The Presidential, updated Evanston apartments in a great location

U.S. Bank Helps Preserve Minneapolis’ History

Here's part of the story. 

The historic Plymouth Building in downtown Minneapolis will be converted into a 290-room Embassy Suites by Hilton hotel, in part through a $65 million investment by U.S. Bank, the Minneapolis-based lender announced Tuesday.
U.S. Bank reportedly provided $65 million in construction and acquisition loans partially replaced by $16.2 million in equity raised by federal historic tax credits to renovate the 12-story, 384,000-square-foot office building, at 12 S. Sixth St. and Hennepin Avenue.
The project’s total acquisition and renovation cost is $109.6 million.
“With the Plymouth Building’s close proximity to the Target Center and the Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine Center, this development will increase hotel options downtown and drive economic activity for Minneapolis,” Vice President Bob Von Hoene of the bank’s community lending division, based in St. Louis, said in a prepared statement.

5 housing predictions from a property-level profile of underwater homeowners

Here's part of the story.

Takeaways: There are still 7.4 million who owe at least 25 percent more on their home than what it is worth -- representing 13 percent of all homeowners with a mortgage. 30 percent of underwater homeowners don't live in their home, which could mean that more single-family rental inventory will become available. The average loan-to-value ratio is 182 percent, which might mean that the underwater problem could linger for at least another five years.  The shrinking pool of underwater homeowners continues to have an important impact on the U.S. housing market. Using the property-level data behind RealtyTrac's latest Home Equity and Underwater Report, we profiled the 7.4 million U.S. homeowners still seriously underwater to make five housing market predictions relating 

When a 1790s Farmhouse Collides With a 1990s Contemporary

Here's the story from Fox News.

From the road, this 1790s Federal-style farmhouse looks much like it did a couple of centuries ago when it was constructed. But get a little closer and you'll see more details, specifically a contemporary addition completed in 1992 by noted New York architect Peter Gluck.
The $1.75 million home in central New York spans 5,873 square feet with six bedrooms and five bathrooms. It's sure to appeal to history lovers and those looking for a more contemporary style.
The original house is on the New York State and National Register of Historic Places. The owners, who have had the house for 40 years, wanted to maintain the home's historic integrity, explains listing agent Christy Dahms. "The original farmhouse has been restored beautifully," she notes.

Why Real Estate Could Be a Better Investment Than Stocks

Here's the story from US News and World Report.

Once you're on track with your financial goals – such as retirement contributions or repaying student loan debt – you may find yourself exploring real estate investments in lieu of the stock market. Buying real estate as an investment can be lucrative, but it's also cash-intensive and carries risks.

As you weigh your options, consider the following points in your analysis.

Risk versus expected returns. Whether putting cash into the market or purchasing real estate, you need to assess the risk versus the expected returns. Traditional equity investments are much easier to analyze in this way. You have historical data, and although past performance is not indicative of future results, you have a bit more control over how much risk you're exposed to when deciding what amount to invest, the asset allocation and so on. Investing in single stocks versus an index fund is a calculated risk some are willing to take in search of higher expected returns.

Chicago Skyscrapers Scraped by Blue Angels

Lakeview’s new Halsted Flats has a time-saving location

Here's more from Yo Chicago.

Some parts of Lakeview have an inconvenient slog or a traffic-clogged drive to the nearest grocery store or pharmacy – or major league ball field. Getting to and from places that you visit frequently is not how you want to spend time in Chicago’s all-too-short summers.
Residents at Halsted Flats, the new luxury apartment tower at 3740 N Halsted, have a variety of groceries and pharmacies close by, and Wrigley Field is a short walk away.