7 Years Later, We’re Chattering About this Vintage Triplex Again: 1920 N. Seminary in Lincoln Park
This 3-bedroom triplex in the Seminary Flatirons building at 1920 N. Seminary in Lincoln Park just came on the market.
The Seminary Flatirons building is an 8-unit building constructed in 1883.
The listings for this unit from 2009 and 2010 said the building was on the National Register of Historic Places (and there is also a plaque on the building saying as much.)
If this building and unit looks familiar to some of you long time readers, that’s because we first chattered about it in 2009 and again in 2010 when it didn’t sell and was reduced.
You can check out the 2009 chatter here, where anon(tfo) and Homedelete get into an argument about whether or not this building is actually on the National Historic register (or if that plaque on the side of the building is fake) and Groove initially loved this unit but then decides they have included the rooftop deck in the square footage.
Good times in 2009.
This unit has vintage flair including 12 foot ceilings and exposed brick.
The kitchen still has the white cabinets it had in 2009/2010 but it now has stainless steel appliances and a white subway tile backsplash.
The main living area floors are also stained dark.
The three bedrooms are on the second floor with the laundry room and private rooftop deck on the third level.
It has the other modern features buyers look for including central air and garage parking.
This unit never sold in 2009/2010. It was on and off the market and finally sold in 2014 for $524,000.
2 years later it has come back on the market for 14.5% more at $599,900.
Will they get the premium?
Emily Sachs Wong at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.
Unit #A: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, now 1600 square feet (was 1550 square feet in 2009)
- Sold in March 1993 for $236,000
- Sold in February 2001 for $385,000
- Originally listed in August 2009 for $575,000 (parking included)
- Reduced several times
- Withdrawn
- Re-listed in April 2014 for $539,000
- Sold in June 2014 for $524,000
- Currently listed at $599,900 (includes the garage parking)
- Assessments now $343 a month (they were $312 a month in 2009) includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger
- Taxes now $9148 (they were $5767 in 2009)
- Central Air
- Washer/Dryer in the unit
- Bedroom #1: 18×15 (second floor)
- Bedroom #2: 14×14 (second floor)
- Bedroom #3: 11×10 (second floor)
- Laundry room: 12×7 (third floor)
- Rooftop deck: 21×13
boy anon was in super nitpick mode in that lil chatter from 2009
then again we were all kinda feisty back then when the economy was in the shitter!
But those taxes… yikes! Must not be owner occupied as I think the homeowners exception would help that a bit
Great location, nice true 3 bedroom unit that should fit the unicorn criteria of many (at least regarding the amenities, maybe not price). Too bad all the bedrooms are all on the same floor as that would “complicates things” when you have guests over or kids.
Random thought: That bacon-like sculpture on the wall (picture 2) is making me hungry.
Taxes do seem very high but maybe that’s the norm now for Lincoln Park. Is the rooftop deck private? If so I wonder why they didn’t actually include pictures of it, the photographer purposely framed out any sign of the deck and just focused on the view… That makes me a little suspicious.
I wouldn’t call their asking price a “premium”, probably just leaving a bit of room for negotiation, and to pay for the real estate broker’s 5% comission of almost $30k.
I can’t find fault with this place except for that one weird area of the kitchen with the microwave hanging over nothing.
I think this place will go for close to asking.
“the homeowners exception would help that a bit”
It’s worth less than $500.
“super nitpick mode”
I hate realtards that make stuff up, or don’t do their research. That was comparable to claiming Lane Tech or Northside as the high school for a property.
“those taxes… yikes!”
AV went up slightly–about 1%; overall AV was up 9.3%, so this place will have a much smaller than average increase in its tax bill. But it will still be higher than that $9148.
Yet another kitchen for folks who don’t cook much. No vent over the stove.
