Crib Chatter

I’ve been saying for awhile that sales are slowing in the red hot luxury market (just as the Spire is to begin marketing the most expensive units ever sold in Chicago.) The Donald still has 200 units for sale in his building. The Legacy still has dozens of units. Same with Waterview Tower. Now, some […]

Rarely do one bedroom units in Old Town come on the market with parking (let alone two parking spaces.) It’s the nature of the older, smaller streets and no alleys as well as the density of the area. Two recent conversions at Crilly Court and 334 W. Menomonee both sold most, if not all, of […]

Yes, you can have views of the lake and three bedrooms for under $100,000. You just have to know where to look. The south side has some great vintage buildings in Kenwood, Hyde Park and further south in the South Shore neighborhood. Built in 1928 at the height of the pre-war and pre-depression luxury housing […]

Want to live in Old Town but want washer/dryer in the unit, parking and two bedrooms for under $400,000? Yes- it can be done. The best deals in Old Town are at 1309 N. Wells, otherwise known as Michael’s Terrace. It’s that ugly black glass building that is at the south end of Wells, towards […]

Add this to the category of “they just don’t make them like this anymore.” Yes, the new developers are still putting in indoor pools (and some outdoor ones as well) but none come close to the oppulance of the pre-war buildings. Here’s one of my favorites. This is the pool at the Edgewater Beach Apartments […]

Anyone who has looked for a one bedroom vintage condo in Lakeview or Lincoln Park knows it is hard to get one with both a washer/dryer in the unit and deeded parking. And to keep it under $300,000? Good luck. Heck, even some of the expensive units lack one or both (usually lacks the parking.) […]

      They just don’t make loft buildings like the originals anymore.  Even when they convert an old warehouse today- for whatever reason – the units still turn out boring.  Either the developers strip out the natural features or they skimp on square footage. But 15 to 20 years ago they didn’t.  If you want […]

    It’s grown increasingly difficult to find any affordable two bedroom condos in River North.  Most now run well over $400,000. But if you look around, you can find decent square footage for less.  Such has always been the case with Admiral’s Pointe at 645 N. Kingsbury.  Surrounded by more glamorous neighbors such as […]

  Want a single family mansion on Astor Street?  You have your pick as there are at least 10 currently on the market ranging from $2.5 million to $9.995 million. The house pictured above has been listed for over two years.  According to the listing: In 1894, George W. Meeker, A Confidant Of Abraham Lincoln, Commissioned Holibard […]

  Forget about new construction.  If you really want a condo “deal” in a certain neighborhood (outside of foreclosures or short sales) you need to look to the older condo buildings.  You might be surprised at what you get for your money. Yes, some of them might need some minor updating (countertops or appliances) but if […]