All Forum Posts by: Mark Shelstad

I am sorry but I do not know any mason to recommend

Apologies if this posts twice-Im not seeing my first comment.

I'd also be interested in your results since I may need to do the same in north edge of Chicago. Originally, I thought I could mud jack my leaning stoop, but have been unable to find a team able to do it. On to plan "B".

As a thought, if your stoop is the size and location you want, but just in bad shape, perhaps having a contractor skim coat it is a low cost solution.

Amit- Ill be interested in the same answers. It has been difficult to find a mud jacking firm that will fix my leaning stoop, so am starting to consider demo and re-pour.

Matt: my first  comment is that the market in that area is not troubled because of Trump; in fact, if the economy had not finally started roaring the last couple years, there might be some bad headlines. As you know, markets are local, so we need to have fiscal restraint at the state and local level to avoid a debt implosion.

Secondly, when you give a developer money, he develops. That is what has happened as the conventional wisdom of millennial's wanting to rent into perpetuity became gospel. Lots of development that comes on-line 2 years late.

All that being said, there is one market for high rise condos and different market for homes/ low rise property. It will take a bit of luck finding the low rise opportunity in the  near loop discovered areas, but there is lots of work to do farther out. 

@Ronald Starusnak . Thanks. Chicago metro gut rehab 2200 ft above grade; approx 700 finished in basement. 4 beds. Gas forced air with a/c. will be R49 in newly redone roof area (50%) with remainder approx R30. New windows will be installed. Homes exterior is approx half brick and half vinyl siding; originally built in the 1950s. Detached garage.

Entire south side of the home has good solar exposure, but I have no plans to install any solar array.

Many HVAC professionals really push installing a second furnace in larger gut rehabs that have ducting or other issues in the field. The two other methods I am aware of are installing a motorized main damper to direct flow to the area calling for it and hydronic boilers driving several remote air handlers. These could be instant on boilers that could also replace a water heater.  Yet no one seems interested in exploring those alternatives that would seem to less work or equipment, thus lower cost. Am I way off base or has anyone had experience doing what I describe. Thanks in advance.

Are there back outside service stairs to the basement? If so make sure drain at the bottom functions properly and is free of debris. Was the surface water during the storm high enough that it drained down the steps?

Had this happen to me personally and it is a royal pain.

Gary Davidson - Castle Law

I mostly agree with @John Warren concerning opportunities in Berwyn, OP and Forest Park although there are properties in FP that meet your budget from time to time. Lots of positive trends in that locale.

@Ashar Ahmed If you reach out to Robert Leach, be sure to reach out to me as well.