Crib Chatter

We last chattered about this vintage 3-bedroom at 3500 N. Lake Shore Drive in Lakeview in April 2011.

See our prior chatter here.

Priced in April at $249,000 in a short sale, most of you thought it would sell pretty quickly and that it was a deal even with the larger assessments.

The unit is still on the market and has been reduced $49,000 to $200,000.

At 2500 square feet it is larger than many single family homes.

The listing says it has an updated kitchen and that the bathrooms have been restored.

There’s a butler’s pantry with the original woodwork and a wood burning fireplace.

The unit has Wrigley and partial lake and city views.

It doesn’t have central air, washer/dryer in the unit or deeded parking.

But there are washer/dryers in some other units in the building so it appears it can be installed.

The co-op will do 80% financing.

We determined during the last chatter that the assessment DOES include the taxes of $344.57 a month. The listing also just lists it out separately as well.

How low will this go?

Marna Spizz at @Properties still has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #7A: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2500 square feet

• Sold in April 1997 for $101,000
• Sold in July 2001 for $510,000 
• Was listed in April 2011 as a “short sale” for $249,000
• Currently listed as a “short sale” at $200,000
• 80% financing allowed
• Assessments of $2002 a month (includes “everything”- heat, electric, doorman, cable- AND taxes)
• Taxes of $4134
• Parking is rental nearby for $150 to 250 a month
• No central air
• No in-unit washer/dryer (but other units in the building have it- so can probably be installed)
• Bedroom #1: 19×13
• Bedroom #2: 18×13
• Bedroom #3: 11×11

This 2-bedroom in this courtyard building at 4514 N. Ashland in Uptown has been on and off the market since May 2007.

It is now a short sale and is listed for $143,100 under the 2005 purchase price.

The building was converted into condos in 2003.

The unit has exposed brick walls.

It has central air, washer/dryer in the unit but no parking.

The kitchen has the updates you’d expect in a 2003 conversion including 42 inch cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

This unit isn’t far from the Brown Line or Lincoln Square.

Is this a better deal at this price than renting?

Brian Henderson at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See more pictures here.

Unit #2S: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in November 2003 for $265,000
• Sold in November 2005 for $323,000
• Originally listed in May 2007
• Was listed in August 2008 for $324,900
• Reduced
• Was listed in March 2011 for $224,900
• Reduced
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in June 2011
• Currently listed as a “short sale” for $179,900
• Assessments of $235 a month
• Taxes of $4359
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• No parking
• Bedroom #1: 13×12
• Bedroom #2: 14×10

If there was a “Crib Chatter Hall of Fame”, then this 5-bedroom single family home at 1738 N. Winchester in Bucktown would probably be in it for its sheer uniqueness.

We last chattered about this house a year ago when it was on the market as a short sale for $1,699,900.

See our prior chatter here.

The description of the property is still the same: “IF YOU ARE READY TO ACT BUYER, BUCKLE UP BECAUSE YOUR ANTICIPATION IS GETTING READY TO SURGE INTO THE RED ZONE.”

However, the house has now been reduced another $500,000.

The reductions are coming more quickly now- with several significant price cuts in just the last 3 weeks.

You’ll recall that the house has a modern exterior and interior except when you’re in the lower level which has a very unique fully bricked recreation room, including a curved ceiling, complete with fireplace and jacuzzi tub in the floor.

Some of you called it a “man cave” in the prior chatter.

The house also has a home theater on the third floor and an elevator.

The five bedrooms are scattered on several floors with the master bedroom on the second level, 2 bedrooms on the third level and 2 on the fourth.

The kitchen has modern red cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

Built on a 24×125 lot, it has a 2-car garage.

The listing now also says “needs some water damage work.”

What will this house ultimately sell for?

Anthony Zaskowski at Property Consultants Realty still has the listing. See the pictures here.

1738 N. Winchester: 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 6200 square feet, 2 car garage

• Sold in March 2003 for $375,000 (old property)
• Originally listed in May 2008
• On and off the market since then
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in February 2009
• Was listed in July 2010 for $1,799,900
• Reduced
• Was listed in September 2010 as a “short sale” for $1,699,900
• Reduced
• Currently still listed as a “short sale” for $1,199,900
• Taxes of $22,500
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 17×16 (2nd floor)
• Bedroom #2: 16×13 (3rd floor)
• Bedroom #3: 13×12 (3rd floor)
• Bedroom #4: 15×12 (4th floor)
• Bedroom #5: 19×17 (4th floor)

This 3-bedroom fee simple townhouse at 3847 N. Fremont in Lakeview has been on the market since March 2011.

