Crib Chatter

This contemporary 4-bedroom single family home at 2138 N. Racine in Lincoln Park originally came on the market in July 2019.

Built in 1992, it’s on a standard 25×125 lot and has an attached 2-car garage.

The listing says it has been rehabbed including the kitchen which has modern Poggenpohl cabinets, Carrara marble counter tops and backsplash and all new Miele appliances.

It has new 6″ plank red oak hardwood floors with a blonde stain that has that California aesthetic.

The master suite has a “brand new” master bathroom with heated floors, walk-in rain and steam shower, skylights, and a Porcelanosa vanity and bath.

It has Sonos audio throughout.

One of its most unique features is the soaring atrium spaces, including the interior courtyard, which even has landscaping.

There’s also a second terrace on the second floor (looks like it’s over the garage.)

The house has central air.

Originally listed at $1.999 million a year ago, in July 2019, it has been reduced to $1.895 million.

For fans of contemporary styling, is this a breath of fresh air in the Lincoln Park neighborhood which is known for its vintage homes?

Michael Rappel at R. Hawthorne Group has the listing. See the pictures here.

2138 N. Racine: 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, no square footage listed, single family home

• Sold in June 1991 for $265,000 (just the lot?- as the house was built in 1992)
• Sold in January 2004 for $1.475 million
• Sold in June 2013 for $1.475 million
• Originally listed in July 2019 for $1.999 million
• Reduced
• Withdrawn in March 2020 listed at $1.949 million
• Re-listed after the COVID reopening in May 2020 for $1.925 million
• Currently listed at $1.895 million
• Central Air
• Taxes of $41,600
• 2-car attached garage
• Bedroom #1: 15×25 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 18×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 13×12 (third floor)
• Bedroom #4: 13×13 (main floor)
• Living room: 23×23 (main floor)
• Dining room: 14×10 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 18×20 (main floor)
• Office: 9×8 (second floor)
• Laundry room: 10×8 (main floor)
• Deck: 15×14 (second floor)
• Terrace: 19×8 (main floor)

The June housing data is out.

Sales were the lowest since 2011, which was near the bottom of the housing bust.

Reminder these closings would have been properties under contract in March, April and May, which was during the coronavirus shutdown.

The city of Chicago saw year-over-year home sales decrease 29.1 percent with 2,020 sales in June, compared to 2,850 a year ago. The median price of a home in the city of Chicago in June was $329,500, up 3.3 percent from June 2019.

Thanks to G for the historical sales data:

• June 1997: 1,817
• June 1998:  2,214
• June 1999:  2,435
• June 2000: 2,513
• June 2001: 2,451
• June 2002: 2,590
• June 2003: 2,891
• June 2004: 3,752
• June 2005: 3,850
• June 2006: 3,557
• June 2007: 3,127
• June 2008: 2282
• June 2009: 1981
• June 2010: 2526 (tax credit sales)
• June 2011: 1841
• June 2012: 2246
• June 2013: 2729
• June 2014: 2846
• June 2015: 3202
• June 2016: 3321
• June 2017: 3380
• June 2018: 3191
• June 2019: 2850
• June 2020: 2020

Here is the monthly median price data:

• June 2008: $309,945
• June 2009: $242,050
• June 2010: $234,250
• June 2011: $207,000
• June 2012: $216,700
• June 2013: $254,900
• June 2014: $275,000
• June 2015: $288,250
• June 2016: $299,900
• June 2017: $306,750
• June 2018: $314,900
• June 2019: $319,000
• June 2020: $329,500

“As we began the reopening process of our city in June, we saw the market respond accordingly,” said Maurice Hampton, president of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® and owner of Centered International Realty. “Although there was a 29.1 percent decline in sales, it was a big improvement from May, and prices continue to hold steady. The 20.2 percent decline in inventory definitely plays into these sales declines, as more options lead to more opportunities for homebuyers.”

