Crib Chatter

This 2-bedroom corner loft in the Capitol Hill Lofts at 625 W. Jackson in West Loop Gate came on the market in December 2024.

Built in 1918, it used to house several small manufacturing companies including a hat maker, a printer,  and Uneeda Vacuum Company. It was converted into 90 loft condos in 2000.

It has gated outdoor parking, an exercise room and a storage room. There’s no door staff.

This unit is a corner with a split floor plan. It has authentic loft features including large industrial windows, including in both bedrooms, exposed brick and duct work, and wood plank ceilings.

There are hardwood floors in the living/dining room and kitchen, which is open concept, and carpet in the bedrooms.

The kitchen has wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops. There is no island.

The primary suite has a walk-in-closet with custom shelving and a “recently updated” en-suite bathroom with dual vanities, a marble shower and linen closet.

The second bathroom has a soaking tub and linen closet.

This loft has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and a gated outdoor parking space is included.

It has a balcony off the living/dining room.

Capitol Hill Lofts has a 7-Eleven in the building (not the White Hen as depicted in my photo. RIP White Hen) and is near shops and restaurants of West Loop, including Greektown, and West Loop Gate, including Union Station and the Willis Tower food hall.

It is next to the H Mart and steps from Lou Mitchell’s.

This building is near multiple bus lines, including the Union Station Transit Center, and the Blue line el.

Listed at $435,000, is this a better a deal than renting?

Andrea Catarivas at Keller Williams ONEChicago has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #308: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1261 square feet, loft

• Sold in November 2000 for $224,500
• Sold in March 2003 for $255,000
• Currently listed at $435,000 (includes one outdoor gated parking space)
• Assessments of $691 a month (includes cable, exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $7906
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Gated outdoor parking included
• Bedroom #1: 10×19
• Bedroom #2: 18×10
• Living/dining room: 19×18
• Kitchen: 19×7
• Laundry: 5×4
• Balcony: 11×5

It’s December in Chicago. This is a slow month for real estate in Chicago.

Many homeowners are waiting to sell in the spring market which now begins in early January. They are enjoying the holidays with family and friends and don’t want their home life disrupted by home buyers.

But there is slow, and there is SLOW.

Inventory in Chicago, which is always light in December, has gotten even lighter.

Here are some numbers from Redfin as of Dec 8, 2024 in popular neighborhoods. These are properties currently listed for sale (not under contract or pending sales).

• Lincoln Park: 120 properties
• Lakeview: 218
• West Town: 222
• Bucktown: 47
• River North: 262
• Streeterville: 272
• West Loop: 129
• Loop: 277
• Gold Coast: 159
• Hyde Park: 82
• Andersonville: 15
• North Center: 45
• Lincoln Square: 49

A reminder that developers usually do not list all of the available condos in a large buildings on the MLS, so these numbers do not reflect ALL that is available. For instance, the Tribune Tower is not sold out but all of the available units are not on the MLS. They are not reflected in the Streeterville numbers.

But with no new condo towers currently under construction downtown, even the new construction inventory is limited to just a few high rises.

Will inventory drop further before the spring selling season starts?

And what does this mean for Chicago pricing in 2025?

This 4-bedroom vintage co-op at 399 W. Fullerton in Lincoln Park came on the market in October 2024.

Built in 1926-27 by McNally & Quinn, according to Chicago Apartments, it’s in the French Renaissance style.

It’s an exclusive building with just 2 units per floor and just 32 units in the 17 story building.

It’s also unusual for a building in this period in that there’s a garage on the first floor with valet parking. Garage and guest parking is available in the building.

It has 24-hour door staff, engineering staff, storage, bike storage and an exercise room.

This unit has 3055 square feet with high ceilings with multiple exposures.

The listing says there are “endless possibilities for customization.”

Bring your contractor.

It has a separate dining room and a fireplace in the living room.

This building is “pet-friendly.”

It has some of the features buyers look for including washer/dryer in the unit but no central air.

It’s in the Lincoln Elementary school district. The listing says it’s being sold “as-is.”

Listed at $299,000, where the price has remained, will this seller get close to their full ask?

