seminaryproperties

I need to move! What about my lease?

jeremy@seminaryproperties.com (Jeremy Martin) — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 20:26:18 GMT

What are your options to get out of your lease before it expires?

All of Seminary Properties leases are 12-month leases. This one-year commitment is a challenge to individuals who want or need to relocate for a variety of reasons. We understand that, and so we have options for renters who decide they need or want to move. A lease is a binding contract for renters and landlords. Landlords cannot remove a resident during the lease without court authorization and tenants cannot break a lease during the lease term. This does not mean Seminary Properties residents do not have options to relieve themselves of their lease obligation during their lease terms.

Seminary Properties is glad to offer three lease options for parties who wish to relocate.

Option 1: Sublet

A sublet does not remove the renter for the lease. In a sublet, the renter on the lease remains on the lease, but they find a party to rent from them for a portion of the lease. This option is great for people who are leaving town for a several months but intend to return. The duration of a sublet can be for a few months or even years. In theory, the sublet honors the lease terms and pays the rent, even though they are not a legal party to the lease and they do not have any legal rights to the lease; therefore, if you are considering subletting your lease, make sure you only sublet to someone who you trust to be a good steward of your apartment while you’re away.

Warning: if the sublet does not pay rent, damages the property, or violates the lease, it is the renter on the lease who is penalized legally and financially. Landlords often require approving a sublet before authorizing them to occupy an apartment.

Option 2: Lease Assignment

Lease Assignment is a legal process for changing the parties on the lease. If one roommate is moving or all the roommates on a lease are moving, the Lease Assignment process replaces them on the lease with new, approved parties. The departing renter has no future legal obligations or right to the lease. The new renters take on all legal obligations and rights to the lease. This process is the cleanest way to move without financial or legal risks after moving.

Warning: Each landlord is different, but a Lease Assignment is not a new lease. This means the apartment will not be cleaned or painted between departing and arriving renters. Most landlords require approving a new party before authorizing the Lease Assignment.

Options 3: Lease Buyout

The lease Buyout option is an agreement between a renter and a landlord to end the lease early. As the name implies there is usually a fee to terminate a lease early. If landlords offer this option, they may have different fees. There is not a common standard fee across the industry.

Seminary Properties offers all residents a Lease Buyout for 50% of the remaining rent due on the lease, with a minimum of three months’ rent. This means that regardless of how many months of lease remain, a tenant cannot buyout their lease for less than three months of rent. If a tenant has ten months remaining on their lease, they will need to pay five months of rent to buyout/terminate their lease. If a tenant has two months remaining on their lease, they will need to pay a minimum of three months of rent to terminate their lease. In the last example, it would make more sense to pay the remaining two months of rent and move, instead of paying three months of rent.

Warning: A Lease Buyout ends the lease at a specific date. At that time the renter no longer has any rights or obligations to the lease. The lease is mutually terminated. The buyout does require additional documents signed by all parties to mutually end the lease early.

These are the most common options for renters to move during their lease and relieve themselves of some or all of their obligations. It is up to the renter to decide which option is best for their situation. Seminary Properties offers all three of these options to all of our tenants and regularly executes these options on behalf of the tenants.

If you are a renter, know your lease and know your rights.

Summer is comming!

jeremy@seminaryproperties.com (Jeremy Martin) — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 15:34:32 GMT

Chicago has released their summer event schedule.

We are still in winter, but summer is getting closer. The temperatures outside are in the thirties or lower, but soon Chicagoans will have temperatures in the 70’s and above with plenty of outdoor events to enjoy. Chicago has announced its 2024 summer event schedule .

The summer of 2024 will mark 20 years since Millenium Park was completed. The city will welcome weekly events and headliner events like Blue Fest, the Air and Water Show, NASCAR races and much more.

After months of being cold and indoors, go outside for farmers markets, parades, music, films and more.

Chicago, we are close to our 100 days of summer. Enjoy!

Chicago 2024 Summer Event Schedule Released: Millennium Park Turns 20, Blues Fest Is Back And More (blockclubchicago.org )

Yummy Brocoli and Chikpea Paremesan Soup

Colin@seminaryproperties.com (Colin Shivley) — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 21:08:49 GMT

Wonderful soup to enjoy, even on a budget.

It’s well-known that the price of groceries has been steadily increasing, with even a carton of eggs coming with a $5 price tag. Consumers who are tightening their wallets and looking for cheaper yet still healthy alternatives will be glad to know that a low-priced, healthy dinner is still doable. Check out this delicious, simple, and low-cost dinner that is guaranteed to become a staple in your home: The Broccoli and Chickpea Parmesan.

Preparation:

Set oven to 400 degrees and place a cast-iron pan or other oven-safe pan inside to preheat with the oven.

Broccoli is the star in this recipe with its highly nutritious attributes such as fiber and numerous vitamins. For this dish, separate the large broccoli pieces and cut them lengthwise. This will create a flat end. Lightly season with salt and pepper.

Take a ½ cup of bread crumbs and mix with parmesan cheese and set aside.

Cooking:

Once the oven and pan is preheated, carefully remove the pan with kitchen gloves or a thick dish towel (it will be hot!) and add the olive oil. Place the broccoli florets flat side down. You should immediately hear the sizzling of the oil. Place the pan back inside the oven and cook for 15 minutes to create a nice sear on the bottom of the broccoli. Once the florets have been cooked, remove the florets from the pan and set aside.

Take the chickpeas and pour them into the pan then top with the marinara. Add a layer of cheese (we use mozzarella, but parmesan works just as well) then place the cooked florets on top of the broccoli with the seared side facing up. Cover the florets with the breadcrumb mixture and return the pan to the oven. Cook for an additional 15-20 minutes until the marinara is bubbling on the side. Remove from oven, let cool and enjoy this delicious healthy, vegetarian take on Chicken Parmesan.

Ingredients:

1 broccoli head to cut into florets

1 can of chickpeas, drained

1 jar of marinara

Parmesan cheese (shredded or grated)

Mozzarella cheese (optional)

Bread crumbs

2-3 tablespoons of olive oil

We work hard, and the results prove it!

jeremy@seminaryproperties.com (Jeremy Martin) — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 22:38:48 GMT

The 2023 resident survey results show that Seminary Properties provide a great service

For each of the last three years, Seminary Properties and Management, Ltd. has sent a survey to all our residents. These surveys allow Seminary Properties to receive feedback on our performance, our operations, and areas where we can improve in the future. Each year, 30% - 40% of our residents complete these surveys, which provide us a good sample size to gauge our performance.

The results of these surveys have helped confirm that Seminary Properties is serving our residents well. Our respondents overwhelmingly (88%) feel we are doing an above average job, resulting in over 55% of our residents living in our properties for at least two years and 30% for three years or longer.

Our amazing Maintenance Team works hard to resolve our residents’ requests. Our surveys have shown that 95% of our residents feel our Maintenance Team responds quickly (0-2 days) and resolves problems fully.

Our wonderful Office Team is regularly available to answer questions and communicate with our residents. Our surveys show that 90% of our residents feel our Office Team is easily accessible, helpful, and provides reliable information.

These results make Seminary Properties feel good about the service we provide, but do not mean we do not have more work to do. Our surveys provides us information on areas where we need to provide more attention, amenities that are most desired at apartments, and better ways to reach our residents and the public. We have performed well over the past three years, but we aim to improve with each year.

Thank you to our residents for responding to this survey.

Make an easy winter dinner with slow cooker chili

jeremy@seminaryproperties.com (Jeremy Martin) — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 20:28:32 GMT

Stay home and warm with delicious chili!

It’s winter in Chicago and it is cold outside. We all have the daily stress of figuring out what to eat for dinner. We could order in, pick-up food, or go out to dinner; but who wants to do any of that when it’s below freezing outside? How Instead, how about a nice slow cooker vegetarian chili? The recipe in this article says it will only take six - eight hours, but since it is vegetarian a couple extra hours won’t ruin dinner. Start the Crockpot before you leave for work or in the morning, and have a nice warm dinner at night.

As with all meals at home, planning your grocery order/list is important. This recipe calls for:

1/2 cup olive oil

4 onions, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

4 celery stalks, cut 1/4 inches crosswise

4 red, yellow or orange bell peppers, seeded and chopped

1 (15.5 ounces) cans black beans, rinsed & liquid drained

1 (16 ounces) can cannellini beans, rinsed & liquid drained

1 (16 ounces) can pinto beans, rinsed & liquid drained

1 (16 ounces) can kidney beans, rinsed & liquid drained

1 (14.5 ounces) can of diced tomatoes

4–6 tablespoons chili powder, depending on your preference

2 tablespoons dried oregano

2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar

1 tablespoon hot sauce

Once you have gathered all these mouthwatering ingredients, just follow these five easy steps:

How to Make Vegetarian Crockpot Chili

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and garlic and sauté until they soften, but don’t brown, for about five minutes.

2. Add the peppers and celery and sauté until lightly browned and tender, about 5 minutes.

3. Set your slow cooker to low. Add the beans, vegetables, diced tomatoes, spices, vinegar, and hot sauce. Stir to combine and cover. Cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours.

4. Serve with shredded cheese and sour cream (optional).

5. Chili will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for five days or in the freezer for up to four months.

Don’t forget to have fun with the dish by topping it off with corn bread, crackers, cheese, hot sauce or sour cream. My personal favorite is pouring this chili on mac n cheese (Chili Mac , OH YEAH!). This recipe will make 10 servings so lunch and dinner for the next few days is taken care of.

Seminary Properties hopes you will enjoy this meal.

Polar temperatures are coming; prepare against frozen/burst pipes.

jeremy@seminaryproperties.com (Jeremy Martin) — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 15:21:42 GMT

Steps to prepare for extreme cold temperatures.

Chicago is a seasonal city, and that certainly includes winter. Every winter there seems to be a few stretches where the temperatures fall well below freezing. Seminary Properties is always available to assist with mechanical concerns at every apartment we manage. There are also steps tenants can take to prevent pipes from freezing, or worse, bursting, when temperatures fall below 25 degrees.

1) Heat: Always leave your heat on! Per the Seminary Properties lease, during the winter no apartment should have their heat off or set below 55 degrees. During extreme cold temperatures it is great to set your temperature no lower than 65 degrees.

2) Thermostat: Check and replace thermostat batteries. The thermostat tells the furnace to heat the air in the apartment to a set temperature. If the batteries are dying or dead, it cannot communicate with the furnace and your apartment won’t be heated. Tips to change thermostat batteries: Self help tips: Changing Thermostat Batteries (youtube.com)

3) Water: When the temperatures are very cold, frozen pipes can occur. If a pipe freezes, or worse, bursts, this can require a difficult and lengthy repair and will result in water damage to your personal property. To prevent frozen pipes, there are two preventative measures that can be taken:

a. Leave cabinet doors open under all sinks. This allows warmer air to touch the pipes.

b. Leave hot and cold water running in all sinks. Water that is in motion is less likely to freeze. Here are tips for running water in your sinks: How to prevent your pipes from freezing as temperatures start dropping (youtube.com)

4) Windows: Make sure apartment windows are fully closed and locked. Many people will close a window, but not check to make sure the two halves of the window locks line up. If the locks do not line up, the window is not fully sealed. Tips to close and seal a window: How to properly lock double hung windows. (youtube.com)

5) Doors: Make sure that all apartment doors are closed and locked using all available locks. It is common that people only use their doorknob lock to secure their apartment and balcony doors. All the locks on a door serve as protection and also help to keep the door fully closed, preventing cold air from accessing the home. If your door has a deadbolt and a doorknob lock, engage both.

6) Have the Seminary Properties emergency line available in case you encounter problems. We are available to help and want to make sure your home is working properly. The emergency number is 773-977-8072 .

