With rising chatter of green talk, I thought it would be interesting to mention some of the buildings in Evanston that are using geothermal technology, which uses the earth to cool and warm a building.
Geothermal systems use underground pipes that pump and circulate water mixed with an anti-freeze solution that is heated or cooled by the Earth’s constant temperature between 50 and 60°F. In winter, heat from the relatively warmer ground goes through the heat exchanger into the house. In summer, hot air from the house is pulled through a heat exchanger into the relatively cooler ground. Heat removed during the summer can be used as no-cost energy to heat water.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, geothermal systems use 25-50 percent less energy than traditional heating and cooling systems. The following are buildings equipped with geothermal systems.
2500 Green Bay – Evanston – Attention developers. This is the deal of a century! This foreclosed development has about $300,000 of excavation and foundation work done, including the geothermal system. The previous owner sunk about $1.5 million into the project. The site is 50 x 200. The price – $550,000!!!!
929 Sherman – Evanston – Along with the geothermal system, this four bedroom historic landmark home has a recycled tire roof, recycled ash flooring and FSC certificate Brazilian cherry flooring. Price tag – $649,000.
1613-1691 Church – Evanston. The 40-unit townhome development, Church Street Village, is one of the nation’s first large residential developments to use a geothermal system. The system provides 100% of the heating and cooling energy. Evanston’s own Indie Energy installed one geothermal energy well beneath the slab of each town home, to a depth of 400 feet. This energy well provides all of the heating and cooling energy for the individual unit-there is no auxiliary system. The majority of the units have sold. There are two active listings – from $350-425,000.
1111 Sherman – Evanston – This home has not been built but the developer is offering a geothermal, solar and green roof options. Price tag- $875,000.
801 St. Johns – Highland Park – This Energy Star certified home was designed by Evanston’s green architect, Nathan Kipnis. The home has a geothermal system and radiant floor heat. It sold during a foreclosure process for $1,082,500 on Sept. 26, 2008.
1823 Church – Evanston – The Boocoo Cultural Center and Cafe has a geothermal system that was installed by Evanston’s Indie Energy. The 5,000 square foot facility, previously a gas station, grocer, and dollar store, now contains a music school, recording studio, 125-seat performance space, yoga and fitness classes, and a cafe specializing in organic and free-trade fare.
Today’s Closed Properties
1403 Greenleaf – Evanston – $250,000
901 Hinman #3D – Evanston - $291,000
807 Davis #1612 – Evanston – $607,500
853 Laurel #0- Highland Park – $625,000
1896 Hackberry – Lake Forest – $715,000
25 Sheridan – Highland Park – $725,000
931 Pontiac – Wilmette – $740,000
898 Beverly – Lake Forest $950,000
Based on information from Midwest Real Estate Data for the period Jan. 28, 2009 through Jan. 31, 2009. Listing and solds by various Participants of MRED
For more real estate information, please call me at 847-512-2724 or email me at TPareti@rubloff.com
Filed under: Green news, News | Tagged: boocoo, church street village, closed properties, energy efficient homes, evanston, geothermal, green homes, homes, north shore, real estate, realtor, tim pareti | 1 Comment »
919 Hill Rd – Winnetka – This six-bedroom mansion with a hefty price tag of $6,800,000 went under contract in 15 days.
222 Woodbine – Wilmette – This six-bedroom East Wilmette home priced at $1,050,000 went under contract in 10 days.
115 Bertling – Winnetka – This four-bedroom brick Georgian being sold as is for $819,000 went under contract in 14 days.
2222 Colfax – Evanston – This four-bedroom brick Colonial on Evanston’s famous Backlot is priced at $685,000 and went under contract in 4 days.
Today, my time was limited due to the fact I took my 5-year-old son for a routine doctor checkup. But I did manage to see one property that I think is very interesting.
2209 Emerson sold for $145,000 on Dec. 31. The owner had bought it for $455,00 in 2006.
1225 McDaniel sold for $150,000 on Nov. 20. The same home had sold for $270,000 on April 5, 2005. 
1223 McDaniel sold for $214,000 on Aug. 1. It sold for $328,000 in 2005.
A two-flat, 1703 Madison sold for $243,000 on Oct. 31, 2008. That same property came on the market on Nov. 14, 2007 for $475,000. It never sold and the bank eventually purchased it. The property had sold for $260,000 in 2000.
604 Case sold for $210,000 on Nov. 13, 2008. It sold for $625,000 in 2006.
1945 Jackson sold for $127,500 on Oct. 30, 2008. It sold for $374,000 in 2004.
1621 Dodge sold for $165,000 on Oct. 29, 2008. It sold for $450,000 in 2006.
2833 Park that was rehabbed sold for $470,000 on Nov. 25. It sold as is for $530,000 in 2006 .
1122 Darrow sold $180,000 on Nov. 10, 2008. It sold for $333,000 in 2004. 
The Evanston History Center plans a phased reopening of the Charles Gates Dawes mansion, starting next month with the opening of the home’s basement research center on Feb. 3.
Say hello to a good buy.
Welcome to Evanston Homes and Condos
My aim is to write informative and fresh pieces on a variety of real estate-related topics about Evanston and the North Shore. I am hopeful that this site will be a useful and valuable resource to Evanstonians and anyone interested about Evanston and the North Shore.
I am excited about this web blog for many reasons but primarily that I am able to apply my journalistic skills once again. For more than 10 years, I had worked as a reporter and editor for several newspapers and legal publications as well as a full-time stringer for the Chicago Tribune. I have also as a freelance writer contributed to several legal publications, including Paralegal Today. In addition, I earned a Master of Science degree in journalism from Texas A&M University.
To be honest, I’m not sure how this web blog will evolve. Will I spend more time writing about people, places or businesses or will I focus primarily on the real estate market? I’m not sure at this point. Only time will tell. But I do know I will be focused on trying to make this site interesting and fresh.
Some of the features of this web blog include an easy to use property search and links that are conveniently categorized for those who are looking for something to do in Evanston – museums, theatres, movies or live music. Also, I will at the end of each post include the current closed properties so that readers can get up-to-date property closings in Evanston and the North Shore.
I hope you enjoy this web blog and please feel free to post your comments. I’d love to read your opinions and share your ideas.
Today’s closed properties:
2216 Madison Place – Evanston-sold for $250,000
2615 Prairie #204- Evanston – sold for $542,719
436 Prairie Ave. – Wilmette – sold for $550,000
1254 Ridge- Lake Forest – sold for $1,225,000
Based on information from Midwest Real Estate Data for the period Jan. 12, 2009 through Jan. 14, 2009. Listing and solds by various Participants of MRED.
For more real estate information, please call me at 847-512-2724 or email me at TPareti@rubloff.com
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Filed under: Commentary | Tagged: closed properties, evanston, homes, north shore, real estate, tim pareti | Leave a Comment »