Emily Sachs Wong and Maureen Mobarack at @properties Christie’s have the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #3W: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3055 square feet, co-op

• I can’t find an original sales price as it’s a co-op
• Listed in October 2024 at $299,000
• Still listed in December 2024 at $299,000
• Assessments of $6246 a month (includes heat, gas, taxes, doorman, cable, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes are included in the assessments
• One fireplace
• On-site valet garage parking
• Bedroom #1: 20×13
• Bedroom #2: 30×12
• Bedroom #3: 17×12
• Bedroom #4: 14×10
• Foyer: 14×8
• Kitchen: 15×9
• Living room: 16×29
• Dining room: 15×19
• Family room: 18×17

This 3-bedroom Prairie Terrace townhouse at 1328 S. Federal in Dearborn Park II in the South Loop came on the market in November 2024.

Prairie Terrace was built in 1991 and has 16 townhouses with attached 1-car garages. The townhomes face a shared, landscaped courtyard.

The listing says this townhouse was “completely rehabbed” in 2019.

It has gray and cherry-toned hardwood floors on the main floor.

The living room has large panel windows that face south and a vaulted ceiling. The living room is open to the dining room.

The main floor also has a kitchen open to a family room which has a wood burning fireplace.

The kitchen is a “chef’s dream” with white, custom cabinetry and MSI quartz countertops with a modern backsplash. It has a 7.5 foot blue island with seating for four, pendent lighting and stainless steel appliances, including an oven hood.

It has some special features including pull-out utensil cabinet, spice drawer, and cabinet pull-outs.

There’s a balcony off the kitchen which has a natural gas valve.

The main floor also has that feature that many of you love, and which is fairly rare, a half bath.

There’s also a laundry room on the main floor.

All three bedrooms are on the second floor.

The primary suite has a redesigned custom closet and en suite bathroom with a custom vanity, double sinks, double shower and custom linen closet.

There’s also a second bathroom on this level.

Looking at the floor plan, it seemed like the third bedroom did not have a window (it doesn’t) but it does have a skylight.

The lower level of the townhouse has a 1-car garage and an extra bonus space that could be a home office or a gym.

The townhouse has central air.

Dearborn Park II is near Jewel and Target, the shops and restaurants of the South Loop including Giordano’s and the Chicago Firehouse, and Printers Row.

The listing also describes it as: “Live in the city with the vibe of a suburb.”

Originally listed in November 2024 for $775,000, it has been reduced $10,000 to $765,000.

Buyers love rehabbed homes.

Is this townhouse a deal?

William Barroso at Kale Realty has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Or see it in person on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at the Open House from 1 pm to 3 pm.

Unit O: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2100 square feet, townhouse

• Sold in December 1992 for $227,000
• Sold in September 2018 for $660,000
• Originally listed in November 2024 for $775,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $765,000
• Taxes of $11,860
• Assessments of $679 a month (includes cable, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• 1-car attached garage
• Skylights
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 14×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×9 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 14×9 (second floor)
• Living room: 14×15 (main floor)
• Dining room: 12×11 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 9×11 (main floor)
• Family room: 12×19 (main floor)
• Laundry: 6×6 (main floor)
• Den: 11×6 (lower level)
• Balcony on the main floor with natural gas hook-up.

This 4 bedroom in Contemporaine at 201 W. Grand in River North came on the market in November 2024.

Contemporaine was built in 2004 and has just 28 units. It has an attached parking garage but that is its only amenity.

It does not have door staff.

The building has won architecture awards and has been featured on architectural tours.

The listing describes this unit as “3700 square feet of luxury living.”

It’s all on one level and has 2 balconies with city views.

This building not only has a concrete exterior but the ceilings in the interiors are also exposed concrete.

It has hardwood floors in the main living areas but carpet in the bedrooms.

The unit has floor-to-ceiling windows.

It has a large family room with a built-in entertainment center and custom bar.

The kitchen is “gourmet” with white oak Bulthaup cabinetry, an oversized island, and premium Subzero and Miele appliances.

The primary suite has a spa-style bath with dual vanities and steam shower plus two walk-in-closets.

The second bedroom is also en suite and it has two other bedrooms.

The unit has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and one heated garage space which is included. A second space can be bought for $30,000.

This building is on the corner of Grand and Wells. Wells is turning into quite the hub of restaurants and retail in River North with Al’s Italian Beef, Lou Malnati’s, Goddess and the Baker, Avli and Smoothie RX, among others.

The Brown Line El stop is just a few blocks away and several bus lines are nearby.

The unit came on the market in November 2024 for $1.995 million, or just $155,000 above the 2021 purchase price of $1.84 million.

