As you know I often write about sports and real estate which are both my passions.  Today both converge with LeBron James announcing his decision…Cleveland, Miami, New York, New Jersey or Chicago.  Well, LeBron, you like so many Americans are about to make a lifestyle decision that will impact your housing needs.

As I always say, home buying/selling decisions are usually dictated by lifestyle changes…births of kids, marriages, and in LeBron’s case a job transfer or promotion.

I’m a Chicago guy.  Love the White Sox and even was in Chicago for work the day of the Blackhawks Stanley Cup parade where I saw the Cup.  Of course, I love my Illini too.  So I’m rooting hard for LeBron to pick Chicago.  Wouldn’t that be great for the Windy City?!

But at the same, the real estate guy in me knows that LeBron’s smartest move – from purely a housing perspective – might be to stay in Cleveland.  Les Christie at CNNMoney.com did a fun story today and actually quoted our own Ed Dolinsky who heads Coldwell Banker Hunter in Cleveland.  Ed is a HUGE Cavs fan and says that “The King already owns a castle.”  It’s 30,000 square feet and considered the largest and most exquisite home in the Cleveland metro area.

So, if LeBron stays in Cleveland, he doesn’t need to move.  And if he wants a downtown spot close to Quicken Loans Arena, he can get a truly spectacular condo for way less than he could get downtown in any of the major cities he is considering.

I’ll be tuned in tonight to see where he ends up!