Buy a $399,000 Historic Bungalow in North Mayfair: 4841 N. Lowell
This 5-bedroom vintage brick bungalow at 4841 N. Lowell in the North Mayfair neighborhood (of what is technically Albany Park, I believe) came on the market in June 2010.
It has been reduced $20,000 since June.
The listing says it has brand new kitchen and baths. The kitchen counters look to be granite and there are stainless steel appliances.
Two of the 5 bedrooms are on the second floor and the other 3 are on the main floor.
Built in 1921, it has a finished basement and a 2.5 car garage on a 30×125 lot.
Unlike other bungalows of this era- it doesn’t appear to have any of the stained glass that was commonly used but it does have the original hardwood floors and interior doors.
North Mayfair is a popular neighborhood for bungalow lovers. It was recently featured by This Old House as one of the neighborhoods that are the “Best Place for Bungalow and First-Time Buyers.”
See the article here.
Is this a good starter home for those looking in Northwest Side neighborhoods?
John Trandel at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here.
4841 N. Lowell: 5 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 2000 square feet, 2.5 car garage
- Sold in May 2004 for $330,000
- Originally listed in June 2010 for $419,900
- Reduced
- Was listed in August 2010 for $399,900
- Currently still listed for $399,900
- Taxes of $3932
- Central Air
- Bedroom #1: 20×11 (second floor)
- Bedroom #2: 12×10 (second floor)
- Bedroom #3: 12×9 (main floor)
- Bedroom #4: 10×10 (main floor)
- Bedroom #5: 10×9 (main floor)
- Rec room: 29×11 (lower level)
I know zero about this neighborhood, but just looking at this place it certainly doesn’t scream “yeah this is a 400k house”
it looks like a working class bungalow that should be like 225-250k
“I know zero about this neighborhood”
in the summer dont plan to drive randomly down a side street here, there literally is a block party every week over here.
It’s a little more than a working class area because the neighborhood school is St. Edmunds and it’s $8,000 or so a year IIRC which working class kids are not sending their kids to private catholic elementary schools. Lots of kids, everyone is very friend, nice neighborhood with lots of block parties, lots of professional couples, I personally know two professional people who own in the neighborhood and two more teachers who rent an apartment. That being said, it’s a very boring area with not much going on. There isn’t much bars or quality food or walkable things to do. Back in the days it was a more affordable place near the el/metra/highway and makes for a decent commute between downtown or the suburbs. This is not a $400,000 house. The owner overpaid in 2004. The 2004 price is what this should should be worth even after factoring in the updated kitchen and other work, etc.
Love the house, although I think it is overpriced for the neighborhood. I did a quick search on Redfin to confirm this and came up with listings for 172 SFHs in zip code 60630 priced from 79.9 – 400K. Also, appears the yard is very small, at least from the pics. If I bought a house, I would want a nice-sized grassy yard.
I love Mayfair. It’s pretty and peaceful and residential and has everything you need, although personally it would be more convenient for me to be closer to the Montrose stop on the Blue Line since I don’t drive. The tradeoff for that convenience though is noise from the Kennedy.
I looked at a number of places in this area during my search last week. There are a lot of short sales around here. There were some 1 BRs and 2 BRs available in my price range under 75K. A few of them were located a few blocks over from this house in vintage condos on West Gunnison.
It was troubling that every single building I viewed in the area, without exception, had the glass on the door pane next to the door knob broken – (evidence of break-ins). I was surprised by this because it’s a very pleasant area. Not overtly sketchy like Rogers Park. One building had piles of rat droppings in the lobby covered over by cobwebs. Gruesome.
So I think that although this is a great-looking nabe on the surface, there might be some underlying problems which is a shame. Still, I am not ruling it out, but I would do some careful due diligence if I submitted an offer on something.
Mayfair is a nice neighborhood, some parts better than others. But this isn’t a $400K house. Owner is trying to recoup all the renovation costs. You might be better off buying this one and putting the difference into rehabbing it
http://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/4417-N-Kostner-Ave-60630/home/26770101
“St. Edmunds and it’s $8,000 or so a yea”
of the people i know and attend their block parties tossed thier little ones in queen of all saints.
Gompers has a great sports programs for kids and the forest preserve is a good hike. the people are great and its a quiet area. you will need a car!
any old timers remember the “hidden cemetery” in the forest preserve?
architect, do you know any thing about that one block stretch off foster by the light of those home that are, well how can i explain it, look like updated shacks?
“You might be better off buying this one and putting the difference into rehabbing it”
Seems someone has taken you up on the offer.
$100k gets you a lot of work, but living with a lot of work going on stinks.
anon, yep though we don’t know what the offered price was. but you’re right about living with a lot of work going on.
anon, yep though we don’t know what the offered price was and i don’t know if $100K would cover everything this place needs. but you’re right about living with a lot of work going on.
really nice place,but priced too high…$325 sounds more like it.somebody who wants to live NW could find something in this price range in more desirable norwood oriole or jeff park.
and groove youre right about those shacks.i always wondered about those.
holy crap – just got to L.A. and checked into the most awesome hotel w/my girl (yeah girl – not guy). I know this is totally off topic but anyone coming to L.A. should seriously check this place out. It is called the Andaz – I got this ridiculous suite w/ living room, dining area, sun room, huge bedroom and two bathrooms with RIDICULOUS views of the hills and L.A. for 1550 for 4 nights (including tax). Again, sorry for being off – topic and yeah, before anyone else comments, I DO realize that I am a total loser to be posting on cribchatter while in L.A. – but it is AWESOME!!!
“Andaz”
Pimping for the Pritzkers. Nice.
Also, “personal style”? Really?
Clio needs twitter.
Okay- I had to check out the Andaz since Clio was going on and on. That rooftop view IS awesome.
Andaz is so last year in terms of hot hotels in LA. Things change over night in that city. Go back in a year and this place will be empty and ready for a make over in hopes of reliving their glory days!
Hard to believe this place is considered a starter home @ $399k. In this condition? It is so butchered up that nothing short of a total gut rehab and a thorough modernization would put it on anyone’s short list.
YUCK
So if you don’t want the Catholic school, how are the public schools? Any magnet or other “special” programs available?