hi_sakura

A friend had gone to the Printers Row Bookfair in Chicago earlier this month and had looked for the Printers Row Cafe, which was an upscale bistro located on Dearborn and Harrison (I think). She said she was unable to locate it however, and said the neighborhood has changed a lot in the 10 years since we had been to the fair. Did it move, go out of business, or was it sold to another restaurateur? Bonus points if you can tell me more about what's happened to the neighborhood. There was a Hyatt Hotel on that block, which I understand was turned into condos, a small jazz club across the street, and two bookstores in the area, one specializing in local authors. Are those still around?

I have just three working days to complete some research at the library there, though I'm hoping to squeeze in a trip to the Winnipeg Art Gallery and St. Boniface Cathedral. I've already read answers at this forum re downtown Winnipeg, also heard from a reliable source that the place has turned into the armpit of hell: but I'm experienced traveler and a city girl, so I don't scare easily. Still, I'll be traveling alone on this trip and want a place that's relatively safe and quiet.

The University's website is surprisingly unhelpful: no hostels, dorm rooms to let, housing for visiting scholars?

Please don't suggest airport or suburban hotels: I'm driving, not flying in. I also don't want to waste time commuting into town and getting lost trying to find parking.

I'm also wondering if it's glove and boot weather there yet. I'm from Minnesota and can suck up anything winter throws at me, but I hate not being prepared.

We finally got an offer on our house, not terrific but certainly acceptable by the standards of the current market. The buyer offered cash on closing, which he wanted done in two months. My realtor put together a purchase agreement and sent it to the buyer's agent. Except for the cash payment, it was pretty standard---the buyer gets the appliances, window treatments, etc. The house was subject to inspection, but except for moisture seepage in the basement, the house passed muster. Everything seemed to be going well, except that now the buyer hasn't signed the purchase agreement after my agent submitted it to his agent two weeks ago. My realtor says the buyer's agent is this big-name "platinum club" type who regards my house as a two-bit property and we are just "a blip on his screen." She also urges patience, as it's "natural" for the buyer to be cautious. I'm wondering however if we are being scammed. The buyer is a real estate investor and that's about all I know about him.

My 100-year old house in an older, inner-ring suburb with good schools and generally high property values, has been on the market for three weeks now. Traffic has been steady, with agents' appointments averaging about four a week. However, buyers have said while they think the house has a lot of curb appeal, the interior needs too much work: the basement, for starters, is seeping water, and the bedrooms are small with little closet space. Last weekend, we got an offer from a developer: $30K below the asking price, and he wants to tear down the house in order to build a McMansion on the lot. I'm upset and insulted by the offer but am concerned that in a slow market we will not receive anything better. Also, the new property tax rates take effect in two months, and I can't afford them. Should I make a counteroffer or tell the developer to jump in a lake? If I counteroffer, what should I ask for? My realtor, by the way, is pressuring me to accept the offer and has offered no advice.

This company claims they will buy a house in any condition, anywhere, quickly. It sounds too good to be true. I'd especially be interested in hearing from people in Idaho, where this company is based.