The average 30-year mortgage rate fell to 3.16% from 3.23%  in May 2020 and was down from 3.8% in June 2019.

That is the cycle low, so far, for average mortgage rates.

“The Illinois and Chicago housing markets both recorded positive month-to-month increases in sales, although declines on a yearly basis,” said Geoffrey J.D. Hewings, emeritus director of the Regional Economics Applications Laboratory at the University of Illinois. “The Illinois market recorded the second consecutive month of price decreases while the Chicago market maintained very modest price growth. The declines are expected to continue in Illinois, but the changes will be very close to zero in Chicago over the next three months.”

Inventory remained low both in Chicago and statewide.

Chicago inventory fell 20.2% to 8,216 from 10,290.

Some realtors are blaming some of the drop in sales in June to lack of inventory, i.e. there’s nothing for buyers to actually buy.

Is inventory still the problem?

June brings renewed housing demand as Illinois reopens; low housing inventory still an issue [Illinois Association of Realtors, Press Release, July 22, 2020]

This 5-bedroom English Manor single family home at 6087 N. Kirkwood in Sauganash has been on, and off, the market since September 2014.

We last chattered about it two years ago, in August 2018, but we also chattered about it in 2016.

See our 2018 chatter here.

Back in 2018, many of you complained that Sauganash used to be a middle class neighborhood and not one where the homes were listed for over a million dollars as this one was.

But there is currently a house listed for $2.39 million just 2 blocks away from this one.

If you remember, this home is unique for a Chicago property.

Built in 1933, it has many of its vintage features intact including cove moldings, custom millwork, historical lead glass windows, arched doorways and two wood burning stone fireplaces.

Check out the wood floors and boxed ceilings in the library.

It’s on an oversized corner lot measuring 72×124 which allows for a rare 4-car heated/cooled garage.

Because of the large lot, there space for an outdoor heated in-ground swimming pool with an outdoor kitchen, a gazebo/cabana and an outdoor stone fireplace.

After enduring the pandemic this year, and with travel limited, you could vacation at home all summer.

It has a gourmet kitchen with white and dark wood cabinets and a wine refrigerator.

It has the preferred family layout with 4 out of the 5 bedrooms are on the second floor including the master suite. The 5th bedroom is in the lofted third floor and has a full bath.

The house has a fully finished basement with a billiard room, a sauna and a full bath.

In March 2016, it was listed at $1.799 million.

In March 2018, it had been reduced $99,000 to $1.7 million.

Today, in 2020, it has been reduced another $50,000 to $1.65 million.

With COVID exhaustion, will the backyard finally make this sale?

Jeffrey Lowe at Compass now has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

6087 N. Kirkwood: 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 6,000 square feet, 4 car heated garage

• Sold in April 1993 for $575,000
• Sold in November 2005 for $925,000
• Originally listed in March 2016 for $1.799 million
• Reduced
• Was listed in August 2018 at $1.7 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $1.65 million
• Taxes were $14,496 in 2016 and also still $14,496 in 2018, but they are now $22,123
• Central Air
• Oversized lot of 75×124
• 2 wood burning fireplaces
• Outdoor heated pool
• Cabana
• Outdoor kitchen
• Sauna
• Bedroom #1: 19×20 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 19×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 15×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 15×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #5: 15×14 (third floor)
• Living room: 26×16 (main floor)
• Dining room: 15×10 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 15×14 (main floor)
• Library: 13×10 (main floor)
• Exercise room: 14×10 (basement)
• Family room: 15×16 (basement)
• Recreation room: 11×31 (basement)
• Playroom: 26×21 (third floor)

This 3-bedroom in 340 On the Park at 340 E. Randolph in Lakeshore East came on the market in June 2020.

340 On the Park was built in 2007 and has 344 units and an attached parking garage. It’s a full amenity building with doormen, an indoor lap pool, exercise room, business center and winter garden.