Extreme cold weather will happen during Chicago winters. Take these steps to make sure you are warm and safe during our coldest temperatures.

Forgotten Spring Cleaning

Colin@seminaryproperties.com (Colin Shivley) — Fri, 07 Apr 2023 21:00:57 GMT

Tricks and Tip to a fresh and clean Spring home.

The Spring and Summer temperatures have been playing hide-n-seek with Chicago giving Chicagoans the hope that our windows can be opened and our homes vented from the long winter months. But there is more than just fresh air that needs to be taken care of. Throughout the winter our homes have been keeping us warm but now that warm weather is near; a little TLC around the apartment is just what you need to start the Spring on a good foot.

We are always doing general cleaning such as sweeping, dusting and vacuuming but to give the apartment a fresh start and even a fresher scent; don’t forget to clean this out of sight areas that are often forgotten for extended periods of time.

Rugs:

Rugs are prized during the cold months with helping us avoid cold-wooden floors and helping insulate the apartment. While vacuuming helps remove loose debris and hair; constant walking compressed dirt and other contaminants into the rug fibers and under the rug that general vacuuming can’t remove. Over time this can lead to odors and lower air quality in the apartment. To bring new life to the rug, you should consider using a carpet cleaner machine that will soak and scrub stubborn dirt away leaving only a rug like it was purchased yesterday. If a machine isn’t available or just too expensive (and they can be expensive) consider removing the rub from the apartment to “clap” the dirty off the rug outside. While not as effective, turning the rug over and hitting it will remove a shocking amount of dirty you never thought was there. Don’t forget to sweep/vacuum the floor under the rug!

Cabinet Tops:

It’s time to forego the “out of sight out of mind” motto and search high and low for those forgotten areas to clean. If you have cabinets that don’t reach to the ceiling; chances are the tops of those may be sticky and stock piling dust and debris. Overtime, grease and oils from cooking will accumulate at the top forming a thin layer of grime that will collect dust, hair and even attract some unwanted insects. Using a grease-removing cleaner and general cleaner spray on this area will help remove the grime and give your kitchen a must better clean-feeling.

Window/Balcony Door Tracks:

It has probably been several months since you last opened some windows in the apartment in order to keep that warm air inside as long as possible. Now that open-window temperatures are settling in; take a gander at the window track between the window and screen and you might find a nice layer of muck nestled in there. This is from rain, snow, insects (yuck!) and other debris being blown in through the screen and settling there for an extended time and no one wants that blowing inside the apartment when the time comes to open the windows. Give that area a good scrubbing with bleach or mild dish soap to remove the unwanted mess so that any air coming into the apartment is as fresh as possible.

Ceiling Fans:

Dust, hair and spiderwebs oh my! While it is impossible to prevent dust from forming, you can mitigate stuffy air by looking for areas that collect dust but may have gone unnoticed during your routine cleaning. Ceiling Fans are center stage for collecting hair and dust on the blades and ceiling fan housing. Give the fan a short break and take a look at the blades. As they move through the air they will collect air-born dust that can be spread around the apartment. Cleaning the blades and housing will ensure that it isn’t collecting or shooting dirt around the apartment. Don’t forget to change the direction of the fan to counter-clockwise as well, this will help create a downdraft pushing cool air down and warm up and away from you in the summer months.

We all want to enjoy Spring and Summer in the best and healthiest way possible. While this isn’t a complete list of often forgotten areas to clean; it will help you get a head start identifying other areas of your apartment that may need some TLC.

Chicagohenge Event

Colin@seminaryproperties.com (Colin Shivley) — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 22:01:15 GMT

March 10 - A city wide event

Chicago is a city that has perfectly blended stone and steel with the beauty of nature through our parks, lake and other nature preserves. This month, Chicagoans will be treated with our bi-annual phenomenon “Chicagohenge” that combines our City and the movement of our planet through the cosmos. As we near the Vernal Equinox on March 10 ^th , the sunrise and sunset will align perfectly with East and West streets, providing an unobstructed view of the sun as it rises and sets between buildings.

Wondering how this works? We can thank the Public Land Survey System created in 1785 that was mainly used for selling properties in the most convenient way. With streets running at right angles to one another; we get the grid system, making navigation in the city easier and more convenient. Our streets also line up near perfectly with the East and West cardinal directions, making Chicagohenge even more possible.

As we approve the Vernal (Spring) Equinox, our blue planet reaches the point where both Northern and Southern hemispheres receive equal amounts of day and night times. During this time, the sun rises and sets precisely to the East and West.

Chicagohenge got its name from the famous Stonehenge which also features unique alignments with the Spring and Autumn equinoxes.

Viewing this cosmic and terrestrial event is easy! The best dates for Chicagohenge this year fall on March 20 ^th through 23 ^rd , 2023. Simply walk to any East/West facing street during the sunrise/sunset and enjoy the view. As always, ensure that you protect your eyes and not stare directly in the sun! You don’t want to miss the next Chicagohenge in the fall.

The pandemic and its constant Real Estate change

jeremy@seminaryproperties.com (Jeremy Martin) — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 01:49:07 GMT

Being a tenant in the pandemic altered rental season.

The pandemic has upended the concept of “normal life” for everyone. In 2020, residents of the City of Chicago isolated, stayed in apartments they may have otherwise moved from, and generally hid away for their own protection. Now it is 2021, and the City of Chicago has just passed 2 million shots administered. The United States of America has inoculated 30% of eligible adults. We are in a strange period of time where we’re trying to return to normalcy but haven’t quite gotten there yet.

In 2020, and continuing into 2021, many residents of Seminary Properties and Management, Ltd. (Seminary Properties) apartments have been working from home. Areas of their home have been converted into office space where countless virtual meetings are conducted. This has caused Seminary Properties to adapt so that we are more conscientious of this new reality that our residents are facing.

Colin Rewrite of first two Paragraphs: In 2020, The City of Chicago and its residents upended the normality of daily life and joined the world in isolation in response to the growing pandemic. Now, more than a year later, Chicago has surpassed 22 million Covid-19 vaccinations with more than 50% of eligible adults inoculated nationwide. This remarkable year has left residents and businesses trying to adjust to the ever changing “normal” daily life as we reopen our cities and communities.

Many individuals, including residents of Seminary Properties and Management, Ltd., began their work from home routine, more commonly called WFH, which meant living spaces were being converted into makeshift offices, virtual meeting rooms, and even classrooms. Seminary Properties has endeavored to understand and be more conscientious of this new reality.

For over a year, all residents who submit a work request for repairs have received notification that the request was received and a second notification when the key is picked up by a Seminary Properties Maintenance Team member to address the issue. Seminary Properties continues to address maintenance requests from 9am – 5pm Monday – Friday and emergencies outside of those hours. We have a policy of knocking several times and loudly announcing ourselves before entering an apartment; while this has sometimes disturbed work-related Zoom meetings, we feel it is important to maintain this policy so as not to surprise residents who may be using the bathroom, sleeping, or would otherwise need a moment to prepare for entry.

The rental season has now begun, and there has been a large increase in people switching apartments relative to last year. People are looking for additional bedrooms, large spaces, and are more open to living with roommates. This is a reversal from last year, when most people wanted to live alone. Overall, this has greatly increased the demand to see apartments. In 2020, the City of Chicago placed restrictions on showings and on the number of people allowed to be present during a showing. All those restrictions have ended. Now people can view apartments if the landlord complies with the Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance (RLTO). This has created a problem of showing apartments when people are working from home (WFH).

Seminary Properties has added additional measures to our policies regarding showings in attempt to keep our tenants safe and to adjust to their work schedules. In the past, Seminary Properties has required all apartment showings to have a minimum of 48 hours’ notice provided to the current occupants of an apartment. This was done to ensure residents have ample notice to make changes in case they would prefer not to be present or need to reschedule planned time off. In the current WFH environment, this helps tenants plan out meetings so a showing will not cause too much of an interruption to their work.

Seminary Properties still requires all showings to fall within certain windows of time so tenants know when no showings can occur. These windows are:

Monday 10am – 8pm

Tuesday 10am – 8pm

Wednesday 10am – 8pm

Thursday 10am – 8pm

Friday 10am – 8pm

Saturday 10am – 6pm

Sunday 10am – 6pm

Even during these windows, a tenant must receive 48 hours’ advanced notice of a specific window for a scheduled showing, such as “on Tuesday, between 10 and 10:30am”. In the past, these measures have allowed our residents to plan around any scheduled showings; during today’s WFH environment, this policy has been doubly important in helping to limit work-related conflicts.

The pandemic is not over. Many people have received their vaccinations, but many more are still waiting to receive their first or second dose. The threat of COVID-19 is still a reality. It is for that reason that Seminary Properties require double masks for all showings of occupied apartments. We also wear gloves for showings to make our tenants and prospective tenants more comfortable during showings. At the time of this blog (4/28/2021), all Seminary Properties Property Managers who perform showings are fully vaccinated. We are nearing the point where we can announce all Team Members of Seminary Properties are vaccinated. However, even when we’ve achieved this milestone, we intend to continue wearing PPE to protect the health and safety of both vaccinated and non-vaccinated residents.

It is important to continue to work together to get through this pandemic. Even as the United States of America gets closer to herd immunity, the rest of the world is not as fortunate. Seminary Properties will continue to do our part to protect ourselves, our residents, and the public from this virus until it is deemed safe to let down our guard. Until that time we will keep the safety of everyone as our main focus.

Home-Cooked in Chicago

Wed, 24 Mar 2021 14:50:09 GMT

Foods you may not have known are originally Chicago!

The Windy City is well-established in history as a city of innovation. From the world’s first skyscraper to the electric dishwasher; Chicago has helped shape the modern world. But the inventions are not limited to brick and mortar, the city also has an insatiable appetite for inventing some very popular and delectable food. Check out these three famous Chicago kitchen-creations that you can make right in your home:

The Brownie: This delicious chocolate treat is enjoyed by people around the world on a daily basis but it first originated here in the Windy City in 1893 during the World’s Fair. Concocted by Bertha Palmer in the Palmer House kitchen; the original recipe is not quite the same as the common boxed variety. Palmer baked the very first batch with crushed walnuts, semi-sweet chocolates and an apricot glaze. If your mouth has started to water: check out the original recipe here to indulge in some sweet Chicago history in your kitchen.

The Chicago-Style Hot Dog: When it comes to their hotdogs. Chicagoans are very protective over their signature style. The complete version of the hot-dog is said to be “dragged through the garden” because of the numerous toppings served. Traditionally it is topped with chopped white onions, a dill pickle spear, sweet pickle relish, tomato slices, pickled sport peppers and a hint of celery salt. What many non-Chicagoans will notice is the absence of ketchup; a condiment that is broadly said to be unacceptable on a Chicago-Style Hot Dog. Preparing the dog can vary but usually falls within hot water, steaming or the grilled version “char-dog” and adding the toppings after.

The Peppernegg Sandwhich: Along with other Chicago-made dishes that can be created at home, this sandwich is another staple that was created during Lent. Comprised of mainly of bell peppers and scrambled eggs; variations including onions and cheese have been served around the city. While simple in ingredients; the cooking must be done just right. Bell peppers are sliced into strips and sautéed until soft (add the onions here as well if desired). The eggs are whipped with a dash of cream to add fluff and then scrambled in a separate pan (salt and pepper don’t hurt either). To complete the meal, add the eggs to a toasted French roll and top off with the sautéed veggies and enjoy yet another Chicago-made food.

The list of course doesn’t stop there. From Wrigley Gum to the frozen pastries, the Windy City has been at the forefront of culinary invention. Next time you’re at baseball game and order the Chicago dog; just remember you are biting into a proud piece of Chicago history.