“weird area of the kitchen with the microwave hanging over nothing.”
it’s because the dishwasher needs a place to open. the kitchen layout is terrible. too much crammed in on the peninsula with little to no prep space to cook. it’s all due to that angled corner wall which makes that back wall unusable
http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2016/06/29/todays-renters-really-are-worse-off-than-their-parents/
“Today’s Renters Really Are Worse Off Than Their Parents”
Can’t compare solely on the basis of rent cost; need to compare based on size and amenities, too. Normalize the rent on a PSF basis, and compare whether that median rent in 1960 got you AC, dishwasher, w/d, etc etc etc.
Bet you a dollar that it’s a lot closer to the increase in household income, so adjusted. But then, I don’t think that overall household income is the right measure, especially given that the top quintile drives most of that growth and they are also less likely to rent.
That floating microwave is really weird. I really like this place even though the living/dining area looks small.
“AV went up slightly–about 1%; overall AV was up 9.3%, so this place will have a much smaller than average increase in its tax bill. But it will still be higher than that $9148.”
My Old Town rental went from ~$6-7k 2004-2008 or so. Then something funky happened and it was $1200 for maybe 6 yrs! Recently it has been $5-6k. The AV is way up and new taxes will probably be $9-10K.
ROOFTOP BAND SPACE!!!!
“No vent over the stove.”
That grill over above the microwave cabinet might be an exhaust. I don’t see a ceiling exhaust, which is what it should have over a peninsula cooktop or stove.
“That grill over above the microwave cabinet might be an exhaust.”
Think that that is most likely an HVAC vent, with the air handler in the closet behind the micro.
That is just about the worst kitchen layout I’ve ever seen! Layout might not be deal breaker in low end rental but unforgivable in a unit like this… where it’s not likely to be an early 20-something eating Subway and Chipotle every night. Cabinets don’t line up, minimal prep space within the actual kitchen (and watch you head on the microwave using the biggest section of counter, above DW!), no overhang on other side where the bar stools are… like somebody just bought a clearance aisle at Menards and then tried to make it fit.
I never understand comments that people are concerned about their house guests when purchasing a property. I see that constantly as a concern on the house hunters show as well. Am I selfish that my possible future house guests don’t register a single thought in my mind when I’m deciding on my living quarters?
“Am I selfish that my possible future house guests don’t register a single thought in my mind when I’m deciding on my living quarters?”
Right! This is a big city. Guests can stay in a nearby hotel.
I’m not buying a home because someone might come visit for a weekend once a year.
At least the ceiling fan isn’t directly over the stove…. as it stands though, the motion of the fan should help to evenly disperse particulate cooking grease all over your furniture’s upholstery and your drapes such that you won’t even notice it is happening for a few years 😉
“Am I selfish that my possible future house guests don’t register a single thought in my mind when I’m deciding on my living quarters?”
No, it is about life style. Some people have house guests much more often than others. My in laws frequently visit us for weeks at a time as well as some close friends and cousins quite often. So it was definitely a factor for us on deciding which places to buy.
I think you limit your pool of prospective buyers if the floor-plan isn’t guest-friendly…so even if you are a hermit, it should be a consideration unless you only wish to sell to other hermits.
You guys are clueless. In this neighborhood, the typical buyer of a 3 bedroom unit pays a premium to have all three bedrooms on one floor !
Why the fuck are people selling 2 years after purchasing? That just seems like a poor decision you know?
“I can’t find fault with this place except for that one weird area of the kitchen with the microwave hanging over nothing.”
Holy shit hell must be freezing over, I actually agree with jenny.
Seriously though what the fuck is that spot? Its not a fridge. The microwave looks weirdly sized too. Do you put like a second fridge there, but just a slightly smaller one? Is that like a wine fridge but the owners are so pathetically attached to all their wine paraphernalia that they’re taking the wine fridge with?
I MUST KNOW.
I think that weird area is there to allow clearance for the dishwasher door to the right, as the dishwasher appears to be practically flush in the corner. But the pics are tiny on my phone so not 100% on that.
Under contract.