340 On the Park, despite being built at the height of the housing bubble, remained one of the most popular downtown buildings all throughout the housing bust.

This unit is on the 57th floor and has both southern and northern views.

It has 4268 square feet on one level and includes some unique features including a lighted water wall when you enter the unit and a new Sony 4K High Definition Home Theater System in the family room.

It has Elan and Lutron electronic systems which control shades, lighting, music, surround sound, TVs and blinds.

The flat screen televisions in all the rooms can be included in the sale.

All 3 bedrooms are en suite.

The kitchen has modern wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances and a massive kitchen island with seating.

The unit has a south facing balcony with views of Millennium Park, Grant Park, Michigan Avenue, and Lake Shore Drive and the Lake, which also has a new gas line to the grill.

There’s also a north facing balcony which has views of Aqua, Trump Tower, the Hancock, and the latest addition to the city, the Vista.

It has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 2-car parking (is it included in the price? Appears to be).

But the star is those views.

The listing calls it the “best view in Chicago.”

Is it?

Bob Burger at Keller Williams Lincoln Park has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #5703: 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 4268 square feet

• Sold in January 2008 for $2.795 million (included 2 car parking)
• Originally listed in June 2020 for $4 million
• Currently is still listed at $4 million (2 car parking included???)
• Assessments of $2717 a month (includes heat, gas, doorman, cable, Internet, clubhouse, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger and snow removal)
• Taxes of $58,373
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Water wall
• Bedroom #1: 13×18
• Bedroom #2: 12×14
• Bedroom #3: 12×14
• Kitchen: 16×17
• Living room: 31×17
• Family room: 25×20
• Dining room: 17×18
• Laundry room: 6×16

This 3-bedroom at 1711 W. Division in the East Village neighborhood of West Town (on the border of Wicker Park) came on the market in July 2020.

Built in 2008, this Ranquist-designed building has 12 units, a heated garage, and an elevator.

These units were constructed with modern industrial finishes and have 10 foot ceilings.

The kitchen has white Arclinea cabinets with Subzero, Miele and Gaggenau appliances along with a big kitchen island where you can’t actually sit but the sink and stove top are located there.

The master suite has a walk-in-closet and an oversized shower with floating teak bench and double sinks.

Like some loft layouts, it appears that one of the three bedrooms doesn’t have a window.

It has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 2-car heated garage parking is included.

The living/dining and kitchen leads to a front facing 24 foot covered terrace.

But there’s an even bigger, private deck off the master suite which is 780 square feet and faces south.

This building is steps away from the Blue line stop at Division and all the shops and restaurants of Wicker Park and the Ukrainian Village.

Now that the city has reopened, are big decks still a selling point for condos this summer?

Aaron Share at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #203: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1750 square feet

• Sold in February 2008 for $653,000
• Sold in May 2009 for $667,000
• Sold in September 2014 for $675,000
• Currently listed for $799,900 (includes 2 car heated garage parking)
• Assessments of $411 a month (includes scavenger)
• Taxes of $13,389
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 16×13
• Bedroom #2: 12×11
• Bedroom #3: 16×9
• Living room: 23×13
• Dining room: 13×12
• Kitchen: 12×12
• Balcony: 24×8
• Deck: 46×17

This 1-bedroom in the Westgate Lofts at 331 S. Peoria in the West Loop came on the market in May 2020.

Built in 1911, Westgate Lofts was among the earlier loft condo conversions in the neighborhood as it was converted in 1989. There are 35 units, but no parking.

This is a southeast corner unit with authentic loft features including 14 foot timber ceilings and exposed brick walls with large industrial windows.

It has a unique double door entry.

There are solid oak hardwood floors throughout.

The kitchen appears to have Euro-style cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

The bedroom is completely enclosed and has 2 walls of windows and what looks like a unique lofted walk-in-closet.

Many authentic lofts don’t have balconies but this one has a large balcony that the listing says can fit a grill and chairs.

