CHICAGO (October 31, 2007) – While Chicago is abound by a great deal of rental properties catering to a wide range of tenants, one demographic in particular is taking increased notice: the potential homeowner.

Renting continues to serve as an attractive option for Chicago’s newcomers to “test drive” the city – ranging from those relocating for business purposes, recent divorcees and suburbanites sampling urban life. But it also is fast becoming an option for would-be homeowners who are waiting to see how the market evolves.

“People are unsure what the future holds in this less-than-ideal sales market and economy – many don’t know where they’ll be in a few years,” says Deborah Server, residential leasing specialist at Rubloff Residential Properties. “With so much uncertainty, many feel more comfortable delaying their decision to make a major investment, such as purchasing a home, until the market corrects itself.”

Server and Rubloff’s team of rental specialists work with Chicago’s incoming residents to help them identify the neighborhoods, school districts and properties that best suit their specific needs. Many in this demographic, particularly corporate relocatees, look to Rubloff’s leasing agents to provide them with luxury interim housing as they adjust to Chicago, determine the length of their stint in city and whether buying is a viable option.

While rental properties provide lessees the flexibility and freedom to make a short-term decision to get to know the city and its neighborhoods, they also provide Chicago’s in-town renters with an affordable option that frees them of new property assessments, taxes and down payments.

For those seeking to move, there is an increased trend of keeping their options open. “We’re seeing more units where owners are opting to put their listing on both the sales and rental markets at the same time,” says Sara Superfine, Rubloff’s residential leasing and sales associate. “Those who have already purchased a home would rather try to get some income rather than none at all.”

Superfine and Server point to the Gold Coast, Streeterville, River North, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Bucktown, Wicker Park as popular Chicago rental hotspots, especially for new Chicagoans. According to Superfine, today’s renters are looking for the property and price, and are willing to think outside the box when it comes to the neighborhood. Many are willing to move outside the traditional neighborhoods to areas traditionally revered by more seasoned Chicagoans, such as Roscoe Village and Edgewater, to get the kind of property they’re looking for at a more attractive price.

In addition to for-sale housing, Rubloff serves as a go-to source for a wide range of upscale rental properties available for long-term leasing, as well as interim housing between ownership. Rubloff is Chicago’s only large real estate firm that is especially designated for leasing and has agents specializing in leasing.

About Rubloff
Since its founding in 1930, Rubloff Residential Properties has been part of the fabric of Chicago and its outlying areas, offering some of the finest properties in the best locations. Rubloff has rental experts in Lincoln Park, the Gold Coast, Rubloff’s seven sales offices are conveniently located across Chicago, the city’s North Shore and Michigan’s Harbor Country (New Buffalo).

For more information, please call 312-368-5300 or visit the award-winning Rubloff Residential Properties web site at: www.rubloff.com.

Note to editors: Spokesperson interviews available upon request