Archive for February, 2008

Free Parking at 1400 S. Michigan in the South Loop

The developers at 1400 S. Michigan Avenue,  or Michigan Avenue Tower II, in the South Loop are now giving out free parking when you purchase a unit at the building. Their ad says: “About 30 units are still available for purchase, so buyers still have an excellent selection, including residences with Lake Michigan views and […]

McMansion Developers Under Stress: 2322 and 2324 Charleston

Previously, there have been issues with new McMansions in Bucktown going into foreclosure. The seller of these two houses on West Charleston also appear to be in serious distress. 2322 W. Charleston: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 2 car garage Old house sold in January 2005 for $360,000 Public records show it sold for $1.5 million in January 2007 (not […]

More Details on Chicagoland’s 34% January Sales Plunge

The Chicago Tribune has more details on the 34% drop in sales in January in the 9-county Chicagoland area.  It was the worst plunge since January 1998. Here’s some info on prices per county: The Illinois Realtors report said that in the Chicago area prices fell the most in McHenry County, where the median was down […]

Flipper Alert: The Latest on Flips in 600 N. Fairbanks

Here’s the latest update on 600 N. Fairbanks in Streeterville. New listings come onto the MLS weekly. Here is the current status (out of approximately 227 units): 36 for sale 14 for rent Some units may be both for sale OR rent.  Closings still continue in the building. Prices are all over the place, yet hardly […]

Crain’s Reports Chicagoland Home Sales Plunge 34% in January

The Illinois Association of Realtors released the January sales figures for the Chicagoland area (which includes nine counties).  From Crain’s: In the nine-county Chicago Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area, home and condominium sales in January totaled 3,926, compared with 5,947 in January 2007, the association said Monday in a news release. The median home sale price […]

Foreclosures Hitting 2005 Buyers Hard: 375 W. Erie in River North

  If you research the foreclosure lists long enough, you’ll definitely begin to see a pattern develop. Many of those in trouble on the North Side of the city took out loans in 2005.  No surprise, as that was the “peak” of the mortgage mania. A seller has been trying to do a short-sale on […]

Another foreclosure at 212 W. Washington in the Loop

Just because a property is in foreclosure, that doesn’t necessarily make it a “deal.” Another foreclosure has popped up in City Center Club at 212 W. Washington in the Loop. This two bedroom is the cheapest in the building (with the parking included.) Unit #1902: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 950 square feet Sold in October 2002 […]

Steals and Deals: 530 N. Lake Shore Drive in Streeterville

With all the rush to buy “new” construction, what about a building that has been around for four years? I’ve chattered about 530 N. Lake Shore Drive in Streeterville before but I thought it was time to revisit it.  Many of the units have lake views.   Some stats for the building: 12 units sold […]

Own the Whole Church: 2242 N. Leavitt in Bucktown

  Finally, I close the tour of church homes with this church in Bucktown at 2242 N. Leavitt which is now an apartment building. The church has three units. 2242 N. Leavitt: 10 bedrooms, 6 baths, 2 car garage Currently listed for $1.2 million The listing states: CORNER LOT BRICK CHURCH CONVERTED TO APARTMENTS IN […]

Flipper Alert: First “Real” Flips Appear in Trump Tower

We’ve already seen some buyers in Trump Tower Chicago at 401 N. Wabash in River North put their units “on the market” when they haven’t yet closed. But now we’re starting to see the first of the CLOSED units come back on the market. This is, of course, in the hotel/condo portion of the building, the […]