A thank you to our tenants

jeremy@seminaryproperties.com (Jeremy Martin) — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 19:29:47 GMT

Seminary Properties Resident Survey Results

This past fall, Seminary Properties and Management sent out a resident satisfaction survey to all our existing tenants. We hoped to better understand how our tenants felt about our services, staff, and the company overall. When the surveys were closed, 200 residents had taken time out of their schedule to submit a response. We want to thank those tenants and share some of the insights they provided us.

The survey also showed that over 17% of our respondents have been residents with us for more than three years, and that 35% of our respondents have been with us for two or more years. Seminary Properties offers apartments that range from studios to four bedrooms, and it pleases us to know that many of our residents – whether living individually or with partners or roommates – have chosen to stay on for more than one year. The result of 35% of our residents being multi-year tenants is a wonderful accomplishment on which we wish to build.

When searching for a new home, one thing that is often very important to apartment-seekers is knowing that they will be working with a management company that can promptly and professionally resolve any maintenance-related concerns. For this reason, we are very proud to report that our maintenance team received an average rating of over 8 stars out of 9 from the 200 survey respondents. Our maintenance team works hard to address our residents’ concerns quickly and completely. We are thrilled with this result and hope to earn the full 9 out of 9 stars in the future. Our residents want their maintenance concerns addressed and we want the properties we serve to be in the best possible condition.

Similarly, the Seminary Properties Office Team and Property Management Team also received an average of 8 out of 9 stars in the survey. Our Office Team works hard every day to communicate with residents regarding lease questions, maintenance repair status updates, and general inquires. We believe their knowledge of company policy and the nuances of apartment leases has led to this favorable response, and we hope to build on this and perform even better for out tenants in the future.

Seminary Properties and Management, Ltd. strives to resolve all tenant questions and concerns. The survey has showed us that our tenants feel we are doing a good job at this time. We hope to work harder to improve our communication and service to our tenants to earn even higher survey results from our residents in the future.

The survey also had another purpose: to learn what renters are looking for in apartments and how they are conducting their search. The industry has changed so much the past few years and the pandemic has greatly altered the business. Our residents have informed us of apartment listing sites that Seminary Properties and Management, Ltd. had not previously utilized, such as Facebook; going forward, we will use this knowledge to advertise our apartments more effectively.

Additionally, the survey showed us the importance of price and photos of all apartments on listings. In response, Seminary Properties and Management, Ltd. will work to increase the number of quality photos for all of our listings, improve videos, provide floor plans with measurements, and continue to search for other ways to show the public the size, layout, and qualify of the available apartments.

T hank you to our tenants for taking party in the survey. Seminary Properties and Management, Ltd. is thrilled we have done so well in your opinion and hope to continue improving our quality of service going forward.

Is it spring? time for a hot dog!

jeremy@seminaryproperties.com (Jeremy Martin) — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 22:47:13 GMT

Drag it through the Garden

The great Chicago-Style Hot Dog was once proclaimed as “the finest hot dog on the planet” by the late Anthony Bourdain and any true Chicagoan will say they already knew that. While the exact birth of the “dragged through the garden” style is disputed; the required all-beef frankfurter arrived in Chicago in the 19 ^th century and made an appearance at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition; an event firmly entrenched in Chicago’s cuisine history.

Since then, the city is home to more hot-dog stands than any major fast-food chain combined and has become the staple food at any baseball game; but you don’t need to venture out every time you crave one; if you follow the established rules, you can make your own right in the kitchen. Follow this easy recipe for yet another taste of Chicago.

What you need:

1 all-beef hotdog Poppyseed hotdog bun

Yellow Mustard Sweet Green Pickle Relish

Chopped onion Tomato Wedges

Dill Pickle Spear Sport Peppers

Celery Salt

Directions:

First thing is first, bring a pot of water to a boil and toss the hot-dog in the water. Reduce heat to low and cook until done; usually around 5 minutes. Place a steamer basket or a metal rack over the pot of water and steam the poppyseed bun for around 2 minutes. Once warmed, it’s time for the ingredients and in a very specific order.

The Process:

Place the cooked hot-dog in the bun and line one side with yellow mustard and the other side with green pickle relish. Sprinkle the diced onion on top with the tomato wedges nestled along the sides. Top off with pickle spear, sport peppers and celery salt. Voila! The Chicago-style hot dog has been “dragged through the garden” and is complete. If you think you are missing a condiment; you are not. Ketchup is strictly prohibited on this dog and can even get one shunned at restaurant for asking.

The Best Places:

There are times of course when the craving for one hits and you don’t want to cook; rest assured there is a plethora of locations near you that serve the Chicago Dog. Check out this quick list of restaurants or hot-dog stands in our area!

Byron’s Hot Dog Stand : 1017 W. Irving Park Road / 1701 W. Lawrence Ave

Slims : 2020 W. Irving Park Road

Wrigleyville Dogs : 3737 N. Clark Street

The Wiener’s Circle : 2622 N. Clark Street (Be warned: Never ask for a chocolate shake)

Save a little while heating your home

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 19:57:06 GMT

Easy tip to ensure you are not overspending to heat your home

It might be the season for ghosts, however that sudden chill in your apartment is probably not a wandering spirit; instead you might be dealing with a lingering draft. Even with windows closed, drafts can occur from under doorways, permanent wall-mounted AC units, and more. But don’t start plugging in space heaters quite yet; try these few simple steps to help keep the heat in and cold out.

A door draft stopper if a quick and in-expensive way to avoid cold air being pulled into your apartment from the outside or from cooler places in the apartment. Versions vary from two sided that slide under the door to one sided adhesive panels that retain heat.

Even with the windows closed and secured, drafts can sneak in along window frames and let heat escape from the apartment. If you have curtains installed; black out curtains can be a great asset in keep the draft contained and keeping the heat in, just make sure to not block any ceiling or floor vents. A window insulating kit is also an in-expensive way to cover the windows with a plastic film which will eliminate drafts. Any of these mentioned items can be found at numerous stores throughout the area.

The weather might be cold outside, but with proper insulation and preparation your apartment can keep you warm through the winter.

Chicago floods!

jeremy@seminaryproperties.com (Jeremy Martin) — Thu, 21 May 2020 16:42:10 GMT

The City of Chicago does flood

The near-record setting rain Chicago received on May 17th resulted in flooding of streets, basements, and even entire communities. These floods occurred because the City of Chicago sewer and Deep Tunnel systems were unable to keep up with the flow of water. The Chicago Tribune reported on May 19th that most of the systems had reached their 1.2 billion gallon capacity prompting city engineers to even reverse the Chicago River to help mitigate flood waters.

Unfortunately, the fact that the systems put in place by City of Chicago engineers were unable to mitigate flood waters means that many of our properties experienced flooding, affecting basements and some garden apartments. These spaces become vulnerable to flooding when the City’s and region’s systems become overwhelmed, and there is not much that can be done in those circumstances beyond repairing the damage after the flood waters have receded. The floods affected many other properties throughout the city as well, and coverage of the widespread flooding has been pervasive in local print and broadcast news; even Willis Tower staff and tenants were forced to evacuate the building when downtown flooding caused a power outage

While we are constantly evaluating additional measures that can be taken to reduce the damage from flooding, we recognize that situations like this are disruptive to affected people’s lives. We apologize that this happened to some of our residents and are working with those tenants to restore their apartments to its pre-flood conditions.

May rainfall has been record-setting , making this a difficult period of time for many property owners and managers. Hopefully, future rains this summer will not cause such a severe back-up of the systems that the City of Chicago has in place.

Additional videos of the May 17th, 2020 floods:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zel0U_6_hKc

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/environment/ct-heavy-rains-sewage-chicago-20200515-4rxpjn7hargw3avja6igpvwgxu-story.html?fbclid=IwAR19ZGZ4lmNLOpE64WKxiNDTue9HTsB5U8U1za_eJm7FAK8Q5uD4F-9mpvk

https://grist.org/climate-energy/this-video-of-a-sewer-geyser-in-chicago-is-utterly-nuts/

Indoor Recreation

Thu, 09 Apr 2020 15:03:46 GMT

Ideas for activities during the 'stay at home" order

The sun is shining, birds are chirping but the world seems a bit quieter outside now that Chicagoans are under a Shelter in Place order during the global pandemic. While our normal tech-heavy lives have somewhat prepared us for isolation; remaining inside for prolonged time can have an adverse effect on one’s mentality. If you find yourself pacing back and forth or looking out the window ominously; try a few of these items below that can help pass the time.

Museum Digital Tours

We may be stuck inside; but that doesn’t mean we can’t travel the globe with a bit of imagination. Museums around the world offer free digital tours of their most popular exhibits and galleries. Many of these tours offer audio information to add the effect of a proper guided tour. Follow these links and start exploring the treasures of the world from the couch.

Feeling claustrophobic or need to see some open space? Explore the vast Yosemite National Park with sites like the Glacier Point and Mariposa Grove of Gian Sequoias while hearing the sounds of nature around you. Being stuck inside can dampen one’s mood and nothing works better to ease that than hearing nature. If, however, you are feeling more artistically inclined; stay-at-homers can wander the halls the world famous Louvre where exhibits such as the Galerie d’Apollon and Egyptian Antiquities are on display. Although if you rather venture a little closer to home over the Internet; look no further than our own Art Institute of Chicago and tour the halls adorned with art from around the world.

Humans are social creatures by nature, and prolonged isolation can begin to have negative consequences. Thankfully; a plethora of digital communications is ready to help ease the burden of a quarantine.

Netflix Party

Everyone loves a good movie night with friends and the popular movie streaming service is here to save the day during a Shelter in Place order. Netflix Party is easy to use for anyone with a desktop / laptop Chrome browser. Simply download the extension for Netflix Party ; invite some friends online and voila, the movie playback is synced to all the computers and includes a chat box for those who need to ask hundreds of questions or to share in a scare or boisterous digital laugh. This shareable experience will help the days and nights pass by.

Group Video Chats: This isn’t a new technology, but it has come a long way since it’s inception to the mass public. FaceTime; Messenger and Google Hangouts all allow multi-person video chat that can bring your friends or family into your home. Simple daily events such as eating dinner can become more enjoyable and social with a digital dinner party with several online loved ones.

Lastly; perhaps this Shelter in Place becomes a mostly “you time” and social distancing is nothing to sweat. Even the Chicago Public Library is closed; numerous books are available to check out online. What better way to escape then with a good book and a little imagination.

Chicago and her citizens are resilient and steadfast. While it may be some time before we see our friends and family in person; we have the means and knowhow to push through rough times such as these.

Green up your home

Wed, 11 Mar 2020 14:19:11 GMT

Indoor Greenery

In a forest of concrete, steel and brick; it can be hard to find nature in a city. While Chicagoans have a plethora of open parks to enjoy during the warmer months we are often left with grey skies and dark apartments during the long winter months. Don’t fret though; even if your apartment doesn’t get pristine sun-exposure; there are several indoor house plants to help bring color and variety to the overly grey-winter (and they are safe for the cats as well). Not only will these help wash away the winter blues but will help refresh the air and bring some color inside.

Potentially one of the most well-known house plants is the Boston Fern . This classic plant is perfect for apartments with northern or southern exposures. This fern flourish with indirect light and moderate humidity and is widely considered to be an exceptional air purifier. As it is an evergreen plant, it will remove toxins from the air and naturally replenish the surrounding moisture.

Keeping on par with easy to maintain and pet-friendly greenery; the Chlorophytum (better known as the Spider Plant) is a power house when it comes to apartment living. It’s draping foliage is ideal for hanging and can remove up to 90% of formaldehyde in the air per a NASA testing. One or two of these hanging beauties will add a nice touch to less than sunny day. They are easy to maintain and cultivate with the numerous shoots it grows.