It has central air but doesn’t say anything in the public listing about a washer/dryer in the unit but other units in the building have it in the unit.

There’s no parking as the building doesn’t have it, but you can rent it next door.

Originally listed at $319,000 in May 2020, it has been reduced $10,000 to $309,000.

Is this a dream starter loft for loft lovers?

Matthew Andelman at Idealty, LLC has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #307: 1 bedroom, 1.5 baths, 1050 square feet, loft

• Sold in December 1990 for $97,500
• Sold in May 1998 for $114,000
• Sold in October 2004 for $232,000
• Sold in February 2007 for $232,000
• Originally listed in May 2020 for $319,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $309,000
• Assessments of $385 a month (includes cable, Internet, scavenger)
• Taxes of $4204
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit? (it doesn’t say)
• No parking- it’s available to rent next door
• Balcony
• Bedroom: 16×15
• Living room: 23×14
• Kitchen: 9×8

This top floor 3-bedroom in Hampden Tower at 2754 N. Hampden in Lincoln Park came on the market in January 2020.

Built in 1973, Hampden Tower has 132 units and a parking garage. It’s a full service building with doormen, a pool and an exercise room.

The listing says this unit was “gut renovated in 2013.”

It’s also a rare condo unit that has both lake and city (or sunset) views.

The living/dining room has east lake views from a wall of windows.

The kitchen is a custom Orchard Hill kitchen with dark cabinets, Bosch stainless steel appliances, quartz counter tops, a U Line wine fridge and a large island with a waterfall edge.

The master suite is 500 square feet and has rare east and west views along with a remote start white onyx fireplace, which the listing says is only one of two fireplaces in the building.

The master suite also has a spa-like bathroom with marble and glass finishes and a huge 10×9 walk-in-closet.

The other two bedrooms have west views.

There are Shade Store custom blackout draperies throughout.

According to the listing, it’s the only unit in the building with a 3 zone central A/C and heat system.

One parking spot is including with a second available for $25,000.

It’s available furnished, if you’re interested in just moving right in.

However, if you’ve adopted a dog during the COVID pandemic as thousands have done, you’re out of luck as this is a no dog building.

This building is on the border of Lincoln Park and Lakeview with access to shops, restaurants and grocery stores.

Originally listed in January 2020 for $749,000, it has been reduced to $650,000.

At 2000 square feet, is this a deal for the location?

Steven Acoba at Keller Williams has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #2105: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2000 square feet

• Sold in February 2013 for $287,500 (included 2 car parking)
• Sold in October 2013 for $579,000 (included 2 car parking)
• Originally listed in January 2020 for $749,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $650,000 (includes 1 car parking and second space for $25,000)
• Assessments of $1138 a month (includes doorman, cable, Internet, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, and snow removal)
• Taxes of $13,664
• Central Air
• Onyx fireplace
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 27×11
• Bedroom #2: 12×14
• Bedroom #3: 14×12
• Living room: 14×12
• Dining room: 12×12
• Kitchen: 14×14
• Walk-in-closet: 10×9
• Laundry room: 5×4

This 4-bedroom vintage row house at 1241 W. Webster in Lincoln Park came on the market in April 2020.

It doesn’t list the date it was built but it’s one of two row houses with 1 shared wall. It has a covered parking space behind the home.

There is also a separate entrance for the ground floor which would allow you to convert it into a separate apartment for rental income.

While it is vintage on the outside, the inside has modern features including a modern staircase banister.

The kitchen has modern cabinets with a breakfast bar and stainless steel appliances.

Two of the 4 bedrooms are on the second level while the other two are in the lower level.

There’s also a den on the second floor.

There’s an exterior patio with greenery, including mature trees, under which is a covered parking space.

One of the few vintage features that remains are the 2 wood burning fireplaces, both with gas starters.

It has central air.

Originally listed in April 2020 at $1.1 million, it has been reduced to $999,000.

