekends" here.
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© Compass 2022 ¦ All Rights Reserved by Compass ¦ Made in NYC
Compass Real Estate is a Licensed Real Estate Broker with a principal office in New York, NY and abides by all applicable equal housing opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only, is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, and changes without notice. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of real estate brokerage.
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