To add some color variety to greyness of winter; look no further than the African Violet . This sturdy and well-adapted houseplant thrives in similar indoor environments that humans enjoy such as indirect light, average humidity and normal temperatures. They bloom in a variety of colors such as red, white, lavender, blue, etc with both the flower and plant being non-toxic to the pets. This plant is a year-round bloomer so grab a few to always have a splash of color amongst the green.

It is true these are all cat-friendly in case they get too curious and do a taste test; but the best way to give them the feel of the outdoors is growing cat grass. This multi-seed grass is usually comprised of rye, barley, or wheat grass that are all non-toxic and alluring to the felines. Easy and fast to grow, this grass is the perfect healthy addition for your home and is a reminder that you can be walking barefoot through grass in the coming months.
Indoor gardening is a growing trend as more and more adults become renters and one doesn’t need a green thumb to get involved. By starting with these low-maintenance and well-adjusted plants, anyone can bring an indoor paradise to life for human and pets.

Happy Birthday Chicago

Thu, 05 Mar 2020 17:31:18 GMT

183 years-old and still amazing!

On March 4, 1837 Chicago was officially incorporated as a City in the state of Illinois which means next month; our great city will celebrate its 183rd birthday; and Chicago is looking great for her age. From the infamous Chicago Fire to the winning the World Series; this city has a plethora of historical moments to celebrate. Of course, one of the best ways to commemorate all of it is a trip down memory lane to highlight some the City’s vast historical events while attending a party at the Chicago History Museum this March 4, 2020 starting at 4pm.

Free to the Chicago public with a Valid ID: visitors will be immersed in Chicago’s past through various exhibits such as the Great Chicago Fire and the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. Party goers will have the chance to see Chicago’s history with the Chicago 00 Project . An immersive 360-degree experience of Chicago’s past that allows you to even ascend the world’s first Ferris wheel; which of course was born right here in our City.

While we wait for the big day; check out these two inventions from Chicago’s rich history that helped shape the modern cities we see today.

The Skyscraper:

The Chicago skyline is one of the most recognizable and iconic views in the world with its glimmering steel towers and expansive lakefront. In fact; every modern city skyline owes it all to The Windy City for the technology and fundamentals to building a skyscraper. In 1885; the Home Insurance Building became the world’s first steel-frame skyscraper that reached 10 stories in the air (a breathtaking height for the time period). Shortly after; New York began their skyline development which lead to both cities possessing the largest skylines in the world for several years after. Since then; Chicago has built some of the world’s tallest buildings such as the now Willis Tower which stands as the 8th tallest structure in the world including the pinnacles as well as the World’s tallest building designed by women: The Aqua. The city is now home to more than 1,300 skyscrapers.

The Chicago Wheel
On June 21st 1893; the world was introduced to the Chicago Wheel; more commonly known as the modern Ferris Wheel. Towering at 264 feet; it was the largest attraction at the World’s Columbian Exposition right here in Chicago. After its year-long operation came to a close at the fairgrounds, it was moved to Lincoln Park where it remained until dismantled and rebuilt for the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. While its life was short-lived and ended during a demolition in 1906, this Ferris Wheel gave the blueprints for the most common amusement ride found and enjoyed in the United States.
It would be impossible for one little article to list the plethora of events and inventions that Chicago has under its belt. We gave the world Deep-dish pizza, broke a 108-year old curse, the electric dishwasher and like a Phoenix rose from the ashes of the Great Chicago Fire. Take a chance to explore all of the city’s history at the Chicago History Museum or peruse this detailed Chicago Public Library historical timeline of Chicago. From all of us to you Chicago: Happy Birthday!

February in the Museums

Thu, 20 Feb 2020 01:53:35 GMT

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It has been a grey and cold beginning to 2020 with many Chicagoans electing to stay inside to outlast the elements. However, as January comes to a close, Chicagoans should give their legs a stretch and set their sights on the numerous museums. Throughout the month of February; numerous Chicago museums have opened their doors with free admission days for all Illinois Residents. All that is needed is proof of residency and your curiosity. Here a few of the museums and their open admission days that are sure to help brighten any gloomy days.

Shedd Aquarium
February 3-7, 10-14, 17-21, 24-28

Explore the mysteries of the underwater world and watch your favorite marine life swim around you. Shedd has numerous free days throughout February and it includes all permanent exhibits, animals, the aquatic show presentation and the Stingray Touch exhibit.

Adler Planetarium
February 4-6, 11-13, 17-20

Explore the unfathomable expanse of space and all that it holds for free at the planetarium. Be it supernovas or an up-close look at a real space-faring Gemini 12 capsule; this museum is perfect for those who enjoy looking up at sky and wondering what’s out there. Free admission days grants visitors access to all the exhibits and experiences save the Atwood Sphere and Sky shows (discounted tickets are available for Illinois residents on free-admission days.

Field Museum
All February

If you are feeling more down to Earth and want to explore the vast diversity of our planet for free; head over the Field Museum where you can explore the world of Egypt, ancient dinosaurs and amazing scientific discoveries. Every day in February is a free-admission day for Illinois residents with a valid ID. Head on over to their website to check out the newest exhibits and beat the winter blues discovering natural history.

These of course are not the only institutions offering free admission during February; make sure to check the MOCA, DuSable Museum of African American History and the Art institute of Chicago for even more cultural and world history to explore.

Sweet Chicago

Tue, 11 Feb 2020 18:14:10 GMT

The origins of the Chocolate Brownie

In 1893, the young city of Chicago played host to “The World’s Columbian Exposition” (aptly known as the Chicago’s World Fair) that was celebrating the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the Americas. While the fair was the birthplace of items such as the Ferris Wheel, moving sidewalks and even Juicy Fruit Gum; a sweet concoction was being baked that would become one of the worlds most consumed dessert even a century later: The Chocolate Brownie .

No; it isn’t the chocolate brownie that is made from eggs, powder, milk and oil whipped together in 5-minutes and baked. This delicious treat was brought up by Bertha Palmer using melted chocolate and butter with other ingredients that when combined made a gooey chocolaty treat topped with a glaze and walnuts that could easily fit in a lunch box. So; grab some eggs, butter and the following ingredients if you want to taste some OG Chicago history.

What you need:
1lbs Butter
14 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate chips
4 ounces of flour
12 ounces of granulated sugar
12 ounces of crushed walnuts
8 eggs
Vanilla Extract
300 Degree Pre-Heated Oven

The Cooking:

As a disclaimer: this is a batter one should not eat raw due the eggs.

While the oven is preheating; begin by melting your butter and semi-sweet chocolate chips in a double boiler; this will help keep the chocolate from burning. In a separate bowl; mix the dry ingredients (sans the walnuts) until well blended and when ready, combine the chocolate mix with the dry mix. Lastly, add the eggs and continue stirring until well blended. Grab a 9x12 baking pan for the batter, add the crushed walnuts to the top and let it cook for 30-40 minutes. You will know they are done when the edges begin to crisp and the batter has risen about ¼ an inch but remember; these will stay “gooey” on the inside even after baking and cooling; that’s all part of the magic.

Lastly; the glaze is optional but highly suggested. In a small sauce pan; whisk together a cup of apricot preserves, a cup of water and a teaspoon of gelatin and bring to a boil for 1-2 minutes. Once done, add this glaze to the freshly made brownies to create the official Palmer Brownie.

~~
Chicago is as rich in history as Beth Palmer’s brownie is with chocolate and a small taste of it is easy to re-create in your own home or even head to the Palmer House at 17 E. Monroe St where they serve these brownies every day and keep true to the original recipe.

Red and Purple Line modernation work

Thu, 23 Jan 2020 22:31:25 GMT

Beware of how the work may affect you!

The CTA is now set to begin the next phase of the Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) Program this month with station closures at Granville, Thorndale and Bryn Mawr starting Friday January 24th at 10pm and ending Monday January 27th at 4am. During these times; the CTA will use shuttle buses between Loyola and Berwyn stations.

These preliminary closings are the first steps to improve the tracks and signals prior to the prolonged closures in late 2020 or early 2021 for the RPM. The CTA has stated that during the Spring of 2020, nearly every weekend will see station closures for the projects and commuters are encouraged to allow extra travel time and regularly check the CTA alerts for up-to-date information as these weekends can change due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances.

The RPM is a multi-phase project aimed at rebuilding a 9.6 mile track that is more than 100 years old to help eliminate slow zones and increase the reliability of the transit system. Later in the year; the CTA will begin construction of new stations at Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr that resemble the newly building Wilson CTA Station. Once these stations close late 2020 or early 2021; the CTA will open temporary train stations to help alleviate travel pressure during the construction.

South on the Redline at Belmont; the Red-Purple bypass portion of the RPM is well-under way as crews have begun drilling foundation holes for the fly-over. The Bypass will be used as means for the Brown Line to travel over the Red and Purple trains; allowing for quicker travel and an increase in trains. Currently, the foundation work does not impact commuters at the Belmont Station.

For more information about the RPM including station closures, delays and timeline projections; check out the CTA’s RPM page.

Vegetarian on Montrose

Wed, 15 Jan 2020 21:08:19 GMT

A vegetarians guide to eating on Montrose in Ravenswood

Montrose Avenue is not only the southern border of the Ravenswood neighborhood; but it is also home to some of the popular restaurants that offer either vegetarian or vegan options. It only takes a short walk West from Clark street to begin to see that this neighborhood is ready to cater to all ranges of culinary needs. Here are just a few of those places serving up non-meat deliciousness.

Bliss Resto

Nested at 1522 W. Montrose near Ashland; this cozy and vibrant Asian-American Fusion restaurant is a new addition to the Ravenswood family. Inside, geometric light fixtures and art work enhance the ambiance of the dining room while the exhibition kitchen prepares the food. Here; vegetarians will find themselves with an abundance of options to satisfy their palate.

The Holy Basil with Vegetables and Tofu: It isn’t blessed by the Pope but this entree deserves some praise with its perfect balance between flavor and spice. The various vegetables (green beans, onion, bell peppers) are perfectly paired with chunks of tofu that are all cooked in delicious chili paste sauce. As vegetarians know; tofu can be a hit or a miss and Bliss Restro did not disappoint with their preparation. The tofu absorbed the richness of the sauce flawlessly. The crunch of the veggies followed by the heat of Holy Basil will help clear any winter sniffles. The dish overall was as much a delight as the left overs from the ample service size of the meal. Even though the interior is on the smaller side of restaurants, the atmosphere is pleasant and promotes conversation amongst the table; especially if one is lucky to see the interesting ornaments on their Christmas Tree.

Don’t forget to indulge in a few non-meat appetizers like their vegetable dumplings or egg rolls. Crunchy exteriors with a tasteful filling and dipping sauce that won’t fill you up before the main event.

Bien Me Sabe

A long-time staple in Ravenswood; Bien Me Sabe (1637 W. Montrose) serves traditional Venezuelan cuisine that, while known for strip steak and shredded chicken; offers a variety of vegetarian items among their entrees and appetizers to indulge in.

While sipping on your self-brought wine or beer, take the chance to order the Tequenos; a delicious combination of fried cheese wrapped in wheat flour. These light and fluffy Tequenos come with a sweet n tangy sauce and a spicier aioli that provide the perfect flavor addition to the bather and fried cheese.

There is no better way to experience the taste of vegetarian Venezuelan food like the Arepa. With nearly a third of their selection meat free; it won’t be hard to find a favorite. Take the Tropical Vegan Arepa: Served in fresh Corn-flour bread; marinated tofu, plantains and black beans are brought together for a perfect Venezuelan taste. Even if plantains are not desired; check out the Domino: flavorful black beans and Caribbean cheese that will leave anyone licking the plate (adding the marinated tofu gives it even more substance and zest).