Is this a good townhouse alternative at this price?

Joseph Blum at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

1241 W. Webster: 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, no square feet listed, row house

• Sold in May 1982 for $95,000 (per Redfin)
• Sold in September 2002 for $710,000
• Originally listed in April 2020 for $1.1 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $999,000
• Taxes of $17,327
• Central Air
• 1-car covered parking spot under the back deck
• 2 wood burning fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 13×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 18×10 (lower level)
• Bedroom #4: 8×10 (lower level)
• Den: 9×8 (second floor)
• Living room: 31×15 (main floor)
• Family room: 12×9 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 12×14 (main floor)
• Deck: 20×15 (main floor)

This 3-bedroom in The Hayden at 1109 W. Washington in the West Loop came on the market in June 2020.

The Hayden was constructed in 2019 and has 28 units and a parking garage. It has 38 foot wide floor plans and a doorman.

It has, apparently, supplanted the nearby Illume as the hottest building in the West Loop.

The building originally sold out from the developer, including the $4 million+ units, which set a new price point for the neighborhood.

This listing says this is the first resale of the popular “A” floor plan which is 3 bedrooms and 3.5 baths.

It has 10 foot finished ceilings along with a massive open concept living/dining and kitchen area.

The kitchen has custom cabinets, Subzero and Wolf appliances and slab quartzite counter tops.

There are 7″ wide plank floors throughout.

The unit has a 275 square foot private terrace.

The listing says it has Lutron shades and Crestron Home Automation.

It has the features buyers look for including central air, two car parking and its own dedicated laundry room.

The listing says this unit has never been lived in.

It has come on the market at $2.499 million, which is $584,000 above the July 2019 purchase price of $1.915 million.

Will it get the premium in the COVID-19 market?

Mark Icuss at Compass has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #4A: 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold “new” in July 2019 for $1.915 million (according to Redfin)
• Originally listed in June 2020 for $2.499 million
• Currently still listed for $2.499 million (includes 2-car parking)
• Assessments of $1362 a month (includes doorman)
• Taxes are “new”
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 13×16
• Bedroom #2: 12×11
• Bedroom #3: 14×10
• Living/dining/kitchen combo: 26×37
• Den: 14×9
• Pantry: 8×12
• Laundry room: 10×8
• Walk-in-closet: 13×11
• Terrace: 28×9

This 3-bedroom at 2326 W. Giddings in Lincoln Square came on the market in June 2020.

Built in 2008, at the height of the housing bubble, it has 18 units and an elevator with direct access to the heated underground parking garage.

The listing says this building is a LEED registered green building.

The unit has floor-to-ceiling window and crown molding.

The kitchen has light wood cabinets, granite counter tops, a tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a breakfast bar.

The master suite has a spa-like bath with a dual vanity.

For those looking for outdoor space, there is a covered balcony.

The listing says it has a large storage room which is included.

This unit has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and one deeded parking space is included and there’s a second one available for $15,000.

This building overlooks the quaint and popular Giddings Plaza, which gives the neighborhood a European feeling with its shops surrounding the plaza’s fountain.

Listed for $585,000, it sold as new construction in 2009 for $542,500.

Is Lincoln Square still a hot neighborhood or has the title been passed to Logan Square and the West Loop over the past decade?

Michael Battista at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #202: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1540 square feet

• Sold in July 2009 for $542,500 (included 2 parking spaces)
• Sold in September 2017 for $555,000 (includes 2 parking spaces)
• Originally listed in June 2020 for $585,000 (includes 1 parking space and a second is available for $15,000)
• Currently still listed at $585,000 (with 1 parking space and $15,000 for the second)
• Assessments of $311 a month
• Taxes of $10,325
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 16×12
• Bedroom #2: 14×10
• Bedroom #3: 13×10
• Living/dining combo: 26×13
• Kitchen: 16×10
• Balcony: 12×5
• Storage unit: 4×7