Get a 3-Bedroom Duplex Down For Under $550,000: 913 W. Belle Plaine in Buena Park
This vintage 3-bedroom duplex down at 913 W. Belle Plaine in the Buena Park neighborhood of Uptown came on the market in February 2018.
This is a 6-unit building with outdoor parking that was converted into condos during the condo craze of 2007-2008.
This unit has 9 1/2 foot ceilings and custom plantation shutters.
It has 7 1/4 inch crown molding, wainscoting and hardwood wide plank cherry floors.
The kitchen has 42 inch cherry cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances along with an island.
There’s one bedroom on the main floor with two in the lower level.
The master suite has a spa bath with a double vanity and a steam/rain shower.
There’s also a family room in the lower level.
The listing says there was all new electrical, plumbing, windows and roof “when rehabbed”, which would have been in 2007.
There’s central air, side-by-side washer/dryer and one outdoor parking space.
Originally listed for $550,000 in February 2018, it has been reduced $5,100 to $544,900.
But this is still higher than the 2008 sales price of $489,000.
Has Buena Park recovered fully from the housing bust?
Dorothy Wulf at Keller Williams Lincoln Park has the listing. See the pictures here.
Unit #1W: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2500 square feet, duplex down
- Sold in January 2008 for $489,000
- Originally listed in February 2018 for $550,000
- Reduced
- Currently listed at $544,900 (includes one outdoor parking space)
- Assessments of $300 a month (includes exterior maintenance, scavenger)
- Taxes of $10,022
- Central Air
- Side-by-side Washer/dryer in the unit
- Bedroom #1: 12×15 (main level)
- Bedroom #2: 14×11 (lower level)
- Bedroom #3: 12×11 (lower level)
- Laundry room: 6×3 (main level)
- Family room: 20×13 (lower level)
Don’t know how those basement bedrooms were approved for occupancy-permit, given that their windows fail to meet 2nd-exit criteria. I wonder whether Building Department issued building permit for plans that showed these two basement bedrooms. This is a city-wide problem here. Aside from legal-occupancy problem, “luxury lifestyle” isn’t living/sleeping in a basement.
SADNESS LOLZ! NEEDS MORE OLD STYLE GO CUBBIES!!!!!!
I think I looked at these when they were on sale in 2008, didn’t look at this unit, but an upper floor I think, and it was cramped and small and around 300k I think, glad I didn’t decide to move to uptown, that place sucks for property appreciation
architect – This would concern me as well.
“An egress window must satisfy four International Residential Code (IRC) criteria: Minimum width of opening: 20 in. Minimum height of opening: 24 in. Minimum net clear opening: 5.7 sq. ft.”
I can’t tell if these windows are up to code (on the height qualifications) but if not, they’re looking at spending at least $2500/basement window. A nice special assessment or reserve-dump. Otherwise it’s luxury living in a death trap.
“must satisfy four International Residential Code (IRC) criteria”
what’s the 4th criterion?
Finishes are solid, it looks to be a well-done reno, but definitely dated.
IMO, trends from the late 90s/early 2000s (eg white kitchens, black appliances, bright colors) have aged better than trends from the mid-200s (beige-y tumbled marble, dark neutral accent walls)
P.S. I HATE the over-the-toilet cabinet. I don’t think that one is built in, though.
I have always dreamed about spending a half million to live in a basement in uptown…
“live in a basement in uptown”
You can probably sublet HD’s old place in G’s basement unit. But I think that you have to work at least part time as a valet.
Another duplex down where you pay about $100,000 more than the other units so you can live half your life underground. No thanks. This place looks very generic. Nice exterior though.