Urban Vegan

As the name suggests; vegetarians and vegans will find an entire menu that is catered to their tastes and desires at this eclectic restaurant. When it comes to Thai food, often the non-meat eaters must rely on vegetables and tofu but here; soy chicken soy fish and even soy shrimp are battered, fried or sautéed to bring that little extra to the table.

Start your meal out with an order (or two if you want to share) of their crispy chicken nuggets; Soy chicken that is lightly battered then fried and served with a finger-licking sweet chili sauce to dip and/or their Chicken Satay; Marinated and charbroiled chicken on skewers with peanut sauce and cucumber salad on the side. These appetizers are sized perfectly to hold you over until the main course.

The entrée selection is dizzying in all the best ways with the knowledge of their soy-meat selection. From Spicy Bok Choy to Sweet and Sour, the vegetarians can have it all. While it’s near impossible to pinpoint a dish that stands above the rest, the Orange Chicken was a prime example of perfectly marinated soy-chicken in their zesty orange sauce and provided an ample supply of take-home.

While these three restaurants offer truly delicious meals; the vibrant Ravenswood neighborhood is full of restaurants, cafes and bars with vegan and vegetarian options to enjoy with culinary styles such as Indian, African and American style cooking right outside the front door.

Home-Cooked in Chicago

Thu, 19 Dec 2019 21:01:28 GMT

Chicago's creative culinary inventions

It's a Chicago holiday time of year!

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 20:22:33 GMT

The beauty of Chicago's holiday season

While many friends and family travel this month for the holidays away from the city, many Chicagoans play host to families or have their own celebrations. Chicago provides some of the best holiday attractions to give you and/or family the best seasonal fun available. Here are some of the most well-known and enjoyed holiday events of the season.

It wouldn’t be the festive time of year if there were not a plethora of holiday light displays that provide a warm cozy atmosphere against the cold of winter. Take the Botanical Gardens who is hosting the U.S. debut of “ Lightscape .” Immerse yourself in an after-dark mile-long path of lights, sounds and imagination. Visitors can experience the magic of singing trees, a water-fall made of light, a garden of fire and a marshmallow roasting pit for those melt-in your mouth smores. But don’t stop there, just down the street stand more trees adorned with lights at the Lincoln Park Zoo Zoolights ; the city’s most popular light display. Grab a hot chocolate and enjoy ice-sculptors, lighted tunnels and more than one million LEDs throughout the zoo.

To enjoy another Holiday tradition in the city, you may venture north or south for the spectacular Christkindlemarkets at Daley Plaza and Gallagher way near Wrigley field. Grab yourself a traditional Raclette sandwich and take in the sights of hand-made ornaments, wooden toys and beautiful winter clothing; but try not to let the sights take your breath away, the smell of roasting nuts mixed with cinnamon and spices will be permeating the air giving you a taste for the holiday. The market at Gallagher way may be a smaller version; however with the addition of their ice-skating rink; this is a little holiday village you do not want to miss during the season.

The holidays and Chicago go hand in hand; so it is no surprise that the CTA dawns their holiday apparel and sets their Holiday Fleet throughout the city. Featuring the Holiday Train, The Elves’ Workshop train and the Holiday bus; CTA riders will feel the warmth of garland, multi-color lights and of course, Santa Clause waving to all passengers from his sleigh.

Chicago is a winter wonderland of entertainment and beauty during the holiday season. Don’t let your visiting friends or family miss out on these time-honored Chicago traditions.

Halloween Events

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 19:53:50 GMT

Chicago is going to be spooky!

The time of year where ghosts; goblins and creatures of the night roam throughout Chicago is upon us once again. Jack-o-lanterns adorn sidewalks and spider webs hang precariously as Chicago prepares for one of its favorite holidays with events, parades and contests throughout the city with several taking place in our own neighborhoods!

On Oct 31 on Halsted from Belmont to Brompton in Lakeview; ghosts, goblins, super heroes, fire twirlers and more will rise again to march down the street for onlookers to see. During the parade, watchers can vote for their favorite costume by posting a photo of them on Instagram with #hauntedhalsted000. If you are feeling competitive, the costume contest is free, and pets are welcome to march in the parade or watch with their human companions! All ages may register at the parade.

The Haunted Halsted Halloween Night has been voted one of the best in the nation by Fodor’s Travel Guide; don’t miss out on a night of Halloween splendor!

This weekend, the bustling Andersonville neighborhood hosts numerous Halloween events during the weekend that range from a Halloween pet-parade to a haunted scavenger hunt through storage units. The most anticipated of the weekend is the Trick-or-Treat on Clark Street on October 27 from 12pm-3pm which includes a Costume Contest and other haunting activities. Candy bags are sure to be full of sweets; as more than 100 business are participating in the treating. Just look for the orange pumpkin on the storefront! Head on over to Andersonville.org to find out more information on more Halloween events and ghoulish adventures.

The EMERGENCY CALL System!

Wed, 02 Oct 2019 19:50:02 GMT

The real reason to use the Seminary Properties emergency system.

Seminary Properties employs an office team to answer calls and process work requests Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm.   Outside of those hours, we offer our residents the ability to reach an on-call representative whenever an emergency requires it.   We would assume that most property management companies offer such a lifeline. If a resident is locked out, has no heat in winter, or their apartment has been burglarized, they need to get help from their property manager.   The Seminary Properties emergency number is posted on letterhead, the lease, the welcome packet, and many places on the Seminary Properties website.   To make a long story short, we have an emergency contact number and the number is available in many locations.

This phone number is called the “emergency number” because it is designed to be used exclusively for emergencies. Over the past several years, we have learned that what is considered to be an emergency by Seminary Properties is not always what tenants think of as an emergency.   Here is the Merriam-Webster definition of the word “emergency”:
Definition of emergency
1 : an unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting state that calls for immediate action
2 : an urgent need for assistance or relief

Bearing that in mind, here are some situations that constitute an emergency in the context of a landlord-tenant relationship:
•    No heat in winter
•    Robbery
•    No water
•    Broken water line
•    Fire
•    Gas leak
•    Any other situation that, without immediate attention, could put someone in physical danger

In the past, Seminary Properties has received calls to our emergency line asking about the status of their account, asking questions regarding a lease extension, submitting reports of a dishwasher not working, reports of a slow drain, or other situations that can wait until the next business day to be addressed.   Of course, it is fine to submit non-emergency maintenance requests by email, the online tenant portal, or by calling the office phone line at any time of day, as Seminary Properties does want to ensure that apartments are in the best possible condition and has to know about issues before they can be solved. However, some maintenance requests are emergencies, and some are not, and it is always best to use discretion before dialing the emergency line.

THINGS TO DO IN ALBANY PARK

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 07:00:00 GMT

Albany Park is a wonderful, not-so-hidden gem of the Chicago North Side area. Albany Park has a remarkable and proud history of being a truly diverse neighborhood. While the area was created back in the late 19th century, it wasn’t until 1907 that the “L” was constructed all the way to the Kimball train station. The neighborhood immediately became a destination for all races and ethnic populations. By 1930, Albany Park’s population surpassed 50,000 and remains above that level today.

Albany Park is the section of the city that starts at the Chicago North Branch River to the east and goes west to Pulaski Rd. The area’s southern and northern borders are Montrose and Foster Avenues, respectively. Albany Park is an amazing area with access to multiple CTA Brown Line stations, the Montrose Blue Line station, access to the Edens Expressway (Interstate 90/94), and many bus routes (#53 Pulaski, #78 Montrose, #80 Irving Park, #81 Lawrence, #82 Kimball/Homan and #92 Foster).

The neighborhood has become a destination of visitors and new residents due to its comparatively lower rents and wide selection of culinary offerings. The wide variety of restaurants in the neighborhood are indicative of its extraordinary cultural diversity. Cuisine that represents Persia (Noon-O-Kabab) Sweden, (Tre-Kroner), the Philippines (Merla’s Kitchen), Mexico (Rojo Gusano), and Korea (Chicago Kalbi) are all present in Albany Park.

The neighborhood was once nicknamed “Koreatown” and still has a strong Korean presence and influence, but the marks left by all the other ethnic groups that make up the area are visible in every block. On the many retail streets, Halal grocery stores, Mexican bakeries, Korean radio stations, and a variety of other stores and attractions can be found. Albany Park is also in close proximity to North Park University and Northeastern Illinois University.

In addition to enjoying the food and stores that Albany Park has to offer, the area also has many parks and access to the Chicago North Branch River. A recent boat launch at River Park allows resident to kayak on the river. Easy access to LaBagh Woods offers trains, fields, and nature just outside of residents’ doors.

Albany Park is everything that makes Chicago great. It is a diverse neighborhood that shows off the unique culture of its residents while providing activities and easy access to the rest of the amazing city of Chicago.

https://chicago.curbed.com/2016/4/12/11415792/chicago-neighborhood-guide-albany-park

https://www.chicagotribune.com/redeye/culture/ct-redeye-albany-park-neighborhood-guide-eat-drink-do-20180820-story.html

UPTOWN: A RETURN TO GLITZ

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 07:00:00 GMT

For decades, Uptown has been a neighborhood on Chicago’s north side that has had higher crime and violence than its neighboring areas. This helped keep rents low compared to the greater north side, but has also made it an area that renters have historically shunned. However, over the past ten years, this has been changing. The neighborhood is greatly improved due in part to large investments in the area. Prospective renters are asking for apartments in the area, and rents have been increasing as a result.

Uptown became part of Chicago around 1900. After several railways were built through the area, the city annexed Uptown and soon extended the L through it (Wilson Station – https://chicago.curbed.com/2017/10/23/16520086/uptown-transportation-wilson-cta ). Once the extension was completed, the area saw a large population boom.

During the 1920’s and 30’s, the area was home to the Entertainment District. The presence of theaters and shopping made it a desirable place to call home, and evidence of this period of time still exists today, as many of the older properties show some off the vintage architecture. It was also around this time that Charlie Chaplain opened Essanay Studios (now St. Augustine College) in the area; famous establishments like The Green Mill, Uptown Theaters, Rivera, and Aragon Ballroom, were built as well. All these structures and business are still present today, and the Uptown Theater is even undergoing a renovation at present.

When the great depression hit, the area went through hard times along with much of the nation. Residents found jobs and opportunities hard to come by. While this economic upheaval did lead to a thriving community of immigrants in the area, it also led to an increase in crime and a general lack of care with regard to many of Uptown’s beautiful buildings. This meant that once-luxurious buildings like the Lawrence Hotel became ghosts of their former selves.

The area was ignored by the City of Chicago for a long time. Over this time the area developed a bad reputation for crime, and many renters and homeowners stayed away.

This stayed trued until the turn of the millennium. At that time the area started to see investment. A new Target was constructed, the Aldi was rehabbed, the Wilton Station was rehabbed, The Lawrence House (Hotel) returned to its former glory. This work and many other projects attracted new business. Coffee shops opened up all over, as well as a diverse selection of restaurants and even a climbing gym.

All of these changes, along with the presence of the Lake, Montrose Harbor, and Lake Shore Drive, have caused Uptown to become a desirable area once again. Apartment-seekers can still find apartments for rents below what are available in Lincoln Park or Lakeview, even thought those neighborhoods are only a few red lines stops away.

Today, Uptown is a destination for residents and visitors. It still has its original history to show off, but now it also offers its own modern personality. For a visit or a place to call home, Uptown should no longer be ignored.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/2018/11/14/18472187/the-grid-exploring-the-uptown-neighborhood

https://www.choosechicago.com/neighborhoods/north/uptown/things-to-do/

WHY NOT LIVE IN LINCOLN SQUARE?!

