It has been a dismal 2008 for Chicago condos, but it doesn’t look like it is going to get any better, especially for South Loop, once a hot sizzling market during the building frenzy of 2005 and 2006. What made this neighborhood so hot during the building boom is its proximity to the lake and the museum campus for all the cultural attractions.

In 2009 developers will bring over 2,000 new units to South Loop which is 66 percent above 2008. Even with many incentives and lower prices, the pure number of units will be hard to digest in this down market. Definitely you will find some bargains with many developers having over supply of inventories.

With over 43 percent of available unsold condos in downtown Chicago, many Chicago condos will see pressure in the pricing as homeowners try sell the competing with condo developers. Many who have signed contracts will begin to back out of the pre-construction purchase contracts further pushing inventories and prices down.

But if you are investor thinking about the 2016 Olympics coming to Chicago, you probably want to invest in one of these Chicago condos. The South Loop area will be where many of the Olympic festivities will be held, but 2016 is still far away.

If your a new first time home buyer, this might just be the right time. With the federal government offering $7,500 tax credit for the first time home buyers you will save money. Also with the interest rate low as 5 percent for 15 year fixed mortgage, the conditions can never be better.

So, if your looking at any areas in Chicago for condos, whether it is downtown or South Loop you sure will find some value since the bubble bust of housing market. But one thing for sure, Chicago market will rebound with the rebound of economy, you do not want to be sitting on the sideline for too long.