Contemporaine is now 20 years old.

Does it still have the pizzazz it had when it was new or has it been lost in the luxury condo shuffle?

Yogi Yedlin and Malia Motley at Dream Town Realty have the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #901: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3700 square feet

• Sold in May 2004 for $1.725 million
• Sold in June 2012 for $1.8 million
• Sold in November 2021 for $1.84 million
• Listed in November 2024 for $1.995 million
• Currently still listed at $1.995 million
• Taxes of $33,166
• Assessments of $2261 a month (includes heat, a/c, gas, parking, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• One heated garage space included but second available for $30,000
• Bedroom #1: 18×17
• Bedroom #2: 17×15
• Bedroom #3: 15×10
• Bedroom #4: 15×13
• Living room: 17×15
• Dining room: 18×17
• Family room: 21×12
• Breakfast room: 16×11
• Kitchen: 17×16
• Foyer: 15×5
• Walk-in-closet: 17×14
• Laundry: 10×8
• Balcony #1: 17×7
• Balcony #2: 23×7

This 3-bedroom in the Park Tower at 5415 N. Sheridan Road in Edgewater came on the market in September 2024. I thought I had my own picture of this building, but I apparently still do not.

The Park Tower was built in 1973 and has 734 units and attached garage parking.

In the 1970s, they built these high rises with amenities. Park Tower has door staff, a party room, sauna, exercise room, large sundeck and an indoor pool.

In another listing for a different unit in the building, it said the building had reserves of over $5 million as of the end of January 2024. Additionally, pets are NOT allowed.

This unit has been “nicely rehabbed” and is a combined 2 bedroom/2 bath and studio/1 bath unit on the 49th floor.

The listing says it has 270 degree floor-to-ceiling views of the lake, park, and downtown Chicago.

It has porcelain tile floors in the living/dining/kitchen and hardwood floors in the two bedrooms.

The third bedroom is currently open and part of the living space. The listing says a wall could be added to restore the third bedroom.

The kitchen has wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops and backsplash and has a window.

Two of the bathrooms have walk-in-showers and the third has a tub. None have a double vanity.

The unit has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and there is valet garage parking available for $160 a month.

This building is “steps” from the Mariano’s and CTA bus stop and the shops and restaurants on Broadway. It’s also across the street from Foster Beach and is near the Red Line.

Listed in September 2024 at $574,000, this unit is the most expensive, and largest, currently listed in the building.

Will this sell to someone who loves views?

Bahram Irani at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here (sorry, no floor plan).

Unit #4901-03: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 1850 square feet

• Sold in May 2004 for $460,000 (as combined unit)
• Originally listed in September 2024 for $574,000
• Currently still listed at $574,000
• Assessments of $1779 a month (includes heat, a/c, doorman, cable, exterior maintenance, scavenger, Internet)
• Taxes of $3398 (has a senior exemption)
• Central Air (a different listing says it’s “controlled by the building”)
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Valet parking available for $160 a month
• Bedroom #1: 20×12
• Bedroom #2: 14×11
• Bedroom #3: 13×10
• Living/dining room: 15×17
• Kitchen: 17×18
• Family room: 13×10 (is this bedroom #3?)
• Laundry room: 9×6
• No outdoor space

This 6-bedroom single family home at 3424 N. Greenview in the Southport neighborhood of Lakeview came on the market in October 2024.

Built in 2006, it is a custom built solid brick home with 7209 square feet. The house is on an extra wide Chicago lot measuring 37.5 x 124.

It has a 3 1/2 car garage.

The listing says this house is “highly upgraded and just renovated.”

It has hardwood floors throughout, solid core doors and custom millwork.

The house has a foyer and 3 fireplaces including one in the living room and one in the great room.

There is a separate dining room.

The chef’s kitchen is eat-in with white cabinets, top of the line appliances, a full slab island with breakfast bar, a walk-in-pantry, butler’s pantry and separate eating area.

There’s also an office on this floor.

The kitchen leads to the great room which has custom built-ins.

There’s also a mudroom and a half bath on the main floor

The second floor has 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths, including the primary suite which has a sitting room, 2 walk-in-closets, and an en suite natural stone spa bath.

The third floor has the 5th bedroom with a full bath as well as a playroom which leads to a “sun-filled” roof deck with a pergola.