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Mon, 22 Jul 2019 07:00:00 GMT

Lincoln Square is a popular Chicago neighborhood filled with everything a visitor or long-term resident could possibly want. The entertaining area of Chicago offers transportation, events, dining, entertainment, education, green space, and shopping, making it well worth your time to explore it and see what it has to offer.

Founded in the 1850s, Lincoln Square – known then as “Celeryville” or “Pickletown” – was initially occupied by farmers who traveled down Lincoln Avenue selling their harvest. When the “L” was brought into the area in 1907, Lincoln Square experienced a housing boom as people who wanted to live in the area and commute downtown began moving in. It is funny how some things haven’t changed. The presence of the area’s Swiss, German and English roots can still be felt throughout the main square and surrounding streets.

Lincoln Square is accessible by the Brown Line stops at Damen, Western and Rockwell. The heart of Lincoln square is only three miles from the Edens (I-94) and Kennedy (I-90) expressways. The area is also accessible by the #11 (Lincoln), #49 (Western), #50 (Damen), #81 (Lawrence) and #78 (Montrose) bus routes. Lincoln Square is an accessible neighborhood, and it’s very easy for commuters and residents to get around by public or private transit.

The many special events hosted in Lincoln Square are sure to delight residents and guests alike. The Square Roots Festival, Oktoberfest, Apple Fest, Winter Brew, and concerts at Wells Park and Giddings Plaza are just a few of the events featured in the neighborhood every year. One could spend paragraphs raving about other special events at Sulzer Library, Old Town School of Folk Music, and Dank Haus, but this entry can’t go on forever.

In between events, Lincoln Square is home to some of the best dining in the city. A variety of styles and cultures are represented in the cuisine available in the neighborhood, and for special nights out, there are also two fine dining restaurants – Elizabeth and Goosefoot – that are Michelin-starred and nationally-recognized for their culinary achievements. Other excellent options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner include Due Lire (Italian), Café Selmarie (American) , Gather, Fork (American), Warbler (American), Bistro Campagne (French), Pannenkoekan (Dutch), Red Lion (English), Luella’s Southern Kitchen (Southern), Isla Pilipina (Filipino), Nhu Lan (Banh Mi), Kibek Jolu (Kyrgyz), and Sushi Tokoroko (Japanes). These businesses are sure to surpass expectations and delight the palette.

If restaurants have a wait or the neighborhood events haven’t started yet, take refuge in one of the many bars or cafes Lincoln Square has to offer. Coffee or tea can be found at Oromo Café, Baker Miller, Beans & Bagels, Book Cellar, or The Grind. All of these establishments offer drinks and snacks to relax or pass the time, but if you’re looking for something stronger, try visiting Huttenbar, Richochets, Grafton Pub, The Sixth, Rockwell’s, Gideon Wells, or Gene’s Rooftop for a beer or mixed drink and a charming ambiance.

What distinguishes Lincoln Square from other excellent Chicago neighborhoods, however, are its unique businesses that offer relatively rare opportunities for entertainment and leisure. At the Old Town School of Folk Music, Dank Haus, Sulzer Library and The Davis Movie Theater, guests can see movies, take classes, enjoy concerts, indulge in their love of reading, and much more. These establishments offer several activities a month, so there’s sure to be something for everyone.

Even more exciting are the amenities of Well’s Park and Giddings Plaza. Wells Park is a large public space with a field house that offers swimming, sports, and classes through the park district. The fields hold concerts, playgrounds, tennis courts, and sports fields where a variety of activities can be observed.

Giddings Plaza is the name of the square inside the pedestrian friendly strip of Lincoln and is considered the heart of Lincoln Square. This plaza hosts weekly concerts during the summer, regular visits from musicians, and is great for people-watching. The plaza is also near the summer and fall farmers’ market that occurs twice a week.

On top of everything else that there is to see and do in Lincoln Square, the area also boasts amazing, locally-owned shops – some of the very best in the city. Merz Apothecary has all your needs for grooming, bath oils, homeopathic medicines, vitamins and much more. Gene’s Sausage Shop is a European market that has outstanding food, products, and a summer rooftop that offers food and beer. Other business that make a trip to Lincoln Square worthwhile include Enjoy, An Urban General Store, Planet Access Company Store, Timeless Toys, Savory Spice Shop, Laurie’s Planet of Sound, and Uncle Dan’s The Great Outdoor Store. This is a mere sampling of the shops in Lincoln Square, so it’s worth exploring the area to find other stores that might of be of interest.

Lincoln Square has it all: accessibility, fun activities, great dining, wonderful outdoor locations, and nightlife. Come explore this amazing Chicago neighborhood or make it your new home.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment/lincoln-square-things-to-do-restaurants-shopping/

http://www.lincolnsquare.org/

https://www.timeout.com/chicago/lincoln-square-ravenswood

WHY RAVENSWOOD?

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Fri, 12 Jul 2019 07:00:00 GMT

Ravenswood is a small neighborhood of Chicago that was annexed by the city in 1889. This North Side neighborhood’s borders have been in constant dispute by its neighbors. Some say that Ravenswood goes from Clark St. on the east to Ravenswood Ave. on the West. The northern boundary is Foster Ave. and the southern boundary is Irving Park Rd. These boundaries can expand or shrink depending on who is defining them. While Seminary Properties generally agrees with these boundaries, we consider the west boundary to be Damen Ave and not Ravenswood.

The Ravenswood community was orginally developed as a commuter area. It started with the railroad, which turned into the METRA UP-N line. In 1907, it received its first ‘L’ station. Today, the area still provides access to commuters who ride the METRA, the Irving Park Brown Line, the Montrose Brown line, the Damen Brown Line, the Damen bus, the Clark bus, the Montrose bus, the Foster bus, and the Irving Park bus. From this area, a person can go any direction with public transportation. Going from a home or apartment in Ravenswood to Downtown Chicago by train or bus can take as little as 30 minutes; traveling to the northern suburbs takes roughly the same amount of time.

Access to public transportation is just one feature of many that makes Ravenswood a great place to live. The area is packed with artisan shops, restaurants and cafes, boutique grocery stores, breweries, and other special events and hidden gems. The area hosts the Ravenswood 5K each spring, and the Malt Row Fest and Ravenswood Art Walk in the summer. Malt Row Fest highlights the large number of micro-breweries along Ravenswood Ave. between Montrose, Irving Park, and Foster Ave. The strip even has Koval distillery among its ranks. This same strip also has amazing artesian shops and craftsman. Some of the many shops include DEFY bags, Chicago Glass Collective, Century Mallet, ORK Posters, Architectural Artifact, Starshaped Press, and many more. Just off Ravenswood Ave. are even more great shops like Turin Bike, Amy’s Candy Bar, and others.

The food selection in the area is top notch. From the Michelin starred Band of Bohemia, to unique restaurants like Glenn’s Dinner, First Slice Café, Bang Bang Pie Company, River Valley Farmer’s Table, Spacca Napoli, Chez Simo and Bien Me Sabe just to name a few; this wide variety of eateries can satisfy any palette – and that’s all in addition to amazing restaurants, coffee shops on most blocks, the amazing Winnemac Park, and beautiful tree-lined streets. Ravenswood also has plenty of options for lifelong students. From art classes at LillStreet Art Center (Ravenswood and Montrose) to a short commute to the Old Town School of Folk Music (technically in Lincoln Square), Ravenswood has it all.

Few people call Ravenswood home and regret the decision. The area is great for a tour and even better to live in.

Ravenswood Links:

https://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment/the-grid-exploring-ravenswood-neighborhood-things-to-do/

https://www.timeout.com/chicago/lincoln-square-ravenswood

THANK YOU, CHICAGO SUMMER OF 2019

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 07:00:00 GMT

This past winter was long and challenging. It took summer a long time to get here, but lately, things have been looking up. Winter coats have been absent from the streets of Chicago for over a month now, and residents of this great city have exchanged their jackets for t-shirts, boots for sandals, and hats for sunglasses. Summer in Chicago has arrived.

Even if the weather is consistently in the 70’s, it is still summer. With Chicago summer comes an intense 100 days of enjoying the outdoors. Some of the best festivals of the summer season have already taken place, but there are still plenty more to come: the city will be playing host to two or more festivals per weekend for the next several weeks ( https://news.wttw.com/2019-chicago-summer-festival-guide ). Every year the biggest festival of all is Lollapoolza ( https://www.lollapalooza.com/lineup/ ), a must-attend for music lovers.

Don’t forget to enjoy eating outdoors as all outdoor patios and rooftops are now open. Have a pleasant meal or grab a drink above the fracas of the street. You may be amazed to find that some establishments near you offer outdoor or rooftop seating ( https://www.timeout.com/chicago/bars/beer-garden-guide?package_page=20993 ).

Chicago sports are extremely active in the summer. Don’t miss out on Cubs games ( https://www.mlb.com/cubs ) or White Sox games ( https://www.mlb.com/whitesox ). Make new friends or spend time with current ones by joining a sports league (kickball, softball, flag football, soccer, volleyball, and more). Chicago Sport and Social ( https://chicagosocial.com/ ) and Players Sports ( https://www.playerssports.net/ ) are two options to get together for friendly scrimmages against friends. People can even gather at beaches for some volleyball or sun ( https://www.choosechicago.com/things-to-do/parks-and-outdoors/beaches/ ).

As the trees grow their green leaves, the Chicago Parks ( https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/ ) become full of guests for picnics, grilling, kite flying and much more. Some of the parks and neighborhoods host regular Farmers Markets ( https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/farmersmarkets0.html ). Whatever interest someone has, from kayaking, to tours, to movies in the park, Chicago offers it all.

Chicago is a great city with ample opportunities to enjoy all seasons. Summers in Chicago are a time of year that attract people from all over the country and world to experience its splendor. Travelers and tourists get to experience a few days or a week of summer, but Chicago residents get to experience it all. So don’t skip a minute and enjoy the season.

2019 CHICAGO RENTAL MARKET OVERVIEW

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Mon, 17 Jun 2019 07:00:00 GMT

Apartment-hunting in Chicago is always a stressful, time-consuming experience. The last few years have allowed apartment seekers to engage in a more leisurely search. The rental season of 2019 is different from past years.

Over the course of the past two years, the rental market has experienced rent stagnation due to a large crop of new construction projects and condo deconversion apartments. Even though streets are full of rehabs and new construction, the market seems to have absorbed these new units without affecting prices. In 2018 rents were flat or even decreased. In 2019, rents are seeing a small increase.

The speed at which apartment seekers are acting has greatly increased compared to past seasons. In 2018, apartments for a specific move-in date were readily available two weeks prior to move-in. This year, most apartments for a specific move-in date are gone four weeks prior to move-in. For example, Seminary Properties was done renting out its available June apartments three weeks prior to June 1st, the July 1st apartments are 95% rented three weeks prior to July 1st, and the August 1st apartment are over 50% rented with over 45 days to go.

Many people are still excited about the new construction and rehabs with loads of amenities. However, they also seem to have lost interest in the micro units and have gone back to large units in walk-up building with fewer amenities. The most common request Seminary Properties receives from clients is that they want bedrooms that can fit queen size beds and common rooms that can fit a couch and table. Luckily, the Seminary Properties inventory can easily accommodate those needs.

If you are still looking for a new home, do not wait! Apartments are going fast, and rents are slowly rising. Start your apartment search soon and be aggressive. Spend 1 to 4 days seeing every apartment of interest and if one of the apartments meets all your requirements, grab it. Don’t be one of the many people who acted a day late and lost the opportunity to call the apartment they wanted HOME.

http://www.seminaryproperties.com/

INSUFFICIENT FUNDS – A NEW POLICY!