In that time, it has been reduced $49,100.

The main living/dining/kitchen space is on the second floor, with 2 bedrooms on the third floor and the third bedroom (or family room) on the top floor.

The townhouse has a front patio but also a private rooftop deck off the third bedroom/family room.

There is an attached garage and central air.

The kitchen has maple cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

The baths are marble.

The townhouse is now listed $6,000 under the 2004 purchase price.

Is this a deal for a 3-bedroom townhouse in this location?

Carrie Georgitsis at Redfin has the listing. See the pictures here.

3847 N. Fremont: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1800 square feet, attached garage

• Sold in March 1989 for $210,000
• Sold in June 1992 for $215,000
• Sold in July 1997 for $226,000
• Sold in June 2000 for $333,000
• Sold in August 2004 for $405,000
• Sold in August 2007 for $432,000
• Originally listed in March 2011 for $449,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $399,900
• Assessments of $100 a month
• Taxes of $6833
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 12×12 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×10 (third floor)
• Bedroom #3: 16×11 (fourth floor)
• Rooftop Deck: 12×14

This Tudor 3-bedroom single family home at 5761 N. Virginia in the Peterson Woods neighborhood of West Ridge just came on the market.

It has some of its original vintage features including arched doorways, woodwork, and leaded windows.

Many of the other windows have apparently been replaced.

There is also new space pac and a new deck off the back of the house.

Built on a 30×125 lot, the house has a 2-car garage.

The house last sold in 2007 and in that listing it was described as having “lots of potential.”

The kitchen now has new stainless steel appliances and there are 2 new bathrooms.

Given the updates, is this house attractively priced for this neighborhood?

Terry Silis at Baird & Warner has the listing. See more pictures here.

5761 N. Virginia: 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 2100 square feet, 2 car garage

• Sold before 1988
• Sold in May 2007 for $485,000
• Currently listed for $539,900
• Taxes of $6830
• Space Pac cooling
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 20×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 19×10 (second floor)
• Unfinished basement

We last chattered about this rare 4-bedroom townhouse at 1151 W. George in Lakeview in May 2011.

See our prior chatter here.

Most of you liked this property and thought the price of $699,000 was not too far off the mark.

The townhouse recently sold for $660,000, or $12,000 above the 2004 purchase price.

Built in 1995, the listing said the townhouse had an all new kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.

It also had a private roof top deck and a 1-car garage.

Joanne Nemerovski at Prudential Rubloff had the listing.

1151 W. George: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2800 square feet, 1 car garage

• Sold in July 1995 for $332,000
• Sold in February 1999 for $475,000
• Sold in December 2004 for $648,000
• Originally listed in March 2011 for $749,000
• Reduced
• Was listed in May 2011 for $699,000
• Sold in August 2011 for $660,000
• Assessements of $80 a month
• Taxes of $9346
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer
• Bedroom #1: 16×12 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 10×10 (third floor)
• Bedroom #3: 10×9 (third floor)
• Bedroom #4: 12×12 (main floor)

We last chattered about this 2-bedroom modern penthouse at 919 N. Wolcott in the East Village neighborhood of West Town in May 2011.

See our prior chatter here.

Many of you thought it was (surprise!) overpriced for the neighborhood but loved the modern finishes.

Some of you guessed it would sell closer to $600K-$625K. \

Some thought it wouldn’t sell for over $575,000 even though the sister unit, #301, sold in May 2010 for $675,000.

The unit is still available and has been reduced again to $628,000.

This is a Randquist designed building.

The unit has been converted from a 3-bedroom to a 2-bedroom but it also has two outdoor spaces including a private 9×15 terrace off the master bedroom and a large 11×26 terrace off the great room.

It has a top of the line Arclinea kitchen with Miele and Gaggeneu appliances. The massive kitchen island also has a modern stainless steel counter top.

The master bath has Ann Sachs tile.

There is central air, an in-unit washer/dryer and parking.

This unit is now priced $79,500 under the 2008 purchase price.

What price will it take to sell this unit?

Ivona Kutermankiewicz at Koenig & Strey Real Living now has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #302: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car parking

• Sold in March 2004 for $430,000
• Sold in July 2008 for $707,500 (included the parking)
• Originally listed in August 2010 for $700,000
• Reduced
• Was listed in December 2010 for $689,000 (plus $18,000 for parking)
• Reduced
• Was listed in May 2011 for $650,000 (plus $18,000 for parking)
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $628,000 (includes the parking)
• Assessments of $284 a month (includes water)
• Taxes of $6959
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 14×14
• Bedroom #2: 10×12
• Family room: 10×11

This 4-bedroom American 4-Square at 2955 W. Eastwood in Ravenswood Manor has been on the market since June 2011.