The lower level has the 6th bedroom, another full bath, a second office and a recreation room. It is a genuine lower level, with no outdoor space.

The house has central air and the laundry room has a side-by-side washer/dryer.

In addition to the rooftop deck, there is a blue stone patio with a fireplace off the main level and a “big deck” over the 3 1/2 car garage.

This home is in a prime part of Southport. It’s near the Southport El stop and the shops and restaurants on Southport. It is just 0.2 miles from Starbucks.

And Redfin tells me it’s a 20 minute walk to Wrigley Field.

This is only the first time this house has been on the market since the original sale in 2006.

Listed at $2.96 million, will they get their asking price in this popular neighborhood?

Ian Schwartz at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

3424 N. Greenview: 6 bedrooms, 5 full baths, 2 half baths, 7209 square feet, single family home

• Sold in November 2006 for $1,000,000
• Originally listed in October 2024 for $2.96 million
• Currently still listed in November 2024 for $2.96 million
• Taxes of $47,828
• Central Air
• 3 1/2 garage
• Extra-wide lot of 37.5 x 124
• 3 fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 16×16 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 14×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 12×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #5: 12×11 (lower level)
• Bedroom #6: 13×10 (third floor)
• Living room: 13×13 (main floor)
• Dining room: 21×14 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 19×16 (main floor)
• Great Rooom: 19×18 (main floor)
• Office: 11×7 (main floor)
• Eating area: 13×10 (main floor)
• Mudroom: 11×7 (main floor)
• Recreation room: 26×25 (lower level)
• Family room: 21×21 (lower level)
• Office: 14×10 (lower level)
• Playroom: 28×15 (fourth floor)
• Sitting room: 12×8 (second floor)
• Laundry room: 8×7 (second floor)

The Illinois Association of Realtors is out with the latest data. Sales bounced off last year’s lows but inventory continued to fall.

And last year was a record low for inventory.

From the IAR:

The city of Chicago saw a 3.1 percent year-over-year home sales increase in October 2024 with 1,688 sales, up from 1,637 in October 2023. The median price of a home in the city of Chicago in October 2024 was $347,500, an increase of 8.6 percent from October 2023 when the median price was $320,000.

Thanks to G for all the data on October sales going back to 1997:

October Chicago sfh/condo/th sales and median

• 1997 1,731 $129,900
• 1998 1,855 $138,000
• 1999 1,978 $159,500
• 2000 2,106 $174,710
• 2001 2,177 $200,000
• 2002 2,503 $215,000
• 2003 2,996 $236,000
• 2004 2,651 $241,000
• 2005 2,846 $268,500
• 2006 2,630 $278,000
• 2007 2,007 $285,000
• 2008 1,564 $261,000
• 2009 2,068 $215,000
• 2010 1,225 $183,000
• 2011 1,324 $162,000 (44% short/REO sales)
• 2012 2,009 $175,000
• 2013: 2,231 $218,500
• 2014: 2,128 $236,000
• 2015: 2,173 $240,000
• 2016: 2,046 $260,100
• 2017: 2,109 $260,000
• 2018: 2,108 $271,500
• 2019: 2,084 $275,000
• 2020: 2,568 $315,000
• 2021: 2,469 $313,000
• 2022: 1,740 $320,000
• 2023: 1,637 $320,000
• 2024: 1,688 $347,500

“In October, we saw a slight uptick in closed sales, however, inventory continues to drop,” Erika Villegas, president of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® and broker and owner of RE/MAX In the Village said. “This reflects cautious sellers hesitant to list before securing their next home—a process further strained by limited options. This is an obstacle with a compounding effect and highlights the importance of talking with a REALTOR® to determine the best approach.”

“Our three-month forecast expects statewide closed sales activity through January to be about 3 percent lower than January 2024 levels, while single-family home prices are anticipated to rise nearly 12 percent year-over-year by January 2025,” said Geoff Smith, Executive Director, Institute for Housing Studies at DePaul University in Chicago.

“Looking at broader market conditions, statewide housing inventory has been on the rise since May but remains historically low compared to pre-pandemic levels. Meanwhile, after declining over the summer, interest rates have been climbing again since October. This interest rate volatility, coupled with ongoing affordability pressures, underscores the challenges many homebuyers continue to face.”

The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.43% in October 2024, up from 6.18% in September 2024. This was down from 7.35% in October 2023.

Statewide inventory was up 7.1% to 22,576 from 21,076 last year. It has been trending higher the last few months.