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Wed, 12 Jun 2019 07:00:00 GMT

Seminary Properties is always striving to provide quality apartments, easy access to our team for questions and maintenance issues, and positive customer service experiences. This is a constantly evolving pursuit. In the past, we have created company policies to waive an apartment’s first late rent fee for rents paid after the 5th of the month. We work hard to make sure all new leases have freshly painted and generally cleaned apartments to move into. We address and update tenants regarding work requests within 1-2 business days. We also offer our residents a 24-hour emergency phone number so that a live person is always available during emergencies. These are only some of the polices put in place by Seminary Properties in the past to offer customer service to our tenants.

Seminary Properties has spoken to many of its residents who have had the unfortunate experience of having a rental payment not go through from their financial institution, resulting in an Insufficient Funds Fee (NSF). The reason for the NSF varies: tenants may have entered information into their payment system incorrectly, their banking information may have changed, their account may not have enough funds in it, the bank may have changed their information, or their identity may have been stolen. These are all real-life examples of why tenants’ payments have failed in the past.

Because many of these reasons are the result of an accident or outside theft, tenants are understandably upset when a fee is charged to their account. As a result, Seminary Properties had decided to waive the first NSF fee a lease receives. If a lease receives more than one NSF during their lease, only the first will be waived. In most cases, leases receive either a single NSF or none at all. We hope our residents appreciate this new policy (and that they never need to make use of it).

https://financial-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Insufficient+funds

WHY ANDERSONVILLE?

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 07:00:00 GMT

The North Side neighborhood of Andersonville was a hidden gem in the 90’s. Today it is a well-known, robust area that’s as pleasant to visit as it is to reside in. The area became a destination for Swedish-Americans and Swedish immigrants after the Chicago Fire in 1871. At that time, the North Side area was not a part of Chicago and hadn’t yet been developed. Because residents could bypass the new Chicago law banning wood buildings after the Chicago Fire, Andersonville was able to develop as a commercial and residential hub within the city of Chicago.

Like all neighborhoods in Chicago, the borders are up for debate. For the purposes of today’s entry, we will adhere to the boundaries reported by www.andersonville.org. According to this organization, the area starts at Lawrence to the south and goes to Victoria at the northern end and includes Magnolia to the east and Ravenswood to the west.

These boundaries put the Andersonville area two blocks west of the Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr Red Line Stations. The area includes many bus lines, including the #22 Clark St. bus. The Ravenswood METRA UP-N station can also easily be accessed, and it is very close to Lake Shore Drive. All of this makes Andersonville an accessible area that can easily be reached and explored via public transit.

Once you’re in Andersonville, you won’t want to leave. The activities, museums, shops, dining, and events make the area enjoyable during all seasons. The largest event for the area is the Midsommarfest weekend celebration of the summer solstice. This event is over a mile long and has multiple stages, plenty of food, and numerous artesian vendors. In addition to this amazing festival the area regularly organizes Clark St. sidewalk sales and holiday strolls. These are wonderful opportunities to visit a wide variety of retail spaces.

The amazing shops in Andersonville make it feel different than many of Chicago’s other retail hubs. Andersonville has bookstores (Women and Children First), Gifts (Milk Handmade), vintage shops (Brownstone Antiques, Scout, Roost and more), sweet shops (Candiality, George’s, and Forever Yogurt), and even some quirky stores that defy explanation (Wooly Mammoth, Transistor). The area is a store by store wonderland of retail.

In addition to the amazing variety of stores, has Andersonville is also the home of the Swedish American Museum, which offers a wonderful experience for adult and kids alike. There’s no better place in the city of Chicago to study Swedish culture and heritage.

Andersonville is also home to some of the best restaurants in the city. The area’s culinary diversity is truly astonishing, and even particularly picky eaters are sure to find something they’ll love. Brew pubs, brunch places, and cafes line the streets, and cuisines from all over the world – Korean, Irish, Swedish, Japanese, Middle Eastern, and American, among others – can be sampled there. There are too many options to list and all of them are excellent. The area’s three best-known restaurants are Hopleaf, M. Henry and Big Jones, but there are dozens of other eateries that are well worth patronizing.

The Andersonville area is home to a diverse population of renters and owners. It offers endless activities for shopping, dining, entertainment, and enjoyment. Whether you’re looking for a new place to live or simply looking for something to do, it’s certainly worth paying Andersonville a visit.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment/exploring-andersonville-neighborhood-things-to-do/

http://www.andersonville.org/

CONSTRUCTION SEASON USED TO END

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 07:00:00 GMT

Once upon a time, there was a season called “construction season”. This season used to start in the spring and end in the fall. It was a time of congestion, frustration, and a lot of road rage. In recent years, this so-called “season” has ballooned into a year-round, nonstop period of seemingly-endless construction. It seems that there’s always work taking place in the city of Chicago. Year-round residents are subjected to street closers, detours, pot holes, new gas lines, new water lines, and construction workers clumsily directing traffic.

In Lakeview, there are the never-ending Wrigleyville construction projects. The Cubs organization are improving their stadium, they’ve built an administration building, they’ve built a hotel, and other structures with which they are not involved are being built as well. Within half a mile of the stadium, dozens of other job sites are underway that make walking and driving more difficult.

Lincoln Park is just starting to see the end of years of construction. DePaul University has built new buildings and the old Children’s Hospital is near completion. Several more years of construction will occur before all projects are completed. The final product will greatly alter and improve this classic neighborhood.

These are two examples of what Chicago residents are experiencing in every neighborhood year-round. While this is a nuisance and a source of understandable frustration, it is ultimately a great thing.

All these projects are signs that the city of Chicago is constantly improving and growing. They help to improve streetscapes and neighborhoods. These new developments can add more retail spaces, allow neighborhoods to be more densely populated with a diverse array of people, and replace properties that are in poor shape with new ones that meet today’s needs. We always hope that old and architecturally-significant buildings will be rehabbed. Sadly, however, this is not always the case when it comes to some of Chicago’s most beautiful and historic buildings. If every building in Chicago stayed the same, then the older buildings wouldn’t be as majestic. Even though losing some of them can be painful, that just makes it all the more special when the truly amazing buildings survive.

Living in a city of constant change and development has its pros and cons. Getting around can be taxing, especially during peak traffic hours. The noise that once stopped in the winter now pounds our eardrums 365 days a year. And yet, as a result, we have a constantly evolving city packed with beautiful new building that offer new stores, housing, and attractions. These changes provided Chicago residents with Millennium Park, Navy Pier, Water Tower Place, North Avenue, and the Halsted intersection. The new Wrigleyville may be a headache to develop, but we are very excited to see the new and improved streetscape it will provide.

Change is constant, so try and enjoy it!

DO IT YOURSELF HOME MAINTENANCE TIPS

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 07:00:00 GMT

Renters in Chicago can always contact their landlords with regard to maintenance requests large and small. However, there are some maintenance items that tenants can easily address themselves. Knowing how to handle these DIY maintenance items can make a tenant’s life much easier:

Flip a circuit breaker – circuit breakers are switches, buttons, or fuses that channel electricity from the utility company to separate areas of a home. If power goes out in certain rooms or areas of a home, the breaker that controls the flow of power to that area has popped to prevent a power surge. To fix this problem, all a person needs to do is find their circuit breaker panel, find any switch that is not firmly in the on position, flip it and hold it to the off position, and then flip it and hold it to the on position. This will restore power to the area. If a fuse box is present, a new fuse must be purchased to screw into the socket containing the popped fuse. (If you guessed the circuit breakers are much more convenient, they are — fuse boxes have become very rare.) Helpful Link – https://youtu.be/3B1xTgLfQgI

Plunge a toilet – A toilet plunger should be a required item for all homes/apartments. If a toilet gets clogged from too much human waste, too much toilet paper, or items that are not supposed to go into a toilet (feminine hygiene products, paper towels, rags, clothes, wipes, toys, jar lids, or anything that is not human waste or toilet paper), a plunger will be needed. A plunger needs to have a round rubber end large enough to fully cover the drain hole at the bottom of the toilet. Plunging a toilet involves more than just pushing the plunger down once or twice. The plunger should be pushed up and own vigorously for between 15 and 30 seconds. If the toilet is still clogged, it should be plunged again for another vigorous period of 15 to 30 seconds. If the toilet is still clogged after that, a plumber or landlord may be needed. Helpful Link – https://youtu.be/wT5C09JvkAU

Replacing batteries in detectors – All homes must have a carbon monoxide and smoke detector, or a “combo” detector that does both. In Chicago, these detectors are required to be placed within a certain distance of any bedroom, as well as any products that may produce carbon dioxide. Some detectors only function by battery power, while others have batteries and are connected to the wired electricity in a home. Regardless of the type of detector, the batteries will run out of power over time, even if the detector is plugged into the wire electricity of your apartment. When this happens, the detector will begin to chirp once at a constant interval. This is a signal that the battery needs to be replaced. Replacing the detector’s batteries may require use of a stool or ladder, so it’s always a good idea to have one in your home so that anyone can reach their detector, find the battery compartment, and replace the AA/AAA/9V battery. This will stop the chirp and keep the detector working effectively. Helpful link – https://youtu.be/qSPENd-XTPo

Changing a furnace filter – If a home/apartment has central heat or central air, the system has a furnace filter. This filter collects dust and debris from the vent system and stops it from getting on the heating and cooling system’s sensitive equipment. If the filter is left in too long, it will get clogged. Over time, a clogged furnace filter can cause the system to overheat and eventually break. A furnace filter costs between $1 – $20 per filter. Per any Seminary Properties apartment lease, the filter should be changed monthly. This helps protect the heating and cooling system, which helps to keep electric and gas bills lower. For help finding and changing your furnace filter, you can consult an HVAC specialist, the owner’s manual, speak to the landlord, or review the Seminary Properties Frequently Asked Questions page. In most cases, the replacement process is as easy as sliding out the old filter and sliding in the new filter. (https://www.seminaryproperties.com/faq/#maintenance-q8). Helpful Link – https://youtu.be/SGYrVgFSzV4

Replacing a light bulb – Seminary Properties makes sure every light bulb in an apartment is working at the start of the lease. As the lease continues, light bulbs will burn out. The traditional incandescent bulbs have an average lifespan of 750 hours, or 30 days, of being on full-time. This is an average, so bulbs can last for less time or for much longer than that. Different types of bulbs, such as florescent, halogen, or LED bulbs, can last months or even years. If the bulb goes out, replacing it is as easy as turning it righty tighty or lefty loosey to remove and replace them. Oftentimes, the hardest part is accessing the bulb from within light fixture covers. If you are unable to figure out how to remove the cover yourself, feel free to consult with your landlord. Helpful link – https://youtu.be/KQJALywkB4U

Dishwasher – Dishwashers are a very popular invention that has become a very common sight in many apartments. However, it is also common for tenants to say that the dishwasher is not cleaning dishes fully. Sometime these maintenance requests can have a legitimate cause; however, roughly around 80% of the time, Seminary Properties finds that tenants are not rinsing food debris from their dishes before loading the dishwasher. Any items on plates, cups or other utensils that enter the dishwasher will slow, damage or clog the pump and drain. This will result in dishes not getting cleaned or standing water in the bottom of the dishwasher after it completes its cycle. Dishwashers are wonderful and hard-working appliances, but they are not intended to remove food from items.

Locking a door – Seminary Properties operates in the City of Chicago. Chicago is an amazing city with boundless opportunities; however, it is also a city with a criminal element. Every apartment door that Seminary Properties manages has a knob lock and deadbolt. Frequently, it is found that tenants only use their knob lock to secure their homes. While these locks are easier to lock, they are not as strong as a deadbolt and are much easier to open without a key. For the safety of your family and home, you should always engage every lock available on a door or window. Why have the second or third lock and not use it?

