I think it had to do with not making a mess; she's also a fan of people taking their shoes off, and she rarely even puts out toilet paper (I don't mean to steer this toward a staging discussion, but she wants to discourage folks from using the bathroom and, again, creating a mess I'd have to deal with.

I am not sure why that house has shutters, it doesn't seem right but I am so used to seeing shutters on center hall colonials in my area that it could be skewing my perception.

There was about 2 1/2" of concrete poured and 2x4s set directly in the concrete on 16" centers and used as floor joists and a plywood sub floor on top.

I have properties in Albany Park, Portage Park and North Center.

I did read instances where the deposits were at the range you mentioned, I have since updated my contract to reflect $20.With regards to the purchase part, I have no where near the cash that it would take to buy a property at this stage.

I'm going through the beginning stages in CA currently.

You're buying right for center city.

When you get to the contract stage there is going to be fees, options, deposits, proof of funds and bank approvals.

@Joe Dunbar  yes and they all sold in framing stage... got in got out got paid !!! 

I'm a big fan of staging homes.