But in Chicago, inventory continues to decline year-over-year. It fell 10.9% to 5,099 from 5.720 last year.

For comparison purposes on inventory:

• 2021: 8898
• 2022: 7609
• 2023: 5720
• 2024: 5099

Median home price is at an all-time high but this reflects the mix.

Is Chicago the tightest market in the country?

Illinois home sales, median prices and available homes rise in October [Illinois Association of Realtors, Press Release, November 21, 2024]

This 4-bedroom Wolcott Row townhouse at 1801 W. Diversey Parkway in Lincoln Park was listed in June 2024.

Built in 1996, Wolcott Row was built in 1996 and has 36 townhomes along with attached garage parking. It has a gated driveway.

This townhouse has the living room, dining room, kitchen and laundry on the first floor.

There are hardwood floors on the first floor along with a wood burning fireplace in the living room.

The kitchen has white cabinets, what looks like granite counter tops, a peninsula with seating for 3, and stainless steel appliances.

There’s also a paved outdoor space on this floor.

The second floor has three bedrooms, including the primary, and 2 full baths. There is carpet on this floor.

The third floor is a loft space with skylights. The listing says it could be a fourth bedroom, playroom or office. It also has carpet.

There have also been upgrades to the townhouse in 2023 and 2024, including “new soundproof triple paned windows, new front and sliding patio doors, new siding and gutters, as well as a freshly painted interior.”

The Metra train is directly behind the townhouse.

There’s a rear deck off the second floor bedrooms.

This townhouse has the features buyers look for including central air and two car attached garage PLUS a third outdoor parking space.

This townhouse is near the shops and restaurants on Diversey and Ashland as well as near shopping on Clybourn.

Listed in June 2024 for $650,000, it has been under contract three times. But it has now been reduced $25,000 to $625,000.

Will this townhouse go under contract again before the end of the year?

Alonzo Romo at Coldwall Banker has the listing. See the pictures here. (Sorry, no floor plan)

Unit #8: 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2010 square feet, townhouse

• I couldn’t find an original 1996 purchase price
• Sold in April 2006 for $448,000
• Sold in May 2018 for $525,000
• Sold in October 2021 for $550,000
• Originally listed in June 2024 for $650,000
• Under contract three times
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $625,000
• Assessments of $430 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavengers, snow removal)
• Taxes of $11,115
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer
• 2 car attached garage and third outdoor space
• Wood burning fireplace
• Skylights
• Bedroom #1: 16×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×9 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 13×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4/Loft: 14×13 (third floor)
• Living room: 15×14 (main floor)
• Dining room: 11×11 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 15×13 (main floor)
• Deck: 18×10 (second floor)
• Terrace: 15×14 (main floor)

This 2-bedroom at 2116 W. North in Bucktown (but johnc would say Wicker Park) came on the market in November 2024.

The agent lists it in West Town and then never says if it’s in Bucktown or Wicker Park in the listing description.

Built in 1911, this courtyard complex has 41 units. There’s no parking or amenities.

The listing calls it your “new urban oasis.”

It doesn’t have much of its original vintage features but it does have hardwood floors throughout and a white brick gas fireplace in the living room.

The kitchen has white cabinets and a tile backsplash.

The listing calls the primary bedroom a “peaceful haven.”

There’s one bathroom.

The unit has a 21×8 balcony/terrace off the kitchen.

It has some of the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit but no parking. However, this complex is near multiple bus lines and the Blue line stop at Damen.

This building is near all the shops and restaurants on Milwaukee and Damen in Wicker Park and Bucktown.

The listing says to “embrace the vibrant lifestyle.”

Listed at $300,000, is this a better deal than renting?

Benyamin Lalez and Mark Buckner at Compass have the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Or see it at the Open House this weekend on Saturday, November 23 or Sunday November 24 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM.

Unit #1S: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, no square footage listed

• Sold in April 1991 for $76,500
• Sold in December 2000 for $160,000
• Sold in December 2004 for $230,000
• Sold in May 2013 for $208,000
• Sold in November 2021 for $280,500
• Currently listed for $300,000
• Assessments of $255 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $4327
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• No parking
• Gas fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 15×8
• Bedroom #2: 12×8
• Living room: 12×16
• Dining room: 12×8
• Kitchen: 12×8
• Laundry: 6×5
• Balcony: 21×8