Windows – A home or apartment without a window is a rare sight indeed. In fact, in the City of Chicago, a home or apartment is required to have a window by law. These windows are great for light and air, but they also provide security, which is why all windows are also required to have locks. These locks are pointless if they are not used. There are many types of locking mechanisms on windows, but no matter what type of lock is present, make sure the lock parts line up and are engaged. In addition to safety, this also helps to ensure that inclement weather stays outside your home. It is common for residents to open their windows in the summer and close them during the winter; however, we often find that they do not take the time to line up the locking mechanism and lock the lock. Over time, gravity can pull the top window pane down allowing outside temperatures open access into a home. Why heat a home to 70 degrees, only to leave windows ajar, bringing in frigid winter temperatures? Take the time to make sure the lock mechanism lines up between the two window panes and lock the window for safety and comfort. Helpful link – https://youtu.be/430UvsgjwVc

These are the eight most common work requests or contributing factors to resident concerns that Seminary Properties encounters. Even though Seminary Properties feels these are all situations most tenants can handle, we do offer the service to resolve them. It is up to the individual to address the problem at the time of discovery, or to take the longer option of submitting a maintenance request so that Seminary Properties can address it.

AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE IN LAKEVIEW!

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Sat, 23 Mar 2019 07:00:00 GMT

Some people consider Lakeview to be Lincoln Park’s little brother, but this charming neighborhood has always been able to stand on its own and is definitely worth living in or visiting.

The area of Lakeview is confusing to some because it is comprised of many smaller neighborhoods that have their own names and reputations. Over the past 30 years, the larger community of Lakeview has come to be defined by the many smaller locations inside of it. These areas include Wrigleyville, Southport Corridor, Lakeview East, Boystown, Lakeview West, Graceland West, Belmont Harbor, and more, and each is appealing in its own special way. No matter what part of Lakeview you find yourself strolling through, however, there’s sure to be plenty of wonderful options for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Lakeview is popular in part due to its accessibility. The “L” runs its Purple, Red and Brown lines through the neighborhood with multiple stops for residents and visitors alike. Lakeview also has numerous bus lines that make it a breeze to quickly travel north, south, east, or west. If you prefer to travel by car, Lake Shore Drive (US Route-41) is a convenient way to travel north or south. Lakeview is also accessible to the Edens (I-94) and I-90 (Kennedy) expressways, so it’s easy to get around no matter which way you choose to do so.

Convenience is only one of the many attributes that makes Lakeview a wonderful neighborhood. The area is also home to hundreds of dining options. The plethora of restaurants on Broadway St., Clark St., Halsted Ave., and Southport Ave. are easy to walk to and ready to serve up delicious food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Even picking any of these streets at random is sure to lead you to a variety of dining options featuring various styles of cuisine – or, if you aren’t hungry, you can check out the streets’ shops, theaters, and bars and cafés.

While it’s true that most communities in Chicago offer access to transportation, dining and shopping, Lakeview is a special neighborhood with unique opportunities for its visitors and residents. Lakeview is home to over ten street festivals every summer that include art, music, parades, food, and LGBTIQ representation. There’s plenty of fun and excitement to be had when you’re visiting any of Lakeview’s fantastic festivals.

Lakeview is also home to the Chicago Cubs, and it is their presence that has created the area known as Wrigleyville. Wrigleyville has changed significantly over the past ten years; today, it includes not only the stadium, but also bars, eateries, and Gallagher Way ( https://www.gallagherway.com/ ), a lawn outside the stadium that host summer movies, yoga, events, winter ice skating, and Christkindlmarket ( http://www.christkindlmarket.com/ ).

Lakeview is also home to its own section of Lake Michigan. The lakefront is full of running and biking baths, 9-hole golf, green space, a dog park, the marina, tennis courts, sports fields, and artwork. The benefits of this incredible amenity cannot be fully appreciated until they’re experienced firsthand, so it’s definitely worth visiting the lakeshore for a day of fun and leisure.

Lakeview’s Belmont Theater district has nearly 20 independently-owned theaters. The area offers movie theaters on Southport ( https://musicboxtheatre.com/ ) and additional theaters for comedy and other shows.

Lakeview is a proud community of Chicago that is more than capable of standing toe to toe with its so-called “big brother”, and it is well worth experiencing as a guest or resident. A visit to Lakeview is a quintessential Chicago experience.

WHAT CAN A DRAIN HANDLE?

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 07:00:00 GMT

Indoor plumbing is an overlooked amenity that most of the world has come to take for granted. People everywhere drain or flush items and liquids with little appreciation for the engineering marvel they’re making use of. Over time, it has become expected that drains can tolerate being filled with all kinds of items and subjected to many situations for which they are simply not designed. This entry will be taking a look at several different appliances with plumbing in most households and breaking down what they can and cannot handle.

Kitchen sinks – Amateur chefs, home cooks, and microwave experts all have one thing in common: they will eventually need to put dishes into their kitchen sink. A kitchen could have a single basin sink, double basin sink, or multiple sinks. Some sinks have garbage disposals; others do not. Generally, however, kitchen sinks are designed to handle water and other liquids only. Small food particles that can fit through the drain grates are fine, but food items that need to be pushed through the grate are beyond the drain’s intended use.

Some people may believe that, because they have a garbage disposal, they can put anything they want down their drain. This is wrong. Garbage disposals will jam and break when forced to slice up larger items, seeds, meats, skins, and non-foods. If a garbage disposal fails, the sink will no longer drain.

In the case of a sink without a garbage disposal, any food items that go down the drain will eventually clog it and require a plumber to fix it. That can result in a period of time where the sink is not functioning properly or at all. In a worst-case scenario, the food can clog the drain stack, the vertical drain into which each individual drain feeds its waste. If this happens, any water from apartments or water-using rooms above will flow into the stack, into the obstruction, and back-up into the nearest opening – which is likely the kitchen sink. It is not fun to have black water with debris rising up into your kitchen sink and possibly overflowing.

To avoid these problems, always clean plates, utensils, and cooking devices of all food debris in the trash before rinsing them in the sink.

Dishwasher – Historically-speaking, the dishwasher is a relatively new appliance that often suffers its fair share of abuse at the hands of users who may be unaware of its capabilities and limitations. A dishwasher is designed to clean and sanitize an item. The appliance will rinse and clean items and use a pump to push the dirty water into a drain, which leads into a plumbing stack. If items being placed in a dishwasher are not clean of food debris, these items get rinsed and flow into the pump. The pump is not built to push anything but liquid through itself. As a result of debris being left on items, the pump will jam and even break, leaving standing water in the dishwasher. The appliance can be repaired, but it requires a specialist who may be unable to resolve the issue for days at a time. Why get a home with a dishwasher, abuse it, and have to resort to washing dishes by hand? Instead, clean items of food debris and rinse them before putting them in the dishwasher. The dishwasher is made to sanitize items, not clean them of leftover mashed potatoes.

Bathroom sink – Bathroom sinks are the least-abused drain in a home. They are made to drain liquids and, luckily, people don’t clean their dishes in them. Instead, they get build up from makeup, soap, shaving foam, toothpaste, and toiletries. All of this is fine for the drain, but it will eventually cause a build-up that will cause the sink to drain less effectively, or even back up. If this happens, do not use Drain-O products. Again, DO NOT USE DRAIN-O PRODUCTS IN ANY DRAIN! Drain-O is a kind of acid that cannot remove physical blockages from your drain, and only damages the drain over time. Instead, just remove the drain cover and use a long screw driver and drain-clearing device to clear the debris. If you are lucky enough to have a landlord, they should be able to resolve any problems with the drain very quickly.

Bathtub or shower drains – We cannot advise you strongly enough to NOT USE DRAIN-O PRODUCTS IN ANY DRAIN! Shower and tub drains are intended to drain the water, soap, shampoo, conditioner, skin flakes, and other grime and dirt from your body. These drains will slow over time due to hair and the other, previously-mentioned items. If a drain is clogged with hair and other build up, Drain-O products will not dissolve or remove the hair. The only way to resolve the problem is to remove the blockage, which can be accomplished with products readily available at your local home improvement or hardware store. If you have a landlord, they should be able to resolve most problems from these drains easily and quickly. In severe cases, a plumber may be needed, but 80% of the time, a drain can be cleared without the assistance of a professional.

Toilets – What’s not to love about toilets? There’s no other item in your home that so efficiently collects and disposes of the human body’s most disgusting byproducts, whether that’s “number one”, “number two”, or the messy aftermath of food poisoning or a stomach virus. What’s more, the toilet is also designed to flush the toilet paper used to clean up after these messes. The aforementioned items are the only things that should ever be flushed down a toilet. It is not designed for thick paper like wet wipes or paper towels. It cannot flush cleaning products, hair extensions, nails, bottles, caps, or toys. All people should have a plunger and know that it takes 10 to 30 seconds of vigorous plunging to clear a blockage from too much toilet paper or human waste. If paper towels, bottles, toys, or any other item falls in the toilet, most of the time that means a new toilet is needed. A person can try to plunge or auger to clear the toilet obstruction, but it will only fix the problem 20% of the time. Replacing a toilet can cost hundreds of dollars, so it’s always worthwhile to avoid dropping anything into a toilet that shouldn’t be there.

Only put human waste and toilet paper down a toilet. Don’t put feminine hygiene products, sponges, paper towels, wet wipes, or anything else down there. This will keep the toilet functioning, which is essential now that the age of outhouses and chamber pots is, thankfully, well behind us.

Plumbing is a wonderful invention that will serve you well if your plumbing appliances are treated with care.

SEMINARY PROPERTIES AND MANAGEMENT, LTD.

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 08:00:00 GMT

Seminary Properties and Management, Ltd. is an apartment management company that strives to give fast, attentive service to all our residents and the properties we serve. We feel it is our mission to provide equal and fair treatment to all tenants. Accessibility, service, and fairness are the core tenets of our customer service philosophy.

Accessibility: Seminary Properties understands that a modern property management company needs to keep pace with the constant growth and development of new technologies, so we always strive to offer new options to tech-savvy tenants while retaining some classic business qualities. We offer our tenants online mobile access so that they can review their account, sign and renew leases, submit maintenance requests, pay rent, and update their information anytime. However, for those times when speaking to a human being is necessary, a full-time office team is accessible by phone from 8:30am to 6pm, Monday through Friday. Seminary Properties also offers our tenants a 24-hour emergency phone number. Dialing this number connects our tenants to a Seminary Property staff member who is on-call and able to respond to emergency situations. It is important for our team to be accessible in person, by phone, e-mail or via communications by tenant portal so that any issues can be promptly addressed.

Service: Seminary Properties is ready and able to provide service to our tenants via our office and maintenance teams. Our office team is available to answer questions and provide assistance to tenants, including the submitting and assigning maintenance requests. The maintenance team works from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday, to address as many works request possible each day. Even outside of the workday, our emergency contact number can reach on-call staff 24-hours a day for true emergencies.

Fairness: Seminary Properties goes to extreme lengths to treat all tenants equally and fairly. This can result in residents being upset that special requests are not agreed to, since these requests cannot be offered to all tenants. Seminary Properties has an extensive lease that outlines what can be expected by tenants from Seminary Properties. Seminary Properties will not agree to requests from tenants if they are not requests that Seminary Properties would grant to all of their residents.

These three categories are the foundation of Seminary Properties’ customer service ethos. We will honor the terms of our lease to provide our residents a wonderful living experience.

For more information regarding Seminary Properties please visit us at www.seminaryproperties.com