In that time, it has been reduced $26,000.

Built in 1907 on a 35×120 lot, the house has many of its original vintage features intact including stained glass windows, beamed ceilings, a hand carved mantel, and built-ins.

The listing says there is a “chef’s kitchen” with 42 inch cabinets, granite counter tops and black appliances.

The house has a finished basement with a full bath.

All 4 bedrooms are on the second floor.

The house, however, does not have central air -but window units only.

It also only has a 1-car garage.

But for those who are interested in taking the El downtown, the Francisco brown line stop is just a block away.

Ravenswood Manor is highly prized by buyers.

Will the location ultimately be the top selling point for this house?

Mary Nack at The M. Nack Team has the listing. See the pictures here.

2955 W. Eastwood: 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2148 square feet, 1 car garage

• Last sold in January 1986 (I couldn’t find a prior price)
• Originally listed in June 2011 for $625,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $599,000
• Taxes of $5835
• No central air- window units only
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 19×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×9 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 13×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 16×10 (second floor)
• Family room: 16×12 (lower level)

We last chattered about this 1-bedroom at 546 W. Surf in East Lakeview in July 2011.

See our prior chatter here.

It had been a bank owned unit that finally sold for $77,400, which was $7500 over the last list price because there were multiple offers.

A few weeks ago, it came back on the market after a complete renovation listed for $169,900.

We couldn’t tell from the prior listing pictures, but apparently it WAS missing the kitchen.

I’ve been told that the renovation included the following:

-new crown molding in living room, hallway, bedroom

-new baseboards in all rooms

-replaced all drywall in every room (the walls were distroyed)

-removed popcorn ceiling

-installed overhead lighting in bedroom, foyer, and living room (only floor lamps before)

-new light fixtures throughout

-sanded & stained the floors

-expanded bedroom closet

-flipped the layout in the living room (moved a closet from living room into the hallway, and rebuilt a wall)

-new solid core doors throughout

-new hardware throughout

-new bathroom vanity with granite/maple

-new bathroom mirror

-new medicine cabinet

-new Bosch & Kitchen-Aid stainless steel appliances

-new custom Maple cabinetry

-new granite counter-tops, and undermount sinks

-new window A/C unit with remote

-new screen door for rear entrance

It still doesn’t have washer/dryer in the unit, central air or parking.

Since this unit is now, for all intents and purposes, “new”- what will it sell for?

Lance Kirshner at @Properties has the listing. See more pictures here.

If you want to see what it looked like before the renovation (kind of) – look here.

Unit #3N: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 750 square feet

• Sold in March 2006 for $216,000 (looks like there is an error in the data as there are 2 sales recorded in 2006)
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in September 2009
• Bank owned in January 2011
• Originally listed on Apr 12, 2011 for $129,900
• Reduced
• Was listed in April 2011 for $72,500
• Reduced
• Was listed in May 2011 for $69,900
• Sold in July 2011 for $77,400
• Re-listed and currently on the market for $169,900
• Assessments of $202 a month
• Taxes of $3037
• No central air
• No in-unit washer/dryer (looks like its free in the building)
• No parking
• Bedroom #1: 14×10
• Living room: 16×13
• Kitchen: 7×13

This penthouse floor 2-bedroom at 41 E. 8th in the South Loop just came on the market.

It is bank owned and listed at $264,900.

That price apparently includes TWO parking spaces.

At 1450 square feet, it has had some upgrades including extensive marble in the bathrooms- including marble floors and several walls.

It has 2 east facing balconies with city and lake views.

The kitchen appears to be intact and has cherry cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

The unit also seems to have a double door entry- which normally you only find in luxury buildings or, apparently, on the penthouse floor.

It has central air and washer/dryer in the unit.

At about 55% off the 2003 purchase price, and considering it includes the 2 parking spaces, is this a steal?

Eric Mundy at Key Realty Inc. has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3301: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1450 square feet

• Sold in October 2003 for $594,500
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in June 2009
• Bank owned in June 2011 (included the 2 parking spaces)
• Currently listed for $264,900 (appears to include the 2 parking spaces)
• Assessments of $884 a month
• Taxes of $7608
• Central Air
• In-unit washer/dryer
• Bedroom #1: 16×12
• Bedroom #2: 10×13