42,000 Agents, Appraisers Gain Access to ChicagoCondosOnline.com

From a joint news release by Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) and ChicagoCondosOnline.com, our Web site:

Finding the perfect Chicago condominium is becoming easier.

As the 2009 selling season opens, the 42,000 members of Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED), which operates the multiple listing service for northern Illinois, and their customers, have free access to ChicagoCondosOnline.com. That subscription-only Web site provides the most comprehensive, reliable and accessible content on this city’s communities and condos.

“We are proud to have established this relationship with ChicagoCondosOnline.com,” said Bud Fogel, chief executive officer of MRED, the organization that resulted from the recent consolidation of the two regional multiple listing services, MLSNI and MAP MLS. “This unique, innovative service will help our agents sell more condos in less time with less effort.”

From any listing on connectMLS, on MREDLLC.com, in any of 12,000 condo buildings in Chicago, agents are able to find the answer to almost any question about that property, as well as 13,000 floor plans. By giving buyers access, agents can save time and money while improving service.

Ric Cox, creator and owner of the site, said, “We are delighted to welcome MRED as our No. 1 marketing partner. Under this license agreement, buyers now have 42,000 more ways to gain free access to ‘The Ultimate Condominium Resource.’”

Buyers can access all content by paying $30 a month, or $300 a year, by credit card. Or they can gain free access by registering as a guest of any MRED member agent, with no obligation to their host.

Launched in December 2005, ChicagoCondosOnline.com also features profiles of the city's 77 census areas.

The 12,000 buildings represent more than 90 percent of market activity in city condos. In addition to resale, they encompass properties being planned, built or converted. Included are affordable units, two-flats, lofts, high rises, plus vintage and hotel condos.

Coming are thousands of condos in suburban Cook County, starting with Evanston.

Not displayed on ChicagoCondosOnline.com are active listings. "Our uniqueness is that we offer the entire inventory of unit types, from studios to penthouses, not just units on the market today," said Cox, an editor turned entrepreneur. "When ready to select specific units, buyers can ask any agent to sign them up with the MLS to automatically receive active listings that match their preferences."

In addition to profiles and floor plans, visitors to ChicagoCondosOnline.com can access maps, photos, declarations, comparison charts and a search engine with 100 preferences. Among the data, documents and interactive tools are:

100-Preference Search Engine. Instantly, Super Search lists buildings and unit types that match any of 100 preferences, such as balcony, deeded parking, dogs, walking distance to the Red Line, even maximum price per square foot.

Quick Comparison Charts. Using a unique tool called the Quick Comparison ChartTM, users can generate side-by-side charts that compare any three areas, buildings or unit types. When available, the 200 fields of comparable data include annual ownership costs per square foot, by unit type.

12,000 Building Profiles. With 12,000 Building Profiles, users have access to such data as “monthly assessment includes,” owner occupancy, median sales price by unit type, parking, travel time to work, and restrictions on pets and rentals. Managers with 30 property management companies provide much of the data.

77 Area Profiles. With profiles of all 77 of the city’s census areas, users can discover the city-wide ranking of any area, on such demographics as percentage of singles or professionals, student/teacher ratios by school, plus median sales prices, and appreciation rates for one, three and five years.

1,250 Declarations. With a credit card, any visitor can buy digital (pdf) versions of 1,250 recorded declarations and 500 amendments.

Agents & Appraisers: To register, go to connectMLS and click the Chicago Condos Online link in the Info section of any active city condo listing.

Buyers: To register, go to ChicagoCondosOnline.com.